Dan stood outside his bedroom door for a moment mentally preparing to follow Barry downstairs and make a request. Dan couldn't help but to fear that Barry would say no to what he was about to ask him.

He did his best to soothe this fear telling himself that if anyone would understand why he was asking this it would be Barry. His roommate would understand just why Dan was asking him this favor.

Dan knew it was a big favor; asking if Elle could maybe stay here with him in the home Barry and he shared, just for a while, until she felt secure enough to return to her own apartment.

Dan could imagine that Elle wouldn't feel secure enough to stay in her own apartment now, not after what she'd gone through the day before.

Surely Barry would understand just why Dan was asking for Elle to stay. After all the younger man had seen Elle yesterday; he knew the truth now, about Elle's ex. He knew about Elle's mental state. Surely Barry could understand why Dan wanted Elle here with him.

Dan couldn't help but to feel that Elle would be safe if she was here with him under his and Barry's roof.

Dan had tried to ignore the flash of dread and fear that had entered his body when it had hit him that they would be stopping by Elle's apartment this morning for her to change clothes.

As hard as Dan tried to stop himself he couldn't stop himself from wondering if Adam had really in fact been at her apartment the day before.

He tried not to but Dan kept picturing opening he door to Elle's apartment only for Adam to be there.

He kept picturing Adam shooting forward his fists ready to meet Elle's body. He kept imagining a gun in Adam's hand; a gun aimed at them. He could imagine Adam shooting Barry and him and then starting in on harming Elle while Dan laid there helpless to defend her.

The thought made Dan sick to his stomach with both horror and rage.

He was shocked by the rage. He wasn't a violent person. He was far from violent. He didn't lose his temper and react violently to the things that upset him. He'd always been more the type to yell than hit.

His mother and his grandmother had always taught him that it was okay to cry and show emotion. His grandmother had always told him that it was healthy and beautiful for a man to be able to show emotion. His mom had always told him that there was no shame in crying. He'd been taught that the whole idea of being masculine meant no crying ever, wasn't true.

So, Dan was always the type to just cry and scream when he was upset. He wore his heart on his sleeve most of the time. He could cry at the drop of a hat. He'd only really lost his temper on a total stranger once in his life.

Dan's father had always told him that it was only okay to react in violence in self defense of yourself or your family. Though Dan's father Avi had served in the Yom Kippur War in Israel, Avi still had expectations on how one should handle themselves in moments of anger.

Dan had been taught to use his words instead of his fists unless absolutely necessary.

So, Dan had never been in a fight, or at least he'd never been in a fight he'd started. He'd been punched before, more than once. He was never the instigator in a fight though. He'd never had the desire to be the first one to throw a punch.

He had never wanted to punch anyone before, not seriously. He may have smacked Ross playfully a few times and made jokes about punching people out, but he would never react with violence not in reality.

Dan wanted to punch Adam though. He wanted to do more than punch the man. He wanted to make the bastard hurt in every way possible. Violent thoughts filled Dan's mind when it came to Adam; he wanted to rip the man's fingernails out, he wanted to kick Adam's ribs until the man couldn't breathe, he wanted to break every bone in Adam's body. Dan wanted Adam to feel every ounce of pain Elle had felt at Adam's hands.

It worried Dan; feeling this much rage; this much hatred and pure vehement fury. It was so out of character for him to want to hurt anyone. He'd never wished harm towards anyone before. People always commented on Dan's gentleness, his kindness. His thoughts towards Adam were less than kind.

Dan kept telling himself that his father had said that fighting was okay if you were doing in defense of the ones you loved. So, wasn't fighting in defense of Elle okay? Dan's parents had always told him to protect the ones he loved. He would do whatever it took to protect Elle.

Dan took a deep breath telling himself that if Adam was in Elle's apartment he'd deal with it. Dan would place himself in front of Elle if Adam was there. He would fight for her. Dan wouldn't let Elle hurt ever again. He would keep that promise to her.

He tried to keep his face as neutral as possible as he made his way downstairs and into the kitchen. He shifted back and forth on his feet as he watched Barry pour himself a glass of orange juice.

Barry glanced up at the man his embarrassment of what he'd walked in on this morning still present in his own mind. He couldn't help but to feel just as flustered as he'd been when he'd walked in on Elle and Dan just a few minutes before. "Sorry I interrupted Elle and you earlier. I kind of ruined the moment for you."

"It's alright." Dan insisted only to have Barry speak again shaking his head.

"I kind of cockblocked you though…and made things kind of awkward and then I opened my mouth about the bet…I mean, what if she thought you knew about the bet and this was all some kind of messed up conquest for you. You just got her back and I could have ruined everything for you."

Dan shook his head holding his hands up trying to stop Barry from continuing with the apologies. "It's really alright Barry. It's all good man."

Dan paused his cheeks flushing slightly at Barry's mention of cockblocking. He cleared his throat as he spoke up again the words spilling from him. "I have a big favor to ask you."

Dan cleared his throat speaking again before Barry had a chance to respond. "I know it's a lot to ask but do you think it'd be okay if I asked Elle to stay here a while…just until she feels safe enough to stay at her own place. I know this is your place too…I mean it was your rental before I moved in and you were nice enough to let me be your roommate when I first moved here and had nowhere else to stay… I just I thought I should ask for your permission before I gave Elle the invite to stay for a bit."

He spoke once again wanting to get his reasons out before Barry had a chance to shoot him down. "I know it's a lot to ask. I just, she's going through some stuff right now, mentally…I mean you saw her yesterday. I just don't feel right with her having to go back to her apartment after what happened yesterday. I think the change of environment would be good for her. I'd like to have her here with me where I can just...ya know keep her safe or at least make her feel safe. If the landlord has an issue with it then I'm sure Elle will have zero problem putting forward some rent or whatever she needs to do to make it okay. I really wouldn't ask if…"

He didn't have a chance to keep on rambling as Barry spoke up nodding his head. "I'm fine with it. When I couldn't find Elle this morning I was actually worried you'd taken her back to her own place and left her there. I saw her yesterday Danny. I know she's not ready to go back to her own apartment. I doubt the landlord is going to give a crap. Mac never makes unscheduled visits. He didn't even care enough to bother fixing our air conditioning until you passed out from overheating and I made an empty threat that we'd sue the crap out of him."

Dan snickered at this memory. Thanks to Dan's nonactive sweat glands and a very hot summer the year before he'd overheated and promptly fainted from lack of cool air. Barry had taken matters into his own hands threating that they would sue the landlord Mac for ignoring their pleads to fix the air-conditioning unit and causing Dan's health scare.

Of course, this hadn't been funny at the time it had happened, but now looking back it made Dan chuckle. The scary incident had become a running joke between Barry and he anytime the landlord was mentioned.

Barry spoke again a small chuckle escaping his throat as he remembered all the food Elle would send home with Dan and how much he'd enjoyed it. "Just get her to cook a couple of times and I'll be happy."

"I'm sure that can be arranged." Dan promised hoping Elle wouldn't mind. He couldn't help but to be on cloud nine. Elle would be here safe and sound with him.

Barry spoke shaking his head a small genuine smile on his lips as he took notice of the elated look on Dan's face. "I'm happy for you man. She seems to make you happy. You were getting a bit insufferable when you two weren't talking…no offense but you were kind of a moody jackass these past few weeks."

Dan thankfully didn't take offense to this comment. He nodded his head a small laugh escaping his throat. "Yeah I know. I was pretty miserable and wasn't hiding it well. I was a giant idiot and I almost lost her. Never again though…I'm not letting her get away again. She means the world to me. She makes me stupidly happy."

Barry nodded his head trying to hide the slight pang in his heart when he realized that he was now pretty much alone in being the awkward third wheel when it came to the grumps.

He spoke hoping his annoyance wasn't too clear in his voice. "So, I guess there's not going to be any Single Train this Valentine's Day?"

Yes, they'd only done a Single Train once during a special Valentine's Day episode of Steam Train, still though Barry had gotten accustomed to Dan and he being the single guys in the Grumps Office. They'd been third wheels together.

Being an awkward third wheel was less obnoxious when you had a friend to suffer with you.

Dan gave Barry a small sympathetic smile sensing the slight disappointment in Barry's comment. "Sorry Barr…Kevin could do it with you…He's still single…..maybe Elle has a cute cousin she can set you up with though…She has a couple of cousins I think."

"Yeah, no thanks Danny. I don't do well with blind dates." Barry grumbled internally kicking himself for sounding so down.

Barry could admit that maybe he was a little jealous that Dan had found someone before he managed to find someone. Dan had always been the type that could attract girls so easily, but his weird commitment issues kept him from taking full advantage of it until now.

In a way Barry had always assumed he'd be the one to find a girlfriend long before Dan ever got over his issues and settled down. Now it seemed though that Dan was settling down happy to ditch his commitment phobia.

Barry had always been the total opposite of Dan when it came to girls. He'd always envied Dan's ability to talk to just about anyone and turn on the charm when it came to women.

Dan had tried to help Barry hit on girls before. He'd tried hard to play Barry's wingman, but Barry never could quite get the hang of flirting without coming across as an awkward mess.

To tell the truth Barry was usually totally unaware when a girl was hitting on him. Dan and the other Grumps were usually the ones who clued Barry in on a girl showing him extra attention. When Barry usually figured out that a girl was into him he tended to let his shy tendencies get the best of him. He'd clam up and it would just come across as disinterest. Girls would think he wasn't into them and they'd disappear before he had a chance to actually let his personality shine through his shyness.

Barry had taken a bit of comfort in Dan being single too. He'd gotten complacent not being the only single one. It had made Barry feel like less of a hopeless mess in the love department.

Barry was quick to speak again in hopes of sounding less petulant. He could tell Dan was pitying him. He was trying to make him feel less shitty and it just made Barry feel worse.

He was happy for Dan. The last thing Barry wanted was for Dan to think that he wasn't happy for him. Barry liked Elle and could see just how happy she made Dan. He wanted things to work out for the pair. Dan had been downright miserable these past few weeks without Elle.

Barry had never really seen Dan so down before, not in the five years they'd known one another. It hadn't been a pleasant experience for Barry seeing his best friend so depressed.

So needless to say, Barry was happy for Dan, but god did it suck being the third wheel.

"I'm happy for you. Don't worry about me. I'm just happy that I don't have to put up with you being a grouchy jackass anymore."

"Who's a grouchy jackass?" A sudden voice entered the conversation Elle entering the room.

Dan smirked ever so slightly when it hit him that she'd not ditched his Rush t-shirt that she'd slept in the night before.

She looked so perfect in his shirt. It was a sight he could get used to; her in the skinny jeans she'd been wearing the night before, her flip flops, and one of his t-shirts. Her hair was pulled back a bit messily the cast on her hand making getting dressed a bit of an ordeal.

She didn't have a spot of makeup on and she looked a bit exhausted the dark circles under her eyes apparent. The spread of freckles across the bridge of her nose was all too visible though and Dan couldn't help but to want to press a kiss to each and every freckle.

Dan couldn't help but to tease her his arm wrapping around her waist as she approached Barry and he. "That shirt looks good on you. Where'd you get it?"

"A really cute guy, he was pretty tall though and his hair was sooo curly." Elle remarked melting a bit as Dan's lips slid across hers a giggle escaping his lips at her description of his jewfro.

She spoke again teasing him. "I hope he's okay with me wearing it. It felt so nice that I couldn't bear to part with it just yet. In fact, I might wear it to breakfast if he's okay with that."

"I think he's very okay with it. In fact nothing would make me…I mean him happier." Dan replied preening a bit at the realization that she might just wind up wearing his shirt all day long.

A little voice in the back of his head couldn't help but to sound a bit possessive as it spoke; now everyone will know she's yours.

He slid his lips along hers unable to stop himself from kissing her again. Her lips felt better and better against each time they kissed.

They parted Elle's cheeks flushing slightly embarrassed as she spoke holding her left hand up to show her cast. "Are we ready to go? I might need help with my seatbelt again. This stupid cast makes me a little helpless."

"Yep, I'll help you with your seatbelt anytime doe-eyes. I'll even cut those pancakes you're craving for breakfast if you need me to." Dan replied his lips sliding along hers again unable to stop himself.

He had to hope that she wouldn't mind him babying her. He felt the need to coddle her a bit. That guilty voice in the back of his head was all too quick to tell him that she wouldn't have broken her hand in the first place had he been there to protect her when she needed him.

Dan pushed the guilt down not wanting it to ruin his morning. He was just so happy and he didn't want that happiness to fade. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been this happy. If he was honest with himself he'd probably never felt so happy to be with a girl.

Elle was his finally. He had gotten what he'd wanted for a little over a month now. He had the one person he'd told himself he couldn't have. He was free to kiss Elle any time he wanted and he was taking full advantage of it.

Elle spoke the words slipping from her lips without thought as Dan's lips parted from hers. "Awe thank you baby."

"Oh, so I'm baby?" Dan teased his heart flipping at the little pet name. He couldn't stop but to smile at the slight flush to her cheeks as she realized her use of words. She was so adorable when she was flustered. She was so perfect and she was all his.

"Only if you like it." Elle replied a little anxious. What if he didn't appreciate the pet name being used in front of Barry? She knew some guys flinched when their girlfriend's used pet names in front of their friends. They found it emasculating, especially when that pet name was something like baby.

Her insecurities melted as Dan grinned pulling her a little closer to him his lips sliding along her forehead. "I'm more than fine with being baby."

Barry couldn't stop the audible groan from leaving his mouth at the tooth-rotting sweet sight in front of him. "Jeez you two are going to be one of those gross sugary overly affectionate couples, aren't you?"

Dan chuckled it his turn to blush. He gave Barry an apologetic grin knowing that the man felt like a huge third wheel at the moment. "Sorry Barr…. I told you Elle could set you up with a cousin or something if you want."

Elle gave Barry and Dan an apologetic smile shaking her head. "No can-do guys. My only female cousin is a lesbian…so I don't think Barry is her type."

"Story of my life." Barry grumbled though he hadn't been looking for any blind dates, especially not a pity blind date from his friends.

He spoke again trying to lighten the mood. The last thing he wanted was to bring the happy couple down and turn the attention on himself no matter how obnoxiously disgustingly sweet they were being towards one another. "I'm fine guys. Keep making out and being adorable. I'll just be here third wheeling it out."

Elle giggled reaching out and giving Barry's arm a small pat. "Sorry Barry. We'll try to keep the cuteness down a little. Come one let's go eat. You owe us pancakes."

Barry sighed nodding his head. Pancakes would make everything better, even if he was the third wheel.

…

Before pancakes could make things better there had to be a few stops. The first stop had been the pharmacy to pick up Elle's painkillers. Elle had been all too happy to down the codeine with a small granola bar and a water so as not to upset her empty stomach. The pain in her hand had begun to kick it up a notch despite the Tylenol she'd taken earlier today.

The next stop had been one everyone had been dreading; Elle's apartment.

Everyone had let out an audible breath as they'd entered Elle's apartment to find the place undisturbed. It was locked tight, safe and sound.

Elle couldn't help but to tense up as she released that her freak out the day before had been over nothing. It had all been in her head.

She was really losing her mind.

She spoke pulling away from Dan and Barry as she spoke. "I'm going to go put on a pair of fresh jeans and freshen up a little. I won't be long. Help yourself to a soda or whatever you want."

Dan felt himself grow edgy taking notice of his girlfriend's change in mood.

Yes, he was beyond relieved to find that her apartment was empty and free of Adam, but he knew what this meant. Elle's panic attack yesterday had been brought upon by her own fractured mind. She had seen someone who had resembled Adam and her mind had gone into a panic.

She probably felt like she was going insane, and Dan was lost as what to say or do to make it any better. He almost wished he could just take her in his arms and kiss away all the trauma. He knew it wasn't that simple though. He didn't have the answers.

He only felt worse as he took notice of the mess in the place. He'd never seen her apartment look so out of order. Sure, there was always a little clutter and she wasn't the best housekeeper, but the apartment had never been this messy.

Mail set out on the coffee table most of it unopened. There were a few fast food containers on the kitchen counter most of the food uneaten. Dan felt a little grossed out as he took notice of a melted pint of cookies and cream ice cream she'd forgotten and left out. It looked like she hadn't been eating, or she hadn't been eating well at least.

The ashtray on the coffee table was filled with ashes. It was clear she'd been chain-smoking. He had heard Jake scold her for smoking before but she'd always brushed it off insisting she only did it in moments of stress. It was her only vice she'd claimed.

It wasn't just this that disturbed Dan though; it was the liquor. A whisky glass set out on the coffee table Elle's lipstick print left on it; that pretty red Dan had imagined leaving prints along his skin. The bottle of whiskey beside it was almost empty a half drank can of cola sitting beside it.

What disturbed Dan the most though was the trash can. It was filled with empty liquor bottles. Barry spoke taking notice of it a slight frown on his face. "Did she have a party or something?"

"Or something." Dan remarked his shoulders so tense.

She didn't drink anymore; Elle had given up drinking. She had been in so much pain though. She had spent these past few weeks scared and locked in panic attacks. The booze had probably helped ease that pain and fear.

That guilty voice in Dan's head was quick to speak again all too eager to taunt Dan. If he'd been here she wouldn't have relapsed back into drinking to ease her anxiety. If he'd been here or just at least given her the decency of answering her calls he could have helped her through her anxiety.

She wouldn't have woken up scared and alone and gone looking for something to numb her fear if Dan had just been here for her the way he'd promised.

Barry took notice of the guilt in Dan's eyes the younger man quickly connecting all the dots. "Go to her. Talk to her, let her know you're here now. You're here now, that's what matters. Just keep reminding her that you're here. Comfort her."

Dan nodded his head taking Barry's advice his feet moving on their own accord. He knocked on the door before entering the sight of Elle attempting and failing to fasten her jeans one handed almost putting a smile on his face.

She glanced up at him a frustrated sigh escaping her lips as she glanced down at her unfastened jeans. "Help please."

Dan couldn't stop himself from sauntering a bit as he made his way towards her. His long fingers worked quick to fasten her jeans unable to ignore the slight twitch in his groin at the sight of a hint of lacy black panties beneath her unfastened jeans.

If he was getting this hot and bothered at just the slight hint of her panties then what would he do when it came time to see her without them.

He shifted in place pulling his hands back trying to ignore just how much his body seemed to like the idea of Elle without panties.

He spoke trying to ease her embarrassment and maybe even his arousal with a joke. "I always imagined myself unfastening your jeans, never fastening them."

Elle felt her cheeks flush slightly rolling her eyes as she spoke. "Yeah same."

Dan smirked a look that could only be read as pride crossing his features as he replied. "Good to see I'm not the only one with a dirty mind when it comes to us."

Elle raised an eyebrow having zero problem playing this game. "Just how many dirty dreams have you had about me Danny?"

"Don't get me started babygirl. We'll be here all day and night if I tell you about all my dirty little dreams Ellie." Dan replied his arousal only heightening.

He took a deep breath reminding himself that Barry was outside drinking a Pepsi totally unaware of the less than G rated conversation going on in this room.

This was so not what Barry probably meant when he'd sent Dan to reassure Elle.

Dan reminded himself that Elle and he had already made things all awkward for Barry this morning. The last thing they needed was to scar the man for life by having him walk in on something far less innocent than just kissing.

Dan pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead reluctantly deciding to put an end to the dirty little conversation they'd been having. "We better be good for now. Don't want to traumatize poor Barry for life by having him walk in on anything."

"Good point. He might change his mind about sharing those bet winnings with us if he walks in on us having too much fun." Elle replied pushing back her own arousal.

It was a shock to her, being so turned on so easily.

Dan had such an effect on her body. She had spent so long thinking that no man would ever want her. Adam had always told her no man would ever find her sexy. Adam told her that any man that looked at the scars on her back would run away screaming. Other men would think she was hideous; a scarred freak, a fat scarred freak who was so ugly.

Seeing the look of lust in Dan's eyes was so easily erasing all those lies Adam had told her. Dan wanted her; Dan lusted after her. Dan dreamed about having sex with her. It made her feel so wanted. It made her feel so sexy and so beautiful. She hadn't felt beautiful in such a long time.

She wanted Dan like her lungs wanted oxygen. She wanted him to make love to her. She wanted him to push her down on her bed right now and fuck away any memories she had of Adam. She wanted Dan to claim her body as his. She wanted him to kiss and love away Adam's touch.

She knew that now wasn't the time though. She spoke her cheeks flushing hating to admit what the less lust filled part of brain was screaming. "I actually kind of want to take it slow…I mean ya know…the intimate stuff…I'm not a virgin, not by any means, but it's…my head's kind of a mess ya know."

She paused turning her eyes towards the floor praying Dan wouldn't be annoyed with her for this.

She had been all hot and heavy a few seconds ago and now she was going cold on him. "Adam always told me no man would ever want me…sexually…he said he was the only one would think I was pretty…Back when I drank I kind of…I wasn't the most celibate person. I was kind of a slut, or at least that's what Adam said. I actually met him at a nightclub, went home with him on the first night…I wasn't, I was stupid and maybe I was a slut."

She cringed at her own words. She widened her eyes so mortified. Great let Danny know all about her horrible drunken slutty past. "I'm clean…I got tested. My drunk brain at least decided to use condoms…I always made Adam use condoms and I was on birth control…he wasn't faithful, so I kept it safe. So, it's not stds or anything like that. I just…I'd like to be smart for once…I like you so much and I just, I want our first time to be special you know? I know that sounds stupid."

"It's not stupid. You aren't stupid, and you aren't a slut." Dan insisted automatically enraged by Adam's words.

Dan was shocked as a possessive sense of lust invaded his mind. He wanted to take Elle right now. He wanted to claim her. He wanted to strip those clothes off of her and kiss away all memories of Adam. He wanted to lay her down on her bed and admire her nude body; etch it into his memory. He wanted to be inside of her; let her know just how much he wanted her. He wanted to worship her body; every inch of it. He wanted to make love to her.

The thought intimidated Dan a bit; making love. He wasn't sure if he'd ever done it before. He may have thought he was making love to past girlfriends; but it didn't make him feel like this. He was so scared of making the wrong move. He was so eager to please Elle. What if he couldn't please her? What if he fucked up? He just wanted to make her feel good, make her feel loved.

Dan reached out placing a hand on Elle's cheek forcing her to look at him. He spoke his voice gentle as he did his best to reassure her and push back the lust dancing around his brain. "I want our first time to be special too. You deserve special. I'm fine with waiting for as long as you need me to."

He paused pressing a chaste kiss to her lips knowing that he needed to be gentle. He didn't need to push her not when she was feeling this fragile. He spoke again hoping that he was still soothing her. "We can work up to the main event…take our time with each other if that's what you need. We have all the time in the world to get to know each other's bodies. I just want to make you feel good when the time comes."

"I'd like that…thank you for not being upset." Elle remarked almost wanting to cry. He was too good to her. He was too good for her.

Dan frowned slightly his lips pressing to her forehead. "I could never be upset with you Ellie baby. I could never be upset with you ever doe-eyes."

He wrapped his arms around her holding her for a moment wanting to reassure her the best way he could. She'd been so hurt in the past. He found himself once again wishing that he could just kiss all the pain away.

He pulled back from her hoping she would be okay with what he was about to suggest. "I was thinking that if you'd like that maybe you could maybe stay with Barry and me for a little while…I mean after yesterday…I can't imagine you'd feel okay staying here right now. Maybe staying with Barry and me could give you a break from this place…it'd be like a little vacation."

Elle widened her eyes stunned at what he was offering. "Are you sure? I mean is Barry okay with it?"

"He's fine with it…I already asked him if it was okay this morning. I'm more than sure about it. So, is that a yes?" Dan replied trying not to get his hopes up.

What if he was being too clingy? What if she thought he was pushing for too much too soon.

These fears were silenced as she nodded her head her voice soft. "Yeah, it's a yes. I'd like nothing more than to stay at your place."

"Awesome. Now if you'll kindly direct me to your suitcase I'll get to work packing plenty of thongs." Dan remarked attempting to make her laugh.

"I don't think my thongs will fit you." She replied not missing a beat.

She spoke again making Dan's cheeks flush. "I mean I've seen the video for Sex Training, so I've seen you in what I'm guessing was a thong. I'm actually a little concerned that I've seen you in a thong before we were dating but whatever. I think my hips are a little wider than yours though so please no borrowing my thongs."

Dan shook his head a sigh escaping his throat as he helped Elle fetch some luggage from her closet. "I'm going to forever regret showing you those Ninja Sex Party videos."

Elle giggled as she unzipped her suitcase and began to pack it. "I didn't say I didn't like seeing you in a thong even if it was a bit awkward at the time. Those videos are amazing so never regret showing them to me."

She paused only making him blush farther. "At least I know just what you're packing…unless you stuffed your thong with a sock or something."

Dan smirked ignoring his pink cheeks. "Oh, babygirl there's not enough room for a sock down there trust me."

She burst out laughing as Dan spoke again. "Do you know how many thongs I bought for those videos. I used to get them from this sex-shop in Philly and I bought enough that the employees just assumed I was a stripper."

"I would imagine that was an easy assumption to make. Just how many do you own?" She asked curiosity getting the better of her.

"Too many. Don't be expecting any fashion shows though. They aren't comfortable…a little too tight to be comfortable…I mean they were at first. I got used to it though. Still not getting any free shows though." Dan admitted shaking his head his cheeks still far too pink for comfort.

"I could have told you thongs feel weird at first. Women have been complaining about them for years." Elle pointed out a bit amused at how natural this conversation felt.

If anyone had told her she would one day be comparing thong comfort levels with her boyfriend she might have assumed they were crazy.

She felt her stomach churn at the word crazy. Wasn't she crazy? She was losing her mind after all. Yesterday was more than enough proof that she was tilting off the cliff of sanity.

She quickly spoke changing the subject attempting make a joke. "Are you and Barry sure you'll be okay with me hanging out at your place while you're at work. You guys aren't afraid I'll snoop around your house and discover all your deep dark secrets."

Dan chuckled at this shaking his head hoping what he was about to suggest wouldn't come across as making him sound too clingy. "I was actually thinking I could take you to work with me…show you the Grump Space. Show you off to the grumps again, this time around as my girlfriend. I could use it as a chance to make up for my behavior at the cookout, being a jealous idiot about Kevin."

Elle felt her cheeks flush ever so slightly at the thought of going to the Grump Space. She hadn't returned Suzy's calls. Going to the Grump Space would mean seeing Suzy. Suzy probably thought she was some kind of flake. "Are you sure that's okay? I mean I don't want to be in the way."

"You won't be in the way. I want you to see where I work…I want you to see what I do." Dan admitted surprised by his own statement.

He had liked the way Elle had so easily accepted his odd career choice. She hadn't judged him and it had filled him with a wave of confidence. He wanted to share his work with her. He liked how proud of him she'd seemed when he'd told her all the details about his job. He wanted to make her proud.

Elle sighed deciding she should probably come clean. "I'm not sure if Suzy will want to see me…I kind of…well she's been calling me lately and I've kind of been ignoring her calls. She probably thinks I'm a huge bitch. I mean she was kind enough to offer me a job and I just blew her off."

She cringed a bit knowing this was the first Dan had heard of the job offer. She spoke again explaining herself. "I should have mentioned the job sooner…I, it was so sudden. I just, Suzy asked me about what I do for a living and I felt weird admitting the whole trust fund thing to her before she really got to know me. She thought I was desperately looking for work and offered me an office job…just shredding paperwork and sorting through mail. I was supposed to meet up with her and talk more about the job. I was kind of hoping I could talk to you about it, but ya know…things happened…us not talking and yeah."

She cringed even more at the last part of her statement. Great make Dan think she was trying to guilt him.

She spoke once again staring down at her suitcase shaking her head. "I don't really need the job. I mean, I'm not hurting for money. I am probably taking a job from someone who really needs it. I just said yes because I thought it might be nice to get out of the house and have something to do during the day. I won't take the job if she even still wants to give it to me…I mean I don't need it."

"You should take it." Dan blurted out the idea of her working in the same office as him putting a grin on his face.

Elle widened her eyes staring up at Dan. That wasn't the reaction she'd been expecting. "You don't think it'd be too weird? I mean won't you get sick of seeing me? I'm going to be staying with Barry and you and going to work with you. Won't you get tired of seeing me 24/7? I mean aren't you going to want some space away from me? It probably isn't that healthy to be around each other so much…this soon in our relationship."

"I wouldn't get sick of you. It's not going to be 24/7. If we did need some alone time we could take it…I mean you won't be handcuffed to me Elle." Dan pointed out.

He sighed pressing a kiss to her cheek trying to soothe her worries. "Nothing would make me happier than having you working at the Grump Space. I will never get sick of seeing you. Like I said if either of us wants some space we'll just say it. We can talk to each other Ellie. We need communication. Lack of communication kind of got us into a mess with the Jake thing."

"The job offer probably isn't even still on the table. I pretty much ghosted Suzy." Elle pointed out a heavy sigh escaping her lips.

Suzy probably thought she was a freak. Elle had actually thought she might be forming a friendship with Suzy and she had gone and ruined it all.

"Suzy's a cool lady babe. She isn't going to be upset. If anything, she was worried about you. Trust me she called me an idiot and told me I was stupid jerk for ruining things with someone as great as you, when she found out why I wasn't talking to you. She's going to be thrilled to see you." Dan pointed out remembering how annoyed he'd been when Arin had shared just why Elle and he weren't talking.

Suzy had approached him in the Grump Space her eyes boring into him as she'd spoken. "Danny call Elle. Make it right you idiot. Elle is so perfect for you and you're ruining it with her. She's a great girl and you're being a total stupid jerk and letting Jake talk you out of being with her."

"She called you an idiot?" Elle asked a little stunned by this. Suzy was Dan's friend, not hers. She had been upset with Dan on her behalf.

Dan chuckled his chin resting on top of Elle's head as his arm encircled her waist. "Yep, so did Arin…which resulted in making me a weepy grouchy mess of a human being. I knew they were right. We've already established that I was an idiot."

Elle was a bit stunned at this revelation. Arin and Suzy liked her enough to be upset with Dan for dropping her the way he had.

She spoke her voice a bit anxious. "Okay I'll try to see if I can still get the job."

The pair packed in silence for a moment before Dan spoke again remembering the entire reason he'd come to the bedroom in the first place.

He spoke praying she wouldn't shut down when he brought this up. "I noticed the mess in the living area…. the bottles of booze."

Elle tensed up resisting the urge to be angry with him. It would be so easy to tell him that she wouldn't have broken her no drinking rule if he'd answered his phone when he'd needed her. "Yeah…I was struggling."

Dan spoke unable to stop himself. "I'm sorry. I know you needed me and I wasn't there."

Elle sighed a bit shocked at his apology. She'd expected him to scold her for how little she'd taken care of herself in their time apart.

She cleared her throat giving him a tight smile. "I know…it's in the past now though…no more okay. I promise. I'm done…no more drinking myself stupid."

Dan sighed approaching her his arms wrapping around her praying that she wouldn't shut what he was about to suggest down. "Okay babygirl. I trust you…I know you're still going to struggle though. Maybe it's time you talked to someone…a professional."

"I don't need rehab Dan. I'm not that fucked up." Elle snapped her body going rigid her temper threatening to make itself known.

"That's not what I mean Elle." Dan pointed out.

He sighed knowing he was walking on thin ice at the moment. "I mean someone who can help you with your anxiety and all the things that have happened to you…a therapist. They could help you learn to cope in ways that don't hurt you."

Elle felt her eyes begin to water at this. "I know…I'm losing my mind Danny. I know it. I'm going crazy and I'm so scared. I'm not supposed to be like this. I'm weak. I'm so weak. Weakness is bad…I was always taught that weakness can't be tolerated. I was told to be strong. Strong people don't see shrinks."

Dan wrapped his arms around her his lips pressing to her cheeks as he tried to soothe her. "Oh baby, no. You aren't weak Ellie. It's okay to talk to someone about what you're going through. It doesn't mean you're weak. Everyone struggles and sometimes they need someone to help them when they're struggling. Sometimes we need to talk to people who are qualified to help us. Therapy is nothing to be ashamed of. It doesn't mean you're crazy. I've seen a therapist before. I still see a therapist."

Elle widened her eyes stunned by this admission. "You do?"

Dan began to stroke her hair knowing this wasn't something he ever went into too many details about. He'd talked about it before on the Grumps, but he'd tried not to get too deep into it; explaining his OCD and his depression and his anxiety.

"Yeah. When I was eighteen I got mono really really bad. I was stuck at home. I missed more days my senior year of high school than I actually attended high school. I was stuck in bed and I was so germy…I always kind of was weird about things. I mean my childhood was really happy but I was always sort of…low-key anxious. After the whole mono thing I got really really outwardly anxious and my brain it'd obsess over things so much…. like I'd want to do something super simple like take a bike ride and then my brain would tell me that it was a bad idea because taking a bike ride would just make me remember something so unpleasant. Then my brain would just keep going until I was obsessing over why I shouldn't ride a bike. I developed really really bad OCD. I was also suffering from depression so badly that all I would do was lie in bed and stare at the wall…It was like I couldn't make myself live. I almost failed out of college because I couldn't go to my classes. I didn't leave my apartment for like five months."

He paused clearing his throat. "I wound up in therapy and I was put on Prozac…eventually I decided I needed a change so I got in this exchange program and I went to France to study for a semester which helped…seeing how big the world was…how much beauty there is out there that I wasn't letting myself see. That's part of why I'm so happy all the time now. I know what it's like to feel so miserable…. anyway, I got off the Prozac but I still stayed in therapy. The therapy helped me learn to cope. I'm still in therapy to help me cope with just day to day stuff…demands from work and my weird internet fame and all that crap. It's nothing to be ashamed of. It doesn't mean you're weak or weird. It's good to talk to someone in a judgement free environment. It's helped me a lot. Trust me getting help doesn't make you weak. I'm not weak right?"

He pressed a kiss to her forehead relieved that her tears seemed to be drying. She shook her head a slight frown on her face. She would have never imagined someone who was so filled with joy like Dan would have ever struggled. "No, you aren't weak."

He pressed another kiss to her forehead his hand continuing to stroke her hair. "You aren't weak either."

He spoke again knowing he was pleading with her but he couldn't stop himself. He hated seeing her so broken. "Please get some help Elle. Just try it out for me. If you totally hate it I'll drop it and never bring it up again."

Elle sighed knowing he had a point. She could talk to someone. If he did it and it didn't make him crazy then maybe she wasn't crazy too. "Okay. I'll try it out."

Dan let out a relieved sigh his lips pressing to hers his voice soft. "I just don't want you to hurt anymore Ellie. I can't take seeing you hurt."

"I'm tired of hurting." Elle replied letting herself melt into his kisses.

He spoke as their lips finally parted. "I'm going to be there for you through this. I'm not going anywhere again. Never again."

Elle nodded her head her heart allowing itself to believe him as she repeated his words. "Never again."