Disclaimer: Of course I don't own anything or anyone etc.

Chapter 2

On her way home she couldn't stop thinking just how devastated and lonely her long-lasting friend must feel right now and the only thing she wished for was for that fricking driver to put his foot on the accelerator cause it seemed to her like he was driving for ages. She had already ordered him to go as fast as he can, but still…

'Why is it taking so long?' She felt like someone was taking away her oxygen and increased the heat.

"Can you please turn on the air condition?" she asked, referring to the limo driver sitting in the front.

"Yes, mam"

"Thank you"

She never felt so sad in her life before. Not only did she lose the man that took care of her and treated her like she was his own daughter, but she was afraid that she was going to lose Danny too.

'What am I going to do?' She sighed as she remembered the last time he came back from the Marines. He was a changed man. He was distant and scared. He didn't want to talk to anybody and he didn't want to sleep. He almost didn't want to live… And where she thought that everything was getting better for him and he was getting back to being himself – or at least that's how it seemed – this happened…

He saw so many people around him die and he held all his feelings and sorrow inside him. But this was a breaking point and the can of worms was dangerously ready to open. She wanted to help him so badly then but he didn't let her. The fact that he might do that again and push everyone away terrified her.

She just hoped that she was wrong this time and that they would get through this together, like they did when his mother died.

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He paced back and forth the living room for what felt like hours until he threw himself on the couch, hands on his head and elbows resting on his feet.

He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. A wave of guilt and regret passed him as he remembered all these missed opportunities he had with his father. He'd barely seen him this year because he was always busy with the casino. The truth was he was trying to avoid the whole I-want-you-to-take-the-family-business conversation, because there was always one. He loved his father very much but he was happy with his job. It's ironic how things can turn out…

He calmed a little thinking that Mary will be here with him in a while. Mary was always there for him and was the only one able to make him feel better. She always knew what to do. She may have sometimes been as lost as he was but she always tried to be strong for him. He didn't know what he would have done if Mary hadn't been in his life. He didn't even want to think about it.

He was brought back to reality when he heard a noise coming from the front door. He stood up and turned around only to see in flesh and blood the person occupying his heart for the last-… He couldn't even remember when it started. It must have been since forever.

They both stood still for a while, not uttering a word, their gaze locked on each other's eyes.

She was leaned against the door, hot tears running down her cheeks. She tried to swallow her sobs but she couldn't.

He tried so hard not to cry but seeing her like this made it impossible. All the emotions that ran through his body were out in the open now.

They both then did what their heart and mind told them to. What they needed more than anything right now… to hold each other… comfort each other and make sure that since now they are together, everything will be fine. He went close to her as she took some steps forward and wrapped tightly his hands around her. She then buried her face in his chest, her hands rubbing his back. His muscles immediately relaxed at her touch and he sighed relieved that she was there with him.

"Oh Danny…" she finally whispered.

He stroked her hair and then broke their embrace looking straight into her chocolate brown eyes. "Thanks for coming here…"

"Of course…" she said, wiping away the tears that had escaped from his eyes. "Come on, let's sit". Taking his hand into hers, she led him back to where he was sitting before she came. "What…" she paused a little before continuing "…what happened?" her hands never leaving his.

"There was a car accident…" he answered looking down to his feet. "I don't know how I'm going to deal with this Mare. I feel like everything is falling apart." He looked back at her "Almost everyone I love is now gone… and I can't stop feeling guilty by the times I let him down. He always supported me and put up with me and all I ever did was turn my back to both him and you. I didn't listen. I just ignored everything and everyone. I thought I'll have the time to make up for everything, but now…"

"Danny don't torment yourself like this. Your father might have been sad that you didn't choose to follow his steps but he understood. No one was more proud of the things you accomplished than he was. You stood up on your feet and show everyone that you can manage things yourself. He was so glad you turned into the man you are today. You were his pride and you'll always be mine too."

"You always know what to say, don't you?" he smiled wanly at her.

She smiled back "It's the truth". She turned her head and looked around the place until she rested her eyes on his once again "I really missed this house" memories of the best period of her life coming in her mind.

"Yeah… me too" he agreed his gaze piercing her.

"You must be really tired. Why don't you go take a shower and I'll get you some clothes and make you a hot chocolate." She said breaking the awkward moment that came. "I bet there is some here. Your father always bought boxes of it and still didn't manage to catch up with the rhythm we were drinking it" "I should probably call a cab too and let you get some sleep"

He grinned "We certainly did drink a lot of it. But Mary it's late and there is no way I'm letting you outside alone this late at night. Why don't you just stay here?"

"Oh, Ok"

"Ok"

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She was now sitting on the couch having two cups of chocolate prepared and a pair of black shorts and a white t-shirt lying in the bedroom for him to wear. While she was waiting for him to come out of the bathroom she heard her phone ringing. 'Oh it's Jake' "Hey"

"Hi sweetheart, are you ok?"

"As good as I can be…"

"Do you want me to come and take you home?" He hoped she'd say yes because he really didn't want her to be alone with the man he always felt threatened from.

"Actually I think I'm going to stay here tonight Jake." She knew he wouldn't like hearing this.

"What? Mary… Why do you have to stay there?" He unsuccessfully tried to hide his frustration.

She didn't even listen to what he was saying as someone caught her eye. He came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist, water still dripping down his perfectly sculptured body. She felt kind of embarrassed that in a moment like this she was thinking how gorgeous he looked but she couldn't help it. She then remembered that she was holding her cell phone and Jake was on the line. "Listen I can't really discuss about that now. We'll talk tomorrow ok? Please?"

"Fine, tomorrow. Goodnight"

"Goodnight." She put her phone down and turned her attention back to Danny "I put some clothes in the bedroom"

He nodded and after getting dressed he went to sit next to her not saying anything about the phone call she just had.

"Here" she said handing him a cup.

"Oh thank you. I really need that" He took a sip of his drink. "Thanks again for being here with me. I don't know what I would have done if you weren't… and I'm sorry that your trip was ruined"

"Hey you know I'm always here for you, no matter what. You know how much I loved your father" 'and you' she thought but the words never escaped her mouth "and I couldn't be anywhere else right now, but here."

"I know…"

"Now why don't you try and get some sleep? It's really late and you need to rest"

"Mary I'm not much into sleeping now"

"Danny please. At least try to. For me?"

How could he say no to her? "Ok I'll try… So which one is it?"

"Which one is what?" she asked confused

"Which room are you taking?"

"Oh, I think I'll go with your room. Besides, I don't think you bed is fitting you anymore" she said looking at him from top to bottom.

"I guess you're right" he agreed smiling. "Good night Mary" he leaned and kissed her forehead like he always did and left.

"Good night" she touched the trace his lips just left and sighed.

She went into Danny's room, changed into some of his clothes and lay back on his bed trying to get some sleep for a couple of hours because she knew a long day was coming. Her eyes couldn't close though. Even though everything in there reminded her of him she still felt so lonely and the strong memories didn't help her either. Tears were brought in her eyes once again, after reminiscing everything that happened in this house with Danny and his father. She stood up and did what she always used to do when she felt alone when she was a kid.

She walked out of the room and went slowly into were Danny was. Seeing her, he turned on the lamp that was on the nightstand. "Is everything ok?"

"I'm sorry if I woke you up" she apologized.

"It's ok, I wasn't sleeping. What's wrong?" he asked worryingly.

"I don't want to be alone in here" she admitted with misty eyes.

"Come here" he said as he made some room for her. She lay next to him and he took her in his arms. "It's ok" he reassured her. He always made her feel so secure and this time was no difference. "You should wear my clothes more often you know" he said half teasing half confessing what he was thinking. She blushed and buried her face in his shoulder.

After a while they both finally relaxed and gave into their weariness.