Just To See You Smile

Chapter One

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Danny's hands were stuffed in his coat pockets as he walked Deirdra to the door of her apartment building. The date was over, and Danny almost wished that it wasn't. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had this good of a time with a girl.

He'd arrived at eight and she had taken his breath away when she walked out in a form fitting sweater and blue jeans. They had eaten at this little Italian restaurant, and he couldn't help but grin as he watched her slurp her spaghetti. She'd looked up at him as she wiped her fingers across her lips, a sheepish smile on her face. "This is probably grossing you out," she'd laughed.

He'd merely shook his head. "Not at all. It's entertaining though. But it's not gross. I like a girl with a healthy appetite."

After the food, they had sat and talked for a few hours, and he had felt himself drawn to her—to the way she talked. She used her hands a lot when she talked—an "expressionist" his mom would say. Now, as they approached her stoop, she turned to him and smiled.

"It's a five floor walk up," she said. Danny nodded and smiled. "I had a really good time tonight, Danny. Thanks for the dinner."

"Thanks for the company," he said softly in reply. Leaning towards her, he reached out a hand to push her hair out of her face, but halted when she suddenly flinched. He frowned. "What is it?"

Her green eyes looked up at him, searching his face. And for the first time, Danny caught a glimpse of the hollowness in them. "Just don't hurt me, okay?," she whispered.

Danny's frown grew and he shook his head. "I would never hurt you, Deirdra. I wouldn't even think of it." He caressed her cheek softly as he talked. He leaned in slowly and brushed his lips against hers, gently coaxing her. Finally she kissed him back, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, feeling hers wrap around his neck. All too soon, the kiss ended, and they pulled apart. Danny looked down into her flushed face and smiled. Caressing her cheek again, he said, "I'll stop by tomorrow."

Deirdra nodded, and stood on her tiptoes to brush his lips once more with hers. "Good night," she said softly, opening the door and stepping inside.

Danny nodded, stuffing his hands in his pockets once more. "Night, Freckles." He watched as she smiled and waved at him before disappearing up the stairwell. He stared after her for a minute before turning around and stepping off the stoop. What made her say that? Just don't hurt me?

As he thought of the reasons, he felt anger boil in his veins, but he pushed it all away. He's find out soon. And then he'd make those shadows in Deirdra Reagan's eyes disappear and never come back.

---

Deirdra jerk awake, groaning when her lecture notes flew in every direction. Who was that banging on her door at…6:30 in the morning? Glaring as she pushed her coverlet away, she groped around for her socks, slipping them onto her feet before padding out of her bedroom. "Oh, someone is in for a world of pain," she growled. Throwing open the deadbolt, she swung the door open and was shocked to see the smiling face of Danny Taylor.

"Morning," he said, that charismatic grin sliding farther across his face.

"Um…morning," she answered, running a hand through her disheveled hair, suddenly wishing she had brushed it before opening the door. "Not that I'm not glad to see you, but what are you doing here?"

Danny shrugged and leaned forward to plant a kiss on her lips. "I couldn't wait until this afternoon to see you," he replied. He held out his hands, a Styrofoam cup in each of them. "French vanilla cappuccino, right? You don't like coffee?"

Deirdra smiled and took the cup from him, stepping aside so he could come in. "Right. Nice memory."

He smiled. "Goes with the territory." He looked her up and down and chuckled. "Nice PJ's."

She blushed as she glanced down. Garfield boxers paired with a Superman tank top and Hello Kitty socks. She grinned at him, shrugging. "Be flattered. I usually don't bust this stuff out until the third date."

Danny laughed and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her against him. This kiss was even more passionate than the one last night. There was no hesitation, no talking—it was just them. And once more, it ended too soon. It took all the strength he possessed to pull away. "Unfortunately, I'm on my way to work. I just had to stop by and let you know what a great time I had last night. And to ask if you'd go out with me again tonight." She opened her mouth to reply, but he cut her off. "I already called Ed. He's letting you off tonight—with pay. He said that you're his favorite, he wants you to be happy, so it's no big deal." He smiled down at her. "Come on, Dee. You know you want to."

He watched as a grin appeared on her face, and she nodded. "Fine, I'll go."

He nodded and sighed. "Yep…just can't get enough of Danny boy."

Deirdra laughed and swatted him across the chest. "Get outta here," she said, both laughing as they walked to the door.

"I'll pick you up at seven. Wear comfortable shoes. I'm gonna show you how to really live the China Town life."

"You got it," she said, leaning up so he could kiss her cheek. As he turned to go, she called out his name. Smiling, she held up her Styrofoam cup. "Thanks for the wake up call."

That grin returned. "Thanks for showing some skin. It's a good sight to see in the morning." He winked at her as he walked away, leaving Deirdra to laugh and shake her head. Shutting the door, she rolled her eyes and sighed. Sipping her cappuccino, she headed into the bedroom.

---

"Someone's in a good mood this morning," a familiar voice announced as Danny walked into the bullpen, a grin plastered on his face. He nodded at Special Agent Vivian Johnson as he sat down at his desk.

The older African American woman raised an eyebrow. "Well? Any explanation?"

Danny's smile grew. "None that I'm willing to share."

Special Agent Samantha Spade turned to look at him, her blonde hair flipping onto her opposite shoulder. A smile appeared on her face. "Get lucky last night, Danny?"

"Wouldn't you like to know," he asked, spinning around to look at his computer screen.

Samantha chuckled and rolled her eyes. "Well you came at the right time. Jack just slapped us with a new case," she said, indicating the large whiteboard to their left. A glossy photo of an attractive young woman hung next to the words "Andrea Austin" and a file number.

Danny frowned, rising to look closer at the board. "What's the story?"

Vivian twisted her chair around, an open folder in her hands. "Andrea Austin, 26, school teacher. She had a staff meeting at Ridgeway Elementary School the night before last. She didn't show up for work the next day and her car was still in the faculty parking lot."

Sam stood up and approached the board. "Already did a background check on her. No priors, divorced, no children. No reason anyone could think of of why she would run off or someone would take her. This woman is clean."

Danny nodded and glanced around the bullpen. "Jack and Martin?," he inquired about the other two team members.

"Questioning the ex-husband and co-workers as we speak," Vivian answered. "The superintendent sent over the security tapes from the parking lots. Jack wanted you to take a look at them."

At the look on his face, Sam smiled. "So much for your good mood."

---

Danny raced up the stairs towards Deirdra's apartment, cursing under his breath. He was late. The quick shower and change of clothes at his place set him back 15 minutes. Out of breath, he came to her door and knocked. A crash and stifled curse from inside make him smile and he raised his eyebrows when the door flew open. Deirdra smiled at him sheepishly, a towel wrapped around her hair, beads of water still shining on her skin.

"I'm almost ready, I swear," she said, waving him in. "Just give me five more minutes." She rushed towards the bedroom sliding in her socks as she went.

Danny laughed out loud. Could she get any cuter?, he thought to himself, finally taking a look around the apartment. It was definitely a woman's apartment. A few clothes lay scattered across her blue sofa. Colorful rugs were placed in various locations on her floor, and a large green plant sat in the corner of the room nearest the window. Framed photos adorned her walls, and he stepped closer to look at them. They all showed important moments in Deirdra's life—her high school graduation, proudly holding up her diploma; dressed as a Celtic warrior, complete with kilt and sword, staring stoically into the camera, a friend at her side; tossing her cap at her college graduation, a smile on her lips.

The sound of footfalls made him turn and he watched as Deirdra emerged from the bedroom, her hair in a ponytail, shoes on her feet. He smiled as he pointed at one of the pictures. "I wouldn't want to run into you in a dark alley," he joked.

Deirdra grinned. "Freshman year of college, Halloween. My roommate and I were going through a Braveheart phase. The phase paint was for dramatic effect."

Laughing, Danny nodded. "Right…you ready to go?"

She nodded. "Yep, just let me grab my coat." She leaned down to retrieve her coat from the couch, and Danny frowned as the back of her shirt rolled up slightly, revealing several crisscrossed scars.

"What happened?," he asked, fingers brushing her back. She straightened suddenly, yanking down the back of her shirt and spinning to face him.

"Nothing," she said, shaking her head.

"It has to be something, Dee," he replied, looking around her.

"It's nothing, Danny," she insisted angrily. "Why are you suddenly being so intrusive?

"Why are you being so evasive?," he fire back, then sighed in frustration at the look on her face. "Look…I'm sorry. Okay? But scars have to come from somewhere. Especially ones like that."

Deirdra looked at him and nodded. "I know. I'm just…I'm not ready to tell you yet." She sighed and touched his arm. "Hey…I'm sorry too, Danny. There are just…old demons. Can we just have a nice night together? Please?"

Looking down into her face, he sighed, giving in. He kissed her softly and smiled. "Alright. You win. I'll let it go." He ran a hand through his hair. "Let's go." Taking a hold of her hand, he led them out of her apartment, his mind once more running through several scenarios at how those scars got onto her back.

And once more, he was infuriated with every one of them.