Danny was not supposed to see Charlie again until his game the following Tuesday, but after what Steve had told him, he decided to make a special trip to Rachel's house that same night.
"Hi, Rach. Sorry to just drop in, but I wanted to see how Charlie was doing."
"It's okay. Come on in." Rachel stepped back from the door so Danny could enter. He leaned in and gave her a light kiss on her cheek in greeting.
"You're looking good." He meant it. Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun on the back of her head and she had a dishtowel flung over her shoulder. She had obviously been doing some housework, something that was a new activity to her since Stan had moved out. Although Stan had made sure to leave her and the kids in a comfortable position, she was making an effort to not be as frivolous with her spending as before and one of the ways was to discharge the cleaning lady and do the task herself. The pale, cloud blue oversized sweatshirt that she had paired with her khaki clamdiggers showed off her eyes. This was not a look Danny was used to seeing on his ex-wife in recent years, but it took him back to their early days and he liked it.
"You're an absolutely hideous liar." She swept her hand over her hair, unconsciously putting non-existent fly-away strands back in place.
Danny stood in the foyer and smiled a simple, unassuming smile.
Rachel gave in. "Thank you." She closed the door. "How is Steve?"
"He's a royal pain in… Oh, you mean how is he."
Rachel was used to Danny's snark and allowed him the usual release.
"Well, in his words, he's 'fine'. He'll be nursing a concussion for a few days but he's no worse for the wear. Well, maybe a little worse."
"I'm glad he's well… relatively speaking that is. Charlie's in his room."
"Okay, thanks." Danny started down the hallway toward his son's room.
"Danny?"
Danny turned back to Rachel. "Yeah?"
"Charlie's also doing well. Um, and I just wanted to thank you."
Danny tweaked a slight grin and gave a knowing nod then turned to go to Charlie's room.
"Hey, Charlie."
"Hi, Danno." Charlie got a big smile on his face as he looked up from the large book that was open on his crossed legs as he sat on the floor leaning against his bed.
"Hey, sorry to interrupt your reading."
"It's okay."
"Can I talk to you a minute?" Danny sat on the edge of his bed and patted the spot beside him as Charlie closed his book and wiggled his way up to sit beside his dad. Danny encircled his arm protectively around Charlie's back and propped his hand on the bed without actually touching his son. "I just wanted to see how you were doing after the camp last night?"
"Okay. I had fun. The games were fun and Uncle Steve showed me some cool stuff."
"Yep, he does that," Danny mumbled. "I mean, what happened after the games… with Tyler's dad…"
Charlie's expression fell and his eyes moved from Danny to one of the walls in the room. He shrugged and almost incoherently spoke "I dunno."
Danny's heart sank. He started to second guess that he shouldn't even be there at all, much less bring up the frightening memory, but he decided to trust his original instincts and plodded on.
"You know, Uncle Steve told me that being in that room made you…" scared. He was going to say scared, but paused and chose a different word, uncomfortable. "…uncomfortable."
Charlie shrugged again as he looked at the floor now. "It was small."
Danny looked away and nodded in understanding and confirmation of what Steve said.
"I wanted out."
Danny was glad Charlie was opening up a little with him. "Yep, it was small. I don't like places like that either, but it's okay to have those feelings. Sometimes people are 'uncomfortable' in certain situations when other people are not. That's just because God made us all different. It's okay." Danny leaned down to try to get Charlie to look at him and was rewarded when he did. "And it means you're a lot more like your old man than I thought." He smiled sweetly at his son. "Your Uncle Steve wouldn't admit it, but that's a good thing."
"Old man?"
"Well, not that old. It's just an expression. You know, meaning your dad… me."
"I'm glad I'm like you, Danno. Maybe I'll be a hero someday, too."
"I'm sure you will, Charlie. I'm sure you will. Just don't grow up on me too soon. 'kay?"
"Okay."
"Love ya, buddy." Danny now embraced him in a one-armed squeeze as they sat on the edge of the bed together.
"Love you more, Danno."
~~~~~H50~~~~~
The following Tuesday evening, Danny came out of the detention center and joined Steve who was waiting outside, sitting on a concrete wall by the sidewalk.
"Well, how'd it go in there?" Steve asked.
"You were there."
"I mean after I left."
"EJ's not a big fan of Five-0 right now, is he?"
"Definitely not, and may I say, you did a good job of restraining yourself from choking the life out of him."
"You know you wanted to as well," Danny accused his partner. Steve stood up and they both started walking toward the car. "Now don't get me wrong. You know if anyone threatens or puts my kids in danger, or you either, babe…" he smiled insincerely.
"You're so sweet," Steve came back at him.
"…I'm not going to let anything or anybody keep me from protecting those I love."
"Ah, you love me."
"Yeah, I love you, you putz. However, Ledford knows he's going away for a long time, but I sense a little regret, possibly even contrition. He's made some bad choices in his life and probably had a few bad breaks, but he's accepting responsibility. I think he really does love Tyler but just hasn't known how to show it. I'm hoping for reconciliation when he gets out. Tyler will be an adult, but I hope he gives him a chance."
"Wow, I'm impressed, partner. That's really big of you."
"Well we talked, or should I say, I talked about what it's like being a dad that your kids can look up to and I think he might have listened."
"You know, Tyler's got some things to sort through also. From what I witnessed, he has some bullying issues that need to be dealt with. I'm sure having EJ Ledford as an influence in his life didn't help. I'm going to talk to his parents to see if he can get the help he needs."
"I'll go with you when you do, if you want me to," Danny offered.
"Sounds good, buddy."
When they got to the car, Danny went to the driver's side.
"I know you're enjoying it, but don't get used to being in that seat. Today's my last day on concussion protocol."
"I would never. I'm just surprised you've abided by the rules this long."
"I abide by the rules..."
"Oh, okay." Danny sarcastically sounded unconvinced.
"… when I need to."
"That's more like it. Guess that's as close as I'll get to the truth out of you."
"Just step on it. Would 'ya? We're already running late."
"Take it easy. There are six innings. We'll be fine."
"Fine." Steve blew out a heavy breath and began to impatiently gnaw on the bend of his index finger as he stared out his window.
Danny smiled in silent satisfaction.
~~~~~H50~~~~~
The pair walked up as the team was coming off the field, as the top of the first inning had just ended. They made their way through a small crowd toward Lou, Will, and Grace who were already on the bleachers. They were met with a warmer welcome than usual from the other parents, getting some literal pats on the back and inquiries about Steve's well-being. They gratefully accepted their well wishes as they found their seats. Danny wanted to give Grace a hug, but refrained to save his daughter the embarrassment. He settled for fist bumps for Lou and Will and a risky smile and "Hey, Monkey" for Grace.
Charlie vigorously waved when he saw them. "Hi, Danno! Hi, Uncle Steve!"
"Hey, Charlie!" Steve yelled out.
"Would ya sit down? You're embarrassing yourself." Danny smiled broadly at Charlie as he waved back, hoping his partner would learn a lesson by example in ballgame, and parenting, etiquette.
Steve sat, still smiling and waving at Charlie. "You mean I'm embarrassing you."
"That, too. Well look who's here." Tani and Junior joined their ohana in the bleachers. "So, you two came together? Is this like a date or something?"
Junior's eyes got wide in horror and Tani smiled in amusement but looked down and covered her mouth with her hand to hide it. "No, sir. We, uh, we were both at work and just thought it made sense to ride together."
"Calm down. I'm just messin' with you. Sensitive much?"
Junior seemed to relax a little and Tani seemed unaffected and slightly amused at Junior as well. They sat on the other side of Steve to watch the game.
"Hey, look." Danny nudged Steve and pointed to the left field fence. "I'll be right back."
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"Nope. I got it."
Danny stepped up to the Worshams who were standing outside the fence watching the game. He laid his hand on Jon Worsham's shoulder to announce his presence. Jon turned around and smiled and shook Danny's hand. Jenny turned to see who had joined them and she, too, took Danny's hand. He put his other hand comfortingly over her's and leaned in for a peck on her cheek.
"Danny, I… I don't know what to say," Jenny said. This was the first time she had seen him since Tyler had come home from the ordeal.
"Well, I do," Jon said. "We just want to express how grateful we are for what you and Commander McGarrett did for our son."
"Not necessary."
"How is Commander McGarrett?" Jenny asked.
"Oh, he's as stubborn as ever." He smiled. "But physically? He's fine. He's got a hard head. No biggie." He turned his attention to Tyler who hadn't flinched at his attempt at humor and was being uncharacteristically quiet. "Hey, Tyler. How's it going, buddy?"
Tyler turned from watching his team's at-bat. "All right."
"Good, good. Didn't feel up to playing tonight?"
Tyler shook his head.
"Completely understandable." He wanted to make the boy feel at ease. "Well, I just wanted to let you know, if you need anything or want to talk, I'd be glad to do that. Just let your parents know and we'll set something up. Okay? Maybe we can get some gelato or something."
"Okay."
"That's very generous of you," Jenny offered.
Danny and Tyler's parents were a little surprised when Tyler had something else to say. "Mr. Williams?"
"Yeah, Tyler?"
"Can Charlie go with us? I think I need to tell him I'm sorry for the way I've acted, to him, and to the whole team. Actually, I'd like to tell the whole team."
"Well, that's very grown up of you, Tyler. How 'bout we set up a gelato outing… for the whole team… on me?"
"I'd like that."
"I'd like that, too. Why don't you come and join us on the bleachers? What 'da ya say?"
Tyler looked up to his mom who nodded. Danny and the Worshams joined the others.
Steve leaned over and whispered to Danny, "Looks like it went well."
Danny nodded. "I think so."
Tyler looked back to Steve and seemed to focus on the bruise on Steve's head. "Does that hurt?"
"No. It's still a little ugly, but it doesn't hurt," Steve lied.
"Mr. Williams said you have a hard head."
Danny smiled as he kept his eyes on the field.
"Yes, Tyler. Mr. Williams does say that." Steve glanced sideways at his partner. "There's somebody else that says that, too."
"Who?"
"Charlie Williams." The others were laughing now as they were overhearing the revelation. "Turns out, little Charlie Williams is just like his dad, in more ways than one, but especially when it comes to describing the toughness of my head. I heard him say it myself."
Danny was purposefully pressing his lips together so he wouldn't laugh out loud, still maintaining his smile and his watch on the game. After the laughter from the others died down, he proudly stated, "What can I say? Like father, like son."
"You got that right," Steve wholeheartedly agreed.
They all enjoyed a relaxing evening watching Charlie's team win ten to seven.
~The End~
\,,,/ BronsonL
