Diane's stay in hospital ended up being extended to a week and a half. She developed an infection and because of the proximity to her heart and lungs the Doctors wanted to keep her in until they were sure it had cleared.

Steve had never had a period in his whole life where he felt as out of his depth as he did in that time. Thank god for Danny's presence and support. His partner has been his grounding and assured him he was doing a good job at being Maggie's Papa, despite Steve's self-doubts. With Maggie around, nothing had happened between the two men, and while the looks and 'accidental' touches were happening more frequently, Steve could never find the right moment to talk to Danny about their relationship, or the night he'd asked his partner to stay with him.

Danny had spent most of the week with them; though he'd moved back to sleeping on the couch. The weekend in the middle of Maggie's stay was also a Grace weekend, so Danny brought her over to stay as well and the two girls had a blast together.

Today though, he had to say goodbye to his little girl. At least this time he knew when she went home that things would be different. Diane wouldn't stop him from seeing his daughter, and despite being in hospital she'd already contacted her lawyers to start writing up a joint custody agreement.

Diane had been released from hospital earlier that afternoon, and had come by to have dinner with them before taking Maggie home again.

While she'd been in the hospital, Steve had sent Narcotics to the house and they'd removed any trace of Jason's drugs and deals; even finding the hidden trap door under the Persian rug in his office, which led to a secret cellar where he had stored the drugs.

As Jason's wife and the fact he had no other family still alive, Diane had inherited everything and Steve had wanted his friend and their daughter to have a safe home to return to. Which was why it now came with a new, state of the art alarm system and changed locks.

"Where's Danny this evening?" Diane asked, breaking Steve from his thoughts.

They'd moved out onto the Lanai after dinner to relax while Maggie curled up on the couch surrounded by her stuffed animals, watching her newest Disney movie that Steve had bought her as a 'going away' present.

"What do you mean? Probably at his own place."

"Really, he has his own place?" Diane asked with a smirk.

"Di, what are you on about?" Steve sighed, knowing that when she got an idea in her head, and that there was no point beating around the bush. It was better to just let her go with it.

"Well, I just assumed he lived with you, considering how much time he spends here."

Steve didn't comment just stared at her before glancing back out to the ocean.

"Every night when Maggie called me to tell me about her day it was, 'Papa and Uncle Danny' this and 'Papa and Uncle Danny' that. Even his daughter spent the weekend here with you."

"He's my partner and best friend. He's a great Dad and helped me out while looking after Maggie, because I was worried I'd screw it up." Steve shrugged. "Gracie loves playing here and we knew she and Mags were school friends, so we thought it might be nice for them to have a sleep over and spend the weekend together."

"And Papa and Daddy got to have a sleepover as well," Diane smirked.

"Diane," Steve warned though he knew it was no good. "It's not like that."

"Why not, Steve? I saw the way you looked at him, the way he responded to you. The two of you seem to move in sync; always aware of the other, silently supporting. Partners and best friends might help out, but they don't practically move in to do it."

Steve stayed silent beside her, not sure what to say and he was eternally thankful when Maggie came out and scrambled up into his lap without a word. She made herself comfortable leaning back against his chest and he wrapped his arms securely around her as she told them all about the movie.

Once Maggie seemed to be winding down her story, Diane told her she needed to head inside to pack up the last of her things and get ready to go. Maggie nodded a little sadly, before turning and burying herself in her Papa's chest.

"I don't wanna leave Papa lonely again," she whispered softly turning her head just enough to glance out at her mom.

"Don't worry baby, you'll see him again real soon. From now on, you're going to be spending your time staying here with Papa, as well as at home with me. It won't be like it used to be, I promise, Baby."

"Really?"

"Really," they both confirmed, watching the smile light up Maggie's face. She threw herself into ecstatic hugs with both of them, before running off to do as she had been asked.

Steve shared a long look and a smile with Diane as she disappeared. This was how it was supposed to be and their daughter's reaction confirmed that better than anything else.

Seeing Diane shift to get up, Steve quickly climbed to his feet and gently helped her stand. Once she was up, she leant forward and pressed a kiss to Steve's cheek. "You deserve to be happy, gorgeous. And from what I've seen and heard, he could make you very happy, so buckle up some of that SEAL bravado and go for it."

Danny frowned as a knock sounded at his door. He hadn't been expecting anyone and it was too late for salesmen or other door knockers. Putting the TV on mute, he slipped his gun into the back of his pants as a precaution and moved to open the door.

Coming face to face with a nervous looking Steve McGarrett was the last thing he'd expected.

"Steve, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be having dinner with Diane and Maggie."

"I did… We did… I just dropped them home," Steve said, shifting his weight slightly.

"I'm sorry, babe. Are you ok?" Danny asked, knowing how hard it could be to give up your little girl after spending time with them.

"Yeah. The new custody agreement will come through in a few days and then we'll work out the visitations and it'll all be fine."

"Then, what's wrong, Steven? Cause, Babe, I gotta tell you, you look like you're about to have a nervous breakdown."

Danny gestured for Steve to come inside, but Steve didn't move to enter. Instead, he seemed to muster some kind of courage and finally met Danny square in the eye.

"That night. That night, did you stay with me just because I was upset or was there another reason; one we've been dancing around for a while now, but neither of us are willing to mention."

Steve blurted it so quickly that it took a minute for Danny to process what he was asking, and in that minute Steve lost his courage and Danny could see him starting to close up again, thinking he'd made a mistake.

It was now or never, Danny realised and it was all up to him. He could deny it or say nothing, Steve would leave and they'd be uncomfortable around each other for a little while, before falling back into their usual routine. Or, he could be honest and change their relationship forever and quite possibly secure their happiness with one action.

As lost in thought as he was, he must have taken too long and with a stiff nod, Steve turned to walk away.

Without thinking, Danny moved swiftly, reaching out and catching Steve's hand before he could get too far away. Steve glanced down at where Danny was now holding his hand, before looking over his shoulder at his partner with a guarded expression.

"Stay with me?" Danny asked, his voice low as he tugged gently at Steve's hand. The smile that lit up Steve's face told him he'd made the right choice. As Steve turned to face him, Danny stepped back into his house, drawing his crazy SEAL with him. Once Steve was over the threshold, Danny pushed the door shut before snaking his hand up behind the taller man's neck and drawing those tempting lips down to meet his.

-fin-