AN: Please, Remember that I'm not an expert in military procedures and that I don't know the training program of the US Navy. So I apologize for any inaccuracy.
Remember it's my first McDanno. I hope It doesn't suck.
Enjoy reading and please... please tell me what you think.
Decisions (Take 1)
Steve let his arms wrap around Danny's torso as they kissed, almost desperately. "Do you have any idea..." Danny asked between gasps and kisses, "Do you have any idea... how hard it was... to see you all day... have you so close and not be able to do this?"
Steve was panting heavily as Danny pushsed him against the wall. Every inch of Danny's body was in contact with his own body, making all sensations seem incredibly new and exciting. His hands automatically moved to the edge of Danny's t-shirt and lifted it up a little, stroking every inch of skin that was exposed.
Danny's hands clung to Steve's shirt, squeezing the fabric tightly, while their mouths and their tongues were still exploring each other. Both put in that kiss, all the years of anguish and tension... and it was wonderful. As they finally moved away, to fill their lungs with precious oxygen, Danny mumbled, "God! ... You have no idea what you're doing to me ... do you?" They remained embraced for a while ... simply enjoying each other's presence.
Steve smiled widely and leaned down to kiss Danny again. This was an experience to which he was quickly becoming addicted. This time the kiss was soft and slow. Their breathing gradually recovered its normal rhythm.
Finally, Steve spoke, without removing his arms that surrounded Danny. "Okay!... I'm intrigued. Are you going to tell me what happened this morning with Rachel?"
Danny snorted, as he walked away an inch to look at Steve in the eye... "I swear... That woman is crazy... Jesus, Steve! Why am I so blind and fall into her game, over and over again? She talked a lot, trying to convince me that her intentions are good ... and she cried ... a lot. But I think in the end she understood the message".
They both went into the kitchen and Steve checked a dish containing two seabass that were covered in a lemon and mustard marinade, then he turned around and asked, "What did you say to her?"
Danny moved one of the chairs and sat down to watch Steve prepare dinner. "I told her I couldn't live in a world of lies anymore... Do you want to know what she told me?" Steve nodded, taking out a frying pan and setting it on the stove, lighting the burner. Then, he poured a little olive oil ... while it warmed up, he turned back to look at Danny.
"She told me she had done everything for me... for my own good, You can imagine that?" Danny asked, rolling his eyes and getting up to grab a beer from the fridge. "I mean ... she went to talk to you to do me a favor! She wanted you to help her convince me to marry her. Unbelievable!"
Steve sighed and turned to the stove to place the two fish in the hot pan. A delicious aroma began to float in the kitchen. "Well... obviously, she went to the wrong person, Danno."
"Yes, she did..." After thinking a bit, Danny said, "You know? She asked me if there was anyone else." The hand that held the bottle froze two inches from his mouth, when he noticed the expression that formed on Steve's face, who asked," And what did you say...?"
"I told her there's someone ... special... someone in whom I'm... let's say, interested..." Danny said, finally drinking a sip of beer and walking to approach Steve, without looking away from those enigmatic hazel-green eyes. "I told her we're still in the beginning and trying to figure out what we feel and want for each other."
"Do you think she will cause you problems if she knows ... I mean, about us... if she knows that person is me?"
Danny shook his head, left the bottle on the counter and then put his hands on Steve's waist, finally answered, "Please, don't worry about her. I made it very clear that this matter only concerns me and that special person... no one else. She's curious, but I don't think she dares to do anything else..."
Steve turned around and took the spatula to flip the fish sizzling in the hot oil. For the sake of both, he hoped Danny was right. He looked at Danny again and cleared his throat to speak, trying not to show the fear that his next question was causing, "But it's a fact, that sooner or later she ... Grace and Charlie, the team... everyone will know. What will happen then?"
"We'll figure it out on the way... Listen, Steve... As you said, step by step, right? I don't want to hide, but I think we should keep this to ourselves for a while... this is too new... to important to rush things... the first thing is to decide where we want this to go. Listen, Steve... I don't want a casual relationship... I´m not good in those... I love you... I think I've loved you for some time... You know me and you know that, for me, that means the world... I don't know how to do these romantic stuff half-hearted, but... I need to know if you feel the same. I need to know if we're in the same page here."
Without taking his eyes off Danny, Steve moved to turn off the stove while saying, "I don't want anything casual either... You're the first person I'm telling this to... the first person in my entire life, Danny." Noticing the confusion in his partner's face, Steve said, "All my past relationships were casual, because my life demanded that ... I always avoided long-term relationships because, with active service and constant deployments, it's very difficult for these to work ... I witnessed many breakdowns, disappointments and suffering in the team guys... You know that, it's always harder for the family that stays at home... waiting."
"And what about Catherine? You and her ... I mean, before your failed proposal... you and she... never talked about the future?" Danny took the dripping bottle again and took another sip, talking about Catherine was always awkward .
Steve turned around and took a few seconds to collect his thoughts, while he took the two seabass out and put them on an absorbent paper towel. "No ... not, really ... Our relationship was always casual, we never were assigned to the same mission... so we saw each other when we met in the same country ... or when we both had a license or a free time. We were always in two different countries separated by an ocean ... In that time, I never thought I'd stay in one place... you know, to settle down, build a life with someone. I think I was never really in love, until..."
He heard Danny ask, "Until ...?"
"Until a week ago... more or less. Or at least it was when I realized that actually I am." Steve turned to look at Danny... Again, he felt he could lose himself in that intense blue eyes, so he looked away. He took a couple of plates from the shelf and served the fish. A salad with lettuce and spinach leaves, tomatoes and nuts, sprinkled with olive oil and lemon juice, completed the dish.
While Danny was bringing the plates to the table in the terrace, Steve uncorked a bottle of 2002 Louis Jadot Pinot Noir and took two crystal glasses. Then, he joined Danny, who was already sitting. He poured the wine, placed the bottle on the table and sat in front of Danny.
"Wow!" Danny said, when he savored the first bite. Smiling, he said, "And I thought your skills as a chef were limited to grilling steaks and hamburgers."
Steve smiled and raised his glass, inviting Danny to do the same. When the faint clink of glass sounded, he said, "I think you'll soon find out I'm a man of multiple talents."
Before drinking a sip of wine, Danny said, "Okay ... for your multiple talents and for me to discover them all, one by one." Steve took a sip and smiled as he put his glass back on the table.
They had finished eating, and was drinking the wine with delight, while a gentle breeze blew in from the ocean. The first bottle was finished, so Steve had brought another one. This time he decided on a softer and fruity Merlot that Danny enjoyed enormously.
When the sky began to darken and some gray and threatening clouds accumulated in the horizon, both decided to enter the house again.
While Steve was washing the dishes, Danny finished cleaning the counter and, after throwing the empty bottles into the recycling bin, he turned around and looked at Steve... he couldn't help that tingling sensation in his stomach, which was becoming so familiar, returning with more strength, as he walked and placed his left hand on Steve's hip. When his partner turned around with a towel in his hands. Danny's right hand flew to place it gently on his cheek and forced him to lean.
The kiss, soft and gentle, intensified in a short time, Steve tasted like wine and ocean, which made Danny much more dizzy than if he had drunk three entire bottles. Overwhelmed with desire, he said in a low voice... "Wow! I think I've already identified one of your many talents... "
"Mmmm ..." was the only thing that could come out of Steve's throat, as he lost himself again in those infinitely soft lips.
Danny spoke against Steve's lips ... "What do you say if we..." another kiss, "... we go up so... so you can show me some of those famous hidden talents?"
Steve moved an inch while saying, "Sounds like a good plan to me! ..." A minute later, they both climbed the stairs. When the third step creaked, as usual, Danny said, "I think you should fix that step..."
Steve said laughing, "No ... it's an intruder detector."
Danny gave a loud laugh and said, "I don't know why I figured you'd say that."
The room was lit by the dim moonlight that came in through the window. The rain had stopped and Danny was lying on his side, looking at Steve's naked body that laid beside him. The man was deeply asleep, lying on his back. His left hand rested on his abdomen, his right arm was bent upward on the pillow, his closed hand was holding one of the wooden boards of the headboard.
Danny couldn't believe his good fortune ... For the first time in his life, his mind imagined a promising future, against his damn habit of always thinking of the worst possible scenario.
Seeing Steve sleep was another of his recent addictions. A few hours before, Danny had cataloged each detail of Steve's skin... He stroked the hard muscles of his chest and delighted in the crests and valleys of his abdomen. He carefully admired the tattoos on his biceps and kissed each one of the scars ... Most, Danny knew them already ... he had been there when fate, in the form of some enemy, had hurt him, putting his life at risk... There were others, older, he didn't recognize. While Danny ran his tongue over them or kissed them with his lips barely touching the skin, Steve told him about each of them ... The scars of shrapnel on his thigh, a couple of bullet wounds in his abdomen or the stab near his clavicle. For one time, the military secret didn't matter... Steve knew Danny wouldn't repeat that information with anyone else ... He trusted him, completely and absolutely.
Danny shuddered to remember that Steve had returned the attentions. Carefully, he touched and explored Danny's body with the tips of his fingers... barely feeling, as if they were floating ... It seemed that he was afraid of hurting him ... As if he was aware of the damage that those hands were capable of do in certain circumstances. Steve was gentle, sweet and loving ... and Danny thought, grateful, that it was the first time someone treated him with all the love with which he always wanted to be treated.
The noise of the waves and the breeze that came in through the window and gently rocked the curtains, lulled him and he slowly fell asleep.
Steve moved slowly ... the pleasant sensation of the warm body at his side ended up waking him completely, while he remembered the night before. He opened his eyes and smiled when he met face to face with Danny's mischievous look. The blond man approached slowly and softly kissed Steve's lips. "Good morning ..." he said.
"Good morning, Danno," Steve answered as he stretched his muscles while still smiling.
"Okay ..." Danny said mockingly, "I'm glad to know that, at least on Sundays, you give up your SEAL routines and wake up at a decent hour like a normal human being."
"It's not because it's Sunday, Danno." Steve replied, as he got up and walked to the bathroom. Danny couldn't help his eyes watching him hungrily. "It's for you ..." Steve had a mischievous smile, "I woke up early, but I decided that maybe we could change one exercise for another much more fun." He ran and went into the bathroom, just in time to avoid a pillow that shot off towards him.
When he came out of the bathroom, he settled back into the bed, next to Danny, whose face had suddenly become serious. "What's wrong?" Steve asked.
"Have you already thought ... what are you going to do? I mean the commission in Coronado ... are you going to take it? "
Fifteen days later…
Steve wore his camouflage uniform and shouted instructions to four teams of recruits who were getting out of the ocean at that moment. The boys were fully dressed in black cargo pants and white t-shirts. Each team consisted of seven men ... they all walked in line and together was carrying a huge tree trunk that had to weigh, at least 400 pounds, while enduring the ravages of a raging ocean and shouting "Hooooyahhh!"
The training was going well and this stage was crucial ... The boys were preparing for the Hell Week so the success in each of the exercises was of great importance.
After a while, the guys ran over the beach carrying their heavy load and headed to the camp. Steve started walking with David through the sand, talking in a low voice about the expected results of this phase of the training. Two minutes later, they got into the helicopter.
When they reached the base it was almost dinner time. After saying goodbye, he walked to the parking lot ... He got into his truck and drove home. On the way, he felt satisfied, for the umpteenth time, of having made the right decision. While taking the H1, he remembered his conversation with Danny, fifteen days before.
Steve looked at Danny, who felt a laser penetrate his eyes, flooding him with heat inside. "Absolutely, not. Danno I won't take it ... Although I would like to supervise the SEAL training program, I'm not willing to leave what I have here." He approached Danny and kissed him.
Danny returned the kiss, but moved away a moment later, "Steve ... listen to me. I know that, at this moment, you feel that rejecting the commission is the right decision ... and I definitely want you to stay, but you must also think about what is best for you ... "
While Danny was talking, Steve could feel the moment when an idea came to his mind ... Perhaps it was possible to have the best of both worlds. The idea matured quickly ... Without saying anything else, he picked up his cell phone looking through his contact list for David Lange's name and tapped on the number.
Danny followed his movements with his eyes, while Steve left the room... He stayed there, lying on the bed, thinking ... almost fearful. The opposite emotions invaded him. On the one hand, he hated the idea of Steve going to Coronado ... but on the other, He knew that Commander Lange was right ... Steve was the ideal man for the job.
During the ten years he had known him, he had seen first-hand his natural skills for training and it was something Steve always enjoyed. Steve trained Kono and turned her into one of the best snipers he had ever seen ... He also trained her in hand-to-hand combat and other tactical skills. He had used the same skills and knowledge to improve the training that Tani and Junior had received at HPD and the SEAL team. He would have trained Danny, too, if he had allowed it ... Besides, Danny had heard some stories of the way Steve had trained some of the SEALs he had served with.
Danny wanted Steve to stay in Hawaii, but not at any cost... he wanted Steve to be happy.
Half an hour later, Steve entered the room. He had wrapped a towel around his waist and had two cups of coffee in his hand. He handed one to Danny and sat on the bed, sniffing his with delight.
Danny waited a few seconds, before impatience overcame him and finally asked, "So ...?"
Steve drank a couple of sips of coffee and set his cup on the bedside table. He looked at Danny and replied, "So... It seems I'll supervise the SEAL team training after all."
Danny felt his heart crumble, but he decided to show a smile that disguised his disappointment ... After everything that had happened between them, Steve would go to Coronado.
"Hey!" Steve said suddenly, Danny's fake smile didn't fool him for a second ... "Don't do that, will you? I said I wouldn't leave and I won't... okay? "
Danny frowned, "I don't understand."
Steve smiled and said, as he reclined on the pillows and put his arm around Danny's shoulders, pulling him. "When I told David I wouldn't take the commission ... Well, he didn't like it very much at first ..."
He took his cup and drank another couple of sips, then he spoke again, "But later, he told me there is a plan B ..."
Danny was still confused, but hope had arisen again, "Plan B?" He asked.
"Yes ... Apparently the position of Training Supervisor of SEAL teams in Pearl, is also available ... So David told me that, if I want it, that commission is mine."
"Wow!" Danny said, unable to avoid the huge smile that showed on his face. "Then, you would stay on Oahu ..." Steve nodded silently, but Danny asked, "What about Five-0?"
"Five-0 stays the way it is, Danno. That was one of my conditions to take the commission. I'll continue as the leader of Five-0 and I'll train the teams three times a week in Pearl.
Danny couldn't help the joy he felt ... slowly, he moved his leg so that his body rested on Steve's... a Ninja movement caused the towel to magically disappear.
Steve and Danny lay on their backs, trying to catch their breath. Danny said between gasps. "It seems we're good apprentices, huh?"
Steve couldn't help but laugh, as he breathed hard and saw the mess his bed had become. At that moment, his phone vibrated with a text message. Danny asked, "Are you going to take that?"
Steve complained, "It's too far ..."
Danny laughed and moved lazily to pick up the phone and give it to Steve. "It's a message from Lou ..." Steve said while reading the screen: "Hey ... I'm worried. Have you already decided? "
Steve moved his thumbs on the screen and answered ...
"Yeap"
The answer didn't take long. "Y?"
Smiling, Steve typed, "I'm not leaving"
The phone rang on a call. Apparently Lou was surprised by the answer and decided he needed more explanations. Given his lack of ability with text messages, he thought a call was the best. Steve picked up, "Hey Lou ..."
"What happened? You really scared me, brother ... At Tropics you seemed very determined ... for a moment I thought you'd leave us. "
Steve let the captain do his catharsis on the phone. When the tirade ended, he finally answered, "Let's say someone made me change my mind."
"Just like that?" Lou asked ... "That someone must be very important to you ... to have managed to change your mind so quickly. Who's that and what did he tell you? "
Steve looked at Danny who, at that moment, was walking towards the bathroom. A second later he heard the water running from the shower. "Listen Lou ..." Steve said hastily "Tomorrow I'll explain everything, all right? ... Now I can't talk ... Let's just say someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse." Before Lou had time to reply, Steve had finished the call and ran to the bathroom. He opened the shower door and entered, joining Danny who was already completely wet.
Steve was nervous ... The last three weeks had been fantastic. Danny and Steve had explored their new relationship, knowing each other again, although they had not told anyone yet. Training at Pearl was going well; Jerry was fully recovered and the cases had been resolved with relative ease, giving them some free time on Friday to finish the paperwork. The case of the governor's niece had been a sad accident ... after talking to the two boys who had flown to the mainland, it turned out that when they left the Catamaran, the girl was sound asleep in the cabin and they decided not to disturb her.
"She drank a lot, brah ..." one of the boys said. "We thought that the best thing for her was to sleep."
"Oh yeah?" Steve asked, while Danny watched him amused. His partner's stance was imposing, with his arms crossed over his chest and that threatening look that seemed to throw fire. It seemed the boy could wet his pants in any moment. Only Danny knew ... Under that mask of the tough soldier, who was able to get a confession from the most ruthless criminal, was a good and gentle man, a passionate lover and an incredible friend. Steve had made him swear he would never tell anyone.
Steve kept interrogating the boy, "And you guys, didn't think to tell his family that she was there?"
"We didn't think, brah ... We had also drunk and we wanted to go home."
At the end, the security cameras on the pier had shown the girl, two hours after they had all went home, she got out of the cabin and walked hesitantly across the deck. In an unfortunate moment, she lost her balance and fell overboard.
Negligence charges was presented against the two boys, but the lawyers reached an agreement with the prosecutor. The boys would fulfill their sentence doing community service.
Steve shifted restlessly in his chair ... the paperwork was still intact on the surface of his desk. At that moment, Danny pushed open the glass door of his office and stuck his head in to ask, "Are you ready?" Steve nodded nervously and got up. He took his gun and his badge, while Danny looked at him ... "Hey ... Easy, Super SEAL ... we're not going to interrogate an arms dealer ... it's just my daughter."
Danny and Steve had decided it was time to tell Grace about their relationship and, although he didn't want to admit it, Steve was afraid. In a low voice, he asked, "What if she's not fine whit this?"
Danny turned and faced Steve, looking into his eyes, "Steve ... I already told you that Grace knows more than we think... She has suspected there's something between us for some time... Let's just talk to her and see what happens, okay? "
Steve took a deep breath and said, "Okay ..."
Grace looked at them with a smug face and a smile that touched her eyes. Steve had forgotten his coffee cup, which was now cold, as he listened to Danny talk to his daughter about their new romantic relationship.
When Danny finished, Grace got up and walked around the table, to stand between them and put an arm around the shoulders of each of them. She kissed both of them on the cheek and said, "You realize I was right, right Danno?" Danny nodded silently and she kept speaking, "I told you that you were in love with someone else and you should find out by yourself ... And you did ... Oh God! I'm so happy for you two guys! ... Now I know that when I go to college you won't be alone ... Someone who loves you will be taking care of you for me. "
That night, while they were lying in bed, with the room in the dark, Danny said, "I told you ... she knew ... or at least she suspected it for some time." Steve didn't answer, but, despite the gloom , Danny knew he was smiling.
Danny asked, "Did you talk to Mary?"
Steve smiled again, "Yes ... She told me she was happy because we had finally stopped being idiots ... I must say she included you in that statement, Danno."
Danny turned around and hugged Steve ... "She's right." For a while, the only sound in the room were his gasps and moans and the sound of the waves coming from the beach.
AN: Okay, here it is. The first ending (The T-rated)
The Take 2 (the alternate M-rated ending) is being a bit more difficult. It's almost ready, but me and my wonderful beta are reviewing and correcting some scenes. I had no idea how hard it is to write explicit.
I practically had to rewrite half, because I didn't end up liking the result. So, please, be patient. It will be posted tomorrow, I promise.
Please remember that the rating of the story will change, so adjust your search criteria to include the "M" rating