It was some time before Victor stirred, Danny sensed rather than saw but didn't move himself. Let Victor acknowledge him if and when he chose.

"Morning," Victor mumbled eventually, before yawning.

"Morning," Danny replied from his place.

He listened as the bed shifted, Victor moving to sit on the edge, Danny listened to him grunt as he gave a stretch.

"Think we'll have breakfast outside today," Victor mused as he stood. "Weathers too good to stay cooped up inside."

He passed close by and Danny thought he was heading for the bathroom when he felt hands rest on his shoulders and Victor crouched low behind him. Victor squeezed his fingers gently, before running his hands gently down Danny's arms.

"Straighten out your shoulders," Victor whispered, lips close to Danny neck, breath causing a shiver to run down his spine. Danny complied, straightening up, shoulders tighter, back straighter.

"Mmm, good." Victor said, pleased. He pulled back and ran a finger along the line of Danny's neck and spine. "And lift your head a little."

Danny did so, surprised at how arousing it was for Victor to be positioning him this way, aware of every detail.

"Perfect," Victor exclaimed, lips light on Danny's neck a few seconds before he stood again. "I want you to think about how you present yourself Daniel. You need to be aware of yourself, how you will look to me. It's important for you to be at your best. I want you like this every time from now on."

With that he left Danny alone and took a shower. Danny was aware even the small adjustments were going to be something that needed full concentration. He listened as Victor finished, moved about to dress for the day. It was the first time since the accident that Victor would be leaving his room.

"Come on, breakfast," Victor said into the companiable silence that had settled.

Danny stood and turned to find Victor standing close. Before they went downstairs Danny had something he wanted to say and rached out to Victor as he turned to the door.

"Victor?" he said, stepping closer to the man. "About yesterday."

Victor turned toward him and gave a soft smile, lifting a hand to cup his jaw. "I shouldn't have yelled," he said gently.

"No, you needed some space, I was crowding you," Danny countered.

"We still have things to figure out," Victor shrugged. "We needed space, the both of us Daniel. These past few days haven't been easy."

"Still, I'm sorry," Danny shook his head. "When you sent me away, I felt mad, I was angry wih you."

"And what did you do about it?" Victor asked, realising Danny needed to talk this through and giving him the moment to do so. He set his hands on Danny's shoulders and looked him in the eye as they spoke.

"I," Danny started before pausing. "I went to my room like you told me."

"And then what? Did you destroy the furniture? Yell, moan, disobey?"

"No," Danny frowned and shook his head firmly, a little confused.

"Then what? You said you felt angry, mad at me," Victor asked. "What did you do about it?"

"Nothing," Danny shrugged, enjoying the weight of Victor's hands lying there. He frowned and shook his head, "Actually no, I dealt with it. How I felt I mean."

He liked the curl of a smile on Victor's face as he said that, a small gesture that meant he was learning, that everything Victor was doing for him was connecting, sliding into place.

"I wanted to be here with you though, I know you need your space but just being here for you makes me feel," Danny faltered, searching for the words. "Needed?"

"Needed," Victor repeated and gave a small shake of his head. "Just needed?"

"Wanted," Danny tried again.

"Loved, cherished, adored," Victor said, pulling him closer, hands sliding up to cup Danny's face and tilting him up to face him. "Owned."

Danny felt like his chest was too small to contain the breath he was dragging in, even as Victor's mouth closed over his possesive and demanding. His hands came up to clutch at Victor's shirt, pulling closer, holding on tight. The kiss left him weak, Victor was too powerful, like a surge which sapped him of energy. When he pulled away Danny was left reeling as Victor straightened himself out. Danny had been hopeful for more from the kiss but Victor was stepping back and brushing down his shirt where Danny's fingers had wrapped themselves.

"Come on, breakfast," he said, tongue sliding out over his lip.

Danny fought away lingering disapointment, telling himself more would come eventually. Victor was still recovering and it was enough foreplay to know the kind of passion Victor possessed. Victor would act on it soon enough and Danny was at his mercy to bend under it's embrace.

Things returned to normal, aside from a change in sleeping arrangements. Victor's recovery meant he was able to return to whatever it was that kept him busy and Danny's time was maintained in the usual way. But at night he was always summoned to Victor's room and slept the hours away there.

Victor was a demanding lover and Danny was always eager to meet that demand with enthusiasm. Victor's buisness didn't take him away for days which eased Danny's mind and he was slowly given rewards in return for his improvement of behaviour. But he didn't allow it to dull his alertness at having to control the chaos which still lingered from time to time. It been a long time since he felt the need for any violent angry outbursts and he wanted to keep it that way

Rewards started filtering in to his routine again. More often than not Victor, when at home, had him join him for swimming - and the days Victor wasn't around, Danny was given a few oppurtunitys to swim alone. He was also allowed to select books from Victor's study, which he relished when a long stretch of no Victor occurred. More time spent outside, more excercise, Danny relished in the small changes of routine and poured every effort in presenting his best to Victor to prove he was capable of adjusting without losing it. He also looked better for it, gaining colour back in his cheeks, putting on a little weight and muscles started to define again.

Danny was at his desk reading when it happend. The door opened faster than it should have, a resounding thud that caused him to look up and left with a startled glance. As the door reverberated on it's hinges, the figure just beyond crossing the threshold Danny got to his feet, chair pushed back too suddenly, clattering to the floor as its lost balance. His heart pounded, just a little faster than it ought to as Steve approached, gun slightly raised, like he wasn't uncertain about the situation.

"Danny?" Steve asked it like a question and Danny swallowed. It had been a long time since anyone called him that, it was strange to hear the nickname again.

Steve was drawing closer and Danny had to force his legs to stay still, to not back away. He glanced at the gun still cautiously held by Steve, watched the way the mans eyes roved over him like he was trying to make sure Danny was really there, that he wasn't just imagining things.

"Danny, you okay?" Steve said casually, which Danny found amusing because it had been a long time and maybe there was more to say than just a general 'how do you do' to start the conversation. Still Steve was continuing his talk without waiting for a reply, close enough now to Danny to come to a halt. He glanced over his shoulder towards the door, lowering his gun completely, reaching out a hand and resting it on his shoulder. Danny felt the fingers squeeze gently, give him a shake, Steve making sure his presence was in fact real. "Danno?"

The look this time was of real concern and Danny got his brain in gear, let the cogs start whirring back to their usual speed. Reaching out he put a hand on Steve's arm, fingers reflexing like Steve's had.

"Steve," He said, coarsely, his throat felt dry and tight. "How did you-"

"Long story. Fuck Danny, can't believe," Steve started, dropped his eyes and shook his head. He gave Danny's shoulder another squeeze before he looked behind him again. "Look Danno, much as I'd like to stand here and fill you in, getting into this place was a fucking nightmare and us getting out is gonna be twice as difficult. How's about we get on that and then we catch up?"

"You came by yourself?" Danny asked.

"Yeah," Steve half nodded, already planning their route to escape, pulling at Danny to follow as he headed for the door, getting his gun at the ready. "Governor got pissed at us pouring all our efforts in searching for you and not coming up with anything."

"So you came alone," Danny repeated, putting a hand on Steve's shoulder and pulling him round to face him, looking at him imploringly. "Nobody knows you're here?"

"Yes Danny, it was either give up on you, on searching for you or," Steve shrugged and looked a little pissed, like he was expecting more gratitude for his efforts. "I do what I'm trained to do. I couldn't give up on you that easy and I knew it would be quicker and zero trouble for Chin and Kono this way. Now come on, times wasting, I'll explain everything when we get out of here."

"What about Victor?" Danny asked suddenly as Steve made for the door again, following close, sidling up by Steve as he pressed up with his back against the wall.

"Hesse?" Steve repeated, forehead creasing into a pained frown. "Haven't got to him yet. You know if he's here?"

Danny shook his head, "No, I -"

"Shh," Steve ordered before he could continue.

Shouts came from beyond the room, footsteps pounding towards their location.

"Shit," Steve said through gritted teeth. "We gotta go now Danny."

As he went to manouvere through the door, gun ready, Danny moved. He knew he had to be careful, he also knew he only had a few moments to act. At least he had the element of surprise. As Steve lunged for the door Danny shifted his weight for the impact, sliding a arm around Steve's neck and the other hand gripping tight round Steve's wrist. The force of his action sent them forward towards the door frame and Danny made sure Steve's hands connected with it, enough to cause pain.

Steve was unprepared and fell forward from the move, fingers losing grip of the gun and helplessly grasping at it before it clattered to the floor. They landed on the ground and Steve got the upper hand as Danny took the brunt of the fall, feeling Steve's elbow connect with his side. He grunted and his grip round Steve's neck eased, enough for the other man to twist away. Danny was quick though and as Steve twisted to come down at him he rolled away, bringing his arm up, punching Steve in the face and getting to his knees. Steve came at him again but the presence of Huggy was already in the doorway, gun trained on him before Steve could reach for a second weapon.

"Hold it," Huggy growled, Steve freezing before shots could be fired.

Danny picked up the gun and moved back as Mo moved into the room as well, Steve on his knees looking imploringly at Danny, confused and angry.

"Danny, what the fuck?"

"Hands on your head," Mo ordered and Steve had no choice to comply.

"Don't take any chances," Danny warned them, training the gun on Steve warily. "Make sure he's completely secure and don't leave him unguarded."

Huggy merely inclined his head a smidgeon at this order as Mo cuffed Steve.

Danny took his attention off Steve completely and looked out of the doorway, listening carefully before he looked at Huggy again.

"Victor?" he asked quietly.

"Downstairs," Huggy informed him.

Danny didn't wait to watch them finish up securing Steve, leaving his room and making his way quickly downstairs. For a moment he expected to be met with carnage but he remembered what Steve had said, about coming alone and Steve was all about stealth. Still, he needed to be certain Victor was all right.

"Victor?" he said, not too loudly, still cautious. He couldn't trust Steve had been telling the truth about coming alone. He went through the rooms one after another, slow and careful, gun still poised and not finding Victor. He felt a stab of concern and panic, fought it away and told himself to breath. Finally pausing he was about to call out when Victor came from the direction of the rooms Danny knew were closed off to him.

"Fucking hell Victor," Danny grimaced and made his way over to him. "Thought something had happened to you."

"I was just making sure the boys got McGarrett secured," Victor reassured him. "Never mind something happening to me. When we realised he was in the house I got them up there but it seems it wasn't neccessary."

Danny shrugged as Victor pulled him close, giving him a once over to make sure he wasn't hurt. "I tried to stall him as long as possible but when he heard people coming I knew I had to do something. He said he came alone."

"So I heard," Victor nodded. "You did well to get him talking in there. I heard and saw everything Daniel."

"I'm not sure how much we can trust."

"Don't worry, we will be able to validate his story soon enough."

"What are you going to do with him?"

Victor stared hard at him, trying to figure out why he was asking. Danny's heart thumped hard in it's chest, like it always did when Victor looked him that way, like he was taking Danny apart piece by piece.

"I don't know, this was entirely unpredictable. I knew he'd try and take you away, just didn't know when. I'm not sure I like the idea of harboring a person who tried to steal from me. Especially a murderer."

"Victor," Danny soothed, never liking Victor's darker moods. He put his hands round Victor's waist and tried to rest his forehead against Victor's but Victor resisted the small caring gesture.

"You want me to let him live?" Victor said, coldly, tensing In Danny's embrace.

Danny glanced away from the hard, disdainful stare and tried to pull back but Victor put his hands on his shoulders and wouldn't let him.

"Daniel?" Victor said, forcing a reply.

"I want you to think about it," Daniel said honestly.

"You care about him?" Victor said, the tone more mocking than cold now.

Danny frowned and looked up at him, seeing the mocking smile teasing Victor's lips. Danny felt a flash of anger at the idea, felt his fingers twist into the material of Victor's shirt where they rested at his waist. He chased the feeling away, now was not the time to be showing weakness and Victor had a point, why did he want McGarret to live? Still, he shook his head.

"No."

"But you don't wish him to die," Victor pointed out, like Danny was contradicting himself.

"No."

"Even though he tried to take you away from here, away from me," Victor continued.

"He doesn't understand," Danny shrugged.

Victor sighed like Danny was trying his patience but he still wouldn't let Danny go as Danny tried to pull away again.

"Well, he has information I need so you can assure yourself he will live for now." Victor told him, "But I make no promises for his future Daniel."

"Okay," Danny nodded in understanding.

Victor's tone became soft again and he petted Danny with soft touches at his neck. "You understand I can't take any chances?"

"Yeah, I understand," Danny replied, feeling less tense under Victor's pliable touching.

"Hey, look at me," Victor told him. Danny lifted his face and took in the searching look in Victor's eyes, a look full of concern and care. "You okay?"

"Just a fucking shock is all," Danny confessed. "When he came into the room I just, fuck Victor, I didn't know - I guess - I think he was as surprised as I was."

"Especially when you took him down," Victor smirked.

"He'll understand," Danny said, somewhat hopeful.

"I'm not so sure," Victor shook his head.

"I thought maybe he'd gotten to you. Thought maybe he'd -" Danny broke off, looked away and gave small shudder.

"Well, we're both fine and thats the important thing," Victor assured him. "Course now we need to make sure he was telling the truth, that no-one else is coming. You should go and calm yourself."

"He broke my fucking door," Danny said suddenly, the moment Steve had appeared in his room vivid in his mind.

He felt Victor let out a small huff of breath and looked at him to see a small smile curled on his lips.

"Go to our room," Victor told him. "I'll come and check on you as soon as I'm done dealing with this situation.

"Can't I come with you? What if he tries to cause more trouble?" Danny said, aware that Steve was still a liability.

"Don't worry, we have it under control. He's been secured and given a sedative," Victor told him. "Something to keep him lucid, but, inhibits his movements. Go, wait for me. You've had a shock, I want you to go calm yourself. You need time to think Daniel. We'll talk more when I come up."

"Victor -" Danny tried again, reluctant to leave him alone.

"Now," Victor ordered, letting go of him and taking a step back.

Danny went without another word.