DEMONS
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Danny/Mary
Disclaimer: See Ch 1.

Chapter 4

Danny woke up a few hours later with a start. Something wasn't right and it took him a moment to realize that Mary was no longer in his arms. He sat up in bed and scanned the dark room. When he noticed the French doors open he leapt from the bed and out to the balcony.

"I'm not going to jump," her soft voice startled him.

The horrible feeling that had flooded Danny left his body in a rush and he turned around and sank to the ground, his back sliding down the concrete railing. He searched for her eyes in the darkness, but could barely make out the shadowed outline of her body.

"I didn't mean to scare you. I just needed some fresh air."

Danny took deep breaths as he tried to slow his racing heart.

"I'm so sorry about earlier. I don't know what came over me," Mary spoke again.

"It's twenty years of holding everything inside, Mary. You've always tried to be strong. No matter what happened you pasted a smile on your face and pretended everything was going to be alright. You can't keep doing that. When we get back to Vegas, I want you to talk to someone."

"Oh, Danny, I can't…"

"Yes you can. You have to get this out, Mary. It's slowly eating away at you. Promise me you'll at least try. I'll even go with you if you want."

"Oh, that would probably go over really well with Penny," Mary deadpanned, but then her tone turned very serious, "I'm so sorry about this morning, I hope it didn't cause any problems."

"It didn't, but Penny and I are over. She was only after my money."

Mary couldn't help but chuckle at his words, "And here I thought she was just using you for sex."

"Well, I'm sure that was a big part of it. I am irresistible," Danny responded to her teasing.

Mary smiled at him in the darkness. The silence that stretched between them was comfortable, but charged with energy.

"Why didn't you tell me about Jake?" Danny finally asked.

"I don't know. I guess I was embarrassed."

"Why?"

"Because I couldn't make it work. Everyone kept saying how great it was that I'd finally gotten everything I ever wanted, so I guess I was just ashamed that it still wasn't enough."

Danny sensed she was leaving something out. "There's something else, isn't there?"

"It doesn't matter. It's over now."

"Mary, what aren't you telling me?"

"We had other issues," Mary blushed furiously, "Danny, please don't make me talk about this."

"Mary, you know you can tell me anything and I'll still love you."

Touched by his words Mary took a deep breath and tried to explain, "I never felt completely comfortable with Jake. I could never relax enough to really enjoy being with him."

"What do you mean?" Danny asked, a perplexed expression passing over his face.

"Danny, please don't make me say the words," Mary pleaded, her embarrassment escalating.

Realization suddenly dawned on Danny and his expression changed.

"Okay, I get it, but I'm not sure I understand. You never had that problem before, right? You certainly didn't have that problem with me. Oh, God, please tell me you never had that problem with me?" Danny asked, horrified.

Mary got up from her spot in the chair and walked to the railing.

"You really don't know, do you?"

At his confusion, she went on, "Danny, until I met Jake I had never been with anyone but you."

Danny stood up and turned his body so he could see her face.

"You mean all those years?"

"Pathetic, huh?" Mary spoke, her voice heavy with unshed tears.

"After everything that happened to me it was just so difficult to trust anyone. But I never had that problem with you. When I was with you I always felt completely safe. I'm just afraid I'm never going to find that again."

Danny ran his hands softly up and down her arms, causing goose bumps to form on her flesh. He leaned his forehead against hers and whispered, "Then maybe you should stop looking."

Mary pushed him away and headed back into the room, "Oh, I should just be miserable and alone the rest of my life. Thanks."

Following quickly behind Danny grabbed her arm and turned her to face him again, "No, maybe you should stop looking because you've already found it."

"Danny…"

"I know we've had some problems, but I'm not ready to give up on us. I thought I'd lost you to Jake and it nearly killed me, but I was willing to let you go because all I've ever wanted was for you to be happy. I realize now that I made a mistake. I should have fought for you, I should have let you know how much you mean to me. I love you."

Mary tried hard not to break down again at Danny's beautiful words. She put her hand on his cheek and looked with sadness into his eyes.

"I love you, too, Danny, but it would never work."

Mary turned away from him and crossed the room as she continued, "Let's face it, I'm a frigid, emotionally stunted doormat with abandonment issues. Between my mother and my father it's a wonder I'm not some crazed serial killer. You said yourself I need to be in therapy…"

"Stop it! I'm not going to listen to you put yourself down like that!"

Danny's sudden anger stunned Mary into silence.

"I don't know how it happened, but somehow two of the most horrible people ever to walk this earth found each other and created an angel," tears were falling from both of their eyes now, but Danny continued, "You are the most beautiful, kind, caring, loving woman I have ever known and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Mary opened her mouth to protest, but Danny stopped her. "I know you're scared—so am I—but I can't let that fear keep me from being with you anymore."

Danny took her head in his hands and tilted her face to look at him, "Look me in the eye and tell me you don't love me, tell me you don't want to be with me!"

"Danny, I . . ."

"TELL ME!"

"I… I can't," Mary choked out.

Danny's mouth crashed into hers with such passion she almost couldn't stay upright. Suddenly, they were clawing and grasping at each other, desperate for contact. Mary's hands ran through the smooth hair at the base of Danny's neck, pulling his head closer to her as she devoured his mouth. Danny held her so tightly he was sure he'd leave bruises, but he couldn't force himself to let go.

They fell to the bed in a tangle of arms and legs, quickly divesting each of other of their clothes. The coupling was frenzied and wild—both of them simply needing to feel the other after so long apart.

-----

Mary watched the sun as it peaked through the curtains. A new day was dawning, not just literally, but figuratively as well. She and Danny had made love and talked and then made love again. They had shared their fears from the past and their hopes for the future. Mary knew there were still issues for her to deal with, but she felt like her soul had been cleansed at last. As she felt Danny stir beside her, she ran her hand softly through his hair until he quieted and returned to sleep. Her eyes began to water as she thought about how much she loved him. He was her light--her constant--and she knew now that he loved her enough to help her through whatever demons she had to face—now and forever.

THE END.