1As I Lay Me Down

Chapter 15. It focuses on Danny being taken off the promotion grid, and Arielle's father's trial... or lack of one. Features a song written by me, called "Discretion." R&R Spoilers! Ending to "On The Job" in this chapter.

"You went against orders and gave in a statement, when I told you to get a lawyer." Mac was quiet, yet Danny could tell he was disappointed, not to mention angry.

"I know I did, Mac, but I couldn't find another way..."

Mac put a gun on the table. "Take it."

Danny looked slowly and dumbly at the gun, not knowing what to say. "You're off the promotion grid, Danny," he heard, and his whole world came crashing down around him. He felt himself reach out towards the gun and take it. It felt weird, unsteady in his hands, as if it would go off with just his touch. This... it was all he had left. Nothing more.

I can't stand to leave this ground

Going off without a sound

Leaving you alone while I get a better life for me

There's no time and there's no space

There's no getting rid of the trace of life I once knew

The one that included you...

"Hey, Danny." Arielle brushed against his shoulder as she passed. He forced a half-smile, tried to conceal the hurt and loneliness he felt.

"What's wrong?" she asked. He quickly shook his head.

"You can tell me..."

He looked at her. "Mac... took me off the promotion grid."

Her face changed, and he felt horrible. This was why he didn't want to tell her, she had things on her mind, things of her own to stress over...

You had a choice, you couldn't lose me

I tried to do it for you, you still confused the

Thoughts I didn't want to have

With the thoughts I tried to keep inside

The ones I felt content to hide

Away from your wary eager eyes

And wanted to fly...

"It's okay, really." He tried to smile again. "I'm fine."

"You sure? You look bent out of shape. Listen, if you want to, vent. Go ahead, lay it on me. I need something to take my mind off of what's happening..."

Just then, Mac called to Arielle from inside his office. "I just got a phone call, and... uh... I think you might have mixed feelings about what I'm going to tell you..."

With a curious look on her face, she went to his office, where he put down the phone receiver, sighed, and leaned forward. "Arielle, it's about the trial."

"Oh, God, what's happened now?"

"The judge just called, and he... he said that because of the prolonged time period, there was a substantially low amount of evidence that proved his guilt, so..."

"So... that means..." Arielle felt dread wash over her, an icy wave of strong discontent to hear what was coming next.

"There is no way there can be a trial. I'm sorry. He has to go free."

Tears involuntarily stung the corners of her eyes. "Wh-what?" she whispered. "But... how-?"

"I'm sorry, Arielle. There's hardly any evidence. It happened too long ago..."

"But- but it happened! He can't just- walk free like that! Mac, please... you've got to do something..." she pleaded, trying hard to keep her composure for just a little longer.

"Arielle, there's no way."

You couldn't find your way

You couldn't face these passing days

Took advantage of nighttime

Ceiling closing in on ground

Nothing lost and less found

Collapsing totally in time

If it was mine... my time...

She left the office shaking, not daring to make a sound. Nothing appeared clear, nothing stronger than her disbelief...

You and I, time's got to take a stand

I wish one time I could still hold your hand

Just at my discretion

I wish nothing was this complicated

Focused on the hard way

Not just my way

But discretion isn't stylish, there's no way it's effective now...