AN: thank you for the reviews...

Chapter 13: Waiting

Now the hard part was waiting for Danny to wake up. The doctor said that now the ball's in his court-it was up to him if wanted to come back-there was nothing they could but wait. Days came and went and pretty soon it turned into weeks. Steve by this point was getting frusterated because no matter what he said or did nothing worked. Although after a few nights of staying there, everyone convinced him to go to the hotel to clean up, eat something and try to sleep because in Kono's words, "You look like crap. What good is it to him if you don't take care of yourself if your sick yourself?" It wasn't that she was trying to be mean about it but she had to get the point across and she promised that if something changed she'd call him first thing. Before he left, he put the ring on Danny's finger so it wouldn't get lost then he kissed him on his forehead and told him that he'd be back.

By now a month had gone by and his lung was healed and so was his arm, they took him off the vent to see if he could breath on his own and he could but he was still in a coma and now everyone was on edge including Gracie. Steve spent many sleepless night trying to convince Danny to come back to him and ended up shedding many tears alone in the chair. He looked so worn out like he'd almost given up hope till one night that changed.

Steve was a light sleeper so when he heard a mumble come from Danny's mouth he was instantly wide awake and over beside him, holding his hand, "What was that Danny?"

"P..Peanut..." Danny's eyes fluttered open and he looked up at Steve who had tears running down his face, Danny smiled. Steve hit the nurse's button, "Danny's awake...get the doctor"

"Yes Sir"

A few minutes later the doctor came in and checked him out; everything looked good so they were going to keep him one more day for observation then release him into Steve's care. Steve was so glad that Danny was awake but his thoughts went back to what Danny first said, 'Peanut' No one had known that nickname except his mother. When the doctor left Steve went back to Danny's bedside and took his hand. Danny looked at him and Steve smiled-he had to choke back tears again, "I'm so glad you came back...we...I was worried that you'd never wake up...what took you so long?"

"It was peaceful where I was...wasn't sure if I wanted to come back but someone convinced me."

"Who?"

"Your mom"

Steve had to sit down for this...Danny saw and spoke to his mom, "You called me Peanut...nobody knew that nickname except for my mom...what did she say?"

"Calm down...she told me to give you a message."

"What is it?"

"She wanted me to tell you that she loves you with all her heart and that you'll always be her peanut and that she's very proud of you and the work and life you've built."

By now the tears that Steve was holding back came flooding out, "I miss her so much"

"I know babe but she told me that you were it for me and stop having these self-doubts. It worked because at the time I thought I was ruined until she told me otherwise."

"Is that why it took you so long to come back?"

"Yes...she showed me what life would be like if I died...let me tell you something-you are a complete mess-it was hard on Gracie but you took it the hardest and ended up dying on the job then 5-0 just seemed to fall apart after that. Gracie moved to England and no one ever moved into our house."

"What happened to the team?"

"Kono moved and so did Chin and Malia. Hawaii held too many memories of us. Steven it was bad and that's when I knew I had to come back plus she said that you were trying everything to get me to come back and you started loosing hope. She knew how much you loved me and it was putting you through so much pain to see me laying here not moving."

"Yes...she's right...I love you so much it hurts sometimes. I don't want to ever let you go."

"And I don't want to ever let you go. And to answer your question-yes I'll marry you."

Steve smiled as he got up and Danny pulled him down for a lingering soft kiss. That kiss wasn't hard and filled with passion but it was filled with renewed hope and zeal and this kiss said everything and more. They pulled back and Steve knew that Danny was getting tired, "Okay babe...I think you've had enough excitement for one night...get some sleep-what? Do I need to ge the doctor?"

Danny laughed, "No Steve...I just umm I hope this doesn't sound too girly but hold me?"

Steve smirked and got in when Danny moved over. Danny laid his head on Steve's chest to listen to the sound of his heartbeat and he drifted off to sleep pretty quickly while Steve held him. Steve sliently sent a prayer telling his mom thanks and that he loved her. Just before he drifted off he could've sworn he heard his mother's voice say, "Love you too Peanut."

The next morning when everyone came back they were surprised to see Steve wrapped around Danny. Steve was still sleeping while Danny was awake and now he was the one holding him. They quietly came in, "Hey...glad you're back with us...we were worried"

"Danno!...are you okay now?" Gracie asked bouncing on her heels

"Come here...and yes I'm fine"

She went over to the other side of the bed and Kono picked her up and gently sat her down next to Danny so as not to wake Steve-he looked so peaceful. Gracie wispered, "Daddy hadn't been sleeping well."

"I can see that monkey but I think he'll be okay now."

The whole time they were talking Steve never once moved or woke up till the doctor came in and told him quietly that he'd be moved to a regular room.

Steve yawned and strechted and Gracie laughed, she thought this was funny, "Danno he looks like a cat." Danny laughed and Steve raised an eyebrow.

He was eventually moved the day progressed on without any incidents. Danny never told anyone else about what happened, that was between him and Steve and was going to stay that way. Everyone congraulated them on their engagment and Steve never looked more happy in his life-he finally had his Danno back, he was getting married and gaining a daughter, all these things he never thought would come true.

Sam and Andy even stopped by for a last visit before he checked out, "Hey there...how have you been? Steve asked. They had become good friends since this happened-they'd stop by after shift and check in on him to see if he needed anything or just needed to talk.

"I'm fantastic..."Andy said bouncing on her heels and Sam just grinned. Steve knew immediately what happened, "So when's the wedding?"

"How did you ever guess?" Sam asked sarcastically with laughter in his voice.

"Gut instinct...let me see"

She held out her hand and it was the most gorgeous ring he'd ever saw. Everyone congraulated them on their engagment also then they got a call about a possible break-in. "Well it looks like we've gotta go baby"

"Baby is for outside of work dear..." she smiled as they said good-bye. Everyone saw that Danny was getting tired because he kept closing his eyes even though he tried to keep them open. They all said goodnight and they'd see them tomorrow. He was released the next day into Steve's care and they went home back to Jersey. Chin, Malia and Kono left back for Hawaii once they knew that Danny was settled in and told Steve to call them if they needed anything.

AN: Okay stopping it right here b/c it seemed like a good place to stop...please review