Linda's Story

Not Exactly Model Behavior

Danny smiled as Linda's words mostly went in one ear and out the other. He was not interested in fashion- he found most of the trends stupid, but if his wife was happy, he was too.

"She asked just out of nowhere! And I haven't been to a fashion show since... since I saw Elliot's collection!" That had been in the early 2000s.

He wrapped an arm around her when she finally laid down in bed. He chuckled at her enthusiasm, knowing Erin was probably getting the same super-excited, super-speed babbles he was getting.

"But what am I gonna wear?!"

**********

If someone had told Linda she'd be rushing up to the catwalk and taking a model's pulse at a fashion show, she would have laughed and asked them in what dimension. But now here she was, kneeling over a girl's body in her very expensive red dress.

"Linda?" Wendy's voice broke through the noise around them.

"Call an ambulance." She started to get the necklaces and the girl's hair out of her face. "Erin! Check Sophie!"

She didn't know if Erin had responded to her, or even had heard her.

"What're you doing?" Wendy asked in a panicked voice.

"CPR," Linda said quickly, focusing on trying to get the girl- what was her name? Millie?- to breathe again. "What's her name, Wendy?"

"Millie."

She nodded, before giving mouth to mouth. She checked the pulse- nothing. "Come on, Millie, you can do it." She wasn't giving up yet.

"I found a very faint pulse on Sophie," Erin yelled from a few feet away.

"She's okay? Is she going to be okay?!" Wendy frantically looked from Erin to Linda to Sophie. "What about Millie?"

"Wendy! I need you to calm down," Linda was on autopilot. She needed to get Millie to breathe. She just need the tiniest bit of a pulse to start out.

Linda didn't hear Wendy's protests over the loud ambulance sirens. Someone- she doubted it was Wendy- Must have called 9-1-1.

***********

She stared at herself in the hospital bathroom mirror. Her hairstyle was long-since gone, flyaways and frizz making her look like an insane Aunt. She grabbed a small comb from her purse and quickly brushed the flyaways.

"Didn't look that great to start out with anyway," she mumbled to herself. Why had she though that slicked back look looked good on her? She looked like a stuck up, mean politician's wife!

Linda shook her head as she wiped off her smeared lipstick. She didn't really bother applying more as she tossed the paper towel into the trash.

When she saw Wendy pacing again, she hugged her tightly. "Sophie's going to be okay."

"She's in a coma."

"She's alive. The doctors and nurses are doing everything they can. They've already given her a general antidote."

Wendy only nodded, words still not really registering at this point.

"I'll get you some water."

"Whiskey would be better."

"They don't have that here. With good reason."

"Water then." Her voice was dead and her eyes were tired and lifeless.

For once, Linda could truly sympathize with Wendy. She knew the heartache and the questions swirling around in her sister's head. She had had the same thoughts and reactions when she lost her daughter.

She was headed back to her sister with the water cup in hand, when a familiar voice called to her. She smiled a little bit, the knot in her stomach and chest loosening the tiniest bit when she saw those green eyes.

"You okay?" Danny asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.

She nodded, "I'm okay."

"And Wendy?"

"She's... as good as she can be."

"What happened?" He and Jackie started walking back with Linda.

"I already told the scene officers, but Millie and Sophie just collapsed. They were on the catwalk and suddenly fell over. I tried to save Millie, but..." she shook her head. "Sophie's in a coma."

They all stopped walking and talking when they got to Wendy. She accepted the water without any thank you, downing it in one.

Linda raised her eyebrows before sitting next to her sister. She listened quietly as Wendy answered Jackie and Danny's questions.

Once they were done with the questioning, Linda looked at Danny. She knew he wouldn't like what she was going to propose. "Danny? Do you think Wendy could stay with us? Just until Sophie gets better."

"I have a hotel room-" Wendy started to say, but never got to finish.

"Go home with Linda," Danny said. "You can pick up your bags and things tomorrow."

"You need to rest right now, Wendy," Linda rubbed her shoulder. "And you're not going to get any in an unfamiliar hotel room."

"Your car is still at the-"

"I'll get a uniform to drive you there, and escort you back."

"We don't need an escort, Danny," his wife smirked and rolled her eyes with affection.

"Just do it. It's late."

She wasn't going to argue with him. "Come on, Wendy. Let's go home."

Wendy nodded and started to walk off with Linda. They paused, Linda pointed to Danny and Jackie, and Wendy walked towards the exit while Linda came back.

"Thank you," she told Danny before kissing him quickly.

He smiled and ran a hand through her hair. "Be careful."

"You too. Find whoever did this to our niece."

"We will."

***********

"He's not doing anything to help Sophie!" Wendy complained, a day after she had yelled at Linda.

"He's doing all he can, Wendy. Murder investigations are never quick and easy."

"But he's just sitting on his ass! He's never helped me or Sophie. He hates us! The least he could do is-"

"Hey!" Linda shouted over Wendy's little rant. "Excuse me, but Danny's doing all her can to figure out who did this to Sophie. The poison wasn't even meant for Sophie! Danny figured that out. No one was trying to hurt your daughter. Danny didn't come home till three last night, because he's trying to find out what happened to Millie and to Sophie. He left at seven this morning, to track down this Damian or Dorian fellow. And how do you repay Danny? By saying he isn't doing anything all because he hates you! If he hated you, he wouldn't be working the case, and he most definitely wouldn't have let you stay at the house."

Wendy looked like she wanted to say something, like she wanted to argue, but Linda continued.

"So don't you dare bad-mouth him. Understand?!"

"Linda, I just want answers!"

"He's getting you answers. But he'll never be good enough for you, will he?" She stalked out of the hospital room.

She had held back so many words she had wanted to say. She had wanted to call her selfish, entitled, Princess. "Bigger person, Linda. Bigger person," she mumbled to herself as she started her car.

Why did she and Wendy always bump heads?