Title: New York Stories
Chapter 37 – A Friend in Need

"Okay I'll see you at home," Danny whispers as he kisses her once more. "See you there."

"I can't wait to see Lucy's face when she sees Oreo. Is your mom going to stick around?"

"She's ready to videotape," Danny smirks as they head outside toward Lindsay's truck, Darcy hurrying to lock up.

"Damn rain," Lindsay grumbles as she tries to shelter the small kitten in its travelling cage from the wind and harsh elements trying to attack it. She gets inside, gives Danny one last kiss before she starts up the truck, waiting until he's on his bike but cursing the fact that he'll get home and be uncomfortable.

"Ah a shower will warm him up," she muses but then frowns. With Edith there and the kitten arriving she knows that Danny will bend to Lucy's wishes and just change and be with his girls. His girls. Each time he uses that simple term of endearment, her heart melts.

She calls ahead to Edith who has told them that she has already ordered in some food and that Danny's father, George would also be joining them for the happy occasion.

Lindsay hangs up and feels a familial contentment starting to consume her; this was the family setting she had always wanted when seeking out a life partner. She hadn't expected Lucy as she did want a child of her own but for Danny to love her as he does and his parents to be so accepting was something she wasn't able to express in words.

She nears the apartment and automatically her nervous anxiety was rising. She hadn't met Danny's father but figures that since Edith seems to like her that George should as well. She parks, hearing Danny pulling in next to her and gets out.

"Danny you're soaked," she huffs as she stands before him still seated on his wet bike.

"And you can't do anything about that can you?" He teases as he pulls her frame up against his. She gives him a small squeal as the damp leather connects with her warm dry skin but willingly accepts a warm kiss from his perfect mouth and then pulls back with a smile.

Danny waits for Lindsay to get the kitten, who had fallen asleep but was now up meowing, making its presence known and ensuring the little girls surprise would be ruined by the very item they were trying to surprise her with.

"What about its…"

"Oreo," Lindsay stresses.

"Right O-r-e-o," Danny teases. "What about her nails?"

"I had them trimmed so she should be fine. It's cruel and inhumane to get an animal declawed because they have to literally cut off a toe."

"Ouch."

"But don't worry, I am the expert groomer here as well," Lindsay boasts with a smile.

"Mmm wanna groom me?"

"Gutter mind," Lindsay retorts as they get into the elevator.

"Can you blame me?"

"Not at all," she looks at him with a warm gaze, tasting his damp mouth once more. As soon as the elevator doors open, they head toward Danny's apartment, the small kitten clutched firmly in her grasp. The soft knock on the door indicated to Edith that she was to take Lucy into her room so that they could prepare the surprise.

"Hey dad," Danny greets his father.

George Messer gives his youngest son a hug and then looks at Lindsay with a wide grin. "Welcome to the family," he offers a large hug. "Please call me George."

"Thank you George," Lindsay states slowly as she pulls back with a smile.

"So what did you get our little Princess?" George inquires.

All of them hear Edith in her room with Lucy, Lindsay working to free the kitten and Danny going to quickly change from his damp jeans and leather jacket. Danny emerges with a dry pair of pants just as Lucy and Edith exit Lucy's room and head into the living room.

"Mummy!" Lucy shouts with a broad smile as she rushes toward her. But just before Lucy's arms can wrap around Lindsay's neck, the little girl stops short, her deep chocolate eyes widening at the moving object before her.

Lucy hears the small animal meowing and then frowns but extends her small hand and gently touches the kitten's soft furry head, pulling back with a smile.

"This is a kitten Lucy and she's yours. Her name is Oreo," Lindsay tells her warmly. "She's a present from me and your daddy."

"YAY!" Lucy shrieks as she tries to yank the small animal from Lindsay's grasp.

"Whoa there squirt," Danny quickly snatches Lucy back into his strong grasp and holds her on his bended knee. "You need to be very gentle so that you don't hurt Oreo okay? If you want to keep her you have to be very kind and gentle. Can you do that?"

"Yes dadda," Lucy replies slowly, her eyes fixed on the small animal still in Lindsay's possession. Lindsay slowly hands Oreo to Lucy's waiting palms, both cupped together to hold it better. Her face lights up as the small animal tries to move around, sniffing her pink skin and then looking up at her with a tender expression. Edith snaps picture after picture of her granddaughter and her first pet.

"Thank you," Edith gives Lindsay a hug as Lindsay stands up with a smile.

"The smile on her face was worth it," Lindsay replies. "I love her."

"And we love you."

Lindsay looks at the older woman who will soon, unbeknownst yet to her, will be her mother in law and smiles, a small lump of happiness forming in her throat. She offers one more hug before she watches Edith and George head into the kitchen to get dinner ready; having ordered in Chinese for them all.

"Mummy looks, Oeo sneezes," Lucy giggles as she puts the kitten down and then starts to chase after it; squealing with delight as she tries to catch it.

"We need a box for it…" Lindsay's voice trails off as she hurries after Lucy, closing doors and confining the small animal to one space only. After supper she would tell Lucy about caring for Oreo, knowing that right now Edith would have to do the bulk of it, but also knowing the older woman wouldn't mind after seeing how much delight it brings the young child.

Just as the table is almost set, Danny comes up to Lindsay and wraps his arm around her, accepting her head on his shoulder as they watch Lucy, who now as Oreo trapped by a circle full of Barbie's and is chattering away to the meowing kitten.

"Mummy Oeo is hungies," Lucy frowns as she watches the kitten starting to chew on one of the dolls heads. A small about of laughter ensues from the adults as Lindsay goes in to rescue. But about ten minutes later, Oreo is on Lucy's lap, asleep; the small girl watching over the little animal in her care with a loving gaze.

"I loves you Oeo," Lucy whispers as she softly strokes it's slightly trembling back as Lucy looks up at her and grins from ear to ear. "I love you mummy."

"And that just made this all worth it," Danny whispers in her ear before he kisses it; his adoring parents looking on. Yes for him the weekend and the big surprise proposal couldn't come soon enough.

Mac's world slowly comes back to him, his head pounding. His mind quickly flashes him images of the two men surprising him in the parking lot; Frankie behind him and then being hit with something that knocked him out. He slowly opens his eyes, panic starting to set in. He quickly discovers he's in the back of a moving van, his wrists are tied in front and his mouth is covered with a strip of tape. His body aches and he knows that while he was unconscious Frankie must have gotten a few good hits in while he was unable to defend himself.

Bastard! Mac's mind curses as he offers a whispered grunt into the tape gag. He gives his head a small shake and then squints toward the front. Two men are sitting and talking quietly to each other, Frankie is not with them.

Mar narrows his eyes but knows he has to warn Stella; or even call Don to warn her. He knows that time will be of the essence so deftly moves his fingers to his jacket pocket, wanting to get his phone and get a message out; texting if need be.

Mac's fingers fumble with his jacket, but he has to be slow and quiet for fear he alerts his would be captors and they thwart his attempts at signaling Stella.

He finally feels his phone and pulls it out, turning onto his side so that his actions are shielded by his body. if he only gets one text he knows he has to make it count and so pulls up Don's number and starts to type.

'Don, was attacked by Frankie. Warn Stella. Stay w/her. In a van. 2 guys. HELP Mac.'

But a sudden jolt by the van hitting something on the road forces Mac's fingers to fumble with the phone and his actions to alerts his captors.

"Hey!" One of them growls as he tears himself away from the front seat and charges at Mac.

Mac's phone buzzes to life, prompting Mac to tear the tape from his mouth and shout a warning to his caller.

"Don, save Stella!" He calls out just before the phone is knocked from his bound wrists and sent flying to the other side of the van.

"Shouldn't have done that!" The thug warns as he stops on Mac's phone, busting it and instantly severing his lifeline.

Mac's bound wrists shoot out, catching the bottom of the thug's pant leg and sending him crashing backward into the side of the van. Mac pushes himself to he knees just as the man counters and lunges at him, forcing Mac's back to slam into the other side of the van and his lips to emit a weary grunt.

He brings his bound wrists down onto the back of the man trying to wrestle him back to the floor, just as his side absorbs a blow to the side. But telling himself that he can't just give up, Mac's knee comes upward, catching the thug in the groin but not loosening his hold.

The man grabs a handful of Mac's military jacket and yanks him forward, causing Mac to stumble into the man's grasp and then curse once more when his already tender stomach sustains another harsh blow.

"Damn you!" The man curses when Mac brings his bound wrists up and connects with the man's face.

Mac's mouth offers the same curse when the thug counters and his head snaps back, his tongue forced to ingest the coppery taste of his own blood from a small cut that opened on his lip. The van hits one more bump, sadly allowing the thug to get the upper hand and send Mac crashing backward into the side of the van wall once more, his chest heaving for oxygen as he crumples to his side.

"You are going to pay for that!" The thug growls as he raises the tranq gun once more. Mac raises his hands in defense but the dart manages to slip past his wrists and embed in his neck.

"Damn bastard," the thug huffs as he looks at Mac with an angry glare before he pulls out a knife. "Now you'll be sorry."

XXXXXXXX

"What do you mean Mac has been kidnapped by Frankie?" Stella's voice practically shouts, drawing immediate glances from Vince and Pauline, who quickly rush to her side, waiting in expectation.

"Just got a text from him. He wanted to warn you."

"Damn it Don, how did this happen?"

"I just talked to Sully and he said that a guy he knows said Frankie paid two guys to help him do a job. That's all the guy said, didn't know the job. But said that he rented a van. Sully's working on that van right now. I called Rick down at the base, you know Mac's friend and am having him pull the security footage in the parking lot where Mac's Jeep apparently still is."

"Oh god Don," Stella laments as she slowly sinks into her chair. "He'll kill him."

"We are going to find him in time, I promise you Stella."

"What can I do? And don't say nothing," she states firmly.

"Stella, right now…"

"Damn it Don!" She hisses, garnering a concerned gaze from Pauline. "Sorry…"

"Don't be, I'm just as worried for Mac. I know what Frankie is capable of. But Mac said Frankie was coming to get you."

"Does Frankie know Mac warned you?"

"Probably, which doesn't bode well for Mac."

"Don…"

"Stella, he'll be okay."

"Please Don just find Mac. I'll wait here."

"Okay I'll call you as soon as I know anything further. Jessica is on her way over there and I called Danny to tell Sid to be on alert in case Frankie comes near the apartment like James did for me and Jess."

Stella feels her eyes starting to water and her fists tighten further, her heart already racing.

"I can't lose him Don," she finishes in a soft whisper.

"Just stay by the phone and make sure you have lots of people around. I'm sending another officer to you also."

"Thanks."

Stella hangs up the phone and then feels Pauline's hand on her shoulder giving her a gentle squeeze, prompting her to look up with sad eyes.

"What happened?" Vince finally asks.

"Well Mac has been getting some threats from Frankie over the past few weeks since the pot luck and was attacked once by two guys that Frankie hired. It was really nothing and both guys were arrested."

"But now he's been kidnapped?" Vince asks weakly.

"Stella what happened?" Pauline asks softly.

"Don said that he thinks Mac was attacked at the base by a couple of Frankie's guys and that he's with them and Frankie is on his way here."

"What do we do?" Vince wonders in worry.

"Jessica is on her way over and Don is sending a police officer to…" Stella starts.

"Does Frankie know Mac tried to..." Pauline interrupts.

"Yes," Stella finishes in haste. "Don said he also called Danny and Sid and that Danny went up to my apartment with his father and Sid to check it out and Mac's and then will wait for a police officer to show up and wait outside."

"Goodness didn't this just happen to a friend of yours?" Pauline inquires.

"Yes Jessica and the teacher that attacked her and Don."

"He was killed right?" Vince buts in once again.

"We are all going to be okay," Pauline tells them in a firm tone. "Vince I need you to ensure that any children who are outside with their guardians are either sent home and…"

"So we're the prisoners?" Stella asks in anger.

"We can't risk the lives of innocent children," Pauline kindly reminds her just as Jessica appears in the doorway.

"I got here as soon as Don called me," she states as she hurries over to Stella and gives her a hug. "How are you holding up?"

"Sick at the thought of Mac in Frankie's grasp," Stella laments.

"And where is Frankie?" Jessica queries.

"Don doesn't know."

"Do you think Frankie is really going to come here?" Vince ponders.

"I don't know," Stella frowns as she looks down at a picture of her and Mac, her eyes instantly watering. She feels Jessica give her hand a squeeze and knows that right now she cannot fall apart, Mac would want her to be strong and alert and that was what she was going to do. But despite the fake tight lipped smile she puts on for those around her to see, inside her stomach is churning, like someone had taken a large knife and was slowly twisting it around.

Stella watches Vince and Pauline take their leave; Jessica still at Stella's side, finally alone in the small office.

"Is this how you felt a few days ago?" Stella looks at her friend and asks directly. "Sick to the point of nearly passing out?"

"Yes," Jessica nods her head. "But I'm sure it's worse because you don't know where Mac is."

"God Jessica what if he…" her voice breaks as she looks at her friend with an expression of panic.

"Mac is going to be fine."

"Frankie is mean, Jessica you know that, you know what he's capable of."

"Mac is going to be okay. Don will find him in time."

Stella looks at the picture again, her eyes watering as they fix upon Mac's handsome face; looking back up at Jessica just as a tear escapes.

Jessica gives her another hug and offers her on heavy sigh of frustration.

"He has to be okay, Jessica. I love him," Stella whispers in sorrow.

Oh Mac…please hold on…we will find you.

XXXXXXXX

This time Mac's eyes struggle more than the last time to open; his head pounding more than before and his body aching in new places. He opens his eyes to see that he's lying on his side, this time his wrists tied tightly behind his back, his feet also bound with rope and his mouth recovered with the heavy tape.

The area he is in is dark, cool air dancing around him and musty smells of mold and decay filling his nostrils. His eyes instantly water and his stomach lurches as he opens his eyes fully and discovers that he's in what appears to be an abandoned warehouse by the waterfront; the smell of salty air now making itself known.

He hears voices approaching and quickly closes his eyes, lying still and pretending to be asleep once again.

"Hey!" The familiar voice of the thug who attacked him earlier now booms in his ears. He garners a swift kick to his stomach, forcing his eyes open and his lips to utter a muffled gasp.

"Yeah thought you weren't sleeping," the other snides as both bend down closer.

One holds up a knife and then looks at Mac with a wicked smile. "Heard you was a marine at one time," the thug starts with a hint of disdain in his voice. "Does that mean you like to play in the dirt?"

Mac narrows his eyes and does his best to offer an angry glare; not surprising that he garnered two snickers in return.

"See this? Fetch!" The thug laughs as he raises the small pocket knife and then tosses it into the darkness behind Mac.

The second thug leans in closer and grabs a handful of hair, jerking Mac's head upright and looking down with an angry frown.

"And if I were you, I'd hurry," the thug warns. "Pretty soon this place is going to come alive; and not with people that will want to help you in any way."

He pushes Mac's head back down to the cold cement and then laughs; filling the empty space around them with a wicked cackle.

But before his brain can think on one more thing, Frankie's haunting face appears, the two men backing away so that just his evil captor is hovering over him.

"Bastard!" Frankie shouts as he kicks Mac in the stomach. "She's mine! NOT YOURS!" He shouts and kicks him again.

Mac shoots out his legs, partially tripping Frankie and forcing him to stand back.

"Stall all you want Mac. Tonight you stay here and Stella will be mine. I know where she is and despite your loser cop friend's text back that he'll protect her, nothing can stop me from getting what I want. And I what I want is Stella. I already have anticipated where they'll be but I have a better plan, one to draw her away from them. As I said before, hope you made out your will Mac, because you won't survive the night."

Frankie offers him one more blow before backing away and giving a nod to his two boys; Mac's muffled curses dancing in his ears. Frankie just laughs as he disappears into the night; the two men remaining as per Frankie's orders.

Mac rests his head down on the cold cement, his wrists flexing, straining, trying to find any kind of give in the tight ropes that are keeping them fully restrained behind his back. A few minutes of useless struggling and Mac slumps his head back onto the cement, his lips offering another whispered angry curse at his helpless state.

'Better plan…one to draw her away from them…I want Stella…'

Have to get to Stella! Mac's mind races over and over as he pulls at the ropes surrounding his wrists, not caring of the harsh biting and chafing the ropes was offering his tender skin.

A few more hopeless minutes later, Mac twists his head around to see where his two guardians had gotten to. He could hear their voices but wasn't able to pick out their outlines. Wasting no time, he quickly starts to work his bound wrists over his bound ankles, telling himself that if he can at least get his feet free then he'll stand a fighting chance of taking them down. He was a trained soldier and they were petty thugs; that had to count for something right?

Have to get to Stella, have to get to Stella…his brain would chant over and over, encouraging him to keep going; she was his future and the woman he loves more than life and now her life was depending on him getting free.

Mac…he hears her voice calling to him, giving him that added boost to summon whatever energy was lurking and use it to his advantage.

Mac finally succeeds in getting his wrists over his feet, lying still for a few more minutes before he attempts to remove to untie the rope around his feet. His heart was racing and head pounding, stomach in tightened knots. A cut on his forehead still throbs and he's sure his ribs are at least cracked. He knows he has to make a move for the knife and so settles in his mind to do just that.

But just before he does, he hears a noise and looks up to see a dark figure hovering it the doorway.

Damn it! Mac curses as the figure moves toward him.

A/N: So think Stella will be okay? Will Mac? Will they find Frankie in time? Has he actually left the warehouse? Will Mac escape? Stay tuned as this concludes next and more to come. Thanks again to everyone for your great reviews. Please let me know how you liked this chapter as well.