Readers/Reviewers: I love you all for sticking with the story this long! - gNt

Prompt: Tin Badge
Month: February
Summary: Danny and Adam's father have a talk.

Tin Badge

A/N: I apologize for the last half of this chapter sounding, well, like crap. I'm suffering from allergies, and am doped up on medicine. So if you notice any errors, let me know, and I'll fix them when I'm less…disgusting. - gNt

Danny silently got dressed in sweats, a beater, and a hoodie, and pressed a kiss to Adam's forehead before going downstairs. Danny wasn't used to being up at five in the morning, so, as he put on his shoes to go for a run. He wanted Adam to sleep in as long as possible. The scientist had worn himself out the previous night, and Danny was sure he was going to sleep for at least another two hours. But not taking any chances, he grabbed his phone and a spare key he'd spotted on a hook by the door before heading out. Jogging down the street, he didn't look over his shoulder to see if any cars were on the street.

A Hummer drove past him, and Danny's evenly placed strides stuttered ever so slightly. In that moment, gravity was not his friend, and he felt his right ankle give out from underneath him. Cursing, he braced himself for the fall into the ditch by the side of the road. Groaning as his ankle complained, he pushed himself back up and started to walk back to the house after making sure he still had the key and his phone.

Going inside, he went up the stairs to the guest bedroom to find that Adam was nowhere in sight. Going through his luggage to find a pair of jeans to wear, he wondered where Adam was and why his badge wasn't tucked into the top of the suitcase as it had been. Then he heard voices in the hallway. "Dad, what are you asking?"

"I'm asking if he knows anything about your childhood." There was a pause, and Danny listened to Adam's almost whispered answer.

"He's the only one that does." Danny knew instantly that Adam's dad was having second thoughts about them staying there, and Danny turned, quietly got dressed, and walked out into the hallway.

"Hey, Adam, Mr. Ross." Danny pressed a soft kiss to Adam's cheek and he looked up at Adam's dad. "I could hear you talking." All was silent as Adam shifted from foot to foot, and then his dad looked at Danny. "Yeah, I do know about Adam's childhood, but he doesn't want me to do anything because it's the past. I'm going to respect that, even though it's not how I would handle it."

"Danny…" Adam started, but then fell silent.

"Look, I know what happened shouldn't have, but it did. If things had been different, I wouldn't have met Adam, we wouldn't have gotten married and I sure as hell wouldn't be here." Danny looked up at Adam's dad, and crossed his arms over his stomach. "I'd normally say, 'let's forget about it', but I don't think I can." Adam's dad held out Danny's badge, and Danny took it.

"I asked Adam if you'd brought it." Adam turned and walked into the guest room.

"Adam?"

"I'm going back to sleep." Danny looked back at Adam's dad, and then said,

"Let's talk. Right now, I'm not a cop. I can't do anything." Danny slid his badge into his pocket and went back downstairs, Adam's dad following him.

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