Steve tried to focus on the sound of Dannys voice, he couldn't concentrate as the pain intensified. Dannys anxious words penetrated his muddled mind, but it was short lived, as hands invaded his personal space spiking him into a new level of pain.

"Steve? I need to roll you on your side so I can see where you're bleeding?...Ok?" Steve nodded, whether he truly understood Danny wasn't sure.

Danny rolled him as careful as he could. He supported his back and lifted his shirt out of the way. There was a graze that was high up on the back of his ribs that had stopped bleeding, but the blood in question bled profusely out of a bullet wound on his lower back.

"Shit" Danny scrambled to take off his tie "remind me to start wearing two shirts when I'm out with you" he then ripped the sleeves off his shirt. He bundled both sleeves together with the tie and pressed them against the wound, Steve tensed and arched away from the pressure.

"No No No….it's ok lay still "Danny wrapped his arm around Steves chest pulling him back into him so he could keep the pressure steady. "I know it hurts but I have to get the bleeding stopped"

Danny scanned the bluff, they were like sitting ducks, if the two gunmen decided to follow the river it would be no time before the two of them would be spotted. He needed to find cover, Steves condition had spiralled quickly as the adrenaline he had obviously been running on completely depleted. Danny felt his pulse, it beat strong under his fingertips but the fall and saving him, along with the blood loss had zapped the energy from his partner. Steve needed to rest, but they needed to move to cover.

Danny pulled the material back to check the wound, the bleeding had slowed to the point of almost stopping. He reached around undoing Steve belt and worked it loose from his pants. He slid it carefully under his side, looping it around holding the makeshift bandage in place. He pulled Steves t-shirt down so the belt was looped on the top so the leather wouldn't dig into his flesh, he pulled it tight clasping it into place.

Steve stirred, his hand instinctively grasping towards his back as the pressure elicited a groan of protest. Danny grabbed the offending hand, pulling it back with him as he leaned over his partner

"I know…I know it hurts…we're going to have to move though…we're like sitting ducks here …we need cover…you with me?" he received a grunt in return, Danny smiled "I'll take that as a yes".

Danny moved to the front of his partner taking his arm and slinging it over his shoulder, he reached around his back gripping his good side "Ok on the count of 3 give me a hand here…you with me?" Danny shook him gently

Weary eyes opened acknowledging his request.

"Ok lets go partner…one….two …" Danny pulled him upward not giving him a chance to tense prior to moving. Steve leaned heavy on him as Danny scrambled to get him balanced, it took a few moments of grunts and groans but finally he had him somewhat upright, as Steve managed to get his feet under him.

"Alright we're going to make it to those trees over there and hopefully get this mess you got us into sorted out"

Steve tightened his arm around Dannys neck, shifted to catch eye contact and breathlessly said "It's n n not my fault…..saved your ass"

"Yeah well maybe you hit your head? because you seemed to have forgotten you knocked me off the cliff in the first place, so technically I would not need saving if it wasn't for you"

Steve glared at him

"Don't! ….don't even give me that look…..I haven't even started yet" Danny kept up the banter to keep Steve distracted as they moved.

"Besides I've been making mental notes"

Steve frowned "Mental notes?"

"Yes…mental notes" Danny started to list them "firstly, we already established you knocked me off the cliff….second, you lost my gun…..three, you drowned my phone, not to mention I've completely ruined a good shirt and my tie…..and to top it off, I'm going to be late picking up Grace….and I'm almost certain we are nowhere near being done yet…plus somewhere in here I don't even think dinner is included"

Steve moved his arm and clasped Dannys shoulder with his hand, he wobbled slightly, caught Dannys look and quietly said "You're welcome" and smirked

Danny shook his head "You're an idiot …you know that? ...let's get you settled before you fall" Danny carefully helped lower him and as he was leaning him against a tree he heard voices along the ridge. He placed his finger to his lips to get Steves attention, but Steve already heard, they both quietly sat waiting for them to pass.