Time for some Steve and Danny ranting…
"I don't understand why these hospitals always have the worst coffee" Danny complained as he paced the room.
"It's really not that bad Danny" Steve responded as he was on his third cup.
"The Doctor did say they were going to page us when they were done examining the girls, right?" Danny questioned as he looked at his watch.
"Yes, Danny, he will call me" Steve answered in a monotone. He was clearly exhausted, both physically and emotionally.
They waited for hours as Danny looked at Steve, wanting to ask him a question, but was afraid to bring up any sore topics.
"What Danny? You seem like you have something to say" Steve glared at him in annoyance
"I just don't understand why you were so upset yesterday" Danny questioned
"Maybe it's because I don't appreciate my private life being discussed and analyzed by everyone I know" Steve was growing angry but was too tired to raise his voice.
"Are you kidding me? Your personal life is the only reason why we are even friends. It's the basis of our entire existence here in Hawaii" Danny couldn't believe his reaction
"This is different" Steve answered
"Yesterday, you were so pissed off at everyone, especially Catherine. Then you ended up sleeping together. Is this what you guys do? Because it really isn't any of my business, but this is not a healthy relationship" Danny continued and Steve interrupted.
"You're right it's none of your business. " Steve was annoyed
"It's just that after what happened today, well this weekend, I have no doubt that you love her and we all know that she loves you, but it's also obvious that the two of you don't talk. You guys really need to talk" Danny was giving advice.
"Oh, so Mr. Divorced is now a relationship expert" Steve was being sarcastic.
"Yes, it's because I am divorced that I can give you this advice. I get that the two of you have this animal attraction to each other, but you need to be honest with her and talk to her. If you love her and want her to stick around, stop seducing her and actually talk to her. You've been given a second chance" Danny placed his hand on Steve's shoulder.
"We have a strong relationship, we are not just lovers, she's my best friend, my oldest and dearest friend. We talk about a lot of stuff." Steve was defending himself
"Stuff? But are you talking about the right stuff?" Danny hated being so pushy but he felt that this needed addressing
"Listen Danny, I really do appreciate your concern…"
Before he could finish Danny interrupted "my concern is that I care about you and I don't want to see you hurt, I want you to be happy"
"Don't you think that I want to be happy? Don't you think that I want to one day get married and have kids and a normal family life? I do. I want that more than anything and Cath is who I want to have that with, but I can't do that now." He looked at Danny with remorse "Cath comes from a normal family, with a mother who stays home and bakes cookies and a father who loves and provides for his family. She has two brothers that actually get along. They have dinner together every Sunday and tell each other everything that is happening in their lives. I never had that. I want to give her that, but I'm afraid I can't" Tears flooded his eyes "As long as WoFat is free, I can't"
"Have you actually told her that? I am sure she would understand. Maybe if she knew all this, she wouldn't feel like she is stuck" Danny felt bad for Steve. He knew what it was like to have that and he felt bad that Steve was deprived of a normal family life.
"It's easier not to. We are good together and I'm afraid that if I tell her these things, she'll just give up and leave me. I don't want to lose her, so I have become very good at avoiding things." Steve lowered his head
"And she doesn't ask? Last night, she didn't want to discuss what happened?" Danny questioned
"No, apparently she has become very good at avoiding things too." Steve raised his eyebrow and pursed his lips.
"There you guys are! I have been looking everywhere for you." Mary came skipping in to the hospital cafeteria.
"Mary!" Steve and Danny exclaimed in unison.
"What are you doing? They released you? Are you ok?" Danny approached placing his arms around her and planting a kiss on her cheek.
"I'm good. The doctor cleared me and told me I was free to go" she answered while looking at Steve.
"Where's Cath? The Doctor was supposed to page me" Steve asked reluctantly. He suspected something was wrong. If everything was fine she would be with Mary, he thought to himself.
Mary released Danny's hold and approached Steve. "She's being admitted. Her hands and legs were pretty cut up and apparently she contracted an infection. Her fever is pretty high and the doctor administered some antibiotics, but it's not going down fast enough. They're going to keep her here for at least 24 hours, to make sure that the infection clears up. They are confident that she's going to be okay, but she's going to have to get a lot of rest"
Steve ran out of the Hospital Cafeteria and proceeded straight to the nurse's station. Mary and Danny followed closely behind.
I know that this is a little short, but I wanted the interaction between Steve and Danny, but didn't want it to be merged in with the final chapter. I hope it worked.