Summary: Another chapter already. Yes, I am on a roll. I figured that since my beta has been doing a great job at getting the chapters back to me then I should post them to be read. If you wish for me to slow down I will be happy to oblige and go back to posting to only once every week. I just want you guys to be happy. If now please go ahead and read this chapter dedicated to the wonderful people who have reviewed this story. You guys are awesome. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: This show, not mine and when I say not mine I mean I didn't create it and when I say I didn't create it I mean it was not my idea and when I say that, you get what I'm saying.

Author's Note: Since this is AU there are no spoilers. And just to let you all know this piece of work is being beta'd by the lovely Megan Mirs who is taking time to turn these words into a masterpiece. Thanks a million hun. Now on with the story.

Chapter Three- Laying the Groundwork

The rest of the week followed the same pattern. Steve commandeered Danny from the moment the blond arrived on campus, until the end of the day when school was over and they went their separate ways. Each passing day Danny found himself liking Steve more and more. He didn't know why, but there was something about the boy he found intriguing and he had yet to discover if that was a good thing or bad thing.

The same could be said for Steve as he sat down next to Danny. Ever since they met four days ago, Steve found himself immediately attracted to Danny. Sure he was loud mouthed, hotheaded, and extremely sarcastic, but he was also nice, friendly, and had a smile that could light up the room. After the night Danny called and confirmed he could attend the bonfire, they started talking about other things. Now they talked on the phone every night, most of their conversations either about school or homework, until they were both tired, but it wasn't enough for Steve. He enjoyed the time spent between the two of them and craved it whenever they were apart. Of course, Steve would never say any of those things out loud.

They were in English class Friday morning, waiting for Mr. Hendrickson to arrive, when Steve glanced at Danny out of the corner of his eye, watching the boy put the finishing touches on his homework assignment. Leaning over, he nudged Danny in the shoulder, immediately capturing his attention. "So I was thinking that maybe it would be fun if you came over to my house tomorrow."

"Come over to your house, what for?" asked Danny, trying to keep his voice calm and steady.

"You know, to hang out and then later on we could ride together to the bonfire," replied Steve in a quiet rushed breath.

The only thing Danny could do was smile at Steve's nervousness and smirk playfully. "And what exactly would we do in Casa de la McGarrett?"

"I don't know," shrugged Steve. "Play some video games, watch T.V., Surf."

"That's gonna be a big fat no on the surfing," Danny answered, shaking his head. He didn't understand the concept of surfing, especially in a mass body of water filled with man eating sharks. The thought alone made him shudder.

Steve, however, grinned. "Come on Danny. What do you have against surfing?"

Danny frowned. "Besides the fact there are creatures in the water just waiting to bite a piece of this delectable ass? I don't know."

'Delectable doesn't even begin to describe it' thought Steve as he gave Danny a soft smile. "No need to worry about that, I'll teach you."

"I think I'll pass."

"Fine, but you seriously don't know what you're missing," replied Steve smiling. "What about coming over? Think you can handle spending an afternoon with me?"

He started to say no, but knew it would be useless. Steve would simply hound him for the rest of the day until he said yes. So Danny decided to give him what he wanted. "Alright fine," sighed Danny, playfully rolling his eyes. "Put the puppy dog eyes away already. I'll come, but only after twelve. I take my sleep very seriously on the weekends."

Pumping his fist into the air, Steve hissed happily. "Sweet."

"Wipe that stupid grin off your face," Danny ordered before turning his attention to the front of the room where Hendrickson stood talking to the class. He didn't know why he agreed, especially when his feelings for Steve seemed to be growing daily, but just like everyone else, he had a hard time saying no. Looking up, he sent a quick prayer to the heavens with hopes that he hadn't made the wrong decision.

"So how's Danny?"

Steve turned around to find Catherine leaning against a locker next to his and smiling up at him. "Danny's fine Cath," he replied, taking a notebook out of his locker and into his bag. He didn't know what she wanted, but the smile on her face gave him the idea that it wasn't anything good.

"I'm surprised I didn't find him here with you," Catherine smirked coyly. "Ever since the two of you met, you have been tighter than two peas in a pod. I've never seen you click with anyone that fast before."

"We just have a lot in common, that's all."

"Really now. Where is Blondie anyway?"

Steve rolled his eyes and closed his locker. "He's already at lunch. We have a test in History next period and I need my book to study."

"Please," Cath scoffed. "You know you'll ace it. You always do."

"It never hurts to be prepared."

This time Catherine rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Now back to you and Danny. You have what...two classes together, plus lunch, and from what I heard you practically begged him to come to the bonfire tomorrow night."

"And he's also hanging out at my house tomorrow afternoon. What's your point?"

"My point...you're kidding me right," jeered Catherine as she walked around Steve blocking his pathway. "Don't you think you're cutting it kinda close? You know, hanging out with Danny as some much as you are."

"I don't think I understand what you're getting at Cath," he hissed, trying to move around her as she continued to block his path.

"Stupidity's not a good look on you Steven."

"Cath-"

But she didn't wait for him to finish, crossing her arms and scowling. "Steve we've known each other, for like ever, and like it or not I'm your best friend. And as your best friend, I can see you're falling for Danny," she finished with a hushed whisper.

He shook his head vigorously. "You're crazy," he glared. "We haven't even known each other for a full week."

"It doesn't take long to form a crush and from the way you talk about Danny, you're crushing hard.

Steve thought about denying the accusation, but he knew it wouldn't do any good. As Catherine stated, she was his best friend and at times knew him better than he knew himself, especially when he was lying. He also knew that she would continue to pester him until he admitted the truth. So, with a defeated sigh, he made sure there was no one around before speaking. "Alright, you're right, I like Danny," he admitted with a low growl. "So what?"

Even though she wasn't surprised by the news, her mouth still dropped open. Not because of what Steve said, but the sheer fact that he actually admitted he had feelings for Danny. "So what," shrieked Catherine. "Are you kidding me?"

Grabbing Catherine by the arm, Steve pulled her into an empty classroom and closed the door. "Would it kill you to lower your voice?"

"I'm sorry Steve, but how did you think I was going to respond?"

"You kept badgering me to tell you so I did. What, you gonna turn your back on me now that you've found out I'm interested in someone?" he asked defensively, crossing his arms.

"Hey, I'm always going to support you, you moron," she hissed, jabbing his chest with her finger. "And by the way, I think it's great that you like Danny. From what people have been telling me he's a really cool guy, but you're the one who didn't want to come out in high school because you're afraid of what your bad-ass cop father might say."

Steve let out an apologetic sigh. "I'm sorry Cath, I shouldn't have said that," he replied, pulling her into a hug. "You've been nothing but supportive of me ever since I told you the truth."

"You're forgiven," she replied, smiling softly as they pulled apart. "I'm just trying to look out for you, like always."

"Thank you Cath, but I promise I've got it all under control. Besides, it's not as though Danny feels the same way about me, right?" Steve smiled sadly, looking down at the floor."

"Steve-"

"I gotta go. Danny's probably wondering what's taking me so long."

As she watched him walk down the hallway, the only thing she could do was shake her head sadly. "My mom was right, boys are idiots," she whispered to herself as she left the classroom.

Later that night after getting off the phone with Steve, Danny glanced up to see his sister Katlin leaning against his door. Even though Katlin was three years his junior, she was perhaps the person he leaned on the most, especially when he was trying to come to terms with his sexuality.

"Can I help you Katlin?" asked Danny, taking off his glasses and placing them on the side table. He wasn't surprised when she didn't respond, instead running over to the bed and jumping on it.

Lying down, her head in her hands, she looked up at Danny and smirked. "So."

"So what?"

"Steve, is he hot?" she asked smirking slyly.

Danny let out a groan and covered his face with his hand. "Katlin."

"What?" she grinned, sitting up. "Come on, can you blame me for wanting to know if the guy you're crushing on is hot?"

"And how do you know I'm crushing on Steve? Or any guy for that matter?"

She gave him one of her patented 'Are you kidding me' stares as she continued to grin. "He's all you talk about and the two of you talk on the phone constantly. Plus, the way your face lit up when you told us he invited you over to his house, leads me to believe that you like him, like him. Come on Danny, you have to tell me."

"Fine," conceded Danny, blushing embarrassedly. "So maybe I do like Steve, but it doesn't matter because he's most definitely straight."

"Please Danny, everyone's a little gay."

"Not Steve. He's the captain of the football team, extremely smart, well liked by everyone, including all the teachers, and no way in hell interested in me."

"That sucks," she frowned sadly as she placed her head on her brother's shoulder. She hated that Danny had to hide who he was and what he wanted, but it was his decision and she respected it. Katlin just wished it was different; he deserved to be happy too. "But Danno," she began again, using the nickname she gave him when she was first learning how to talk. "You still haven't told me if he's hot or not."

"He's gorgeous KG, and really not trying to sound like a love crazed teenager or anything, but he looks like he belongs on the cover a magazine or something; tall, dark, and handsome."

"Does he look better than Brady?"

"They don't even belong in the same category," mumbled Danny, dreamily lying back on his pillows. "Steve is just...incredible."

"Wow," was all she said after a few moment of silence.

Danny didn't like the tone she was using and immediately sat up, alert. "Why are you wowing? What's with the wow," he asked, waving a hand in the air.

Katlin shrugged devilishly. "What, now I can't say wow without you thinking I mean something by it."

"No," replied Danny, shaking his head. "Not when you say it like that."

"Well if you must know, I was simply wowed by the fact that you found someone who seems like your complete opposite. While Steve is tall, dark, and handsome, you're short, pasty, and loudmouthed."

"Ha ha ha," scoffed Danny, rolling his eyes at his sister before lying back against the pillows. "I hate you, so much. I just need you to know that."

"No you don't, you love me," she grinned, kissing his cheek before standing up. "I'm going to bed, what are you going to do?"

"I thought I would draw, not really sleepy yet."

"Okay then, goodnight Danno."

"Night KG."

Katlin gave him one last smile before leaving the room and closing the door behind her. Danny then reached underneath his bed and pulled out his drawing pad. Flipping it open, he found the page of a current drawing he had been working on and began to draw.

Steve stood nervously outside of Danny's home, running his fingers through his hair as he looked up at the huge house. He had no idea the blond came from money, but it was easy to see when he pulled up to the address Danny had given him the night before.

"Hi, you must Steve," the young girl smiled up at him as she stepped to the side and let him in. "Danny will be down in a minute, he's fixing his hair. He's like a girl in that way."

"Pay her no mind," Danny's voice came out of nowhere and Steve turned to see Danny, rushing down the stairs and over to them. "She's a menace to society."

"Oh Danno, you say the sweetest things," she stated sarcastically as she punched her brother in the arm and then turned back to Steve, holding out her hand. "I'm Katlin by the way, Danny's sister."

"Steve," replied Steve, shaking her hand. "But you already knew that. Does that mean Danny talks about me a lot?"

"Oh you have no idea," replied Katlin grinning devilishly, eyes glancing over Steve's body. "In fact, he didn't you justice."

Danny could feel his face flush with heat as Steve snickered and Katlin continued grinning like the little devil she was. "Thank you Katlin," Danny growled at his sister before turning his attention back to Steve. "What do you say we get out of here before I do something terrible to my little sister?"

Katlin stomped her foot and pouted. "But Danno," she whined. "I was just having fun."

Danny just grabbed Steve by the arm and began pulling him towards the door. "Tell mom I'll be home around eleven thirty KG," he called out over his shoulder.

"Alright fine. Nice meeting you Steve."

"Nice meeting you too Katlin," said Steve with a wave as he continued to be pulled. Danny didn't stop until they were standing next to Steve's old pick-up truck.

"Nice," teased Danny as he waited for Steve to open the doors.

"Just get in," huffed Steve, sliding into the seat and starting the truck. Danny did as he was told, giving him another toothy grin as he closed his door and put on his seatbelt. "Danno huh," he said curiously after a few moments of quiet.

Danny couldn't help the eye roll. "Shut-up," he demanded as Steve started to smirk. "Alright fine, when Katlin was little she tried saying Danny and Daniel, but she ended up putting the two names together and it came out as Danno. Been calling me that ever since."

"And KG."

"When Katlin got older she wanted a nickname of her own. She hated being called Katie and there was a girl in class named Lynn, so I just went with her initials. Her middle name is Grace."

"You two seem close."

"We are. After our dad died, I promised myself that I would always look after her."

"May I ask how he died?"

"In a fire. He was a firefighter and he just got finished helping a little girl out of the house when the top floor collapsed. He didn't make it out in time."

"I'm really sorry to hear about your dad."

"Yeah, well," mumbled Danny as he turned his attention out the window.

They drove in silence, Steve every so often glancing out the corner of his eye to see if Danny was alright. He felt horrible for asking about the other boy's father and making him upset. Steve really wanted the day to go well and now he'd ruined it before it even began. "I'm sorry for asking about your dad," he apologized softly. "I didn't mean to make you upset."

"I'm not upset," responded Danny, turning his head to look at Steve. "I just...I really miss him sometimes and it kinda hurts to talk about him."

"Still, I'm sorry. I just wanted to know more about you."

He gave Steve a half smile. "I'm fine, I promise. And as for my family, you can ask me anything you want, within reason of course."

Steve smiled. "Okay then, how come you never said you were loaded?" he asked, referring to the mini mansion Danny was currently living in.

"That's because I'm not," frowned Danny, shrugging. "My dad's side of the family comes from money, we don't."

"I don't understand."

Danny sighed and rubbed his face. "Let's just say my grandparents weren't too thrilled when my dad decided to become a firefighter and marry a waitress from Jersey instead of going into the family business."

"And is this family business legit? Your family's not in the mob or anything."

Danny turned to Steve gob-smacked. "Wait, just because I'm part Italian and from New Jersey you're gonna assume I have ties to the mob?"

Steve shrugged apologetically and gave Danny a sheepish smile "I've seen all three Godfather movies."

"Well you schmuck, the answer is no," snorted Danny, shaking his head. "My family is not associated with anyone in the mob. Well, there has been some questions about my mom's cousin Vinny because he's always in and out of jail, but that's it."

"Then what's the family business?"

"Along with the multitude of doctors, lawyers, and Ivy League professors that carry the Williams' name, there's also this little company called Avalon. It's a-"

"Financial company, I know," finished Steve, astonished. "They represent some of the country's richest and most powerful people."

Danny raised an eyebrow. "Fan of theirs?"

Steve shook his head in response. "No, just had to do a research paper on the company for Economics class last semester. Everything I read said your grandfather started Avalon from the ground up."

"That would be Grandpa Williams," chuckled Danny spitefully. "A hard-ass who doesn't accept failure from anyone, especially not his own family, and according to my dad, he was labeled a failure."

"Because he married your mom?" questioned Steve.

"Yeah. They were so disappointed with his decision; they cut him off and refused to speak to him until he came to his senses. They thought he would give her up for the money, but he didn't. Instead he choose to keep my mom in his life, do what he always dreamed of doing, and they never spoke to him again"

"So you've never met them?"

"Nope," sighed Danny. "The only one from my dad's side that would even acknowledge us is my great Aunt Claire. That's her house that we're living in until my mom can save up enough money to get a place of our own."

"Cool," smirked Steve, nodding his head. "Hey Danny?"

"Yeah?"

Steve let out a small cough as he kept his gaze on the road, afraid to look at Danny as he spoke. "For whatever reason you came to Hawaii, I'm glad you did."

For the first time since he arrived on the island, Danny realized that maybe he was wrong about the move. Maybe it was Hawaii or Steve, but something was starting to grow on him and that didn't seem so bad. "Me too," he replied smiling happily.

Steve could only grin in response.

Ooh our boys are getting closer. I know, three chapters in and they still aren't together yet. I promise they will get there but I really wanted them to be friends first like they are on the show. You won't have to wait long. If you are familiar with my work then you know I like my boys together as quickly as they can be. In all I hope you enjoyed the chapter and who knows, if all goes well I may post chapter four before the week is out. Fingers crossed.

P.S. Hint of where I got the name Hendrickson from. It was the name of a character in one of my favorite tv shows, top three, and he was an FBI agent hellbent on taking down two men who were keeping the world safe. To some that made no sense but I'm trying my best not to give the answer away. Until next time,

Fruits make the best juices,

LadyCizzle