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DELETED SCENE #2 - SNAPSHOT

Notes: deleted bit on the way home ... more fleshed out to make it whole now. Originally, it was just too much and didn't seem to progress the story itself.

H5O* H5O* H5O* H5O* H5O

Danny had been sneaking odd sidelong glances at Steve ever since he'd kissed him. To say he was more confused than ever before was an understatement based on how far away he'd squirreled himself up against the passenger door of the rental car. And as they drove to the airport, Steve was both personally offended and amused by this new reaction, believing it mostly related to Danny's very poor state of health.

Steve easily could guess what was rattling inside his partner's addled and fevered brain. Since that kiss, Steve had certainly added more fuel to Danny's discomfort and unease. His fears that he'd make some drastically wrong decision. Based on Danny's injuries alone, Steve could understand that: almost.

But what was done, was done now and Steve frowned as he looked over, meeting Danny's eyes.

"You all right?" Steve asked.

"Yeah," Danny more grunted then said an actual word.

Danny's eyes were glassy and his cheeks were pinked a sickly hue. He'd begun to resort to mono-syllabic replies to any of Steve's proddings about how he was feeling or if he needed anything. He squinted against the light and his head bobbled awkwardly on his neck. Steve hadn't been kidding back in the hotel about Danny feeling as if he were burning up. He was. The fever really was worse which meant the infection had taken a firmer hold. Danny looked sick, acted sick and was beginning to slur his words. He was having difficulty concentrating. And no matter how hard Steve had tried back at the hotel, his partner had refused to eat anything more than a small yogurt.

If he had actually left ... he'd not have gotten far. Ten to one, Danny would have already collapsed in some back alley. Steve didn't want to consider where Danny would be that very minute if he hadn't come to the Big Island at all.

Steve heaved in a lungful of air, his expression severe. Maybe he shouldn't have done what he'd done. He'd already apologized for taking advantage of the situation with that kiss ... and then the second one, too. He snorted sarcastically under his breath because, damn it to hell, they fit together and he knew that Danny was feeling that in the very least.

Point one: he'd waited for Steve at the diner and then found the courage to come back. Point two: he'd trusted Steve in the hotel. Listened to him and seen the pictures of both Grace and Charlie. Danny himself had wearily sought refuge with Steve even if it had been spontaneous. Danny did innately believe in what he'd been told. And finally: while he might have been confused, Danny hadn't objected much at all to Steve kissing him, had he? No. In fact, Danny had kissed him back.

Steve had made a mistake though. After a few quiet moments and a somewhat predictable night when Danny had willingly accepted his help, Steve had naively thought that Danny would voluntarily stay with him. Not in his wildest dreams had he thought Danny would consider leaving. If Steve were to be truthful with himself, Danny had scared him back to reality that morning.

Steve had nearly forgotten the black and white facts of the matter. Someone had tried to kill Danny ... and had nearly succeeded. His partner was injured. Sick. He had a full blown case of amnesia and Steve had no idea what the coming ramifications of that could be. As Danny physically healed, would he remember anything at all? And if he didn't ... would he choose to stay with him for the long haul?

Uncomfortable with the frightening reality of those thoughts, Steve tried to focus back on the road. He cursed under his breath though, his fear spiking as his mind played tricks on him. What would have happened if Danny had managed to sneak out that morning?

If he had actually left ... Danny absolutely would have collapsed in some back alley.

But that hadn't happened and Steve forced the thoughts away. Now, they were almost to the airport and would be home inside of three hours. Right then, Steve was damned lucky to have found his partner and his primary objectives were to get Danny home and the help he needed. Keep him safe until they'd found the bastard that had done this to him.

With a final circumspect glance Danny's way, Steve saw that Danny had slouched further down in the passenger seat. His head was propped against the window and his eyes were closed. His good hand protectively cradled his injured arm to his body, but the fingers around his elbow had gone lax.

Danny had fallen asleep.

Steve's expression softened. Maybe he shouldn't have done what he'd done back at the hotel. But all he could think of doing at the time was throwing in all of his own cards to prove a point. To make another dent in Danny's injured armor and reaffirm that Danny did know who they were together.

It might have been too soon and therefore, a mistake. Maybe not. Steve knew that there'd likely be a lot more mistakes down the road, too.

Danny was still there though and hadn't put up too much of a fuss about staying with him after Steve had permanently rescinded his promise to allow him a choice; he'd been agreeable about going to the airport and going back to Oahu. What Steve was reading from Danny's reactions were more related to illness, fever and that of an honest, ongoing confusion.

It made sense. It was all very reasonable considering the trauma he'd been subjected to.

However, as he made a quiet call to Chin to have an ambulance waiting on their side, Steve wouldn't be making any assumptions again. He sure as hell couldn't afford to.

~ end deleted scene 2 ~