Chapter Text
A New Beginning
Over the next few days, Malcolm gets better. Once he is able to stand and take a few steps, he starts arguing about leaving the hospital. His doctor advises him against it, and when Malcolm still asks for AMA papers, Gil encourages him to stay a couple more days. After threatening his desk at the precinct, Malcolm begrudgingly agrees to wait until the doctors willingly discharge him.
They filled him in on the case. The hostage-takers have all been apprehended, and the goons started singing right away. The man who shot him—Daniel Grant—will be facing attempted murder charges for shooting Malcolm along with the other roster of crimes he and his colleagues committed. The allegations they made against Hale consultancies led to the launch of a formal investigation into Jullian Hale’s business activities. Malcolm knows that Jullian’s gonna get out of it easily, but with all the media coverage and scandal, his company will suffer greatly. So in a way, the kidnappers got what they wanted.
His relationship with Dani remains in limbo. She still visits him every day. They joke and laugh—and flirt sometimes—but she purposely changes the topic whenever he brings up what happened the other day. Malcolm knows something’s happened to her, but he just doesn’t know what. At one point, she sighs and asks that he gives her some time, promising that she’ll talk to him but not yet. Malcolm nods wistfully and doesn’t bring it up again.
Finally, after an extremely dull and overly thorough stay at the hospital, Malcolm gets his discharge papers. Ecstatic is not enough to describe how he feels about leaving this place. The way he sees it, he’s been fit and ready to leave a week ago. Malcolm quickly packs whatever belongings he has and doesn’t even wait to call Gil or anyone to drive him home. He fills in all the required paperwork, and as he makes his way to the taxi stop, he finds Dani waiting for him, a knowing smile on her face.
Malcolm stops in his tracks and takes a second to admire how beautiful she looks before he asks. “How did you know?”
“What? That you were going to run out of this place the second you got released?” she frowns and acts as if she’s deep in thought before quickly saying. “Ah! Maybe because you’ve been complaining about it for the past week.”
“Okay,” Malcolm laughs and lowers his head. “Fair.”
“How are you feeling?” Dani asks and extends her hands, offering to take his bag. Malcolm shakes his head slightly, and they both walk on.
“I’m feeling great!”
“Really?” she throws a suspicious glance his way.
“Yes!” and maybe it came out a little more excited than need be. “What about you?”
“Same old,” she shrugs. “Come! Car’s parked this way.”
~💎~~💠~~💎~
Turns out, (surprise surprise) Malcolm’s not as great as he pretended to be when she asked him. Taking the stairs up to his loft was not an easy task. Seeing how tired and in pain he still is, Dani helps him up the rest of the stairs, and he's panting by the time they reach the loft.
“You shouldn’t have left the hospital,” she says reproachfully.
“Doctor said… I could leave,” Malcolm says between gasps of air. “It’ll just … take … time.”
Dani watches him walk inside and tries to think of a witty remark. And maybe it’s something about Malcolm being out of breath or the way he’s still limping, but Dani gets assaulted by the haunting images of him lying in a pool of blood, barely alive. His eyes glassy, his features pained. Blood everywhere.
Dani’s paralyzed with panic as she relives the memories and doesn’t realize it until Malcolm touches her hands. She gasps, frantic eyes meeting his worried ones.
“—Dani,” Malcolm is looking at her with obvious concern. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Uhh.. yes!” she nods quickly. “I just… I think I need some water.”
Malcolm doesn’t look convinced, but like he promised, he doesn’t press for answers. He slowly nods and walks to the sink.
He’s fine. She tells herself over and over. He made it. He’s fine.
Her therapist said those images were just due to the recent trauma. That those images were a manifestation of her own guilt and will eventually go away. Dani’s frustration boils over because ‘eventually’ is not soon enough!
Smiling warmly, Malcolm hands her the glass of water, and he leads her to his couch. Feeling already calmer after the water and sitting down, Dani starts to feel more in control of herself and her breathing.
She watches as Malcolm walks to his Vinyl player, fiddles with it, and then Mack the knife starts playing. Knitting her eyebrows, she looks at him and finds him grinning widely. “Wanna dance?”
It makes her laugh, despite herself, and the rush of serotonin helps calm her down fully.
“Or you’re gonna refuse me again?” he pouts, then winks.
Dani raises an eyebrow. He's speaking about the night she had to take care of him after a bag of drugs exploded in his face. “I thought you said you didn’t remember any of it.”
“I didn’t,” Malcolm shrugs. “But, some stuff came back. Umm, how are you feeling now?”
Dani takes another breath and assesses herself. “I’m fine,” she says, surprised. When she was alone, she had a harder time calming down. Maybe seeing Malcolm alive in front of her helps. Or maybe he knew exactly what was wrong with her and how to calm her down?
Malcolm nods and sits next to her, wincing as he does. “Is this what happened? Back at the hospital,” he asks, confirming her suspicions.
“What do you mean?” She tries to deflect, but Malcolm sighs.
“Dani,” is all he says, but his meaning is clear. Not only is he a profiler, but he’s a victim of CPTSD as well… He would know the signs more than anyone else.
Dani’s shoulders drop. “I thought you said you weren’t going to profile me anymore,” she says, and her voice sounds so small in her ears; it’s embarrassing.
“I promised you I wouldn’t,” he says solemnly, trying to meet her eyes when she averts her gaze. “It’s why it took me so long to figure it out. But seeing you right now… I just knew.”
Dani takes a moment to compose herself before she looks back at him. Malcolm’s whole body is turned towards her, and he’s staring at her intently, giving her all of his attention. Seeing him like that helps her overcome her initial fear of opening up. She takes a shaky breath and lets it go. “That day at the hospital. When I leaned in to kiss you. I — I think it was the position? I don’t know… but all I could see was your face. Unconscious. Lying in that pool of blood.”
He tentatively reaches out, putting his hand on hers. When she doesn’t pull back, he squeezes. “Dani, I’m sorry,” he says.
“It’s not your fault,” she shrugs and looks away again. And she thought opening up to her therapist was hard.
Malcolm says nothing, and the silence stretches between them for a few seconds. Then he finally says….asks. “But you think it’s … yours?”
Dani audibly sighs, but she can’t bring herself to be mad at him this time for profiling. She needs to get this off her shoulders. That weight she’s been carrying ever since that night, getting heavier every day. She slowly nods. “I should've had your back. I should’ve protected you.”
“Dani, you did! You saved—” Malcolm begins, but she interrupts him.
“Malcolm, you were shot right in front of me. You almost bled out while I held you! I—I almost lost you!” The words tumble out of her mouth, and she pulls her hands away from his grip. Dani digs her palms into her eyes, wishing she could just stop her eyes from tearing up.
“Hey, look at me,” Malcolm says, and as she turns to meet his eyes, a few tears roll down her face. She sniffs and rubs them away. “It wasn’t your fault, Dani. You have nothing to worry about,” he smiles sadly. “Take it from someone who lived his entire life feeling guilty about something that wasn’t his own doing.”
“But—” she argues.
“No buts,” Malcolm continues. “First of all, this wasn’t official business. We were civilians in that ball. We weren’t work partners on a mission…you were my date. But more importantly, you seem to forget that I was the idiot who decided to talk down six armed hostiles who had hostages. I acted recklessly, and I didn’t even take your opinion before I did, right?”
“Yeah…” she huffs, remembering how frustrated she was with him when he did that.
“See, if anything, you saved my life, Dani. You helped keep pressure on the wound. You helped me hold on,” he keeps his eyes focused on hers, and Dani can see how genuine and sincere he is. “You are the only reason I’m still alive.”
And there is something so real about those eyes… so mesmerizing. It’s like Dani can see through his soul, like she can reach for it. It fills her heart with warmth, calms her fears. For the first time since the whole thing happened, Dani feels like she can breathe easily. Like the burden she was carrying wasn’t really hers to hold alone.
“I’m sorry I caused you so much pain and distress,” Malcolm breaks eye contact, lowering his head to stare at his hands. “I wasn’t thinking of me…uh… of us when I got up and tried to talk them down, and—”
“You were thinking of the victims, I know,” Dani grabs his arm, and he looks back at her. “But, if… if we’re gonna do this, you need to try to be more careful,” she says. Because she really cares about him. Because she can’t have him get shot again… or kidnapped or hurt in any way. Because she loves him.
Malcolm holds her eyes and says solemnly. “I promise you that I will try to be better.”
“Thank you,” she smiles in relief.
“You’re gonna be careful too?” Malcolm raises a questioning eyebrow.
“Malcolm, we call it pulling a Bright for a reason,” she smirks.
“That’s true,” he agrees guiltily.
“But, yes! I will be careful too.”
“It’s a start,” he nods, and they both grin. He turns his palm, an invitation, and her hands easily slide into his… like two jigsaw pieces that fit.
“I’m so tired,” Dani sighs and sinks back into the couch. She’s been burdened with guilt and fear ever since the accident, and having all those feelings lifted makes her realize how exhausted she really was.
“Good thing we have nothing to do all day,” Malcolm smiles. “Are you hungry? I’m starving,” he says.
“You? Nope. Don’t buy it.”
“Trust me,” he gets up excitedly and hurries to the island. Only Dani’s keen eyes notice how his face momentarily contorted in pain as he got up. “What do you want to eat? I’ll cook for you.”
“Or,” Dani walks to him and grabs his hand, pulling him back to the couch. “We could order Chinese.”
“Are you saying I can’t cook?” He says, affronted, and Dani’s grin grows wider.
“Nope,” she gets him settled on the couch and sinks in next to him. “I am saying you’re still injured and need to rest.”
At first, Malcolm looks like he wants to keep the banter going, but Dani can see the moment he sits on the couch that it’s a losing battle. So, after a moment of silence, he just says. “Actually... rest kinda sounds great.”
~💎~~💠~~💎~
Ordering takeout turned out to be a great idea. Malcolm should let Dani make the decisions when it comes to dates from now on. Especially because he does not know how to cook—his grand romantic gesture would have been disastrous. Plus, he was really sore and not in his normal physique, despite how hard he tried to convince everyone else otherwise.
The rest of the day goes by in a blink. Malcolm finds himself wishing the clock would slow, but it never does. They talk and laugh and flirt over their dinner. Then when it’s over, Malcolm brings two bottles of coke for them, and Dani suggests they watch a crime movie. Apparently, a mistake because Malcolm kept guessing the events and spoiling the movie. Thirty minutes in, and while Malcolm explains why it’s obvious that the judge is the killer and how dumb everyone is for not seeing it, Dani just pauses the movie and gives him an amused look.
“What?” Malcolm stops talking and feels his ears burning.
“You’re no fun at this at all, are you?”
“I mean, it’s kinda my job. I can’t help myself,” he tries to defend himself.
“Well, I’m a detective too,” she squints, lips twitching as she tries to conceal the smirk tugging at her lips. “But you’re the worst person to watch a crime show with.”
“Am not,” he says weakly. “Wanna do something else? Music?”
“Nah…” Dani shakes her head. “How about I challenge you?” And she shrugs towards the chess set on his table.
“Ooh? Ahh, but I have to warn you,” he smiles confidently. “I’m kinda good at this.”
“Are you now?” she takes a sip from her coke and winks. “Then you won’t mind a little wager? If I win, you won’t interrupt the rest of the movie.”
“And if I win?” He asks, quirking an eyebrow.
Dani shrugs and hides her smile behind another sip.
“You will dance with me?” Malcolm ventures, and she blushes.
“Sure,” she settles in front of the table. “We have a deal.”
Malcolm laughs and sits on the opposite end. He already sees Dani get into her ‘focus’ mode—something he noticed she always does when he first joined the team. A furrowed brow, focused eyes, and biting her lips.
Malcolm realizes early on that Dani’s actually good. He tries to focus, but his opponent is just so distracting in her beauty. Whenever she moves, it sends jolts of electricity through his spine. When she bites her lips, he wishes he could kiss them, and when she catches him staring, her cheeks warm up, and he feels like he’s flying.
Seeing Dani, being around her, talking to her... it’s the best he’s felt in weeks. Even Dani seems a lot lighter when she’s around him. There’s just something in the air between them. It feels good. It feels right.
“Checkmate.”
“What?” Malcolm snaps from his thoughts. “Can’t be?” He mumbles as he checks the chessboard and realizes it’s over. He’s lost.
Dani is eyeing him with an amused expression, waiting for him to admit defeat.
“Fine,” he fake pouts and tips his king over in surrender. “You win.”
Dani snickers. “I knew I did three moves ago. If you weren’t so distracted, you would have noticed.”
“You never told me you were this good at chess,” he tells her as he arranges all the pieces back on the board.
“I had a couple of rounds with our friend, Gerald, when I visited him,” she shrugs. “He seemed like he needed company.”
Malcolm smiles in admiration. “Well, you win the bet.” He makes his fingers over his mouth as if he’s zipping his lips. “No more comments. No more spoilers.”
It makes Dani chuckle. “I’ll make tea.”
“I’ll help!”
“No,” she pushes him gently back on the couch. “You stay put and wait for me.”
“You’re in charge,” he relents and relaxes onto the couch.
True to his words, he doesn’t speak for the rest of the movie. And even though he's managed to solve the mystery twenty minutes in, he enjoys every bit of it. Mainly because Dani is sitting by his side, her head resting on his shoulder. When the movie ends, he sighs dejectedly, knowing that Dani will have to leave.
“It’s getting late,” she says as she checks her phone. “I have a text from Gil. He’s asking if you’re doing okay.”
Malcolm hums. He’s more than okay. “Tell him I’m great.”
Dani gives him a stern look. “I told him you’re still recovering. No work for you, yet.”
Malcolm’s face falls, but he nods. “Sure, I promised you I’ll be careful.”
“You did,” Dani repeats, and she stands, preparing to leave.
Malcolm gets up and walks her to the door, his heart beating so loud he can hear it thundering in his ears.
Dani puts on her coat and scarf and turns to him. “I had a great time today.”
“Me too,” Malcolm breathes. “Maybe next time I can take you to dinner somewhere.”
“Sounds nice,” Dani nods, and awkwardly, they both go for a hug. Being so close, Malcolm swears her heart is beating as fast as his.
They slowly break their careful embrace, but they stop where their faces meet. Her eyes bore into his soul. Malcolm sees the hunger in her eyes, the want, and her consent. His eyes fall to her lips, and before he even knows it, they both lean in for a kiss.
And it’s just as magical and passionate as their first time. Like fireworks sounded around then. Malcolm holds her closer, and he feels her hand in his hair. He closes his eyes as he feels the symphony his heart is playing, as he tastes her, breathes her in. And it’s everything he’s ever wanted. Everything he needed. She’s the most wonderful thing that has happened to him, and he doesn’t want to stop. He wants to kiss every inch of her body; he wants to take her to his bed. He doesn’t want to let go.
But he promised they would take things slow, so he gently breaks apart. They’re both breathing heavily and looking flushed under the small light above his door.
“About time,” he murmurs, and Dani giggles. Slowly, her hand rises to her lips, and she bites them and sighs.
Malcolm watches her as she fixes herself and opens the door.
"I should...go?" She says, more of a question than a statement. Malcolm can tell she doesn't want to leave. He doesn't want her to leave, either.
But this is worth taking their time. Doing things right.
"Can I see you tomorrow?" he asks, knowing it will ease the sting of goodbye.
Her smile could light up the entire city. "It's a date."