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Steve wasn't sure he'd heard right.

"What?!" he blurted out, his eyes shooting wide open. "That's not happening."

"Steve…"

"No! You don't deserve to be kicked out of the team like that. She can't…"

"Steve, stop, would you?" Danny shut him off. "I already signed it. It's a done deal. Effective from the start of the next month."

"That's two weeks from now!"

"Yes, it's two weeks from now," Danny confirmed. "Enough to get the bastards who had did this to you and then I'm done."

Steve glared at him, speechless for what felt like a minute or so. "Why would you do that? Why didn't you wait for me before agreeing to that?"

"Because it was the only way to keep the team going," Danny said, holding his gaze. "Besides, after what I've done I'm surprised I am not facing years in federal prison. So I won't push my luck."

"No. It's not all on you, damn it," Steve protested, anger bubbling under his skin.

"You weren't there. I was in charge, Steve. I was responsible for the team and the choices I made were my own. Causing a prison riot? Someone could have died, Steve." Danny's hands were up in the air, talking as much as his mouth.

Steve didn't miss how his friend tried to keep his voice calm despite being so obviously upset. "Danny…"

"Let me finish," Danny shut him off. "People got hurt, alright? And they were lucky the reinforcements arrived fast enough to prevent even more trouble. That prison break is associated with my name and it got out to the public. So it's no surprise the Governor can't have someone like that in her taskforce. Don't get me wrong. I'd do it all over again if I had to. But I knew there would be consequences and this is it."

"I will talk to her when I get out of here." Steve refused to let go. "You're not resigning because of me, Danny. Forget it."

"I can't believe I'm saying this but it's not your fault, buddy," Danny said. "Not this time."

Steve found it hard to believe, because if he hadn't gotten into trouble, Danny wouldn't be forced to cross the line and break the laws to save him.

"This is exactly why I didn't want to tell you," Danny said, probably reading him like a book. "Stop with this guilt trip right now, alright? You need to rest. So don't worry about this, okay? I'll be fine."

"Don't worry about this?" Steve shook his aching head in disbelief. How could he not worry about it? "How can I not worry about my partner being forced to resign my team?"

Danny breathed out a sigh, lines of exhaustion now even more obvious on his face. "Can we please not talk about this right now?"

"But…"

"Steve. Not today."

After a moment of thoughtful silence, Steve reluctantly nodded, but the thought was hard to let go. It just wasn't fair and he definitely wouldn't let it happen without a fight. He would talk to the governor the first thing after leaving the hospital, whether Danny liked it or not.

Only a phone vibrating in Danny's pocket brought him back to the present. He frowned. He was hoping his friend could stay a bit longer. "You gotta go?" he asked.

"Not unless you want me to."

"Of course not."

"Good." Danny gestured toward the phone in his hand. "It's Grace. The kids are probably here already. I hope you don't mind."

The kids. Here. An honest smile appeared on his smile again almost instantly, and apparently, that was enough of an answer.

"I thought so," Danny said. "I couldn't say no to Jamba. The kid missed you more than you can imagine. And Grace and Charlie insisted on visiting their uncle Steve almost as much as him."

A pleasant warmth washed over Steve's chest. He had missed them all too and just a few days ago he'd been wondering whether he'd ever get to see them again. "I can't wait," he said.

Danny flashed him a smile. "I'll go get them downstairs, okay? I'll be right back."

Minutes later, Steve pushed his anger at the injustice of Danny's being forced to resign aside when the door opened up and his son entered, hesitant at first until his eyes met Steve's. Then, before Steve even had a chance to say hi, Jamba sprinted over, calling out Steve's name, and threw his arms around Steve's neck.

Swallowing up a pained groan, he returned a tight embrace.

"Hey, buddy," he whispered and laid a gentle kiss on top of Jamba's head.

Jamba snuggled closer, burying his head in a crook of Steve's neck, and Steve savored the moment.

"I missed you so, so much," Steve admitted.

The boy didn't speak. Didn't move a muscle. Didn't show any intention of letting go anytime soon and, despite the tight hug putting pressure against his fractured ribs and bruised body, Steve didn't mind.

He didn't let go either until he heard a quiet sniff. Just then he broke the embrace and looked into Jamba's eyes. Saw the glossiness in them. A lone tear running down his cheek.

"Hey, what's this?" Steve wiped Jamba's tear away with his thumb, furrowing his brows in concern. "What's wrong?"

Jamba's lips quivered and another tear found its way out. He didn't reply, but didn't have to.

"Come here." Steve wrapped his arm around the kid once again, making him half-lay on the bed beside him.

"I thought you'd leave me too," Jamba whispered against Steve's shoulder, sniffing back a quiet sob.

Jamba's words slashed through his heart like a knife. No matter how many times he'd explained to Jamba that his family was still with him in his heart and always would be, the kid still felt as they've left him alone in this world. In a way, they did, although unwillingly.

All too well Steve realized that there was no one else in the boy's life anymore. His parents and brother were dead and with Jamba's violent past, no one could blame him for clinging to Steve as a lifeline. Steve couldn't even imagine Jamba's fear when he didn't show up to pick him up as promised.

"Shh, it's alright. I'm here now and not going anywhere," he said in a soothing voice, his heart breaking at Jamba's sadness.

Jamba snuggled up closer.

Steve winced at the movement, but didn't want to let go. Holding his son for a little longer, he whispered comforting words over and over again, until the boy's last tears dried up. "I'd never leave you, kid," he assured him one more time. "I love you very much. Don't ever forget that."

The door didn't open for a few more minutes, as if Danny sensed Steve and Jamba needed a moment alone. But soon, another two lit-up faces barged in with excitement, followed by Danny, whose gaze fell right on Jamba curled up next to Steve. Danny flashed him a sad smile, but Steve only registered it for a second.

A flood of emotions soon overrode everything else.

Jamba's closeness, Charlie's a little too loud 'uncle Steve'and Grace's soft smile made him forget all the terrible things that had happened. At least for a little while. And together with Danny watching over them all, Steve had everything he needed right there with him.

A few days ago, he'd thought his life was over and the possibility of never seeing his loved ones again had been pretty high. So today, even though still stuck in a hospital room, he was extremely grateful for a simple moment together.

10 days later

Today marked three weeks from the day his life had been turned upside down once again. After a week in hell and another one in a hospital, he was glad to finally be back home. Not only with Jamba, who barely left Steve out of his sight these days, but with his partner, too. It hadn't surprised him when the blonde detective offered he'd stay with Steve for a few days. And despite Steve's refusal, Danny had made himself at home.

Insisting on being helpful, Danny helped Steve with food, chores, even driving Jamba to and from school during Steve's painful recovery.

But despite a constant headache and his breathing still being painful, he was healing well. Most of the bruises faded out, and the worst of them were now only yellow shadows, nothing more than faint reminders of his time behind the bars.

Steve shifted on the couch in his living room, adjusting his position. Looked out of the window at the grey clouds covering the sky, all gloomy and dark, and thought of the heavy rain that might soon come. Just like the night he'd almost died.

"You okay?"

Danny's voice startled him a little. He looked up to his friend, who passed him a nicely smelling cup of hot coffee.

"Yeah," he said, not really sure. The inner turmoil inside him was hard to put into the words, though. So he said what came so naturally to him. "I'm fine."

Danny smiled at him, and Steve could tell his friend didn't believe him. But he didn't argue. Instead, he lowered into the seat next to Steve with a barely audible sigh and remained quiet. Too quiet, considering his loud mouth at any given moment. As he sipped his coffee, Steve noticed the dark shadows under Danny's eyes and the lines on his face he wasn't sure they'd been there before. It made his partner look so much older.

"You?" he asked. "Haven't slept much, have you?"

Danny pursed his lips together, cradling his cup in his hands. "No," he admitted. "I can't shut my mind down. A lot has happened lately."

A pang of guilt sliced through Steve. "Yeah, I know."

He did. All too well. A chain of events triggered by a single one. A domino effect. That's what this was. And it all tied up to Steve's decision to leave the island over a year and a half ago, hoping to find… he wasn't even sure what exactly. Peace? He'd certainly found anything but that.

But he wasn't the only one weighed down by what had happened during this time. It was Danny, most of all, who'd been through a different, but in a way much worse kind of hell than Steve. And he'd had enough, even though he'd never admit it out loud. His partner was tired and he couldn't blame him.

"You didn't answer the first question," Steve said.

"Huh?" Danny threw him a quizzical glance.

"Are you alright? I mean, besides troubles with sleep."

It took Danny a moment to reply, and Steve wondered what was going on in his friend's head.

"Just thinking, that's all. I'm good," Danny said.

Steve didn't believe him any more than Danny believed Steve. But there wasn't much he could do now besides being there and hoping not to bring any more pain into Danny's life. Except for one thing. There was still something he could help with, or at least he hoped so.

His partner didn't want to hear about it, yet Steve knew what he had to do. He swore to himself he'd make the Governor take Danny back to Five-0, no matter what. But she'd left the island for some business trip abroad before he left the hospital and she wasn't coming back until the next week. Just then Steve would get his chance to change her mind.

"What time are you supposed to be there?" Danny changed the topic.

Not that it was a more pleasant one, at least not to Steve. Today, he and Jamba were supposed to meet Mrs. Downey and Maddie for lunch. It was a proposal of Lynn's mom and Steve agreed, surprised she even wanted him in the kid's life when Lynn had had a different opinion. He couldn't believe she thought it was good for the girl to get to know him after what had happened just two weeks ago. He should have said no, but for some reason, he hadn't.

"I think we're not going anywhere."

Danny locked his eyes on Steve. "What?"

He could feel Danny's burning gaze on him, but stared ahead instead, examining the clouds outside. The wind made them whirl and move faster than minutes ago. And he could almost feel the thoughts in his head do the same.

"I don't know if it's a good idea."

"Why not?" Danny said. "You're just gonna hang out together. Get to know each other on neutral ground and get comfortable around each other."

Steve didn't reply. Watched the first drops of rain land on the glass.

"It's not like you coming in, saying 'Hi, I'm your dad.'" Danny didn't let go. "Besides, you're a great father and uncle. I am hundred percent sure she's gonna love you."

"It's not that. I'm not afraid of her not liking me." It was a lie. But there was something else he was scared of even more than finding a way to his daughter's life.

"Then what?"

Steve took a sip of his coffee. Breathed in and out to form his fear into a sentence. "I don't want to put her in harm's way," he said.

"What are you talking about?"

He saw a lightning flash in the distance. And for a second, he was back on that yacht. Back in the water, watching helplessly as Maddie was pushed into the stormy waves.

"She nearly died because she's my daughter." He heard his voice crack and cleared his throat immediately.

"It was none of your fault," Danny said for what felt like the thousandth time. "Steve. Look at me."

He tore his gaze from the incoming storm and locked it on the perfect blue of Danny's eyes.

"It wasn't your fault," Danny repeated, putting an emphasis on every single word. "None of it."

He didn't believe it, though. "Yes, it is. Maybe she'd be better off without me."

"That's not true and you know it. She's just lost her mom, Steve. She needs you now more than ever."

Steve didn't need a reminder. Lynn's death was on him too, and he didn't care that no one else seemed to think so. She became a target because she had known him.

"People get hurt if they get close to me, Danny," he said.

"That's n–"

But Steve didn't let him finish. "What if I force myself into her life too and then someone will come after her?"

"What if something happens and you won't be there to help?" Danny opposed. "Have you thought about it this way?"

The thought sickened him to the core. To a certain level, he knew Danny was right. On the other hand, though, the possibility of another one of his enemies finding out about her frightened him.
When Steve didn't answer, Danny continued. "What happened to Maddie wasn't your fault, Steve. You couldn't have known, Roederer would come after her. You didn't even know about her. And she's okay. That's what matters, right?"

Steve shook his head. "No, you don't get it."

"Don't get what?"

"It's not… I…"

Reacting to Steve's frustration rising, Danny put the coffee on the table and leaned forward to place his hand over Steve's.

Somehow, the simple touch managed to ground him.

"I didn't only put Maddie in danger," he explained. "It was Jamba too. And Grace and Charlie. The bastard had his people in the same room with the three of them! He even had you, Danny. You got arrested and he threatened you as well."

"Steve…"

"You were all in danger because of me, Danny." Steve could feel his chest tighten. "He wanted me and used you guys to get what he wanted."

"Steve, stop." Danny gave Steve's hand a light squeeze. "Roederer is a scumbag looking to blame others for his own mistakes. Don't let him into your head. It's his fault, not yours."

"There are hundreds like him out there, baying for my blood. What if it happens again, huh? What if someone else decides to use one of you against me?"

"Then we'll deal with it," Danny said in a calm voice. "As always. Let them know we're not to be messed with."

Steve didn't say anything. Watched Danny let go of his hand and straighten up, but keeping his eyes pinned on Steve.

He knew Danny would do anything to keep his family safe. Just like himself. He'd move mountains if he had to. But the longer they stayed in this line of work, the more enemies they made. A higher chance of someone like Roederer coming into their lives. And Steve was tired of living like that. Tired of being a punching bag. Tired of near-death experiences. Tired of being terrified every time Danny didn't answer the phone right away. Tired of people he cared about dying because of criminals wanting revenge.

For his whole adult life, he'd been protecting people who needed it. He'd saved lives. Lost some. But he had been always there for others. Maybe it was time to focus on protecting his own family instead. Besides, except Danny and his amazing kids, he had his own children now. And he was their only living parent. That could easily change if he continued like this.

"I can't do this anymore, Danny," he whispered after a long stretch of silence. "I think… I think it's time to retire."

To his surprise, Danny didn't protest. "You sure that's what you want?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, so, what are we gonna do?"

The question threw him off. "We? No, just me. I'm still getting you back on the team."

"I don't want that, Steve." Not the slightest hesitation in Danny's voice.

"What?" Steve said, his eyes widening at that. "I thought…"

Danny cut him off. "Not without you as my partner."

Steve continued to glare at Danny.

"Besides, I started wondering about retirement years ago."

"Yeah, I remember," Steve said, remembering back to finding Danny's to-do list. "Hard to forget."

Danny's lips curled upwards. "Wanna give a restaurant another try?"

"You're not serious, are you?"

"Why not?" Danny shrugged. "It was… fun."

"Fun, huh? And here I thought I was the one who got smacked into the head for too many times."

"Come on. It wasn't that bad."

"No. It was worse and I'm definitely not going through that again," Steve said, taking another sip of the coffee and turning his gaze back to the rainy sky.

"You got better ideas?"

Steve shook his head. "I don't know yet."

That didn't seem to be a satisfying answer for his friend. "You're not gonna go MIA again, right?" Danny asked.

"No. I'm right where I'm supposed to be. I get it now."

"Good."

It was the truth. It took him some time to realize it, but he couldn't run from himself. He wouldn't find peace roaming the world. His best chance of living a normal life was right here. At home. With Jamba. With Danny. With Grace and Charlie. With his friends. With… Maddie.

"So?"

"So what?"

"You going or what?"

Steve took a minute. "Yeah," he said eventually. "Yeah, we're going."

He didn't know what would come next. Didn't know what kind of storm there was about to come next. But whatever it was life had in store for him in this new chapter of his life, he was ready for it. And he was certain that with his ohana by his side, it would be alright.

*THE END*

This is it, guys. The end. There might be a really short epilogue - I was thinking of writing a short scene happening a few months later, but I'm not sure if you'd be interested in that. Let me know.

Also, feel free to share your thoughts on the story. I really hope I didn't let you down with this one. Thank you for staying with me this long. Your support means a lot to me!