Chapter 11: Getting you back

When Danny comes to, he is being carried on someone's back, his nose buried in lemon-smelling hair that is familiar and reminds him of home. His mind is numb and his vision blurry, but he can still make out trees passing by. He's in the woods and it's broad daylight. How long has it been since he and Derek were abducted? A day? Two days? Danny doesn't know, his body is sore all over, and his heart is beating unusually slowly.

"Mom?" It's the first thing that pops into his head and though it sounds impossible—how could his mother carry him and run at the same time?—he can't think of another person at the moment.

"Yes, it's me, baby, you're okay now," his mother's voice is as soothing as ever and Danny slowly remembers what happened. Derek getting shot. Himself getting shot. Waking up in a dark and cold room, hands and ankles tied. Pain. He remembers pain so vividly he can still feel it lingering on his skin. He remembers a gruff looking man standing guard, watching him impassively while Danny screamed out an invisible pain.

"How did you find me?" his head is in such a haze right now it's all he can do not to fall back into unconsciousness. He asks the first thing that comes to his mind, and it's a valid question.

"I have my ways," is the curt answer Danny gets from his mother. It doesn't answer his question at all. It's an evasive reply, one that means Danny isn't going to get a real answer now and most likely never.

"Derek," Danny mutters suddenly, the name slipping out of his lips a real shock running through his entire body and bringing him to full awareness. He releases his grip around his mother to drop on the ground, the impact knocking the breath out of him. He crawls on leaves and fragile branches, resting on his hands and knees to catch his breath.

"Danny! What are you doing?" His mother is crouching by his side, hands cupping his face. She looks so worried, and now that Danny takes a good look at her, he notices she's wearing blue scrubs. It's odd, she never wears scrubs. His mother's a doctor at the hospital and she's not a surgeon. She usually just puts on a white coat over her regular clothes. He doesn't understand why she's wearing scrubs now of all time.

"Why are you wearing scrubs?" Danny asks the question as soon as it pops into his head, his mind is still not at full capacity.

"It was the most convenient thing I could think of," she replies. Another vague answer. It unsettles Danny, his mother isn't the cryptic type. No, his mother is someone who's clear and straight to the point, that's how surgeons usually are. There's something that's not quite right here, but Danny can't dwell on that. He has other priorities.

"I have to go back, Derek, he's still there, they're going to kill him," Danny rasps out as fast as he can, his pulse going from slow to rapid as panic settles in. He can't help it, he feels the urgency to go back and get Derek, to protect him. Danny stands up on shaky legs, supported by his mother who grabs his chin and looks him straight in the eye.

"Oh no," she says with a mournful tone as she studies his face, and takes his right hand brusquely to examine it. "Where's your ring?"

It takes him a couple second to process her question, and then direct his gaze to his hand when he understands what his mother's referring to. His baby ring. The one his grandfather gave him. It's not adorning his ring finger, as it should be.

"I have no idea," Danny replies truthfully, and it's the least of his worries. He starts walking in the direction he thinks they came from, judging by the trail his mother left, but the latter grips his arm firmly and spins him around to face her again.

"You're not going anywhere, young man," she warns him with her serious voice—the one she reserves for serious situations—and then yanks off the gold chain she always wears around her neck, dropping a small ring in the palm of her hand. It's his ring, the one he got from his grandfather when he was born and couldn't fit on any of his fingers until the age of six.

"Where did you find it? I didn't even know I'd lost it," Danny frowns as he looks at the gold band his mother is now holding between her thumb and index.

"It's not yours, it's mine, but it'll have to do," his mother replies curtly before taking his hand in a firm grasp and before he knows it, the ring is shoved on his finger where it used to be. "Come now, we have to get going."

It's instantaneous, the air is sucked out of him and his heart constricts so tightly Danny feels like it's completely bereft of blood. He can't breathe and he falls down to his knees, clutching his chest with his hand. It's so heavy, his chest his filled with invisible lead, weighing him down and a few tears escape but Danny's not lucky enough to be relieved from this excruciating pain through sobs. He's suffocating. And he can only think of Derek. Where's Derek? He can't feel the other man anymore. It doesn't make sense but he can't feel him.

"Derek," Danny barely lets out, struggling to get back up on wobbly legs. "I have to find him; they're going to kill him!"

"No, you are not going back there, we need to get you somewhere safe," his mother retorts but her words are lost on him. He's starting to walk again when his mother holds him back forcefully.

"Please," Danny gives way to his weak legs again, the rough ground grazing his kneecaps furthermore. He can't feel Derek and it scares him to no end. He can't even fathom the eventuality that…no. He can't even finish the thought. Why can't he feel Derek anymore? For hours, he's been able to share every stings and whips that's been laid upon Derek's body as vividly as if it was his own body that was tortured.

His mother heaves a frustrated sigh and her sharp eyes meet his, her strong fingers catching his chin to get his full attention. "You don't move, I'm going to get him."

Danny nods, too numbed by the hollowness inside of him and too weak to do much else anyhow. His mother somehow produces a gun out of nowhere and launches into a sprint back the way they came from. The wait is consuming. Danny's fidgeting, sitting back on his feet, a cool breeze making him realize how bare his skin is and how chilly he actually feels. He's only wearing jeans he doesn't remember having put on and nothing else. He can feel the dirt on the plant of his feet and between his toes, making him crave a steaming hot shower.

Above all else, he's craving the touch of Derek. His mind is set on that one track. Derek. It's scary how it's become an obsession. His hands are shaky, his breathing erratic—at times rapid and at others slow—his heart beating steadily but strongly against his ribcage. Why are they taking so long? They're taking too long. How long has it been? Danny has no idea but the wait is gnawing at him, causing his body to move on its own eventually and in a matter of seconds he's standing on his feet and walking.

He doesn't actually know where he's going; he just walks in the direction he thinks his mother went, wincing every time his bare feet land on dead branches or wet and gooey stuff he'd rather not think about. The sharp cold air and the walk are helping him find focus and clear his head a little, a definite improvement from the chaos he was in earlier. He doesn't even question his weird obsession with Derek anymore. He just wants to be able to feel Derek's warm presence again. He didn't even know until now that he could, it's a concept so bizarre that he just cannot explain it. All of a sudden, he felt like the life was sucked out of him and a void was left inside. And all of that happened when his mother put the ring back on his finger. The realization makes him stop dead in his tracks, bringing his hand up to examine the ring, fiddling with it around his finger. Could it be that the ring was the cause of the sudden emptiness in his chest? Only one way to find out, Danny, he tells himself and removes it.

"Danny!" He spins around fast at the mention on his name and makes out two figures walking toward him a few yards away. Just as quickly as the feeling had left him, it comes back. It's warm and familiar and it's comforting. It's Derek. They made it. His mother found Derek. He runs towards them after securely putting the ring in his jeans' pocket. He's whole again. Derek is back. As Danny gets closer to them, he sees with horror the poor state Derek's body is in. He's as undressed as Danny is; his body bruised and bloody all over and he's limping with an arm thrown over his mother's shoulders. When did she get so strong? Danny wonders as he watches her support a big guy like Derek. He runs to their side to help his mother but Derek lets go of her and throws himself over Danny, wrapping him in his arms.

"You're okay," Derek mutters in his ear, with what sounds like relief and despair in his voice. Danny hugs him back, reveling in the feel of Derek's bare skin against his, not caring at the moment for the bruises that adorn Derek's body.

"You are not though," Danny mumbles in the crook of Derek's neck, shifting his head to look up at his mother, her gaze hard and perplexed.

"I'll be fine," Derek assures him, his hand cupping the side of Danny's face as their eyes lock together. Danny seizes this opportunity to take a good look at Derek, inspecting every inch of him. Derek's face is marred with cuts and bloodied bruises, just like the rest of his body. Danny remembers every one of them for he felt them too even if his own body doesn't have the evidence to show it. He doesn't know how it could've been possible, but it did happen. Derek and he…they are linked somehow, there's no other explanation. Derek's beautiful blue eyes convey so much emotion at the moment, they look at Danny with pure joy and adoration mixed with relief and guilt.

"Let's go back, you said you had your car around, right?" his mother interrupts their moment, her tone cold and impatient as she looks at them impatiently. Derek lets go of him and turns to nod at her. Danny takes Derek's arm to drape it over his shoulders but the latter declines, telling him he can walk on his own now. And he does. Derek's recovered remarkably fast, but Danny's not so surprised anymore, having seen it first hand before.

"Where are we, exactly?" Danny asks as they walk, his mother staying close to him, gun in hand and looking around frantically. Derek's taking the lead and Danny tries to avoid looking at the man, tries to look at anything but Derek's back muscles and his narrow hips. And his ass. Derek Hale fits jeans like no one else. Stop it, Danny,he scolds himself and shakes his head to snap out of his inappropriate staring.

"We're out of town, in the woods," Derek replies, turning around briefly to shoot him a smile that makes Danny's heart flutter ever so slightly. "We're not far from my house."

Everything from then goes by in a blur as exhaustion catches up with him. The walk to Derek's old burnt house that Danny's only ever seen in newspapers takes five minutes of walking top. He falls asleep as soon as his back hits the comfy cushion of Derek's car. Danny's always found sleep easily during car rides, there's something about the motor humming and the almost imperceptible rocking that soothe him and make him relax.

He's soon awaken by voices and it takes him a second to remember he's with his mother and Derek, his mother riding shotgun because she wanted to let Danny have the entire backseat to himself. Or so she says. Danny thinks she actually wants to keep an eye on Derek. She doesn't like him, Danny can tell. They're talking quite animatedly, probably thinking Danny's still asleep. He shuts his eyes and keeps a steady breathing, pretending he's still asleep to listen in.

"No need to thank me, I only saved your ass for Danny," his mother says quite harshly.

"Nevertheless, I'm still thankful you did," Derek replies. "I never meant for him to get caught up in my mess."

"He wouldn't have if you had stayed away from him," she snaps icily. "I want you to give me his ring back."

"What ring?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Hale, only you could've known what the ring is for and taken it," she says impatiently.

"I can assure you I have no idea what you're talking about," Derek retorts. Danny's confused. What's so special about his baby ring? It's just something he got from his grandfather. There's a moment of silence and Danny hears some movement, suspecting his mother turned in her seat to check his asleep state.

"You know about Danny, right?" she whispers so low Danny almost can't hear it.

"Yes, and he knows about me being a werewolf," Derek returns.

"You told him?"

"Yes, is that a problem…?" Derek trails off and his mother's conspicuously silent, making Danny's heart beating increasingly faster as he awaits her response. "You mean he doesn't about him being—"

About him being what? Danny wonders, although he has a strong suspicion now, and his heart is thumping hard at the thought. Derek doesn't get to finish his question as his mother cuts the latter off.

"No, I never told him," she says abruptly. "That's what the ring is for. Since his sister and he are only…half-blooded, we gave them the inhibition rings the moment they were born, so that they would never have to go through the transformation and live normal lives. What would've been the point of telling them?"

"I see. But I wasn't even aware that such rings existed, let alone that Danny had one, I didn't take it," Derek replies.

"Then who did? He never takes it off."

"I don't know."

They come to a stop and Danny assumes they got to their destination. He still can't believe everything he's just heard. His parents have lied to him—and to his sister their entire lives. He's still not sure about what exactly but he's got a pretty good idea now although he doesn't want to admit it might actually be true. That he's half human half werewolf. Does that mean his mother is a werewolf? Or is it his father? It seems more likely it's his mother though. It would explain a lot of things. Everything that she's done today, for instance. She saved him and Derek on her own, she displayed great stamina and amazing strength he never thought she possessed.

"Thanks for the ride," his mother says, bringing him back out of his thoughts. "But I never want to see you around my son again."

"I…I'm not sure I can promise you that," Derek says hesitantly and Danny agrees with him. He can't stay away from Derek—at least, he doesn't think he can nor want to—especially after everything they've been through. If anything, he wants to be with Derek more than he ever did. He decides it's time for him to wake up.

"Neither am I," Danny speaks up, getting the attention from both Derek and his mother who turn to look at him, eyes wide with surprise to see him awake. Now that his eyes are open, Danny sees they are parked in the driveway of his home. "I…I've heard everything, Mom."

"Danny…"

"And I like Derek," Danny adds, eyes catching Derek's gaze. Derek looks pleased but looks like he's trying to hide it—probably because his mother's sitting right next to him. "Can we just go inside and talk? I think you owe me a proper explanation."

"All right," his mother lets out a sigh before getting out of the car and Danny does as well, gesturing at Derek to follow them. He huddles close to the other man, craving his touch. Thankfully, Derek returns it, seeming as eager as Danny is and it makes him sigh in relief.

They're safe now. Everything's going to be ok, Danny thinks. His father and Jackson rush to greet them as soon as they go inside the house, and they both look downright crazy. They have dark bags under their eyes and their hair is a mess. They must have been worried sick. Danny goes to hug his father, relieved to know he's all right. The last time he saw them, they were lying unconscious on the hallway floor. Danny pulls away to turn to Jackson and sees the horror in his best friend's gaze. Jackson's looking straight at Derek and Danny remembers how the two of them are fighting over him. He doesn't want to deal with his and takes Jackson in his arms, trying to stop his friend's shaking.

"I'm fine, Jacks, I'm fine," Danny mumbles soothingly, trying to ignore the fact that he's still shirtless. "You should go home and get some rest, how long have you stayed here?"

"It's been a day, Dan," Jackson replies weakly, stifling a sob. Danny wants to just cuddle in bed with him and comfort his friend—and frankly, he could use some comfort too—but Derek's right behind them and he just can't ignore the flare of jealousy he can sense from Derek. He's never been able to pick up on it so easily before now nor could he feel it as strongly, but he does.

"He's right, sweetie, your parents must be worried," Danny's mother comes to the rescue, placing a gentle hand on Jackson's shoulder. Jackson looks back and forth between her, Danny and Derek before finally nodding and letting her lead him out.

"I…I'm exhausted, actually, can we talk later, Mom?" Danny yawns, feeling the exhaustion of the past 24 hours of pure hell catch up with him.

"Of course, honey," his mother's eyes soften, her hand stroking his cheek as gently as he remembers her to be. He wants his bed so badly right now that he could crash on it and pass out, but he does needs a bath beforehand, after his time spent in captivity. The blood, the sweat and the woods have made a mess out of his body and the warm water would definitely help with his aching muscles. He turns to look at Derek, longing to be held by his strong arms in his bed and just sleep forever with the man.

"Uh…What about Derek?" Danny dares ask, wondering if his parents would even let Derek sleep in the same room with him, let alone in the same bed. Danny has little hope they would. His father wasn't all that thrilled to have Derek around before they both got shot and bagged away, and his mother didn't hide her hostility toward him. Danny understands them, in a way. He had his own reservations about Derek too, and from their perspective, Danny recognizes Derek did bring a lot of trouble. Danny should probably forget about the man and go on with his life but at the moment, it just doesn't seem like he can actually do that. His life's forever changed and he cannot envision it without Derek in it.

"He can take a shower in the common bathroom," his mother says neutrally, the little edge in her voice gone. "And he gets to sleep on the couch if he wants to."

"I don't want to impose, I could just leave," Derek says from his tense stance by the main entrance.

"That would be a good idea," Danny's father points out but Danny glares at him, walking over to Derek and taking his arm in his.

"No, I want him to stay," Danny refuses to let Derek go now; too scared that whoever captured them go after him. "They could come back for him, they probably are looking for us right now."

"Go get cleaned up, Danny, he can stay," his mother concedes, fingers rubbing her forehead in clear indication that she's got a headache coming up. Danny smiles at her to thank her and turns to grab Derek's hands but she adds, "He is not to come with you though."

"Mom—"

"Danny, no," his father chimes in, putting his foot down with his mother. Derek nods at him and Danny lets go of Derek's arm, walking up the stairs to his bedroom, wishing he could have Derek's warm and strong body to shield him from the nightmares that would surely come to haunt him tonight.

tbc

A/N: **gasps** An update! Sorry guys, I got sidetracked by Glee. And school is killing me. I don't know when I'll even find the time to write the next chapter. I hope this one can be sufficient for a while. I just needed to remind myself how much I love Dannek and it got me going. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I hope I haven't lost all my dear readers. As always, let me know what you think!

Sidenote to abc: Just curious, what made you think Danny was aware of being a hybrid? Just because I let the readers know stuff doesn't mean all the characters are aware of everything. I am curious because I don't think I've written that.