Friends

Chapter Eleven

Zebraboymom

Disclaimer: They do not belong to me. I plan to ask Santa for Nico this year.

Author Notes: Nico has a question, but is it too soon for Dani? Things at work really heat up and somebody has to try and tame the new owner.

"Nico Careles. Did you just sneak the "M" word into our conversation?"

"Depends."

"On what?"

"On what you thought of said proposal."

"If that really was a proposal, less than a week after my divorce is final, then I say you better come up with a better delivery than that buddy."

Nico pressed her down in the bedding and moved over her again. He looked down into her brown pools of chocolate and noticed the gold flecks dancing in them. His lips found hers and the kiss was long and slow and deep. When he pulled back she took short little gasps of air to try and get her breath back. He only gave her a second before he did it again. This time when he pulled back he spoke softly in a low timbre that made her shiver.

"Say yes."

"Nico."

His lips came down again on hers and he stayed there, exploring her lips and mouth until she started to get that dizzy feeling.

"Say yes."

This time he didn't even let her speak before he captured her lips again. Dani made a soft mew as she slipped her hands up into his glorious hair. He continued his assault on her senses.

"Danielle, say yes."

She honestly thought her eyes were going to roll back in her head. He pulled back once again and looked into her eyes with so much love she felt herself tearing up. How could he be so strong and so gentle all at the same time?

"Say yes, Sweetheart."

Dani could barely speak.

"Yes…"

He wrapped her in his arms then and lifted her up off the bed to kiss down her throat. He ran his hand down her face and along her side as he began making love to her in the gentlest way he had so far in their relationship. Afterwards they lay in each other's arms and he caressed her neck and ran his hands through her hair.

Dani was exhausted physically from their intense lovemaking and from the emotions of the day. Most of all she was filled with a feeling of contentment she hadn't felt in a very long time. It had been years since she had felt this happy and complete. This man had made her feel things in the last few days that she had never felt with anyone ever. She realized she had found a once in a lifetime love with this man. Even though the divorce was just final, she had been separated for a very long time from Ray. She had been so lonely for so long, but she never expected to find love like this.

"You're thinking loudly again Doctor."

"After what we just did, the idea of you calling me doctor is just wrong on so many levels."

"Okay, how about the future Mrs. Careles?"

"Wow. That's going to take some getting used to. Danielle Careles."

"I like it."

Dani contemplated it.

"So do I…very much. Why do you love me Nico? You said some birds fly better solo, so I thought you weren't interested in me that way."

"That was my lame attempt at protecting you from me. There are things about my past I can never tell you Dani. I get scared thinking that you might not be able to handle that. Do you understand? I tried to keep you at a distance even though my heart was saying you were the one. I wouldn't wish me on anyone. I can't believe you love me."

"You really don't have a clue how special you are do you?"

"Danielle…"

"For once just shut up and take a compliment Nico. You are handsome, funny, strong, protective, sexy, tender and caring. I don't care about your past. I only care about your future with me and with my kids."

"See, that's why I love you. You always know what to say to make me feel better. No one has ever been able to play that role in my life. You touch me in ways no woman has ever been able to. You're smart, clever, funny, beautiful, warm and caring."

Dani could feel herself tearing up again and decided to lighten the moment. Nico was being so open with her that she was afraid he would suddenly clam up on her again.

"Okay, enough kissing up, literally. I said yes already. Now let's get some sleep."

She snuggled down into him and put her head on his shoulder as he opened his arms to her. A sigh escaped her mouth as she slid her arm across his chest. This was where she wanted to be, right here in his arms.

They were both asleep in less than five minutes. It was the first completely relaxed sleep they had both had since the shooting. Tomorrow they would face their new boss and a team still reeling from the last few days. Dani would have to go back home tomorrow as well. The kids would be back from Ray's. As they drifted off both of them knew that whatever happened tomorrow wouldn't matter. They were going to be together always.

The alarm went off way too early, but they smiled into each other's eyes, as they got ready. It was intimate dressing together. Nico drove past her house on the way to the stadium. He was right. The media had gotten bored and the block was empty once again. Dani made a mental note to personally apologize to all her neighbors.

Nico reached over and took her hand in his. He gave her a lovely crooked smile. She loved that particular smile. It meant he knew something no one else knew. This time, however, she was in on it. She was the reason for that smile. They pulled up in front of the stadium to find most of the players there. The team would have to pull themselves together if they were going to win the play offs. She knew her office would be full most of the day with players dropping by.

Nico parked and came around to open her door. As she slipped down out of the huge SUV he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her breathless.

"Remember, no matter what happens today, I love you."

"I love you, Nico. Remember, we have to keep our engagement quiet for now. I want the kids to know before anyone else."

"I wouldn't have it any other way. Let's see how long we can avoid our exes."

Dani laughed.

"I wonder if maybe we could get Matt and Gabrielle together?"

"That would be too easy. Oops, wait. That won't work. Matt's into blondes."

"Did you really just say oops?"

"Get your cute butt in that building right now young lady and stop giving the security guy a hard time."

"Okay, but only because the sooner we start the day, the sooner we get off and can be alone again. I want to keep you all to myself now. Sharing is going to be hard."

Nico slipped his hand into Dani's and entwined their fingers.

"Just because we are keeping the engagement quiet, doesn't mean we have to hide the fact that we're together."

The smile Dani gave Nico split her face in two. Nico held the door for her and then took her hand in his once again. They made their way to coach's office and as they rounded the corner they ran straight into Matt who gave Dani a dazzling smile. He took one look at the two of them and then at their joined hands and his face fell. He knew this was coming, but he hadn't wanted to think about it. Part of him had always hoped they could work things out between them. He knew Nico was a good guy though and he hoped they were happy together. Dani looked happy. She smiled at him, but then she smiled up at Nico and it was obvious whom she wanted.

"Hey guys, welcome back. Things are a little tense around here today. The Pittman's had a knock down drag out in her office and the whole team heard. Marshall started yelling for you as he left her office and then Mrs. Pittman made mince meat of a couple of players and fired one of the younger trainers. Everybody is lying low, but I have to tell you, lots of them are talking about wanting to be traded when the season ends. The morale is bad right now, really bad."

"Thanks Matt. Let's all go talk to coach."

The three of them walked into his office and found him talking on the phone. He was really mad.

"She is not good for this team Marshall. You know that. You have got to do something about this or this entire team is going under! You need to fix this now!"

He slammed the phone down and looked up at the three of them.

"What are we going to do? That woman is going to single-handedly destroy this team. You have to talk to her Nico."

"Coach, I seriously don't think Mrs. Pittman is going to want any kind of conversation with me at the moment."

Matt squirmed under Coach's gaze.

"Don't look at me, I've never said more than a dozen words to her in the entire time I've worked for the team."

Dani looked at the three men and shook her head.

"Fine. I'll do it."

"What? Dani, no."

"Nico, I have the best chance of getting through to her. What she needs right now is some counseling and that's what I do. You know I'm right."

Even though they weren't alone, Nico reached a hand out and smoothed her hair back from her face and slipped it behind her ear. His hand slid forward and cupped her cheek briefly.

"If you need me…"

"Knowing you I won't even have to call you. You'll be there like some ninja."

She smiled at him and left the room. The other two men just stared at him in shock. Finally coach spoke.

"That woman has got some major skills."

"What do you mean?"

Matt chuckled.

"Man, you are so whipped."

Nico scowled at them and left the office for his own.

Matt and Coach laughed together.

"He is so in love he can't even see straight. I thought I'd never see Nico behave like that with a woman."

Matt thought about it for a minute before he responded.

"Yeah, he really does love her."

Dani's heals clicked as she walked down the hallway to Gabrielle's office. She passed two players on the way. Each one of them picked her up off her feet in a huge bear hug.

"It's good to see you Doc."

"We really need you around here right now. That She Devil is killing our mojo Doctor D."

"Okay, settle down. It's going to be okay. Trust me."

"If you say so."

"I know so and you need to stay strong for the team. Terrence would want you to. He wouldn't want all the hard work you guys put into this year to go to waste. Do it for him."

"Okay."

They patted her on the head and took off down the hall. Dani straightened herself up and squared her shoulders. She felt like Daniel heading into the lion's den, but she knew like Daniel she could handle this. Gabrielle needed someone. She had screwed her marriage, her life and her daughter up. She needed to get back on track and Dani genuinely wanted to help her for Juliette's sake and for Nico's sake.

As she looked through the glass she saw only the back of Gabrielle's chair. She was turned around looking out the window onto the practice filed where players were starting to do their warm ups. She quietly pushed the doors open and entered the woman's office.

"They're a great bunch of guys once you get to know them."

Her voice came back filled with emotion.

"But they aren't really my guys now are they?"

"Probably not yet, but they can be. You can earn their trust."

Gabrielle turned slowly around in the chair and Dani was not surprised to see tears coming down her cheeks. She knew she was looking at a broken woman and even though she wanted to hate her for what she had done to Nico her heart went out to her.

"Want to talk about it?"