Despite how hostile Danny had been just earlier in the morning, now he was smiling and laughing. Even though he had initially been less than eager to leave the house, and his precious Maggie, Steve eventually dragged him back into the car. The smile on Danny's face could only be described as giddy, although sorrow sparkled in his eyes as they pulled away from the house.

"Did you see how small she was, Steve?" Danny asked, turning to look out the window again, the house growing smaller in the distance. There was an excited whine in the pitch of his voice when he spoke.

"Yeah, I did. You'll have to be careful though, I know that thing is going to grow to be real big. She'll be yanking you around before you know it" Steve joked, and Danny did nothing other than chuckle. His hands were already hunting for his phone, which he had used to snap multiple pictures of his new puppy.

"God, I can't wait to tell Grace about this. She'll love to meet Maggie, she'll love that dog more than anything in the world. I already love that dog more than anything, even you Steve. She's absolutely adorable. Do you think we can visit her again before the end of two weeks?" he asked excitedly, and Steve only shook his head. He knew that Danny would enjoy it, at least a little. The detective had always been more of a dog person, but his housing often hadn't allowed him to keep a pet. But now, in Steve's house for the foreseeable future, it only made sense to make that final step and actually purchase the puppy.

About to make some witty comment about this dog being their first child, Steve turned towards Danny. Before he could even open his mouth his eyes caught sight of his phone, which was ringing with Chin's number. Just as he was about to grab it, the police radio that sat between the two front seats went off with a squeal.

"Robbery in progress, all officers nearby please assist" before spitting out an address. Recognizing it as one nearby, Steve instinctively turned the wheel as soon as they came to the next intersection, glancing at the street names as they flashed by, hoping that he would get there in time.

"Shit Steve, what're you doing?" Danny yelled out as Steve accelerated again. Steve bit down on his lip, realizing that he had fallen back into such comfort with Danny back, he hadn't properly assessed the situation. His partner was unable to help him this time around, and wouldn't be able to again. Yet here he was, driving them forward as fast as he could straight to field work. But it was too late now- Steve was still an active field officer, armed, and with his badge. It was his civil obligation to help halt this crime. Shaking his head in frustration, Steve apologized as best he could as he groped for the switch to the sirens.

"I'm sorry, Danny, we have to respond to this call. You just stay in the car, alright? I'll be in and out with no problem. I'm sure that we won't be the first ones there, and it'll be wrapping up by the time we pull in"

"Not at the rate you're going" Danny hissed, grappling with his seatbelt for a slight bit more security. "We'll be the first ones there, I guarantee it. And you just want me to sit tight, is that it?" he commented through grit teeth.

"Yeah, that's it" was all that Steve muttered as he turned another corner, the car squealing as it came up on two wheels, then skidding to a halt in front of the address that had been broadcasted. And confirming Steve's worst fears, there were no other squad cars there yet.

He threw open the car door and grabbed the gun from where it was resting in it's holster, observing that the front door was left wide open, and it appeared that a plant on the front porch had been toppled. Walking around to the front, carefully, he cast a quick look to Danny.

"Stay here" he said before turning, and running towards the front of the house. It was without a second thought that he entered the house, gun held up at the ready, clearing the first few rooms without a second thought. They were already clearly searched through, bookshelves toppled, tables turned, and drawers torn apart. Then a booming sound came from somewhere above him, and Steve bounded up the stairs without hesitation.

As he walked down the left hall, he checked over his shoulder, and into the open doors. These appeared to already be ransacked, but he announced himself anyway.

"Five-O!" he shouted, trying to find the source of the noise as he checked each room. Just as he entered what appeared to be the master bedroom, which already had been torn apart, another crashing came from close by. Steve brought his gun up to bear again, facing the closet, which had just opened. Instead of a criminal, a middle aged woman stumbled out, looking distressed. Steve put his gun down immediately, and she held a cell phone tightly in her hand.

"He was just in here! I think he ran when he heard you come in" she yelled, just at the same time gunshots rang out front.

"Stay here!" Steve yelled out, bringing his gun up once again and sprinting out the very doors that he had just come through. His mind was full of terror, and Danny was the first thought on his mind. As he burst out into the sunlight, his eyes shot towards the car, and the first thing he saw was Danny lying on the pavement beside the Camaro, the door open, a gun in his left hand.

"Danny!" he yelled out, running towards his partner, but nearly tripping over the body that lay on the front lawn, groaning. The man writhing on the grass was clothed completely in black, with a ski mask over his face, grabbing at his gut, dark red staining the grass. Steve kicked the gun away from his hand, and ran over to Danny, who was straining to prop himself up on the side of the car.

"Danny, are you okay?" Steve fretted, looking the detective over, and noticed that there was nothing wrong. Danny's breathing was intense and heavy, and his eyes were closed, a gun clenched in his left hand. After another breath, Danny nodded, and let his grip on the gun loosen.

"He ran out the front, he was holding a gun. I just, grabbed the one from the glove box, and told him to drop his weapon and stop. He raised his gun up, and I had no choice but to fire. I'm sorry Steve, I'm sorry" he breathed, letting the pistol drop to the cement and putting his head in his hands.

"I didn't even know I could still shoot left handed. I thought you would have taken the pistol out of my car at least, I just, couldn't let him get away. It was like I just, I just forgot I wasn't a field agent anymore. It was only natural to grab the gun and stop him. I opened the door and I just fell out, and, I got him though. God, Steve I'm sorry" he muttered, wiping the tears falling from his eyes with his sleeve. "I'm sorry"

With a feeling that was similar to his heart tearing in two, Steve put his hand on Danny's shoulder, letting the detective mourn. It would be a difficult adjustment to his new life, maybe more so that Steve had ever anticipated.

Thank you all so much for reading this far! I can't believe how many reviews and favorites that this story has received! I appreciate each and every single one, your continued support is amazing! Just one more chapter before this story wraps up, thanks for bearing with me! I hope you enjoy, feel free to comment anything you feel, just drop a review! Thanks again!