Lou's words echoed in Steve's head. "I wish I could, Steve. I wish I could," Lou had said. "Danny is not doing good. The doctors are trying their best to keep him alive but he's not responding to any of the treatments. We dont know if he'll make it, Steve."

Steve couldn't move when he heard those words. When he returned to Hawaii, what he expected was to get an earful from Danny for not contacting him for the past two weeks. What he expected was a petty revenge from Danny, who would refuse to talk to him for several days. But not this. Definitely not this.

The ride to the hospital could not take any longer. Adam had offered to drive Steve to the hospital to visit Danny. Steve was a nervous wreck and in no state to drive and for once, he did not protest.

"It's not goodbye forever," Steve had said.

"It better not be a forever goodbye. Why would you say that?" Danny had replied with a mix of fear and resignation.

Steve hoped he was right.

...

Reaching the ICU, Steve quickened his pace when he saw Grace sitting on the couch, next to Clara.

"Grace?" Steve all but whispered her name.

Grace looked up and her face lit up when she saw Steve. She stood up and ran towards him for a hug, "Uncle Steve! What took you so long?"

"I'm sorry, Grace. I'm so sorry," was all he could manage. It was pathetic and he didn't deserve the hug from Grace. But right at that moment he needed it, it was all that was keeping him from falling apart.

After greeting Danny's parents, Steve excused himself to see Danny. He braced himself as he opened the door to Danny's room.

Again. Too soon, he thought, as he took in Danny's appearance. "Danny? I'm home, buddy." Steve whispered, his voice unsteady.

...

After capturing Daiyu Mei three weeks ago, Steve and the rest of the team had returned to the hospital. Danny's face had regained some colour and he sounded slightly better than earlier. Danny tried to make jokes, lightening the atmosphere and everyone had played along. After the intense day they just had, they were all glad he was alright.

When everyone had left, Steve had stayed behind to accompany Danny. He looked on as Danny slept, the regular beeping of the machines reminding him that his friend was indeed alive and fine.

The events of the day played in his mind. How did things go so wrong? Since the moment, Danny called about being tailed, the gunshots he heard over the phone, the sight of Danny's burning car, Danny being abducted, hung from a chain and beaten, till the moment Steve found Danny on the ground bleeding out. It was a nightmare from start to finish. Steve was relieved that his friend was right there, alive, but he shuddered to think how things could have turned out.

Danny, I'm sorry buddy. This is all my fault. You had nothing to do with Wo Fat or the cipher but because of me, you were dragged into this. I.. If anything had happened to you earlier, I could never forgive myself Danny. The past 10 years, how many times has your life been put on the line because of this job, because of me. Because of my recklessness. I always thought we would have each other's back. But today, I wasn't sure... I wasn't sure I could have your back, Danny. I wasn't sure I would reach you in time. I was afraid it would turn out the same way it did with my father. That you would.. I can't. I just can't do this anymore. Sorry, Danno.

Steve's thoughts were running wild, he didn't want to see Danny hurt because of him again. He had entertained the thought of leaving the team and taking a break but today, his mind was set. He couldn't face this anymore, the guilt, the sense of responsibility, knowing he had put his friend's life in danger more times than he could remember. He needed to start afresh, find the peace that has been eluding him, and start healing himself.

...

Grace entered Danny's room to find Steve sitting with his face in his hands. Grace placed her hand on Steve's shoulder, "Uncle Steve? Are you okay?"

Steve looked up at the young lady and took comfort in her presence. He swallowed and managed a weak smile.

"It's not your fault Uncle Steve." Grace said softly. Steve wasn't so sure. "I should have been there for Danno too. Just like you, I thought he was fine and I left, went back to college, carried on with life... He called me every day, checking in on me, making sure I was eating right and not too stressed about my exams. But I didn't realise he was in pain all that time. When mom told me he was back at the hospital, I realised something." Grace paused, her eyes filled with tears. "When I had the car accident, Dad wouldn't leave me even when I told him I was fine, to the extent I felt suffocated. And now that the situation was reversed, I left the moment I thought he was doing okay, even when he wasn't. Danno always made sure I was cared for, even when he was hurting, he was concerned about me... But I couldn't do the same for him," Grace sobbed.

"Shhh Grace, no, don't do this. Don't blame yourself. Danno is so proud of you. He'd be so heartbroken to hear you say this. And let me tell you one thing about your father, what you just said, that shows just what an amazing person he is. He always made sure none of his friends or family were left alone. He always made sure to wiggle his way into their lives, and care for them, and yes, sometimes to the point of suffocation." A lump rose in his throat as Steve recalled the many instances Danny had done so. With Lou when his daughter was taken, with Adam when he was reeling from his divorce, with Steve himself when Joe died, and again when Doris died. And yet when he needed me the most, I wasn't there for him, Steve thought to himself.

"I'm scared, Uncle Steve. Will Danno be okay? I want to be there for him. I won't make the same mistake again" Grace looked at him expectantly.

I don't know, Grace. But you're right, I wont make the same mistake either. Steve looked at Danny and silently pleaded, Please Danny, give us a chance to make it right. You gotta fight buddy. If not for yourself then for Grace. And me