Quick shot add-on for each episode.
Season 1, Episode 23.
This one is my longest one yet...but this episode...I couldn't not write a book. Please leave reviews!
"You are going Steven." Danny said as he pulled into a parking spot of the psych clinic that came highly recommended.
"It will be a waste of time."
"Not if you actually talk."
"I'm not going to sit on a stupid couch and break down."
"Get out of the damn car." Danny said getting out of the car himself.
Smirking as he watched his partner exit the car and immediately stuffed his hands in his pockets looking like he wanted to puke. "I will be right there."
"Dammit Danny that is part of the problem...I can talk to you...I cannot talk to them." He said flailing his arm out to the side before putting his hand back in his pocket.
Danny raised an eyebrow and held the door open to the building, Steve following and begrudgingly checking himself in. After receiving the chipboard with pages of questions he dropped it in his Partners lap.
Steve was surprised when Danny began filling it out, no questions asked. Steve watched as Danny concentrated on the paperwork quickly going through page after page without asking for any of his input. Danny gave a sad smile as he passed the completed packet to his partner and watched him review everything that he had written.
After he finished his hand dropped and Danny took the packet before it fell to the floor. "I got you." Danny whispered before taking the board back to the receptionist who smiled at him.
"You are a good friend. Most of our clients are not here willingly." She said nodding to Steve who was now sitting with his head in his hands.
Danny gave a curt nod and sat down next to Steve, putting his arm over the armrest so Steve would feel his touch. It worked too, Steve took a deep breath and sat up so his arm paralleled Danny's.
"McGarrett." The psychologist called a few minutes later.
"And Williams." Steve said as he walked towards her.
"Danny." He said shaking her hand before following her down the hallway.
"I had a chance to review your paperwork that Danny filled out for you. I also received your military jacket. I will not ask you to get into anything classified and will focus on your thought process and what you are feeling." She said as they sat down, all three in their own arm chairs.
"Thank you." Steve mumbled, looking only at his hands.
"Danny wrote your preferred name is Steve, is that what you would like me to call you?"
"Yes."
"Okay Steve, Can you tell me what made you agree to come in today?"
"I freaked out after a case...I Uh...PTSD...Danno thinks it will help." Steve answered, looking to his partner for strength.
"What do you mean by freaked out?" The doctor asked.
"I Uh...I was scared...I needed Danno...". Steve said looking to Danny again, too embarrassed to share the details.
"Thank you Steve, I know it is difficult to talk about times of vulnerability. Danny, can you tell me what it looked like when Steve freaked out?"
Danny looked to Steve who nodded approval before he spoke, looking at his Partner the whole time, "He asked me to drive...he usually drives my car...and fell asleep...so I knew he hadn't been sleeping...then when we got to his house...he mentioned his dad...I reminded him he was safe...he said he was safe with me, but not safe...and we went into the house...he sat on the couch instead of his recliner so I, uh, I told him to come here and he curled himself around me...and I held him until he cried himself to sleep."
She nodded and turned back to Steve, "Steve How did you meet Danny?"
"He was the detective investigating my fathers murder."
"How long had he been investigating when you arrived in Hawaii?"
"Three days."
"When did you know you could trust him?"
"When he held his gun in my face." Steve said looking over at Danny with a smirk.
"This was not the first time you have been there for him?" She asked Danny.
"No, and he has been there for me too. Steve has been through more than any human should and until recently he has kept it all in." Danny answered, talking to his partner.
"And now that it has gotten out I can't...Uh...it's hard to...I don't want to be scared or emotional all the time." Steve said looking this time to the psychologist.
"What do you think I can do to help you?"
"Nothing." Steve said, looking over to Danny with glossy eyes.
"Danny?"
"I want you to help him learn ways to explore what he has locked away for the majority of his life and process the feelings he has supressed so he isn't scared of them." Danny said reaching over and putting his hand on Steve's neck, relaxing him.
"I'll tell you what Steve, I can definitely do what Danny is asking...but only if you are willing to meet regularly and be as open as you are right now. I will also need to see you without Danny here for at lea..."
Steve cut her off before she could finish her thought, "I need Danny."
Recognizing the panic in his partner Danny pinched his neck causing Steve to flip his head around to face him, "Let her finish."
Steve studied Danny and after a few seconds he turned back to the doctor, "I was saying I would like to talk with just you for at least a portion of each of our visits." She finished.
"I need Danno close."
"I can wait in the waiting room." Danny promised.
"If you can agree to that then we can begin."
"Okay." Steve said, barely above a whisper.
"Okay, then Danny can you step out? I will come get you in about fifteen minutes."
Danny nodded and moved to stand up and Steve immediately started to hyperventilate, with a look to the psychologist Danny crouched down in front of Steve, "Look at me." He said as he put a hand on either side of his Partners face raising it to look at him. "Breathe for me." He whispered and Steve did, calming down quite quickly. "Can you be brave for me?" He asked softly, how he would talk to Grace. With a small nod Danny straightened his legs, "I will be right on the other side of that door. Right there."
"Danno." Steve whispered with fear in his eyes.
"Right there." Danny said again, "You need me she will get me." Danny said looking over his shoulder to the psychologist who nodded. "Right there Steven."
"Okay." Steve whispered. And Danny walked out before he changed his mind.
"Why do you call him Danno?" He heard the psychologist ask as he closed the door and he smiled as he pulled out his phone to text the team they would be in after lunch.
"Steve, why do you call Danny, Danno?" The psychologist asked again once the door was closed.
"Gracie calls him Danno."
"Who is Gracie?"
"His daughter."
"So why do you call him Danno?"
"Started as a way to get on his nerves...but...uh...it is how he knows I am...that I'm not okay."
"Can you give me an example of how you use it?"
"Book um Danno." Steve smiled, "Or...Danno...just Danno when..." Steve answered nervously. He hated how he was a ball of nerves and totally lacked his confidence.
"When your Dad was murdered, did Danny catch who killed him?"
"Yes."
"You live in your families home?"
"Yes."
"Where you lived when your Mother also died?"
"Yes."
"Does Danny stay there often?"
"Sometimes."
"Do you also stay at his home?"
"I have but usually at mine, it is bigger."
"Are you as close to the rest of your five-o team?"
"Not like Danny."
"So you would say he is your best friend."
"I guess." She rattled off questions quickly and Steve answered them just as quickly. Some about the team, some about his time in the Navy, and a handful about his childhood. Every few questions she made sure were about his partner and was fascinated that the mere mention of his name made him visibly relax.
"What would you do if you ever were not working with him?" She asked as she saw it had been nearly fifteen minutes and wanted to see how far she could push her patient.
"I..." He felt like the room was closing in around him, "I...I can't breathe."
"Danny is right outside of the door Steve, take a deep breath." The psychologist said but it was not helping. "Do you want me to get Danny?" Steve gave a little nod and pulled his knees to his chest as he struggled to regulate his breathing. "Danny." The psychologist said, sticking her head out the door and Danny barreled into the room.
She watched as Danny got down on his level and near instantly relaxed his partner. "I asked him what he would do if the two of you were ever not working together." She told him.
"This is why you are here." Danny said as Steve leaned into his shoulder, "Whatever scares you this much...I need you to keep talking to her. Can you do that for Me?"
"I am scared cuz...cuz I have lost everyone." Steve said into Danny's shoulder as he tried to regulate his breathing.
"You are scared of losing him as a friend or a coworker?"
"That he will die." Steve said with tears in his eyes, "Everyone I get close to dies."
"Hey." Danny whispered to him as he wiped a tear from Steve's eye, "We've gotta get through one day at a time."
Steve nodded to his partner and wiped the tears he refused to let fall. "I can't lose you."
"We have about fifteen minutes left. What I want you to do is tell Danny what he does to make you feel safe."
"He doesn't ask me stupid questions like that." Steve blurted out.
"When I asked you the series of questions when he was out of the room I would ask you a question about him when you were getting anxious and it calmed you. His touch in the waiting room, just now when he came back in here. I need to know what he does to make you feel like you can be vulnerable with him. I need that vulnerability in order to help you process the last three decades."
Steve looked at his partner who had moved to sit on the couch next to his chair and he smiled, "I just know I can feel him...when he walks into a room or I talk to him on the phone I can just feel him and I feel safe...it's stupid." Steve said looking down at his hands.
"Danny do you feel the same with Steve?" She asked and Danny nodded. "Can you elaborate?"
"He is my partner and my best friend. We are together at work and in our private lives. My daughter has a room at his house that she likes better than my apartment. She has a connection to him that Rebecca and I have not seen with anyone else other than us. Steve is very protective of us and we are of him...I don't know if that answer was helpful or not." Danny rambled.
"What would you do if you ever weren't working with Steve?"
"I would open a restaurant." Danny said sarcastically. "Why would I ever not be working with him?"
"For the sake of hypotheticals."
"He would still be my family." Danny answered.
"Steve?" The psychologist asked noticing Steve getting anxious again.
"This conversation is stupid." He growled.
"No. This conversation scares you." Danny told him before the doctor had the chance.
"You have survived the losses of both of your parents, friends and teammates...what makes Danny different?"
"My mom was killed when I was a kid...I was sent away...split up from my sister...then I...war happened...as a SEAL it is a risk we are taught to be ready for...my Dad was murdered the same day as...and...I just can't lose anyone else."
"The same day as who Steve?"
"A mission went bad. It is classified." He said crossing his arms.
"I am not asking about the mission, who did you lose?"
"My brother." Steve answered with steel in his veins.
"Thank you." They psychologist said. "For our next session, in two days, I want you to make a list of who you have lost. I do not need names if you do not want to give them, but I need you to list who they were to you. I also need you to make a list of all the times you feel your anxiety level rising and what you do to bring it down. Can you do that?" She asked.
Steve looked at Danny who nodded, "Yes Ma'am." Steve answered.
"When you come next time Danny will wait in the waiting room for the first portion and I will get him when you need. I will see you both in two days." She said excusing them, Steve practically running from her office.
Danny tailed him and unlocked the doors to the car remotely as Steve reached it before he did letting himself into the passenger seat. "You did not expect it to be that hard." Danny commented as he climbed into the driver seat.
"No shit." Steve deadpanned.
"Home or work?" Danny asked, reaching over and putting his hand on his Partners neck.
"Office." Steve said, leaning into Danny's touch.
"I will get my stuff and work in your office." He said after parking, getting out of the vehicle and opening up the passenger side. Steve let Danny lead him in earning a look from Kono as they walked by her, Steve plopped down on his couch and was asleep almost instantly.
Danny walked back out and told Kono to keep an eye out while he gathered his laptop and folders from his desk before going back into Steve's office and sitting down at the desk smiling when he saw that Steve was asleep.
"He sick?" Kono demanded as she followed him into the office.
"Went to the psychologist." Danny said quietly, "Was a lot."
"What is he on?" Kono asked as she looked over at Steve.
"Nothing." Danny told her, "PTSD."
"Dannodonnnngo." Steve mumbled in his sleep and Kono cocked and eyebrow to Danny.
"Right here Steven." Danny said from the office chair.
The two watched as Steve moved in his sleep to curl into a ball, reaching his arm out for his partner, "Dannozzzzsafe." He slurred.
"Yeah Buddy, Danno is safe." Danny said looking at Kono nodding to the couch. "He's fine, just took more out of him than I thought...actually wasn't expecting him to talk to the doc at all."
"He had a panic attack...that's why he is out of it now." She said sitting down and reaching her hand out and putting it on Steve's shoulder.
"Kono?" Steve asked moving around and putting his head on her lap. "Whereszzzzzz Danno?"
"Sitting At your desk." Danny smiled, "Kono was worried about you."
"Not sick." Steve mumbled as he fell back asleep.
"I know Boss Man." Kono said running her fingers through his hair.
"Why don't you review these case files while you are sitting there." Danny said sliding a couple files across the desk where she could reach them.
"So I know a lot of people have ptsd from their time in the military but he seems so...Boss Man most of the time and then..." she paused as she looked down at her boss who was sleeping with his head on her lap.
"The week he lost his father he lost a brother...probably who he would have talked to about his dad...instead he had no one..."
"But he has us." Kono said setting down the folder and focusing on tracing the lines on Steve's face.
"I think that is why he is opening up...he has only had the Navy since he was 13."
"13?"
"Boarding school after his mother was killed." The look Kono gave was one Danny felt and he had a hard time focusing on thr files he was suppose to be going through.
After an hour Kono dropped the stack of files and ran her fingers through Steve's hair, "Danny?" Kono asked, "What can I do?"
"Doin it." Steve answered as he rolled over onto his back, looking up at her with tired eyes.
"Did it help?" Kono asked, putting her hand on his chest.
"It will...takes a while to..uh get back to normal."
"You can take the day." Danny reminded him. Steve looked over at him and Danny continued, "Can take you home whenever you are ready."
"No." Steve said sitting up. "Normal...I want things as close to normal as possible if I am doing this."
"We will schedule with her every Monday and Wednesday in the morning." Danny told him, "She already has the next two weeks booked for you."
"If we get a case it takes priority." Steve told him.
"No. You cannot work a case if your head is not in the right place so either you agree to this or I talk to the Governor and have you benched." Danny said scooting the chair over.
"Danno." Steve looked like he wanted to argue but decided against it, "Danno?"
Danny moved over and sat on the couch on the other side of Steve from Kono, "We've got this...you've got this." Danny reminded him as he put his arm around him and pulled him into his shoulder.
"I need to do something." Steve said after a minute as he stood up and walked out of the office.
Danny gave him a minute before following him out and into his office across the commons, "What is so important in my office?" Danny asked closing the door behind him.
"How can I lead this team if I am laying down with my head on her lap and needing you to keep me from losing my shit?"
"Lets head home." Danny said.
"No."
"I want to yell at you and tell you that what you just said is ridiculous and that you are fine...but you aren't. Not right now. So I think we should go home and surf and grill up some steaks and just hit the reset button."
"You don't want to surf."
"The ocean scares me...but it calms you..."
"So does a Xanax."
"You really want to go there?" Danny asked. "Come on."
"I need my phone."
"Its in my pocket where it has been since you went into the psychologist's office."
"Give it."
"We are going home."
"Fine. Give me my phone." Danny handed him the phone and Steve pocketed it without looking at it, he knew that if there would have been a call Danny would have said something. He really struggled with a feeling of wasting the day. Being useless. Anxious. Replaceable.
Kono nodded at the two of them when they walked out, leaving her alone in the palace. During the car ride Danny kept his hand on Steve's neck as he dozed, jerking away every few minutes. When they got back to the house the two of them went in and changed into board shorts before silently making their way down to the beach and into the ocean side by side. They knew each others movements so well that words were no longer needed.
Much to Danny's relief the ocean was calm and the two of them floated side by side as the sun faded into the sea and with a small smile Steve nodded to Danny and they paddled into the shore. "Thank you." Steve said as they sat down on the lanai as their steaks sizzled on the grill.
"I mean it when I tell you I have your back."
"I mean it when I say I am scared you will die."
"If anything does happen to me I want you to promise me you will look after Gracie and Rachel."
"Danny." Steve said looking anxious.
"I am not going to tell you I am not going to die Steven...our jobs...not exactly safe. It is a legitimate fear."
"Are you scared?"
"Sometimes." Danny told him.
"Have you lost...?"
"Friends...yes, you knew that already though."
"Have you ever lost a partner?"
"Yes." Danny answered, looking over to his partner, it was a memory he was not ready to share.
"We are quite the pair." Steve said as he pulled the steaks off the grill.
Danny spent the next two weeks staying with Steve spending nearly every moment of the day together before he finally went back to his apartment. He got a phone call within ten minutes of him entering his apartment, "Yeah Buddy?" Danny answered.
"Just wanted to make sure you made it home."
"You have the tracker on your phone."
"Yeah."
"Today was a long day and I'm going to sleep."
"I will see you in the morning."
"Steven if you need to call..."
"Thanks Danno."
"That why you called?"
"Its stupid."
"You've got this. You haven't had a panic attack in over a week..."
"I know...just wanted...thanks for everything Danno."
"Go to sleep Steven." Danny said with a smile as he plopped onto his bed.
The next morning the team assembled early for a raid to the house they suspected Wo Fat had been using as a safe house. Steve looked to be ready to go, the whole team did. Steve put all of his energy into getting Wo Fat, the man who was ultimately behind the murder of his father. The one who had been out to kill him.
The raid of course went to hell in a hand basket in the first thirty seconds when several HPD officers were blown back by an explosion at the front door. Steve blew in past all of the down officers to chase whoever was in the house. Danny going systematically through they split up and ultimately they found that it was actually Sang Min rather than Wo Fat they were now chasing, staying in contact through their coms.
When Sang Min enterered a neighboring house Danny followed, finding a body in his wake...a body based on smell alone he knew to be dead but he bent down to check for a pulse before continuing out to the comotion as Sang Min plowed through a garage door as he escaped the chase.
As Danny made his way from the kitchen to the front door it got harder and harder to breathe until he collapsed on the side of the house. Steve and the team rushing over to him, Kono calling for an ambulance.
Steve ran back into the house followed by Jenna to see what had made Danny sick. Thankfully Jenna was able to stop him from touching the body and inacting a biological contamination call.
When they heard Kono yell for Steve he felt as though his heart was exploding in his chest. "Danno! Hold on Buddy! Hold on!" He yelled as Danny lost consciousness as the ambulance pulled up. "Stay with me! Danny! Stay with me!"
Jenna updated the paramedics as Steve held Danny's hand, nearly needing to be pulled off of the man to give them enough room to work. The ride to the hospital took almost a half hour and they quickly rushed Danny back leaving Steve alone in the ambulance bay.
"McGarrett." Steve blurted when he got the call from Kaye. By the third call she had an answer, "Sarin." And Steve plowed through the halls to find the doctor working on Danny.
Once the doctor had his answer Steve felt like he could breathe again. He couldn't lose Danny. He went back and forth from sinking to the floor and pacing back and forth. "How's he doing?" Chin asked as the three walked in.
Despite having spoken to basically every doctor and nurse in the building and even having seen Danny, albeit briefly he shared minimal news to the team. He did not want them to know he had been intubated and flushed with every known medication and treatment the hospital had on hand.
"Danny said something about having Grace this weekend." Chin mentioned.
"Rachel and Stan are in Maui." Steve said in realization, looking at the time. "Guys as much as we all want to be here there isn't anything we can do here. Solve the case... this Sarin... it is our number one priority." He didn't want the team to see Danny looking so sick, it was hard enough to see him. He didn't want people to feel sorry for Danny...or for him.
As Kono and Chin began to walk out Steve called out to Kaye, "Thanks." Steve told her. She rambled and Steve interrupted not listening to what she was even saying, "For saving Danny...thanks." He clarified before turning to walk out.
"Where are you going?" She called after him.
"I have a little something to take care of." He said thinking about Gracie. He had promised Danny he would take care of her and Rachel...now was his chance.
Thankful for Chin driving the Camaro to the hospital Steve slid into the driver seat and drove straight to the school. When he finally saw Grace he felt like he could breathe and he used Danny's words on her and she quickly recognized the fear in the older mans eyes and went with him.
"Uncle Steve?" She asked when they got to the hospital.
"Yeah Gracie?" He said with a shaky voice.
"Can you carry me?" She asked and he immediately complied, carrying her in through the ICU waiting area and sitting down with her outside of the door to his room.
The doctor came over with a nurse a few seconds later and he brought Steve into the room, "Thought I would wait for you to pull out the breathing tube."
"He is breathing on his own again?" Steve asked, feeling the tears burn his eyes.
"He will still need oxygen for a little while but yes." The doctor said getting everything ready to pull the tube out. "He is recovering quite quickly but pulling the tube out will hurt."
Steve nodded and walked over and took Danny's limp hand in his own, earning an eye flutter from his partner. "Danny is strong."
As the doctor pulled the tube Danny's eyes flew open and Steve was immediately in his face. Steve didn't speak but the words shared between the two caused the doctor to step back and give them their space. Clearing his throat the doctor finally spoke up, "Danny, can you tell me who is in front of you?"
"Pain in my ass." Danny whispered looking at his best friend.
"Think he's gonna be fine Doc." Steve smiled.
"He still has a long way to go but I agree. He needs to rest a bit before he has visitors though."
"Stay." Danny whispered to Steve, reaching out and grabbing his hand.
"Five minutes." The doctor said looking at Steve who nodded.
"Gracie?" Danny asked, his eyes already closed.
"I got her." He said sitting down on the edge of the bed and putting his hand over his heart.
"You?" Danny mumbled.
"I have everything I need right here." Steve smiled.
"Be okay." Danny said moving his hand and putting it over Steve's.
"Good to hear." Steve said wiping a tear from his eye. "Get some rest."
When Steve felt his partners hand relax on his he slowly stood up and walked back out into the hallway, sitting down next to Gracie who quickly crawled into his lap. "Hey Kiddo." Steve smiled, wrapping his arms around her, "Danno is going to be fine."
"I know." She whispered, "The nurse told me."
"Mmmm." Steve acknowledged leaning his cheek against the top of her head.
"Uncle Steve?" Gracie whispered, "Danno is going to be okay." Steve choked back a sob and buried his face in her neck as she held onto him.
"Love you Gracie." Steve said lifting his head after a couple minutes.
"It is okay to be scared."
"When did you get so smart?" Steve said before yawning.
Grace laid her head back on Steve's chest, "I'm tired." She said closing her eyes. It took half a second before Steve slouched down in the chair leaning his head back against the wall. Grace opened her eyes and stayed as still as she could until she felt her uncles arm relax and slide down from where he held her.
The nurse walked over a few minutes later and handed her her phone from her backpack, "Nice to see him calm."
"Daddy says he hardly sleeps." Grace whispered.
"He must really trust you." The nurse whispered back.
Steve flinched in his sleep and tightened his hold on Grace and she hugged his arm around her, "He is my Ohana."
"You are a lucky girl then." The nurse smiled at her before walking back to her desk.
"How long until I can see my Dad?" Grace asked quietly.
"Doctor wants him to rest and make sure all of the medicine works it's way through him first but it shouldn't be too much longer, couple hours maybe. I will bring you some crayons and paper if you want later." Grace nodded and snuggled herself into a Steve as she played angry birds on her phone while he slept.
Just as her phone battery notification buzzed the 1% warning she felt Steve's breathing change, "Feel better now?" Gracie whispered while she powered down her phone.
"Didn't mean to fall asleep." He mumbled as his eyes sprang up and he scooted up in the seat.
"I love you." Grace whispered as she kissed Steve on the chin, "Daddy is still resting but the nurse said we should be able to see him soon."
When the nurse came by a few minutes later she set a phone charger, box of crayons and stack of papers next to Grace and smiled at Steve. "The doctors will be starting rounds in a half hour." She told him before he had a chance to ask, "Glad you got some rest."
Steve smiled uncomfortably at her before turning his attention back to Grace, "Why don't you color for a bit, I'm going to call the team for an update."
Grace nodded and slid off his lap, plugging in her phone at the same time. As she started to draw she kept an eye on Steve as he paced in the hallway where he thought he was out of earshot. He was funny like that sometimes, always wanting to protect people but needing protecting just as much.
When she saw the doctor walk by she watched Steve hang up mid sentence. As soon as the doctor said he was ready for visitors Steve got a huge grin on his face. "Ready to see Danno?" Steve smiled as he walked back over to her, she nodded and put the crayon back in its box.
As she started to get her her things the nurse shooed her, "Go say hi, I will bring this stuff in for you."
Seeing Steve freeze at the doorway, Grace put her hand in his and pushed him through. "Looks like he's sleeping." Steve said as he caught sight of his partner.
"Danno?" Gracie asked, walking over to the bed. She knew her Dad was really sick when it took him a second to focus on her and his voice sounded funny. She was happy when Steve relaxed when they were teasing about whatever a hangover was. Once Steve knew Danny was okay he left Grace there with the promise he would be back to get her in a couple hours...not exactly the weekend with Daddy she had in mind but she knew she would get to go surfing and her dad was okay so she would be too.
After Danny was done talking to Rachel he passed the phone back to Grace and she answered a billion and one questions about her dad before she turned her phone off and sat down on the bed with her dad, "How's my Girl?" Danny asked after she had settled on some rom-com on the television a short while later.
"Better than Uncle Steve." She said leaning back into her Dads shoulder.
"What do you mean?" Danny asked, still slightly amped after talking to Rachel.
"Geez Daddy you are worse than him... just meant he was scared you were going to die."
"I wasn't going to die." Danny said looking over at her.
"Daddy I heard the doctors and uncle Steve talking. If Kaye didn't call and say it was Sarin that was poisoning you that you would be dead." Grace told him and he paled, Sarin...he knew something was wrong but no one had told him what that had been, only that he was doing better.
"I wasn't going to die." Danny said again, this time barely over a whisper...he had to call Steve.
"Daddy you should be resting."
"Baby can I use your phone for a minute?"
Grace got up and went over to her phone and dialed Steve's number, "Daddy wants to talk to you." Grace said quickly into the phone.
"Why do you have his phone number? Why does she have your phone number?" Danny said looking from Grace to the phone.
"Rachel put all of our numbers in." Steve said into the phone. "She is flying back tonight I might add...she is something Danno."
"She called you?"
"Yes. She didn't believe whatever bullshit you fed her so..."
"Kaye recognized the Sarin."
"She saved you...Yes."
"I wasn't going to die." Danny said quietly again.
"Danno...You did..." Steve said, his voice wavering and remembering the doctor telling him they had to shock his heart twice.
"I'm sorry." Danny whispered into the phone fighting tears.
"Daddy?" Grace said crawling back onto the bed and curling herself around the man.
"Danno...As soon as we get back to the palace I will be back up there. Hold your Baby Girl...rest..."
"You will be back soon?" Danny asked as a tear slid down his cheek, landing on the pillow.
Grace took the phone as Steve was answering her father, "Just breathe Babe...I will be there as soon as I can."
"Uncle Steve?"
"I'm coming Kiddo...just have to get back to that side of the island."
"Love you. Drive safe." She said hanging up her phone and turning her attention back to her Dad. "Daddy you are okay, we were just scared but you are okay now." Grace said as the nurse came in with something in a syringe.
"Grace I am going to give your Dad some medicine to help him get some rest, is that okay with you?" She asked the young girl.
"Will it make him less scared until Uncle Steve can get back here?" Grace asked, squeaking a bit as Danny held onto her.
"Danny, Steve said to tell you he's going for a swim...or to let him swim...or something along those lines...he was very adamant that I told you but it was very hard to hear him." The nurse told him and smiled when a laughing sob escaped the man. "Meds are going in now, try to rest."
"Uncle Steve said he was coming here...why would he say he was swimming?" Grace asked her Dad.
"He's got my back." Danny yawned, the medication already working. "He's a pain in the ass but..."
"Daddy that is a bad word." Grace giggled, her Dad and Steve were weird.
"Izzz safe...He says...muzzz be troo." Danny slurred as his eyes slid closed.
"Guys are weird." Grace said to the nurse as her Dad drifted to sleep.
"That Little Momma is the truth!" The nurse smiled back to her before pointing out the call button and leaving the room.
Not ten minutes later Steve came barreling into the room, freezing in his tracks when he saw his Partner was asleep. As he tip toed over Danny mumbled, "Yoo swmmmm...tired."
"I got you Buddy." Steve said pulling a chair over and putting his hand against Danny's head. "How's he doing Gracie? I thought he would be okay..." he said, guilt washing over his face.
"Daddy is fine. Nurse gave him medicine and said something about swimming and he fell asleep. Now shhh so I can watch this movie." She said pointing up to the tv.
Steve stared at Danny, watching him breathe for about twenty minutes before Danny mumbled without opening his eyes, "Geh ver here." Patting the bed next to him and scooting closer to Grace so there was room on the bed.
"What?" Steve asked, barely above a whisper.
"Bed." Danny clarified, opening one eye.
"Just do it, Daddy needs to rest."
Steve moved onto the bed and Danny lifted his head for Steve to slide his arm under his neck, "I got you Buddy." Steve said leaning his cheek against his Partners head. "Got enough room over there Kiddo?" He asked Grace.
"Just make Daddy sleep so he can get out of the hospital."
"What are we watching?"
"Its an old movie...Drive Me Crazy I think it is called. Daddy said it came out before I was born."
It didn't take long for Grace to hear two sets of soft snoring and she giggled, climbing out of the bed to grab her phone and carefully crawling back in and taking a selfie of the three of them looking like they were all asleep. Her Dad and Steve slept through the rest of the movie and she switched the station and found Harry Potter just starting and set the controller down.
She woke up to the glow of the television and the touch of her Mom's hand on her cheek, "Hi Mommy." Grace whispered, looking over and seeing her Dad and Steve still asleep. "They have been asleep for a while."
"Uncle Steve...Mommy is here." Grace whispered as she reached over and ran her hand up and down his arm. "Daddy got medicine to make him sleep."
"Mmmm...hi Rachel." Steve said slowly opening his eyes but not moving otherwise, Danny's head in his armpit, cheek to his chest.
"Is he?"
"He is fine. Had a hefty dose of Xanax."
"You sure he is..?"
"Mommy, Danno is fine. He was scared when he realized he almost died but Uncle Steve and the nurse's medicine made him go to sleep. He has been off oxygen for hours and his heart rate and oxygen levels have stayed where they are suppose to." Grace rambled on surprising both Steve and Rachel.
"You the Doc now Kiddo?" Steve smiled.
"The nurse comes in every twenty minutes to check on us...and she brought me pizza." She said pointing to the empty plate on the table next to the bed.
"Is that so?" Rachel smiled at her daughter. "I don't know about Doctor but I think she could be a detective like her Dad."
"And Uncle Steve." Grace smiled back. "Is it too late to go surfing?" She asked Steve.
"Yeah Kiddo but if it is okay with your Mom I can still take you home and we can go in the morning before school."
"Mommy?"
"Sure Baby, make sure Uncle Steve gets some sleep tonight though...Danno says he doesn't sleep enough." She smiled to her ex-husbands Partner...a man who would clearly do anything for her family.
Gracie flipped herself over and kissed Danny's cheek waking him up in the process, "Uncle Steve is taking me home so we can surf before school." She told her very drugged father before jumping down to gather all of her things.
"Mmmm...swim?" Danny asked still snuggled into his Partner.
Steve pulled him into him for a minute and whispered into his ear, "You need me you call me." Before kissing him on the top of his head and tucking his cell into his hand before pulling his arm out from under him and sitting up.
"Need." Danny said eyes darting to his Partner and him reaching for his arm.
"Danno...Rachel is here. I am going to take Gracie home so she can sleep in her bed."
"Whale poop."
"Yeah Buddy...we will wait until morning to surf though...I will come back after I drop her off at school."
"Promise...need..." Danny slurred still holding a death grip on his partners hand.
"Daniel." Rachel said sitting down in the spot Grace had vacated.
"Promise." Danny said again, loosening his grip.
"I've got all I need Danno...Gracie will keep an eye on me." He said fighting the tears in his eyes...even drugged Danny still wanted to make sure he was okay.
"Okay sleep?"
"Rachel is here with you...I am taking Gracie and we are going home. I will send proof when we get there."
"Can see on cameras."
"Yes you can."
"Safe."
"I need my hand Buddy."
"Danno I will make sure Uncle Steve is safe tonight." Gracie said walking over and putting her hand on theirs, Danny finally letting go.
"Okay." Danny said leaning back and watching them, his eyes glistening and a part of Steve wanted to climb back into the bed and hold his best friend but he knew Rachel was there so he picked up Grace and they walked out.
"Love you Danno." Gracie called over Steve's shoulder.
"Love you Monkey." Danny said, finally waking up, wiping his eye as a tear slid down his cheek.
"Daniel." Rachel said reaching for his hand.
"You didn't have to come back, told you...was fine."
"We were scared." Rachel said leaning back onto the bed next to Danny.
"Steve..."
"Grace calms him. They will be fine...and you are in the hospital and will be fine too."
"Didn't mean to scare everyone." Danny whispered.
Rachel pulled him into her how Steve had been holding him and rocked him gently as he cried. She couldn't remember him being this open with his emotions since he found out he was going to be a dad...and she wondered if it was from the drugs or from his 5-O family. They had spent a lot of time together in the last few weeks, meeting for lunch breaks or quick visits after dropping Grace at school in the mornings...lingering when they dropped her off with the other. He had changed since coming to Hawaii.
Danny got the notification that him and Grace made it home, the two of them waving and blowing exaggerated kisses to the camera as they walked in the front door. Two minutes later a call from Steve. "Just keep swimming?" Danny asked.
"Rachel still with you?" Steve asked.
"Yeah." Danny answered. "You will be here in the morning?"
"After we go surfing Danno." Gracie giggled.
"Love you Monkey." Danny smiled into the phone, making Rachel smile next to him.
"Uncle Steve said I could wear your shirt to bed tonight."
"Going to wash her clothes so they are ready for tomorrow."
"She has clothes at your house."
"Play clothes Danno I cant wear those to school or I will get in trouble."
"Thank you."
"Uncle Steve will you read to me?" Danny heard Grace ask.
"You want to stay on?" Steve asked.
"Yeah." Danny whispered wiping a tear from his cheek again.
"Harry spent a lot of time over the next few days dodging out of sight whenever he saw Gilderoy Lockhard coming down a corridor. Harder to avoid was Colin Creevey, who seemed to have memorized Harry's schedule. Nothing seemed to give Colin a bigger thrill than to say, "All right, Harry?" six or seven times a day and hear, "Hello, Colin," back, however exasperated Harry sounded when he said it..." Steve read from the Chamber of Secrets.
Two chapters later he heard Rachel's voice on the phone, "Thank you Steven, he is asleep now."
"Gracie fell asleep in the last chapter. Are you staying with him tonight?"
"Why do you always call her Gracie?" Rachel asked.
"Danny...Grace was someone else..."
"His Partner." Rachel said sadly, "You are a good friend to him." She said to him as she ran her fingers through Danny's hair.
"I will drop Grace at school and come to the hospital."
"You are his emergency contact."
"I wanted to wait to call you until I knew he was okay."
"But you got Grace."
"School got out..."
"Did she see?"
"I did...she did not come in until he was off the vent."
"Thank you."
"I will see you in the morning."
"I will be gone before you get here...need to get some paperwork done for Stan first thing."
Steve hung up the phone and Grace curled into his side, "Go to sleep." She whispered sleepily. Steve nodded and closed his eyes.
The next thing he knew the sun was shining in the window and Grace had her swimsuit on and was bouncing next to him on the bed. "Surfing!"
Steve smiled and reached for his phone, "I called Mommy and she said Danno is fine and wants you to bring him the good donuts."
"Is that so?" Steve smiled and seeing a one word message from his partner confirming.
"Danno says you don't sleep but you did..."
"You help me relax Kiddo."
"You help me relax." Grace said giving him a hug as soon as he sat up.
Ten minutes later they were sitting on their boards in the ocean talking, when Steve saw a wave coming he instructed Grace to be ready and cheered as she got up and rode the wave into the shore before paddling back out again with a huge grin on her face. Steve road two waves and Grace another four before it was time for them to go in and get ready for the day.
Steve took her for donuts on the drive to her school and they made sure to get Danny's favorites. By the time he got to the hospital Danny was pushing food around on his tray and watching his phone. "Hangover gone? Look better."
"Sang Min..."
"What about him?"
"He called me."
"And?"
"I told him I was in here and hung up on him."
"Feel better?"
"Rachel stayed all night."
"She did not know I was your emergency contact."
"You talked to her?"
"What is with my girls calling your sorry ass."
"They know I've got your back Danno." Steve said sitting down on the foot of the bed and passing over the bag of malsadas. "Nurse said need a shower after you eat."
"I don't want her to help."
"Okay." Steve said knowing that meant he would be the helper and nodding to a bag he tossed in the chair walking in, "brought your stuff."
"You Ready to get unhooked?" The nurse asked walking in. "Your levels stayed great last night and if youdo okay today we will let you go home in the morning."
When it was time Steve stood by as Danny did what he needed to do...only needing to help by handing him different things, thanking God the entire time his partner was in one piece. The effort exhausted him and he scooted over on the bed so Steve could sit with him, "Can you?" Danny asked, looking at his best friend.
Steve wordlessly laid back next to him and Danny curled into his side. "When do you need to leave?" Danny asked after a few minutes of silence.
"I can stay until Rachel comes back." Steve said, hugging his best friend into his side. "Try and rest so you can go home." He whispered.
"You swim?"
"Yeah Buddy, I got you." Danny was asleep almost instantly and Steve called the team for an update, no one questioning where he was or what he was doing...or why he was whispering into the phone.
Steve was drawn from his thoughts an hour later with Rachel putting her hand on his arm. Instead of getting up Steve stayed where he was but put his phone down to his side, "He is still in love with you."
Rachel nodded, "Love was never the problem."
"He is scared."
"From what happened?"
"He was scared before."
"I see." Rachel said sitting down in the chair next to the bed.
"How long has this been going on?" Steve asked waving a finger between Danny and Rachel.
"A while."
"Gracie know?"
"She knows we don't fight as much."
"I don't want him to get hurt."
"I do not want him hurt either."
"He is a good man." Steve said protectively squeezing Danny's shoulder as he started to wake up. "Rachel is here Buddy...I'm going to head to the office." He said turning his head to face his sleepy Partner.
"Stay lil longer." Danny mumbled.
"As long as you want Buddy."
"Safe with you."
"Rachel will be here when I leave, you are safe with her too." Steve said, wanting to believe it.
"Not same." Danny said opening his eyes and looking at his ex wife, "She is nicer to look at though."
"How are you feeling today Daniel?"
"Exhausted...but better."
"I am going to pick up Grace from school and bring her by here...then Kono was going to take her surfing...will stop by again after work before going home with dinner for Gracie and Kono." Steve said out loud.
"She loves staying at your house Steven, thank you for providing normalcy."
"I love spending time with her! This morning Danno..her surfing...I don't know how she is yours."
"You can go to work now Steven." Danny deadpanned.
"You need to rest Danno."
"I have been resting."
"And I have been your pillow...now I have to go work...we are down a man and all."
"You will be back?"
"To drop Gracie off after school, then will have more time before I go home for the night." Danny hugged him close and then rolled away allowing Steve to get up. "Eat something."
"Pain in my ass."
"Numbers on the board for him to order." Steve said to Rachel before walking out. "If you need..."
"I will call." Danny said patting his phone.
The day passed quickly between the case and picking up and dropping off Grace. When he stuck his head in the room that evening he found Danny wide awake holding Rachel. Steve smiled back at him, glad he was happy and nodding to the buckets of chicken he knew was from Kamakona and laughed again. He waved his phone and signaled for Danny to call if he needed before walking out.
"Doctor said Daddy gets out tomorrow." Grace said, running up to Steve and giving him a very wet hug seeing Kono following her up he beach. "And we don't have school so Mommy said we can spend the day at the beach once he gets to leave."
"I told you Danno was strong." Steve smiled, he had gotten the update from the doctor but loved hearing it from his favorite girl. Kono left after cleaning up from dinner leaving the two alone for the night watching Harry Potter half asleep.
Steve woke up a little after seven saying that Rachel would drop him at the office and will get Grace then. Steve woke up Grace and the two went surfing for a couple hours before he drove them into the city to go to the Palace. Steve was watching the ping of Danny's cell phone getting closer and closer, "Ready to go Gracie?"
"Why wont Danno go to the beach with us today?"
"Danno thinks he needs to help us catch the bad guys." Steve smirked.
"But he almost died."
"Gracie I am going to make you a promise right now okay?" Steve said pulling her onto his lap. "I will not let Danno go out in the field unless I know I can keep him safe."
"Did you know he was going to get hurt and almost die?"
"No...Danno was chasing a bad man and while he was chasing him he found someone on the ground and tried to help him...but someone poisoned that man and the poison got to Danno...but Danno is strong and our team worked really hard to find out why he got sick so that we could help the doctors make him better."
"Do you love Daddy?"
"What do you think Kiddo?"
"I think you and Daddy are weird."
"Weird huh?"
"You hold Danno like me...and are together all the time...and when you aren't together both of you are always calling each other or looking on the map where you are...and Mommy likes you."
"They are here."
"You never answered my question Uncle Steve."
"Love you Kiddo."
Grace put her arms around her Uncle and carried her out to Rachel's car. When she saw her parents sitting in the car talking Grace put her head on Steve's shoulder, "Mommy and Danno say they love each other but Mommy is married to Stan."
"Love can be confusing sometimes." Steve told her, "I know Danno loves you and your Mom and your Mom loves Danno but that doesnt mean it is good for them to be married to each other."
"If they were I wouldnt get to stay at your house as much."
"Kiddo you can stay at my house anytime you want." Steve told her with a hug.
"Really?"
"Sure...and when you get older and get in trouble and don't want your Mommy or Danno to find out you call me."
"Love you Uncle Steve." Grace said wiggling to get down and Steve walked her over to the car where Rachel opened the door for her to climb in the back.
"Thank you for watching her again Steven." Rachel smiled.
"Uncle Steve said I can stay at his house anytime I want!" She told her parents.
"Did he? Did your Uncle Steve tell you that?" Danny said with a smirk.
"And he said when I get older and get in trouble if I don't want you to know I can call him." Grace smiled from her seat in the back.
"Your Uncle Steve is a smart man Gracie and if you end up anything like your Father you might need to hold him to that."
"End up like me? What makes you so sure it would be from me that would cause her to get in trouble? Do you recall how it was that we met?" Danny gasped at Rachel.
"Like I said Gracie...when you get in trouble-you call me!" Steve smirked. "You comin or what?" He asked Danny.
"I'll be in soon." Danny smiled to him and Steve nodded.
"See you soon Gracie."
"Bye Uncle Steve-Love you!" She yelled back as he was walking in towards the building.
When he entered solo the team barely registered, Kono did look up at him and smile though, acknowledging his presence.
Twenty minutes later Danny walked in and was swarmed by the team, "Hey, I'm gone for ten minutes and you stand around doing nothing?"
"Im sorry, Do we know you?" Kono laughed.
"Welcome back Brother." Chin smiled, reaching out to him.
Danny saw his Partner standing back, quiet, just watching and he knew that regardless of what he said he was not fine...what happened...Steve was not fine. "So I uh...I heard from a few people that I owe you a thank you." He said to Jenna Kaye.
"A hug will do." She smiled back.
"A hug will do? Okay-I can do that." Danny smiled, pulling her in for a quick hug. "Thank you." He said, looking out of the corner of his eye to his Partner who was very clearly watching him with something to say.
"Hey uh...side bar?" Steve finally spoke up.
"What's up?" Danny asked as the two walked down towards their offices.
"So uh you and Rachel...how long has that been going on?"
"Uh...a little while?" Danny grinned.
Steve loved to see his friend that happy, "You ever gonna tell me?"
"Was I ever gonna tell you?" Danny laughed.
"You know the two of us have gotten really close and..."
"Did you just say we have gotten close?"
"Yeah Yeah."
"One near-death experience and you go all warm and cuddly on me?"
"Come on."
"Come on."
"You wanna hug me now?"
"Good to have you back, Bud." Steve smiled as the two hugged.
"McGarrett?" Sang Min called-having the entire teams weapons pointed at him immediately.
After cuffing the man they brought him into Steve's office and sat him down on the couch where Danny and Steve took turns interrogating him. When Danny sat down in Steve's desk chair he knew he was exhausted and needed to go home. A few questions later Chin popped his head in, "Hey-can you take him over to HPD and have him booked? Solitary. Psych hold to he has eyes on him." Steve continued.
"Psych hold huh?"
"More eyes on him."
"Smart." Danny said yawning.
"You need to go home."
"Because that is exactly what you would do."
"Danno."
"Where are you staying tonight?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"I don't want you to be alone."
"You don't want me to be alone or you don't want to be alone?" Danny asked, leaning back in the chair.
"You really want to Shrink me right now?"
"Have you talked to the doctor while I was in the hospital almost dying?" Danny asked, pushing his partner.
"Dammit Danny!" Steve said sitting down on the couch.
"Answer please Steven."
"No...I did not talk to her."
"Then I feel it is imperative that we make your appointment tonight."
"What?"
"You have an appointment with her in twenty minutes." Danny said, shakily getting up.
"You need to be in bed." Steve said moving in and putting his arm around his partner.
"I need you to go to the Psychiatrist." Danny said, "I will sleep in the car."
The doctor saw the two walk in, saw that Steve was hovering over his partner and she had seen the news, instead of separating them for the begining of the session she called both of them back. "Talk." She said, once they were both sitting on the couch.
"I was poisoned by Sarin this week and died on the table. They had to shock my heart back into rhythm. I was on a ventilator for several hours and got out of the hospital this afternoon." Danny said looking at Steve. "Steve picked up my Gracie, coordinated her schedule, managed the team, solved both that case and the one that got us to that case and spent several hours each day at the hospital with me or on the phone with my doctors. He has not dealt with any of it."
"I have to." Steve argued.
"With who?" The doctor asked.
"Gracie was staying at my house...we went surfing every day and we talked." Steve said, looking at Danny, "And I talked to Rachel..."
"How did it feel when you didn't know if he would live or die?"
"I panicked. When they wouldn't let me follow him into the ICU...I couldn't breath...but then Jenna figured out it was Sarin and knew how to treat him...and then I got Gracie and she is...I can breathe again."
"Gracie said you were scared." Danny said looking over at his best friend.
"Scared in an understatement Buddy." Steve said, reaching over and putting his arm around Danny who leaned into his touch with a yawn, snuggling into his side and quickly falling asleep.
Steve and the psychiatrist continued talking as he held his sleeping Partner, "From what you tell me you have basically become family...talking with his ex-wife and caring for their daughter..."
"Gracie calls him Uncle Steve." Danny mumbled without opening his eyes, "Rachel programmed her phone to call him...Rachel 1, me 2, him 3." Danny grunted as he tried to straighten up and Steve helped him. "Gracie and Steve have a connection...they have since the first time she met him...which is crazy because he...Rambo Super SEAL is not a kid person."
"Danny what stands out to you the most about what happened this week?"
"How he just went to work...taking care of me...of Gracie... Rachel... the team... I was worried he didn't take care of himself but him and Gracie... I am not as worried now."
"I told you."
"I believe you."
"You didn't until I said it to her."
"I forgot that Gracie works like a Xanax for your crazy ass."
"Same time next week Doc?" Steve said with a smirk.
"Maybe we could have Gracie come in for one of the next appointments." The psychiatrist smiled.
"Sounds good. I will talk to Rachel tomorrow and let her know the schedule." Steve said standing up.
"You will talk to Rachel? You?"
"You jealous Danno?"
"Jealous no...in an alternate reality maybe." Danny smiled. "Thanks Doc."
When they were in the car Danny turned to look at his Partner, "You drove my car the entire time I was in the hospital."
"I had Gracie."
"You have a seat in your truck."
"Chin drove this to the hospital."
"So you drove my car all week because Chin drove mine to the hospital?"
"Yes."
"That is..."
"I drove it to have you have my back still." Steve said cutting him off, "Feel better?"
"Scared me too Steven."
"I watched them shock your heart and shove a tube down your throat...doubt your level of fear was..." Steve said, his voice cracking.
"Thank you." Danny said with tears in his eyes.
"Thank you?" Steve asked.
"Yeah...thank you."
"For what?"
"I have never had anyone..." Danny started.
"I will always have your back Danno." Steve said reaching his arm across the back of the passenger seat.
"I know."
"Gracie really is better than Xanax." Steve smiled.
"Thank you."
"Stop saying thank you."
"No."
"I didnt do anything that..."
"Steven you did more for me than anyone has ever done...and you just did it...you didn't ask...you didn't second guess you just did it...getting Gracie from school...talking to Rachel...climbing into the hospital bed to hold me so I could sleep...you...I don't think my own brother would have done anything of that."
"I called and talked to your parents too." Steve said looking over. "Waited until I knew you were okay...they talked to Gracie too."
"See? You...just...I don't know what to say other than thank you."
"You're welcome...now stop thanking me. You are my Partner." He said as he pulled into his driveway. "Now go lay down and rest. We have tomorrow off."
"You want Gracie to go to the doc with us next time?"
"As long as Rachel is okay with it."
"Do you want to call my wife or should I?"
"You are so totally jealous!"
"I am not jealous."