"Judging by the knot on the back of your head, I'd say you had your bell rung. Besides being used for a punching bag. I'm guessing you know the protocol when there's a suspected concussion?" The doctor eyed his patient carefully. "I know this isn't your first rodeo, so I'll skip my usual lecture."

Danny nodded, careful not to move his pounding head too much. He'd been in this position more than a few times. Came with the job. Though admittedly, this was one for the books.

"I'll give you some meds for your head and your wrist. And speaking of your wrist." The doctor shuffled through the chart. "Your X-ray does not show a fracture. The swelling and bruising does concern me. Same goes for your middle and index fingers. I suggest the hand and fingers be immobilized and reevaluated. May I ask what happened?"

"Somebody mistook my hand for one of those bendy dolls." Danny rubbed his chin. "I can't think of his name."

"You mean Gumby?" Steve was quick to fill in the blanks.

The physician didn't comment. He studied both men and thought it well to continue with his rundown. "The lacerations on your fingertips are minor and can be sealed with surgical glue, if you want. They may be tender for a few days. You're likely to have pain from those badly torn fingernails as well. Any time the nail is torn that far toward the nail bed, there is risk of infection and complete loss of the nail."

"I'm fine. It's nothing a manicure won't fix." Danny was suddenly very self conscious of his broken nails. He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Thinking about how they got to be so tattered only increased his blood pressure. And he didn't need that at the moment if he wanted to get out of the ER at a decent time that night. "Please just release me into the custody of this animal and let me go home and get some sleep."

Steve grinned from the corner of the triage room, but only for a second. He didn't want to make enemies with the staff. He knew how much Danny wanted to get out of there.

Hands in his pockets and leaning against the wall, Steve tried to be cool and collected. "I'll make sure he behaves himself, Doc."

But he didn't impress the seasoned physician who adjusted his glasses and made eye contact with both men in turn. Then he cleared his throat and continued.

"I'm sure you will, Commander. You're a regular customer around these parts too. Don't try to fool me." The doctor flipped a page in the chart. "It says here Mr. Williams stopped breathing and had to be revived. Is that true?"

Steve straightened himself, hiding a shiver at the memory of performing CPR on his best friend. "Yes sir, it is."

"That isn't something to be taken lightly." He turned to Danny. "You can try to hide it all you like. But this is a serious matter. I'd like to keep you here for observation."

Danny brushed it off all the same. It was over and done with after all. No harm, no foul and all that. "It was nothing. Probably just from shock."

"I wouldn't call any sort of cardiac arrest nothing, Detective. You had a pretty bad scare. I want to make sure everything is in working order before I let you go home."

Danny shook his head and kept his mouth shut. He wanted to say so many things but could come up with nothing helpful. He knew the doctor was right on some levels. If the situation was reversed and Steve was the one sitting there, he would urge his friend to stay. Yet, he also knew Steve would fight tooth and nail to be released.

"I barely had to do anything. I think maybe one rescue breath and he was back."

"I don't know how the two of you can be so cavalier." The doctor made some notes. "Once you get your hand taken care of – and I recommend wrapping and splinting - you are free to go."

Danny murmured his approval, not wanting to say much at all. At this point, he figured silence was best. If he opened his mouth, something sarcastic and unappreciated might come out. The doctor seemed pleased with his obedience even if he only received it in short measure.

"I'll send you home with some paperwork and prescriptions. Please check back with me in twenty-four hours."

"I'll try, doc."

"No try. Do, Detective Williams. We have to agree on this point, or I will not release you."

"I could lie to you."

Steve chuckled.

"Yes. You could do that. But I would find out and next time, I won't be so easy going." The doctor tucked his glasses into the front of his lab coat. "And that goes for you as well, Commander."

Steve nodded, wanting to say something in his defense but his cell phone vibrated in his pocket. "I've gotta take this. Excuse me."

Danny opened his mouth but didn't say anything. He just shrugged and leaned back against the pillow. Steve ducked out to answer his phone.

The doctor waited until Steve was out of the room before turning back to Danny. "You know, you are a lucky man. I heard about what happened to you tonight. I'm happy to see you as composed as you are. Please don't hesitate to speak with someone if the need should arise. I can point you in the direction-"

"Thanks, doc." Danny stopped him with a smile and a nod. "I will keep your advice in mind should the need arise. I promise."

/././

Steve walked up the hall away from Danny's room. He didn't want to take the chance his conversation might be overheard by his partner. He wasn't sure what Chin had to report but by the tone of his voice something was up.

"Hey Chin."

Chin wasted no time in telling his boss what he'd found. "CSU went over Danny's place." Chin paused. "They didn't find anything, Steve."

"No fingerprints? Fibers? Hairs?"

"Nothing that wasn't there already."

Steve thought back to the scene. Broken glass, bits of tape. The trashed television. The overturned chair. Blood. Danny's blood.

"Wait – what are you holding back?"

Chin cleared his throat. "Has Danny's nephew visited since he moved to his new place?"

"No." Steve frowned and hesitated, clearly put off by this mention. "He hasn't."

"After we were all ruled out – and Grace, one set of prints was found." Chin stopped as waiting for Steve to catch up. "Eric's prints were found in the kitchen."

Now the bottom really did fall out on Steve's world. "You're sure, Chin?"

"Yes Steve. Definitely."

"This will kill, Danny."

"Now wait, Steve. We don't even know what this is."

Steve nodded, switching ears with his phone. He took a deep breath. "Yea, you're right. I'll just have to find the right moment to tell him."

"I don't envy you, boss."

"Me either." Steve closed his eyes, shaking his head and half laughing. This had been some night already. There was only more to come.

A/N Again, many thanks to everyone reading.