Summary: What if Nico had gone back to Dani's office at the end of Double Fault (2x10).
Disclaimer: I own nothing this belongs to USA networks, if I did this would have happened last season.
A/N: Ok so I'm throwing things at the TV because they finally gave us a Nico/Dani moment at the very last minute of the summer finale and now I have to wait till Christmas to basically see what happens. Not happy, but this should help until then. Please enjoy with my blessings and reviews are much appreciated.
Dani sat on the couch in her office suddenly feeling very alone and cold as the door closed and Nico stepped through it. She had tried to hold everything in while Nico was next to her, but now that he was gone she was able to just let it all out. Somehow this had become her life, late night calls about things that required fixing and all the while hiding herself from those around her afraid of being hurt again. Burring her head in her hands she let the tears fall and once they started there was going to be no stopping them.
Nico stood there outside watching as she finally allowed herself to grieve for the events of the past few days, heck maybe even the past few months. Regardless of what she said he knew that she really just needed someone there with her to hold and tell her that it was going to be alright. That was his job, he was the fixer, he was the one assigned to protect her as well as the team and he failed this time. What he promised Dani would hold true he would get those master tapes back from Pittman and her practice would remain in tact. Standing there looking at her through the window knowing that she was hurt and that he had been partly responsible for it was hurting him. This woman had come into his life and done so much for him and now he was helpless for her. Having enough he turned and walked back inside the house not waiting for an invitation, for he knew she wouldn't give one.
"Nico go away." Hiding her face from him, she knew it was pointless Nico would see anyway.
"No, you told me to go and I tried but watching you hurt and suffer for something I didn't do is not something that I can allow to happen."
"Why does it matter to you?"
"Because Danielle Santino, you mean a lot to me."
"I know, part of the team, I get it. I just need to be alone now."
"No it's not because you are part of the team, its because of you. Danielle you are funny, smart, brave and you don't take anything from anyone. You are always there to help everyone and no one is helping you right now, in part because you don't want them to and the other part is because you are afraid to let anyone in again. You don't want to be hurt again."
"You're right Nico, I don't want to be hurt again, you know why because Ray had me hook line and sinker when I was 17 and then did nothing but have affair after affair behind my back until I was smart enough to realize it. I can't let anyone in like that again, you should know that."
"I do know that, I know how you feel, but you should know better than I that its not healthy."
Nico was sitting on the floor kneeling in front of her, she was doing her best to avoid all eye contact with him, but it was becoming harder and harder to avoid. He was in her space he wanted her to know that someone was here and that she wasn't alone anymore. As the words he spoke began to register Dani started crying harder soon the sobs were so bad that she began to hyperventilate. Nico gently pulled her onto the floor next to him, wrapping his arms around her petite frame for both the warmth and support that she needed right now. He was unsure of how long he held her until her tears subsided and she was finally able to even out her breathing; looking down he noticed that she was asleep against his chest. Her tears had worn her out and in the end it was Nico who helped her dry her eyes and get through it.
The next morning Dani woke on the couch in her office a blanket covering her and the smell of coffee filling her nose. She didn't recall falling asleep or laying down on her couch, she did remember Nico coming back and parts of her emotionally charged conversation with him filled her mind, but where was he now?
"Ah good morning. I take it you slept well?" He said handing her a cup of coffee with cream and sugar already added, she wondered when he had the time to notice how she preferred her coffee.
"Yeah I guess. You stayed all night?"
"I slept in the chair after you feel asleep I moved you to the couch, figured you would be more comfortable there than on the floor."
"Thanks. And thanks for coming back last night."
"What are friends for?"
"Exactly."
Sipping her coffee Dani couldn't help but think back to last night, were she and Nico still friends or was there more there that neither one wanted to acknowledge yet if ever. Only time would tell, until then Dani just sat there sipping her coffee and looking at Nico as he sat opposite her. It was going to be one heck of a day.
A/N: Ok so not all kisses and what have you but a moment that should have happened. He really did need to go back into the room. Let me know if you want more.