Chapter 41 – Final Chapter

Steve agreed to the plan after talking it through with Catherine and Danny.

And he decided to do without their talk sessions, because he could talk to them whenever he needed anyway – scheduled or not.

It went well, but he was still very hesitant when it came to the next four-weeks-cycle ("actually a four-months-cycle"). He wasn't ready for it and felt like it was the wrong step yet – that changed another two months later.

He let go of the group therapy. He had liked all the men and women he had met there, but five other people had left as well and the dynamic of the group has changed very much. That left only Dr. Jensen. Steve was planning on staying with him even after he would have finally reached his goal. Just like Danny he wanted to have someone to talk to who was not involved in certain things – an outsider.

It was two-months into the next cycle when Steve took Danny aside to talk to him.

"What's up babe? You look serious…and if you want to talk in private in doesn't mean anything good, does it? You don't want to leave again, do you?" Danny asked half joking, but the pain he felt in his chest at the sound of his own words and the meaning of it showed that he feared it too.

"No, Danny. I don't leave. I can't promise anything, because life had shown to me that it is not always possible to keep your promises – even if you want to – but I'd say I won't leave you ever again."

Danny sighed with relief. "Good."

"It was a mistake anyway. For the reasons you already know – because I still think I should have waited until you were better – and because the ghosts and demons had been in me not in a special place or city. I could have done everything here. It's easy to be wiser after the event, huh? The plus side is I've got to see a part of your hometown. That wasn't exactly what I wanted to talk to you about, but speaking of it: I know I can never pay back what you and Catherine had done for me and yes I know you don't want that anyway – but I would like to invite you two to a trip to Jersey – for a few weeks not just days. You've always wanted to show me everything and now, after I've already seen parts of it, I think it is a good idea to do that. If you still want to show me around that is."

"Of course, I still want that. You have helped me to make Hawaii a new home for me not only a place to stay, but I still love Jersey and if you want to see it, I'll gladly show you around. What did Catherine say?"

"I haven't told her yet. I had wanted to ask you two together. I have to ask her something else first, but I know that she loved Jersey too."

"That is good. Then I'll say we do it. It just has to wait a bit longer. Catherine has just started her new job and I can't take another two or three weeks off just yet either. Is it that what you wanted to talk about? 5-0? You don't come back, do you?"

"I still don't know Danny. I know it's been almost seventeen months by now, but I still think that I can't handle any kind of a "combat situation", a shoot-out or something similar. I am not ready yet. So, I don't know. I still have seven months left until the governor's deadline for rejoining.

If this is about you taking the lead, I want you to take it. You don't have to wait for me. And Cole was meant as a temporary leader anyway, since you were on sick leave and needed some time for yourself."

"I know, but he is doing a good job there. And I don't want that position. Too much paperwork. I am happy where I am. Now, tell me what this is all about."

"I want to propose to Catherine, but…"

"Finally. Congratulations."

"You approve?"

"You don't need my approval, Steve. But if that is what you wanted. Yes, I do. She had proven that she is different now. That she wants to stay with you no matter what. And you two love each other. I am just wondering what took you so long."

"Thank you, Danny. But what I really wanted to tell you is that I don't want anything to change between us because of that. You've told me you love it here, that this is your home too and I want you to stay here. I don't want you to think that…I don't know…we'll need our space now or we might need your room for kids or…"

"Catherine is pregnant?"

"No…At least not that I know of." Steve smiled mischievously at Danny. "I just don't want you to think you have to leave. Nothing is going to change just because we are married. We are still…"

"I'll get it Steve. It's okay. I am really happy for you."

"Thank you, Danny. But there is one more thing."

"And – what's that?"

"I want you to be my best man."

Danny looked at Steve and said "Hm…I am not sure, babe."

Steve looked a bit shocked at that reaction, but then Danny couldn't retain his smile anymore "I am not sure if there is anything I'd rather do. Of course, I will be your best man."

Steve sighed with relief and then they hugged each other.

They sat a few minutes in companionable silence before Steve continued.

"And if the "thing" with Audrey is working out – which I really hope, because I like her very much – we will see if we can remodel or build an extension."

"Babe?"

"Yes, Danno?"

"I appreciate your efforts, but I don't want to leave. Like you've said I love it here. And if Audrey and I work out, we have enough room. You and Cath have a bed- and a bathroom and we have that too. We use the rest of the house like we do now. No need to rebuild your house."

Steve was all smiles.

"That means we can still be an old couple watching sunsets?"

Danny smiled back. "Yes. We not only can – we will!"

The End

Author's note: That was it. I hope you liked it. Thank you to every fav., follower and reviewer on my first journey of writing fanfiction. If I will ever write another story, I hope to see one or the other of you again.

A special thanks to SteveFan81 for commenting on every single chapter. I appreciated that very much. It was very encouraging and motivating.