I thought I'd play nice and make this one chapter instead of two. Enjoy :-)

Danny dropped before his next breath, the wind knocked out of him, a terrible burning blossoming in his gut. Everything went in and out of focus.

"Danny!" Steve immediately surveyed the situation. Danny was down, obviously hit. How bad was tough to tell. He was sure the stranger was dead, but he had to make sure the threat was neutralized before doing anything else.

"Daddy!" The fear in that little girl's voice just about tore a hole in Steve's chest.

Grace raced to her father's side. He held his hands up in an attempt to shield her. "Gracie, wait."

She froze, holding her breath. Watching both men. Eyes darting between Steve and her dad. And then the dead man on the ground with a knife in his chest.

Steve saw her looking. Shit, oh shit. There was nothing he could do. All he could see for a second was the knife he'd thrown.

"Gracie, don't look at him, honey. He can't hurt you anymore. Danny you okay?" Steve checked the strange man, kicking the gun away from the body. His aim had been good. He left the knife where it was.

"No Steve. I'm not. No." Danny startled himself with his honesty. Especially in front of his daughter.

Grace grabbed her dad's hand. "Daddy you're bleeding."

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I know Monkey. It'll be okay, honey." His free hand went to his stomach. His shirt was damp and his skin was on fire. For a second, he panicked and pushed Grace away.

Stumbling, she scrambled to regain her balance, confused by her dad's reaction. But she was right back at his side like a magnet. "No Daddy, I'm not leaving you."

"Grace, honey, please. Give me a minute. Okay?" He squeezed her hand and as he let go, she nodded, taking a step or two away from her dad.

Distant thunder snarled through the jungle. Everyone flinched.

"Storm." Steve didn't need to say anything more.

"Motherfu –" Danny cut off his curse mid word. His eyes darted to his daughter.

Steve had his long sleeved shirt off in a flash, shoving it at Danny. "Use this for now."

Fumbling with the shirt, Danny pressed it against himself, hissing ever so much. He needed something better but that would have to wait. They needed to find shelter.

"Can you walk?" Steve and Danny were inches apart now, eyes locked and focused. "We need to move."

A faint breeze stirred the lush greenery around them, and it whispered eerily. The sky was that particular blue that made everything look bruised, and the sun was gone.

Danny nodded, convincing himself more than anyone. "Yea, I can walk." A little lower he added. "Ah fuck, Steve."

"There's a cabin just down the trail. It isn't far." Steve made sure his eyes didn't betray his emotions. If he stayed calm, his partner would stay calm. "You can make it, Danny. Let's go."

"Okay." Danny pulled his jacket closed, holding one hand to his stomach, hoping to keep Steve's shirt in place. Not that it was really helping. He motioned toward his daughter. "Help her. I'm fine."

Steve didn't argue; he turned to Grace. The little girl had followed orders when told to move away from her daddy. But she was sobbing dirty tears and shaking. The Seal was sadly out of his element.

Danny caught his friend's hesitation. "Just grab her hand. Tell her it's okay."

But it isn't, Danny. His eyes flashed those thoughts to his friend and Danny nodded again, understanding. "Steve, just do it."

Danny got to his feet somehow. The world swayed for a few seconds. He wasn't sure he could walk without help.

Steve reached out with one hand, with the other he held on to Grace. Like he was afraid she'd float away.

"Danny, are you sure?"

He didn't answer, just looked up at the angry sky. He didn't have much choice. Being shot was one thing. Shot and soaking wet was another.

Thunder rumbled again and lightning flashed overhead. Grace let out a little squeak.

"It's okay, Monkey. Just some rain." Adrenaline was Danny's friend now. And he was thankful for it.

Steve agreed. "Let's get moving."

The first thing Steve noticed when he got a better look at his partner tied a knot in his chest. No exit wound. His eyes met Danny's. He knew. But there would be no discussion now.

The rain started with a few sprinkles here and there. Nothing to worry about. Yet.

"It's right up there." Steve pointed. He went ahead of them to clear a path through the rough undergrowth to the cabin.

Danny stopped, glad for the moment to catch his breath. Grace squeezed his hand. He was caught in a vice between pain and his frightened daughter. He didn't know if he could speak without trembling, so he simply nodded at Steve. He had to save his energy too. It could be hours until help came.

If ever.

But he couldn't think those thoughts. Not with Grace at his side. There was no way he was dying like this. Not with her there. Scarred forever.

Danny slipped on a slick rock and almost took his daughter down with him. Letting go of her hand, he melted to the ground, knee taking some of the impact, ankle twisting. Pain now in layers. Head pounding. Lungs screaming for air.

"Danny!" Steve reached out but couldn't keep his friend from falling. He grabbed Grace instead.

Thunder boomed and all three of them jumped this time.

"It's closer. Too close." Danny mumbled as he got to his feet. "Inside. Gotta get there."

"I know, D. We'll get there." Steve tensed up, taking his gun from his ankle holster. "I need to look around first. You two hold up."

Scanning the brush, Steve found a sturdy looking branch. He broke it into a manageable piece. "Use this."

Grateful, Danny accepted putting most of his weight on it. If Steve trusted the glorified twig, he would too. He didn't even bother to pray that the thing would hold him. He just leaned into it, barely aware of his daughter beside him. Everything went a little fuzzy around the edges. His hand slipped on the makeshift walking stick, and he almost took another tumble.

"Danno!" Grace grabbed the bottom of his jacket and pulled to keep her dad upright. Her little face frantic. "Uncle Steve!"

Steve reappeared, steadying his friend. "Danny, look at me."

Danny giggled, voice weak. "Why would I want to look at your ugly mug?"

Grace shot Steve a confused look. A change had come over her daddy, and it scared her even more. Something had shifted. And Steve didn't like it.

"Danny, seriously man. Look at me." He almost slapped his friend to get his attention.

The eyes that stared back at him were full of so many things. Anxiety. Fear. Pain. Vulnerability. And a trust that scared the crap out of Steve and at the same time emboldened him.

"Rain, Steve." Danny closed his eyes with a wince.

They both looked at the sky as lightning raced over them. Now everything seemed to be against them. Even the trees leaning with the wind reached out fiercely.

"Come on." Steve led the way into the abandoned cabin, reaching out to his partner when he saw him leaning too heavily on Grace. "You're gonna knock her over, buddy."

But Grace was defiant. "I've got him, Uncle Steve."

Steve swallowed hard and smiled. "You sure do, Gracie. You sure do."