Chapter 24

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Twenty-four minutes left.

Danny was thinking about how he would get back at Martin for leaving him standing in line all alone at a gay bar. While his rational side understood that Martin was just doing what he did for the benefit of the case – making nice with regulars who could help them get information about Jeremy's secret life, his irrational side was super pissed off that Martin had abandoned him. He thought that if he were really in a relationship with Martin he would so dump his ass for what he did tonight.

Twenty-two minutes to go.

He was contemplating a new plot of revenge when Chris, the burly bouncer, shouted his name and waved him over. He walked up to the entrance and stood before Chris, who sized him over before unclipping the velvet rope and nodding for him to pass.

Thankful that Chris wasn't really going to make him wait for the full forty-five minutes, Danny entered and scanned the club looking for Martin. He spotted him sitting at a booth chatting with the two men from earlier. Taking a deep breath he walked over to the table and stood before the group.

"Well, has it been forty-five minutes already?" Paul asked.

"Hi, Danny," Martin said as Danny turned and eyed him, at least had the decency to have a guilty look in his eyes. "This is Paul and Mike."

Danny just nodded his head at them. They had intended to keep him waiting outside for almost an hour, gay, straight or whatever, any man would be in a foul mood because of it. Paul and Mike looked at him and smiled, since their eyes were on Danny, Martin mouthed "I'm sorry."

"So, am I allowed to sit or is there a waiting period for that too?" Danny growled.

"Please sit!" Paul said as Martin scooted down so Danny could slide into the booth alongside him. "I hope you're not too mad at us. We were just doing what we thought was in Marty's best interest. We're sorry." Kiki appeared with a daiquiri and placed it in front of Danny. "Here, let us buy all your drinks tonight as an apology."

Danny shifted his eyes between the two of them before reluctantly picking up the elaborate beverage. One long drink and a brain freeze later, Danny mumbled, "Thanks."

"So, Daniel, Marty told us everything." Paul leaned forward and narrowed his eyes at Danny. "We know all about your constant criticism, your control issues and about how you keep insisting on keeping your relationship a secret."

Mike huffed and grumbled under his breath.

"However," Paul added, "Marty also told us all about how you met and I think it is the most romantic story ever."

Danny just eyed him before turning to look at Martin questioningly. Martin was smiling as his eyes were pleading with him to just go along with the story.

"I think so too." Mike shared, sipping his drink and nodding at Danny.

He looked at them and smiled, "Thanks, well, you know, in spite of it all I'd still do anything for Marty." Since he was arriving late to the party, he was going to have to play catch-up.

"Yes, well, we have been sitting here talking about what we can do to bring you two crazy kids back together and rekindle the romance." Paul leaned over and put his head on Martin's shoulder. "This guy is a gem and I don't think you appreciate just how precious he is."

"Yes, you're right. He is precious." Danny replied through clenched teeth as he smiled and batted his eyelashes at Martin. He would most definitely have to pay Martin back.

"So, while we were talking we decided that Marty needs a grand gesture." Paul lifted his head up and looked at Martin who nodded in agreement. "We were thinking that maybe you could do what you used to do when you were trying to woo this big lug."

"Um, well, you know, that's definitely an idea I'll talk under consideration." Danny replied.

Paul and Mike turned to one another and shook their heads. "Daniel, that doesn't sound like a man who is serious about fixing his relationship. What do you think, Martin?"

Martin looked at them and then back at Danny with big, sad eyes and with a voice full of hurt he said, "No, it doesn't. Do you see what I deal with everyday?" Martin looked down and put his hands over his face and it sounded like he was muffling his cries.

Paul patted his shoulder and threw Danny a dirty look.

Damn it, Martin was really committing to this little scenario. He decided to just bite the bullet and said, "No, you're right." He grabbed Martin's hand and said, "Marty, please forgive me and I will make it like it was in the beginning."

Martin kept his hand over his face for a few beats before finally looking up and smiling at Danny and said, "Really?"

Danny groaned inside but he smiled and said, "Really."

"Fabulous! I think you should start tonight. Rick, set up the stage for Daniel here."

Danny whipped his head around to see Rick setting up a microphone on a small stage in the corner of the club. The crowd of clubbers started hooting and hollering while Danny felt a wave of panic.

"Um, why do we need a stage?" Danny asked.

"So, you can serenade Marty like you used to." Paul replied.

"Sere….serenade?" Danny stuttered.

"Yes, only now you will not just do it behind closed doors but right here in front of this whole crowd so they can know just how committed you are to making this work."

Fortunately, Martin spoke up and said, "Paul, I really don't think that's necessary. Danny has had almost no time to prepare. It's enough that he said he was willing to work on things." Danny was immediately grateful that Martin was not going to let this happen.

"Nonsense, Marty, there is no time like the present." Mike chimed in.

"Okay, you're right." Martin smiled and turned to Danny expectedly.

It was official: Martin Fitzgerald was a dead man.

"Oh, I don't even know which song to sing." Danny said, hoping to stall.

Mike spoke up, "I think you should sing the very first song you sang to him."

"Yes, I agree." Mike murmured while smiling widely at Danny.

"No, I think Danny should sing whatever song he likes." Martin interjected.

"Marty, he asked. Besides, it would be so romantic if he sang 'Can't Help Falling in Love'." Paul adamantly said.

Rick spoke into the microphone and said, "Attention! We are going to start the karaoke a little early tonight since we have a special guest singer, Danniel, who would like to serenade his love, Marty." Rick pointed directly at their table.

All the eyes in the club turned to focus right on Danny and it was then that he decided that when he took his revenge on Martin it was going to have to be slow and painful.

"Oh, he's shy." Rick commented. "Let's all give him a big round of applause and see if we can get this cutie up on stage! C'mon!"

The entire club started applauding and a spotlight landed right on Danny. Shit. He smiled nervously as a couple of men came up to the booth and dragged him out of the booth and pushed him onstage. Double shit.

Danny scanned the room looking for the nearest exit when the familiar tune of the Elvis hit started playing. Knowing that he was now committed to singing, Danny hesitated before stepping up to the microphone and began, "Wise men say….only fools rush in, but I can't help falling in love with you. Shall I stay? Would it be a sin? I can't help falling in love with you."

The crowd started swaying to the music and Danny suddenly felt like Elvis himself – a total rock star. "Like a river flows surely to the sea, darling so it goes….Some things are meant to be."

The crowd shouted out words of praise and well as hoots and hollers. Encouraged, Danny found himself really getting into the song. "Take my hand….take my whole life too…for I can't help falling in love with you. Like a river flows surely to the sea….darling so it goes…Some things are meant to be…take my hand, take my whole life too…For I can't help falling in love with you."

When he was done the entire club burst into applause and Danny took a bow. Slowly, the crowd started chanting, "Encore! Encore!"

Danny grinned from ear to ear and hurried and told Rick which song to put on next. He came back on stage and started singing 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough', "If you need me, call me. No matter where you are, no matter how far. Just call my name. I'll be there in a hurry…."

Danny looked out into the crowd and saw Martin, Paul, and Mike laughing hysterically. It was then he knew he'd been duped but he was having such a great time he suddenly didn't care.