Morning. Birds chirped cheerfully as golden sunbeams poured through cracks in the window blinds. The world outside was jubilant, joyously oblivious to the truth of Sandford. A truth Danny was far too well acquainted with.
The last thing Danny wanted to do was get out of bed. What was the use of getting up? He certainly couldn't see any. Nicholas was long gone, his dad was a murderer, most of the people he had grown up with were insane, and he was alone, so utterly alone, to face it all. Only the knowledge that his dad would suspect something was amiss if he didn't show up for work got him out of bed and into the police station, melancholy in tow. He had to keep pretenses up for as long as he could, give Nicholas time to get settled in London again.
Somewhere deep in a dark place in his heart, Danny knew his own days were numbered. It was only a matter of time before London started making inquiries as to why the most recent Sandford Sergeant to quit due to a 'nervous breakdown' was sitting in their office. Then there would be no doubt of his betrayal and he wasn't foolish enough to believe he was immune. Sure, Frank may not like it at first, he may even try to stop it but Danny knew he would eventually and quietly 'disappear' just like all the rest (or have a 'tragic accident'; Dealer's choice). With how he was feeling right now, he wasn't sure how much he cared. Every moment he was plagued with regret. He couldn't help but question his decision not to go away with Nicholas even as he tried not to think about it. He had made his choice and there was no going back; But deep in the privacy of that same dark spot in his heart, he could admit now that turning against his dad would have hurt less.
Frank was already in when Danny arrived. He was in his office casually reading the paper the same way he did every morning. In fact, he looked exactly the same way he did every morning: Same pressed and pristine uniform, tea in the same place silently wafting steam in the same early morning sun, lounging in the same chair he'd had for over ten years. The scene was so ordinary, so familiar and picture perfect it made Danny gag. He hurried past his father's office to the locker room where all the other officers had already arrived and were preparing for their day. They carried on in the same way they did every day, wishing Danny 'Good morning' and the other usual niceties, all blissfully unaware of the events of last night or of the horrors that existed just under their noses. Not a single one of them asked after Nicholas.
For the first time, Danny felt like an observer of his own life, watching the surroundings of his old life but unable, or unwilling, to interact with it. Suddenly, the atmosphere was hot and much too heavy. He dressed in his uniform as quickly as he could with shaking hands, not forgetting to don his stab vest as he did. It was regulation after all, as Nicholas had said, and he didn't want his partner to be cross. Properly prepared, he rushed while trying not to look like he was rushing to his squad car for his morning patrol.
Danny sat in their usual place in the village square, watching the villagers come and go while drowning in his depression. He and Nicholas had always started their patrols in this spot, and just like always, nothing was going on. At least, nothing appeared to be going on, Danny amended bitterly. His partner had been right as always. There always was something going on, even if he couldn't see it.
Usually, right about now, Danny would go into the shop and buy them both a Cornetto. It was their routine but, as comforting as routine usually was, he didn't think he could stomach an ice cream right now. He still felt ill from earlier and it wasn't getting better. He kept trying to concentrate on what was happening around him but the effort felt futile. He couldn't get Nicholas out of his head and he was certain it was driving him mad. Even though his partner was only with him a few short weeks, there was almost no aspect of his life that wasn't tied to Nicholas in some way. Everywhere he looked there was something that reminded him of Nicholas: The crown pub where they went drinking after work, Mr. Treature taking his morning walk in his absurdly large overcoat, the before-mentioned shop and its Cornettos, the fountain where he had almost run over Nicholas, leading to his subsequent arrest... the list went on and on. He wasn't even sure he'd be able to watch another action film without sobbing like a baby.
Danny had known he'd lose his mind without Nicholas but he was surprised at just how quickly he was slipping. In his mind's fevered desperation to have him back, he could almost see him again. No, wait, he really could see him. Danny stared, eyes popping and jaw slack, at the vision before him.
The sun was still low on the horizon, casting lengthy shadows in the square. Nicholas Angel appeared to be riding out of the sun astride a glowing white stallion. The radiant morning rays caught in his short golden hair giving the illusion of a gleaming halo. He was in uniform and was bristling with firearms and criss-crossed with ammunition. Two huge shotguns were strapped to his back, completing the heavenly image with the illusion of militant wings. He was perfect; An avenging Angel come to rain justice down upon them all.
Nicholas was so beautiful, so miraculous, so glorious that Danny could only continue to stare, utterly convinced this holy image of his partner was only in his head. He was impressed. He had gone completely 'round the bend much sooner than expected (he had thought he'd make it at least one day) except he hadn't. Just in his peripheral vision, he could see the NWA members outside his squad car slowly reacting to the fantastic vision too; Each person stopping everything they were doing to stare as well.
Slowly and confidently, as if he rode a white horse into work every day, a very real Nicholas Angel slid down from the saddle (Where had he gotten the horse?) and sent his mount away with a pat (Danny couldn't remember there being a white horse in Sandford) then turned to face the NWA. There were a few heartbeats where no one did or said anything. The whole village just stared at Nicholas who casually stared right back.
" 'Morning," was all he said but it was enough to break the spell.