Mac stared at the ceiling from his bed. As grateful as he was for Danny's help, it was nice to have a moment of silence. He needed to process everything. The flashes of memory were confusing enough, but this new string of feelings weren't helping. Mac was almost sure he'd never felt this way before, especially towards Danny, and the younger man made no indication to the contrary.

'Maybe he doesn't want to scare you.' His subconscious spoke up. 'Maybe he wants you to remember before he says anything.' It was possible. The doctor had told him not to force anything, and Danny clearly cared for him. The nature of that caring was yet to be revealed. With a sigh, Mac got out of bed. There was no way he'd sleep, even though he'd been told he had to.

The light was on in the living room, and Mac was immediately defensive as he stepped through. He relaxed when he saw Danny sitting on the sofa with a casefile in his hands. Danny gave him an amused look before putting down the file and standing up.

"You should be sleeping," He admonished softly.

"Couldn't settle," Mac mumbled. "Too much to think about." Danny's face showed understanding, and he walked towards the kitchen. Mac followed along.

"You want some hot chocolate?" Danny asked, heading towards the cabinets. Mac was intrigued at how Danny seemed to know where everything was without looking. "My mom has a great recipe. Proper Italian chocolate; none of that powdered crap."

"Sure," Mac offered quietly, and Danny quickly looked back to confirm he was ok. Danny seemed to do that a lot, Mac thought, and he wasn't sure what that said. As Danny wandered around the kitchen, Mac took the time to look at him. To really look. The younger man's hair was messier than it was earlier, and Mac noticed he was now wearing glasses. That seemed familiar to him. Did Danny only recently change to contacts?

"I remember this," Mac piped up, and Danny immediately turned to him. "The glasses," Mac clarified. "You used to wear them all the time?" Danny nodded and leaned against the counter as he spoke.

"I stopped wearing them because suspects have a nasty habit of running, and I was sick of buying a new pair every week." Mac laughed softly, which caused Danny to smile. Danny looked at Mac for a moment longer, before turning back to the stove.

"I like you better with glasses," The words were out before Mac could stop them, and Danny's movements stopped dead. Slowly, Danny turned to look at Mac, confusion evident on his face. Mac felt the urge to continue, and he was sure the head injury was to blame. "They frame your face," Mac offered, his voice a little quieter. "I like that." Danny smiled a little bashfully before turning back to the hot chocolate. Mac sat on a nearby stool and just watched Danny work. Once everything was ready, Danny turned back with the mugs and handed one to Mac.

"It'll be hot," Danny said, clearly needing something to say. "Be careful."

"I lost my memory, Danny," Mac smirked a little. "Not my common sense." Danny hid a smile in his mug as he took a sip of the chocolate. Apparently forgetting his own advice, Danny burned his mouth a second later. This caused Mac to laugh aloud; the first real laugh Danny had heard in a long time. Standing up, Mac patted Danny's shoulder as he coughed.

"Careful," Mac was smiling and Danny couldn't help smiling back. "It's hot."

"Smartass," Danny shot back and Mac chuckled again. It took a moment for either man to realise Mac was still holding Danny's shoulder.

"You always talk to your boss like that?" Mac asked, trying to keep it light. Danny smirked.

"Not my boss right now," He answered quietly. Mac gave a small, self-deprecating laugh.

"I don't suppose I am. I mean, I can't even remember my own badge number, let alone the rules of the lab." Danny looked into Mac's eyes, genuine sympathy there.

"You'll get it," He assured. "I've known you a long time, and I've never seen you set out for something and not get it." Mac didn't have a response to that, so he just inclined his head in a small nod.

"Do we… do this a lot?" Mac asked cautiously. "Hang out together?" Danny seemed startled by the question; taking his time to answer carefully.

"We used to," He offered. "It's been a while."

"Why?" Mac didn't mean to blurt it, but Danny didn't seem to mind.

"Life just gets in the way," He explained with a sad expression. They fell into silence a moment longer before Mac gave a weary sigh.

"Think I'll try and get some sleep," Mac mumbled, and Danny nodded. Mac left the room slowly; still mindful of his injuries.

"Hey," Danny stopped Mac with the call. "If you need anything…"

"Thanks," Mac smiled before leaving.

(~*~)

Mac looked at himself in the mirror the next morning. He'd dressed himself while still half asleep and it appeared his subconscious remembered more than he did. He'd even dare to say he looked like a real detective. Adjusting the 'd' pin on his lapel, Mac left the bedroom.

Danny smiled when he saw Mac enter the living area. He was dressed like usual; he looked like Mac again. Danny's eyes were drawn to Mac's bandaged arm, and quickly flicked over when he saw a glimmer. Mac was wearing his wedding ring. Mac noticed the widening of his eyes and looked down to his own hand. He ran a thumb over the ring; a sudden tightness in his chest.

"It's a habit," Mac mumbled. "When I was married first, I always forgot it on the bathroom sink. Claire made sure I was wearing it before I left for work. I guess it stuck." Mac looked up quickly once he'd stopped talking. Danny looked just as shocked as he was.

"Claire…" Memories flooded Mac's mind, and Danny only just made it over to stop Mac falling to the floor. When he got back to himself, there were tears on Mac's face. He worked to control his breathing, noticing that he was leaning into Danny's embrace. They stayed like that for a while, before Mac turned timidly towards Danny.

"Sorry," He mumbled.

"It's alright," Danny smiled softly. "We don't have to go to the lab if you don't feel up to it. The others will understand."

"No," Mac replied immediately, pulling away slowly and standing on his own feet. "I need to do this." Danny considered Mac carefully for a moment before nodding and leading the way out of the apartment.