Summary: Here with another update. I know it's been a while but at least it wasn't as long as the last one. I still am sorry you readers had to wait so long. To make it up to you I will be posting this chapter and the epilogue today. Yes this story is going to be complete. I know, you're excited. I'm going to let you read this and the last chapter will be full of the thanks. 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. She is a beta pro. Awesome.

Chapter Fifteen - Back To Normal

One week later, Danny was given permission to leave the hospital. He was ordered to rest as much as possible, when not in school, so his body could finish healing. That meant no strenuous activities of any kind. Danny didn't mind. He would do anything if it meant he no longer had to be in the hospital.

His brother was helping him slip on his left shoe, his right foot in a cast, while his sister was gathering his things from around the room. Because of all the get well gifts he received, they had to make multiple trips to the car. The family was grateful for the kind words and items they received, but they were all happy to finally be bringing Danny home. A few moments late,r his mother came through the door pushing a wheelchair into the room. Danny in turn let out a loud groan at the sight of it. "No," was the only thing he said as he began shaking his head.

Katlin and Matt giggled at their brother's misfortune. "Your chariot awaits young sir," said Katlin, pointing towards the chair.

"Seriously, a wheelchair," he scoffed heatedly. "It's bad enough I can only go to school and home for the next two weeks, but I have to leave the hospital in a wheelchair like some invalid."

Eve rolled her eyes. "It's hospital policy Daniel. We had this exact conversation last year after your knee surgery and it's just as tedious now as it was then."

"But mom-"

"Please, just get in the wheelchair."

"Fine," huffed Danny and with the help of both his sister and mother, eased his body into the seat of the chair. "I'll use the chair, but I don't have to like it."

"I'd be worried if you did."

"Hey, do you think they'll let us take some of those good knock out drugs home? You know – in case he gets difficult," Katlin whispered playfully as her brother threw her a heated glare. "Like you wouldn't ask the same thing if it were me."

"Probably," Danny admitted with a smirk before laughing loudly. "Alright people, let's get this show on the road."

Evelyn smiled happily as she grabbed the handles on the wheelchair and began pushing Danny out of the room.

Finally he was home. He made his way inside and wasn't at all surprised by the sight of his friends gathered in the living room, smiling happily at his return. They all had visited him separately while he was in the hospital, but it was nice seeing them all together. Among his friends were Chin and his girlfriend Malia, as well as Vivian, Jack, and Mary Ann. Once he took in the sight of his friends, he focused on the wonderful smells flowing through the house. His mother had cooked, and judging by the smell, the food consisted of all his favorite dishes.

"A sign, really," asked Danny, pointing at the 'Welcome Home' banner hanging on the living room wall, along with a few streamers and balloons. "You know, you didn't have to do this?"

"Of course we did," Catherine replied, as both she and Kono gave Danny quick pecks on the cheek. "Since your time at the party got cut short, we decided to throw you one of your own."

"Yeah," added Eddie. "Especially when your mom said she would make all the food."

Danny rolled his eyes, but continued to smile. "Now I see why you're all here. My mom promised to make lasagna didn't she?"

Meka smirked and nodded his head. "She did," he answered. "In exchange for our presence, we get her cooking."

"And we couldn't turn down that sweet deal," finished Eddie with a smile.

"And you Kono, is that why you're here too? For my mother's food?"

"I don't know about the guys, but my mother raised me better than that," Kono replied playfully, punching Meka in the arm. "But in all honesty, I'm here for the food."

Laughing, he wrapped his arms around Kono as the rest of the friends joined in. "I really love you guys," he said, voice full of appreciation.

"We love you too, Danny," they all replied at the same time.

Once everyone moved away, Danny noticed the one person he wanted to see more than anyone, wasn't there. "Um...not meaning to be rude or anything, but where is Steve?" he asked inquisitively.

"Oh, he went out," answered Vivian with a soft smile. "Said he had a quick errand to run, but he would be back soon," she assured him.

Slightly disappointed but relieved, Danny shrugged. "Okay," he replied, smiling softly. Putting all his weight on the crutches, he clapped his hands together and gestured towards the kitchen. "Well, what are we waiting for, let's eat."

Ten minutes later everyone was seated, enjoying their plates of food as they filled Danny in on everything he missed while he was in the hospital. Meka was in the middle of telling an embarrassing story involving Eddie trying to ask out a girl, when Steve came rushing into the house, eyes wide with panic.

"Danno," he cried out as he briskly made his way over to the sofa where Danny was sitting.

"Steven," grinned Danny as his boyfriend came over and stood next to him. "So nice to see you," he teased playfully.

Frowning slightly, Steve shrugged remorsefully. "Sorry I wasn't here when you got back."

Danny smiled. "That's okay," he answered. "It's not like there was a shortage of entertainment around here without you."

"Lucky for that."

Everyone simultaneously turned to Eddie and laughed, while the teen glared at them. "You guys suck," he whispered unhappily as he stood up and moved to sit next to Kono. This allowed Steve to sit next to Danny.

"Are you hungry kiddo?" asked Evelyn, gesturing towards the kitchen with her thumb.

"For your cooking Ms. Williams, always."

"Just what a mother loves to hear," she grinned as she stood up. Steve got up to follow her, but she immediately waved him away and went to the kitchen alone.

"Have I told you how awesome your mom is," Steve smiled, nudging his shoulder against Danny's.

Danny grinned. "Just don't let her hear you. Don't want her getting a big head," he stated playfully, narrowly avoiding the hit of his mother's swat to the back of his head. "You know its true mom."

Eve laughed as she handed Steve his plate of food. "Here you go Steve. I gave you a little bit of everything."

"You know me so well Ms. Williams," grinned Steve before stuffing a meatball into his mouth.

Rolling his eyes at the pair of them, Danny turned to Steve and smiled. "So, what errand did you have to run?" he asked curiously.

He opened his mouth to respond, but soon realized all eyes were on him. Not wanting to say anything in front of a crowd, Steve gave Danny a quick nod. "Later."

The look on Steve's face told Danny whatever Steve had done he wanted to tell Danny in private. So, instead of responding, Danny simply shook his head. "Okay, later."

Smiling, Steve leaned over and gave Danny a quick kiss on the cheek before turning his attention back to the food in front of him.

A few hours later Danny was resting in Matt's room, his temporary bedroom, until he was able to climb the stairs to his room again. He wouldn't lie and say he wouldn't miss his room and the privacy he had. Sitting next to him was Steve, who was busy putting Danny's things away, while he rested.

"Come take a break, sit down," suggested Danny, patting the bed.

Steve did as he was asked, sitting down next to Danny. "You good," he asked, rubbing his hand across Danny's. "Need anything?"

"Yeah, for you to tell me what errand was so important you weren't here to greet me when I got home."

"You're not going to let that go are you?"

"Not a chance."

"Alright fine," conceded Steve with a sigh. "I'll tell you. I was late getting here because I was busy picking up this." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small velvet box and handed it to Danny.

Danny's breath hitched as he stared at the box, a million thoughts going through his head. Finally he gathered the courage to open it and gasped at what he saw. "Cuff links," he replied softly. "You got me cuff links."

"Not just any cuff links. Look at them."

Danny did as he was told and carefully removed one of the cuff-links from the box. Once it was in his hand, Danny saw what Steve was referring to. The initials DWM were engraved onto the jewelry. "DWM-"

"Daniel Williams-McGarrett," finished Steve smiling softly.

"Are you proposing?" asked Danny nervously.

"No...I mean not now," clarified Steve as he grabbed Danny's hands and held them in his own. "What I'm trying to say is that these are for you to wear when we get married. I'm not sure when that will be, but I do know, I will never love anyone as much as I love you. I want us to be together forever. So these are my promise to you, that one day, I will propose. I just hope you say yes when I do."

Danny inhaled deeply before releasing the breath slowly. "Steven, this is a lot to take in," he said seriously. "For god sake, we're only sixteen. We have our whole lives ahead of us and you're already thinking about marriage? Being married, to me?"

Steve shrugged. "I know what I want and what I want is you, forever." Anxiously he stared at the blond who continued to remain quiet.

Danny's eyes widen as he contemplated everything Steve had said to him. He didn't need his instincts to tell him Steve's words were true. The taller boy did indeed believe Danny was the one for him. Even though he wanted to be logical, to tell Steve they shouldn't even be thinking about something as monumental as marriage, he found he couldn't. Deep down, he knew everything Steve felt for him, he felt it too. There was no denying Steve, was in fact, the one for him. Suddenly a grin spread across his face as he spoke surely. "You know my answer is going to be yes, right?"

Now it was Steve's turn to look confused. "What-"

"When you ask me in the future, my answer is going to be yes," Danny clarified happily. "Even though you aren't asking me right now if you had, my answer would have been yes. No matter when you ask or how you ask, my answer will always be yes because there's nothing else I'd rather do then spend the rest of my life with you. I know that rhymed and I don't even care, I just want you to know the truth."

A content feeling spread through Steve as he listened to Danny's words. Steve gave Danny a goofy smile, leaned forward and pressed their lips together, passionately engaging in a kiss that solidified the bond they shared. Neither of them knew what the future would bring, but they did know that as long as they were together, nothing else would matter.

Can't chat, have to post final chapter now. So until next time,

Fruits make the best juices,

LadyCizzle