"Okay, so, he put the big boss man on a plane. What the hell does that mean?" Danny paced the hall. They'd just watched their suspect being wheeled through the swinging doors at the end of the hallway. "Did he pull a Doris and come straight back? Or did he fly off into the sunset, happy his work here was done?"

Steve was about to answer when movement down the hall caught his eye. He braced himself for his partner's reaction.

"Uncle Danny!" Eric called from the entrance to the ER, Kono trailing behind him.

Hands on his hips, Danny exhaled loudly, downshifting to a completely different gear. He didn't want to think about his nephew right then, let alone deal with him face to face. It was all he could do to keep it together. Kono apparently noticed.

"I couldn't stop him, boss. I'm sorry." She shrugged. "He had to see you guys."

"You got shot, Uncle Danny?"

Danny winced at the terror in his nephew's voice. He hoped he hid his reaction well, wanting to downplay all of this.

"Yea Eric. Steve too." He chose sarcasm instead of tears. "By your friends."

"But they're not my frie-"

"Remember that next time you even think about gambling. Please." Danny sighed. It was tough on him to talk to his nephew like this. "This is what happens, Eric. 2 of those guys are dead now. The other guy has one foot in the grave."

Eric didn't seem to be processing what his uncle was saying and then he blurted out. "That could have been you."

Danny just about lost his mind. "Really? You came up with that one on your own? What the hell have I been trying to tell you? What will it take?" He pointed to the blood on his shirt. "My fucking blood? What about watching someone smack me around? Did you get a kick out of that?"

The hall seemed to expand and contract. Danny really wanted to sit down.

"Hey, Danno." Steve practically whispered in his ear. "That's enough for tonight."

Danny shook his head. The pain and pressure had returned behind his eyes. He put one hand on the wall for support. "Yea, let's go home."

"We're all running on practically no sleep." Steve turned to Eric. "Get your things. Why don't you come with us tonight?"

Steve checked for Danny's approval. And then he added.

"You're leaving tomorrow, Eric."

"What?" Danny wobbled a little.

"That's right. Back to Jersey. It's all been arranged." Steve reached out to steady his friend.

Danny was caught totally off guard. "By whom may I ask?"

Stunned, Eric said nothing. He just watched the two men. Chin stood off to the side, already aware of the plan. He and Kono had done all of the work with a little help from Steve.

"Me. Chin. Kono. It's not up for discussion. I made an executive decision. Now's not a good time for a family reunion."

"You're sure about this?" Steve was surprised by Danny's question. He seemed to be going along with the idea.

"Yea, Danno. We'll talk later." He gave his friend a quick punch in the arm. Like any other day. Then his face darkened a little as he turned back to Eric. "First we need to make a quick pit stop. There's something you need to do, Eric."

/././

"Pit stop? You call this a pit stop, Steven?" Danny had been flailing his arms and arguing ever since he realized where they were headed. "I call this a scar you for the rest of your life kind of moment. Not a pit stop."

"I'll be okay, Uncle Danny. I've seen dead people."

"Was anyone asking you? No, so please refrain from adding your two cents." Danny turned around in his seat. "I am your uncle, and I say you cannot do this."

Steve groaned. "I think it's time to give that up, D. Eric isn't a kid anymore."

"Says you."

Steve rolled his eyes and just gave up on talking. He parked his vehicle and led the way to the morgue. Max had been waiting for them.

And just as quickly, Danny composed himself, chewing on his lip. He closed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. Then he studied his nephew before beginning.

Steve waited for them at the door. He knew this was difficult for his friend, and he was proud of him for handling it as well as he was.

"I just need you to ID these guys for me." Danny made sure he had eye contact. It was obvious how nervous Eric was, despite his earlier bravado. He got his nephew's attention. "Hey, you can do this. Nothing special. They knew what they were doing when they kidnapped you and jacked me."

Eric shivered ever so much. "And made me watch."

"Yea, think of that. Feed off that anger a little. It helps."

"I've never seen anyone-"

Danny finished for him. "Dead. You've never seen anyone dead before. Except for on TV or at Gramma's funeral, right?"

"Yea, not like this."

"Most people never do."

Max interrupted them. "Good evening, Eric. Or do you prefer E-train?"

The ME backed away slightly at the snarl that escaped Danny's lips.

"Eric, sir. You can call me Eric."

"Sir, I like that. Very few people ever call me that." Max chuckled and rubbed his chin.

"Max." Danny crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Max bristled at his name. Because it was more than that. It was a warning. He cleared his throat. "Now, I know that this may be an uncomfortable experience. Unsettling may be a better word."

"Yea but it's actually kinda cool." Eric interrupted.

Max lit up just a bit and nodded. "I think I might describe it that way myself. Hmmm."

/././

Steve and Danny stood alone outside the building. Chin and Kono had taken Eric back to headquarters for some quick last minute paperwork since he'd be leaving the island the next day. Danny was happy the visit to the morgue had been quick and painless. And successful. Eric positively identified both Vitor and his hired gun.

"Alright, so we have the Russians under control." Steve rubbed his hands together.

"If by that you mean 2 dead and 1 in critical condition, you would be correct."

"Vitor's dead, Danny. That thread should be neutralized. We'll find his boss."

"Yea, then why don't I feel any better? I feel like-" The word unhinged popped into his mind.

Steve cut him off mid thought. "You're wound up, Danny. It's understandable."

He reached out to his partner. Danny flinched away.

"It's Eric, isn't it?"

Danny closed his eyes. "Yes, of course it's Eric. You and I. We are trained for this stuff. It's what we do. Eric on the other hand is a mixed up kid."

"He's strong, Danny."

Danny shook his head. "I know this. I witnessed it at the morgue tonight."

"Then what?"

"I can't help feeling-"

"That it's all your fault." It wasn't a question. "Maybe it is, Danny."

His hands flew up. "What? How's that supposed to make me feel better?"

"I didn't know this was a kiss ass therapy session, D." Steve rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "If it is your fault, it's a lesson. Learn from it and let the rest go. That's all I'm saying. You pulled a stunt back when you were a rookie. You had no idea this would happen. And the Danny Williams I know today has learned from it. You wouldn't pull the same shit today. Not without backup anyway." Steve elbowed Danny.

"Why do I still not feel any better?" Danny sighed. "Somehow, I think I may even feel worse."

"Because you're a good guy, Danny." Steve wished he could take some of the weight from his friend. "And you blame yourself too much."

Danny shrugged away from his friend, but Steve grabbed him, pulling him closer, wincing from too much pressure on his bruised ribs. He ignored the burst of pain. His friend was more important.

Danny groaned with his own painful memories of the day. "You will be the death of me, Steven."

The two friends separated and for a few seconds, they just stood there looking everywhere but at one another. Steve gave Danny a goodhearted smack on his back, doing his best to smile.

"Come on, Danno. We're going back to my place. We'll grab some beers. Chin and Kono are meeting us with Eric. It should be safe now."

"Yea sure." Danny's focus was still elsewhere. "I'm beat. I may just go to bed. I'm so done with this shit."

They climbed into Steve's vehicle, both more than ready to put that day behind them.

"Don't think I forgot about re-wrapping your hand." Steve looked more than a little gleeful.

Danny held his hand up, flexing his fingers as much as he could. They felt strangely stiff and swollen, almost numb. He was using his hand more than he should.

"I told you. It's fine, Steve." He added a bit of truth to his lie. "I've just had a really bad day."

Steve backed out of the parking space.

"Why don't you do something that will make you feel better, Danny?" He raised an eyebrow at his friend. "Try it and see how it works."

"What are you? My life coach now?"

"Maybe." Steve grinned. "Hey, I'm your best friend and I want to see you happy."

"Best friend? Don't you think you might be assuming something there?"

"Call Grace, Danny. Just do it." Steve stopped for the light. "We have some time alone. Just call her."

Danny nodded and closed his eyes. "Yea, you're right. It's getting late."

"You know they're waiting for you. Especially Gracie. She misses her Danno."

Pulling out his phone, Danny stared out the window for a few seconds before dialing. Steve tried to give him some space, but how could he really?

"I know it's late, Rachel. Please put Grace on the phone." Danny held the phone to his ear, not saying anything for a few seconds. Steve smiled as his partner's face transformed. "Hey Monkey! I miss you too. Yes, I know it's bed time. Did I wake you? You were waiting for me, huh? I just wanted to tell you Danno loves you, okay? I hope to see you soon, too baby." He paused, grinning and listening. "Okay, Gracie. I have to go. I love you more, Monkey."

He hung up and turned to see Steve watching him. "What?"

"I'm glad you got to talk to Grace, buddy."

Danny sighed, tears in the corners of his eyes.

/././

There was no small talk between uncle and nephew once everyone was settled at Steve's place. Eric crashed in the guest room and was asleep in minutes. This was perfectly fine with Danny.

But he couldn't relax. Danny wanted to do something useful like work on the case. He was caught in that annoying paradox where you were too tired to sleep. And his partner would not stop hovering.

"Come on. We got HPD parked out on the street. Chin and Kono on the perimeter." Steve wiggled his eyebrows. "And you got me."

"That's just so reassuring. You. Watching me." Danny closed his eyes and leaned into the couch.

"I mean it, Danny. It's better if we're all together anyway. Just in case this guy hung around. We'll run any info we can get on private jets on the island in the morning. Now, you need to rest."

"I don't want to rest. I want to check out those private jets tonight."

"I have someone working on it right now."

"Catherine?"

Steve shrugged. "She wanted to help."

/././

Danny held out his hand, finally complying. There was no more arguing. And suddenly the house was quiet, except for the constant murmur of the ocean. Eric was asleep upstairs, and Chin and Kono were outside, taking shifts with the HPD officers.

"I don't need all this special attention." Danny leaned back in the chair.

Steve scooted his chair closer. "I'll be the judge of that, my friend." He took Danny's hand and carefully took off the brace, setting it on the table. "Come on, Danny, loosen up. Let me help you."

"I can take care of myself."

"Not all the time, Danno. And that's okay."

Danny looked away, feeling a little overwhelmed. "That goes both ways, Steve."

"Okay, I promise-"

"No promises. You know that."

"So once in a while, I'll make an effort to not blow-"

"Okay, now that sounds really bad."

"Why do you keep interrupting me?"

Danny tried to pull his hand away. "I can do this myself."

"See, there you go again. Just let me do it." Steve almost gave Danny's hand a squeeze to let him know he meant business. He sighed. "Please, let me look at your hand. I have a fresh Ace bandage you can use."

"Fine. Do what you want. I'm going to sleep. Right here in this chair." Danny closed his eyes and relaxed.

Steve unwound the bandage. Danny barely felt a thing his friend was so gentle. And then his skin was finally bare again.

"How does it feel?" Steve held Danny's hand in his, studying the bruises.

"Hurts a little. Mostly stiff."

"Can you bend your wrist?"

Danny flexed his hand, wincing a little. They spent the next few minutes sitting in silence, Steve tending to his best friend. Danny actually letting him do it.

"You know-" Danny's voice startled Steve. "I knew you'd find me."

Steve finished wrapping his partner's hand, carefully tucking the end of the bandage so it would stay put. He didn't have anything to say. Words just didn't cut it and he didn't want to cry tonight.

He held up the brace and just stared at the smudges. Blood. His blood and Danny's blood. If he spoke now, he'd get all choked up and embarrass himself.

Danny took the brace from his friend and slipped it back in place. "Thank you, again, for saving me, Steve."