All's Fair in Love and War

Chapter 9: Home Sweet Home

Since the day that she had read the letter, Mary had tried to pretend that everything was okay. But everything was not okay, as usual. Her best friend, the man who had always protected her, was dying. Tears still seemed to slip from her eyes time to time, but she made sure no one saw them. She had to stay strong; she had to stay strong for Danny.

Mary didn't need anyone to feel sorry for her, but they all did. She wished that this whole situation would just go away; she wished it was all a dream. Mary walked out of the Bella Sera and onto the Casino Floor, where she spotted Nessa.

"Hey," she greeted Nessa softly.

"Hey," the British woman replied. "You doing alright."

"I'm fine…just fine."

"You still coming out with us tonight?" the pit boss asked her.

"Yeah, at Mystique right?"

"Yeah. I'll talk to you later, I have to get back to work."

"See ya." Mary continued on her way, helping people who were lost in the huge casino and hotel. She stopped suddenly when she approached the north end of the casino. A marine stood there walking towards her. "Omigod," she whispered to herself when she saw who stood behind him. Mary immediately ran towards her best friend and gave him a gigantic hug, almost knocking him off his crutches.

Danny returned the hug, taking in the moment. It felt good to be back in Mary's arms. "I missed you so much, Mare."

In return, Mary kissed Danny passionately. He wiped the tears away from the corner of her eyes; his eyes gazing into her's the whole time. "I love you," he whispered before stealing another kiss.

"I love you too," she whispered back as she caressed his cheek. They continued to stare at each other until Chris Johnson cleared his throat.

Danny looked away from Mary for just a second. "That's Lt. Johnson; one of my buddies while I was over there."

"Nice to meet you," Mary said, extending her hand.

"I see Danny has a very good taste in women," Chris replied shaking her hand. Mary blushed at his statement.

"Yeah, I do." Mary looked up at Danny, smiling like she had never before; she was so glad that Danny was home.

Thinking about why Danny was home, she looked down at the floor. Danny noticed her change in attitude. "What's wrong, babe?"

"Danny, you're dying," she finally said. "You have less than three weeks to live!"

Danny looked away from her gorgeous eyes. "I know."

Mary decided to change the subject since right now she really did not want to face reality. "I bet everyone wants to see you. Why don't I go get them?"

Danny grabbed her elbow before she could walk off. "I'll talk to them tomorrow. Right now I just wanna be with you."

Mary smiled and tenderly kissed his lips. "Okay."

"You know I always did want to try a hand at gambling," Chris said interrupting their kiss.

"I'll go find Nessa," Mary said walking off.

"I'll meet you in the parking lot!" Danny shouted after her.

She slightly turned around blowing him a kiss and waving good-bye, smiling the whole time.

Meanwhile…

"Push in on 35," Ed Deline told his employee, Mike Cannon.

"Why? There's no action over there," Mike questioned the older man.

"Because I said so, now do it."

The African-American man did as he was told. "Looks like Mary found a new love interest," he said as he looked at the monitor, which showed Mary kissing a man whose back faced the camera.

"She couldn't have gotten over Danny that fast. It's only been about five days since she found out he was dying."

"Yeah, but she is all over that guy."

"I know." The man's face jotted across the screen. "Wait, freeze that, Mike."

He froze the image and blew it up. He instantly knew who the man was. "That's not who I think it is, is it?"

"Well I'll be damned," Ed said as he stared at Danny's face on the monitor.

"Nessa can you do me a favor?" Mary asked as she approached the pit boss.

"Sure, what is it?"

"I need you to teach a guy how to gamble, I'm guessing he's never been to Vegas before."

"What's the man's name?"

"Lt. Chris Johnson." Mary said as Nessa looked up at her confused. "He's a friend of Danny's."

"Alright, where can I find him?"

"He's at the Bella Sera. I have to go now someone's expecting me out in the parking lot."

"Ahh, does Mary Connell have a date?" the British woman teased her friend, glad that she was moving on from the Danny situation.

"Who knows. I'll catch you later. Bye."

"Bye." Nessa watched as Mary walked away, noticing that her attitude had changed greatly in the last half-hour.

"Ness!" Mike shouted across the casino. "Where's Mary going?" he asked out of breath.

"Apparently on a date."

"Do you know who her date is?"

"No, why?" she asked puzzled at Mike's questions.

Mike pulled Nessa closer to him so he could whisper something in her ear. "Danny was spotted with Mary earlier in the casino today."

"How long ago?"

"Five, ten minutes."

"I think he's waiting for her out in the parking lot. That's where she said she was heading."

"Thanks," Mike began to run off but Nessa called after him.

"Mike, don't do it today."

The ex-valet walked back to her. "What do you mean?"

"He just got back and it seems he wants to spend the night with Mary…alone."

"But, Ness—"

"Mike, you'll see him tomorrow, and if you don't then you have my permission to go after him."

"What am I gonna do about Ed? I mean he's the one who told me to go after Danny."

"Tell Ed you couldn't find him."

"But can't you get fired for lying to your boss?"

"Then it's a price you're going to have to pay. Do this for Danny, he's dying Mike."

"I guess you're right." Mike looked down at his watch. "Well looks like I'm off anyway. See you tomorrow."

"Bye, Mike."

"Does Mike still have your car?" Mary asked as she got into her own; Danny in the passenger seat unable to drive because of his leg.

"Yeah, hopefully I'll get it tomorrow."

"I don't think you will, Mike absolutely fell in love with it while you were gone."

"Then I won't be the only one around here on crutches," Danny joked.

"So, what's that Chris guy doing here?"

"Uh, he got discharged and I told him I didn't have a way home so he offered to take me to Vegas."

"Are you only here because of that disease?" she asked her voice full of worry.

"Yeah," Danny replied in a soft whisper.

Mary cleared her throat. "So where do you want to go?" she asked changing the subject once again.

"I don't care. Just as long as it's with you." Mary smiled at Danny and stole another kiss from his lips.

"I love you, Danny," she told him when the kiss ended.

"I love you too." Mary started her car and drove out onto the strip; her car ended up parked outside of her own place.

ooOoo

an: reviews greatly appreciated!

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Charmboy4: hey, hey, hey. at least i waited to do a letter. lol. thanks!

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