Danny had an appointment scheduled for the DNA testing on Charlie at ten o'clock. Chin was still quite weak and in Steve's current condition he didn't feel comfortable leaving.
Catherine was insisting he go to the appointment, "Danny, you have to go. This is so important. We'll be fine"
"Cath, this can wait until he's doing better. There is no way I'm leaving you guys alone with him. Not after the last couple of nights, he's just too volatile right now. Chin's not strong enough to handle him"

"Danny I understand that you want to protect us…"
Danny interrupted her, "I do, and I want to protect him as well. He's already beating himself up over the previous instances. We can't put him in a position to let anything else happen"

She closed her eyes and nodded, "You're right Danny, you're right…How about Kamekona, could we get him to stay with us?"
Danny smiled, "Good idea my dear" He pulled out his cellphone, "Big Guy it's Danno"
"Aloha Daniel, how's the big Kahuna doing?"
"He's recovering but it's going to be a slow process. I have a favor to ask you?"
"Anything bruder"
Danny told him of Steve's violent outbursts and asked if he could stay with him while he was gone, just in case.
"Yeah of course. Hey Jersey? Do you know if he still has that stimulator?"
Catherine noticed the look of puzzlement that crossed Danny's face as he responded, "What? Stimulator? What are you talking about?"
Catherine broke out laughing and Danny mouthed, 'WHAT?'
Through her laughter she said, "Tell him yes, Steve's still got it"
"Uh yeah Big Guy, Catherine says he's got it…...so, we'll see you about nine thirty? Thank you"
As he hung up the phone he turned to Catherine, "Is there something I should know about here? What kind of stimulator does Steve have and more importantly, WHY is he sharing it with Kamekona?"

Cath was laughing hysterically and tears were rolling down her cheeks, "He means…..Oh God….he means simulator Danny! He's talking about the Flight Simulator video"
"Oh for showing him how to fly that chopper...….that tiny, unsafe...flying deathtrap!"
"Yes…..oh God yes"

Steve walked into the kitchen as the two were still laughing uncontrollably. His eyes darted back and forth between the two and smiling he asked, "What did I miss here?"
Neither one could respond as they giggled and snorted, trying to control themselves. Eventually Danny was able to say, "Kaamee…..kona, wwants to use…your stimulator Steve"

Steve chuckled, "I thought I was the crazy one here, but you two are nuts"
Once they calmed down Danny explained that he had his appointment and that Kamekona would be coming to help out.
Steve looked at Danny seriously, stating "Good, that's good. You need to keep that appointment" Keeping a straight face, he added "I promise Danno, I'll let Kamekona use my stimulator"

That started the laughter from all three of them again. For the first time in days the McGarrett house was filled with laughter and tears of joy instead of fear and tears of pain. They all smiled, and at least for the moment, all was good.

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Danny returned to find that Steve was down at the water's edge and Kamekona was sharing the 'stimulator' with Chin.
Leaving the men inside, he joined Kono and Catherine on the patio.
Kono smiled at him, "How did it go?"
"Good…they'll mail the results to Rachel in about ten days"
"Oh Danny, I really hope he's yours"
"Me too Kono, but I'll be there for him either way. He's a great kid"
"And he's adorable"
"Well that settles it then, he must be mine"
Kono smiled, "Oh God Danny, you're terrible!"
"How's Steve doing?"
Catherine responded, "He didn't eat much for lunch and he wanted some time alone"
"So how long's he been down there?"
"Almost an hour"
"I'll go let him know I'm back"

After grabbing a couple bottles of water, he made his way down to the water. Steve continued to stare out at the Ocean as Danny handed him a water.
"Thanks D'….did everything go okay?"
"Yeah, we'll know in about a week. How are you feeling?"
"The pains are pretty bad today"
"You know you don't have to isolate yourself like this….we're all here to help you"
"Danny please….I can't let…..I can't let them see me like this….weak, weak and pathetic"
"Steve you're not weak and you're sure in the hell not pathetic, but I understand. I'll have them leave"
"Danny...Catherine too"
Danny reminded himself, 'give him space, everything has to be on his timeframe…give him space' he looked directly into Steve's eyes before responding "Okay partner"
With no further words spoken, Danny turned and headed back up to the house.

The others were understanding, but disappointed to leave for the day. Danny agreed to call them if he needed anything, and honoring Steve's wishes, they all left. Danny sat on the patio keeping an eye on his partner while he called Washington to talk to Matt.
"Little brother! How are you doing?"
"A lot better Daniel. In fact they're getting ready to spring me the day after tomorrow"
"Hey Matty stop man…no details, you know better than that"
"Yeah, sorry. WitSec has everything set. They'll be in touch with you"
"So you're healing well, and feeling good?"
"Feeling great and according to the Doc, I'm going to make it…..thanks to Steve. How is he Danny?"
"I'm not going to lie to you Matty, he's hurting….but he's a tough SOB"
"I'm so sorry Danny. I never meant for this to happen to him"
"He knows that Matt. He doesn't blame you and neither do I. He didn't have to go after you, especially not alone"
"But he did, and I almost got him killed…"
"If he didn't care about you, he wouldn't have gone"

"Don't kid yourself Daniel, he didn't risk everything for me….he did it for you. You're a lucky man. So many people love you and would do anything for you. I've messed up my life royally Danny…God I'm so sorry"

"Matty you don't think you're loved? You're my brother and I love you to death, you know that…and Mom, Dad, our sisters and all the kids…God Matthew, we all love you and miss you so much"

"I'm so tired of living like this Danny"
"Brother, you have no other choice, it's the only way to assure your safety"
"But Steve took them out….."
Danny interrupted him, "Matty, listen to me. This cartel runs deep and there is no way we can be certain they won't try to get to you again, especially now. Steve and I told you about this before babe. It's not only for your protection, but it's for Mom, Dad and the girls"

"Oh shit Danny…I'm so sorry. Please tell Steve…oh God, it's all my fault"
"Matt, you're healing and Steve's healing and I want you to listen to me. I have NEVER lied to you and I never will. You have made some horrible decisions in your life and those decisions have caused great pain to those who love you…but Matty, we still love you and we always will. Our love is unconditional buddy. And as far as Steve goes, he doesn't regret helping you and I can tell you brother, he would do it all again if you were in danger. You'll get a chance to talk to him but he needs to keep focused on beating this shit right now. I've been telling him that you're okay…..I'm not lying to him now, am I brother?"

"No Danny, you're not lying, I'm okay. Thank you…..thank you for sticking by me. I love you"
"I love you too and I'll talk to you soon, I promise….bye now"
Hanging up the phone, Danny closed his eyes and sighed deeply. Witness relocation was a tough way to live, but there was no other choice for Matty and he was just going to have to learn to deal with it. Once Steve was doing a bit better, they planned on traveling to wherever WitSec had him settle. Both Steve and Matty needed to see each other to put closure on the ordeal they had been through.
Looking back towards the water he saw Steve walking up the hill to the house. He couldn't help but notice how gaunt the SEAL looked. He had lost a lot of weight, he was pale and it was obvious that he was in pain.

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As he stepped onto the deck Danny asked, "Are you okay?"
"No Danny, I'm not….I hurt like hell and I want a fucking hit!" Danny moved closer and as he placed a hand on Steve's forearm, the SEAL pushed him away, "LEAVE ME ALONE DANNO! JUST LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!"

Steve entered the house and as Danny watched on, he grabbed a couple bottles of water from the fridge and without saying anything else he went upstairs. Danny heard the bedroom door slam and running a hand across his face he mumbled softly, "Damn it" He then moved into the living room and sitting on the couch he called and spoke to Kono, Rachel and Gracie before turning on the television. He sat staring endlessly at a hockey game as he tried to figure out what he could do to help his tortured partner upstairs.

A couple of hours later Danny made sandwiches for dinner. He put a sandwich, banana and chips onto a plate and carrying it upstairs he knocked on Steve's door. "Hey I've got a sandwich here for you"
There was no response for several seconds before he heard a weak reply, "Go away Danno…please"
Danny responded, "Yeah okay…..I'm leaving the sandwich for you. I'll be downstairs if you need me"
Receiving no response, Danny set the plate and a bottle of water onto the floor and then turning, he went back downstairs.

***** Hope you like, and more to come! *****