Danny was scheduled to work the morning after Fina's fight, but it was Lindsay's day to watch the littlest girls. From the time that Gio had appeared in Lindsay's life, each of the Messers had done their best to each schedule one block of uninterrupted time with their kids each week. Danny and Fina's kidnapping had made them realize how important it was that they create memories for their children to carry on should something happen. Today, Lindsay had plans to take the three little girls to the zoo with some friends from their playgroup. Those plans were, of course, going to be disrupted because of Fina.
Danny woke up and stumbled into the shower. On his way down to the kitchen, he stopped to look into Fina's room. Little Anna was sleeping soundly in her crib, but Fina had the light on and was reading a book. Tear marks trailed down her cheeks and she had the book propped up on her legs so she could read with her chin held high. Danny slipped into the room and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"You hurtin', Angel Girl?" he asked, needlessly.
"Yeah," she whispered, her voice hoarse.
"I'll go get you some more medicine," Danny assured her. He stood to get up, but she grabbed his wrist.
"Daddy, does it always hurt this much when you break a rib?" she asked, innocently. Danny tousled her hair.
"Pretty much, kiddo."
"Remind me never to do it again," Fina groaned.
Danny chuckled as he walked out of the room, coming face-to-face with Lindsay. She looked adorable in her housecoat and bunny slippers. Danny leaned in and kissed her.
"Good morning, my love," he whispered. Lindsay glanced into the room he'd just left.
"She been awake long?" the concerned mother asked. Danny shrugged.
"Alls I know is that she's sore," he replied. He replayed their conversation as he walked to the kitchen for her medicine. He was pulling it from the fridge when Lindsay leaned against him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"How do we want to handle her punishment?" Lindsay asked. Danny sighed. With four of his children, Danny was the parent less likely to be strict, but things were different with Fina. Neither parent was willing to be strict with the little girl they'd nearly lost, but Danny was typically less reluctant than Lindsay.
"We can't let her spoil your play date," he said, considering, "She could always come to work with me."
"Dan, that's a privilege," Lindsay countered. The conversation was suspended while Danny gave Fina her pain medicine and tucked her back into bed. Lindsay silently watched from the doorway. She fought back tears at the stiffness visible in every movement her daughter made. When Danny emerged again, Lindsay nodded.
"She can go to work with you, as long as she stays on either your couch or Mac's. Give her some sort of assignment and some of the math supplemental worksheets her teacher sent home at the beginning of the school year. She doesn't get to hang out with Adam or Kendall or Hawkes," she laid down the law. Danny nodded.
--
That morning when Danny and Fina entered the crime lab, Micah was sitting at Stella's desk working on homework. Fina looked up at Danny, eyes pleading to be allowed to visit with her friend. Danny shook his head.
"You heard your mother. I don't want to get into trouble with her any more than you do."
"But she didn't know-" Fina tried to persuade him, shutting her mouth when he shot her a teasing glare. They walked to Danny and Lindsay's office and Fina reluctantly sat on the couch.
"Daddy, can I just sleep for a little bit? I'm pretty tired," she asked.
"Sure thing, Angel," he said. She snuggled timidly into the leather. Danny turned his back for a few minutes to collect his paperwork for the day and when he turned back she was sound asleep. Stella leaned in the doorway. She took one look at Fina and flashed Danny a knowing grin.
"Lindsay out on a scene?" she asked. Danny shook his head and explained the little girls' play date.
"Don and I tried to get time off for one of us, but no dice," Stella sighed, then reached for her pager as it went off. Danny did the same a moment later. He looked between Fina, Stella and his pager. Just then, Mac walked by. Danny flagged him down. Mac took in the little girl on the couch with a single raised eyebrow.
"She got in a bit of a scuffle at school and Lindsay was busy and now I have a scene and-" Mac silenced Danny's rambling by raising his hand.
"Don't worry, Danny, I'll keep an eye on her," Mac turned to Stella, "I can watch Micah too, if you want."
"You are a saint," Stella enthused.
"So I've been told," he chuckled, referring to his pregnant wife, Peyton. She was due any day and Mac's excitement was evident in his demeanor. He was great with all six of the lab family kids and was excited to finally be a father to his own little girl.
"Thanks, Mac," Danny said, clapping his boss on the shoulder as he left, "When she wakes up, she's got homework, and she knows what she's not allowed to do. She can have another dose of pain meds in two hours." He tossed the pills to Mac. The CSI supervisor looked to Stella for directions. She shrugged.
"No dessert unless he eats his veggies," she said, more of a question than a statement. He chuckled.
"Get going, you two," Mac ordered.
--
Fina stretched slightly as she woke up and winced at the motion. She opened her eyes and was surprised to find that she'd been moved during her nap. She was now on the larger, more comfortable couch that sat in her Uncle Mac's office.
"Good Morning, young lady," Mac said, looking up from his desk. His face was stern, unsmiling as he studied her. Fina squirmed, a little uncomfortable under his gaze. Her Uncle Mac was very clear, as was the rest of the Lab family, on the subject of school and staying out of trouble. All of the Messer kids, as well as Micah Flack had been taught from a young age how to behave and treat others. Fina still felt guilty about the fight, even more than usual while facing Uncle Mac. He was the Lab adult that all the kids considered the strictest.
"Morning, Uncle Mac," she said. He stood up and crossed over, sitting down beside her.
"Are you mad at me too?" she asked timidly.
"Should I be?" he asked, "The only thing your dad told me is that you got in some sort of scuffle."
"I was only standing up for someone else," Fina began. She retold the entire story, starting with Vinnie Possetti's early exploits and ending with the talk she and her father had had the afternoon before over their milkshakes. Mac listened to the entire tale attentively, inserting a few relevant questions where they were needed. When it was all done, Fina looked up at him hopefully.
"I'm not mad at you, Serafina," he said, "A little disappointed, but not mad. And I'm also proud of you. Do you know why?" the six year-old shook her head.
"Because you've learned from your mistake. You had good motives to begin with; you just went about things the wrong way. Now, you know that next time you'll only use violence if you've exhausted every other possibility and carefully considered every possibility."
"In other words, never," Fina said, drolly. Mac chuckled.
"Yeah, something like that," he said, placing a kiss on her forehead. He stood.
"Now, your dad said something about homework."
--
Sorry that I took so long. Summers are so hectic. Ironically I can't wait for school to start so I can sleep in. Figure that one out. Hope you like!
