A/N: This is my first foray into writing Hawaii Five-0. This tag of sorts was prompted by the scene between Steve & Danny at the end of Ep 6.20 Ka Haunaele and includes some of the episode dialogue. I own nothing, just playing in the 5-0 world. Enjoy!

–H50–H50–H50–H50–

Steve strode toward the office exit, ready for a beer and his bed. He was sore from ramming "Iron Man" with his vehicle, though he would never admit it. Maybe he was getting too old…what the…? Danny was still in his office, which was not particularly unusual. What was unusual was the super suit still sprawled across his desk. Steve detoured, curious.

"Evidence. To be returned." Steve stated firmly as he entered his partner's office.

"Here's the thing," Danny replied, straight faced. "I was thinking that we keep it. We say that it disappeared. Wouldn't be the first time, right? What do you think?"

Steve frowned. "What are you gonna do with an $80 million piece of hardware?"

"I'm gonna wear it."

"You're gonna wear it?" Steve grinned, picturing Danny's short stature trying to fit in the tall suit. "Okay."

Danny grinned back. "Yeah. Right? 'Cause this thing is, you know…" he paused for full effect, then finished, "it's completely McGarrett proof. It's been designed for your partner to wear."

"Oh, we're doing that." Steve paused, frowned, then ground out, "Still with that?"

Danny stared back, straight faced.

"Six years. Since the day I met you, you've been telling me I've been trying to kill you."

"What's your point?" Danny countered, feeling strangely thrown. This was not their usual banter.

"What's my point? My point is this is getting old. You're very much alive." Steve paused briefly, frowning again. "You're very much alive, which means I have your back. I've always had your back. So what are you talking about?"

"Now return this to Universal Exports before you break it." Turning, he left Danny's office and strode quickly out of the Five-O headquarters.

"It's indestructible, you idiot." Danny parried to his back, then ran his hand through his hair and stared after his friend, perplexed. Ninety-nine percent of the time the man was armored up, tough as nails, and everything bounced off him. They had been doing their back-and-forth for as long as he'd known Steve, usually to their mutual satisfaction. This…this was unusual. Something had shaken Steve and his confidence in Danny's trust and support in him. Danny thought back over the day, but couldn't come up with any reason for his uncharacteristic reaction. No matter, he wasn't about to leave things unsettled as they were. He leaned over, grabbed his phone, and after making the necessary arrangements for the super suit's return gathered his things and headed out the door to fix things.

–H50–H50–H50–H50–

Toweling off, Steve grabbed a beer from the fridge and wandered aimlessly out to the Adirondack chairs in back. He had swum hard, in spite of his aches and pains, pushing his body in an attempt to try and quiet his mind. Sitting and taking a sip and trying to appreciate the coolness of the beverage, he sighed. He knew he'd thrown Danny for a loop with his sharp response to their usual kibitzing, but he was so very tired of feeling like he was not enough. Like he was a danger magnet and truly did endanger everyone around him. He knew logically that it wasn't true, but still…every time Danny spoke those words he felt the grain of truth in them and took it to heart. Taking another sip, he leaned back and stared out at the waves, feeling out of sorts and frustrated with his maudlin mood. Snap out of it McGarrett! He berated himself mentally.

Tensing briefly at a sound behind him, Steve relaxed again, intuitively knowing the intruder was Danny. They had spent so much time in each other's lives these past five-plus years it was second nature to be aware of the other's presence. Plus Danny was one of the only people who would let himself into the Commander of Five-O's house and help himself to his beer. He smirked briefly at that thought, even as a fresh beer was waved in front of him and Danny sat down in his chair next to him.

The two sat quietly for a while, just drinking their drinks and attempting to enjoy the scenery, but the usual calmness of the atmosphere was missing. Danny finally broached the subject.

"Hey babe," he started, "Talk to me."

"Hmm?" Steve tried evasion. "'Bout what?" He could feel Danny's eyes watching him and knew there was no getting out of this. Danny was like a terrier with a bone when he was after something, and nothing was going to deter him.

"Steve…" Not going to make this easy, are you? Danny thought, thoughtfully regarding the man who he had disliked at the moment they met, but who had since become closer to him than his own brother. He took a deep breath and decided to just plough ahead. "I do trust you." That brought the other man's eyes to him, and Danny was shocked by the worry, hurt, and need he read in them.

"I do." he emphasized. "I tease you about it, Steve, but I know without a doubt you will always, always have my back. You'd go through every door first for me, and always have. I'm sorry if my teasing hit the wrong chord, but that truly is all it was. Promise." Danny put as much honesty and care into his voice that he could, trying to convince Steve of his sincerity.

Steve stared back at his friend, then looked away nodding, frustrated that he'd needed words to be spoken for what he already knew in his heart to be true.

"Man, what's going on? It's not like you to take my jabs to heart."

Steve sighed, wishing he had a good answer. "I don't know Danny." He looked back over at him as Danny's grumble suggested he was not being truthful and continued, "Honestly, I don't. I was just frustrated for a minute when you suggested - again - that I always put you in danger. Maybe because there's some truth to that statement that I don't want to admit."

"No, Steve, I - "

"It's true." Steve interrupted. "How much more likely are you to be in danger now than you were as a cop? Ever since we met I've been leading you into burning buildings and firefights."

"And I've gone willingly and gladly, Steve." Danny rejoined, staring nonplussed. "And I will, a million times again. What have I done to shake your confidence, partner?"

Steve rose to pace a few steps away. "I don't know Danny!" he reiterated, more forcefully this time. Danny said nothing in reply, knowing Steve's anger was not directed towards him but rather toward himself. He waited patiently, knowing Steve was processing and would eventually talk.

Staring stonily at the familiar shore and feeling more at sea than he had in some time, Steve paced a few more times then dropped back into his chair. Taking another sip of beer, he sat quietly again, this time pondering just how well his best friend knew him. Danny was the king of a million words when one would do. Yet most people missed the truth behind the smokescreen that Danny laid - which was that he was actually incredibly intuitive and knew when words were needed and when they were not. Currently he was patiently waiting, giving Steve the time he needed to think through his jumbled emotions. Warmed by the thought of how well the man knew him, he rewarded Danny's patience as he finally began verbally processing.

"I think…" Steve sighed, "I think it's just I've felt so helpless lately to keep anyone in my life safe. Grover and his family…" he trailed off, even as Danny nodded. Danny knew what happened - hated that he was on the mainland and unable to be there to help himself. The thought of losing Lou, Renee, and the kids had chilled him deeply when Steve had called that evening after everyone was safe to fill him in. Steve wasn't done talking though.

"And then you, and the kids…" He trailed off again, remembering his reaction when Danny had finally reached him and shared about his car being stolen while with his kids, and his firefight with the crazy thieves.

"I'm fine babe." Danny said quickly, "We are all fine."

"Well, I'm not." Steve spat, as Danny stared at him. He looked back, almost as surprised as Danny by his own admission. "What's the use of being a leader and fighter if I can't protect my own people? My own Ohana?"

Ah, there it is. Danny thought. Steve had endured so much loss in his life…loss that would break a lesser man. Ohana - family - was everything to him. This was emotional blowback from the last several weeks, probably exacerbated by the crazy pace they kept and the likelihood that Steve hadn't been sleeping well again. The man was chronically sleep-deprived…an unfortunate side-effect of living the kind of life he had lived and seeing what he'd seen, no doubt. All these things, plus the very real danger his various family members had been in recently had converged to a moment of self-doubt.

"Steve." Danny put a wealth of words into his name. Steve always wondered how he could do that. He heard sorrow and commiseration, but not the dreaded pity he had expected. No, he thought, that's not giving Danny his due. He wouldn't offer pity, just love and support. That's the man he is. He smiled at that thought. Danny was loyal as the day is long and fiercely protective of his family and friends.

Danny saw the smile, and was hopeful that he could help now that the problem had been laid bare. "None of what happened to me and the kids, or to Grover's family was caused by you or within your control." He held up a hand as Steve opened his mouth to interrupt. "And you came running the minute you knew we were in trouble. Steve - " Danny waited until he had Steve's full attention, "You are the best friend, partner, and brother anyone could ask for. You go above and beyond. You need to let the fear and guilt go, man. Let it go."

Steve nodded, soaking in the words he didn't feel like he should need but still greedily drank in. He should have known better than to doubt his status in Danny's eyes. He just was tired…weary of the close calls, and weary in general. He rubbed a hand over his face and nodded again.

"You need sleep." Danny stated, rising and holding out a hand to pull him up. Steve accepted, and for a moment they stood hand in hand and face to face. "I got you, brother." Danny said softly, "And I know you are always going to be there for me too." He pushed Steve gently toward the house. "I'll clean up. Go. Sleep."

Steve stared at this man, marveling that there had ever been a time when he didn't know him and wondering how he had existed without such a loyal, caring friend. Unexpectedly he smiled, a genuine, tired smile, and Danny returned the smile. Then turning he headed inside, forgoing the mess in the kitchen and climbing the stairs to fall face-first onto his bed. He lay still, hearing the soft sounds of Danny puttering around the kitchen, and to that soothing background he drifted off into a deep, healing sleep.

Danny, after cleaning up the kitchen, plopped on the couch and turned the tv on, sound low. He wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. He was going to make sure Steve knew he had his back, as much as he knew Steve had his. Texting Grace, he suggested she pack her swimsuit and they spend the weekend at Uncle Steve's. She responded enthusiastically, and he smiled, knowing his not-so-little little girl could do more for Steve's psyche than he ever could. They would remind him that he's got people who love him and trust him. Maybe he'd even invite Lou and his family over for a bbq…and Chin and Kono of course…more texting ensued.

Unaware of the schemes and plans Danny was making on his behalf (and his house!) Steve slept on.