I'm sorry this took so long! I'll try to update faster, I promise! This is (most likely) the penultimate chapter.
Danny quirked an eyebrow "How many people are pissed with me?" He asked sleepily.
"More than can be counted, Danny" He said wryly, and glanced down at Danny's phone as it started bleeping outRazorlight's 'Golden Touch'.
Reaching over with his good arm, Danny flipped it open "Messer"
Mac couldn't hear any words, but there was a muffled shriek and the sound of continuous babble. Danny winced, and despite the fact the caller couldn't see him, made placating gestures.
"Listen Alexx, I...Alexx I'm sorry" He winced again "C'mon Alexx, don't cry. No, Calleigh'll just...Calleigh, how're you?"
Danny directed a glare at Mac as he laughed. Danny was being told off by his Miami work mates "OK, Alexx, I'll visit soon." He hung up, heaving a mock-sigh "I say a few words and I'm practically inducted into her family"
"Do you mind?"
Danny snorted "No" Becoming serious, he looked up at Mac "I'll stay away from New York, if you want"
The mixture of hope, but acceptance of rejection in Danny's eyes was what crumbled Mac's defences "No. I missed you Danny. Your company, your presence in the lab" Mac gave a hoarse chuckle "Despite the occasional inappropriate comments"
"Inappropriate?" Danny laughed "You've never met Eric Delko though, so..."
"I mean it Danny" Bracing himself, he leaned downwards and kissed the other fiercely. Now wasn't the time for gentleness, he needed what he felt to be noticed. As he pulled back, Danny grinned, the full, happy smile he'd missed.
"When d'you want me back?"
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Eric Dayson cringed under the looks being directed his way. Detective Bonasera looked like she would quite happily murder him, and from the disguised glare he was sending his way, he guessed that Detective Caine wouldn't interfere. But the silent anger in the face of the dark-haired man who had shot him chilled his blood, until he remembered the reason why he had shot the cop. He lent back in his seat, calm again. He expected that they were processing the fag's body in the morgue, just like they had done to his kid.
"Eric Dayson" He began coolly, the angry note in his voice hidden for now "You are charged with the murder of Dominick Dayson and..." He took a breath, and the eyes of the other Detectives snapped towards him, worry palpable in both of their faces "One count of assault on a police officer"
There was a quiet sigh of relief, and he stared in amazement.
"What?" He then quickly recovered himself "Fag's tougher than he looks" He almost regretted the comment as he saw the look three pairs of eyes directed at him. The Detective nodded to the officers behind him, and they led him away.
Mac turned to Stella and Horatio, who looked back with quiet worry.
"Danny's fine. He's sore, tired and grouchy but he's fine." He explained, and they both relaxed completely.
"Did you talk to him? Is that why you're late?" Stella's voice sharpened.
"We talked about him staying in New York. You called me, but I'll pick up where we left later" He glanced over at Horatio "He mentioned something about Alexx practically adopting him after he said something to her"
"Oh" Horatio smiled "Danny had been bogged down under a heavy caseload, and when Alexx came by to give him the autopsy report he slipped and called her 'mother'" He gave a rich chuckle " She kissed him on the cheek and said she was honoured. Alexx considers Calleigh, Speed, Eric, myself and now Danny part of her family. You don't say 'no' to her."
"That's good" He caught Stella's eye "He misses his own mother, and you could hardly call the Messers a model family."
"He only has Jenna" Stella paused "Where is she, anyway?"
"When I saw her, she was yelling at Danny for scaring her. She's got his temper"
Horatio smiled again "Case is closed. Speed and I will head back to Miami tomorrow. We'll go and check up on Danny"
He started to walk away, sunglasses firmly in place, before Mac called out to him "Horatio" he turned, head tilted slightly in question, Mac caught his eyes, entirely serious "Thank you"
A quiet smile, and Horatio had vanished around a corner. Mac turned back to Stella, releasing a shuddery breath.
"I nearly lost both of them"
"Somebody's trying to tell you something Mac" She draped an arm around him in a warm one-armed hug "Seize it, Mac. And don't let go"