Danny Messer sat next to his brother's hospital beds. It had been a year. One long, hard year and Louie Messer had slept right through it. Well, not quite slept, but he had missed it all.

'It's been tough, y'know Louie?' Danny said hoarsely. He'd just come from a particularly tough case, he was tired and he'd just about had enough. Lately he was finding that Louie was the only person he could talk to. Everyone else…they would understand but he didn't want, or need, their pity…their sympathetic looks. He just needed a break. A break from death. A break from pain. Just to feel happy, feel easy, to feel good again.

'I wish you were back with us again Louie…' Danny continued. 'Ma cries whenever she sees me, which ain't very often, but y'know, still….and Pa…well he hasn't talked to me since I joined the force so no change there.'

A sob caught in his throat. 'I miss ya Louie I feel…I feel so lonely and God I dunno...'

He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, feeling the tears welling. He was stronger than this, he told himself, he wasn't no cry baby like those pampered rich kids from the Upper East Side. No, he would get through this. He would.

His phone rang. Wearily he flipped it open.

'Messer.'

'Hey, Danny, it's Mac. We need you down at the lab pronto.'

'Right, I'll be there in 10.'

He turned back to Louie. 'Hang in there, bro. Just…hang in there.'

Danny knocked on the door of Mac's office and stepped in. Flack was there as well as Mac. 'You wanted t'see me Mac?'

'Yeah, Danny d'you want to take a seat?'

'Uhh…Mac you're startin' to scare me…why're you lookin' so serious? Don?' Danny looked at Flack, who couldn't look him in the eyes.

'Danny…I don't really know how to tell you this…' Mac said slowly.

'Tell me what Mac?'

'Danny…Sonny Sassone escaped from prison this morning.'

'WHAT??? How could this happen? Mac, how…what?' Danny couldn't believe what he was hearing. Sonny Sassone had escaped. Actually escaped. And was in New York. Then his thoughts changed.

'Louie…' he breathed and turned to go out the door, only to find that Flack was in his way.

'Move, Don. Now.' Danny wasn't in the mood for it. He had to get to his brother, before Sonny did.

'No, Danny.'

'I said move Don, or so help me I will make you.'

'No Danny! He's not after Louie.'

'Wha-what d'you mean, he's not after Louie?' Danny backed off slightly.

Mac sighed, 'Danny, he's not after Louie. He wants you.'

so ya, i know its short...but its all i got so far...i'll try and update as regular as i can though...xx