Danny becomes an involuntary witness to a painful, eloquent silence. Introspection follows. Sort of a follow-up to my other story Things Unknown, Things Unknowable. One-shot; references to episodes 3x21, 3x23, and 3x24.
Disclaimer: I do not, nor do I wish to, own any part of the H50 TV series, and I make no pecuniary profit from any of this. However, I write as I cook: I take what I find and rustle up something (hopefully) palatable. My aim is to leave all original ingredients recognisable, but the amounts used, their combination, and the seasoning are what makes up the eventual taste ... so, enjoy!
Eloquent silence
His partner wasn't the most talkative person on earth. Duh. Experience, however, had taught Danny that with Steve, a great deal was expressed in what he didn't say. And that didn't even include the vast variety of Steve's faces which Danny liked to point out and name. Oh no. Steve's faces were an entirely different story.
Danny had heard Steve say all sorts of stuff in the things he didn't say. Like a few weeks earlier during that long, tense moment in the jungle when Steve had silently stood over Wo Fat, pointing a gun at him, hearing his nemesis beg – or taunt? – to finish him off. Admittedly, that particular situation had been one beyond words. Still, that lethal silence his partner screamed at the fallen enemy was something Danny never ever wanted to hear directed at himself.
Danny had heard Steve say all sorts of stuff in the things he didn't say. Most recently, however, he had started wondering if he was suffering from a loss of hearing. Like in the situation just a few days back when, referring to Steve's magic trick, he had made that brainless, off-hand remark of "Just makes me wonder what else I don't know about you." He'd never forget Steve's first, split-second reaction to this thoroughly stupid statement – the look that said "Don't go there", and "You can be such an idiot, Danno." The memory of that situation, as well as Steve's ensuing verbal reply, was something that still troubled Danny deeply. When on earth had he stopped listening to his best friend?
Right now, Danny heard something that probably wasn't for him to witness; but Doris' tearful words to her son had caught his ear: "I'll miss you." The ensuing silence had to be one of the most painful truths ever not spoken.
Yes, Danny had heard Steve say all sorts of stuff in the things he didn't say. And though at this moment, he could not see his best friend's face, he stood close enough to hear the slight hitch in his breath. Danny glanced over, seeing confirmed what he had heard: the tension in Steve's posture, the reluctance in letting his mother go, and finally, when Steve turned around, the emotions warring in his eyes. It was then that Danny realised he must have been downright deaf for quite some time now. It was also at this moment that Danny's hearing returned with a vengeance, and he heard Steve's pain and sadness and anger and feelings of betrayal in a wordless, soundless, agonisingly silent scream.
He let his eyes linger on his best friend's face, forcing himself to not back away from the inaudible storm of emotion raging in the other man.
He knew he had a lot of listening to do in the days and weeks to come.
A/N: Obviously, the last bit never happened on the show. IMHO, though, it should have – so I wrote it. There will be a third, related one-shot to round off this mini-arch, but I'm making no promises as to when, because RL is in the ugly habit of getting in the way ...