"Don't shoot the messenger." Steve held his hands up in surrender, his expression wary.

Danny hadn't realized how tense he'd become at hearing the news, and took a breath, easing the glare he'd directed at Steve. "I had things planned for this weekend; now I have to rearrange those plans. Rachel could have given me a little more warning."

"She said she was sorry about that; this sort of opportunity doesn't come very often though, and she had to take it. Grace has been wanting it for a long time…"

"You don't have to defend her; I get it. Grace and I have talked about it. It's just… she's only been home for a couple of weeks; I haven't seen her much since the trip to England. This weekend was supposed to help make up for that."

Steve put a hand on Danny's shoulder, sliding it to press gently at the knot that he instinctively seemed to know was there. "I know, babe. But she said you can take Grace on Friday after work next weekend to give you an extra night."

Danny felt a little of the disappointment lift. "Think I might just kiss the messenger for that news."