Heat

Author's notes: Thanks again for all the reviews! This is another short one but I didn't want you to wait any longer. Besides, since it's Roger Wilson's birthday today, I thought I should post in his honor. Thanks again to May for her input and patience.

Chapter 4

Adam rubbed his gritty eyes and glanced at the clock. Again. Tonight had been a long chain of waiting and worrying and Adam was wiped out. That kind of strain didn't sit well with a body used to getting up with the sun and in bed before ten o'clock. Hannah and the boys had long since turned in and Brian had conked out thirty minutes ago. Adam should have just set his alarm and caught a nap, but his thoughts were on overdrive. Sleep and anxiety were definitely not a cohesive mix.

The dull throb in his temples resumed as the memory of Daniel lying half-conscious on the ground resurfaced. That paralyzing fear of another loss seizing his heart. Then witnessing that same brother out of control, confused and determined to run head-long into a wall of flames, well, that almost finished Adam off.

He sighed, his mind returning to the endless loop of thoughts plaguing him. They had settled into a nice routine, up early, breakfast, school or work, dinner, family time and off to bed. Then up the next day to do it all over again with little variation. It hadn't taken a lot to let himself get lulled into the everyday normalcy, assuming everything and everyone they had today would still be there in the morning. He had let himself take for granted the harsh fact that those mundane aspects of life could be forever altered in a moment. Had he already lost the lesson they'd all had to learn ten years ago?

Adam said a sincere 'thank you' for the hundredth time that there was no tragedy this day. That at least for tonight he could be grateful to still have all his brothers.

The familiar toll of the mantle clock signaled the end of his wait and Adam pulled himself off the cushions. He made his way up the stairs pausing to look in on the younger boys before pushing open the door to Daniel and Crane's room. Adam switched on the lamp and eased himself on the edge of Daniel's bed, trying not to startle him. Crane lay draped across the opposite bed as if he'd barely managed to get his boots off before passing out. No worries about waking him.

Adam laid a hand on Daniel's chest, the steady rise and fall beneath his touch reigniting his gratitude. Angry neighbors and a hospital bill he could deal with, losing any more of his family would be unfathomable.

He fought the urge to let Daniel sleep a little longer; the kid looked more out of it than Crane. But concussions weren't something to be taken lightly and as relaxed as he seemed, Adam had to be sure his little brother was only sleeping.

He patted Daniel's side. "Hey, buddy."

The kid didn't budge.

"C'mon, Daniel, open your eyes." Adam said, a little louder this time, shaking Daniel's shoulder hard.

When Daniel still didn't respond Adam felt a jolt of terror. What if the scans and the tests were wrong and the kid had slipped into a coma while his guardian was wasting time downstairs? Adam grabbed Daniel's face in both hands, calling out his name again and almost lifting him off the pillow.

Daniel's lids broke, his eyes mirroring the same panic and confusion that Adam felt. "What, what's wrong?"

Relief flooded Adam's heart and he laughed, smoothing Daniel's hair from his face in a nervous rhythm. "It's okay, kid. You just scared me there for a minute."

"Is it morning?" Daniel's voice cracked and a deep cough rattled from his lungs as he struggled to sit up.

"No, sorry, kid. We're supposed to wake you every coupla hours, make sure you're all right." Adam's voice trembled, the erratic thump in his chest starting to settle into a normal beat.

"Oh." Daniel said, cautiously fingering the crumpled bandage on his head. "I'm okay. I think."

Adam doubted that. The bruises scattered along Daniel's body and the pain induced groans as Adam helped him sit against the headboard were proof enough. Adam stuffed an extra pillow behind the kid's back and started with the simple questions on the discharge sheet. Did he know his name, what state he lived in, who was the president? Adam didn't mind Daniel's exasperation at the process; it just proved as much as the correct answers that little brother would be fine.

Then why did Adam still have this queasy burning in his stomach?

"Okay, so your brain's working, but how do you feel?"

Daniel eyed him suspiciously and Adam didn't exactly blame him.

"Like total shit."

Yeah, Adam deserved that. He felt like an ogre for his earlier outburst. It didn't matter what had lured the boys into that barn, Adam knew Daniel would never put Guthrie in harm's way, not purposely.

"That's what I thought." Adam said, ruffling the kid's hair. "You go back to sleep, we'll talk when you're feeling better."

Adam started toward the door, then turned back and sat to face him. He needed to apologize or at the very least make sure Daniel knew he wasn't upset with him. For both their sakes.

"Daniel, I'm not mad at you."

The relieved expression on Daniel's face increased Adam's guilt. Sometimes he forgot how harsh he could be when his adrenaline kicked in.

"But seeing you laying in the dirt and that damn barn on fire, well, it scared the daylights out of me." Adam said.

"Adam, I don't…" Daniel tripped over the words then fell silent.

"I'm getting too old for this kind of excitement, kiddo." Adam continued, trying to lighten the mood.

"I'm sorry, Adam."

"What were you two doing out there? You know that place is off limits."

The words ejected from his mouth before he could stop them. Even in the dim light Adam could see the hurt and realized his tone came out more accusatory than he'd meant. He paused, taking care to temper his words. "I'm not jumping on you; I just want to know what happened."

"I don't…" Daniel cracked and his eyes shone with unshed tears. He looked so lost and so miserable, Adam's heart sunk.

Adam swallowed the urge to press him for more details. The pain etched on Daniel's face told him now was not the time.

Crane's words echoed in his head. 'All that matters for today'. His family was whole and safe. He could set aside the anger and the authoritative guise he let dictate his life long enough to be Daniel's brother and friend.

"No, I'm sorry. We can talk later." Adam cupped his hand around Daniel's neck and pulled him to his chest. "I'm just relieved you're okay."

To be continued.