So, maybe I can't help the huffed sigh of relief as I close the office door behind me; shutting the door on another damn meeting. At least it's my last one. For now. There's a chuckle from the man a step ahead of me and I feel the corner of my mouth twitch in an attempt at an involuntary smile.

"I always knew you hated meetings, McGarrett, but I didn't realize you hated them quite so much."

"Hey, I don't hate meetings!"

"Not all meetings, true. Mission prep, you enjoy."

"Yeah, well, if I'd known I was gonna be stuck in meetings for two weeks before getting off this island, I would have stayed at Five-0 longer."

"Missing the action already, man? Geez, learn to take a vacation. Besides, all that Naval Intelligence stuff they've been keeping you busy with not interesting enough?"

"You know there's a reason I left NI, right?"

We're laughing as we turn down another hall and I catch a flash of civvies and slicked blond hair behind me. I don't stop and look to see if it's him or just my imagination.

"Steven!"

I can't be certain, but I'm pretty sure I manage not to start at the sound of his voice. I definitely do not turn my head to look at him. I do not stop walking. I try and think up something else to add to the banter Costas and I started up, but I fail. The banter's not quite snarky or angry enough for me. Or loud. Guess my tastes have changed over the years.

Whatever, point is I most certainly do not acknowledge Danny's presence.

Costas, however, obviously can't read my mind, the bastard. He does stop. He turns around. And then I hear his voice as well.

"Detective Williams?"

I can't keep ignoring him now, so I turn around, play it off like I just hadn't heard him. He's caught up to us, now, shaking Costas' hand.

"Jake, right?" Costas nods.

"Hey, Danny." Danny turns his attention to me, grins, but his eyes are full of questions.

"I called your name like three times, Steven. You deaf? Been playing with the big guns too much? Do I need to talk louder?"

"Oh my God, don't get him started on his complete lack of playing with guns."

Danny laughs and I start to wonder if either of them would notice if I slink away. But he's still watching me, and I can practically feel Costas studying us, trying to figure out what's going on. I guess I'm screwed in the strategic retreat department.

"Hey McGarrett," Costas says. "I'll leave you guys to it. See you at 1500?" I nod. "Nice to see you again, Detective." Danny waves as Costas heads off, then turns back to me.

"Back so soon? Why didn't you tell us you were back on the island?" I'm silent for a moment and before I can think of anything to say, he speaks again. "What am I saying? You never left, did you?"

"No."

He sighs, looks around us and I know if we weren't surrounded by the Navy, I'd be on the receiving end of a rant of epic proportions.

"Well, I figured with your little disappearing act, you'd left the island. We would have wanted to throw you a little shindig or something."

"'Shindig'?"

"Yes Steven, 'shindig'. It's a word, how do you not know this? Shindig: A social gathering. A party. A traditional celebration for events such as one leaving one's home for parts unknown. A proper send off for once. And if you weren't leaving, which you clearly didn't, what's with the avoidance game, huh? Just cause you're not Five-0 anymore, we can't still see other?"

As expected, it wasn't up to Danny's usual rant standards, per se, but it was still a lot of words. I love every one of them. Especially 'cause he doesn't seem angry at me anymore.

"I'm not actually supposed to be here," I tell him, moving closer to the wall, out of the way of a small group of sailors walking down the hall. "Just helping out here until my Team gets back from a mission."

"Yeah, okay. But still. What's with the leaving before you, you know, actually left?"

Because seeing you guys would make this too hard. But I can't tell him that. I just look at him, hoping he knows to drop it. Another nod.

"Well, come by tonight. We were all getting together anyway. And I've got Grace."

Thank God I have an actual reason I can't be there. "Can't, Danno. We're leaving this afternoon."

"At 1500."

"Yeah. And I've got to meet with the doc one last time."

"Everything all right?" His eyes sweep over me, as if he could detect any injuries hiding under my khakis. I smile and relax my tense shoulders, suddenly thankful for this random meeting; thankful we're going to part on good terms.

"Yeah, just getting my checks done. Mission Prep. Shit like that."

Another nod; another long look. "Jake gonna have your back?"

"Yeah."

He looks over my shoulder, down the hall, as if he can appraise the SEAL's back-having skills in his absence. "Not bad." He looks back at me again, flashing that smirk I've missed these past two weeks. "Not as good as me, though."

I can't help but laugh. And damn, it feels good. "Course not, Danno. You're the best back up I've ever had."

"Damn straight, Babe. I am amazing." He steps closer, invading my personal space, just like always. I check the clock on the wall down the hall. Fuck. I really need to get a move on. "You need a lift, somewhere, soldier?"

"Sailor," I say, automatically, but don't answer his question. Then he pulls the Camaro keys out of his pocket, dangles them in front of me, and I grab them with a grin. One last time, for old time's sake.

Turning on my heel, I lead Danny out of the building. Outside, he takes the lead through the parking lot to the car.

"So, what are you doing here, anyway?"

He shrugs. "Well, we don't have an Amy guy—" I just look over at him and raise an eyebrow. "Yeah, yeah," he says with a grin and a waving hand. "Anyway, we don't have anyone to call in military favours anymore. Figured I'd meet with the brass to make sure we can, you know," he slips into his Diplomatic Tone, "continue our mutually beneficial relationship."

"You have any problems?" I ask, getting into the car and starting it. The engine roars to life. Man, I wish I could take her out and let her loose one last time.

"No, why?"

"I met with the Base Commander last week to make sure said brass realize the benefits of continuing to work with Five-0 when needed," I tell him, pulling out onto the road. "Actually, it was of the conditions I gave for my returning to Active Duty."

His eyebrow masters the high jump. "You gave them conditions?"

I give him another shrug and feel the corner of my mouth quirking up. "Just two. They've been trying to get me back since I transferred to the reserves. Figured I may as well use that to my advantage."

"What was the second condition?" I spare him a glance, smirking, but he beats me to it. "Classified?" I nod and turn back to the road. "Not money then." I neither confirm nor deny. "So the Navy finally begs pretty enough to get you to come back, you even make them agree to conditions, but instead of asking for, I dunno, more money or a promotion or something like a normal human being, you ask them to continue doing something they were already doing, for a Task Force you are no longer a part of, on an island you are leaving. They don't teach you negotiation skills in SEAL school, babe?"

Chuckling, I don't say anything for a moment, trying to find the best answer to all of that. But there's really only the truth. "I've got your back, Danno." It's the reason I'm leaving, after all.

I don't look away from the road this time, but I still see him watching me. I'm not sure if he was planning on saying anything else, but he doesn't get the chance. I pull into the parking lot outside the clinic and shut off the engine. For a moment, there is only silence and suddenly I feel the need to fill it.

"Here."

Danny looks out the windshield at the building in front of us, then turns to me.

"I'm sorry." I give him what I'm pretty sure is Curious Face. "For how I acted the last time we saw each other. I know this has been hard for you." He holds a hand up. "No, don't bother to pretend otherwise, Steve. I know you and all your faces. I may not know why you're doing this, but you are, and it's hard for you. Anyway, I know I didn't help."

He's got it all wrong, so I shake my head. He hasn't mentioned the letter, or the house, and I can't face asking about them, so I just tell him the most important part of it, in case he never reads it.

"I'm sorry, Danny. I didn't handle things very well." That familiar feeling returns – the one I get when everything inside me is threatening to spill out – and I take a deep breath to settle the fucking stampede in my gut. "I'm glad we bumped into each other today." Okay, I really need to get out of here. For multiple reasons. Not the least of which is that I really am going to be late if I don't get a fucking move on. "I gotta go, Danny."

I grab my cap from the back seat and reach for the door handle. He stops me with a light touch on my arm. Taking another deep breath, I turn to meet his eyes.

"Stay safe, Steven. Don't make me have to tell Grace she lost another uncle."

I flinch at that; practically have to remind myself to breathe. I can't help it. But, if everything goes according to plan, he'll never have to tell her. I just nod in reply.

I start to get out of the car again, but change my mind. I pull him closer, meet him half way, over the center console, for a hug. Maybe I hold on a little longer than usual, but he doesn't complain.

"Thank you, Danny."