"I'm here with my - Danny - Detective Williams." Steve stuttered, breathing heavily, as the swinging doors closed behind him. He aimed himself for the first staffer he found. "He came in maybe five minutes ahead of me."

"Yes, Commander. He's straight ahead. Second bay on the left." She grabbed his arm as he stumbled. "Hey, are you alright, sir?"

Shaking off her grip as well as her concern, he answered. "Yea, I'm fine."

Steve took a few steps and paused, steeling himself as he ground his teeth, slowing his breath. He tried to play it cool, not wanting to get waylaid by the well meaning nurse. But his body had other ideas, finally able to shut down and succumb to the stress. No way would he acknowledge he was in the midst of an adrenaline dump.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Her words were deliberate like she was speaking to a child. And the sound faded in and out.

He blinked. Spots were forming at the edge of his vision. He couldn't stop; he had to get to Danny. One hand on the wall steadied him but he couldn't think of the words to respond to her.

"Sir?" The concerned voice was closer, but careful not to touch him. "Let me get you some help. Can you hear me?"

Steve felt the strong urge to get the answer correct even though he was watching her lips move more than actually hearing her voice. He had to convince her. "Need...minute."

She didn't seem so sure and didn't take her eyes off of him. "Let me get you a chair. You need to be seen, too. All the bays are full at the moment. Rainy nights keep us on our toes here."

"Yes." He wanted to say something more. Steve wasn't sure he was even making any sense. Nothing was cooperating.

His hands slipped to his knees, as he slowly wilted toward the tiled floor. He fought it though, grabbing the wall again for support.

Who was he kidding?

He couldn't control what was happening.

His head pounded. Hell, his whole body hurt. He was going blind and deaf. He had to concentrate to breathe. Something was crushing his chest.

Was he having a panic attack?

His heart raced.

Maybe this was a panic attack.

"Easy." Arms held him up. "Easy. You're safe. Help's on the way."

Steve nodded, confused. He didn't realize he'd gone down, and before he knew it, he was flat on his back on a gurney. A bright light flashed in his eyes, and he squirmed to get away from it. Feeling helpless and then very alarmed. He punched the first face that got near him. Thankfully his aim wasn't even close.

"Whoa, whoa, Commander. You're in the ER. You've been in an accident."

Words drifted in and out of his mind, awareness shifting and fading.

"Concussion. Possible head injury. Order a CT."

He blinked at the faces appearing and disappearing in his field of vision. He felt suddenly irritated. Angry for the interference. Steve needed to see Danny. Now.

"I'm fine. Let me up."

"Hey, there you are." The words were kind but turned firm as he continued to struggle. "No you can't get up."

"Please." Maybe it would work if he was polite. "I need to go."

"You're not going anywhere yet, Commander." Soft hands held him down. The gentle touch surprised and calmed him. He obeyed and listened, letting the soothing tone carry him away. "What do you remember?"

"Danny."

"Your partner is in the next room. They're prepping him for some tests."

He felt woozy but more relaxed and pushed for the info he needed before he let go. "How is he?"

"Danny is stable right now. We'll know more soon. Try to relax. Let me focus on you. Okay?"

"Okay." Steve gave them a slight smile, pained as it was. He didn't have a choice but to follow orders. He was at their mercy as his body shut down and he passed out.

/././

"Steve?" Danny shivered. They'd removed his clothes, and the flimsy gown and sheet were basically nothing.

"Your partner's here somewhere."

"Is he alright?"

"I'll have someone check."

"Please. I need to know." He pleaded with his whole body, not caring what anyone thought. "Please, find out about Steve."

Loud voices erupted from next door and Danny tried to get up.

"Detective Williams, please, you have to lie still."

To his dismay, it seemed he didn't have a choice. His legs were a mass of tingling pain that took his breath away. If he tried to stand, he'd fall flat on his face. That was one thing Danny knew for sure right then. The other was that his best friend was responsible for the commotion.

"Please, check on him. I need to know. Need...to...know." Danny hadn't felt the jab of the sedative but he saw the look of certainty in the doctor's face.

"You need to relax. This will help. Let us run some tests before you do more damage."

He glanced at this legs the best he could. They were swelled with blotches of bruises. The pain faded as he did. The last thing he remembered was being wheeled past a half curtained room where he thought he saw Steve.

/././

"Hey." Danny smiled.

Steve blinked at him, rubbing his eyes with one hand. "Danny."

"I'm here, babe." Danny leaned forward and put his hand over Steve's and squeezed.

"You okay?"

"I will be."

Wincing, Steve pushed himself to sit up for a better look.

Danny stopped him. "Hey, no, I'll be fine."

"But not now?" There was an urgency in his voice, as he search Danny's face for answers. "What's wrong?"

"We were just in an accident, you idiot. You're not fine, either."

"Yea, okay, you're right." Steve covered his eyes.

"Headache?"

A groan was his answer.

"Let me talk to someone and I can get the lights." Danny moved away from the bed.

Steve perked up and the monitors responded as his heart rate rose. "You're in a chair? What?"

"Hey, stop, I'm fine." Danny wheeled close to the bed again. "This is just a precaution."

A nurse entered the room.

"I warned you, Detective Williams. You were supposed to wait for me." She checked Steve quickly and then grabbed the back of Danny's chair. "Back to your room. Now. Before I restrain you."

"I can go by myself."

"No, someone will take you. You're not supposed to put any weight on those legs."

"They're fine. The tests came back-"

"I don't care what those tests showed. I have my orders."

An orderly slipped into the room.

"This fine gentleman will make sure you get back to bed."

Danny frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. "I can tuck myself in."

"Sure you can. Like you followed my orders before." She raised an eyebrow. Steve chuckled and she aimed her glare at him. "Oh no, Commander. You don't get to laugh. You refused medical attention at the scene and then collapsed in the ER."

"You collapsed in the ER?" Eyes wide, Danny only saw his best friend in that moment.

Steve shrugged and grabbed Danny's hand. "It was nothing. I promise."

Shaking her head, the nurse sighed. "Mmmmm hmmmmm... Sure it was. Just another walk on the beach for you two."