As always a huge thanks to anmdo for betaing this chapter and thanks to everyone that has reviewed.
Chapter 9
Leaning back on the couch, Danny closed his eyes. The 48 hours that he had be forced to stay in the hospital had been hell. He had felt like a caged animal and probably had acted like one as well. But now, he had been home for a week and he was bored. Hopelessly bored. Being such an energetic, active person sitting around doing nothing was slowly driving him insane. Sighing loudly and dramatically, he caused the other person in his apartment to look up from her computer.
"Bored?" Megan said, smiling at Danny
"Yes!" Danny sighed. "I've been sitting here--doing absolutely nothing--for a week."
"See that's the thing about taking it easy, you're not supposed to do anything," Megan said as she ran her thumb down his cheek. "Didn't you listen to anything the doctors said about complications?"
"Yes," Danny whined. " But I'm fine, I feel fine. I don't need another week off; the doctors are just playing it safe."
Megan rolled her eyes; this was about the tenth time Danny had brought this up today. Since his father had re-entered his life and beaten the crap out of him, Danny had become quiet and withdrawn. Lately though, he at least appeared to returning to his normal happy, impatient self. But appearances could be deceiving – she would be watching him like a hawk for a while. Looking at Danny closely, she understood why he felt that he needed to work. Megan shut down her laptop and rubbed her face. She couldn't see any harm in him working; it was not as if Jack and the team wouldn't also being watching like hawks.
"I have an idea, I will challenge you to a race," Megan said as she handed Danny one of the x-box controls. "Now if I win, you will completely follow the doctor's advice and not complain. But if you win, you will still follow the doctor's advice but I will try and persuade Jack to let you work."
"You would?" Danny said with a huge grin. "Well baby, you might as well phone Jack now 'cos I am going to kick your sexy ass."
Megan found herself grinning as she was rewarded with a genuine 'Danny Taylor' smile, the kind that made his eyes twinkle. "You think? I have two words for you – record times?" Megan chuckled.
"X-box," Danny said pointing at the black box in front of them. "Real world," he finished as he pointed out the window.
"Ah so you, Special Agent Danny Taylor of the FBI, state that you can't drive in the real world apart from in the form of a little black box," Megan joked, whispering seductively into his ear and winked in an effort to distract him.
Forcing himself to concentrate on his car selection, he found it very difficult as he felt her breath against his neck. "You think you can distract me, but I'm a race car driver. I can concentrate on the race first and then my woman later," Danny joked.
Megan playfully punched him. "I don't mind being your woman, as you are my sexy FBI man. But concentrate on me second? Well now I am offended," Megan toyed. "But baby--three words."
"Increasing your number of words per sentence, are we?" Danny smirked as he selected the Mustang GT500.
"Funny Taylor. Real funny," Megan said as she scrolled through the car selection. She pecked his cheek before she selected a Subaru Impreza WTX STI. "Eat my dust."
"Eat your dust?" Danny said rising an eyebrow. "Babe, my car has 100 bhp on yours, take a long look at the front of my car 'cos that's the last time you are going to see it."
"Fighting talk! Your car is like a ton heavier and handles like piss," Megan replied. She couldn't help but smile as the old Danny started to reappear.
Five minutes later, Megan raised her hands in victory. And then very quickly, she felt a hand grab her arm and pull her back down on to the couch. Carefully resting her head on Danny's chest, she avoided his still-healing stab wound. "How are you really feeling?"
"I'm fine," Danny started. He looked into her eyes and knew that he couldn't lie to her. "Okay, my wrist aches sometimes and the stab wound twinges a bit; the headaches have pretty much gone but a part from that, I'm fine. I just need to work."
"I know baby, I know," Megan said as she gently stroked his hair. "Tell you what, I will try and persuade Jack and the doctors to let you work. But whatever happens, you are going to listen and follow their advice."
Leaning back on the couch, Danny nodded. He watched as Megan made the phone call to Jack, and like most days, he wondered why a girl like Megan wanted to date a guy like him. He closed his eyes briefly as he thought of the thing that had dominated his thoughts since it had happened – what was he going to do about his father?
Megan put down the phone and smiled slightly, Jack had agreed to let Danny back to work if the doctors cleared him. She turned and frowned when she saw Danny lost in thought again. "You all right?"
"Yeah," Danny said sounding distracted. "What did Jack say?"
Megan frowned again, she knew what he was thinking about, and she knew that he was still blaming himself for what happened. She ran a thumb across his cheek. "Well he said that he was fine with you riding a desk as long as the docs cleared you."
"Great," Danny replied, forcing a smile as he tried to pull himself out of his deepest, darkest memories of his childhood.
"What's up Danny?" Megan asked gently.
"Just thinking," Danny said still sounding distracted.
"About what?"
"Part of me wants to beat the crap out of him for what he did to Rafi, my mom, Sam, Jack," Danny said as he raked his hands through his hair. "But-"
"But he's your father," Megan stated, taking one of his hands in hers.
"I know I still want to beat the shit out of him, but, yeah, that bastard is my father. I want to take revenge for Rafi's and my mom's deaths, I want to take revenge for what he did to Sam, Jack and… and you," Danny said with more confidence as he looked Megan in the eyes. "Why should the small fact that he is my father stop me? He hasn't really been my father for years, and truly, he never really was."
"Blood is thicker that water," Megan suggested.
"Yeah but he was a bastard. I don't think he ever had a good word for me. He regularly beat the crap out of Rafi and my mom," Danny said sadly.
"And you," Megan finished. She watched as Danny slowly nodded. "Danny it's been less than a week, you will find a way – I know you will," she reassured.
"Thanks," Danny replied, finding a small smile returning to his face again. Wrapping his arms around her slender body, he pulled her close. "How did I get so lucky to find you?"
Megan shifted slightly so she was facing him. "Well that's a story about a hot sweaty day, a missing person and a beach." She grinned as watched Danny's smile begin to grow. "Two FBI agents, one of whom had a seriously sexy smile with glorious blue eyes," she joked.
Danny screwed up his face in mock disgust. "Martin?" he said sticking his tongue out.
"Nah he's to clean cut, I like a bit of a bad boy look," Megan said with a broad smile.
"Really?" Danny exclaimed as he gave her a broad grin. "You really like the bad boy look?" he toyed. Leaning forward, he planted a kiss on her lips. However bad his day had been, Megan always found away to put a smile on his face – he hoped he did the same for her.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Megan watched with slight amusement as Danny paced the length of the room. He had been like that since the doctor had left them. The check up had been scheduled since he had left the hospital a week ago but now this check up had a whole new meaning. She knew how much Danny needed to work and she knew how restless he would be if the docs didn't give him the all clear.
"Relax. I am sure it will be fine and if it's not, it's only another week," Megan started.
"Babe, I have already have had two weeks off this month," Danny exclaimed as collapsed on a chair next to Megan. He dug his fingers into his scalp. "I really need to work, baby. I need to think of something other than what I should do with my father."
Megan put a comforting arm around his shoulders. "I know, and I know that you will work out what you are going to do with your father. Just give it a little more time," Megan suggested.
"Thanks," Danny replied as he sat up and found a smile for her. "Damn-it," he suddenly yelled as if just remembering something very important..
"Danny?" Megan asked suddenly becoming very concerned.
"Rafi… Rafi asked me to look after Sylvia and the kids if anything happened to him and I haven't see them in ages, nor have I done anything for them," Danny exclaimed. "I promised Rafi – it was one of the last things Rafi ever said to me. God, Megs, they still live in a crappy area, I've got to find place in a good area for them."
"What do you want me to do?" Megan asked gently.
"U-mm well," Danny started. "If you have time, maybe, you help me look for another place for them – only if you have time."
"No problem," Megan said with a slightly smile. "But you want to see Sylvia and the kids alone, right?"
"Yeah, just this once, I've got to sort some stuff out with them," Danny finished with a smile. But he soon found his heart rate increasing when he saw the doctor re-enter the room. He vaguely heard the doctor start talking about complications.
"But he will be ok to do desk duty – right?" Megan started. "I mean there is no way in hell that either myself or his boss will let Danny push himself."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Danny ran his hands through his hair and took a couple of deep calming breaths as stood outside Sylvia's apartment. He raised a hesitant hand to the door – not knowing how to talk to Sylvia, but knowing he had to. With a trembling hand he knocked on the door and waited for a reply. He forced a smile when Sylvia opened the door.
"Hey," Danny started.
"Danny," Sylvia said sounding slightly surprised. She looked him up and down frowning in concern as she took note of his battered appearance. "What the hell happened to you? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, just a little problem with arresting a suspect," Danny replied with a small smile as he stepped into the small apartment. He looked around and bit back the tears that threatened to fall. The place still felt as though Rafi was still alive. "Sylvia?" he asked as he gently put his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes.
"I'm coping," Sylvia said, quickly looking away. "Do you want coffee?"
"That would be great," Danny said as collapsed on the couch. "How's Nicky holding up?"
Feeling tears sting her eyes, she quickly put the coffee down in front of Danny. This was Danny – Danny wouldn't judge her. Danny was FBI; Danny could help her – like he helped Rafi. "Not good Danny, he's getting into fights," Sylvia quivered. "What am I going to do Danny?"
Danny gently wrapped his arms around Sylvia's shaking body and held as sobs racked her body. "We'll fix it, I promise you," Danny reassured. "I'll talk to him. I'm so sorry Sylvia, I'm so sorry."
Sylvia buried her head into Danny's shoulder. "Any news on Rafi's killer?" Sylvia asked quietly.
"Yes we have leads, it's only a matter of time before we catch him," Danny reassured. "I promise you Sylvia I will not rest until Rafi's killer is found and punished."
"I know Danny," Sylvia replied as she looked Danny in the eyes. She saw the fire of determination in Danny's eyes she knew what he said was true.
"What do you think about this area?" Danny asked gently, avoiding asking the question directly.
"It's ok. It doesn't have the best schools and I felt safer when Rafi was around, but it could be worse – right?" Sylvia replied not caring to think of the meaning of the question.
Danny clenched his jaw, he felt terrible that Sylvia felt afraid in her own apartment. It was Rafi's 'dying wish' for him to look after his family – and that's what he was going to do. He would find some where in a good neighbourhood, with good schools but not too far from her friends – he owed it to Rafi. "I can help you."
"What?" Sylvia said as she sat up and stared at Danny, not understanding what he meant.
"I can help you find a place in a better area with good schools," Danny started.
"Thanks Danny, that's really sweet but I can barely afford this place," Sylvia replied, still frowning.
"I can help you. We are family and Rafi-" Danny stopped not wanting Sylvia to know the terrible details. "Look you are family and I know that Rafi would want his family safe and happy."
"Danny!" Sylvia exclaimed. "You don't have to, we will survive."
"Yes I have to. You are family I promised Rafi I would," Danny said sadly looking down at his feet as felt tears stinging his eyes. "We both promised each other that if anything happened to one of us the other would look after his family."
"Thank you," Sylvia said not knowing what else to say.
"And if you want to go out or have some time away from the kids, I'm only a phone call away. If you want to talk just phone me," Danny said. "If you need anything just, well I am here for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
"Thanks Danny," Sylvia said as she found a small smile. "You know I was wrong about you – you are great person."
Danny put a comforting arm around Sylvia's shoulders. He hadn't been there for Rafi, but he was going to be there for his family. He closed his eyes for a brief moment; he was beginning to realize what he had to do in regard to his father.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Leaning back against the cool wall, Danny watched as the numbers illuminated one by one as the elevator made its way slowly to his floor. Rubbing a hand over his face, he hoped that he would survive the day. The doctor had reluctantly agreed to let him work and he knew that Jack would be watching him like a hawk. If he so much as even closed his eyes or rubbed his side, he knew that Jack would be sending him straight home. He closed his eyes and took a breath as his floor number lit up. Forcing a fake, confident smile, he stepped out of the elevator and walked towards the team's desks.
"Danny!"
He heard a voice and spun around to be met by Sam who threw herself at him. He winced painfully as he felt his ribs and stab wound protest. "Hey Sam," Danny said just managing to hide the pain from his voice.
"Oh Danny," Sam repeated hugging him tightly. "I thought you had another week off."
"I did, but the docs changed their minds, so here I am," Danny replied with a slight smile.
"So are you sure you're okay?" Sam asked concern laced into the tone of her voice.
"I'm fine Sam I promise," Danny replied as he gently hugged her. "Look, I'm-I'm really sorry about what happened in that warehouse. If I only got my act together you would've never got hurt. Are you sure you're all right?"
Sam bit her lip. She wasn't fine but she couldn't tell Danny that. She couldn't believe, she shook her head, this was Danny. Whatever happened, she should have known that he would've found a way to blame himself. It wasn't his fault, the only reason she was alive was because of him – what was about the men in the team trading their lives for someone else's.
"I'm fine Danny. I am alive because of you – my knight in shining armour. You always have my back," Sam said as she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. Gently taking his hand, she led him towards the bullpen.
"Any new cases?" Danny asked.
"No. We are halfway through one," Sam replied. "David Johnson, 22 year old grad student at NYU - last seen by his housemates two days ago."
"Any leads?" Danny asked as felt himself mentally getting back in work.
"Not many, we figure that he's taken off with a girlfriend."
"Right," Danny said as made his way to his desk. On instinct he started to go through David Johnson's bank records. He sighed, as he thought of Sam. She was lying; he had known her long enough to tell when she was lying. The event at the warehouse had affected her. His bastard father had left his marks on her. He had winced when he had seen faint red marks on her neck, he had felt his blood boil with anger – this was his father's doing.
A few hours later Danny ran his fingers through his hair. In those few hours, he felt as though that everyone was watching his every move. Jack had stood over him on countless occasions constantly asking him how he was.
"Hey man, we found David Johnson," Martin said as he walked over to Danny.
"Great," Danny said reading Martin's expression. He could tell that they had found the kid alive. "So did he run off with his girlfriend?"
"Not his girlfriend anymore," Martin replied with a smile as he pulled his chair up to Danny's desk. "Mr Johnson and Miss. May ran off to Vegas and returned to JFK as Mr. and Mrs. Johnson."
Danny chuckled, as he got up to leave. "Hey Martin I never thanked you for saving my life."
"No worries man, you would've done the same," Martin replied, forcing a smile. It wasn't because he didn't think that Danny wouldn't have saved his life – he knew Danny would. He just couldn't get the image of Danny's bloodied, battered body out of his head. He still had nightmares about the shooting, but instead of him getting shot, he saw Danny dying over and over again.
"Save your skinny ass?" Danny joked. But he forced himself to keep a neutral expression. Everywhere he looked he saw the marks that his father had left behind. Whether they were in his nightmares or his reality – his father had marked them. He knew what he had do. Bidding goodnight to Martin, he walked over to Jack's office prepared to tell Jack his decision on what he was going to do about his father.
