As everyone visited on the patio and Chin and Joe manned the grill, Steve grabbed a couple of beers and made his way to Danny's side.

"Here partner, you're falling behind" Danny took the beer and smiled softly. Steve then continued, "You got a minute to talk brother?"

"Sure" Danny reached down and picked up a small wrapped present that was on the table and he followed Steve down to the water's edge where they sat on the wooden deck chairs.

Steve pointed at the gift, "What's that?"
"Just a little something for you. Here, go ahead and open it"
Setting his beer into the sand Steve unwrapped the gift.

It was a very nice glass dual picture frame with the most beautiful pictures Steve had ever seen. The left side held a picture from Steve and Catherine's wedding. It was a picture of her hand on top of his with their wedding bands prominently displayed. And the right side held a picture also showing Steve's left hand and wedding band but this time his finger was being held tightly by the tiny hand of his newborn son.
Steve's eyes filled with tears and as he looked at his partner who was also crying, he choked out the words, "It's beautiful Danny, God it's just beautiful. Thank You brother"

The men stood and embraced and cried. When they parted, Steve asked, "When did you do this?"
"You had fallen asleep and I used my cell phone. I've got several other pictures up in the house for you as well. I knew you'd want pictures"
"Danny...thank you...I'm absolutely overwhelmed by this"
"You're welcome"
They sat back in their chairs with Steve holding the frame in his lap and they sat quietly for several minutes before he broke the silence.

"Danny, I wanted to talk to you. To give you answers"
"Answers about what?"
"Since we've been partners you've asked me several times about my past, about what I did in the military. And while I can't give you all the information you probably would like, I can tell you some things. Up until now I just wasn't ready to tell you, or anyone for that matter, the things I'd done. But I'm ready now. There are certain things I can't tell you, basically names, due to the fact that the missions were classified. For your safety, my safety and the safety of the other men involved, certain facts have to remain secret"

"Are you sure about this man? 'Cause you don't owe me anything, you know that right?"

"I know that, and I'm sure" Both men sat forward in their chairs and Steve drew a deep breath and began.
"I commanded a Seal team of eight men for ten years. I was one of two snipers in my unit. During the war with Afghanistan we were involved in a countless number of raids on the Taliban and their operatives and we killed hundreds of men. I also personally assassinated eight top Taliban officials on individual missions. I'm not proud of the fact that I've killed these men Danny, they were human beings and I have to deal with my choices but I acted out of love and devotion for my country and I do not regret my actions. The only thing I do regret is that I lost two very good men in the process. Adam Wright was only 26 years old and during a raid he took a round to the neck. I was able to carry him and load him onto our truck but he bled to death in my arms before we could get him help... Our second loss occurred only a month before our final mission. My number two in command Mike Phillips threw himself on top of a grenade to save two of our men. I've never before left a man behind...but Danny...there was nothing left of him for us to take..." Steve paused to compose himself and then added, "Then Nick...to see him be corrupted by money. Danny I failed him..."
Steve's voice trailed off and Danny looked at the face of his friend, so tortured, so sad.

"Steve...you didn't fail him. He's a grown man who made his own choices. I'm sure he was an honorable man when he served with you. But he made his choices and you can't blame yourself for that. I'm kind of remembering that you gave me a speech similar to this about my brother and his choices if you don't recall...God I don't even know what to say. You're a hero man, you know that, don't you?"

"No, I'm just a man who did my job that's all... I have never told anybody these things...not Joe, not even Catherine..."

"You're blowing me away here man. Thank you. Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me these things"

"I need you to understand why I went into this alone. It's not that I don't trust you or that I didn't feel you could handle the situation. Hell Danny, I trust you with my life... I just couldn't risk losing you. You and Gracie...Chin and Kono...you've become family to me and I will do anything to protect you. Wo-Fat was taking everyone I loved and I wasn't going to leave Japan with him still being alive"

"Are you the one who killed him?"
"Yes...one of my men had shot him in the shoulder...but I beat him to death Danny. I've never ever felt rage like that...I kept hitting him and hitting him until Joe pulled me off...I was covered in his blood Danny..."

Danny looked at his friend, "That's how you broke your hand?"
Steve nodded looking down at his hands, clenching his unbroken left hand into a fist.
Danny reached over and grabbed Steve's hand in his. "It's okay partner, it's over and it's going to be okay now"

"He told me…..she kept calling for me…..I wasn't there when she needed me most Danny…..Oh God"
Steve's hand was shaking in Danny's and his shoulders heaved,

"Buddy, Catherine knew how much you loved her. This wasn't your fault brother…...Wo-Fat did everything he could to destroy you…...you stopped him Steve...don't let him win, don't let him win"

The men sat quietly for several minutes staring out at the ocean and sipping their beers.

Danny eventually broke the silence, "From what you tell me about these men you served with I must come off like a whimp"

Steve looked to his partner, "Don't ever say that man. I've been through hell and back with those men and I will always have a special bond with them. I'll always be there if they need me...forever. But Danno, you have saved me partner. You're the best friend I've ever had and I would die for you brother. You...you keep me sane"

"Me? I keep you sane? Well you know buddy boy, you drive me crazy!"

Both men chuckled and then Danny's voice softened and he added, "Seriously though, other than Gracie, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I love you man and I'm very proud to be your friend and partner"

Steve grinned at his partner, "I love you too Danno...Thank you"

THE END

*********THANK YOU ALL for the nice reviews - I hope you all enjoyed the ending************