A/N: This is my first ever attempt at drama/angst so sorry if I didn't quite get the emotions right, but know that I'm working on it! Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine.
Echoes of Heartbreak
Danny dropped to the curb in weariness and defeat. He was sweaty, covered in soot and his body boasted cuts and bruises. This can't be happening. There has to be some mistake because I can't survive if it's true.
The building in front of him barely stood, looking reminiscent of a prop used in old war movies. Single planks of wood stood as silent sentinels to the charred remains of what was once 155 East 55th Street.
Now reduced to a pile of smoldering embers this once magnificent apartment complex had housed families and working professionals. It had survived numerous rejuvenation and renovation projects to preserve the original architectural structure, but now it was nothing more than stray bits of building material.
By-standers gawked and reporters held live breaking news reports, but Danny sat oblivious to all the chaos enveloping him.
He had helped residents fleeing the building find safety across the street, had done everything in his power to remain calm and collected making sure he assisted the fire department in any way possible without interfering. He'd dogged falling embers, watched the fire department race in time and again to rescue trapped residents and a few of their own men who got caught in the fire's rage.
It hadn't occurred to him until after he'd dialed her cell phone only to be dumped directly into voicemail that she might've been home. He'd wanted to let her know her building was in flames before she heard it on the local news. Hearing her voice telling him to leave a message after the tone sent waves of terror coursing through his body.
He'd rushed to the nearest fire fighter he could find, asking him to check the east side of the fourth floor for people, but the man had shook his head informing him that the building in that area was goner.
He'd scanned the faces of the crowd, both survivors and witnesses, for any sign of her but there was nothing. A little girl stood in the crowd cowering under blankets, clutching a pale brown teddy bear and crying out the word "Mommy" again and again. Her father picked her up trying to ease her pain even as his own eyes filled with tears.
He'd turned away from the moment between father and daughter feeling a lump gather in his own throat and continued his search. His eyes had scanned people until they stung with strain and his fingers dialed a hundred numbers until there was no one left to call.
He'd finally had to accept that no one had seen her since she left the lab earlier that day, and if she'd been running errands she would've returned by now hearing about her building fire. Finally being informed that all of the casualties in the fire were people who lived on the fourth floor of the building had been Danny's undoing.
Now he sat empty and aching feeling anger slowly collect in the corners of his mind. Why? Why, damnit! She never hurt anyone; she was loving and giving, a rare quality in anyone today. Those bastards we have to hunt everyday for the miserable shit they do never suffer this way, but her…she deserved it least of all!
Danny raised his eyes towards the sky trying to keep the tears from falling. How could you give her to me only to take her away-Damn you God! How could you! She was the only good thing I've ever had in my life- did that mean nothing to you? Was this all some sort of twisted game for your amusement? Answer me, damn you! ANSWER ME!
The dam broke and the tears came. At first, single drops that seeped from the corners of his eye felt cooling on his cheeks, and then the torrent erupted and all restraint was lost. He buried his head in his hands leaning forward against his knees while sobs shook his body.
The wind that had harassed the city all day picked up and ashes swirled around Danny's body covering him in a fine mist. The crowd thinned and the medical examiner's office arrived to remove the currently accessible bodies; the ones buried beneath the buildings ruble would have to excavated and identified later.
Danny didn't feel the hand which pressed against his shoulder until a voice spoke, "Danny?" He turned and looked up at Mac and tried to speak, but words failed him.
"I know Danny. I know." Mac dropped to the curb beside Danny. The young CSI's anguish was palpable and Mac felt answering pangs remembering when he'd realized Claire was gone forever. He knew that any words he'd say wouldn't ease the searing hurt that currently filled Danny's gut, so he simply sat.
Time ticked by until finally Danny spoke, "Oh God Mac, what am I gonna do?" His voice cracked on the last word and Mac grabbed Danny's shoulder giving it a comforting squeeze.
"You're going to take it minute by minute of every day until the pain eases up. You're going to probably cry more than you have in your life, and you're going to want to curl up in a ball and die, but you'll push through all of that because giving in would mean betraying everything she loved about you."
Danny met Mac's eyes and saw the remnants of pain that still lingered from his wife's passing. He nodded, "I love her so much Mac." Tears still swam in his eyes as he gazed at the shell of the building. "I'd give anything…" Danny trailed off as tears choked off his words again.
Mac finished Danny's sentence in his head, a simple task since he'd said the same things to himself for years now. I'd give anything to touch her, hold her, just have one more chance to look in her eyes and tell her I love her, to see her smile, hear her laughter or just to smell her scent.
Finally Mac stood and gently tugged Danny's arm. "Come on, you can't sit here all night. You need a shower, at least."
Danny looked at Mac with unseeing eyes and allowed himself to be pulled up and led away. His feet moved propelling his body forward but his heart lay behind covered in soot among the ashes…with his Montana.