And we're back! Thank you for your patience. I split this chapter, so I could post something for you today. Lord knows I've kept you waiting…
/././
Standing in the bathroom, Danny surveyed the damage. His face was bruised and scraped but nothing major. Most of the road rash had already begun to fade. He was happy to be home.
Home. Steve's place. The constant lullaby of the ocean. The click of Eddie's nails. The murmur of conversation from downstairs. This house hadn't ever seen this much traffic. Danny smiled at his reflection and winced. He'd managed to split his lip open when he hit the ground, and oddly enough, this was his most annoying injury.
He splashed water on his face and brushed his teeth. He'd shower later. Right then, he just didn't feel like making the effort. Holding himself upright was becoming a chore as his sore ribs and hips made themselves known. Step one - get the hell outta the hospital - had been completed. He was waiting for something, and he didn't know what until his phone buzzed from the nightstand in the other room.
Shuffling the short distance, Danny checked the screen. He tapped the video icon to accept the call, and Steve popped into view. "Hey, babe."
"They let you out?" Steve asked. His eyes and mouth wore a hesitant smile.
"Only kept me overnight." Danny shrugged. "They're sick of my ugly mug."
"Good. That's good they let you out," Steve replied.
There was a blip of silence before Danny spoke again.
"I thought you were traveling today?" Danny asked more than said.
"I overslept," Steve paused, "I – uh – well, I didn't set my alarm. Longest I've slept in – well, I don't -."
Steve didn't finish his sentence.
"What time is it where you are? Looks –" Danny squinted for a look at the background. "Looks like it's still light out. Late afternoon?"
"Ever the detective," Steve said.
"You're my best friend, Steven. I'd like to know where you are." Danny replied. "You could throw me a bone any day now."
Steve turned to stone, jaw set. Shit. Not what Danny had intended. He knew better than to push. The sad reality was he was out of practice at wrangling Steve. He hoped his best friend wouldn't retreat behind his stoic mask. The distance sucked.
Studying his partner for a few seconds, Danny sighed. Even on the small screen, he could tell he wasn't the only one who'd lost weight. The cut of Steve's jaw looked even more stern, and it was lined with a few day's stubble. Not quite beard of doom, but the possibility loomed. It was the length of his hair that gave Steve a sort of dangerous vibe. Which was strange because the man was always scary. But his hair said he'd given up some formality. He wasn't following the same rules. A man like Steve without discipline could be unmoored and unpredictable. Not a positive development. Yet Danny saw something else, too.
"You look…" Danny stopped midsentence and stared into his phone. It was still so weird for him to chat this way. He didn't like the coldness of technology. "You look good."
"Liar." Steve twitched, his serious façade cracking. "You sure you should be home?"
Danny felt the spark and said, "No, I'm serious. You look rested."
"Well, you look –"
"Like I got hit by a car?" Danny blurted out the words.
Steve rolled his eyes, letting a smile surface. "Really, buddy?"
"Wo Fat's old lady's goons did worse."
Danny flinched, eyes locking with Steve. Even across the digital divide they had an intense connection. He'd gone too far.
After all these months, they still hadn't talked about what happened. Nothing beyond the basics. Daiu Mey had kidnapped Danny to make Steve cough up the cipher. Steve gave her what she wanted and saved Danny before capturing the bitch. None of it was Steve's fault.
"I didn't mean to – I'm –" Danny said. "I'm an idiot."
"It's ok, Danno."
Danno.
Now Danny couldn't breathe. He hadn't been called that name for months. Not even from Grace. He lashed out with nonsense.
"It's possible to get a little bit hit by a car, Steven."
"Sounds like something I'd say, buddy." Steve laughed, keeping it light. But it was an obvious cover. Danny wasn't supposed to act like him. They both knew it.
There was silence for another beat.
"Well, someone has to do it." Danny replied.
"What's that supposed to mean, huh Daniel?" Steve called his bluff. It made Danny itch.
He backed down. "Nothing. I've gotta go. Rachel's gonna be here with Charlie."
"Charlie? You sure you can handle him in your condition?"
"In my condition? What am I? Pregnant?"
"You know what I mean."
"Uh huh, and right about now, you'd accuse me of being a mother hen."
"Yea, and right about now – no – I can't do this, partner," Steve paused and took a deep breath, calm when he asked. "You have help there, right?"
Danny scrunched his eyebrows, registering the change in composure, but not giving up the game just yet. It was an old familiar pattern, and though it could be destructive, he clung to it because it soothed him. "You really think they'd leave me alone? You remember our friends, right?"
Steve chuckled, but didn't reply. He let a fond smile answer for him.
"I gotta go, Steve," Danny said, looking over his shoulder, "I need some coffee. Rachel wants to talk to me."
"Talk to you? She better not-" Steve's nose twitched. He didn't get a chance to continue.
Hand up, Danny cut him off. "Stop right there. Things are good with Rachel."
Steve closed his eyes and nodded, muttering. "Sorry, reflex."
"Thank you." Danny almost touched the screen.
They stared at one another. The distance was so close. It was in the room. Suffocating. Squeezing the life out of them. Steve massaged his temples, and Danny could feel his best friend working himself up. He needed to end this conversation. They might say something they'd regret if they continued for too long. The wound was still raw between them. Picking the scab was too tempting.
"I don't want to talk about this, okay, Steve? Let's pretend things are normal." Danny exhaled loudly. "You're not here."
Steve wilted with the weight of Danny's sigh. "You can still talk to me."
"That's not it."
"Then what?"
Danny cleared his throat and whispered. "I lost my back up."
The words slipped out and all he wanted to do was run. Danny held back his tears as long as he could before scrubbing his face with his hand. He didn't see the look on Steve's face.
"What? Danny?" Steve asked, voice louder. "Talk to me, buddy."
"Gotta go, Steve. Take care of yourself. Love you."
/././
Just to be a total tease...there will be deleted scenes posted once I'm finished posting the main story!
