I can't thank you all enough for your support, i love hearing your thoughts as you come along on this journey and your reviews mean so much. To those that only read, please know i appreciate you taking the time x

You guys have been so amazingly patient waiting for the gang to be reunited! So here it is...

Hands. That was his first thought as he walked the dark road back toward consciousness. Hands on his head, round his neck, making their way down each side of his torso. Another set checking each of his legs. Each hand gentle and caring. As one of the hands hit his bruised shoulder he moaned.

Suddenly the hands were gone. He moaned again, missing the contact and comfort they had provided. A soft blanket fell around him, gently pressed under him providing much needed warmth to still his shivers. His head was lifted, another blanket, this one folded, was used to cushion him, easing his breaths. He moaned again as his arms were tucked under the blanket. Something was pressed to his lips, his head was tilted up and water, blessed cool water, lapped at his lips, coaxing them to open. A small mouthful fell from the bottle and he drank greedily, lifting his head as high as he could to keep the water coming. He moaned again as the water was taken away. Someone shushed him, another hand found its way to rest on the top of his head.

Steve moved into the touch, licking his lips, he forced his heavy eyes open. Danny looked down at him and smiled. Steve mouthed the word water, frowning when Danny shook his head no.

"You can't have too much too quick. It'll make you throw up. And I'm sure you don't wanna be doing that again any time soon. Right?"

Steve swallowed and closed his eyes. He couldn't be bothered to respond. He vaguely registered Chin in the back ground talking to someone. The reply was full of static but seemed to make sense to the other man.

Movement, then a hand settled on his leg, gripping him tight as if he'd melt away into the ground without an anchor.

"Team is on their way, they're bringing EMT's and a stretcher."

"How long they gonna take?"

"About forty five minutes."

A sigh, then the hand on his head moved. Steve forced his eyes open again, searching for the comfort he needed. Danny was sat back on his haunches. Rocking back and forward, a thoughtful look on his face. His hand came up to rub his eyes. He sighed again, his gaze flicking down toward the prone SEAL. He caught Steve's eyes, a smile that didn't reach his own grew across his face.

"Hey. Nice to see you decided to join us."

"You found me." Steve whispered, his voice harsh and dry. He licked his lips again and almost cried as Danny lifted his head, tipping more of the heavenly water into his mouth.

"I think it was more that you found us, buddy."

Steve smiled, turning his head to the left when he remembered the pressure on his leg, the hand had yet to move.

Chin smiled down at him. Worry etched into his features. He rubbed his thumb across the injured man's knee, offering what little comfort he could.

"Hey, brah."

"Hey." Steve swallowed, licked his lips again. Disappointment flowed through him when the water wasn't forthcoming. He remembered Danny's warnings from earlier and decided his friends knew best. It didn't diminish his need for the water, but helped calm his panic for the hydration.

"Cortez?" Asked Steve. He decided he was too tired for full questions. His team understood his shorthand easily.

"Dead." Said Chin. "We arrested the man you left alive and the doctor that injected you is refusing to speak. I think he figures Fernando can get to him whether dead or alive."

"Probably right." Agreed Danny.

Steve smiled, small and mainly for Chin and Danny's sakes. They both refused to take their eyes from the injured man. Worry the only emotion in their faces.

"You walked quite a ways." Said Chin, breaking the silence that had fell upon the three.

"Which?" Questioned Steve, suddenly curious. Chin looked to Danny, unsure what the injured man was asking.

"Which what, Steve?" Questioned Danny.

"Which way back?"

"Um, I don't know. Forgot to bring my compass."

"That's not what he's asking." Smiled Chin as realisation struck him. "You were heading back in almost the right way."

"Seriously?" Danny asked incredulously. "That's what you're wanting to know? Your SEALIE pride forcing you to think you have to walk in the exact straight line that would take you back to the house? Unbelievable. Seriously? You're barely able to stay awake, let alone stand so god knows how you've managed to walk so far, and all you're worried about is 'was I going in the right direction to get my human compass merit badge in surviving a kidnapping'. Unbelievable."

Danny paused as he felt two sets of eyes staring at him. Chin laughed softly, shaking his head at his friend. Steve gave a breathless giggle. His eyes, barely open, gazed up at his friend fondly.

"Missed you." He whispered to Danny.

"Shut up." Danny replied with a smile. "You're an idiot. You know that right?"

Steve smiled, contenting himself to listening to Danny retell their storming of the house, he relaxed further as Chin recounted, with amusement, Danny negotiating the forest. Each time the Lt drifted toward the soft, beckoning call of sleep, a hand would gently shake him awake. Every few minutes the bottle of water found it's way to his lips. Through all the waiting, all the small talk and inconsequential banter, two hands stayed in constant contact on either side of him. One on his knee, the other on his head.

Chin looked up as Kono came jogging toward them. Her eyes searched out Steve, taking in his ragged appearance, his face was pale despite being covered with dirt. His lips looked sore and chapped. His clothes were ripped in some places, caked in mud in others. He was sweaty, breathing heavily but steady. Alive. She glanced at Chin, who smiled and nodded his head. Confirming the former SEAL was still alive and kicking.

"He fell asleep a few minutes ago." Said Danny as one of the EMT's made their way to his side of Steve. "He's been struggling to stay awake since we found him, I didn't have the heart to wake him up again."

"Its ok." Reassured the Paramedic as he placed an oxygen mask over the sleeping man's face.

As he was prepared and lifted onto the stretcher, Steve remained unaware of the attention. The voices, all around him, were lost to his ears. His focus, even as he drifted out on the current of sleep, remained with the feeling of those same two hands, one on his knee, the other on his head. Neither had moved. As he felt the movement of the stretcher as he was carried to safety, a third hand joined them to provide comfort to the once missing man.

It was a smaller hand, warm and as caring as the other two, resting on his ankle, rubbing small circles onto his skin.

He let his mind drift off, safe in the knowledge that he was no longer alone.

He was safe.

TBC

I was gonna put 'The End' as a joke but then realised you'd know i was kidding!