A/N: This is it, guys! Thanks so much for reading and especially reviewing over the summer. Also, thanks for the feedback re: the AU ending. I'm still not sure if I am going to write it or not (I'm leaning towards not). I do think it's an intriguing idea that could lend itself to a ton of character study for everyone involved but I'm not sure I have the time or the stomach for writing it.

And in case I don't have time to write in the future, I wanted to say that I have really enjoyed spending the last 2-3 years with you guys. You have brightened my day many times and for that, I thank you.

With all that said, here is the end of the story. I hope you enjoy it. :)

Epilogue

Eight weeks later

"Here you go," the smiling waitress told them, leading Steve and Danny to a large glass top table on the almost deserted lanai. Steve hobbled behind her, still getting used to his crutches in place of the wheelchair, while Danny walked alongside. He pulled out a chair once they got there and Steve plopped down, nodding his thanks and laying the crutches on the ground underneath. The waitress handed each of them a happy hour menu before she left. They set the menus aside.

"Fancy place," Danny commented as he looked around the clubhouse overlooking the rolling greens of the Navy Marine golf course. "Think they even serve Longboards here?"

Steve laughed. "It's Hawaii, Danny. They serve Longboards everywhere."

"Well, I can see why Bugs likes it," Danny replied, squinting as he took in the palm trees and lush, deep green grass.

"Speak of the devil, there he is." Steve waved his hand to get Bugs' attention. The doctor climbed out of his golf cart and waved back, taking his glove off and tucking it into his golf bag before heading up the steps to join them.

Danny grabbed the waitress' attention and ordered three Longboards before Bugs joined them at the table, grinning broadly.

"You guys been waiting long?" Bugs asked, shaking both of their hands before taking a seat.

"No. We just got here," Steve said, glad to see his friend again. In the weeks since the accident, he had gone from seeing the good doctor daily, if not hourly, to just once every week or two when they crossed paths in the hospital. Once the bone graft was completed, Steve had been discharged from Bugs' care to an orthopedist and left to the mercies of an overzealous physical therapist. Which, in all honesty, was how Steve liked them. The sooner he regained full mobility, the sooner he could put the ordeal behind him.

The waitress returned, placed paper napkins in front of them, and set an ice cold Longboard on each one before disappearing again.

"So, don't keep me is suspense," Bugs cajoled, trying to look underneath the table. "Let me see it."

Steve grinned and gingerly moved his right leg from under the table into plain view. After weeks with an external fixator, it felt heavenly to be rid of the contraption and wear a pair of cargo pants again.

"You mind?" Bugs asked, looking at Steve for permission.

Steve shrugged. "Not really." He pulled his pants leg up, knowing what Bugs was really wanting to see—how his leg had healed. And the answer was not bad. He still had an ugly scar where the bone had protruded through his leg, but it was fading, it's jagged line more of a dark pink then red. Considering how hairy things had been for a while, it was remarkable that a scar and a pronounced limp were the only reminders he had of the events eight weeks ago. And both of them would fade, given enough time, leaving Steve with nothing but a training story worthy of telling on any Navy outing.

Bugs nodded appreciatively. "Nice."

"Thanks to you," Steve nodded.

Bugs shrugged nonchalantly. "Right place, right time. You know how it goes."

Danny snorted. "I think your definition of right place, right time needs some adjusting."

Bugs laughed, picking up his Longboard as he settled back into his seat. "You may be right on that one."

Steve pulled his pant leg back down and picked up his beer again, taking a long pull and thinking about how he couldn't disagree more. He wouldn't be here without the doctor; he was sure of that. And even though the older man brushed off all attempts at thanks, Steve was glad Bugs had agreed to let them buy him a few rounds of beer, taking them up on an offer Danny had made weeks ago.

"So how's it going?" Bugs asked.

"Are you asking as my doctor or my friend?" Steve countered.

"How about both?"

"Ok. Well, as my doctor, things are going fine. As my friend, it's driving me crazy."

"If it makes you feel any better, it's driving me crazy, too, and you've only been back at work a week," Danny chimed in with a grin. "You're not exactly pleasant when you can't get around."

"Well, that's your fault because you won't let me drive the Camaro," Steve grumbled.

"No, that's your fault because you wouldn't approve the expense for the Segway," Danny corrected, then took a sip of his beer.

"That's because it was close to ten grand after taxes and shipping. In case you haven't heard, finances are tight. I couldn't spend that money in good consciousness." Even though a part of Steve had really wanted to. Still, he was a servant of the state of Hawaii and it was a responsibility he took seriously. Guns, ammo, tactical vests; all were necessary to protect the citizens. The only thing the Segway was necessary for was to protect his sanity (and maybe Danny's) for a few weeks. It was no contest. Although, he had to admit, the lights and sirens would have been cool.

"Well, then, I guess it's a good thing we never submitted an expense report for this." Danny put down his beer and placed his fingers in his mouth, letting out a loud whistle. Seconds later, Kamekona appeared from around the corner, driving a shiny white golf cart, complete with flashing lights and the blue and gold Five-0 logo emblazoned on its hood. Walking behind him were all of his friends, all of the people who had stood behind him since the accident: Chin, Kono, Max, Duke, Fong, Wilson, Jennings, the rest of the Navy reserve team, and even some of his SEAL friends and superiors in the Navy. Even Catherine had managed to get approval to skip duty for the afternoon to join them.

Steve grabbed his crutches and awkwardly stood up, not quite believing his eyes. "What's this?"

"This," Danny said, smiling and gesturing toward the golf cart, "is your new ride."

Steve laughed as he took in tricked-out cart. "What? No siren?"

"Kamekona, hit it!" Danny yelled. Kame nodded, hit a button, and the cart emitted one of the loudest whooping sirens Steve had ever heard.

Steve laughed again. "This is just a ploy to keep me from driving the Camaro, isn't it?" he asked, looking over at Danny and grinning as the group made their way up the stairs to join them on the lanai.

"You know it."

"But how? I never approved this expense."

"We all chipped in," Danny replied, then clapped Steve on the shoulder. "Just go easy on it. I might want to buy it back from you in a few years when Grace needs a car."

"Yeah, I'm sure she'd love it. A very conspicuous and easy to tail golf cart that won't go over ten miles per hour. It'll be impossible for her to get away with anything."

Danny grinned. "That's the idea."

Every member in the crowd stopped by to talk, hug, or fist bump Steve before they took seats, filling up half the lanai. Catherine, Chin, and Kono joined Steve, Danny, and Bugs at their table.

Steve wrapped his arm around Cath and took a sip of his beer before he put it down, looking at Danny sincerely. "Thanks, man. This is perfect."

Danny grinned mischievously. "You're welcome. Just remember, I already bought the first round," he said, lifting his beer up in the air, "so now you get to buy the second."

"I'm not really sure that's fair," Steve chided him half-heartedly as he looked at the thirty some-odd people clustered around, talking and laughing. "You and Bugs made that deal while I was out of it. I'm not sure it counts."

Bugs laughed, leaning back in his chair. "Well, we can put you back in the ocean if you'd rather switch places."

Steve glanced at the decked-out golf cart then swept his eyes around the room. Some of his dearest friends were there, along with some more recent acquaintances. But old or new, they had one thing in common; they had stuck with him during the past weeks and months, supporting him the whole way.

They were his friends, his family. And he was happy to repay the favor, no matter how small the beginning was.

Steve pulled Cath a little closer and she nestled into his shoulder. Then he smiled. "No, man. I'm good."

Because the truth of the matter was, he wouldn't switch places for the world.

The end