Author's Notes: Gah. This is so weird. Okay, this is super-important-big-deal chapter and I really can't believe I'm at this point. It's a short chapter, and I planned to have the next chapter posted on the first for poetic stupidity. Haha. Okay, here we go…
24. Case
Daniel looked across the table strewn with paper, half-drawn plans, scribbled notes and grainy photos at his grim-set partner.
"So what do you want to do? If you really think you've got a break on this little girl's case, we can focus on that, let the drug trafficking bust go for another day." He offered, staring at the smiling photo of a little girl in pigtails Rorschach clutched in his hand. This case screamed bad news and he wanted them to be together on this. Rorschach got weird around cases with children, and lately, he'd just been getting really scary in general. All the same, it galled Dan to let the gang's drug trafficking ring go unpunished when they'd been thumbing their noses at the vigilantes for months.
Rorschach shook his head, "Can't let their actions continue any longer, Daniel. You know that." He was quiet for a while before speaking again, "We may never get the opportunity to apprehend them again for a very long time." He looked up at Daniel, "You take the drug case. They're not skilled fighters, mostly hired hands, most easily frightened. I'll take the girl's case."
"But-" Daniel floundered, trying to think of an objection. Rorschach interrupted him.
"You won't be at too much risk and I don't have a bulletproof Owl suit." The half joke still wrung a smile out of Daniel, still grateful his partner could still grasp onto ideas such as humor. "Besides…" he continued, staring at the table in a moment of uncharacteristic vulnerability, "I promised her father I'd bring her back."
Daniel's heart twisted. He didn't tell his partner that that was a stupid thing to promise (even though it really was) and he didn't express his concerns that the girl may already be dead (even if there was a very good chance she was). Instead, he stood up to get more coffee and clapped Rorschach's shoulder on the way to the coffeepot.
"Okay," Daniel said quietly, "That's okay. I'll be fine on the case. I just think I should go with you. I could get someone else to take the drug thing for me and I could go with you." But even as he said it, he knew he couldn't. The Comedian was overseas, Jon was tied up with the government and he was pretty sure that Laurie, while tough and spirited, didn't have enough experience working by herself to handle something like that alone. Daniel sighed in frustration, "Never mind. Once again, we're the only starship in the area."
"You would like Star Trek Daniel." And Dan had to laugh loudly at the first bit of genuine, dry humor his partner had exhibited in months. He sobered up quickly as Rorschach stood up to face him, "You're a good partner Daniel. A very good friend. I know I've been… difficult lately and it's been hard being my friend. Thank you." It was simply said and without any inflection, but as Rorschach held out a hand for Daniel to shake, it felt too much like a goodbye for Daniel's liking. He grasped Rorschach's hand tightly and pulled the smaller man into a quick hug, releasing him before Rorschach could react violently.
"And I know things have been difficult for you lately," Dan said, voice gentle, "You're a damn good friend too, you know. You're going to be all right, okay? Whatever's… whatever's bothering you, it's going to be okay in the end."
Rorschach stared at him for a moment before turning back to the table and pocketing the little girl's picture, "I'll be back tonight or tomorrow night. I'll bring her back."
Dan felt little tendrils of fear coil in his stomach at the cold determination in Rorschach's voice, "Okay man. Just- just bring yourself back too, you know?"
Rorschach huffed out what may have been a dry laugh, "Shouldn't be so ridiculous before patrol Daniel. Good luck." And with a nod of his head, he descended into the shadows of Daniel's basement.
"Yeah," Dan murmured to the empty space of his kitchen, "Good luck to you too, buddy."
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A/N: OH NOES. D: Well, we all know what happens after this patrol. Sad face is sad… And yes, this was appallingly short and kind of fluffy but IT'S LIKE GOODBYE and I just couldn't help myself. :( But don't worry, next chapter's gonna be up later today or tomorrow. I promise!