AN: What a wonderful, yet infuriating season finale. These writers frustrate me to no end. And with how long until next season? Gah! So with that in mind, and my sanity, I came up with this little snippet. It's a stand-alone for now, though I may add more on later. I have more story roughly plotted, but I was never really a long fic writer, so I'm not sure I will ever get it finished. Anyway, I won't post it until I do. But I figured this could stand by itself, and I had to react to that bombshell of an episode somehow, so here you are. I hope you enjoy.

Dani,

I would rather be telling you this face to face, but circumstances dictated that I move quickly. More quickly than I like, truth to tell, but when duty calls... well, you know me, and you know I could never resist a situation, or put one off.

I took the job in Dallas. You probably figured that out by now. As it turns out, I got a lot more than I bargained for, but that's another discussion, and one that I can't get into at the moment. It will be good for us both, though, I think, to put some distance between us. For your part, our friendship would put somewhat of a strain on your renewed relationship with Donelly. He may not seem the jealous type, but I've endured enough not-so-subtle challenges from him over you that I feel I speak with some authority on the matter. I do not want to cause you any amount of unhappiness, and if removing myself from the picture can save you that, I will do it gladly.

As for me, I need to save myself from drowning. I'm not sure I would be able to do so if I stayed.

There are many things I want to say to you, but the most important is this. I do not like goodbyes, there have been too many of them in my life. I refuse for this to be one of them. Rare as they are, my friends are the most precious thing I have. I'm not willing to give even one of them up. So though I will be halfway across the country, no matter what I am just a phone call away. You are not alone.

Always,
Nico

"Rare as is true love, true friendship is rarer" - Jean de La Fontaine