Getting closer!!

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C

Saved by the bell.

Danny bit back a grin as his phone rang, disturbing the moment and thereby saving his hide. He really thought that, or rather he did until he answered his phone and saw Nick's reaction.

"Messer. Hey Stel, what's up? Ah, say that again. Seriously? Mmhmm. Yep. Ok, got it. Yes, Stel, I got it. Yes Stel, I will. When I'm ready, and when I've talked to her. When did they leave? What?? Gotta go Stel!"

Give him his credit, Don tried his best. He'd been talking to Nick ever since Danny's phone began to ring, instinctively knowing how Danny was going to answer his phone, and knowing that Nick knew the surname of the Danny that was 'in like' with his little sister.

"So, Nick, how about those Giants then?" Don gave one last ditch attempt as Danny hung up, all to aware of the fact that Nick Monroe had finally put the painfully obvious one and one together. He'd seen the light, and the blazing truth was that that the Danny in front of him, the Danny he'd got blindingly drunk with and had encouraged to go get his Montana - that Danny was only the Danny whom Don had been talking about before. The one who was in love with his sister. Crazy, head over heels in love with his little sister.

"Right. So," Nick said, staring straight at Danny as Danny hung up. "Let me get this straight. You're Danny."

Danny nodded, putting his phone in his pocket with hands that only shook slightly.

"The Danny. Danny Messer, from the Lab?"

Danny licked his suddenly very dry lips, reaching over and taking a swig of his beer, before nodding again.

"And you're the Danny from last night, who's in love with his Montana, whom I take it is my sister? You're in love with my sister?"

"Ah – " Danny took another swig, and then cast caution to the wind. It wasn't as if he was ashamed of loving Lindsay, it was just that no-one apart from him and Don knew it for sure. Danny wasn't too sure how he felt about the newest person to know being Lindsay's big – literally and figuratively – brother, but there was no going back now. "Yes."

"Yes." Nick echoed, still trying to wrap his head around it all. He sat back, deep in thought, stretching his arms out in front of him, and cracking his knuckles, a habit that he'd had from childhood.

Don blanched at Nick's movements, sliding a little closer to Danny as if to nudge him out of the booth, ready for a quick getaway. He glared at Danny when Danny didn't move.

"I'm in love with Montana, and I have been for a while. I just – well, I don't think I really understood it until the past few weeks. I don't think I've ever really felt this way about a woman before, I mean I've always had this rep, you know, they guy who gets the girls, but –

He felt Don flinch beside him, and couldn't help grinning at the sheer terror that was now racing across Don's face. Danny stood up, and smirked at the speed with which Don stood up, mumbling something about them needing more beer, before heading off across the bar. Danny sat down, not really surprised to feel Don sit down next to him again a few seconds later. Don always did have his back, but this time, maybe this time, this was something he had to do for himself.

"It's ok mate. I've got this one" Danny said, glancing over at Nick, who nodded up at Don. With a final glance at Danny, Don retreated to the safety of the bar, all the time keeping Danny in his direct eye line.

Nick watched them. Watched them properly this time, now that he knew the truth. He watched as Danny's friend stood by him, and he watched as Danny gently stood up for himself. Changing focus, he looked over at Danny, properly this time. Looked at him with the eye of a potential 'hurt my sister and die' perspective. What he saw didn't exactly impress him – men weren't impressed with other men, not when sizing them up as a boyfriend for your sister – but what he saw, well, it was good enough. Not bad looking, good sense of humour, definitely nuts about Linds, and ready to admit it. Maybe not to the right person, but still – hang on…..

"Guy who gets the girls?"