***** Here is the FINAL Chapter – I hope you like it, and I'd love to hear your final thoughts *****

Steve leaned over and touching Danny right shoulder he spoke to him softly, "Danny, Danny can you wake up for me?"
It took a couple of minutes for him to come around but eventually he opened his eyes, "Steve?"
"Partner, Gracie's here to see you. Are you up to it?"
"Yeah...can I have a drink yet, I'm thirsty"
Nurse Rose nodded and after pouring a glass of water Steve lifted his head and she put the straw into his mouth while saying "Just a couple of small sips Danny, you can't have too much"

Once he was settled back on the pillow Steve smiled at him, "Are you ready for her?
"Absolutely"
Moments later he was lifting her into his arms and walking into the room. "Now remember sweetheart don't be scared by the machines. Danno's awake but he's very tired so you can only stay a few minutes okay?"

"Uh huh"
As they reached the bedside Danny smiled and raised his hand, "Hi Monkey, it sure is good to see you"
"Hi Daddy. Are you feeling better?"
"I'm feeling a lot better now that I've seen you baby girl. You can touch my hand"
Steve then added, "That's not his broken hand honey, you can hold onto his fingers, just don't touch the tubes"
"What are all the tubes for?"
"Danno lost a lot of blood when he got hurt. See these bags" He pointed to the IV pole.
She replied softly, "Yes"
"The tubes are carrying more blood and medicines into Danno's body through his hand there to make him better"
She looked at the tubes and tape on his hand and asked, "Does that hurt you Danno?"
He grinned, "No, not at all Monkey"
As she held Danny's fingers she smiled and said, "Uncle Steve was right Danno, your hair is a mess"
Wondering how that had come into conversation Danny smiled and said, "I bet it is"
"How long do you have to be in the hospital Danno?"
"I'm not sure yet baby"
Steve then added, "Probably at least a week Gracie"
Danny said, "But you can come visit me Monkey"
"Every day Danno?"
"Only if your Mom has the time Gracie, but I'll be fine...I don't want you to worry about me okay?"
"Okay Danno, I love you"
"I love you too honey, more than anything in this world. How was school today?"
"Really good Danno. I got a 100 on my spelling test"
"That's my girl"

They visited for a few minutes longer and then Uncle Steve held her over the bed so she could give him a hug and a kiss.

He then walked Rachel and Gracie out to their car and when he re-entered the hospital he noticed the elderly woman he had seen the previous day in the elevator. As their eyes connected he smiled and she said, "Hello again young man. You look better today"

"I am Ma'am, thank you very much"
"I hope your loved one is doing better"
"He is, thank you for asking"
She held out her hand and he took it in his, "You were very upset. It's obvious that you love your friend very much. He's lucky to have you, now you go be with him"
"I will Ma'am, thank you"
"God bless you and your friend"

Moments later he was back at Danny's side.
The next day Danny was was moved to a private room and two days later he underwent surgery to repair the multiple broken bones in his left hand.

After that he began to make great progress and a week later his stitches were removed and he was released.

Steve and Chin had set up a bed in the living room for him and as Steve helped him into the house his first response was typical Danno, "You know babe, I really prefer the couch"

Grinning down at his friend Steve replied softly, "Welcome home Danny"

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Steve worked from home that first week and he catered to Danny's every need while also driving him crazy!

On his third night home, Steve woke to Danny's screams coming from downstairs.
He knew those screams. He had heard those screams from his brothers and they had heard the screams from him.
Moments later he was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding his shaking partner in his arms.

"It's okay Danno...you were having a nightmare buddy. It's okay now...relax, it's okay"
Once he had calmed down Steve grabbed him a bottle of water and sitting on the chair next to the bed he asked, "Are you okay?"

Danny nodded and sitting up, he took a drink of water and gently rubbed at his chest wound.
"How do live with these nightmares Steve? Shit, they're so real"
"I know...I'm not going to bullshit you buddy, it's hard. As bad as it sounds...you just kind of get used to them"

"Great..."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"I told you that I remembered what you had said to me, and I drew into myself. I thought about Gracie a lot. I remembered the day she was born and the little things...playing with her in the yard, taking her to the zoo, her splashing me so much when I gave her baths that I got one too"

Steve laughed softly and asked "What else did you think about?"
Danny then told him about Jason. He told him about the Three Musketeers, plus one and of their childhood friendships. He then told his partner about Jason's death and how it resulted in his desire to become a cop. And he told Steve about how he had seen Jason during his delirium and how the boy had told him that he needed to stay.

Steve fingered his water bottle and said softly, "I'm glad he told you to stay buddy"
Danny chuckled, "Me too...I'm glad I listened to him"
Steve nodded, "So am I partner, so am I"
"He told me that we were doing good things here and that it wasn't my time to go"
"We are Danny, we're changing lives"
"Steve, thank you. Thank you for staying with me and for taking care of me"
"I'll always be there Danny. You're the best friend I've ever had and I love you man. We're family"
Danny grinned and said, "Ohana"

They had stayed up most of the night and talked. Steve shared more stories with him about missions he had undertaken and brothers he had lost and Danny told him about Grace Tilwell, his partner who was killed on 9-11. Although they mourned their friends, they also spoke of good times they shared with them and they laughed...and healed together.

His recovery went well and the day before Steve went back to work he took Danny and Gracie to the Hilton as promised. Steve insisted that they stay the whole week and how could Danny argue? He knew the SEAL's motives...with having to go back to work this was Mother-hen McGarrett's way of watching over him.

As the two men sat poolside watching Gracie and nibbling on appetizers Steve gave instructions to him, "Now I want you to promise me a few things"
"Yes sir"
"Danny, I'm being serious here"
"I know Steve, you just worry too much"
"Well, I don't think I do"
"Of course you don't Superman. So, give me the rules"
Steve sighed and grinned softly at his partner, "They're really simple pal, even you can handle them"
Danny chuckled, "Oh yeah, even me? That's good...okay, lay it on me babe!"
"Number One – you stay in room or else you're down here with Gracie"
Simply to egg on his friend, Danny asked "What about the beach? Can we walk down there?"
"Um, okay...but you can't go in the water"
"Got it! Next?"

"You order whatever food you want and watch a lot of movies"
"Watching movies is a rule?"
"Daniel, why are acting like this? I'm very serious here"
"Oh believe me Steve, I know you're serious. Listen...I'm good brother, I really am. I love you and I appreciate this and everything you've done for me"

Steve smiled, "I love you too. There's one more rule though Danny"
"What's that Steve?"
"That you rest. Can you follow that rule for me?"
"Steve, I will follow ALL of your rules...I promise"

Steve, Kono and Chin came to the Hotel every night after work and they would sit at the poolside, dine on surf and turf and visit for hours.

Danny followed all of Steve's rules and he had a wonderful week of relaxation with Gracie.
Steve finally began to relax and while Danny continued to recuperate his home, the 5-0 task force was once again up and running, although not complete without the feisty Jersey detective.

The investigations on Tomlinson and Eaton were finally completed.
Senator Mark Tomlinson had turned out to be one of the most prolific serial killers in American history having killed twenty young women over a ten year period.

Derek Eaton had killed six women and raped thirty three, with his youngest victim being only thirteen years old. Thanks to 5-0 and the HPD each and every victim, including the previously unidentified girl were all identified and they and their families were given at least the satisfaction of knowing that this evil man was finally behind bars. Due to the fact that Tomlinson was killed and that Eaton did not cooperate with the investigation, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole and would spend his remaining days in Halawa Prison attempting to avoid other prisoners.

Ten weeks after the horrific events, Danny returned to work and the 5-0 Ohana was once again complete.

THE END

**** Due to numerous comments posted to me yesterday I have decided that I need to take a break from posting stories. I write for pure enjoyment but that enjoyment is no longer there. I began to write about 5-0 because I love the show and I appreciate the actors who bring those characters to life. Alex O'Loughlin got married and I chose to state MY happiness for him and his new wife with a one-line comment. His acting brings joy to my life, and I truly wish him love and happiness. That one-line comment resulted in numerous negative comments, and I can say that I wrote these final chapters in tears, and that should never happen. I write for the joy of it only, I don't get paid for this and it is not a joy anymore. More than a year ago a favorite author of mine stopped writing because of similar issues. As writers we take a risk putting our thoughts onto a page for others to critique and hopefully enjoy. To those of you have taken the time to write reviews and words of encouragement, I do thank you. If you've followed my stories you know that I'm always grateful for reviews and have said many times how motivating they can be, and now I can also say how disheartening they can be. So, I hope you have enjoyed my stories, but at least for now... good bye ****