Danny felt the floor caved from under him. He slumped on his office's sofa, deep in shock. His phone slipped from his grasp and hit the tiled floor with a thud.

High pitched sound was ringing in his ears as he processed what he has been told. It was unbelievable. Preposterous. Totally inconceivable.

Then, when it was registered just how the new situation came about – Danny was filled with rage. Pure unadulterated rage. He can't believe… of all the things… he thought he knew his ex-wife better. Guessed he was wrong.

But even all that rage was buried underneath the despair for what has happened with his Monkey.

"–nny? Danny! Answer me. You alright? What's wrong?" a firm voice pierced through the fog of his brain and Danny saw that Steve had been trying to get his attention. Worry was written all over. Danny did not bother to stop his tears.

Steve knelt in front of him. Hands gripped his arms firmly. His attention towards his blond partner was razor sharp.

Danny gripped Steve's forearm in return. Thankful to the man for grounding him. "I…ah…" Danny cleared his throat, hoping to get rid of that squeaking voice of his. "That was Stan on the phone. Rachel is under investigation… by Child Protective Services."

Steve eyes widened. "What?!" he exclaimed loudly in disbelief.

Danny burst out laughing. It was not the fun laughter, but the hysterical one. Followed by more tears as his laughter gave away to a heart-wrenching sob. "A teacher noticed something's wrong with Grace. Said she was terrified. Grace forgot to submit her report card and when the dateline for when she need to give it back to the faculty with parental signature, she tried to forge Rachel's. The teacher noticed, of course. I mean – how can an eight year old kid copy the smooth signatory of her mother's. So when the teacher ask Gracie about it. She tried to lie. Said the signature was genuine. That's when the teacher realised Grace's stark terror behaviour! Stark terror, Steven!"

Steve was stunned speechless. He can't comprehend what he was hearing. It just sound so absurd. So sudden and ludicrous. He got up from the floor and sat beside Danny, pulling the distraught man flushed against him. "Then what happen?"

Danny chuckled wetly. He tried to wipe his tears away but he's not done crying. "They immediately report it to the CPS. Apparently, the teacher noticed something else with Grace. There were bruises on her cheek. It was covered with a make up, but it was slightly swollen. Rachel, she… the physical mark was enough…" Danny can't even finished his sentence as he starts crying again.

Steve hold Danny tight. Shushing him and soothing him with soft words. His hand gently rubbing calmingly on Danny.

Once Danny stop crying again, and his face was wiped with wet tissue – the only thing they have on hand – Steve continued. "Was that CPS on the phone?"

Danny sniffed. "No. Stan. He was calling me to give the head's up. CPS have remove Grace and Charlie from her custody. They'll be calling me shortly, I'm sure since both Grace and Charlie will be with me from now on."

Steve blinked. Completely stupefied by what he has been told. "Grace and Charlie? Baby Charlie? Little Charlie, son of Rachel and Stan?"

Danny shook his head. By now, his crying period are over and he was exhausted by his emotional turmoil. So her just tested his head on Steve's shoulder, letting Steve holding him up. "Charlie is biologically mine. Stan did paternity test. Did you know it's a thing now? Mandatory paternity test. I didn't. So when it wasn't match to his, Stan Cross reference it with Grace and they're hundred percent matched. Long story short, the unmatched result between Stan and Charlie is what causing problems in their marriage now. He and Rachel has been arguing a lot lately. And it's getting too heated once or twice."

"How does this effect Grace?" Steve persisted.

Danny closed his eyes, remembering a certain time in his life with sadness. "Rachel and I argued a lot at the end of our marriage. I may yelled at Rachel like two to three times, but it was Rachel that was prone to shrieking very loudly the entire time we quarrel. I tried to keep peace. Rachel doesn't . Grace must have remembered those times." Danny sighed, heartbroken. "Stan said that in the heat of the moment, Rachel accidentally slapped Grace when my baby was at the wrong place and time. Stan had been shocked. Which is why he is cooperating with CPS and told me that he'll support me getting full custody of the kids."

Steve hummed absentmindedly. He was thinking of course. Danny knew Steve well by now to recognised that tell-tale. "That's quite the turn of events, Danno. What will Stan be doing now? What's next for him?"

"Stan expressed his intention to divorce Rachel. He wants to help me getting custody as an apology for how my battle with Rachel turned out. Plus, Stan is up for a promotion. But it comes with possibility of him moving to Vegas. He hope everything will settle before then."

Steve gave in to the disbelief that he felt ever since Charlie was brought up. He had kept his incredulous to a minimum while helping Danny. But now, with everything seems to be set in course, he can't hold back anymore. "I have to ask – he's not fighting for Charlie?"

Danny shrugged. "He might not be able to bond with him, Steve. Stan said he always suspected. There was no blonds in his family. Same with Rachel's."

"You believe him?"

"I don't know what to believe. With all of this situation."

Steve eyed Danny silently. Danny seemed to be calmer now. But there are still some nervousness present. No doubt he was worried about his meeting with CPS shortly.

Steve himself was thinking about what he can do moving forward. Now that things are the way they are, there's some changes need to be made. Accommodations be made ready. Grace already have a room in his house. And Danny stayed over at his place frequently enough that all Danny's things are at his house anyway. The only thing they need to do was set up a nursery for Charlie.

"Danny," Steve called out to his sleepy partner softly. "Tell you what… Why not you save the CPS the trouble of calling you and meet with them at their headquarters. Have Stan to meet you there with the necessary documentation prepared. Get whatever procedures and interviews out of the way so that you can bring Grace and Charlie home." Steve told him as he gently push his partner towards the door.

Danny frowned. "We are on the clock."

Steve smirked. "Your boss is understanding. And Chin and Kono will be told once they got back from break." Lucky they don't have any active case. The team has been catching up on paperwork. It has been a quiet couple of days.

Danny sighed as Steve hand him his phone and push his car key into his hand. Danny glared at the unrepentant Neanderthal one last time before he left with a casual wave goodbye.

. . . . .

Steve sat down at his living room with a sigh. A cold large pineapple juice was at the table beside him, ready to be devoured. He was a tiny bit exhausted from all the upheaval these last couple of days.

Danny had been busy with the CPS. They had interviewed him to make sure Danny will take good care with Grace and Charlie. He was also busy securing the kids' full custody and making sure that the children will not be separated from him ever again. Turned out that had Stan got that promotion, Rachel wanted to take Grace with her and have started another paperwork to wrestle Grace custody from Danny once again. Needless to say, Danny was not pleased.

Soon after, Steve heard the Camaro roared into his driveway. Steve listened as the car door opened and shut. Within ten seconds, Danny entered through the front door, looking exhausted. Poor Danno.

Steve patted the empty seat next to him. Danny really looked like he was about to topple over. And maybe have a good night sleep for a few days, which Steve knew Danny didn't get because of his restlessness.

"There's a tiny little snag," was all Danny said as he slumped beside Steve.

'Oh boy,' Steve thought privately. Aren't that ominous. "What happened?" Steve asked him.

"I need a new house, pronto." Danny said tiredly. Looking like Atlas was shouldering the world on his shoulders. "They're not releasing Grace and Charlie into my custody yet because my apartment is too small. I've been searching the housing market, but none of them are at my budget." Here, Danny looked resigned. Dejected. He sighed long and heavily. "I mean, there are a few, but none of them fit my needs or they are not in suitable condition for kids to live in. I'm stuck!"

Steve hummed. Looking at Danny pointedly. He was about to tell Danny outright to just move in with him – since some of his stuff were already there, along with some of Grace's toys such as the new Barbie he bought for her – when Danny continued. "The – uh… the CPS wanted to talk you too. Grace is fragile and she needed counseling. They wanted to make sure you know how to take care of her too." Danny stopped short. His face crinkle slightly despite his exhaustion. Danny smiled at Steve, softly. "You want to know something funny? Throughout my discussion with the CPS agent, they emphasised, and keep calling you, my 'significant other'. They did mentioned a thing or two about our apparent relationship. It's all good, mind you. Just a heads up."

Steve frowned at Danny, confusion written all over his face. "But we're not in anyway shape of form…"

They're not in a relationship They're not. Despite the whole island hope for. No matter how annoying they found it when even the criminals kept asking about their marital status. They weren't in a relationship such as that. Never biblically.

Danny laughed softly. There was a hysterical edge to his tone. "That's because Grace referred to you as Daddy," Danny told him. His eyes a light with amusement. "Daddy-Seal to be exact. Something you wanna tell me?"

Steve's face tinted red. Oh Gods… he's in trouble now. It was supposed to be a him-and-Gracie-thing. Grace wanted to have something just for the two of them. He likes it, when Grace called him, Daddy, when it was just them. "Grace slipped once or twice calling me 'Daddy' or referring me as 'Daddy-Seal'. I don't mind, Danny. It settle something within her, I think."

Danny slumped. "Really. That's not reassuring. Why does that makes me feel like a jerk?"

"Probably because Rachel denied your visitation so much that both you and Grace felt each other's absence… and that destabilised Grace's sense of stability and security."

Danny stared at Steve in shocked. And he looked like his world shattered. "Steve…. What the hell?!"

Steve wetted his lips. Here goes nothing. "We talked, Danno. Grace hated being separate from you as much as you do. And she is an intelligent kid. No matter how much Rachel tried to hide things from her, she still pick up the telltale signs. She knew her mum was trying to separate the both of you again." Steve paused shortly. He took a deep breath and pressed on. "She really doesn't like what Rachel is doing to you. Rachel might used your job against you. But Grace is more secured knowing you're a cop. She wanted you near her, always. Grace was very happy, Danny, that you move to Hawaii for her. And she loves you all the more for it. She's happy that you have 5-0 and the Ohana, she just wish she can see you more often." Steve finished. Lamely.

And by Pele… He is definitely not good with words. Work and paperwork was one thing. But he's personal feelings? Out the window. He swear!

Danny looked like he wanted to burst into tears. And Steve wanted to kick himself. He wanted to assure Danny. Not making him feeling more devastated. "Steve… When I was talking to Grace, she asked me if she could call you Daddy. Officially." Danny whispered softly.

Steve's breath hitched. And he felt like being punch in the gut. It also makes his heart flutter.

If only….

Danny was quiet. There was a tinged of guilt written on his face. "I…. Ugh… Okay. See – Don't judge me. And, ugh, I hope you don't mind… But I might have said something I shouldn't have." Danny's eyes widened and he looked at Steve pleadingly. His hand flailed anxiously and rapidly. A sure sign that he was nervous. "I didn't mean to. It sort of just burst out. I mean – it's Grace, okay. And when she said that – I just… I blurt out that we are moving in with you – and… and… Danno and Daddy are getting married…." Danny trailed off as he lapsed into silence. He was also avoiding Steve's gazed with pink cheeks and red ears.

Steve gaped wide at Danny. He gasped and gaped some more. His brained screeched to a halt and he must have blue-screened. Because he could have sworn Danny said, 'Danno and Daddy are getting married.' He can't get pass that.

Did Danny just proposed to him in a backhanded way?

"Danny, no offence. But – What the fuck?!" Steve asked Danny, incredulously. When Danny continued to stay mute, Steve said cautiously. "Danny. Look, I get. It's like you said. It's Gracie. But Danny, you can't lie to her like that. It will break her heart."

Danny groaned, his hands covering his face. "I know," he moaned mournfully.

Steve hummed and was about to agree with Danny that it was a bad idea – and that he won't hold it against Danny to take it back – but something make him paused. Instead his brain decided to skip, hop and jump to the very idea. Decided to see it from a different and every angle. He started to analysed it. Looking at the details. Formulated a plan. Switched design here. Plotted schemes over there. Seeing it with a bigger picture, as it were.

Because as ludicrous as it sounds, despite how it came out, that marriage proposition has merit. There are benefits!

And to be fair to Danny. The fact that he blurted out 'Danno and Daddy' told Steve everything he needed to know.

"If you really want to do this, you better be absolutely sure, Danny," Steve said instantly and firmly, making Danny jumped beside him. "Because Grace won't be able to accept it all being fake. If we do this, we are doing it for real."

Danny gaped at Steve.

Steve paid him no mind He was deep in thought. "We can't pull a sudden marriage or secretly married card. We are too high profile that the whole island will know right of. I'd say, we just keep our relationship – or lack there of – private or in a down low. No need to advertise that we are engaged. I don't think people will be that surprise, considering how the whole island speculated about us. What's important is Grace already know. So now we can plan the wedding – ugh… I would prefer just a simple ceremony at the court house, but Gracie would want to be included. Think she'll like being the flower girl? Danny? Danno?"

Danny had sat frozen as he listened to Steve's plan of action. "You'll do it?" Danny blurted out. His eyes widened before he groaned. Having realised that he was seriously considering the silly idea about them getting married, before rationality reasserted itself and he became horrified that he blurted out about it. Twice.

Danny jumped to his feet, and paced restlessly. "Waitwaitwait… What am I saying, huh. I was stupid to… It was stupid of... I can't – oh god! – I can't let you do that, Steve. It's unfair to you. It's… You know what. Forget what I said. I'll explain to Grace the truth. There's no reason for you to… to agree to – what? Marriage of convenience? Contract marriage? It's not going to work."

Steve's eyebrow raised at the very specific classification to the marriage. He was part affronted that Danny wanted that kind of marriage and half curious because – where the heck did Danny even learn about that type. He didn't know Danny was aware of it.

"You'll be surprised," Steve muttered. Steve sighed deeply. Then, louder, he said. "Danny. Being married – even if it's a marriage of convenience, solved many problems. You get to have custody of your kids, a roof over your head, a house for you to call home. Benefits. Security. I can give you the stable home that you and Gracie yearn for. As for me, I get to look after you and Grace and Charlie." Steve stood up, stop Danny from pacing and look him in the eye with a firm grip on Danny's shoulder. "Anything happen to me, everything of mine goes to you. Win-win, Danno. It'll work. Trust me."

"Steven," Danny said slowly. Using that tone like he was talking to someone naughty and he was seconds away from scolding. "Steve… I can't do this to you. Marriage is…" Danny stuttered, seemingly lost for words. "We are too… Chin and Kono won't be fooled. And what about Catherine, huh? I thought you and her are a thing."

"Catherine and I are just friends," Steve told Danny, deadpanned. "We have history, yes. We scratched each other's itch, I'm not denying. But ultimately, we are just friends. Good friends. But just friends."

Danny was swayed. But he was still not convinced one-hundred percent. "I don't know…."

Steve pulled Danny closer. "Come on, Danny. I'm sure Grace is thrilled. Her Danno finally have someone. Besides, no one can refute that we're not together. It's not a hardship. Really."

Danny stared up at Steve. Really look at him. There was a sentence that caught his attention. Then, suddenly, everything just makes sense. Why Steve was willing to do this marriage thing with him. This dumb, adorable, SuperSeal was always like that – ready to sacrifice himself for others. "Grace told you more than just my meagre visitation, didn't she?"

Steve shook his head, looking soft and sympathetic. "She didn't have to, Danny. Her silent said more than enough," was all Steve said.

Danny breathed a shaky breath. "Fine. Okay." Danny said tiredly. Guess that's that, then. He can't believed that the nonsense came from him in the first place. He must have lost his mind, somewhere. And now, he's getting married. Again. Oh god – what has he done. "This is going to be awkward." With that, he just slumped against Steve. Letting him carry Danny's weight.

Steve was more than happy to hold Danny. "Not really. Think it like living with a housemate. Only we'll be sleeping in the same room and in the same bed." Steve said smiling mischievously. "Roomies. Sleepover. Playdates. Just think how fun it's going to be." Steve's eyes twinkled. "I'll make sure the waves won't bother you. Scout's honour!"

Danny groaned loudly. Oh come on. That idiot did it on purpose, didn't he… "Steven. You know damn well I got kick out of boy scout…!"