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: R for violence
-11-
Delinda and Mary sat nervously in the waiting room of the Little Chapel of Hearts and Flowers. "What time did Danny say he would be here," the blonde finally asked.
"8:15," Mike replied looking at his watch. Realizing it was almost a quarter to nine he turned his attention to Mary, "He probably just got hung up."
"Maybe he got cold feet," Delinda stated matter-of-factly. When she noticed the icy glares of her companions, she sheepishly responded, "Did I say that out loud?"
"I'm sure he'll be here any minute, Mary," Mike said as he tried to sound reassuring.
Mary nodded her head before taking a deep breath and leaning her head against the wall. Something wasn't right. She could feel it in her heart and it was more than pre-wedding jitters.
As the hands on the clock ticked 9 o'clock, Mary stood up and headed for the door. "I can't take this anymore. Something's wrong. We need to go look for him."
"Listen, you two stay here and I'll head back over to the Jubilee," Mike responded as he put on his hat and coat. "Stay put, okay?"
Both girls agreed as they anxiously watched Mike head out. "I'm sure everything's okay, Mary," Delinda said as she took the other woman's hand in hers. "Maybe he just had car trouble or something."
"Yeah," she whispered, "maybe."
Another thirty minutes passed before Mary grew completely restless. "Mike should have been back by now, Delinda. I can't just sit around here and wait to find out what's going on," Mary said as she walked to the counter, "Excuse me, sir? Can you please call us a cab?"
With a slight nod, the manager picked up the phone and dialed. A short time later the blare of a car horn signaled their ride. The girls headed outside, when the chilly December breeze caught Delinda's attention. "Ooh, I left my scarf inside. I'll be right back."
Mary waited by the cab as Delinda disappeared back into the chapel. "Hello, dollface--fancy meeting you here." Mary's blood ran cold as she turned towards the voice.
Before she could scream, a hand grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth with a foul-smelling cloth, plunging her into darkness. The man carefully loaded Mary into the black sedan as Bobby slipped the cabbie a C-note. "You didn't see a thing, buddy. Now get lost."
---
"Delinda, what are you doing here? I was just on my way to get you. Something's happened to Danny…," Ed trailed off as he took in his daughter's disheveled appearance and the tear streaks down her face.
"She's gone, Daddy."
"What are you talking about?"
"She was so worried about Danny…we decided to take a cab. I forgot my scarf… I was only gone for a couple of minutes…I swear!" her tears started again in earnest.
Ed took her in his arms as he led her to a bench in the lobby, "Tell me exactly what happened."
After relaying in meticulous detail all the events of the past half hour, Delinda finally calmed down enough to remember her father's earlier words.
"Did you say something happened to Danny?"
"Yeah, he was shot outside the jewelry store. They've taken him to County Hospital. Mike's over there now."
"Oh, God. Do you think it was the same people who took Mary?"
"Yeah, and I've got a pretty good guess who it is. Let's go—I need to make a call."
---
Mary groggily swam back into consciousness only to find herself tied securely to a bed. She struggled against her restraints but soon discovered it was futile—they were too tight and there was no way she could break free.
"I was wondering how long it would take you to wake up. Luckily you haven't missed any of the festivities," her captor's voice sounded hollow in the darkness, but it still caused a chill to race up her spine.
"Why are you doing this to me?"
"Because I can," Bobby replied smugly.
"You know you'll never get away with this. Danny will find you…"
"Danny is dead," he told her, moving to sit on the edge of the bed
"What? No!"
"Yep, shot him in the heart as he was coming out of a jewelry store. After I found the wedding rings it was a cinch to find you. I just went to the chapel closest to the Jubilee and BAM—there you were. Kind of poetic if you ask me—like the poor guy died for love or something."
Mary was stunned. It wasn't possible. Danny couldn't be dead—he just couldn't be.
"Oh, I know you don't believe me so I brought you a little souvenir," Bobby held up a small velvet box, opened to reveal two gold bands—one smaller than the other. Lucky for me, loverboy had this one engraved…It Had To Be You…. Mean anything to you, dollface?"
Mary's heart stopped as the sinking feeling she'd had when Danny didn't show up returned and she realized Bobby was telling the truth. Suddenly, she was angry and she lashed out at him with the only thing she could. She kicked out hard with her foot and caught him just below the jaw.
"I see I'm going to have to teach you some manners, Missy" he spat as he recovered quickly and straddled her body on the bed. Bobby pulled at the neckline of her dress, but was unable to tear the fabric.
"Stop, please. Don't," Mary begged as he pushed the hemline up around her waist and began unfastening the buckle of his belt.
"Lou know you're using his place to entertain?"
The sound of the woman's voice caused both of them to look towards the door-- Bobby in annoyance and Mary in utter relief. A sudden flash of recognition passed through both women's eyes, but Bobby failed to notice.
"Lou's out of town, Sam, so what he doesn't know won't hurt him."
"Show's how much you know. He's on his way back."
"You're lying. He's not supposed to be back for another week."
"Why the hell do you think he sent for me, Bobby? It certainly wasn't a belated Christmas gift for you."
"Great," Bobby said as he stood up from the bed and redid his belt. "Donnie, get the car ready. We're going to have to take this party somewhere else."
"What's Danny McCoy think about you messing with his girl?" Sam asked as Bobby breezed past her into the foyer.
"Danny McCoy's dead so it really doesn't matter what he thinks," he spat, ignoring the anguished cry that sounded from the room behind him.
Sam could do little to hide her flinch at his words, but she kept her bravado, "You killed Ed Deline's best man over some dame? Boy, are you stupid."
Sam's head snapped to the side as Bobby backhanded her hard across the cheek. "Don't you ever talk to me like that. Lou may put up with that back talk, but when I'm in charge things are going to be different."
"You'll never be in charge, Bobby."
As he raised his hand to strike her again a booming voice stopped him.
"ENOUGH!"
Both of them turned to see the source and contrasting looks of smugness and fear crossed their faces. Sam quickly scurried across the room and into the arms of her client who was surrounded by two extremely large bodyguards. "Are you alright, darling?" Lou Segaretti asked her as he tilted her chin to inspect the red mark Bobby had left across her face.
"Of course, Louie. It takes more than a few smacks to get me down." Sam gave him a lingering kiss before turning to face Bobby with a smirk.
"Darling," the mobster spoke in his strong Italian accent, "I'm going to have Viggo take you home. I've got some business to attend to. We'll do this a little later, no?"
"Of course," Sam told him in a sultry voice as she leaned in for another kiss. "Bye, Bobby," she said with a wink as she let one of Lou's bodyguards escort her to the car.
"Marco, check on Miss Connell please," Lou ordered the second man and the burly bodyguard quickly disappeared into the bedroom.
"Lou, listen," Bobby tried to explain but the older man raised his hand to silence him.
"What have you done, Bobby? I told you to leave this alone and you disobeyed me. You know how important Ed Deline is to our business and I don't appreciate getting phone calls from him like the one I got yesterday and I most certainly do not appreciate the message from him that was waiting for me when I arrived this evening."
"I told you before, Lou. McCoy came after me. I couldn't just let that go."
"You brought that on yourself and I specifically ordered you not to retaliate."
"But, boss…"
"No! You have jeopardized my business again by going after Ed Deline's people. I want you to take a walk with me, Bobby," Lou clamped a bruising hand on the younger man's shoulder and led him towards the patio.
As the two men wandered close to the pool, Bobby spoke, "Lou, please, can't we talk about this?"
"I'm done talking with you, Bobby. You never listen."
"I won't make that mistake again, boss. I swear," he pleaded.
The two were interrupted by Marco's appearance at the back door, "The girl's okay, boss. She's pretty shaken up though."
"Put her in the Jaguar, Marco. I'll take her back myself."
Once they were alone again, Lou turned to his young protégé, "What would you do if you were in my position, Bobby--if one of your men had disobeyed you? Gone against the family for his own personal pleasure?"
"I…I.. ," Bobby stammered, but he was stopped by a bullet to the forehead. His body splashed as it fell into the pristine water of the pool, his eyes staring unseeing at the clear Vegas night.
"That's what I thought," Mr. Segaretti responded as he reholstered his weapon.
Mary was curled in the passenger's seat of the small sports car sobbing quietly when the older man arrived. "Thank you, Marco," he said as he took the keys. "I seem to have made a bit of a mess in the pool. Will you be sure to have it taken care of?"
"Yes, sir."
Once Mr. Segaretti was seated comfortably in the driver's seat he reached a hand out to Mary, but she flinched at his touch. "It's alright, my dear. I'm not going to hurt you."
"It doesn't matter anymore," she cried, her voice sounding as broken as her heart.
"Oh, but it does. Your Daniel is waiting for you."
"But, Bobby said…"
"Pay no mind to what Mr. Beals has told you. I assure you he has been taken care of and he will never bother you again. Now, your Daniel is hurt—yes, but he is most certainly not dead. And I've been instructed in no uncertain terms to bring you directly to him."
---
Mary ran through the long hospital corridor towards Danny's room. Once she saw Ed and Mike at the end of the hallway she broke into an all out sprint until she was stopped by Ed's arms around her.
"Hey, hey, slow down. The doc's in with him right now. It'll just be a second."
"I need to see him, Ed. Is he okay? Bobby said he shot him. Was he shot? Oh, God, how bad is it? You can tell me, Ed? Just tell me how bad it is. Is he going to be alright?"
"Mary, honey, calm down and let me get a word in," Ed tried to sound soothing, but it was no use. Mary was frantic and the only thing that would calm her was seeing Danny. As luck would have it the doctor chose that moment to appear.
"He's going to be fine. He's pretty banged up and there's probably some damage to his lung, but nothing that won't heal. I'd like to keep him here a few days, but I'm not sure he's going to let that happen. He's actually trying to get dressed right now so I've ordered the nurse to bring him a sedative. Maybe we can trick him into getting some rest."
"Thanks, Doc. I think I know why he's so anxious to get out of here and I can take care of that in two shakes if you'll just let this little lady through." Ed said as he held Mary firmly, her body having gone almost limp as the doctor listed off Danny's injuries.
"Of course."
Suddenly finding her strength again Mary bolted into the room to find a half-naked Danny trying to balance himself against the bed as he precariously slipped a leg into his pants.
"Danny?" she gasped, trying desperately to control her tears.
"Mary? Baby?" She was in his arms in a second and he winced slightly at the pressure of her embrace on his damaged ribs.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. Did I hurt you," she asked him horrified.
"No, it's okay. Don't let go."
After a few moments the extent of Danny's injuries began to catch up with him and he sank onto the mattress—Mary still tucked securely in his arms.
"Are you okay?" he whispered desperately.
"Yeah, are you? He said he shot you in the heart," Mary's voice cracked on the last word and she tilted her head so she could look at Danny's face—tentatively running a trembling hand across his chest.
"He did, but something stopped the bullet," he told her, retrieving an object from the tray next to the bed and handing it to Mary.
Mary gasped in disbelief as she stared at the silver cigarette case she'd given Danny for Christmas—now marred by a bullet-sized dent. "How?"
"Well, I'm going to be really sappy and say that it's because my heart belongs to you and nothing can destroy our love--pretty sentimental, huh."
"How long did it take you to think that up, Casanova?" Mary giggled as she helped Danny get settled back in the bed and snuggled up against his right side just as the nurse returned to give him his medication.
As they watched the fireworks out the tiny hospital window Danny spoke softly, "You know, Ed knows just about every judge in this town. We could probably get one over here to marry us tonight."
"Danny, I think we should wait."
"No, Mary, please," he begged, the sedative beginning to take effect. "If we wait…if we wait you might change your mind," Danny whispered, sounding almost like a frightened little boy.
"Danny," Mary told him as she placed a soft kiss on his lips, "I promise I'm not going to change my mind. But 50 years from now when I show our grandkids the wedding pictures, I don't want them asking why grandpa looks like he got hit by a truck."
Danny chuckled, finally reassured and they both relaxed into a peaceful slumber—watching the last bits of sparkle dotting the sky.
---
THREE MONTHS LATER
"Are you sure this is the place?" Mary asked as they pulled up in front of a charming white house with a perfectly manicured front lawn.
"427 Desert Lane. Ed said this is where we're supposed to pick up our wedding gift."
"You know, Danny. They really shouldn't have gotten us anything. I know Jillian must have spent a fortune on the wedding."
They'd opted for a spring wedding and had let Jillian plan it to her heart's content. The Delines had adopted Mary as their surrogate daughter and had spared no expense on the extravagant affair. Flowers were delivered from California, the cake had been flown in from New York and Delinda had insisted on ordering Mary's wedding gown from Paris—a strapless, floor-length, satin gown with a bolero jacket similar to the one Mary had picked out for their failed New Year's Eve nuptials.
The bride's only stipulation was that everyone from the Jubilee—including Sam--be invited and Jillian whole-heartedly agreed. After the wedding Danny had whisked her away to San Francisco and they'd spent the better part of the last two weeks locked away inside their hotel room overlooking the bay.
"I tried to tell them, honey, but Ed insisted," Danny told her as he peered inside the front window. "It doesn't look like there's anyone here."
"There's a note on the door. What does it say?"
Danny pulled the white slip of paper off the door and read it before passing it to Mary. "It says to check the mailbox. Strange. Why wouldn't Ed just deliver it to us at the hotel." Danny jogged out to the mailbox and opened it to reveal a small white package. He let Mary open it to reveal a set of keys as he opened the card which was attached.
"What does the card say?" Mary said as she stared confused at the keys.
"It says, 'Welcome Home'," he told her, holding up the front of the card for her to see.
"Danny, you don't think…"
Danny's stunned expression matched her own as he replied, "He bought us a house, Mare."
Mary walked dazedly back up the sidewalk towards the front door—keys dangling from her hand as Danny followed closely behind. She slid the key in the lock and pushed the door open. Danny finally opened the card as Mary peered inside the fully-furnished home, still not sure that all of this was real.
Suddenly, Danny chuckled and scooped Mary up, kissing her firmly on the mouth.
"Danny, what are you doing?" she asked startled.
"I'm following orders," he told her as he moved them across the threshold and kicked the door closed behind him. As Danny carried his now giggling wife towards the bedroom, the card fluttered to the floor, revealing Ed's note inside, 'Now get to work on my grandchildren.'
THE END.