A/N: Hey guys! So this is my first foray into Hawaii 5-0 fanfiction, a oneshot for last author standing over at livejournal.

xxxx

"This sucks."

McGarrett rubs tiredly at the bridge of his nose and sighs.

"I know, Danny. This is the hundredth time you've said it."

Danny gives Steve a look that means a full bore rant is coming, and McGarrett silently curses himself for once again not knowing when to shut up.

"Well excuse me for pointing out that we're stuck on a friggin' sandbar in the middle of the ocean because someone didn't want to follow protocol!"

"It's not a sandbar," Steve protests. "This is definitely an island."

"Oh, really?" Danny says, climbing to his feet. He walks determinedly to the other side of the sandbar/island, counting out loud.

"…six, seven. Seven steps, McGarrett. You call this an island?"

Steve cups a hand over his eyes and looks down the other direction.

"Hey, it's at least twenty steps long," he says finally.

Danny throws his arms up in the air and plops down next to Steve again, then yanks at his tie in irritation before flinging it away.

"This sucks," he mutters.

"Say that one more time, Danno, and I'm going to throw your ass off of this island."

"Oh, really? You're going to throw me off now? If I'm not mistaken, you're the one who towed me to this godforsaken strip of ground."

"Hey, it was that or let you drown," McGarrett says. He pauses for a minute, brow scrunched as if in deep thought and adds, "Damn. I could have let you drown."

Danny huffs in irritation.

"Yeah, and I would have haunted your ass forever. Besides, I was swimming just fine."

"Oh yeah," Steve agrees, "you looked like a really short Michael Phelps out there, Danno."

Danny rolls his eyes but doesn't say anything back, instead climbing to his feet and starting to pace again.

"We just needed to wait for backup," he sighs as he walks back and forth, from one side of the tiny island to the other. "Just a few more minutes and it would've been fine, but no, you had to go play Rambo again and sneak onto the boat. What did you think would happen?"

"Obviously not this," McGarrett answers testily. "Look, at least you've got an exciting story to tell Grace this weekend."

Danny lets out a laugh that sounds like it's straddling the line between hysterical and breakdown.

"Oh no, there is no way this gets to Grace. Not from me, and not from you, okay? Rachel already thinks I'm going through a mid-life crisis because I'm acting 'irrational and reckless' on the job, and I don't need to give her anymore ammo against me."

Steve cringes, knowing full well that Danny's newly 'irrational and reckless' behavior is mostly his fault.

"Look, Danno, I'm sorry-"

Danny cuts him off with a wave of his hand, plopping down next to him.

"Don't. I'm a big boy, McGarrett, and I made a decision to stay your partner, even after I realized that you can use…questionable tactics. I'll deal with Rachel."

Steve nods, still feeling mildly guilty. Danny rolls his eyes.

"I'm serious, Steve," Danny says, hands waving to emphasize his point. "We're good."

Steve nods again, smiling as Danny falls backwards onto his back on the sand, arms splayed to his sides.

"How long did you say until Kono and Chin come looking for us?" Danny asks. Steve shakes his head warningly.

"Danny…"

"Just asking. 'Cause you know, this really sucks."

Steve groans and collapses to the sand.

No matter how quickly Chin and Kono get there, it won't be soon enough.