Happy Belated Birthday wishes to members of the DWOCD. :-)

Disclaimer: I don't own H50 - just having way too much fun playing with the characters!

Danny kept his face as straight as possible, hopefully giving up little of what he was really feeling. He did not want to scare his daughter. She'd already been through enough in the short span of that afternoon hike.

Steve was right there, holding on to a crying, trembling little girl, his arms wrapped around her. He wouldn't let her look at her father. She'd have enough nightmares when this was over.

Yet part of him knew he couldn't keep her from her daddy. Not for long.

"Keep her away, Steve. Don't let her see." Danny paused, trying to catch his breath. "Ah god, shit."

He was panting now. His cover not working. He couldn't hide it anymore. The pain was beginning to consume him. He was shivering and on fire at the same time. A terrifying combination.

"Danny, I need to look at that wound. See what I can do for you." Steve brushed the hair out of Grace's eyes, keeping his gaze focused on her. "Grace is stronger than you think, buddy. Right, Grace?"

She shook her head and wiggled around so she could see her dad, wiping her eyes to make her point. "I'm okay, Danno. I promise."

"Ah Gracie, no. I don't want you to." A hitched breath between each of the words. He didn't finish his sentence. His eyes flit to Steve. "Ah god, babe. I can't do this."

Steve let Grace go, kneeling down so he was eye level with her. "You stay right here for now, okay?"

"Okay, Uncle Steve." She agreed, little hands picking at the hem of her shorts. He would never forget how calm she was in that moment.

Holding eye contact with her, Steve was proud of Danny's little Monkey. "Good. I'll let you see Danno in a minute. I need to check him, okay? And it might be scary."

Grace nodded her understanding again. Danny's eyes were drifting closed.

"Danny, hey look at me, buddy." Steve squeezed his partner's arm. "No napping on the job."

Sweat beaded on Danny's face, and he swiped it away leaving a reddish smudge along his cheek. Opening his eyes, he mumbled something. The words garbled by yet another tremor.

"What's that, D? Come on, I need you to look at me." Steve crouched beside his friend, finally getting a better look. He cringed when he noticed the location of the wound and the amount of blood soaking through the clothing. They needed a hospital and fast.

"It's bad." His voice unnerved Steve. It was calm and so utterly without feeling it gave him a chill. He knew Danny didn't want to frighten his daughter but there wasn't much time for worry. Honesty was all that mattered.

"Yea, man. It's bad." Steve couldn't lie to a dying man.

**evil grin**