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
-4-
"Merry Christmas, you two. Don't you look stunning, Mary. And, Danny, handsome as ever," Ed's wife Jillian gushed as she ushered them inside.
"Thank you for having us, Mrs. Deline. You have a beautiful home," Mary responded.
"Please call me Jillian, dear," she replied as the butler took Mary's coat and purse, "This place is way too big if you ask me, but Eddie likes to entertain. The guys are out by the pool, Danny. I'll make sure Mary gets introduced."
"Great. I'll see you in a little while," Danny said as he gave Mary a quick peck on the cheek and headed towards the back door. She looked anxiously after him as Jillian took her by the arm and steered her towards the rest of the partygoers.
"Don't worry, dear, he won't go far. Besides, I've been dying to meet you. You know, Danny can't stop talking about you," Mary blushed at Jillian's words as they headed towards what Mary could only describe as the lion's den.
After being introduced to so many people in such a short period of time Mary's head was spinning. She was usually good with names and faces, but the sheer volume of people she'd met tonight would make remembering them near impossible.
For the last half hour or so Mary had been chatting amicably with Mr. Deline's mother. The woman was extremely charming and had instantly put Mary at ease.
"MARY," Delinda squealed as she floated into the room, "I'm so glad you're here. Gramma, you don't mind if I steal Mary for awhile, do you?" she asked before grabbing her new friend by the hands and pulling her to her feet.
"Of course not, dear. Mary, be sure to tell that fellow of yours to come say 'hello'."
"I certainly will, Mrs. Deline. It was a pleasure meeting you," Mary responded politely as Delinda dragged her towards the other room. She caught site of Danny through the patio glass and he gave her a smile and a wink before going back to his conversation.
"Delinda, where are we going? What if Danny comes looking for me?"
"Believe me, Mary, if Danny wants to find you, he will. Besides, they're out there smoking cigars and talking business or sports or whatever it is they talk about at these things. It could be hours…. I found her!" Delinda happily announced to everyone as she and Mary entered the dining room.
Mary suddenly felt like she was having some sort of weird dream where she was standing in front of the class in her underwear. There were five women seated around the table, clouds of cigarette smoke surrounding them, and they were all staring at her.
"You've met everyone already, right Mary?" Delinda asked cheerfully.
Before she could respond, a tall brunette in the corner cut in, "We all want to know your secret, Mary."
"Yeah, how have you managed to keep Danny McCoy interested for almost two months?" a shorter blond picked up the conversation, "As long as I've known him, he's never stayed with one girl for more than a week."
"That's not true. We dated for almost two," one of the other girls chimed in, offended.
Mary looked around the room horrified. She knew Danny had been with a lot of girls, but to be face to face with all these women was something she wasn't prepared for.
Delinda immediately noticed Mary's discomfort and tried to rescue her, "Hey, enough already. I didn't bring her in here so you could embarrass her. I'm sure she'd rather not hear about Danny's past indiscretions."
"You must be a dynamo in the sack," a woman in the back with pale skin and jet black hair commented pointedly.
Mary stood in stunned silence, her face turning several shades of pink as she looked down at the floor—praying the carpet would swallow her whole. Sensing Mary's extreme unease at the comment, the woman laughed, a violent, barking laugh that made everyone in the room cringe. She extinguished her cigarette and crossed the room to stand in front of Mary.
"That's not it at all, is it, sweetie?" she said as she held Mary's chin in her hands so she could look into her eyes.
"Leave her alone, Monica," Delinda warned the older woman.
Monica released her and turned to the others in the room, "You all gave it up too easy, girls. The boy just needed a bit of a challenge."
Some of them nodded their heads in acknowledgement while a few others exchanged sly looks of understanding.
Mary tried desperately to control her breathing as Monica looked at her again and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear, "and once he's gotten what he wants--he'll be back on the market."
Mary turned and fled—heading straight for the ladies room with Delinda hot on her heels. Realizing Mary probably needed some privacy Delinda grabbed her by the hand and led her upstairs. Once inside the powder room, Mary braced both hands on the sink and took several deep breaths, trying to get rid of the sick feeling that had settled in the pit of her stomach.
"You're friends with those people?" she finally asked Delinda who was seated on the edge of the tub.
"Well, no, not really, but there's no one else to hang out with at these things. But…now I have you, so… Look, Mary, I'm so sorry. When they said they wanted to meet you I had no idea they'd be so catty."
"It's not your fault. I shouldn't have let that woman get to me like that."
"Don't pay any attention to what Monica says. She's just jealous. She's been trying to land Danny for years and he keeps turning her down."
"But all those other girls..."
"Danny's no angel, Mary. I'm sure you knew that going into this thing, but I can tell he really likes you."
"How do you know?" Mary asked, genuinely curious.
"I just know," Delinda told her sincerely.
Mary wasn't so sure anymore. She'd spent most of her life keeping people at a distance because she was so scared of getting hurt. She'd taken a chance by letting Danny into her heart and the fear had increased ten fold. Maybe it was time she took an even bigger chance. At least then she'd know for sure where she stood.
---
"You've been quiet. Did you not have a good time?"
Mary had rejoined the party just in time for her and Danny to say their goodbyes and the ride home had been mostly silent.
"It was fine. The Delines are very nice," Mary's voice was distant.
"Yeah, they're great, aren't they?" Danny responded as he turned onto Mary's street, "So, Mike and Delinda said they'd be over about noon tomorrow. Is that okay?"
Since Mike and Danny did not have any family in town Mary had volunteered to cook for the three of them and they'd jumped at the offer. When Delinda heard of their plans, she'd invited herself as well.
"That should be fine. I'll put the turkey in early so it'll be ready by then," Mary told him distractedly as they pulled up to her apartment.
Danny hopped out of the car and jogged around to Mary's door, opening it and helping her out. He rested his hand on her back as he led her up the steps to her apartment where an awkward silence greeted them at the door.
"Do you want to come in for a drink?" Mary asked quickly before she lost her nerve.
"Sure," Danny's response was hesitant. Of course since they'd been going out he'd been up to Mary's apartment several times, but something about tonight seemed different. She seemed different and he wasn't so sure that was a good thing.
As soon as they were through the door Mary headed for the kitchen and pulled out the only bottle of liquor in the house—a twelve year old Scotch someone had given her a few years before. She poured two glasses, downing one of them with a grimace before Danny could even pick up his own. Ignoring his questioning gaze, Mary quickly poured another and headed for the sofa, stepping out of her shoes along the way.
"You okay?" Danny asked, unsure.
Mary finished her second drink and turned to Danny. Without answering his question she threw her arms around him and attacked his mouth with her own. His drink dropped to the floor as he returned her kiss—cradling her face with both of his hands. Mary's hands worked their way up Danny's chest and down his arms--pulling his jacket off his shoulders as she went. They moved towards the sofa, never once breaking contact. When Danny's legs hit the couch he fell backward, holding Mary as she stumbled awkwardly into his lap. Danny's hands roamed her body as Mary's fingers worked feverishly on his shirt buttons. Before he even realized what was happening she had them undone and began pulling the shirttails from his waistband.
"Mary, baby, slow down," he told her breathlessly.
"I thought this was what you wanted."
"I do, but… I thought you wanted to take things slow."
"I just want to get it over with," Mary responded as she stood up and headed for the kitchen to pour another drink, Danny following close behind.
"No more scotch," he told her forcefully as he snatched the bottle out of her hands.
Mary stared at her glass where it sat empty on the counter—tears pooling in her eyes.
"Tell me what's wrong," Danny pleaded.
The stress of the evening coupled with the effects of the alcohol hit Mary all at once and suddenly she could no longer hold her tears at bay.
Danny turned her body and held her head to his chest, "Shh, baby. Please don't cry. You know I can't stand it."
"I'm sorry. I just… needed to know for sure," she sobbed.
"Know what? Mary, what the hell happened tonight?" Danny's words were harsh, but his tone was anything but.
"It doesn't matter," she quietly replied, suddenly very tired.
"Of course it matters. Look how upset you are. Did someone say something to you?"
Mary didn't respond. She buried her head in Danny's chest as his arms held her tight. After a few moments, Danny's hand gently pulled her head back so he could look at her face. He realized that any answers would have to be saved for another time. The scotch had taken hold and Mary was barely able to keep her eyes open. Danny kissed the tip of her nose before scooping her up and heading towards the tiny bedroom. He carefully removed her dress-- gingerly guiding her arms through the straps as her head lolled heavily from side to side. Once she was clad only in her slip he tucked the blankets tightly around her before sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I used to think I had things all figured out, but now…," Danny sighed as he looked at Mary's innocent face.
"What have you done to me, Mary Connell?" he whispered softly as he pushed a stray lock of hair away from her forehead.
"Danny?" Mary mumbled in her sleep, "please don't go."
Danny hesitated only a moment before he stood up and toed out of his shoes. He pulled his dress shirt off and lay down next to Mary—burying his nose in her hair. Danny couldn't help thinking before he drifted off to sleep how right it felt to fall asleep with her in his arms and how much she smelled like home.