It Had To Be You

Pairing: Danny/Mary
Disclaimer: I don't own Las Vegas. Things would be a lot different if I did. Also, I was not alive in the 60's so if anything is not historically accurate then I apologize.
Summary: This story takes place in 1962, immediately following the 60's portion of the episode Everything Old is You Again. It's a bit of fluff about a budding romance between Danny and Mary with some mobster drama thrown in for fun.

Rating: PG-13

-1-

Danny McCoy returned to the Jubilee after helping Ed dispose of Ray's body only to find the ballroom completely empty.

"Damn," he muttered to himself.

"If you're looking for that girl, she's waiting for you in the coffee shop," Delinda's voice carried from a dark corner of the room. Danny squinted until he could barely make her out, curled in a back booth while someone who looked suspiciously like Frank Sinatra nibbled on her ear.

"Better not let Ed see you, Delinda," Danny called out to her. He'd already had to clean his car out once tonight and he hoped he wouldn't be making a trip out to the desert with Mr. Sinatra anytime soon.

Foregoing the stairs into the diner, Danny jumped over the railing as he spotted Mary delivering an order to a back table.

"I thought this was your night off?" he questioned her with a grin.

"Well, I was on a date, but he just disappeared," she responded, heading back to the counter to remove her apron.

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. It was work," Danny apologized.

He hoped she wouldn't ask him too many questions. He had a feeling Mary knew a thing or two about the way things worked in Vegas, but the less she knew about business the better.

"Oh, it's okay. I was just teasing. I figured you'd be back so I came here to wait, but then things got busy so I thought I'd help out," Mary explained nervously.

"Well, I guess that means I definitely picked the right girl for the job, then."

They both smiled at each other before Danny spoke again, "I'm sorry again for missing the concert. How 'bout you let me take you for a drive to make up for it?"

"Oh, I don't know. It's getting pretty late."

"It's not that late, Mary. Come on, one of the guys told me about this great place where you can see all the lights of the strip. It's supposed to be really beautiful at night."

Mary hesitated for a moment before replying. She knew the place Danny was talking about—Lookout Point. She'd never been there--nice girls weren't supposed to go to places like that--but one look into his dreamy eyes and she found herself agreeing to anything.

---

Danny and Mary sat in his convertible overlooking the strip. It really was beautiful up here.

"So how long have you lived in Vegas?"

It took Mary a few moments to answer the question since she was caught off guard by Danny's hand slyly making its way from the back of her seat to her shoulder.

"All my life. You're from Chicago, right?" Mary finally asked.

Danny felt Mary stiffen as soon as his arm was around her, but she quickly relaxed and settled closer to him.

"Not originally, but that's where I ended up. My parents died when I was 15. Ed found me one day on the street hustling for food, took me in and taught me the business."

"He seems like a good guy," Mary responded sincerely.

"Ed's the best. He gets things done and people respect him for it. What about you? Do you have any family?"

"No, not anymore. My mother died when I was really young."

"What about your father?"

"He…wasn't a very nice man."

Noticing her discomfort, Danny decided to change the subject.

"You looked really great in that dress tonight. I think you were the prettiest girl there."

Mary blushed at his flattery. "I doubt that. Did you see Ed's daughter, Delinda? She's so beautiful and sophisticated. I'm just a waitress in a fancy dress."

"An incredibly beautiful waitress," Danny whispered as he leaned closer and kissed her neck. Mary let herself enjoy the feel of his lips for a few moments before she noticed something out of the corner of her eye.

"Danny, what are you doing?" Mary giggled as she stared at Danny's hand which was hovering over her chest—having abandoned its previous position on her shoulder.

"Umm…nothing," Danny stammered, feeling like a kid who'd been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"Are you trying to get fresh with me?" Mary asked, trying to sound offended.

"Maybe," Danny smiled as he caught the hint of amusement in her eyes.

They stared at each other for a few moments before Danny leaned in again—his lips making contact with hers. Mary's eyes drifted closed as Danny brought his hand up to her face and tilted her head so that he could kiss her more deeply.

When Mary felt his tongue slide into her mouth she squeaked and her eyes popped open. Danny didn't let her pull away though and she finally relaxed and let him set the pace. Mary's hands, which had been resting on Danny's chest to keep some distance between them, finally began to move up and around his neck. Danny took the opportunity to wrap his arms around her and pull her body flush to his own.

Mary was in heaven. She'd never been kissed like this before. She'd never felt comfortable enough with anyone to let them kiss her like this, but being with Danny felt different somehow. Maybe all the girls at the Jubilee were wrong about him. Maybe he really was a nice guy.

Suddenly, Mary felt Danny's hand move quickly up her thigh past the hemline of her dress and reality came crashing down. In one move Mary pushed Danny away and grabbed the door handle, scurrying out of the car.

"What's wrong?" Danny asked confused as he lay sprawled across the front seat, "I thought we were having a good time?"

"I really like you, Danny, but we just met and I'm not that kind of girl."

Danny sighed heavily and pushed himself to a sitting position, realizing he'd probably lost his only chance with this girl.

"Come on then—I'll take you home," he said, starting the car.

Mary tried to hide the disappointment she was sure shown on her face as she got back in the car—sitting as far away from Danny as she could.

---

The ride to Mary's apartment was made in silence. As they pulled into the parking lot, Mary leapt from the car almost before Danny could stop. He jumped out and rushed after her—catching her just before she reached her door. As he gently turned her to face him he noticed the tears running down her cheeks.

"Hey, what's wrong," Danny asked, terrified he might have actually hurt her.

"I'm sorry about tonight. I'm sorry I couldn't…, it's just… I've never…, but you…I understand if you don't want to see me again," Mary stumbled through the words, feeling hurt and humiliated.

Danny stared at her for a moment before understanding finally dawned on him. Was it possible that in a town like Vegas someone as sweet and innocent as Mary still existed?

When Danny didn't respond right away, Mary continued, "I've heard all the stories, Danny. Everyone told me I shouldn't go out with you, but you were just so sweet…I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm not like all those other girls, Danny, so if that's what you're looking for…"

"I know you're not," Danny cut her off, "that's what I like about you."

When she smiled, Danny decided that maybe he had another chance after all, "I'm sorry about earlier. I got a little carried away. Can we maybe start over—how about tomorrow?"

"You still want to see me?" Mary asked in disbelief, "but I thought…I mean, since I wouldn't…you know."

"Since you wouldn't what?" Danny teased.

Mary's face turned red and she stared at the floor, embarrassed. Danny had never seen anything more adorable in his life. He softly lifted her chin so that he could look into her eyes.

"Mary Connell, I think you're swell and I'd really like to see you again. How about tomorrow night?"

"Tomorrow?"

"Yeah, tomorrow. I was thinking dinner and a show."

"I'll have to check, 'cause I might have plans," she replied teasingly.

"Change 'em!" Danny insisted with a wink.

"I'll think about it," Mary responded coyly, grinning from ear to ear.

"I'll pick you up at 8:30," Danny called up to her as he headed towards his car, knowing she'd be ready.