Heres the other part of Chp. two. I kinda goofed when I uploaded everything. Sorry! Same disclaimer applies as with the first chapter. Thanks for all the reviews and keep um coming!
"It's nothing important. Just trying to figure out how I'm going to get my family gifts and send them. Mail is easy to track; I can't just send a couple of huge packages with my name on them as the return address. That's like sending a postcard directly to him with directions right to my doorstep." Arianna grimaced; she hated lying to people. Especially Danny.
Comtemplating it as they made their way through the lobby towards the elevators Danny wasn't sure how to get past that. Even if she just wired them money for presents there was still a possability that it could be traced. Honestly he didn't know what to do. There was always the option of going shopping for presents anyway and then just stashing them somewhere until she was able to go home. Granted she'd be a little bumed about not being able to give them out right away but maybe the shopping would help make her feel better. Giving voice to his suggestion as the elevators stopped on Arianna's floor he waited for her to answer.
"I have to agree. At least the fact that everything about Christams isn't being taken away from me will help." Arianna closed the door behind Danny as he stepped inside her room.
"We can go tomorrow if you want. I just have ta swing by my parents house to let them know there's a change in plans and to drop my stuff off so that they'll be room in the car for packages." Danny decided to slowly slide into the subject of her going with him to his parents for the holidays.
"I don't want you to have to change your plans just for me. Go and be with your family; I can go shopping on my own. What else am I going to do? I can't be with my own family." Arianna tried to keep the disdain out of her voice as she made her way across the living area to her bedroom.
Following through the open door he leaned against the wall as she pulled a huge blue nike duffle from the closet. It was now or never. " You could be with mine."
Whipping her head around Arianna had to make sure that she had heard him right. After everything she had told him; the danger that he knew even being here with her right now was going to befall him; and he was asking her to be with the people he loved; which in turn would put them in danger. Putting down the hoodie she had been about to throw in her duffle she walked over to Danny and placed a hand on his chest.
"You know I can't do that. I'm putting you in enough danger as it is. I refuse to do the same to them." Arianna whispered.
He had been ready for this kind of opposition when he had thought up a way to break the news to her. Leaning down he placed a kiss on her forehead before his eyes caught hers. Her blue depths that seemed to mirror his own so much in color were filled with pleading. For him to not push the issue; that she couldn't stand to be put in that position. But he didn't want her spending the holidays alone; letting her second guess herself about Mandala coming after her; about her ability to handle the situation.
"I know; but I've already talked to my parents and explained the situation as best I could without given too much away. They said to make sure I bring you along." Danny explained.
"Why would you do that? Knowing the kind of trouble I could cause them?" Arianna fumed.
Not taking her raised voice to heart because he knew that even though she was mad at him she knew he had a logical solution to her no family problem. He could see it in her eyes; she just didn't want to admit that she needed what he was offering. A place filled with love and people who could distract her from what was going on. Even if the threat was still lurking outside the door.
"They also told me not to take no for an answer. To hog tie you if I had to." Danny added.
Glaring at him she backed away and stood with her legs slightly spread; arms at her sides. "Your more then welcome to try. The last guy that tried that ended up in the hospital; less of a man so to speak."
Moving towards her; his stride determined. "I'll take my chances. Because I gave my parents my word and I intend on keeping it. One way or another." He drew out the last words.
The tears that welled up in her eyes made him stop; but he still wasn't going to give up. He was damn bound and determine to get her to come with him. Even if he had to get down on his knees and beg.
"Please Danny; don't make me have to deal with that kind of guilt." Arianna pleaded; her shoulders sagging.
Putting his hands on her shoulders he pulled her close. "You should know by now that I'd never wish that on you; on anyone. But there's no reason to feel that way. My parents are use to risk coming to our family; three quarters of us are cops."
Pushing off his chest she stood at arms length from him."That's all fine and well but Mandala is a whole different kind of danger; a whole different kind of evil." She tried to make him understand.
"But he's still dangerous none the less." Danny countered. Seeing that trying to reason with her wasn't going to do any good he resorted to the tatic he had thought of earlier; begging." Please Arianna; let me do this for you. It'll kill me to know that your spending the holidays alone. No one should have to do that no matter what the circumstances."
Turning from him she walked over to the bed and uncerimouniously sat down. He was right and she knew it; no one should be by themselves during a time that was suppose to be so full of joy and love. Plus he was being so sweet by offering to do this in the first place; so were his parents; given that they knew the risk involved. But there was still this inkling in the back of her head that told her if she took him up on his offer it would turn his world and his families upside down.
Kneeling down in front of her he placed his hands on either side of her as he waited for an answer. When five minutes had passed of them sitting in silence he decided to break it." If you choose to stay all by yourself in this big ass hotel room then you've already let him win." Danny's tone was harsher then he had intended it to be but he was at his wits end. He'd expected it to be hard but not this bad.
Arianna's head flew up at his words; eyes narrowed in anger. Why she had no idea; Danny had every right to speak his mind and she knew deep down that he had hit the nail right on the head with his statement. That's probably why she was staring daggers at him right now. If there was one thing that Arianna hated more in the world then the people that she took down on a daily basis was when someone accused her of giving up. Not that he had actually come out and said it but he might as well have. In the end he wanted to get a rise out of her; to get it through her head that she needed what he was offering. Well she be damned if he hadn't succeded.
"Fine; I'll go with you. But there's a couple of conditions." Arianna revealed.
"No problem." Danny gestured for her to continue.
"I want to talk to your parents myself when we get there. It'll make me feel better knowing they've heard the situation from me. Though I do appreciate you explaining it to them." Arianna paused as she stood up to continuing packing. "And if Mandala does happen to find out where I am I get to leave without any protest from anyone. To lead him away from your family so that they'll be safe. Usually he wouldn't care and go after them anyway but I'm hoping by the time he finds me he'll be so frustrated that he just wants to get to me and get it over with."
Opening his mouth to protest Danny immediately shut it. He would agree to her terms; for now. But if and when the time came where they would actually have to be put to the test he would protest until he was blue in the face. Even if this was her fight and hers alone he wasn't going to let her dive into this head first without putting up his own fight. Against his better judgement he had started to fall for the roan haired beauty who was now gathering the last of her things so they could head out. And he'd be damned if he let the chance that had been given to them both slip away with her life if Mandala had his way. Besides; Danny Messer was never known to be one to back down; ever.
After stopping to grab some take out at a chinese resturant because neither one of them felt like cooking the two finally made it back to Danny's apartment. Once inside Danny set Arianna's stuff in his room while she went to get out plates and utensils for the food. On the way back he had been worried that Arianna would still be too mad at him to want to talk but he had been pleseantly surprised when she had admitted that he was right for doing things they way he had. From their she had proceeded to ask about the people she was going to be meeting. They had talked a little bit here and there since they had met about their respective families but nothing to in depth. He and Lynsday had never talked that much about that part of their lives; maybe because her past wasn't the greatest thing to relive. But he would've still like to know something about where she had come from other then Bozeman, Montana being her hometown and had a past she didn't like to discuss. So talking with Arianna about all of that had been new to him; but had felt good. Like they were becoming closer.
Walking down the hall he headed towards the kitchen and stopped in the doorway; watching as she moved around the room; looking for plates and cups. Seeing her in his home; going about as if she'd spent more then a few hours there he felt a smile creep onto his face. If someone would've told him six months ago when Lynsday had broken his heart that he would find someone that he could picture spending the rest of his life with. Someone he could see getting dinner ready as Arianna was doing right now; who he could see sharing his bed everynight; wrapped up in his arms; he would've never believed them. Hell he had thought his heart would never heal. Surprisngly it had been on the track to do that when Arianna had shown up at the crime lab; speeding up the process so much more then he had even thought possible. Now he was back to his previous thoughts of home and hearth; a family and a wife to come home to. At the particular moment that was getting way ahead of hisself. The healing process may have sped up but it wasn't complete yet as much as he'd like to think so. Not to mention that Arianna was dealing with major issues of her own at the moment; plus there were still feelings there for her late fiancee; he could see them in her eyes when she talked about him.
As she was opening the cartons of food and putting it on plates Arianna could feel Danny behind her; watching as she moved about his kitchen. Desire radiated from his gaze and she felt the heat all the way down to her toes. Since Gage's death there hadn't been a man that made her feel the way Danny did. Like she was the only person in the world when they were together. With a grin that could knock her to her knees and a sweet side that would make any woman swoon. Not to mention that he had a family that was willing to take her in when they knew their lives could potentially be put in danger. All in all he was a guy that any woman would want; one that she herself was starting to wish she could have. However it was a little more complicated then your average relationship. There was the fact that her job put her in more danger then anyone should have to deal with; then any average cop had ever had to deal with. Plus she would always love Gage; even if the feelings faded over time and she was able to move on there would always be a part of her heart that belonged to him. Some men couldn't deal with that; and honestly she didn't know what side of the fence Danny fell on. She wasn't sure if she was ready to find out either.
Moving from his perch leaning against the door frame Danny came up behind her and decided to throw caution to the wind by wrapping his arms around her waist; placing a kiss on the back of her neck. " Do you want any help?"
Despite her better judgement she leaned back into the warmth of his arms. It just felt so right that she couldn't help herself. "Um you can grab a couple of drinks if you want."
"Sure. Beer or soda." Danny asked as he made his way to the fridge.
"Beer sounds good." Arianna asnwered as she grabbed the tray she had found and placed the plates and take out boxes on.
"Beer it is then." Danny took two out; following her to the living room.
Setting the tray down on the coffee table Arianna handed him a plate before sitting down next to him. Though they both had jeans on she could feel the heat all the way through the fabric as their thighs brushed. It was becoming harder and harder to not jump his bones right here and now. Especially after their earlier roll on the same couch they were sitting on now. They sat eating in comfortable silence her thoughts becoming something that she was glad no one could read her mind for. Luckly Danny spoke up before her thoughts could get past the PG rating.
"So what happened to you in Mexico?" He wondered.
It wasn't the greatest subject to start out a converstation with but it had been nagging at him since her outburst. He knew that what had happened to Gage had been a part of the reason why she always had a haunted look in her eyes; but that her latest adventure was still all too real. Danny wanted to know what could cause a reaction like that from someone who seemed to just let things roll right off her back.
"It's a long story." Arianna cursed herself for her out burst at Sullivan's.
"Do I look like I'm goin anywhere?" Danny gestured around.
Sighing she put down her plate and leaned back. Since she had come home everyone had been telling her that she wasn't the same person she was before being kidnapped. Of course was anyone the same after something like that? Apparently it wasn't a real huge change but was easily detectable for those who knew her. She would jump at the slightest things and try to hide it. Would stare off into space while sitting at her desk. Trivette even beat her in a sparring match for crying out loud. He had taken quickly to the martial arts training her father and she had given him but he'd never been able to whoop her ass. Maybe it was time to get it off her chest. To talk to someone who seemed to genuienly care about her and what she was about; if she was hurting.
"I was working yet another drug case; those seem to be the norm in the south. Anyway the head of the operation; a man named Gavin Tate; wasn't too happy with us for taking out his main buyer. One night I was out for a jog along the road that I live on. It's a dirt one out in basically the middle of nowhere with your closest neighbor five hundered feet to a mile down the road. A huge van came up behind me and about five men jumped out. It had been a week from hell and I had suffered some major injuries when a warehouse we raided had blown up and thrown me across the parking lot. So lets just say that it didn't take long for them to get the best of me. Not to mention they had a rag dipped in some sort of chemical that they held to my face; knocked me out cold. Next thing I know I wake up in a strange room; my right arm handcuffed to the bed post. About five minutes later the door opens and in walks Tate; strutting like he was the king shit. When I asked him why I was there and what he planned on doing his only response was that I'd soon find out." Arianna paused for a moment.
Done with his food Danny set the plate down and picked up his beer. Normally he'd be willing to comfort a woman when she was telling a story like the one she was. But she wasn't crying or acting as if she was upset. Surprisingly she was quite calm. Then again Arianna wasn't the kind of woman to break down easily; despite her out burst at the bar earlier. Of course he had a feeling that she hadn't gotten to the worst part of it all.
"What happened?" Danny wondered.
Stealing herself for the next part of what she was about to tell him Arianna continued." He uncuffs me and drags me from the bed. I tried to fight back but I was sore and so exhuasted that he overpowered me; knocked me out with one blow to the head. When I wake up again I'm sitting in the back of a sedan; hands tied in front of me. The windows were tinted in the car so I couldn't see where we were but I didn't have to wait long. Tate pulled me out of the car and that's when I realized what had happened. They had taken me from Texas to Mexico and now we were standing at the bridge that connected the two borders. On the other side was the entire Company B including my dad and the Captain. Apparently Tate had made a phone call telling them that he had a proposition to make that involved my safe return."
"I'm gonna guess that it had to do with his drug operation." Danny chimed in.
"You'd be right." Arianna agreed. "In exchange for my life the Rangers had to drop the case; no questions asked. I told them not to; that it wasn't worth my life. That earned another slap from Tate and a bunch of guns raised on both sides. If it wasn't for the fact that Tate's men had guns pointed at people that I worked with and cared about; people who hand't asked to be in that specific situation; I would've tried to get away. But I wasn't about to risk it so I was forced to stand there helpless as my dad tried to bargin with Tate to no avail. After that it was all a blur; I just wish the pain was that way from time to time." She murmured.
As he watched her get up and walk over to the window Danny remembered that he had seen her winch quite a few times since she had been there. When someone would bump into her too hard; or when she would spar with someone at the gym. Getting up he followed her; standing on the opposite side.
"What kind of hell did he put you through?" Danny tried to keep his voice calm when inside he was raging mad.
Glancing at him she knew immdeiatelty what he was thinking. " I was never raped; or tortured; thank god. Though I guess some people would say that making me fight a different person to the death everyday would be a form of torture." Arianna admitted.
Not sure if he had heard her right Danny shook his head to clear it. What kind of sick twisted idea was that? Who made someone fight with anyone just for the hell of it; especially to the death. "That's why." He whispered.
"That's why what?" Arianna asked.
Silently cursing hisself for saying that out loud Danny realized that there was no point in telling her it was nothing. She had already heard him and when she wanted something she was like a bloodhound.
"Ever since we met there's been this haunted look in yours eyes. Like you've seen something you didn't wanna see. Done something you didn't wanna do." Danny explained.
"Your right; on both accounts. I didn't want to have to kill all those men; but it was them or me and I was damned if I was gonna die in some hell hole in Mexico because some bastard decided he didn't like the fact that I was about to take him down. Taking someones life is an inevitable part of my job; but doing it just to help some sick wacko get off was not part of the oath I had taken. It was all part of the sick little deal he had tried to make with the Rangers. I would fight someone new everyday; he would record it and email it to them with a link to the sight. It would continue until they agreed to his terms." Arianna growled.
"How long did it go on for?" Danny wondered.
"About a week. The entire time I was trying to think of ways to get the hell out of there. Finally I had my chance when the guards got a little drunk one night while the nurse came in to help clean some of the cuts I had gotten. She told me that if I wanted to try and make a break for it that there were only a handful of guards at the compound. The rest had gone into town with Tate. Telling me she had stashed a book bag with food and the things I would need to survive for about four or five days she left; saying to give her ten minutes before I made a break for it." Arianna offered.
"It didn't end there did it?" Danny questioned.
"Hell no. I was stuck in the woods for another week while I tried to find my way to the border. I was blindfolded when they had brought me to and from the compound so I had no idea which way to go. Not to mention I had bullets flying over my head; people staked out in the woods ready to kill me the first chance they got." Arianna sighed before facing out the window again. "Long story short I made it to the border; was able to call for back up to come help me and here I'am. Tate was arrested and convicted on drug trafficking and kidnapping a police officer. Then two days later I was given another assignment; the New York Crime Lab. That's how I came to met you and the rest of the gang."
"Not that I'm complaining because I'm glad we met but why didn't you take some time off? I'm sure it was offered to you." Danny wondered.
"Yeah it was; but I just couldn't take it. The memories and emotions were still to raw for me to deal with. So I threw myself into my work. Unfourtaently that didn't give me the results I was looking for. I still have nightmares; still wonder if deep down those men were good and decent people who were just following orders." Arianna confessed.
Hearing the strain in her voice; seeing it in the slight dark circles that had formed under her eyes in the last couple of weeks Danny knew that she truly was having a hard time dealing with the consquences and guilt of her actions. Even though there had been no other choice. He had no idea what to tell her; what to say to make her feel better because he had never been through what she had. What he did know was he had never met anyone with her type of courage or resolve. Someone who no matter what she had been through in her years as a ranger was still able to see the good in people. Still able to have a somewhat normal life; to laugh and joke with her family and friends. One thing he did know was that it was closing in on midnight and they needed to get some sleep if they wanted to be up in enough time to not have to rush getting to his parents house.
"Come on; let's get you settled in so you can get some sleep. Looks like you haven't gotten much lately." Danny obsereved as he took her hand and led her down the hall.
"But what about our stuff from dinner?" Arianna questioned.
"I'll take care of it. Go ahead and get ready for bed; I'll be back as soon as I'm done." Danny told her.
Knowing there was no point in arguing with him; and the fact that she didn't have the energy to; Arianna headed to her duffle to grab some pajamas. Heading to the bathroom as Danny made his way back out into the living room she tried to get the nagging feeling out of the back of her mind that before their little vacation was over Mandala would succeded in finding her. In doing what he had come to do; which was kill her. Already the images of Gage; of what had happened to him were starting to surface; and she hand't even tried to sleep yet. On top of all that was what she had been through in Mexico; what she had had to do to those men.
In order to survive, Arianna reminded herself as she scrubbed her face and brushed her teeth. The realization didn't make any of it easier to deal with. She had a feeling only time would. A lot more time then she was going to be able to give herself. Because if she made it out of whatever new hell the sick son of a bitch had planned for her it would be back to work. There was no rest for a Texas Ranger; because the bad guys never stopped. Hearing Danny move around down the hall she knew one thing for sure; that she wanted him to stay with her tonight. Not to sleep with; but to have someone to hold her; to keep away the nightmares. She felt safe in his arms; something she hadn't felt in a very long time with someone other then her family.
Down in the kitchen Danny was wondering if Arianna was starting to feel what he was feeling between them. Since the moment she had walked into his office; confused as to where she was going; Arianna Walker had captured his attention; and now was starting to capture his heart. Something he had thought wasn't possible since Lynsday had walked all over his heart. It was more then that; it was this inane urge to want to protect her from everything that was bad in the world. To want to erase the memories of everything that had happened to her from the death of her fiancee to her time spent in Mexico. In the end he knew he couldn't; that all he could do was be there for her now. And see if his heart was willing to heal and take another chance with Arianna.
Turning the light off once he was done he headed towards his bedroom to grab some clothes and extra blankets before turning in for the night. Opening his mouth to speak Danny shut it when he saw Arianna lying on his bed; eyes closed, one arm drapped over her stomach and the other underneath her head. For the first time since he had met her she looked peaceful; like nothing bad could ever happen to her. There was a swelling in his chest about the fact that it was his bed she had fallen so soundly asleep in. That she felt comfortable enough in his apartment to let her guard down. Quickly he grabbed a tank top and some pajama pants from his dresser before heading towards the bathroom. After brushing his teeth and splashing some water over his face he headed towards the door to get some blankets out of the linen closet. He was going to tell her good night but he didn't want to wake her up when he was sure this was the first decent sleep she'd had in a while. Hand on the door knob he was about to turn it when he thought he heard his name being said; but it was so quite that he had to strain to listen.
"Danny..." Arianna murmured.
Turning he saw her sit up; blink a few times before stretching. That in turn caused her tank top to ride up and expose the silky skin of her torso and his fingers itch to run across it; to other places he had almost reached earlier. Whipping the thoughts from his mind as best he could he walked over and knelt down in front of her.
"Everything all right sweetheart?" He asked.
Nibbling on her lower lip she wasn't sure how to ask him what she wanted. Even when she'd been with Gage it had been hard for her to ask him anything; and he had luckly understand why that was. It had never been an issue with them as it seemed to be with so many other cops who were married or engaged though. Which was why she shouldn't be worried that it was hard to do with the man who was kneeling before her. But in the end she was.
"Yeah; fine. I was just wondering...Never mind." Arianna cut off; shaking her head.
Taking her hands in his he gave them a squeeze. "What? You know you can ask me anything."
Hesitating another moment she stopped chewing on her lip and let out a breath. "Would you...would you mind staying with me? I don't wanna sleep alone."
This wasn't what he'd been expecting; but something he had wanted. Though he knew she wasn't talking about them sleeping together; but someone to stay with her; make her feel safe. Silently Danny stood up and shut off the bedside lamp that had been left on. Once that was done he walked around to the empty side of the bed; pulled the covers back and slipped underneath them. Reaching out he wrapped his arms around Arianna and pulled her close. His body fit so well to hers that it was like they were made for each other. There were so many things that pointed to the fact that maybe fate had brought them together. But so much more standing in the way for both of them.
Nestling in close to him Arianna placed her arm over his; fingers entwined. This felt right; being his arms; in his bed. For the past couple of weeks she had laid awake at night; wondering if this was what her life was going to be like. Coming home from another case where she was battered and bruised; her life almost taken from her yet again. If she was going to second guess herself everytime she had to make a decision after killing all those men. Jump at the smallest sound and never relax; always be waiting for someone to jump out and attack her. Wonder whether or not she'd find someone to love her like Gage had; that she would in turn be able to love like she had loved him. Feeling herself drift off into what she hoped would be peaceful sleep she started to believe that maybe things were going to turn around; that Mandala was still locked safetly in jail.
"Thanks Danny; for everything." Arianna whispered as she finally feel asleep.
Barely catching what she said as he felt the steady rise and fall of her chest Danny placed a kiss on her shoulder. "Anytime darlin'. Sweet dreams."
Pulling her just a little closer he closed his eyes and thanked god for bringing Arianna Walker into his life.