To continue. None of this was invented by me. Created in my head yes, but CBS owns them...

Monday, Danny works through his half day and then, he heads out telling Chin, "I am heading home. Tell Steve I feel fine, I am hitting the internet to look for a birthday present for Grace. Her birthday is only a week away and I need to find something special. I will meet him at his place for our dinner and football game on television in four hours, OK?"

Chin smiled and said, "Who's playing?"

"It is the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins. Steve roots for the Fish and I am J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets fan all the way. I just hope Miami doesn't win because Steve has the Dolphins' fight song cued up on his cell phone for me if they do and I really hate it."

"OK, brah. No worries. I'll tell him you're out shopping and you'll be home for the game. Just hit the doll and book web sites and, you'll find Grace the perfect gift, I know it."

"Thanks Chin! Ask Kono if she could come over on Saturday and help me learn how to surf. I want to learn so I can go out with Grace. I may even buy her a board for her birthday. Dunno yet."

Danny left the Palace and headed home. He ran to Steve's desk and set up his laptop and fired it up. Once he was online, he gulped softly and typed in 'Gay Sex' to see what would appear. He was floored when he saw 100+ pages devoted to the subject and cracked his knuckles. 'Better get to work, ' he thought to himself. 'I want to see what I can, can't and WON'T do for the love of Steven J. McGarrett.'

Three hours and about 50 sheets of printed materials and handwritten notes later, he closed down his internet searches and went to the department store in search of the list of items he had written down: Condoms, Lubricant, extra pillows, and silk boxers. Once he had all of those items (who knew there were SO many choices of lubricant and condoms?), he made his way back to Steve's (now their) home and hid his new purchases away in his bureau. He did, however, slide on the new silk boxers, loving the way they caressed his butt like a second skin. He finished putting his jeans back on and went down to the living room and set up the football game on television so, when Steve came home minutes later, the game was cued up, popcorn was popped, and beers were in a bucket on ice on the floor next to the couch.

Steve showed up about ten minutes later and wondered what was going on in the head of the man he loved. "Danny? Why'd you leave work so early? What's going on? Chin said something about you needing to get Grace a birthday gift for next week and I know you already got her that new bicycle and helmet in her favorite colors. I repeat my previous question: What's going on? What are you up to?"

Danny blushed from the tips of his ears to the roots of his blonde hair and said in a mumble, "Iwaslookingatwebsites."

Steve said, "Sorry. Didn't catch that. What?"

Danny cleared his suddenly very dry throat and said, "I was looking at web sites. There. Happy? I was doing research on our type of relationship and I wanted to be ready to be with you. Satisfied?" He got off the couch and stalked off to the kitchen muttering about Steve and his 'Neanderthal SEAL tendencies'.

Steve, for his part, was stunned. Danny was doing research into having a relationship with him? That made his heart swell with love for his Jersey Man. He walked into his kitchen and gently caught Danny's elbow. "Anything you can share with me? I want to learn what you found out and if I can help you in any way."

Danny turned into Steve and held him in his arms, rocking slowly on his feet back and forth. "I want to be ready when we decide to try… other things…. you know…. in bed. I did some looking into those things and I know what I want. That would be you, my crazy ninja SEAL goof, in bed just loving me. Is that OK?"

"I think that is way more than OK, Danno. Just loving me, huh? I can't wait. What do you have in mind?" Steve's mind was racing to figure out what Danny was thinking-he could be going on in a million directions and it thrilled Steve to know Danny WAS thinking of loving him.

Danny relaxed in Steve's arms and nuzzled into his chest, breathing in his unique scent of the ocean and his after shave that made him almost swoon. He felt safe. This was a feeling he had never had with anyone in his life before. He gently slid out of that embrace and walked toward the stairs leading to Steve's room. "Come with me, please."

That was all it took to get Steve curiously aroused with what Danny may have planned for the night. He followed Danny into his room and waited by the bed for any instructions Danny had.

"Steve, let me do everything, OK? If, at any time, you are not on board with what I try, please let me know. I never want to hurt you, ever. I love you. Alright?"

With that, Danny unbuttoned his shirt and slid it off his shoulders. He took Steve's shirt off, gently pulling it over his head. He then kissed Steve's neck and shoulders, ghosting his fingertips over Steve's nipples and reveling in how they pebbled and puckered at his barely-there fingers. Danny reached out and unbuttoned and unzipped Steve's pants and slowly slid them down his long legs, letting Steve use his shoulders to steady his balance when he stepped out of them. Danny slid his hands up Steve's legs to the back of his thighs and squeezed the muscles there. The moans Danny heard were music to his ears and he stood up to pull Steve into a scorching kiss, rocking him on his heels.

Steve was lost in a wave of desire. All he knew was Danny and what he was doing when he was stripping him, touching him, and kissing him. Danny guided him to the bed and laid him on the mattress. Danny then took his pants and boxers off in one motion. Now that Danny was naked, he commanded Steve's full attention. Steve watched him walk around the room and saw how aroused Danny really was and it made him 'rise' to the occasion faster than he ever did with any woman he had ever been with. Danny was better than any of them and they hadn't even had proper sex yet. Steve was throbbing in his boxer briefs and waiting for Danny's next move.

Danny looked down at Steve and smiled. He reached out and motioned to Steve to lift his hips. Danny gently slid his boxer briefs down his legs and could not help but lick his lips in anticipation of what was to happen. Steve looked into Danny's eyes and saw that they were completely blown with emotion. His voice shook. "What next, Danno?"

Danny, for his part, was trying to decide what he wanted next. He did not want this to be a clinical version of sex but, he needed it to be SOMEWHAT physical and enjoyable for both him and Steve. He sighed and climbed on the bed and kissed Steve. "I want to go slow. What do you want, Steve? Tell me and I will do whatever you suggest."

Steve moaned, "I just want you to touch me. Kiss me, love me-just touch me please! I feel so alive when I am with you. God, Danno! Just touch me everywhere!"

Danny smiled, "Your wish is my command." He began by kissing Steve senseless and then, leading with his lips, he began to slide over his jaw and neck. He nibbled at Steve's neck, using his hands to touch and explore Steve's chest and tight stomach. He then slid his mouth down and flicked and licked at Steve's chest latching onto a nipple as Steve moaned again in pleasure as he ran his fingers through Danny's hair, earning a moan of his own from Danny.

Danny continued his travel of Steve and slid down over his tight abs and kissed over the skin and down to his hips. He nuzzled at Steve's erection and drew a deep breath from Steve in anticipation. Danny softly took Steve into his mouth and tasted his pre cum on his tongue-a salty sweet flavor which he instantly found addicting. He let his tongue trace patterns on Steve, making him harder than he was before. He gasped as he got to the point of his release and came. Danny swallowed the sudden eruption in his throat and took all Steve gave until he finally relaxed and slid out of Danny's mouth. Steve's heartbeat was finally coming back to a normal rhythm.

Steve wrapped his arms around Danny. "What you just did… Damn Danno! I LOVED that." He flipped Danny over and grinned. "Now, can I do that to you? Can you handle me loving you?"

"You do that and I may die a very happy man!"

Steve kissed Danny and tasted himself in Danny's mouth. This spurred him on to kiss along Danny's collar bone and to his chest, licking and sucking a path down his stomach to his goal. Once he had Danny in his own mouth, Steve hummed his pleasure around Danny and, very soon, felt him shuddering as he released his come in hot jets down Steve's throat. Danny's fingers slid into Steve's hair and caressed his scalp as he came-it was so much love and pleasure, he could barely stand it. He was overwhelmed to the point that all he could say was Steve's name over and over again.

When they were both calmed down and relaxed, Steve laid his head on Danny's shoulder and said, "Thank you for trusting me. I never thought I could love you more-I do, though! You are incredible. What you make me feel is so much more than I ever thought I could."

Danny wrapped his arms around Steve. "Steve, if I loved you any more, I would lose myself in your heart. I should be thanking you for the trust you show me just for loving me. I still can't understand why you love me out of everyone on this rock. What, really, makes me your choice-you could have anyone in the world?"

Steve sighed and said softly in Danny's ear, "I could ask you the same question, Danno. I've seen women and some men lusting after you and I wonder what makes me so special to you? I love you so much. There is only you for me. You are my endgame, my finish. I will have no one other than you for the rest of my life. You are what makes me smile and if anyone ever tried to take you from me, they would have a fight on their hands."

Danny kissed Steve's head. "You are my endgame too, McGarrett. I will never love anyone as much as I love you. You want me for the rest of my life? I want you for that long, too."

Steve kissed Danny and while they cuddled a bit longer, soon they both fell asleep. When they awoke the next morning, they were still wrapped around each other, naked and tangled together. Steve was the first to waken and he felt Danny breathing into his hair. He noticed that he was pretty much draped over Danny's chest and stomach and could feel his heart beating a steady rhythm under his ear. Steve took notice of where his hands were-one under his temple and one across Danny's stomach. He slid his hand south and, through gentle touches, worked Danny into a fierce case of morning wood after only a few minutes.

Danny felt like he was dreaming. He was holding Steve, loving him, and was blissed out happy. He cracked open his eyes and grinned. "I'm not dreaming. Oh, what a way to wake up! Steve, I love you. You make me so happy! I just had the best dream about you…."

Steve reached up and kissed Danny soundly on the lips. "Is the dream better than the reality or is the reality better than the dream?"

Danny pretended to think this over for a bit and then tugged on Steve's hair. "Oh, the reality is better. The dream is fun but I like being able to do the things in the dream with you for real."

Unfortunately, at that moment, the alarm went off and they had to get up for work. They hit the shower at a run and got dressed and downstairs in record time. Danny wanted to make his lunch and grab a bowl of cereal before they left for HQ. Steve whipped up two sandwiches-roast beef, cheese, pickles and tomatoes; two bags of dried bananas; and four bottles of water and packed them in a pair of cooler bags. Danny was going for cereal and Steve stopped him by saying, "I called Chin and Kono. We are going out for a team breakfast so we can catch up on the cases we have pending and get ready for the week. We are early so we have a few minutes before we have to leave. I just want to do one thing, please let me." Steve reached out to Danny and loosened the knot on his tie, sliding it off his neck. Once it was gone, he unbuttoned a couple of buttons on Danny's shirt and bent into Danny, kissing the newly exposed neck and smiling into Danny's skin.

Danny said, "That is what you had in mind? What did my tie do to you? I'll have you know, my mother gave me that tie." He went to put it back on but Steve stopped him.

"Please? For me. Don't wear that tie today. I love being able to see your neck. It makes me smile. Plus, you look super-sexy and I love it."

"Only for you, Steven. Only for you."

They drove to the diner they were meeting Kono and Chin at and settled into a booth. Chin and Kono arrived five minutes after Danny and Steve and they ordered-egg white omelet and wheat toast for Steve; yogurt with fruit and wheat toast for Kono; scrambled eggs, sausage and biscuits for Danny (earning a raised eyebrow from Steve); and banana muffins and fruit for Chin along with a pot of coffee and orange juice all around.

Steve waited to see what would happen. He didn't have to wait too long before Kono noticed. "Danny! You forgot your tie! Looking good brah."

Chin smiled, "You look more like you belong here, brah. Nice going."

The waitress came by and slid a note to Danny. 'Call me later. I get off at 2. You're cute.' followed by her number and a wink. Steve's jaw worked on the bite of toast he had just taken. Danny blinked in shock at the note. When she came back with the check, Steve picked it up and paid for it with the 5-0 credit card. The breakfast was productive-they had caught up and even made progress with different sets of eyes on cases and, since Danny was just coming back in after being out, he put in his thoughts and they showed the way to new evidence. Danny was an integral member in their team and Chin and Kono loved that he was back.

Steve stalked back to the Camaro. He slid into the driver's seat and growled at Danny as he slid into the passenger side, "See what I mean, Danno? Women want you. That waitress is probably thinking you are a catch."

Danny showed Steve the note and then, in front of Steve, he tore it into shreds and threw it in his car trash. Steve let out the breath he was holding internally and said, "She didn't change your mind about us?"

Danny reached over and slid his hand over Steve's thigh. He smiled and said, "Easy, McGarrett. I meant every word I said to you over this weekend. I love you. You are my Neanderthal goof. I don't want to give you up for a cheap roll in bed with a waitress. I want all my rolls in bed to be with only you. To lay it out on the line for you: I am totally in love with you, Steven J. McGarrett. You are my endgame. Can you handle that?"

A huge sigh escaped Steve's throat. "I love you too, Danno. I trust you with my heart. I have never trusted anyone with that before. I'm sorry I was jealous. I know you, Jersey."

"Yeah, you do, McGarrett. But, we are at work. Can this be over now? We need to go catch bad guys now. We can talk and more later, OK?"

"I'm holding you to that, Jersey."

The day passed along with no real leads on any of 5-0's open cases. With all of the paperwork caught up, signed and filed, Steve closed up shop at 4:00 PM, an hour early. Kono hugged Steve and said, "I am outta here! The Pacific calls to me to surf. See you tomorrow, ohana!"

Chin dashed out. "I can hit the road on my bike and work out the kinks from her last tune up! See you guys in the morning. Leads will show up."

Danny and Steve headed out to the Camaro. Danny got behind the wheel and waited for Steve to climb in the passenger's side. He fired up the engine and headed back to Steve's house. Danny glanced over at Steve and smiled. "Hey, Steve. Can we talk now? You were in a funk all day and I want to put this morning behind us. I can't believe that waitress so shamelessly flirting with me. Me, of all people. I mean, Chin and you were with me and I know you are both better looking than I am on my best day. Why would…."

Steve cut him off. "Danno! Why on earth do you constantly put yourself down? You are gorgeous. I know so. I love you and I know how passionate you can be. You have to know that I was jealous. I have you in my life and another person wanted you for herself. It made me mad. You are my tin whistle in the Cracker Jack box. I am so lucky I have you in my life. We both made a pact that we are not looking for anyone else but each other. I want to um, make that permanent. We've been dancing around each other for three years. I want you and only you."

Danny pulled into Steve's driveway. He killed the engine. "What are you asking me? If this is a proposal, the answer is simple for me." He climbed out of the driver's seat and walked around the car to Steve's door. He opened it and pulled Steve upright. When he was against the car, Danny pulled his head down and kissed the ever loving stuffing out of him. He whispered into Steve's ear, "My answer is a solid YES. But, propose properly. I would love the on-one-knee-with-a-ring deal but, you know, surprise me with it."

Steve was amazed and thrilled at the same time. Danno-his Danno-wanted to marry him! He sort of knew how he was going to do this but, Steven J. McGarrett was nothing if not a stickler for tradition so, he had to find a way to ask Danny's family for permission to marry their son.

Grace was dropped off that night and Steve made a quick stuffed chicken and mashed potatoes to go with a salad Danny made. After dinner, Grace and Steve went to the ocean for a short swim-Steve took her out half as far as he would have gone without her but, out of earshot for Danny on the shore to overhear their conversation.

Grace asked, "Hey, Uncle Steve? What's up? Did Danno do something to bug you?"

Steve laughed and said, "No, Danno did nothing to bug me. I am having a problem. I love your Dad very much. Can I ask you a question?"

Grace was a sharp child. She took a chance and asked, "Uncle Steve, if you love my Danno so much, why don't you ask him to marry you? I think if you asked him, he'd say yes. I would love it if you were my step-dad. You are the best!"

After Steve recovered from the shock of being bested by a sharp nine year old girl, he asked his question, "How can I propose without asking his parents for permission? That just is not done. In 15 or 20 years, when you have a boy that wants to marry you, he is going to have to ask Danno for permission to marry you, too, Grace. That's how it's done. Do you think I can sneak his parents here for a visit? I mean, how hard can that mission be?"

Grace giggled, drawing Danny's ears. Danny called out, "Steve! No tickling Grace in deep water! What are you two talking about out there anyway? You better not be planning a secret mission or something like that…. I will figure it out eventually-I am a DETECTIVE after all!"

Grace said, "Leave Nonna and Poppa to me. I can get them here for you, Uncle Steve. It's in the bag."

Steve scratched his head and wondered how he was leaving this monumental task to a nine year old child but, he thought to himself, 'This is Grace. She can get this done, I know she can. I just wonder what it's gonna take to get them here.' "Grace, will you at least tell me how you plan to do this?"

"Let me worry about getting them to agree to come. If you can help with the plane tickets, I can get them here. Like I said, it's in the bag."

Turns out, Grace had a very simple plan for getting her grandparents to visit Hawaii-she told them about Danno almost dying from appendicitis and that he needed them. They called Steve and he arranged their flight out to Hawaii from Newark that weekend. Steve had to hand it to Grace-she was sneaky when she needed to be and Danny was none the wiser for her shenanigans.

Steve went to the airport to meet Michael and Isabelle Williams at the gate. He drove them to a hotel and got them situated for the night. He explained that Danny was OK but, he was recuperating at Steve's place and was sort of um, living there now. He put on his best smile and asked, "Um, Mr. and Mrs. Williams, how do you feel about Danny living with me?"

"First of all, my name is Isabelle and you can call me Mum or Belle. Second, if my son is safe, happy, and healthy, who am I to tell him who he can live with? Third, Danny doesn't think we know but we DO know he is bi-sexual and we don't really care. All we care about is that he is safe and loved. Do you love my son, Steve?"

Michael chimed in, "He is our son but, he thinks we would be disappointed in him for his choice of who he loves. I think if you are his choice, you are a caring and thoughtful man and I support my son in his choices. 100%."

Steve let out a huge sigh of relief. He said, "There is a whole ten days for you to get to know me and see me and your son together. I want your approval. I do love your son very much. He and Grace are my total package. I love his daughter like she was my own. She is very remarkable. She kept your visit a secret from her Danno all week long so we could surprise him tomorrow. Now, I would love to continue chatting with you but, I know-jet lag is no fun to get over in one night. I'll let you get some rest and we can surprise Danny tomorrow with your visit. Thank you for coming. Oh, and you are not to pay for one thing here-I have it covered because you came all this way to visit Danny because Grace and I wanted you to. This means so much to me, you cannot know. Have a good first night in Hawaii. Aloha."

Michael and Isabelle settled in for the evening in their suite. Grace called her Uncle Steve. "Hey, Uncle Steve! Did our thing happen?" 'Our Thing' was code for her grandparents showing up. She was anxious about keeping this monster secret from her dad. It was a hard thing for her to do since her Danno was her safe parent-she hated even telling him a white lie-this was a huge whopper of a secret to keep from him.

Steve went out on the lanai for a bit of privacy and answered Grace. "Yeah, our thing happened. Safe and sound, too. Can't wait to see you tomorrow. Can't wait to see the look on Danno's face. It's gonna be classic aneurysm face for sure!"

Unfortunately for Steve, Danny WAS listening to his side of the conversation. When Steve mentioned the phrase, 'Can't wait to see the look on Danno's face.', he peaked Danny's curiosity to the enth degree. Danny was a very determined detective from that moment on. He was concerned that Steve was keeping a secret from him. It was really too early in their physical relationship for him to be keeping any type of secret from him and he was very single-minded in his pursuit of the truth.

Steve came in from the lanai and met Danny in the kitchen with a steamy kiss. Danny was in the moment right up until Steve's text message ringtone chimed. Steve broke the kiss and looked at his phone. It read: Called our thing. So happy. Love you! Steve typed back: Love you back! Can't wait till tomorrow. Gonna be awesome!

Danny waited till Steve fell asleep in bed next to him and looked at his messages. When he saw the texts, he felt sick. He didn't look at who sent the message to Steve-he just knew what they said. He laid back in bed and felt the sting of the hot tears rolling down his cheeks. He thought Steve was actually cheating on him. How? More to the point, WHO?

The next morning, Danny was long gone from the house. Steve looked everywhere and when he found the note on the fridge: 'Gone for a drive up to the North Shore. Back by lunch. I love you, Danny.' he sighed. He called Grace. "Danno went up to the North Shore. Can you call him and get him to come back home, Grace? He will be so happy when he sees the surprise we set up for him."

Grace dialed her father's cell phone. Danny always answered for Grace, "Hey, Monkey! What's going on?"

Grace cut straight to the chase. "Danno? Can you come home? Uncle Steve misses you and he has something to talk to you about. I'll be there, too. Please come home."

Danny's heart was broken. But, Grace wants him to turn around. He sighed. "Grace, I'm about an hour out from Uncle Steve's place. I need to get gas and then, I'll head home. I should be back in an hour and a half. Danno loves you, Grace."

"I love you too, Danno" Grace replied, automatically. She then texted Steve: 'It's a go. He'll be home in an hour and a half. Can't wait to see Nonna and Poppa!'

Steve went to the hotel and picked up the Williams. He brought them to his house. "Make yourself at home and I'll go get Grace for you. This is gonna be awesome when Danny sees you two."

He went to the Edwards home. Grace was waiting there and had the box Steve had her holding. He opened it and saw the ring he and Grace had picked out the day before Michael and Isabelle flew in. Its inscription read 'Now and Forever Mine-Steve loves Danno.' He closed the box and smiled, "Now, we get ready for Danno to come home."

"Have you asked Nonna and Poppa for permission yet?"

"Gonna do that when we get back to the house, Grace. Wanted to ask all of you at the same time." He drove back to his house and got out. Grace popped out of the car and ran to the house, happily scooped up by her grandparents with love. Steve was grinning at his plan coming together so sweetly.

As they sat on the lanai, Steve told them what he wanted. "So, what I need to ask is if I can marry your son. I love him with everything I have and I want to be with him forever. Can I have your permission, please?"

Isabelle looked at Steve with tears in her eyes. "Oh Steve. We worried so much about how Danny was handling living so far away from his family. Now that we see that he has people here that love him like you and his other partners at your 5-0, we can give you our permission to marry our son."

Grace smiled and hugged Steve. "You really did it. You asked Nonna and Poppa for permission. I love you Uncle Steve!"

Danny pulled into the driveway of the McGarrett house. His eyes were blurred with tears because his heart was breaking over Steve. He walked into the house and headed to the bedroom. He flopped down on the bed as the sobs wracked his body. He wrapped his arms around Steve's pillow, breathing in the scent of his almost-lover and cried his hot tears. Grace saw his car in the driveway and was looking for him. When she found him crying, she crept back down the stairs and ran to Steve.

"Uncle Steve? Danno is upstairs." When he started to head up, she grabbed him and pulled him down to her mouth. She whispered, "Danno is crying-HARD. Someone hurt my daddy bad. Fix him please, Uncle Steve."

Steve took the stairs to his room two at a time. He looked at Danny laying on the bed and saw his shoulders wracking in sobs. He walked to the bed and gently sat down next to Danny. "Danny, I need you to tell me what is making you cry. I would do anything to make you smile at me. Please tell me what is upsetting you. I love you so much."

Danny rolled over and glared at him. "You love me? Who were you texting that you loved last night because, it sure as hell wasn't ME, Steven. At the time you got and sent you those texts, I was in your arms and I was not doing the texting to you. I love you and I think you are cheating on me."

Steve's eyes widened in shock and surprise. "Danny, I would never cheat on you. I LOVE you. What part of anything I said or did suggests to you that I lied to you about that?"

Danny grabbed Steve's pants and jerked his hips toward the bed. He jammed his hands into Steve's pockets and, when he found Steve's cell phone, he scrolled his texts looking for the message that set him off. When he found it, he shoved the phone into Steve's face. "This message, Steven. Who is it from? Tell me."

Steve groaned. "Danny, you can see for yourself who it is from if you scan the number. It was Grace. As in your daughter. She was helping me plan a surprise for you. It is waiting for you on the lanai. You do, however, need to get cleaned up before you see it. Go to the bathroom and run some water over your face-you look like a walking disaster."

Danny blinked at the screen and recognized his daughter's cell number. He began to cry fresh tears. Steve groaned again. "Why are you crying again? I love you, you nut. This is real and forever for me. I wanted to do this right so I called out the big guns. You need to clean up and come downstairs when you are ready. Now, move it, Jersey! You're gonna ruin the mood I was trying to create here.