Disclaimer: I don't own anyone here except for sweet Anna Maria Messer.
Author's note: Hope you like this fluff. Got my angst on in earlier chapters.
Chapter 15
Mac could hear Danny and Flack coming down the hall and smiled. He didn't realize how much he missed their cocky bantering until one of them was laid up in the hospital with a hole in his gut and the other devastated by constant blows to himself and those around him.
When they came around the corner Mac raised his hand. "Hey Danny! Can you come in here a minute?" There was something he needed to do.
"What's goin' on Mac?" Danny walked in and, at Mac's signal, shut the door behind him.
"I just wanted to touch base on your job performance lately, Danny."
The younger man immediately looked a bit nervous. "I've been a little distracted, I guess, but I've really been trying …"
Mac silenced him quickly. "Danny, I didn't want to reprimand you because there is no reason to. You've been doing a great job the past few months - you've been thorough, easy to work with, and even-handed during interrogations. In short, you are showing me the potential I saw when I hired you."
Danny's jaw dropped. "Aw, gee, Mac, I don't know what to say, except, thank you. It means a lot comin' from you."
Mac smiled. "You seem happier these days, Danny, and I'm glad. You just keep what's making the difference close to your heart and in your life. And in the meantime, I'm taking you off probation, you've earned it."
Danny grinned from ear-to-ear and rose from his seat to shake Mac's hand. "Thanks, Mac. Now, just to prove you've made the right decision, I'm gettin' back to work."
The grin continued into the trace lab, where he picked up results, then headed to the break room, which was deserted. Danny poured himself some coffee and called the first person on his mind. He knew she was on a case with Stella so he wasn't surprised to get her voice mail.
"Hey you. Just wanted to tell ya Mac pulled me off probation. Said my work's improved and that I seem happier. Said I should keep whatever's doin' it close to my heart. You wouldn't happen to know what that is, do ya? Listen, let's celebrate tonight. Call me when you're done. Love you."
Lindsay was just putting her case away from a robbery at a jewelry store in the diamond district. It was pretty bold - the thieves came in with masks and guns, smashed the cases and ran to some waiting SUVs. She and Stella had been collecting prints and other evidence all morning. She looked down when her phone beeped - she had a message.
Stella came up behind Lindsay, who was grinning widely as she listened to Danny's voice. "Hey, can you give me some of whatever is making you smile? I could use it."
Lindsay blushed and snapped her phone shut. "It's nothing, just a call from a friend."
"Hmmm, with a smile like that it must be a 'friend' of the male persuasion. Anyone I know?"
Lindsay smiled and rolled her eyes, hoping Stella would catch the drift and let it be. They climbed into the car and headed back to the lab. About halfway there, Stella finally voiced her suspicions. "It was Danny, wasn't it?"
For a long time, the other woman didn't respond. Finally, she said, "Stel, you can't say anything. We're keeping it quiet right now."
Stella squealed. "It was him! You guys are dating, aren't you? How serious?"
"You won't say anything."
She sighed impatiently. "No, I won't, but you're going to have to eventually. So, how long?
Lindsay couldn't hold back any longer. "About six months." She smiled at Stella's shock. "Yep, we can keep a secret. Anyway, it's pretty serious, but we still want to wait to tell Mac."
"How serious is serious, Linds?"
She paused. "I love him, Stella, and the feeling's mutual."
The parking lot state of traffic allowed Stella to lean over and give Lindsay a hug. "I'm happy for you, really. So … you're in love. That would explain Danny's improved mood. You're good for him Lindsay. I just have one more question … is he good in bed."
Lindsay blushed and giggled. "What do you think?"
Stella laughed with her then grabbed her arm. "All right, babe, we'll be stuck here for at least another couple hours. Details, I want details!"
Later than evening, Danny and Lindsay snuggled up on the couch at her apartment, which was glowing with candlelight. Soft music played, and they talked about Mac's decision. "Ya know, I've never wanted tomake a man proud like I do Mac."
"Well, you've succeeded from the sounds of things. He's always cared about you Danny, that's why he was tough on you."
Danny nodded, then looked into her eyes. "I'm on a serious upswing here, and I'm thinking some country girl transplant might have something to dowith it."
Lindsay smiled and they shared a kiss. "Oh, by the way - you should know - Stella figured out that we're together, but don't worry: she said she won't say anything."
"So you spilled, huh. What exactly did you tell her?" Danny started playing with the straps on her tank top.
"Well, I told her things were serious, that we weren't ready to tell Mac, and …" She shivered when Danny began to trail kissed down a sensitive spot on her heck.
"And?"
"That you were good in bed," Lindsay said, smiling at Danny's chuckle. "Hey! She asked!"
Danny laughed some more. "Well, what do you say I do my best to live up to my reputation?"
Lindsay tried to think of something witty to say in response until Danny's lips and hands made her forget everything else.
Anna Maria Messer was 75 years young and did her best to look good for her age. Her hair was colored and styled every few weeks at Beverly's Salon in Queens, and she dressed in classic clothing that showed off her still very trim figure. On the outside, she was refined, but those who knew her were more familiar with a woman that took no bull and could cuss as well as any of the young kids.
She had nine grandchildren and loved them all, but knew privately that her favorite was little Danny. When the doorbell rang, she went eagerly to the door. "Danny!"
"Hey, Grandma," Danny hugged her. "You look great!" He grinned when she immediately poured him a glass of scotch. It was something she did for him since he turned 21 - she believed every grown man should appreciate a good glass of aged scotch.
"How's my grandson? Catching the bad guys?"
"Well, finding the evidence that catches the bad guys. Flack usually does the actually catching."
"Ah, Det. Flack. Glad he's doing well. Such a handsome man … if I were 40 years younger …"
"Yuck! Grandma …."
"Oh sorry. You're here for a very important reason, right?"
"Sure! I want to see my favorite Grandma …"
Anna Maria waved away his words. "Please. I know you love me, but it's Friday night, and your usually busy with that special young lady of yours … how is Lindsay?"
Danny had brought Lindsay over to meet his family, and it was safe to say she was a big hit. She ate everything his Mother placed in front of her, and didn't act embarrassed by his Grandma's prying questions. His Dad was especially impressed at her sharp shooter status in the academy.
"She's great, she's actually why I'm here. Can't ever fool you, huh?"
"Just a minute, sweetheart." Anna Maria gave him a knowing smile and went over to her desk and pulled a small jewelers box out of a drawer. "This is what you were looking for, is it not? I had it cleaned just yesterday when you called."
Danny's jaw dropped, then he realized he should have known his Grandma would see right through him. He smiled and opened the box. The beautiful princess-cut diamond was set in antique rose gold, all the way from Florence.
"You know, your Grandpa bought that just before he left Italy to come here. He was only 16 at the time, but he saw that ring and knew he had to have it for his future bride, whoever she may be. I was lucky it was me." Anna Maria's eyes were misty.
"Hey Grandma, are you sure you're ready to give this up? I can always buy her a ring."
She tipped his chin up so he would look at her. "You know how I love you, Danny. Because of that, you must know my heart was breaking last year. I thought I was going to lose you, too, you were so lost after Louie's death. We all were. Then you brought Lindsay here, and for the first time, I saw happiness in your eyes. Anyone that can give you that, give us that, deserves this ring."
Danny hugged her. "I love you, Grandma."
"I love you, too, sweetie. Now go. And make sure whatever you do, it's romantic."
Danny smiled. "I've got it covered, Grandma."
TBC
