Epilogue


A/N: Surprise! I won't be home tomorrow so I'm posting this a day earlier. I'm a sucker for happy endings after all the angst so I hope this short epilogue will put a smile on everyone's faces.

The story has come to an end, so I want to take a minute to thank everyone who read it and took the time to comment on it. It has been quite a challenge to write it and get the emotions and the characters' voices right, and knowing it was well-received has meant a lot.

I am already working on a new multi-chaptered fic, which I hope to share with you soon. Until then, enjoy your summer!


8 months later

"Come on, Danny, come on… that's it, buddy, one more!"

Sweat beaded on Danny's forehead as he willed his muscles to complete the last rep of the series, face scrunched up in concentration.

So close… he was so close…

Steve watched him curl the dumbbells up to his shoulders, press them straight up toward the ceiling until his elbows were straight and then lower them back down, beaming with pride at the result.

"You did it, Danny, good job!" he cheered as the Jersey native put the dumbbells down and wiped his face with a towel.

He had done it.

He was back.

"I did it…" Danny smiled, shaking his head in amazement.

It had been a long eight months, filled with excitement and doubts, pain and emotional breakdowns on both parts but he was finally strong enough to be cleared for duty, a major accomplishment they could've only dreamt about before his surgery.

His arm had been immobilized for four weeks after the nerve grafting procedure. They'd taught him how to use his left one to perform activities like eating and personal hygiene, and then the rehabilitation had begun: sensory reeducation, range of motion and strengthening exercises had taken up most of his daily routine.

Through it all, he had shown a surprisingly positive mindset. Danny Williams, the guy who always saw the glass half empty, had committed to the program with an inspiring attitude and a dead set determination. That, coupled with the continued support of family, friends and healthcare professionals had slowly but steadily achieved the results they'd hoped for: full range of motion, and a clean bill of health.

The smile on Steve's face was even wider. "You sure did," he said, enveloping him in a hug. "I'm proud of you, buddy."

The former SEAL had basically put his life on hold to be there for Danny every step of the way. He had been his caretaker before even being physically allowed to by his own doctor, had sat through every session of physical therapy, learning the exercises so that they could perform them at home and speed the recovery, and endured every rant and frustration-induced yelling without even flinching.

Even his job, the thing he held most valuable, had been put on the back burner. When his medical condition could no longer be used as an excuse, he had requested a leave and put Lou at the helm of Five-0. Three months later, with Danny improving enough to live by himself and threatening bodily harm if he didn't go back, he'd finally relented and resumed his position as leader of the task force. And for the first time in… well, ever, Steve McGarrett hadn't spent a minute more than he was required to at HQ, needing the closeness to his friend and his family to complete his own healing.

He occasionally still lay awake at night, cursing himself for the mistake he'd made. Sometimes his hands were still red, stained with his partner's blood. But despite it all, Danny still cared. His children still loved him.

With that realization, some of the guilt had lessened. The emotional scars would never heal completely but with Danny at his side, he could learn to live with them.

In another uncharacteristic McGarrett feature, Steve had even agreed to talk to a therapist about his feelings, convincing himself that he was doing it for Danny, to offer him the best version of himself so that his friend could draw from that the strength he needed.

The ordeal had changed them, and the incisions on his partner's collarbone and shoulder would be constant reminders of the moment Fate had decided to put both their lives through the wringer,yet Steve liked to think they were better people now because of it.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?

"Here, drink some water," he offered Danny a bottle and gazed with renewed admiration as he effortlessly twisted the cap and took a long sip.

"Thanks," the Jersey native replied, raising the bottle in his direction as if he was making a toast. "I mean it, Steve. Thank you. I couldn't have done this without you."

Steve saw the tears well up in his friend's eyes and ducked his head.

He didn't deserve the gratitude. He'd done nothing special. "Danny, I don't—"

Danny ignored him, wrapping an arm around him instead and pulling him close. "Come here, you big lug. I love you." His embrace was warm and strong and Steve melted into it, relishing in the soothing feeling as his muscles gradually lost its tension and the world around him seemed to disappear.

He felt safe in Danny's arms.

His mind was at peace, and even the future looked a little brighter.

"I love you too," he whispered, his voice cracking a little.

Time passed, neither of them wanting the moment to end.

"Come on," Danny eventually said, squeezing Steve's shoulder before pulling away. "We need to go get Charlie and get the cake from the store."

"Not before you take a shower," Steve deadpanned. "You stink."

Danny rolled his eyes, a smile still on his lips. "Thank you for your precious insight, Mr. Obvious. Let's go."

Following up to his promise to do right by James Doyle's innocent son, Steve had worked closely with CPS to find the kid a good home and stayed in touch with him, hoping his steady presence and two loving people at his side would make up for the lack of affection he'd experienced and be enough to change the course of his life for the better.

Under the right influence Kevin had thrived and, in a little over six months, had become a whole different child. For someone who didn't have biological kids of his own, Steve sure seemed to have the whole fatherhood thing down pat mentoring Nahele, Kevin and to some extent, Junior.

Impressed by his partner's commitment and taking it as an opportunity to find closure to his own journey, Danny had started visiting him as well, bringing Charlie along.

Today was the child's birthday, and Steve had promised him chocolate cake and an afternoon of fun at the beach. In a few hours they'd have two hyperactive five-year-olds on their hands, but Danny couldn't think of a more rewarding way to spend his time.

"Wait. I got something for you," Steve said, reaching for one of the pockets of his cargo pants and pulling out Danny's badge. He stared at it for a moment, tracing his thumb over its surface before handing it to him. "Welcome back, partner."

Danny nodded as he took it, the lump in his throat preventing him from using his voice.

He was a cop, and even during those long months of rehab and silent worry he'd always identified himself as one.

Now that shiny piece of metal had given him his identity back.

And everything felt right again.

"So, what'd you get the kid?" he asked as he glanced at the clock on the wall and started to gather his things

"Toy rifle."

"Toy rifle? What, you training him to be a soldier, babe?"

"Kids love guns, Danny," Steve grinned, and Danny pictured a five-year-old version of his friend engaged in a battle.

"They most certainly not! And what are you basing this on? Your vast experience?"

Steve playfully smacked him upside the head. "Shut up, Danny. I'll wait outside."

THE END