Note: A Big thanks to wenwalke for her help. This story is complete but as I'm rather busy at the moment im going to post every other day. And I'm doing my best to work on a sequal to play date gone bad.

Disclaimer: I do not own H50 or make any money from this. Just doing it for the love of whump.

Chapter One

The team were coming to the end of a quiet day. Danny and Steve had spent the morning in court, testifying against a gun dealer the team had brought down. Chin had spent the morning installing new software and syncing all the teams' phones to the Skydrive, while Kono and Lou had done inventory on the weapons and ammunition.

Steve and Danny had returned from court with lunch for them all, and then each team member had retired to their offices to complete paperwork.

Now, just turned 3pm, Steve and Chin were stood around the smart table in the main office, while Chin explained the new features installed. They both looked up as one of the buildings' security officers entered, followed by a red headed man, dressed in shorts and t-shirt, looking every bit the tourist.

"Commander McGarrett." The officer acknowledged. "This gentle man is looking for Detective Williams. He knows him from New Jersey."

Steve nodded then yelled in the direction of Danny's office, "yo! Danny. You got a visitor."

Danny appeared at the door to his office and looked at the security officer and the red headed man.

"Animal!" Danny exclaimed walking over and giving the man one of his famous hugs that involved several slaps on the back. "Good to see you man. What are you doing here?"

"Finally managed to save enough to treat Trisha and the kids to that holiday I promised them." The man replied. "Couldn't come to Hawaii without looking in on my old pal could I? We thought we'd surprise you."

"I'm really happy you did." Danny said, pulling the man into another back slapping hug then releasing him on hearing Steve's not so subtle cough.

Turning towards his colleagues, Danny said, "Animal, This is my partner and best friend, Lieutenant Commander Steve McGarrett, my other good friend Chin Ho Kelly, oh and the rest of the team, Kono Kalakaua and Lou Grover." Danny added as both the remaining team members excited their offices at the sound of voices.

"Nice to meet you, err ...Animal?" Steve said walking over and shaking the mans hand.

"I tend to go by the name Drew now," the man smiled, "only a select few still call me Animal."

"Should I ask why?" Steve enquired.

"Why, SmoothDog? You jealous?" Danny joked, "We called him Animal because of the red hair, and he played the drums in high school." Seeing Steve still look confused, Danny added, "You know, Animal? From the Muppets?"

"Oh, not really." Steve replied a little embarrassed and his cheeks flushed red.

"Dear God, you really did have a deprived childhood." Danny replied shaking his head.

"So you guys went to high school together?" Chin asked trying to deflect from Steve's embarrassment.

"Yeah," Drew confirmed, "and we were in a band together."

It was Danny's turn to flush red. "A band?" Kono asked amused.

"Sure, I was obviously drums, Danny played lead guitar, sometimes the keyboard." Drew smiled as he remembered fondly their childhood.

Steve looked at his best friend, shocked. "I didn't know you played. Why don't you play still?"

"Because I'm not fortunate enough to own a piano, and I left the guitar behind when I moved to this rock, never got around to buying one."

"Max has a piano." Steve stated.

"Oh yeah, cos that's my favourite place to hang out. The morgue? I don't think so." Danny replied.

"I have a ukulele you can borrow." Chin offered with a smile.

"No offence bud, but the Ukulele doesn't quite have the same effect on the ladies." Danny said with a wink.

"So how long have you two been friends?" Lou asked.

"Since we were seven," Danny answered.

"We bonded over our love of baseball." Drew explained, "been good friends ever since."

"You play too?" Chin asked.

"Used to," Drew replied. "Danny and I were both on the school team together. We used to sneak out most nights and go pitch balls on a field between our houses."

"Sneak out?" Kono smiled, trying to imagine a teenage Danny Williams.

"Yeah, my parents' house is this old period house with a wrap around balcony and shuttered windows. I used to sneak out my bedroom window and climb down the trellising. Then Matty would let me in when I got back, 'cos we shared a room."

"Danny Williams, you rebel." Kono laughed.

"Not really." Drew laughed and Danny joined him.

"What?" Steve asked intrigued.

"When I was 15, the trellising gave way, and I fell and broke my arm. We found out then that my parents knew all about me sneaking out. One of the guys from his fire station lived next to the field and would call my dad when we got there, and left." Danny explained.

"Danny's parents would call my parents." Drew sighed.

"And they didn't say anything to you before you fell?" Lou asked shocked.

"Nope. They figured there were far worse things I could be sneaking out to do, plus the extra practice did put me in line for a college scholarship." Danny stated.

"Yeah, until you screwed up your knee," Drew said sadly.

"Yeah, that sucked." Danny said while subconsciously shifting his weight to his good leg.

"So, I was hoping you would be free for drinks, tonight maybe? Trisha and the kids would love to see you and Grace again." Drew asked.

"Well I most certainly would love to join you, but Grace is away at cheer camp. She doesn't get home for four more days."

"Oh, Katie is gonna be disappointed, she hasn't stopped talking all day about seeing her. But we're here for ten more days so can we sort something when she gets back?"

"Grace would kill me if I didn't." Danny laughed, knowing how close the two girls used to be, they still Skyped once a fortnight.

"Well I should leave you to get on with your work, see you tonight then?"

"Sure." Danny replied and patted his old friend on the back.

5-0-5-0-5-0-5-0

Danny smiled to himself when, not fifteen minutes later, Steve knocked on his office door and informed him that they needed to go see Max.

"You could just ring him." Danny stated.

"You know Max, he doesn't trust phones." Steve simply replied and headed out. Danny sighed and followed after him knowing exactly the reason for the trip.

Danny knew he was right when he saw Steve glance at the piano on the way to the M.E. Office.

"Hey Max." Steve said knocking on the open door and seeing Max sat at his desk, busy on the computer.

"Commander McGarrett. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Max said as he stood and moved over to shake Steve's hand.

"We just wanted to see if you had finished with the Jacobs file." Steve replied, unable to see Danny shake his head behind him.

"Oh, yes I have." Max replied. "I could have sent it over to you. You didn't have to come over."

"It's ok we're having a quiet day. I needed to get out of the office."

"Oh, well glad I could provide a distraction for you." Max said collecting the file from his desk and handing it to Steve.

"Thanks Max." Steve said tucking the file under his arm. "You know it wasn't all boring. Danny had an old friend visit, and we found out a few interesting facts. Did you know Danny could play the piano?"

Danny stifled a laugh, his partner was so obvious.

"No, I did not. A hidden talent, Detective Williams?"

"Not so much hidden as unused." Danny replied. "I haven't played in four years, and please call me Danny, Max."

"He hasn't played because he doesn't have a piano." Steve continued, "I was wondering..."

"Steve. Stop. That's enough. I know where you're going with this. A persons' instrument is a sacred thing. Don't put Max in the awkward position of having to decline your request." Danny said sternly.

"I just want to hear you play, Danny." Steve replied dejected.

"You don't even know if I'm any good." Danny laughed.

"That's why I want to hear you play."

"Detective ... err, Danny." Max corrected himself. "I have no problem with you borrowing my piano. I would also like to hear you play."

Danny gave one of his nervous giggles. He had been sure Max would be protective over his piano. After all, he did tune it himself rather than let anyone else touch it. "I haven't played in four years, I'll be really rusty. And I'm nowhere near Max's standard."

"That doesn't matter." Steve said dragging his partner towards the room where the piano was kept, and forcing him to sit on the stool.

Max had followed, "please go ahead." He said gesturing toward the piano.

Danny sighed. There was no way he was going to get out of this. He lifted the lid to expose the keys and told himself that Animal was going to buy him dinner for this.

"Fine," Danny said and hid a devious smile. Carefully he placed his fingers on the keys and started to play.

Steve had taken out his phone, behind Danny's back, and started to film, he needed evidence to win his bet with Lou. After Danny had returned to his office the rest of the team had started to talk about Danny's hidden talent. Lou had stated that it was a high school band, so Danny probably wasn't that good, which is why he hadn't continued to play, while Steve had confidence in his partners ability. A wager for $50 was soon made.

Steve's face fell as Danny very slowly, and with the odd wrong note, did his best to play chop sticks, an easy starter for most beginners. Once finished he turned to Steve and Max. "Told you I was rusty, what did you think?"

Max started off, "well, that was err ... I mean, considering you haven't played for years, it was...err ..."

"Rubbish." Steve finished for him, not interested in being diplomatic like Max, "damn, now I owe Lou $50."

"What?" Danny asked shocked, "you made a bet?"

"Yes." Steve answered sheepishly. "Lou thought you would be bad, but I said I thought you would be good. Now I owe him money."

"You thought I'd be good?" Danny asked surprised.

"Of course. I had your back man, I had faith in you."

Danny thought for a second then turned back around and looked at the sheet music Max had left on the music ledge. He then instructed Steve, "Turn the camera back on, and I want half the winnings." Danny started to play the intricate piece of music. Steve glanced at Max while trying to hold the camera still, and saw he had his eyes closed, listening closely to the music, a smile from ear to ear.

Steve wasn't really into music, but he was able to appreciate the fact that Danny was playing without seeing it before, and was doing a good job. Danny brought the piece to an end, and turned beaming at his audience. "I forgot how good that felt, although I messed up a little in the middle."

"Considering you haven't played for several years, I think you did admirably Detec ...Danny."

"Thanks Max." Danny said closing the lid, "come on partner let's go collect." And he exited the room, patting Max on the shoulder as he left.

Steve put away his phone and turned to Max, "that was good, right?"

"Yes Commander, that was very good."

"Steve, Max. We're Ohana, and thanks." Steve said replicating his partner's actions and patting Max on the shoulder.

TBC