As always a huge, huge thanks to anmodo, without her this fic, well all of my fics would not be possible.
Apologises for the delay in posting this part, I can't believe its been two months since I posted.
Part 3
Taking a deep breath, Viv closed her eyes as she slowly digested the news. She knew they would have to continue to work the case, but she had no idea how she could. Being in the limbo like this—where she had no idea if Danny would live or die. She watched Martin close his eyes and lean against the wall.
"Jack," she said as she watched her boss and friend pace around his office. She knew what he wanted to do. She knew he wanted to hunt down and hurt or kill anyone that was associated with the shooter or the shooter himself.
"Yes!" Jack replied sharply as he looked up. He bit his lip as he thought of Danny lying in a pool of his own blood. Someone would pay for this. No one hurt his agents and got away with it. The shooter was dead, but he was sure that he wasn't working alone. Whoever was associated with the shooter would pay for their association.
"Jack!" Viv called out again, as she watched him glare, mutter something to himself and storm towards the office door. She stood in front of the door, blocking his way.
Jack looked up, when he found someone blocking his path. "Viv, I need to make someone pay for what they did to Danny – don't you understand?" he exclaimed. "I care about Danny!"
Viv drew herself up; she wanted to slap him for what he had just said. "I care about Danny, too, and I want whoever who did this to Danny to pay, but this has to be done by the book. I don't want this scumbag to be let off on a technicality," she explained.
Walking back to his desk, Jack collapsed into his chair. He held his head in his hands – he knew Viv was right. He was glad that she was there; she was always the calming influence. "Sorry Viv," he sighed. "So what should we do?"
"I think Sam should stay at the hospital. That way, she can update us on Danny and they can keep an eye on her," Viv started. She watched the men nod in agreement, before she continued. "Does Danny have any family?"
"Not really. He does have a brother but I don't know what Danny's relationship with him is like," Jack replied tiredly.
"I think you should tell his brother, but make sure Danny wants to see him before he visits," Martin said speaking up for the first time. "Where does his brother live?"
"Rikers Island," Jack replied. "He's doing time for armed robbery," he added when he observed Martin's confused expression.
"We will continue to work the case and you tell Danny's brother what's happened," Viv said as she continued to make suggestions. She smiled at Jack's fearful expression and added. "Jack, we will be fine. We will be very careful."
Slowly nodding, Jack added, "If you get the slightest bad feeling get the hell out of there and call for back up. I also want you to call and update me every fifteen minutes."
"Jack!" Viv exclaimed. "What are we going to get done if we have to phone you every fifteen minutes."
"Fine! Every thirty minutes," Jack retorted.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sam drew her knees up to her chest. She glanced up at the clock before she rested her head on her knees. Why was it taking so long? Danny couldn't leave her – especially now. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. She felt a couple of tears roll down her face but didn't bother to wipe them away. Danny had always been there for her. Always smiling and joking, always knowing when to say the right words. She missed the nights they used to spend together watching videos and stuffing their faces. She quickly shook her head, Danny wasn't dead yet. And instead of Danny always being there for her, she was going to be there for him – through every step of his recovery and beyond.
"Excuse me. Are you here for Agent Taylor?"
Sam sat up quickly – startled by the voice. She stared at the tall doctor in his early forties. She tried to read his facial expression but to no avail. She took a deep breath as she tried to prepare herself for whatever news he was about to give her. "Y-Yes," she stammered nervously.
"We managed to stop the bleeding and repair the damaged lung. But with amount of blood he lost, the damage the bullet did and with his history of complications to anaesthetic, it's going to be touch and go," the doctor explained gravely.
Sam let head fall into her hands. "S-So what are his chances?" she managed to blurted out.
"Well, he's a fighter and he is already breathing on his own – so that's a very promising sign," the doctor said with a small smile.
"C-Can I see him?" Sam stammered as she stood up. She had to see Danny; she had to tell him how much she loved him.
The doctor looked at Sam, before producing a small smile. "Of course. Do you want to phone your boss or shall I?"
"U-mm," Sam stammered. She knew she should personally tell Jack, but Danny needed her. She sighed; she guessed the phone call would only take a few moments. Then she was going to see Danny and she wasn't going to leave until she knew he was going to be alright. "I-I better phone him quickly."
A few minutes later after a fairly tense phone call, Sam stood and found the doctor. "Can I see him now?" she asked.
"Of course," the doctor said as he started to walk towards the ICU. "If you would just follow me."
Nervously, Sam followed Danny's doctor through the maze of corridors. She briefly closed her eyes as she was led into Danny's room. She gasped; he looked so pale and fragile with all of the tubes and wires attached to him. This wasn't Danny; he wasn't supposed to be the fragile one. She walked up to him and hesitantly took his hand. It felt so cold and so un-Danny like that she nearly dropped it again. But she forced herself to sit down beside him. She squeezed his hand and gently kissed his cheek. She felt a couple of tears fall as she looked at his pale face. "Danny," she whispered as she ran a hand through his hair. "I love you Danny Taylor – don't you go leaving me."
She squeezed his hand again and rested her head in the crook of his neck. She felt more tears fall as she thought of how fragile Danny looked. She was almost afraid of touching him – it was as though he would break if she did. More tears fell as she thought of the time she shared her darkest secret with him.
Flashback
She pulled her coat closer to her body as the icy wind whipped around her and closed her eyes. She felt the tension in her back and her shoulders. It wasn't as though she couldn't take care of herself, it was just after Michael.
"You fleed from me, my precious," a sickening voice slurred.
Sam tensed up and closed her eyes as she felt the hot sickening breath down her back. She knew she could defend herself but at the same time she felt the same paralysing fear she had when she was with Michael. She took a breath as she tried to pull herself together.
"Oh precious one," the voice called out again. He placed his hot, sweaty hands on her shoulders. "Oh precious one, why do you flee from me?"
"Please leave me alone," Sam said as tensely as she clenched her fists.
"Are playing hard to get? I like that in a woman, but that's so unlike you, Sam," the voice slurred as he put a hand on her back.
"Leave my woman alone!"
Spinning around, she closed her eyes briefly as she heard the second voice. She really didn't want to deal with this right now. But she found a small smile on her lips as when she recognized the owner of the voice.
"Your woman?"
"Yes my woman," Danny replied as he strode up, using every inch of his height and muscle he had – intimidating the other man. He glared at the man as he positioned himself between him and Sam.
"Okay, okay man," the man said as he held his hands up in surrender. He looked Sam up and down again, before adding. "Do you want to share her?"
"NO," Danny growled, as he stepped forward – forcing the other man to back off. He grinned as he watched the man recoil away. He turned to face Sam and produced a gentle small smile. "Hey. Are you okay?"
"I-I, I-I'm fine. Thanks," Sam said as she found her voice. She produced a shy smile as she watched Danny return to his usual, sweet, gentle self apposed to the hard gang-ish member he had been a few moments ago.
"Hey, look, I am really sorry about calling you 'my woman' earlier. It was a neanderthalish thing to see, and I know you're not...'my woman' that is. It's just, it's just, well that's the only language that bastard would understand," Danny stammered nervously.
"Its okay," Sam said with a smile, thinking Danny looked so adorable when he was nervous.
"And I-I know you can look after yourself, it's just, I-I was saving you paperwork," Danny stammered nervously.
"Paperwork!" Sam exclaimed with a smile.
"Well there would be tons of paperwork to fill out after you beat the crap out of him," Danny joked lightly. "So are you going home now?"
"Yeah"
"Do you want me to walk you home?" Danny asked
"But I live downtown and you live in the Bronx," Sam exclaimed.
"I know, I would never let a beautiful lady such as yourself walk home by herself – even one that could kick my ass," Danny said with a huge grin.
"Well how can I refuse," Sam said as she stuck out her hand. To be honest, she was glad Danny had offered as she was beginning to not felt so great. Since the moment she had met Danny, she had a feeling that she could show her vulnerability around him. That he was the kind of guy that would respect her no matter what. She took his arm and fell in step with him. She tightened her grip as she felt her knees weaken. A wave of nausea hit her and she dived into the nearest alleyway. After emptying the contents of her stomach onto the floor, she leaned against the wall and slid down – feeling shaky and utterly drained.
Danny bent down next to Sam, his concern rising by the second. He ran a gentle hand across her clammy face – pushing a wayward strand of hair off her face. "Sam," he said gently as he took off his jacket and gently draped it over her shoulders.
Sam looked up to see a set of concerned soft brown eyes staring at her. "Danny?" she tried in a small shaky voice.
"That's right," Danny said concern evident in his voice. He squeezed her shoulder and gave her a small smile. "You all right?"
"U-mm, I-I don't know," Sam said in the same small voice, as she bit back tears that threatened.
"Its okay Sam its okay," Danny reassured as he put a gentle arm around her shoulders. "How about we get a cab and take you home?"
Sam leant against Danny's chest and nodded slowly. She hadn't felt this vulnerable in years, not since she had been married to Michael. She guessed that the man had brought back memories of her abusive marriage. She leaned against Danny as he gently pulled her to her feet.
Danny wrapped an arm around Sam's waist as he led her back out into the street. He managed to hail a cab straight away. He found himself giving Sam's address while part of him questioned that decision. Sam was definitely showing signs of shock, so maybe he should be taking her to the hospital. He wrapped an arm around her, letting her rest her head on his shoulder. "Its okay Sam, everything is going to be all right," he reassured as he planted a gentle kiss on the top of her head.
It wasn't long before they arrived outside Sam's apartment. Danny quickly paid the cab driver before helping Sam. She was still so pale; maybe he should take her the hospital, just to be on the safe side. But something told him that she would be fine, that she just needed to feel safe in a familiar environment. "Sam we're here, I need your keys," he asked gently.
Sam blinked a couple of times, in attempt to clear her vision. She frowned in confusion at her apartment door and at Danny's question. "U-mm," she stammered as she found herself handing her keys to Danny. She found herself being guided to the couch and a glass of water being pushed into her hand, before a blanket was draped over shoulders.
"How're you feeling?" Danny asked gently as he knelt down in front of her.
"I'm fine. It's nothing," Sam stammered.
Danny closed his eyes briefly, before replying. There was obviously something wrong. "Sam its obviously not nothing, you can tell me – you can tell me anything."
"It's nothing Danny. I'm sorry to have troubled you," Sam said as she quickly stood up and turned away. She felt herself stumble and reached out to prevent her rapid descent to the floor.
"Sam!" Danny exclaimed as he quickly caught her before she made a head long dive to the floor. He guided her to the couch again and squeezed her hand. "Look, just tell me. Tell me what's wrong. You know you can talk to me and it will never go farther than this room."
"U-mm," Sam stammered. She knew she could trust Danny. She knew he probably wouldn't judge her; she was just not sure if she was ready to tell anyone yet. She looked at Danny's soft brown trusting eyes. Telling Danny had to be better than telling some stranger. "U-mm well I was, u-mm I-I." She stopped and held her head in her hands – not knowing how to continue.
"Take you time," Danny said gently as he sat down next to her and put a supportive arm around her shoulders.
Sam rested her head on Danny's shoulder before taking a deep breath. "U-mm well, when I was eighteen, I was young and stupid and got married. It was fine to begin with, but then he lost his job. After that, it seemed like all I did was piss him off," Sam said as she trailed off.
"Oh Sam!" Danny exclaimed as he pulled her into a safe embrace. He closed his eyes briefly as he thought of his parents. "You didn't do anything to piss him off; it was never your fault."
Sam closed her eyes and leaned into Danny's embrace. She always felt safe when she was with him. "I know, well I think I know. I-I don't know," Sam stammered. "With the job, we see abused wives all the time and you are thinking to yourself 'why the hell don't you leave – he's going to kill you.' But when it's you in that relationship – it's different."
"When you're an outsider you see the abuse but as an insider you don't see it," Danny suggested. "What happened?"
"I had to work a double shift so I didn't get back in time to make his dinner. Anyway he had been drinking…" Sam trailed off.
Danny closed his eyes and pulled Sam closer. He knew what had happened next, he had seen so many times. It was just a question of who was unlikely enough to be there when his father came back from the bar.
"I-I well I-I," Sam stammered, tears rolling down her face. She took a calming breath as she tried to continue. "I-I, u-mm well the next thing I remember, it was two hours later and I had a slash wound on my arm. That was my wake up call; I knew if I stayed, I would end up dead. So that night, I left, got myself together and applied to college. I-I guess your opinion of me had changed now! I guess you think I'm so weak."
Danny gently kissed the top of Sam's head and rubbed her back. "Yes my opinion of you has changed – I didn't think it was possible but I think you are stronger. Sam you are the bravest, strongest, most intelligent woman I have ever meet. You are amazing Sam," Danny said gently
Sam blinked several times in disbelief. She couldn't believe what Danny had just said. "W-Why?" she managed to blurted out.
"Why? Because you had the guts to leave. Not only did you leave, you turned your life around. You are amazing FBI agent. Twenty-six years old and a member of a hand picked team," Danny said. He looked Sam in the eyes. "You are amazing Sam and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If they do, they are complete idiots, so don't listen to them."
"Thanks Danny," Sam mumbled as she buried her head into his chest – trying to hide the tears that where streaming down her face. She didn't think anyone had ever said something like that to her.
"And Sam, if this Michael shows up again, you tell me. Okay? I will deal with him," Danny said and with a slight smile he added. "So will Jack, Phil, Viv – oh probably the whole of the New York FBI office.
Sam found herself smiling, she felt safe – especially when Danny was with her. "I'm sorry about before Danny, I-I just. Well that creep brought back memories."
"Don't worry about it Sam, it's perfectly understandable. I'm just happy that you're okay now," Danny said with a gentle smile as watched Sam's eyes begin to close. "Get some sleep Sam; I'll stay here if you want me to."
Sam looked up at Danny's soft brown eyes and felt herself melt into them. She was too tired to argue and to be honest she really welcomed Danny's presence. She took one final look at Danny's soft eyes and closed her own. "Thanks," she muttered as she gave in to sleep.
End of flashback
Sam slowly opened her eyes and blinked a couple of times. As the smells and sounds invaded her senses, she remembered. She wasn't going to wake up in Danny's arms. She didn't even know if Danny was going to wake up. She looked at his still, pale form and felt a tears rolling down her face. What she would do to see those soft brown eyes again. What she would do to hear his laugh again. What she would do to feel… she stopped she could of sworn, she felt Danny squeezing her hand. But that was just wishful thinking; they didn't even think Danny would survive.
He walked through a thick swirling mist. He stumbled through it not knowing where to go, the mist was too thick. He felt pain slam into his chest – what was happening. He continued to stumble around, trying to find something or someone to guide him. He felt something warm and soft and squeezed it – maybe it could guide him to safety. Maybe it could lead him away from this terrifying environment.
"Danny!" Sam said, concern and excitement laced into her voice. "Please Danny, open your eyes for me."
He blinked – somewhere in the inky mist he could hear a voice. He listened again he was sure the voice was calling hi name. He started to walk towards it – trying to make sense of the mist around him. But it was so confusing. He could see a light and hear more sounds. He forced his eyes to open a crack – maybe then he could make sense of his surroundings.
"Danny, that's it," Sam encouraged, smiling as she watched Danny's eyes slowly flutter open. She rubbed his arm and gently kissed his cheek. "Its going to be alright, everything is going to be alright."
"Sam?" Danny tried in a tired weak voice.
"That's right," Sam said as she ran a hand through Danny's hair.
"My angel," Danny said as he looked around. Hospital, he thought as he saw the bank of machines and the stark whiteness. He closed his eyes as he tried to think of why. Why was he in hospital? It came to him in a set of vivid flashbacks – the case, the boxer, Catskills, the shooter… and confessing his undying love to Sam. "S-Sam about before, I-I t-think we n-need t-to t-talk."
Sam leaned over and gently kissed him on the lips – silencing him. "Just rest; we have the rest of our lives to talk."
Danny nodded; he could already feel his eyes beginning to close. He was so tired. "I love you my angel," he muttered, without thinking, as he started to fall asleep again.
"I love you Danny," Sam said as she gently kissed his closed eyelids. "I love you, and I will always be there for you – like you have been for me."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jack raked his hands through his dishevelled hair. He closed his eyes and leaned back on the chair. The cold grey walls felt like they were closing in on him, as he waited for Danny's estranged older brother. He had found himself talking it through to himself what he was going to tell Danny's brother. He didn't know much about Rafael Alvarez other than he had been responsible for Danny after their parents' deaths, he had been convicted on several felonies and he had abandoned Danny. But still he was Danny's only remaining family member but if he even thought about hurting a hair on Danny's head then Mr. Alvarez would be begging for Rikers before he had finished with him.
"So why does the FBI have a sudden interest in me?"
Jack spun around on hearing the voice to see a man in this late thirties with thinning hair. He was about Danny's height. "Uncuff him," Jack instructed the guard.
Raffi frowned as he watched the tired, dishevelled FBI agent sitting before him. Why the hell was the FBI interested in a low level dealer, who used his own stuff and had robbed a couple of places in order to feed his habit. "So why is the FBI interested in me?" he asked again.
"We- I'm not interested in you really, it's about your brother – Danny," Jack said tiredly as he stared at his hands.
"Danny?" Raffi exclaimed, he hadn't heard that name in years. The last time he had seen or heard about Danny was when Danny was fourteen years old, but it didn't change the fact that Danny was his baby brother. "What do you want with my brother? He's not in trouble with the law, is he?"
"What?" Jack exclaimed as he tried to make sense of Raffi's outburst. "D-Dan, your brother has done nothing wrong."
"Then what do you want to know about my brother," Rafii said defensively.
Jack closed his eyes and let his head fall into his hands – he really didn't need this right now. "When was the last time you spoke to your brother?" Jack sighed.
"I have no idea why you need to know this but it was when Danny was fourteen. Look Mr. FBI, my little brother had a bitch of a childhood, and I hope that he's gotten past everything. So why don't you leave him the hell alone."
"Because-Because," Jack started. He took a breath and looked around – how the hell was he going to tell Raffi. "Because Danny is a FBI agent on my team."
"What!" Raffi exclaimed. "My baby brother is FBI?"
"Yes he is. You'd be very proud of him," Jack replied. "I am," he added quickly.
"I-I just thought it was best if I was out of Danny's life. I mean I was always screwing up, what chance did Danny have?" Raffi explained. "But it doesn't change the fact that I abandoned him. I abandoned my baby brother in a cruel world. I don't even know what he's done or how he is."
Jack winced at Raffi's questioning how Danny was. "Well, he went to NYU. He went to law school and now he's one of the best agents in the New York office," Jack said proudly.
"You're right, I am proud of him," Raffi said with a broad smile. "So why are you here then?"
Jack sharply inhaled as he realised he had to answer the question that he was ill-prepared for. "U-mm your brother, Danny u-mm well he was, u-mm shot," Jack managed to blurt out.
"What!" Raffi exclaimed. "Shot? H-how bad? When?"
Jack closed his eyes briefly. "He was shot a couple of hours ago and it was bad, but he had pulled through surgery," Jack exclaimed.
"Where was he shot? Is he going to be okay?" Raffi said as he continued to fire off questions.
"He was shot in the chest, but this is Danny we are talking about – he will beat the odds," Jack said with a small nervous smile.
"Of course he will. Look Agent, I'm sorry I didn't catch your name," Raffi said as he looked down at his hands.
"It's Jack, Jack Malone."
"Agent Malone I was wondering if, I-I, y-you. U-mm, I-I was w-wondering if y-you could get me some paper," Raffi asked nervously.
"Its Jack and no problem I will just go and asked one of the guards," Jack said as he got up and ked one of the guards.
Raffi watched with interest as this Jack person spoke to the guards. A few moments later he returned with a couple of sheets of paper and an envelope. "Thanks," he aid as he was handed the paper. He looked around for a pen and smiled when Jack handed him one. "So how long have you known Danny?"
Jack leant back on the cold metal chair. "I've known Danny for five years now but he's been on my team for four years" he said with a smile. "Your brother is very special."
"I know," Raffi replied as he started to write. He paused briefly as he thought of what he should write to his brother. A brother who was critically injured, a brother who he hadn't spoken to in fourteen years, a brother who he had abandoned. He didn't know how long he had taken him to write letter before he handed it over to Jack – unfolded.
Jack folded the letter without reading it and stuffed it into the envelope, and handed it back to Raffi. "I presume this is for Danny"
"Y-Yes, you're not going to read it," Raffi asked, slightly surprised he was so used to having all his mail read.
"It's a private letter to your brother, but if it upsets Danny then you will wish that you were never born," Jack said coldly.
"N-No I, well I hope it doesn't upset him. Its just saying that I am sorry, that I hope he gets better soon and I'm proud of him," Raffi said as he stared at the envelope. He dug into his pocket and pulled out a chain. On the gold chain was a simple gold ring. It had been their mother's, he had worn it around his neck until he had been sent to Rikers. But Rikers rules- no jewellery something to do with prisoners safety. He wasn't going to leave it with the rest of his possessions, so some guard or whoever could pawn it. "U-mm Jack c-can g-give Danny something."
"Sure what is it?" Jack asked curiously.
"It's a ring, it was our mother's but it should be Danny's," Raffi said quietly
"Sure just put it in the envelope and seal it, I will make sure Danny gets it," Jack said in the same hushed tone.
Raffi looked up and at the haggard FBI agent and smiled. At least Danny had good people around him, people that saw Danny for who he was – a brilliant, intelligent, caring person. "Thanks," he said as he sealed the envelope and slid it across the table.
Jack nodded. "Take care and I will keep you updated Danny's condition," Jack said as he got up to leave.
"Thanks," Raffi said as watched Jack. "Oh Jack," he called out again, causing Jack to turn. "I really mean that, thanks for looking out for my brother all these years. Thanks for seeing the potential that our mother and myself saw. Just thanks for looking after him. He always pushes himself even when he is sick or hurt."
Jack smiled. "I know, myself and the rest of the team will be watching him like hawks," he replied. He watched Raffi produce a small tense smile before turning and headed out, with one mission in mind – seeing Danny.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Martin watched his friend's eyes begin to close and knew it was time he left. He and Viv had found Dante. It turned out that his mother had killed his older brother and Dante had helped dump the body. He doubted that Dante would do any time, but that didn't really concern him right now and everyone involved in Danny's shooting was being dealt with.
"Well I better head back, I have a ton of paperwork to do," he said as he gave a small nod in Viv's direction.
"See you later man," Danny yawned as forced himself to keep his eyes open.
"Now if you need anything," Viv said as she fiddled with the sheets. "Anything at all, sweetie, you just get one of nurses or Sam to phone us, don't worry about the time," Viv leaned forward and gently kissed his forehead, before affectionately ruffling his hair.
"Thanks Viv," Danny said as produced a smile and continued to will his eyes to remain open.
"And you have to rest Danny, I don't want to hear anything about you pushing yourself understand?" Viv said in a mock stern voice as she held his hand and rubbed his arm.
"Yes mom," Danny replied.
"Good," Viv said with a smile. "Good-night Danny I will see you in the morning," She leant forward and him again on the forehead.
Danny watched Viv and Martin wave goodbye, before they left the room. He turned to see Sam – still sitting beside him, holding his hand. "You should go home, I will still be here tomorrow."
"No I will sleep better here with you," Sam said in defiant tone.
Danny sighed he knew there was no point in arguing with Sam when she was like this and besides he was too tired. But he was glad Sam was staying with him, he really didn't want to be alone. He smiled at her tired, dishevelled form – even now she looked beautiful. He slowly moved his hand and interlaced his hand with hers and gently kissed it. "Thank you my sweet, sweet angel."
Leaning down, she kissed Danny's cheek before resting her head next to his. She found herself smiling broadly – Danny, the love of her life of her life, hadn't left her.
Jack quietly walked through the hospital, stopping when he made it to Danny's room. He looked at the scene in front of him and felt a pang of jealousy. But he'd had his chance with Sam and he had blown it. The two people in the world that most deserved happiness were the two people in front of him. He smiled and walked into the room.
"Hey you two," Jack said as he tried to hide the jealousy and concern from his voice.
"Jack!" Sam said slightly startle, as she sat up quickly – but her hand didn't leave Danny's.
"Hey Jack," Danny said in a tired voice.
Jack walked over and squeezed Danny's shoulder before affectionately ruffling his hair. "How are you?"
"I'm okay." Danny said slowly.
Jack looked over at Sam and shot her a look – which clearly said – I need to talk to Danny in a private for a couple of minutes.
Sam looked and read Jack's expression. She leant over and gently kissed Danny. "I will be back in a bit; I'm just going to freshen up and grab a bite to eat."
"Good, I will see you in a bit then," Danny said as he touched her check. He watched her leave before he returned his attention back to Jack.
"Hey kiddo," Jack said. He paused as he tried to come up with the words. "U-mm I've just come back from Rikers."
"What?" Danny asked nervously as he tired to remain emotionless.
"I visited your brother, and I told him that you had been shot. I thought he should know," Jack said slowly.
Danny closed his eyes, part of him was glad that he hadn't seen or heard from Raff, since he was fourteen years old. The other part of him yearned for Raffi. He wanted to see his brother but most of the time he thought of Raffi his thoughts turned bitter. "Oh," he managed to say.
"He gave me this," Jack said as he handed over the slightly bulky envelope.
Danny stared at the envelope with a combination of interest and apprehension. With trembling fingers, he played with the seal not knowing what to do. He took a breath as if he was plucking up courage to open it. He tore it open – causing the contents to spill out. The glint of metal caught his eye and he held it up to inspect it. He felt a tear brim; it was his mother's ring. It hadn't been her wedding ring, but a ring she had always worn and loved. He found himself just staring at it in silence – not knowing what to do. He fingered the chain. He winced in pain as he tried to raise his arms above his head in attempt to put the ring around his neck. He felt a set of hands on his shoulders, stopping him. He thanked Jack as he took a ring from him and placed it around his neck. He started to read the letter and found tears of regret flow down his face.
"Danny," Jack said his voice laced with concern. "Hey, Danny are you okay? He frowned when he got no response. Raffi had been so sincere about the letter – but if it had Danny – then Raffi would pay. "Danny, Danny is everything okay?"
"U-mm yeah its fine," Danny managed to stammer. He knew he should've contacted Raffi before now but he hadn't known how.
"Are you sure?" Jack asked his voice still laced with concern.
"I'm fine I promise, it's just I have spoken or heard from him in fourteen years. So it's a bit of shock, that's all," Danny explained. He yawned again and forced his eyes to remain open. He felt his body give in to the affects of the surgery, the drugs and getting shot.
Jack carefully took the letter from Danny's hand and placed the table beside. He lowered the bed and ran a hand through Danny's hair. "Get some rest Danny," he said gently.
Danny closed his eyes and leaned into the touch. He couldn't believe something as bad as getting shot would bring so many good things. He clutched the ring around his neck. He had ideas for this ring and it didn't include staying around his neck – he just hoped she would say yes.
TBC?