We've finally come to the final chapter of this fic. I hope you enjoy.

Steve wheeled himself closer to his partner. "You get any sleep?"

"You know the answer to that." Danny grumbled, deflating as Lou disappeared down the far corridor toward the elevators.

"Yea, me neither."

"I can't sleep in hospitals."

"You can't sleep anywhere, buddy."

"Touché."

"It was nice to see Grace last night."

Danny gave him a faint smile and nodded.

"What? Everything alright?"

"Yea, it's fine." Danny stretched and sighed.

"You're lying."

"No shit."

"She's tough; she'll be okay."

Danny studied his hands in his lap, his voice softer when he spoke again. "Everyone keeps telling me that. You...Lou."

"From what I could tell, you and Lou were getting pretty serious."

"How much did you hear?" Danny snapped back.

"Does it matter?"

Danny didn't answer.

"Look, I know I haven't said this." Steve stopped when Danny shifted in his chair. "I don't tell you this enough. So please just shut up and listen."

Danny nodded and sat up straighter, turning so he could give his friend his full attention. Steve continued with what he was saying.

"What you did on that plane was incredible. I never doubted you. I knew you'd get me home." Steve looked away. "I just didn't think I'd make it."

"I couldn't let you die."

"You always have my back. Even when you're scared as fuck." Steve closed his eyes and took a deep, slow breath before continuing. "And then everything was so crazy in the hospital. All the well wishes and the jokes. It was all focused on me."

"It's okay, Steve. I get it. I'm over it."

"That's just it. You brush it off. You let it go. And it festers."

"Festers? Really, Steven?"

"You can't tell me it doesn't hurt."

Danny sighed.

"Gray and Brown, they were right."

"What? You're saying two serial killers were right?"

"You didn't get the attention you deserved."

"I didn't take this job for the accolades."

Steve raised his eyebrows and fought back a chuckle. "Now who's using big words?"

Danny rolled right over his friend's little jab, clearly growing uncomfortable. "I did what I had to do. I don't want a party. I don't care if you get all the balloons. I just want everyone to move on."

"But you need to hear this, Danny. Out loud. And without any snark." They locked eyes for a few seconds and the moment was intense. "You're my best friend. You've saved my life. More than once. You've never lied to me. You follow me into hell and back."

"Next to my kids, Steve - you're -" His voice broke and he didn't finish his sentence. Didn't need to say anything more.

Steve stretched and grabbed Danny's hand.

"Hey, watch it. I can't catch you if you topple over."

"I'm not gonna topple over." Steve pulled away, moving out of Danny's reach.

Danny shook his head. "I don't think we'll ever know why they did this. Was it because of me? Who knows?"

"You're right."

"Wow, I'm right. That's a first." Danny ignored an exasperated smirk from Steve and continued. "They're both dead. End of story."

"It's that easy?"

"It has to be." Danny shrugged. "It's over. Let's move on. Leave the conspiracy theories to Jerry."

Steve nodded. "Okay, we can do that."

"Good." Danny scooted the chair closer, bumping Steve with his knee.

"One thing, though."

"What?" A little annoyance crept into Danny's voice.

"You."

"Me?"

"Please don't retire."

"Retire?" Danny's voice raised a notch, like he'd been stung.

Steve kept his face blank. "I know."

"How much did you hear?" Danny repeated his earlier question.

"Enough."

"Well, it's not a done deal."

"But you're thinking about it?"

Danny shook his head. "See this is why I haven't said anything."

"What?"

"That look."

"What look?"

"Like I kicked your puppy."

"You'd never do that."

"Stop deflecting."

Steve rolled his eyes. "That's rich coming from you."

"Hey, that's my line."

"Why haven't you said anything?"

"Because I don't know for sure, alright? It's something that crossed my mind when I was lying awake in bed after being sliced open to save your life."

"So it's my fault?"

"What? No." Danny rocked his chair back and forth. "It's too early for this conversation."

"Do you need a nap, Danno?"

Danny frowned at Steve's mischievous grin, but he was relieved the subject had been changed.

Steve spun himself around, so he was facing their hallway. "Race you back to the room?"

"Seriously?"

Steve's grin grew larger and he wiggled his eyebrows. "No cheating this time."

"Aw Steve, come on..." Danny turned himself around. "And I didn't cheat."

"Afraid you're gonna lose?"

"No, I just - it's early."

"Stop stalling."

Two nurses walked through the atrium, chatting loudly. The bubble burst when they noticed Steve and Danny.

"What are you two doing out here?" One of the nurses asked.

Her coworker frowned, hands on her hips. "Come on, let's get you back to your rooms. It's almost shift change and morning rounds."

Steve grabbed Danny's hand before they were pulled apart by the well meaning staff.

"I meant what I said."

"Me too."

"Aw, aren't you two the cutest? Playtime's over. Now, let's get you back to your beds."

/././

Streamers fluttered in the breeze and a large banner flapped gently. It's message was simple.

Way to go, Danno. We love you.

"This really is unnecessary." Danny stood at the edge of the yard watching everyone laughing and eating. The day had been perfect, and now even the sun was putting on a show.

"It's all for you, buddy."

"You didn't have to do this."

"Hey, don't yell at me." Steve held up his hands awkwardly, arm still in a sling.

"I'm not yelling. Just -"

"It was Grace's idea. All of it."

"Really?"

Beaming, Danny sighed and scanned the yard for his daughter. He spotted Grace and Will, sitting at a table, laughing. Just then, Will pulled her close, giving her a peck on the cheek before following her into the house. Steve held Danny back, bracing his arm against his friend's chest.

"Let them have their fun."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

Steve rolled his eyes. "Stop worrying. They're good kids."

"Weren't we all?" Danny groused.

"Lou's in the living room. Don't you think he's watching them, too?"

"Good point." Danny smiled and bumped Steve with his hip. "Thank you."

"Any time, Danno. That's what I'm here for. To keep you sane."

Danny chuckled. "Seriously? To keep me sane? You really think that's what you're doing?"

"Hey, at least I don't fight zombies."

"Zombie? She was not a zombie, Steven."

"That's not what Jerry says."

"Don't encourage him, Steven."

Jerry must have heard his name because he perked up and headed their direction.

"Please, ward him off. I cannot -"

"I've got your back, buddy. Don't worry. This is your day, after all."

Steve smacked Danny's back lightly and walked toward Jerry.

"Hey Jer. Good to see you. Glad you could make it." Steve wrapped an arm around their eager friend. "Hey, I have an assignment for you."

As Steve led Jerry toward the house, Danny watched and smiled. Content for the first time in months.

All was well in his world. And for once, he let himself simply feel good.

Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting. The story doesn't feel quite done to me, and I hope it doesn't feel rushed. It was time to move on. I have another story brewing. Until next time...