A/N: There will be grammar and spelling mistakes, so be warned. M/M slash.

Chapter 4

Steve stared down at the blood seeping into the material of his cargo pants before craning his neck to look up at the drone. As the Camaro screeched away from the curb Steve reached forward, yanking open the glove box.

"What are you looking for?" Danny demanded.

Steve gritted his teeth against the pain in his thigh and grabbed the rolled up ball of black tie, flicking his wrist to unfurl it.

"What are you doing with that?" Danny glowered.

"Faster, Danny. Come on." Steve ordered breathlessly as another round of gun fire resounded above them. He lofted his leg and slid the tie beneath his thigh.

"It's going... This is as faster as it goes." Danny snapped back.

Steve twirled the tie, tightening it until the bleeding eventually slowed. Tying it off, he craned his neck to glance at the speedometer. "You're not even redlining, okay!"

"Shut up, okay?" Danny grunted. "I don't know what's worse, you're driving or your backseat driving. Zip it."

Steve couldn't help but smirk to himself despite the danger of the moment, his gaze lingering on Danny's profile as he took another sharp corner. When the cell rang he hit the screen before Danny could even react, but it was his partner who spoke.

"Kono, go ahead. We're a little busy."

"Guys, air traffic control is reporting a small aircraft on approach."

Steve frowned thoughtfully.

"No, no, no. I thought we shut down the airport."

"We did. But this thing isn't landing at the airport." Chin replied, his tone as calm as ever.

"It's heading for town." Kono clarified.

"Wait, we got this all wrong." Steve said after too many minutes of thought. "This is an aircraft extraction. The drone attack was just a distraction." he looked to Danny just assure his partner understood what he was saying. "Right, they paid Redmond to clear the streets so they could land a plane and pick up Lawrence Turner."

"If he gets on that plane, he'll compromise national security." informed Kono, as if they weren't all blatantly aware of that fact.

"Steve."

"I see it." He leant forward as the plane went over. "We need to get back there."

"Oh, well thank you, I'd have never thought of that." Danny snapped. "But we have the slight issue of the drone shooting at us."

"Lou, where are you?" Steve demanded desperately.

"Right behind you."

Steve twisted in his seat to watch the SUV following them.

"Alright, come on, Jerry. It's your turn." Danny said desperately, glancing in the rear-view mirror.

"This thing is gonna work, isn't it?"

Steve met Danny's panicked gaze and nodded reassuringly.

"Theoretically." Jerry said over the coms.

"No, no, no. Wrong answer, Jerry. Wrong answer." Danny scolded, furiously glaring at Steve.

"Okay, okay. It's gonna work. I think."

Steve reached out instinctively, squeezing his partners shoulder. It had become almost second nature to offer physical comfort and reassurance over the past few months, now that he was allowed. Now he didn't have to fear that giving into the instincts he'd been fighting almost from the moment he'd met Danny would reveal the true extent of his feelings. Danny shot him a side glance and beneath his hand Steve felt him relax, a little.

The touch only lasted a few seconds before Steve withdrew his hand and glanced back over his shoulder, watching as the drone continued to follow them, shadowing ever swerve Danny made. When the drone began to waver he inhaled deeply, holding his breath and praying.

"I got a lock on its signal. - She's mine." Jerry announced excitedly and Steve exhaled a sigh of relief.

"You got it." they heard Lou exclaimed excitedly.

Steve met Danny's relieved gaze. "Told you so." he grinned, winking.

"I hate you." Danny replied breathlessly.

Steve was still grinning when he slumped against the seat, his head falling back against the rest.

"Alright. - One nasty killing machine down for the count."

"Okay." Steve sighed. "Let's get Turner."

Danny nodded.

"Steve, plane's on the move." Kono informed them desperately.

He watched Danny brace his back further into the leather seat and press his foot against the gas, his fingers tightening around the wheel once again.

"It's taking off." Steve remarked, breaking the tense silent.

"No way we're gonna stop that now." Lou's voice stated.

The sound of something overhead draw both their attention and they leant forward, eyes widening in surprise as the drone flew ahead of them.

"Relax, partners. I got this." Jerry's voice announced.

"Jerry, what are you doing?" Danny asked, frowning.

"Feeling the force. Just like Skywalker on the trench run."

Danny shot Steve a tired and wary look. "Skywalker?"

Steve smirked, shrugging. He watched as the drone flew directly at the plane and crashing into one of the engines. It exploded, causing to the plane to crash back into the tarmac.

"Son of a bitch." Steve murmured, surprised. "He really did it." He turned to stare at Danny who was watching the plane sliding across the road, shock imprinted on his features. "He really did it." Steve repeated.

"I..." Danny started.

"We've got movement." Lou announced at the plane came to a screeching stop.

Danny swerved the car into the curb as the men in the plane began to flee. Steve instantly shoved open the door, drawing his weapon quickly. "I got Turner."

Steve gritted his teeth again as he pursued the young man down an ally, pushing the pain to the back of his mind. He'd suffered through worse, far worse. Behind him he could hear gunfire, Danny's easily distinguished from they're bad guy. That tightness began to curl up in Steve gut at the sound, as it always did when they were under fire and he wasn't there to protect Danny. It wasn't a new feelings, he'd felt the same way with Freddy, desperately needing to ensure his safety and return him to his family. It came with being a commander. - But there was an added level of anxiety now that he and Danny were together, a heightened fear for his partner's life that was stronger than before. He didn't just have to ensure Danny's safety for Grace any more, but for himself too.

"Turner!" Steve yelled, careering around a corner. There faster he ran the worse his leg was getting, the tie wasn't helping anymore and he could feel the blood beginning to roll down this leg but he couldn't stop. He burst through a gate and turned a corner, then another. Behind him there was a sound of a car crashing and then silence. He prayed Danny was alright as he took a final corner to find Turner dead-end Turner led them to couldn't have come soon enough. He paused, weapon raised and watched as Turner contemplated jumping the wall. "It's over." he stated breathlessly, shaking his head.

Of course they never just give up, they always have to try and keep running. Steve shook his head wearily while Turner clamoured up onto the trashcans and gripped the edge of the wall. Sighing to himself Steve raised his weapon and fired, putting a bullet in the back of Turner's leg. The young man fell back onto the ground with a yell of pain and Steve hobbled over to him. "Lawrence Turner, you're under arrest for espionage."

Finally the fight went out of him. Steve watched as tear began to fill his eyes. Shaking his head, Steve gritted his teeth and knelt, ignoring the pain in his leg as he handcuffed the man. He glanced down at the man's wound, the blood seeping out onto the white concrete. Steve glanced around, looking for something to use as a tourniquet. Seeing a small length of discarded sting, he shuffled over to it and then back, wrapping it around the man's leg. It wasn't going to let Turner bleed out in a back ally.

Once it was secure, he dropped back on his ass, tugging at the tie around his thigh, jaw tightly clamped shut. At least he wasn't the only one in pain. "I'm gonna need some help back here." he said over the radio.

"Steve, you okay?" Danny's voice instantly replied, concerned.

Steve exhaled a relieved sigh at the sound of his partner's voice. "I'm fine, but Turner needs an ambulance. We're at the back of the Ocean Surf Shop."

"On my way."

"Ambulance is on its way, Steve." Lou told him.

Steve relaxed back against the wall, his gaze never leaving his prisoner. It wasn't long before he heard the familiar sound of running feet and Danny turned the corner, rushing over to him.

_Let's Start From A Happy Ending: Stick To Your Guns_

"Thanks again, Jerry." Steve said, carefully climbing out of the bright green people carrier.

"No problem." Jerry smiled warmly. "You want me to help you inside? I could hang for a bit."

Steve shook his head. "Its fine, Jerry, thanks. Danny will be buy once he's done."

"Okay." Jerry nodded, claiming back into the driver's seat and hitting the button to close the sliding door. "I'll call you about that surveillance operation."

"Sure, Jerry. Just...give me a few days to recover, okay." Steve ginned.

"Sure thing, Commander."

"Bye Jerry."

"Aloha." Jerry waved, backing out of the driveway.

With the green van gone, Steve exhaled a long sigh and relaxed his full weigh on the crutches before turning and hobbling up to the house. Once inside he collapsed on the couch, closing his eyes. He wasn't even aware he'd dozed off until there was a knock at the door, startling him awake. Wincing with pain, Steve forced himself off the couch.

"Governor?" he greeted surprised once he finally reached the door and got it open.

"Commander." the Governor nodded. "Can I come in?"

"Of course." Steve stumbled back. "What can I do for you?"

The governor strolled further into the house, looking around. "Detective Williams isn't here?"

Steve shook his head. "He's collecting his daughter and taking the car to the body shop. Bullet hole."

"I can imagine. Excellent work today."

"Thank you, Sir." he shifted uncomfortably on his crutches. "Can I get you something?"

The Governor looked at him, eyes travelling to his leg. "No, thank you."

"If you need to speak to me and Danny, or just Danny, he said he'll drop by..."

"No. Um..." Denning slid his hands into his pockets. "I'm sure you can pass on what I have to say."

Steve was instantly on alert, his back straightening and fear settling in his chest. "This is about...?"

"Yes. - May we sit, Steve?"

"Uh..." he shook himself. "Of course." he hobbled over to the couch once more and lowered himself nervously.

Denning made himself comfortable in the chair and leant forward on his knees. "I spoke to Doctor Frain."

"Oh?"

"She feels that Detective Williams is perfectly capable of keeping his work and private life separate, and that if anything goes wrong between you, he won't allow it to affect his work."

Steve sigh, relaxing once more. "So you won't be transferring him?" he clarified.

"Uh..." Denning dropped his gaze.

Steve frowned. "Sir?"

"Doctor Frain is a little concerned about...you?" Denning inhaled slowly, meeting Steve's concerned, worried eyes.

Steve gaped. "Me?"

"Frain wants to continue seeing the pair of you."

Steve frowned. Danny wasn't going to be happy about that, he'd been stressed out about the therapy sessions for days.

"I've decided to hold off on make a final decision about Detective Williams future with Five-0, for now."

"How long?" Steve asked, fingers knitted together in front of him, elbows pressing into his thighs. The pain of the bullet wound strangely grounding him.

"Six months. That should be long enough for Doctor Frain to make a judgement on your situation. As well as allowing me to see how your relationship will affect the unit."

Steve nodded, teeth gritted. Oh yeah, Danny wasn't going to be happy at all.

As if summoned out of thin air, the front door opened. Grace and Danny strolled in under a wave of animated chatter, and Steve smiled warmly at them, his heart swelling with pleasure. The second Danny saw Denning though, the talking stopped and he froze, looking between Steve and the governor. Steve noted the instant paling of his skin and the fear clawing across his face.

"Uh, Governor." He nodded awkwardly, a hand settling on Grace's should, squeezing lightly.

Steve knew he was trying to anchor himself.

"Detective." Denning nodded, pushing himself to his feet with a tight smile. "I should be leaving." He looked back to Steve. "I'll leave it to you to inform Detective Williams of the situation. The doctor will be in contact soon. Good evening gentleman." He said casually as he headed out the front door. Closing it behind him with a soft click.

The moment the governor was gone, Steve met Danny's gaze and prepared for the question. Realistically it had been good news, right? All they had to do was continue to do their jobs and prove to both the good doctor and Denning that it wasn't going to change anything.

"Grace, go do y'homework." Danny order, gently steering her towards the dining room table.

Steve suddenly notice the bag hanging from his partners fingers. "Are you cooking?" He asked with a smile, pushing himself off the couch as Grace made herself at home.

"Yes." Danny grunted, storming off to the kitchen.

Grabbing his crutches, Steve hobbled after him. Shooting Grace a reassuring smile as he passed. When he reached the kitchen, Danny was emptying the bag onto the counter, his back to Steve.

"He's not transferring you." Steve stated firmly.

"Is that a fact?" Danny murmured, unconvinced.

"Yes." Steve quickly reassured, shuffling closer. "Frain said you weren't the problem."

Danny paused and twisted his head to look at Steve, still uncertain. Steve inhaled sharply. He was going to have to tell him it all, wasn't he?

He settled on the edge of the kitchen table, letting the crutches rest beside him.

"Oh?" Danny pressed.

"I'm the one she has concerns about, apparently." Steve grumbled. He waited for Danny's gleeful about how he'd always said Steve needed therapy, or something along those lines. Danny stared at him with genuine concern.

"And when she discovers your insane?" He snapped.

Steve rolled his eyes. "I'm not insane Danny." His partner scoffed, turning his back on him. "He's giving us six months."

Danny stiffened. "And then?" He asked, staring out at the beach.

"I don't know, Denning didn't say. But it doesn't matter Danny because we're fine. Whatever you said that convinced the therapist there was something wrong..."

Danny spun back to glower at him. "What I said?" He growled through gritted teeth.

Steve swallowed thickly, but shrugged nonchalantly. "Well my meeting with her went fine, and we both know you love to complain about me."

"That's because you're always giving me reason too." Danny snapped, hand flapping wildly in front of him. "But that doesn't mean this is my fault, perhaps if you did run rough shot over the island like a crazed Neanderthal!"

"Or maybe if you weren't so damn uptight. And you have the nerve to call me a control freak!" Steve argued back, his anger swelling. "You won't even tell your daughter about us! Screw how I feel!"

Danny narrowed his gaze at him. "Oh I'm sorry that my daughter peace of mind is getting in the way of you getting laid!"

"Don't pretend this is about protecting Grace! We both know this is about you and your fears!"

Danny froze, staring murderously at him. Steve met his angry gaze and match it, glare for blistering glare. He hadn't meant to bring up Danny's insecurities, in fact he hadn't meant for this to turn into a fight. How had this turned into a fight?

They were both defensive and stubborn, that's how. Neither was willing to take responsibility for their mistakes, or admit they were wrong. At least not without a lot of shouting and bruising of egos.

Suddenly Danny was moving, marching towards the door. Steve leapt up from his place on the table, to grab Danny's arm. He hissed in pain at the muscle burned and the stitches tugged at his flesh. He felt him leg tremble as he fought to remain standing. "Come Danny." He panted. A layer of sweat breaking out across his back.

Danny stopped instantly, turning around and grabbing his arms, forcing him back to the table. Steve perched on the edge, grateful for the support. Not that he wouldn't have been able to remain standing. He was a trained SEAL after all. He'd had worst. "Danny?"

"Don't." Danny growled, focusing his attention on Steve's leg. Checking to reassure himself the wound hadn't opened up.

"I don't want to fight, Danno." Steve said softly. "For whatever reason Frain wants to keep seeing us, it's unimportant."

Danny looked up at him, unconvinced and still angry.

"I'm serious Danny. You're not going to be transferred because whatever our faults..." He pressed, setting his warm hand Danny's shoulder. "...they've never gotten in the way of us doing our job. We're a great team, Danno." His hand shifted up to grip the back of Danny's neck, massaging gently.

Danny stared, gaze meeting gaze. The tick in his jaw working hard for a few minuet before he finally spoke. "I'll tell Grace when I'm ready."

Steve nodded quickly. "Of course. I didn't mean..."

"Yeah, you did." Danny sighed, dropping his gaze but thankfully not pulling away. "And you were right. - But that don't mean I'm gonna tell her."

Steve smile softly and nodded reassuringly. "When you're ready, Danno." He whispered. Of course, she probably heard that entire fight. Steve thought. They hadn't exactly kept their voices down, but he wasn't going to point that out to Danny, not now. "Are we good?" He asked cautiously.

"Not even close." Danny replied flatly, but he closed the gap between them, pressing their lips together in a slow kiss.

Steve squeezed at his neck, and lost himself in the kiss until Danny pulled back and away.

"Stop trying to distract me. I have dinner to make and I'm still pissed at you."

"You kissed me." Steve pointed out, watching Danny reach for the peeler and a potato. The other man completely ignoring him.

Steve smiled at himself, his heart swelling. They would make this work, he vowed. He was determined to prove to Danny that their happiness didn't have to end, nothing and no one was going to stop him. Whatever Denning or Frain, or the damn universe threw at them, they'd get through it. Together. As a team. "No body's gonna hurt you baby."

Danny groaned, then huffed out a reluctant laugh that made Steve's smile grow and his heart skip a beat. "Go help Grace with her homework, Superman."

Steve frowned for a moment before laughing and reaching for the crutches.

A/N: So I'm ending here, I'll be back soon with the next episode. Obviously I altered the actual ending to this episode, mostly because it didn't make sense chronologically, because either Steve has super-human healing powers or Danny keeps Marco Reyes in an interrogation room up to two weeks. Highly doubtful, so we can assume there's a time jump of a couple of weeks at the end of the episode.

I will try to get the next story out as soon as I can, and hopefully the wait won't be as long next time.

I'd like to thank everyone for reading and reviewing.