Title: How To Deal

Rating: PG? I guess

Pairing: Danny/Mary

Disclaimer: If you recognise it, it's not mine.

Summary: Post Season 2 Finale fic. Will be Dary romance.

Authors Note: I'm not entirely sure what year it would have been when Danny's mother died so it's a rough guess. fingers crossed Hope you like it!

Part 1

"Breathe, just breathe" Mary mumbled to herself as her finger nails dug into the handle of the plush seating of Jake's private jet. She could feel her heart pounding and her hands clam up against the leather material.

"You Okay?" Jake asked smiling at her as he walked out of the cock pit, and sat down opposite her.

"I guess I'd never realised how scared I am of flying before" Mary said with a small forced smile. Closing her eyes as a wave of nausea took over.

"Maybe this'll help take your mind off it" Jake reached behind him and took out a square velvet box. "Here" Mary smiled curiously at him as she took the box in her hands, a gasp escaped her lips as she opened it to reveal a diamond bracelet.

"What…….why…..I….It's beautiful Jake" Mary said finally, fingering the delicate strand of gems, a lump rising in her throat. She knew that all the nerves running around her body weren't just caused by the idea of flying. She was terrified about what she was leaving behind going on this trip. No matter how many times she told herself it was only two weeks, it still felt so final.

"Not as beautiful as you" Jake smiled leaning over to kiss Mary

"Oh god I can't do this" Mary said seconds before Jakes lips were to touch hers.

"What do you mean? You can't do what?" Jake's eyes bore into Mary's filled with confusion.

"Leave."

"I was only joking when I said you wouldn't want to come back Mary, we'll only be gone a couple of weeks."

"I know, I just can't…"

"Is this is about the flying? Because I promise it's more than safe. Nothing's going to happen to us Mary."

"It just doesn't feel right Jake, I'm sorry" Mary voice was quiet and timid as she looked down from Jake's eyes.

"Wait here" Jake ran his hand lightly through Mary's hair before standing up and walking into the cockpit. Mary could hear muffled voices as she put her head in her hands, and willed herself not to cry. "Okay, let's go." Jake said as the door to the jet opened. He took Mary's hand and lead her off the jet, the bracelet falling forgotten from her lap. Jake noticed this with a sad smile "We'll try this again tomorrow, if you're feeling up to it. You want me to come home with you?"

Mary shook her head "I think I just want to be myself. I'm so sorry Jake."

"It's okay. We'll try tomorrow. I don't want to make you do anything you don't feel comfortable with Mary."

"I know. Thank You" Mary replied looking up at him and kissing him softly. "I really am sorry"

"No reason for it" Jake smiled and motioned for his driver to open the door.

"I'm going to tie all this up here and sort out things for tomorrow, I'll call you later

okay?"

"Okay. Bye Jake"

"Bye" Jake leant and kissed Mary quickly before she climbed into the back the limo. Sighing loudly as her head rested against the leather, and feeling incredibly foolish as the Limo drove away from the plane.

It wasn't long before she was home, tears falling from her eyes as soon as she shut the door behind her. Stripping off her clothes as she went, she headed straight for the shower, her body feeling weak from all the emotions running through it. As the jets of hot water started caressing her body, she finally admitted to herself that the feelings of doubt about this trip with Jake weren't something that had crept up on her. Ever since he'd brought it up she knew she didn't want to go. As well as she knew she wouldn't be getting back on that plane again. She knew she should be happy with Jake; he adored her that was obvious to anyone. Although the lavish gifts were something she hadn't quite come to terms with yet, she knew to him they were his way of expressing his feelings to her. He treated her like a princess. He'd told her before that he wanted to know what all her hopes and dreams were, and that he had the means to make them all come true. She'd thought it incredibly sweet at the time, but when she'd thought about it after she wasn't sure how she felt about him saying that. Her dreams were simple; they didn't need millions of dollars and influential contacts to make them come true. They were a product of the things she'd experienced in her life, things Jake knew nothing of. Things she was pretty sure she'd never be able to tell him. From day one she'd worked so hard to convince herself that she felt for him what she thought she should. What she needed to, to prove to herself, and to everyone else, that she could live her life without Danny. That she was able to open herself up to someone else, that there was space in her heart for another man. All it had managed to do though was convince her finally that that wasn't true. Jake was perfect. On paper he was the dream guy. But he wasn't Danny. Danny didn't need to be told her dreams, or why she wanted the things she did, in the way she wanted them. He didn't need to be told anything because he knew everything. Everything important. He'd spoiled her for other men and a part of her hated him for it. She could never be happy with anybody else. No other man would ever be able to catch her before she herself even knew she was falling, the way Danny had been doing since they were children. He was her knight in shining armour, her confidant, her best friend. And somewhere, somehow, he'd become the love of her life. Her soul mate.

She'd fought back tears earlier that evening when stood in the Montecito listening to Gladys Knight sing his parent's song. One of her earliest memories is of her and Danny sat watching his parents dance, oblivious to them, in the kitchen of Danny's house to that song. Whispering quietly in each others ears. It was a stark contrast to her home life, where her parents barely seemed to speak, and the only whispering in her house was her fathers voice in her ear at night promising that it was last time he'd ever touch her. At that moment, sat there in that kitchen, possibly not even five years old yet, she'd seen the image that would stick with her as to what love really was. She'd felt it then, and she felt it now when she remembered it. And she'd felt it earlier when her heart had bled for Danny. Her whole body calling out for her him. She wondered if she'd of been able to go with Jake if she'd seen Danny one last time before hand, or whether her feet would of never even stood on the tarmac. Salty tear mixed with steaming water condensed against the frosted glass of the shower as she let herself get lost in her thoughts. The pain in her heart grew as she realised once again that all her thoughts came back him. Danny. Everything came back to him.

Slipping out of the shower she sat on her bed and ran a towel over her hair taking out the dampness, her breathing was heavy, and the only sound in the dark apartment. The clock next to her bed had the numbers 11:30 blinking eerily green into the darkness. As she lay back on the bed her mind racing she knew sleep wouldn't be coming anytime soon. Glancing at the clock she watched as the zero turned to a one. In just under half an hour she could be out of a job. What would she do then? Would she be able to get a job in another casino or would it be back to waiting tables like she'd done in high school. It was the only other experience she had. Her mind went back to the earlier meeting they'd had as a group and she wondered if it was true the casino was going to be imploded. It held so many memories for her she decided to get dressed and go have a walk down memory lane, just in case.

Walking into the casino Mary weaved her way in and out of the mass crowds that were milling around the Montecito. Looking down at her jeans and t-shirt she wondered if maybe she should have dressed in a way that wouldn't of made her stand out so much.

"Mary!" she was brought out of her thoughts by someone calling her name. Looking around for a few moments she saw Mike waving to get her attention and walking toward her. "Shouldn't you be laid out on some beach about now, or a ridiculously expensive bed?" He joked as he caught up with her.

"Uh, long story" Mary answered not really wanting to discuss why she hadn't left, and cursed herself for having let it slip her mind to come up with some sort of excuse for anyone she might run into. "You were great tonight"

"Thanks" Mike said taking the hint that Mary wanted the subject changed. "So, what are you doing here?"

"Reminiscing" Mary smiled as she looked around the casino the years flowing back to her. "Just in case"

"Yeah, you know I've been wandering around for ages now and you're the only person I've seen. And the only one who's not meant to be here!"

"Yeah figures. Shall we go upstairs?"

"To one of the rooms, ya know Mare, you're really very attractive but.." Mike winked and Mary playfully elbowed him lightly in the ribs as he laughed and put his arm around her leading her toward the Staff Only doors.

Danny McCoy numbly parked his car and opened the door, almost on auto-pilot he walked the short distance to the gated playground and over onto the swings. He let out a gruff laugh as he thought what anybody driving past might think. A full grown man slumped onto a swing in a pitch black playground. More than likely they'd assume he was drunk. He wished. He'd tried, but the whiskey bottle he'd nearly finished seemed to have made no difference to him at all. Sitting here, feeling the way he did, he felt ten years old again. He'd been in this exact same place after he'd ran out of the house following his father telling him his mother was dead. Although then it had been pouring with rain and his shorts and t-shirt had done nothing to shelter him. He wasn't sure at all how long he'd sat there that day. In much the same way he wasn't sure how long he'd been driving around Vegas before ending up here tonight. Drinking and driving was never something he'd of considered before – especially when it was literally at the same time. But at this point he didn't think he'd care if he crashed his car. Why would it matter? His first instinct when he'd gotten behind the wheel was to drive to Mary's house, but then he realised she wouldn't be there. After then he realised there wasn't anywhere else he wanted to turn, except maybe to the bottle. It was supposed to help. On many an occasion he'd used alcohol to suppress his feelings. Today nothing seemed to work though and he just wanted this night to be over with.

Mary quickly turned her car off the strip ignoring the driver whose horn was honking after her for cutting them off. She was too preoccupied to even notice as she tried to work out where exactly she was going. Once she and Mike had got up to the surveillance room Mitch had told her about Danny's father. Suppressing her own grief she'd fired questions about where Danny was now, and how long ago he'd left. No one could answer her questions so she'd turned and ran out of the casino and climbed into her car speeding off into the night. Looking around her she prayed for some sign to tell her where she should be going, and caught sight of the turning for her old neighbourhood. She whispered a silent thank you to whomever it was that was answering her prayers as she was greeted by the sight of the familiar yellow car. A sense of deja vu washing over her as she realised exactly where she was.

"What are you doing here?" Danny asked his gaze not lifting as he watched Mary's feet cross the playground

"Apparently rein-acting a scene from the Danny and Mary story, circa 1988." Mary paused and sat down on the swing next to Danny's. "I'm not going to ask if you're okay. It's a stupid question and I know you're not. I'm just going to sit here and you can talk if you want." She sighed and started swinging back and forth lightly kicking her shoes into the ground.

Danny looked up and watched her, she was biting on her lower lip and he knew that meant she was trying not to cry. He felt the first piece of emotion he'd properly felt since hearing about his father and he wanted nothing more than to hold her and try and erase both their pain. As if sensing his thoughts Mary looked over at him.

"Hug?" She asked quietly, not just for herself but for both for them. Standing up they wrapped their arms around each other. His head resting on hers as she buried it in his shoulder. "It's okay to cry Danny" She whispered into his skin her own tears falling, and that was all it took for his arms to tighten around her and the tears he hadn't known had been building to fall.