Pace, by Mariko Azrael, Max/Danny
Title: Pace
Author: Mariko Azrael
Relationship: Max Cooper/Danny Delgado
Rating: PG
Warning: Spoilers for up to 'Wishes on the Water'.



Even though he was the leader, Cole was still the newest member of the team, which meant he was still learning about his teammates. However, even he had been able to figure out about Danny and Max's friendship that was so, so much more than friendship fairly early on-- which was why he wasn't surprised at all that when they went to find the Org that had nearly killed Max Danny led the way, body tense and face grim.

However, it didn't mean that Danny wasn't going to get out of talking about it.

Cole steeled his reserve as he picked up his pace, closing the distance between himself and Danny. It was strange, Danny leading the way to the fight for once-- usually it was himself and Taylor at the front with Alyssa not far behind, while Danny brought up the rear... with Max...

Gently, Cole placed a hand on Danny's shoulder. "Maybe y-- maybe we should calm down before we continue." He kept his tone level, not wanting to upset Danny any further than he already was.

"I don't want to calm down." Danny shrugged him off, not looking at Cole as he spoke.

"Well, you need to-- now!" Cole flinched inwardly at the sharpness in Taylor's voice. "Acting like some idiot who's lost control isn't going to help Max!"

That got Danny to look at them. His eyes were red, which contrasted with how horribly pale his face was. And while Cole didn't doubt that Taylor felt the same pang of sympathy he did at the sight, her expression was unreadable as she stared Danny down.

"We're all worried about Max," Alyssa assured Danny as she came up to him, squeezing his hand briefly. "But we're worried about you as well. This isn't like you."

A choked sound escaped Danny as he ducked his head. "I just-- he was barely breathing when we found him, and he wouldn't wake up, and-- and if anything happens to him, I-I just don't know what I'll do--"

"We'll find the Org." Cole placed a hand on Danny's shoulder again, and this time he didn't shrug it off. "All four of us." Alyssa gave Danny's hand another squeeze, and of out the corner of Cole's eye he could see Taylor nod.

"... Okay." When Danny looked up at them his eyes were still red, but he wasn't nearly as pale as he had been before. "Thank you," he whispered as did his best to smile. "All of you."

Since Danny was trying so hard to smile, Cole felt he should try to smile back. "That's what teammates do for each other," he reminded him as they continued in their search for the Org, all of them walking at the same pace.



List of 22: Losing Control