Chapter 15

Another ten weeks later, Steve was more confident than ever before.
He had managed to roll his foot properly for three full steps for the first time and his ankle hadn't blocked for almost two weeks.
He hadn't come up with an idea what else to do, so he had returned to work doing desk duty.
Though this wasn't what he wanted, it was at least something.
Doing research was keeping him busy and putting facts together was something he was good at.
It was difficult for him when the team was out in the field. He wanted nothing more than to jump up and join them but he knew he wasn't ready – not even close - and would just put them in even more danger than they already were.
But he loved watching them though. Sometimes – when they were standing at the smart table, discussing the facts, talking about possible suspects or theories- although participating -Steve was observing his friends. He had always known that they were great people who loved and knew their jobs but now after he had been out for several months, it got confirmed what he already knew.
The people he had recruited by hand were building a great team. They could relate to each other and they could depend on each other both on and off the job. They were Ohana.
Danny was a great detective and a great leader.
He was his brother and his best friend.
'Danny,' he thought. 'I wouldn't be here without him. I had some bad injuries before, had even almost died in Afghanistan if it hadn't been for Joe but nothing had ever felt this bad, had ever taken so long.
Without Danny I had given up this time, would still do it but I can't – Danny had invested too much. I just can't disappoint him. He deserves more. I have to put everything into making my foot work again. Everything. I just have to.'
"Hey!" Danny called out. "You heard me?"
"What?!" Steve jerked, coming out his thoughts. "No, sorry."
"That's what I thought. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, all good. I was just thinking about the case and the incredible job you've all did."
"Couldn't have done that without your intel."
"That was the easy work. Taking the guys down was the real. What can I help you with?"
"I was just wondering if you would like to eat a pizza? I feel like one."
"Sounds good to me."

An hour later they were enjoying said pizza.
Half way through it, Danny said "Grace is coming back from England tomorrow. Rachel agreed to let her come over on Thursday and to stay for the weekend. Do you..?"
"Perfect," Steve replied before Danny could finish his question. "Have you already planned the time or is there still a spot open?"
"Of course, there is still a spot. You know that I never plan everything through when it comes to her visit."
"Perfect," Steve just repeated.

"How was England?" Dany asked after they had exchanged a short hug and Rachel had left again.
"Good. But I've missed you." She embraced her dad again and this time the hug was much tighter and lasted longer.

"Where is uncle Steve?" Grace asked after they had parted again and her favorite uncle still wasn't to be seen.
"He is outside, waiting for you. He just wanted to give us some father-daughter time. And he wanted you to unpack your presents indoors."
"Presents? It's not my birthday, Danno."
"You see, that's the good thing about presents, you don't have to wait for a special day, you can give them away every day."

"How do you know I wanted these?" Grace cried out with excitement when she had unpacked them.
"I have my sources," Danny answered winking at her.
Grace thought for a moment, then she said with a serious face "I think mom is your source. She knew I wanted them but told me I couldn't have them. She said I should put it on my wish list for Christmas. She told you, right?"
"You are a very smart girl." Danny answered smiling. "Come on let's go. Your uncle is waiting."

They went down to the beach where Steve was sitting in one of the Adirondack chairs.
When he heard them coming, he stood up.
"Uncle Steve!" Grace called out and threw herself into his arms. If Steve hadn't prepared himself for that force, they both would have landed on the floor.
"I've missed you," Grace said hugging Steve tight.
"I've missed you too," he replied.
"You…you are standing on your own two feet," Grace said smiling. "You are just having a cane. Do you have to use that for long?"
Then, for the first time, for Steve had always worn the cast, the brace or long pants when she had been around, she saw all the different looking scars on his leg, going from ankle to thigh in several directions and her face fell.
"Does…does that still hurt a lot?" she asked with a sad voice.
"No, it is okay Grace. Everything has healed. I just still have some trouble with walking from time to time but I am working on that. So, don't be sad."
"But this…this looks so much worse than what my friend has. I am sorry, uncle Steve."
"No need to. It's not your fault and it is over." He tried to comfort.
"But is must have hurt so much."
"It did. But like I said it is over and your dad here had helped a lot when it was really bad."
"Yes! He is good at that. He is always hugging and kissing me even more than usual when I feel bad. I always feel better then. Glad it worked for you too."
Before Steve could answer anything, Danny said "Why don't you have a look at that second chair, Grace."
"Another present? Really feels like my birthday…or Christmas. Is that from you?" She asked looking at Steve.
"It's from the both of us," he answered.
The present had a lot of tape and ribbon around it and took Grace some time to get to her present.
When she finally held it up, she said "A bathing suit. It looks good but the other one is still fine."
"We know," Danny answered "but we assumed you wouldn't bring it this weekend."
"Just put in on," Steve called from behind her – from way behind her she realized.
"Uncle Steve! You…you…we can swim together again! Yay! Thanks Danno. It's pretty" She gave her dad a hug and a kiss and changed into her newest achievement behind one of the chairs. Then she ran into the ocean and caught up with Steve.

"This is so great," she hugged and kissed him too.
"I hope you are not disappointed but we have to start slowly. I am not allowed to swim too far out yet and I also can't race into the water with you."
"But we can swim together and you can show me some more of those diving moves, right?" she asked excited.
"That I can do."
They both smiled at each other.

Danny sat down in one of the chairs watching the two most important people in his life having fun and being happy.
That made him happy and put a big smile on his face too.
What Danny didn't know was that Steve not only wanted to swim with Grace, he needed her help and he had to ask and swear her in far away from Danny's ears.