His first thoughts during this murder/home invasion case were for the victim's family. Yes, he always considers the families, but it was usually the second thing crossing his mind after he'd surveyed the scene, getting the details. The con man in him always leapt to the forebrain before, it's what made him a good cop. Lately the father in him has started to take first place. It may have taken twelve years, but the change is what will make him a great cop. He doesn't even slow down at Steve's shouted inquiry as he jogs to find the victim's son. He'll deal with the crime scene later.
When he takes the time to process the facts of the case, Danny finds himself disappointed in today's criminal element. He always told himself the minute he started sounding like one of his elders, more specifically like Saul, he'd hang up his gun and find a retirement home. He didn't think he'd only be in his late thirties when he did though. This whole case made him feel old.
Danny analyzes every aspect in his head, of what turns out to be two unrelated cases. Some of which he shares with the team, the stuff related to solving the crime, but most he hears Saul's voice over and over. "Amateurs. No finesse. What is the point of hurting people? These youngsters can't take the time to do a job properly. Too many clues left behind. Too predictable," and on and on. If he hadn't already retired from the life, Danny would now after listening to Saul in his head for hours on end.
When they catch the home invaders, Danny can't resist the jab, "There's no honor amongst thieves," even though it's not an edict he actually believes in. It's more of a there's not honor amongst common criminal whereas professionals, that's a different story. He's just glad they'd stop the crime spree before the home invaders killed someone.
It' doesn't help their other victim, Jake Griffin. To be killed by your own brother-in-law because you have money. There are no words to describe this.
As he follows Steve to the MMA ring, Danny is once again reminded of Saul. He felt like he was back at the Bellagio carrying the older man's luggage, a trailer to the main act. This time he's carrying a mouth guard, but the feeling is still the same. The only thing jarring is Lori in no substitute for Virgil. He can't help making the sign of the cross over Steve in hopes it'll do some good. He may have grown up Mormon but years attending church with Rachel held more sway. If he could have reached his St. Michael's medallion, he'd have kissed it. In the end, he's just glad Steve walked away with a few bruises.
Intellectually, he knew that Steve wouldn't let it go, despite the small reprieve after their discussion in the car. Emotionally, he'd hoped his partner would for once, just let something go. Okay, so a snowball would have a greater chance in hell, so he feigns surprise when Steve saunters into his office, then sprawls out on the couch.
"To what do I owe this pleasure, Steve. Don't tell me you've finished your paperwork and have come to help me with mine, cause I'm not buying it." He goes back to typing on his computer.
Steve stares at him. Danny can feel the gaze burning right through the monitor. He sighs and looks up, meeting his partner's eyes.
"So, no higher power," Steve states, disbelief oozing out.
Danny sighs again. "Look, I admit I was a jerk at the heiau. I've already started making my apologies. Here's the list of those I'm sure I offended. Take a look and let me know if I've missed someone. Now can we officially say this conversation is closed?" He slid the paper across his desk and looked back to his computer.
When Steve showed no signs of taking the paper and leaving, Danny rubbed the back of his neck with one hand and reached in a drawer for a bottle of aspirin with the other. He dry swallowed two tablets and put the bottle back before he acknowledged the other man again. "I take it from your silence, the answer is no."
Steve shifted to rest his elbows on his knees. "How can you not believe in God, Danny?"
Danny didn't really know how to explain his feelings to his friend, but he knew if he didn't try this thing would always be between them. Taking a deep breath, he started, "Look, it's not like I don't believe in a higher power, being, god whatever, but I don't not believe either."
"You're not making any sense, Danno," Steve declared giving him a modified version of Aneurysm Face #6.
"Okay," Danny conceded, "let me try this. I grew up going to church every Sunday, rain or shine. Went to religion classes every Wednesday until I got to junior high. I took a seminary class during school hours through junior and senior high, I even attended eighty percent of the time. When I married Rachel, she insisted we go to church only it wasn't the same denomination I was used to. I was trying to be a good husband and role model for Grace, so I went. A little complaining during football season, but I went. All I learned from the whole experience is people like to interpret things in their own way. Suit their needs so to speak."
When Danny paused for a moment, Steve asked, "What denominations were they?"
With a what the hell, that's what you're getting from this look, Danny says, "It doesn't matter what they were. The point of it is they based themselves on the bible, a book that is supposed to be the ultimate guide for life and the hereafter, and yet none of their practices were the same. All religion has ever given me is a family that for the large part disowned me and a cranky ex-wife and she's cranky because I won the battle that Grace gets to decide for herself if she wants to go to church or not."
"So, when we die, where do you think we go?" Steve asked, not fooled by Danny's attempts to derail the conversation.
Danny took a minute to answer, "I don't know. I don't think we go anywhere really. We just cease to exist."
"Wow, wow."
"Yeah, you've said that. More than once I might add."
"So, what's with the comments about praying, talking to the sky and the cross you blessed me with?"
Danny gave his friend a suffering look, "What can I say. Old habits die hard, I guess. Why do you care so much anyway?"
"I care, Danny, cause you're my friend. I would like to believe that when the time comes, we'll both end up in the same place."
"What, so we can continue to drive each other crazy?"
"Yeah, something like that. I don't know. I just want you to have some piece of mind, I guess."
"Thanks, I think. It's not like you're all that religious." What Steve does next, completely surprises him.
He reaches in to one of his many pants pockets and pulls out a well-worn set of rosary beads, lifting them a little so Danny can see what he's holding. "I go to church every chance I get. There's some truth to the saying 'There's no atheists in foxholes'."
Though stunned by the revelation Steve made, Danny holds his ground. "Steve, I think we need to agree to disagree on this matter. We keep going and we might ruin our friendship and our partnership along with it. Can we please do that, Steven?"
Never having backed down from a fight, Steve felt rankled until he realized that this topic isn't something they should be fighting over, but he said, "Yeah, we can do that, Danno." Besides, he knew in his heart of hearts, that Danny really did believe even if he was too stubborn to admit it. Steve made a mental note to follow up on the disowning comment at a later date and suggested they go grab lunch. Danny readily agreed, tossing his keys to his partner.
Of course, the conversation didn't actually end there, cause that would mean Danny's life was easy. He'd just had his whole turned upside down. Seriously, had disturbing the heiau really messed with his karma that bad that he was now seeing ghosts? Yeah, he'd also given the apartment manager a shakedown (he couldn't help himself) but it was just a con. He couldn't get out of apartment fast enough.
"Hey, Danno, hold up!" Steve shouted as he grabbed his partner's arm, "What's the matter? You don't actually believe the place is haunted. You who believe that we just 'cease to exist'?"
Danny didn't try to hide the shaking in his hands, "I told you, I believe in what I can in front of my face and sometimes I don't believe that. This is one of those times. Let it go, Steven. I'll hire some movers." Danny left Steve to tell the rest of the team. He needed some quality time in the garage or on the track. Steve, being Steve, had everyone help him load Danny's meager belongings back into the truck and took it back to his place. Good thing he liked mysteries because Danny was one big mystery.