Thank you so much for the reviews. I'm really relieved that you like the story so far and the comment about the dialogues and Dani and Nico being in-character made my day. It's always hard when you start writing for a new fandom and still struggle with the tone of the characters. I hope I managed to capture them in this chapter as well.

Oh, and one more thing: I am no native so it is possible that there might be some weird expressions in there from time to time. I try to avoid it, but mistakes happen, no matter how well you are speaking a foreign language.

Chapter 2

Her heels clicked on the floor of the restaurant as she walked inside. She hoped that no one could see how weak her knees were, because of the nervousness she was feeling. It was ridiculous to be this anxious about a simple dinner, her brain knew that, but her heart, her stomach and her knees obviously hadn't gotten the message yet. It was Tuesday night, the Tuesday night after her birthday on Tuesday night and Nico had invited her to dinner. What he hadn't clarified however was if this dinner was a simple dinner between friends and colleagues or if it was an actual date. Not knowing it had caused her problems when it had come to choosing her clothes for the night. Should she go with jeans and a low cut shirt for the non-date or with a tight and short dress and high heels? Too little glitz would send the message that she wasn't interested in him other than as a friend. Too much glitz would be slutty. Wait… was she interested in him as in more than a friend? Her knees started to shake a bit more and she pulled her coat tighter around herself as if that would steady her. She saw him sitting at his usual table, looking as handsome as always and the extreme flutters in her stomach told her that she was definitely interested in him as in more than a friend. When that had happened she wasn't sure, but now it was there and she hoped she wouldn't make a fool out of herself. Out of experience with Matt and J.D. she knew that she was reduced to a babbling and clumsy fool when it came to dating and the two very brief relationships hadn't added much experience to her dating history. Looking at Nico again as she made her way over to him she thought that he looked calm and confident. Maybe he had enough experience in dating. Or maybe this wasn't a date at all. Just try and act like a reasonable adult; she lectured herself just before she greeted him.

"Hey, hi, sorry I'm late," she apologized when she reached his table. He wore his usual suit and she was grateful she hadn't chosen the jeans, knowing she would feel underdressed. He even wore a tie.

"You had trouble with the icy roads?" he asked and looked more worried than annoyed.

"No, more trouble with my wardrobe," she admitted sheepishly and took of her coat. She felt his eyes glide over her body and she felt as if she was wearing nothing. The simple dark blue dress was tight, but not too short and not too revealing. She had added a long silver necklace and a spritz of perfume. She met his eyes and held his look as he pulled out a chair for her. "Thanks," she said quietly. As she sat down they lost their eye contact.

"I knew I should have picked you up," he ignored her comment about her wardrobe and went back to the icy roads and sat back down himself.

"I have two kids who I had to carpool for years, so icy roads are no problem," she assured him.

"How are the kids? Haven't seen them in a while."

"Well, they're fine. And they are teenagers which means they are driving me insane… and judging by that it's a good thing that you haven't seen them because it means they have stayed out of trouble when it comes to the Hawks," she remarked and picked up the menu the waiter handed her. Nico had already ordered drinks, because he sat down a glass of wine in front of her and a glass of water in front of him.

"How was their trip to Europe?" he asked then and she smiled simply because he remembered.

"Good. They brought back tons of cookies and sweets… and soap. Lots and lots of Italian soap," she told him and started giggling.

"Italian soap?" he asked and quirked one eyebrow, not getting the joke yet.

"They were in Sorrento and there must be a little soap shop where you can buy soap by weight. They have blocks with different designs, like dolphins, hearts, scenery and you tell them how much you want and they cut it for you. My kids got a little crazy and bought tons of soap in all kinds of designs. Problem is: we only use liquid soap at home," she started laughing again.

"And now you have all this soap at home," he started smiling.

"That no one uses and makes the whole house smell like a soap factory," she went on during giggles. For whatever reason the whole thing was so funny to her that she laughed so hard that she did that grunt, what made her stop for a second and she was off again. Nico couldn't help himself and had to laugh with her without knowing why they were in hysterics over soap.

"Have you chosen?" the waitress interrupted them.

"Uhm, yes," Dani nodded and tried to get a hold of herself.

"Please tell me you're not eating lasagna again," Nico begged her and that set her off again. She was laughing so hard she couldn't speak and so Nico ordered for her again, chuckling as well.

"Sorry, I don't know what's wrong with me tonight," she apologized once she had stopped and took a deep breath. She knew exactly what was wrong with her though: It was the nerves. She had been crazy nervous and now that it was gone all that was left was giddiness and happiness. She had really been looking forward to this dinner and she was out of her mind happy to be there with him. However she had to stop laughing before she would scare him enough so he would never eat with her again.

"It's good that you're laughing again. You had me worried last week," Nico replied and the worry still showed in his eyes.

"I'm good, really," she assured him and just like last week she placed her hand on his arm again. "And how are you? Anything new about your job?" she wanted to know. "I have to say it's weird not seeing you around as much anymore."

"The new season has just started so there isn't too much for me to do on the facilities. The trouble the players got themselves in I could handle with some emails," he told her. "And my job.. I'm still waiting for the bomb to drop." The way he said the last part let her know that he was holding something back.

"And you already have an idea what that might be?"

"I think I do. I have a hunch that Marshall will drag Juliette into the divorce battle and that he will have me handle it," he sighed.

"Juliette is like a daughter to you," Dani nodded understandingly.

"For a long time I actually thought she was my daughter… or could have been," he admitted.

"Don't let them cause you to compromise yourself Nico. Not for any job in the world and not because out of guilt or duty. The way I see it you owe Marshall Pittman nothing. He saved your life and that's a big deal, but one should never expect something in return for a deed like that and one should certainly not demand something in return. You are your own person and you should decide what's best for you," she told him and felt the warm sensation rush through her body once again when he covered her hand with his on top of his arm.

"You're right. It's just hard to change ways after such a long time," he admitted and Dani felt the urge to pull him in her arms and hug him tight. Or kiss him silly- whatever worked to take away the sadness. Instead she laced her fingers through his as she spoke.

"I know. When I kicked out Ray it was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I was scared as hell."

"But you did it and you did great for your kids and yourself," Nico complimented. It sent another heat wave through her.

"Have you talked to Juliette again?" she asked and tried to keep her voice from wavering.

"Yes, she calls me once a week from rehab. It's good that she's still there considering what her parents are gonna pull."

"Poor girl," Dani commented and looked over to the table next to them. "What did you order for me to eat?" she wanted to know then.

"Scampi with lemon sauce and home- made pasta," he replied.

"Sounds delicious. The last time I ate scampi was after me and Jeanette went to a Bon Jovi concert in town," she remembered.

"You like Bon Jovi?" he asked and sounded surprised.

"I do. Please tell me you're not a Guns'n Roses fan," she said and scrunched up her face.

"I'm not," he chuckled.

"So what's your favorite kind of music?" she wanted to know then, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Oh I listen to all kinds of stuff," he avoided answering.

"Really? Barry Manilow? Dolly Parton? Celine Dion?" she asked and picked the three at the top of her head that she couldn't picture him listening to… at all.

"I have to admit as a child I liked 'Mandy' when it came out and the French songs of Celine Dion have a certain charm. Not too big on Dolly though," he told her and actually slightly winked at her when he said the last part. They had moved closer and closer while they talked, but neither seemed bothered by it.

"I picked your more for the jazz kind of guy," she admitted surprised.

"Depends on what kind of Jazz. Free Jazz gives me a headache." That made her smile again. This man really was full of surprises.

"Personal favorite singer at the moment?" she asked then, her curiosity winning once more.

"I'd say…. Ray LaMontagne," he said after thinking about it for a moment.

"No way! Mine, too!" she exclaimed and they smiled at each other. Dani at the similarity, Nico, because she didn't know that he only liked the singer since he had heard his songs over and over at her house and her car.

"Sorry," the waitress interrupted them with the plates and only then did they realize that they were still holding hands on top of the table. Their fingers were linked, their foreheads nearly touching. Flustered they both pulled back and for a moment didn't know where to look at.

"This looks delicious," Dani broke the silence and looked at her food, an exaggerated and nervous smile on her face.

"I hope you like it," Nico replied and started eating his own food. He had some kind of meat with home-made pasta and tomato sauce.

"I'm sure I will," she smiled. "Oh and speaking of food," she said after the first bite. "I tried to make the crème brulée your way and it didn't work at all," she reported and pointed an accusing finger at him. She was back in her comfort zone and teasing him always helped.

"Then you did something wrong." He wasn't impressed by her accusation.

"I did not! I did exactly what you said," she insisted.

"Not possible," he remained stubborn and slightly shook his head as he chewed. "If you want I can show you that it works."

"You want to cook for me?" she liked that idea, liked it a lot- although it brought the giddiness back.

"Cook with you to show you how to make real crème brulée," he smirked, knowing she would take the bait.

"Mine is real crème brulée, too!"

"Ok, then next Tuesday instead of coming here, we will cook and I will teach you," he challenged.

"Alright, fine. On one condition," she said.

"And what would that be?" he raised his eyebrows, but was still smiling.

"Next week we cook at my place and you teach me how to make crème brulée. The week after we cook at your place and I teach you how to make tiramisu, because I betcha yours sucks!" She smiled proudly and he actually laughed at her smug expression.

"Deal," he finally agreed and raised his glass. He didn't even argue with her about her assumption of his tiramisu or that she had basically invited herself to his place. She was dying to know how he lived and where he lived, he knew that.

"Deal," she nodded and clicked her glass against his. They had just put their glasses down and resumed eating when her cell phone went off.

"Sorry, I've got to take this. It's Ray J," she apologized and then answered. "Hey Ray J, what's going on?" she asked and then listened intently while her son answered. "Oh boy, alright, uhm, I'll be there as soon as I can, ok? Bye," she ended the call and stroked with all five fingers of a hand through her hair, a movement which Nico followed with his eyes.

"Something wrong?" he asked, knowing there was because he could read her body language.

"My mother slipped on the ice in our driveway and broke her ankle. They are at the hospital now and she wants me to come and pick her up," Dani let him know and sighed heavily. "Guess this means that dinner's over."

"I'll drive you," Nico decided and gave the waitress a sign that they wanted to pay.

"That's nice of you Nico, but not necessary."

"There's ice on the roads and you just had a second glass of wine. I'll drive you," he decided. "One accident is enough for the night."

"Alright, thank you," she accepted his offer. She still thought it wasn't necessary, but at least it would allow her to spend some more time with him.

"And we will have another chance at dinner next week, your place," he smiled and the prospect of having him over for dinner actually really made her feel better. She smiled back at him, getting lost in his eyes. Once he had paid and helped her into her coat, they were on their way outside. They were both uber-aware that they were holding hands again… only so that Dani wouldn't slip in her heels on the icy pavement- of course.

TBC