A/N Here we go. The end! It's possible that I'll write more in this 'verse in the future, I have a couple of very abstract ideas running around. Probably not for quite a while though. Thank you for joining me on this little journey!

I've lost track of how long I've been standing here. Not too long, I don't think, but long enough that my injured leg is twitching. Twenty minutes maybe? The MPs surprised me by bringing me to this office and not the brig. Admiral McLeod was here, reading a file at his desk, when they escorted me into the room and left, closing the door behind them. I snapped to attention, but he hasn't even acknowledged my presence yet. I suppose I kind of deserve it.

I stand here another five minutes before he finally pushes the file to the side and leans back in his chair. He finally returns my salute before diving in.

"Let me get this straight. Days before a major international exercise, you requested leave, were denied that leave, and decided to take it anyway. You took your government issued laptop with you on this unapproved leave, used that laptop on an unsecured connection to access Naval systems for personal use, and then used that information to run your own covert operation on U.S. soil. Does all that sound about right?"

"Yessir."

"And this a couple of years after being written up by an Army General in Afghanistan for unsanctioned actions in his theater. A few years after Commander Joseph White was discharged for hauling you out of North Korea. There's also rumours of you causing some trouble in Colombia which, given your sudden interest in the area when your entire Naval career prior to your reactivation has been focused on Southeast Asia and the Middle East, I'm tempted to believe. This points to a pretty damning prior history."

"Yessir."

"Were you aware that Commander Hankinson ordered the Military Police here at Pearl Harbor-Hickam to apprehend you on your arrival at the airport?"

"No, Sir."

He doesn't say anything for a minute.

"At ease." I can't help the sigh of relief as I slump into what I know is a pretty sloppy Parade Rest.

"Why don't you take a seat?"

"I'm fine, Sir."

He raises an eyebrow. "Steve, stop being so damn stubborn and get off that leg. I'm done torturing you for the moment."

"Thank you, Sir." I sink into the plush chair across from him and yeah, that feels pretty fucking good.

"I understand the extenuating circumstances here. I had a good long talk with Lieutenant Costas after calling Hankinson off. I know why you left, which is the main reason I had the MPs hold off until I knew Detective Williams was safe and sound. Despite what you've done here, I knew you weren't a flight risk."

"Thank you. I really appreciate that, Sir." I really don't want to think about what I would have done if they hadn't waited.

"Now, I have to say, I'm surprised you weren't still on medical leave, anyway. Given the extent of your injury, you should have been off for a few more weeks yet, at least."

"According to the physicians in Rammstein, yes, Sir. The docs in Coronado did not agree."

"Mmm. I'll be speaking with them when I get back. You can't even stand for half an hour and they're calling you combat ready? I don't care how much you're needed in the field, two weeks leave was not enough time, especially when I know Hankinson had you working off the books that whole time."

He hasn't technically asked a question, so I neither confirm nor deny.

"Lieutenant Costas also told me of a conversation he had with Williams when he visited you in Germany. Detective Williams was concerned that you would manage to pass your Psych Eval, though he didn't think you should. He also told me how you were injured in the first place." Costas is a big fat fucking loud mouth, but I suppose I can't really blame him.

"Look, Steve. I'm going to level with you. Hankinson is pushing to strip you of your rank and benefits and a dishonourable discharge. That's a bit extreme. You're a damn fine officer and it would be a shame for the Navy to lose you. But you've got a lot of strikes against you. The seriousness of these charges, the fact that I was unable to keep this under the radar, the reprimands already on your file, what I know a Psych Eval by doctors who are not Hankinson's close personal friends will say, and the fact that this will not be an isolated event if your family is ever threatened again. I just can't ignore this. You understand that, right?"

"Yes, Sir. I knew what the consequences would be when I left. I had to do it. And you're right, I would do it again if needed. I'm ready for whatever disciplinary action you and the Navy believe is appropriate."

"Happy to hear it. You're not gonna like it. First, I want you to know that I had put your name in for a promotion to full Commander. I'll be rescinding that recommendation."

"Understood, Sir."

"Second, You've got some appointments this afternoon. You will report to Tripler. Get your leg checked out. Do what the doctors tell you. That's an order."

"Yes, Sir."

"You will also get that Psych Eval. I want a proper one on your file. You will not be able to charm this doctor into submission, I assure you. You will follow his orders and recommendations." I'm certain the scowl that crosses my face would have me up on even more charges if I were in front of anyone else. "No matter what happens, you're a good man and I want you to stay that way. Because, honestly, Steve? I've been keeping my eye on you, especially since you came back. They way you're going, you won't last a year." He's probably not wrong, but I'm just gonna add that to the list of shit I don't want to think about right now.

"Finally, effective tomorrow, you are on one month's leave without pay or benefits."

"Yessir."

The Admiral leans forward on his desk. "Steve, I want you to take this month and really think about your priorities and your options and where your life has brought you. I believe the reasons you joined the Navy, and became a SEAL, no longer apply and I couldn't be happier for you. Your father would be proud of where you've ended up." I raise an eyebrow. That's highly unlikely.

"He would, Steve. Now, in a month, you'll report to me with your decision. You've just hit your Twenty. Take it and retire with full rank, privileges and benefits. Stay home here in Hawaii or do whatever you want. Your other option is to stay in the Navy. We can certainly use you. If you choose to stay, you will be transferred out of the SEALs. You'll have a desk job, Steve. Probably back in Naval Intelligence."

I close my eyes and let out a long breath. I'd rather if he just discharged me.

"You understand why I'm doing this, Steve?"

"Yes. Maybe." No. "I don't know, Sir."

"Well, you've got a month to figure it out." He stands. "Please call me if you need to talk while you make this decision and really think about this. Talk to your family about it. Let them in; let them help you." I nod. "Good. The Petty Officer will have your orders. Dismissed."

505050

I wake up to a cramped neck, aching body, sun streaming through a window and bright blue eyes watching me from a hospital bed. I stretch, though it doesn't help the aches, and lean forward in the hard chair.

"Steven."

"Daniel."

"Please tell me you did not get shanked and break out of prison again."

I can't help but laugh at that. "Nope. No prison breaks today."

"Oh, good. Cause I don't think I'm up for all that excitement today."

"Yeah, me neither." We don't say anything for a minute or two and I spend that time wondering why I even came here. I should have found a hotel room when I finally stopped driving aimlessly around the island. Of course, looks like income is non-existent for the next month. Crashing in Danny's hospital room is free.

"Hey, is Gracie okay? I'm really sorry about yesterday. She shouldn't have had to see that. Not after..." Not after watching her dad get hauled off. "I shouldn't have hung around."

"Yeah, she'll be fine. And I'm glad you did. Maybe we should swing by and see her after I break out of this prison. Show her we're both okay." He narrows his eyes and studies me. "Are you okay?"

I shrug. "I got off easier than Joe did after North Korea, so I suppose I shouldn't complain. But, you know, he invaded enemy territory and could have, in theory, started World War Three so... there's that."

Danny's eyes are wide, like he never really considered that until now. I let him hang for a bit before laughing.

"Relax, I'm exaggerating." Danny relaxed. "Mostly."

He narrows his eyes at me and I just smirk, but before either of us can say anything else, his doctor comes into the room.

505050

An hour later, I'm in the driver's seat of the Camaro on our way to Rachel's. Danny has been pretty quiet since we left the hospital which is never a good thing. At least, it never used to be and I'm guessing that hasn't changed. But whatever is on his mind it's probably better to get this out in the open before we get to Grace.

"What?" I finally ask, tightening my hands on the wheel.

"I didn't say anything."

"I know you didn't. So what's up?"

"You were AWOL."

"Yeah," I say, sparing a brief glance over to him, then back to the road. He's looking at me like he just found out I was actually a seal or something.

"I didn't realize that was something you were actually physically capable of doing. I mean, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. You went AWOL from Five-0 enough times. Just didn't realize you were capable of doing that in the Navy, too."

I shrug. Been doing that a lot lately. "Gracie needed me."

He's opening and closing his mouth, like he wants to rant, but those three words stole it from him. That's definitely the main reason I came. Five-0 would have got to him and I'm sure it would've been in time but... I couldn't risk that.

"So, what happened? You're not, like, in the brig or whatever."

I let out a long breath as I remember that meeting yesterday. I've just felt numb about it all. It's something I didn't really need to think about or even really acknowledge until now. Until I have to say it out loud. I've lost everything I've been working towards since I was sixteen. I've lost the only place I ever felt like I belonged.

Until I found Five-0.

"Babe?"

Another long, steadying breath and I look at Danny again. "I'm currently on a month's unpaid leave. I lost the promotion I was up for, which is fine. I would have turned it down anyway. Full Commander would have meant a desk job." I stop for a moment; swallow hard.

"That's it?"

All I can do is shake my head, keep my eyes fixed on the road ahead of us. Once I say it, it's real.

"I was given a choice. Retire or a desk back at Naval Intelligence. Either way, I'll never serve in a SEAL Team again."

"Shit, Steven," Danny finally says after a couple minutes of silence, like we're memorializing my fucking career or something. "I can't believe you ruined your career for us."

Another shrug, but I don't hesitate in answering him. "I knew what the consequences would be when I did it." I look over at him as I speak for as long as I can before I'm forced to turn back to the road. I want him to see I mean what I'm saying. "I don't regret it and I'd do it again." I guess I'm starting to learn what my priorities really are.

"Are you okay? Do you know what you're gonna do?"

I busy myself pulling up to Rachel's gate and shutting off the engine. Finally, I really look at Danny. Even I'm not sure which question I'm answering when I say: "I don't know, Danny."

He reaches over, puts his hand on my shoulder and gives a comforting squeeze. "Whatever you end up doing, just don't shut us out this time, okay babe? We're here for you, right?"

"Yeah Danny. I won't." He raises an eyebrow. "I promise." Maybe I'm learning. Old dog, new tricks? I reach for the door. "Now go see your daughter."

He grins and gets out of the car. I do, too, leaving the crutches behind, pocketing the keys and learning against the hood of the car to watch Danny as he talks to Rachel through the intercom. The gate buzzes and he pushes it open, looking back at me and sighing like I've annoyed him.

Sometimes I think I annoy him just by breathing.

I kinda miss that.

"You coming or you just gonna stand there like a Neanderthal?"

"You take your time with her. I'll wait for you here."

He rolls his eyes and crosses the threshold. "Get your ass over here, you goof."

I laugh, shake my head, but follow anyway. At this point, I realize I'll do pretty much anything Danny tells me to do.

As usual, Grace has the door flung open by the time we get there. Standing behind Danny, I watch father and daughter and nod a greeting at Rachel over their heads. Once Grace is convinced that Danno is fine, she lets him go and wraps her arms around me. I hug her back, crouching down to her level, managing not to wince, though just barely.

"Hi Uncle Steve!"

"Hey Gracie. Did I ever tell you that you give the best hugs?" She giggles and nods and tells me that yes, I did. "Good. 'Cause it's true." She pulls back to look at me. I can see her looking me over, studying me.

"Do you need another one?"

"I'll always take a hug if you're offering, kiddo." So she hugs me again, tight. Yeah I think I really kind of needed that. I pull away from her after a few minutes and stand.

"Have you been keeping up with your surf lessons with Kono?"

She grins and that's just about perfect. "Yep! Danno, too." I raise an eyebrow and turn to him.

"Really, now?"

"Shut up, Steven."

Grace laughs. "Aunt Kono says I'm getting really good."

"I'll bet you are. Hey, how about on your next weekend with Danno, we go surfing and you can show me how good you've gotten? If it's alright with him, of a course."

Her eyes go wide with excitement and she tugs on her father's arm. "Can we, Danno?"

He sighs like he's not happy about it. "Yeah, alright, fine." Grace turns back to look at me.

"You'll still be here then, Uncle Steve?"

I grin and nod. "Yep."

She chews on her lip and while she still looks excited at the surf date, I can see a bit of worry teasing the edges of her expression.

"Are you here forever?"

Five minutes ago, I had no idea what I was going to do, happy to have the month to decide but not sure even that would be enough time. Stay in the Navy doing something that I'd excel at, but hate? Or leave the only place that ever felt like home, at least until six years ago, and do almost anything I want. It's not as easy a decision as it may sound like. At least, I didn't think so.

I look down into the brown eyes of the girl who calls me Uncle, who I love more than a niece. I look over at her father, my best friend, who, a year after I left, still dropped everything to visit me in a hospital half a world away, who was in danger even without my interference. Who has done nothing but try and help me, be supportive. He frowns and touches my back.

"Babe?"

Yeah, maybe this decision isn't so hard after all. I turn back to Grace.

"Yeah, Gracie, forever. I'm going to leave the Navy."

I have no idea what the hell I'm gonna do – beg for a job with Five-0? Civvie job at Pearl? Something else? No clue. All that matters is that brilliant smile and bright brown eyes; the hand tightening on my back and I'm pretty sure if I turned to look, Danny's smile would match his daughters. Who knew anyone would care so much if I stuck around?

Yeah, it's time that this crazy little Navy vacation is over.