"Well isn't this a special treat. Nice to see you among the living for a change" Lou sat across from Danny at the small table in front of the coffee shop. Danny gave him a warm smile.

Danny had kept to his word ever since Lou reamed him out at his house two months ago. He had kept in touch on a fairly regular basis. He had even made a rare appearance for a drink with the team. That had been a little too much for him and he hadn't done it again. Getting together with everyone without Steve there was a punch in the gut. He had been able to push his hurt and anger down enough to go about his daily functions and being with the team, Steve's team, brought it too close to the surface.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Lou wanted to comment on Danny's frail appearance, the bags under his eyes, the paleness of his skin. He wanted to ask what was up with the semi mountain man look his friend was sporting these days. Danny had let the sides grow out on his hair again and rarely slicked it back anymore. His facial hair was scruffy and looked to be about two weeks worth of growth. If the situation was different Lou would say it actually suited him.

But Lou kept all these thoughts to himself. He didn't need to bring up Danny's obvious state of depression. Not when he had made the effort to ask Lou to meet him for some coffee.

"I needed to talk to you about something", Danny stated seriously , sipping at his tea.

"Uh oh, I know that face. I'm not gonna like this am I?"

"Relax Lou, it's just something I did that I hope you'll be ok with."

"Not making me feel any better pal", Lou huffed.

"I made you my power of attorney."

A feeling a dread took over Lou's body.

"Aw shit, Danny, are things that bad? You that sick man?"

Danny leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.

"Things are status quo, I just…Steve was my medical proxy, emergency contact and what not…" Lou held up a hand, stopping him.

"Now hold on just a second, you tellin' me that I got to make the decisions if you…can't?"

"No, no I have all that taken care of. My wishes are on paper, on file with the proper people in the proper places. You really wouldn't be responsible for anything except…well, except for being the bearer of bad news."

Lou didn't know how to respond. He rubbed a hand over his face and leaned back.

"I'm sorry for dropping this on you Lou, I just…I could've made it Rachel, but I didn't want her to be the first to get that phone call. My family is far away. I need someone I trust to be the one to talk to them if something…"

"Christ Danny, it sounds like you're planning your funeral man"

"That's not what this is Lou, I promise." Danny sighed at Grover's disbelieving look. Danny took a deep breath before going on.

"For a long time I never had to worry, ya know?" Lou quirked an eyebrow at him. "Ok, so maybe I worried all the time. But if something happened, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Steve would make sure Grace and Charlie were alright. that he would take care of everything." He paused, straining to keep his emotions in check. "But Steve is gone now, and I need someone I trust in case something happens to me."

Lou was silent for several moments. He couldn't push down the feeling of dread that came with this request. Danny was leaving something out and he was afraid to find out.

"I'm sorry man, I shouldn't have…you have your own family to worry about. This wasn't fair of me to p…"

"Now cut that out, please." Lou stopped him, leveling him with a steady glare. "Of course I'll take care of those kids man, as if they were my own. You didn't have to worry before and you don't now. But Danny, what's brought this on? What aren't you saying?"

"I told you, with Steve gone…"

"No, there's more. This is not just about him. You're making plans, expecting something bad to happen."

"That's not news Lou, I've been doing that my whole life." Danny huffed out a short laugh.

"Don't bullshit me, this is more than you being your usual negative Nancy self. Now cut the crap and give it to me straight."

They stared at one another for a few moments, Grover practically daring him to come up with a lie. When Danny finally spoke, Lou wished he hadn't asked.

"I have to make a decision soon and I just need to know things are in order. In case I make the wrong one."

"Well, shit" Lou slumped down in his seat.

Danny looked at his reflection in the mirror.

He barely recognized himself anymore. He was shocked that Lou hand't brought up his appearance when they had met for coffee a few days ago.

If he were on the outside looking in, he would punch himself right in the face. That was the thing about his current state. It was like he was watching himself go through the motions, while something inside of him was screaming to snap out of it, but he just couldn't. Maybe he didn't want to. Had Lou been right? Was he subconsciously planning his own funeral?

He was so grateful that Lou agreed, whole heartedly, to take on the role Steve left behind. His doctors had been pressuring him to make a decision soon before that too was taken out of his hands. He had been given all of the information. Surgery to remove the scar tissue surrounding his heart was incredibly risky. All operations come with a risk but he was considered high risk. They just couldn't guarantee that his heart or body would hold out through the procedure, not to mention being put under again. The reward, however, could buy him many more 'semi' healthy years.

They had warned him that with every passing day, more scar tissue developed and his situation was getting worse. There were moments where he swore he could feel his heart being constricted, a heavy pressure in his chest. That, however, could also be attributed to the state of depression and anxiety he had slipped into. Which had brought him to the decision to update his will and power of attorney.

He struggled with how to proceed. If he went forward with the surgery he would want to see Grace and Charlie first, just in case he didn't come out of it. But to get them home he would have to tell them what was happening and the last thing he wanted to do was drop this on any of them, including Rachel.

Leaning on the sink he let his head fall between his shoulders, tired of seeing his miserable face staring back at him.

A soft knock from his front door had him closing his eyes. He sighed heavily. He was in no mood for company. The only light on in the house was the one in the bathroom, so anyone trying to peek through the blinds to see if he was there would only see darkness. He hoped that was enough of a deterrent and the person would just go away.

He stayed perfectly still when the bell rang next, practically holding his breath. He waited.

When a minute had passed without another sound from the front door, he raised his head. Avoiding looking at himself in the mirror he turned off the light before stepping out of the bathroom and into his bedroom. Just as he was about to climb into bed he heard the front door opening.

His heart began to race. Quietly grabbing his spare gun from the night table he moved into the hallway. The house was dark and as he came around the corner into the living room he saw a large dark shadow lurking near the door.

The only sound in the room came from his weapon as he clicked the safety off.

The intruder turned, bumping into the side table.

"Freeze!"

Light suddenly flooded the room as the intruder switched on the table lamp. Danny had to blink, the light briefly stinging his eyes. When his vision cleared he saw the one person he never expected staring back at him.

"Hey Danno"