Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy.
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Chapter 24
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Bold for flashback
Bold Italics for radio in flashback
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Steve sighed as he was wheeled off the cargo plan crutches sitting across his lap. He has just spent two weeks in a military hospital in Germany, recovering from his injuries, and before that a week at the military base he was stationed at. His right leg was broken, a laceration to his right leg just above the broken bone which was hidden by the boot to his leg, he had a couple of busted ribs, laceration to his left leg, his face had a couple of cuts and bruises as well, along with more cuts and bruises over the rest of his body.
Steve was met with a military personal and a car that would drive him to Danny's parents place. Steve stood with some help from the driver and medic and made his way over to the car and sat in the passenger seat. His duffle bag was placed in the back seat.
Steve made light conversation with the driver as he was driven to his destination. Steve dreaded the reaction from Danny when he saw him. It was really his fault…
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Steve was hidden in the brush with the rest of his team. They had just finished what they set out to do and were now waiting to make sure that it was complete before they called for an extraction. Steve turned to do a head count of the team when he noticed one of the team was missing.
"Where's Walter?"
"He was right behind us, commander." Rodgers said.
"Stay here and call for an extraction. I'll get him. If we aren't back before the extraction arrives, leave without us."
"We won't be leaving without you commander."
"You will. That's an order Rodgers."
Steve broke away from his team and made his way back the way they had just come from. Steve travelled for five minutes and came across Walter. He was hunkered down with the enemy moving around where he was hiding searching for them. Steve saw Walter's signal for him to leave but Steve shook his head. He pulled out a grenade and signalled he would go up the hill and distract them. Walter's nodded and Steve broke away from his cover and made his way up the hill still covered by the trees. He reached the top and pulled the pin and tossed the grenade over and away from the direction his team were heading before taking cover. The explosion sent trees and dirt into the air.
Their enemy scrambled towards the explosion and Steve kept hidden behind his cover and saw Walter move once he was safe to do so. Steve had to stay hidden and couldn't leave as he was still too close to do so without being seen.
Steve looked around before carefully moving back down-hill at the first chance he could. Steve knew extraction would not be far off and he had to get out of there before he was caught. Steve was just about at the bottom and going to move when the first shots were fired. Steve ducked down behind a tree as the bullets landed around him. Steve let out a grunt at one grazed his arm.
"Commander what's happening?" Rodgers' voice came in over the radio.
"I'm pinned down."
"We are coming back."
"Negative get out of here."
Steve leaned out and returned fire and saw a line of the men up the hill in the tree line. Steve hit two before having to duck back behind the tree. He only had two magazines left before he would run out of ammo. Steve went through the magazine and as he was reloading he heard more gun fire, but this time it was coming from beside him. Steve looked over and saw his team thirty metres away from him firing at the enemy.
"What the hell did I tell you Rodgers?" Steve growled over the radio.
"We are all leaving Sir."
Steve turned back around and started firing. They took out all but one when it all went quiet. Steve and his team peaked out behind their cover scanning the tree line trying to pin point the man. Steve's eyes widened when he came out from behind the tree with a grenade launcher point in his direction and fired just as his team took him out. Steve made a move to put as much distance as possible between his cover and himself before the grenade hit.
"Take cover!" Steve shouted to his team as it hit.
Steve heard the grenade hit the ground right next to the tree before he felt himself flying through the air and land on the ground ten metres away from his team. Steve groaned as he tried to clear his head but he couldn't seem to. Steve then felt pain through his body, his right leg feeling the worst, he knew he had a concussion but he just couldn't seem to get his body to respond correctly.
Steve could vaguely hear his team calling his name as they gathered around him. He felt someone wrapping his leg to stop it breaking more making him yell out in pain at the movement. Steve soon felt them lift him to his feet and he was carried at a fast pace between two of his team back towards where their evac site was.
Steve suddenly felt himself being pulled into a chopper and secured to a backboard. Steve groaned as his leg was jostled when they pulled him in and strapped him down. Steve felt a hand on his arm and was able to turn his head to see Rodgers crouching there.
"Commander, can you hear me?"
"Y….Ye..." Steve struggled to speak.
"Relax. We will be back at base shortly. You'll be alright."
"Don't…Don't tell Danny… about this."
"He is your medical contact, he should know."
"No. He's leaving for… for Jersey tomorrow. Don't tell him."
"I'll see what I can do."
That was the last thing Steve remembered before waking up back on base in the infirmary in pain.
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"Commander we are here." The driver said jerking Steve out of his thoughts.
Steve carefully climbed from the vehicle and was handed his duffle bag by the driver. Steve turned and looked up at the house it was decked out in lights and decorations for Christmas. He just hoped that someone was home since it was Christmas Day, he had no idea what Danny's family's plans were for the day. It was cold outside even though it late in the morning but it was going to snow in the next few days. He was only in his dress blues and while they were normally warm they weren't going to be warm if he had to wait for them to get home.
Steve and made his way up the pathway to the house as the driver left. Steve took a deep breath as he set his duffle on the step beside him and knocked on the door. He left his second crutch leaning against the wall so he as least had a hand free. Steve could hear laughter from inside and lots of loud talking. There was a shout from inside before he heard footsteps coming towards the door. Steve watched the door open and an older woman on the other side.
"Oh my." She said.
"Ms Williams, Merry Christmas" Steve said in greeting with a smile.
"You must be Steve." She said with a smile and he could see concern from her given his injuries. "Come in. No, I'll grab your bag." She said when Steve went to pick it up. "We don't need you hurting yourself more."
Steve let her take his bag and grabbed his other crutch and made his way in the door. Steve heard her shut and lock the door. She placed his duffle by the door.
"Come, everyone is in the living. Danny didn't even tell me you were coming."
"He doesn't know Ms Williams, I wanted to surprise him. I hope that's ok."
"Please it's Clara, you know this. It's a wonderful Christmas surprise. Well come on then let's surprise them."
Clara lead Steve down the hallway towards where Steve could hear the laughter coming from.
"Mama, what's the hold up?" Steve heard Danny call out and footsteps were coming towards them.
Steve saw Danny turned around the corner before he stopped frozen in shock. Steve smiled and moved towards him as Clara moved behind Danny smiling.
"Hey Danny." Steve said as Danny still just stood there.
"Oh my God! Steve!" Danny said and moved forward carefully touching his arm.
Steve smiled and transferred one clutch to his other and pulled Danny close and kissed him firmly. Danny quickly wrapped his arms around Steve, careful of any injuries might be hidden. Steve sighed when he pulled away resting his forehead against Danny's.
"Merry Christmas Danny."
"It's a wonderful gift Steve." Danny said as he kept his arms wrapped around as they heard a squeal and shout from behind.
"Uncle Steve!"
Steve pulled away from Danny and heard feet racing forward and saw Grace rushing forward. Steve stepped back slightly from Danny as Grace stopped at her father's side. She saw all the injuries and looked at him worried and excited. Steve opened his arm out to Grace who moved forward and wrapped her arms around his waist gently.
"Uncle Steve you're back."
"I am Gracie. I'm back." Steve said and bent down and kissed her on the top of her head. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas Uncle Steve." Grace said with a large smile. "You're not going away again?"
"Hopefully not for a long while."
"Babe, you should sit down." Danny said, seeing the exhaustion on his face.
"That would be great Danny." Steve said, too tired to argue.
"And you can meet everyone." Clara said.
Steve started forward with Grace on his right side and Danny on the left. They followed Clara to the living room where everyone was situated. The room was all decked out for Christmas, lovely tree in the corner a few presents still left under the tree. Steve was a little bit overwhelmed but hid this from them all.
"Everyone we have a surprise guest. This is my partner Steve McGarrett." Danny said. "My boyfriend."
Everyone stood and Steve recognised Danny's siblings and their partners and some of the children from pictures Danny had shown him. Steve made his way down a couple of steps with ease, even with Danny's hand on his arm. Danny introduced his siblings, their partners and children before they all sat down. Steve sat next to Danny on the three seater with Danny on his left side and Grace quickly moved and sat on the other. Steve smiled and wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in close as she was hesitant to in case she hurt him.
"Uncle Steve are really ok?" Grace asked.
"I'm alright Gracie. Just had a little tumble. I'm much better now."
"You're still hurt though." She said concerned.
"Yes I'm still sore but I feel better with you and Danno."
Grace smiled and cuddled up beside him. Steve looked to Danny to see him looking at them both with a smile before turning to his family. Clara looked at the two on the couch and she saw what Danny said that Grace and Steve were close, she just expected it to be on the same level as Stan was with Grace. This was like how Danny treated Grace and she was glad for it. Clara watched as Steve happily held Grace firmly to his side and Danny was sitting close and was watching to make sure Steve wasn't in pain and careful as he sat in closer beside him.
Steve happily listened as they talked or rather talked loudly to each other and Steve finally figured out where Danny got it from. Steve looked to Grace when she touched his hand and shook it slightly.
"Would you like a drink Uncle Steve?"
"Thankyou Grace I would. I'll come help you." Steve said as he prepared to climb to his feet.
"I got it."
She quickly slid off the couch and disappeared. Steve saw a flash of worry in her eyes when he said he would help. Steve looked at Danny who also saw it.
"Danny can you pass my crutches"
"Steve I'll go."
"Pass me the crutches or I'll go without them."
Danny grumbled about stubborn SEALs and passed Steve his crutches and helped him up.
"We'll be back soon." Danny said as his family nodded with smiles.
Danny led Steve towards the kitchen where they heard sniffing as there was glasses being placed on the counter. They could see tears threatening to fall from her eyes as she looked up to them. Grace ran around and wrapped her arms Steve's waist less gently than last time. Steve winced but he just passed Danny the crutch closet to him and wrapped his arm around Grace.
"Gracie what's wrong?" Steve asked and Grace shook her head. "We can't help if you don't tell us."
"Grace are you upset because Uncle Steve is hurt?" Danny asked and Grace nodded. "Oh Monkey he is fine."
"Grace it is not as bad as it looks. I heal quicker remember."
"But we didn't know you were hurt."
"Yes why didn't we receive a call to say you were hurt, Steven?" Danny asked a little annoyed about that.
"Because I told them not to. There was no point in spending the money."
"You and I are going to have a serious talk later."
"Danno…" Steve started to say
"No, don't Danno me."
Grace giggled as she watched them before letting go of Steve and walked over to the counter. Steve and Danny smile at each other when she did, knowing that their bickering let her know that Steve was ok.
Steve reached for the crutch and moved over to the chairs and sat down resting the crutches behind him against the table. He needed to rest his leg and as much as he could do with a sleep he didn't want to be rude. Danny took the seat next to him and grabbed his hand causing Steve to look at him than watching Grace.
"Babe what's wrong?" Danny asked quietly.
"Nothing Danny."
"Yes there is. I can see it Steve."
"It's nothing really. I'm just tired still. The meds make me more tired than I should be."
"Steve if you need to lay down than I'll show you where we are sleeping."
"No Danny it's fine. I will in an hour or so, when I need to take some more of my meds otherwise I'll wake up in pain."
"Steve…"
"Danny it's fine. Really."
"Here you go Uncle Steve."
"Thankyou Gracie." Steve said as he took the glass of water from her.
"Uncle Steve you haven't opened your presents yet. You need to open your presents."
"You are right I haven't. But maybe we can open presents later."
"No you can't open presents later. They are meant to be opened early on Christmas Day or as soon as possible. I'll go tell Grandma."
"Gracie wait…" Steve said as she raced out and Danny laughed.
"Danny it's not funny."
"Yes, it is." Danny said and Steve sighed and lent against the table. "Babe how bad is everything really."
"Not where Grace could over hear."
Danny nodded in understanding and moved closer and brought his hand up to Steve's neck and pulled him closer. Steve and Danny brought their foreheads together.
"I missed you, so much."
"I missed you too Danny. Thought of you every day. You and Grace."
"Steve I know you can't give me details, but did you succeed?"
"Yeah Danny, we completed the mission."
"You lose anyone?"
"No we didn't. We almost did that's why I'm injured."
Danny went to say something when Steve pulled back and looked back to where the family was gathered. Danny looked over and saw his mother walking into the room.
"I hear someone is going to come open their presents and since it's almost time to start lunch I thought I would just turn the oven on to heat up. You both best get into the living room before Grace comes looking for you."
"Hey Danny can you give me a hand to get this jacket off?"
"Sure babe."
Danny smiled and helped Steve to his feet. Steve unbuttoned the front before he carefully slid his right arm out hissing when it pulled across his torso. Danny carefully pulled the jacket off the rest of the way when Steve's left arm came down. Danny carefully laid the jacket over his arm and handed Steve his crutches before picking up Steve's glass and followed Steve back into the living room. Danny led Steve to the three seater where Grace was already sitting with a present in her lap. Steve sat down and placed the crutches beside him and she held out her present to Steve. Danny carefully laying the jacket of the back of the three seater.
"Merry Christmas Uncle Steve."
"Thankyou Gracie."
"Here babe this is from you to Grace." Danny said handing Steve Grace's present as he wasn't going to be up for moving and getting her present from under the tree.
Steve handed Grace her present and watched as Grace opened it. She ripped into the wrapping paper and turned it over to see it was a new doll that she had been asking for. Grace squealed and quickly placed it down beside. She climbed to her knees on the couch and hugged Steve carefully.
"Thankyou Uncle Steve."
"You're welcome Gracie. That's not all." Steve said and Grace looked at him confused. "Open the box."
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