****** So what are your thoughts on 5-0 moving to Friday nights? I think it's great for the show and will mean many more years for it. Teaming it with Blue Bloods is awesome – two great cop/crime dramas to enjoy after a long week at work! LONG LIVE 5-0! ******

Danny pulled into Steve's driveway and raced into the house. His heart was beating frantically as he feared what he may find. The TV was still on and hollering out Steve's name, he moved from room to room searching for him. Finding no sign of the man he ran into the backyard and down to the water. A sense of relief washed over him as he saw the figure of his friend sitting on the sand, the tide water running over him. He approached slowly and once he was able to confirm that all Steve was holding was a nearly empty bottle of Jack Daniels he spoke, "Hey partner..…what are you doing?"

Receiving no answer, he moved closer "Steve…are you alright?"
Steve didn't answer, he simply shook his head back and forth…..no…..no, he wasn't alright.
As Danny drew near he could see that Steve was shaking uncontrollably. He crouched down behind him and spoke softly into his ear, "Hey, you're freezing here buddy. Let me help you into the house okay?"

Placing his arms under Steve's, Danny pulled him to his feet.
Steve dropped the whiskey bottle as he stood saying, "Oooopps". He staggered as he tried to bend over to pick it up.
Danny grabbed him, steadying him, "Leave it babe, come on let's go" Throwing Steve's arm around his shoulder Danny guided him back up to the house. They walked straight upstairs to the bathroom and setting Steve onto the toilet, Danny started the shower. He looked back at Steve whose head was drooping down. Danny placed a hand on Steve's chin and pulling he head upward he looked into the tortured eyes of his partner. "Can you help me get you into the shower so you can warm up and then we'll talk alright?"

"I'm fine Danno"
"Yeah, sure you are. Come on" Holding out his hand, Steve took hold and Danny pulled him up. Slipping out of his boxers Danny helped him into the steaming shower saying, "Hold onto the wall Steven, I don't need you falling and cracking your head open"

Steve responded, his speech slurred, "I ccan stand uup Danno"
"Sorry babe, I don't have much confidence in that right now"
"Trust me D'….."
"Just be careful and warm up"
Danny stood by the sink keeping an eye on Steve through the glass shower door as he phoned Catherine.
"Danny?"
Danny spoke softly not wanting Steve to hear him, "He's okay sweetheart, drunk but okay. He's in the shower now and then I'll talk to him. I'll call you tomorrow but please don't worry"
"Thank you Danny…..thank you"

Steve's hands were against the tiled wall and Danny watched him sway slightly. He called out, "Steven, you okay?"
"M good Danno…..'m good"
After about ten minutes Danny grabbed a towel and opening the shower door he shut the water off and handed the towel to Steve.
"Thanks"
"You bet"
He stood back as Steve stepped out of the shower and wrapped the towel around his waist.
"Danny….I'm sorry"
"Hey, stop it. No worries, I'm glad you called me"
They moved into Steve's bedroom and Danny grabbed him a pair of sweats and an a t-shirt from his dresser. After Steve dressed they made their way downstairs.

Once Steve was on the couch Danny shut off the television and asked, "Would you like some coffee or water?"
"I'd like a beer"
"Sorry pal, you've had enough" Danny left him and went to the kitchen to grab a couple bottles of water. As he closed the fridge and turned, he caught a glimpse of the prescription bottle on the counter. Setting down the waters he looked at the label and opened the bottle.

"Jesus Christ" Carrying the bottle he moved swiftly back to Steve's side, sitting on the coffee table directly in front of his drunken friend. We was shaking with fear as he held up the bottle, "What in hell is this Steve?"
"What? Thhey're ppain pills Danny"
"I SEE THAT! What are you trying to do, kill yourself? How many did you take?"
Steve didn't answer, his head again drooping downward.
Danny stood and placing a hand on Steve's forehead he tipped his head up and held the bottle in front of his face, "STEVEN LOOK AT ME! How many did you take?"
"None Ddanno….."
Steve's eyes closed and Danny slapped his cheek, "HEY STAY AWAKE! This is a thirty day supply and they're almost gone. When did you take these?"
"In Washington Danno…I ttook 'em in Washington…..had to get through the ffunneral…." Tears pooled in his eyes as he said softly, "Sorry"

Danny sighed and responded calmly, "So you haven't taken any pain pills since we got home?"
"None…I'm nnot taking any more…..no more fuckin' drugs Danno"
"Okay babe, that's good" Danny took hold of Steve's shoulders, gently maneuvering him back onto the couch covering him with a blanket.
"Danno…..'m sorry mman"
"Hey be quiet now and sleep. I'll be right here when you wake up"
"Yeah…..'k"
In moments Steve was snoring softly and Danny moved over to the nearby recliner.
Pulling out his cellphone he dialed Rachel, "Hey Rachel"
"Danny, how is he?"
"He's smashed. He's sleeping now, he's not going to be able to talk until morning. This is my fault Rach"
"Oh Danny, no. You can't blame yourself"
"After the car crash in Washington the Doctor wrote him a prescription for pain pills. I had set it on the dresser and with everything going on I just forgot about it. He found it and he must have had it filled when we were with Kono at the hospital. I didn't know he was taking them…..it was a thirty day supply and there's only a few pills left. He must have been taking eight or nine pills a day honey"

"Oh no…that's horrible, but how is this your fault?"
"He wasn't in any condition to even be traveling. He was there for me…..to help me"
"Yes he was. He was there because he loves you Daniel. Do you think anything you said would have kept him away?"
Danny sighed, "No…..you're right. But I never should have left him alone this weekend. I should have known better"
"You're there now, and he needs you now, so stay focused and be strong for him. Is he taking the pills with the alcohol?"
"No….he says he hasn't taken any since we got home"
"Are you sure? Should you take him to the hospital?"
"No, I believe him. I've seen enough people on drugs along with alcohol, he's just smashed. I'll watch him carefully though"
"You stay with him as long as he needs you, we're fine here"
"I love you so much Rachel"
"And I love you. Do you want to talk to Grace?"
"Yes, of course I do" Moments later she little girl was on the phone giggling as he asked, "What's so funny Monkey?"
"Charlie dumped his whole bowl of spaghetti on his head. Mommy said 'No Charlie' and he's waving his hand at her and saying 'no, no, no' he's such a silly boy!"
"He's almost as silly as his big sister"
"HEY Danno! He's much more sillier than me!"
"I don't know about that. I'm sorry we missed our night out for Pizza but I promise I'll make it up to you"
"It's okay. Can I talk to Uncle Steve?"
"He's really busy right now baby girl but I'll have him call you tomorrow okay?"
"Okay Daddy, good night. I love you"
"I love you too Monkey. Now go help your Mom give Charlie a bath"
She chuckled, "I will, bye"
Hanging up he grinned. Even with everything that had happened in the last few weeks he felt so lucky. Now looking over at his snoring partner he knew tomorrow he was going to have to talk to Steve seriously about getting help. He wasn't willing to lose the man over this. If he was needing this much alcohol to numb himself enough to not take pills he needed professional help. Getting up and turning on the television, he watched a basketball game until he too, fell asleep.

505050505050505050505050505050

Danny woke to Steve's screams at about three in the morning. The room was illuminated by the television screen and he saw the SEAL's arms flaying wildly as he cried out, "No Freddie…I'm not leaving you…..NO…NO"
Danny was at his side in moments, pinning his shoulders down, "STEVE, STEVE WAKE UP"
The SEAL's strength was obviously back as he threw his arms forward as he bolted upright screaming, "I'LL KILL YOU, YOU BASTARDS! I'll KILL YOU!"

Danny was thrown back across the coffee table and he jumped back quickly across the table throwing himself on top of his raging partner, "STEVE, IT'S DANNY….STOP! WAKE UP BUDDY!"
Danny pushed Steve back onto the couch, "STEVE, OPEN YOUR EYES, WAKE UP MAN" Suddenly Steve's eyes opened wide. He was drenched in sweat and Danny could feel his heart pounding rapidly in his chest. "Look at me Steven, you were having a nightmare…relax babe, you're alright now…you're alright now"

Steve's eyes were filled with torment and he replied emotionally, "No Danno…I'm not alright"

Danno moved off of his partner, sitting on the coffee table. He ran a hand through his hair and then he rubbed his shoulder. It had taken the brunt of his body weight as he had hit the floor. He reached over and handed Steve a bottle of water as he sat up, "Here….relax for a few minutes and then we can talk"
Taking the water, Steve noticed that Danny was favoring his right shoulder, "Did I hurt you?"
"Don't worry about it, I'm fine…it's good to see you've got your strength back"
"Sorry buddy"
"No worries"

Several minutes passed before Steve said quietly, "You said earlier that I'd been to hell and back…Danno, I haven't made it back yet. In fact, I don't know if I'll ever make it back"

*** ONE MORE CHAPTER TO GO and you'll see it tomorrow night ! I hope you're enjoying, Thanks for reading and for all the kind reviews ***