Here ya go guys; another chapter. Sorry it took so long I've had major writers block. Same as before I own nothing dealing with CSI:NY or Walker, Texas Ranger. thanks for being patient and enjoy!
Chapter Ten
Maybe I'm being way too analytical about this, Arianna thought as she stuffed the last of her equipment in the black meduim sized duffle that was sitting on her bed. Everyone had arrived about an hour ago; Hawkes' date Katie as well who was a doctor at Hope Memorial and seemed to be a nice girl as well; and she had finally managed to grab a moment alone to gather her thoughts. Though there was nothing to suggest that Mandala would attack tonight at the NYPD ball she couldn't help the feeling she had in the pit of her stomach that something was going to happen. Something was going to go terribly wrong and people were going to get hurt. Since she'd been a little girl she'd learned not to ignore her gut instincts because ninety-nine percent of the time they were right. So once the woman had figured out who would go first as far as getting dolled up by Maria was concerned she had slipped out and headed to her room.
Rummaging around she had found what she was looking for. The duffle that was now sitting zipped closed in front of her held the tools she would need in order to survive if Mandala decided tonight was the night he would try to end her life. Some would call her paronied; which she had a feeling she was boarding on at the moment. Those who knew her would call her prepared. The kit full of weapons and other things she carried with her everywhere she went wasn't an easy thing to explain to airport security. Which was why being such good freinds with the president came in handy. When she felt the need to carry this specific duffle with her all she had to do was call John up and tell him that she needed a flight out of Dallas. Fifteen minutes later either a heliocopter or Air Force one itself would land in the huge expanse of lawn that spread across her property back home. That was how she had gotten to New York a month ago. For reasons she couldn't explain to even herself she had felt the need to come extra prepared to her temporary assignment. And for what seemed the hundreth time in her career she thanked her ancestors for what she and her family had always called a sixth sense where danger was concerned.
Considering the circumstances I have every right to be, Arianna rationalized as she made her way down the stairs.
Stopping at the bottom of the steps she heard talking and laughing coming from the living room and headed in that direction. The guys had all congregated downstairs; including Danny's family who were all still there until tomorrow; while the woman had all flocked upstairs to the master bedroom. Of course the guys got the lucky end of the deal because all it took was ten minutes for them to throw their tux on and they were good to go. Personally she hoped like hell that Danny understood how much it took to get ready for something like this because she hated it. Getting dressed up and made up to go to something like this wasn't her cup of tea by any means. But she was here and it meant a lot to Danny that she went and because she loved him she would willingly oblige. Then again he had promised that they could go play paint ball or do something more her speed after the holidays were over with. Thank the lord for understanding men.
Being as quite as possible she stood in the doorway; duffle sitting on the floor beside her as she waited for Frank to finish telling them something before she spoke.
"You guys have no idea how easy you have it; ya know that?" She cocked an eyebrow at them.
Every head in the room swung her way; but she was only looking for one in particular. Blue eyes met blue and she couldn't help the smile that broke out on her face. One thing this hard edged New Yorker could do no matter what was make her smile. Under any circumstances; good or bad. Watching as he got up and walked over to her she felt the familiar chill of anticipation run down her spine as he came to a stop in front of her.
"Plannin' on leaving?" Danny gestured to the bag next to her.
"Not on your life Messer. But I do need you to do me a favor." Arianna reassured him.
Silently expelling the breath he hadn't known he'd been holding Danny followed her into the hallway. Though he knew where Arianna stood as far as they were concerned he still couldn't help but be a little bit nervous that she might decided that it really was a good idea to shut him out and leave everything they had behind to keep him safe. But as she turned to look at him he could tell that the worry in her eyes had nothing to do with their relationship.
"Baby what's wrong?" He asked.
"It's nothing really." Arianna began. "I was wondering if you would mind putting this duffle in the back of the car for me."
"No problem." Danny agreed. "But there's more to it then that isn't there? This isn't some ordinary bag with a change of clothes in it; is it?" He realized.
"Not quite." Arianna confessed. "It's just some sutff incase Mandala does decide to make his prescences known tonight."
"Do you think he will?" Danny wondered.
"Honestly I don't know. Everything that's happened so far is everything and nothing like him." Arianna told him.
"You wanna be prepared just in case." Danny realized.
"Exactly." Arianna shook her head.
"In that case I'll put it in the car right now. One thing I've learned is to never ignore your instincts." Danny pointed out.
"Thanks." Arianna stated. "But I better get back before it's my turn to get all dolled up or your mom will send a search party for me."
"That's my ma; gotta love her." Danny laughed. "As far as getting dolled up is concerned they don't have to do a damn thing. You're already beautiful."
"You're such a kiss ass Messer." Flack stated as he walked up to them.
"What can I say? That's what happens when you're in love." Danny pulled Arianna close.
"And I wouldn't have him any other way." She kissed him.
"I think you've officaly grossed me out yet again." Flack grimaced.
Giving Danny one last kiss before parting from him Arianna playfully punched the black haired detective on the arm as she headed up the stairs. "You're such a pansy Don."
"When it comes to that stuff you're damn right I'am." He called to her back as she made her way up the stairs.
"I wouldn't say that too soon if I was you." Danny warned.
"And why is that exactly?" Flack was curious.
"Because you could end up like me one day. Completely and madly in love with the woman of your dreams. Never able to get enough of her." Danny explained as they made their way outside.
"And the crazies in New York will suddenly disappear. Not gonna happen Messer." Flack countered.
"If there's anything I've learned from meeting Arianna it's to not let something get in the way of living your life. When you find that person you want to spend the rest of your life with hold on and never let go. Don't waist a moment because you never know what could happen." Danny reminded him.
"I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that that bag is her way of being prepared for anything." Flack quickly changed the subject; his love life never a good topic of discussion for him.
"Pretty much." Danny agreed as he closed the door to the house behind them. "Let's just hope she doesn't have a chance to use it tonight. Or any time soon."
"Amen to that." Flack chimed as they joined the guys back in the living room.
"You guys all look so beautiful." Maria wiped at the tears brimming in her eyes.
After what had seemed like eons of primping and getting dress they were already to head into the city. Arianna had to say that she had definetly underestimated her when it came to making a woman look and feel like a million bucks. Though she still recongnized herself and the three other woman; who were all beautiful to begin with; she had to say that they all looked drop dead gorgeous. The men waiting for them downstairs had no idea what they were in for.
"You guys are gonna knock their socks off." Isabella grinned.
"That's what were going for darlin'." Arianna gave the young girl a hug.
"Thank you so much for everything Maria." Adien told the older woman.
"And thank you to everyone else too. We couldn't have looked this good without your help." Stella chimed in.
"Of course you could have. We just took what you guys already had and tweeked it a little bit." Sandra smiled.
"Now it's time to see if all that tweeking paid off." Kaitlin urged.
Wanting the three woman to make a grand entrance Maria had the others grab their purses and wraps; telling them to wait here while they went downstairs to make sure everyone was ready. Of all the times she gone into life threatening situations Arianna had never felt so nervous as she did right now.
"It's like I'm going to prom all over again." Stella chuckled.
"Except my dad isn't waiting at the door with a shotgun telling my date that he better bring me home on time." Adien agreed.
"I never got to go to my prom." Arianna confessed.
"You're kidding me right?" Katie was speechless.
"Nope. When I was in high school I wasn't the most popular person in the world. I mean I had a lot of freinds and everything; was involved in a lot of after school activites but i ended up graduating at sixteen and at the time my dad was involved in an undercover operation and I didn't want to leave my mom home in case something happened. Besides guys didn't really seem to be interested in me." Arianna explained.
"Probably because they knew it they tried to go too far you'd kick the crap out of them." Adien grinned.
"That's probably true. But I don't regret missing it. This is kind of making up for it if you think about it." Arianna reminded them.
As the four woman discussed what high school was like for them Maria and the rest of the Messer woman were at bottom of the stairs with four very nervous men and the whole Messer clan. The scene really in a sense was so surreal that to Danny it felt just as it did to the woman; like prom night all over again. Except this time they had to worry about more then someone just spiking the punch.
"Ready to get blown away guys?" Maria asked.
Exchanging glances with one another they all responded at the exact same time. "Bring it on."
Chuckling the older woman checked her camera before facing the stairs. "Okay Katie; your up first."
All eyes were on the stairs; Hawkes balancing on the balls of his feet; as they waited for her to descend the steps. Dressed in a while sheath dress that went to the floor; blonde hair falling loose around her face in curls she looked just like an angel to him. Stepping forward he offered his hand and helped her the rest of the way down the stairs.
"My own little piece of heaven." Hawkes whispered.
"That's so sweet." Katie blushed as she followed him back to stand next to Mac.
Taking a quick picture of the couple the matriarch turned to the stairs yet again. "All right Stella; you're up next."
Mac's fidgeting stopped once he saw her at the top of the stairs; one hand on the rail the other at her side. The satin of the dress hugged her every curve; the square neck of the top accenting her graceful neck. Hair piled high on top of her head matched with the color of the dress made her glow. Swishing from the fishtail hemline was the only sound in the room as she made her way to him and gave a quick peck on the lips.
"I can't believe I actually made hard nosed Detective Mac Taylor speechless." Stella joked.
"I'am not hard nosed." Mac finally managed to say.
Laughter broke out at his words; earning him a smack on the back of the head from the woman in question. Again Maria took their picture before repeating the routine once again for Adien to come down.
"I was wondering when you guys were gonna stop torturing me." Flack mumured.
"Look up and I can gaurentee it was worth it." Frank nudged him.
Bringing his eyes from the wood floor to the stairs from which the other woman had come the young man felt hisself almost swallow his tounge. Standing there with a smirk on her face was the most beautiful woman he'd ever met. Every curve could be seen as the dress hugged her body to a T. The low cut front showed enough clevage to make his mouth water and his brain wonder if they would even make it to the ball. Her skin glowed as it was offset by the burnt orange of the dress and the gold of the beading around it.
"So was it?" Adien questioned as she came to a stop in front of him.
"Was it what?" Flack was still having a hard time thinking.
"Worth it to wait for me to come down?" Adien probed.
"Definetly." Flack agreed; pulling her close.
"Enough already with the PDA. Can we get on with it?" Danny asked anxiously.
"Nervous are we little bro?" Kyle chided.
"No; I just don't wanna be late it all." Danny lied.
"Sure; whatever you say." Katlin chuckled.
"All right Arianna; you might wanna get down her before my brother comes up after you." Melissa shouted up the stairs.
Rustling was heard she made her way to the top of the steps; staying just enough in the shadows as she spoke. "If I get to pick which one send Louie on up. I always thought he was cuter then Danny."
Everyone burst into laughter as they saw Danny give his brother the look of death; Arianna's chuckling floating down towards them. While they were distracted with trying to make sure the youngest Messer didn't kill Louie she decided to take the oppurtunity to descend the stairs; stopping at the third from the last. Hands placed in front of her she waited for the laughter to subside. Dylan was the first one to notice her standing there and walked over; Teddy in his hand as always.
"You look very pretty." He stated loudly as she knelt down in front of him.
"Why thank you very much." Arianna placed a kiss on the little boys cheek.
By this time the attention in the room had centered on the young ranger and the child; everyone at a loss for words upon seeing her. The hush got Dannys attention and he tore his glare once again from his brother to base of the steps.
"Wow." Though the one word was a little above a whisper it carried across the room.
There had never been a moment since they'd met that Danny hadn't considered Arianna one of the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. But seeing her standing there; hair piled on top of her head; some trendils falling to frame her face; rhinestones glittering in the mass of curls words escaped him. The ice blue color accented her tanned skin perfectly and made her eyes stand out even more; as did the subtle but sexy make-up his mom had used. Strapless with a corset style top and bead work all over the place; the skirt made of layers of taffeta and ruched to make it look more full the dress mad eher look like a princess. Silver glinted in the light and he realized that she still had on the necklace he had given her.
Gliding over to him she stopped and just gave him a smile. "I could say the same about you. You clean up pretty good for a cop."
"Why thank you Ranger Walker." Danny grinned.
"You're welcome; now come here." Arianna crooked a finger at him.
Closing the short distance between them Danny already knew what she wanted and gladly obliged; planting a whooper of a kiss on her. After several moments the need for air; and cats calls they were getting from his family; caused them to part. Gently he reached up and wiped at the lipstick he had smeared; knowing that he probably had some all over his face as well.
"I hate to break up the love birds but if we don't get going we're gonna be late." Mac reminded; tapping his watch.
"Just let me get a picture of the two of them and then you guys all together before you head out." Maria stated.
Groans from both the men and woman could be heard as they obliged. One thing you didn't do was turn down mama Messer when she wanted to do something. She was just too sweet of a woman to say no to. Once that was done the guys helped the girls get their coats on; making sure they were bundled against the cold New York weather.
"Did anyone just have a deja vu moment from prom back there?" Flack asked as they were on their way across the bridge from Staten Island to the city.
"Yeah; but the best part is that I'm not gonna have my date's dad waiting at the doorstep with a baseball bat or a shot gun; making sure I'm not groping his daughter." Danny chuckled.
"That's only because he's not here. Believe me if we were back in Texas you wouldn't be so lucky." Arianna smirked.
"I figured as much." Danny chuckled.
"So do you have any plans to head there once Arianna leave?" Mac joked.
"Not unless I'm armed iwth my own gun or wearing hunting orange so he can see me a mile away." Danny told them.
"Got news for ya cowboy; even that's not gonna work." Arianna gave him a pat on the back as everyones laughter rang through the car.