So glad nobody killed me after that cliffhanger! Here's the next chapter - Jenna will be making a reappearance soon! I figured I should at least try and build in a slight reference to Miami, so...

"Danny? Danny!" Mac called, an edge of desperation in his voice as Danny's eyes closed, erratic breathing slowing down.

The blond's eyelids flickered and he groaned quietly "Fuck, that hurts" He gasped finally. Heedless of the blood, Mac squeezed Danny close to him, feeling the rapid heartbeat and harsh breath. He leant back and pressed his jacket over the bleeding shoulder, watching as blue slivers focused on him.

"Am I in trouble?" He whispered.

"No. You are trouble, Messer" There was no venom in the words, and the wince was not caused by it. Mac heard Stella approach, but the hand that touched his shoulder didn't belong to her. He glanced up to see Speed standing directly behind him. He dropped into a crouch, glanced over at the gathering crowd.

"H and I have gotta talk to Dayson" he gestured over at the hysterical Eric Dayson, who was being restrained while EMTs saw to him "You got him in the side."

Mac reluctantly nodded and stood, pulling Danny upright "And Mac?" he turned, and Tim smiled, whilst Danny offered a quirky grin whilst being pulled upright "Try not to kill him"

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Danny winced as the bandage was wrapped firmly around his shoulder, though it was more from the looks being directed at him then the pain. 'Morphine's a beautiful thing' he thought wryly. He thanked the nurse, and then turned to face his companion as she left. Mac watched him, worry and annoyance in his face.

"Sorry" He said finally, and Mac shifted, though the annoyed look didn't fade.

"You scared me. I thought you had been killed this time"

"This time?"

"When I got a report through my radio saying that CSI Messer had been in a shootout, I thought the worst."

Flack appeared in the doorway, Speed at his shoulder "'Specially since Mac" He nodded towards him "went super-quiet. You know, the quiet which usually ends up with the new techs crying"

"Well, at least now you can work whatever's going on out" When Danny shot him a baffled look, Speed continued "When I got shot, Horatio followed me everywhere. Or he got somebody else to follow me. Eric and Calleigh were practically attached to me."

"And Eric's got a mile-wide stubborn streak, and you don't say 'no' to Calleigh" Danny acknowledged with a chuckle "That must have been fun"

"Get used to it, Danny" Flack said, grinning over at Speed. Danny's eyes flicked between them, frowning.

"What're you plotting?"

"You're fired, Danny" Danny blinked, stared and blinked again.

"What?" His inital jerk upright was stopped by the hand on his good shoulder.

"Well, not fired, technically." Flack broke in.

"You're being let go" Speed nodded towards Mac "He's yours, Taylor"

"Thank you, Tim" Mac smiled in reply. Don detached himself from the door and strolled away, laughing. Speed shot the still-stunned Danny a wicked smile.

"When you've finished with Danny, we'll need you in the interrogation of Eric Dayson, Detective Taylor" The work-face slipped away for another moment "I have to get back and make sure H isn't killing Dayson. Not without me, anyway"

Speed swept out of the room after Flack, and Mac and Danny turned back to each other.

"We need to talk"