Chapter 6 – Puzzle Pieces
The inside of the hall was dressed to the nines, in shades of whites, silvers, and blues. The dance floor was surrounded by circular tables on three of its sides, with the DJ set up on the fourth. The tables wore navy blue skirts, accented with white table cloths. White napkins with matching navy stitching were delicately folded inside each wine glass. The center of the table bore a single floating candle inside a small glass vase. The light emitted by the candle reflected off the small confetti starts that danced on each table. The dinner dishes and silverware were meticulously placed at each setting, not a single piece out of line. Along the length of the far wall was a similarly-decorated table bearing all sorts of merchandise – the items for the auction.
Many of the guests were already milling about around the bar and tables, casually chatting. Beams of light bounced off their faces, cast by the large glass chandelier that hung over the dance floor. The DJ had set up his spotlights to reflect off the chandelier, creating a colourful cast of light rays that made the room look magical.
Lindsay smiled, trying to take in every element of her surroundings while following Mac to their table. Ahead, she could see Sid, Adam, Marty, and Evan were already waiting, drinks in hand. They all exchanged smiles and greetings, taking their seats around their table.
Only seconds had passed when the sommelier approached the table.
"May I interest any of you in a glass of wine?" he asked, motioning first to Stella, the woman closest to him.
"Yes, thank you," she smiled, "white for me please." The sommelier made his way around the table, filling each glass with their choice of wine.
"Cheers," motioned Mac, raising his glass.
"Cheers!" they all chimed in unison, clinking glasses with whoever was closest. Danny smiled at Lindsay, seated at her right, as he tapped his glass against hers.
"Wow, great wine," said Hawkes, swirling his wine around in his glass. "Nice."
It appeared as though most of the guests had arrived; the majority of the seats had been claimed, the remaining guests exchanging hellos, or bringing drinks back to their tables from the bar. A soft dinging noise called Lindsay's attention to the podium beside the DJ's stand.
At the podium was a tall, solidly-built man in his late 50s that Lindsay recognized as the NYPD Police Chief, Joe Fabrizzi. He was softly tapping a knife to his glass.
"Hello everyone, and welcome to the NYPD Appreciation Gala 2006!" The guests erupted in applause. "Thank you – I'm very exciting to be hosting this event. As is customary, I'd like to make a few announcements.
"First, you'll notice the silent auction against the wall on my right—" he pointed to the table "—the total of the retail value of this year's selection is the highest this Gala has seen yet! So at some point, make sure you get yourself over to that table to make a bid!" More applause rose from the crowd, as Fabrizzi looked over at Hammerback. "In addition, there is another Mediterranean Cruise available – Sid Hammerback, Medical Examiner was the lucky recipient of that last year, I'm sure he can tell you how great it was!" Hammerback grinned.
"Secondly, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge those who could not be with us tonight – officers whose lives were taken before their time." He drew a breath before beginning to read the list. "Lieutenant James Fisher, Internal Affairs. Officer Grant McKeller and Officer Jennifer Spencer, DWI Enforcement. And Detective Aiden Burn, Crime Scene Investigation. If we could have a moment of silence to remember these officers, and their contributions to the City of New York."
Lindsay drew a breath, looking at her coworkers, the room silent. Mac was sitting tall, his chin up. Hawkes looked away, then back at Fabrizzi.Stella took a deep breath, her face slightly reddened, and Danny was looking into his lap. Lindsay placed her hand on his leg underneath the table for a moment, reassuringly. He gave her the faintest smile, then looked back into his lap.
Fabrizzi spoke again. "But when every ending comes a new beginning, and as my third agenda item, I would like to welcome the following people to the NYPD. If these people could stand after I say their name, so they can be officially welcomed." Lindsay tensed – she hadn't known this was coming. "Captain Dylan White, Internal Affairs." A round of applause sounded as White stood, smiled, then reclaimed his seat. "Detective Lindsay Monroe, Crime Scene Investigation." Lindsay smiled nervously, feeling herself redden slightly as she stood. Hawkes let out a quiet 'woo!' so that only their table could hear. Danny smiled widely as she sat back down. "Officer Dale Belfaine, Financial Crimes. Officer Vincent Bailly, Internal Affairs. Detective Carrie Steinch, Homicide." He paused after each name. "And finally, Captain Natalie Cazio, DWI Enforcement. We are very privileged to have these individuals here with us.
"And my final note – beverages are available at the bar – please be responsible. I hope you all have a great time tonight – I will not keep you from your dinners any longer!" The guests stood in applause as Fabrizzi made his way back to his seat. Simultaneously, the house staff began bringing the appetizers around to the tables.
One hour later, everyone had enjoyed a very nice chicken dinner, and Fabrizzi was standing at the podium again.
"It has just been brought to my attention that last year, some people were shy about getting up and boogying!" The guests chuckled at his choice of words. "I would like to have it be known that such behaviour will not be tolerated this year – department heads, please ensure your subordinates have a good time tonight, and this includes dancing!. I'll turn the floor over to Christian, your DJ for the evening!" Lindsay couldn't help but laugh – she had only seen the police chief on the news, never met him in person, but so far he seemed to be a lot of fun. Mac turned around to face them as Christian began to play an upbeat tune.
"You heard the man!" he laughed, standing up. Lindsay was surprised to see Mac getting up to dance – she wouldn't've pictured him as the type. Around them, the guests, though some apprehensively, began to fill the dance floor. Everyone stood up from their table except for Danny and Flack, who looked incredulous.
"You've got to be kidding me," said Danny, raising his eyebrows. "There's no way you're getting me to dance."
Stella glared at him. "I don't think so Messer – get your ass up." She reached over and yanked his arm, forcing him up. He looked over at Flack, who was still seated with his arms crossed over his chest, a defiant 'make me' look in his eye.
Danny laughed. "Flack, if they're forcing me to dance, then you're coming down with me. Plus, you owe me after your little stunt last night."
Lindsay turned to Danny. "Stunt?"
"I'll tell you later," answered Danny, walking around the table to Flack, who got up before Danny reached him.
"Fine, fine," sighed Flack, "but I'll have you know I'm not happy about this."
They walked out to the dance floor together, forming a circle. Lindsay wasn't at all surprised to find out that Danny was a decent dancer – which was more than she could say for many of the men around her, many of whom looked like frogs in a blender, unable to find the rhythm at all. Except for Marty, whose moves were slightly questionable, everyone from her department was able to hold their own, even Sid.
As soon as the first song ended, Flack announced he was going to get himself another drink, and took off towards the bar before anyone else could stop him. As Lindsay followed him, she noticed a young woman in a black strappy-backed dress standing at the bar; ah, an explanation for Flack's sudden departure, she mused, smiling. Just then, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to find herself face-to-face with a very solidly-built man, she guessed mid-30s, with light brown hair and deep brown eyes.
"Hello," he said smiling gently, "You're Lindsay Monroe, right? New CSI? I'm Vincent Bailly, I also new – well, new-ish, I started here a few months ago, but I guess they recap all of the past year's new hires at this Gala." He held out his hand.
"Oh, hello," she replied, shaking it. "Yeah, I started about 9 months ago, so to be introduced as 'new' to the force was a bit weird, but it's still nice to get introduced to everyone else."
"It's a bit crowded here, can I interest you in a drink?" he asked, motioning towards the bar.
Lindsay hesitated before answering, looking back at Danny, whose eyes were fixed on her. "Um, sure, yeah," she replied. She found herself feeling rather conflicted – it wasn't every day that she was going to get to dance with Danny, but at the same time, she wasn't about to throw herself at him. She knew they were good friends, but she wasn't sure if his feelings were reciprocated. And on the off-chance that they were, it would be more fun to play hard-to-get anyway. She followed Vincent off the floor to the bar.
It took all of Danny's self control not to grab Lindsay away from this guy. But who are you to tell her what to do? He thought to himself. He followed her with his eyes all the way to the bar. He forced himself to continue dancing, but couldn't stop the fury of thoughts swirling around in his mind. Why can't she go have a drink with that guy, anyway? And who says a drink even means anything, he's just being nice, after all… but come on, what guy just goes up to a girl and offers her a drink without wanting something else? He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to force these thoughts out of his mind, but it just wasn't working. He noticed Stella looking at him, watching him look from Lindsay to dead air, and back to Lindsay again. He broke her gaze, trying to figure out which move would be the lesser evil: continuing to dance nonchalantly while Lindsay unknowingly tortured him by talking to that Vincent guy, or making himself scarce, letting Lindsay do whatever she wanted with the guy, but tipping off to everyone else that it bugged him when she got attention from other guys. He decided to stay, suffering in silence.
Over at the bar, Vincent was going on about something having to do with televisions; Lindsay wasn't really listening to him., just returning nods and 'mhmms' at the appropriate times. She couldn't help but notice the dejected look on Danny's face when she left the group with Vincent. She slowly nursed the drink he had gotten her from the open bar. She just didn't get it. She shouldn't feel any obligation to have stayed with Danny and the rest of the group – here was a great-looking man simply asking her for conversation over a drink. So what, not a big deal…
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the DJ's voice coming over the speaker system.
"Alright kids, I've been asked to remind you to go start placing your bets on the auction, while paying attention to the minimum bid price – Mr Pino, this means you!" Lindsay laughed as she looked over at Marty, now a bright shade of pink. She found out later that he had placed an opening bid of $20 on a $400 iPod. "Now I'm going to slow it down a bit, give some of the older folks out there a bit of a breather," said Christian, starting a slower song. Lindsay watched as people paired off on the dance floor. She found Stella dancing with Hammerback, while Hawkes proposed the dance to a young blonde Lindsay recognized from the Domestic Disturbances division. She felt a hand on the small of her back.
"Shall we?" asked Vincent, smiling at her. She gave a slight nod, and followed him out to the dance floor.
She felt her eyes wandering and darting about the room as Vincent took her hand and held her much closer than she was comfortable with for only knowing him about a half-hour. She found Mac, dancing with Helen, the department head in Financials, while Flack had brought his pickup to the floor. Danny was nowhere to be seen.
"Hey, you alright?" asked Vincent. He had noticed her eyes wandering; she turned slightly pink with embarrassment.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she said, smiling weakly.
"Good." He moved a stray strand of hair out of her face, continuing to sway back and forth with her, in beat with the song. "I noticed you as soon as I walked in here tonight… you're easily the most beautiful woman in here. I'm having a lot of fun, and I'd like to think that you had a little something to do with that." He smiled brightly at her.
Normally, such a situation would have melted Lindsay, but she found herself wishing that it wasn't Vincent telling her these words, but instead Danny. Ugh, it would just be so much easier if he was an ass, she thought to herself. Then it'd be easy to hate him, instead of being crazy about him. Turning her attention back to Vincent, all she could do was return a forced smile. Afraid of what he might try if she held his gaze, she turned her head, and prayed for the song to be over. It wasn't that there was anything wrong with Vincent – granted she hadn't known him more than a conversation, but her first impression had him pegged as your typical sweetheart, not to mention he was extremely good-looking. And kind. And funny. And flattering.
But he wasn't Danny.
The crisp night air felt nice against Danny's hot face. He wasn't impressed to hear the DJ announce the upcoming slow song… exactly what he didn't want. He felt a cold, stab of jealousy wash over him as Vincent led her onto the dance floor. He had quickly turned on his heels and headed for the exit – not to leave, he couldn't even if he wanted to; he had arranged for the limo to bring them all back to the lab when the Gala ended – but instead to just get some air and clear his head. Hopefully, clear Lindsay from his head. He drew in a deep breath, shoving his hands deep into his pockets.
The beat of a faster song resonated through the air, signalling the end of the previous slow song. The fresh air had calmed him down, though images of Lindsay still floated around his mind.
As the song drew to a close, Lindsay found herself itching to get away from Vincent – she didn't want to be mean by leading him on, though he was too nice to just shoot down. She looked up at Vincent.
"I, uh, have to make a run to the ladies' room, but thank you very much for the drink and the dance, it was a lot of fun." Hopefully he'd take the hint, and then she wouldn't have to say something more obvious; she didn't even have to go to the restroom, she just needed an excuse to get away from him.
Apparently, though, Lindsay just couldn't be that lucky. "Okay," said Vincent, a boyish grin pasted across his face. "I'll be around – there's plenty of the night left."
She drew in a breath and gave yet another awkward smile, wondering how many more of those she could get away with. As she walked off the dance floor, she realized she had no idea where the bathroom actually was – she made for the main doors of the hall, where they had come in from. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure Vincent wasn't following her – and managed to walk straight into someone.
"Oh, I'm sorry sir," she stammered, knowing it was a man by the suit. "I didn't see – oh, hi…"
She had walked right into Danny.
AN: More coming soon, I promise! Thanks very much to everyone who R&R'd – keep them coming, they give me motivation to keep this story going! Again, thanks to Nikita for beta-ing.