A/N: Another in the Steve deployment set… like I said before, the idea is really kinda plaguing me right now.

Fade to Black – Metallica (7:00)

For: SGFlutegirl

Fade To Black

Danny paced the dark office. He didn't want to go home and he couldn't bear to go back to the hospital while Kono was still in serious condition, so he had returned to the office, shut off all the lights and just waited as the sun set and everything faded to black.

"Everything I did for this family, everything that I promised I would protect, I put it all on the line because I didn't have you here to tell me to stop." Danny sighed as he walked into Steve's empty and unchanged office.

Steve hadn't sat behind that desk in nearly seven months. He hadn't turned on the computer, or answered that phone or even stepped through the door. There was a hidden layer of dust that had gathered on the book shelf because McGarrett wasn't around to catch what the cleaners dared not touch. The whole office seemed to be loosing McGarrett all together.

Steve paced around the barracks as he waited for his orders to come down from somewhere high above him. He had completed his task, the one he had been pulled back to the navy for, and now it was over but would he stay to serve the remaining months of his tour or would he be able to finally go back to his home. Everything he had done in the name of freedom, everything he wished he hadn't done all faded to black as the sun rose and peaked through the windows of the already empty barracks.

"Commander McGarrett," A familiar voice sounded behind him and he straightened and saluted immediately.

"General," Steve answered looking straight ahead.

"At ease soldier," the General smiled, "sounds like you're going home son. The state of Hawaii wants their hero back."

"Thank you General," Steve smiled.

"Are you sure you want to go?" The general asked. "We wouldn't be opposed to keeping you and your expertise here."

"I've done what I set out to do, but my job in Hawaii isn't finished, I need to go back because I have work that I left un-done." Steve said.

"You're a good man, Steven J." the general smiled and walked out.

Danny jumped up from where he had fallen, on the couch in the corner of McGarrett's office, when he heard his phone ringing across the hall in his own office.

Danny sat up slowly, hearing the second ring and walked across the hall. He looked down at the caller display and jumped as he hastily swiped the phone of the hook.

"Steve?" Danny gasped.

"Hey," Steve said cheerfully, "how are things?"

"I got Kono shot," Danny said sadly.

"What, what happened?" Steve asked, his heart sinking.

"I didn't listen, I just reacted, and everything went to pot," Danny said as he sat down in his chair and his shoulders began to shake.

"Danny, listen to me, it's not your fault." Steve stated.

"But it is, I would have ripped you a new one had it been you calling the shots," Danny said.

"Sometimes, we just have to react, or even we are going to fade to black." Steve said and listened to his friend cry over the phone. "Is she going to be ok?"

"She's not out of the woods yet," Danny said sadly.

"Then why aren't you at the hospital protecting her?" Steve asked angrily now.

"Because it's my fault she's there," Danny yelled.

"Even more of a reason for you to be the first one she sees when she wakes up!" Steve yelled back.

"You're right," Danny said softly.

"Oh man, are you ever getting a jersey rant when I get back," Steve said trying to lighten the mood, "you know I learned how to do it pretty accurately from a true Jerseyan so be prepared for a world of hurt when I see you."

"I'll be waiting for it gladly," Danny said and half laughed.

"Alright, you go to the hospital and sit with our girl. I'm on the next ship home." Steve said.

"What?" Danny asked fearing he had heard his partner wrong.

"My mission is over, I'm coming home." Steve smiled to himself, never had the word sounded so good coming from his own lips, "I'll be flying out of here to port in the Mediterranean and boarding a carrier back to Hawaii. My week of seclusion and re-assessment will be done on the ship. I'll be able to walk off that boat and right back into Five-O. I'll see you in less then two week."

Danny was silent.

"Are you still there Danny?" Steve asked as worry struck him.

"Yeah, I'll always be here. Just get home safely. We need you now."