Despite taking two hours to get to that isolated beach their stay was relatively brief. The wind was cold and it was not long before Dan could hear his partner's teeth chattering. The trip had served it purpose, Rorschach seemed to have returned to some level of stability.

"Lets go home. Its almost two-thirty, if we leave now we can get to sleep by five, and wake up around noon. I'll make us a good lunch." Dan suggested, brushing the sand off his trousers as he got to his feet. Rorschach nodded in reply and quietly accepted Dan's assistance as he stood, his limbs feeling cold and stiff. He paused for a moment before turning to the ship.

"Nice beach, too bad its cold and dark. Not very good beach weather."

"Yeah, used to come here with my family when I was a kid, its a nice place. You're right though, beaches are better in the summer."

"Those times when you told me you were taking vacations, is this where you went?" Rorschach inquired curiously as they returned to the ship.

"Ha ha ha…Yeah, here and other places, went to the Caribbean once, and to South America. I think I might try going to Spain too. Ever since I modified Archie, I can go wherever I want." Dan chuckled, turning the lights on inside the craft.

"Hurm…Always wondered where you went."

"Yeah, I dunno…I just need to get out of that city sometimes."

"Never invited me to come along before." Rorschach replied in his low raspy monotone as he buckled himself into the passenger seat.

The statement hit Dan like a slap in the face. It was true, he had never invited Rorschach to join him on his 'vacations', but not for a moment did he think that his ever somber partner would want to go.

"I'm sorry,…I guess I just never thought you'd want to come with me. You always seem interested in nothing but work. And when I'm traveling, I go out in broad daylight you know? It would be a little weird walking down a street in Curacao with some guy wearing a mask and a trench coat."

"Yes, suppose you are right about that."

"Well,…You're invited now, to the next place I go, where ever it is. I mean it. We're friends after all." Dan offered as he took the ship up, this time more slowly.

"Thanks. Will most likely decline however, been inactive long enough already. Will need to work very hard to make up for it."

"So serious." Dan laughed. "Always work."

"Nothing else makes sense, don't fit in very well in other aspects of life… Been difficult this past week… Have enjoyed some of it though."

Dan's curiosity peeked. "Like what?"

"Your cooking…very good…"

Dan grinned broadly. "Ha ha, Thanks, I've been trying my best." He was quiet for a moment before continuing, his tone more sincere. "Things don't have to go back to the way they were ya know? You don't have to be recovering from traumatic injuries to spend time with me outside of 'work'. You can come over for dinner whenever you like."

Rorschach did not answer at first, instead he stared ahead silently at the expanse of clouds drifting below. Eventually he spoke, his gravely voice just above a whisper.

"Might do that, should probably eat better…even before injuries, sometimes felt light headed, often hungry, hands were shaky,… not good for fighting crime." Dan could feel his heart sink. He remembered the times when his partner would show up early for their patrol to rummage through his kitchen, often devouring an entire box of cereal while he got changed into his owl suit. He had always taken it as just another of Rorschach's quirks, and likely something he did out of impatience. Now he knew he did it simply because he was starving. Sometimes after a night on patrol Dan would make breakfast when they returned. Rorschach always seemed reluctant to stay around after work was over, but he rarely declined, and it made sense now; he was too desperate to turn down food.

"Geeze man… I've always thought you were hard up for cash, but there's no reason for you to go hungry. I have all the money I need, you can eat my food. After this is over, and things go back to normal, I don't want you starving yourself any more…Damn, all these years I donate food to charities and my best friend is going hungry."

"Best friend?…hurm…"

Dan felt a surge of heat to his face, he had used the term candidly, not thinking of the weight of what he had said. It was true of course, Dan had so few friends, and he certainly spent more time with Rorschach then anyone else, but it was still odd to refer to him in such a way. So little of their relationship consisted of what normal friendships would.

"Never been called that before." The masked man's tone was soft, shy even.

Dan could feel his palms grow sweaty, but he didn't know why he felt so nervous all of the sudden, the last week had brought about stranger moments.

"You want friends Daniel, can tell this about you. I'm not a very good one,…can tell that about myself. If you had more friends, you wouldn't call me that. I'm only your best friend because you don't have any others." His tone was not resentful. If anything it was sad, apologetic.

"It doesn't matter Rorschach. Look at us, we're in a flying ship that looks like an owl for God's sake… We wear costumes, and try to be heroes by night. We're not normal people. We cannot expect to have normal friendships." Dan had known this in his gut for years, but he had tried to ignore it. Now however, after admitting that someone like Rorschach was the only person he could think of to call his 'best friend', there was no denying it.

"It's alright Ror, you're a fine friend for me. What can I say? We're just fucked up crazy people trying to fix the fucked up crazy world that made us this way. We're made for each other." Dan chuckled, the sudden clarity of his situation seemed hopelessly amusing.

"Bad language Daniel." Rorschach replied quietly.

***

It was close to four-thirty in the morning when the lights of New York City came into focus as Dan took the Owlship down below the clouds.

"Wonder what sort of night it's been…" Dan muttered absently and turned on his surveillance radio, tuning it to the police frequency. At first there was nothing interesting, but then the voice of an angry and exasperated officer came through. Dan could see Rorschach sit up slightly.

Black Mercedes heading north, Do you see him Jack?

Damn it! We lost visual…That bastard's gonna get away again… Ya know, I hate those masked fuckers but I wish they'd bring this asshole in already…I'm sick of chasing him.

Know what you mean Bob…I'm at the point where I don't care who brings Antonio Seville in, I just want him off our streets.

Roger that…

Fuck it…lost him…Damn…

"Seville…" Rorschach growled.

Dan stood abruptly, walked to the back of ship, and began to undress.

"I know where he's running…Want to see how many he's with…I can't stand it,…He can't get away again." Dan muttered furiously as he pulled on his costume.

"Daniel…Bad idea, almost killed us last week, can't go alone. Better to wait." It was unlike Rorschach to be cautious, but Dan knew the truth. He wanted the crime lord to himself. He wanted revenge.

"What? Wait a month or longer for you to get better? I don't think so Ror, who knows what else he could do by then. Look, I know we walked into a trap last time, but this is perfect. Nobody is expecting me…They know you're out of commission and they would never expect me to do something so brash. This is the perfect chance." Dan moved rapidly about the craft, collecting various items and gadgets, stuffing some into his utility belt and strapping others to his body under his cloak. Rorschach watched him uneasily from the passenger seat.

"Daniel, must be careful."

Dan paused, the genuine concern in his partner's raspy voice catching him off guard. Feeling a little guilty for his sudden impassioned haste, he approached the smaller man and laid a hand on his shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. "Don't worry. I will be. I'm just going to get a look at their hideout first, see how many there are. If I can take um, I'll go in. If not, I'll be right back. We've been at this ten years Rorschach, I know what I'm doing."

Rorschach's masked face turned to the hand on his shoulder then to the face of his partner. "Been ten years Daniel,… ten years with a partner…Dangerous to take on a boss alone. Should know that."

"You've gone solo a few times this past decade if I recall." Dan challenged.

"…Hurm…"

"I'll be careful."

Dan, now fully equipped as 'Nite Owl' took his seat at the controls and piloted the hovercraft to the south Bronx, landing it quietly in an abandoned parking lot behind a derelict factory. He shut down all the electrical devices, including the lights, leaving the craft silent and entirely dark. He felt a fluttering serge of adrenaline in his stomach as the last light dimmed. Turning to Rorschach he whispered sternly;

"Do not leave this ship. If anyone comes and attacks just pretend you aren't here, if it gets really bad use the flame thrower, that might scare them off. This one here…" Dan pointed out an obviously labeled button on the control panel. "I know you don't really know how to fly him, but if you have to, this is how you turn him on, and then just push the throttle and pull back on the steering, you've seen me do it before…" Dan glanced at his partner who nodded slowly, but otherwise offered no inclination that he understood. "Archie is bullet proof, I really doubt there is anything anyone could throw at him that would make you need to move. Just to be safe though, go to the back, try not to let anyone see that you're in here. I'll be back soon." Dan gave his partner one last pat on the shoulder and turned to go. Just before he locked down the side door he shot the masked man one final look.

"Just wait for me here. Do not leave this ship."

***

Dan was grateful for the damp fog blanketing the city as he dashed across the rooftops of the south Bronx slums. The misty vapor made him feel less exposed, less alone in the black night just before the dawn. He made a final leap off a seven story building, not even breaking stride as he vaulted from the ledge, opening his glider cape and coasting to the roof of a seemingly abandoned warehouse across the street. He was about a block from Archie now, and Rorschach. He allowed himself one final anxious glance over his shoulder before turning all his focus to the mission ahead.

It all went faster then Dan could have imagined, there were only three men including the boss. The shock on their faces when he came crashing in from above was delicious. They were all drunk, celebrating another successful escape from the law, and very slow on the reaction. It was almost too easy. Before long he had all three of them bound to a lamp post a block over where they would be easy to find, and he had called the police. The officer sounded exasperated over the phone, his voice a strange mix of gratitude and contempt. Dan was used to it by now. He perched on an overlooking ledge a few stories up, watching the lamp post until the police arrived, wanting to make sure his prey was in custody before returning to the Owlship. The sky was beginning to burn purple on the eastern horizon, the wind caught his cape, and Dan felt a deep sense of accomplishment. He lived for this. If only Rorschach were well enough to savor the moment with him.

Dan watched the red taillights of the police car disappear south towards Manhattan. He breathed deep, his heart felt light for the first time in days. He leapt gracefully from the ledge doing a full twist in the air as a diver might from a spring board, before unfurling his cloak and gliding softly to the concrete. He had good reason to allow himself some theatrics, he had just single handedly brought down one of New York's most feared crime bosses. He slipped down an ally as quietly as a cat, and headed towards the parking lot where he had left Archie. He was giddy with anticipation. He could not wait to tell Rorschach what he had accomplished. It was so long since he had felt this way, so long since being a vigilante seemed pure and heroic.

BANG BANG BANG

The gunshots shattered the calm of breaking dawn as if it were glass. A bullet took Dan in the side, another zipped past his head, narrowly missing him. Searing pain blinded him, and the air was knocked forcefully from his lungs, but he was quick. He dove and rolled sideways behind a dumpster, straining to catch his breath. He allowed himself a split second glance at his stomach, there was plenty of gun shot residue but his armor had held. Another nasty bruise, but nothing worse. He thought with a momentary surge of relief. Another round of shots rang out, and Dan braced himself against the metal of the dumpster waiting out the onslaught. Who are these guys?

He heard the click of an empty pistol and saw his chance. He grabbed a trash can lid and held it in front of him as he sprang from behind the dumpster. There were only three, but one of them was freakishly large, and all were armed.

"I'll shoot him down Rick! Gut that fucker like you did his bitch! We finish these guys, all of New York answers to us!" One of the smaller thugs yelled to the giant of a man who was pulling a large knife from inside his coat.

Another round of shots rang out, but Dan avoided them, landing a powerful kick to the head of the other gunman causing his weapon to spin out, and his body to fall unconscious to the pavement. One down…

He whirled around and landed punch to the face of the other gunman, sending him reeling backwards.

"CUT THAT SON OF A BITCH IN HALF!" The gunman screeched as he stumbled back against a brick wall. Dan was as fast as he could be but it was too late. Before he could make a full turn the third man, the beast, was on him. A massive hand grasped his throat, squeezing his windpipe, strangling him. The other hand held the knife, poised to end him in the most painful of ways. Dan grabbed the wrist, trying to hold back the weapon as the massive man bore down on him, but he was suffocating, white spots flecking his vision, his strength failing. Rorschach…you were right…

BANG!…click…click…click…

A single shot rang out followed by the sound of an empty round. The behemoth let out a roar and released Dan, spinning wildly to see where his assailant had come from. The shot had landed in the thug's shoulder, not enough to take him down, but enough to get his attention. Dan gasped and tried to focus. What happened…what…NO…Fuck NO…

"YOU!" The large thug snarled, advancing on someone a few yards down the ally. "You fucking… little… BASTARD!…I'm going to kill you this time…I'm going smash that freak face of yours into the ground until there is nothing left!"

Dan stumbled to his feet, out of the corner of his eye he could see the smaller thug trying to reload his pistol. Furiously he rushed him, breaking the wrist, then thrusting the body aside, before turning back to the large man. He was moving towards another figure in the ally, like a lion about to deliver its wrath upon its prey, his weapon brandished and ready. A smaller man, not even half the size of the behemoth, dressed in a black hooded sweatshirt, and gray cotton drawstring pants was inching back, still clutching the empty pistol, his telltale black and white face focused fearlessly on the massive thug.

Rorschach…

Something snapped in Dan and he was propelled by a vicious surge of adrenaline.

"DON'T… YOU… TOUCH HIM!!"

He threw himself at the gigantic thug, wrenching his weapon arm backwards. There was a loud and sickening tearing sound, followed by a disturbing 'pop' as the arm dislocated from the shoulder. Mercilessly Dan continued, driving the man's head into the concrete, shattering his nose. Twisted pleasure burned in his chest as strangled cries erupted from massive man, but Dan wasn't finished. He planted a foot into the thug's back and pulled the man's leg towards himself, finishing with a swift heel drop to the shin, shattering the bone, rendering him helpless.

His rage slowly subsiding, Dan stepped away from his vanquished foe, gasping and panting, twitching with the last traces of adrenaline. He swallowed hard, trying to bring himself out of his fury induced insanity, before turning to Rorschach. The smaller vigilante was still standing, but visibly shaking, not from fear, Dan was sure of that, but from exertion. Rorschach released the empty weapon and it fell at his feet with a hollow clack. He wavered for a moment, then lost his balance, stumbling forward.

Dan caught him, and without saying a word lifted him up. He said nothing as he carried his partner back to ship, as he secured him in the passenger seat, or as he piloted the craft home. It was not until Dan parked the ship safely in his basement and turned off all the humming electrical equipment that he finally spoke.

"You saved my life Rorschach."

"…You saved mine…"

Dan turned to the smaller vigilante beside him, Rorschach was spent, his small frame was shuddering with every painful inhalation, and Dan could hear his breath rattling in his lungs.

"You ran out there…How?'

"Heard shots…Thought of you…had to do something…couldn't just sit and wait…Didn't hurt then, was compelled…but hurts now…hurts bad…will be fine though. " Rorschach replied, trying to shrug off the obvious agony he was in.

Dan gasped his partner's icy hand and squeezed it tight, then he pulled him close, embracing him gently. He knew these moments would disappear when Rorschach's strength returned, but for now he could get away with it, for now he could be honest with what was in his heart.

"Don't you dare…Don't you ever doubt that you are good enough for me again."

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Hi Friends! Okay, so the next chapter will be a sort of 'break' chapter, from Ror's perspective. I miiight have it done early. We shall see! Thanks so much for all the reviews, I can't believe this fic has nearly 100. --blushes-- I have to admit, I've seen some stuff on here picking on some of the Watchmen fics that involve well,...pretty much exactly what this fic is about. I hope I don't come off as clique or to overly fan-girly. I'm trying very hard to walk the line between sentiment and believability. There is certainly the fangirl side of me that would just love to turn this into a sappy alternate-universe slash fic, BUT the serious watchmen fan in me fights the urge, and I hope keeps the upper hand. Thanks again for the love. Will try to update soon!

--Jackie