AN: Apologies for the extremely looooong delay in updating this story. Thank you to my readers who have shown their support with reviews and PM's since my last update.

*Written 12/11/11

PART TEN

Bleary eyed and his head pounding furiously, Danny turned on his side and let the morning glow filtering through the curtains wash over him. He squeezed his eyes shut and groaned. Migraine! For a fleeting moment the young man forgot he was not in his own apartment.
Danny forced himself to open his eyes and look at the time on the clock sitting on the bedside table. It was a quarter to nine. Steve's probably already gone on his morning run, had breakfast, showered and read the paper. It only just dawned on Danny that he really didn't know what Steve did on a Sunday morning. Did he go to the office? He strained to hear for sounds of a presence in the apartment but all seemed to be quiet. Perhaps too quiet, he thought.

As he mulled over whether he should get out of bed or lay back awhile until the migraine faded, Danny didn't realize he had dozed off again. He was on his board, riding the waves…the scene changed to a tent in the wilderness where his arms were wrapped tightly around another man's shoulders, pulling him closer until their bodies clung to one another…a smashed photograph frame broke the heat of the moment and Danny was standing in Steve's apartment gazing at Steve who turned away from him…he was in the water again and a force crashed into him, spinning him around and knocking him senseless…then blinding pain…

"Umph!" Danny awoke to more pain, this time in his shoulder where he landed on something hard. Looking around where he lay, he found himself on the floor. He lay back on the carpet in a cold sweat and drew several deep breaths to steady himself. He looked up at the sound of a door opening followed by footsteps proceeding towards him.

"Danno! Danno? What happened? Are you alright?" Steve hurried over to Danny's side, the concern in his voice brought a crimson hue to the young man's damp cheeks.

"I'm fine, Steve, really. I just had a stupid dream and fell off the bed." Danny pushed himself off the floor before Steve could reach him. Big mistake. The room spun and Danny swayed on the spot. The tall detective grabbed Danny by the shoulders firmly and peered intently into his eyes.

"Are you alright?" the question was more like a demand as Steve tightened his grip.

"Just a little vertigo. I must've over slept. What time is it?" Danny replied offhandedly, not wanting to be molly coddled by Steve.

"It's almost midday. I didn't want to wake you. Doc said you needed plenty of rest. Sit down, Danno." Steve guided his young protégé over to the edge of the bed.

Danny sat down reluctantly and sighed. "I'll be good as new tomorrow, Steve."

"We'll see Danno, we'll see. I know what you're thinking. The answer is simple. I'm not sending you out there until both Doc and I are convinced you are fit for duty." Steve said resolutely as he sat beside Danny on the edge of the mattress, one hand still planted on the young man's shoulder.

"Steve, we've worked so hard to get to where we are. I can't pull out and you know that! This case is too important to lose." Danny caught himself raising his voice and took his eyes off Steve's, feeling suddenly ashamed for his outburst.

"So are you, Danno. Your life is more important to me than any case we've worked on." Steve searched Danny's features for any sign he took his meaning as intended.

"Took you long enough." Danny replied seriously, taken aback by Steve's response. He wasn't even certain the words left his own lips until he saw Steve nod in acceptance.

The head of Five-O breathed a sigh of relief and then before he could stop himself or even think, he moved his hand from Danny's shoulder and touched the young man's cheek affectionately. He half expected for the sandy haired detective to pull away but Danny sat perfectly still, with his eyes closed, savoring the moment and the warmth that passed between them.

"Steve." Danny said softly.

"Yeah, Danno."

"I'm not asleep am I? This isn't a dream is it?" Danny whispered as he dared not open his eyes for fear of waking up to a reality where Steve would dissipate in a puff of smoke. The smell of sweet cologne wafted through his nose, tantalizing his senses. The next thing Danny felt was his heart beating faster as Steve's unsteady breath blew into his face. At the light brush of lips on lips, Danny's world spun even faster until he gasped for air and the kiss ended almost as soon as it began. Danny's eyes flew open and he blinked several times to re-assure himself what he felt was real. Steel blue eyes locked on eyes as blue as the summer sky and both knew the time had come. There was no turning back, no denying it anymore but the fear of un-chartered boundaries still remained, at least for one of them.

"Let's take it slow. Real slow, okay, Danno." Steve drew back slowly from Danny but held his gaze.

"Don't worry Steve, I'm just as scared as you are. I suppose my question for you is, where do we go from here?"

To be continued…