Title: The Devil You Know
Synopsis: Spoilers for 'Tanglewood'. To show Detective Mac Taylor that they mean business… the Tanglewood boys kidnap Danny Messer.
Pairing: Danny Messer/Mac Taylor (later), Sonny Sassone/Danny Messer (non-con)
Rating: NC-17 (for language, mentions of rape, and sex)
Author: Princess Tepes
Authors Notes: This is dedicated to Jilly and inspired by the song 'Numb' by Holly McNarland. This is not for people who like Stella… seriously.
IV.
Danny didn't know how much time had passed. There was no difference between night and day down in this basement. And the hours had started to blur together until everything seemed like it was eternity. His entire body ached and he was starving, refusing to eat anything that the Tanglewood boys placed in front of him. He was becoming dehydrated too, but he decided finally it would be safe to drink some water to keep himself alive. No matter how much he felt like he wanted to die, he had finally found a shield. Mac was his shield… it was the one thing, the one part of him that the Tanglewood boys could never touch or corrupt. It was the only thing that kept him from letting the starvation and the abuse from claiming his life.
Danny couldn't count the number of times he had been raped by now. It seemed like every time he opened his eyes, Sonny was waiting for him. And now, it was worse, because Joe and Tony had joined in as well. Danny had never imagined that they would stoop that low… to where he was being raped multiple times. He had tried to detach himself but the pain was just too great. Now though, he could barely feel it. The old wounds just mingled with the new ones. He had probably lost more blood in the time he had been in the Tanglewood boys' company than he had any other time in his life. Right now though, Danny had managed to prop himself back against the wall and he was drinking some water. The ice cold liquid felt good to his burning throat and he could finally talk again. He had finally been able to adjust his eyes to the ever present darkness and he let out a small smile.
"Oh… Mac…" He whispered into the darkness, wishing for his boss' presence. Most of the people who dealt with him now considered him a very distant man who was more concerned about the science than the people it helped… but Danny knew different. Danny could see beneath the carefully constructed walls and see to the soul of his anguished friend. That was what he had come to love. He loved the sentinel like watchfulness, the grace in which he held himself despite all of his losses, and the small but apparent vulnerability beneath it all. Mac, in all respects, was Danny's protector and mentor. Danny had been a new CSI when Mac took him under his wing. Mac had showed Danny more about coping with the death and learning the ropes of the field than any class had ever taught him. Mac had been his light and the hero-worship Danny used to hold for him turned to respect and friendship… and then to a deep seated love that grew every second he was in the other man's presence.
Danny was jarred out of his thoughts when the next drink of water missed his mouth and spilled down his shirt and pants. He cursed softly and tried to rub some warmth into the water. He hadn't realized before how dirty his body was… covered in sweat and blood and other things he didn't even want to think about. He adjusted himself again, resting the back of his head against the cool stone. He figured he was probably getting sick with how cold he had been lately. His throat burned with more than a lack of fluids. And now, here he was, slipping down memory lane when he should be planning a way to escape. But by now, he was too weak to do anything anyways. He felt like all of his coughing had torn a hole in his esophagus. He drank some more of his water and let his eyes slip shut.
In however long he had been in this hell, his thoughts hadn't strayed far from Mac. He had avoided Mac for the rest of the day after Sonny's interrogation. He hadn't seen Mac since then… and he had talked to Mac briefly since the conversation in his office about being proud of what he had become, but they hadn't really said anything. But after that whole thing with Sonny, he couldn't help but wonder if maybe Mac was a little upset with him. Maybe… maybe Mac had believed what Sonny said and that's why no one had found him yet. He let out a shuddering sigh and for what seemed like the millionth time, he fought tears.
He missed Mac so much and he wished that he was with him. He couldn't bear to wish anyone was with him… though a friendly presence would probably make him feel a bit better. His stomach growled and interrupted his thoughts again. He peered at the plate of food. It was tempting and even the smell of it was making his mouth water. He wondered if maybe he should take some. But he was afraid… he was afraid that Sonny had put some sort of drug on the food to make Danny want what he was giving him. He turned away from the plate and closed his eyes again.
"I… I can't hang on much longer…" He whispered to the darkness. "You have to come and save me…"
Mac had put on his best suit to go and talk to Judge Andreas. It had been a week since he had denied the warrant to search for Joe Spengal and arrest him for kidnapping. Mac figured at least now he would have a chance to go and find the bastards who had done this to Danny. He knocked on the door and Judge Andreas opened the door. He looked like he was getting ready to preside over a case.
"Sorry Judge, I'll make this quick." Mac said, keeping his voice calm. "I'm not sure if you remember but about a week ago my lab made a request to get a warrant on Joe Spengal. We believe he has kidnapped one of the CSI's that I supervise. Now, the warrant was thrown out at first because Detective Bonasera made a recommendation that maybe he was just a little put off at events that had happened earlier in the day and was taking time to cool down." Mac licked his lips. "But, your honor, it's been a week now and we haven't seen or heard from him in that time. And I know that you're very busy and you have a lot of stuff going on right now, but I fear for Detective Messer's life and I really need that warrant." Mac finished.
Judge Andreas watched Mac as he spoke, trying to gauge his body language and despite the air of calmness Mac was trying to exude… he could sense the troubles simmering just below the surface. He nodded thoughtfully.
"Alright, I'll grant your warrant." He said and he sat down to sign the warrant for Mac.
"How much longer do we have to wait before this goes from Danny pouting to a fucking kidnapping?" Aiden yelled at Stella, slamming her fist down on the break room table. Stella looked up, slightly startled as Aiden had just come in and started yelling at her.
"It's out of my hands now." Stella said simply as she looked back down at her case file. Aiden almost decked her; in fact, it took every single ounce of Aiden's willpower not to lay her flat. Aiden took a deep breath and counted to ten. It didn't help. Mac walked back in and barely shot a cursory glance to Stella.
"C'mon Aiden… I finally got Judge Andreas to issue a warning. I got S.W.A.T. on standby… we're going in." Mac said. Aiden was close on his heels as he turned to walk out. Mac stopped in the doorway, turning to Stella. "I hope that whatever god you pray to is watching over you, because if one hair on Danny's head is harmed… it's gonna be your ass." Mac said before resuming his trek to the address.
The cars drove up to the house with the lights off and parked a few houses away as to not arouse suspicion. The S.W.A.T. team moved with a military like precision and moved into position, surrounding the house with the silence and grace of a large predatory cat. Mac walked towards the front door, flanked by Detective Flack and a large man who was a member of the S.W.A.T. unit.
"I'm Agent Robert Holter." He introduced himself as they walked. The last few S.W.A.T. members moved into position. "My boys are covering every single door and window, every possible exit we could think of. We've got a helicopter on standby." Agent Holter explained. He gave Mac a slight smile. "Give 'em hell."
Mac took a shuddering breath and hoped against hope that the Tanglewood boys were in there. They reached the door and the Agent Holter steeled himself… and kicked the door in.
End Chapter 4
