Here's a short chapter of bromance. Again thank you so much for your interest in my story.

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Early next morning Chin and Kono dropped by the hospital on their way to the airport hoping to say goodbye to Steve. Truth be told they expected to see the SEAL slumbering with his ever-faithful friend keeping a vigil at his bedside, but instead they were surprised to find Steve sitting in bed with Danny assisting him in eating his rice porridge.

"I hate this stuff. I'd rather have some cocoa puffs." They heard Steve whined as they entered the room.

"Perhaps for lunch. I'll ask if you can have some."

"And perhaps a side of fresh pineapples?" Steve added throwing a wink at Danny.

"Eat!" Danny threatened good-naturedly. "Don't talk! Eat! You have to keep your strength up."

"Yeah, well, this bland cement is not doing it for me."

Danny sighed in exasperation as he held a spoonful to Steve's lips. "One more."

"Danny! No more!" Steve lamented, slanting his head sideways.

"Ahhhh the sweet sound of bickering. Someone must be feeling better," Chin teased.

Steve let out a small cough as he broke into a wide grin upon seeing the cousins. "Hey guys."

Kono clasped Steve's hand. "You look good!" she observed amazingly. "How are you feeling?"

"Still a bit weak and nauseous but it's not half as bad as it was a few days ago."

"It's like night and day. Barely twenty-four hours ago you looked like a shadow of yourself and now, look at you?" Chin observed with amazement.

"I have a lot to be thankful for, especially my friends," Steve stated with an emotional lump. "I could never. -"

"Shuuuu, don't say it. We're Ohana remember?"

"The only thing you ought to be sorry about is not telling us sooner about the leukemia," Kono chided but her tone quickly softened at Steve's rueful look. "But you had your reasons and I guess we might have done the same under the circumstances."

Steve's grateful smile turned into a titter followed by a choking cough.

"What's so funny?" Chin asked, puzzled.

"You guys. With that mask over your faces. I thought you were clear to remove them?"

"Only the gown, hat and gloves. The mask is still mandatory until your immune system is back on track," Chin explained.

"I suppose I look pretty spooky myself without my hair."

"Actually you look quite handsome," Kono answered truthfully but Steve quirked an eyebrow."It's true. It just takes some getting used to."

"Now Steve you'd better eat before it turns cold," Danny urged, taking a spoonful of porridge and lifting it to his lips.

Steve crinkled his nose at the sight. "I've had enough, Danno. The smell of it makes me sick."

"All right." He put the spoon into the bowl and pushed the tray table away from the bed. "Want some tea instead?"

"No I'm good." Steve sank into his pillow and closed his eyes. The three friends allowed him a moment with his thoughts in complete silence. Then;

"We ought to get going or we'll miss our flight," Chin said before stepping up to the bed. "Steve, brah," he held his hand up. Steve clasped it weakly. "You get better, ya hear?"

"I'll make sure of that." Danny spoke before Steve got a word in.

"We hate to leave while you -"

Steve released Chin's hand and waved off his concern. "Don't be. Five-0 needs you. You mind the store while Danny and me are gone. I'm sure you'll keep that acting leader on his toes. Has Denning said who it was yet?"

"Said his name was Grover. He's part of a SWAT Team. He came highly recommended."

"That's good. You guys are in good hands then."

From the shortness of breath and heavy eyelids it was obvious to Danny that this short conversation was taxing on Steve. "Babe, you okay?"

"Yeahhhhh," Steve breathed out. "Just a bit tired. I hate feeling this way."

With a gentle hand on her boss's shoulder, Kono bid a tearful farewell. "You take care now and listen to Danny. We want to see you back in Hawaii very soon. We'll go surfing when you're better."

Steve smiled and nodded weakly. He clasped her hand and gave it a light tug. "I'd like that."

"You stay strong, brah," Chin said, bumping his fist against Steve's.

"I'll try my best."

"I'll be right back, babe." He waited for Steve to acknowledge with a nod before following the cousins out of the room.

Outside in the hall they fell into a group hug. This embrace was filled with hope as opposed to the last one which was full of gloom.

"God, can it be that he's beating this?" Kono enthused.

"He did overcome this infection but the doctor said that we still have to wait a while longer to see if transplant was a success. Right now he still tires easily and we cannot discard the threat of a relapse," Danny explained. "He came awfully close to giving up but I wouldn't let him. No matter how it hurt to see him in so much pain, God help me I wouldn't relent."

"Attaboy Danny! And I'm sure it's because of what you said that he didn't either. We hate to leave you and Steve but Denning was insistent."

"Hey, don't worry about it. I'll call you every day with a progress report."

"Thanks Danny." Kono pulled him into a hug. "You take care of yourself and the boss."

"I'll do my best on both counts."

They parted ways with a wave of hands and wistful smiles. Once the cousins were out of sight, Danny returned to Steve's room and grabbed a clean mask on the table before sitting near the bed to watch Steve snooze. It wasn't long before the SEAL sensed a presence nearby and opened his eyes.

"Did I wake you?"

"No I was just resting my eyes. Are Chin and Kono gone?"

"Yeah. They hated to leave but duty calls. At least with them holding the fort, you and me don't have to rush back. I'm sure this Grover fella will do a good job. Mind you not as good as you but enough to keep Denning happy for awhile."

Steve turned on his side to face Danny, letting out a small cough as he did. Danny was quick to help steady him. "You okay?"

Steve nodded and sucked in a deep breath. "Thanks."

"For what?"

"For not letting me give up."

"You wouldn't have with or without me."

"Don't be so sure. Torture at the hands of Wo Fat was a walk in the park compared to this. I tell ya I just couldn't take it anymore. I felt so sick."

"I know." Tears began pooling in Danny's eyes as he rubbed a comforting hand up and down Steve's arm. "But you're going to be fine now."

"I hope so. I really want to beat this you know."

"And we're all here to help you."

"It's nice to be with family."

Danny bit his trembling lips as emotions overwhelmed him. "That you are, brother. That you are."

"You thank Gracie for all the beautiful pictures she's drawn me," Steve said as his eyes traveled to the wall across the room where dozens of the child's drawings were plastered.

"You can tell her yourself tonight when I call her. She missed talking to you in the last few days you were sick. She'll be so happy to hear your voice again. My Monkey adores you."

"And I love her too, so much," Steve smiled and closed his eyes.

"I think it's time for you to take a little nap. Mom and dad should be here in twenty to thirty minutes. I'll drop by the house for a change of clothes and be back later. I'll talk to the doctor about getting you some cocoa puffs for lunch."

"On second thought try to sneak in a pineapple-ham pizza and a cold beer."

Danny held back a laugh. "Hum I don't think you can stomach it right now. Maybe in a few days though. Didn't you just say that you felt nauseous?" He tapped Steve on the shoulder. "You get some sleep now." Steve nodded and with a smile closed his eyes.

Danny gazed at his friend with tears streaming down his cheeks. Thinking of how close he had come to losing him made his heart ache and his stomach churn. Steve may have won a battle but the war still raged on. Although an atheist, Danny rose his eyes heavenwards and silently thanked the O Mighty One for watching over Steve.