Once he got over the initial shock of seeing his Eric, Danny took a step back. He didn't give him a hug or offer him his hand to shake. For the first few silent minutes, he simply catalogued his nephew's injuries. Eye swollen shut. Split lip. Possible busted nose. Bruised cheek. Cut above his eyebrow. Things he'd seen in his own reflection many times. Not something he ever wanted to see when he looked at Eric.

Hardening his gaze, he willed himself to feel nothing. He knew Steve was watching too, keeping track. Mothering him in his goofy control freak way. This gave him more strength than he'd ever let on.

"Nice shiner." Was the first thing he said to his nephew. "Want another one to go with it? Because right now-"

Steve grabbed Danny's arm. "Easy." His voice a reminder to remain calm. By the book, as he'd promised.

He threw off his best friend's concern and started again.

"I want you to please explain to me what in the –" Danny cleared his throat. "Please tell me what you are doing in Hawaii."

He didn't wait for his nephew to answer.

"No – I won't lay a finger on you because I love my sister. And from what I can tell, you already had the crap beat out of you."

Eric interrupted, grabbing the chance to speak while he could. "Uncle Danny, you have to believe me. I had nothing to do with what happened to you."

"Oh, so how do you even know that something happened to me? What? Do you have ESP?" Danny spun around, hands in his hair. He took a deep breath and resumed glaring at his nephew. "Because if you do have psychic powers, you should have warned me. You know, give me a running start. Would have been nice. Polite even. The thing family does for one another. Because burying them alive is most certainly not what family does for one another."

Danny grew steadily louder and he was in Eric's face by the end of it. Steve flinched ever so slightly, ready to stop his partner from doing something he would regret.

"Because I'm really ready to lose it here. And I might forget you are my dear beloved nephew." Danny shook off what he knew might become a full blown rant and backed up, working hard to keep his cool. "Please, explain to me why you were in my home last night."

Eric didn't answer. He didn't meet their eyes. And then he sighed like he was bored and waiting for the time to leave. It was Steve who finally lost it, rushing forward and shaking the younger man.

"What did you do?" His voice boomed in the small room. He shook Eric again and harder, knocking him off the chair. And he was on top of him still holding his shirt. "Answer me!"

Danny leapt on Steve and pulled him off of his nephew. "Steve! Stop!"

Steve rolled and shoved Danny. Hard. And then got in his face.

"He almost cost you your life, Danny. I cannot accept that. Nephew or not." He shoved his partner again, pushing him into the wall.

This time Danny's head connected and for a second, he saw stars. Closing his eyes, he sighed. "So now you're gonna kill me too?"

Danny rubbed his head, expecting to find blood. Thankfully he didn't. "I would appreciate it if everyone in this room stopped trying to kill me."

"I wasn't trying to kill you, Danny. You have to believe me." Eric finally opened his mouth. Steve helped him back into the chair, mumbling an apology.

"Uncle Danny, thank you." Danny corrected him.

Steve chuckled.

"And you-" Danny whirled around and got in Steve's face. "You don't get to laugh."

With that, he left the room.

Steve and Eric stared at each other.

"I'll deal with you in a minute. You're gonna sit here." Steve put a firm hand on Eric's shoulder, pushing him into the chair for effect. "And think about what you did to that man. A man who cares about you. He'd do anything for you."

Steve left the room in search of his friend. And he didn't have to go very far. Danny sat on the floor, head in his hands.

"How could he do this to me? Flesh and blood." His voice muffled but the emotion came through loud and clear.

"We still don't know what happened. We'll get to the bottom of this, Danny. What ever this is. I promise." Steve squeezed his arm.

Danny wriggled out of his grip. "Yea promises. What do they mean if you can't even count on family? Again. First Matty, now Eric."

"Let me tell you something, brah. Blood, you are born into. It's out of your hands. Friends - that's a choice. Ohana. You're my brother. I promise to figure this out. To sort out this mess. With you." Steve knelt beside his friend. "Look at me."

Danny turned his head after a minute, tears in his eyes. Steve had to swallow hard not to follow suit. He wouldn't easily admit it startled him to see Danny crying again.

He leaned closer and wrapped an arm around his best friend. Danny gave one good trembling sob and then he shrugged away from Steve.

"I'm tired, Steve. I'm gonna go home and grab some shut eye. Start fresh later. Let the little weasel sweat it out in a holding cell at HPD." He straightened his shirt. "On second thought, I think I'll check into a hotel. Order some room service. Not sure I could sleep at my place – or anywhere for that matter, you know? Every time I close my eyes I uh, well I think I might wake up and be in that box again."

He started to walk away.

"I don't think so." Steve grabbed his arm. "You're coming home with me. Someone out there wants you dead. You're coming home with me, and I'm not gonna take my eyes off of you til this is over."

Danny shook his head and flashed a half grin. "Great. This should be good, yea, just what I need. Those super ninja eyes watching me. Not gonna be able to sleep a wink."

Steve shrugged. "Plus, I need a ride."

Danny nodded, knowing there was no changing Steve McGarrett's mind. And anyway, he no longer had the strength to argue. A ton of bricks had been dropped on him. He needed to regroup.

/././

"Duke, could you keep an eye on Danny's nephew for me? I need to get Danny outta here for a few hours." Steve didn't want to ask for the favor but he knew it would be the best thing to do. "I trust you, and right now, I'm not sure what is going on here."

The older man nodded. "Sure Steve, what ever you need. I can keep him in a conference room or something. Out of sight."

"He really should be looked at by a doctor." Hands on his hips, Steve thought about this plan of action.

Duke completely understood. "He did take quite a beating."

"I'm sure he's fine. He seems to be as hard headed as his uncle, but I know Danny will feel better."

"No problem, Steve. I'll have him looked at and get him some clean clothes. Some food. I can call in a few favors myself."

Steve reached out to shake Duke's hand. "Thank you, Duke. I appreciate it. I'll owe you."

"Nah, don't mention it, we're all family here. Ohana."

"I'll get word to Chin and Kono too. Have them check in with you."

Duke smiled. "Just let me know when you're ready. I'll get things set up for Eric."

/././

Danny fought Steve for about ten seconds. It didn't matter what he'd said earlier about Eric sweating it out at HPD. He wanted to keep an eye on his nephew himself knowing full well he couldn't do it.

Steve dug in and didn't accept any plan but his own. "No, this is the best place for him right now. Duke will make sure he's seen by a doctor and gets cleaned up. Chin and Kono will also keep an eye on him."

"You're right." Danny gave in way too easily.

Steve barely reacted, but he took note of Danny's concession. "He needs some tough love, Danny. And you need to sleep for a couple hours."

"Not sure if I can, babe." He rubbed his eyes. "My mind's going a mile a minute."

/././

The drive to Steve's place was quiet. Danny reclined his seat and rubbing his forehead practically the entire trip. With what seemed like the blink of an eye, they were sitting there staring at the house.

Steve made the first move, hopping out of the car and walking to the door. Hesitating, he looked over his shoulder at his friend. Car door open, Danny just sat there, eyes closed. Deciding to give him a few minutes alone, he left him there. Knowing the car keys were in his pocket anyway.

Danny soon followed his friend, and tossing his bag on the floor, he took up residence on the couch. Steve appeared with a glass of water and a bottle of pills.

"Please, just take these." Steve held out his hand.

Danny pushed him away. "No, I don't need any drugs. I need to work on this case."

He could barely keep his eyes open. And the way he kept massaging his temples, Steve could only guess how bad his head was hurting. On top of that, he really wanted to get a better look at his friend's wrist, maybe rewrap it.

"You have to stop, Danny. You know it. A few hours of sleep and we'll get back to it."

"Funny you should say that." He tilted his head and glared at his partner. "I'll remember those exact words next time you get yourself messed up."

"This isn't helping Eric."

"Why would you think I want to help him?"

Steve didn't say anything. He raised an eyebrow in Danny's direction and backed off a bit.

"Why, Steven, would I want to help that no good-" He closed his eyes. Steve had to look away. The mixture of frustration, anger and pain was just too much to take. Because he felt it too. Danny took a big shaky breath and then continued. "No, I would really much like to find out who locked me in a box and buried me. So maybe I'll be able to close my eyes again and not be afraid that I will wake up and find myself back there again. You got a pill for that?"

"Nah, these are just ibuprofen." For the first time all day, Danny allowed himself to smile. He couldn't help it. Steve's grins were one of his best weapons.

They laughed and tried to relax in front of the television. Danny took the couch while Steve either hovered or sat in the nearby chair. It almost seemed like any other day.

But Danny didn't last long. The crash was inevitable. After all he'd been through. Steve watched his partner, studied the rise and fall of his chest. He couldn't stop checking to make sure he was still breathing.

Sleeping soundly now, Danny looked so peaceful.

That peace was elusive for Steve, but the present calm allowed him to rest just a little.

Then Danny whimpered and Steve sprang into action, kneeling by the couch. Waiting to see if he needed to do anything. Then he moved away, worried he was too close. Danny might panic, striking out in fear. Steve knew the feeling of being swallowed by a nightmare. Sleep left you defenseless and open to attack.

Another moan escaped from his friend and this time it was more fearful. It tore at Steve to watch his partner struggle. Still, he was hesitant to wake him.

Until Danny sucked in a choked breath and then screamed.

"Danny." First he said his name without touching him. Hoping just the sound of his voice would be enough.

It didn't work.

"Danny, it's me, Steve." He touched Danny's forearm. "Hey, Danny. You okay?"

Finally a murmur of acknowledgement. Steve squeezed Danny's arm, thankful he had reached his friend where ever his sleeping mind had wandered.

"That's it, Danno. Go back to sleep."

Steve sunk back in the chair, rubbing his eyes. Sleep would wait. It was his turn to keep watch.