AN: thank you for the reviews...omg you have to see this video, found it off youtube. WOW! it wouldn't save the link right so here's how I found it: in the search box just type in steve and danny. then when the results come up look to the right where it says 'featured videos' and it's the first one. it's called, "Steve/Danno [Bloodstream]"

Chapter 15: Time

The days went by then it turned into weeks before Danny knew it and they all still hadn't heard from Steve; Danny gave up on calling him after a few days without any callbacks or even texts from Steve. Little did Danny know that he was putting Chin in Steve's place-he didn't mean do it and didn't even realize he was doing it...it was like Chin became Danny's surrogate parnter. It was with the little things like inviting Chin to go hiking or walking the trails with him or just spending time with him. Chin knew that Steve would want him to take care and look after Danny while he was away so he did. Chin did everything that Danny wanted to do because he knew that Danny was just trying to stay afloat and not break down completely but he also knew that something was going to snap and then Danny would break but it's just a matter of time before that happens.

So here they are, sitting on the lenai at Steve and Danny's house drinking beer. Finally the silence is too much for Danny to handle, "Chin...I...I just want to say that I'm sorry. I never ment to do that to you. I know it's been a few weeks since it's happened and we haven't talked about it but I just want to say that I'm sorry and it will not ever happen again. Can you ever forgive me?" Danny turned to look at him and Chin looked up and smiled.

"Brah don't worry about it. Look you were drunk that night and needed a distraction and yes I already forgave you a long time ago, why bring it up now?"

"Because I couldn't stop thinking about it. Kono knows something has changed between us and she's tried to get me to fess up but I'm not budging; hasn't she tried with you?"

"Yeah a few times but I shot her down. She's just worried about us and she doesn't do good with change; she's probably afraid that you'll leave if Steve never comes home."

At that point Danny looked down at the sand and softly asked, "When is he coming home?"

Chin sighed and looked down at his friend who was about to break, he felt sorry for the man-truly sorry for him-so he gets up then sits down next to Danny and puts his arms around him comfortingly, "I don't know but I do know that he will come home."

Danny sits up and looks at him, "But how-how do you know that something hasn't already happened to him...that he's not laying dead in some godforsaken country? HUH! Can you honestly tell me that Chin? Can you honestly tell me that he'll come back home to me-alive and in one piece! Chin I'm starting to loose hope that he'll ever come back and I don't like that feeling. It was hard enough trying to explain to Grace about her Uncle Steve without upsetting her too much but she still cried her eyes out! DAMNIT THIS ISN'T FAIR! WHY COULDN'T HE JUST COME TO ME! COULDN'T HE TRUST ME ENOUGH TO AT LEAST GIVE ME A HEADSUP INSTEAD OF LEAVING ME A STUPID ASS LETTER-ON MY DESK!" Danny was now yelling with his arms moving wildly.

Chin looks at him sorrowfully then slowly embraces him to calm him down. At first Danny fights it but he just tightens his embrace till he feels him stop fighting and just relax into him. That's when the floodgates open for Danny. Chin is there for him while Danny burys his face into Chin's neck and holds onto him like a lifeline. Chin knew this is just a little breakdown for him because Danny needed to let some of it out but if this a preview of what was to come, he was going to kick McGarrett's ass for causing this man this much hurt and pain. Danny didn't deserve this at all-he's been through too much in his life and had too much taken away from him-he deserves some happiness and he had it with Steve then he had to go and do this.

After a few minutes Chin feels him softly breathing against him and he knows he's drifted off to sleep. He carries him to bed and when he moves to go out Danny's grip tightens and he whimpers so being a good friend that Chin is; he climbs into bed and Danny wraps himself around Chin. Chin looks down at Danny and just sighs, 'Ahh Steven...don't you know how much pain you're putting him through.' he thinks as he gently rubs his hand up and down Danny's back to keep him from breaking down completely. He can feel the scars on his back and shudders because it reminds of how much Danny went through these past few months and getting through them with Steve's help along with their help also. Some nights it was really bad because of the nightmares and Danny refused to go back to sleep. Steve would say that's fine and let him curl himself around Steve or sometimes it would be the other way around and Steve would be the one to curl himself around Danny like a protective shield trying and willing for the pain to go away.

It must've been a couple hours later when Chin was jerked away by Danny's scream. He realized after he got his bearings together that Danny was having a nightmare. "DANNY! DANIEL! WAKE UP!" Chin shouted as he shook Danny wake. Danny's eyes flew open and saw Chin sitting in front of him. The look in Danny's eyes broke Chin's heart-he could tell he was scared and his eyes were wild with fear so he calmly spoke to him, "Danny it's okay...you're okay, you are safe."

Danny buried his face in his hands and sighed, he never wanted anybody else to see him like this and he again felt ashmend.

"Danny's it's okay...is this the first time you've had nightmares?"

"No but I hadn't had them in a long time-this is all Steven's fault-if he hadn't of gone and done this my life could be fine right now-nightmare free but nooooo way not on McGarrett's watch-noooo he just couldn't let it go could he?"

They both sighed, "No the McGarrett's aren't ones to let things go so easily." Chin stated and Danny nodded in agreement.

Slience spread for a few minutes before Danny spoke, "Thanks"

"For what?"

"For not leaving me here alone and hope this doesn't sound too girly but for holding me earlier, for being here and shaking me out of that horrible nightmare."

"You're very welcome...look I can go to the guest bedroom if you want, I'll just be down the hall if you need me." Chin started to get up but was pulled back down by Danny grabbing his wrist, "No please...sstay, I..I can't be alone right now" Chin nodded as they both laid back down and a question popped into his mind, "Danny what does Steve usually do to take your mind of your nightmare?"

"He holds me and tells me that's he'll always be here to protect me while I listen to his heartbeat. For some reason his heartbeat has a calming effect on me, why?"

"Oh I was just wondering if you needed me to do anything for you? You know I'm here for you Daniel" Chin looked over and smiled then saw a look on Danny's face, "Are you gonna be able to go back to sleep tonight?"

Danny sighed and looked out the window, "No" but before he could say anything else Chin was pulling Danny to him and laying his head on his chest.

"Don't worry about a thing, I'm right here to help you...try to relax and listen to the sound of my heartbeat, I know it's not Steve's but I'm here for you. I've been told that I have a calming spirit."

"Malia?"

Chin smiled, "Yeah"

"And she doesn't mind you doing this?"

"No...she's knew you were taking this pretty hard so she told me to that Steve would've wanted me to look after you."

"Smart woman you've got"

"Yeah I do, I'm just glad she understands this situation"

"Yeah me too...I'll have to do something for her when this whole mess is over with"

"No you don't have to"

"Ohhh yes I do..she's letting me borrow you until Steven, god help him, gets back home in one piece and alive"

Chin smiled at the thought of his wife letting him do this but then again she understood Danny and Steve and their relationship-yeah he was definatly going to have to thank her when this is over with.

Danny yawned, "Thanks again, night"

"No problem brah, night"

Danny drifted off before Chin because Chin's mind was racing, he had too many things going in his head to sleep so he just laid there listening to Danny softly breath.

AN: well decided to stop right there...hope you like it and please read my note up top.