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Knowing
Steve and Danny made their way through a forested area of of Hau'ula on the north shore, listening intently after calling out, "Cole!" every few yards as they searched, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the woods.
Danny looked at Steve, concern written all over his face. "How much light do we have left?"
He squinted at the sky. "Two hours."
When he stopped and surveyed the area, they could hear the search and rescue helo in the distance. After kneeling to study the ground, Steve stood and gestured. "This way."
As they pushed through the brush, a voice called, "Help! Help me!" and the partners shared a look as they began running towards the sound.
Rounding a bend, they came upon the figure of an eight-year-old boy sitting on a fallen log, a tear stain on his dirt-smudged face.
When they reached him, Danny said, "Hey there, buddy. It's okay. We're the police and we're here to help. You're Cole, right? My name is Danny and this is Steve. Are you ok? Does anything hurt?" He kneeled as Steve did the same, studying the frightened boy.
"Your mom and dad are waiting to see you, can I check you out really quick?" Steve began a once-over.
Cole stood and nodded. "I got lost. I was looking for lizards and then I didn't know where I was and I thought my mommy and daddy were one way and they weren't and then I fell." He pointed to a barely scratched knee. "I knew I was lost so I did what my scoutmaster said, I sat down and waited for help to come."
"I bet that was scary, but you did a great job and you're okay," Steve nodded with an encouraging smile. Cole's vitals were good and he didn't have any wounds. He pulled a water bottle from his pocket. "Can you take some slow sips?"
"Yeah, thank you, I'm kinda thirsty." He looked between the partners. "If you're cops where's your uniforms?"
"We're Five 0, we're kind of like special cops so no uniforms," Danny said as he lifted the boy and Steve called in that they'd located him safe and sound. "We do have badges, though." He pulled his badge from his hip and handed it to Cole. "How about you hold onto that for me while we get you back to your parents?"
"Okay, I want my mommy, will we be back soon?" He asked while clutching the badge in the hand that wasn't around Danny's shoulder.
"Really soon," the detective said with a smile. "They can't wait to see you. Let's get you home."
Not long after they reached a clearing, the sound of helicopter blades was suddenly loud in the forest. Steve and Danny climbed in with Cole, who was wide eyed, a little bit in awe of the impending chopper ride.
When they touched down, the little boy's face lit up with relief, and he let out a sound between a shout and a laugh as he was wrapped in the arms of his parents, who emerged from the crowd at the ranger station.
"Mommy! Daddy!" Detective Danny and Commander Steve found me. I scraped my knee, and Commander Steve put a bandage on it and Detective Danny said I was very brave and I got to hold his badge."
His mom hugged both men without putting her son down, thanking them through tears of relief. "We can't ever thank you enough. Ever. We own Kapuli Candy Store, you'll have free candy for the rest of your lives," she said in a voice that was choked with emotion.
"Forever," her husband agreed while keeping his wife and son in an embrace. "Anything you or your families need or want is on the house. Thank you."
Steve's phone rang through the car as he and Danny drove back towards HQ.
"I heard the transmission when you found him. Great news," Catherine said, her voice echoed with genuine relief as it filled the car. "I can't imagine…" she trailed off and both men understood.
"Cole's a tough little guy," Danny said. "He checked out a hundred percent fine by the EMTs."
"He wasn't even two clicks from their camp," Steve explained, "got turned around, but once he realized he was lost he stayed put. He's a cub scout and remembered that from a meeting."
"Good for him," Catherine said. "I know his parents are beyond relieved. I'll fill Lea in. See you soon."
"See you in about an hour," Steve said and ended the call.
Danny scrubbed both hands over his face. "Happy ending," he said, his eyes scanning the horizon, and Steve glanced at his best friend, feeling the tremendous relief he and his partner shared.
Beach house
"Daddy's back!" Angie's delighted voice filled the air as the truck pulled into the driveway. When the door opened, she ran into his arms, hugging him tightly. "You and Uncle Danno saved a little boy, we saw it on TV," she murmured. "Good job, Daddy."
He kissed her cheek, even as he knelt to include DJ in the hug. "Thanks, baby girl."
"We were on FaceTime with Nonna," DJ explained as his father stood up and placed Angie on her feet. "We told her you and Uncle Danny were finding a lost kid and she lit one of her special candles from her church." He beamed at his daddy. "I'm really happy he's okay."
Steve kissed his son's head. "Me, too, buddy. He's safe and fine and home with his mom and dad." He leaned forward to kiss Catherine and reached to ruffle Cammie's fur. "Did you guys pick out a book for story time?"
"We picked two," Angie said. "Mommy said you were coming home soon so we picked the new dog one and the New Jersey one."
"Perfect," Steve said with a smile. "Go get ready and I'll come in as soon as I wash up."
"Okay!" Both kids said and headed for the stairs. "DJ's room tonight," Angie added as they flew up the steps.
After putting the kids to bed, Steve and Catherine sat in the living room. The TV was on but muted and her head rested on his chest.
"The ones with kids…" she said softly, knowing what he was thinking.
He kissed her temple and she reached for his hand, her fingers entwining with his, a silent reassurance in the familiar gesture. Danny told them it would hit differently from when she was pregnant with Angie and he was proved right again and again. She lifted her face to see Steve's.
He met her gaze, his eyes softening at her complete understanding and he kissed her softly.
"Daddy!" A little voice rang out from upstairs and they smiled against each other's lips when Angie appeared on the landing and padded down the rest of the way to the sofa in her Born to Run pajamas.
"What, Angie?" He held out a hand and she climbed onto his lap.
"I was in bed but my mind was thinking and I think you need another hug." She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.
Catching Catherine's eyes over their daughter's head, Steve held on until Angie stopped hugging first, thinking just how much she was like her mother.
Then he stood, lifting her, and kissed the little cheek. "Thank you, I did need an extra hug, baby girl, how do you always know?"
Leaning back in his arms to see his face, she smiled. "I know you, Daddy, I could tell."
# THE END thanks for reading
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