Fic: Bad Day Gone Good (CSI:NY, Don/Danny, FRM)
Title: Bad Day Gone Good
Authors: Ginny and Dee
Rating: FRM
Warnings: Death, Pre-slash
Disclaimer: We still don’t own them…but they claim the paperwork is in the mail. We don’t trust them either.
Summary: Don’s bad day does end as bad as it started.
Author’s Notes: We write too much. :))
Challenge: 30 Disasters
Prompt: 8 Loaded Gun
~*~*~
"Let Detective Messer go," Don said, more calmly than he felt. He gun was pointed steadily at the man standing in front of him.
"I can't. He's vile. I know he's your friend Don, but people like him, they shouldn't be on the force."
"Just - just let him go. You don't want to do this," Don coaxed soothingly. He could see Danny's strangled breaths around the arm that was around his throat. The wound on his temple from where the bastard had hit him was bleeding into his eyes and Don didn't even want to think about what else had been done to Danny before he'd gotten there.
"No," the man hissed, his arm tightening around Danny's neck. "Don, you need to leave. I don't want you to see this."
"I'm not leaving without Danny," Don vowed and swallowed, keeping his eyes, and gun, on them.
"Don't you understand? He's a screw-up and he's going to get someone killed. Do you really want that on your conscience? That you had a hand in getting one of your friends killed by this scum?"
"He is one of my friends," Don insisted, fingers tightening on his gun. If could only get a clear shot.
"That's why I'm asking you to leave Don."
The arm around Danny's throat tightened, cutting off his air with a weak gasp. Danny flinched when the safety being clicked off echoed in his ears. This wasn't how he wanted to go, especially in front of Don.
"I am not leaving," Don echoed, his voice firm. He kept one eye on Danny's paling face and the other on the man behind him.
Danny started to sag in the man's grasp, his lips turning blue as his air was cut off. Don swallowed and adverted his attention back to the other officer.
"Let him go." Don ordered.
"No," the guy smirked.
The gunshot echoed through the room.
Both men fell to the ground, unmoving as more people poured into the room.
Don was the first to kneel next to them. "Danny! Dammit Danny, don't do this!" he shouted, shaking the other man, who wasn't breathing.
Don took a shaky breath as he watched Maka kneel next to the fallen cop, realizing that he didn't even know the other man's name. Pulling himself together, Don looked back at Danny and wiped the blood from Danny's face before starting CPR and praying that Danny would start breathing.
He had so much he still needed to tell the other man.
"Breathe dammit!" Don order angrily before leaning down, and forcing air into Danny's lungs. "C'mon Danny." It seemed like forever, even if he knew it was only a few second before Danny coughed, sucking in a lungful of air on his own.
"Don?" Danny croaked, his voice raspy and harsh.
"You asshole," Don tried to glare past the smile on his face. "You scared the shit outta me."
"Danny?" A voice asked from behind them. Don turned and saw Mac and Stella standing in the doorway.
"I'm fine," Danny called out weakly as he turned enough to push himself up. He didn't utter a sound as his vision promptly grayed out at the change in altitude. He could feel Don's arms underneath him, catching him before he could crack his head against the floor, he just couldn't find the energy to keep his eyes open any longer.
"Danny!" Don shouted but he was rewarded with the slight wave of Danny's hand. "Mac, where are the damn paramedics?"
"Don, we need you outta here. You were involved in this," Captain Smith said as he put a hand on Don's shoulder. Don started to protest but was cut off as Smith continued. "After the paramedics stabilize him, okay?"
"Yes sir."
Don reluctantly let Stella lead him from the room, knowing that Mac would keep an eye Danny and everything that was going on.
He found Lindsay in the hall, nervously chewing on her bottom lip as they waited for news. "Hawkes went to meet the paramedics," she said quietly.
Don ignored her, punching the nearest wall instead as his anger, frustration and fear overwhelmed him.
"Don?" she asked quietly as he pulled his hand away and wiped his bloody knuckles on his pants leg.
"Not now," he hissed and started pacing the hallway. He had almost lost Danny. His best friend and, if Don was completely honest with himself, the man he was in love with. All because some stop rookie got it into his head that Danny was a disgrace to the force.
Don was just thankful it wasn't because of his name. Sometimes being gay outranked being a Messer; and this was one of those times.
He stopped as Hawkes and a team of paramedics came into his line of sight and disappeared into the room. Danny would be okay now; Hawkes would make sure of it.
Stella came back out a few minutes later, having followed Hawkes back in. "He's alert and answering questions," she smiled. "But they're taking him in for x-rays."
Don breathed a deep sigh of relief, closing his eyes and letting his head drop. Some of the tension in his shoulders eased at the words. When he opened his eyes, Stella and Lindsay were both watching him.
"You should tell him," Stella told him.
"Tell him what?" Don asked, tilting his head in confusion. He was almost sure what she was talking about but he had only talked to Hawkes about his feelings towards Danny.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Don." Stella replied as the paramedics wheeled Danny past them on a gurney; the fallen officer following behind in a body bag.
"Don," Smith said as he stepped back into the hallway. "We need you to go downstairs with us and give us your statement. You ready?"
"Yes sir," Don replied, thankful for the interruption.
He could feel Stella and Lindsay's gazes on him as he walked past them, following after Smith. The next half hour passed in a blur as he gave his statement and answered their questions, trying to clarify everything.
"It looks good here," Smith said. "We have to keep your gun, but it was a good shoot Don."
"Thanks Captain," he said automatically. He figured he shouldn't say, good shoot or not, he'd do the same all over again to save Danny.
Don stood and walked through the building, in search of Stella. He hadn't heard any additional information on Danny and was starting to get worried.
"He's fine," Stella stated from behind him.
Don nodded and started towards his desk.
"Don," she hollered after him. "You need to tell him."
He stopped and turned toward her. "I don't know what you're talking about."
She simply crossed her arms, glaring at him.
Sighing, his head dropped forward in defeat. "I'm going to," he muttered. "And what happens then?"
"And then you'll be happy," she stated matter-of-factly.
"Not if he doesn't feel the same. Then I'll have lost my best friend also," he whispered.
"Huh. I guess love really is blind." She turned sharply on her heel and disappeared around the corner, leaving Don standing there wondering what she was talking about.
He stood there, wondering about her statement for another minute before pulling himself together and heading for the hospital. Fear or not, he had to see Danny for himself, he had to be positive that the other man was going to be okay.
He arrived outside the exam room he'd been pointed to in time to hear Danny's irritated, hoarse growl that he didn't need to be admitted.
"I'm fine. Just let me go home and sleep it off."
"You're not fine Detective Messer," the doctor said calmly.
"I'm fine," Danny repeated his voice raspy. "I just want to go home and get some sleep."
"I can't let you go, especially since you live alone." The doctor turned and saw Don standing there, shifting uncomfortably.
"I'm Detective Flack," Don stated and looked over the doctor's shoulder and offered Danny a soft smile.
"He'll stay with me," Danny told the doctor. "I won't be alone and you can release me."
"You have a concussion, bruised ribs, were nearly -- "
"I'll stay with him," Don interrupted. "You can give me directions an' anything you want for his care."
The doctor sighed. "Fine. I'll go get the paperwork."
"Thanks," Danny said, giving Don a small smile when they were alone, before his gaze dropped. "Look, I didn't mean to drag ya into this. I'll be fine; I just need someone to get me out of here. I'm sure you have better things to do than babysit me," he said in a rush.
"Danny, I...look, I..." Don swallowed. "I want to stay with you. I'm on leave right now cause of the shooting and I've got nothing to do but sit at home and stare at the walls." Don grinned. "It's not like we can go and play ball until that thick head of yours gets better."
Danny laughed hoarsely. "Okay. But you might wanna bring a book. I plan on sleepin as soon as I can get my head on a pillow."
"Only for an hour at a time," the doctor said, stepping back into the room and handing Don a stack of papers. "Standard concussion rules apply. If your headache gets worse or there's any double-vision or blurriness, I want you back here."
"Sure," Danny agreed. Don snorted, not believing him for a second.
"Thank you. Someone will be here shortly with a wheelchair for you." With that, the doctor turned and left.
"Wow," Don commented. "How irritating were you?"
"I don't know what you're talkin bout," Danny grumbled.
"Danny, I've known you for a long time. You had to be annoyin for the doc ta treat ya like that."
"I just wanted to go home," Danny pouted as a nurse came into the room with a wheelchair.
"Let's go, Detective Messer." She turned to them with a fake smile and waited.
"How much of a pain in the ass were ya?" Don asked him.
The nurse frowned at him as she helped Danny into the chair. "Language," she rebuked.
"Sorry ma'am," he apologized immediately.
"Is there a car waiting outside?"
"I'm parked just a few rows down."
"Pull the car up, he's not walking that far."
"I can do it," Danny said, his pout disappearing into a scowl.
"I'll go get the car," Don grinned and walked out of the room.
He drove up to the front door several minutes later. Jumping out of the car, he helped Danny into the passenger seat before driving away from the hospital.
"You really need to be nicer ta the guys with the needles," Don teased.
"I was nice," Danny insisted. "Mostly. Oh shut up."
Don laughed and felt the last of the tension ease out of him. He turned to ask Danny another question when he realized that Danny had already dozed off, head resting against the window.
Don swallowed, taking in Danny's appearance. He was pale, the cut on his temple standing out. Livid bruises lined his neck already and Don had the feeling that there were many more.
"Ya scared me Dan. What am I supposed ta do with you now?" he asked, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel as he debated whose apartment he was driving to.
Don sighed and decided to drive to Danny's apartment, figuring the other man would be more comfortable in his own bed.
With a quick glance, he noticed Danny was still asleep. "I almost lost you," Don whispered. "I almost lost you before I could tell you how much I love you."
Don turned off the car and turned back to Danny. "Danny, wake up. We're here."
"I'm awake," he groaned, opening his eyes slowly. He sat up, groaning again as his body protested the movement. He stubbornly refused any help getting out of the car, but leaned on Don as they walked into the building.
"Where are you going?" Don asked when Danny veered off from the elevator.
"I thought we were at your place," Danny replied before turning and walking back towards Don.
"Nah, I brought us to yours. I thought you'd be more comfortable here." Don ignored Danny's sudden protest as he grabbed his elbow and guided him towards Danny's door. "Where are your keys?"
Danny reached into his jacket and held up his keyring. "I've got it," Danny grumbled as he reached toward the door.
Don watched as Danny fumbled with the keys, successfully unlocking the door, but dropping them as he pulled them from the lock.
Danny bent with a muffled curse, intent on picking them up and then pitched forward as his vision grayed, dizziness overwhelming him at the movement and change.
Don grabbed Danny's arm and steadied him. With a small smile, Don reached down and grabbed Danny's keys and placed them back in Danny's hand.
"Let's get you inside. Doc said you can't sleep for the next fourty-five minutes. So, I'll make ya somethin ta eat and then you can sleep. Deal?"
Danny leaned heavily against Don's side and shook his head. "Yeah."
Don got Danny settled onto the couch before heading into the kitchen to find food he thought Danny would be able to eat. "What're ya in the mood for?" he called out to the other man.
"Sandwich is fine," Danny groaned. "Any pain pills?"
"After you eat."
Danny muttered something that Don didn't quite catch, but figured he didn't really want to know in the first place.
Danny managed half the sandwich before refusing anymore. After downing the pain pills, he curled up on the couch, intent on getting the sleep he craved.
Don checked the clock. "Get in bed. I'll come in to wake you in an hour."
Danny rubbed his neck slowly and struggled to sit up. "Yeah," he agreed. After a few moments, Danny stood and made his way to his room.
Danny paused in the doorway, turning back to Don. "Don?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. I mean, for savin' my life and for stayin' with me now. I know most people wouldn't want to be anywhere near me so ... thanks," he finished feebly.
"I'd do it again in a second." Don stated without hesitation. "Why wouldn't I want to be anywhere near you?" he then asked, an eyebrow raised in confusion.
"Cause of me being gay and all. Now I'm not only a Messer, I'm a Messer that is a gay cop," Danny groaned and turned back around, walking toward his bed.
Don followed after him, wincing as Danny struggled out of his shirt, revealing bruises along his chest.
"What did that bastard do to you, Danny?" Don asked in dismay.
Danny shrugged, mumbling an answer as he climbed into bed, pushing at the blankets until they were right.
"I almost wish I hadn't killed him," Don stated as he fixed the bottom of Danny's blankets. "Cause I'd really like to wrap my hands around his neck and strangle him to death."
"Wouldn't be worth it," Danny told him. He yawned, exhaustion overwhelming him. "I'm tired. Just gonna sleep, 'kay?"
"Sure," Don agreed. "I'll be here when you wake up."
Tired blue eyes locked on Don speculatively. "You always are, aren't you? Whenever I need you, whether I want you or not, you're always here."
Don swallowed thickly. "You don't want me here?"
"That's not what I meant," Danny sighed. "It's just that no matter what people say about me, you've got my back." Danny looked up at him. "Thank you."
"Any time." Don smiled. "Now get some sleep."
Danny nodded, already mostly asleep.
Don watched him sleep for a few minutes, running his hand through the soft blond strands of hair. "How am I supposed to tell you that I love you?" he asked out loud.
"I love you too, Donnie." Danny muttered in his sleep.
Don's hand stopped and his stared down at the other man in shock before slipping out of Danny's room. "You're losing your mind, Don. He did not say what you think he did."
"I'm awake," Danny said when Don entered his room for the third time. He sat up, stretching before standing.
"You're supposed to be resting," Don pointed out.
"I did. I'm fine," Danny said grouchily, scowling more when he heard his scratchy voice. "Now I'm up."
"How are you feeling?" Don asked as he shifted in Danny's doorway.
"Sore," Danny admitted. "How are you?"
"Me?" Don asked in confusion. "I'm fine."
"You sure? You did kill someone," Danny pointed out before rubbing his throat.
Don felt the rage fill him again, as he remembered the sight of Danny, being held by the bigger officer until he wasn't breathing, gun pointed at his head.
"Don? Don!" Danny summoned, shaking Don.
"Sorry," Don apologized immediately, forcing his fists to unclench.
"I'm sorry," Danny said, shaking his head. "I'm sorry I put you in that position."
"Dan, you didn't put me in that position. That bastard that put his gun to your head put me in that position," Don clarified. "That's what friends are for." Don smiled. "It wasn't you, I killed him because he would have killed you. And I'm not quite ready to let you go."
Danny gave him a small smile. "Thanks," he whispered quietly.
"Any time." Don smiled. "Get's get some food in you. It's time for your pills."
"Music ta my ears," Danny laughed slightly. "Just tell me ya didn't cook."
"I can cook," Don pouted.
"You can make instant pudding and Easy Mac, Don," Danny teased. "That's not cooking."
"It's dinner and dessert, what more do you need?"
"Meat." Danny offered.
Don shrugged. "Ham sandwich?"
"You made Easy Mac, instant pudding and ham sandwiches?" Danny moved towards the door. "You are one in a million, ya know that?" Danny teased, his eyes serious.
Don only grinned at him and escorted him into the kitchen.
A few minutes later, they were sitting at the table, eating the sandwiches and Easy Mac. Don took a deep breath, gathering his courage. "Dan? There's something I need ta tell you."
"Yeah? What's that?" Danny asked, taking a small sip of water.
"I...I love you." Don blurted out.
Danny choked, coughing violently.
Don leapt from his chair, behind Danny almost instantly as he pounded on his back.
"You what?" Danny asked, eyes watering, when he could breathe again.
"Nothing." Don shook his head. "Never mind. You okay?"
"I'm fine," Danny took a shaky breath. "It's not nothing. What did you say?"
"I..."
"Don," Danny turned at met Don's gaze. "Just tell me. I just wanted ta make sure I heard ya correctly."
"I love you." Don repeated, staring into Danny's eyes.
A slow smile crossed Danny's face. "Really?"
"Yeah."
"I didn't know."
"I didn't know how you'd react," Don shrugged.
"How long?"
"Way before yesterday," Don replied.
"Good cause I love ya too."
"Really?" Don asked, his eyes widening in shock.
"Really."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"I didn't think you'd react too well," Danny said with a shug and a wince. "You're the son of the legendary Don Flack, Sr. and I was afraid I'd disgust you. I'd rather have ya as a friend than nothing at all."
"You do disgust me," Don laughed. "Every time someone mentions worms or spiders, I think of you."
"You're too kind," Danny smiled. "So what do we do now?"
"Nothing," Don replied.
"Nothin?"
"Nope. When you're better and the Internal Affairs case is closed against me, then we'll do something." Don shrugged. "I don't wanna start nothin with you that could get you hurt again."
"You're serious?"
"I am," Don said gravely. "Take your pain pill before you fall flat on your face. We waited this long, we'll wait a bit longer."
Danny smiled and picked up his pill. "I'm looking forward to it."
Don shook his head. "Finish your pudding."
"That's it," Danny grinned. "If you're going to be stayin here, I need ta teach you something important."
"What's that?" Don asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Menus for take away are in the drawer underneath the phone. The pizza place is speed dial 2, Chinese 3, and the sandwich place is 4."
Don laughed. "And who's on 1?"
"You."
Don smiled. "You're a sap."
Danny yawned, the pain pill starting to make him sleepy. "I'm tired."
"That too," Don laughed. "Let's get you into bed. I'll get this mess cleaned up and crash on the couch."
"Thank you, for everything." Danny turned at locked eyes with Don. "Really, thank you."
"I'll always be here," Don told him. "C'mon, get to bed before we turn into a chick flick."
Danny laughed tiredly and nodded. "Sure." He paused halfway out of the kitchen. "Hey Don?"
"Yeah?"
"Love ya." Danny smiled.
"Love ya too," Don confirmed as Danny continued walking towards his bedroom.
Don sighed, closing his eyes. For as fucked up as the day had started, things had turned out pretty good. He cleaned up the dishes and went to check on Danny. He smiled when he saw that Danny had flopped down on his bed, falling asleep before he could climb under the blankets.
Don grabbed the covers and pulled them up to Danny's shoulders. "Good night, Danny," he whispered, smiling down at the other man and dropping a kiss to the top of Danny's head. "Sleep well."
Don turned and walked out of the room feeling better than he had all day. He was fine, Danny was fine and they were fine. He could handle tomorrow, tomorrow.
~~End~~
Authors: Ginny and Dee
Rating: FRM
Warnings: Death, Pre-slash
Disclaimer: We still don’t own them…but they claim the paperwork is in the mail. We don’t trust them either.
Summary: Don’s bad day does end as bad as it started.
Author’s Notes: We write too much. :))
Challenge: 30 Disasters
Prompt: 8 Loaded Gun
~*~*~
"Let Detective Messer go," Don said, more calmly than he felt. He gun was pointed steadily at the man standing in front of him.
"I can't. He's vile. I know he's your friend Don, but people like him, they shouldn't be on the force."
"Just - just let him go. You don't want to do this," Don coaxed soothingly. He could see Danny's strangled breaths around the arm that was around his throat. The wound on his temple from where the bastard had hit him was bleeding into his eyes and Don didn't even want to think about what else had been done to Danny before he'd gotten there.
"No," the man hissed, his arm tightening around Danny's neck. "Don, you need to leave. I don't want you to see this."
"I'm not leaving without Danny," Don vowed and swallowed, keeping his eyes, and gun, on them.
"Don't you understand? He's a screw-up and he's going to get someone killed. Do you really want that on your conscience? That you had a hand in getting one of your friends killed by this scum?"
"He is one of my friends," Don insisted, fingers tightening on his gun. If could only get a clear shot.
"That's why I'm asking you to leave Don."
The arm around Danny's throat tightened, cutting off his air with a weak gasp. Danny flinched when the safety being clicked off echoed in his ears. This wasn't how he wanted to go, especially in front of Don.
"I am not leaving," Don echoed, his voice firm. He kept one eye on Danny's paling face and the other on the man behind him.
Danny started to sag in the man's grasp, his lips turning blue as his air was cut off. Don swallowed and adverted his attention back to the other officer.
"Let him go." Don ordered.
"No," the guy smirked.
The gunshot echoed through the room.
Both men fell to the ground, unmoving as more people poured into the room.
Don was the first to kneel next to them. "Danny! Dammit Danny, don't do this!" he shouted, shaking the other man, who wasn't breathing.
Don took a shaky breath as he watched Maka kneel next to the fallen cop, realizing that he didn't even know the other man's name. Pulling himself together, Don looked back at Danny and wiped the blood from Danny's face before starting CPR and praying that Danny would start breathing.
He had so much he still needed to tell the other man.
"Breathe dammit!" Don order angrily before leaning down, and forcing air into Danny's lungs. "C'mon Danny." It seemed like forever, even if he knew it was only a few second before Danny coughed, sucking in a lungful of air on his own.
"Don?" Danny croaked, his voice raspy and harsh.
"You asshole," Don tried to glare past the smile on his face. "You scared the shit outta me."
"Danny?" A voice asked from behind them. Don turned and saw Mac and Stella standing in the doorway.
"I'm fine," Danny called out weakly as he turned enough to push himself up. He didn't utter a sound as his vision promptly grayed out at the change in altitude. He could feel Don's arms underneath him, catching him before he could crack his head against the floor, he just couldn't find the energy to keep his eyes open any longer.
"Danny!" Don shouted but he was rewarded with the slight wave of Danny's hand. "Mac, where are the damn paramedics?"
"Don, we need you outta here. You were involved in this," Captain Smith said as he put a hand on Don's shoulder. Don started to protest but was cut off as Smith continued. "After the paramedics stabilize him, okay?"
"Yes sir."
Don reluctantly let Stella lead him from the room, knowing that Mac would keep an eye Danny and everything that was going on.
He found Lindsay in the hall, nervously chewing on her bottom lip as they waited for news. "Hawkes went to meet the paramedics," she said quietly.
Don ignored her, punching the nearest wall instead as his anger, frustration and fear overwhelmed him.
"Don?" she asked quietly as he pulled his hand away and wiped his bloody knuckles on his pants leg.
"Not now," he hissed and started pacing the hallway. He had almost lost Danny. His best friend and, if Don was completely honest with himself, the man he was in love with. All because some stop rookie got it into his head that Danny was a disgrace to the force.
Don was just thankful it wasn't because of his name. Sometimes being gay outranked being a Messer; and this was one of those times.
He stopped as Hawkes and a team of paramedics came into his line of sight and disappeared into the room. Danny would be okay now; Hawkes would make sure of it.
Stella came back out a few minutes later, having followed Hawkes back in. "He's alert and answering questions," she smiled. "But they're taking him in for x-rays."
Don breathed a deep sigh of relief, closing his eyes and letting his head drop. Some of the tension in his shoulders eased at the words. When he opened his eyes, Stella and Lindsay were both watching him.
"You should tell him," Stella told him.
"Tell him what?" Don asked, tilting his head in confusion. He was almost sure what she was talking about but he had only talked to Hawkes about his feelings towards Danny.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Don." Stella replied as the paramedics wheeled Danny past them on a gurney; the fallen officer following behind in a body bag.
"Don," Smith said as he stepped back into the hallway. "We need you to go downstairs with us and give us your statement. You ready?"
"Yes sir," Don replied, thankful for the interruption.
He could feel Stella and Lindsay's gazes on him as he walked past them, following after Smith. The next half hour passed in a blur as he gave his statement and answered their questions, trying to clarify everything.
"It looks good here," Smith said. "We have to keep your gun, but it was a good shoot Don."
"Thanks Captain," he said automatically. He figured he shouldn't say, good shoot or not, he'd do the same all over again to save Danny.
Don stood and walked through the building, in search of Stella. He hadn't heard any additional information on Danny and was starting to get worried.
"He's fine," Stella stated from behind him.
Don nodded and started towards his desk.
"Don," she hollered after him. "You need to tell him."
He stopped and turned toward her. "I don't know what you're talking about."
She simply crossed her arms, glaring at him.
Sighing, his head dropped forward in defeat. "I'm going to," he muttered. "And what happens then?"
"And then you'll be happy," she stated matter-of-factly.
"Not if he doesn't feel the same. Then I'll have lost my best friend also," he whispered.
"Huh. I guess love really is blind." She turned sharply on her heel and disappeared around the corner, leaving Don standing there wondering what she was talking about.
He stood there, wondering about her statement for another minute before pulling himself together and heading for the hospital. Fear or not, he had to see Danny for himself, he had to be positive that the other man was going to be okay.
He arrived outside the exam room he'd been pointed to in time to hear Danny's irritated, hoarse growl that he didn't need to be admitted.
"I'm fine. Just let me go home and sleep it off."
"You're not fine Detective Messer," the doctor said calmly.
"I'm fine," Danny repeated his voice raspy. "I just want to go home and get some sleep."
"I can't let you go, especially since you live alone." The doctor turned and saw Don standing there, shifting uncomfortably.
"I'm Detective Flack," Don stated and looked over the doctor's shoulder and offered Danny a soft smile.
"He'll stay with me," Danny told the doctor. "I won't be alone and you can release me."
"You have a concussion, bruised ribs, were nearly -- "
"I'll stay with him," Don interrupted. "You can give me directions an' anything you want for his care."
The doctor sighed. "Fine. I'll go get the paperwork."
"Thanks," Danny said, giving Don a small smile when they were alone, before his gaze dropped. "Look, I didn't mean to drag ya into this. I'll be fine; I just need someone to get me out of here. I'm sure you have better things to do than babysit me," he said in a rush.
"Danny, I...look, I..." Don swallowed. "I want to stay with you. I'm on leave right now cause of the shooting and I've got nothing to do but sit at home and stare at the walls." Don grinned. "It's not like we can go and play ball until that thick head of yours gets better."
Danny laughed hoarsely. "Okay. But you might wanna bring a book. I plan on sleepin as soon as I can get my head on a pillow."
"Only for an hour at a time," the doctor said, stepping back into the room and handing Don a stack of papers. "Standard concussion rules apply. If your headache gets worse or there's any double-vision or blurriness, I want you back here."
"Sure," Danny agreed. Don snorted, not believing him for a second.
"Thank you. Someone will be here shortly with a wheelchair for you." With that, the doctor turned and left.
"Wow," Don commented. "How irritating were you?"
"I don't know what you're talkin bout," Danny grumbled.
"Danny, I've known you for a long time. You had to be annoyin for the doc ta treat ya like that."
"I just wanted to go home," Danny pouted as a nurse came into the room with a wheelchair.
"Let's go, Detective Messer." She turned to them with a fake smile and waited.
"How much of a pain in the ass were ya?" Don asked him.
The nurse frowned at him as she helped Danny into the chair. "Language," she rebuked.
"Sorry ma'am," he apologized immediately.
"Is there a car waiting outside?"
"I'm parked just a few rows down."
"Pull the car up, he's not walking that far."
"I can do it," Danny said, his pout disappearing into a scowl.
"I'll go get the car," Don grinned and walked out of the room.
He drove up to the front door several minutes later. Jumping out of the car, he helped Danny into the passenger seat before driving away from the hospital.
"You really need to be nicer ta the guys with the needles," Don teased.
"I was nice," Danny insisted. "Mostly. Oh shut up."
Don laughed and felt the last of the tension ease out of him. He turned to ask Danny another question when he realized that Danny had already dozed off, head resting against the window.
Don swallowed, taking in Danny's appearance. He was pale, the cut on his temple standing out. Livid bruises lined his neck already and Don had the feeling that there were many more.
"Ya scared me Dan. What am I supposed ta do with you now?" he asked, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel as he debated whose apartment he was driving to.
Don sighed and decided to drive to Danny's apartment, figuring the other man would be more comfortable in his own bed.
With a quick glance, he noticed Danny was still asleep. "I almost lost you," Don whispered. "I almost lost you before I could tell you how much I love you."
Don turned off the car and turned back to Danny. "Danny, wake up. We're here."
"I'm awake," he groaned, opening his eyes slowly. He sat up, groaning again as his body protested the movement. He stubbornly refused any help getting out of the car, but leaned on Don as they walked into the building.
"Where are you going?" Don asked when Danny veered off from the elevator.
"I thought we were at your place," Danny replied before turning and walking back towards Don.
"Nah, I brought us to yours. I thought you'd be more comfortable here." Don ignored Danny's sudden protest as he grabbed his elbow and guided him towards Danny's door. "Where are your keys?"
Danny reached into his jacket and held up his keyring. "I've got it," Danny grumbled as he reached toward the door.
Don watched as Danny fumbled with the keys, successfully unlocking the door, but dropping them as he pulled them from the lock.
Danny bent with a muffled curse, intent on picking them up and then pitched forward as his vision grayed, dizziness overwhelming him at the movement and change.
Don grabbed Danny's arm and steadied him. With a small smile, Don reached down and grabbed Danny's keys and placed them back in Danny's hand.
"Let's get you inside. Doc said you can't sleep for the next fourty-five minutes. So, I'll make ya somethin ta eat and then you can sleep. Deal?"
Danny leaned heavily against Don's side and shook his head. "Yeah."
Don got Danny settled onto the couch before heading into the kitchen to find food he thought Danny would be able to eat. "What're ya in the mood for?" he called out to the other man.
"Sandwich is fine," Danny groaned. "Any pain pills?"
"After you eat."
Danny muttered something that Don didn't quite catch, but figured he didn't really want to know in the first place.
Danny managed half the sandwich before refusing anymore. After downing the pain pills, he curled up on the couch, intent on getting the sleep he craved.
Don checked the clock. "Get in bed. I'll come in to wake you in an hour."
Danny rubbed his neck slowly and struggled to sit up. "Yeah," he agreed. After a few moments, Danny stood and made his way to his room.
Danny paused in the doorway, turning back to Don. "Don?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. I mean, for savin' my life and for stayin' with me now. I know most people wouldn't want to be anywhere near me so ... thanks," he finished feebly.
"I'd do it again in a second." Don stated without hesitation. "Why wouldn't I want to be anywhere near you?" he then asked, an eyebrow raised in confusion.
"Cause of me being gay and all. Now I'm not only a Messer, I'm a Messer that is a gay cop," Danny groaned and turned back around, walking toward his bed.
Don followed after him, wincing as Danny struggled out of his shirt, revealing bruises along his chest.
"What did that bastard do to you, Danny?" Don asked in dismay.
Danny shrugged, mumbling an answer as he climbed into bed, pushing at the blankets until they were right.
"I almost wish I hadn't killed him," Don stated as he fixed the bottom of Danny's blankets. "Cause I'd really like to wrap my hands around his neck and strangle him to death."
"Wouldn't be worth it," Danny told him. He yawned, exhaustion overwhelming him. "I'm tired. Just gonna sleep, 'kay?"
"Sure," Don agreed. "I'll be here when you wake up."
Tired blue eyes locked on Don speculatively. "You always are, aren't you? Whenever I need you, whether I want you or not, you're always here."
Don swallowed thickly. "You don't want me here?"
"That's not what I meant," Danny sighed. "It's just that no matter what people say about me, you've got my back." Danny looked up at him. "Thank you."
"Any time." Don smiled. "Now get some sleep."
Danny nodded, already mostly asleep.
Don watched him sleep for a few minutes, running his hand through the soft blond strands of hair. "How am I supposed to tell you that I love you?" he asked out loud.
"I love you too, Donnie." Danny muttered in his sleep.
Don's hand stopped and his stared down at the other man in shock before slipping out of Danny's room. "You're losing your mind, Don. He did not say what you think he did."
"I'm awake," Danny said when Don entered his room for the third time. He sat up, stretching before standing.
"You're supposed to be resting," Don pointed out.
"I did. I'm fine," Danny said grouchily, scowling more when he heard his scratchy voice. "Now I'm up."
"How are you feeling?" Don asked as he shifted in Danny's doorway.
"Sore," Danny admitted. "How are you?"
"Me?" Don asked in confusion. "I'm fine."
"You sure? You did kill someone," Danny pointed out before rubbing his throat.
Don felt the rage fill him again, as he remembered the sight of Danny, being held by the bigger officer until he wasn't breathing, gun pointed at his head.
"Don? Don!" Danny summoned, shaking Don.
"Sorry," Don apologized immediately, forcing his fists to unclench.
"I'm sorry," Danny said, shaking his head. "I'm sorry I put you in that position."
"Dan, you didn't put me in that position. That bastard that put his gun to your head put me in that position," Don clarified. "That's what friends are for." Don smiled. "It wasn't you, I killed him because he would have killed you. And I'm not quite ready to let you go."
Danny gave him a small smile. "Thanks," he whispered quietly.
"Any time." Don smiled. "Get's get some food in you. It's time for your pills."
"Music ta my ears," Danny laughed slightly. "Just tell me ya didn't cook."
"I can cook," Don pouted.
"You can make instant pudding and Easy Mac, Don," Danny teased. "That's not cooking."
"It's dinner and dessert, what more do you need?"
"Meat." Danny offered.
Don shrugged. "Ham sandwich?"
"You made Easy Mac, instant pudding and ham sandwiches?" Danny moved towards the door. "You are one in a million, ya know that?" Danny teased, his eyes serious.
Don only grinned at him and escorted him into the kitchen.
A few minutes later, they were sitting at the table, eating the sandwiches and Easy Mac. Don took a deep breath, gathering his courage. "Dan? There's something I need ta tell you."
"Yeah? What's that?" Danny asked, taking a small sip of water.
"I...I love you." Don blurted out.
Danny choked, coughing violently.
Don leapt from his chair, behind Danny almost instantly as he pounded on his back.
"You what?" Danny asked, eyes watering, when he could breathe again.
"Nothing." Don shook his head. "Never mind. You okay?"
"I'm fine," Danny took a shaky breath. "It's not nothing. What did you say?"
"I..."
"Don," Danny turned at met Don's gaze. "Just tell me. I just wanted ta make sure I heard ya correctly."
"I love you." Don repeated, staring into Danny's eyes.
A slow smile crossed Danny's face. "Really?"
"Yeah."
"I didn't know."
"I didn't know how you'd react," Don shrugged.
"How long?"
"Way before yesterday," Don replied.
"Good cause I love ya too."
"Really?" Don asked, his eyes widening in shock.
"Really."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"I didn't think you'd react too well," Danny said with a shug and a wince. "You're the son of the legendary Don Flack, Sr. and I was afraid I'd disgust you. I'd rather have ya as a friend than nothing at all."
"You do disgust me," Don laughed. "Every time someone mentions worms or spiders, I think of you."
"You're too kind," Danny smiled. "So what do we do now?"
"Nothing," Don replied.
"Nothin?"
"Nope. When you're better and the Internal Affairs case is closed against me, then we'll do something." Don shrugged. "I don't wanna start nothin with you that could get you hurt again."
"You're serious?"
"I am," Don said gravely. "Take your pain pill before you fall flat on your face. We waited this long, we'll wait a bit longer."
Danny smiled and picked up his pill. "I'm looking forward to it."
Don shook his head. "Finish your pudding."
"That's it," Danny grinned. "If you're going to be stayin here, I need ta teach you something important."
"What's that?" Don asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Menus for take away are in the drawer underneath the phone. The pizza place is speed dial 2, Chinese 3, and the sandwich place is 4."
Don laughed. "And who's on 1?"
"You."
Don smiled. "You're a sap."
Danny yawned, the pain pill starting to make him sleepy. "I'm tired."
"That too," Don laughed. "Let's get you into bed. I'll get this mess cleaned up and crash on the couch."
"Thank you, for everything." Danny turned at locked eyes with Don. "Really, thank you."
"I'll always be here," Don told him. "C'mon, get to bed before we turn into a chick flick."
Danny laughed tiredly and nodded. "Sure." He paused halfway out of the kitchen. "Hey Don?"
"Yeah?"
"Love ya." Danny smiled.
"Love ya too," Don confirmed as Danny continued walking towards his bedroom.
Don sighed, closing his eyes. For as fucked up as the day had started, things had turned out pretty good. He cleaned up the dishes and went to check on Danny. He smiled when he saw that Danny had flopped down on his bed, falling asleep before he could climb under the blankets.
Don grabbed the covers and pulled them up to Danny's shoulders. "Good night, Danny," he whispered, smiling down at the other man and dropping a kiss to the top of Danny's head. "Sleep well."
Don turned and walked out of the room feeling better than he had all day. He was fine, Danny was fine and they were fine. He could handle tomorrow, tomorrow.
~~End~~