Here ya go guys; another chapter. I'll get some more action in there I promise; I just wanted to let you see how Danny and Arianna's relationship was unfolding. Same disclaimer as before. thanks for reading and keep the reviews coming!
Chapter Six- Five Days later.
"If he doesn't make a move soon I'm going to go crazy." Arianna muttered under her breath.
To anyone who had no idea of the circumstances that had brought her into her current situation the statement she'd just uttered would sound like she was waiting for a guy to get his head out of his ass and ask her out. If only things were that simple. It had been a week since she and Danny had been attacked and nothing. Absolutely freakin' nothing. And it bothered the ever livin' shit out of her. Every night since she'd been here had been the best sleep of her life; except last night. The fact that Mandala hadn't made a move had been nagging at her for the last day or so.
Putting in a call to a freind she had at NSA she was able to get a satillite chip for her phone that would scramble the signal for anyone trying to track her. From there she'd been able to keep in touch with her parents on a regular basis so her father could update them on the progress of the hunt for Mandala. A big fat zero had been found there too. Either he was laying low or people were just a lost stupider then she thought. If he was on his way from Texas to New York he'd have to have a place to stay; a car to drive; money to spend. Of course he was too smart to use credit cards which means he more then likely had cash stashed somewhere on the off chance he'd break out. As far as a place to stay was concerned he could've easily used one his many lackies that were still loyal to him after all this time to pay for a room and get the key. There were ways around the car as well; for someone with his kind of resources paltes and registraion papers would be easy to forge and if he did buy a car it'd be the same thing as the room; paid in cash.
So as quietly as possible this morning she'd slipped out of bed at about seven; leaving Danny to sleep peacefully as she dressed in a pair of track pants, razor back sports bra, and sweatshirt to go downstairs and practice her katas; something she'd hadn't done since coming to the Messer household. Before that she'd decided to go ahead and make a huge breakfast of pancakes, bacon, eggs, and sausage; leaving it in the warmer for when everyone got up. The Messer's had done so much for her that the least she could do was make breakfast for the whole family.
Moving from the kitchen to the back porch were there would be enough room to move she took off her sweatshirt and slippers; placing them off to the side. Standing in the middle of the floor she streatched out her muscles; still a little sore from Mexico. Closing her eyes she took a moment to center herself; letting the world slip away as she concentrated on the moves; seeing them in her minds eye. This was something she had done since she first started learning martial arts; was something that helped her focus when all else failed.
Stirring Danny rolled over and reached an arm out to pull Arianna against him. When all he got was air the young man bolted upright; awake and alert. Snatching his glasses of the stand he let his eyes adjust to the room as he searched for her. Panic started to rise in him when he thought something had happened to her; but it subsided when he saw the note that was placed on her pillow;
Danny,
Don't freak out babe; even though you probably already did. I decided to get up early and make breakfast for everyone and I wanted to let you sleep. I'll be downstairs when you wake up.
Love,
Arianna
Smiling he placed the note on the stand and threw the covers back; padding over to the dresser he extracted a black undershirt and pulled it on. Forgetting about his slippers he grabbed a zip up hoodie before heading down the stairs. No one else was up yet so the house was quite save for the sound of feet moving on the back porch. As much as he wanted to see Arianna right now his stomach was protesting for him to get some food; so he headed towards the kitchen. Once there he found another note that told everyone were breakfast could be found. Making a plate for hisself; pouring a glass of orange juice to go with it he quickly wolfed it down so he could see what she was up to. Rinising his plate off and grabbing an extra glass of juice for Arianna he made his way as soundlessly as possible to one of his favorite places in the house.
Stopping just inside the door to set down the glasses Danny watched in fascination as she moved; graceful and quick on her feet. Each move as fluid as the one before. He'd heard a lot about this kind of thing. It was where a person faught an invisible opponent to make them better and more coordinated. From the sweat he could see on her face and glistening down the rest of her body she'd been at it for a while. He stood like that for another ten minutes before she finally came to a stop. Did he no more then bring his hands up to clap her voice came across the room.
"Didn't you know it's not nice to stare Messer?" Arianna turned to him with a smile on her face.
"When a persons worth staring at you can't help it." Danny confessed.
"Are you trying to make me blush?" Arianna wondered as she scooped up the towel before making her way over to him.
"Yeah. Is it workin?" Danny handed her a glass.
"Thanks." Arianna gestured to the orange juice. "Do you think I'd tell you if it did?" She said before gulping down half the contents.
"Probably not." Danny agreed.
Joining her on the couch he took in her slumped shoulders and the frown she tired to hide. Something was bothering her and it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what. Personally he'd been a little worried too that nothing had happened but then again he had no idea how Mandala operated when he went after someone. Gently taking her chin in his hand he turned her to face him; concern evident in his eyes.
"Everything okay? Today's the first time you haven't slept late since we've been here." Danny observed.
For a fraction of a second she thought about lying and telling him everything was fine; but he knew better then that. He deserved better then that.
"It's Mandala; what else." Arianna huffed.
"What about it?" Danny asked.
Restless Arianna stood up and strode over to the window; leaning against the sill. "He hasn't made a move since we found out he escaped. Being attacked at the mall doesn't count because Gonzalez was working on his own." She explained.
"Isn't that a good thing though?" Danny joined her.
"Most other cases it would be; but with Mandala it's not. When he wants something he goes after it; consquences be damned." Arianna stated.
"Maybe he changed his mind about coming after you. Decided that because he was a free man it wasn't worth the risk." Danny offered.
"Not possible. This nightmare has been going for over five years. He killed Gage to watch me suffer. My blood is what he wants and he'll stop at nothing to get it. The words he spat at me the night he was dragged off to prison attest to that." Arianna argued.
"And those were?" Danny chided.
" And I qoute; "Mark my words ranger; I will get out of here and when I do I'll come for you. Your head is mine." Arianna shivered.
Wrapping his arms around her Danny pulled her close as possible as they watched the sun shining on the mounds of snow. No one should have to deal with that kind of hate; that kind of vengance for doing their job. Wishing there was something he could do wasn't going to help the situation any. Her father and the people of Company B back home had exhuasted all their resources looking for any hint of the bastard and had come up with nothing. It was like he had disappeared; and it was driving Arianna crazy. Seeing the person he loved more then anything in this world going through that tore at his heart. But there was nothing he could do; because as much as he wanted it to be his fight it wasn't. That didn't mean he was going to give up on her though. He planned on being here through it all and afterwards.
"I know it's gonna be hard to do but maybe you just need to forget about it for a little while. You know how he works; the way he operates. My families been told about the situation. Plus your dads done everything he can back in Texas." Danny started.
"Now all we do is just sit and wait." Arianna finished; frustrated.
"I don't like it either but at this point it's all we can do." Danny reminded.
Nodding in agreement she let herself relax in his arms; a place she felt safe. Deep down she knew it was true; that as much as she hated it they were going to have to wait for him to make a move. What was she going to do to keep herself occuiped so she didn't go insane during that time. Just then Danny spoke and solved her problem; for the next couple of days at least.
"Now that we've got that depressing topic out of the way; have you gotten a dress for the NYPD New Years Eve ball yet?" He asked.
"No." Arianna answered sheepishly. Pulling back slightly she looked up to see him smirking at her. "In all the excitement of Christmas and spending time with your family I kind of forgot."
"Well you might wanna go today to find one because it's tomorrow night." Danny reminded.
"I know; but I hate dress shopping." Arianna grimaced.
"It can't be that bad." Danny argued.
"If even the thought of wearing one makes you cringe it can be." Arianna pointed out.
Laughing he walked over to where her cell phone was resting on the table and held it out to her. "Why don't you call Stella and Adien; see if they want to go with you. They probably waited until the last minute too."
Hunching her shoulders in defeat she took the phone from him and flipped it open. Going through her contact list she searched for Adien's number and hit send. Flopping down on the couch; her legs propped up on Danny's lap she listened to the phone as it rang. Since joining the team a month ago she and the two female CSI's had bonded; having the same personalities and sense of humor. Personally she liked the Italian womans take no shit attitude. Just when she thought it was going to go to voice mail she heard a click and some rustling.
"Burn" The other womans voice came over the line.
"Adien hey; it's Arianna." She answered.
"Hi; how are you?!" Adien exclaimed.
"Good; how are you?" Arianna wondered.
"Great actually. You're ears must've been ringing though because I was just getting ready to call you." Adien confessed.
"Really? Why?" Arianna was curious.
"Well I just got off the phone with Stella and it turns out neither one of us has a dress for the ball tomorrow and we're going to see if you wanted to go with us." Adien explained.
"Great minds must think alike then because that's the reason I was calling you." Arianna chuckled.
Adien laughed on the other end. " What time do you want to meet?"
"It's gonna take me at least an hour to get into the city and I still have to shower." Glancing at the clock she saw that it was going on ten. "I'd say about tweleve thirty?"
"Sounds good. I'll give Stella a call and let her know." Adien agreed.
They talked a little longer; picking a place to meet before hanging up. All of this felt so normal to her that it was scary. Because in the back of her mind she knew nothing about the situation was normal.
"Everything all set?" Danny asked.
"Yeah. But I need to go take a shower and get dressed so that I'll be on time to meet them." Arianna stood and headed towards the door.
"Let me call Flack and see if he and the rest of the guys got their tuxes yet. If not we can ride in together and I'll meet up with them." Danny followed her.
"I guess I wasn't the only one that waited til' the last minute." Arianna raised an eyebrow as they made their way into the kitchen.
Since they'd been talking the house had slowly started to wake up; the smells from the breakfast she had cooked compelling them to come downstairs. Putting their glasses in the dishwasher Danny joined Arianna at the island as she chatted with his parents. Seeing her that way; interacting with his family as she'd done so much in the past week made him even more determined to stay in her life after this was all over with. She was a natural with the kids and the adults loved her just as much as he did. Though he wasn't quite sure that was possible. Loving and being with her was the only thing he thought about these days; the only thing he'd thought about since she'd first walked into his office. These past few days it felt like some serious progress was made as far as their relationship was concerned. He was starting to knock down the wall she'd put around her heart; around the fact that bringing him into her life wouldn't be a death sentence for him. Maybe hanging out with Stella and Adien would give her the extra push that was needed.
"I'm sorry; I don't mean to cut and run but I really have to hop in the shower if I'm gonna meet the girls on time." Arianna apologized.
"It's okay dear. Go ahead; and have fun." Maria gave her a kiss on the cheek before shooing her out the door.
"And I have to make a call. Tell Flack to get his lazy as...I mean butt; out of bed." Danny carefully switched his words when he remebered that the kids were in the room.
"What kind of trouble do you guys plan on causing today?" Frank grinned over the rim of his coffee mug.
"The only person that'll cause trouble is Flack." Danny smirked. " I haven't gotten my tux for the ball yet and I was gonna call the guys to see if they had gotten there's. If not I was gonna ask if they wanted to go with me; that way I can ride in with Arianna and that'll save her havin' to take a cab." He explained.
"You wouldn't let her take a cab and you know it. If she wanted you to fly to China to get authentic Chinese tea you'd do it in a heart beat." Kyle picked on his brother.
There was no reason for him to deny what his brother was saying. Hiding anything from his family was no easy task to begin with. Besides; this was something he didn't want to hide. Leaning his arms on the counter he looked his brother straight in the eye.
"You're right; I would. Because I love her; more then anything." Danny confessed.
"But getting her to believe and accept it isn't going to be easy." Melissa chimed in.
"Exactly. But I'm not givin' up. Somehow; someway I'm gonna get her to let me in. Get her to see how much I care about her and that I'm not goin' anywhere." Danny told them.
Coming up next to him Frank laid a hand on his sons shoulder. Never before had he seen his son like this with a woman; not even Lynsday. The only child the older man had thought would never fall in love; had. Completely head over heels. Danny had found something in the course of a month that most people looked their whole lives to find. And if he wanted to have Arianna in his life he would; because if there was one thing that could be said for the Messer men it was that they were persistent; and stubbron as hell.
"We're with ya son; whatever you do. You're right to fight for her. A woman like Arianna comes along once in a lifetime. When you get a chance to snag them you have to hold on for dear life and never let go."He winked at his wife.
The look he saw pass between his parents was what he felt for Arianna through and through. What he knew he'd feel for her for the rest of his life. Glancing at the clock he realized that he needed to get moving.
"Thanks dad. But I gotta get going or Arianna will kill me for making her late." Danny grinned.
Their laughter followed him out as he made his way up the stairs to the room. Opening the door he didn't hear the shower running but the door to the bath room was still closed. Walking over to the stand he scooped up his phone and dialed Flacks number. On the third ring the black haired detective picked up.
"Flack."
"Mornin' sunshine. You up for all day?" Danny wondered.
"Very funny. What's up?" Flack asked.
"Have you gotten your tux for tomorrow night yet?' Danny walked around the room as he spoke; getting out clothes.
"Nope. I was actually planning on doin' that today" Flack confessed.. "Wanna tag along? Hawkes and Mac were gonna join me. Maybe grab some dinner."
"Everyone must be readin' each others minds today." Danny muttered.
"Whys that?" Flack was curious.
"Cause Arianna just got done making plans with Adien and Stella to go shoppin' and it turns out that Adien was gettin' ready to call her to ask the same thing." Danny explained.
"What time are they meeting up?" Flack asked.
"Twelve thirty at Fifth and Madison." Danny told him.
"Sounds good; we'll see you there." Flack hung up.
Closing the phone he threw it on the bed just as the door to the bathroom opened. Like everytime he saw her his breath caught his his throat and he lost all ablitiy to speak coherently. Dressed in a royal blue sphagetti strap tank top, wide leg blue jeans with a black belt; the necklace he'd given her nestled in the base of her throat he knew how his dad felt everytime he looked at his mom. No matter what she wore; whether she had just woken up or freshly made up to go out on the town; she was always beautiful. Since they'd been there her hair had always been thrown in a pony tail; little to no make up on; something she didn't need anyway. Now she had half of her hair piled on top of her head; some pieces falling down to frame her face. What he thought they called shimmery powder on her cheeks and a sheer eye shadow that was a lighter shade of blue then her shirt across her eye lids. Light pink lipstick adorned her full lips and made him want to kiss it off. All in all she looked damn good and he was seriously rethinking going with the boys; opting to go with her to keep all the guys from hitting on her.
"Everything set?" Arianna came over and brushed her lips across his.
"Yeah; Flack and the guys are gonna meet me where you're meetin' Stella and Adien." Danny explained.
"Maybe we can all go out to dinner then?" Arianna suggested.
"Sounds like a plan to me." Danny agreed.
Checking her watch she noticed that they only had about an hour and a half to meet up with the gang. Placing her hands on his chest Arianna gently shoved him towards the bathroom.
"As much as I'd love to chat you need to get in the shower or we'll be late." She reminded.
Hands up in defeat and a smirk on his face he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss before walking through the door.
Shaking her head she grabbed a v-neck henley shirt that matched her tank top and a quitled black jacket out of her bag; setting them on the bed. Clipping her glock and knife to her back she threw on her shirt; assesing herself in the full length mirror. Once she was satisifed she sat down on the chase lounge at the end of the bed. Reaching up she gently touched the charm nestled at the base of her throat; a smile playing across her lips. Hard as she had tried to not let Danny in; to not let him change her mind about letting someone else into her life it was getting harder and harder to do. Truth was she loved him; more then she had ever thought possible; more then anything. Not having him in her life after this was over was going to be more then she could handle. Maybe even more unbearable then letting him deal with the danger. Just when she thought things were all figured out he had to be even sweeter and more understanding then the last time. Made her fall even more in love with him then she already was.
She'd been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't realized the door to the bathroom had opened and Danny was standing in it; drying his hair with a towel. It really and truly should've been against the law for a man to look that good. Darkwash jeans hung low on his hips; a plain black belt helping to hold them up. A black undershirt hugged his chiseled torso and chest. Though she knew the dog tags she'd gotten him added extra weight to the chain he wore he had them on anyway.
"See somethin' you like Walker?" Danny smirked as he pulled on his turtle neck.
Standing up she walked over and placed her hands on his chest. "Definetly." She whispered before capturing his lips.
Dropping his jacket Danny wrapped his arms around her waist; pulling her closer. No matter how many times or how long he kissed her he could never get enough. It was like someone set fire to him everytime their lips met. If this was what it felt like to die a slow and painful death then bring it on.
"We really have to stop doing that." He said once they came up for air.
"Why?" Arianna wondered.
"Because every damn time you kiss me like that I wanna rip your clothes off." Danny growled.
"Nothing's stopping you." Arianna reminded.
Holy shit she means it, Danny thought as he searched her eyes for any signs of uncertainity. There were none. Whatever had been making her want to take things slow was completely gone and it gave him a small ray of hope that she was ready when it came to other aspects of their relationship. But he wasn't going to push it.
"Did you forget that my entire family is downstairs and we have to meet the gang in 'bout an hour?" Danny pointed out.
Frowning, Arianna wiped off the lipstick she had smeared all over his lips. "Well dammit all to hell. Guess we'll have to pick this up later tonight. When everyones asleep."
Her lips brushed his ear as she spoke and he felt hisself shudder. Only this woman could make him hot and bothered with the simplest thing. And she knew it by the grin she was giving him as she turned to grab her jacket off the bed.
"Okay; we really need to leave before I say to hell with it and haul you back to bed." Danny picked up his coat before joining her.
"At least we'd have a good reason for being late." Arianna winked at him as she shasayed down the steps.
Groaning Danny closed the door behind them; her laughter hitting him as he walked to the car. This woman was going to be the death of him.
But what a way to go, Danny thought.