Steve shot out of bed grabbing the bat that sat at the end of his room it was something that Catherine insisted on and even though she was no longer there Steve couldn't bring himself to move it. He headed down the stairs annoyed more then concerned that someone was knocking at his door at such an ungodly hour in the morning keying in the alarm code he readied the bat as he flung open the door.
He dropped the bat in favour of catching Danny as his knees gave, hoisting him into a standing position he guided him into the house kicking the door closed behind him, he managed to grab the bin as Danny stomach expelled some of the alcohol he reeked of, when Steve was certain that Danny had stopped being sick he eased him back on the couch making sure he wasn't about to pass out he headed towards the kitchen to dispose of the bin and get a glass of water and first aid kit.
He had no idea what had happened and right now he didn't care Danny was in a bad way and assessing his condition was Steve's number one priority, walking back into the living room he found Danny sitting up with his elbows resting on his knees hands covering his face.
"I'm sorry Steve I shouldn't have come here"
He tried to push himself to his feet but staggered into Steve who eased him back onto the couch hushing him with the glass of water before sitting on the edge of the coffee table pulling open the first aid box, he set too cleaning the gash above Danny's eye applying some sterri strips it wasn't deep and didn't require stitches, he took his hand and studied the grazed broken skin on his knuckles it was clear that he had been in some sort of a fight, his shirt was torn and his trousers were covered in mud and he didn't want to know what else.
He guided Danny to his feet and helped him up stairs to the bathroom allowing him time to freshen up while he found some fresh joggers and T-shirt, he laid them out on the bed checking on Danny he assisted him in changing and laid him on the bed checking his pupils for reaction and signs of concussion satisfied with his findings he turned him on his side tucking the blanket around him.
Heading back down he reset his alarm, pouring himself a fresh juice he headed back up stairs doing a quick check he headed back to bed he was just glad that it was Saturday and they weren't on call.
Waking later then usual he swung his feet out of bed stretching he padded down stairs and found Danny in the kitchen making breakfast. He seemed to be faring better then Steve expected but when he turned Steve couldn't help wince as the truth of the night revealed it's self.
Steve hadn't noticed the missing tooth; the cut above his eye was blossoming into an amazing shiner along with various other bruises. He watched as his friend moved painfully handing him a cup of coffee and a breakfast.
"You want to talk about it?"
Danny shook his head screwing his eyes shut at the pain the movement caused, Steve didn't want to push but he would find out the truth, Danny didn't even touch the breakfast he made for himself he did however empty the coffee pot.
When Steve had finished he stood cleaning up the kitchen in silence which in its self concerned Steve he knew that he complained about Danny's rambling but silence was ten times worse, Danny turned to Steve and at that moment in time he looked like a lost school boy.
"Listen can we forget about last night, I'm sorry I disturbed you I'm just going to head home"
No way was Steve going to allow him to leave with no explanation brushing it under the carpet like nothing happened he stood grabbing Danny's arm as he tried to leave, the grip made him wince causing Steve to regret his action but with the damage already done he wasn't letting go.
"No way, are you in trouble because I'm here for you"
Danny refused to comment and continued his struggle to free himself, he hated letting his fragile side show but Steve was his friend and no way was he going to hit him he had done that once and regretted it.
"Ok, just let go before you break my arm"
Steve wasn't sure that letting go was a good idea because right now Danny looked like a deer in headlights he did however loosen his grip watching for a response ready to defend him self if he needed, Danny took a deep breath looking down at the floor hoping that it would swallow him.
"I'm a violent alcoholic why do you think I'm divorced; it's the sole reason that I have restricted visitation rights. I've managed to control it since moving here the weather is friendlier so every time I need a drink I run instead. I've been to therapy and AA meetings like the agreement states and it the only reason I'm allowed two weekends a month but I have never ever touched them."
Steve was completely shocked that Danny easily pulled away from him and made a mad dash for the door pulling it open he set off the alarm but he didn't care it gave him time to escape.
Disappearing around the corner he stopped to catch his breath angrily wiping the tears away he couldn't believe that he had been that stupid to go to Steve, usually he woke up in a door way or alley but last night when he got mugged he wanted somewhere safe and seeing as he couldn't remember where he had left his keys Steve was the only choice and that was the worst mistake he could have made.
The blaring alarm snapped Steve back to reality how dare Danny drop a bomb shell like that and walk away, he slipped on his boots and shut the alarm up heading out onto the road he studied the surrounding area but Danny had vanished there was a number of ways Danny could have gone but Steve knew one thing he would end up back at his place eventually.
Danny was tired how he could have been stupid, he had managed to control himself and hide the dark truth stepping into the apartment parking area he remembered that he had left the keys and his wallet in the Camaro he had learnt the hard way to not take anything with him to the bar.
Letting him self into the apartment he shut the door and headed to the kitchenette he unlocked the top cupboard pulling out the whiskey he poured a more then average glass swallowing it in one and then poured another.
Stripping from the borrowed clothes he stuffed them in the washer after he headed towards the small shower room he deserved this life after all said and done he was the one who he had got his partner killed. He stepped under the shower even before the water had warmed and allowed it to wake his aching muscles and sting the cuts.