Steve waited for Danny to come back, eyes closed, caught between sleeping and waking. Aware that he was alone, he rested. Thoughts came and went. If he opened his eyes, the light made him nauseous. And he'd rather be in pain than feeling like he wanted to puke. But that's what he felt now if he tried too hard to remember anything. He just wanted to pass out. Oblivion looked pretty good.

One thing stuck.

Danny. His best friend. His partner. His -

How did Danny know he was drowning?

He'd come to rescue him again.

Steve didn't want to be rescued. That was his job. He was the one who saved people. The big testosterone marshmallow or whatever Danny called him. But god he didn't want to see Danny dying in his own blood ever again. Images of his best friend shot and gasping for breath on a table morphed into Danny dead in a pool of red. There was so much blood and nothing he could do. He'd been too late. He'd failed his best friend like he'd failed Joe and his mother.

"Hey now, open your eyes," A soft voice called to him, "Don't go worrying me like that. You okay, Mr. McGarrett?"

"Steve," He answered as he blinked away the waking nightmare, "I'm fine."

"Well, Steve, your monitor tells a different story. What's your pain on a scale of one to ten?" Nurse Kathy asked.

"Five." An obvious lie.

"Mmmm," She replied, "I won't call you on that. Let me get you something."

"Makes me sick."

"I'll give you something for that, too."

Steve fought off a rush of emotion. His eyes watered, as he said, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Kathy said. She pulled a syringe from her jacket pocket. "You're in luck. I came prepared."

All he could do was laugh with relief.

/././

Danny followed the pharmacy cart onto the ward. He grumbled to himself about security again, but stuffed that kernel of negativity deep down. He didn't want to spread it to Steve. He had enough to worry about on a hospital ward. He didn't want to add a foul mood to the mix of possible infections.

The door to Steve's room was open. This boded well. He figured his best friend was awake. He was correct.

"Hey Danny, Danno, Danny-whooo," Steve said as Danny strolled into the room. "Marshmallow lover."

With a raise of an eyebrow, Danny smiled. Loopy Steve could be fun, though right then, he wasn't sure he had the energy to do this dance with his partner. His emotions were still a bit wrung out from watching the fight video and meeting Joanna Adams. The girl who saved Steve's life. His life.

Not wanting to deal with the nebula of emotions clouding his tired brain, including a thousand what-ifs, Danny decided gratitude was the best place to start.

"I met the girl who saved your life. Nice kid. Her name is Joanna - Jo."

"Joanna? Isn't that?" Steve replied. He frowned and touched hesitant fingertips to his head.

Danny could see Steve's wheels turning. If anyone could zero in on one of Danny's hang-ups it was Steve. He didn't want to go there again. Names meant nothing. Even if they called up a host of demons…or angels. This was pure coincidence. Along with her resemblance to Grace Tidwell. He wanted to close the book on the past. Only one person mattered – other than his kids. And he was right there in the room.

"Want me to bring her to see you?"

"Yea," Steve said as his eyes slid closed. He mumbled next. "Thank her."

Try as he may to put on a brave face, Danny knew Steve was flagging. His face was pale and sweaty. Danny wanted to ruffle his hair, but he could tell a massive headache lurked there. Along with its companion, nausea. Narcotics could only do so much. He wondered what they'd given him. Knowing Steve, he didn't take enough.

"Hey goofyhead. I'm gonna dim the lights."

Steve mumbled his thanks, and it was quiet for a few minutes. Danny puttered, straightening medical supplies and smoothing the sheet poking out of the covers at the end of the bed. He almost gave Steve's foot a comforting squeeze, but decided against the intimate contact. Instead, he stacked the magazines he'd bought Steve on the nightstand where he could reach them. Though he knew his partner wouldn't be reading anything but the back of his eyelids. Of course, Steve was thinking about him.

"Use my room. Get some sleep," Steve replied.

"Your room?" Danny asked. The word did not compute.

"The motel."

"My folks are just –"

"They know you're here?"

Frowning, he cursed their ten-year friendship. Steve knew him too well. Danny hid from people when he was troubled like a loyal dog hiding under the bed.

"No, in fact, they do not know I'm here."

Steve's face twitched with the hint of a smile. "Use my room. It's free. My bag's there. And my gun."

"Your gun?" Danny raised his voice. Of course Steve had a weapon.

Steve chuckled, all gruff and sleepy with just the hint of mischief and pride, and answered, "Hid it."

"Well, that's good. Where? Please don't make me tear the place apart."

"But you like scavenger thingies…like my Easter egg hunts."

"Steven. Please." Danny said. He wasn't sure if he would laugh or cry. Tired, over-extended Steve could be worse than Charlie.

"Okay. You're no fun." Steve answered. "It's in the AC unit. Best place."

Nodding, Danny logged the information. You could take the SEAL out of Five-0 but you could never take the SEAL anywhere without his gun.

/././

"You know, on my way in here, I noticed a big flaw in hospital security."

Steve chuckled, but kept his eyes closed. Ranting Danny was the best background music. He waited.

Danny continued, "The pharmacy cart."

"Uh huh. The cart. I gotcha." He rubbed his eyes with cautious hands. His head felt heavy, and it hurt to think, but he loved what was about to happen. Their bickering was a balm they both needed. He repeated part of what Dann said. "A huge security risk."

"Don't mock me, Steven." Arms crossed, Danny shook his head.

"Wouldn't dream of it, Daniel."

"Anyone could come marching in here."

"Come on, Danny, drop it. The medicine cart is not a security risk."

"Like fuck it isn't. All someone has to do is follow it in."

Steve chewed on his lip and considered what Danny said. He was right to some extent, but it didn't matter today. He wasn't worried about his safety. For once. It was an odd feeling.

"Please, man, just –" he really wanted to calm his best friend. Their arguments were supposed to be fun. They didn't need to add to their stress.

Danny cut him off and replied, "I will not drop it. You could be a target."

"No one knows I'm here, Danny."

"That's right. You're finding peace. The bad guys will give you a pass."

"Someone could come after you, too, you know."

Danny winced, and Steve regretted his words.

"Because of you, right?" Danny answered with a scowl.

Steve sighed and said, "You're no saint either, Danno."

"Me? What does this have to do with me?"

Shit, he'd gone too far. "Hey, calm down."

"Fuck you." Danny slapped the nightstand with the Guns and Ammo he'd been flipping through.

Steve recognized the tipping point. He threw water on the fire. "You're right. I'm sorry."

"I'm right?" Danny replied, eyes narrowed, "About which thing?"

"All of it. Everything you've ever said."

Danny rolled his eyes as he casually adjusted himself and checked Steve's chart. "I really need to talk to someone about your meds."

"Gentleman." Nurse Kathy breezed into the room. "I'm not sure if this is arguing or flirting, but the whole floor doesn't need to hear it."

Both men retreated, grumbling their apologies.

"Wait, I thought you were night shift?" Danny straightened.

"Sorry," Steve said, "We get carried away."

"Hmmm, is that what you call it. And Danny, I'm covering some hours. Now scooch, please." She motioned to Steve.

Danny moved back to clear a path for her. "When do you sleep?"

"Don't worry. We have a great cot in the staff lounge. You can't do this job for long without some healthy self care strategies."

"See, Steven, someone who knows how to kick ass and take care of themself."

"She's the only one in this room," Steve said.

Kathy replied with a touch of feigned seriousness, "Boy, you're in the doghouse now."

"I take back my compliments," Danny replied with a pouty lip, "To both of you."

"Doghouse is right. He's not sleeping in this bed tonight," Steve stopped mid-stretch and not from pain. He needed to cover himself – literally and figuratively. "You stink, man."

Danny stared at Steve and didn't say anything. His face was caught between horror and surprise. Kathy wrinkled her nose and shook her head, trying hard not to laugh. Steve was mortified at what he'd just let slip.

"It is getting pretty ripe in here," Kathy didn't let either of them off the hook. She paused before adding, "And only one of you is getting a sponge bath."

Danny sniffed his armpits and sighed. Steve knew Danny didn't want to leave him, so he softened his tone when he said, "Could you please grab my stuff from the motel? Use the room. Take a shower. Maybe take a nap? It would mean a lot to me."

"I've got a perfectly good chair here. They'll probably only keep you one more night," Danny shook out the blanket he'd used and refolded it before adding, "I bet Nurse Kathy will help me find a shower here. Worse case scenario, I use paper towels and water from the sink."

"Just use the room, Danny." Kathy called over her shoulder as she left.

Steve exhaled loudly. "It's paid for. Don't sleep here another night, man. Please. It hurts to look at you."

Danny glared at him and said, "What? You've spent plenty of time in the field. A little BO shouldn't bother you."

He really hated how stubborn Danny could get. It was something they had in common. Steve decided to play dirty. The intensity of the well he pulled the memory from gave him gave him goosebumps.

"I opened my eyes." Steve began, swallowing so much emotion before continuing, "And there you were. Again. At my side."

Danny cleared his throat, just as overcome as Steve. "Of course. Where else would I be?"

"But I left you. When you – "

"No. No, you didn't. Not like that."

"I let you down." Steve said, voice soft.

A little agitated, Danny shook his head, slicing the air with one hand. He replied, "Stop this, okay? For me."

Steve frowned, nose twitching. He couldn't help it. Danny talking with his hands made him want to smile. He held it in.

"You heard me, Steven. Stop, please."

"Okay, Daniel."

"Okay?" Danny answered, "You?"

"Yea, ok. I'll stop." Steve crossed his arms over his chest, best he could with the IV line still attached. A hot flash made him close his eyes and settle himself before he said, "On one condition."

"Alright. I'll bite," Danny giggled. "On what condition?"

"You go –" Steve exhaled through his nose. He didn't want to lose his cool. " - get some rest. My room – it's booked til – I can't remember. But you could sleep there tonight."

"I could. But I won't. I'm not leaving you. You can quit with the games."

"Then, I'm not gonna stop."

"Yes, you will." Danny puffed up his chest a little, certain of his words.

Steve bit half his smile. "And why is that?"

"Because you love me, and I asked nicely."

"I'm sorry, partner. Your argument is flawed. Turn that statement around."

"What?"

"Use my room. Because you love me. And I asked nicely."

"You're incorrigible, you know that?" Danny replied with a big grin, eyes leaking just a little.

"You love me, Daniel," Steve slumped against his bank of pillows. Satisfied, he knew he'd won.

/././

Danny rolled into the parking space, nose wrinkled. He knew this place. In fact, it hadn't changed since his college days. Same no-tell-motel. You came there to party or cheat on your spouse. What had Steve been thinking?

He dug into his pocket for the room key, spotting the beige sedan Steve had rented two spaces down. Another item for his to-do list. He was surprised Steve hadn't chosen a pickup. Then it hit him. Steve was keeping a low profile, even when finding peace. His training to blend in was still running his choices. Here, this vehicle was a family car. There were too many to count. He wouldn't stand out.

The key stuck like it was poorly made, or the lock had been picked. Or worse, the key was a copy. Danny hoped Steve's stuff was still there. Especially the gun. His creative, cop mind could weave a thousand scenarios.

Walking into a freezing cold room, he shivered and rubbed his arms. A ceiling fan paddled through the chilled air. The AC was set to the max. He dialed it back a few notches before checking things out further. The weather was quite muggy, but not unbearable. Steve had wanted this place to be the arctic tundra.

He spotted Steve's duffel on the chair by the bed, with his toiletry kit sticking out. His earlier concerns were for nothing. Everything in the room was in order. The place wasn't half bad. It was clean and neatly kept. He lifted the mattress and found no signs of bugs or discarded personal items. There were no weird smells or stains. Just the vague aroma of disinfectant.

He noticed how quiet it was. Except for the soft whir of the AC unit. As ancient as it was, the thing wasn't loud. It took him a few minutes, but he pried open the hatch and found Steve's SIG.

Danny opened Steve's bag wider, intent on tucking the gun there for safe keeping. When he pulled out the toiletry kit, a package came with it, glitter from the tissue paper sticking to his fingers. He assumed it was a present for Catherine. He was wrong.

"Son of a bitch."

Danny sat on the bed with a loud sigh.

Night Life. He'd never divulged his secret weapon.

"How did you figure it out?"

Hot tears made his eyes itch, so he let them fall.

"What the hell were you thinking?"

He twisted the top carefully and took a tentative sniff. Now, he'd always associate his favorite cologne with Steven J. McGarrett.

Then, he promptly felt guilty for opening the present. What if it wasn't for him? Of course it was for him. Closing it tight, he wrapped it in the tissue paper and tucked it carefully into Steve's bag.

No way was he sleeping now.

/././

An hour later – traffic was terrible.

Wavering between confronting his best friend and allowing things to unfold as they may, lost in thought, Danny stumbled into a tech as he strolled down the hall to Steve's room.

"You can't go in there, sir."

This ruffled Danny's feathers just a bit.

"I can't go in there?"

"Someone got a bit testy on his last trip out of bed. He's on a time out."

Danny giggled and said, "Time out? Seriously? He's a grown man."

"Ask the nurses." The young man whose name tag said Fred pointed to the nurse's station. "Kathy told me to ask you to give her a few minutes, if I saw you."

"Yea, ok. I will. I uh – I gotta make a call. I'll be back in ten."

Fred replied with a shrug, "Sounds good."

Knocked out of his loop, He turned around and walked to the atrium. He found a private spot and made a call. He knew Steve felt worse than a caged animal. Danny had a plan.

"Hey ma."

Danny switched ears, holding the phone half with his shoulder.

"I'm in Jersey."

He didn't tell her where. He chuckled at her reaction before he sobered.

"Yea, I coulda warned you. No, it's not for work."

He picked at a small, crusty stain on his shirt. How'd that get there?

"I'm fine. It's Steve."

Sitting on a window ledge, Danny was partially hidden by a large potted plant. Giant green, rubbery leaves gave him shelter. A hot rush made his eyes water and throat tighten. Admitting Steve was injured yet again hit him hard. Just saying it out loud knocked the wind out of him. He really did need some sleep.

"He's gonna be ok. The goof got mugged in East Orange."

A pause where he caught his breath.

"I know, right? Of all places for him to visit."

Danny froze. His mom got right to the point.

"Yea, ma, it is near Seton Hall. My alma mater."

He switched ears again and recrossed his legs. The window was surprisingly cool even in the afternoon sun.

"I uh have a favor to ask. Uh –"

Tears ran down his face. His mom knew him better than most. He didn't have to finish the sentence.

"We should be outta here tomorrow. Depends on his scans."

He took a deep breath and listened. She knew exactly what he needed.

"That ok? You're sure? We won't put you out?"

Danny rubbed his face with one hand.

"We're good for now. Please no visitors. You'll get enough of us, and he doesn't need Stella barging in."

Laughing, he said his goodbyes and see-you-laters.

"Thanks, ma. Love you, too."

Danny ended the call and ran right into Steve's doctor.

/././

The door opened, and Danny entered, pocketing his cell phone before announcing, "The doc says you can go ho- you can be discharged tomorrow or next at the latest."

Steve nodded, face blank. He was thinking. He didn't reply to the news because he'd already spoken to the doctor. Danny kept talking.

"I have an idea. Hear me out. It might sound crazy but-"

Their eyes met. Steve raised an eyebrow slightly. He liked Danny's crazy. He'd missed this so much. He let his best friend have the floor.

"We're not far from my folks' place. Go figure. You wanna travel the world, and you end up here." Danny made a wide oval with his hands. He was fidgety and nervous, yet still somehow soothing.

"You did tell me I had to come to Jersey." Steve bit his bottom lip. He couldn't help himself.

"Smart ass."

"Ok, what's your idea? Let me guess," Steve replied. He knew without asking what Danny was proposing. He just lived to egg him on. "You loved the room and want us to stay there."

"You think you're funny, don't you?"

Steve wiped the smile from his face with an exaggerated gesture. "Go on, please do tell me your idea, Detective Williams."

Danny did not waste his chance. "You could stay with my folks. No pressure. It's a safe place. Home cooked meals, if you want. Comfy bed. You could rest up before continuing on your peace plan. Collect yourself. Heal up. Those ribs will be sore for awhile."

Steve stretched and winced, uncomfortable in his skin. He knew there was way more than his ribs to worry about. His recovery might not be simple this time. He didn't want to be a burden. "I don't know. I don't want to-"

"Zip it. Don't say it. You do know," Danny stopped, his face a little pale. He took a deep breath and added, "And I don't care what you want. This isn't about you. It's about me."

"Danny?" Are you alright? Steve didn't ask his real question. His heart rate jumped a little at the change in his best friend.

"I'm fine, babe. I just wanna make sure you're alright before you leave again. Before I release you back into the wild."

Steve coughed to cover a laugh. He didn't know what to say. Exhausted, at-his-wits-end Danny could be hard to follow with a headache.

Danny kept going. "You are an animal, and you know it."

"That may be true," Steve answered. If he had more energy, he'd grab Danny and hug him.

"May be true?" Danny sank into the recliner, a little off balance.

Steve tapped the bed beside him. Danny didn't budge from the chair. The buttons to change position suddenly warranted his attention.

"Danny. Look at me."

"No."

"Hey, I'm serious."

Raising his head, Danny sighed. "I opened myself up here, man."

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"I'd like a formal invitation."

"Formal - You're gonna make me say it?"

Steve nodded, lips pressed into a devilish smile. This was their thing.

"Would you please stay with me at my parents' house?"

"Yes."

"You sure? Because when my sisters find out you're here –"

"I can handle your sisters. They love me."

"That's what I'm afraid of. You need peace and quiet."

"Hey, hey. Tone it down. We are in a hospital, you know."

Danny rolled his eyes. "You're a schmuck."

"Your schmuck."

"My –" Danny paused, "Huh. That's – so we're actually doing this?"

"I'm not going anywhere. Not without you."

"Did you come to this realization on the boardwalk?"

Mouth open in surprise, Steve was tongue-tied for a few seconds. Then he cleared his throat and said, "You found the cologne."

"Thank you."

"How do you know it's for you?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. You wanted to up your dating game by smelling like yours truly?"

"Dating – what? You call that game? It smells like - " Steve stopped. He didn't know what to say. He liked the cheesy 80s cologne.

Danny replied, "I like it. End of story."

"You went all the way to the boardwalk to get that stuff."

"Yea, so?"

"You hate the beach."

"It reminds me of good times."

"I get it. I would've loved to have known you back then. Before all this."

They stared at one another for a long minute. Steve cursed how bad his broken body felt. He wanted more.

Danny put a fork in the mood. "Never mind. Forget I said anything. You can keep it."

"That cologne was in my duffel, Danny. You snooped!"

"Sssh...ssh..no. We're not talking. Right now, I'm just – so thankful you're ok. That we have this chance."

Just like that, the mood shifted again. Steve rubbed his not-sore eye. He worried he'd missed something.

"Ok. Me too." Steve nodded, and then a frown pinched his face after he studied his partner. "Danny are you al-"

"Ssssh…" Danny touched his finger to his own lips and then leaned forward to do the same to Steve.

Closing his eyes at Danny's touch, Steve murmured his agreement again. He wasn't sure what was happening between them, but he liked it.

"That's it. Rest, babe," Danny told him, as he cupped his chin, with a rough, warm hand. "We'll resume normal bickering hours later."

Steve quirked one corner of his mouth into a smile. He knew he'd never leave Danny again. Not on purpose anyway.

/././

Thanks to IreneClaire for all your help and for coming up with a name for Danny's cologne. I love it.