Craig watched as his hide out was completely surrounded by the police. He snarled as he drove away to look for another warehouse.
He couldn't believe that the police found it so quickly. He needed to find a new place soon; he's about to strike again.
Danny sat his desk, staring at his paperwork, and his mind was racing. He can't keep doing this to himself. It's too painful. He needed to tell Steve how he feels or else he's gonna go crazy.
He heard the rest of the team enter and he quickly picked up his pen and continued working. Steve paused outside of Danny's office door. He really wanted to know what was going on with his partner, but now was not the time.
He went to his own office and sat in his chair. He let his mind wander and he kept thinking about Danny. He knew that he loved Danny and that he wanted to be with Danny„ but he couldn't bring himself to follow through. What he has with Catherine, it's easy and there's no attachment.
He knew that he was using the both of them and that he should choose one; he just can't risk losing the friendship he has with them. 'Why are relationships so damn complicated!' he thought to himself.
He didn't realize how long he'd been lost in his thoughts when Danny knocked on his door letting him know that he was leaving for the day.
"Hey D! Do you mind if I come over later?" he asked.
Danny knew it was a bad idea, but he just couldn't help himself. "Yeah ok. That sounds good."
Steve smiled at him and waved him off. He sat back in his chair, smile still in place. He worked on some things that the Governor needed before he called it a night and headed over to Danny's.
When Danny arrived at his apartment„ he was a nervous wreck. He knew he needed to talk with Steve, but it was too soon. He's not ready. What if he said something wrong or what if Steve rejected him?
At the thought of Steve's rejection, Danny felt his stomach churn and the nausea settled in. The more he thought about it, the more nervous and sick he got. He was on the verge of a panic attack.
He felt the bile rising in his throat and he ran to the bathroom, emptying the contents of his stomach. He continued to dry heave when he heard the door open and Steve's voice call out to him.
Steve pulled up outside Danny's apartment and used the spare key that Danny gave him.
"Danny?" he called when he entered the apartment. Steve heard the sounds of retching coming from the bathroom. Steve was instantly at the door and saw Danny leaning over the toilet.
Steve knelt by his partner and started rubbing his back in soothing circles. He wet a washcloth in cold water and wiped the sweat from the blond's face.
Danny flushed the toilet and fell into the welcoming embrace from his partner. He curled into Steve's chest as much as he could; not knowing if he'll have this again once Steve knew the truth.
Steve held tightly to his shaking partner. He was really worried now. Danny has never acted like this and as much as Steve hated to admit it, but he's scared. He tried to comfort his partner as much as he could. He started to card his fingers though Danny's soft hair.
Steve rested his head on top of Danny's. "Danno, please talk to me. You're starting to scare me."
Once Danny calmed down, he pulled back from Steve a little. "Let's go to the living room."
They both stood and walked to the living room. Danny looked at the sofa bed and sighed. He sat down on the side of the bed and motioned for Steve to follow.
When Steve was settled, Danny was trying to gather his thoughts. The silence between them was deafening and Danny knew he was making Steve even more worried that he already was. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"I guess there's no easy way to say this so I'm just gonna say it. This thing we have between us, it's not working for me anymore." he held up his hand to stop Steve from speaking. "Just let me finish. I can't do the no-strings-attached booty calls anymore because I—I'm in love with you."
Steve was shell-shocked. He didn't think that Danny felt the same. He couldn't quite process this new information and he opened his mouth to speak when his phone started to ring.
Danny groaned when Steve's phone rang. He knew it was Catherine. She seemed to always know when they were together. "Every damn time." Danny muttered to himself.
Steve hit the ignore button on his phone and put it back in his pocket. He'll call Catherine back later. Right now, he has more important things to attend to.
Steve turned to face Danny. What he saw made his chest hurt. Danny sat there, staring down at his hands„ a hurt look on his face. Steve knew what he had to do. He doesn't want to see Danny like this again.
He reached out and placed his hand on Danny's shoulder. "Danno, I feel the same way. I just didn't know you felt it too."
Danny took comfort in Steve's touch, but he just couldn't take comfort in Steve's words. He wanted to believe Steve, he really did, and it's just that Danny can't compete with Catherine.
Danny sighed. "Steve, I want to believe you. I really do, but I don't know if I can. I'm tired of doing this and I'm tired of sharing you with her. It's just too painful."
Steve looked away from Danny, but kept his hand where it rested on Danny's shoulder. He didn't realize how much this would hurt Danny. He could only hope that Cath doesn't know about him and Danny. He really doesn't want to hurt her and potentially lose her friendship.
Steve heard the unsaid ultimatum in Danny's words and he knew he was going to have to choose. 'Come on Steve. It shouldn't be this hard!' he thought to himself.
Steve turned Danny's head to face him. He leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on Danny's lips. He pulled back and looked Danny square in the eye.
"I will always choose you." he lied.
Danny smiled at Steve and pulled him back in for a proper kiss. Danny was elated. He finally had someone who he's happy with and that doesn't make him miserable like Rachel did.
Steve returned the kiss, feeling guilty as hell for lying to his best friend. He pushed Danny back to lie on the bed and continued kissing him.
Danny pulled away for a moment. "Can you stay?" he asked.
Steve looked into Danny's eyes and saw hesitation and fear in them. He cupped Danny's face and stroked his cheeks. "Of course I'll stay."
Danny felt relieved at Steve's words and was finally able to relax. He smiled at Steve and leaned into Steve's touch. He finally was content and felt like nothing could mess this up.