This gets a little rambling at the end. The boys wanted to chat.

/././

Lou stood at the bottom of the steps, listening. The murmur of conversation gave him heartburn, which only added to his headache. He hadn't slept much, and his old body couldn't take it. Yet, he had important work here.

He backed away from his post and checked the driveway, certain he'd heard the crunch of tires, but there was nothing. The wind had picked up, and something was rustling with the breeze. Without Steve's diligence, upkeep was slipping a bit. Lou made a mental note to remind Junior it was his turn to do the yardwork. Danny was in no shape.

Danny. Lou shook his head. The man should still be in the hospital, but he knew it would go down this way. Recuperating was easier in the comfort of home. And this place was home, for better or worse. Lou wasn't so sure Danny should stay here, being reminded on a daily basis that Steve was gone.

It broke Lou's heart to see his two dear friends in such pain. Renee urged him to intervene. Which was odd for her. Normally, she was hands-off when it came to other people's love lives. He shook his head at the thought. Danny and Steve were as much a couple as him and Renee. Only problem was they were both idiots.

He checked his phone to make sure his ringer was off. He knew Steve could be calling him. Seemed to happen like clockwork. Steve would finish talking to Danny or Tani, and then call him to check for details. Or ask why they hung up on him. It was becoming a routine. He'd call Steve later once things settled. Rachel was dropping Charlie for a visit. Lou wasn't sure he had enough energy for the kid, so he knew Danny would need some backup.

"Lou. You want a coffee?" Danny asked, voice raised and happily annoyed, "Earth to Lou."

Frowning, Lou watched Danny strut across the room. When had he come downstairs? Boy, he was losing it.

"Oh yea." Lou flashed a smile and stuffed his phone into his pocket. "Sure. A coffee. Sounds good."

"I'll pour you a cup. You can fix it how you like."

Danny turned, heading for the kitchen. He didn't push. Lou was thankful. It took his brain a few seconds to catch up. He'd been caught in the middle of this whirlwind for 6 years. Now the only thing helping him stay sane was lots of coffee and the best damn dog any of them could have asked for. Eddie squeezed through the doorway ahead of Danny, tail wagging. Lou smiled and followed. Routine was another thing to add to the list. He knew without checking his watch that Eddie was hungry. Hell, the dog never overlooked a chance for a meal.

"Ok boy. I'll get you dinner." Danny called.

"That dog's damn spoiled," Lou said. "He's been fed twice today already."

Leaning down, favoring his side, Danny said, "Is that true, Edward?"

"Here, let me help." Lou set up the coffee maker. He rummaged through the cabinet. "Do we have regular coffee? All I'm seeing is this whole bean nonsense."

Danny laughed. They'd been through this same conversation a few times. It was comforting to ramble about simple things like coffee beans.

Lou raised an eyebrow and shook the bag of coffee. "You really into this stuff? Or are you just sentimental?"

"Use the grinder. It's –" Danny grit his teeth and froze. "Shit. The grinder. It's up there, too. Beside the beans."

"You ok? Why don't you take a load off? Where are your meds?"

"I'm fine. Just moved too fast." Danny replied.

He straightened, but leaned against the counter, a line of sweat beading on his forehead. Lou tried not to stare. Eddie's feet clicked on the floor as he headed for the front door. Their faithful guard dog and greeter of guests had missed Rachel's arrival. Lou wondered how the loveable dog ever worked in law enforcement.

"Danno, where are you?" Charlie called.

Lou watched Danny transform. It was a miraculous thing. Pain lines vanished. He'd swear even bruises faded.

"Hey kiddo," Danny said, opening his arms wide as Charlie ran to him.

"I missed you, Danno. Mom says we have an hour. Then I have to go."

"I know what your mom said. Danno's got it all figured out." Danny replied as he tussled Charlie's hair.

Lou didn't let either of them see his nose wrinkle, and he kept his mouth shut. Rachel had an odd sense of time. Her drop offs seemed arbitrary and sometimes poorly timed. Like today. But if Danny rolled with it, so would the rest of them.

"Well, let's get your stuff packed for your camping trip this weekend, and then we'll play outside with Eddie. Sound good?"

"But I wanna stay with you!"

Lou steeled himself. He wanted to jump in, to help. He worried Danny didn't have the stamina to deal with the impending meltdown. The last few weeks had been tough on Charlie, too.

Danny sighed and nodded. "I know, Charlie. I want you here, too."

"I thought you were sharing me." Charlie said.

Pulling away from his son, Danny quirked an eyebrow. "Sharing you, buddy? What do you mean?"

"Now I see Mom all the time. I wanna stay here at Uncle Steve's. I miss him so much."

There it was. A punch to the gut. Lou studied the coffee. Whole beans. Roasted on the Big Island. Expensive stuff. He wanted to blend into the background, maybe climb into the bag of coffee, yet he had a plan.

"Hey big guy," Lou said, "I didn't want to tell you this, but I need your dad for a secret mission."

Charlie turned his sweet face and beamed at Lou with a curiosity that was reserved for kids. Lou thanked his lucky stars that the boy hadn't lost his innocence.

"Secret mission?" Charlie asked.

Lou stroked his chin, feigning seriousness. "Well, maybe it's more of a project."

Danny kept his face blank, and Lou almost laughed looking at him. Charlie, on the other hand, was putty in his hands. Or so he hoped.

"What is it, Uncle Lou? You can tell me. I'm the best at secrets."

Danny repeated his son's question. "Yea, Uncle Lou, what is it?"

"Well, just let me tell you –" Lou took a deep breath, sluggish brain, struggling to churn up an answer. He hadn't thought this through. Shit.

"Secret mission! Secret mission!"

Eddie barked and circled a bouncing Charlie.

"Alright, let's take this show outside," Danny nudged his son, "Eddie needs some exercise."

"Can I take him out by myself?" Charlie tilted his head and grinned at his dad. "Please?"

Danny squeezed Charlie's shoulder and replied, "Of course you can, big guy."

Charlie took off out the side door with Eddie leading the way. Danny called after them, "Don't go in the water! Your mom will kill me."

Lou folded his arms over his chest and smiled. Mission accomplished.

"Don't be so proud of yourself," Danny started, "You're gonna have to explain this project eventually."

Shrugging, Lou plugged in the grinder and replied, "Maybe. Maybe not."

Danny giggled, and something burst open in Lou's chest. Moments like this made life easier. He could forget that Danny was still following concussion protocol or that Steve was thousands of miles away.

"Thanks for getting me out of a jam, Lou," Danny told him, "Means a lot."

"You're welcome, man. Now go spend some time with your son."

/././

Glaring at his phone, Steve scrolled through the call log. Nothing from Lou or any of the team. He wanted updates. Some kind of news about Danny. He'd counted to ten and had even taken a walk on the beach to pass the time. Patience was not his strong point, so he gave in and tapped Lou's smug grin.

"What's going on with Danny and Rachel?"

"Well hello to you, too." Lou chuckled.

Steve frowned. He didn't want to relax, but it was so damn hard to stay irritated when Lou turned on the charm.

"Lou."

"Steve." Lou sighed and paused before answering the question. "Fine. Here's the deal. It's simple."

"Stop stalling."

"If you'd let me finish –" Lou didn't cover his now stern tone.

"Go ahead." Steve made an impatient gesture with his hand which he abruptly aborted. He was happy this wasn't a video call.

"Thank you." Lou stopped again. He was the master of interrogation. From both sides of the table. Steve almost interrupted before Lou added, "Rachel asked for more time. Danny gave it to her."

"Why would he do that? I thought he was healing well. He wasn't hurt too badly in the hit and run, right?"

"If by not hurt too badly, you mean –"

"Lou, I know what I mean."

"Danny's recovery is on track, yes. For everything. The doctor was impressed."

"Then what? Lou."

"Enough," Lou said, voice raised, "If you insist on using my name like a hammer, I'm gonna bid you adieu and hang up. Just like I'm sure Danny did. Or you wouldn't be talking to me right about now."

Steve inhaled a heavy breath and then let it out in a long, controlled blow. His chest hurt. His stomach flipped. Pins and needles shot through his hands and feet. "I'm sorry, Lou."

"I get it, Steve. This is a lot. You're not here."

"People keep telling me that."

"Well, it's a fact." Lou replied, and Steve could hear voices in the background. Tani and Junior.

"You're at the office?"

"Nope."

Steve checked his watch. "You're at a crime scene then?"

"Guess again."

"Lou, please."

"I'm at your place."

"My place? Wait, is Danny there too?"

Which was a silly question since he'd talked to Danny less than an hour before. Steve exhaled through his nose. He deserved any smackdown Lou dished out.

"Where else would he be, Steve?"

"Put him on the phone."

"Didn't you just talk to him?" Lou asked. Steve could hear the eye roll.

"I did."

"Well, he's outside with Charlie."

"What happened? Why is Rachel taking Charlie?"

"She's not taking him. She's picking him up. He has a birthday party for a school friend."

Steve nodded, letting the information sink in before responding, "Okay, that doesn't sound so bad."

"It's not. It's the best thing right now. Rachel –" Lou cleared his throat. "She's really stepped up for Danny."

Steve bristled at the implication. He shoved down his guilt and jealousy.

"Danny's okay with it?"

"Yes and no."

"Lou, you're stalling again." Steve was quiet for a few seconds, a nagging thought breaking through. "Wait, it's Wednesday. What kid has a birthday party on a Wednesday afternoon?"

"Alright, you caught me," Lou said. "What do you want me to say?"

"The truth."

You can't handle the truth. Steve pushed the movie line out of his head and waited for Lou, dread building. He couldn't help worrying.

Lou began softly, "Danny struggled when you left. He needed a break. Healing from a bullet wound is – well, you know how it is. He couldn't handle Charlie on his own. But you know he wouldn't admit he needed help. He was already pissed we were mother-henning him to death. Rachel called me and offered to take Charlie for awhile. Not forever. Just for now. And I found out later that Danny was toying with the idea himself. He was relieved, man. Relieved she made the decision for him. And now – after this latest incident – it's all for the best. He still needs time, Steve."

"Danny willingly gave up time with Charlie?" Steve zeroed in on the most important thing. Charlie.

"Yea, let that sink in."

Steve sighed. "I fucked up."

"No, you didn't, Steve. You needed a break, too. We've got things covered here."

Steve's eyes pricked with tears. "Means a lot, Lou. What you're doing."

"Yea, yea, like I'm doing much," Lou said, "Just don't take too long, Steve."

Muffled voices and what could have been a breeze brought static to the line.

"Listen Steve, take care of yourself. Don't be a stranger. I've gotta go."

"Thanks, Lou." Steve whispered, even though the other man was gone. The line silent. He exited the call and checked the weather. The ocean was calling him.

/././

His life had been so structured. Now it wasn't. This wasn't something Steve planned. One day, he didn't set an alarm. He'd slept twelve hours. And he liked it. Then, he took a Danny shower. Fifteen minutes of suds and singing. It cracked him up that his best friend sang in the shower. Sometimes it was pure nonsense. Other times it was a jingle. Or something Steve recognized from Charlie's playlist. Steve found himself smiling now as he belted out an 80s ballad.

Steve thought of the ways Danny had changed, too. The ties and dress shoes had disappeared. He was more relaxed. He surfed. He'd jumped out of a plane and flown one, too. Tears ran down Steve's face and were lost in the steady stream of the shower. Looking down, he traced his scar. Faded now, but forever branding him. He and Danny were linked. Danny often joked that they shared DNA. That Steve was a Williams, and not metaphorically. He was blood and guts family.

Chest tight, Steve dried himself and packed his gear, leaving out only what he needed for tonight. He wanted to see Jersey. Not only the beach. But the real places, too. Maybe he could find some answers.

His phone buzzed. Danny.

/././

Shaking his head, Danny stared at his phone. He didn't know why he'd called Steve. Besides the fact that the house was quiet, and he was lonely, he felt like nagging his best friend.

"Didn't I make myself clear earlier?" Danny asked when Steve picked up.

"Which time, partner? You're gonna have to be more specific."

The humor in Steve's voice made Danny itch. If they were in the same place, he'd poke Steve. Hard. In the ribs. Steve was ticklish. Remembering this made Danny grin. Seeing his partner scrambled his brain. He was like a drug, and Danny was drunk on his presence.

"Why am I talking to you, Steven?"

"Um, you called me, buddy."

"Yes I did, Steven. Sometimes I make bonehead choices. And you called Lou."

Danny took a long slow breath, feeling every cracked rib and bruise. He rubbed his eyes, tongue tracing the crack in his lip, and considered hanging up. He closed his eyes for a second, listening for Steve's answer.

"I did."

"Why you gotta do that?"

"Do what?"

"Checking on me."

"Someone's gotta keep an eye on you."

Danny almost reminded Steve that his eyes hadn't been on him besides lame video calls for weeks. Instead, he stuck to recent events.

"I'm fine. It was a love tap," Danny paused. "You don't need to come back, if that's what you're thinking."

"Danny…"

"Alright, if you must know, I have a monster headache," Danny replied, closing his eyes and flexing his shoulders with a wince. Once he was ready, he continued, "But I'm ok. Keep doin what you're doin. I want you to be okay, too."

Steve nodded and said. "I miss you, you know."

"I know, babe. Ditto."

Danny didn't need to remind his best friend about the last time they watched the movie Ghost. He could see the memory in Steve's stormy eyes. They'd sat closer than usual that night, and if Junior hadn't come barging in with Tani and Adam – well, Danny wasn't sure where things might have gone. Injuries be damned. Steve had left the next day, though, adding to Danny's sadness and confusion.

"Yea," Steve answered with the twitch of a smile. "Ditto."

Touching the screen, Danny sighed. Getting to know Steve over the years was the slowest damn date he'd ever been on. And just like most other awkward emotional moments, Steve changed the subject.

"You did good, buddy."

"What's that supposed to mean, Steven?"

"Why should it mean anything?"

"You said it."

"You saved Tani. I saw the video."

"There's a video?" Danny asked. No one had told him about a video.

"It's Waikiki. There's always a video."

The way Steve studied him, Danny felt like a bug. An uncomfortable bug who was about to be squished.

"Would I ask if there was a video if I'd seen it, Steven? Huh?"

"Stop it."

"What?"

"Calling me Steven."

"It's your name."

"I know it is, Daniel."

Frowning, Danny looked away, shaking his head. "I miss this."

"Bickering?"

"Yea."

"Like an old married couple."

"Don't go there."

"Too late."

"So where does that leave us?"

"I have an idea."

"I hope it doesn't involve explosives. I'm a little rusty."

They both laughed, and then Steve sobered. Danny held his breath.

"If you do something for me, I'll do something for you."

"And what would that be, babe?"

"You'll know it when you see it."

"When I see it? You coming home?"

"No."

The response was so sharp and quick that it hurt. Like a knife to the gut. Danny touched the scar on his belly. Another badge of honor. Otherwise, he pretended he didn't notice how fast Steve had answered. He covered with a question of his own.

"You sending me something?"

"Nope." Steve crossed his arms over his chest, so smug and mischievous.

Danny wanted to punch him, but he asked, "Then what?"

"You'll know."

"Ok. Whatever." Danny rolled his eyes.

Steve touched the screen and said, "Good night, sunshine."

"Good night, you animal."

"Hey wait. Danny, don't go."

"What?" Danny growled. Steve could be worse than Charlie.

"I didn't tell you what I want you to do."

Danny adjusted his position on the couch. Eddie was a space invader. "This should be good. Go ahead."

"Take an extra week. Stay on desk duty."

"Okay. I'm supposed to do that anyway."

"I'm supposed to do a lot of things, too."

"Point taken."

"Promise me."

"You know how I feel about promises."

"Please."

They stared at one another. Their connection so intense Danny almost believed he could reach into the laptop. Steve looked more sad, less defiant than even a few seconds ago. No way could Danny deny his best friend this simple thing. Lou had ordered him to take more leave anyway. It wasn't a difficult promise to make.

"Okay. I promise, babe."

Steve smiled and the storm broke just a little. Danny could see through the clouds. There was hope.

"Good night, Danno." I love you.

I love you, too. "Good night, Steve."

Danny looked into the darkness of the screen for a few minutes after Steve was gone. Seeing only a shadowy, distorted reflection of himself. He'd been blaming Steve so hard for everything, rather than doing the work to get himself better. Everything had been about going through the motions, getting back to a reality that no longer existed.

He loved Steve. He wasn't sure what that meant. He loved himself, too. He prized his abilities. He wanted to get back to work full time. Danny wanted to be proud of himself again. Not feel like he was dragging every goddamn day.

Closing the laptop, he went over his nightly checklist. The last thing was Eddie's walk. He didn't know how far they'd go. His body ached. He knew he should be resting. He shouldn't have chased Lou and the kids away. He couldn't do this by himself. He didn't want to be alone.

/././

Later, Danny sat on the lanai, a snoring Eddie at his feet. He smiled at his phone. Ever the insomniac, he was up way past his bedtime. Chats with Steve had that effect on him.

He flicked the screen once and then again. Grace had sent him pictures of her and her roommate playing miniature golf. He loved her goofy mug, and her new friend fit right in. He wanted to call Grace, and he warred with himself, because he knew she had exams. He didn't want to interrupt her studying. Not to mention the time difference, which drove him nuts.

Danny exited his photo gallery and opened a location app. If he couldn't talk to his daughter, he'd check on her another way. And he didn't feel a damn bit guilty for spying. After all they'd been through, he allowed himself a few indulgences.

Sonovabitch.

Danny glared at the map screen. Listed across the top were three icons instead of the normal two. Grace, Charlie and…Steve.

He couldn't look. Didn't want to know. Closing his eyes, he clicked off the app. Steve's whereabouts would remain one of the great mysteries of the universe. Danny wasn't ready. Not tonight.

/././