I've been thinking about how Dani and Nico would come together - I think it would be more of an "accident" then something planned. So here is what I've come up with…enjoy and let me know what you think. If it goes over well, I'll continue the story line.
"Dr. Santino, Marshall Pittman won't take no for an answer" – Nico knew he overused this phrase whenever a new patient came along for Dani, but sometimes it was easier than arguing with her. It always ended up the same anyways, with her agreeing to meet with the person and somehow being able to figure out the problem.
"Fine Nico, if you can give me the address, I'll head over now. The kids are with Ray this weekend so I'm at loose ends anyway". Dani like the arguing part with Nico about Marshall Pittman's latest edict. It wasn't in her nature to say no to someone in need and deep down she knew Nico understood this, but she liked the give and take. Somehow it made her feel alive to argue with Nico in a way that the neither 17 years with Ray or her short time with Matt made her feel. Matt – she needed to figure out Matt. They had been together a few times and it was really nice, he was one of the good guys and a keeper for sure. She just wasn't sure anymore if he was "her" keeper.
Nico watched all of these thoughts cross her face. She wore her emotions on her sleeve and was incredibly easy to read, at least to Nico "No address, we are heading to the airport. Aspen actually. The client is an Olympic downhill skier who refuses to get on the slopes. There is a big race this weekend for charity and if Shay Grayson doesn't hit the slopes, it's going to be embarrassing for Pittman, and he doesn't liked to be embarrassed"
"Aspen, like in Colorado? Jeesh Nico, nothing like a little side trip. Fine, but I need to be back by Sunday night".
As they made their way to the private airport, Dani turned to Nico and laid her hand on his arm. She tried to ignore how Nico tensed under the weight of her hand, as if her touch was not a welcome thing. She knew this, and yet she couldn't stop herself. She had always been one to touch and that wasn't going to change, whether he liked it or not.
"Wait Nico, clothes, I need warm clothes" As Dani said the words out loud, she knew that Nico would have thought of all the details, it's what he did best. "Let me guess, everything I need is on the plane, right?"
Five hours later, with Nico at the wheel of a black SUV they were on their way up a snow covered mountain. With someone else driving, Dani would have been nervous, but she always felt safe with Nico. Just when she thought that they must be lost, Nico pulled through a set of gates that led to the most beautiful house Dani had ever seen. Without asking, she knew it was Marshal Pittman's house. She also wondered if Gabrielle was here. If she was, there was no way she could stay under the same roof as that woman, knowing how Nico had and maybe still felt about her.
Dani has been touched when Nico had opened up to her that night in the mall about his feelings. She had insisted on giving his dollar back to him because she didn't want to be his therapist, she knew that if she ever was, any doors on friendship or anything else for that matter would be closed forever and while Dani wasn't sure exactly what she wanted out of Nico, she knew she needed to leave that door open.
"Nico, is Garbrielle"…..she couldn't finish the sentence and looked away from Nico's intense gaze. "No, Dr. Santino, as far as I know, Gabrielle is with Marshall on a yacht off the coast of Italy, trying to save their marriage. They are as far away from us as possible, but Shay is here. We thought it best to keep him away from the parties in Town until you can figure out what's going on and how to "fix" him.
Nico was relieved when he had found out where the dysfunctional couple was. Since he had found out that Juliette wasn't his, that Gabrielle had just let him think that she was for 20 years to keep him close, something inside had died. The love that he had for Gabrielle all of these years would always be there, but it now seemed distant, as if it had happened to someone else.
Pulling up in front of the door, he put the SUV into park, got out and came around to help Dani. Those 4 inch heels wouldn't stand a chance on the slick walkway and he didn't want her falling. Taking her to the front door, he knocked and waited until Shay answered the door. Satisfied that Dani was going to be okay, he turned to leave. "Nico?" Dani's question stopped him in his tracks. Something about the way she said his name – damn, it got him every time. Knowing what she was asking, he turned to her. "I'll be back at first light Dr. Santino to pick you up. If you need me earlier, just call"
Nico waited until Dani closed the door, released the breath he hadn't realized he had been holding, got back into the SUV and drove back down the hill to wait for the sun to come up so he could come back and get her.
Standing on the porch early the next morning, Dani was happy to wait for Nico outside. Shay's issue was a minor one. Nothing that some hypnosis and a good talking too couldn't fix. She left her number in case he needed her and was marveling at the new fall of snow when the black SUV pulled up and Nico got out. Gosh he was a sight for tired eyes! So different from Ray and even Matt. A year ago she didn't even know who this man was and now, now, she couldn't imagine a time when he wouldn't be around.
Nico was watching her when he pulled up. He hadn't expected her to be outside in the cold, but nothing really surprised him about Dani anymore, expect that she always seemed to surprise him. He hadn't slept much the night before. Sleep was elusive at best and usually entailed just a few hours. But last night, knowing she was up here and that she might need him, Nico hadn't slept at all.
Bringing the SUV to a stop, he got out of the truck and came around the front.
"Well?" Nico always asked the questions first. It gave him time to watch her as she answered. He never tired of looking at her. "All good" Dani felt great. She felt at her best when she could help people and Shay was a good kid, so there was almost a sense of giddiness when she answered.
"Well, you look happy, Marshall will be pleased, a good day, or in this case night's work". Nico went to open the passenger door to the SUV.
"Nico, is it always about work with you? Don't you ever play.", Dani asked? "Ah, no, time to go Dr. Santiago", we have a plane to catch".
"I don't think so". Before she gave herself time to back out of what she was thinking, she threw the snowball she had been holding behind her and it landed smack in the middle of Nico's very expensive wool coat.
"What the hell" While Nico was trying to figure out what happened, a second snowball, hit him in the shoulder, followed by a squeal of laughter. "C'mon Nico, are you going to let a woman get the best of you. What kind of Seal are you?" Dani knew she was on dangerous ground, but she couldn't help herself, she wanted t see how far she could push him. Nico was always so controlled, especially with her. She wanted to know what would happen if he let that control slip, even for a second. Wanted to know what he could or would do.
"Are you sure you know what you are doing Dr.?" As he said it, Nico started towards Dani. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold and her eyes were as alive as he had ever seen them, she looked so beautiful she took his breath away. This was not a good idea and Nico knew it. He should just get back in the SUV and wait for her, he should not put himself in a position where he was going to be close to her, close wasn't good, close got you into trouble. But even as he was thinking, Nico couldn't help but move towards her, pulled by a force that he couldn't stop.
Staring to think that this may not be the best idea, Dani ducked behind the SUV in the opposite direction to put some space between them. What she didn't count on was how fast Nico was and how slippery the driveway could be. With a newly formed snowball in his hand, Nico was planning an easy lob so as not to hurt her or get her too snow covered when he saw her start to go down. Without any thought to himself, he got to her just as she was falling and positioning himself so that he hit the ground first; made sure they both went into the snowdrift to cushion the fall.
As he lay there, trying to catch his breath, he was aware of Dani on top of him; she fit him like a glove, no better than that. The pleasure of her weight was almost more than he could stand. He could feel her heartbeat through her jacket and knew that she felt his too. She wasn't heavy, yet he could barely take a breath.
Dani was still. Oh the feeling of him under her, it was if every nerve ending came alive at the same time. She knew she should get off of him, but she couldn't move to save her life.
"Dr. Santino? are you okay?" At Nico's question, she lifted her head so that their eyes were just inches apart. Knowing words would break the spell, she used her hand to gently wipe the snow that had gotten in Nico's hair. "Dani?" Looking at Nico, Dani knew what she wanted, what she needed. She knew that later on there would be questions and decisions, but no regrets, no, never regrets.
"Shut up Nico. For once, don't think and just kiss me, please Nico?"
"Please Nico" Nico knew this was not a good idea, he needed to keep his distance, he needed to get control ….he needed her. And for once, he listened to his heart and rolling her on her back in soft snow, he held her face in his hands and slowly lowered his mouth onto hers, knowing that after this one kiss, things would never be the same between them again and wondering what that would mean in the end.