A/N: So I posted this hastily earlier but took it down after seeing how many mistakes I had, especially run-on sentences. I personally don't mind a good run-on here and there, it gives a character more character ha, but the ones I had before were ridiculous.

ALSO, can we talk about how AMAZING tonight's episode of The Mindy Project was? (You've Got Sext). I want to rewatch a million times because it was perfect. Can't wait to see the fics based off of this episode!

Fonder

Chapter Three

Unusual Voices

Mindy's POV

"Welcome to Building a Better Relationship," Laurel spoke excitedly before snapping her neck to look at Danny and me. "Er, or Business Partnership! We're so excited to have you four here with us. Jeff and I will be coaching you to understand why your problems exist and what steps you can take to create a healthy and loving relationship," again, she snapped her head towards Danny and me, "or business partnership."

Sheryl, Rob, Danny, and I comfortably sat in Jeff and Laurel's living room for our first session at the camplike therapy retreat. While the counselors stretched out on the floor, Sheryl and Rob sat beside each other on the couch, Danny sat stiffly in an ever stiffer mahogany chair, and I reclined fabulously on a chaise lounge, feeling all the part of Marilyn Monroe, if she ever went to mountainside cabins and partook in couple's therapy without even being in a relationship.

She did have a thing with JFK, I thought. She probably needed some guidance after that one.

Jeff looked between Danny and me. "We guarantee the tools you'll learn here will apply to mending a broken business partnership, okay? I see you look a bit antsy, Danny, but I promise you Laurel and I have taken into account that you two are not in a relationship. Regardless, you'll benefit from this."

"Thanks, Jeff," I said with a grin, trying to compensate for Danny's moodiness.

"So, why don't we take this time to go around the room and express why you, individually, are here," Jeff said. His eyes landed on Sheryl, "Why don't you begin, Sheryl?"

She sat up straighter with a wide grin. "Sure! Of course. Well, you see, Rob and I have been married for about fifteen years now, and, to be frank, I can't stand to even look at his face!" She spoke while grinning at the man she claimed she couldn't stand, her facial expression never wavering. "After his, ahem, indiscretion a few months ago, I can't get that image out of my head and it's truly driving me insane. So I am here in hopes of moving past his indecency in order to save our marriage."

Laurel nodded then turned to Rob, "Rob, your turn."

He returned Sheryl's grin. "I'm here because my wife says she wants to resolve our problems but she can't even say that I cheated on her. How can we even begin to move past our issues if she can't even say what I did? I cheated! Stop calling it a mere indiscretion, like that makes it any better."

Sheryl's smile was becoming strained. "Well Rob, dear, perhaps I'm afraid of what I might do to you if I ever fully wrapped my mind around all the disgusting things you did with that," she paused, her lips pulled together tight, before yelling out, "WHORE!"

Rob turned to the counselors, smile still on his face. "And I'm also here in lieu of filing a restraining order against her in fear for my life."

"Okay then," Jeff said, "that was great. Uh, Danny, why don't you share with us why you're here?"

Danny turned his confused face from the smiling couple to Laurel and Jeff. "Uh, I'm here under orders from our, uh, temporary boss, I guess. Mindy can't seem to work with me, so I'm stuck here for her to determine whatever problem she has with me and work it out, because I don't have a problem with her."

My mouth dropped as I whipped my head to stare at him. "Are you freaking serious, Danny? You're going to put all of this on me?"

"Yeah, I am!" He exclaimed, folding his arms over his chest, "You're the one walking around the office, all mopey and whatnot. I leave my problems at the door when I come to work. Apparently you can't separate the two."

I pursed my lips. This was slightly true. Maybe we wouldn't be in this predicament if I wasn't so hurt that Danny avoided me at the office. But… wasn't he bringing his problems to the office by ignoring me?

"Apparently you can't either! You think not talking to me isn't bringing your problems to work?"

"What? I talk to you whenever I deem it necessary."

"Oh, okay, so is it necessary to ask Betsy to come ask me something like you're a fifth grader?"

He shifted in his seat awkwardly. "I'm probably just busy or—"

"Or is it necessary to go behind my back and try convincing Jeremy and Peter not to let me come back to work?"

He froze at my words and looked at me for the first time during that session, shocked. I narrowed my eyes at him. "Yes, I know about that."

"Mindy, I—"

"While all of this is great," Laurel interrupted, "why don't we hold off on this for now. Right now we want to focus on getting to know each other and understanding what your partner—er, or business partner—wants to work on so you can help each other during this weeklong therapy, okay?"

I was barely paying attention as Laurel continued to explain the benefits of expression and communication, because I was forcing myself to be angry at Danny so I could avoid feeling hurt. I hadn't confronted him about knowing he tried to keep me away from the practice after my return from Haiti. I didn't want to believe Danny could be so callous, but none of the excuses I came up with in his defense made sense.

It had been my first day back at the office since I'd returned to New York.

Danny, Peter, and Jeremy were congregated in Jeremy's office, the door slightly ajar, just waiting for me to eavesdrop. I had planned to make my big entrance, but the lobby was empty—no staff in sight—and apparently my partners were having some kind of meeting without me.

"Danny," Jeremy was saying, "Paul has willfully resigned so Mindy can come back. I don't understand what the problem is."

"D—doesn't Leopold—"

"Leotard." Peter interjected helpfully.

"—have a contract? Can he just back out of his one year commitment?" Danny asked, sounding a bit breathless.

"If we all are in agreement to release him of his contract, then yes, he can back out. Besides, Mindy's back! This is a good thing."

"Is it? What if Paul sues us for not abiding by his contract," Danny continued.

Peter slightly laughed. "That dude is going on a sex tour, giving sex advice nationwide. He's gonna get major ass on the road. I doubt he's thinking about us."

Danny sighed, and plopped down in his seat. "Okay… but what about her patients? We didn't hand them all to Paul. They were pretty evenly divided amongst the three of us. Paul only had, like, two because he's such a looney tune."

Confusion ran thick in Jeremy's tone. "You sound ridiculous. If he's such a looney tune, then why, just moments ago, did you desperately want him to stay? Mindy's back! She can take over her patients again plus Paul's. She wants to jump right back in—she's not a novice. So we'll let her jump. What is your problem, Danny? Do you not want her to come back?"

I held my breath as I waited for his answer, but decided I couldn't take it. I didn't want to know the truth, yet. Instead, I barged in with a forced smile and said loudly, "I'm back!"

They all guiltily turned, shocked expressions staring back at me for a quick beat before Jeremy and Peter rushed over with hugs and welcomes. Danny cleared his throat as he walked by, simply saying, "Welcome back," before leaving the office to head back to his own.

I had only looked at his retreating back for a moment before turning to Jeremy and Peter, answering all the questions they had. Since that day, I had pushed the conversation to the back of my mind because it was upsetting to know that he wanted me gone so badly.

But now he was stuck with me, and had no escape. I was going to get some answers on this trip.

"Mindy! You still with us?"

It was Jeff. I snapped out of my reverie as my vision focused back on the counselors, waiting patiently for me to respond, and to Danny, whose eyes were fixed on the fireplace. I turned to Jeff, "Yes, I'm still here."

"Alright good. Well why don't you tell us all why you're here."

I sat up straighter, determination dripping in my every word, "I'm here to get Danny Castellano to honestly tell me why he stopped talking to me when I got back from Haiti. There is a reason, and he refuses to acknowledge it, so all I want from this trip is the truth."

Danny's jaw muscles tightened, but he didn't waver in his seat after my proclamation.

Laurel briefly looked back and forth between us before she clapped with a smile. "Okay, great! Now that you all know what your partner is expecting from this trip, we can start building from there and figuring out what the root of you all's problems is. That sound good?"

"Yes!" Sheryl cheered.

"Okay, that was a great first session, you guys! Now what we're going to do is just relax. Laurel and I ordered some pizza which should be here any minute now, and we've already chilled the wine. So let's just take the time to get to know each other in a more relaxed environment. No pressure!"

I smiled. Wine sounded perfect right now. We all began talking then, the disturbing couple less disturbing once they were separated. Sheryl was amicably talking to Laurel while Rob and Danny discussed some random sport, because all sports were basically random, with the exception of tennis. Now that's a classy sport.

Jeff and I sat side by side at their kitchen island at this point, chomping on pizza while sipping sweet Riesling.

"Wait," I said, my eyes wide, "your favorite movie is How Harry Met Sally?"

"Well, yeah! It's basically my story—it's how the love of my life and I met, with a few minor changes" he said with a grin.

I hit is arm lightly. "Shut up, are you serious? That is so awesome! Tell me every single detail."

"Well, Alex and I met—"

"Wait. You and Laurel aren't a couple?"

He slightly laughed. "No, no. We used to be together. But, uh… I realized it wasn't what I wanted."

"Oh. Well this isn't awkward for you guys? It's freaking couples therapy. You're basically reminded everyday how you guys didn't work out. That's horrible."

"That kind of makes it helpful, don't you think? We work with couples who have so many problems, we realized that the kind of problems we were dealing with weren't fixable, whereas with Sheryl and Rob, their problems can be resolved, or you and Danny, even, it can be resolved. She and I are at peace with that."

I was glad the counselor had hope in Danny and me, but I stopped myself from asking him to divulge more of his opinions about the two of us. I was temporarily on a different mission, which was be nosy and figure out what was going on between he and Laurel. "Okay, so why were your problems so unfixable?"

"I wouldn't really call it a problem... Okay, you know how I was telling you about Alex?" he asked with a grin. "Yeah, Alex is a guy. Laurel, sweet as she is, just wasn't what I wanted."

I beamed at him. "Oh my God! No wonder! That totally makes sense—not that you're gay, because my gaydar totally sucks. I never would've guessed Lance Bass was on the other team. But, I was always Team JT, anyway. No, it makes sense that you and Laurel didn't work out… Well good for her, still being able to work with you. And good for Alex for scoring such a hottie!"

Jeff laughed. "Yes, good for him. And good for me, too. He really is perfect for me."

I nodded happily. "That's amazing. I'm still looking for Mr. Right. If you can guide me in the right direction, please lead me to him."

He stared at me with furrowed brows, one of them raised as if confused. "Are you being serious?" He asked.

I downed what was remaining in my glass then turned to him. "Uh, yeah. I've had horrible, horrible, horrible luck in love. I'm tired of the games, Jeff. Find me someone who I can truly fall in love with. And when I say love, I mean sweep me off of my feet, never coming back down to Earth, deep, deep love that I'm learning I've never experienced."

"And you don't already have anyone in mind?" he asked.

I put my finger to my chin in false pensiveness. "Nope! No one has really tickled my fancy. Every guy I've dated has just been… blah. I haven't met that guy who just gets it, ya know? Who gets me."

"Oh, Mindy," he said, placing his hand on my shoulder. "By the end of this week, I think you'll be leaving with more than you ever expected."

I opened my mouth to ask what he meant until something shattered behind us. Sheryl had drunkenly thrown her wine glass at Rob, apparently barely missing him by the way he was lying flat on the floor. He stood up slowly and looked around at all of us. "Don't worry, don't worry. This happens all the time."

Jeff stood up to join Laurel in calming Sheryl, who was yelling profanities that I never would have expected to spill from the pigtailed, fanny pack wearing woman's mouth. As Rob provoked her Jeff told Danny and I that we should head on back while they deescalated the situation.

He and I quickly exited, myself snagging a wine bottle on the way.

It was nice outside. I had worn a comfy sweater, and that was all I needed to guard myself against the cool, night breeze. Danny wore his leather moto jacket, and the half-moon's glow hit the side of his face perfectly, illuminating his brown eyes. He seemed oddly at peace and amused after what we had just witnessed. His calmness made me feel a bit more at ease, because I was really freaked out by their cookiness.

As Danny and I walked the short trail that led to the cabin, I said quietly to him, "Are we going to be okay sharing a cabin with them? They seem… unstable."

He rubbed his neck. "Wish I could give a straight answer, but I honestly don't know. It's kinda funny to watch. Hopefully the counselors will keep 'em overnight so we don't have to deal. That way we won't have to worry about sleeping arrangements, either."

Right. Sleeping arrangements. I bit my lip then slightly glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. "Look, I don't mind sharing a room with you. There are sleeping bags in the closet, and we can alternate the bed each night if you'd like."

He was quiet for a moment before he finally said, "Nah, that's okay. I can sleep on the couch… Thanks, though."

"No prob," I said, voice still unusually quiet.

We approached the door, but before I walked inside Danny spoke up, "Uh, about not wanting you to come back to the practice."

I stopped walking and faced him. I was pleasantly surprised to hear him bring it up. Maybe he wasn't as soulless as I thought he'd become.

"I'm sorry you had to find out. I just… wanted to be sure the practice was protected, and we weren't making any missteps by bringing you back too soon."

I kicked a rock then looked back at him. The moon still lit his face perfectly, except now it wasn't as relaxed as they were moments before. His guard was up. He was hiding something, as always. "Is that really all, Danny?"

He stood there, arms folded over his chest and body stiff. Finally, he let out a breath, and answered, "It's the only reason that matters."

So there was more. My ears perked up, but judging from his face and body language, I wasn't getting any more info. Pushing him to tell me anything had been futile in the past. It was time for him to continue taking initiative to open up to me about whatever was bothering him. "Well, I hope one day you'll let me decide what matters and what doesn't, because I'd like to know."

I opened the door but stopped and turned back to him. I hadn't realized he was walking in right behind. I ran into his chest, and he placed his hands on my hips to steady me.

My heart started racing.

What was happening?

I swallowed and stared up at him, our faces only inches apart. He was taller than I anticipated—I had never really looked at him from this position before. I usually wore heels, which made us closer in height, but in that moment, he seemed to tower over me. And his chest was hard, solid—it felt so nice under my palm. I knew he worked out, and I knew he was in shape, but actually feeling his strength, and feeling the warmness of his body against mine...

My mouth went dry as I attemped to speak but couldn't find the words.

He appeared to be in a similar predicament.

Finally, I found a voice that didn't seem like mine. "Thanks," I said, my voice still unusually soft, "for telling me… and explaining everything to me."

"Yeah," his voice was unusually low and soft, too. But then he stepped back and cleared his throat, rubbing his hands together. "I mean, I thought you deserved to know."

I held the wine bottle to my chest, as if it were some kind of barrier that could separate Danny from me and my unexplainably fast beating heart. "Okay… cool," I drew out the word awkwardly, then abruptly turned and walked into the cabin. I was freaking out internally. What the hell had just happened? I wanted to call Gwen and tell her everything, but I was alone. There was no escape!

Suddenly, I felt like I wanted to run, or, let's be honest, go for a brisk walk so I could take a moment to just think. But since I couldn't—there was no way I was going out there alone where the honey yellow black bears could get me—my other nervous habit kicked in.

"So," I said to Danny while placing the wine in the fridge, preparing myself for a good ol' rambling session, "let's talk about how psycho our housemates are!"

"You think we're psycho?"

I turned to see Sheryl and Rob standing in the doorway.

My eyes widened at their disheveled states, their stares harsh enough to sear right through me. Danny stood there, a slow grin coming onto his face at the sight.

"Ah, crap."

A/N: And that twas Chapter 3! Hope you all enjoyed. I loved writing it, especially the moment between Danny and Mindy ;).

Randomness, but weren't Peter and Morgan perfect in tonight's episode? Hahaha I laughed the entire time they were texting together. Winky face. Hahaha ahhh, such a great episode. I love TMP...

Until next chapter!