A/N: I apologize profusely for how long it's been between updates. It was not my intention for it to be this long but could not be avoided really as I have been battling an illness since the end of March on top of my normal RA stuff. Hopefully it won't be that long again as I'm enjoying writing this story as much as everyone likes to read it. As usual I don't own any of the characters. That honor goes to the wonderful cast & crew of this great show.
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"Dani, wake up."
"Huh, what time is it?"
"Late enough, or rather early enough for RayJay to have woken up and called both our names. He should be here soon based on how loud his voice is in the house. " Nico quipped as he quickly moved from being beside her to now sitting up. It was bad enough that they fell asleep on the couch together. RayJay didn't need to see much more if he reached them before they had a chance to move.
"Oh shit! How are we going to be able to explain you still being here? You know we won't be able to pull off you just getting here to pick him up for work. My kid's a screw up, but a smart screw up."
Nico chuckled some at her rant but also understood her concern. She needed to be a good example for her kids and he just had his own mini rant himself, just didn't voice it.
Standing up from the couch, he stretched some before pulling Dani to her feet. Casually lacing their fingers together, he walked toward the kitchen to make some much needed coffee for both of them and to face RayJay.
"Morning RayJay. I commend you on being ready for work when I told you to be last night. Unfortunately as you can see, I'm not quite ready to head into the facility."
"Yeah, I kind of figured when I noticed your car never left last night. What gives?"
Nico glanced at Dani as he handed her a cup of coffee willing her to trust his lead. Her slight nod and smile hidden by the coffee cup affirmed it.
"First let me let you know something about me. I never lie and won't start now, even to cover for myself or someone else. "
"I kind of figured that already so stop stalling. "
"RayJay, show some respect, will you, and let the man talk." Dani interjected.
Nico felt Dani move closer to him as a show of support. The hand that wasn't holding her coffee, casually touching his lower back.
"I wasn't stalling but merely letting you know more about me seeing as you haven't been around me much but to answer your question, your mother and I simply fell asleep watching TV. Before you ask why wasn't the TV still on this morning, one of us must have turned if off before nodding back off."
"Yeah, I guess I can understand that knowing the trouble I caused yesterday. Knowing mom, she was at work early yesterday too so I'll let you off the hook, this time. Just so you know though, we don't condone that kind of behavior in this house." RayJay snarked referring to a long ago argument he had with his mom about a former girlfriend.
"Totally different circumstance, RayJay, and you know it. I would strongly suggest you drop it if I were you. Now what do you say I get breakfast started before we all head into work. Might as well ride in together, since we're going to the same place."
"Aww, Man! I thought I would follow you two in so I wouldn't be stuck at the facility all day. It is a day off from school, you know. "
"And give you the freedom to go wherever you want afterwards, ah no. Not happening, probably not for a very long time or at least until you have served your time, community service and my own. While I'm getting breakfast ready, why don't you go make sure your room is respectable and I want no arguments till it's done."
Nico watched RayJay open his mouth but thought better of it and closed it just as fast. He knew as well as Nico did that crossing Dani this early in the morning was probably not a good idea for everyone involved so he turned and headed up.
"Well that went as well as could be expected. Quick thinking on your part about the TV. You never lied per se as we thought about watching something but more enjoyable activities proved more enticing."
Nico leaned down and touched his lips to hers in a dance he was fast becoming addicted to and never wanted to stop. He kept the kiss light however since breakfast needed to be started and he needed to get the spare change of clothes he kept in his car at all times.
"Enjoyable it was and something I hope to repeat often just not being caught by your kids next time. While you make breakfast, I'll grab my spare change of clothes and get changed. Once I'm ready, I'll finish up for you so you can dressed."
"Like a well oiled machine. Figured it would be somewhat awkward this morning considering this is the first time we've slept together.." Dani said but trailed off before she finished her statement. Nico noticed an almost wistful look in her eye.
"We'll get to that part as well don't you worry." Nico voiced in her ear before he kissed her on the cheek and went toward his car.
When he got to his car, he pulled out his phone to check any texts that had come in from his trusted staff. He found the typical responses of working on trace for the call TK received and keeping a close eye on Matt but the one that caught his attention the most was the one from his guy who followed Hank warning him that based on what he overheard, Dani might be targeted in whatever he had planned.
Nico sent a text back telling him he wanted more information once he got in and that he would stick close to Dani in the meantime. He also called a trusted friend outside of his normal staff about putting tails on her family. Lyndsay would be tailed by a younger gentleman that could still fit into the high school crowd if needed. Anyone who knew Dani knew the fastest way to get to her was through the people she cared about and he couldn't let that happen.
Coming back inside, he headed up to Dani's room to change per her suggestion earlier. He wasn't sure he wanted to go inside because he knew one look at her bed and he wouldn't be able to get the image of the two of them on it together out of his mind. Soon he told himself and quickly changed.
"That was fast." Dani said as he reached around her kissing her neck while she stood in front of the stove.
"Let me finish up the eggs and sausage while you get changed. RayJay will be down here as soon as the smell of all of this gets to him. "
"Sure. I'm not going to pass up help. Besides, something tells me we are needed at the facility sooner rather than later so I'll make it quick."
Nico shook his head but continued to finish up breakfast. He should have known Dani would have tuned into his slightly more tense posture since coming downstairs.
True to her word, Dani was ready to go just as RayJay sat down and started eating. Shortly afterwards they were headed toward the facility.
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"So do I get to stand guard and help keep the players safe during practice? Maybe hold a weapon of some sort in case I'm needed to take care of some bad element that may get in?" RayJay leaned forward between the seats and asked as they got closer to the facility.
"Yeah, not quite. You see part of being security is knowing everyone's jobs in detail. Some of these jobs have been neglected in large part due to the upheaval Pittman's untimely death caused so you will be filling in as needed."
"No way am I going to be forced to clean toilets."
"Forced, not quite and not toilets but there is a lot of glass at the facility that has looked less than stellar in recent days. Your job, under the close supervision of one of my staff, will be to get all the glass inside the facility completely cleaned."
"So much for doing anything cool today. Really hoped I'd be able to make my friends jealous by working with the Hawks. Cleaning windows will just get me laughed at tomorrow."
As Nico pulled into his reserved spot close to the building, He turned to Dani and smiled before he got out quickly so he could open her door. In his mind opening doors for ladies was still considered respectful and a sign of being raised right. He'd already alerted the staff member working with RayJay to meet him at the front so he could get right to work.
"Rayjay meet Luke. He will directing everything you do today and making sure you don't wander into places restricted. We'll meet you for lunch later. I expect a good report and no complaints while you are here. Understood? "
"Yeah, I don't like it but I gotcha. Guess this is deserved considering what I could have faced without your help. Thanks again."
RayJay turned to Dani while Nico gave Luke last minute instructions for the first half of the day and chimed "Mom, looks like you've caught yourself a decent guy for once, scary but decent. Don't worry though, I know when to keep my mouth shut about what's going on or not going on between you two."
"Thanks, I think. Have fun"
Nico stepped back from Luke and watched as they walked off toward the supply area of the facility. Standing as close to Dani as he could get away with, he suggested they head toward his office for another round of coffee before the daily players meeting started.
"Sure though I'm not as tired as I thought I would be this morning. Must have been the company I had last night that allowed me to sleep well." Dani said as they entered his office.
"Glad to be of service. What's scheduled for you today outside of the players meeting?"
"I've told the players I'd be available to them the next few days so it kind of depends on who approaches me. I also need to get settled into an office I'm really hoping you were able to set up for me. It's time to get my private practice back up and running you know."
"I know but have a question for you. Notice anything new about my office? Any new additions or anything?" Nico inquired while stood behind her letting his arms cocoon around her.
"Well that door wasn't there yesterday so I'm guessing you had something to do with having it installed. Knowing how protective you are about access to your private office, is it possible that you found me an office that could be connected to your own?"
"Why don't you open it and find out for yourself." Nico said reluctantly releasing her. He liked the way he felt with his arms around her.
Dani walked over to the door and opened it. A smile quickly crossed her face as she took in the entire office much to Nico's relief. Slightly bigger than the one she borrowed yesterday, it had a desk with laptop on top in one corner and a seating area in another.
"Wow. I guess being on good terms with the owner had its perks after all."
"Very good terms. If you haven't noticed, the door that leads to the rest of the facility has a secure lock installed. The door to my office can be locked as well but I'm hoping you'll keep it open when not seeing patients."
"I think that can be arranged. Thank you Nico for the office. Clever that you had it connected to your own but I'm not complaining. "
Looking at his watch, he knew he needed to meet with his staff about the threat against Dani soon but they had some time and he wanted to greet Dani in the manner he longed to at her house this morning.
"I'll take clever for now." Nico quipped as he guided Dani back into his office. Once they were seated on his couch, he leaned in and touched his lips to hers.
"Nico, we don't have much time for this right now. The players meeting is set to start in about ten minutes." Nico heard Dani murmur against his lips.
Nico deepened the kiss briefly before he pulled slightly back from her. "You're right but I couldn't resist a taste before we both started our day. Will you be ok if I skip the players meeting?"
"Sure, I'm a big girl but what are you going to be doing during it? Not that its any of my business."
"Technically no but you have a way of making things your business." Nico teased before he continued "As you picked up on some at your house, I have a situation that needs to be handled so I figured we could split our resources and meet up later to fill each other in on any new developments."
"Now that you bring it up, why were you so tense at my place? It'd be nice to have at least a little idea so I know if I'm walking into anything at the players meeting in a few."
Nico hesitated some as he didn't want to rile Dani up any more than was really necessary but she needed to know.
"A text from one of my staff followed Hank last night. He overheard some talk that could be perceived as a threat against you. Before you get all 'Santino' on me, I've already put people in place to keep your family out of any danger so don't worry."
"A threat against me? What good would that do? It's not like I have any say in how this team is run or anything. Plus I'm not exactly known for backing down against anyone. "
Nico pulled her into his body more in order to offer the comfort and reassurance she seemed to need. If he was being honest with himself, he also needed her touch.
"You have more influence than you know Dani." Nico said as he ran his fingers through her hair. "Based on previous conversations with both Matt and Hank, they both know it as well. I'm not sure what they are up to but am hoping this meeting sheds some light on things. What I need you to do at the meeting is keep your ears and most importantly your eyes open to any and all activity within the room."
"What if I'm approached by either Hank or Matt?"
"Avoid them if you can for now. If nothing else, claim your needed with a patient so are unable to talk afterwards. I'll back you up . Despite me not physically being at the meeting, I'll be keeping an eye on it and you from my office. Remember everything is recorded."
"Good thing to remember. On that note, I should be headed to my meeting. Afterwards, I'll be in my new office getting settled in case I'm being watched by anyone other than yourself. "
Nico stood up with Dani but stopped her with a soft kiss before she left the office. It was getting harder to not touch her in some way the more time he spent with her. No other woman had ever affected him quite the same way. She had to feel the same way if the smile on her face was any indication.
Turning to his wall of monitors, he grabbed his remote and turned up the volume on the room she'd be in just as his guy knocked on his door.
"Come in."
"Hey Boss. What ya looking at?"
"Just keeping an eye on the players meeting that should be starting soon. Fill me in on this meeting Hank had last night."
"Well, followed him to this seedy little hole in the wall and by luck was able to get close enough to hear everything without being noticed. When I first saw who Hank sat across, my gut reaction was what's this hot chick want with this old guy?"
Back at the players meeting, Dani walked in and positioned herself in the back closest to the back door should she need a quick exit. It was also a great place to observe without being noticed too much.
Nico glanced up at the monitors and noticed that Dani had arrived at the meeting. He smiled when he saw where she had positioned herself. Exactly where he would have been had he attended.
"Give me a rundown of what happened."
"Sure, This chick accused Hank of failing at what he was asked to do and how she wanted to move on to more drastic measures. Nothing specific was mentioned but Hank was able to get her to back down and allow him to take another at "him". This chick brought up getting Dani involved instead."
"Hence the warning you texted me about. " Nico interjected as he switched his focus back to the players meeting.
Coach had just started his usual speech when Hank and Matt walked in the room. Both seemed a little tense and moved toward the back of the room across from where Dani was standing. He got a bad feeling about them being so close to her so was antsy to drop in on the meeting unannounced.
"Once I heard Dani's name brought up, I started to pay closer attention. We all know how protective you are of her, especially lately not that we would talk about you two or anything. Anyway, Hank liked the idea and had noticed you two had been rather close lately as well. Before the meeting broke up, he was warned that if his plan doesn't work out soon, more drastic measures would be taken. They both seemed to want to get whatever they were talking about done before Pittman's plane crash investigation was completed and his will read officially."
"Ok, so with that information the end goal probably has something to do with the transfer of team ownership. Could be they are hiding something done in the past or something going on now."
"Sounds like it to me."
"Keep a tail on Hank and dig into his activities more. There's got to be some dirt out there he's try hard to keep secret. Also have another look into Matt and the chick's background as well. I'll do the same. Keep me updated."
"Will do." His guy looked up at the monitors and noticed how Dani started to shift slightly from foot to foot. "Nico, Dani has started shifting back and forth on her feet. Might be a good idea to drop by unannounced just to make sure she's ok and all."
"Exactly what I planned to do and nice catch."
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Nico quickly headed over to the meeting once his guy left and he locked his door. From all that he'd heard lately, his door and now Dani's door would remain locked at all times unless they were in their respective offices.
In order to not create too much of a disruption in the meeting, he walked in the back door near where Dani was already standing. The slight smile on her face that came and went when she noticed him confirmed she was uncomfortable. He stood slightly behind and to the right of her so as to put a physical body between her Hank. Matt was sitting down at that point but he kept looking in her direction. At least with him standing where he was, he no longer had a direct line of sight to her.
Leaning in slightly he whispered, "did I miss anything important?"
"Not really though I have no idea why they felt the need to be here. All coach has gone over is some of the plays, drills to be run at practice and what's ahead for the your here though."
"Meeting got over earlier than expected so I thought I would drop by is all. " Nico shrugged not letting on the real reason for his attendance.
"Alright guys that about finishes up the meeting for today. Just as she was available yesterday, Dr. Dani will be onsite again today for anyone who wants or needs to use her services, no questions asked."
"Yo coach, if we were to want to go talk to Dr. D, where will she be?"
Coach looked at Dani and waited for her to speak up.
"For most of the day I'll be in my newly acquired office or in the cafeteria eating lunch with my son who'll be on site all day today and on his off days for the foreseeable future."
"Ok, you heard the lady now let's get practicing. We got a lot of ground to cover before our next game."
Just as the players started to leave, Coach called Dani up to see him. Nico nodded his head slightly when Dani glanced back at him and lightly nudged her forward. He'd get to find out what coach wanted while she got further away from Hank and Matt.
"What's up?"
"Just wanted to know if you'd heard how TK was doing in rehab. He's got two more weeks before he's finished correct?"
"Yes and last I heard he was doing great. He'll be ready to get back to playing when he's finished that's for sure. For now, he's trying to get some workouts in at the center while keep up with his required chores."
"That's good enough for me. Keep me updated if you hear anything more will ya?"
"I'll do what I can coach. For now, I should be headed to my office in case any players or staff drop by later. "
Hank tried to head up where Dani was finishing her conversation with coach but Nico blocked his way.
"Going somewhere Hank?"
"Yes as a matter of fact, not that its any of your business. I'd like to talk to Dani before she leaves."
"That won't be necessary Hank. She told the players and staff she would be available if needed. If I was a betting man, which I'm not, I'd bet that your conversation in no way involves needing counseling."
Nico noticed Hank's hands clenched into a fist and his eyebrows knit tightly together in frustration.
"As I stated earlier to you it's really none of your business, so if you'd kindly move out of my way I'll get where I need to go."
"Maybe I wasn't clear enough so I'll restate. Everyone business on this team is considered my business as head of security and now team owner. Dani stated she will be available to players and staff for any counseling needs. Since that isn't what you intend to talk to her about, you will leave her alone. Do we understand each other now?" Nico said more forcefully.
"Oh we understand each other, we just don't agree but I'll do things your way for now. " Hank stated, backing down some just as Nico expected he would do. No way he would show what he was up to this early.
" Good."
Nico quickly left the room knowing that Matt and Hank would chat now that they had the room to themselves. What they weren't going to find out was that he could hear every word.
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Dani was sitting at her desk when Nico stuck his head in the adjoining door.
"Care to join me in my office? The Matt and Hank show are on right now." Nico asked.
Nico heard Dani laugh while quickly locked her door and walked toward him, smiling the whole time.
"I noticed you blocked Hank from coming up to me after I was finished talking to Coach. All he wanted by the way was a quick update on how TK was doing. I assured him he was doing well and would be ready to play when he got back. This seemed to pacifiy him for now."
"Good. My conversation with Hank got heated when he insisted he wanted to chat with you and I wouldn't allow it since it wasn't going to involve any kind of counseling."
"Is that what I'm doing here with you now? Counseling you?"
"I did give you a dollar once so an official client/patient relationship has been established, at least in the eyes of the law."
"Oh we've gone way beyond client/patient relationship you believe that would still hold up in court, I've got oceanfront property in Arizona to sell you. "
Nico laughed and laced their fingers together as they watched the monitors. Just as Nico was about to give in to the urge and kiss Dani, he heard Hank speak up on the screen.
Hank looked around the room to make sure they were alone forgetting about the eyes and ears he alluded to last night.
"Well taht attempt went to shit."
"I noticed you were blocked by the all mighty Nico."
"Yeah. I had wanted to talk to Dani about team business and what was expected from her as a Hawk's staff member. "
"Gently or not so gently?"
"Any way necessary in order to get my point made. "
"That's going to hard to do with Nico constantly around her. You know he is rather protective of her, always had been. Just how to plan to get past him?"
"Oh my young, naive friend; sometimes the best way to get around someone that protective, is not to go at them head on but lull them into false sense of security."
"Let me guess, you don't think Nico will see right through your actions. I'm not the only one being naive in this room."
Hank shook his head in disagreement but said nothing. Instead he allowed Matt to continue what he was going to say.
"Well I've planned something else that is a hell of a lot better than trying to get at Dani. Everyone has a weakest link or in her case weakest player that is bound to work in our favor if played right."
Nico looked to Dani in order to see her reaction. She tensed up immediately and narrowed her eyes. No one threatened her family and TK was family. Looking into her eyes, something else showed as well that he couldn't pinpoint exactly.
"May the best plan win I guess. As long as we aren't working against each other, it doesn't hurt to hit it from different angles. Who knows, they may be distracted enough that their defenses are lowered. "
"Maybe, maybe not. Guess we'll see. We should get back to work though before someone starts to snoop around and start to wonder what we're talking about so intensely."
Nico watched as both Hank and Matt went their separate ways in the facility. He immediately pulled his computer up and backed up the recording to an undisclosed, offsite location while Dani watched from over his shoulder, not that he minded. He trusted her with everything else so this would be no different.
"Well, that was an interesting conversation." Nico quipped once he got up and moved them over to his couch.
"Yes it was and I'm glad you backed it up. Just in case. Never know with those two what they are up to at any given moment."
"Speaking of those two, I thought I would let you know that my guy let me know that Hank met with some 'hot chick' last night. This is where he found out about the threat to you which was confirmed by Hank's actions after the meeting."
"What I don't get is why they are going through all this trouble?"
"My guy mentioned that he heard a statement that this plan, whatever it is exactly, needed to be completed by the time Pittman's plane crash is finished and his will read so my thought is it is related to the transfer of team ownership. Would make sense considering they are now plotting against you and they know the connection we have between us. "
Nico watched Dani shrug her shoulders, the tension evident in her whole body.
"Come here."
Nico reached out and pulled her into his body, massaging the tension out of her shoulders. He couldn't resist letting his lips ghost over the side of her neck. If it got her to relax, it'd be worth it.
"We'll get this figured out. I've got guys on your family and guys monitoring their every move. If they so much as breathe wrong, I'll know about it. The best thing we can do now is not let on that we know they are up to something. Hank wasn't totally wrong about the false sense of security, just won't work out the way he intended is all."
Nico felt Dani relax some under his fingers. They both still had work to be finished but was content to sit there for a moment longer. He placed his hand gently on her cheek and turned her head so her lips would touch his own. Slowly moving his lips along hers, Nico reassured Dani that he'd never let anything happen to her again.
Knock, Knock heard on both outside doors stopped their interlude and brought them back to reality.
Getting up to answer her down door, Dani looked back at Nico who was now standing as well. Both took a deep breath to refocus themselves and what they needed to do before lunch.
"See you in a few hours?"
"See you in a few hours." Nico replied with a small smile on his face. He was determined not to let all the crap going on with the Hawks ruin what Dani and him finally found the courage to start.