Taylor hesitated and just stood there in the dark hallway, right outside Danny's bedroom; her fist paused right before knocking on the wooden door.
Parts of herself warred with each other, some wanting to talk to her Dad, some wanted to keep things to herself. Justifications, reasoning and excuses for both sides of the argument flew back and forth in her head.
She had almost walked away, to try for another day when the decision was taken away from her as the door opened, revealing a concerned and curious Danny. "Taylor?" he asked. "What's wrong? I saw your shadow under the door."
Taylor had almost chickened out and deny that anything's wrong, but a part of her gave her strength to speak. "Dad? Can we... Can we talk for a bit?" she asked timidly.
"Sure." Danny answered without hesitation. "Want to come in and sit down?"
"Can we... sit on the sofa for this?" Taylor quietly said.
Danny nodded and exited the bedroom, following his daughter as they walked downstairs in the dim lights of the middle of the night. "What's the matter, kiddo?" he asked with some worry in his voice.
Taylor took a deep, calming breath, and started. "It's about what happened the other day, during the Wards patrol with Vista..."
**************************
"...And last night, I had a nightmare." Taylor paused a bit as she collected her thoughts. "I kept seeing that scene with Hookwolf over and over, kept feeling what I felt then." she finished softly.
Danny, sitting next to her on the sofa in the dark living room, gently prodded. "And tonight?"
Taylor looked down. "....I couldn't sleep. Kept thinking." she admitted a bit shamefully.
Danny leaned in and gave Taylor a hug, leaning her head against his chest. "Oh, Taylor...." he said comfortingly.
Taylor continued, her voice hitching a bit and she blinked away forming tears. "I don't- I don't know why...."
Danny was quiet as Taylor took comfort on his shirt. "Sometimes, your mind can get stuck with details and stuff. All the what-ifs." he softly said. "I certainly did, after the Accident." he admitted.
Taylor murmured, "But I didn't feel this way last week after the Oni Lee attack...". She could feel him tensing a bit at the memory of her narrow escape.
Danny took a steadying breath. "I- I'm not sure. Maybe because you didn't see it up close?" he ventured. "You said were focused on getting away that time. This time, maybe, it's because you ended a fight. Directly involved. So, it bothered you more." he hypothesized uncertainly.
There was a moment of silence as the father and daughter duo sat on the sofa in the low light. "...is it wrong I feel this way?" Taylor quietly asked.
Danny let out a sigh. "No kiddo." he reassured her. "It's not. Sometimes, you just need more time to come to terms with it inside your heart."
"...how long...?" Taylor whispered.
"As long as it'll take." Danny said softly with a firm tone. "Took me awhile after your Mom's passing. Have you tried telling anyone at the PRT?" he asked.
Taylor minutely shook her head. "No...." she quietly answered.
"Maybe.... they can help." Danny said, rubbing her shoulder. "The Protectorate heroes can relate maybe? Try to talk to someone in the biz." he suggested. "I don't advise taking too long to get talking. I'll tell you, from experience, the sooner the better." he mildly joked with a quick smile. That got a brief giggle from Taylor before they lapsed into silence again.
"....can-" Taylor softly started. "....can we just sit here together on the sofa for awhile? For the night?" she begged, not wanting to sleep for now.
Danny nodded in the dark. "Sure, Taylor."
They settled into a silent vigil in the dark living room, comforting each other through the night.