Author's Note: Hey guys! I just want to apologize again for the mix up yesterday! I was having technical difficulties and updated the wrong fic…not cool! I promise it will not happen again. I will take the apology down tomorrow after I know the alert went out for this actual chap. Anywho, on with the show!

X

It was 9am and Dani was fidgeting in front of her full length mirror. She was dressed in a wide neck short sleeved black dress that reached to just above her knees. Her hair was straightened and pulled in to a low pony tail, and on her feet she wore a pair of her signature black stilettos. She looked good, but that unnerved her. She was going to a funeral after all; looking good wasn't really the point. As she reached over and tugged on her sleeve, she caught movement out of the corner of her eye.

"Mom you look fine." She could hear the eye roll in her daughter's voice without even having to look at her. Dani turned to see Lindsay leaning against the door frame to her bedroom, arms folded over her chest. She looked self-consciously down and smoothed her dress for the hundredth time since she put it on.

"Are you sure? I don't want to go looking like I'm trying to look nice." Dani squinted at her daughter when she saw the eye roll this time.

"Seriously, you're fine. Half the people there see you dressed nice all the time. Besides, what you're wearing isn't exactly what's going to be on everyone's mind." With that Lindsay turned and walked down the hall and back to her bedroom.

Dani let out a long sigh and sat back on to her bed, resting her head in her hands. She had roughly ten minutes before Nico was supposed to be there to pick her up; which in Nico time meant he was already late. It amazed her how nervous she was about facing Nico, and the events that were laid before them that day. Last night had changed everything between them. They had sat on the bench outside for hours just talking and cuddling. Before either of them knew it, it was midnight and Nico very reluctantly stood to leave. Neither of them wanted to be alone last night, and that was why they had agreed to do just that. Things had already progressed past what either of them had anticipated and they didn't want to push it, especially in the wake of what was to come. That didn't stop Dani from dreaming of lying in Nico's arms all night though.

Just as her mind was about to wander back to her dreams, the subject of them rang the doorbell and pulled her out of her revere. The butterflies in her stomach went in to frenzy as she quickly walked down the stairs. When she pulled open the front door she expected to see Nico dressed in his usual black suit, no tie, and hair slicked back. So when she was met with the actual sight of him she had to remind herself to breathe.

Nico stood before her nearly unrecognizable in his Navy dress blue uniform; his hair had been cut shorter so that it was still slightly slicked back but it no longer touched his ears or brushed against his collar. Dani couldn't help but look him over from head to toe, taking in everything from his shiny black shoes to the hat tucked under his arm. She felt a jolt of electricity run through her when he reached out with two fingers and gently pushed her lower jaw up.

"That's not very lady like Danielle." His voice as smooth and held a hint of amusement. Dani brought her eyes up to meet his and was instantly brought back to reality. Whatever tone his voice held didn't shine through in those normally expressive eyes and she was reminded of why he was dressed the way he was. He had served with Marshall. He was paying his respects to that honor. Dani cleared her throat and turned to grab her black purse from the table beside the door. She turned back to face him and rested a hand on his forearm.

"I'm ready when you are." Nico nodded once and offered her his arm. Dani slid hers through the crook of his elbow and turned to call over her shoulder as she shut the door behind her.

"I'm leaving and I better not come home to a party!" She heard Lindsay scoff as she came down the stairs.

"If you even come home." Dani squinted at her daughter.

"I hope you don't plan on leaving this house any time soon." Shutting the door behind her without further explanation, Dani allowed Nico to steer her towards his car.

X

The drive to the cemetery was silent but not awkwardly so. As soon as Nico had climbed behind the wheel he had reached over and grasped Dani's hand in his, needing that contact. He couldn't really describe how absolutely elated he was that he was to be able to draw comfort from her like this. A week ago it would have been crossing a line to even ask her to stand with him at the funeral but now…now he had her and he wasn't going to let go. He'd take a sledge hammer to his own walls if he had to.

Half an hour later they pulled in to the cemetery. To the right he could see people gathering in the black folding chairs set around the dark cherry wood casket that was draped in an American flag. Nico put the car in park and cut the engine. Dani's eyes never left his face as she transferred the hand she was holding to her free one and placed her closest arm around his shoulders in a comforting hug.

"You can do this Nico. You're the strongest man I know. And I'll be right beside you the whole time." He offered her a brief smile.

"Not the whole time; I'm one of the ones folding the flag." The sadness in his voice broke her heart. She pulled him to her and planted a soft kiss on his cheek.

"Okay, maybe not physically, but all you have to do is look over your shoulder and I'll be there. I won't ever leave you when you need me. I promise."

She felt Nico's hand rest on the back of her neck and pull her face to his. This kiss was soft and sweet and filled with so many emotions it would be impossible to try to discern them all. But the one that shone out above the rest to Dani was his need. Not lustful need, but need to be supported, need to believe her words, need to trust her irrevocably. He just flat out needed her. The very thought of it sent a shiver through her. Whatever this was between them had only been really addressed for less than 24 hours and already he was making her feel like no one had ever done before. The only people she had ever truly felt needed by were her children and that was just a natural thing. Never had a man allowed himself to need her body and soul.

When Nico pulled away, his eyes gazed at her in complete adoration.

"You have no idea how much you being here means to me. Thank you." A hair had come loose from her pony tail and he reached up to tuck it behind her ear. Dani leaned in to his touch and gave him a short smile.

"Any time." Her response was short but it held so much promise.

"Time to go." Nico turned and opened his door, putting on his hat and a pair of stark white gloves once he stood. He walked around the car and offered his arm again to Dani. Together they walked across the grass in silence. She could feel the tension in the man beside her winding tight like a coil, which turned red hot when a tall, thin brunette rushed over to them. She didn't even spare Dani a glance as she flung her arms around Nico's neck.

"Oh Nico! I'm so glad you're finally here." The look of sheer anger and annoyance on Nico's face made Dani's knees shake. He shot her an apologetic look before pulling his arm from hers.

"Get off of me Gabrielle." Dani couldn't help the feeling of happiness that filled her heart when he spoke the words, his eyes never leaving hers. Gabrielle tensed and took a step back, her hands still resting on Nico's shoulders.

"Well that's no way to greet a grieving widow. I thought you had more manners then that." Dani had to bite her lip to keep from commenting. Nico visibly restrained himself from rolling his eyes.

"We aren't doing this here Gabrielle. Where's Juliette?" His voice was visibly measured and Dani could tell he was on the verge of snapping. That was the only reason she restrained herself from grabbing the snobby brunette by her hair and dragging her through the mud. Nico reached up and pulled Gabrielle's hands from his shoulders and let them drop back to her sides. There was a brief look of fury in the woman's eyes but she quickly checked herself.

"She's still on some beach somewhere doing what she does best." The nonchalance in Gabrielle's tone made Dani want to reach out and slap her. "What does it matter to you anyway? It's not like she's yours." Nico reached out and put an arm around Dani's waist to stop her from moving forward. She looked down at her balled fists and closed her eyes. She hadn't even realized she had made a conscious move toward her. Gabrielle's eyes widened then and Dani could see the dots connecting in her head. Instead of making a comment about the two of them however, she continued to dig at Nico.

"Looks like you'll be handing me that neatly folded flag, won't you." Her voice was sickeningly sweet, her eyes betraying the malice that was deep rooted in her.

"His mother will receive that flag long before your hands ever touch it." Nico replied to without missing a beat. Gabrielle looked at him in shocked confusion.

"His mother's dead."

"Exactly." With that, Nico pressed his hand in to Dani's hip and urged her forward, leaving Gabrielle to stare at their backs. He led her to a chair in the front row right next to the casket and took a seat beside her.

"Thank you." He whispered in her ear, his hand grasped tightly around hers. Dani leaned in to him.

"You're welcome." She wasn't entirely sure what he was thanking her for since she had nearly knocked that bitch out without fully realizing it, but she understood that this wasn't the time to ask for details.

Over the next twenty minutes, all of the black folding chairs were filled with mourners and well-wishers. The entire Hawks team stood in a towering somber line behind the gathering. Even TK, who had been released for the proceedings on Dani's approval, stood in a crisp black suit with his head bowed as the Preacher began talking. Dani didn't really hear his words however; she was preoccupied with the 6 Navy men who stood at attention to the right of the casket. Her eyes roamed over them as she took in the cast array of medals and decorations on their chests, and she couldn't help but notice that Nico had quite a few more. She then realized they all had rifles in their right hands, tucked in along the side of their legs and the one on the end closest to where she was seated held two. She hardly had time to wonder what the second was for before the preacher's voice stopped and she felt Nico squeeze her hand and stand, turning to the Navy man holding the second rifle. It was handed over with such a measured ease, and Nico took his place at the end of the line. He snapped to attention with such intensity it took Dani's breath away. It was quiet for a moment before his voice rang out with commands. It was clear he was the one in charge. All seven of them brought their rifles up and aimed them towards the sky.

"Ready. Aim. Fire!" The first round of shots rang out, sending a jolt through Dani.

"Aim. Fire!" The second set cracked, and Dani kept her eyes on Nico's face the entire time.

"Aim. Fire!" Nico gave the command for the men to bring their rifles down and salute as the somber sound of Taps began to play. Dani felt herself choke up and quickly swallowed down the lump in her throat. The entire time she watched Nico, he amazed her at the natural way he handled that rifle. And it didn't escape her notice how at home he looked with it in his hands. She felt another shudder run through her at the thought of what experiences he had gone through to become so comfortable with it. Before her mind could run away with itself, she noticed a tear slide down Nico's cheek as Taps came to a close. It took everything she had to keep from running to him and taking him in her arms then. Despite how much she had despised Marshall Pittman, he had still meant so much to Nico.

Dani watched as Nico and one of the other men took their places at either end of the casket and began folding the flag in to the ceremonial triangle. When they finished, Nico turned on his heel and marched over to a white marble grave marker about five feet away. He knelt down and placed the flag so that it was resting upright next to the engraved name. He bowed his head, and if it weren't for the faint movement of his jaw signaling he was speaking, Dani would have thought he was crying again. When he stood, he turned and walked back up to the Navy men and dismissed them, then quickly turned around and started walking towards his car, grabbing her hand on the way and pulling her with him. They made it half way across the grass before that infuriatingly shrill voice rang out behind them.

"Nico!" Gabrielle called. Dani squeezed his hand and pushed him forward.

"Go to the car. I'll handle her." He nodded at her once and made his way to his car, a little more rushed now. Dani turned to face Gabrielle and marched right up to her, side stepping with her to block her path to Nico.

"Get out of my way." The taller woman's voice sounded menacing but it didn't phase Dani one bit.

"Let's get one thing straight Gabrielle." Dani spit the woman's name out like it was a curse. "I don't take orders from anyone so you might as well give that one up now." That got Gabrielle's attention. Her slightly sunken brown eyes finally looked down at the therapist in front of her. Dani took one step closer to her and poked a finger in to her chest.

"Who the hell do you think you are chasing after that man? You've done nothing but cause him pain for the last twenty years! You've virtually sucked the life out of him. And if that wasn't enough to make me want to knock you the fuck out, you try to throw your drama at him on the day he has to bury his best friend? You're kidding me right?" Dani's voice shook with fury and she suppressed a smirk as Gabrielle took a step away from her.

"If I were you, I'd take your own advice and get out of my way. Nico isn't alone any more, and I'll be damned if I sit back and watch you hurt him again. If you try to contact him in any way that isn't professional again, there will be hell to pay." Dani turned on her heel and made her way to join Nico in the car, a sense of self-satisfaction humming in her veins.

X

AN: Well there it is! I had a pretty easy time writing this chap despite its sadness. It's always easier to write a pairing when their chemistry is just so amazing though. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Also, a HUGE thank you to everyone who reviewed, favorited, and followed! This has to be the most responsive fanbase I have ever had the pleasure of writing for! You guys are truly the best.

Follow me on twitter for updates and randomness! NicAm13

See ya'll next chap!

Nic