Title: Love Too Young
Rating: FRT
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Just the idea.
Spoilers: None
Summary: What if Danny and Lindsay knew each other in high school? What if Lindsay lived in New York and moved away? This is WAY OUT THERE so be nice.
I was gonna write the Sassone interrogation, but I couldn't figure it out, and it wasn't writing well at all. I don't think ya'll are reading this b/c of the crime anyway ;)
Personally, this is my favourite chapter. I also found it the easiest to write.
After an intense 4 hour interrogation, Sonny Sassone confessed to the death of Johnny Camaioni, and the accidental death of Jake Perkins. Although he never blatantly said he performed the act, even his lawyer couldn't deny the overwhelming evidence and statements from witnesses.
Apparently, Camaioni was in debt quarter of a million dollars to Sassone from a 'business dealing' where Camaioni had scored big. Sassone came to collect his due, at the same time that Perkins and Co. were celebrating. It was just a wrong place, wrong time thing for Perkins, having been hit by Camaioni's through and through from the 50 Caliber Eagle.
A sad ending of a promising son.
"I thought you never wanted to see me again." he said coolly.
There she stood. Eight o'clock at night. At his door.
He hadn't expected to see her again, however much he wanted to.
"Can I come in?" she hated that she felt so intimidated by him. She never used to. She was always the one to stand up to him. What was different? Oh, that's right. He hated her! And with good reason, too.
"Why?" he crossed his arms. She really wished he hadn't of. He was still all too distracting in his staple, a pair of jeans, and a wife beater. That was her Achilles heel. Always was, always will be. But this time she hoped she stood her ground.
Distracting herself from his chest, she shrugged.
"I thought I owed you an explanation….why I did what I did."
As much as he wanted to slam the door in her face and say he never wanted to see her again, just like she had done, he still had questions. Questions that no DNA sample or microscope could answer.
He also couldn't forget the feelings he held for her years ago. He still cared for her, he still enjoyed talking to her, and he certainly enjoyed seeing her.
"Fine." Was his one word answer. Stepping from the door, he allowed her to enter.
Walking into the living room, she wasn't all that surprised. This place just screamed Danny. A couch, a chair, a table, a desk and a TV set. Dark green curtains hung over the windows, while a dark mahogany bookstand stood on the opposite wall.
Danny moved by her to sit in his chair. Three or four beer bottles slept tender on the floor beside it. Drinking had been his favourite past time lately. Not enough to get drunk, but enough to ease the relentless days.
Almost hesitantly she sat down on the couch and put her hands in her lap. This was going to be hard.
"First, I'm gonna say all I have to say, then you can ask questions." If she was going to tell him the whole thing, she was going have some ground rules. If he interrupted, it would make this conversation more difficult, and it would probably end in another war of words. Danny nodded in agreement.
"After graduation…"
They had spent the better part of four hours delving into the past and revealing emotions.
Lindsay told him about it all. Her fears, her insecurities, her depression, her failed marriage, her inability to escape the boy she birthed and the man she loved. Everything.
Throughout the evening, Danny had begun to understand. Never in his life had he pictured this much turmoil in her life. He figured she was being inconsiderate when she up and left. He figured she didn't care. He was wrong. He had no idea of what kind of pain she had gone though. Danny thought he hurt! What he had was a paper cut to what she had. She had carried the child! She had given birth to him! She was more emotionally bonded than he could ever be.
They talked about the child that bonded them to each other and brought them together again. Danny felt guilty that his past had unconsciously killed his son, but Lindsay had adamantly told him otherwise. The guilt would never leave him, though he guess this was what she felt like as well.
Somewhere along the way, conversations led to laughs, and reminiscing. They remembered the one on one football games where they usually ended up lying on the football field covered in mud from head to toe. The late night study sessions, and yes they did study. The time they skipped English to go rollerblading. The time Lindsay's mom came after Danny with a rolling pin for giving her a hickey.
They seemed to be back in their old comfortable groove. But along with their restored closeness, came restored feelings. Danny had been struggling with his minds anger towards her, and his hearts remembrance of her. He was finding it difficult to be anger with her after her explanation and sitting here laughing with her was making him fall for her all over again. Lindsay meanwhile, was feeling trapped. One part of her was enjoying his company, and being able to tell him her greatest fears. The other wanted to run, far, far away and forget he ever existed.
It wasn't until Danny handed her another beer and their fingers touch, when slight flirtations found their way into the conversations. Later still, sexual innuendos had developed and that smirk Danny had on was getting to her, like it always did. It was about time she should go.
"Well it's getting late."
Danny looked at his watch. She was right. It was 2:17 in the morning.
Lindsay stood up from the couch. Danny followed.
"It's about time I should go. I don't want to miss my flight." She couldn't help but hear the disappointment in her own voice.
"What? You're leaving?" Danny was getting that unsettling feeling he had all those years ago.
"Yeah. Tomorrow. My flight leaves at one." Lindsay gave a weak smile.
"Why?" Danny knew it was a rather dumb question. She eventually had to leave; he had just prayed it wasn't this soon.
She shrugged "The paperwork's done, I saw my son, the case is closed." Oh, he's going to make this difficult.
Danny looked at the floor. He was really bad at this feelings stuff. "But can't you stay a little longer? I feel bad about how I behaved earlier and I'd…like to spend more time with you."
Danny wanted her to stay? He wasn't supposed to. This wasn't going like she had planned.
"That flight is already made. And if I don't go now I won't be able to." One of those reasons why she wouldn't be able was standing right in front of her.
"Cancel it. I really want you to stay." Danny cursed himself. He knew what he was saying was his heart talking. It never spoke before. Why couldn't it shut up now!
"Danny… what are you saying?" She asked hesitantly. She hoped he wasn't saying what she thought.
"Stay. Don't leave. I've…really enjoyed having you around…I've…m…missed you so much." She was breaking his heart all over again.
Lindsay bit her lip. "Danny, I never expected to see you again. I never wanted to see you again."
He put a hand on her arm and pulled her away from the door. "Please stay. We can work things out. " Was he asking her to be with him? Was he admitting he still had feelings for her? Lindsay was at a crossroads. The hurt in his eyes and the need in his voice were almost tormenting. Yet, she was going to hold her ground. She hoped.
"Danny…"
"Please! I'm just…I'd like you to give us another shot. You're the only woman I've ever felt like this with." There! He had said it.
Lindsay wanted to bang her head against a wall, or pray that a heavy object would fall on her. No, no, no! He wasn't supposed to say this sort of thing!
"Danny, you can't expect me to drop everything just because we were nice to each other for six hours." Danny shifted his feet. He said nothing. He knew he was being unrealistic. He had just hoped he could change her mind.
"I live in Montana. I have a job there. My family lives there." She knew what she was about to say was going to hurt, maybe even kill, but she needed him to know she had no other choice. "There's nothing to keep me here."
She visibly saw him cringe. Danny felt like he got kicked in the stomach. No wait. He felt like he got run over by a bus. That was more accurate. Danny couldn't say anything.
Lindsay put her hand on the doorknob and hung her head. "It was nice seeing you again, Danny."
It was now or never.
Reaching out, Danny brought his hands up to thread through her hair as for the first time in sixteen years, his lips connected with hers.
Lindsay made a small sound of shock but that was all.
She didn't tense up, she didn't stop him, she didn't push away. She was too preoccupied with what she felt.
No primal hunger, no anger, no lust. Just pure adoration, sincerity, and what could have felt like love.
Never-the-less, whether she wanted to or not, she responded.
His lips, gently, yet powerfully caressed her own as she allowed herself to be pulled into his chest.
This being the first kiss in so many years, if she was going to let him, Danny would take his time.
As Danny deepened the kiss, he felt her hands move to cling to the front of his tank as if her entire being depended on it.
She had tasted fantastic then, she tasted incredible now. He lips, slightly more full, her hair, shorter but still silky smooth, her body, more toned and trim, but still a perfect fit.
When Danny titled Lindsay's head for more access as his tongue parted her lips, and a moan rippled from deep within her throat, he lost all control.
In moments they found themselves locked in a heated, feverish embrace. Both nipping and biting at the other like a pack of hyenas over a rotting antelope in Africa.
Danny felt her pull away, but only slightly, and again, he couldn't help it. He bit down, rather aggressively on her lower lip. Ecstasy and agony warned against each other when Lindsay felt a meager tinge of pain. Giving in to euphoric delight, the pain instantly vanished.
Even using all the power they held, neither could stop.
As Danny pulled more violently on her hair, Lindsay felt herself become more submissive. Danny had always been the dominant factor in the relationship. He liked to be in control. Even so, many times before Lindsay had put aside whatever urge she had, to allow logic to overtake her. Just as she was taught…other than the one time. But still, no matter how much logic she held, his kisses always had the same effect. He would end closing the deal, while she had long taken the bait.
The demand of his tongue against hers was making her dizzy and disoriented. She hadn't even realized he had removed his hands from her hair, until a cool breeze met with the warm skin of her back. He had slid his hands up the back of her shirt.
Lord have mercy! Give me the strength to pull away!
She knew she was in trouble. If she didn't pull back now, she wouldn't be able to later.
Almost savagely she ripped herself apart from Danny, both parties were flushed and gasping for air.
With fear of make eye contact, Lindsay bolted for the door and before vanishing around the corner whispered.
"Goodbye Danny."
For the third time in his life, she had left him standing alone. At least this time, he had a goodbye.
Author's Note: If nobody remembers the 3 times she left him, 1- high school, 2- argument in the conference room, 3-this time. I decided not to have the whole 20 questions conversation b/c we already know what happened. If you don't remember, re-read the first chapter.