2, 4, 5, 6, 8-r, 9, 15-gore, 18,

Chapter 21:

"Steve. . .what?"

Danny grinned at Chin's response.

"May I second that 'what'?" Kono added as she gazed from Steve to Danny.

"It was Danny's idea. We would like it if you guys would join the group." Steve repeated. "We'd be doing a bit higher status crimes, things specifically for the state of Hawaii. . ." He paused. "Catching the bad guys." Steve added with a small smile.

Chin looked over at Kono and back at Steve. "I'm in." He said with a grin.

Danny grinned at his answer. They all turned to Kono.

"I don't know guys. . ." She began.

Danny's heart sank at her serious tone.

"I mean. . .I want my office painted purple, and I don't know if you guys can accommodate that need." She murmured.

Steve broke into a grin. "Oh, did you want matching lamps and big fluffy bean bag chairs?"

Kono shrugged. "I was thinking about it. . .maybe a purple hammock. . .off in the corner."

Chin chuckled at his cousin's playful humor. Danny smiled at his recently made co-workers.

"God, guys, I can not thank you enough." Chin spoke up.

"Yeah, no kidding. This is amazing." Kono added.

"I feel like we should be thanking Danny tonight. Without him and his formation of ideas, this team would not be and our new jobs would not be." Steve's voice was heard by the other three. He turned to Danny. "Danny, thank you. For this. . .brilliant, amazing. . .absolutely terrific idea. I am looking forward to spending many hours working with this team." Steve smiled at everyone. "To Danny. . .for making this happen."

"To Danny!" Chin and Kono echoed.

The group of four clinked their glasses together in celebration.

"Thank you guys. The team wouldn't be a team without all of you." Danny grinned at them. "I can not wait to start."

The group all grinned, taking a break from talking to sip.

"Speaking of starting, when do we start?" Chin asked, clearly exhilarated by the whole ordeal.

"As soon as our offices are set up." Danny said.

"How soon will that be?" Kono asked.

"The company that is delivering our desks and other office supplies will give us a call." Danny answered.

Steve turned to Danny. "Can I talk to you for a sec?"

Danny turned to Chin and Kono. They nodded and he turned back to Steve. "Yeah, sure."

"Excuse us." Steve said to the cousins as he placed a hand on Danny's arm. Steve walked them over to the railing.

"Steve, babe, what's up?"

Steve turned to look at the concerned eyes. "Absolutely nothing, Danny." He paused. "Everything is right and well and. . .I just wanted to pull you aside and thank you."

"Thank me?"

"Yes. Danny. . .I'm the type of person to give recognition where it's needed." He paused. "Danny, you saved me. You saved my life." He could feel his emotions run to the surface. His chest and his throat tightened greatly. He could barely swallow. His eyes watered and his sensitivity pricked his being. "Um. . ." He tried to swallow again. He let out a small laugh. "Danny. . ." He bit his lower lip as the tears welled in his eyes. "You saved me. I would not have made it without you and your kind, compassionate, caring attitude." He stopped, barely able to finish the last of the sentence. He turned his head, trying to get a hold of his emotions.

Danny could only stare at the man. He did not feel like he was the one to save Steve. In a way, Steve saved him. "Steve. . .it's flattering you say that. I feel like. . .you saved me." He watched as Steve turned to look at him with a single tear streaming down his face. "I was just looking for a small fling. . .maybe someone I could. . .be with a few times a month. But. . ." He shook his head. "That first look. . .that first meet." He grinned. "I was captivated. I was. . .attracted and immensely. . ." He shrugged. "Enchanted, I guess." He looked at Steve. "I had no idea how hard I would fall in love with you."

Steve smiled at him.

Danny smiled back at him. He lifted a hand to his cheek and wiped the tear away with his thumb.

Steve stepped in closer to Danny and placed his head against Danny's.

Danny knew that people were looking, but he didn't care. He was happy to have Steve. To have the man, he loved for so long, be his. And only his.

Steve nuzzled Danny's nose. "Danny, I love you, you know?" His heart still fluttered every time he said it. Not in nervousness, but in an expression of pure love.

"I know. Do you know that I love you?" Danny asked as he nuzzled back.

Steve grinned. "I know you do."

"And you know I'd never betray you, your love, or your trust, right?"

Steve tilted his head. "Of course. I hope you know I would never either."

Danny smiled and nodded at him. "Come here." He murmured as he grabbed onto Steve's cheek.

Steve grinned and grabbed onto Danny's cheek. Their lips connected and stayed together. Small movements were made against each other's lips and they stayed close to each other.

Everything was good. Everything was bliss. Everything was beautiful.

Everything was Steve and Danny.

And with their lasting kiss, they knew that they would be together. They knew that their love would last and be forever.