I suspect some of you have already diagnosed Steve's ailment. That's good for it means that the list of symptoms was fairly accurate.

Again I'm not a doctor. If there are inaccuracies throughout the story I apologize in advance. This is not a medical text book. I'm writing from memory and from the research I did on the web. I did speed up some events for the purpose of the story which is first and foremost a McDanno bromance.

Doctor Tomlin adopted his most compassionate bearing to deliver the news as painlessly as possible. "The results concur that Commander McGarrett is suffering from some form of leukemia."

The news hit Danny square in the chest and sucked the wind out of him. He swayed and staggered back.

The doctor grabbed his arm to prevent him from falling. "Hey, you okay?" he asked worriedly at the sudden ashen face that stared back at him. Danny was clearly exhibiting signs of shock. "Here, sit down." He guided him to a nearby chair where Danny buried his face in his hands. "Easy now, breathe deeply."

A few deep breaths later Danny addressed the doctor with a hunted look, "How bad?"

"We won't know until we do a bone marrow biopsy later tonight and the results usually take up to forty-eight hours to be known. Further tests will determine whether or not the disease has spread outside the blood and marrow. Once all the results are in we'll be able to outline a course of treatment."

"By that you mean chemotherapy?"

"That and bone marrow transplant."

His eyes dropped like lead with his hand instinctively going to his brows. He shook his head dejectedly and in utter denial. "No, no, no this can't be happening. I mean the man is a health freak for God's sake! He eats well, exercises regularly and he's as strong as an ox. He was a former Navy SEAL. They don't make them any tougher!" Danny argued as he attempted to make sense of Steve's plight.

"Many genetic and environmental factors can play a major part, but basically the direct cause of leukemia is still unknown."

"Look, I know this hospital is renowned for its oncology department. I'm sure you are authorities on cancer treatments and accuracy of diagnoses but with all due respect, I believe we will seek out a second opinion."

"And I highly encourage you to do so. I can refer you to hematologists and oncologists working on staff or if you prefer another establishment, we can make arrangements."

"I'll need to discuss it first with Commander McGarrett before making any sort of decision."

"Of course. With his consent we will do an MRI and spinal tap to determine the extent and thereafter, you can consult with second and third parties."

Danny sucked in a deep breath and pursed his lips to suppress the overwhelming emotion threatening to swallow him whole. "Does he know?"

"That was the convincing argument to keep him overnight. We'll do the biopsy and monitor his condition for any side effects."

"How did he take the news?"

"Honestly? It was like reading a blank page."

"Typical," Danny snorted. "Where is he now?"

"We settled him into a regular room pending any decision on both your parts."

"What happens if he doesn't want to consent?" Danny had to ask since it was Steve.

"If he doesn't then we can't force him to agree or keep him here against his will."

Danny exhaled a woeful sigh. "I'll talk to him."

"He's in room 203. When I left him he started nodding off, but that could have been a ruse to get me to leave."

"In any case I'll let him rest a bit. I need to make a phone call anyway. I'll be back shortly."

"Do you wish me to be present in the room when you discuss the options with him?"

"Not right now. I want to ease him into it first. Thereafter maybe when we have questions, as I'm sure we will."

"I understand."

A flicker of a smile danced on Danny's lips, as he looked up at the doctor and expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Doctor. I'm sorry if I reacted a bit dramatically but that man in there is like a brother to me."

"No need to apologize. I understand all too well, believe me. As I mentioned before, not all the results are in yet. It may be benign." He placed a friendly hand on Danny's sagging shoulder. "Stay positive."

Danny bit his lower lip and nodded. The grieving friend allowed himself a brief moment to regain his bearing. He then picked himself up, stood from the chair and headed toward the exit. He reached down in his pocket to retrieve his iPhone and speed-dialed his mother's number.

"Hi mom, it's me."

"Daniel!" she exclaimed with fear in her voice. "Rachel told us what happened. How is Steven?"

"The good news is that there's no fracture or bleeding in the brain, but they want to keep him here overnight just to be safe."

"That's good. They're being cautious."

"Yeah. Listen mom, I think I'll stay at the hospital tonight."

"Okay." Clara frowned at the dejected tone in his voice "Daniel, is there something you're not telling me?"

Danny swallowed hard and closed his eyes. A lone tear found its way down his cheek. "The doctor says he has some form of leukemia."

She held a hand to her mouth in shock. "Oh no! Are they sure?"

"They are doing some tests but if it turns out to be malignant – oh mom," he sniveled. He drew in a deep cleansing breath to avoid dissolving into tears.

"Daniel, honey, do you want us to come to the hospital?"

He shook his head and smiled at the offer. "Thanks but I think it's better not to have too many people about. He might not even want me hanging around. The doctor said he was like a stone wall when he told him."

"Poor dear."

"Listen mom, tell Rachel not to say anything to Grace right now. Just say that her Uncle Steve bumped his head and that the doctor wants to make sure he's all right. No need to upset her until we know for sure what we're dealing with."

"Of course, I will tell her. Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm good." Danny chuckled at the irony of his words. "Listen to me, I sound just like him."

"You were bound to rub off on each other sooner or later. He's a good man, son."

"You bet he is and that's why I don't want him checking out on us so soon."

"He will need your friendship now more than ever."

"And I won't forsake him that's for sure." Danny sucked in a quivering breath and wiped his eyes dry. "I think I'll go back in now and see how he's doing."

"You take care of yourself. Call us if you need anything."

"Thanks mom."

"You keep us abreast, okay?"

"I will." Danny hung up and let out a long exhale to release the crushing pressure in his chest before heading back inside to visit with Steve.

His step faltered as he neared Steve's room. He stopped and leaned his back against the wall to collect his thoughts. Moments later he wiped his face dry of the leftover tears and stretched out his jaw to erase all traces of gloom. He pushed himself up straight and entered the room.

He peeked at the sleeping patient before he edged up the rest of the way. He hovered over the bed for a few seconds to take in Steve's appearance, after which he settled into a nearby chair and waited for his partner to wake up. His mind swarmed with a dozen speeches, each one different to address Steve's reaction to the diagnosis and the road he faced ahead. His presence at his partner's side was non-negotiable, as he intended to stick to him like burr throughout this ordeal, however benign or malignant. Together they would vanquish the enemy within.

It was some time later when Steve began to stir. Danny stood and moved over to the bed. He gripped the bed rail and waited for his partner to fully awaken.

Steve sensed a presence at his side and prised his eyes open. "Danny," he mumbled out and swallowed a dry gulp. "Guess I must have dozed off. How long?"

"About forty minutes. How are you feeling?"

"No bad, considering," Steve replied mournfully and then turned to Danny with a somber look. "You know?"

"Yeah. The doctor told me."

Steve heaved out a shuddering breath and laid his arm across his forehead, closing his eyes in despair. "This sucks, man! Hell of a way to spend a vacation. I'm sorry, Danny."

"Hum, I figured that's what you'd say," Danny sneered. "That fall was a damn blessing; otherwise this problem might have gone undetected for the longest time, whereas now you have a chance to beat it."

There was a short pause.

"I can't do this, Danny."

"I know it's scary but this hospital has the best oncology department in the country. And I'll be here for you every step of the way. We'll do this together."

"That's the worst part."

"What do you mean?"

Steve lowered his arm and inhaled deeply. "I don't want to drag you into this."

"We're partners."

"At Five-0 on the field, ridding the islands of criminals, maybe. But this is my battle."

"You're shutting me out?" Danny asked a bit offended.

"You're my friend and I don't want to put you through this."

Danny shifted his weight in anger and lowered the bed rail. "Now you listen here you Neanderthal animal. Your fight is my fight. You won't get rid of me that easily. I'm in it for the long haul. Now I can do this with or without you but as it turns out, I need you in the game in order to win. So you either tell me to leave now and never come back or clam up and bear with me. Got it?"

Steve's lips curled up at this expressed genuine solicitude. "This won't be pretty. The chemo is likely to make me awfully sick. I don't want to be a burden on you and your family."

"You're talking nonsense as usual. You're a part of this family, Steven. Families stick together through thick and thin and we've come out stronger because of our resilience to fight the enemy. I can guarantee that you won't be the only soldier on this battlefield. And I'm a bit selfish here: I don't want Grace to lose her favorite uncle and I don't want to lose a friend that's been more of a brother to me than my own sibling."

Steve's nose crinkled as he toiled to suppress the tears raring to burst. "Danny, I -"

"I know you're a mighty tough SEAL and you think you can fight this battle on your own. Hell, maybe you can but know that I'll be by your side to support you in case you sway a little." Danny ended on a tinge of humor that wrung a half-hearted smile out of his partner. "Unless you'd rather have someone else?"

"Don't be silly."

"In that case you're stuck with me. We'll wait for the results and plan whatever action to take."

Steve raised his arm and Danny clasped his hand. "Thanks, man."

"Any time. Now I'm going to get the doctor so we can discuss the next steps." Steve nodded. "I'll be right back."

Once Danny was out of the room, Steve sunk deeper into his pillow and ran both hands across his face to wipe the look of despair now chiseled into his features.

H50H50H50H50H50H50H50H50H50

While waiting for the bone marrow biopsy results to return, Doctor Tomlin scheduled a lumbar puncture to determine whether or not the disease had spread into the central nervous system. Although Steve didn't openly ask, Danny sensed that his partner preferred having him in the room during the procedure that he heard might be excruciatingly painful.

As it turns out, it was one of the most unbearable tortures he'd experienced in his life. To the untrained eye Steve appeared to ride out the pain; however to Danny, the puffed-up cheeks, the teeth set and the occasional hissing and cursing underneath the breath, not to mention the crushing grip on his hand were unmistakable signs that his partner was at the throes of agony. Annoying pairs of hands clawing at him ensured that he couldn't wriggle out of this discomfort, as it was imperative that he remained still during the procedure.

Seeing as Steve registered a mild fever following the lumbar puncture, Dr. Tomlin asked that he remain an extra night at the hospital. Danny was stunned to learn that Steve had readily agreed without raising an argument. Truth be told the all mighty SEAL didn't want to face Danny's family just yet. At Steve's request Danny returned home with a promise to be back first thing in the morning.

H50H50H50H50H50H50H50H50H50

Late afternoon the next day the results were in. Doctor Tomlin and two esteemed colleagues, oncologists Drs. Mateo and Granger who were both brought in upon Danny's request for a second and third opinion, entered Steve's room. To Danny sitting by the bed they appeared like three Grim Reapers coming to reap a soul. Danny stood from his chair and tried to read their faces before any word was spoken.

"Detective Williams, may we see you outside?"

Danny gulped in fearfully and cast a last look at his slumbering partner before following the three doctors outside in the hall.

"If your faces were any longer they'd hit the floor. It's bad news, isn't it?" Danny surmised from their glum expressions.