AU as I have Steve married to Catherine with a baby on the way. Lots of Bromance and arguments in this as the pair deal with the aftermath of their transplant surgery. Steve will be facing plenty of inner demons over his future. Doris is also going to pay a visit, giving into a little showdown between Steve and Doris.

The team don't have any cases in this chapter as it's purely based around Steve taking the time to deal with the transplant and the pair of them having the time to heal.

Hope you enjoy the story.

Love Wendy x.

Tripler Army Medical Centre

Friday 1400 hrs.

Catherine sighed as she looked across at her husband as the nurse pushed him down the corridor towards the exit. Simply put Steve was sulking. He'd tried arguing with the nurse to allow him to walk out of the hospital, and when the very stern looking nurse who had been dealing with Steve and Danny for the past few weeks had glared at him and ordered him into the wheelchair he had given up. Danny had been smirking at Steve for the past ten minutes as they had made their way out of the hospital.

Shaking her head to herself she rolled her eyes at the back of both of their heads. She had the pair of them to look after at the beach house. The team had all deemed it necessary for the two of them to have someone on hand all the time while they were still healing. Catherine had suggested that Danny move in with them for a short while till he was back on his feet. He would still be able to have Grace and Charlie stay over with him.

At everyone's agreement, Catherine had then approached the Governor and arranged to take some time off to care for the pair of them. She would still be doing some research work from home to help the team but she would be on hand 24/7 to deal with her two big kids. She sighed again as she realised how hard this was going to be, and wondered which one of them she'd be tempted to shoot first.

They reached the entrance and Catherine excused herself to go and fetch the truck from the parking lot. "I'll just go and get the truck." She leaned down to give sulky Steve a kiss before heading towards the blue Silverado.

"Hey buddy?" Danny called to Steve, who turned to see what his friend wanted.

"What?" Steve asked icily.

"Are you really going to sulk all the way home?" Danny asked in amusement.

"Shut up Danno." He growled at his partner, not in the mood to argue with him for once.

"Come on, Steven. You are going home with your very beautiful wife, who absolutely loves you to distraction and your sulking." Danny pointed out.

Steve didn't respond to him, he just stared out at the carpark watching as Catherine made her way to his truck. He was glad to be going home, he was just a little disappointed that he wouldn't have Catherine all to himself. He'd missed her so much the last couple of weeks while he'd been in the hospital. He didn't begrudge Danny coming to stay with them while he recovered, but dammit, call him selfish but he wanted some alone time with his wife.

"Did I point out how incredibly hot she looks now she's six months pregnant." Danny teased, finally getting a response from Steve.

"Keep your fucking eyes of my wife." Steve snarled at his friend.

Danny grinned at his partner. "I'm just pointing out that the body of a pregnant woman is hot."

"You're talking about my wife." Steve snapped at him, annoyed at his partner for even looking at Cath that way.

"Exactly, your wife." Danny pointed out making Steve frown. "Catherine is an incredible woman, and she thinks the world of you, so stop being an asshole with her."

"I'm not." Steve pouted.

"Yes you are. You spent the first week pushing her away and now your sulking; I get that things are going to change for you. Yes, your wife explained a few things to me. I understand how important being a SEAL is too you, but being a Daddy is a hell of a lot more important than anything else you will ever do in your life." Danny pushed his point across.

"Danny, that's not what my mood is about." Steve told him quietly.

"You have Catherine by your side, and you have me." Danny pretended not to hear his partner.

"Danny." He said, waiting for his partner to look at him. "Don't take this the wrong way, I love you and there is nothing I wouldn't do for you. I understand that you need time to heal, and I'm happy that you're going to be staying with Cath and me while you do just that. I'm just pissed of that after spending two weeks in the hospital I'll have to share my wife with you."

"I know babe, but look at it this way. You might be sharing your wife with me, but I'm sharing my two kids with you." Danny told him with a grin, relieved when he finally saw the shit eating grin appear on his partners face.

"Thanks, Danno." Steve grinned, glad that his friend understood how he felt.

"Hey, are my two wounded super hero's ready to go home." Catherine asked with a warm smile as she climbed out of the truck and tossed their bags into the truck bed.

"Yes, Ma'am." Steve agreed already pushing himself out of the wheelchair.

Catherine opened the passenger door for Steve and waited till he manoeuvred himself into the seat before pulling the seat belt around him and clipping it in place. She leaned up to give him a quick kiss before closing the door and opening the back door for Danny to climb into.

"Thank you." She mouthed at Danny. Knowing that Steve's lightened mood was Danny's doing.

Danny just winked at her, but didn't say anything as he pulled himself into the truck and fastened the seat belt. He fidgeted in the seat a little till he got comfy then leaned back to enjoy the forty-five-minute ride to the beach house.

…..

Iolani Palace

1415 hrs

Chin exited his office where he had been catching up with some paper work, he knocked on Lou's door as he passed heading towards the smart table where Kono was stood flicking through some old crime scene photos for an upcoming court date.

"Catherine's just texted." He announced reading from his phone. " 'I have the package, ETA 45 mins, don't forget cake.' "

"Okay, I suggest we head out to Casa McGarrett/Williams." Lou said with a laugh as they pulled keys from their pockets. "I'll go get Jerry from his office, and let Renee know so she can head over with the cake."

"I'll go fetch the kids."" Chin said as he moved towards the doors.

"I'll phone Kamekona and Duke, let them know were all headed to the house." Kono said as she followed her two colleagues out of the office.

….

McGarrett residence

1500 hrs

Catherine watched Steve from the corner of her eye as she pulled up in front of the house. She saw him take a deep breath letting it out slowly as he glanced through the garden arch that lead up to the front porch. Catherine could see a lot of the tension leaving his body as he slowly climbed out of the truck and made his way up the path.

Danny was just about to follow when Catherine placed her hand on his arm to still his movements. "Give him a few minutes Danny." She urged watching as Steve slipped around the side of the house and into the back yard.

"Are you sure you don't mind having me and the kids staying here?" Danny asked. As much as he'd teased Steve at the hospital, he didn't want to make things difficult between his friends.

"It's fine Danny. You're going to need a little help with things, and keeping up with Charlie is going to be hard for you to do for a while. None of us wanted to see you miss out on any more time with him.

"Yeah, and I appreciate that; but I'm not only invading your home, I'm also causing you to take time off." Danny stated.

"You listen here, Danny Williams. Two weeks ago you saved my husband's life, not once but twice. There is nothing I wouldn't do to repay you for that." She told him sincerely. "Besides out of the four non wounded members of Five-0, I'm the only one who won't be missed that much."

Danny grinned at her. "Anything?" He asked.

"I'm gonna regret saying that, aren't I." She commented dryly waiting for him to reply.

"Well your taste in football team's suck's. I'm insisting you burn your Cowboys shirt." Danny teased as they made their way up the path towards the house.

"Not happening Danny." She responded with a laugh as she unlocked the front door and ushered him inside. "I'm going to check on Steve." She said as she moved towards the Lanai doors.

Danny watched as Catherine walked towards Steve who was seated in one of the old battered Chairs as he stared out to sea. She slipped her arms over his shoulders as she rested her chin on top of his head. The two of them stayed like that for a few minutes until Steve pulled on one of Catherine's hands, pulling her around to the side of the chair as she settled onto his lap and slid her arms around his neck.

Danny looked away from the scene, not wanting to intrude on the private moment between his best friend and his wife. He looked up as he heard a knock at the front door just before it opened. Grace was the first one in the door, quickly followed by Charlie. Danny smiled as he was engulfed in hugs from his two children.

"Welcome home, Danno." Grace cried enthusiastically as she hugged her dad. She lifted her head to look around the room. "Where's Uncle Steve? She asked in confusion.

The rest of their ohana were also thinking the same thing as they looked at Danny for an answer. "He's outside with Catherine." He told them.

"I'll go get them." Kamekona declared as he moved towards the Lanai doors. "My food is best eaten while it's hot."

"We're having a party for you and Uncle Steve." Charlie told him excitedly, pointing at the cake box that Renee was holding in her hands. "We've got a cake as well."

"Wow, that's great tiger." Danny said as he ruffled his son's hair.

Kamekona returned a moment later. "Catherine has decided we're eating outside. Ladies if you can collect everything from the Kitchen, while us men arrange the furniture." He instructed as he moved back outside.

Danny moved towards the Kitchen to help Grace, Kono and Renee collect what they'd need from the cupboards and drawers, only to discover Catherine had already left everything on the counter for them. Renee was busy pulling items out of the fridge and placing them on the worktop.

"Danny, outside." Kono insisted when she saw him enter the kitchen to help. "Go and put your feet up."

"Let me take something out for you." He pleaded, suddenly feeling helpless.

"No. You just head out there with Charlie." Kono told him firmly as she placed her hands on her hips and glared at him.

Danny huffed but did as he was told. Once outside he carefully lowered himself into one of the chairs, sighing in relief. He watched Steve moving back up the lawn to join him at the table, and grinned at him. God what a pair they made. Steve lowered himself into the chair beside him as their ohana busied themselves setting the table up.

Danny leaned over to speak to Steve. "We look like a right pair of oldies." Danny said with a grin.

"Hey speak for yourself. Your only as old as the woman you feel." He said with a smirk as he glanced over to Catherine who was plating up the food with Renee.

"Well the way the pair of us are doddering around that makes you a pervert." Danny retorted, causing Steve to laugh.

Catherine looked up as she heard Steve laugh, smiling as she saw the two friends talking between themselves. It was good to see some of the light turning back on in Steve's eyes. He was naturally an outdoor person at heart, and she knew the past few weeks had been extremely tough on Steve. She knew he was itching to get back in the water, and had already spoke to his Doctor about exactly what he could and couldn't do.

The Doctor had encouraged both Steve and Danny to be as active as they possibly could to help with their recovery, but not to push themselves. Catherine had every intention of keeping a close eye on Steve while he was doing anything strenuous, she knew he would push himself too much. She would be keeping a close eye on his temperature to keep an eye out for any infections and his blood pressure and blood sugar would have to be watched closely to keep an eye out for side effects from the anti-rejection drugs he was on. Catherine sighed; he'd be on the tablets for the rest of his life and they would have to closely watch for side effects like high blood pressure and Diabetes, there was also the chance that he'd need to have a new liver as he got older.

Catherine had done her fair share of crying and emotional breakdowns over the past few weeks, as she'd worried about Steve and how he'd cope with the changes to his life and his career. Her feelings hadn't changed, but she'd realised two weeks ago he wasn't as invincible as she'd thought. Catherine was dragged from her thoughts as Chin moved to stand beside her.

"How are you doing, Catherine?" He asked her quietly.

"I'm doing okay. I'm just glad to have him home," Catherine told him with a small smile.

"I know we all agreed that it was best for the two of them to have someone watching them…" Chin began only to have Catherine stop him.

"It makes more sense for me to do this Chin. I can't go in the field, so I'm stuck in the office anyway. I can do the research from home and still keep an eye on the kids." She said indicating Steve and Danny.

Chin chuckled at her. "Please remember that were here for you as well. If you need a break at all you can call any one of us and we'll be there." He pointed out.

Catherine smiled at him. "Mahalo."

"Hey what's this I hear about cake?" Steve called from across the table as Kono headed back outside with the box in her hands and placed it on the table in front of Steve and Danny.

Steve flicked the lid up, grinning when he saw the cake.

"Ok which of you wise guys picked this one?" Danny asked, glancing around the table at their laughing friends.

"Sorry guy's I just couldn't resist." Kono grinned at them.

Danny shook his head. "That's a low blow." He grumbled.

Steve was openly laughing at the cake. Kono had got the bakery to make 2 operation game cakes complete with organ shaped pieces, one half of a liver shaped piece in each of the cakes.

"We got you something special to cut it with as well." Lou said as he passed the two men identical long thin boxes.

"Seriously you had to get us scalpels." Danny grumbled as he opened the box. "You know I hate you guys right now."

…

McGarrett's Residence

2100 hrs

The small family gathering had lasted most of the afternoon and in to the early evening as each member of their ohana had enjoyed the quiet time to tease and laugh with each other. Chin and Lou had quickly brought Steve and Danny up to date on everything that had been happening at five-0 and how HPD had been quick to step up and help with the case load they had all been facing.

The Governor was being extremely supportive and had offered to have members of his security detail on hand if circumstances dictated additional man power. Chin also informed them that the Governor would be out to visit them in the next day or two once they had settled back at home properly.

Steve and Danny were both relieved to hear that the meth epidemic was looking better after their undercover operation. With the help of the DEA they had been able to bring down a large portion of the suppliers that were smuggling drugs on to the Islands. There were still a few keeping under the radar, but for now they were winning the war on drugs.

Steve was frustrated that they still had no positive leads on Michelle Shimona, the woman was a dangerous adversary for the task force, and especially for Adam who was due out of Haleiwa in a few short months. As much as they had eliminated one of their main adversaries in Gabriel as it often seemed someone else was ready to step into their shoes.

Steve looked up as he sensed someone move to take the seat beside him on the couch. "Hey, Gracie." He smiled at the teenager.

"I was just wondering if you needed me to get you anything before I went to bed?" She asked.

"I could use a Gracie hug." He told her, smiling as she wrapped her arms around him and did just that.

"I'm really glad your home Uncle Steve." Grace whispered against his shoulder.

"So am I, Gracie…so am I." Steve agreed as he returned her hug. He caught sight of his partner grinning at him and grinned in return.

"Bedtime monkey." Danny called to his daughter.

She pulled away from her uncle Steve, calling "Night Uncle Steve."

"Good night Gracie." He replied watching as she slipped into the kitchen to say goodnight to Catherine, before returning to the den to hug Danny.

"Night, Danno. Love you." She murmured.

"Night monkey, Love you more." He told her as he dropped a kiss on her cheek and blew a raspberry making her break out in a fit of giggles as she wriggled in his arms as she tried to escape.

Steve smiled at the by play between his friend and niece, grinning as Grace tickled Danny as he finally released her and she ran up the stairs to Mary's old bedroom. "Charlie settle okay?" He asked as Danny dropped down onto the couch beside him.

"Yeah. He insisted I should read four stories to make up for the two weeks I'd missed. Personally I think my daughter conspired to get an extra half hour before bedtime." Danny said with a happy smile, to show he didn't mind.

"There great kids Danny." Steve told his partner. "You did an amazing job raising them."

"And you'll do the same when the time comes. I'll make sure of that." He teased.

Steve chuckled before his thoughts turned inwards again. He'd been doing a lot of thinking over the past few weeks since he'd broke down in Cath's arm's and let all his frustration and hurt out. He still hadn't fully decided what he wanted to do with his career, but the knowledge that Catherine would be by his side during his transition from the SEAL's and possibly the Navy was helping.

Steve had felt an instant calmness as soon as he got home this afternoon, the water had been calling to him; he had every intention of getting back in the water first thing in the morning. He wanted his life back; even if he could never be an active duty SEAL again, he could still get back to that level of fitness. His Doctor had advised against him running just yet, but he had encouraged him to swim.

"You know after I'd been shot, I could of swore I saw my dad and Aunt Deb." Steve confided quietly.

Danny sucked in a breath at that confession, but didn't say anything knowing that Steve wanted to say more.

"I honestly thought I was going to die. I wanted to tell you to take care of Cath and the baby for me, but I couldn't get the words out." Steve told him as he turned to look at Danny beside him.

"You know that goes without saying, buddy. I know you'd do the same for my kids." Danny replied as he swiped at a tear before it could fall.

"I would." Steve agreed without having to even give it a thought. Picking up the remote he asked. "So the game?"

"Let's watch the cowboys get slaughtered." He said loud enough for Catherine to hear in the kitchen.

"Not a chance Williams." Catherine called from the Kitchen, returning a few minutes later with a bowl of popcorn which she passed to Steve before she curled up on his other side and slid her hand around his waist. With her head on his shoulder she settled down to watch her beloved team play.

…..

Undisclosed Location

Oahu

2200 hrs.

"I've spoken to my friend this afternoon. They've both been released from the hospital this afternoon. Catherine drove them both home, apparently Danny is staying at the house with them." Joe informed Doris.

"I'm going to go and visit him tomorrow." Doris declared as she prepared a cup of tea for herself.

"Do you honestly think it's wise. He won't be in the best of moods while he's healing." Joe pointed out to her.

"My son had surgery two weeks ago, he could have died, Joe. I've only kept away this long because there has always been someone present at the hospital with him.

"Doris, listen to me. Steve's got enough on his plate right now dealing with his career, don't you go making more problems for him with Catherine and the baby." Joe insisted as he attempted to steer her in a different path.

"I've made up my mind Joe. I'm visiting my son and his wife, he can just learn to live with it." Doris had firmly made up her mind. She could stay away no longer, she had to see for herself that Steve was going to be okay.

…

McGarrett Residence.

2300 hrs.

Catherine closed the bedroom door behind her as she watched Steve slipping into the bathroom and pushing the door closed behind him. She moved around to her side of the bed placing her phone on charge before sitting down to remove her sandals. She could hear the water running in the bathroom as she pushed herself up from the bed and moved towards the bathroom door pushing it open as she slipped inside.

Steve was stood in the shower, the water cascading down his back as he braced his hands on the tiled wall. Catherine quickly stripped dropping her summer dress and underwear in the clothes hamper before joining Steve in the shower. She saw him tense as she opened the shower door, but didn't say a word to acknowledge she was there.

Steve tensed as he heard Catherine open the door, and waited to see what she would do. He was horrified to see the full extent of his scars, and didn't want to see the disgust in Catherine's eyes. He'd never been a vain man, he had a variety of scars from injuries he'd received over the years; but this time was different. These made him look weak and vulnerable, something he hated to be.

"Hey," She said as she slipped her hands up his back and massaged his shoulders. She placed a kiss between his shoulder blades as she reached around him and grabbed his shower gel from the shelf. Pouring a generous amount of the liquid into her hand she began washing his back, massaging his tense muscles as she slid her hands across his skin. Catherine could feel some of the tension leaving his body as his muscles relaxed under her touch. She moved to slip around in front of him and he tensed again. "Steve, what's wrong." She whispered.

He shook his head, not wanting to answer her.

"Steve, look at me." She pleaded as she stood beside him. She waited till he lifted his head to look at her, before speaking in a firm manner that left no room for argument. "I don't know what's going through that head of yours, but you can stop them thoughts right now."

He pushed away from the shower wall and let her move in front of him. He swallowed not looking at her face as she poured more soap into her hands and began washing his chest, her hands gently skimmed across the waterproof dressings that covered the scars from the surgery before slipping to his hips. She gently urged him under the spray to wash away the suds from his body before she leaned up on tip toes to brush a kiss across his lips.

"You know the scars don't bother me, there just a part of who you are." She said as she placed her hand on his cheek. "I know that right now you see them as being a weakness, but there not. They show how much of a fighter you are, and how much your loved by the people around you. Every one of our ohana was here today to welcome you and Danny home because you mean so much to each and every one of us." She told him.

He finally looked into her eyes and let out the breath he'd been holding since she began washing his back. There was no sign of revulsion or disgust on her face, only love and understanding reflected there. "I don't know what I'd do without you Cath." He said in awe.

"It's a good thing that you'll never have to." She told him with a kiss. "Now come on Sailor, get to work." She ordered as she passed him her shower gel.

"Yes Ma'am." He snapped as he took the bottle from her hands and began pouring the scented oil on to her bath puff. Starting at her neck he worked his way down her body, paying plenty of attention to her breasts before moving lower to her stomach. He spent a long time just running his hands over her bump as he marvelled at how much her stomach had grown in the past four weeks. "I can't believe how big you've got." He whispered as he watched his hand move across her body.

"Very smooth, Commander. You've just called me fat." She pointed out in an amused tone.

"I didn't mean it like that Cath." He quickly back pedalled. "I just meant, I couldn't believe how much our son has grown in the past few weeks."

"Nice save there." She agreed with a grin.

"Woo." Steve gasped out as he watched a tiny hand shaped protrusion appear on her stomach. He gently slid his hand across the small hand, grinning as he felt the movement. "Catherine," He whispered in awe.

"I think he's been waiting for his daddy to come home; he's not done that before." She told him with a smile. Catherine loved watching Steve marvelling over their unborn child, his face was always so un-guarded and full of love.

"That's awesome, Catherine." He grinned at her, his hand still covering his son's.

"Yes it is." She agreed, smiling at him as they enjoyed the few quiet minutes as they interacted with their unborn son.

Steve brushed a tender kiss across her lips before urging her to turn around so he could finish soaping her body. Brushing her hair over her shoulder out of his way he began by running the bath puff over the skin of her neck and over her shoulders before moving down her back towards her waist and her bottom. He moved his own body slightly to allow the spray to wash the suds from her back so he could kiss his way down her neck and spine. He grinned as he heard her moan.

"Steve." She gasped out. "We can't."

"Why not?" He growled in her ear as his hands slid around her waist to pull her back against him.

"Danny…ow god…Kids…" She got out on a moan as he kissed and licked his way up her neck. "What if…" She panted. "Grace hears."

"You'll have to be really quiet then." He challenged as he turned the water off and opened the shower door. He grabbed a couple of towels from the rail and passed one to Catherine so she could dry her hair, while he towelled her dry. He held her against him, still a little uncertain about her seeing the scars as he towelled her body dry.

Catherine turned around taking him by surprise as she slipped her arms around him and pulled his head down to kiss him. "Give me a few minutes to dry my hair." She said against his lips before crossing the bathroom towards the vanity so she could blow dry her hair.

"You've got five minutes." He told her with a grin as he quickly towelled of and hung the towel over the rail before slipping into the bedroom and turning of the ceiling light leaving the bedroom bathed in moonlight.

…

Waimea Beach.

Saturday 0700 hrs

Kono trotted back up the beach with her surf board tucked under her arm as she headed towards the spot where she'd left her towel. Thrusting her board into the sand she grabbed the towel and dried herself of a little as she looked around the still quiet beach. There were a few surfers out on the water taking advantage of the early morning waves before the tourists crowded the beaches of Oahu. She waved as she spotted Kawika with a group of children and moved to join him. "Morning." She called out to him.

"It's a perfect time to catch the waves." He commented with a smile as she reached his side.

"Yeah. I thought I'd take advantage of the quiet time." She agreed. "You taking the little ones out this morning?" She asked as she smiled down at the youngsters in their wetsuits, surf boards tucked under their arms.

"Yes. It's good for them to be one with our ancestors." Kawika pointed out as he watched the youngsters moving towards the water's edge. "Will you join us?"

She shook her head regrettably. "I'm meeting Chin for breakfast. Maybe some other time?" She suggested.

"You are always welcome to join us." Kawika told her sincerely. Although the Kapu were often distrustful of the law, Kawika had discovered the members of five-0 to be extremely trusting, loyal and respectful of his Hawaiian culture. "How are McGarrett and Williams?"

"There both doing okay. Catherine brought them home from hospital yesterday. Danny will be back on his feet pretty quickly, but Steve will need a little longer to heal." Kono informed him.

"That's good. Please let McGarrett know that the Kapu are keeping a close eye on the North Shore for him." Kawika told her, glad to help keep the Islands safe from the Haole's.

"Mahalo." She told him, thankful that Kawika trusted five-0 enough to offer their assistance in keeping Oahu safe.

…..

McGarrett's Residence

0700 hrs.

Steve woke up to a tickling sensation on his neck, attempting to swat at whatever was causing the tickle, he was met with a small giggle in his ear. Cracking one eye open he saw Catherine propped up on her arm watching him as she lightly trailed the ends of her hair across his neck. She grinned at him before leaning over to kiss him good morning.

"You know it's rude to watch people sleep." He commented with a grin as she pulled back.

"I've been telling you that for years." She pointed out before leaning in to kiss him again. She slid her arm under the covers and slipped it around his waist as she moved closer to him. She placed a kiss on the scar on his shoulder as she lightly ran her fingers up his side causing him to wriggle away from her touch.

"No tickling," He ordered as he grabbed at her hand to still it. He urged her to lift her head so he could slip his arm around her shoulders, watching her face as she sighed in contentment.

"I've missed waking up with you." Catherine confided quietly as she stared into his face, her hand moving across his stomach as she lightly traced his scars.

"I've missed you too, plus you're a lot prettier than waking up with Danny every morning." He grinned at her.

"Mmm, I'm so glad you think that." She replied with a matching grin of her own. "Speaking of your other wife, we should get up." She teased.

"Don't want to move." He confessed as he tightened his arm around her to stop her moving. He'd missed spending lazy weekends with her over the past couple of weeks. They never bothered to set the alarm on a weekend, preferring to start the day with a lie in, although sleep was usually not on the top of the lie in list. He'd still swim and run but not until mid-morning, when Catherine would also join him in the water.

"I was thinking we could have a swim before everyone else wakes up." She suggested as she ran her hands over his chest, her fingers tangling in his chest hair.

Steve smiled at her, realising what she was suggesting. If they swam now the only person to see him would be Catherine. He knew it was going to take a lot out of him, and he didn't want Grace or Charlie to witness himself floundering. Steve leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips before bumping his nose against hers. "Have I ever told you how wonderful you are, Lieutenant?" He asked.

"Maybe once or twice, Commander; But feel free to tell me again any time you like." She said with a grin as she slipped out of his arms and climbed from the bed. She grabbed her bikini from her dresser before slipping into the bathroom.

…

Undisclosed location

Oahu

0900 hrs.

Doris was just about to leave the small apartment she was renting when she spotted someone moving towards her in the dimly lit hallway. Slipping her hand into her purse she wrapped her hand around the handle of the small hand gun she always carried.

"Doris." The person called out.

She sighed as she recognised the voice. Joe came to a stop as he reached her, and Doris pulled her hand from her purse returning Joe's easy smile. "You're not going to talk me out of going to see Steve." She informed him as she moved away from her apartment door and headed towards the stairwell.

"Didn't think I'd try again, at least I know where Steve gets it from." He told her with a grin. "I thought I could give you a lift, I'd like to see how he's doing myself.

"What you really mean is; you plan on keeping tabs on me while I'm there." Doris pointed out as Joe walked down the stairs with her.

"Take it any way you like Doris, but I do want to see that Steve's okay as well." He told her. He'd spent a number of years looking out for the younger man, he'd become like a second father to him for a number of years. Doris had caused the rift between him and Steve, that couldn't be helped; he'd made a promise to Doris a long time ago. Joe was a man of his word, and had kept Doris's secret for nearly thirty years.

"In that case, thank you for the lift." Doris told him with an easy smile.

Joe opened the door to his old battered truck and waited till Doris was firmly seated before closing the door and moving round to the driver's side and climbed in behind the wheel. He started the engine, but didn't move. He pondered his next words.

"I know you want to see he's okay, and put your point across about seeing your grandson. I'm going to give you some advice Doris, and for your sake I suggest you take it. Don't ask for too much, let Steve tell you what he wants and for once in your life accept your son's decision. He'll have a lot on his plate right now, I'd suggest you didn't add to any of that." Joe advised her as he turned to look at her in the passenger seat.

Doris was thinking over Joe's words, realising the truth behind them. She nodded her head in acknowledgement of his words. "Start small?" She asked Joe with a raised eyebrow.

"Definitely." Joe agreed as he put the truck into gear and moved into the traffic heading towards Steve's home.

….

McGarrett's Residence

0930 hrs

Steve was sat in one of the old battered chairs as he attempted to find the strength to move back up to the house where Catherine had disappeared to twenty minutes ago. He'd only managed to swim a half a mile, and was feeling pretty dejected and low right now. He'd been very slow and clumsy with his strokes as Catherine had swam beside him. He'd felt the pain from his stitches as he'd began to tire; he'd tried to push through the pain and exhaustion like he'd been trained to do. Catherine must have been watching him closely as she'd told him it was time to turn back.

He'd wanted to object, but one look at her face had told him not too. He had turned and headed back towards the shore line, Catherine keeping up with him stroke for stroke; that alone telling him how weak and unfit he was. She'd slipped her arm around his waist as they had left the water, and Steve knew that it was more to help him than for the contact. She'd pushed him down into the chair as she'd settled on the arm to towel of and dry her hair. Catherine had dropped a kiss on his lips before pulling back to tell him she was going to shower and start on breakfast.

Twenty minutes later and he was still sat on the old chair feeling as weak as a kitten as he stared out to sea. The chinking sound of ice cubes came from behind him, alerting him to some one's presence. A quick glance over his shoulder told him it was partner with two glasses, one of which looked suspiciously like one of his protein shakes.

"That mine?" He asked as Danny neared him.

"Yeah." He said as he passed him the glass before lowering himself into the other chair and passing him one of his t-shirts. "Catherine also sent me out your t-shirt, thought you might want it before the kids came down."

"Thanks Danno." He said gratefully. He was also glad that Catherine had thought to send a t-shirt out for him to put on. He quickly unzipped the wet suit top pulling it off before slipping his arms into the sleeves and pulling the t-shirt over his head.

"Catherine kicked me out of the house while she's sorting breakfast out." Danny grumbled as he sipped at his fruit juice.

Steve grinned at Danny. "Welcome to my world."

"Wait, you mean she does that with you?" Danny asked as caught sight of his friends amused grin.

"Yes she does." He told Danny with a grin. "It usually means she's trying a new recipe and doesn't want me getting in her way.

"So you swam?" Danny commented, changing the subject.

"Yeah." Steve agreed, not wanting to talk about his failure in the water.

"You planning on abusing my liver like you did yours?" Danny asked him.

"Are you serious?" Steve asked in disbelief.

"Yes I am." Danny retorted.

"Firstly, I did not abuse my liver; and secondly we both know how much you abused your liver when you had it. I mean come on Danny, all that processed crap you eat." Steve argued back annoyed at his partner's accusations.

"Please, you've just got out of the hospital and your already swimming marathons." Danny moaned. He just couldn't understand why Steve couldn't take things easy for a while.

"I did not swim a marathon." Steve retorted angrily in denial of his partner's words.

"You've just admitted you've been for a swim." Danny ranted not willing to give in on the subject.

"Yes I did go for a swim." Steve agreed. "I swam the crappiest half mile of my entire life, and I feel like shit. Does that make you happy?" Steve shouted back at him, turning his head away from Danny so he wouldn't see the tears threatening to fall.

"Wow, you only did half a mile?" Danny asked as his anger quickly deflated over Steve's confession.

"Yeah, I would have probably tried to push on a little more; Cath wouldn't let me." He confessed truthfully as he leaned his head back on the chair and rolled his head to the side to look at Danny.

"Thank god the Ramboette has more sense than you." Danny retorted, causing Steve to snort in amusement.

"I just hate feeling like this." Steve said on a sigh as he pushed himself up when he spotted Catherine on the lanai. "Come on Catherine's setting the table on the Lanai."

"You think we can talk her into a coffee?" Danny asked hopefully.

Steve smirked at his friend. "Not a chance."

…..

Grace was just helping Catherine to clear the breakfast table when she heard a knock on the door. "I'll get it Aunt Cath." She called as she carefully placed the plates on the counter before heading towards the front door.

"Thanks sweetie, make sure you check." She reminded the teenager as she continued to load the dishwasher.

Grace reached the door and checked the peep hole first before opening it to reveal Steve's mom and Joe White. "Hello." She greeted pleasantly.

"Is Steve or Catherine home?" Doris asked. She'd been a little taken back that Grace Williams was opening her son's front door.

"Yeah. Aunt Catherine's in the Kitchen and Uncle Steve's outside." Grace informed them.

"Grace, who is it?" Catherine called as she exited the kitchen, coming to a stop when she spotted Doris and Joe stood on her doorstep.

"Hello Catherine." Doris said with a smile as she stepped round the teenage girl to step into the house. "You're looking well."

"Doris." Catherine greeted with a heavy sigh. "This really isn't a good time." She pointed out to the other woman.

"I just want to see my son." Doris told her in a firm voice.

"Doris, this is the absolutely last thing that he needs to be dealing with right now." Catherine told her in concern.

"I'm not asking for anything else right now, I just need to see for myself he's okay." Doris pleaded, her voice cracking with emotion.

Catherine was stopped from saying anything else as Steve choose that moment to enter the house. He took one look at Doris stood by the door and a hard mask came down across his face. "Doris." He greeted coldly before speaking to Grace. "Gracie why don't you see if Charlie wants to play on the beach." He suggested not wanting them to see or hear the confrontation with Doris.

"Okay, Uncle Steve." The girl agreed as she moved away from the front door and headed out of the lanai doors.

"Steven." Doris said with a watery smile as she looked at her son taking in the paleness of his skin and the tiredness she could see reflected in his face. "Why don't you sit down; you look exhausted."

Steve shook his head in disbelief, crossing his arms as he stared at the woman who had given birth to him. At this point in his life he refused to even think of her as his mother. "You need to leave, Doris. Catherine has already told you we don't want you involved in our son's life."

"That's not why I'm here." Doris quickly defended. "I wanted to see for myself that you were alright."

"I'm fine, so you can leave." He told her coldly as he turned his back on her to leave the room.

"Steven John McGarrett, don't you dare turn your back on me." Doris snapped angrily.

Steve spun back round to face her, the anger in his face obvious as he snarled. "WHY NOT, YOU DID THE SAME THING TO US TWENTY-THREE YEARS AGO, YOU SPENT THE LAST THREE YEARS COMPLETELY OFF THE GRID. YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN JUST COME WALSING BACK INTO MY LIFE AND EXPECT ME TO FORGET WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO THIS FAMILY."

Doris sniffed fighting back the tears. "I did what I thought was right for my family." She sobbed. "I was trying to protect you and Mary."

"WELL IT DIDN'T WORK." He shouted back at her. "WOFAT STILL CAME AFTER US BOTH. HE KIDNAPPED AND TOTURED ME, WERE YOU EVEN AWARE OF THAT?" He snapped at her in frustration.

"Yes. I heard that he'd tortured you before you shot him." She swallowed, blinking back the tears over the loss of Wofat.

"Why come back now?" He asked dejectedly as Catherine moved to stand beside him, slipping her arm around his waist to offer him her support and strength.

"I want a chance to get to know my grandson, but today's visit is just to see how you are." Doris took a step closer to Steve. "I had to hear about you getting hurt from the T.V. Do you know how painful that was, to know that my son was badly hurt and not to be told about it in person."

"That was your choice." Steve pointed out. "You can forget about knowing your grandson, because I won't allow you to hurt him the way you hurt Mary and me."

"I wasn't trying to hurt you. Please, Steven, I'm not asking you for much." She pleaded as the tears ran down her face.

"I want you to leave." Steve said as he moved past her to hold the door open for her. "NOW." He told her angrily when she didn't move.

"Doris it's time we left." Joe urged as he placed his hand on her shoulder and guided her out of the door. He turned back before Steve was able to close the door. "I'll be in touch in a day or two to see how you're doing. Me not your mother." Joe pointed out.

Steve nodded his head but didn't say anything more. Closing the door behind them he sighed in relief as he dropped into the nearest chair and dropped his head into his eyes. He felt Catherine's touch on his legs as she knelt in front of him.

Catherine slipped her hands into his hair as she pulled him towards her, kissing the top of her head as she held him. She could feel the tension in his muscles as he breathed in and out attempting to get his anger under control. Taking hold of one of his hands she guided it to her stomach as their son started to move. The tension seeped out of him at the contact, his other arm closing around her waist as he pulled her upright onto his knee.

"I'm exhausted." He whispered against her chest as he rested his head on her.

"Why don't you get your head down for an hour." Catherine suggested as she ruffled his hair before kissing him on the forehead.

He didn't answer her, but when he did speak Catherine quickly realised he was talking to their son. "I'm not going to let her hurt you, I promise you that. I will always do everything I can to be here for you, and to protect you from anyone trying to hurt you or your mummy."

Steve knew deep in his heart that he would never do what his mother had done to Mary and him as kids, he would never abandon his family like that. The actions of his ohana had made him realise what a true family should be like, and that was what he wanted for his son. Lou had taken his family on the run with him when trouble had come looking for him. Danny had given bone marrow to his son just days after finding out he was his flesh and blood, and his children came first in everything he did. Chin was the silent enigma, it looked like he was going to adopt Gabriel's daughter Sarah after all; Steve had no doubt's the Hawaiian man would make an excellent father.

He had the best role models he could ever ask for in Danny, Lou and Chin and with them by his side he could do this. Doris was no longer needed in his life, he already had his family.

….