A/N: Next to last chapter here. Bear with me, one more to go after this!


Chapter 14
Danny: Release

Danny was trying to remember how to breathe.

Everything had come down to this moment, and soon it would hopefully be over.

In front of him, Joe was wearing out the hotel room carpet; his phone pressed to his ear as he awaited news of the verdict. It was Friday morning, and the jury had come back after only two hours of deliberation. Sassone's future was on the line, and Danny prayed silently for that future to be a bleak one. His own future – with Lindsay – depended on it.

Joe was currently speaking to Agent Hess, who was in the courtroom and relaying events as they happened. While Danny sat on his bed, bouncing his leg with impatience, Joe kept him abreast of what was going on.

"The attorneys just came in," Joe explained. "Sassone was brought in… in shackles," he added.

Danny rubbed his palms together briskly, trying to soothe his nerves. After the week I've had had, I should be able to give courses in stress management, he thought wryly. He wondered where Lindsay was. He had watched the news last night, and heard about an arrest in her case. Right now she was probably over her head in paperwork, unaware of what was unfolding. Danny needed a guilty verdict, he needed to get back to her. He watched Joe's face for any sign of emotion that might clue him in to what was going on.

"The jury just assembled," Joe said, still dictating from Agent Hess. "The bailiff announced the judge's entrance."

Beginning to sweat, Danny tried to focus on deep breathing to settle his erratic heartbeat. In, out, he thought, counting to ten. He closed his eyes, trying to imagine a peaceful scene. A beach on a deserted island. Him. Lindsay. Cold, icy beer and hot, steaming pizza. In, out.

Joe's voice again relayed news. "The judge is looking over the verdict, handing it to the court reporter…"

Silence ensued, then Danny heard a thump. He looked up to see Joe staring straight at the ceiling, the phone having slipped to the floor.

"What!" Danny shouted, unable to contain his emotions any longer.

"Guilty on all counts," Joe told him, beaming. "You ready to go home?"

---

Agents Hess and Warren were due any minute to take Danny back to New York. He changed back into the street clothes he had worn Monday, then took a final, brief glance around the room as they left the hotel. True, he had hated every minute of his confinement, but nonetheless, it had provided him with deeper insight. It allowed him to release emotions that were choking him, and it brought him a new friend.

Joe, at Danny's invitation, was riding back with him to the city. As the two men walked outside, Danny relished the warm sun and fresh air. He saw the black SUV parked nearby, with the two agents already in the front seat.

"Your chariot," offered Joe as he opened the door for Danny, then slid in next to him. After they buckled, the engine roared to life and headed out to the freeway.

For the next hour, Danny and Joe relaxed and chatted as they made their way to New York. They talked about the stunning fall weather, the things Danny wanted to do when he got back (visit Louie, take Lindsay out to a fancy dinner), and of course - the trial.

"I wish Louie could have been there," Danny told Joe wistfully as he stared out the window. "I wish he could have been there watching when they read the verdict, to look Sonny right in the face."

"You'll have to tell him about it," Joe suggested. "The next time you visit. He'd understand, I bet."

Danny nodded, so comfortable now opening up to Joe. "I got revenge. Louie would have been proud."

"It wasn't just about revenge," Joe replied. "You did the right thing, and that took courage."

Danny shrugged. "I don't think I'll ever make up for the wrong I've done. For the people I've hurt." He thought of Louie, his parents. And Lindsay – how would things be between then now? Would it go back to normal, or would emotional distance result from the physical distance? He didn't know; all he could think about right now was grabbing her up and holding her for a long, long time. His arms literally ached for her.

As the New York City skyline came into view at last, Danny felt his heart begin to pump faster. It had never looked so beautiful, but he didn't feel truly home until they pulled up in front of the crime lab. It was such a familiar, mundane place, and the sight of it made him feel exhilarated. Liberated. Knowing Lindsay was inside made him tremble with anticipation.

Agent Hess, chomping away on a wad of gum, held the door open as Danny slid out. Wordlessly, he handed him the items he had been stripped of just four days earlier: his badge, his wallet, his cell phone. His life. He stared at them, fascinated, as if he had never seen them before.

Joe chuckled at Danny's reaction. "We now return you to your regularly scheduled life," he joked, then added solemnly, "I guess this is goodbye."

Danny thought of how this man had become like a father to him this week, supporting him and teaching him, even indulging him. "Keep in touch?" he asked hopefully. "Next time, I'll buy the drinks."

Joe smiled sadly, and shook his head. "I live in the shadows, son," he replied. "That's part of my job. That's the sacrifice we make to protect people in the future."

An idea occurred to Danny. He felt sure he would not have survived this separation from Lindsay without Joe's comforting presence. What could he do in exchange? More than anything, he wanted to give Joe something to remember him by. He unclasped his watch, the Rolex he had blown his first year bonus on. He had spent so much time staring at it this week, wishing away the hours and days. He handed it to Joe.

"I won't be needing this anymore," he said. "I want you to take it, as a thank-you for everything."

The older man pulled him into a hug. "Don't mention it," he murmured softly. He stepped back, with his hands still on Danny's shoulders, and looked him in the eye. "You've made mistakes, Danny, and you'll make them again. But you are not your mistakes. You're so much greater than any mistake you could ever make."

Danny nodded gratefully, hurting because he was losing this friend, but celebrating that he was gaining so much more. Life would be different now. He opened his mouth, trying to come up with words to express his varied feelings.

"You're wasting time," Joe teased Danny. He climbed back into the vehicle, and called out one last piece of advice through the open window as they drove off: "Now… go find Lindsay."