Rear View Mirror - Steve/Danny - PG
Author: dante_s_hell
Recipient: imaginary_iby
Title: Rear View Mirror
Pairings/Characters: Steve/Danny, Grace, Chin, Kono
Summary: Steve and Danny are together. Steve takes to fatherhood quite well.
Rating: PG
Content: N/A
Warnings: None.
Word Count: 7626 words
Disclaimer: All Hawaii Five-0 characters herein are the property of CBS. No copyright infringement is intended. All characters engaging in sexual activity are 16 years or older.
Author's Notes: imaginary_iby asked for domesticity, Step!Daddy!Steve, and BAMF!Danny. I tried to include a little of everything. I hope you like it. Thanks to my cheerleaders out there.
Five Years Ago
"Danno's making spaghetti," Grace announced as she skipped into the living room, pigtails dancing along her shoulders.
"Sounds good." Steve's mouth salivated at the thought. He loved Danny's spaghetti.
"He says it's your favorite."
Steve looked at her in surprise. "He did?"
Grace nodded.
"But I never told him that," Steve said, wondering how his partner knew.
Grace patted him on the arm and said sagely, "Danno notices stuff like that."
"Huh, I guess he does," Steve mused. "Your dad's pretty observant. Guess that's what makes him a good detective."
Grace nodded again. "Yeah, and it's cause he loves you."
Steve smiled, his heart beating double time. He and Danny exchanged I love yous all of the time. Sometimes with words, but mostly with gestures. It never ceased to send a little thrill through him. He hoped it would never wear off.
"Danno says I have to set the table. You got the dishes," Grace said, oblivious to the happiness her previous words had caused.
"Kitchen detail," Steve said solemnly, but he was sure it was ruined by the crazy grin on his face. "Got it."
Grace looked at him strangely for a moment before turning toward the kitchen. Already the spicy scents of tomato sauce and oregano were wafting throughout the house.
At the door, Grace paused and looked back at Steve, her brow wrinkled with uncertainty.
Steve sobered immediately. "What's wrong, Grace?"
Slowly, she made her way back to him, sitting on the couch beside him. Eyes trained on her sneakers, she said quietly, "Uncle Steve, can I talk to you about something?"
"Anything you want, Gracie," Steve answered just as quietly as he studied her profile.
Grace didn't say anything for a long moment, lips pressed tight together. Something was weighing on her mind.
Steve waited, giving her the time she needed to marshal her thoughts.
"Are we going to be a family?" Grace asked, still not looking at him. "Will you be with Danno like my mom is with Step-Stan?"
Surprised, Steve shifted on the couch, drawing his knee up onto the cushion. He wanted to fully face her, but Grace had yet to turn and look at him. This would have to do. "I hope so," he said, cautiously. He and Danny had talked about committing to each other formally, but as of yet no plans had been made. "Would it be okay with you if we did?"
Grace sat very still. Whatever she was thinking, Steve couldn't tell.
Heart pumping hard in his chest, he waited for Grace to say something. Steve looked toward the kitchen, wondering if he should call Danny. This was a conversation they had wanted to have with Grace together.
Grace finally turned to face him. "Please don't get Danno," she said earnestly.
"Why not?" Steve asked, taken aback by her request.
"I want to talk to you first," Grace said. The look on her face was serious; the tone of her voice that of a girl beyond her years.
"Okay," Steve said, leaning forward and giving her his full attention. Unease was beginning to snake up his spine. When he and Danny had talked about telling Grace their plans, they had both assumed she would be all for their union. But that was before Steve had been ambushed in his own living room.
"You make my dad happy," Grace said simply.
"I try my best," Steve responded, still not sure where this was going.
Grace picked at an unraveled string along the seam of a cushion. "My mom used to make Danno happy, too."
All the air in Steve's lungs evaporated and he sucked in a breath. He should have expected this, but he was still blindsided. "Grace, listen," he began, desperately, even as he searched for the words to reassure her that he and Danny wouldn't end up like Danny and Rachel had. But then he stopped. That was a reassurance he couldn't make. "As much as I want to, I can't make any promises."
"I know," Grace told him.
There was something in her expression that made Steve glad he hadn't lied.
"Your dad and I want to be together," Steve said, feeling out of his depth. He wasn't used to speaking about feelings, let alone relationships. But this was important and he had to try. "We want the three of us to be a family."
"I want that, too," Grace said shyly.
"Yeah?" Steve couldn't keep the hope out of his voice.
"I do." Grace took his hand in both of her own, giving it a little squeeze. "Will you do something for me, Uncle Steve?"
Steve knew he would do anything for this little girl. "What do you need?"
Grace stared up at him. "I need for you to take care of Danno."
"I promise I will," Steve vowed. Because no matter what happened, through thick and thin, he would always take care of Danny or die trying.
"Thank you, Uncle Steve." Grace reached up and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
Steve leaned down and returned the hug.
Grace patted him on the back and then climbed off the couch. "I guess I should go talk to Danno now," she announced and walked out of the room.
Steve watched her go, realizing Grace had just given him her blessing to marry her father.
He fell back against the couch, stunned.
*H50*H50*H50*
Present Day
Brakes squealed as the tires skidded across the blacktop. The pungent odor of burnt rubber dirtied the air. In the driver's seat, there was a high-pitched moan.
"Oh, god. Oh, god. Oh, god. Nonono."
"Grace," Steve said to the driver who was currently covering her face with her hands. "You okay?"
Grace nodded. "I did it again, didn't I?" she asked, voice muffled by her hands.
Steve strained against the seatbelt locked over his chest. It slackened suddenly and he turned to glance out the back window.. The big plastic trash can with the words, Property of Moanalua High, was rolling on its side. Thankfully, it had been empty.
"Yeah," Steve said. "But it's okay."
Grace's face slowly emerged from her palm-shaped mask. She stared at him incredulously.
"Nothing to be upset about," Steve reassured her.
"Nothing to be upset about," Grace repeated flatly. Her arm fanned out and she pointed out the back windshield. "I just hit a car, Pop!"
Steve bit back a smile. Teenage Grace was more like Danny than little Grace had been. "I think it's a trash can, Gracie."
Grace barely managed to resist rolling her eyes, but Steve saw that the urge was there and he had to bite back a smile. Danny again. "It's doubling as a car." She put her hands palm to palm with about four inches of space in between, then she used them to emphasize as she pointed. "There's a trashcan in front," she swiveled. "And there's one in back. They're supposed to be cars, Pop. How can I parallel park in the real world if I'm always knocking down the freakin' trash cans!"
"Language," Steve said, mildly. Yeah, she was acting more and more like Danny everyday. That, or it was typical teenager-type stuff. Steve wasn't sure which would be better.
"Sorry," Grace muttered and looked away.
"Gracie, you'll get it," Steve said quietly. "We just have to practice a little more."
"But I've been practicing with Danno for weeks," she wailed.
"Yeah, but now you're practicing with me," Steve said with a grin. "You know I drive better than Danno does."
"That's because you never let him drive anywhere," Grace replied with a grudging smile.
Steve laughed. "True enough." He undid his seatbelt. "Let me reset the trashcan and we'll try again."
"Pop?" Grace asked, looking troubled. "Do you really think I can learn how to parallel park?"
Steve patted her hand. "Don't worry, Gracie. You'll be ready for your driving test next week. I promise."
Grace stared at him for a moment as if gauging the validity of his words.
Steve returned her gaze, steady and reassuring. Danny was the one who did a lot of talking. Steve stayed quiet. Both approaches seemed to work with Grace.
Finally, Grace nodded. "Guess you'd better re-park the 'car'."
"On it." Steve opened the door.
In a matter of minutes, Grace was ready to try again.
*H50*H50*H50
Three Years Ago
Miles and miles of ocean spread across the horizon, small waves sparkling in the sunlight. As far as the eye could see, the water was calm and empty.
Steve rose from the surf, shaking his head and sending crystal droplets of water flying in all directions.
Quiet little splashes caught his attention and he smiled, watching as Grace swam toward him.
"Watch this, Step-Steve," she commanded. "I'm going to be a shark!" She dove under the water. The only thing visible was her hand, perched on her head like a fin, as she swam around him.
Steve laughed, body turning so he could keep his eyes on her. Grace's feet kicked strongly, propelling her through the water. A swell of pride filled Steve's chest. She was such a strong swimmer.
Grace's head popped out of the water and she was grinning madly. "Good, huh?"
"Very good," Steve answered, solemnly. He put a hand to his chest. "I was in fear for my life the entire time."
Grace giggled. "You're not scared of anything, Step-Steve."
"I'm not?" Steve responded in mock confusion.
"No," Grace answered. "You're a Super SEAL." She splashed him, and Steve took the water full in the face.
Steve sputtered even as he laughed. "I'm going to get you for that, Grace-face."
Grace splashed him again.
With a growl, Steve plunged under water and grabbed her, holding her aloft in the air.
Grace squirmed and laughed.
"Ready, Gracie?" Steve asked.
"Do it, Step-Steve, do it!" Grace shouted, body wriggling.
Steve grinned and gently tossed her back into the water.
With a whoop, Grace twisted and dived, kicking her arms and legs to create a big splash.
Sun-kissed water rained all over Steve and he laughed again.
"That was fun," Grace exclaimed. "Do it again."
"You got it." Steve picked her up again. "Ready?"
"Ready!"
Another splash. Another whoop and more giggling from Grace.
"Again!"
Steve shook his head and pointed to the beach. "Maybe we should get Danno first."
Grace shaded her eyes and followed his gaze.
Danny was sitting at the picnic table with a laptop in front of him. He had told Steve that there was only a little paperwork to do and then he would join them in the water.
That had been an hour ago.
"Are you going to throw him in the water, too?" Grace asked, hopefully.
Steve cocked his head, considering. A grin stretched across his face. "I can do that."
Grace clapped her hands. "Yay!"
"Let's go get him," Steve told her and sunk down into the water, readying himself to swim back to shore.
"Wait, Step-Steve," Grace said, dog-paddling.
Steve stood up again, startled by the sudden somberness of her tone. "What is it, Gracie? Are you okay?" He looked her over, searching for injuries, ready to scoop her up and run back to the house. "Are you hurt?"
Grace shook her head. "I'm okay. It's just that..." she hesitated. "I've been wanting to ask you something. For a long time."
"What is it, Gracie?" Steve questioned, stepping closer to her.
Grace took his hand, gripping his fingers as she stared earnestly up into his face. "Would it be okay if I called you 'Pop'?"
Steve looked down at her, wide-eyed. His mouth worked, but the words wouldn't come. Finally, he cleared his throat. "Are you sure, Grace? You want to call me 'Pop'?"
Grace nodded. "You love Danno and he loves you," she said. "And I love you, too. So can I?"
Steve swung her up in his arms. "I'd love that," he told her quietly.
"Okay...Pop," Grace said, squeezing him tight.
Steve returned the hug. "We should probably go get Danno now," he said, his voice slightly choked.
Grace nodded against his shoulder. "He needs to have fun, too."
Steve gave her another hug, marveling once again that this little girl was now a part of his family. He looked over her shoulder toward the shore, realizing this moment would only be complete when the love of his life was with them as well.
Throwing an indignant, sputtering, and smiling Danno into the water, Grace's joyous laughter filling the bright blue sky, made everything perfect.
*H50*H50*H50
Present Day
"I did it," Grace said wonderingly.
"Four times in a row," Steve confirmed with a proud smile. "Now I think we should try it for real."
"What?" Grace squeaked, eyes wide with panic. "You--you want me to practice parking between cars? Real cars?"
"That's what we've been working toward," Steve said patiently. "Trash cans were only practice."
"I know," Grace said, "but real cars?" She sounded like she still couldn't believe what Steve was asking her to do. "No, Pop, I don't think so. I'm not ready."
"Grace," Steve said, calmly. "You can do it. I know you can." He gestured toward the trashcan in front of the car. "You've just proved it."
"Pop, those are trash cans," Grace pointed out as if he had somehow missed that fact.
"Yes," Steve agreed, "but they won't always be trashcans. In fact, they mostly won't be."
Grace's shoulders slumped and she said in a small voice, "I don't know if I can do it, Pop. I'm scared."
Steve laid a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay to be scared, Grace. You just have to be careful." Then he repeated. "I know you can do it."
Grace looked up at him, a cautious smile on her face. "You think so?"
"I know so," he answered, quietly. He waited a beat. "You want to practice now?"
"Now?" Her eyes went wide again.
Steve glanced at his watch. "We have to pick up Danno at the courthouse in an hour. We can head over there and practice while we wait for him."
Grace still looked uncertain, but she nodded. "Okay."
"Good," Steve said. "Let's go."
"You want me to drive downtown?" Grace asked. "I've never done that."
"First time for everything," Steve said. "Besides, you're playing chauffeur today."
"Yeah?" she asked with a lilt of happiness in her voice.
"You bet," Steve confirmed. "You get to pick up Danno, drive us to dinner, and then on to a movie. You'll be getting a lot of practice today."
Grace looked at him, eyes shining. "I love you, Pop."
"Love you, too," Steve returned softly.
"Then let's go!" And even though they were in a parking lot without any other soul around, Grace checked her mirrors like she had been taught and pulled out from between the two trash cans.
They drove in silence for a while before Steve leaned down and turned on the radio. "You might as well get used to driving with the radio on. Just not too loud, okay?"
Grace, eyes never leaving the road, nodded. "Got it."
"Also," Steve continued as an old rock classic filtered through the car, "No cell phone use while driving. No talking on the phone and definitely no texting."
"Pop," Grace whined. "I know."
"Still, it bears repeating," Steve said firmly. "It also means I don't even want you using a hands-free device."
Grace shot him a look. "What?"
"Eyes on the road, Grace." Steve gently admonished her.
"I'm watching," she muttered. "I thought a hands-free device would be okay."
"No," Steve said. "Not until you've got a little more experience driving. It's too distracting."
"I won't be distracted," Grace protested.
"No phone use of any kind, Grace," Steve stated emphatically. "We clear?"
"Yes, sir," Grace muttered.
"I just want you to be safe," Steve said.
Grace didn't answer right away. Finally, the corners of her mouth quirked up. "Yeah, I know."
"Good," Steve said, then added in a lighter tone. "I don't want you putting on make-up while you drive either."
"Hey," Grace exclaimed. "That's just stupid."
Steve grinned. "Good girl."
"But I'm totally eating," Grace announced.
"In this car?" Steve asked skeptically. "I don't know. Danno never let me eat in it."
"But it's mine now, right?"
"Yeah," Steve confirmed. "But Danno and I reserve the right to take the keys if you don't follow our road rules."
"The ones to keep me safe," Grace echoed. "I promised to follow them, Pop."
"You did," Steve said. "Just thought a reminder wouldn't hurt."
"You can be just like Danno sometimes," Grace said, but she was smiling.
"Yeah, maybe," Steve said with a chuckle. "Just don't tell him that."
Grace laughed as she took the ramp to enter the freeway. "You got it, Pop."
Steve's cell phone rang. "Hey, Chin. Howzit?" He frowned at Chin's words, chest tightening. "What?"
*H50*H50*H50
Two Months Ago
The door leading from the kitchen to the garage creaked as it opened.
From his position underneath Danny's old Camaro, Steve saw small, bare feet, toenails painted a hot pink.
"Hey, Gracie," he called. "What's up?"
"Need any help?" Grace asked, voice light.
But Steve paused. He had taught her how to change the oil or rather, Grace had picked up on how to do it over the years while he worked on the Marquis. It had just seemed easier to explain how to do it as he worked. Grace had soaked up the knowledge like a sponge and they had often hung out together, working in the garage.
Things were a little different, though, now that she was a teenager. Although not afraid of a little hard work that might result in getting dirty, Grace was at an age where she was highly aware of her appearance. Especially when boys were constantly calling her and wanting to take her to the beach or the movies.
Steve was pragmatic enough to know that he couldn't stop the boys from noticing Grace, and he handled it like he did everything else--head on--but it still made him wistful.
Their little girl was growing up.
Danny didn't like the idea at all and Steve often had to be the voice of reason, and how weird was that? Still, in the past year they'd had two different boys over for dinner and Steve had congratulated himself both times for restraining Danny from epic rants that would only have embarrassed Grace.
Steve thought the thigh holster carrying his service pistol and the K-Bar blade in its sheath at his waist silently yet eloquently spoke volumes without Danny bursting a blood vessel.
"Pop?" Grace broke into his reverie.
"I've got this, Gracie," Steve answered then waited, knowing her visit wasn't about offering to help change the oil.
The silence seemed to stretch, but Steve was okay with that. It wasn't strained or awkward. It never was with him and Grace. He just needed to wait her out and Grace would eventually tell him what was on her mind.
He whistled under his breath as he finished up. Rolling out from under the car, he got to his feet.
Grace was sitting on an old kitchen stool Steve kept in the garage just for her. Ankles hooked around the legs of the stool, she was unnaturally still, the look on her face contemplative.
"What's on your mind?" Steve asked carefully, grabbing a rag and wiping his hands of grease and oil.
She didn't answer.
Brow wrinkling, Steve took a step toward her. "What is it, Grace? What's wrong?" Energy was coiling in his limbs, ready to spring into action.
Grace looked at him, startled. "Pop, I'm fine. Nothing's wrong," she said hastily.
"Then what is it?" Steve asked, puzzled and still feeling concerned.
The roar of an engine cut off anything Grace would have said as Danny in the new Dodge Charger pulled into the driveway.
"Maybe it's better this way," Grace muttered. "I'll only have to ask once."
Steve shot her a look.
"Hey," Danny greeted, striding into the garage as he put his phone away. "I've got news."
Steve was still concerned about what Grace had to say, but Danny sounded happy and he was openly grinning. "Yeah?"
Danny nodded. "We've been invited to dinner at Kono's and Charlie's place tomorrow night. They want to make an announcement." And if possible, his grin got even wider.
Grace squealed, hopping down from her stool. "Do you think--" she started to ask, hope shining from her eyes.
"I got a big hint," Danny assured her.
"Finally?" Steve breathed. He hadn't forgotten about Grace, but this was big news. Huge.
"Kono didn't come right out and say," Danny said, "but she's glowing."
"A baby," Grace said in awe. "Aunt Kono has been wanting one for a long time."
"Yeah, she has, Monkey," Danny said, eyes bright.
"That's wonderful news," Steve said, smiling.
"I think she and Charlie had given up," Danny said a little sadly.
"It's a miracle baby," Steve said, wrapping an arm around Danny and hugging him to his side.
Danny glanced at Grace and muttered, "They're all miracles."
"Danno," Grace said in exasperation, face flushing in embarrassment. "No sappy dad stuff."
Danny and Steve laughed.
"All right," Danny said, mirth still in his voice. "I'll let you two get back to working on cars. Make sure you wash up before dinner." He pointed at Steve and added sternly, "This means you."
Steve looked over at Grace who had gone quiet. "Danny," he said, "I think Grace wants to talk to us about something."
"Everything okay, Grace?" Danny asked with a faint frown.
"Yeah," Grace answered.
"Do you want to invite another boy over for dinner?" Danny asked, sounding slightly suspicious.
"Danno," Grace stressed. "Not everything is about boys."
"I thought it was," Danny muttered under his breath.
Steve tickled his side and Danny yelped, shimmying to get away from him, but Steve held onto him. "What's going on, Gracie?"
Grace squared her shoulders and said firmly, "I want to get a job."
Steve glanced at Danny, noting the stunned look on his face. Okay, so Danny hadn't been expecting that either. "A job?" Steve repeated. "Why?"
Grace settled back on the stool and spread her hands out as if presenting her case. "I'm going to be sixteen soon," she began. "And I want to buy a car."
"A car?" Danny echoed faintly.
Apparently, Grace took this to mean that Danny wasn't completely on board with the idea of her having a car. She began talking rapidly, hands moving, tone earnest. "Yes, Danno. I'll have my license soon and I'll need a car. This way, you won't have to drive me to school everyday and that means you and Pop can have more together time. Also, I won't have to depend on you to take me to volleyball practice, or tennis practice, or anything. And I'm also going to keep my job for a little extra spending money and so I'll need a car for that--"
"Breathe, Gracie," Steve interrupted when it looked like she wasn't going to come up for air.
"You think it's a good idea, right, Pop?" Grace asked, turning pleading eyes on him.
"Getting a job or getting a car?" Steve asked.
"Both," she answered immediately.
"You don't need a job," Danny said.
Grace's face fell. "But, Danno, I really want to buy a car."
Danny shook his head. "You don't need to do that either."
Grace looked down at the ground. "You aren't going to even think about it?" she asked in a small voice.
"Monkey, look at me," Danny commanded softly, then waited until her eyes lifted. "Your pop and I've already discussed it."
"What Danno is trying to say, Gracie, is that we're giving you the old Camaro," Steve said, patting the fender of the car he'd been working on.
Grace's eyes grew round. "You're giving me the Camaro?"
Steve nodded. "We think you're responsible enough to handle it."
"There are going to be rules, though," Danny added, firmly. "Curfews, where you can go, that sort of thing."
Grace nodded, vigorously. "Yes, Danno, I know. I'll take good care of it. Promise."
"I know," Danny said. "Look, if you still want to get a job, it's not a bad idea. It'll help pay for gas and maintenance."
"I can take care of the maintenance," Steve interjected.
Danny rolled his eyes. "You're a sucker. That's what you are."
"Anything for our little girl, Danno," Steve said, eyes twinkling.
"I can help with changing the oil and stuff," Grace offered. "It'll be fun."
Steve smiled, feeling pleased.
"Good idea," Danny agreed. He laid a hand on her shoulder. "I don't want the job to get in the way of school or your extra-curricular activities. You sure you can juggle all of that?"
"I can do it, Danno," Grace assured him.
"I have no doubt, Monkey," Danny said, pulling her into a hug. "But if it gets too much, you come talk to us about it, okay? We'll work it out."
"Yeah, okay," Grace said. Her gaze shifted to the car in front of her and she lovingly pet the roof. "It's really going to be mine?"
"It's really going to be yours," Steve confirmed.
"A car!" Grace yelled happily as she began to dance around it. "I have a car. A Camaro! Oh, boy. My friends are just gonna die." She clapped her hands together. "A Camaro!"
"Gracie," Danny warned. "Don't get too carried away. I don't want you racing it all over the island like your crazy pop."
"Hey!" Steve protested indignantly. "I'm a great driver!"
"You just keep telling yourself that, babe," Danny murmured.
Grace continued to grin, patting the car, and nodding at whatever Danny said.
*H50*H50*H50
Present Day
Grace knew she was supposed to keep her eyes on the road, but her Pop's voice sounded tight with worry. She chanced a quick glance at him and didn't like what she saw. His body was ramrod straight and he was clutching the phone, knuckles white. His face was pale.
Dread crawled along her spine.
"Got it, Chin," Steve bit out. "I'm on my way." He let out a harsh breath. "If anything changes, you call me. Anything!"
"What is it, Pop?" Grace asked as Steve ended the call. She added in a smaller voice. "Is Danno okay?"
"Pull off the highway, Grace," Steve muttered. "Kamekona is nearby. I can drop you with him."
Over the years Grace had seen Steve react to all sorts of situations. He was a man mostly of action, leaving the words to her Danno. But she had only seen him like this--tightly controlled, muscle in his jaw jumping, biceps flexing as if readying for a fight--a few times.
When Danno was in trouble.
Grace hoped she was wrong. "Pop? Has...has something happened to Danno?"
"Off the freeway," Steve repeated, dark anger filling the words.
Grace knew he wasn't angry at her. She knew fear was fueling it because she could hear it in the tone of his voice, sneaking past the anger. Her own worry threatened to swamp her, but she remained calm even though she gripped the steering wheel hard.
"What happened, Pop? Tell me," Grace demanded.
"Sweetheart," Steve began, "I don't have time for this. Just get us off the freeway at the next exit."
A rarely used endearment. Now Grace knew there was trouble and her heart started to beat faster.
Pressing her lips into a firm line, Grace pushed on the accelerator, watching the needle climb on the speedometer.
They flew by the exit.
"Grace," Steve growled, not quite shouting.
"Danno's in trouble, Pop," Grace said, proud that her voice didn't tremble. "We don't have time to drop me off. We need to go to the courthouse, right?"
"Grace," Steve said in exasperation. "You can't come with me. It's not safe."
"It's Danno who isn't safe," Grace corrected. "And it's already too late, Pop. I'm going."
There was a strangled silence from the passenger seat. Then Grace thought she heard Steve mutter a cuss word. Grace didn't blame him. "Pop, just tell me."
"Danno's going to kill me," Steve said with a resigned sigh.
"Pop," Grace urged, feeling desperate.
"There's a hostage situation down at the courthouse," Steve told her, reluctantly. "Danno's in the middle of it."
The news was like a punch to the solar plexus and Grace gasped. "Uncle Chin's already there?"
"Yeah," Steve answered. "Look, traffic's pretty light, but you still have to be careful."
"I will," Grace said as she moved from one lane to the other, maneuvering around the slower cars on the freeway. She made sure to use her blinker.
"Damn it! I promised your father there would be no high speed chases," Steve said with a forced chuckle that quickly died away.
"He's in trouble, Pop," Grace said, quietly. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him lean forward as if urging the car to go faster. He was used to being in the the driver's seat, the one in control. Grace let out a measured breath and increased pressure on the gas pedal. She'd get him to Danno. "What else is he going to expect?"
"Danno isn't going to see it that way," Steve said, reaching over and flipping on the police lights. "He's going to be pretty mad."
"Mad is okay," Grace said. "I'll take mad over...."
She flipped on her blinker and sent the car hurtling off the freeway. Concentrating on the road, she flew down the access road, slowing just enough to jerk the wheel sharply to the right, turning on a street that would lead them downtown and the courthouse.
"Don't worry, Gracie," Steve said, clutching at the dashboard. "We'll be hearing him ranting in no time."
Knowing that her pop was going to take care of her Danno, Grace didn't doubt Steve's words.
In fact, she was looking forward to a Danno rant with all her heart.
*H50*H50*H50
"Park it right here, Grace," Steve commanded, low and urgent.
Grace yanked the wheel, front tires popping up onto the curb. The car came to a stop and she looked at him with wide eyes.
Steve patted her on the arm distractedly. He had other things on his mind right now. "Don't worry about it."
"You going after Danno?" Grace asked as he got out of the car.
Steve turned and looked at her. "Yes," he said emphatically. Then added with even more emphasis, "Stay here. I don't want you anywhere near the courthouse, Grace. You got me?" He drilled her with an intense gaze, demanding she comply. "My focus has to be on Danny. I can't worry about you." It was a lie, but Grace didn't need to know that.
Grace nodded vigorously. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Good," Steve said with a tense smile.
"Be careful," Grace told him.
Steve paused. "It's going to be alright," he said, sincerely. He refused to consider otherwise. "Besides, we have dinner plans, right?"
There was a lost look in Grace's eyes, but she rallied a smile at his words. "Right."
Steve nodded. He wanted to stay, give her more reassurances, and hating to leave her alone, but Danny needed him. "Danno and I will be right back."
Grace nodded again. "You better be," she said in a small voice.
"We will," Steve offered this last reassurance before giving her hand a hard squeeze. "Be right back," he promised.
With one last look into her troubled eyes, Steve stepped back from the car. He took a deep breath, mentally pulling himself away from the parental imperative to take care of his daughter. The only way for him to do that now was to find her other father safe and sound.
Shoving the urge to return to Grace, Steve ran down the street leading to the courthouse, dodging police cars parked haphazardly, their lights flashing, but sirens blessedly silent.
"Boss," Kono called urgently from where she was squatting down behind a black and white. She had a rifle in her hands and it was trained at the third floor of the courthouse.
Steve frowned as he leaned down next to her. As if he didn't already have enough things to be worried about. "What are you doing here?" he hissed at her.
Kono flicked a glance at him before returning her eye to the scope. "Working."
"Wrong answer," Steve said, angrily. "I thought we agreed you wouldn't do any field work until after the baby was born."
"You, Chin, and Danny agreed," Kono snapped back, eyes never leaving her target.
"Kono, you shouldn't be here," Steve argued.
She growled. Honest to god growled at him. "Danny's in trouble. Where the hell else should I be?"
Steve opened his mouth to retort then snapped it shut again. There was no arguing with that. Didn't mean he wouldn't do his best to protect her, though. "Kono, I appreciate that, but if something happened to you, Danny would, well--"
"Have a giant freak out?" she supplied with a touch of humor in her voice.
"And wouldn't shut up about it," he returned easily.
"Don't worry," Kono assured him. "I'll be okay. I'm not going any closer than this. I promised Chin."
Steve looked toward the building and saw Chin leaning against the hood of one of the police cars. He seemed to be staring down at something. "Kono," Steve said, "I get that, but there's something I need for you to do."
"Yeah?" Kono asked suspiciously. "Just so you know, I'm not leaving."
"Not asking you to," Steve said.
Kono relaxed slightly. "What do you need?"
Steve inwardly sighed in relief. He pointed in the direction he had come. "I need for you to go and stay with Grace. She's terrified."
Kono finally looked at him, eyes round. "You brought Grace here? Are you kidding?" She shook her head. "Talk about Danny freaking out."
"I didn't have a choice," Steve said and explained.
"Yeah, I get it," Kono said. "But Danny is going to be pissed."
"I know," Steve said, "but I'll handle him when the time comes."
Kono snorted. "Handle him? Yeah, that's going to be funny. Can't wait to see that."
Steve touched her arm. "And you will." He looked back at the building, eyes narrowing, feeling anger and determination course through him. "Just as soon as I get him out of there."
"You'd better hurry," Kono said, eyes serious.
"I'm on it," Steve promised. "Look after Gracie, okay?"
"Will do, brah," Kono said, quietly, and started for the Camaro.
Steve watched her go, feeling relief. He'd managed to solve two of his three major problems. Now, he only had one to take care of and it was going to take all of his concentration. And maybe a grenade or two. Too bad he didn't have any. At Danny's insistence, all weapons had been removed from the Camaro for Grace's safety.
It wasn't a problem, though. Steve would use his bare hands to save Danny if he had to.
He jogged over to Chin. "You got an extra gun?"
Chin looked up from the building's blueprints he was studying. "Glad you could make it."
"I'd hate for Danny to have all the fun," Steve muttered.
Chin smiled, briefly. "Yeah, well, it looks like he forgot to invite us to the party."
"Well, we're here now," Steve said, darkly. "What's the plan?"
"We can get into the building easily," Chin said, tapping the map. "In fact, we've already evacuated the entire building except for the courtroom where Danny is."
Steve groaned. "So it's a fact? Danny's in the thick of things?"
Chin made a face. "Was there any doubt? You two attract trouble like magnets and metal shavings." Then he pointed at his tablet, sitting next to the map. The images were in black and white, but they were clear enough.
Danny was clutching his arm, glaring at the man holding a gun on him. Behind Danny, huddled on the floor, was a man that could only be the prosecutor. Across the way, the defense attorney was gesturing gently, but the man's gun never wavered. The judge and the jury were sitting stock still.
"Yeah," Steve agreed through gritted teeth, fists clenching at his sides. He never did handle feeling helpless very well and knowing Danny was hurt filled him with rage. "But usually we're together."
"I know it's frustrating," Chin said sympathetically.
And scary, Steve added, but didn't say anything. "Just give me a damn gun already, Chin. Then we'll be together again."
Chin stared at him for a moment. "I'm not going to even try to talk you out of it," he finally said.
"Good," Steve growled. "Because I don't have time for that." He held out his hand, impatiently. "Gun."
The sound of a gun being fired startled both men.
Steve jerked his head toward the security footage playing on Chin's tablet, heart in his throat at what he might see. Then his eyes went wide.
The gunman was stumbling back, having taken the brunt of a briefcase to the chest. It slid to the floor, falling open and spilling papers and and a computer tablet across the floor.
Dimly, Steve registered these things, but his sole focus was on Danny as his husband flew across the floor, threw his arms around the gunman's waist and tackled him to the ground. A swift punch followed and the gunmen slumped back against the floor dazed.
"Looks like things are under control," Chin murmured with satisfaction.
Steve snatched the gun that Chin had been holding out to him. He headed for the steps of the courthouse at a dead run. Danny needed back up.
Behind him, Chin shouted orders and police started to swarm around the building.
Steve ignored them, running up the steps and into the building. With a quick look around, he flew up the stairs to the next floor, two steps at a time, but stopped on the landing.
He heard Danny before he saw him.
"We're going to figure out how you managed to get a hold of a gun in a courthouse. You know that, right? What possessed you to even try it? Are you that stupid? Did you not think we'd catch you? You do realize there were several witnesses to your stupidity, right? You are a complete and utter moron." Danny came into view, shoving the gunman along. "And you ruined my shirt. It's one of my favorites. My daughter gave it to me for Father's Day!" He shook the man and he moaned, stumbling.
"Danno," Steve called out, happy to see him, whole and in one piece even if he was bleeding a little.
"Steve?" Danny asked in disbelief. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be teaching Grace how to parallel park?"
"Uh, yeah?" Steve said, scratching his neck with the tip of his gun.
"Don't do that," Danny scowled. "Hasn't there been enough trouble for one day? It would be just like you to blow your head off and ruin our dinner plans with Grace."
"You're right, Danno," Steve agreed, smiling idiotically as he grabbed hold of the gunman's other arm.
Together they marched the man out of the building.
Once out in the bright Hawaiian sunshine, Danny thrust the gunman at two waiting policeman, glaring all the while. "Of all the stupid, idiotic..." he muttered away to himself.
Steve clapped a hand to the back of Danny's neck, massaging gently with the pads of his fingers. It had been a close call today and he felt the need to touch. "You should probably get your arm looked at."
Danny looked at his left arm, noting the blood. "It's not even as bad as the first time you got me shot at," he said dismissively.
Steve squeezed his neck in warning. "Still," he said mildly, but with a hint of steel. "You need to get it taken care of."
"Fine," Danny grumbled, moving off toward the ambulance. "You so owe me a steak for this."
"Hey," Steve protested. "This wasn't my fault."
Chin walked up to him, grinning. "All is right with the world."
"Hey, Steve?" Danny called as the medic tended to his arm. "What did you do with our daughter, anyway?"
"Uh, Chin, maybe not so much," Steve murmured sheepishly. He looked back where Grace had parked the Camaro--and boy, was he not looking forward to explaining that to Danny--and saw her with Kono, walking toward them. Even from here, he could tell they were both smiling.
Chin followed his gaze. "You brought her to a crime scene? Brah, what were you thinking?"
"I was thinking about Danny," Steve muttered defensively. "And Grace was driving."
"You can't be serious?" Chin asked incredulously. At Steve's nod he exclaimed. "You are in so much trouble. If you need a place to crash for a few days, Malia and I have a guest bedroom."
Steve shot him a look, panicked. "No, he wouldn't," Steve breathed, feeling sick. "Oh, god, Chin." He covered his face with his hands. "He would."
"What's going on? What are you two looking at?" Danny stepped up to them, arm bandaged. "Is--is that Grace?"
"Danny, I can explain," Steve started, panic swelling to a fever pitch. This was bad. He knew it would be, but at the time he hadn't allowed himself to really think about it. But, now with the danger past...well, things were going to get ugly.
"And Kono?" Danny added, still incredulous.
"I told her she wasn't supposed to be here," Chin said lamely, now looking sheepish himself.
Steve wondered, somewhat hysterically, if they would both have to find a place to stay tonight. Because Malia probably wouldn't be happy with Chin, either.
"Grace is fifteen, Steve," Danny raved. "And Chin, Kono is pregnant. What the hell were the two of you thinking?"
"They were thinking of you, Danno," Grace interrupted, unknowingly repeating Steve's words. She threw herself into her father's arms and gripping him in a tight hug. "All of us were."
Steve watched her hug Danny, throat tight. He wanted so badly to join in, but he wasn't sure if Danny would allow it.
"Ah, Monkey, I'm fine," Danny murmured into her hair. "No need to worry." He looked over her shoulder at Steve and sighed. Then he gestured.
Steve shot forward, feeling a weight lift from his chest. He threw his arms around both of them, crushing them in a desperate embrace.
Danny looked at him knowingly. "You big goof," he said in fond exasperation. "I'm not kicking you to the curb over this." Then he added more sternly, "We will talk about it, though."
"It was my fault, Danno," Grace said, raising her head to look at him. "I didn't give Pop a choice."
"Why am I not surprised?" Danny asked with a long suffering sigh. "The two of you drive me crazy sometimes."
"That's okay," Grace said, patting his cheek. "You drive us crazy, too."
"I'm just crazy about you both," Steve admitted, giving them a squeeze.
"Big goof," Danny said again affectionately. "You need to kiss me now."
Steve smiled and leaned in, brushing his lips over Danny's, Grace still locked between them. He kissed the top of Gracie's head for good measure.
"So is this an exclusive hug or can anyone join in?" Kono asked, smiling.
"What do you think, Monkey?" Danny asked. "Should we let the rest of our ohana in on this?"
"Ohana hug!" Grace shouted, face split with a grin.
Chin and Kono, both grinning, wrapped their arms around the three of them.
They stood there for a few long minutes, hugging each other tight.
This was what family was all about.
The End.
Recipient: imaginary_iby
Title: Rear View Mirror
Pairings/Characters: Steve/Danny, Grace, Chin, Kono
Summary: Steve and Danny are together. Steve takes to fatherhood quite well.
Rating: PG
Content: N/A
Warnings: None.
Word Count: 7626 words
Disclaimer: All Hawaii Five-0 characters herein are the property of CBS. No copyright infringement is intended. All characters engaging in sexual activity are 16 years or older.
Author's Notes: imaginary_iby asked for domesticity, Step!Daddy!Steve, and BAMF!Danny. I tried to include a little of everything. I hope you like it. Thanks to my cheerleaders out there.
Five Years Ago
"Danno's making spaghetti," Grace announced as she skipped into the living room, pigtails dancing along her shoulders.
"Sounds good." Steve's mouth salivated at the thought. He loved Danny's spaghetti.
"He says it's your favorite."
Steve looked at her in surprise. "He did?"
Grace nodded.
"But I never told him that," Steve said, wondering how his partner knew.
Grace patted him on the arm and said sagely, "Danno notices stuff like that."
"Huh, I guess he does," Steve mused. "Your dad's pretty observant. Guess that's what makes him a good detective."
Grace nodded again. "Yeah, and it's cause he loves you."
Steve smiled, his heart beating double time. He and Danny exchanged I love yous all of the time. Sometimes with words, but mostly with gestures. It never ceased to send a little thrill through him. He hoped it would never wear off.
"Danno says I have to set the table. You got the dishes," Grace said, oblivious to the happiness her previous words had caused.
"Kitchen detail," Steve said solemnly, but he was sure it was ruined by the crazy grin on his face. "Got it."
Grace looked at him strangely for a moment before turning toward the kitchen. Already the spicy scents of tomato sauce and oregano were wafting throughout the house.
At the door, Grace paused and looked back at Steve, her brow wrinkled with uncertainty.
Steve sobered immediately. "What's wrong, Grace?"
Slowly, she made her way back to him, sitting on the couch beside him. Eyes trained on her sneakers, she said quietly, "Uncle Steve, can I talk to you about something?"
"Anything you want, Gracie," Steve answered just as quietly as he studied her profile.
Grace didn't say anything for a long moment, lips pressed tight together. Something was weighing on her mind.
Steve waited, giving her the time she needed to marshal her thoughts.
"Are we going to be a family?" Grace asked, still not looking at him. "Will you be with Danno like my mom is with Step-Stan?"
Surprised, Steve shifted on the couch, drawing his knee up onto the cushion. He wanted to fully face her, but Grace had yet to turn and look at him. This would have to do. "I hope so," he said, cautiously. He and Danny had talked about committing to each other formally, but as of yet no plans had been made. "Would it be okay with you if we did?"
Grace sat very still. Whatever she was thinking, Steve couldn't tell.
Heart pumping hard in his chest, he waited for Grace to say something. Steve looked toward the kitchen, wondering if he should call Danny. This was a conversation they had wanted to have with Grace together.
Grace finally turned to face him. "Please don't get Danno," she said earnestly.
"Why not?" Steve asked, taken aback by her request.
"I want to talk to you first," Grace said. The look on her face was serious; the tone of her voice that of a girl beyond her years.
"Okay," Steve said, leaning forward and giving her his full attention. Unease was beginning to snake up his spine. When he and Danny had talked about telling Grace their plans, they had both assumed she would be all for their union. But that was before Steve had been ambushed in his own living room.
"You make my dad happy," Grace said simply.
"I try my best," Steve responded, still not sure where this was going.
Grace picked at an unraveled string along the seam of a cushion. "My mom used to make Danno happy, too."
All the air in Steve's lungs evaporated and he sucked in a breath. He should have expected this, but he was still blindsided. "Grace, listen," he began, desperately, even as he searched for the words to reassure her that he and Danny wouldn't end up like Danny and Rachel had. But then he stopped. That was a reassurance he couldn't make. "As much as I want to, I can't make any promises."
"I know," Grace told him.
There was something in her expression that made Steve glad he hadn't lied.
"Your dad and I want to be together," Steve said, feeling out of his depth. He wasn't used to speaking about feelings, let alone relationships. But this was important and he had to try. "We want the three of us to be a family."
"I want that, too," Grace said shyly.
"Yeah?" Steve couldn't keep the hope out of his voice.
"I do." Grace took his hand in both of her own, giving it a little squeeze. "Will you do something for me, Uncle Steve?"
Steve knew he would do anything for this little girl. "What do you need?"
Grace stared up at him. "I need for you to take care of Danno."
"I promise I will," Steve vowed. Because no matter what happened, through thick and thin, he would always take care of Danny or die trying.
"Thank you, Uncle Steve." Grace reached up and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
Steve leaned down and returned the hug.
Grace patted him on the back and then climbed off the couch. "I guess I should go talk to Danno now," she announced and walked out of the room.
Steve watched her go, realizing Grace had just given him her blessing to marry her father.
He fell back against the couch, stunned.
*H50*H50*H50*
Present Day
Brakes squealed as the tires skidded across the blacktop. The pungent odor of burnt rubber dirtied the air. In the driver's seat, there was a high-pitched moan.
"Oh, god. Oh, god. Oh, god. Nonono."
"Grace," Steve said to the driver who was currently covering her face with her hands. "You okay?"
Grace nodded. "I did it again, didn't I?" she asked, voice muffled by her hands.
Steve strained against the seatbelt locked over his chest. It slackened suddenly and he turned to glance out the back window.. The big plastic trash can with the words, Property of Moanalua High, was rolling on its side. Thankfully, it had been empty.
"Yeah," Steve said. "But it's okay."
Grace's face slowly emerged from her palm-shaped mask. She stared at him incredulously.
"Nothing to be upset about," Steve reassured her.
"Nothing to be upset about," Grace repeated flatly. Her arm fanned out and she pointed out the back windshield. "I just hit a car, Pop!"
Steve bit back a smile. Teenage Grace was more like Danny than little Grace had been. "I think it's a trash can, Gracie."
Grace barely managed to resist rolling her eyes, but Steve saw that the urge was there and he had to bite back a smile. Danny again. "It's doubling as a car." She put her hands palm to palm with about four inches of space in between, then she used them to emphasize as she pointed. "There's a trashcan in front," she swiveled. "And there's one in back. They're supposed to be cars, Pop. How can I parallel park in the real world if I'm always knocking down the freakin' trash cans!"
"Language," Steve said, mildly. Yeah, she was acting more and more like Danny everyday. That, or it was typical teenager-type stuff. Steve wasn't sure which would be better.
"Sorry," Grace muttered and looked away.
"Gracie, you'll get it," Steve said quietly. "We just have to practice a little more."
"But I've been practicing with Danno for weeks," she wailed.
"Yeah, but now you're practicing with me," Steve said with a grin. "You know I drive better than Danno does."
"That's because you never let him drive anywhere," Grace replied with a grudging smile.
Steve laughed. "True enough." He undid his seatbelt. "Let me reset the trashcan and we'll try again."
"Pop?" Grace asked, looking troubled. "Do you really think I can learn how to parallel park?"
Steve patted her hand. "Don't worry, Gracie. You'll be ready for your driving test next week. I promise."
Grace stared at him for a moment as if gauging the validity of his words.
Steve returned her gaze, steady and reassuring. Danny was the one who did a lot of talking. Steve stayed quiet. Both approaches seemed to work with Grace.
Finally, Grace nodded. "Guess you'd better re-park the 'car'."
"On it." Steve opened the door.
In a matter of minutes, Grace was ready to try again.
*H50*H50*H50
Three Years Ago
Miles and miles of ocean spread across the horizon, small waves sparkling in the sunlight. As far as the eye could see, the water was calm and empty.
Steve rose from the surf, shaking his head and sending crystal droplets of water flying in all directions.
Quiet little splashes caught his attention and he smiled, watching as Grace swam toward him.
"Watch this, Step-Steve," she commanded. "I'm going to be a shark!" She dove under the water. The only thing visible was her hand, perched on her head like a fin, as she swam around him.
Steve laughed, body turning so he could keep his eyes on her. Grace's feet kicked strongly, propelling her through the water. A swell of pride filled Steve's chest. She was such a strong swimmer.
Grace's head popped out of the water and she was grinning madly. "Good, huh?"
"Very good," Steve answered, solemnly. He put a hand to his chest. "I was in fear for my life the entire time."
Grace giggled. "You're not scared of anything, Step-Steve."
"I'm not?" Steve responded in mock confusion.
"No," Grace answered. "You're a Super SEAL." She splashed him, and Steve took the water full in the face.
Steve sputtered even as he laughed. "I'm going to get you for that, Grace-face."
Grace splashed him again.
With a growl, Steve plunged under water and grabbed her, holding her aloft in the air.
Grace squirmed and laughed.
"Ready, Gracie?" Steve asked.
"Do it, Step-Steve, do it!" Grace shouted, body wriggling.
Steve grinned and gently tossed her back into the water.
With a whoop, Grace twisted and dived, kicking her arms and legs to create a big splash.
Sun-kissed water rained all over Steve and he laughed again.
"That was fun," Grace exclaimed. "Do it again."
"You got it." Steve picked her up again. "Ready?"
"Ready!"
Another splash. Another whoop and more giggling from Grace.
"Again!"
Steve shook his head and pointed to the beach. "Maybe we should get Danno first."
Grace shaded her eyes and followed his gaze.
Danny was sitting at the picnic table with a laptop in front of him. He had told Steve that there was only a little paperwork to do and then he would join them in the water.
That had been an hour ago.
"Are you going to throw him in the water, too?" Grace asked, hopefully.
Steve cocked his head, considering. A grin stretched across his face. "I can do that."
Grace clapped her hands. "Yay!"
"Let's go get him," Steve told her and sunk down into the water, readying himself to swim back to shore.
"Wait, Step-Steve," Grace said, dog-paddling.
Steve stood up again, startled by the sudden somberness of her tone. "What is it, Gracie? Are you okay?" He looked her over, searching for injuries, ready to scoop her up and run back to the house. "Are you hurt?"
Grace shook her head. "I'm okay. It's just that..." she hesitated. "I've been wanting to ask you something. For a long time."
"What is it, Gracie?" Steve questioned, stepping closer to her.
Grace took his hand, gripping his fingers as she stared earnestly up into his face. "Would it be okay if I called you 'Pop'?"
Steve looked down at her, wide-eyed. His mouth worked, but the words wouldn't come. Finally, he cleared his throat. "Are you sure, Grace? You want to call me 'Pop'?"
Grace nodded. "You love Danno and he loves you," she said. "And I love you, too. So can I?"
Steve swung her up in his arms. "I'd love that," he told her quietly.
"Okay...Pop," Grace said, squeezing him tight.
Steve returned the hug. "We should probably go get Danno now," he said, his voice slightly choked.
Grace nodded against his shoulder. "He needs to have fun, too."
Steve gave her another hug, marveling once again that this little girl was now a part of his family. He looked over her shoulder toward the shore, realizing this moment would only be complete when the love of his life was with them as well.
Throwing an indignant, sputtering, and smiling Danno into the water, Grace's joyous laughter filling the bright blue sky, made everything perfect.
*H50*H50*H50
Present Day
"I did it," Grace said wonderingly.
"Four times in a row," Steve confirmed with a proud smile. "Now I think we should try it for real."
"What?" Grace squeaked, eyes wide with panic. "You--you want me to practice parking between cars? Real cars?"
"That's what we've been working toward," Steve said patiently. "Trash cans were only practice."
"I know," Grace said, "but real cars?" She sounded like she still couldn't believe what Steve was asking her to do. "No, Pop, I don't think so. I'm not ready."
"Grace," Steve said, calmly. "You can do it. I know you can." He gestured toward the trashcan in front of the car. "You've just proved it."
"Pop, those are trash cans," Grace pointed out as if he had somehow missed that fact.
"Yes," Steve agreed, "but they won't always be trashcans. In fact, they mostly won't be."
Grace's shoulders slumped and she said in a small voice, "I don't know if I can do it, Pop. I'm scared."
Steve laid a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay to be scared, Grace. You just have to be careful." Then he repeated. "I know you can do it."
Grace looked up at him, a cautious smile on her face. "You think so?"
"I know so," he answered, quietly. He waited a beat. "You want to practice now?"
"Now?" Her eyes went wide again.
Steve glanced at his watch. "We have to pick up Danno at the courthouse in an hour. We can head over there and practice while we wait for him."
Grace still looked uncertain, but she nodded. "Okay."
"Good," Steve said. "Let's go."
"You want me to drive downtown?" Grace asked. "I've never done that."
"First time for everything," Steve said. "Besides, you're playing chauffeur today."
"Yeah?" she asked with a lilt of happiness in her voice.
"You bet," Steve confirmed. "You get to pick up Danno, drive us to dinner, and then on to a movie. You'll be getting a lot of practice today."
Grace looked at him, eyes shining. "I love you, Pop."
"Love you, too," Steve returned softly.
"Then let's go!" And even though they were in a parking lot without any other soul around, Grace checked her mirrors like she had been taught and pulled out from between the two trash cans.
They drove in silence for a while before Steve leaned down and turned on the radio. "You might as well get used to driving with the radio on. Just not too loud, okay?"
Grace, eyes never leaving the road, nodded. "Got it."
"Also," Steve continued as an old rock classic filtered through the car, "No cell phone use while driving. No talking on the phone and definitely no texting."
"Pop," Grace whined. "I know."
"Still, it bears repeating," Steve said firmly. "It also means I don't even want you using a hands-free device."
Grace shot him a look. "What?"
"Eyes on the road, Grace." Steve gently admonished her.
"I'm watching," she muttered. "I thought a hands-free device would be okay."
"No," Steve said. "Not until you've got a little more experience driving. It's too distracting."
"I won't be distracted," Grace protested.
"No phone use of any kind, Grace," Steve stated emphatically. "We clear?"
"Yes, sir," Grace muttered.
"I just want you to be safe," Steve said.
Grace didn't answer right away. Finally, the corners of her mouth quirked up. "Yeah, I know."
"Good," Steve said, then added in a lighter tone. "I don't want you putting on make-up while you drive either."
"Hey," Grace exclaimed. "That's just stupid."
Steve grinned. "Good girl."
"But I'm totally eating," Grace announced.
"In this car?" Steve asked skeptically. "I don't know. Danno never let me eat in it."
"But it's mine now, right?"
"Yeah," Steve confirmed. "But Danno and I reserve the right to take the keys if you don't follow our road rules."
"The ones to keep me safe," Grace echoed. "I promised to follow them, Pop."
"You did," Steve said. "Just thought a reminder wouldn't hurt."
"You can be just like Danno sometimes," Grace said, but she was smiling.
"Yeah, maybe," Steve said with a chuckle. "Just don't tell him that."
Grace laughed as she took the ramp to enter the freeway. "You got it, Pop."
Steve's cell phone rang. "Hey, Chin. Howzit?" He frowned at Chin's words, chest tightening. "What?"
*H50*H50*H50
Two Months Ago
The door leading from the kitchen to the garage creaked as it opened.
From his position underneath Danny's old Camaro, Steve saw small, bare feet, toenails painted a hot pink.
"Hey, Gracie," he called. "What's up?"
"Need any help?" Grace asked, voice light.
But Steve paused. He had taught her how to change the oil or rather, Grace had picked up on how to do it over the years while he worked on the Marquis. It had just seemed easier to explain how to do it as he worked. Grace had soaked up the knowledge like a sponge and they had often hung out together, working in the garage.
Things were a little different, though, now that she was a teenager. Although not afraid of a little hard work that might result in getting dirty, Grace was at an age where she was highly aware of her appearance. Especially when boys were constantly calling her and wanting to take her to the beach or the movies.
Steve was pragmatic enough to know that he couldn't stop the boys from noticing Grace, and he handled it like he did everything else--head on--but it still made him wistful.
Their little girl was growing up.
Danny didn't like the idea at all and Steve often had to be the voice of reason, and how weird was that? Still, in the past year they'd had two different boys over for dinner and Steve had congratulated himself both times for restraining Danny from epic rants that would only have embarrassed Grace.
Steve thought the thigh holster carrying his service pistol and the K-Bar blade in its sheath at his waist silently yet eloquently spoke volumes without Danny bursting a blood vessel.
"Pop?" Grace broke into his reverie.
"I've got this, Gracie," Steve answered then waited, knowing her visit wasn't about offering to help change the oil.
The silence seemed to stretch, but Steve was okay with that. It wasn't strained or awkward. It never was with him and Grace. He just needed to wait her out and Grace would eventually tell him what was on her mind.
He whistled under his breath as he finished up. Rolling out from under the car, he got to his feet.
Grace was sitting on an old kitchen stool Steve kept in the garage just for her. Ankles hooked around the legs of the stool, she was unnaturally still, the look on her face contemplative.
"What's on your mind?" Steve asked carefully, grabbing a rag and wiping his hands of grease and oil.
She didn't answer.
Brow wrinkling, Steve took a step toward her. "What is it, Grace? What's wrong?" Energy was coiling in his limbs, ready to spring into action.
Grace looked at him, startled. "Pop, I'm fine. Nothing's wrong," she said hastily.
"Then what is it?" Steve asked, puzzled and still feeling concerned.
The roar of an engine cut off anything Grace would have said as Danny in the new Dodge Charger pulled into the driveway.
"Maybe it's better this way," Grace muttered. "I'll only have to ask once."
Steve shot her a look.
"Hey," Danny greeted, striding into the garage as he put his phone away. "I've got news."
Steve was still concerned about what Grace had to say, but Danny sounded happy and he was openly grinning. "Yeah?"
Danny nodded. "We've been invited to dinner at Kono's and Charlie's place tomorrow night. They want to make an announcement." And if possible, his grin got even wider.
Grace squealed, hopping down from her stool. "Do you think--" she started to ask, hope shining from her eyes.
"I got a big hint," Danny assured her.
"Finally?" Steve breathed. He hadn't forgotten about Grace, but this was big news. Huge.
"Kono didn't come right out and say," Danny said, "but she's glowing."
"A baby," Grace said in awe. "Aunt Kono has been wanting one for a long time."
"Yeah, she has, Monkey," Danny said, eyes bright.
"That's wonderful news," Steve said, smiling.
"I think she and Charlie had given up," Danny said a little sadly.
"It's a miracle baby," Steve said, wrapping an arm around Danny and hugging him to his side.
Danny glanced at Grace and muttered, "They're all miracles."
"Danno," Grace said in exasperation, face flushing in embarrassment. "No sappy dad stuff."
Danny and Steve laughed.
"All right," Danny said, mirth still in his voice. "I'll let you two get back to working on cars. Make sure you wash up before dinner." He pointed at Steve and added sternly, "This means you."
Steve looked over at Grace who had gone quiet. "Danny," he said, "I think Grace wants to talk to us about something."
"Everything okay, Grace?" Danny asked with a faint frown.
"Yeah," Grace answered.
"Do you want to invite another boy over for dinner?" Danny asked, sounding slightly suspicious.
"Danno," Grace stressed. "Not everything is about boys."
"I thought it was," Danny muttered under his breath.
Steve tickled his side and Danny yelped, shimmying to get away from him, but Steve held onto him. "What's going on, Gracie?"
Grace squared her shoulders and said firmly, "I want to get a job."
Steve glanced at Danny, noting the stunned look on his face. Okay, so Danny hadn't been expecting that either. "A job?" Steve repeated. "Why?"
Grace settled back on the stool and spread her hands out as if presenting her case. "I'm going to be sixteen soon," she began. "And I want to buy a car."
"A car?" Danny echoed faintly.
Apparently, Grace took this to mean that Danny wasn't completely on board with the idea of her having a car. She began talking rapidly, hands moving, tone earnest. "Yes, Danno. I'll have my license soon and I'll need a car. This way, you won't have to drive me to school everyday and that means you and Pop can have more together time. Also, I won't have to depend on you to take me to volleyball practice, or tennis practice, or anything. And I'm also going to keep my job for a little extra spending money and so I'll need a car for that--"
"Breathe, Gracie," Steve interrupted when it looked like she wasn't going to come up for air.
"You think it's a good idea, right, Pop?" Grace asked, turning pleading eyes on him.
"Getting a job or getting a car?" Steve asked.
"Both," she answered immediately.
"You don't need a job," Danny said.
Grace's face fell. "But, Danno, I really want to buy a car."
Danny shook his head. "You don't need to do that either."
Grace looked down at the ground. "You aren't going to even think about it?" she asked in a small voice.
"Monkey, look at me," Danny commanded softly, then waited until her eyes lifted. "Your pop and I've already discussed it."
"What Danno is trying to say, Gracie, is that we're giving you the old Camaro," Steve said, patting the fender of the car he'd been working on.
Grace's eyes grew round. "You're giving me the Camaro?"
Steve nodded. "We think you're responsible enough to handle it."
"There are going to be rules, though," Danny added, firmly. "Curfews, where you can go, that sort of thing."
Grace nodded, vigorously. "Yes, Danno, I know. I'll take good care of it. Promise."
"I know," Danny said. "Look, if you still want to get a job, it's not a bad idea. It'll help pay for gas and maintenance."
"I can take care of the maintenance," Steve interjected.
Danny rolled his eyes. "You're a sucker. That's what you are."
"Anything for our little girl, Danno," Steve said, eyes twinkling.
"I can help with changing the oil and stuff," Grace offered. "It'll be fun."
Steve smiled, feeling pleased.
"Good idea," Danny agreed. He laid a hand on her shoulder. "I don't want the job to get in the way of school or your extra-curricular activities. You sure you can juggle all of that?"
"I can do it, Danno," Grace assured him.
"I have no doubt, Monkey," Danny said, pulling her into a hug. "But if it gets too much, you come talk to us about it, okay? We'll work it out."
"Yeah, okay," Grace said. Her gaze shifted to the car in front of her and she lovingly pet the roof. "It's really going to be mine?"
"It's really going to be yours," Steve confirmed.
"A car!" Grace yelled happily as she began to dance around it. "I have a car. A Camaro! Oh, boy. My friends are just gonna die." She clapped her hands together. "A Camaro!"
"Gracie," Danny warned. "Don't get too carried away. I don't want you racing it all over the island like your crazy pop."
"Hey!" Steve protested indignantly. "I'm a great driver!"
"You just keep telling yourself that, babe," Danny murmured.
Grace continued to grin, patting the car, and nodding at whatever Danny said.
*H50*H50*H50
Present Day
Grace knew she was supposed to keep her eyes on the road, but her Pop's voice sounded tight with worry. She chanced a quick glance at him and didn't like what she saw. His body was ramrod straight and he was clutching the phone, knuckles white. His face was pale.
Dread crawled along her spine.
"Got it, Chin," Steve bit out. "I'm on my way." He let out a harsh breath. "If anything changes, you call me. Anything!"
"What is it, Pop?" Grace asked as Steve ended the call. She added in a smaller voice. "Is Danno okay?"
"Pull off the highway, Grace," Steve muttered. "Kamekona is nearby. I can drop you with him."
Over the years Grace had seen Steve react to all sorts of situations. He was a man mostly of action, leaving the words to her Danno. But she had only seen him like this--tightly controlled, muscle in his jaw jumping, biceps flexing as if readying for a fight--a few times.
When Danno was in trouble.
Grace hoped she was wrong. "Pop? Has...has something happened to Danno?"
"Off the freeway," Steve repeated, dark anger filling the words.
Grace knew he wasn't angry at her. She knew fear was fueling it because she could hear it in the tone of his voice, sneaking past the anger. Her own worry threatened to swamp her, but she remained calm even though she gripped the steering wheel hard.
"What happened, Pop? Tell me," Grace demanded.
"Sweetheart," Steve began, "I don't have time for this. Just get us off the freeway at the next exit."
A rarely used endearment. Now Grace knew there was trouble and her heart started to beat faster.
Pressing her lips into a firm line, Grace pushed on the accelerator, watching the needle climb on the speedometer.
They flew by the exit.
"Grace," Steve growled, not quite shouting.
"Danno's in trouble, Pop," Grace said, proud that her voice didn't tremble. "We don't have time to drop me off. We need to go to the courthouse, right?"
"Grace," Steve said in exasperation. "You can't come with me. It's not safe."
"It's Danno who isn't safe," Grace corrected. "And it's already too late, Pop. I'm going."
There was a strangled silence from the passenger seat. Then Grace thought she heard Steve mutter a cuss word. Grace didn't blame him. "Pop, just tell me."
"Danno's going to kill me," Steve said with a resigned sigh.
"Pop," Grace urged, feeling desperate.
"There's a hostage situation down at the courthouse," Steve told her, reluctantly. "Danno's in the middle of it."
The news was like a punch to the solar plexus and Grace gasped. "Uncle Chin's already there?"
"Yeah," Steve answered. "Look, traffic's pretty light, but you still have to be careful."
"I will," Grace said as she moved from one lane to the other, maneuvering around the slower cars on the freeway. She made sure to use her blinker.
"Damn it! I promised your father there would be no high speed chases," Steve said with a forced chuckle that quickly died away.
"He's in trouble, Pop," Grace said, quietly. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him lean forward as if urging the car to go faster. He was used to being in the the driver's seat, the one in control. Grace let out a measured breath and increased pressure on the gas pedal. She'd get him to Danno. "What else is he going to expect?"
"Danno isn't going to see it that way," Steve said, reaching over and flipping on the police lights. "He's going to be pretty mad."
"Mad is okay," Grace said. "I'll take mad over...."
She flipped on her blinker and sent the car hurtling off the freeway. Concentrating on the road, she flew down the access road, slowing just enough to jerk the wheel sharply to the right, turning on a street that would lead them downtown and the courthouse.
"Don't worry, Gracie," Steve said, clutching at the dashboard. "We'll be hearing him ranting in no time."
Knowing that her pop was going to take care of her Danno, Grace didn't doubt Steve's words.
In fact, she was looking forward to a Danno rant with all her heart.
*H50*H50*H50
"Park it right here, Grace," Steve commanded, low and urgent.
Grace yanked the wheel, front tires popping up onto the curb. The car came to a stop and she looked at him with wide eyes.
Steve patted her on the arm distractedly. He had other things on his mind right now. "Don't worry about it."
"You going after Danno?" Grace asked as he got out of the car.
Steve turned and looked at her. "Yes," he said emphatically. Then added with even more emphasis, "Stay here. I don't want you anywhere near the courthouse, Grace. You got me?" He drilled her with an intense gaze, demanding she comply. "My focus has to be on Danny. I can't worry about you." It was a lie, but Grace didn't need to know that.
Grace nodded vigorously. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Good," Steve said with a tense smile.
"Be careful," Grace told him.
Steve paused. "It's going to be alright," he said, sincerely. He refused to consider otherwise. "Besides, we have dinner plans, right?"
There was a lost look in Grace's eyes, but she rallied a smile at his words. "Right."
Steve nodded. He wanted to stay, give her more reassurances, and hating to leave her alone, but Danny needed him. "Danno and I will be right back."
Grace nodded again. "You better be," she said in a small voice.
"We will," Steve offered this last reassurance before giving her hand a hard squeeze. "Be right back," he promised.
With one last look into her troubled eyes, Steve stepped back from the car. He took a deep breath, mentally pulling himself away from the parental imperative to take care of his daughter. The only way for him to do that now was to find her other father safe and sound.
Shoving the urge to return to Grace, Steve ran down the street leading to the courthouse, dodging police cars parked haphazardly, their lights flashing, but sirens blessedly silent.
"Boss," Kono called urgently from where she was squatting down behind a black and white. She had a rifle in her hands and it was trained at the third floor of the courthouse.
Steve frowned as he leaned down next to her. As if he didn't already have enough things to be worried about. "What are you doing here?" he hissed at her.
Kono flicked a glance at him before returning her eye to the scope. "Working."
"Wrong answer," Steve said, angrily. "I thought we agreed you wouldn't do any field work until after the baby was born."
"You, Chin, and Danny agreed," Kono snapped back, eyes never leaving her target.
"Kono, you shouldn't be here," Steve argued.
She growled. Honest to god growled at him. "Danny's in trouble. Where the hell else should I be?"
Steve opened his mouth to retort then snapped it shut again. There was no arguing with that. Didn't mean he wouldn't do his best to protect her, though. "Kono, I appreciate that, but if something happened to you, Danny would, well--"
"Have a giant freak out?" she supplied with a touch of humor in her voice.
"And wouldn't shut up about it," he returned easily.
"Don't worry," Kono assured him. "I'll be okay. I'm not going any closer than this. I promised Chin."
Steve looked toward the building and saw Chin leaning against the hood of one of the police cars. He seemed to be staring down at something. "Kono," Steve said, "I get that, but there's something I need for you to do."
"Yeah?" Kono asked suspiciously. "Just so you know, I'm not leaving."
"Not asking you to," Steve said.
Kono relaxed slightly. "What do you need?"
Steve inwardly sighed in relief. He pointed in the direction he had come. "I need for you to go and stay with Grace. She's terrified."
Kono finally looked at him, eyes round. "You brought Grace here? Are you kidding?" She shook her head. "Talk about Danny freaking out."
"I didn't have a choice," Steve said and explained.
"Yeah, I get it," Kono said. "But Danny is going to be pissed."
"I know," Steve said, "but I'll handle him when the time comes."
Kono snorted. "Handle him? Yeah, that's going to be funny. Can't wait to see that."
Steve touched her arm. "And you will." He looked back at the building, eyes narrowing, feeling anger and determination course through him. "Just as soon as I get him out of there."
"You'd better hurry," Kono said, eyes serious.
"I'm on it," Steve promised. "Look after Gracie, okay?"
"Will do, brah," Kono said, quietly, and started for the Camaro.
Steve watched her go, feeling relief. He'd managed to solve two of his three major problems. Now, he only had one to take care of and it was going to take all of his concentration. And maybe a grenade or two. Too bad he didn't have any. At Danny's insistence, all weapons had been removed from the Camaro for Grace's safety.
It wasn't a problem, though. Steve would use his bare hands to save Danny if he had to.
He jogged over to Chin. "You got an extra gun?"
Chin looked up from the building's blueprints he was studying. "Glad you could make it."
"I'd hate for Danny to have all the fun," Steve muttered.
Chin smiled, briefly. "Yeah, well, it looks like he forgot to invite us to the party."
"Well, we're here now," Steve said, darkly. "What's the plan?"
"We can get into the building easily," Chin said, tapping the map. "In fact, we've already evacuated the entire building except for the courtroom where Danny is."
Steve groaned. "So it's a fact? Danny's in the thick of things?"
Chin made a face. "Was there any doubt? You two attract trouble like magnets and metal shavings." Then he pointed at his tablet, sitting next to the map. The images were in black and white, but they were clear enough.
Danny was clutching his arm, glaring at the man holding a gun on him. Behind Danny, huddled on the floor, was a man that could only be the prosecutor. Across the way, the defense attorney was gesturing gently, but the man's gun never wavered. The judge and the jury were sitting stock still.
"Yeah," Steve agreed through gritted teeth, fists clenching at his sides. He never did handle feeling helpless very well and knowing Danny was hurt filled him with rage. "But usually we're together."
"I know it's frustrating," Chin said sympathetically.
And scary, Steve added, but didn't say anything. "Just give me a damn gun already, Chin. Then we'll be together again."
Chin stared at him for a moment. "I'm not going to even try to talk you out of it," he finally said.
"Good," Steve growled. "Because I don't have time for that." He held out his hand, impatiently. "Gun."
The sound of a gun being fired startled both men.
Steve jerked his head toward the security footage playing on Chin's tablet, heart in his throat at what he might see. Then his eyes went wide.
The gunman was stumbling back, having taken the brunt of a briefcase to the chest. It slid to the floor, falling open and spilling papers and and a computer tablet across the floor.
Dimly, Steve registered these things, but his sole focus was on Danny as his husband flew across the floor, threw his arms around the gunman's waist and tackled him to the ground. A swift punch followed and the gunmen slumped back against the floor dazed.
"Looks like things are under control," Chin murmured with satisfaction.
Steve snatched the gun that Chin had been holding out to him. He headed for the steps of the courthouse at a dead run. Danny needed back up.
Behind him, Chin shouted orders and police started to swarm around the building.
Steve ignored them, running up the steps and into the building. With a quick look around, he flew up the stairs to the next floor, two steps at a time, but stopped on the landing.
He heard Danny before he saw him.
"We're going to figure out how you managed to get a hold of a gun in a courthouse. You know that, right? What possessed you to even try it? Are you that stupid? Did you not think we'd catch you? You do realize there were several witnesses to your stupidity, right? You are a complete and utter moron." Danny came into view, shoving the gunman along. "And you ruined my shirt. It's one of my favorites. My daughter gave it to me for Father's Day!" He shook the man and he moaned, stumbling.
"Danno," Steve called out, happy to see him, whole and in one piece even if he was bleeding a little.
"Steve?" Danny asked in disbelief. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be teaching Grace how to parallel park?"
"Uh, yeah?" Steve said, scratching his neck with the tip of his gun.
"Don't do that," Danny scowled. "Hasn't there been enough trouble for one day? It would be just like you to blow your head off and ruin our dinner plans with Grace."
"You're right, Danno," Steve agreed, smiling idiotically as he grabbed hold of the gunman's other arm.
Together they marched the man out of the building.
Once out in the bright Hawaiian sunshine, Danny thrust the gunman at two waiting policeman, glaring all the while. "Of all the stupid, idiotic..." he muttered away to himself.
Steve clapped a hand to the back of Danny's neck, massaging gently with the pads of his fingers. It had been a close call today and he felt the need to touch. "You should probably get your arm looked at."
Danny looked at his left arm, noting the blood. "It's not even as bad as the first time you got me shot at," he said dismissively.
Steve squeezed his neck in warning. "Still," he said mildly, but with a hint of steel. "You need to get it taken care of."
"Fine," Danny grumbled, moving off toward the ambulance. "You so owe me a steak for this."
"Hey," Steve protested. "This wasn't my fault."
Chin walked up to him, grinning. "All is right with the world."
"Hey, Steve?" Danny called as the medic tended to his arm. "What did you do with our daughter, anyway?"
"Uh, Chin, maybe not so much," Steve murmured sheepishly. He looked back where Grace had parked the Camaro--and boy, was he not looking forward to explaining that to Danny--and saw her with Kono, walking toward them. Even from here, he could tell they were both smiling.
Chin followed his gaze. "You brought her to a crime scene? Brah, what were you thinking?"
"I was thinking about Danny," Steve muttered defensively. "And Grace was driving."
"You can't be serious?" Chin asked incredulously. At Steve's nod he exclaimed. "You are in so much trouble. If you need a place to crash for a few days, Malia and I have a guest bedroom."
Steve shot him a look, panicked. "No, he wouldn't," Steve breathed, feeling sick. "Oh, god, Chin." He covered his face with his hands. "He would."
"What's going on? What are you two looking at?" Danny stepped up to them, arm bandaged. "Is--is that Grace?"
"Danny, I can explain," Steve started, panic swelling to a fever pitch. This was bad. He knew it would be, but at the time he hadn't allowed himself to really think about it. But, now with the danger past...well, things were going to get ugly.
"And Kono?" Danny added, still incredulous.
"I told her she wasn't supposed to be here," Chin said lamely, now looking sheepish himself.
Steve wondered, somewhat hysterically, if they would both have to find a place to stay tonight. Because Malia probably wouldn't be happy with Chin, either.
"Grace is fifteen, Steve," Danny raved. "And Chin, Kono is pregnant. What the hell were the two of you thinking?"
"They were thinking of you, Danno," Grace interrupted, unknowingly repeating Steve's words. She threw herself into her father's arms and gripping him in a tight hug. "All of us were."
Steve watched her hug Danny, throat tight. He wanted so badly to join in, but he wasn't sure if Danny would allow it.
"Ah, Monkey, I'm fine," Danny murmured into her hair. "No need to worry." He looked over her shoulder at Steve and sighed. Then he gestured.
Steve shot forward, feeling a weight lift from his chest. He threw his arms around both of them, crushing them in a desperate embrace.
Danny looked at him knowingly. "You big goof," he said in fond exasperation. "I'm not kicking you to the curb over this." Then he added more sternly, "We will talk about it, though."
"It was my fault, Danno," Grace said, raising her head to look at him. "I didn't give Pop a choice."
"Why am I not surprised?" Danny asked with a long suffering sigh. "The two of you drive me crazy sometimes."
"That's okay," Grace said, patting his cheek. "You drive us crazy, too."
"I'm just crazy about you both," Steve admitted, giving them a squeeze.
"Big goof," Danny said again affectionately. "You need to kiss me now."
Steve smiled and leaned in, brushing his lips over Danny's, Grace still locked between them. He kissed the top of Gracie's head for good measure.
"So is this an exclusive hug or can anyone join in?" Kono asked, smiling.
"What do you think, Monkey?" Danny asked. "Should we let the rest of our ohana in on this?"
"Ohana hug!" Grace shouted, face split with a grin.
Chin and Kono, both grinning, wrapped their arms around the three of them.
They stood there for a few long minutes, hugging each other tight.
This was what family was all about.
The End.