AN: okay this was supposed to be a one shot… but well… it was actually quite fun :D so here's chapter two… enjoy

Danny had called Toast and Chin back home and sent them the rest of the footage of the orb he and… the ex-SEAL, had reclaimed. Toast had seemed a little apprehensive, but well when wasn't he? They had figured out the key for the orb and when a sound track was played, it had showed him the location of the cradle of life, Africa. After given a few instructions for his friends he went for the nearest airport and boarded a privet plane, sent by Chin.

Now he sat in the plane in silence. He couldn't stop thinking of… of Steve.

The stupid reckless ex-Super-SEAL just wouldn't leave his mind alone! He remembered the time that they had spent together all those years ago, before Rachel and Grace, before the incident with the illuminati and the revenge of his father and most importantly before Steve had made that treacherous choice, which stripped him of his title, disowned him from the navy and put him in jail, when they finally found him that is.

He still didn't understand his reasons of running from the navy to join the Shay-Lin. Steve had lived to become a navy-SEAL, to gain respect and acceptance from his family and to protect his country. He had just passed the test in becoming a SEAL and he had been so proud.

When the CSI had come to him and demanded his help in finding Pandora's Box by reclaiming the orb from the Shay-Lin which stole it, he knew right away that the only way was to force Steve to get him there. He cursed his luck in his head but kept a cool appearance to the two agents. He knew he hadn't fooled Chin, because his face turned into that mask of complete Zen.

He had almost immediately taken back his condition when he uttered it.

"I don't need your agents, I need Steve McGarrett."

The agents had cursed and at first they refused his condition. They claimed that their agents would be a much better assistance for this kind of mission, but Danny knew, they just didn't want a traitor out of jail since they had spent too many years catching him. However there just wasn't any other way, the only one outside of the Shay-Lin who could help him locate them, was Steve. His own feelings couldn't stand in the way of this, this was about the world… kind of.

When they had accepted Danny's condition he had flown to the top security prison in the north where they held him he began to question his resolve, he wondered what Steve would say, but he also wondered if he would be able to keep the ex-super-SEAL in check.

Would he be able to keep his own emotions in check…?

When he had entered the cell Steve was doing push-ups, without a shirt, upside down from the roof. Come on! Did he always need to be extreme?

"Williams." Huh, they were back to last-name bases, that had hurt a bit but he had ignored it.

"McGarrett." He snared back.

"Welcome to my new room, it isn't exactly Williams manor…" Steve trailed of as he put on a shirt. He had still looked good, a little more scars as Danny could see, but prison life hadn't wearied him down. "Why are you here? Away from your beloved Jersey?"

He had showed him the key which he had hidden in his hand.

"What's that? The key to your heart?" joked Steve

"No you idiot, you blew that loooong ago, this is a key to a nice apartment in Bern, Switzerland, nice view right next to a big lake with loads of water were you can splash around like the secret mermaid you actually are, if you don't like it you can choose almost any other location you wish. You will also be given a new identity, you can choose that one too, I tried to get them to give you Kal-El or Namor. They didn't think it was funny." Ranted Danny.

Steve had smiled slightly "Who's Namor?"

"You know! The ruler of Atlantis, Sub-Mariner from the Marvel universe? Super Hero?" said Danny in a disbelieving voice.

"And who would provide me with this new identity?"

"CSI"

Steve had scuffed, he clearly hadn't like that idea.

"Look you either take the deal, gain a new life with a new identity and a new place, a fresh start, a second chance call it what you want or you could always stay here in this nice and cozy little room, without reasonable food, no hygiene and no freedom, far, far away from your precious ocean." He had countered.

"What would I need to do to gain this freedom" asked Steve suspiciously.

"Get me to the Shay-Lin… " Danny started but Steve had said no as quickly as he heard the Shay-Lin but he hadn't stopped talking for something as petty as a no "… and get me out"

"You really think you could just sneak in to the Shay-Lin and then expect to get out alive!" he had frowned.

Danny had chuckled and answered "Well, you did, didn't you. You left the navy, joined the Shay-Lin and then you left them aswell… isn't that right, McGarrett?"

He hadn't even been decent enough to look guilty.

"No!"

"Fine, then I'll just go there myself. I was planning on a nice little trip to China, see the wall, eat some duck, sneak into the Shay-Lin lair… as for travelling companions the CIA has offered me their very best…"

"No, wait…" Steve had interrupted him, how dared he? "Fine I will take you to the Shay-Lin, but we work alone, no CIA only you and me!"

"Fine, but it will be on my terms, you will have no weapons whatsoever, every decision will go through me, I will arrange equipment, your only job is to get me in and out and if you try to run or jeopardize this mission or whatever you want to call it, I have permission to take you down anyhow, anytime, anywhere. No questions asked." He threatened with a steely resolve.

He had been so sure that he would be able to handle Steve, handle him being near. Steve had almost looked stricken after his conditions, but as quickly as his expression appeared, it disappeared. They had gotten Steve out of there and in new clothes. Just a day after they had used one of Danny's connections and got to use an untraceable shuttle to jet them down into the country. After landing they had met up with one of Danny's old friends in China and equipped themselves.

Steve had let them up the Chinese wall, with motorbikes, to a place where the mountains were starting. They had dumped their vehicles and started a small climb. As promised Steve had let them right to the Shay-Lin, but they got captured, which was the only way to get to the group according to Steve. Well, Fuck Him.

Danny had been able to negotiate with the leader of the Shay-Lin, a weird looking fellow named Sang Min. That was quite funny, you know, Shay-Lin Sang Min… well it was funny to Danny, Sang Min didn't like it so much.

They had been able to escape, when Steve made some ninja-move and shot like half of the guards (with their own guns) and Danny whooped Sang Min's ugly butt. But they hadn't obtained the orb because one of Sang Min's minions had traveled to Shang-Hai ( again… what was it with these names? Sang Shay Shang?) to trade the orb with money from the buyer.

They had caught up with the minion but hadn't been able to obtain the orb yet, but Danny managed to put a tracker on the box, and they followed it to a skyscraper in the middle of the city. They had stormed the place after some small planning, from Danny of course since Steve always wants to rush in guns blazing…

The escape led them to the situation on the boat. Danny had thought that Steve had regretted his decision to leave him all those years ago. He could still read the man like a book and it was like a big fat tragedy. Steve looked hurt and sad when he looked at Danny, but also fond, nostalgic and hopelessly hopeful. It had hurt to leave Steve but not as much as being left by the man was. Steve's part of the mission was over and Danny was glad over that. Liar!

"Lord Williams we are nearing Africa!" The co-pilot told Danny.

"Thanks, guess I'll change" said Danny with a smile, a tight fake smile.