A/N: This is a prequel to the story All That I Am. Again: I'm sorry that I killed him.
Big thank you for everyone that reviewed, but the story on alert or favorited it. You guys and gals keep me going :)
All We Are
The shot came out of nowhere. They were just going through the suspect's house, when it echoed along the walls. The house was supposed to be empty, checked out by HPD. Steve's heart stuttered in fear, as his body reacted instinctively to the threat. The gun was in his hand before he even thought about it. He took a quick look around, trying to find the shooter, but only found Danny.
The grip on his gun loosened and he felt his knees grow weak. His partner had stumbled back against the wall, eyes wide open and staring at Steve, while a deep red stain was slowly growing on his shirt.
"No." The word had slipped from Steve's lips before he could stop it. He was beside his partner in three quick steps. Gently grabbing Danny's arms, Steve guided him to the ground.
With one hand he applied pressure to the wound, while he reached blindly for his cell phone with the other. The second he heard the call connect, Steve yelled at the emergency operator that he had an officer down and needed an ambulance now. Not waiting for an answer, Steve hung up and threw his cell to the floor where it landed beside his gun.
Danny groaned in pain, when Steve applied pressure to the gunshot wound with both hands.
"It's okay. Ambulance is on the way. You'll be fine." Steve's voice trembled, his whole body shook with fear and adrenaline. The hot blood dripping down between his fingers was belying his statement.
"R'member your promise." Danny's voice was rough, his breathing was shallow and rattling, getting weaker with every passing second.
Steve shook his head, terror rising in him. "You're going to make it, Danny. Don't you dare think otherwise."
Glazed blue eyes locked onto Steve's, "No." the word was hardly a whisper, but Steve still heard it. He knew that his partner was right. The bullet had left a small hole just above and a little to the right of Danny's heart. Blood was staining his teeth and Steve knew that the wound was more than serious, knew that the ambulance was probably going to be too late. With a heavy heart he removed his hands and instead held Danny as close as possible. Offering comfort, as tears pooled in his eyes, threading to fall. "I promise Danno. I'll look after her."
"Thank you."
Steve continued to hold his partner, ignored the tears and tried to breath as regularly as possible. Trying to be there for Danny as his breathing became more shallow and farther in between.
When it stopped, Steve pressed his face into blond strands and started sobbing. Crying shamelessly for a life lost and a love never spoken out loud as the howl of a siren cut through the air.