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
-10-
Danny was awoken from a sound slumber by the ringing of the phone. Glancing at the redhead still lying peacefully across his chest he reached for it before mumbling sleepily into the receiver, "Hello?"
"Hey, kid. I'm sorry to bother you, but we need you on the floor ASAP. We got a couple of cheaters and we're a little shorthanded so Mike needs some help shaking them down."
Danny glanced at his watch and suddenly realized it was already after lunch. "No problem, boss. I'll be right there."
"Oh. I almost forgot to ask," Ed chimed in before Danny could hang up. "How'd it go? Did she say 'yes'?"
Danny smiled as he remembered everything that had happened last night and this morning. "Yeah," he said, a huge grin spreading across his face, "she did."
"Good! Tell her to get with Jillian. She's already got this whole spring garden wedding thing worked out in her head."
"Um, actually, Ed, we were thinking we'd get married tonight."
"Tonight! What's the rush? So help me God, kid, if you've knocked her up."
"What? Ed, no…," Danny insisted, before thinking about their recent activities, "at least I don't think so."
"Danny, I'm warning you..."
"Look, we just decided we didn't want to wait so we thought we'd go to one of the chapels and get hitched—sort of a New Year's Eve thing—new beginnings and all that."
Danny began to squirm as he waited for his boss' reaction. After a long moment of silence, Ed finally spoke, his voice terse, "Fine, but you get to tell Jillian." Before Danny could argue he was met with a dial tone.
"Damn," he whispered to himself as he set the phone back in the cradle. If there was one thing Jillian Deline loved to do it was plan things and since she considered Danny one of her own he was not looking forward to bursting her bubble.
"Danny," Mary mumbled quietly, finally awake.
"Yeah, baby, I'm here," he said as he softly kissed the top of her head.
Mary pushed herself to a sitting position, careful to keep the sheet wrapped tightly around her. Even after everything they'd shared last night she still couldn't help but feel a tinge of modesty at her current state of undress and Danny smiled as he watched the flush slowly spread across her cheeks when she realized he was watching her.
"Hey," she said softly as she finally met Danny's gaze.
"Hey," he whispered back, leaning in for a sweet kiss. He rested his forehead against hers and ran his fingers lightly up and down her arm.
"I hate to do this, baby, but I have to go."
"Oh, okay," Mary responded, failing miserably as she tried to hide her disappointment.
"Please don't be upset," Danny pleaded, hearing the tone in her voice, "Ed needs me downstairs."
Mary sighed before giving him a gentle smile, "Danny, it's okay. Of course, I don't want you to go, but I understand if you have to work."
Sensing the slightest bit of uncertainty in her voice, Danny framed her face with his hands before asking, "Hey, you still want to marry me?"
Mary closed her eyes for a moment as unexpected tears threatened to spill. When she finally trusted herself to speak she looked Danny square in the eye and asked him right back, "Do you still want to marry me?"
Realizing Mary needed the assurance more than he did, Danny leaned in and kissed her soundly—trying to convey everything he felt for her in that one action. After only a few moments, the pair lay tangled in the bed again—their passion threatening to ignite. Deciding that this kiss was quickly leading somewhere they didn't have time to fully explore, Danny reluctantly pulled away as he whispered, "More than anything."
Mary couldn't help but smile as Danny helped her sit up again. "Okay then," she told him, suddenly in control of her emotions, "I'm going to track down Delinda and see if I can find a dress for tonight. How about you meet me at the wedding chapel around 8 o'clock? Do you think that's late enough for you to make it?"
"Oh, I'll be there," Danny told her as he retrieved his boxers and stood to put them on.
"Good," Mary said, quickly averting her gaze from his nude form.
Danny chuckled as he noticed the hand covering her eyes. "You know, sweetie. We're going to be husband and wife soon. You do realize that you'll probably have to see me naked." He quickly pulled on the rest of his clothes and sat on the bed to put on his shoes.
"I know… it's just…I mean, I just need a little time to get used to everything." Even though she knew he was dressed now, Mary still couldn't meet his eyes.
Danny gently lifted her chin, "Hey, I'm just teasing. That innocence is one of the things I love most about you," Danny assured her. With a quick kiss to her nose he stood up and crossed the room.
"8 o'clock?" Danny asked as he headed out of the bedroom towards the door.
"8 o'clock," Mary confirmed. "I'll be the one in white," she shouted so he could hear her in the next room.
At her sassy comment Danny stuck his head back in the bedroom and gave her a quick wink and a waggle of his eyebrows before disappearing again-- leaving Mary giggling as the suite door slammed shut.
---
After showering and changing in her own room, Mary headed down to the dress shop.
"Hey, Delinda, I need a favor," she asked her friend who was busy going through a new shipment of apparel.
"Sure, what can I do for you," Delinda replied, glancing up at Mary. "Omigod!" Delinda exclaimed as soon as she laid eyes on Mary. "You little vixen," the blonde gasped as she took in her friend's appearance, a huge smile suddenly plastered on her face.
"What?" Mary asked confused. "What are you talking about?"
"Come on, Mary, you're practically glowing. You and Danny did it last night, didn't you?"
Mary's face turned three shades of crimson and she quickly glanced around the shop to see if anyone else had heard Delinda's outburst. "Would you keep your voice down please."
"Aha! See, you didn't deny it," Delinda exclaimed, a triumphant expression on her face. "So, how was it? Did he live up to all the hype?"
"Delinda, I'm really not sure I'm comfortable discussing this…"
"Okay, okay. We'll talk about it later. So, what can I do for you?"
"I need a dress for tonight—a wedding dress," just the words made Mary's face light up with glee.
"WHAT? Mary, that's fantastic," Delinda screamed again, but quickly recovered, "Wait a minute. Why do you need it for tonight? Isn't that a little fast?"
"I thought so too, but Danny's insistent that we get married tonight. He can be very persuasive."
"I'll bet he can," Delinda told her with a wink. "Well, let's just see what we've got."
Mary only had to try on three dresses before she decided on the perfect one. It was a white shift dress with a matching bolero jacket. Delinda called around town and found her a white pill box hat with a netted veil that would complete the ensemble. She was on her way out the door when she heard Danny call out to her.
"Running out on me already?" he asked teasingly.
Mary laughed as she took in his adorable pout. "Of course not, silly. Believe it or not there's only one bridal shop in this whole town that's open on New Year's Eve and they've got the perfect veil to go with my dress. I'm going to pick it up."
"No," he told her firmly. She was so excited that Danny hated to stop her, but he had no choice.
Mary stared at him in shock. Was this how things were going to be? They weren't even married yet and he was already telling her what she could and couldn't do. "What do you mean 'no'?"
Her insolent tone instantly made Danny realize what he must have sounded like and he quickly tried to explain, "I don't want you leaving the hotel--not without someone with you. It's not safe for you to be by yourself right now, baby."
Mary's expression softened as she remembered everything that had happened with Bobby the day before and she reached up to lay a hand on Danny's cheek. "I don't want him controlling my life, Danny. We're shorthanded as it is. I can be over there and back in an hour."
"It's not forever, baby—just until I can take care of things. Give me the address of the shop and I'll send someone over there."
Mary handed Danny the paper she'd written the information on and he stuffed it in his pocket. "Now, promise me you won't leave the hotel without an escort."
"I promise," Mary said, knowing there was no way she was going to win this argument because deep down she knew Danny was right.
---
The couple had agreed that Mike would escort the ladies to the chapel and Danny would join them later after picking up the rings. That way there was no chance of Danny catching a glimpse of his bride until she walked down the aisle. Ed and Jillian had a prior commitment they couldn't get out of, but had insisted on hosting a small reception after the ceremony.
Danny finished up at the jewelry shop and headed back to his car with a spring in his step, wedding rings tucked snugly in his pocket. He was running a little late, but he knew it would all be worth it when Mary saw the beautiful inscription he'd had the jeweler engrave inside her ring. He'd almost reached his car when he heard someone call his name, "Hey, McCoy."
Danny turned around and was met with a hard punch to the face. The blow momentarily stunned him and before he could recover another fist hit him square in the gut. He fell to the ground only to be greeted with a boot to his ribs. Suddenly, a pair of arms grabbed him and tossed him against the alley wall. As Danny struggled to breathe he finally focused on the three men surrounding him. While he didn't recognize the two grunts on the outside, the man in the middle was very familiar.
"Hey, Bobby," Danny croaked, "Long time no see."
"I've been waiting awhile for this moment, Danny," the gangster told him as he pulled out his revolver and aimed it at Danny's heart. "Had to make sure my arm was completely healed so I wouldn't miss. And don't worry about Little Mary Sunshine—I'll take real good care of her."
"Wait," Danny tried to protest, but it was too late. The shot exploded like an errant firecracker and Danny lay motionless as the three men ran off into the night.