More from my writing stash... I'm wrestling with the next chapter for What Were You Thinking, so I decided to post something from my old files. This second chapter has been on my mind for a long time. You might wanna go back and read the first one to refresh your memory. I hope you enjoy.

"Steven, you don't have to do this." Danny tilted his head and squeezed his friend's arm. "I don't want to intrude."

"No, it's alright." Steve flashed a smile. It was more obvious by the second that his partner was holding back a tidal wave. "Company would be nice."

Grace peeked around the corner.

"Hey Gracie, come here." Steve waved her into the room. She didn't move.

Danny turned around and attempted to calm his daughter. "You were right. Uncle Steve would like some company."

"It was so nice of you to ask, Grace." Steve dabbed at his leaking eyes, clearing his throat.

"I didn't want to make you cry." Grace flew across the hall to her room in a dramatic huff.

Steve flinched as he fought to control himself, deeply affected by Grace.

Danny caught on right away. He took a few steps toward his best friend. Slowly, hoping his words might soothe. "It's okay, babe. Not your fault. She gets like this."

"I didn't want her to be sad. I don't want anyone to worry about this."

"Steve, buddy." Danny grabbed his arm, jerking him a little to get the message across. "You're family. Your dad is family."

Steve nodded, eyes squeezed closed as his emotions got the better of him. He pulled out of Danny's grasp and fled to the bathroom. Danny sat on the edge of the bed facing the door. He didn't say anything as the fan was turned on and the toilet flushed. Then the water ran. He'd give him what Steve needed. His father was one of the few things that could make him lose it. Danny understood and gave him space.

After about ten minutes, Danny stepped in.

"Babe?"

No answer.

Hand on the knob, He gave it a half turn. The door was unlocked. "Hey I'm coming in, is that alright?"

No answer, except for a faint cough.

"I'm definitely coming in if you don't answer. What's going on in there?" Danny put his ear to the door. "Do I need to call the cops?"

"Funny." The word was choked out, the chuckle still dripping with tears.

"Hey, I'm sorry. But I am coming in now. I hope you're decent." Danny slowly opened the door.

Steve stood by the sink, hands on his hips, eyes narrowed with a frown. "And what exactly do you think I was doing in here?"

"Hey, we're close, but I really don't wanna see you - " Danny waved at the toilet. "You know."

"Taking a dump?"

"Yea, go ahead, be crass."

"You're such a prude, you know that?"

For a few seconds, they both forgot about their troubles. Bickering was a balm, an oasis that belonged only to them.

"Prude?" Danny laughed. "Who was it introduced you to the wonders of Victoria's Secret?"

"That would be you. And I wish I could erase that memory, partner."

"You should be thanking me."

Steve beamed at Danny. That intense smile that always made Danny dip his eyes and take a deep breath. He wished moments like this one could last because ten minutes later the rain had returned. Inside and out.

/././

"I miss him so much." Steve trembled as he sobbed the words.

Hands in his pockets, Danny sat beside Steve on the bed. He understood that feeling of missing someone. Friends, partners, brothers. Death had a way of making you long for a person.

Seeing Steve like this dredged up an awful memory. He'd never forget telling Steve his dad was dead. Steve was so broken up. And here it was again. A pain so sharp it cut his friend in two. And Danny felt it, too.

He looked for anything to distract Steve. It was the only way because the pain never went away. It simply faded and waited to jump on you. Danny scooted closer and rubbed Steve's back, letting him talk.

"Never stops hurting. And today -" Face in his hands, Steve fought to control his breathing. "I'm sorry. Grace. Charlie."

"They're fine. Really, babe."

"I don't want them to worry."

"Grace, she sorta gets it." Danny let his hand fall to the bed, fingers into a loop on the side of Steve's ridiculous cargo shorts. "And Charlie is too busy racing when he should be sleeping."

The clouds parted a little, and Steve wiped his nose with the back of his hand. "That bed was a great idea."

Danny sighed, relieved the storm was passing. He reached for something on the nightstand. "I always wanted a racecar bed when I was a kid. A red one."

"Did they even have them back then?" Steve accepted an offered box of tissues.

"Sure they did. Remember FAO Schwartz?"

"Like on Big?"

Danny's eyes lit up. "You know the movie?"

"One of my favorites."

"Mine too." Danny rubbed Steve's back again, feeling the need to touch his friend, to anchor the moment.

"Thank you, Danny." Steve grabbed Danny's hand and squeezed hard. "I don't know what I'd do-"

"Me too." Danny leaned forward and pulled Steve into an awkward hug, wincing a little as he put too much weight on his sore thigh.

Steve felt him tense, and he pulled away. "Your leg."

"Ah, it's nothing." Danny shrugged. "Part of the job."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there." Steve sobered, and overcast skies threatened. Outside, the wind picked up.

"You were busy. It all worked out, babe. Don't worry about it." His babbling was evidence Danny knew Steve would dwell on what happened.

"I was busy with the Navy." Steve's eyes flashed with lightening. He was conflicted. "As much as it's given me...it's also taken so much away."

"We all make sacrifices."

Steve lay back on the bed with a sigh. "Yea, I guess."

The hint of defeat in Steve's voice startled Danny, and he blurted the first thing he thought. "It hurts me that I can never make it better for you. If only -"

Emotion got the better of him, and Danny slid forward, hands on his knees, catching his breath. How many times had he replayed the day John McGarrett died. If only he could have saved him. Before he could sink deeper, Steve was suddenly impossibly close.

"Hey, Danny...buddy. It's okay. I'm okay. Just a little sad."

"I know. But you're my best friend." Danny choked. "And when you're sad; I'm sad."

/././

The next morning, Grace sat beside her brother. He wouldn't stop fidgeting. He wanted to take everything off her shelves, to mess with her stuff. Maybe her bedroom wasn't the best venue for their chat.

"Stop it, Charlie. I have something to tell you."

"I know." He rolled his eyes. "We're going to the cemetery."

He sounded out the word. It was still knew to him.

"Don't say it like that." She poked him.

"Ow, I'll tell dad."

Grace crossed her arms over her chest. "Go right ahead. See if I care."

Pretending to take the bait, Charlie opened his mouth and all that came out was a squeak because Grace tweaked his ear.

"Hey, that hurt." He slapped her leg, giggling.

"This isn't funny, Charlie. I mean it." She growled.

"Okay, Gracie." He took the hint and sat up straight. "So, Uncle Steve's gonna talk to a rock?"

Grace frowned. "Charlie, it's not just a rock. It's a headstone."

"But there's nobody there. Mommy told me -"

"Mommy told you what?"

"That when people die - they're gone."

Grace nodded. Her mom never told her about death. That had been her dad's job. She waited for her brother to say more.

"If you're good, you go to heaven. And if you're bad -" Charlie bit his lip and pointed at the floor. "You go down there."

Now Grace rolled her eyes.

"Did Mommy lie?"

She shrugged. "Nobody knows for sure, Charlie."

He looked at his sister with a mix of confusion and fear. "But what happens?"

Grace shook her head and looked at the ceiling, trying not to let her feelings show. She didn't want to do this, but she'd promised her dad. How do you tell a little boy that no one knows what happens when you die? That the person is simply gone - like their mom said. She used to worry all the time. Ever since her dad told her about his old partner. Her namesake.

"Gracie..." Charlie whined as he tugged on her shirt. "What happens? Tell me."

"I don't know, Charlie." She exploded and immediately regretted it.

Charlie burst into tears. "Don't yell at me!"

Before Grace could grab her brother and shut him up, her dad bellowed her name. He meant business. And he sounded tired. She pushed her brother into the hall as she plead forgiveness, giving him a quick hug.

Danny stood in the doorway to his room, exasperation vanishing as he reached for his son, and Charlie ran into his arms.

Grace sighed with relief and closed her door, careful not to slam it, and then she crashed on her bed.

/././

Steve watched Danny rummaging through a drawer for a complete pair of socks. "You don't have to go."

"If you say that one more time -" Danny punched Steve in the arm.

Steve laughed. "Thanks buddy."

"I just need a quick shower. I'll even take the Army kind. You can time me." He ducked out of the way as Steve tried to swat him with a towel. "Grace is ready to go. Charlie needs help with his shirt."

"Got it, Danno." Steve turned to leave the room. He paused and winked at Danny. "And hey...wear the new tie."

/././

Huge grey clouds rolled overhead. The large billowing kind that could mean a quick but intense shower. Danny kept glancing at the sky as he stood behind Steve and the kids. Steve was telling them a story about his dad. He hated to interrupt but as soon as he felt the first drop, he signaled for his daughter.

"Grace, take your brother to the truck."

She nodded and grabbed Charlie's hand. She knew her dad still worried about Charlie getting sick.

"Come on, Charlie."

"But I wanna stay with Daddy and Uncle Steve."

"You can play with my phone." Grace bribed her brother. She knew it would work.

With a huge smile, he cheered. "Okay! Let's go."

Charlie ran for the truck just as it began to sprinkle. Grace shook her head, waving at her dad as she followed her silly brother.

Danny waited a few seconds before approaching his friend.

"Hey, you want some time alone?" Danny kept his voice quiet and soft. Worry and shared pain etched in the grooves near his eyes. "Cause, I can wait with the kids, if you want."

"Stay."

"Sure, babe. Anything you need."

Steve closed his eyes and took a long, shaky inhale. He laughed as he let out the breath.

"You would've liked him."

"Yea?" Danny slung his arm around Steve.

And that gesture gave Steve permission to crumble, Danny warm against him as a cool rain fell. They stood there together for a few minutes until Steve pulled away and shook off his somber mood.

"Thank you, Danny. Really."

"Don't mention it, you putz. How many times do I have to tell you we're family. You're stuck with us. Those crazy kids love you more than I do." If that's possible. Danny let the thought slip out of his mind. He couldn't help but smile.

"I love you, too, Danno. Let's go eat."

"Now there's the Steve we know and love."

"And I even have my wallet!" Steve pulled a wallet from his pocket, waving it just out of reach and grinning.

Danny laughed with his best friend as they walked to the waiting kids. He stopped when they were almost there and felt his pockets.

"Wait a minute! That's my wallet!"

Aren't they the best? Until next time...