Chapter 3.

Hey guys. I know you're curious. Let's see what's behind this curtain shall we?

...

I can't hear love cause we're at war
And revenge is so loud and the drums are so proud
But oh, I'm in a cage and I hear mercy say "I'm here now"
And it's the only way out- Ben Hur theme song.

...

Steve parked his truck in his driveway, surprised to see Joe sitting on his door step waiting for him, at this time. The case was still ongoing and the day had been a long one. He'd been so occupied he had forgotten about Joe and his message of doom. It could only be doom right? What else could have Joe acting like that?

"Hey Joe, you're waiting outside? Why didn't you just break in?" Steve said jokingly and Joe just smirked but the smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Hey is everything ok?" Steve asked, a little more concerned now. He opened his door to let Joe in.

"Um, I need to talk to you Steve. It's...uh...its important."

Steve reading the seriousness in Joe's eyes walked into his living room ushering Joe in.

"Should I get you anything Joe? A beer or..."

"No no, I am good son. Thanks." Joe declined, taking a seat on the couch.

Steve took a seat in the recliner but leaned forward as he gave Joe his attention. "What's going on Joe?" He asked. "Is it that 'something' you wanted to tell me this morning?"

"I... uh... Steve you need to know something. Not that it would take away anything from you or change anything... in any way. In fact it should not..." Joe sighed. He was mumbling and he wasn't doing very well even with that.

Steve stiffened, afraid of what was coming. His heart was already beating like a drum and he held his breath. "What's going on Joe?"

"There's no easy way to say this son, so ..." Joe reached into his pocket and produced a piece of paper. He hesitantly handed it to Steve.

Steve reached out and took it. Anxious now to find out what all this was about, but at the same time afraid of what it was. He looked at Joe who looked as scared as Steve had ever seen him and he took a calming breath.

He looked at the piece of paper and read it. He suddenly felt himself growing numb as he read on. Each word, each red letter, figure, number hitting his heart like bullets going through his chest. He could not allow himself to feel at that moment, but he also could not dispute the facts that were now presented to him in bold letters. He compartmentalized it. Not ready to process it yet. He stood up, staring at Joe with very cold eyes.

Joe stood too, "Son..."

"Don't. Just don't." He didn't know how he was feeling right then but it was like nothing he could describe. "How long have you known?' He asked Joe coldly.

"About a year ago." Joe answered trying to look at Steve who refused to look him in the eye. "Your mother told me."

Steve nodded, each word piercing. But he could not process it now. Not yet. However, he needed to clear something out.

"Danny..."

"No son, Danny only found out about two weeks ago. Completely by accident." Joe said, trying to defend Danny's part in all this. But then he realized that he had just made a mistake by the look in Steve's eyes.

"What? No Danny just found out...this morning. That's what he was trying to tell me this morning when he walked into my office and found you there." He said in defense though the mind numbing pain of betrayal was already starting to creep. As his mind screamed in denial, he realized something. Danny had been acting weird for two weeks now. The time fit. And it wasn't because of Grace, that much he knew now. He now remembered the look that had passed between Danny and Joe that morning for what it was.

Joe realizing his mistake, had tried to take it back. To agree with Steve but it was too late. "Yes...uh... he found out this..."

"Don't patronize me Joe, you've done enough."

"Steve..."

"Just please...Joe...just go." He said with finality in his voice and Joe had no choice but to leave. He wished Steve could have at least done something, lashed out, hit him or something. But he had done nothing but stare at him with that cold cold look. He knew where his rage would be directed. To someone who had absolutely nothing to do with this. And now Joe was going to destroy Steve's relationship with not only himself and his mother but with Danny as well. An innocent bystander who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time and saw what he shouldn't have seen. What he should have never seen.

...

He was ready to start the day with a clear conscience today. If Joe had not told Steve by now he was going to. Joe's time was up. He could not help him stall any further. He'll help Steve through this. He'd have to try to be there for him the best he could. He had came to the office bright and early. In fact he was earlier than everybody. Even Steve. That was not very 'usual' for him but then again need he factor in that he didn't sleep much? Couldn't sleep? Because of this whole disaster in the making of which contents he was, by pure bad luck, a full custodian of. Danny looked from the coffee he was making to see Steve walk in. He smiled at him and said some inane thing about the coffee but Steve didn't say anything, just kept walking towards him. That's when he noticed it. The look in Steve's eyes. And his heart stopped. He knew. Steve knew. And he could see that as clear as day. He had no doubt in his mind that this time Steve knew. He remained still as Steve came to a stop in front of him. The look in his eyes now directed at him with such force and cold anger it felt like a physical blow. Danny didn't say anything. He couldn't say anything to save his life.

"You look at me every day for two weeks." Steve said in a low cold growl. "Smiled at me. Laughed with me. And all of it was a lie? You say you're my best friend. My brother even. You say you love me. And it's all a lie. It's always been a lie." It was said with such raw emotion yet with such cold disillusionment Danny could just stare at him. He could feel the bond between Steve and himself being broken as surely as if someone had taken a knife to it. And he didn't know what to do or say.

"Steve..."

"You look at me every day; you smile at me and pretend. You laugh with me Daniel and then hide something like that from me. You looked me in the eye for two whole weeks without blinking. God, you're so good. You do it so well you should try a carrier in acting." With that Steve turned on his heels and headed to his office.

Danny just stared after him, stunned. He leaned on the counter because he suddenly could not find any strength to stand anymore.

God, what had he done?

...

So do review and maybe volunteer a guess. Hey, don't hate me. See you in a bit.