Two weeks and 5 hours that was how long it had been since Danny had laid Melissa to rest. It had practically torn him apart, everyday was a real struggle now. Steve had given him time off work, in one way it was a blessing giving him time to mourn but in another it wasn't ideal it gave him time to think.
Throwing back the bed covers he padded to the bathroom, every room had a part of Melissa he didn't ever want to put those things away it was all he had left. He stood starring into the bathroom mirror looking at the empty shell that he was becoming.
He had a shaggy beard and dark circles under his eyes, sleep wouldn't come and if it did it was usually alcohol fuelled and tear ridden. Stripping out of his jogging bottoms he stepped into the shower and allowed it to wash over his thinning body. Food had also become a devil of pain Melissa loved to cook.
collapsing down the wall he crouched there tears streaming down his face mixing with the water below. Pin and needles tingled through his legs making him uncomfortable but it made him feel a small amount of alive. Standing he allowed the pain to work its way through him before switching off the shower and stepping out without washing.
He knew he was weak, Steve seemed to bounce no matter what was thrown at him and he had lost more then one person. Chin had to choose between his wife and Kono resulting in him burying the true love of his life and bang three weeks later he was back fighting crime. Yet Danny was struggling to breath without Melissa, he hadn't realized much she had warmed his heart.
He pulled open the kitchen cabinet grabbing the whiskey unscrewing the lid he chugged it down allowing it burn his throat. Miserably he look it back to his bedroom. Grabbing fresh boxers he found several pairs of lacy underwear tucked neatly down the side of the draw. Streaking out in pain he thrown the bottle against the wall.
Crashing onto the bed he watched the precious liquid trickle down the wall, cursing life to hell he stood grabbing the he knelt down and started to clear up the glass. The smell mad him angry that he had smashed the last bottle. A sudden slice in the palm of his hand made him even more anger. He needed out.
Not even bothering to administer first aid he dressed leaving bloody hand prints over everything he touched. Grabbing only his keys and wallet he left.
First stop was his local for a top up of whiskey, he then drove until he ran out of road, picking up the carrier bag he stepped into the warm drizzly rain and started walking leaving the car running. He didn't care anymore.
Steve powered down the computer, he felt like a failure of a friend he had been to see Danny several times over the last fortnight but each time Danny had refused the company. He looked like hell but Steve understood that sometimes you just want to be alone and not have people trying to false you to talk and as for explaining feelings it never worked so Steve didn't push but had insisted that he texted him daily. However that text didn't come and that had played on Steve's mind all day and if he had a meeting that morning he would have paid him a visit.
Just as he was climbing into his truck his phone vibrated into life, pulling it out of his pocket he was puzzle to see Dukes number flashing away. He listened intently as he was informed that Danny's car had been located engine running; blood stains all over the steering wheel and door handle.
Worry buried through him as he weaved through traffic to the location, pulling in behind the Camaro he was surprised to find Chin and Kono already there. Looking around the area he could nothing more then dense jungle, with the light fading and with the rain turning nasty there was little if any chance of a search.
Checking out the Camaro he was a little more then annoyed because the evidence was washing away, but a bloodied handprint on the wheel was definitely evidence that Danny had been hurt.
Danny stumbled for the hundredth time but he didn't care the drink washed away the pain and the cold of the late afternoon chill and the soaking of the rain, another swig, another stumble, another cut. He had put on a sensible coat or shoes and the light was all but gone sitting he dropped the empty bottle and screamed into the abyss until his throat was sore.
Steve hated not being able to search for Danny until morning. He damned the bloody Hawaiian weather at times. climbing into the silveredo he watched the cruisers leave, he couldn't bring himself to follow. Duke had promised that first light he would return and aid with the search. Chin and Kono also crashed in the single car.
Steve woke the minute the sun broke through the jungle canopy and searched out his satelitte phone, slipping into his walking shoes and warm coat he filled the backpack with first aid supplies and water. Not waking the other team members he hopefully in the direction he would have taken.
Danny woke cold and soaked, his head screamed with the alcohol he had consumed, the sunlight. Burned his eyes. Standing he picked up the remaining bottle of whiskey and studied the surrounding area, confusion radiated through him "how the hell had he got there" Dropping the plastic bag he swigged the drink allowing it to warm him.
The rain had completely washed away all evidence that someone had even been there in the first place, the storm had been a harsh one leaving the ground a slimy mud fest, Steve had to work hard too keep his footing. He hoped Danny had found shelter for the night and had the sensible idea to stay there until someone more equipped found him.
Danny hated himself, this had been one hell of a stupid idea. Swigging more of the whiskey helped, even early in the morning the sun was starting the warm up not enough though to stop the involuntary shivers from rippling through his abused body. Lifting the bottle again caused him to stumble and with the muddy underfoot Danny found himself slipping uncontrollably, the whiskey bottle dropped from his had as he failed to grab anything to stop the fall.