Disclaimer: I do not own Danger Mouse or any canon characters. They are the property of Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall. I do own Dr. Moore.

Notes: I suppose this could be considered a bit of a filler chapter before things pick up again. I wanted to have some more interaction between Danger Mouse and Agent 57 as well as a bit more exploration into Penfold's current mindset.

Warnings: Mentions of self-harm, non-graphic suicide/death in a nightmare.

I promise, no matter how intimate they are, this is just platonic. No romance at all.

I hope you enjoy this!

(Linebreaks hate me, so I will use DMEP)

DMEP

As our heroes continue the nap they started last chapter, a strong feeling of unease returns.

"Penfold!" Danger Mouse's eye opened in a flash as his nightmare startled him awake. It was just like the night before. "Calm down, he's still here..." He sighed sadly as the thoughts of the nightmare returned to his mind.

Penfold stirred and woke up. He looked to the slumbering mouse and let out a low sigh. He carefully climbed out of his hold and off the bed, reaching up to the nightstand to get his spectacles. He just couldn't take it anymore.

No, stop. Don't make me think about it!

He tiptoed out of the room, made sure nobody was around and headed into the kitchen to find his hidden stash of sweeties. Of course, it wasn't just sweeties in the bag. He had a feeling precautions would be taken if he'd failed the first time.

Stop it. Please...

He found the large bag and dug into it, pulling out not a sweetie, but a smaller bag filled with pills. "This really is for the best." He opened the bag, tipped them into his mouth and swallowed them.

He held onto the hamster tightly as tears filled his eye for the umpteenth time that day. Forget the nightmare he'd had a while back, the newest one was definitely the most frightening.

"DM! COME QUICK, IT'S PENFOLD!" Agent 57 cried out from the kitchen.

Danger Mouse woke and realised the hamster wasn't with him. "No, please no...!" He bolted out of bed, out of his room, down the passageway, through the lounge room and into the kitchen. He stopped in his tracks as he saw Agent 57 kneeling over Penfold. "He...he's not...he didn't..."

The squirrel looked very solemn, he was fighting back tears. "I'm sorry, DM."

"But...but, he...I..." He stepped forward before collapsing onto his knees, right by his friend's body. "He..."

Agent 57 placed a paw on the mouse's shoulder. "I'm sorry. He's...gone."

"P-Pen...fold...!" He fell forward, his head on the hamster's still chest and wailed.

He was sobbing as he lay there with his forehead pressed against the hamster's. "Penfold..."

The hamster stirred and opened his eyes. His vision was blurry for the most part, but he could still make out his best friend's face. "DM? What's the matter?"

"It was a nightmare. D-Don't worry."

"How can I not when you're crying like that? What happened?"

"Y-You don't h-have any p-pills hidden in y-your s-sweetie stash, d-do you?"

"Of course not, just sweeties. DM, what happened?"

He recounted the whole nightmare, having to pause at some points to try to regain his composure when it became too much.

By the end of it, Penfold was in tears too. "Oh, DM. I'm not going to do that. Don't believe your nightmare."

"How can I know it won't become a reality? I don't know it for sure."

"Don't you trust me?"

"It's not that." He sniffed. "I trust you a lot, Penfold. With my life. It's just...when feeling that way, desperation is part of it."

"Desperation?"

"Feeling so desperate to do anything to end it all."

"But, we've taken precautions, and Agent 57 is here to help keep watch over both of us."

"Even that may not be enough."

"Y-You're not going to suggest I be admitted, are you?"

"No. I wouldn't do that to you."

"Good. Now, DM, I promise I won't do that. You can check my sweeties later and see I haven't hidden anything among them. Okay?"

Another sniff. "Okay."

"There we go. I'm sorry I've been making you so worried it even affects your sleep."

"I care about you a lot, Penfold, of course I will worry."

"But, it shouldn't be like this."

"I know." He shifted slightly so he could give the hamster a kiss on the forehead. "I know that." He then returned to his earlier position of having his forehead connected to his assistant's. "I'll try not to let my fears overwhelm me. Just...please don't do anything rash."

"I'll still be here when you wake up, DM. I promise."

"Okay." He closed his eye and felt sleep returning to him. He felt exhausted.

Penfold gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before closing his eyes.

DMEP

Agent 57 was reading a book when the pair emerged from the bedroom a couple of hours later. He looked up and noticed things did not appear too good at all. Penfold appeared sullen, while Danger Mouse's solemn expression was more reflective. "How was your nap?"

"Not too good, I'm afraid," Danger Mouse responded with a sigh. "I had nightmares again."

"Of that time?"

"No."

There was a feeling of relief at hearing that.

"Of Penfold succeeding."

The relief vanished instantly. "Have you spoken about it?"

"He woke me up crying earlier. We talked about it," Penfold responded.

"I see."

"Could you please come with us into the kitchen? I need to confirm something with DM."

"Sure. What is it?"

"That I have not hidden any pills in my sweetie stash."

He had a feeling that was what the nightmare concerned. "Right." He set the book down, rose to his feet and followed the pair into the kitchen.

DMEP

The whole bag had been dumped on the table. The contents were spread across the surface. There were some hard lollies, some wrapped chocolate eclairs (the caramel sort, not the pastry sort), but no little bags of pills. "See? Just sweeties."

Danger Mouse nodded. "I see that now."

Agent 57 scooped the contents back into the bag and put it back into the cupboard. "Why don't you two go have a bath and freshen yourselves up? I'll take the time to order in. What would you like?"

"Anything is fine with me."

"I don't really feel up to eating at the moment," Penfold added.

"Well, you have to eat something. I'll just order some pizza. That will give you at least half an hour. If you want to stay in longer, then let me know and I'll keep your food warm for when you come out. Now, go on."

"A bath does sound like a fine idea. Let's go, Penfold." Danger Mouse took hold of his assistant's paw.

"Coming."

Agent 57 watched them leave the kitchen. He let out a sigh. I had a feeling things wouldn't be too good. Hm, where does DM keep the take-away fliers?

DMEP

"Earlier, I showed you one of my scars and told you there are more."

Penfold paused in undressing and looked to the mouse. "You don't have to show them. I...I think I would rather you don't. Just tell me where they are."

"Alright. There are a couple along my torso and a few on my thighs. I realised my wrist wouldn't be as well-concealed so I did it in areas I knew would not be so revealed to everyone. I was able to keep it a secret that way. I know I shouldn't have done so, but that was how I was at the time." He quietly sighed and decided to change the subject. "Would you like to play with your rubber ducky while we're in here?"

"No, thanks."

"How about your boat I got you for Christmas?"

"No, thanks."

That was a first. Penfold usually insisted on playing with a toy in the tub. "Then, shall we just wash up, sit and soak?" He brought down the soap, shampoo and conditioner.

"Okay. I'd rather just sit and soak, but I need to wash anyway."

He noted the hamster was sounding quite low. "How come you don't want to play with your bath toys?"

"I just...don't feel like it. That's all."

He finished undressing and stepped over to the tub, sliding himself in.

Penfold threw his clothes into the laundry hamper before joining the mouse in the in-ground tub. He was sitting on a step that had been installed to help keep the water below his chin since without it, it would be above his head. "I didn't think this would ever happen."

"Us sharing a bath?"

"That and me not wanting to play with my bath toys."

"It's understandable. You may have already figured this out, but a sign of Depression is loss of interest in something that usually makes someone happy. For you, that would include playing with your toys in the tub."

"What did you lose interest in when it got you?"

"The thought of adventure. I didn't care if I wasn't allowed on any missions. I didn't feel anything when I was told I would even be dismissed from training until I was in my right mind again."

"I see. Shall I wash your back?"

"Not right now. Let's just...sit here."

"Okay."

DMEP

The rodents sat there in the tub for almost twenty minutes. They just sat there; didn't wash up, didn't talk, didn't do anything. Just sat. Danger Mouse was the first to break the silence. "Penfold?"

"Hm?"

"I'm sorry I'm also causing you concern."

"Chief?"

"You have enough to worry about, you don't need me having breakdowns or anything like that."

"Isn't that the same for you though, DM? I mean, your old memories were revived this afternoon."

"Maybe so." He brought his knees to his chest. "However...I shouldn't be piling that onto you. You're dealing with enough."

"I would take on anything of yours if it meant you stopped hurting, DM."

"I'm the same way." He sighed and closed his eye. "But, you don't need this too."

"I don't need it, no. But, I want to take it. I hate seeing you this way, DM." He shifted closer and rested his head on the mouse's shoulder, still mindful he didn't allow the water to go higher than his chin.

"I hate seeing you in such a state too."

"DM..."

"I shouldn't be like this. I should be helping you come back from the edge. Instead, I'm standing there with you."

"You're not that fargone yet, are you?"

"I don't know."

"But, it's a good thing you're standing there with me. It means we're there to help each other step away and keep moving away from it."

"Penfold..."

"I'd hug you if it wasn't so awkward at the moment."

He couldn't help but chuckle at that. "Come here." He turned around so he could wrap his arms around the hamster.

"Eh? But, um, we're not in proper dress, we're...oh, crumbs, this is embarrassing."

"We've both seen each other at our most vulnerable. I have nothing to feel embarrassed about with you anymore."

His cheeks were dark, but he couldn't hold back the smile at that. He returned the embrace, albeit with slight hesitation. "We really have become much closer, haven't we?"

"We have."

"I wish it didn't have to be because of last night, but I'm glad we're closer than ever."

"I feel the same way."

There was a knock on the bathroom door. "The pizza just arrived, will you two be getting out now?" Agent 57 called.

"Give us another ten minutes, please!" Danger Mouse responded.

"Right, I'll keep it warm for you two then!"

"Alright, Penfold, we should take this time to wash up. Could you please take care of my back?"

"Of course, DM."

DMEP

Agent 57 noticed the change immediately when he saw them emerge from the bathroom. "Well, now you look much better. How do you feel?"

Danger Mouse smiled slightly. "I do feel a bit more refreshed. Lots closer to Penfold too."

"Closer? I didn't think that was possible."

"What do you mean?"

"In the years you two have been friends, it seemed like there was already a very close, deep, unbreakable bond between you. I thought there was no possible way for you to get closer than you already were, not unless you two fell in love with each other or something like that."

"No, it hasn't gone that far. But, we have seen each other in ways nobody else would. I don't mean like how we just shared a bath. I mean, we've seen a side of each other that nobody else has. Despite you helping me all those years ago, you still haven't seen me in the same ways Penfold has."

Agent 57 smiled and nodded. "I understand now." He looked to the hamster. "How about you, Penfold? Feel a little better now?"

"Kind of. I still don't really have an appetite at the moment, so I might just have one slice of pizza. Then, I think I'd like to go back to bed."

The mouse and squirrel frowned in concern but nodded. "Right. I'll get the pizza then. How many slices will you be having, DM?"

"Three, please. We'll meet you in there. I just want to have a quick word with Penfold."

"Right." He made his way into the kitchen.

Penfold looked up at Danger Mouse. "Is something wrong, DM?"

He nodded. "I'm feeling worried about you." He knelt down and embraced the hamster. "I can understand what you're going through, even if our reasons were different. Whatever happens, please don't give up. Please allow us to help take care of you if you don't want to take care of yourself."

"I will, DM."

"Don't force yourself, either. That would be counter-productive."

"Alright."

"Good." He broke the embrace and rose to his feet again. "Come along, Penfold. Time for tea." He took hold of the hamster's paw and walked alongside him.

DMEP

Penfold surprised himself by having three slices of pizza. He thought he wasn't that hungry, but once he finished the first slice, he realised otherwise. He lay on the sofa, his head on Danger Mouse's lap. He didn't feel as tired, but still wanted to lie down, so they agreed to that while watching a video.

Danger Mouse tenderly stroked the hamster's head as he lay there. "I can't believe we're watching this tripe again," he complained good-naturedly.

"Well, if it means giving Penfold a chance to regain interest, what's the harm?" Agent 57 asked.

"I've been meaning to ask you, 57. Will you be staying as a squirrel while you're here?"

"No, I was thinking of being a chipmunk tomorrow. I just need to make sure I'm not too large."

"No worries there. Even when you take on the form of a larger animal, you're still rather small."

The hamster lost focus on the movie, instead letting the voices of the agents lull him. He closed his eyes and fell into a peaceful slumber.

"Asleep, is he?" Agent 57 asked in a hushed tone.

"Just dropped off." He didn't move yet.

"How is he really?"

"He's in a quiet state of depression at the moment. It's not entirely severe, but it would still be a good idea to keep an eye on him."

"I see. How about you?"

"I'll be alright. Penfold is the one struggling, I shouldn't be putting my problems on him."

"You're both struggling. You were given a very nasty fright last night. You may not be suicidal, he may be the one living with those thoughts at the moment, but you are both still struggling. How are you coping after having those memories revived?"

"A little better than I had feared I would. I was told talking about it would help make it a little easier instead of trying to repress it again."

"Good."

"How are you?"

"I'm alright. Concerned about both of you, but I'm alright. I'm not feeling overwhelmed by any of this."

"The last thing we want to do is drag you down too."

"You're not. I'm here to be a supportive friend to both of you during a time you need it. You're not going to drag me down."

"Please at least let us know if it is starting to become a bit too much for you. Take a break if you must. Just, please don't allow it to get to you."

"It won't, DM. I promise."

Penfold stirred.

"You know, he's cute when he's asleep. He looks far more innocent."

"No. He's always looked that innocent. You're right about him being cute when he's asleep though," Danger Mouse responded. "Earlier, you brought up a possibility of Penfold and I falling in love with each other."

"Has it really happened?"

"No, it's a love that's more like family, if a bit stronger. But, if something like that had happened, what would you say?"

"I'd be happy for you two. You both deserve nothing but happiness, and if that is found with each other then who am I to stop you?"

"I appreciate knowing that."

"I've noticed there has been more of an intimacy between you two. It's nice."

"Nice?"

"I mean, to see you being so intimate with someone. I'd never known you were someone who would allow another to give you hugs or rest their head on your lap."

"Normally, I wouldn't. But, it's Penfold." He smiled tenderly. "We've even started exchanging cheek and forehead kisses lately."

"To show how much you care about each other?"

"Yes. We openly admit we love each other. We know the depths of it, so we don't question it."

Agent 57 smiled tenderly and placed a paw on Danger Mouse's shoulder. "That sort of bond is unique. You're both fortunate you can share it with someone."

"I honestly can't imagine what my life would be like if Penfold hadn't come into it..."

"Does he know that?"

"I've told him many times. He's said the same thing."

"Amazing. I'm happy for you."

"Thank you." He looked to the squirrel. "I also consider you to be a very dear friend. I trust you with my life, as well as with Penfold's life. I said it to Dr. Moore this afternoon that if there was anybody I could trust Penfold with, it would always be you."

"Thanks, DM. I'm touched." He noticed the mouse's ears were beginning to droop. "Looks like you're about ready to drop off yourself. You and Penfold should get to bed. Try to rest well, and remember Penfold is not able to do anything to himself. You've taken every precaution, he proved nothing has been hidden away to try again, I'm here as additional back-up. You have another session with Dr. Moore tomorrow, you'll need to be well-rested for that."

"You're right." He carefully scooped Penfold into his arms and rose to his feet. "Good night, 57."

"Good night, DM." He watched the mouse retreat to the bedroom, a smile marking his features. He could see that, though it would take time, Danger Mouse and Penfold would be alright as long as they had each other.

DMEP

Of course, this still does not mean the end of the story. More to come next time.

DMEP

After-notes: Danger Mouse's nightmare hit me in my dreams, so naturally, I had to write it. But, yeah. The standard of this chapter is pretty much filler.

I assure you, their relationship is staying platonic. It is strictly platonic.

Thank you for reading. You don't have to review, but if you'd like to say something, please don't flame. Constructive criticism is alright though.