Warning - my mood has shifted since I first wrote this story and it colors this chapter. The show itself is going cold for me and fic used to be a panacea because I wanted to hold on... Like I said at the beginning of this - mood has shifted.

Squinting through dry eyes, Danny counted to ten as he fought a flash of panic. He was trapped; felt like he was in a box. He couldn't move. But he was oddly comfortable. Soft. Cradled. Yet still tethered and confined.

Then he remembered. Amanda. The car.

Steve.

Danny watched him for a minute, taking in the scene between long slow blinks as he allowed himself to wake up. Steve was sitting beside the bed, head down. The even, slow rise and fall of his chest told Danny he was asleep. And the worry lines were gone from his face.

He hated to be the cause of Steve's worry. His best friend was here in that uncomfortable chair because of him. This thought made his next breath catch a little and he exhaled loudly to relieve the tightness in his chest.

Steve noticed and opened his eyes with a soft smile. "Hey."

"Hey." Danny returned the grin with a slight wince. His whole face hurt, and he was thirsty. He did not relish taking the first drink.

Steve read his mind. "Need anything?"

"Drink?"

"You can have these first." Steve shook the little cup of ice.

Danny gave him a slight nod and opened his mouth. Steve didn't hesitate. He took the spoon and set a small piece of the ice onto Danny's tongue. "Careful."

"Thank you." Danny mumbled as he moved the ice around his mouth. "So good."

Sitting back in the chair, Steve watched his partner. A bit of the calm returned like he was satisfied for the moment.

"You were here earlier?" Danny rubbed the crust from his eyes.

"Yea, you were out of it."

"Nurse said I moved my leg?"

"You did."

"Huh." Danny surveyed his lower half. "I've got nothing. It's weird."

"Doc says it's the swelling in your back."

Danny didn't look so convinced, so Steve changed the subject.

"Do you remember what happened? HPD wants a statement."

"Is Amanda okay?"

Steve frowned at the mention. "She's fine."

"Man did I send her flying. I was worried I hurt her."

"Only you, buddy." Steve shook his head and huffed. "I mean, only you would worry about everyone but yourself. But yea, she's fine. Maybe a few bruises."

"Hey." Danny grabbed his arm, stretching the IV. "Stop."

"I wasn't with you."

There it was. The inevitable guilt trip. They both did it.

Danny sighed. "Don't start. Not your fault, babe."

"I should have been there." Steve dug in, tensing his jaw for a breath before running his hand through his hair. "I'm your partner."

"Then you'd be in this bed. Because one of us would've jumped in front of that car." Danny closed his eyes, exhausted.

Softening a little, Steve sighed. He didn't want Danny to stress over him, so he changed the subject. "Rest, I'll be here."

Danny didn't argue. He had a question. "Is Rachel here?"

"Yea, she had to make a stop first. Freshen up or something." Steve hoped Danny didn't catch the flinch at the sting of that name.

But then Danny tossed another grenade. "Amanda? She here?"

"Pua took her back to the hotel. I told her she needed HPD protection til we find the driver."

Danny giggled. "Pua? You sure about that?"

Steve shrugged.

"She'll eat him alive."

"He reads her books. I bet he'll drive her crazy."

"Good idea." Danny studied Steve for a few seconds before scanning the room. "So, you're my protection?"

"See, I knew you were an excellent detective."

"Go home. I'm fine."

"Hey, we don't know who did this."

Danny looked away, and neither spoke as that reality sunk in. Blind at the moment, they were vulnerable. Out of control.

And Danny couldn't move his legs.

He turned back to his best friend and reached for him. Steve took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "You alright?"

"No, I'm not fine. That make you feel better if I admit?"

Steve gave him half a smile. "Maybe a little."

"Good because that's all you get."

Nodding, Steve relaxed. "What do you remember?"

"The car headed straight for her. It wasn't random." Danny stretched his arms and rolled his shoulders with a groan. He was having trouble keeping his eyes open.

"Hey, be careful." Steve sprang into mother hen mode. "Should you be doing that?"

Danny chuckled. "That's funny coming from you. Should I be doing that."

Steve glared, so Danny continued.

"I saw Amanda. Looked like she was waiting for a ride. I wondered where you were. Figured you came to your senses and ditched her."

A loud exhale from Steve made Danny poke his leg.

"She told me she stole your phone."

"Sorry about that." Steve rubbed his hand over the spot Danny had touched. "She was a pain in the-."

"Well, now you know, huh? And you're being too kind."

"Sorry I didn't believe you, partner."

Danny grabbed his arm and dug his nails into skin. "Stop apologizing. Now."

"I'll stop apologizing when you relax." Steve's whisper was almost a growl which he followed up with a more gentle plea. Just one word. "Please."

And it worked because whatever energy Danny had evaporated.

Sighing, he smiled. "Sleepy. Can't keep eyes open."

"You rest. I'll be here. Let me get Rachel. She wants to see you."

"Rachel." The name slid out of his mouth slowly as Danny fell asleep again.

Steve stood watching his best friend for a few seconds, biting his lip so he wouldn't frown. Danny was the negative one. Not him. But he couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom where Danny and Rachel were concerned. And it broke his normally compartmentalized heart.

He straightened himself and pushed those feelings aside, going over a list of what he had to do before settling in for the night. He needed to call Lou and the team for situation reports. His phone had been quiet. He knew Tani and Junior would update Lou, trying to give Steve time with Danny. This thought pissed him off - and it felt strange.

Danny needed someone else. Not him. More and more lately, he'd dodged phone calls and he hadn't been over to watch a game in almost a month. Steve recognized what was happening. He'd done the same thing to Danny when things had flared with Catherine and then Lynne. He knew the signs.

With a sigh, he left the room in search of Rachel. Steve would always take care of his partner, and if he wanted his ex, Steve would make sure she was there when Danny woke up. He understood the need for nostalgia and comfort in times like this. He wished he could be that for Danny.