Quick shot add-on for each episode.
Season 1, Episode 15.
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"Danno where are you?" Steve left in a voicemail after calling for the fifth time and having it go straight to the answering service. He had told him he was going surfing with Kono when he asked the night before but Danny hated the water, there was no way he was actually surfing. Now Steve was back at home with Catherine wondering where he actually was...and despite her positive attitude she knew that Steve's focus was someone other than in the bedroom with her.
Catherine was a good distraction, sexy, sweet and they had known each other since Academy. They had fun together but she couldn't read him, not the way Danny could so he never really opened up to her. She was there when they had lost friends, when Steve lost his dad...but he never let her see behind his walls. Even when they had attended funerals for fellow Navy friends they had not grieved together. She had grieved...Steve though...he shoved that grief aside and kept pushing on always jumping at the chance for the next mission and never questioning the danger level.
When their phones rang they both jumped up and ran down the stairs to where they had left their phones. When they answered the two had mirroring conversations; Tsunami. Steve's thoughts were not on an incoming tsunami though, his thoughts were on Danny. What if he really was surfing?! As he jumped in his truck his phone rang again, "Where the hell have you been?" Steve yelled into the phone seeing Danny's face on the screen.
"Worried about me Babe? I told you I was going surfing with Kono."
"You hate the water."
"And now there is a tsunami." Danny deadpanned. "I am going to get Grace."
"Where were you really?"
"Pulling up to the school now Steven." Danny said hanging up the phone.
As Danny calmed Grace down he drove inland to the closest evacuation zone. "What's up." Danny asked a couple minutes later when Steve was calling him back.
"Hey I need you to meet me at the Tsunami warning center at Ewa Beach, all right?" Steve said, sounding anxious.
"What? Right now?" Why was he anxoius, Steve didn't do anxious...well he did...but not when it came to work.
"Yeah. Now. The head of the center has gone missing...hey, you there?"
"Yeah it's just...I've got Grace and Rachel and Stan are out of town."
"You got anyone to watch her?"
"No. I don't." Danny said rolling his eyes, "Why? You got anything in mind?" Danny asked already knowing who he was going to suggest...which was why he was driving towards the mans house. "Call him and meet me there." Danny said hanging up.
"Why can't I stay with you?" Grace asked from the backseat.
"You know I would love that more than anything baby but Danno and Uncle Steve have a job to do."
"What about Auntie Kono? You were with her this morning...Uncle Steve said there was no way you were surfing."
"Uncle Steve is just jealous he isn't the one teaching me."
"I see his truck." Grace said pointing out the front window. Danny quickly pulled to the side behind the truck and parked.
"Howzit Bruddah?" Kamakona smiled as Danny climbed out of his car, "You have a high priority assignment for me."
As Steve walked over he smiled to Grace before looking at Danny, "High priority...uh yeah." Danny stumbled, "You sure this is a good idea?" Danny asked Steve.
"He looked after my sister." Steve smirked.
"Yeah and she ran away."
"Hey! That's bulai brah." Kamakona smiled, "playing on my emotional vulnerabilities."
"That parts true." Steve smiled at him.
"Shut up you." Danny said pointing to Steve.
"And besides, I'm good with keikis. I got this."
"Uh huh." Danny said before turning to Grace, "Baby, you remember Kamakona from Christmas?"
"I wanna stay with you and Uncle Steve." Grace wined.
"That's understandable, but listen, you're gonna play at his house for a little while because it's really far from the ocean. I'm going to come back just as soon as we get this all figured out." Danny tried to explain. A bribe of shaved ice and Grace went happily on her way to higher ground as Steve drove the Camero back towards the ocean.
As the partners drove around he island trying to track down what was going on Danny was one step away from panic. The thought of a tsunami, especially one three stories tall...he didnt know that it was actually a thing. Well...he did, but he didnt ever think it could happen there. He hated that Steve was so calm, especially after Mamo told him there was no tsunami. He wanted to trust Steve but this was the ocean...and from his experience the ocean was not a happy place.
Steve turned to Catherine for answers and of course she had them, she always did. As Steve drove them out to the harbor, in the direct path to the tsunami they argued. Danny throwing out his hatred of the island and not wanted Steve's face to be the last one he sees...Steve arguing that he did like it there, asking if he had missed his chance of seeing his best friend try to surf for the first time. Danny smiled...he was jealous.
Once they confirmed the tsunami was indeed not happening and they found the scientist they were on the hunt for the one who started this whole mess. When Chin and Kono found it was the Coast Guards own Commander Hale the panic transitioned to anger. Danny held his breath as Steve flipped back the cover on the coast guard truck...only to find it empty. When he saw the sand bag though he ran over in front of the building and started feeling the sand bags. It didn't take long to find one not filled with sand and he knew he had his man.
Then the fear began to settle in again, "Go get Gracie. Go be with Grace." Steve told Danny after he booked Hale. "I will take him home to his daughter then I'm going to go meet with the Governor."
Danny drove to get Grace from Kamakona and smiled when he saw her raking in her winnings playing poker. His parenting skills may not always be the most conventional but his baby was happy and healthy and was protected by all the right people on the island.
"Baby I have to go meet Uncle Steve."
"Can I stay in your office and watch a movie?
"Yeah Monkey, you have to promise to stay there though because we won't be there."
"Where will you guys be?"
"Just on the other side of the building...I will be watching you but it will take a couple minutes to walk back if you need anything."
"Okay Danno...you are worried about Uncle Steve so you should be with him." She said with a smile.
After setting her up in his office with her laptop Danny walked over towards the Governors office where he met up with Chin and Kono before walking in behind a very stiff Steven McGarrett.
"Do I need to pack my bags?" Danny asked when he saw Steve walking out a few minutes later.
"The Governor wanted to thank us...actually she wanted to congratulate us on another job well done." Steve said, for the first time actually looking scared.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"All right, what about he money?"
"28 million...it's all present and accounted for."
"I don't understand."
"The money's all there."
"What?"
"Danny where is Grace?" Steve asked with wild eyes when he realized his partner was alone.
"Office." Danny answered understanding what was behind Steve's fear for the first time.
"Who is with her?" He asked panicking and taking off in a dead sprint towards their office.
Danny pulled out his phone and called his daughter who answered right away, "Hey Monkey I'm going to need you to do something for me."
"You interrupted my movie."
"When Uncle Steve barges in I need you to calm him down."
"What happened Danno?"
"Nothing Baby, Uncle Steve just had a long day."
"Gracie?" Danny heard Steve yell.
"I'm right here." Grace called back. Danny heard him pick her up and hug her close and imagined it looked similar to when he found Mary in the trunk of that car, "Uncle Steve are you crying?" She asked him. Danny heard a mumbled response but couldn't understand what he said, "Uncle Steve sit." Grace demanded, "Danno I am hanging up now." She said into the little girl of his, only eight years old and yet so wise beyond her years. She could read people better than anyone he had ever seen and her name was fitting because everything she did was graceful and perfect. Of course he was a tad biased but she clearly had his partner wrapped around her little finger.
When Danny walked into his office a few seconds later he found his daughter with her arms and legs wrapped around his Partner and his face was buried in her shoulder. "Danno this is more than a long day." Grace said turning slightly to face her father. It was clear that Steve was crying, his whole body was shaking.
"I can see that Monkey." Danny said sitting down next to them and putting his hand on the back of Steve's head, running his thumb along his neck.
"Are you hurt?" Grace asked, pulling back and putting her hands around Steve's face. When he shook his head no, Grace wrapped herself back around him, "Danno, why is he scared and sad?" Grace asked causing Steve to choke back a sob. His daughter can read the man like a book.
"Gracie, when Uncle Steve was not very much older than you his Mommy died."
"Like in the movie?"
"Yeah, and uncle Steve doesn't know who did it...and he is scared something will happen to someone else he loves."
"Like when his Daddy died?"
"Yeah Baby." Danny confirmed, earning another sob from his Partner.
"Uncle Steve has been hurt and right now he needs to know we are safe and that he is safe." Grace told her father.
"When did you get so smart?" Danny smiled at his little girl.
"I love you." Danny heard Grace whisper into Steve's ear as Kono stuck her head into the office. Seeing Grace holding Steve she looked at Danny. "Hi Auntie Kono." Grace pulled back and turned towards Kono forcing Steve to not hide his pain.
"Hey Gracie. How's My Boss Man?" Kono asked, studying them, knowing that Steve was a very private person and that it wasn't often that he showed any real emotion.
"He will be okay...how did Danno do this morning?"
"Your Danno needs to relax."
"Did he go in the water yet?"
"Ladies... we are right here." Danny scoffed.
"That's a no." Grace and Kono laughed.
"There was a tsunami!"
"What is the plan now?" Kono asked.
"We take a day." Danny told her, "Chin go to help Malia?"
"Yeah. He said it's been a mess and traffic is a nightmare."
As she answered Steve's phone rang and he pulled it from his pocket and handed it to Danny, leaning his head back into Graces shoulder. Danny looked at the screen and answered, "Hey Cath." putting his hand on Steve's shoulder silently asking if he wanted to talk to her and he shook his head. Danny gave a sad smile to Kono before walking out of his office and going into Steve's. "Hi Catherine, whats up?"
"Just calling to check in. Where is Steve?"
"He's in my office with Grace and Kono."
"Everything okay?"
"They...it will be."
"You gonna freeze me out too Williams?"
"Not gonna tell someone else's story Cath, you know that."
"Why does he open up to you?"
"Gracie."
"I wish he would talk to me."
"If you really care Cath, don't let him push you away."
"He has been doing that for years."
"Don't let him then."
"He going to be home tonight?"
"We all will be." Danny said, he knew Grace wasn't going to leave him alone.
"I will see you guys in a few hours then."
After he hung up Danny pocketed the phone and walked back into his office. Grace had turned and Steve was more relaxed and talking to her and Kono, "Let's head home, barbecue and maybe surf?"
"We need to check the car." Steve said flipping his head up at Danny. Car bombs. Of course.
"Why don't you go out with Kono and check both and then I will bring out Gracie." Danny suggested but even before he finished his sentence he knew Steve wouldn't be leaving his little girl. "Or you stay with Grace and I will go with Kono."
Ten minutes later Steve was driving his Camero with his daughter and he was riding shotgun with Kono headed back to the McGarrett home. "Danny why is he freaked out...the money was all there?"
"He thinks that whoever put the money back is behind his mothers murder."
"Shit."
"And clearly well connected...when I told him Grace was hanging out in the office..."
"Could be anyone..."
"Steve has a very small circle."
"And someone knew we took the money and didn't want anyone to find out...is that why Mary went back to LA?"
"He is going to kill himself trying to protect everyone else."
When they pulled up outside the house Steve jumped out of the car and started doing his SEAL dance to search the property. "Uncle Steve just look at the cameras on your phone." Grace said tugging on his shirt.
Once he was sure they were safe he carried Grace into the house. Danny and Kono looked at each other before she spoke, "How freaking bad is his ptsd?"
"In the last year think about all the things he has been through. I'd say his ptsd is managed fairly well."
"Danny he was crying in your office with your daughter in his arms less than an hour ago."
"Yeah because there is some stalker psychopath out there watching him and going after people he loves. His mom was murdered. His dad was murdered. Mary was kidnapped. Chin was abducted and strapped with a freaking bomb and today all the money that we know burned was there...and I left Gracie alone in my office."
"You didn't freak out."
"No I didn't. I had her phone lojacked so if it left the room I would have gotten an alert...and I had the camera pulled up on my phone watching her."
"He didn't know that?" Kono asked.
"He didn't know that." Danny confirmed.
"You let Grace go with him even when he is..."
"Grace calms him. And I know Steve would die for her...so yeah... I let her go with him."
When they walked in they found Steve sitting on the couch with Grace on his lap, "Danno will you turn on a movie?"
"Sure Monkey, But don't you want to play in the ocean?"
"We need to rest first." Grace said looking up at Steve's face. "You are safe here."
After Danny started a movie, The Goonies, he sat down next to Steve and his daughter. "Relax would you." Danny said putting his arm around Steve and pulling him into his side.
"Danno tell him he is safe." Grace demanded as she crawled into her dads lap and began to run her fingers through Steve's hair.
"Yeah Danno, tell me it is safe." Steve said snuggling into Danny's side as he closed his eyes.
Kono raised an eyebrow at Danny at the intimate contact between him and Steve, "I've got you." Danny near whispered.
"Promise?" Steve hugged Dannys arm.
"I promise Babe, we are here and the security system is on." Danny told him.
Not two minutes later Danny felt the weight of his partner against him and Grace dropped down from his lap and took Kono hand to go play outside. Danny flipped his phone so he could watch them playing in the tide pools.
When the credits began to roll from the movie Danny turned, trying to lay Steve down on the couch, instead of him just laying down Danny saw tears streaming from his eyes, "Stevie talk to me." Danny pulled his partner back into him and realized that his Partner was still very much asleep.
"Freddie." Steve mumbled grabbing onto Danny. Looking up, Danny saw Catherine let herself in the front door.
"Hey." Danny said wiping the tears with his thumb from his sleeping friends cheek, "Danno's got you."
Catherine walked in and her eyes shot open when she saw Steve crying and holding Danny as if his life depended on it. "Freddie." Steve mumbled again as his whole body shook.
Danny looked up at Catherine, "Dead." She whispered as tears filled her eyes.
"Steve talk to Danno." Danny urged as Steve began to wake up.
"I can't." Steve said as he brought his legs up to his chest burying his face into his Partner.
"Talk about feelings. I don't need to know where or how or when...". Danny said tightening his arms around his best friend.
"Couldn't save him. My brother." Steve mumbled into Dannys chest.
"So that makes you sad. Losing Freddie hurts." Danny reiterated. Danny felt Steve's tears soak into his shirt as he nodded, "Let yourself feel that. What you are feeling is okay." He told him, "You are safe here."
Steve nodded again and Danny held him as he cried, feeling Catherine's eyes on them. It was clear that Freddie had been someone they had both served with based on her reaction and yet she didn't say anything or offer any comfort to Steve.
As Steve relaxed again Catherine wiped her eyes and went outside leaving the two alone. "If you are ever missing someone or want to talk about something I don't care if it is classified or not, your feelings are not classified. They are safe with me. Okay?"
"Need to feel normal again."
"I don't remember what normal feels like." Danny admitted, leaning his head against his friend.
"Catherine makes me feel normal."
"Feeling sex is not the same as feeling normal."
"She has known me since Academy."
"Has she ever seen you cry?"
"No."
"Has she ever seen you scared?"
"No."
"She ever..."
"I get it Daniel." He said sitting up.
"But today you were able to open up to me, Gracie and Kono."
"Cath knew all the same people...we were together a lot."
"So wouldn't it make sense for you to grieve together?"
"We couldn't...I...when you are a SEAL..."
"You are still a damn human, with emotions."
"You are the first person to ever tell me that." Steve said sitting up and looking around, realizing that Grace and Kono weren't in the room.
"Cam on my phone." Danny smiled, "They are safe."
"When did she get here?"
"While ago Babe."
"Did she see?"
"See what? You using your Partner as a pillow or you crying?" Danny asked, "You are Human Steven." Danny turned to face Steve again, "You are Human. It is okay to have feelings. It is okay to be loved."
"Gracie told me she loved me." Steve smiled.
"My daughter does love you...and is very protective of her Uncle Steve...not sure she is a big fan of Cath though." He said smirking as Grace kept her back to the woman, only talking to Kono. "Think it's time to surf?"
"By surf you mean sit on your board in the water."
"It's something isn't it?"
"Yeah Danno. Let's go surf." Steve said with a big grin.
"Gracie should we teach Danno to surf?" Steve said running out across the sand towards the girls.
"Hey! I was trying to teach him earlier...you can't just swoop in." Kono laughed.
"Uh guys...there are no waves." Catherine pointed out.
"Perfect." Danny, Steve, Grace and Kono all said at the same time.
Kono took Grace to change into swimsuits as Danny and Steve got the boards, "Cath you going in?" Danny asked.
"No. Have some work to do." She said shrugging to the house.
"You Sure?" Steve asked walking over and kissing her. "It'll be fun."
"No you guys go ahead...there is a lot of paperwork for the fiasco this morning."
"Uncleeeeeee Steeeeeeeeevvvvvvvvveeeeeee!" Grace yelled as she ran straight towards the man, jumping into his open arms. "Let's go! Let's see if we can find Donatello again."
"Who is Donatello?" Catherine asked.
"A turtle. Duh." Grace answered.
"I saw Mikey this morning." Steve said, "haven't seen the others in a couple days."
"You Ready?" Kono asked, "Before he wimps out."
"Danno will go only if you do." Grace told him.
"You sure you don't want to go?" Steve asked Catherine again.
"I'll be here when you get back. Go, have fun." She told him with a quick peck on the cheek.
The four of them paddled out to where the turtles usually were and Grace squealed when she saw one, "Who is it? Who is it?" She giggled as Steve dived from his board down to where the turtle had gone.
When he came back up he pulled himself onto Graces board with her and whispered in her ear, "Donnie and Rafael."
"There are two?! Can we go see?" She asked, pulling a small pair of goggles from her board shorts.
"Danno?" Steve asked his partner.
"You keep my daughter safe." Danny said shrugging his shoulders.
"Keep your arms around my neck and when you need to come up tap on my shoulder." Steve instructed as she slid from her board, completely unafraid.
Danny held his breath as they dove underwater, counting until they resurfaced. "Again! Again!" Grace yelled to Steve with a huge smile on her face.
"As you wish." He said, bobbing three times before going under again.
As the two chased the turtles Danny and Kono watched the sunset and visited. When they were done diving the four paddled in together as Steve and Danny figured out plans for their dinner.
"Gracie go shower and change into PJ's." Danny told her.
"Why am I the only one who has to shower?"
"You arent. We are all going to shower. Its been a long day and we all smell like turtle poop." Danny said sticking his tongue out at his daughter.
"I will get the grill going and then when you are done with your shower you can man the grill and I will go shower." Steve told her.
"What about Danno?"
"Im going now Monkey." He said walking into the house.
"Are you okay now?" He heard Grace ask before she walked into the house behind him and Danny watched Catherine's reaction to the exchange.
"Hi Grace." Catherine smiled when she walked in, "Steve doing alright?"
"He is Uncle Steve." Grace answered with a shrug.
"Think I should go keep him company?" She asked, "Think he might be lonely without you."
"Yeah. Uncle Steve says he thinks you are pretty and likes it when you are in port." Grace told her as she walked by her. "Dont sneak up on him though."
Danny had been right, she could read Steve like a book, and understood way more about what her friend was going through than she had thought. "McGarrett." Catherine announced as she walked out the back door.
"Hey Cath."
"You have a nice nap earlier?" She smirked at Steve.
"Needed it. Yeah."
"Grace is certainly protective of you." Catherine pointed out moving to stand closer to Steve.
"Gracie is great, isnt she?" Steve said with a huge grin.
"She certainly knows you." Catherine smiled, "How much time do you spend with her?"
"Fixed up Mary's old room so when Danny has her they usually just stay here...unlike her Dad she loves the water."
"You spend a lot of time with Danny outside of work too then?"
"Yeah." Steve said as he tossed a few steaks on the grill. "Why?"
"Just seems like you two are pretty close is all." Catherine said sitting down in one of the chairs.
"Hows it goin?" Danny asked walking out and handing Steve a longboard.
"Thanks." Steve smiled, taking a swig.
"Chin said all is clear at the hospital and life is back to normal." Kono said walking out of the house in clean and dry clothes.
"No more calls from the Governor?" Catherine asked.
"Our cases usually come from HPD." Kono told her, "She usually only calls if something big is going on."
"Like a tsunami." Danny said taking a swig of his beer.
"Impressed with you today Danno, got in the ocean even after a fake tsunami." Kono smiled.
"You cant swim?" Catherine asked.
"I can swim just fine. I just do not like to." He answered as Grace walked back out and over to Steve. "You the Grill Master now?"
"Yup. You stink like turtle poop." Grace told Steve as she reached her hand out for the tongs Steve was holding in his hand.
"Just flipped um...dont let them burn." Steve said as he handed her the tongs and tied his apron around her. "Whatever Danno says...dont let him close the grill." Steve smirked at his partner.
"Danno we are staying here tonight...right?" Grace asked as she poked one of the steaks with the end of the tong like she had seen Steve do a thousand times.
"Yeah Monkey, that okay with you?"
"Do I have to go to school tomorrow?"
"Yes you have to go to school tomorrow."
"Are you going to work tomorrow?"
"Yes we are all going to work tomorrow."
"Can I go to work with you instead of school?"
"Why would you want to do that?"
"To make sure Uncle Steve is really okay." Grace said poking at the steak again.
"Would it make you feel better if I promised either me or Kono will be with him the whole day and we can pick you up after school and then you can go to work with us?"
"Yes. That is much better." Grace smiled. "Catherine are you staying here tonight too?" She asked.
"Yeah she is staying here too." Danny answered for her.
"Kono are you staying?"
"No, Chin is going to pick me up on his way back through and I am going to go with him to pick up Uncle Steves truck so he will have it for tomorrow."
"Uncle Chin is coming over?" Grace said as she poked a couple different steaks.
"Yeah, he should be here in time for dinner."
"How are they lookin Gracie?" Steve asked walking back out with still wet hair.
"Ones on the outside are cooking a little slower than the middle. They've got a ways to go." She said handing the tongs back to Steve.
"How much time do you guys spend together?" Catherine laughed. "You sound like a mini version of McGarrett here."
"I spend as much time as I can with her." Steve said with a big smile as he picked her up and held her close, Grace kissed him on the cheek and grinned.
"We dont get her as often as we would like but her mother likes Steve so when she knows we are going to do something together it is usually easier to take her for a weekend." Danny told Catherine.
"Or an afternoon after school." Steve added.
"Or surfing before school." Kono smiled at her.
"Yeah it is funnest when Auntie Kono comes to get me in the mornings. The waves are Killah and not as many Haoles hoggin the good waves." Grace said and Danny spit his beer across the lanai.
"killa, haoles...what happened to my Jersey Princess?"
"I can throw a wicked curve still Danno and like my slice without pineapple." Grace laughed.
"Thats good...I might have to kidnap my own daughter if I found out she ate pineapple on her pie." Danny laughed.
"Dinner ready yet Brah?" Chin asked walking over to them.
"Ask her, shes the Grill Master." Steve said handing the tongs back over as he turned so she could still reach being in his arms.
Grace poked at the meat and studied it for a minute before turning to Steve, "Maybe five more minutes. We should get the plates ready."
Kono got up and went into the kitchen with Danny following and they got out the plates, macaroni salad and Hawaiian sweet rolls and brought them out to the table. Grace picked who got which steak and Steve put them on the plates for she instructed. Finally putting her down on the bench next to him to eat.
Catherine watched, amazed that Steve, Danny and Grace cut their food and took bites at the exact same time, the three were totally in sync with each other. She missed that feeling of closeness. She had been on boat after boat for years and while you spend a lot of time in close contact with your shipmates you dont ever have the chance to really get close to people.
"How long are you in port for?" Danny asked Catherine as she sat next to him, watching Steve and his daughter from across the table.
"Few weeks...but you never really know." She said. "Its been nice to be able to come here and sleep in a real bed."
"You dont have beds in the Navy?" Grace asked looking up.
"We do...they just arent very comfortable."
"Are they like the ones you took me to see at Pearl Harbor?" Grace asked Steve.
"Kind of, the carrier that Cath is on is newer than the one we were on so the layout is a little different but the beds are still bunks."
"Oh ok." She told him before going back to her food, "Do you have to share a bathroom with stinky boys?" She asked as she put her fork down.
"We have our own rooms and bathrooms. We aren't suppose to go into each others rooms at all."
"I dont think Uncle Steve followed that rule." Grace said snickering.
"Why would you say that?" Danny asked almost choking on his steak.
"Because he is looking at Catherine with googly eyes...like if he was a cartoon his eyeballs would be going out of his head...so my guess is Uncle Steve got in trouble a lot when he was in the Navy."
"Uncle Steve was actually very well behaved." Catherine smiled.
"Thats gotta be a first." Kono snickered.
"How much did you pay her to say that?" Chin asked.
"Hey now, I know how to be stealth...but I didnt spend very much time on the boats...I usually went on the missions and was only onboard long enough to get to and from where I needed to go."
"Because you are a Super SEAL." Grace smiled, leaning her head against his shoulder in a little hug.
Danny noticed the change in Steve's demeanor too and was impressed at how quickly Grace felt it, looking at Catherine Danny saw that she was more focused on everyone other than Steve, lost in her own world. "Steven?" Danny asked without asking.
"Good steaks tonight Gracie." Steve said ignoring his partner.
"Uncle Steve can we go sit down by the waves?" She asked him.
"Kono and I are going to head out. Thanks for making dinner tonight Grace!" Chin said smiling to her.
"See you tomorrow Gracie." Kono told her as she took their plates into the kitchen.
"Can we go sit by the waves now?" Grace asked after telling Chin and Kono goodbye.
"Cath you want to go down there with us?" Danny asked.
"Sounds like fun." She answered and Grace jumped down and ran inside to get her beach blanket. When she came back in she took Steve's hand and the two of them walked down to the edge of the dry sand and laid the blanket out. "She felt it before Steve even said anything." Catherine said quietly to Danny. "And he leaned into her when she got close to him."
"Yes." Danny said with a sad smile, "Grace can read him like a book."
"You can too."
"We spend a lot of time together."
"I have known him since we were kids...I have seen more emotion from him today than..."
"When we go down there...Grace will...he wont be McGarrett...he will be Uncle Steve and his emotions are raw...let him feel safe."
"Thanks Danny."
"I want to see my Boy happy." Danny told her as they slowly started walking down there.
"Uncle Steve why does the Navy make you sad?" Grace asked, Danny held up his hand and they stopped moving as him and Catherine waited for Steve's answer.
"Not all of my friends made it home to their families...to their little girls." He told her.
"Like your Grandpa at Pearl Harbor...you had friends who were killed by other soldiers?"
"Yeah." Steve said as he wiped his eyes.
"It is okay to feel sad." Grace told him as she moved to sit on his lap.
"I have a hard time feeling sad." Steve told her.
"Sometimes I when I get sad I am scared that if I start crying I wont be able to stop but I do...I do stop...when I am done crying and I always feel so much better..it is okay for you to cry too. I will keep you safe." She promised him, leaning her head on his shoulder.
"You will keep me safe?" Steve asked and Danny could tell that the flood of tears was going to come and he put his arm around Catherine.
"Yeah. I've got your six." Grace said putting her arms around him and spinning her finger in the hair on the back of his neck.
"That girl of yours Danny...she is something else." Catherine whispered with tears in her eyes as she watched Steve begin to sob and a little girl held him safe in her arms.
"Uncle Steve?" She asked, "Who are you crying for right now?"
"Too many people." He hiccupped.
"Tell me their names." Grace said picking up Steve's hands and holding them in her own small ones, "They need their own special time for you to be sad for them."
"I...its hard Gracie." He said with a shakey voice.
"You have to be brave. Daddy always tells me you are brave."
"My Dad...John McGarrett." Steve said after a shakey breath.
"John." Grace repeated.
"My Mom...Doris." Steve told her.
"Doris." She repeated.
"Freddie."
"Freddie."
"James."
"James."
"Derek.
"Derek.
"Stephanie."
"Stephanie."
For ten minutes Steve listed names and Grace repeated them. By the end it was just silent tears glistening on his cheeks. "I am sorry you lost so many people Uncle Steve." She told him when he was quiet for a few seconds. "I love you." She told him as she leaned her chin up to kiss his cheek.
"Love you too Beautiful Gracie." He said with a still wavering voice.
"It is okay if you are still sad." She told him as another sob escaped, "Daddy says you are a Neanderthal and have the emotional capability of a stump." She said to make him smile.
"A stump huh." He snickered, wiping his eyes again.
"Yeah Buddy, I think you may be evolving into a human though." Danny said walking forward and cupping his shoulder in his hand as he sat down next to his best friend.
"Mmmm." Steve mumbled as he leaned into his friend, "hurts Danno."
"I know Babe, you are safe though, what was it you said Gracie-we've got your six? Where did you learn that phrase anyway?"
"Gibbs says it all the time on NCIS and Mommy watches that show a lot." Grace answered her father.
"Steve..." Catherine said walking up slowing and sitting down on the other side of Steve and Grace.
Steve immediately stiffened up and evened his breathing, "Uncle Steve you are safe here." Grace said pulling his face so he was looking directly at her, "It is okay to be sad."
"You are safe here Steve." Catherine said, "Safe with all of us."
He nodded his head just enough to be noticeable before pulling Grace into him again, burying his face in her hair. Grace wiggled around so her legs were wrapped around him and she started to rock him back and forth, "Listen to the waves, breathe with them. It is okay to be sad sometimes." Grace whispered into Steve's ear.
"It is getting late Monkey, you have school tomorrow." Danny said putting his arm around Steve's shoulders stopping the rocking.
"Few more minutes Danno?" Steve turned to look at his partner and saw his cheeks still glimmering in the light from the moon tracing the tracks of his tears.
"Daddy can you and Catherine go inside and me and Uncle Steve will be in soon?" Grace asked, starting to rock again.
Looking over Steve to Catherine, Danny nodded his head. "Few minutes. Uncle Steve can tuck you into bed, we'll get stuff cleaned up."
"You let her stay out there with him?" Catherine asked when they were doing dishes in the kitchen.
"You can see it is good for him."
"But she has school tomorrow."
"She wont be able to sleep until she knows he is okay." Danny shrugged.
"You don't seem surprised by...by how he is acting."
"We spend a lot of time together...and met because I was investigating John's murder."
"Does he...is he...Danny how bad is his PTSD?"
"He has been through a lot Catherine, you know that better than anyone."
"I barely know him out of the uniform. He is a different person."
"Steve is Steve." Danny smiled, "He finally has people here who have his back...and know him outside of the uniform. Chin was his fathers Partner at HPD...knew Steve when he was young. Kono is his cousin and we got her right out of academy."
"He said the first time he met you that you pointed a gun in his face."
"I did."
"And that made him trust you?"
"I think it was after I punched him in the face after he got me shot on our first day of being partners."
"He didn't mention that part."
"Didnt know the two of you spent much time talking." Danny smirked.
"We have spent the last decade with email and short phone calls being our only way of contact."
"Will you lay with me for a little bit?" Grace asked Steve as he carried her and the sandy blanket into the house.
"For you? Anything." He said smiling, all traces of tears vanished.
"Danno in five minutes I need you to come up and tuck me in." Gracie giggled as Steve carried her up the stairs.
Five minutes later Danny left Catherine with her laptop at the kitchen table and went upstairs to what has become his daughters room. Steve lay on the bed with his eyes closed and Grace had her head on his chest while he gently ran his hand up and down her back. "Goodnight Danno." She smiled up at her father.
"Goodnight Baby, I'm proud of you."
"You need to make sure he sleeps tonight Danno, when you cry it makes you tired...trust me..I am a girl and cry a lot." She said hugging her arm tighter around Steve.
"Right here Gracie." He mumbled, "I can take care of myself."
"Sure you can Super SEAL." Danny smiled as he sat down on the bed next to Steve and put his hand on his daughters back, "But you dont have to do everything alone."
"I want both of you to pick me up from school tomorrow." Grace said, "No kiss me and go. I need my beauty sleep."
"As you wish!" Danny smiled and leaning over his partner he kissed each cheek and her forehead, "Goodnight Monkey. Danno loves you."
"Love you too Danno." She said pulling him closer for a hug.
"Goodnight Gracie. Thank you." Steve said hugging her tight before sitting up, using Danny's arm for leverage.
"Love you Uncle Steve. Sweet dreams."
"Love you too Gracie, very much." Steve smiled, tears filling his eyes again.
"Come on you." Danny said throwing his arm around his friend as he led him out of the bedroom, "I've got you."
"Cath is here."
"She is."
"Is it..I mean...I am a mess."
"Steven that woman cares about you. Based on her reaction to the names you listed earlier with my little girl she knew all of the same people."
"It is hard for me..."
"I know Babe."
"I dont want her to feel sorry for me."
"You think I feel sorry for you?"
"No. But that is cuz you are an ass."
"You want to go watch the game for a bit before you turn in?"
They walked down the stairs and sat down on the couch, Steve flipping the tv over to ESPN. "Whatcha watchin?" Catherine asked from the kitchen.
"Basketball I think." Danny answered.
"You think?"
"Its ESPN." Steve yawned, "Just something to have on."
"I think I am going to head to bed here pretty quick." Catherine said after a few minutes, when she didn't get a response from either man she closed her laptop and got up and walked into the living room. "You two." She said quietly as she walked over to Danny who had his head resting on the armrest of the sofa, Steve's head on his hip both asleep. "You sleeping down here tonight?" She asked, waking Danny gently.
"No, gonna head upstairs and sleep in his old room." He said moving to get up and realizing Steve was leaning against him. "Come on Babe. Go sleep in a real bed." Danny told Steve as he pushed the overly tired man into a sitting position.
"Come on." Catherine said reaching out her hand, "I've got you." She told him as she put her arm around the man leading him upstairs.
Danny walked around making sure all the doors were locked and turned out the lights before heading upstairs. He stuck his head in and made sure Grace was asleep only to find Steve standing over her bed, "Go to bed Steven."
"I...just wanted to check on her." He told Danny as he turned around, resting his hand heavily on his shoulder.
"You are okay." Danny told his friend.
"No...I'm not." Steve smiled sadly at the man.
"Let Catherine in." Danny said walking out of Graces room to cross the hall to Steve's childhood bedroom.
"Night Danno." Steve said as he walked into his own room.
As Danny lay in the bed he listened as Steve talked to Catherine, the conversation was light as they got ready for bed and it got quiet pretty quick. Just as Danny thought they had gone to sleep he heard the familiar creak of the stairs. "Steven." Danny hissed causing Steve to freeze, turn around and sulk his way into his childhood bedroom where he sat down next to his best friend. "Not going to ask."
"I'm tired."
"Go to sleep then." Danny told him as he pat the bed next to him.
"Catherine is here."
"Shut up and go to sleep." Danny mumbled. When Steve finally laid down Danny flipped his arm over him, within seconds they were both asleep.
When Catherine got up in the morning she stuck her head into Danny's room and was not surprised to find both men asleep on the bed. She went downstairs and started to make breakfast and before she knew it she heard Graces laughter followed by both Danny and Steve. The three had become a family and despite how Steve felt she knew that he had the family he had dreamed of as long as she had known him...and that made her incredibly happy.