Hi everyone! Sorry for not posting for some time.

Unfortunately I had writer's block on this chapter and was feeling a little sorry for myself as we've gone back into lockdown here.

Thank you so much to tmtcltb for the encouragement to keep writing!

I want to do this story justice so I can't promise when the next update will be.

But I will definitely finish the story!!!

Hope everyone is keeping well in these challenging times.

Chapter 12

Burk

The winter sun was shining through the bedroom windows. Kara raised her arm to shield her eyes from the offending rays

It felt like she had just gone to bed. She was not ready to wake up yet.

She rolled away from the offending light, throwing her arm towards Danny for warmth but hit only rumpled sheets.

Well.

So much for getting more sleep.

She threw her dressing gown on and braved the cold air beyond the toasty bed and went in search of her husband.

Surprisingly Frankie was still fast asleep, Halsey sleeping at the foot of his bed.

She quietly closed his door again to continue her search.

There he was in front of the coffee machine. The coffee had finished brewing. He was staring into space and wasn't taking notice of the coffee machine or his wife coming in.

Danny had put off a conversation with Cameron as long as possible, the guilt too much to bear.

But he owed it to Burk. And having it at the New Year's ceremony was not an option.

Funny how he would always think of the younger brother as 'Burk' and the older as Cameron.

He didn't know Cameron well. But Carlton Burk... they'd gone through hell and back together, as well as an apocalypse.

He nearly jumped out of his own skin when he felt a palm slide up his back. "Jeez!" Starting to turn and capture his 'attacker' before he froze in place when he realised who it was.

Kara bite her bottom lip to smother a snorting laugh. It wasn't often someone snuck up on a SEAL.

She snaked her arms around his waist from the back to hold him in place.

"The coffee's ready." She simply reminded.

Danny pulled out another cup and poured their coffee.

"What had you in a trance?" She questioned.

He paused. "I've arranged to see Cameron today."

Silence lapsed.

Burk.

One of their best friends. Frankie's godfather.

They hadn't said a thing about his death.

For Danny, it's too raw.

For Kara, she just don't know what to say.

She'd known him since the academy. Her, him and Alisha were tight.

And she knew she could count on him - personally and professionally.

But like all of her friends, gone.

Danny had been sharing an apartment with him when things started going south at home. But now that he's home and Burk is dead, she knew they'd have to sort the apartment out.

But they've both been putting it off.

"Want me to go with you?" She offered.

She's not sure what answer she wanted.

On the one hand she wants to be there for Danny, worrying he will regress after all the strides he's made in the last few months. And to be the for the brother of her best friend.

On the other hand...

It's not like she can hide from the reality much longer with the ceremony tomorrow.

She will hold it together for all their sake.

He shook his head.

"Best if I go see him alone. Not sure what time I'll get back. Could you iron my dress uniform for tomorrow."

Kara nodded her agreement.

At Burk's Apartment

He used his key to let himself in.

Cameron was already in the lounge.

They greeted each other, Danny sat on the opposite sofa, then lapsed into an awkward silence.

Finally Cameron broke the silence. "How's Kara and Frankie?"

"They're well. Thank you for getting him a Christmas present, you didn't have to."

"As long as he likes it."

Danny replied wryly, "He loves it. I can't believe we didn't think of it ourselves. He is still calling us through the walkie talkie from in bed."

That got a chuckle out of Cameron. "I remember how much fun the nephews had when we got them a set."

They lapsed into silence again. Carlton and Cameron were the only Burks to survive. Now it's just him. Although all of Danny's family died in the Red Flu, at least he still has Kara, Frankie and by extension Debbie.

Again the weight of his guilt threatened to engulf him.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save Burk... Carlton, I mean..."

Cameron could see Danny held himself responsible for Carlton's death. How many times have they been through this in the Navy.

Too many.

"You know, after I was hit in Rota, Carlton blamed himself...and Rick for my leg. But it's bullshit. Like I told him, it's what we signed up for. We know the score. It's not alright, but it is what it is. Would you have saved him if you could?"

"Hell, yeah."

"And I never doubted that. He and I, we were brothers by blood but you guys have been brothers since the Red Flu. He would've given his life for you if he could, same as you."

"The guys are always shielding me because of Frankie." There was a note of frustration in Danny's voice.

"Well, he wouldn't be doing his job as godfather if he didn't. He'll just be glad you're still here for Frankie. We all know what it's like to lose a father."

He let that sink in.

"He'll always be with us." Cameron concluded.

That reminded Danny.

He motioned the other man into another room, pulled open a cupboard to retrieve a battle-scarred helmet.

"He was with me when we took down Gustavo." He handed it to Cameron, who held it close.

Danny backed out of the room, giving him some space.

When Cameron emerged again Danny had coffee brewing.

"What are you gonna do with this place?"

"I've got my own place so I'm gonna put it on the market, as long as you won't be kicked out again." Cameron ribbed.

"Better keep it then. I might be out on my ass if I destroy the kitchen one more time." Danny threw back in mock seriousness. "Want me to ask Kara and Debbie for some good agents?"

Cameron nodded. "Appreciate it. Don't know any around here." He let out a brief sigh and continued. "I'm gonna have to go through his junk. Anything you want?"

Danny's thought went straight to Carlton's gun collection. 'Better discuss that with Kara first.'

"I'll get back to you on that. Want a hand?" He offered.

Cameron took him up on his offer, spending a few hours bagging up junk, boxing up collectibles and cursing "fucking hoarder" under their breathes.

There was an awkward moment when they both came across the younger Burk's porn collection. Not because of the content, but more having to discuss what to do with it.

They called it for the day when night fell and shared a couple of beers and a ball game before going their separate ways.

By the time Danny got home, Kara and Frankie have already gone to bed.

Their dress blues were hanging neatly on on the wardrobe handle.

He silently got ready for bed and crawled into bed spooning Kara, giving her a kiss on the cheek when she stirred and turned her head.

Tomorrow will be another difficult day.