He hits the steering wheel with the heel of the palm of his hand, cursing loudly. It's the middle of the night, his plans just shot to hell and it's all because his brother sided with his friends over his own flesh and blood. To say that Danny was pissed off would have been an understatement. Another string of cusses spills between his gritted teeth. He clenched his jaw and gripped the steering wheel till his knuckles turned white. Releasing most of his rage onto his car.

He really shouldn't be surprised with what had just happened. The one night he actually makes some effort to be one of the guys for his brothers' sake is like every other night of the week: Tanglewood first. He gave them the benefit of the doubt and thought that nothing bad might happen. He thought he'd be spending some quality time with his big brother Louie. Maybe spend the weekend in Atlantic City; drinking, gambling, maybe even picking up a couple of girls. Henormally wouldn'thave gone along with them, seeing that 'them' meant the gang. He hated Louie's friends, especially Sonny Sassone. But Louie actually invited him, he thought it would be different. He thought he actually wanted him to be there. But look at him now, driving to God knows where after his 'loving' brother just pushed him to the ground because 'he was making him look bad.'

He bit his lower lip and loosened his grip and adjusted himself in the drivers' seat. He looked down the Staten Island road. It seemed a little more quiet than usual. There weren't a lot of cars out this time of night, especially at this side of town. He unclenched his jaw and took deep breaths; in through his mouth, out through his nose. He stretched his neck a little, trying to get some of the knots out. Then he just closed his eyes. He kept his grip steady on the wheel; just enough to steer it down the road. He just needed some time to relax. He just needed to calm down and let his anger wash away from him. When he finally felt better, he opened his eyes.

Out of no where, this guy just walked into the road, in the middle of his path.

"SHIT!"

Danny does his best not to swerve, preventing any accident. He pushes all his weight down on the brakes. The man disappears below the hood and from the drivers' view right before he got the car to a complete stop. The sudden halt pushed the blondes' body forward and onto the steering wheel. The pressure to his chest pushed another cuss out of the young man. It should have hurt. But his first instinct was to get out of his car to check on the man he may have just hit.

"Oh my God!" he says as he gets out of his car and walked towards the front of the car closer to the other man. "Are you OK?"

"Humph," was his only reply.

The guy was a marine. 'Shit!' Danny thought to himself. He nearly killed a freaking marine. He walked closer as the man started to stir.

"Are you OK?" he asked again. "Does anything hurt? You think you broke something?"

"No, I don't think so." He answered trying to rest onto his elbows.

The younger man walked towards him. He checked if he was bleeding from any part of his body. He could clearly see his discomfort, but visible injuries. He offers his hand as the older man attempted to stand. He took the strangers' kind gesture and gave a nod of thanks as he helped him up. He could stand, which was a good sign. The blonde gently guided the officer to rest on the hood of his now immobile car.

He leans onto the warm hood. The kind but clumsy stranger holds up his index finger as if to say 'wait here' and he did. The young man went and retrieved the marines' hat, which may have flown a meter of two when he fell to the ground. The stranger hands him his cap and he puts it on, properly topping his uniform.

"Thanks" he says politely.

"Sorry man," Danny apologizes. "I didn't see you there. I wasn't paying attention. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about It." the marine replied. "No one got hurt."

"I can't believe I almost hit a marine." He said dryly.

"But you didn't" he tries to calm the driver down. "You had good control and you didn't hit me. I'm fine."

"Still, I'm sorry man." He repeats himself and gets a warm smile as a reply. "I'm Danny by the way." He introduces himself and extends his hand.

"Mac." He answers and takes his hand gave it a good shake.

The guy had a strong grip, Danny thought. It didn't surprise him, the guy was a marine. These were some of the toughest bastards alive. He must be here for fleet week. Men and women from different armed forces came to shore around this time of the year. But most went to Manhattan or stayed close to New York, rarely came to Staten Island, unless they've got family here. From what he heard or actually didn't hear, Mac didn't seem to have the same regional accent as he did.

He seemed sincere enough, Mac thought. He didn't hit him, which is a good sign. He didn't even just drive off. He actually took the time to step out of his car and help him up. He even apologized. He felt bad for judging a little to quick, he was warned by a couple of people on how New Yorkers can be sometimes. He hasn't met many yet, but this guy seemed to be one of the better ones.

"So, what are you doing here Mac?" the blonde asked after letting go of his hand.

"My platoons' here for about a week. I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about this place." He answered with a smile.

"Oh, first timer." He was now making small talk.

"Yeah, you could call me that." he replied.

They stood there nodding, seeing to it that they let each other know they understood one another. They weren't saying anything, for the lack of anything to say. They didn't know what, and they were left in this awkward pause. It looked as if Mac was actually waiting for Danny to do something. This left the younger man fidgeting in place.

"So, you hungry?" the blue eyed man asked out of the blue as soon as he thought of the question.

"Huh?" he clumsily replied. "Hmm, a little. I just ate this afternoon." He finally answered.

"What?… 1:30am." He replies looking at his watch. "That means you haven't eaten since yesterday."

"Well, you don't have to put it that way." He replied.

"Let me buy you a meal." He offered.

"No," he instantly objected, and regretted sounding a little bit rude. "I just mean that you don't have to do that."

"Pleas, I insist" he said placing his hand on the uniformed shoulder. "I nearly ran you over. The least I could do is feed you."

"No please. It really isn't necessary." He said.

"Well, I think it is." He added. "You should eat."

"No really." He held his open hands in front of him politely.

"Please. Let me." He asked politely. When he saw that Mac was still a little shy he added. "I would have just offered you a drink, but beers in an empty stomach ain't a good combination. I know you'll say I don't have to, but I do… Please, just let me make it up to you."

He was still a little unsure. He didn't feel right making the guy feel like he owed him anything. He really didn't, but from his determined expression Danny wasn't the type to let things just slide. He really genuinely wanted to make things right with him, and he had to admit: he really was hungry.

"Ok." He said reluctantly.

"Ok, you sure?" he wanted to check.

"Yes, why not." He answered. "Free food isn't something I could just pass up anyway."

"Good." He replied pointed to the passenger seat. "Get in."

Both went around the car at different directions; Danny to the driver side and Mac to the passenger side. They got in and drove away.