Dylan heard a groan and got up from his seat to the bed. „Daniel?" his eyes fluttered open to the stoic voice of the older horsemen. „How are you?". Daniel tried to get up a little but gave up after a stab onto his side. Looking at Dylan he stammered „Amazing" Relieved that Daniel hasn't lost his sarcastic touch he smiled a little. Just at time the other Horsemen came into the room. Lula brightened up seeing Daniel awake and almost threw herself on the bed to give Daniel a hug. Jack did the same but with less force. Merritt came over and said „Ya sure are tough, Buffy". Frowning Daniel asked what happened to his cheek, which was swollen. „Sure got a great punch for such thin arms" - „wait, that was me? Well as much as I would love to have seen your face when i hit you… i cant remember. Even though you for sure deserved it." Dylan interrupted their teasing. „You probably thought he was Walter Marby. Because you looked like having a nightmare." Now he remembered looking outside the Door and trying to escape. Every colour went from Daniels face and he looked at Merritt. He knew he couldn't sleep most of the time because he would have nightmares and wake up in the middle of the night, but he never punched someone accidentally before. „Sorry 'bout that" he pointed at Merritts cheek. „Ah" the mentalist waved nonchalantly „Never mind that. I can take a punch alright. But next time we share a room I will get the upper bunk bed." – „Far away from the possibility of getting slapped again, eh?" Jack jokingly added. Light mood filled to room. The five horsemen enjoyed the mood and talked with each other. Lula sometimes would interrupt conversations and tell Daniel what happened after the show. She wanted him to see her new trick she learned and was excited to show him his room at the Eye head quarters, he had not seen yet. Overly excited she pulls at his hand which made Daniel flinch, and everyone was reminded that Danny was injured. Heavily at that. „I'm so sorry Danny!"-„It's ok." seeing that this did not reassure her yet, he jokingly but also stupidly added: „the pain isn't so bad anymore. It was worse in the alley when I had to run to you guys." Realising what he just had said, the room was already filled with worry. „Guys", Daniel begins „it wasn't anyone's fault but the one that shot. I thought I could handle it and well… i'm not dead so I did." Flinching at the strong thump from Dylans fist hitting the table beside him, he knew what he said did not help at all.

„Are you even aware of the condition your body was in?!" The glaring in Dylans eyes didn't made it easy to keep his cool. But he tried once more: „Yeah, the doc told me. We all were in poor shape! I couldn't go walking around whining I was tired! Yeah being shot at wasn't a fun experience but what should I have done? Gone to hospital right away?!" – „Yes! That's exactly what anyone in their right mind would have done!" – „And then WHAT DYLAN?! Walter and Arthur would have escaped and the show would have been a disaster!" –

„NO SHOW IN THIS WORLD!

NO REVENGE!

WOULD BE WORTH GIVING YOUR LIFE FOR!"

Starstruck at what Dylan just said he just sat there. Mouth slightly open in shock. „He is right Daniel." –„Yeah"-„Yes!" the other horsemen added. He did not think this far. The normally ´planning down to the smallest detail´ showman missed a big piece. They were a team. Probably family even. So, it was logical they would think this way. Hell, he even thinks the same. As little as he would want to lose Dylan, he couldn't imagine losing Lula, Jack, he would even miss Merritt. Though oh so little.

Still, he didn't want to lose them.

„I'm sorry" he said ashamed. Realising what he said and done. „You better be! And the next time anything not according to plan happens, you tell me right away ok?" Dylan was in his strict leader person right now and wouldn't let something like this happen again. Never. He will protect his horsemen.

„Fine." Daniel grumbled while the door swung open. The doctor came in and told them to leave. She had to check on Daniel and he needed to rest. So, they followed her command.

The next few days went by calmly. Every now and then one of the Horsemen would show up at Dannys room and either way bring flowers, a magician book or just came to talk. Well Lula was most of the time the one to come over and talk and she always had Jack with her, who would sit in the corner playing with his cards listening to her as well. Merritt jokingly brought the magician book, with the justification that Daniel sucks at work.

Dylan showed up the least often.

He was preparing something he couldn't tell them yet. Probably stuff to do with the Eye or a new project. Daniel was ecstatic at the thought of finally leaving this bed and perform or practice anything else than card tricks. To his luck he was able to get of the clinic by tomorrow. With weekly appointments to come back and being careful not to rip the stitches but still. Leaving this tiny cold patient room was enough to make him giddy. Being bound to a bed was the worst. He had to move, perform, practice, feel. Especially the magic. He had to feel the magic. Even thought he knew perfectly well that no real magic exists but being able to perform perfectly so it seemed otherwise… having the crowd at his bay… being the smartest guy in the room… for these moments it was worth living for.

Luckily for Daniel tomorrow came faster than expected. The Horsemen agreed on waiting for Daniel at the head quarters while Dylan would go pick Daniel up at the clinic. "Long tome no see, Boss. How far along is the plan for the next thing?" – "Ready but on hold. Because you are going to rest up for a while." Annoyed, the younger began to stare out the window. He knew he couldn't say anything against that because of the strict tone the older Horsemen had had.

The sun brushed against his face and he took in the warmth. Dylan would sometimes glance over to the showman observing the sun, trailing along the eyelashes down to the neck. Daniel seemed so calm absorbing the sunlight. Standing at a red light he couldn't help himself staring at Daniel some more. Daniel had an eyelash resting on his cheekbone. Without realising he leaned over into the sunlighted passenger seat and brushed it away with his index finger. He immediately felt warmth streaming onto his hand up his arm. His heart started beating faster. In the meantime Daniel twitched up from the touch and looked at Dylan. "Y-You had an eyelash there" Dylan said heavily while pointing at Daniels cheek. They seemed both embarrassed but felt a warmth inside their chest only the other could give them. They were pulled out of their starring at one another from a car honking behind them because the lights had turned green.

Both of them tended to ignore such intimate moments between them. Ever since they first met in the interrogation room, such moments were bound to happen all the time. But unsure of the feeling from the other person, they never read much into it. Two years ago, Dylan had been together with Alma and Daniel with Henley. Both relationships did not last long because the women realised, that their man had their hearts already given to someone else. Because of that had Henley left. She couldn't bear being second. But Alma was still friends with them. Somewhat enjoying Daniel and Dylan being stupidly oblivious of what should be obvious.

Arriving at the headquarters Daniel studies this big house. It had a red façade and looked kinda old fashioned. But he liked that. "So this is were you guys have been lazing around?"

Dylan walked inside, amused about the comment. "Well, at least we didn't lay in bed all day for two weeks straight." – "Ha, I'll tell you that next time you get shot, Mr. former FBI" making his way past Dylan he put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it. "It's good to be back. Now show me my room. I gotta know where I can figure some new tricks."

In the living room Daniel was wildly greeted by Lula. She almost threw him over if it wasn't for Dylan having a hand at his hip. Jack followed Lula giving him hug. "Good to have you back." – "Well now we have another control freak here that only will make us work." Added Merritt, walking out the kitchen towards the bunch. Grinning Daniel countered "At least you guys get better when I teach you."

Daniel was relieved. Even though the horsemen had their differences with one another, they were still a team. And he couldn't be more aware of the fact how fidgety he was for the next job. Not only for the show itself but also for them to work together again. He excused himself of into his room. It was spacious and even had an armchair in front the window. It looked comfortable and would be perfect to sit in and figure out new stuff for shows. But he was to tired and needed some sleep. Not a good idea, seen afterwards because sleep for Daniel… meant nightmares. And the nightmare this time, reminded him oh so again, that he had fucked up. He had put everyone in danger and that because of his ego. The dream reminded him of what he thought overcome.

~ End of chapter three