A/N: I'm highly enjoying writing for this fandom so thought I would continue this story. My hope is to get this story updated every week or at the latest, every 2 weeks. Writing with small kids ages 7, 5 and 4 plus a husband can make it challenging at times but worth it. Hope you think so as well. As usual, I don't own any of the characters. That honor goes to the writers and crew on the show. Enjoy and please let me know what you all think of the story so far.

Nico sat in his car for a moment while he watched lights go off in the house. He was right when he told Dani it was going to be a long night but unfortunately he didn't realize at the time that long night would turn into several long nights.

"Damn it Marshall!" Nico yelled while pounding his fist into his steering wheel. Why now? He knew Marshall was having an episode so why the hell would his doctors allow him to get into a plane, on a solo flight nonetheless. Just didn't make any sense and he needed things to make sense. His world thrived on order and control much like Marshall. It's what made their friendship make sense, even when the outside world thought it shouldn't.

Nico pulled out of the driveway and headed toward home. He'd lost one friend, no matter how messed up that friendship was, he wasn't going to risk losing another one now by losing what little control he had left. He needed to come up with a plan.

Just as he was pulling into his place, Nico got the call he was expecting.

"Nico"

"Yeah, ok. Let me know the final ruling so arrangements can be made. I'm sure Devin received some kind instructions on what to do with his body was once it was found. He planned this down to the last detail."

Nico hit end on his phone, poured himself a drink before he headed to bed. He planned on being at Dani's doorstep first thing in the morning, He wasn't going to let her over think what happened last night on top of the fact that they needed to come up with a plan together on handling the team before this destroyed the entire season. .

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"Nico, What are you doing here this early in the morning? You did leave last night and not just sit in my neighborhood on some misguided need to protect me right?" Dani said while he saw her looking at him rather skeptically. He couldn't help but think how her slight mistrust of his motives was something that highly appealed to him and something they had in common of most people.

"Morning to you as well Dani and yes, I went home last night. Thought you might like some breakfast and knowing the last few days, I doubt you would want to make anything yourself." Nico said while walking past her toward her kitchen. He'd picked up some pastries from a local bakery he frequented that he knew Dani would like.

"Um...ok. Thanks and make yourself at home, even though I see you already covered. What else brings you by? I know you and you don't just drop by unless you have a good reason."

"Ah Dani, and you said you didn't know me," Nico chuckled. "I'm expecting Devin to be calling me soon with the arrangements Marshall set up for his own funeral that I have no doubt he set up before his untimely demise. Figured if you're with me when he calls we can come up with a plan on how to handle the players before heading into the facility. Besides, I enjoyed being with you last night and wanted to make sure you knew that it wasn't a one time thing."

Nico reached over to Dani and put her coffee next to his on the counter before pulling her in close to him. He wanted that connection with her before life got in the way; wanted one more kiss. He heard Dani gasp slightly as his lips lightly touched hers in what started out as a slow, soft kiss but quickly turned into much more.

Nico felt Dani's hands reach around his neck and pull him closer. Her body flush with his triggering his body to react in ways not appropriate at this point in their relationship and they did have one. He wouldn't deny that and neither would Dani at this point. After a few long moments Nico felt both of them pull away slowly stopping the kiss but still looking up into each other's eyes. It was Dani who spoke first though.

"That was quite a greeting. Can't say I expected that first thing in the morning. What does it mean exactly though Nico? I can't help but ask, where do we go from here? Are we a couple, just friends, or "friends with benefits" even though I hate that term. I mean seriously, "Friends with benefits", what benefit is it to have no defined lines in a relationship."

"Dani!"

Nico waited a moment until Dani stopped her nervous chatter while running his hands up and down her back.

"Why did you kiss me last night?" Nico asked curious to hear her answer.

"You were hurting last night. You just lost a friend and I was drawn to you. We have this deep attraction to each other that I guess I could no longer ignore. It seemed right. Besides, we kissed each other so it wasn't totally my fault."

"Seemed right to me as well. Why not take that feeling and what we have built with our friendship and go from there for now?" Nico suggested while he leaned in for a quick kiss,

"It's not that easy though Nico. I just broke up with Matt, the team is a mess with Marshall's death and the indecision on who actually owns the team at this point, both our jobs are on the line. Factor in my teenage kids and I'm not sure it would be a good time to explore this attraction. "

"You're right, it won't be easy. I won't lie to you and say it is but wouldn't it be better to go through this together instead of alone? Dani, with both our lives, no time is going to be absolutely perfect but I know I'm attracted to you and tired of fighting it. Tired of denying that I want to be close to you, kiss you and at some point do much more when we are both ready."

Nico allowed Dani to mull it over while he stepped away from her to get them both some more coffee. Their other cups had cooled while they were reconnecting of sorts.

"What if we're not ready Nico? Isn't it possible that all this is between us is a physical attraction and nothing more?"

"Do you really think that Dani or are you just saying that because you are scared it could be something more?"

Nico watched as Dani pulled her bottom lip slightly into her mouth. He knew she wanted this but was afraid to take that step with him. Could see the indecision in her eyes which is why he couldn't let her stew over it this morning. Knew she would panic and run away from him, them or worse, run back to Matt.

"No, the psychologist side of me knows that I'm saying that as a way to deflect the fear I'm feeling that this could be more. Let me just put it out there, I'm scared Nico. We just had our first kiss last night and now you are here at my place asking for more."

"Dani, I'm asking for you not to be afraid of what's been developing between us for a while now. I've had this attraction to you almost since I met you and if I were a betting man, I would say you did as well if you admitted it. .You know it and I know it." Nico paused but couldn't help but lean in for another kiss. It was like he was addicted to her taste, the way her lips felt against his. If Dani's responses were any indication, she had it just as bad.

"We do need a plan for how to handle the team before going in this morning but more importantly, we need a plan for how we are going to handle us." Nico continued while he looked deeply into her eyes.

"A plan uh? Since you seem to have had this little speech all planned out, how do you suggest we handle the team in regards to us, specifically Matt? It wasn't a secret that we were together and were serious for a while. Seeing me jump to someone else, on staff no less, is going to make me look very bad. We haven't even slept together yet Nico but you know what people are going to think."

"People or what Matt will think?" Nico asked with his eyebrows raised.

"Matt, though I shouldn't care since he jumped into bed with that reporter in order to save his own ass."

"I was hoping you weren't going to notice that as I didn't want to see you hurt. I knew you did though when I saw you talking to each other on the sidelines. Took everything in me not to say something to him but it wasn't my place." Nico murmured as he pulled her closer into his body.

"Yeah, he knew I was pissed at him and was trying to apologize to me. No way was I going to let him off the hook although I admit it hurt when I found out. Nico, I need you to understand that I loved him and unlike Matt, I can't just get over it as fast as he apparently did. Who says they love someone and then jumps into bed with someone else not even a month later. I mean really. Anyway, yes Matt. I'm concerned how he's going to react when he finds out with him being Assistant General Manager and all. What if he gets pissed and tries to go after your job?"

"I'm not too worried about Matt. Trust me when I say he may think he can go after my job but he won't be able to touch me. Matt and I have worked together for a long time and I know where all the dirt is on him. He's no saint and he knows it. Besides, we don't know he will be pissed. As much of a prick as he is at times, he's not stupid and knew when you called him that you would figure it out. Surprised, possibly even jealous are the more likely reactions." Nico said

"Jealous, what does he have to be jealous of exactly? We just started whatever this is and I was with him longer."

"Ahh but we've connected on a deeper level than he ever did with you and anyone who's been around us can see it, including Matt. Dani, he wanted a life with you but from what you've said and what I've observed, it just wasn't right. You are at different stages in life, wanted different things but that didn't stop either of you from caring about each other. He knew this as well so seeing you with me is going to make him question what I was able to give you that he couldn't."

"Speaking of stages in life as you call it, how do you know we want the same thing, going in the same direction? "

Nico expected this question to come up as it was what led to their breakup. He'd loved or at least admired Dani for so long that there was no doubt in his mind they belonged together.

"We've worked together for a while now and been friends for about as long. You know about Gabrielle and even about some of my time in Iraq, something I haven't shared with anyone else. When things got rough, I was right there with you. Never once letting you down. You've done the same for me."

"That doesn't answer the question though Nico."

Nico ignored Dani's statement but smiled slightly at her. Patience wasn't exactly one of her strong suits when it came to handling her own personal life.

Nico continued after a slight pause "I know you are done having kids and knew that was one of the things that broke you and Matt up. Your kids have kept you on your toes and you don't want to start over but also don't want to deny anyone you are with from having some of their own. "

"Don't you want to have kids of your own Nico? Just from what you've shared with me about Juliette, you'd make a great father." Nico heard Dani interject. He took the opportunity to gently run his fingers down the side of her face while he answered her question.

"Kids never factored into my life's equation or at least having kids of my own and at this point in my life, I value my freedom too much to want to start from scratch. I love Juliette, probably always will but she's mostly grown now much like your kids. My hope at this point is to be there for whoever is in my life, teenagers or adults. "

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want you to have any regrets later and come to resent me."

"Dani, I'm happy where I'm at now with you and hopefully someday your kids. You can't resent something you never really wanted in the first place. Your kids are an unexpected bonus to this relationship. I'm not exactly known for being super open to people but if they let me, I hope to get to know them both better. Possibly even develop enough of a friendship with them that they would trust me enough to come to me if they need help. Just like I've never let you down, I'd never let them down either. Your family is a package deal and something I knew before we even kissed." Nico said while he leaned in for what should have been a chaste kiss but just like their last kiss, quickly turned more passionate.

Nico pulled Dani in tighter to his body while letting his mouth explore hers. He knew they needed to stop but he was enjoying himself too much. He felt her hands run down his back feeling every defined muscle on the way down while he ran his fingers through her hair. The feelings she pulled out of him was almost painful but also made him forget everything around him. He let his hands drift from her hair down her back, wanting so badly to know what her skin felt like under his own hands. It wasn't the time though as they still hadn't decided on how to handle them or the team.

"Dani "Nico murmured while continuing to let his hands wander up and down her back "I don't want to share whatever this is between us just yet with anyone. This is too fresh to allow it to be ruined by all the chaos. How about we keep it between us for now or at least be more discreet while at work?"

"I don't know Nico, discrete isn't going to be easy now I know how it feels to be kissed by you but I think something can be worked out. "

"Good. Now as much as I want to continue kissing you, we need to get started on figuring out how to handle the team before Devin calls."

"Alright, duty calls I guess but I want a raincheck for later."

Nico kissed her once more, pouring all the emotions he could. "Most definitely."