A/N: I have no idea why this gave me such a hard time uploading, but I finally got it! Yay for me! Anyway, see the first chapter for the disclaimer. I hope you guys enjoy the chapter, and please review. :)

Chapter 13: To You, That You Wanna Hear…

When Danny woke up, the first person he saw was Flack standing over him. "I'm sorry," Danny said instinctively.

"For what?" Flack replied, sitting down beside Danny's bed.

"I didn't meet you."

"That's okay. Tell me something, Danno. What happened in the alley?"

"There was a kid… little girl… she was… she was crying…"

*~*~*~*

Danny walked into the alley, walking toward the child. "Hey, you okay?" he asked. The child didn't look up, and Danny moved closer. "Kid?" he said, a little louder. This time, the face of a little girl turned to look at him. "You okay, sweetie?"

"I wanna go home," she cried. Danny walked closer to her, squatting down to her level.

"What's your name, honey?"

"Sarah."

"Sarah…" Before he could say anymore, a hard object connected with his head.

*~*~*~*

"A gun, maybe?" Flack asked.

"Could be," Danny replied. "Find one at the scene?"

"I don't know, Danny. I've been here."

"I'm sorry."

"Danny, you have no reason to be sorry."

"I don't? I was running late, stood you up, and got jumped in an alley. I should've seen it coming, and I didn't."

"You were focused on a little girl who was upset. I would've done the same thing."

"Yeah, but you're more careful. You wouldn't have gotten your ass kicked like I did. You would've taken better care of yourself."

"You got duped, Messer. It happens to the best of us. Even Mac."

"Yeah, but you guys would've defended yourselves better. You wouldn't have ended up in the hospital."

"You give us too much credit, Danny," Flack said.

Danny shrugged, becoming defensive again. "Doesn't matter," he said. "After all that, I don't remember much. Don't really remember calling you or anything. I'm sorry."

"Nothin' to be sorry about. Did you see the guy?"

"No, not really. He was wearing a hood. I had my eyes closed too."

"What happened to the kid?"

"She ran off. I don't know to where, I don't know her last name. I just… I don't know, Don."

"It's alright, Danny. Just relax, okay?"

Danny nodded, sighing and closing his eyes. "I'm kinda tired."

Flack nodded, taking the hint. "Alright. I'll let you get some rest. I'll come back later, okay?"

"Okay."

Flack left, walking out of the room. He silently made his way back to the lab, walking into Mac's office. The older man looked up at the interruption of his thoughts.

"How is he?" Mac asked. Flack shook his head.

"He's awake," Flack replied. "It's hard on him."

Mac nodded. "What did he say?"

"He walked into the alley 'cause he heard a kid crying. Went to talk to her, and got jumped. And now he's beating himself up over it."

"Yeah."

"Why is it that none of us have anything together right now?" Flack shook his head, leaving Mac's office without waiting for an answer. Mac stared at Flack's retreating form, wondering just what was going on in the mind of the younger detective.

*~*~*~*

"I think I got something," Hawkes said. Adam bobbed his head along with the music of his iPod, oblivious to the Doc's discovery. "Adam."

"Huh?" Adam asked, pulling one of the headphones out of his head.

"I said I think I got something."

"Oh." Adam moved over to stand next to Hawkes. "What is it?"

"I found some trace on Danny's shirt. Maybe it'll tell us who did this."

"Yeah, maybe." Adam took the sample from Hawkes, who watched the lab tech start processing with curiosity.

"You okay?" Hawkes asked after a minute.

Adam shrugged. "Fine, I guess," he said. "Just worried about Danny, you know?"

"Yeah. I haven't seen much of you lately. How have you been?"

"Fine. Just working and hanging out."

"The rumor running around is you and Stella have something going."

"That's why it's a rumor."

"You mean to tell me that it's not true?"

Adam blushed, saying nothing.

"That's what I thought," Hawkes taunted lightly. "Good for you, man."

"Thanks, I guess."

"It's good, you know? You two deserve each other…" Hawkes continued on his train of thought while Adam continued processing samples. He sank into the stool behind him, pecking at the keyboard before closing his eyes briefly. Noticing this, Hawkes said, "You okay, Adam?"

"Yeah, fine," Adam replied. "Just tired."

"You might wanna head home after this."

"Not going to. Need to find whoever did this to Danny."

"You're not going to be much help if you fall asleep on the lab bench."

Adam scowled at Hawkes. "I'm fine, Doctor."

"Okay, whatever you say," Hawkes said, slightly taken aback. Adam had never been that rough with anyone, let alone Hawkes.

"Adam, I need the computer," Lindsay said, rushing in.

"You have one in your office," Adam retorted. "I'm busy. Go find another one. Hell, go to the damn A/V lab for all I care! I'm working!"

"Adam…"

"Don't even try pulling rank or anything else. And before anyone asks, I'm fine. Now, please, leave me the hell alone and get the hell out of my lab so I can do my friggen work!" As he ranted, he pounded the keyboard with his fingers. Lindsay and Hawkes looked at each other, both silent after Adam's outburst. As the printer spit out the results, Adam thrust them into Hawkes' hands without an explanation before storming out of the lab. Lindsay and Hawkes looked at each other again before watching the younger man leave the lab.

*~*~*~*

As he sat at the bottom of the stairs, he kept his hands over his face. He hadn't meant to snap like that, but something inside him let go. He couldn't help it. He buried his head into his knees, allowing tears to fall down his cheeks. He inhaled sharply as he heard footsteps coming down the stairs to join him.

"I'm sorry, Boss," Adam said softly, not having to look over at the figure that was now sitting next to him to know that it was Mac.

"You care to explain that?" the older man replied, shelving the apology for the moment.

"I don't have an explanation. I was out of line. It won't happen again."

"Adam…"

"I'm tired, and worried, and it got the best of me. I promise, this won't happen again."

"I know you know better than that. Look, Adam, I'm not here to yell at you. I'm here because I'm concerned. You haven't been yourself lately."

"I'm fine, Boss. I swear. I-I'm fine."

"You're not going to get in trouble for being honest or admitting something's wrong."

"But I'm fine."

Mac simply nodded, not wanting to push things further. "Why don't you take the rest of the day? Go see Danny."

"No, I-I should be here."

"Adam. Take the time. Go see how Danny's doing, then go home and get some rest."

Adam sighed, realizing he wasn't winning that argument. "Okay. I'll see you later, Boss."

Mac nodded, standing before extending his hand toward Adam. The younger man took it hesitantly, wondering why the former Marine was helping him up off the stairs. Finally, Adam left, with Mac watching his every move until he was out the door.

*~*~*~*

Adam hesitantly walked into Danny's room, standing at the doorway. The CSI had his eyes closed at the moment, and Adam was afraid that he was dead until he saw Danny breathe. Sighing, Adam shifted his weight so he was leaning against the doorjamb.

"Don't be afraid to come in," Danny said, looking over at the door. Adam snorted lightly.

"I didn't want to wake you up," he said quietly.

"Hard to wake someone who isn't sleeping. And, speaking of not sleeping, when was the last time you actually got a good night's sleep?"

Adam shrugged. "That's not important. How are you, Danny?"

"I'm fine. A little sore, but I'll be alright. Now, answer my question."

"I'm sleeping fine at night."

"Doesn't look it."

"It also doesn't matter right now. Can we stop talking about me?"

"Sure," Danny said, picking up on Adam's defensive tone.

"Thank you," Adam replied, sighing as he moved away from the doorjamb into the room. He still kept his distance from the bed, though. "So… you're doing okay?"

"Yeah. I'll be fine. Just pretty bruised and cut up. Lost some blood. Docs say I'll be out of here in no time."

"Good. Th-tha-that's good." Adam closed his eyes slightly, sighing.

"Yeah." Danny watched as Adam opened his eyes again. He could tell Adam wanted to say something to him, but watched as Adam's expression hardened. He wasn't sure he liked the person Adam was becoming.

"Listen, man, I'm sorry, but I think I'm gonna go," Adam said. "I just, uh, wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm glad you dropped by," Danny replied. Adam nodded.

"Take it easy."

"You too." Danny watched as Adam practically scrambled out of the room, unable to stand there a minute longer.

The only thing Danny couldn't understand was why.