Chapter 7

Danny recovered quickly although he found the headaches quite debilitating. By Thursday he was desperate to escape from the hospital, but he wasn't discharged until Friday afternoon when Sam picked him after work, Danny didn't realise immediately that they were heading for Martin's apartment, when he did he voiced his disapproval, but Sam was in no mood for an argument.

"Martin has two bedrooms you have one, the hospital said you can't stay on your own. You want me to take you back?"

Danny shook his head.

"I just wanted to go home." He said, knowing he sounded childish.

Sam understood how he felt, but she also knew he was still suffering, relying on pain medication for the severe headaches that still brought tears to his eyes.

"I know you did, but surely this is better than hospital?"

"I'm sorry. I just don't want to screw up your weekend and I think Martin could do with a break." Danny was very worried about Martin, he had seemed very distant with him the last few days.

Sam had to admit Martin had seemed distracted, but she put it down to the stress of the past week.

"He's just tired." said Sam.

"Then he could do without me imposing on him for the weekend." argued Danny.

"He'd only be over at your place making sure you were ok and sleeping on your couch, this way you can look out for each other." Sam paused and suddenly turned serious. "Martin felt terrible that he wasn't there for you last Friday, maybe that's why he's not good at the moment."

"He has no reason to feel guilty, Martin's the most reliable person I know." said Danny." I'll talk to him, try to put things right." Danny smiled at Sam, knowing how lucky he was to have friends like this.

They sent out for food, nobody really being in the mood for cooking. Danny had picked a little at his food, his appetite having not fully returned, but he'd enjoyed the takeaway after four days of hospital food. Martin cleared the dishes and returned from the kitchen with Danny's medication and a glass of water. Danny smirked at his friend, who seemed much more relaxed than the last few days. Sam produced two small packages and placed them on the coffee table in front of Danny.

"What's this?" He asked, throwing her a quizzical look.

"Well open them and find out." said Martin smiling.

Danny ripped open the larger of the two packages and opened up the box to reveal it contents, a silver banded wrist watch with a blue face. He smiled and then opened the second present, inside was a thin gold wrist band. Danny has been upset when he had related how his watch and band had been wrenched from his wrists after the assault, Sam and Martin had decided to replace them as soon as they could. Danny stared at his gifts, his expression unreadable.

"Thank you." said Danny quietly. "Thank you."

Sam reached out for Danny's hand.

"You're welcome." She paused. "You like them?"

Danny nodded, and then suddenly feeling uncomfortable Danny got to his feet.

"Think I need some more water with these tablets."

He put the glass down on the kitchen unit and lowered his head. He rubbed his hand quickly over his eyes, clearing away the moisture. He knew he couldn't find the words to express how grateful he was to Sam and Martin, but that it didn't matter they didn't need to be told how he felt, they already knew. He returned to the living room, removed the watch and band from the boxes and put them on.

"Sam chose the watch." piped up Martin. "I wanted to buy something that expressed your personality, but she wouldn't buy anything with a cartoon character on it."

Danny chuckled and screwed up some of the wrapping paper and threw it at Martin.

"I think I'll turn in, if you two don't mind." he said. He was totally exhausted.

"See you in the morning." Shouted Martin, who felt very tired himself.

Danny lay awake for a long time, appreciating the comfortable bed and the warm covers.. He was still wearing the watch and gold band, Danny didn't possess anything of sentimental value, no mementos from his parents or presents that had been given to him to mark special occasions in his life. He fingered the watch and the band and he knew he would treasure them forever.

The following morning he woke up with a pounding headache. He made his way to the kitchen to get some food before his took his medication, Martin was already up making coffee. He didn't need to be told that Danny was in pain, and told him to sit down before he fell down, he scrambled some eggs to go with the coffee, handing Danny the food and drink with two tablets. Danny picked at the eggs, took the tablets and finished his coffee. Then he took himself back to bed and slept for the next four hours.

He had been awake for a couple of minutes when the doorbell rang and Martin poked his head around the door to tell him Jack was there. His headache was much better, he dressed in some loose sweats and went out to see Jack.

Martin pulled on his coat and said he was popping out for a while.

"See you later." Said Danny taking a seat opposite Jack.

"How you doing." Asked Jack taking a sip of his coffee. "You still look tired."

"I'm ok," Danny paused. "Martin's worrying me a bit."

Danny noticed Jack didn't rush to reassure him about Martin.

"How so?" he asked.

Danny shrugged his shoulders.

"He just doesn't seem himself, he's quiet even for Martin. At the hospital we didn't talk much and he just seems so distant. I can't explain, sometimes it's like we've just met, Sam says he's feeling guilty."

"Something's bugging him. When the paramedics arrived at the scene, he was reluctant to hand you over, he stayed with you the first night in hospital." Jack paused. "And now when he's got the chance to talk, he won't."

."Well, whatever it is I intend to find out tonight. I'll force it out of him if I have to."

Jack smiled.

"Go easy on him. He's had a rough few days."

Jack stayed until Martin returned with a collection of purchases. Danny took himself off for a shower and when he returned to the living room, Martin was in his own room. Danny turned on the tv and settled down to watch an old black and white movie, but his thoughts were on how to sort things out with Martin.