I'm exorcising some demons with this story. My first reaction to the finale wasn't good. I didn't get what I wanted, and I threw a hissy fit. Then I watched again a few days later. I'd read a few reviews and fan fiction stories, so I was watching through a different lens the second time around. This story was written mostly in the space between - when I was still pissed. Read on at your own risk. Thanks to everyone who read this and gave me some suggestions, especially Tracey for telling me to just post the #$#$% story. It's not "grab you by the balls" worthy but not every story is... :-P

"You do realize the curtain doesn't block sound, right?" Steve waited a beat. "I know you can still hear me."

Silence for a minute or so.

Then.

"No, I don't think you do hear me, Steven."

The even timbre of his friend's voice made Steve snap his response. He had an intense itch to annoy Danny. "What's that supposed to mean, Daniel?"

"Nothing. Watch your soap. Sleep. Ignore me."

More silence.

"Danny?"

No response.

Steve couldn't wait. He yanked the curtain open. "Danny? Hey."

"What?" Danny wasn't buying the concern.

"You okay?"

"Would it matter?"

"What kind of a question - is this about the cards?"

"No, I don't care about any fucking cards."

"Then what?"

Danny didn't respond for a few minutes. A commercial droned on about some new anti-aging product. He wished their problems could be solved so easily. Apply some magical cream and they'd go back to being close again.

He was mixed up and still in more pain than he wanted to admit. He decided to unload some of it. "I was so scared."

"What Danny?"

The room was suddenly quiet. No more background noise to drown the tension.

"There, I turned off the annoying soap. What did you say?"

"I said I was scared."

"So was I."

"No you weren't."

"How would you-"

Danny cut him off. "You were convinced you were dying."

"Yea, so?"

"I never gave up."

"I was being logical."

Danny chuckled.

"You think that's funny?"

"No, far from it."

Loud sigh. "You're not making sense."

"Why does it always have to be about you, Steven?"

"What?" A laugh. "You are jealous of my balloons."

Danny ignored the attempt at a joke. "I was out of my mind. I thought you were dead. I didn't even think about myself."

"Okay? Where's this going?"

"I didn't even think about my kids. I thought about you. Bleeding. Dying." An uncomfortable giggle. "God, you looked...dead. And that idiot couldn't even check for a pulse."

Steve was now obviously uncomfortable with the conversation. "Danny...stop."

"I thought - this was it. I'd lost you."

"Hey, I'm still here." Steve flashed his trademark smile. "Thanks to you."

"Wow, a thank you." He dragged out the word wow.

"What?"

"I never once thought I couldn't land that plane."

"Everyone said you were incredible."

"Incredible?" A sarcastic chuckle bubbled up from Danny. "Really? I think I just peed my pants. Wait! I'm not wearing any..."

Steve was halfway between amused and concerned. "Buddy, I think they need to dial back your meds."

"No, they need to give me more so I can sleep through this. Because I am really tired right now."

"Wait." Steve held up his hand. "You actually believe nobody cares?"

Silence again.

"You broke my ankle so you could pick up some broad we met on a plane."

"What? Seriously? Where'd that come from?"

"You question my judgment. You think I don't trust you."

"You undermine my authority, Danny."

"What?"

"The roof jump. You didn't trust me."

Danny bit his lip and looked away for a second. "You know I have a process."

"Yea, and your process sounds an awful lot like whining at times."

They were quiet again. Sounds drifted in from the open door. Someone would be in soon to check their vitals and give them their next round of meds.

Steve was the first to speak. "I care, Danny."

"I know you do, Steve."

"Then what's the problem?"

"Nothing. Never mind."

"No, finish your earlier...whatever it was."

"I just wanna sleep." Danny turned away the best he could. Moving was still painful. "Please stop talking. Watch your soap."

"Danny." Steve raised his voice just a bit, shaking his head as he exhaled loudly. He waited for a minute before continuing. "What you did took a lotta guts."

He rolled his eyes. "Oh boy, a compliment from the Hero-in-Chief. Sue me if I don't get too excited."

"Don't do that."

Danny sighed and waved for Steve to continue.

"You handled the situation. I remember -" Steve stopped, closing his eyes for a few seconds, composing himself. "I couldn't help you. I remember him pulling a gun."

"He did. Like any good whack job criminal."

"You talked him down."

"He wasn't totally brain dead." Danny paused, running his hand through his hair. "And of course you couldn't help, Steve. You were bleeding all over the place."

They stared at one another for a beat or two. Then, Steve continued his train of thought.

"You ignored a direct order from ATC. You saved my life."

Danny nodded, unable to speak. The memory was still so raw, and Steve's reminder took his breath away.

"Hey, you sure you're alright?" Steve had his hand on the call button.

"Yea, I'm fine. Put that down." He wiped tears from his eyes.

A nurse popped her head in the doorway. "You two okay in here?"

"Sorry." Danny smiled, composing himself in a flash. "Just -"

She took one look at his pale complexion and entered the room. "You shouldn't get upset like this. You should be resting."

"We're fine." Danny tried to protest.

She ignored him, checking his vitals before doing the same to Steve. "Either of you need some Valium? Might help you relax. I don't want to separate you."

Both men waved her off.

"If your blood pressure or heart rate spikes again..." She glared at both of them. "And I mean both of you."

She left the room without saying anything else.

"I'm having flashbacks to Grace's slumber parties." Danny chuckled. "I think we've just been told off."

"We? She's talking about you, partner. I've been the perfect patient."

"Seriously? Is everything a competition?"

Steve grinned. "You know it."

"Wow, just wow."

"I bet I'll get outta here before you." Steve arranged his pillows, wincing at the effort.

"Now that's just nonsense and you know it." Danny frowned.

"The power of positive thinking, my friend."

"Not sure how much that applies to healing bullet wounds and re-growing livers."

"Why not? I can feel our liver growing right now." Steve rubbed his belly. "Hey, it helped you land the plane."

Danny considered this thought for a moment, not wanting to admit his smug friend had a point. He didn't have a comeback for once.

"See, you know I'm right." Steve flicked the TV back on, switching the channel to whatever action movie he could find.

...to be continued...