Notes: A year later, and I'm finally finishing this. To catch you up, Danny and his old law school friend, Maddie McGrath, are trying to get Raffi out of prison. Meanwhile, Danny is doing everything he can to support Raffi's family. This story goes back and forth between what's happening while they are working on Raffi's case and events that happened while Danny was in law school with McGrath. After this chapter, there will likely be two chapters to wrap it up -- so I won't abandon this story again. Thanks for reading and reviewing. And special thanks to Mariel.
After the baby was born, Danny spent more and more time at Sylvia's. He tried to be there for Nicky as much as possible, and he was also there for Sylvia as well. In many ways, developing his relationship with Raffi's family was filling a void that had been inside of him for a long time. He enjoyed spending time with them and coming through for them when he could. Even though it stretched him very thin, he'd basically been paying many of Sylvia's bills while she was on maternity leave. He made sure that she didn't have to worry about anything.
A month after the baby was born, Sylvia threw a birthday party for Nicky. She'd invited Danny and all of her family and friends over to her house for the celebration. Danny had helped her pay for the party as well.
Running late for the party, Danny dashed up the stairs of Sylvia's building. As he entered the hallway, he noticed Maddie approaching Sylvia's door with a gift in hand.
"Hey," he called out as he came up behind her.
Startled, Maddie turned and smiled. "Hey yourself. I was wondering if I would see you here."
"Of course, I'm here. I wouldn't miss it. I'm glad you could make it. Sylvia said she hoped you would come so she could thank you again for all you're doing."
Maddie shook her head as the smile disappeared from her face. "You haven't been returning my calls, Danny. If you had, then you'd know that I haven't been having much success with a deal."
"Sylvia told me about it, but I know you, McGrath. You'll make it happen."
Sighing, Maddie gave him a cautious smile. "I'll do everything I can."
Returning her smile, Danny shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He hadn't seen her since she'd help him study for the bar. He'd been avoiding her on purpose,to not distract her from helping Raffi.
Finally, Maddie broke the silence. "Did you take the test?"
Danny nodded. "Yeah, I did. I most likely flagged it, but at least I got there this time."
"So have you been avoiding me and my calls on purpose?" she asked suddenly.
Biting his lip, Danny shrugged. "After what happened the last time we saw each other, I didn't want you to think that I had any kind of ulterior motive to all of this. I shouldn't have crossed the line like that."
"I may have overreacted. I—"
"You had reason to overreact. But that was me being a jerk. I've learned my lesson. The most important thing in all of this is that we help Raffi. I don't want to do anything to distract you from that."
Seeing the genuine remorse and guilt in his eyes, Maddie reached out and stroked Danny's arm. "You weren't being jerk. I, um, I've actually kind of missed talking to you, going over Raffi's case. I hope we can still work together on this."
"Sure—" Before he could finish, the door opened.
Danny and Maddie turned towards the door to find Sylvia. "Hi," she said, giving the two of them an inquisitive glance.
"It's good to see you Sylvia," Maddie said warmly. As Maddie made eye contact with Sylvia, she could see the other woman's smile turn into a frown as her eyes focused on the hand Maddie still had resting on Danny's bicep. "The party looks like it is in full swing," Maddie continued, not sure why the encounter all of the sudden seemed tense.
"Did you…did you two come together?" Sylvia asked as she looked squarely at Danny.
Very quickly, Danny stepped forward breaking contact with Maddie's hand. "No. We just met in the hall," he said as he leaned down and kissed Sylvia's cheek. "She was just filling me on the latest with Raffi."
Maddie frowned. From the tone of Danny's voice, she could tell that he was acting strange, like he didn't want Sylvia to get the wrong idea.
"This is for Nicky and the baby," Maddie said as she stepped forward into the apartment.
"Thanks," Sylvia replied with a sudden lack of warmth in her tone.
"How is the baby? I can't wait to see her," Maddie asked, trying to engage Sylvia.
"She's sleeping," Sylvia replied in a short tone before turning to Danny, "Would you help me in the kitchen for minute?"
"Of course," Danny responded, following Sylvia, essentially leaving Maddie to fend for herself in the room full of strangers.
Walking further into the apartment, Maddie's gaze settled on Sylvia and Danny. She was leaning in to him and talking in whispered tones. Suddenly, Maddie had a realization. The look Sylvia had in her eyes was familiar. She'd seen it before on a number of girls who'd encountered Danny when she'd known him in law school. Even she had probably been guilty of looking at him like that a time or two. The more and more she looked at them, the more confused Maddie became. She'd wanted to believe that Danny had changed, that the way he'd been in college was because of the drinking. But seeing the connection he seemed to have with Sylvia and remembering the awkward pass he'd made in her apartment that night, Maddie wondered if he really had.
Realizing that she had to stop staring, Maddie turned to find Nicky and wish him a happy birthday. Nicky was really the only other person at the party that she knew. When she found him, she wished him a happy birthday. With that done, she decided that it probably wasn't the best idea for her to stay. Surveying the apartment, she saw Danny still in the kitchen, while Sylvia had gone into the bedroom to tend to the baby.
Walking into the bedroom, she lightly knocked on the door. "Thank you for inviting me, Sylvia, but I should probably get going. I was able to say hello to the birthday boy."
"Leaving so soon?" Sylvia asked, tone still lacking warmth.
"I, um, I have a lot of work to do. I should know more about Raffi's case this week. I have a meeting set up with the ADA handling his case."
"Good. Just let me know when you find out something," Sylvia replied.
"Right," Maddie nodded, before asking, "Did I do something wrong?"
Caught off guard, Sylvia finally smiled at her, albeit a bit uncomfortably. "No. I can't think of anything. I'm just crazed because of the party, but I think I have it under control now…since Danny's here now."
Eyes widening, Maddie returned the smile. "Yeah. It sounds like he's been a lot of help. I'm sure Rafael appreciates it," she said pointedly.
"He does," Sylvia replied. She nodded towards her little girl. "I need to finish changing her. Thank you again for coming and for all the time you're spending on Raffi's case."
"I'll call you next week,when I know more," Maddie said as she backed out of the room. Taking a deep breathshe quickly walked to the front door and walked out without so much as a look back. Making her way to the stairwell, she stopped when she heard the door open behind her.
"You're leaving?" Danny asked as he came up behind her.
"I just wanted to drop the gift off. I don't really know anyone here. It's a family thing," Maddie replied.
"McGrath—"
"I have to get some work done anyway. I'm meeting with the ADA this week. I'll let you know what he says," she said quickly before turning and walking down the stairs.
XXX
As Maddie left the apartment building, she felt a nervous feeling growing in the pit of her stomach. It wasn't actually a nervous feeling, but more a feeling of frustration that she'd been wrong – wrong about Danny. Seeing the way Sylvia looked at him painted a disturbing picture. She was under his spell. How could Danny not see it as well? Maddie's mind flashed to the night in her apartment after they'd studied for his bar exam. He'd needed someone that night, and she'd had the strength to deny him. Maddie doubted that Sylvia could be as strong since she was in such a vulnerable state. Shaking her head, Maddie stepped into a cab. Leaning back, she closed her eyes as she thought of why it was so easy to think the worst in Danny.
After their argument about Danny's lifestyle, he and Maddie spent the next week enjoying New York during the holidays. Maddie dragged him to all the city's winter tourist attractions. He'd lived in New York for years, but never had any interest in visiting them. They skated at Rockefeller Center and went to the top of the Empire State Building. She even made him go to Barney's for an after-Christmas sale. It was after this exhausting day that they found themselves on the couch drinking spiked coffee while trying to stay warm. The apartment's heater was once again on the blink so Maddie had on three layers of clothes.
"You've got to get the super to fix it, Danny."
"What more can I do? I threatened to sue the guy. I told him he was dealing with an apartment full of soon-to-be lawyers. I don't think he was very impressed. Besides, it's not that cold."
"You don't feel the cold anymore because you are about four drinks ahead of me."
"There you go," Danny replied grabbing the bottle of Jack Daniels. "Need a refill?"
Maddie covered the top of her coffee. "No thanks. One of us needs to stay sober to guard against hyperthermia."
Danny laughed. "At least you're out of here tomorrow. What's time does your plane leave?"
Maddie smiled. "Two o'clock. I should get to Cabo just in time to meet Jason before we go to the New Year's Eve party. Just thinking about it makes me feel warm. What are you going to do?"
"I guess I'll try to find a warm place to welcome in the New Year. Maybe I'll hang out with Amy at the bar, and then bunk with her until the heat is fixed."
"So you haven't burned that bridge yet, I see."
He smirked. "I told you she's not in it for a relationship. I think she has a boyfriend."
Maddie rolled her eyes. "You're going to get yourself seriously hurt some day. Some jealous boyfriend is going to--,"
"Your concern is touching, McGrath. Don't worry. I'm discreet," he answered quietly. "Enough about me. What are you guys going to do in Cabo?"
"As little as possible, I hope."
"You two are really headed down a very serious path. You're basically living together. Now you're vacationing together. Pretty soon, you'll probably be--,"
"Don't say it," Maddie interrupted. "I love Jason to death. And there's nothing I want more than to be Mrs. Jason Williams one day, but I have plans, Danny. I've worked my ass off the last four years. This is the time for Jason and me to focus on our careers. We've talked about it a lot. We're not getting married anytime soon."
"Is this about Texas?" Danny asked.
"That's part of it. The Innocence Project wants me to work with them this summer. I've even thought about transferring to finish law school down there. They are doing some really great work."
"I don't know how I feel about you going to Texas to fight the death penalty. Sounds dangerous. I, myself, look forward to doing something much less futile."
"It's not futile. There are innocent people and mentally disabled set to die in that state right now. If I could save just one…"
"Maddie McGrath – idealist 'til the end. I admire that about you, but I think you may be wrong about Jason."
"What do you mean?"
"He won't want to lose you to your ideals, even if it is just on a temporary basis."
"Jason and I are very clear about what we want. And right now, we want to focus on our careers."
Danny smiled as he shook his head. "Okay…okay…I believe you. And I hope you get to do everything you want to do, because I know you'll make a difference. I wish I had an ounce of your idealism. Sometimes, I think I'm drowning in cynicism."
"That's not what you are drowning in, Danny," she replied as she looked at the bottle of Jack Daniels.
Sighing heavily, he stood up from the couch. "Thanks for your concern."
"Where are you going? Don't get mad."
"I'm not mad. I'm just tired. I'm going to bed."
"Don't go to bed yet. It's freezing. I'll never be able to fall asleep. Just stay up with me for a little while longer," she pleaded in desperation.
His first instinct was to say no, but she was giving him this cute, pouty look that he couldn't refuse. "Just a little while longer. And then I should crash
Sitting on the couch together, they inched closer and closer to try to take advantage of their body heat while watching television. Danny unconsciously slid his arm around her shoulder. She let her head rest in the crook of his shoulder as she slowly started to fall asleep. Before she let her self completely pass out, she heard Danny's voice and felt his fingers in her hair.
"McGrath, time for bed," he whispered in her ear as he removed his arm from around her neck and tried to help her to her feet.
She unsteadily braced herself against him as she stood up. He put his hand on the small of her back to keep her from falling. Suddenly, Danny was very aware of how close he was holding her. She couldn't help but look up into his eyes as she felt his warm hands on her back. Taking a deep breath, she let her hands rest on his chest. The shots of Jack Daniels were seriously clouding her judgment. Secretly, she'd always found Danny attractive, but she rationalized that most women found him attractive. Seeing him with Amy that night had stirred feelings in her that she had never felt for him before. The nights since it happened, she'd found herself fantasizing about being with him. So as she stood there in his arms, part of her wanted to let go.
Danny ran his fingers through her hair. This was what he'd always promised himself he'd never do, but his judgment was clouded by the alcohol and his body was telling him to go for it. He let his fingers rest on the back of her neck as his other hand pulled her flush against his body.
Maddie let out a little moan upon feeling the contact. She watched as he bent down to kiss her. She felt like everything was in slow motion as her lips parted to accept his kiss. She closed her eyes thinking it would make the moment easier, but instead she saw Jason's face. Just as she started to feel Danny's lips on hers, she pushed him away.
"Oh God…what…what are we doing?"
Danny kept his hands on her back and neck making it very difficult for her to pull away completely. "You want this. I know you do," he said in a low, slurring voice.
Maddie realized in that moment that he was much drunker than she thought. "Danny…no…this is wrong. You know it's wrong. You're drunk—"
He leaned in to try and kiss her to get her to stop talking so she summoned all her willpower and slapped him as hard as she could.
"Christ!" he shouted, holding his stinging cheek as he staggered back. "Are you out of your fucking mind?"
She backed away from him quickly as tears welled in her eyes. "You know this is wrong, Danny."
Watching her recoil from him in fear, Danny slumped down on the couch. He held his head in his hands as he realized what almost happened. "I'm sorry. I…I…don't know what I was thinking. I'm sorry."
"It was my fault, too," she said meekly.
Feeling an incredible sense of shame and guilt, Danny quickly rose from the couch and started to head for the front door. Even though it was late at night and freezing outside, Maddie didn't stop him.
Danny didn't come home that night or the following day. He waited to return to the apartment until after Maddie left for Mexico. Instead of hooking up with Amy, he stayed home alone and drank himself to sleep in the freezing cold apartment.
A week later, Danny made a point of not being home when Maddie and Jason returned from Mexico. Since he wasn't ready to face Maddie, and especially Jason, after what had happened, he left them a message saying he was staying at a friend's for a couple of days. He finally came home the day before classes were due to resume.
"Where the hell have you been?" Jason asked as Danny walked through the door.
"Didn't you get my note? I was with a friend."
"So I guess things worked out with the model? I thought Maddie said things cooled off with her."
"It was another friend. It took forever for the super to fix the heat. I got tired of waiting."
"Guess it's a good thing you have so many friends," Jason replied sarcastically.
"How was the trip? Did you guys have fun?" Danny asked, trying to hide his discomfort.
"Fantastic. Amazing. Better than I ever could have hoped. We have some great news, Danny."
"What's the news?"
"Wait a sec. I want Maddie here for this," he said as he turned to their bedroom. "Babe, Danny's here. Let's give him the great news together."
Danny's stomach knotted up in anticipation of seeing Maddie. He swallowed hard as he desperately regretted not picking up a flask of something before returning to the apartment. He watched as Maddie hesitantly walked out of the room.
"Welcome back," he said in the warmest voice he could muster to try and make her feel at ease.
Smiling slightly, she took Jason's hand as she walked towards them. "Thanks. I could have used another week, but we had a great time."
"So I hear," Danny responded with a slight smile of his own. "So what's the news?"
Jason held Maddie's hand up to show off a simple gold band with a small, but brilliant square-cut diamond. "I asked our friend here to marry me, and she said yes."
XXX
After the party, Danny stayed to help Sylvia clean up. Coming in from taking the garbage out, he saw Sylvia come out of Nicky's room.
"You finally calm him down?" Danny asked with a smile.
"Nothing like sugar and presents to keep a kid up all night. Angelina was easier. She couldn't keep her eyes open," Sylvia replied as she collapsed on her sofa. "Tell me again why I decided to have this party?"
"Don't look at me," Danny said as he sat down next to her. "I told you it'd be too much for you. But it was a nice party. I think Nicky needed it, after everything."
"He deserved. No kid should have to go through what he's been through."
"He'll be okay. He has a great mom," Danny said as he smiled at her again.
Slowly taking his hand, Sylvia turned toward him. "You know I don't know what I would have done without you. You, um, you've been my rock, Danny."
"I'm glad to be here," he said as he gave her hand a squeeze.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure," he replied.
"Are you and Maddie…?"
"We're just friends. There's nothing going on."
"Oh, it's just… you seemed—"
"We're old friends. We have a lot of history. But I want her to focus on Raffi."
"Right, Raffi," Sylvia said as she let go of his hand. "Raffi would have been so freaked out if he'd been here today. He doesn't like this kind of stuff: parties, family get-togethers."
"He's just not used to it. We never had days like this growing up. And he's been inside for so long—"
"You were great today. Everyone loved you. My mother thinks you hung the moon." Danny smiled as Sylvia laid her palm against his face. "I don't know what I would do without you."
At first, he didn't respond. Sylvia was looking at him with these lost and needy eyes. Danny got lost in the moment with her at first before gently taking her hand from his face. Taking both of her hands in his, he finally responded. "I promised you and Raffi that I would be here this time. I'm not going anywhere."
Leaning in to him, Sylvia kissed him on the cheek. The kiss was soft and lingered. "I'm glad you're here."
XXX
Later that week, Danny was in the midst of a busy case. He'd barely had any time to think about Sylvia and Raffi, and he was thankful for that. Things had gotten complicated and he wasn't sure how to uncomplicate them.
As he was reviewing files on the missing person's computer, his desk phone rang.
"Taylor," he answered.
"You have a visitor down in the lobby, Maddie McGrath," the lobby receptionist said.
"Great," Danny said as he took a deep breath. "I'll be down in a minute."
After making his way downstairs, he approached Maddie in the lobby. Before he could say hello, she launched into a mini-tirade.
"I've called you three times in the last twenty-four hours. Where the hell have you been?"
"I've been here, working. We have a case. I was going to call you back," Danny replied defensively.
Shaking her head, she smiled in annoyance. "It's nice you were considering fitting me in. I've been working my ass off on Raffi's case or have you forgotten? I pushed other cases to the back burner to make this my priority. Is it still your priority? Do you still care or is he already off your radar?"
Frowning, Danny almost laughed. He didn't understand what brought this on. "Um, he's my brother. Of course I still care. And I was going to call you back. Relax. Take a breath."
Rolling her eyes, Maddie continued. "Is there some place we can talk?"
"Sure. In here," he said guiding her into a conference room. "So you had the meeting with the ADA?"
"I met with the ADA and the DEA. I think we've worked out a deal," she said cautiously.
"A deal? That's great, McGrath. Really great."
"Well, I think it is. In exchange for Raffi's full cooperation, the ADA is willing to give him two years in the lockdown treatment facility. With time served and good behavior, he'll be out in six months."
"Six months?"
"It's the best they could do. Raffi's waiting to hear from you. He'd like your opinion before he accepts the deal."
At first, it seemed like Danny was going to take a moment to consider Maddie's words, but instead he blurted, "I'll tell him not to take it. That's not…that's not good enough. He won't survive in there for six more months. It's not Riker's but it's still prison. He's miserable, McGrath. He's wants to be with his family."
Not even trying to hide her frustration anymore, Maddie responded, "How many ways do I have to say this? It's his third offense. Most three-time offenders would be going away for ten years. If we were in a three strikes state, he'd be going in for 25 to life. This is a gift, Danny."
"I want to talk to the ADA."
Sighing deeply, Maddie shook her head. "No. No way. You begged me to take this. I've worked my ass off. You are not going to ruin this deal or my reputation."
"He needs to get out now, Maddie," he responded, his voice rising.
"Why?"
"Why? Because he does. Because—"
She interrupted sharply as she looked directly in his eyes. "Because you're up to your old tricks and Sylvia is getting a little too close and you're afraid of what will happen, right? I knew it. As soon as I saw you two at that party, I knew it. You haven't changed, Danny."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about you. You may be sober, but you're still a selfish jerk who never thinks about his actions before they blow up in your face. You need Raffi back now because you've crossed the line with Sylvia, and now she thinks you actually have feelings for her."
Voice still escalating, he responded, "I want Raffi out because he's at the end of his rope. I want Raffi out because he never should have gone back in the first place. This has nothing to do with Sylvia, other than wanting their family to be together again."
"Oh I'm sure. Look, it's not worth discussing anymore. I never should have let you back in to my life. I've done what I can for Raffi. If that's not enough for you, then feel free to call ADA Baylor. But I'm done," she said as she walked out the door.