Alright, I'm experiencing some difficulties with my next chapter. I'd be willing to give credit to someone that was willing to co-write my next chapter with me, but only if they can get back to me as soon as possible. I'd like to have the next chapter up by Sunday at the absolute latest, so the person that helps me must be able to at least give me a rough start I can run with. If interested, let me know, I don't do this...ever.

Anyway, enjoy this chapter that really bugged me and ultimately is just a means to the future.

"What exactly did you mean by not yet?"

Dani turned around, used to Nico's habits of keeping quiet until he was ready to announce himself. She stood in the living room; it decorated with two couches, and arm chair and a coffee table. There was a fire place in the middle, but she stood off to the side looking out the window, watching the cars fly by as they waited for TK to come back from where ever he had disappeared off too.

"Stop sneaking up on me"

"I do not sneak" he defended with insult at the implication, "You just aren't always paying attention. And I thought that was my line?"

"I need to tie bells around your neck I think…" she mumbled under her breath.

"Stop avoiding the question"

"I didn't mean anything by it" she said as she turned back to the window.

"Now isn't the time to decide to try and lie to me"

"Who said I was lying?"

"I know you"

"You know what you've read, you know next to nothing about me"

"Where's this coming from?"

She sighed and turned to him, knowing he was just a few feet away now. He looked at her with that soft look around his eyes, and it weakened her resolve. She liked Nico, she really did, but she was in no condition to do anything about it. He deserved better than that, but he wasn't making this any easier.

"It's nothing that concerns you"

"You concern me"

"You don't need to care about me Nico! I've made mistakes, and I've fallen flat on my ass long before you came around and have recovered just fine" she said crossly.

He sudden mood change irked him, knowing that she was fighting something and wasn't telling him.

"Why do you insist on being so stubborn? It's my job to fix things, and you are covered under that"

He looked at him coldly, shifting her eyes quickly to see a car pull up the driveway. She saw an elderly woman, maybe 65, and a childlike TK run and pick her up in a hug. The thought warmed her heart, but she realized the room was suffocating her with all the things left unsaid, yet again.

"Glad to know I'm part of the job Nico. Screw being in a relationship with you, TK will explain I'm a friend and that's it. I don't need you for anything"

She walked away from Nico yet again, and it made his blood boil as he saw her talking to TK outside. He saw the confusion on his face as she probably informed him of their…situation. He then saw a man step out from the driver's seat and he had to stop himself from stalking outside to show her just wrong she was. Walking out to presumably flirt with her shamelessly was TK's cousin Anthony. Anthony was a ladies' man he knew and had no problem with that until he took Dani's hand and kissed it. He saw the smile light up her eyes as she turned in his direction to give him a look. Even from inside, he knew she was feeling confident, her body screamed it as Tony kept close to her as they headed toward the door. He schooled his features when they came in, immediately greeting Annette with a hug. He saw Dani avoiding his eyes as he released her and gave a firm handshake to Tony, suddenly feeling as if this wasn't the best idea.

"Nico sweetheart, I'm so glad you made it!" Annette exclaimed as she moved around them into the kitchen, putting down her purse as they all followed. He hung back trying to get Dani's attention, but was interrupted by Tony offering her a tour of the house. She locked eyes with him and raised an eyebrow, challenging him. He shook his head no subtly when she nodded back, turning a sweet smile on Tony as she accepted. She blatantly ignored him in favor of TK's cousin, and it was already getting to him. TK slid next to him in the hallway as Gram got cooking for tonight's dinner.

"So, what'd ya do?"

"I don't know what you're talking about"

"Right, that's why in under a half hour you and Dr. D go from being all lovey dovey to practically strangers. What. The. Hell. Happened."

"Nothing that can't be fixed Terrence"

"You don't get it do ya man? She doesn't need to be fixed; you just need to be human around her"

"Excuse me? You're giving me advice?"

"Dude, show her ya know how to act like a person. Not a bodyguard. She was here to be someone's girlfriend, not their tag a long work project" Terrence huffed as he started to move towards the kitchen. Just as he passed through the entryway, he poked his head back out to give Nico just one more piece of advice.

"You like her man. Open up and get your girl before Tony does"

Nico glared at him fiercely, the thought of Tony touching a hair on her head making him angry beyond belief.

"So dear, what did Terrence say you do again?" Annette questioned her as she sat at the counter, watching her cook despite her attempt to help. Annette had said she was a guest, but could keep her company.

"I work with the Hawks, I'm a therapist"

"Ah, so that's how you and my dear Nico know one another?" she said and pinned her with a look.

She wasn't expecting Nico to be brought up so soon, especially after Tony had whiskered her away for a tour of the house. He was a nice guy, with a sense of humor and not afraid to say what's on his mind. It was refreshing after all of Nico's vague responses and short comments, but it just didn't feel right to her. Tony was just to make Nico upset, but she'd never do that to him or TK.

"Kind of. He's…a complicated man"

"Oh dear, he's nothing of the sort. He's caring and loyal to a fault; he just needs the right kind of people to make that shine. We've gotten very close; he's like another son"

"He is very loyal, very protective as well. He's an amazing man" she finished quietly suddenly feeling guilty for the way she treated him.

"Then why are you pushing that poor man away?"

"Excuse me?" Dani looked up startled.

"I see the way he looks at you Dani; he's a man that never does things half assed. If he cares for you, it must mean you're a special woman. Don't let a man that can love that deeply slip away just because he doesn't know how to show it"

"Can you excuse me?" She asked standing, itching to find Nico.

"Of course sweetheart, you both are sharing a room, I hope you don't mind; Terrence said there was something between you…" she said and winked at her.

"Not at all"

Leaving the kitchen, she heads through the dining room towards the back yard. She'd been told everyone else would be arriving tomorrow, so she opened the door to stumble upon something that'd make her heart break for the second time in a matter of hours.

On a bench, Nico sat next to a beautiful woman, slightly taller than herself with green she could see from there. She had to be TK's cousin based on her bone structure, but what did her in was the way their fingers were intertwined and resting on his lap much like he had done with her on the plane. She saw her vision blur with tears as she took a step back, noticing Nico now looking at her, making his way out of who she assumed to be Angela's, presence. She turned and headed for the room with their luggage upstairs, hearing Nico right behind her as she made her way inside and into the bathroom right as he ran into the door.

She quickly locked it as she heard him pound his first in frustration, letting herself slide down onto the floor. She held the tears in, but couldn't help the hurt that sliced at her insides at the thought of him with another woman, let alone witnessing it. She hadn't realized it'd hurt this much, and it wasn't making this whole situation easier. She heard him pacing on the other side of the door as she tilted her head back to rest against the wood. It was all too much to process so fast. She realized that he had stopped pacing and contemplating leaving when she heard him unceremoniously drop himself on the floor on the other side. She felt his head hit the door directly above hers, and in a twisted way, it gave her a sense of comfort. She wasn't the only one having problems figuring out whatever they…this…was.

"Dani…" Nico tried through the door.

She stayed silent for a few minutes until she heard him huff in annoyance.

"What, are you planning on ignoring my text messages as well?"

She sighed, smiling sheepishly even though he couldn't see it.

"I uh, kind of left it at home"

"Why, if I may ask?"

"It was in quite a few pieces after hitting the door, I figured it wouldn't work too well after that" she shot back sarcastically. She heard him laugh on the other side and couldn't help but laugh herself. She let her world get turned upside down and was hiding in a bathroom; it was slightly more than pathetic.

She got up and opened the door in quick succession, causing Nico to tumble backwards at her feet. She just looked at him and laughed, seeing him laugh and smile genuinely for the first time. His face was open and she felt like this was progress; they may just get through this in one piece.

She helped him to his feet, but he wouldn't release her hand as he led her to sit on the edge of their bed. She felt tense under his hand, but he dismissed it. He needed to clear up what she thought she saw if this week was going to get any smoother.

"Look, I know it looked like-"

"It doesn't matter"

"Yes it does Dani. You looked hurt and I hate that I was the one to cause you that pain. I'm truly sorry, but it was innocent on my part"

"And hers?" Dani bit out.

"I told Angela I was involved. She grabbed my hand and asked me if I was sure, I was trying to be polite for Annette's sake" he smiled at her in an 'I told you so' kind of way before he continued.

"You weren't jealous of her, were you Doctor?" he asked teasingly, watching as she jumped up and paced in front of him.

"No, I was just…" she trailed off, stopping right in front of him, struggling with her words.

"Nico I need…Uh…" He stepped closer to her and intertwined their hands as she kept her head down. Finally, she released on of his hands to reach into his coat pocket and grabbed his phone. He was about to object when she shoved him out of the room and locked the door behind him. He turned around and stared at the door in confusion, wondering why she locked him out and took his phone. In good faith, he sat on the stairs outside of their room and waited for her to do whatever it was she was doing, resisting the urge to pick the lock.

Inside the room, Dani went back into the bathroom to call her kids, making Lindsey put her on speaker so she could talk to them both.

"Hey mom, how's North Carolina?" Ray Jay asked.

"Good, really good. You guy behaving for Grandma?"

"Even better than we are at home" Lindsey replied.

"That's a first. Look, remember when Nico-"

"Oh my god! You guys are-"

"Jeanette? What are doing there?"

"We called her mom, Grandma had to go do something. I didn't know this was a private conversation" Lindsey tried to explain.

"I don't care if it's private, spill it Santino!"

"Like I was trying to say, remember what Nico had said about you guys being the first to know?" she hinted vaguely, getting only Jeanette's squeals of confusion before Ray Jay spoke up.

"You mean about…"

"Yeah Ray. Linds, you remember?"

"I don't remember! I wasn't even invited!"

"Yeah mom, I remember. So, is that what this is about?"

"Yeah. Do you guys mind?"

"Be happy mom, it's the least you deserve. I told you, unless he's ugly and bald, it's all good" Lindsey said laughing along with her brother.

"Yeah mom, it's about time"

"Ray Jay!"

"Love you too mom!"

"Ray…"

"Sorry mom, we're going through a tunnel. Gotta go bye" he said quickly as he hung up on her. She just stared at the phone before leaving the bathroom and going to find Nico. Sitting on the stairs with her back to her, she sat next to him and handed him back his phone.

"The kids ok?" he asked concerned.

She reached over to grab his hand and tug him into a standing position at the top of the stairs, just one below her so she was almost eye level with him. She used her free hand to cup his cheek and pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth. He sighed as his free hand made its way around her waist, securing her to him.

"Thank you for everything" she whispered into his neck as she gave him a hug. He held her protectively as she sank into him, breathing in her shampoo that lingered in her hair. She was warm and soft, and everything he'd hoped she'd be. He pressed a kiss into her hair, running his hand up her back to gently tilt her head back so her eyes met his. Her eyes were dark and smoky and held things he hadn't dared say aloud, but threw caution to the wind this one time.

"Go to dinner with me Dani" me mumbled, kissing her cheek, then the corner of her mouth as well.

"Nico-"

"Please, just give me a chance" he pleaded gently, holding her tighter.

"I can't" she said looking at the floor. He grabbed her chin and lifted it to meet his gaze.

"Why?"

"We'll go out, have a nice night, and I'll fall for you. I'll fall for you, and I can't afford that"

"Why? I'll admit, it's a risk, but you're worth it. I've already fallen; I just want you to let me catch you if you fall too" he whispered as he leaned his forehead against hers. He could feel her breathing in sync with him when she answered, so quietly he almost missed it.

"Ok, I trust you. But, we don't really start something until we get home."

"Are you sure?"

"Would you rather I change my mind?"

"No. Now, can we pretend to be involved again?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry I did that earlier. We'll just say I was upset and took it out on you"

"It's fine. Why did you take my phone now? Call your kids?"

"Well, I don't exactly have my own. Why do you think I stole your phone?"

"You're Dr. Danielle Santino; I try not to wonder why you do some things"

"Hey!"

"I meant that in the best possible way, honest. Are you ready to face an inquisition?"

"Is it really that bad?"

"Worse. I can't make Terrence silent here; he can say anything he wants"

"Oh lord. He's never going to let this one go is he?"

"Nope. Have fun in therapy"

"Thanks a lot Nico. This is all your fault"

"Why is it my fault?"

"If you weren't so attractive, I would have been able to ignore this"

She escaped his grip and headed down the stair away from him yet again. This push and pull between them was exhilarating, but having to pretend and wait until they got home gave him conflicted feelings. They were still trying to figure out what this was, but pretending is a good start. Kind of.

So, I'm still not a huge fan of this chapter, so I may do a one shot to get myself back into the groove of things. Any song suggestions? I write best to music.