Steve stayed on the beach after Grace went up to bed, thinking. Danny found him there when he came back from his flight. He could tell Steve was lost in thought, but the bond gave him no leads about what. "Hey, babe, whatcha thinking?"

"Grace was here," Steve said. "She was upset because she's only half dragon and the rest of us are full."

Danny joined Steve in the sand, cringing inwardly at the thought of just where it would go. He still didn't like the sand and its habit of getting in inappropriate places. "What'd you tell her?"

"That she should be proud of who she was, and it didn't matter if she was human or half-dragon or full dragon. And that even if she couldn't fly, she could do things you can't, like surf."

Danny cringed. "You had to bring up the surfing, didn't you?"

"You really should take her flying."

"Yeah, I know. It's just Rachel didn't like it, thought it was too dangerous, she said, but I think she just didn't like the thought I could give Grace something she couldn't, something Stan's money could never buy."

"I think it's time," Steve said. "Let her be part of it, even vicariously. I think it would help."

"Yeah, you're right." It was Danny's turn to be thoughtful. "You're really good with her. You've really helped her come to terms with what she is."

"I try. I don't like her thinking she isn't good enough."

"Yeah. Damn Rachel anyway."

They were silent a few minutes. It was clear something was still on Steve's mind, but Danny still couldn't get a sense of what. "I know that's not all that's on your mind. What else is going on up there?"

"I was just thinking, I told Grace to be proud of who she was, but I'm not sure who I am anymore."

"Yeah, your self-image has kind of taken a beating lately."

Steve snorted. "More like it's been completely turned on its head. I used to admire you for being a dragon, and now suddenly I'm one. It's absolutely amazing, but it still doesn't seem like part of who I am."

"You'll get used to it eventually. It took me almost 40 years to come to terms with it, and I was raised as a dragon. It took you to help me see how much a part of me it is," Danny said.

Steve frowned, trying to put his thoughts into words. "I guess I'm saying I still feel human. It's not that I'm going to hide my dragon self, it's just that I'm more comfortable as a human."

"That's okay, babe," Danny said. "Like you told Grace, it doesn't matter if you're human or dragon or whatever; it just matters that you're proud of who you are."

"So you don't mind if I mostly stay human."

"Of course not," Danny assured him. "But I want to see you as a dragon sometimes."

"So I don't forget that part of me?" Steve guessed.

"Nope. Well, that, too, but my reasons are entirely selfish."

It was Danny's turn to put his thoughts into words. "You know how much you like looking at me when I'm a dragon?"

"Yeah. . ."

"That's the way I feel about you."

Steve was puzzled. "But why? You're a dragon, too. You know what they look like."

"I'm a man, too, and I know what men look like. That doesn't mean I can't appreciate individuals."

"But what's so special about me?"

Danny was amazed at how insecure Steve could be. "What isn't? You're an incredibly attractive man, but you're an even better dragon. You're so imposing, and muscular, and your wings are so big and powerful I just know you'll be amazing when you learn to fly. And your color—I've never seen such a deep purple, except for Matt. It's absolutely beautiful."

Steve was awed. "You really think that about me?"

"Of course I do! Who wouldn't?" Danny grinned then, feeling a need to lighten the mood. "Besides, now I have another dragon to play with."

"You have two," Steve pointed out. "Me and Matt. Three if you count Grace."

"So I do. Guess we're just a family of dragons, huh?"

"Guess so."

Danny rose and held out his hand to Steve. "C'mon babe. Let's go put our little dragon family to bed."

Steve got up and happily followed him inside.

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A/N: That brings this story to a close. Flying Lessons will come soon, but it's proving hard to plot. You'll also get one where the team finds out about Steve, and one where Grace does, which probably should have been part of this, but I didn't think of it until I was plotting the team finding out. If you have one of those you want to see first, let me know and I'll take it under advisement. :)