The moment had arrived.

Everyone of the 5-0 Task Force had gathered for it, in the center of the Palace command center. Soft morning rays of sunlight, streaming in from the open-shades windows, gently lit the room, as the mahogany ceilling fans compently swirled and distributed the cooled air neatly around ,keeping the tempreture at a pleasant t-shirt level.

Usually, this room would be host to any number of different cases and crisis, being presented to the team, piece of evident by piece of evidence, for them to tackle in thier ongoing mission to protect the island's residents. It was a daily battle that went on essentially every day of tghe year, no matter the weather; even on ones that stroming and pouring.

Or, on weekends, or on days that were both. There was no telling when they would and could be called to action, and when that happened, the Command Room came to life. They'd gather round that central console, as intel and information scrolled and flashed across it, outlining what they were to deal with, and face that day, before the down to ground policing began.

For a change, though, there was nothing case related on the central breifing console, or up on the main display screen mounted on the wall behind it. Today, right now, at least, the Task Force had another prioirity on its agenda.

Everyone was dressed for the occasion, which was actually not the norm for them; as a rule, 5-0 was fairly easy on formality. The'd worked here for years wearing things such as the aforementioned t shirts, along with floral vests, cargo trousers ( for McGarrett, who understood the value and style of them ), and jeans.

Far removed from the rigid unifrom dress system on the Navy that is founder had come from, the 5-0 Task Force mostly abstained from that form of formallity and standardization.

But, today was different.

Today caled for a change to the norm, for a while, at least. By order of his eminence Steve McGarett ( who may or may not have begun to suffer from delusions of grandeur in his advancing years ), everyone had cleaned up a bit for the occasion:

Tani Rey's asecenion to captain.

She was all but the head of 5-0 now, considered Steve had taken much interest in grooming and preparing her to take such a lofty postion. As Danno had said they day they'd met her, she was basically the female version of Steve, albiet with slightly more common sense (as Danno believed ).

That may all explain why today was happening; it was the culmination of that journey, that had begun way back then. The whole team could tell, that now was when the those who had been rookies, were now the ones who would be taking a place at Task Force's head.

It was a milestone for all of them, and for it, everyone had altered that informal dress code. Just for this.

Even Jerry Ortega, who stood out, as he was attired more formally than he usually would be.

He puled a bit at his tie, though, adjusting it for the upteenth time, as Danno counted it. The big boned man, who had served, and still did serve, as the Task Force's Chief Technical Officer, was the kind of person who was born to wear sandals and shorts as his everyday ensamble. To see him now clad in a suitjacket, complet with a necktie, was mildly amusing.

Danny wanted to say so aloud, but he had a shred of respect for Jerry's skill with technology, so he stayed quiet.

" I have to say: Didn't think the boss would ever get me in one of these ",Ortega half-muttered, adjusting the tie again. " Gotten too used to the beach outfit. "

Danno stifled a chuckle.

" Beach outfit, eh ? ", he repeated, glancing over at the generously bearded, bear porportioned ( not in a fat way ) man standing next to him.

" What, you haven't been out there enough already for your liking ? "

" This is Hawaii ", Jerry answered, after a short pause, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. " One must always be prepared for the beach ".

Again, Danno felt a chuckle on his mouth, and now, he didn't bother resisting. He noted he'd been laughing and smiling more often nowadays, and couldn't quite put a pin on why that was. Even though he had done both more than a few times a few years ago, it just seemed to come easier now.

Perhaps its true. Maybe you do get more jolly when you're older. Or, I am slowly going mad from Steve's influence. Either won't surprise me by now

" All right, all right. Fair point ", Danno allowed, clapping a hand on Ortega's shoulder.

" You know I am right more often than you think ", Ortega reminded him. " So long have I said so. "

He was, of course, being a smartass. But, he was a skilled and talented smartass, one who was also right about this.

And, one of Danno's ohana.

Conceding the point, Danno continued, " Least you got into the mood of the day. This is a big one for her. Glad you're here. "

He paused for a bit.

" You are Ohana, after all ".

Jeremy smiled.

" Aren't all of us, here ? ", he agreed.

That was true.

Danno couldn't deny it, even if he wanted to. Which, he didn't. After all these years, living and working day in and day out with Jerry, and the rest of the Task Force members, on cases that ranged from simple robbers to arms smuggling to nuclear bombs, he and them had learned to work together as a well oiled machine. In perfect sync and cordination. They had perfected the formula of teamwork, and had used it to devastating effect. Hundreds of criminals, terrorists, and wrongdoers were either dead, or locked away for life, due to 5-0, and its flawless ( mostly ) cohesion.

But, there was something more than all that.

That kind of life could forge anyone into brothers and sisters- which it had for the team-, but they'd done more than only fight crime and terrorism together.

They'd lived those years together, as they'd done what they'd done.

Danno remembered at least when his daugher, his Grace, had been caught in a hostage situation at her own prom. His little girl, in mortal peril at the hand of armed madmen. Danno himself had been there with her, at the epicenter of it all, but he'd soon realized that it would take more than himself to resolve the crisis.

He needed his team.

The team had sprung into action, masterminding a brilliant rescue. They'd breached the school where the prom was being held, and proceeded to sweep it clear of all hostiles, including the main ballroom, where the hostages actually were.

They got it done, fast and competently. They saved everyone. They saved Grace.

Oh, and how could he forget ? Grover's son had been there as well ! As Grace's escort, it turned out.

Danno wasnt sure which stunned him more: Finding that out, watching his team, his ohana, storming in to save the day, or how overjoyed Grover was to be able to embrace his boy, and be sure he was allright.

All he could be sure didn't surprise him, was:

They really were his own flesh and blood. They really were his ohana. Never mind what obligations or mandate of law enforcment that'd brought them here; they'd come for one of their own. For several of their own, as it was.

That was just one example. One out of many.

" We are ", affirmed Danno, nodding firmly.

" We are. "

" Hello, boys ! "

Abruptly, the distictly lyrical voice of Catherine McGarrett reach their ears. Blinking a bit, Ortega and Danno pivoted to where she'd spoken from.

There she was. Dressed in ( or, rocking, really ) a sleeveless ocean blue dress that contoured to her fit, hourglass figure, and reached down to her shins. Her long dark hair hung straight and gracefully around her Pacfic-sunllight tanned shoulders.

She looked quite lovely. Danno was reminded again why Steve had gone for her.

" Its cute to watch you bonding like this ", she teased lightly.

Danno rolled his eyes. Ortega chuckled.

" I thought we already had,", the big man remarked.

" Well, you know, that's what happens when you get to my age ", Danno half-grumbled, though he didn't argue. " You begin treating your own ohana as if you just met them. Because your mind is going by then "

He pointed to his head, and Cath laughed. Which was a glorious sound.

" Relax ", beautiful Navy woman assured him. " If Steve selected you as his parter in the first place-

" Press ganged, more like ", The Jersey man interjected quickly.

Smoothly rolling forward, Cath continued:

"- that that's proof he could tell you'd last a long while doing what you both do for a living. "

" Taking risks that can only be called borderline reckless and irresponsible ? " Danno nodded. " That's about right. "

At least Cath didn't dispute that. She did chuckle again, though, and patted Danno's arm.

" You're still here, though. Its a long way from where you began, and you're almost where you want to be ", she gently reminded him.

Retired, is what she was referring to. And, Danno knew she was right.

It'd been years coming, as well as what was happening today.

Their restruant, ' Pane Caldos ', was booming, and already a household name across the island. There was no doubting it was a sucsess.

But, that very sucsess signaled two things: One, was that running it was taking more and more of Danno's and Steve's day; nearly too much, by now. Yes, they had a staff, a very capable and professional staff who handled themselves well, but Pane Caldos still was the kind of establishment best run by those who had founded it to begin with.

Just as with 5-0.

And the other: It really was, when Danno had to hang up the badge, so to speak.

So many years on the job. So many, the bulk of his adult life. Both here and in New Jersey, he'd battled crime. Encountered terrorism, and fought that as well. He'd taken out, and taken down, enough of them to fill a prison over at least twice. He was proud of that. Proud of what he'd done to protect the innocent, and good, folks of the United States.

But, it was now for someone else to take up the baton. Now, someone else who had more years ahead of them than he did would step up to the plate, and show their mettle. Danno was proud as well, to let them.

Tani deserved it.

" Well, I thank God for that ", Danno admitted. " Gave me good folks you. And Ortega over here- "

" Got your back, brother. "

"- likewise. Ortega, You, Cath, you of course. Grover, who very conspicously still isn't here. "

They all grinned a bit at that. He had become Mr Late to the Party a little now.

" And, of course- and I cannot beleive that these words are actually coming out of my mouth-, "

Danno paused again, rubbing the side of his head. The others watched, highly amused.

"- Steve. Yes, that one . As if I know another. "

" The one who partakes in all that aforementioned reckless, iressponsible behavor that has very nearly gotten you killed more often than you can count ? ", Ortega asked rhetorically.

Cath covered her mouth to hide a giggle, as Danno sighed.

They'd hit the nail on the head, basically. That was all exactly right; Steve's inherent madness ( though the man himself didn't consider it to be so, of course ) had been the biggest threat to Danno's health over the years. Either directly, or by following his lead, Danno had gathered just about every kind of injury one coul think of- including several that had nearly ended him.

Danno, logically, technically, should've sought an out a long, long while ago. Should've, on a sensible level, just jumped ship, so to speak, well before now. He wasn't as big of a risk taker as The Wildman McGarrett, not by a wide margin. He wasn't a coward, but to Danno, risks were best taken very, very thoughtfully. You had tp be judicial, not liberal witht them. As Steve didn't understand that, Danno had exhasperatedly thought about ending his involvment with 5-0, at least once.

He hadn't, though.

Cath had said so just now: he was still here.

And Danno knew why.

" Yees. Him. "

" But, what can I say ? He's my brother, isn't he ? ".


ch-ning !

" Everyone ! Its allright ! I am here ! "

Lou Grover's booming pronouncement was heard, indeed, by everyone, even louder than the chime of the elevator doors opening.

The tall, burly Chicagoan strode out from the elevator doors, his pace a bit slower than Danno remembered it, but he still walked with purpose, and steadily as well. His dark suit was cleanly and freshly pressed, and his shoes had clearly been shined.

What Danno noticed first, though, was the 'stache.

Yes, Grover now had a bit of a 'stache coming in now. Actually, more than a bit; it was now resembling the one Selleck had in the original Magnum PI. Bushy, and prominent.

What more proof was there that years, many of them, had gone by ? Danno didn't think so.

" Eyyyy ! ", he exclaimed, opening his arms, and grinning, taking a few steps forward to welcome the old(er) man in.

" Lou ! Finally. We were all worried. "

Reaching him, Danno was greeted by a quick, but impressivly strong hug from the veteran SWAT leader.

Ok ! Still got some energy in this one.

" Liar. But, you know there ain't no party without me around. "

Grover released him, and looked down at him ( not that way; there was about an inch or so of height difference ) with a bemused expression.

" Glad to be here. I wouldn't miss this. "

Shaking out the lingering soreness from the hug from his shoulders, Danno shrugged again.

" Nearly did, though. "

" Ohhh ! " Grover raised both brows. " You're playing with fire. "

He grinned, took Danno by the shoulder, and walked him back to the center of the room.

" Look who showed his face at last ! ", Cath called out, coming over to give Grover a hug of her own

" How are you today, girl ? ", Grover smiled, embracing her back.

" Very well, thank you. "

Ortega coughed theatricaly.

Grover turned to him.

" Don't worry. I haven't forgotten my brother ", he stated. He put out a fist, as he knew that was Ortega's preferred style of greeting.

The latter bumped it.

" Right back to you ", Ortega told him, nodding.

" You get a kick of of watching men bond, don't you ? ", Danno asked Cath dryly.

She looked at him innocently.

" Did I say that ? "

" You did. I remember things. I haven't gone mad-yet. "

" Yet ? ", Grover needled, and then laughed uproriously.

Danno waved his hand up, in a " why do I even bother " gesture, as Cath and Ortega reveled in the moment.

" Allright, allright. " Grover settled them all down. " I think we're forgetting someone here. "

" Two someones, technicaly ".

The voice of the Task Force founder sounded from behind them, as they were all standing with their backs to his office.

Turnig around, they found who it was; exactly who they knew it was.

It was the one and only. His eminence and highness:

Steve McGarrett. Founder and commander of The 5-0 Unit.

He walked up to them, having finally left that office. In one hand, he held a small hardsided case.

" The Emperor is among us ! ", shouted Danno, smirking.

" He's too humble for that ", Cath countered.

She slipped an arm around her husband, and kissed him.

" Aren't you ? And have you been hiding from us ? "

Steve smiled, and bowed his head a bit.

" Begging your pardon, milady. Just, getting nostalgic for the past in there. "

" In other words, he's sad that he's greyed out now. ", Danno supplied.

Cath ran a hand over Steve's hair. Once, while held in quarantine after getting dosed with that bioweapon, he'd shaved it. Even then, though, he had declared that he still planned to die with a full head of hair.

It was just about there. He was letting it come back.

" Ignore him. I like this ", Cath reminded him. " You look dignified. "

" That's a stretch "

Steve rounded on the insolent New Jerseyan.

" One more word out of you, and I will call security, Danno "., he warned.

The second ever member of 5-0 merely shrugged.

" They actualy respect me. They won't do it ", he declared confidently.

Moments like these were always worth it, Steve understood. No matter how short they were, or how rare or common they were. It was always worth it, to have an ohana who you could not only get along with, and trust implicitly while out in the field, but who you could also relax, wind down with, and just enjoy life in all its more subdued and relaxed moments.

Or, in its milestones, such as here and now.

" Well, one thing they should do, by now , is shepard in our soon-to-be-captian. " Steve glanced at his watch.

" I sent the word out, for everyone to gather here, right about- "

ch-ning !

The chime of the elvator opening sounded again.

" Speaking of them ", Ortega exclaimed.

Everyone looked over to see who it was.

" Aha ! ", Steve smiled.

" Right on schedule, both of you ! "


Its always more real when it actually hits you.

Tani had been visualizing the moment when she'd formally " get pinned ", ie receive her captain's bars, ever after finding out that it was official. It was, without any doubt, both an electric shock, and a point of pride.

Pride ? Well, not to be arrogant, but she did have confidence in herself, especially as a Task Force officer. It was one of the reasons she was even here to begin with, and it'd stayed with her all along. Tani was no rank lader climber ( or so she hoped nobody could call her that ), but getting promoted was always something that anyone would feel good about. It was hard not to let it go to one's head, but she was sure she had a handle on that.

What about the shock, though ?

Steve was doing this for her, but what did it mean for him ? It had to signfy something more than just giving one of his subborninates a rank jump-

Agh, stop it. You're thinking too hard. The moment is here. You need to embrace it.

It was these thoughts she had in mind, as she stepped off the elevator, with Junior right beside her.

" Junior ! Tani ", Steve's voice boomed.

He stood waiting for them, a ways out before them at the middle of the ceneter, standing out not just by hint of his greying hair and sharply styled steel shaded blazer, but also becasue of the rather beautiful lady standing proudly next to him, with a brilliant blue dress.

Cath.

With them, was a tall, big man, with a Selleck mustache, and a still bald head.

Grover.

Another large man, a little more rotund, a little shorter, but with a generous beard.

Ortega.

And, last, but not least by any measure, ( unless you asked him himself ), the saltiest of the salty, the impossible to impress, the stubborn as a Mississppi mule ( though if anyone said that, they'd regret it ):

Danno Williams.

Their ohana. All of them. Their family was here for her, as they were yesterday. And the day before that, and the one before that, and so on. What else was Ohana for, but to be there always, and be a piece of you ?

And, there was someone else.

Junior sqeezed her hand. Firmly, and affectionetly.

" This is what's yours, honey. You earned it. ", he told her.

" That, and- I love you. "

He said it in a low voice, the the kind he knew she was very fond of.

Tani couldn't resist, for the life of her, turning to kiss the side of his face right then and there.

" You just so happen to be right ", she assured him, smiling back.

" Love you too. You know that. "

" Absoluetley ". He gripped her hand again.

Their little back and forth was observed with great amusment by the audience that had gathered for them. Or, for Tani, really, but that was a minor oversight.

The Captain to be, and her man, headed over to meet them, not bothering to keep grins of their own away.

Appaluse, and shouts of encourgment rose from their ohana.

Grover beamed, and nodded with unhidden pride.

" You already look ready for it ! ", Danno called out.

" Should I salute ? ", Ortega asked aloud.

He offered a mock one, and Tani obliged with an equally mocking responding salute.

Steve stepped to the forefront of the crowd, still with the small case in his hands.

" Just about, Jerry. "

He stood straight, sizing up the two ex rookies who now stood before him.

One, an ex lifeguard. The other, a SEAL like himself. Both, though were perfect for each other, and they were both perfect for what they did now for a living. Tani was perfect for what was about to be bestowed on her, and Steve had been looking forward to this, if he was honest with himself.

You didn't let talented folks go unrewarded and unnoticed.

Now.

" I think she's ready. Is she not ? "

Murmurs of agreement went all around. The loudest was, of course, from Junior.

Tani nodded.

Steve adressed her:

" Before we get down to it, I want to say something. Quick, though, don't worry. I won't talk your ears off like Grover would ".

" Oi ! "

At the Chicagoan's half- annoyed protest, Steve continued:

" Tani. Your superiors at the academy must be kicking and hitting themselves by now. You proved them all wrong, and you proved me right, when I brought you into our fold and into our ohana . You are exactly the right kind of person for such a responsibility, and its my great, profound honor, to grant this rank to you ".

The subject of his speech humbly lowered her head under his praise.

" But, more than that: I am glad you have what you deserve. You didn't ask for or expect anything from us, and its yours regardless. Becasue you're here for we all do, not the rewards it grants you. You are true police. "

It was arguably the longest speech, perhaps the only speech that any of them could remember Steve giving out loud to them. But, even so, there was a genuiness to what he was saying, a inherent heartfelt emotion that Steve McGarrett was judicial with revealing.

Most military men were, as was Steve. But, he did it here, and its effects weren't lost on anyone.

Especially Danno, who blinked at least twice,clearly impressed with the old(er) SEAL's eloquence.

" Tani Rey, please step forward. "

Junior touched her shoulder gently,grasping it for just a moment.

That was enough to say a lot, though, and Tani caught it all.

He had her. Always.

She did as Steve told her, and stood tall.

Steve opened the case.

Within, rested a pair of Golden bars, joined at the center.

A Captain's set of bars. Tani inhaled, staring at them.

They were actually there, right there. The reality of it all was coalesceing now, and its clarity was much for her to handle.

But, not too much. Otherwise, those bars would not be here at all.

Steve removed them, and handed the case off to Cath.

He reached out to Tani's collar.

" With the authority granted to me by the Govenor of Hawaii ", he announced " I hearby promote you, Tani Rey, to the rank of 5-0 Captain "

As he spoke, he pinned the bars in place, firmly and properly, giving them quick tugs to ensure they would stick.

They did.

And, they seemed to sparkle, like jems. The sunlight reflected off them, catching their luster perfectly.

The team marveled at them.

How magnicent they looked on the ( very ) newly minted, pretty captain !

" Congratulations, Captain Rey ". Steve smiled warmly at her.

He stepped back.

" 5-0 ! " Steve cried, and crisply saluted.

At once, everyone else- Cath, Ortega, Danno, and of course, Junior- all rendered textbook salutes.

Unable to find the right words at all, Tani nonetheless smiled right back.

She retured the salutes.

Finally, Steve ended it.

" Give her a hand, the lot of you ! She warrants it, I'd say ! ", Grover all but ordered.

He hardly had to, though. Everyone's appaluse that followed was enthusiastic, and strong.

Tani wasn't used to that, but she couldn't say it didn't feell good.

Her heart thumped with the adrenaline of everything that had just occured. The sense of fullfilment was strong with her now.

This felt like jumping from one stone in a stream to another; you felt nervous and apprehensive before, but you knew you could do it. You knew you could, and you knew you'd proud of yourself to getting across.

It was something worthwhile, something than you could truly be proud of, akin to conquering ODST on Legendary.

Not arrogance; pride.

Like a mirrior, she caught al the warmth of her ohaha, all their unspoken confidence and joy, and it was obvious for them to witness it all over her.

" Oh. My. Is that a ring ?! "

Cath.

Pasuing in her clapping, Cath was staring at Tani's left hand.

On it, was, of course, that diamond engagment ring Junior had given her. Somehow, something so beautiful had gone under the radar.

Tani had planned to reveal it to them, but now-

" She's right ! "

" Woah ! That is a engagment promise ! "

" I- wow ! Look at it !"

Everyone had noticed now, and they automatically moved it closer to her, their focues riveted on the ring.

Danno stared at it, then at Junior.

Then he smiled a mile wide.

" Kid, I am so proud of you:

" You finally mustered up the spine, didn't you ? "

His smile was infectious, becasue soon, it was on everyone else's face.

" Congraulations- again ! " Ortega called out, with a delighted smirk.

" Junior ! " Steve exlaimed, beaming at the other SEAL. " Boy- wait, no. You're a man now. A real one. "

By then, Tani felt she had to do something.

Now all that joy was getting to a head. Now she felt like she was bursting with it: The full weight and impact of her new rank, coupled with everyone's adulation and excietment, and that her man and lover, Junior, was right at her side to share it all and witness it, was so much.

So much. But, she would hold onto that with everything she had.

Becasue, he had given that to her. They all had.

" Not just a man, sir ", Tani declared.

She pulled him around, and kissed Junior on the mouth.

" He's my man. "