A/N: Thank you for reading!

Chapter 34: Looking good

When he knocked for the third time, Steve though he could feel the wood giving way under his strong knuckles. Finally hearing movement inside, he moved forward and accompanied the movement of the door when it opened. Impatient as always, he checked the living room with his hawk eyes and, not finding who he expected to be ready, he focused his attention for the first time on Lou, who, for Steve´s tranquility, was smiling, amused with the Commander´s restless reaction.

"What?"

"Nothing"

"Why didn´t you open the door right away?" Lou´s attempt to explain was cut by a series of new answers. "Is something wrong? Where´s Danny? Isn´t he ready yet?"

Steve vomited the questions all at once and as soon as he finished verbalizing his concerns they heard the bathroom door opening and immediately after, the bedroom door closing. Steve started moving towards the sound, but stopped when Lou grabbed his arm lightly and motioned him to follow him to the couch, where they sat. "Give him time on his own. Let´s try to let him do things at his own pace".

"Ok" Steve tried to read the situation. Definitely, something has happened. He could sense it on the air, on Lou´s statement, on his face and tone, on the fact that Danny was still not ready at the time established in which he was being picked up by his partner to go to the psychiatric consult. "What happened?" Straight to the point, Steve chose not to ramble between different hypotheses and asked directly to his friend to tell him whatever it was that has taken place.

Lou supported his elbows on his knees, placing both palms of his hands together while he explained Steve how he had helped Danny through his panic attack on the bathroom and how extended was the period of time their friend had spent under the water, previous to the fall down.

"Got hurt?"

"No, but his pride surely did, to not lose the habit".

Steve sighed, and leaned back on the couch. Rubbing his face and then resting his hands on his lap, he made a quickly confirmation of what they already knew: Danny´s mind will heal slower than his body. It would take time. And patience. And technique. Lou agreed with him and to support their suspicions he shared with Steve the moment in which Danny´s irritability, although with an effort to contain it, was at the verge of made him lose his temper in the bathroom. They conquered that it was due to the tiredness of being constantly watched over and in need of assistance. It was a challenge for them, because Danny needed help, but they had to learn how and when to provide it to help their friend and not interfere with his progress, or worse, made him go back. No matter how prepare the person was, nor how familiar with criminal cases it was due to work and experience, it was extremely difficult and painful to be the victim in first person. Definitely, Danny was going through a very personal and internal hell, induced by his severe prolonged traumatic experience and the present difficulty and slow progress to reinsert himself on his life. No matter how they were all supportive and constantly there, there were things only Danny knew and, for the moment, he chose to fight them alone. They respected that, and when the detective was ready to open up, they will be good listeners. But something deep down on Steve´s gut told him that he should be more prepared to face it whenever it came.

"I think it would be good and beneficial if we ask for a consult with Dr. Hale also. To know better how to help Danny". Steve proposed and the ex-swat captain agreed by silently nodding his head.

At the sound of a door opening, both concerned men straighten up and tried to act as if they had not been talking about Danny. Danny came from the corridor half supporting himself on the wall, but with a satisfied and content semi-smile on his face. Looking up to him, his friend´s faces draw the same smile when they saw the detective.

"Hey" Danny greeted his partner.

"Hey yourself" Steve got up, taking in the process the keys of the Camaro from the table. "Looking sharp, Detective" Steve smiled and approached him casually, to hide his true intention of assisting him when the wall ended and Danny had not the support of it anymore, offered him a fist bump, which was answered, and then tapped him on the back. After months of disheveled and untidy appearance, Danny had managed to achieve looking good and presentable. Sporting a fresh shave and his recent haircut neatly combed and sprayed as his old self did, Danny had dressed with his usual light striped shirt, dark slacks and his black shoes with laces. He was definitely, judging by his attitude, pleased with himself about the result and it could be sensed that a bit of self-confidence was back. The only difference with months before was his thinner build, but with time and work it was solvable.

The long shower and his later effort to get ready ended up taking its toll on Danny´s body. Leaving the aid of the wall, he didn´t have an option but to reach and look for Steve´s support, who luckily, or maybe not by coincidence, was walking beside him. Steve was surprised when Danny asked for his help to be able to reach and sit on the wheelchair placed near the entrance door. Many times before, the detective had avoided using it, vehemently making his point against it. But the truth was that no other distance he had walked before was as long as this one and done after being so tired. He had just moved inside his house for short time and with the help of furniture and walls, as well as when he had gone to the barbershop. But now, the Camaro was not parked on the garage but on the street, and the distance was considerable for his weakened legs. The mere fact of thinking about walking over there made Danny´s legs feel like rubber, so he silently guided a surprised Steve towards the wheelchair and managed to sit without much explanation and giving the others the liberty to conjecture as they pleased. His mind was already starting to get nervous again, not desiring to go to the hospital and talk to his doctor. But, not having any room for another option, he just rested his back on the chair as he was wheeled out towards his car and his heart started to hammer louder with anticipation, while Lou locked the door and parted ways with them.