Here with Me

The song is 'Here with Me' by Dido. Don't ask why, it just worked itself in. It's a pretty song.

Dirk frowned, staring at the closed door ahead of him. Hilde shook her head. "Still asleep?"
"Perhaps."

She looked around the long hallway. "It's a fairly nice place. Better then I'd expect."

He looked at her and raised an eyebrow. She shrugged. "Two bachelor killers living alone. Not much can be expected in terms of sophistication and living arrangements."

"Mmm."

The door opened and Brett stuck his head out. "Hello?"

They turned to look at him. Hilde sighed, shaking her head. Dirk frowned slightly. Brett pulled the toothbrush from his mouth. "Sorry, we're a little messy this morning. We both stayed out too late and my brother's still in bed. You're a early." He smiled and waved. "C'mon in." He looked at Hilde. "I didn't know Vermov had a female assistant?"

"Vermov?" Hilde blinked.

"We're not here from Vermov." Dirk replied.

"Hmmm?" Brett pulled the door all the way open. He was fully dressed, in a t-shirt and jeans. "Why then?"

"Is your brother in?"

Brett made a face. "Did he get himself in trouble again? I'll go check. JOSH! Hey, Josh!" Brett walked into the house, yelling for his brother. "C'mon in. Take a seat. Hungry?"

"No thank you. I have lunch plans." Dirk entered and sat on the couch, setting his coat on his lap. "Hilde may want something."

Brett shrugged. "Josh makes great won tons. It is lunch time, isn't it? Our clock's broken again."

"It is." Dirk smiled.

"Breeeeett!" Josh pushed open his bedroom door and staggered out, holding his head. He was in the same clothes he'd been wearing the night before. "Don't yell. Please."

"You got guests. You get yourself in trouble again?"

"No…" Josh turned to look at Dirk. He blinked. "…Oh yeah! Mr. Breit. What're you doing here?"

"Mr. Breit?" Brett asked.

"Danny's dad."

"OH!" Brett grinned and waved. "Hey. Haven't properly introduced myself, have I? I'm Brett, Josh's older brother."

"Dirk Breit and this is my wife Hilde."

"Cool. Didn't you have a kid?"

"Alex is probably still asleep."

"Lucky bastard…" Josh muttered. "I'll be back in a minute." He headed back towards his room.

"Tylenol's in the kitchen." Brett tossed his toothbrush into the bathroom and shut the door behind him. "you didn't call the repair guy for our clock."

"Nnnng." Josh turned and headed for the kitchen.

Brett winked at Dirk. "Better go make sure he doesn't wash 'em down with something poisonous." He followed his brother to the kitchen.

Hilde shook her head. "Bachelors."

"I think I like him." Dirk mused.

Hilde was staring around the room. "I bet Sasha could work wonders with this place."

Dirk chuckled. "You haven't even been here half an hour and you're already planning on sending up interior decorators."

"Sasha can work miracles. You saw what she did with Daniela's new place."

"Mmm." Dirk stood and looked around the room. "It's a good enough place. Alex would like it."

"Alex has horrible taste. He's lucky he has Sean."

"I suppose."

Brett wandered back into the room. "So…anyone want food?"

Josh groaned, calling out from the kitchen. "Don't even MENTION food right now."

Dirk and Brett laughed. Brett turned to Dirk. "Anyway…what'd you want, man?"

Hilde frowned. Dirk gestured dismissively. "Actually, I was wondering if your brother would care to join me and my daughter for a bit of lunch. However he seems a bit…"

"Indisposed?" Brett offered.

"Hung-over." Josh agreed from the kitchen. "Why don't you all come over for dinner?"

"I believe Daniela was planning on having dinner with Sean. I'd recommend that we all go out again but I believe it'd be better to space these trips out before the waiters start spreading stories."

"That bad?" Brett asked.

"Worse. The poor girl probably needed therapy." Dirk smiled slightly.

Someone knocked on the door. Brett grabbed a watch off the table and checked it. "Ahh, Vermov. Half an hour early, as always. Josh! Don't you dare throw up in there! Go somewhere no one can hear you."

"Yeah, yeah." Josh walked out of the kitchen, looking much more stable then he had earlier. "I'm gonna get dressed."

"If you pass out I ain't takin' care of you today." Brett warned.

Josh didn't bother replying.

Dirk helped Hilde to stand. "Perhaps we should be going."

"Perhaps." Brett grinned. "Maybe tomorrow, Josh should be feeling better by then. As long as he doesn't get shot or anything."

"That happens often?"

"Not really. But it is a possibility." Dirk nodded. The knocking was louder this time. "Let's go, shall we dear? Before their guests become terminally unfriendly."

Brett bowed expansively and gestured towards the door. "The exit is this way, madam."

"I noticed." She walked over and opened the door. Three men, all in expensive looking black suits, gaped at her. She frowned. "I see your boss hasn't bothered to teach you manners, though he may dress you well." They didn't move. She gestured. "May I come through?"

They stepped on each other moving aside. She shook her head haughtily and walked past them. Dirk laughed quietly as he exited, pulling his cell phone from his pocket. He swept past a tall Russian in a suit who was heading down the hallway, surrounded by more bodyguards, already dialing. The Russian paused. "Dirk Breit?" He frowned, then turned to Brett. "What was Breit doing at your place? He isn't even supposed to be in New York."

Brett shrugged. "Josh's dating his daughter. So, who'd you need whacked?"

Vermov almost choked. "Daniela? Josh is dating Daniela?" He sounded shocked.

"You know the family, I see."

"Everyone does." He turned and stared in the direction Dirk had gone. "Why is he here though?"

"Danny's in some kind of trouble." Brett smiled slightly. "As always."

"Daniela's good at getting in trouble." Vermov agreed. "Almost as good as that bastard brother of hers."

"I'll tell Alex you send your regards."

"He's here too?" Vermov looked even more shocked then he had earlier.

"Of course."

Vermov turned to the man on his right and started ordering him quickly in Russian. The man nodded and made a quick suggestion then walked away quickly. Vermov stood still a minute, pondering. "Something important enough to bring them all here…" He shook his head and gestured to Brett. "My business will have to wait."

"Might just be a social visit, you know. She lives up here."

"Of course I know that." Vermov looked annoyed. "I'm in charge of watching her. Dirk doesn't visit. Not even for her. Neither does Alex, though he may be here to visit that adorable boy of his." He shook his head. "Later." He started ordering people in harsh sounding Russian. Half of them left.

Brett frowned. "You don't need us then?"

"You've caused me enough trouble today, boy. The job can wait until this is blown over." He left, taking the rest of his guards with him.

"He is way too relaxed to be so good." Josh noted, leaning against the wall beside the door, just out of view from the hallway. He'd come out after changing.

Brett shrugged. "He is good though. What is this all about?"

"Soon as I find out I'll tell ya." Josh shook his head. "Shoulda known Vermov'd know them. He's too big not too."

"I wouldn't have thought Dirk would like him. He seems so…"

"Uptight?"

"Strict."

"Which Vermov definitely isn't."

"What's with all this Daniela stuff?"

"Danny's real name. She changed it, apparently. Her mom was Spanish." He offered that last rather inanely."

"Really? So Hilde isn't her mother?"

"Nope. They hate each other. She adores her brother though."

"What is he like?"

"You'd get along. Just try to avoid being near him when JJ's nearby."

"JJ doesn't like him?"

"JJ doesn't like anyone Sean likes nearly as much as Sean like Alex."

"Am I the only one who feels like we're caught up in some strange kind of soap opera or something?"

"I've been thinking that all along."

"Hmmm…" Brett shook his head. "Well, looks like she's causing trouble again. You hungry yet?"

"Give me another hour." Josh estimated. "I'll feel better by then."

"Can't. Got a date. I'm going to grab a quick bite." On his way back inside he cuffed Josh across the back of the head. "And call the repair guy. Or get a new clock. I need to know what time it is."

"Can't get out on dates if you don't know when you're getting there, huh?"

"Damn right. Besides, it's two o'clock already. Time you did something useful."

"You're one to talk."

"Don't sass me, boy."

"Now you sound like a father."

"God forbid. Parenthood wouldn't agree with me. Kids are brats until they're 9. Then they're pests."

Josh shook his head. "You're the brat."

"Takes all kinds. Think you can cook for me without throwing up?"

"Now you want me to make you breakfast?"

"Your girlfriend cost us the job today. Least you can do is feed me."

"That's her fault, not mine!"

"Make me food anyway or I'll hide the Tylenol."

"Bastard…" Josh headed for the kitchen. "For that you're getting waffles. The frozen kind."

"I'll survive." Brett smirked, heading for his room. "And don't forget-"

"Get the clock fixed. I know, I know." Josh sounded genuinely annoyed this time.

"Then do it!"

* * *

"Yes Jamie, I'm fine. I slept well and my headache's gone… Yeah, a bit. I think I drank too much last night."

Alex snickered. Sean glared at him.

"… I slept for hours. I'll be fine…I'm sure… I'm about to have some break…er…lunch. How's Danny?... Why'd she bother going in, she's as hung over as I am… You're one to talk." Sean frowned at the phone. "It's not my fault. I rarely drink…She doesn't either." He sighed." She probably looks awful…Models can't have bad days, Jamie." He smiled as Alex brought him a cup of coffee. 'Thanks' he mouthed. Alex winked and sat behind him, drinking some coffee himself. "Are you at work?" Sean switched the phone to his other ear as he tried to be comfortable drinking and listening at the same time. "…Bikky? What'd he do?... He never learns, does he? Has Carol been in trouble recently?... That's good…I rarely got in trouble. My sister did though… Yes, I have a sister." He set the cup down. He couldn't really drink it while talking. "She doesn't live here… I didn't mean New York… England…Oh, is that salmon?" Sean directed that last to Alex, staring at the lunch set out on the table. He started. "Huh? Oh…that…just my landlady. She brings me food sometimes. You've met her, haven't you?"
"You're terrible." Alex whispered in his ear. "Lying to poor Jamie like that."

Sean covered the receiver. "Hush….and bring me some of that."

"Yes sir." Alex laughed and went over to get the requested food. Sean uncovered the receiver. "I'd better go. She'll be upset if I don't eat it. She's worried I'm sick… I'm not really sick…that's different…I'll be over later. I might not make it for dinner, you two eat at odd times, but I'll definitely stop by, OK?...Don't worry so much, I'm fine…Have you heard him?...Alex? You don't know him very well. He's always loud."

Alex looked hurt.

"I'll see you later, all right? Goodbye… Yes…All right. Goodbye." He hung up and sighed. "He worries too much."

"I'm always loud?" Alex pouted..

"You are… are you going to give that to me or not?"

Alex tugged the plate out of range. "Loud? I am not loud."

"Of course not." Sean smiled slightly. "Can I have my fish?"

"No." Alex said sulkily. "You insulted me."

"I'm sorry…Can I have my fish now?"

"You didn't mean it!" Alex protested.

Sean hmphed. "Fine." He stood. "I'll get it myself then."

Alex sighed and handed the plate to him. "Hmph. You're no fun."

"So sorry." Sean glared at him, sitting down to eat. He'd only managed a couple mouthfuls before Alex headed for the door. "Where are you going?"

"I'm gonna see if I can meet with Vermov today. I have to check in with Franz and Emil back home later then I'm going to try and talk to Bauer, I believe he's here in town for awhile."

Sean blinked. "Vermov's up here now?"

"He's watching Danny. God knows she needs it." He tugged his shoes on. "I'm not sure if father's told him why we're here yet. I should check, he'd want to know."

"If he doesn't already."

"He might."

"Oh!" Sean remembered suddenly, pushing his plate away. "There's an FBI agent in town, she was after Danny the day you came in. I don't know why she's here but I think it has to do with Dirk coming up here."

"Hmm…The FBI wouldn't be involved in this though. Too risky, too easy to get caught. What's her name?"

"Diana."

"Surname?"

"Didn't catch it. She knows Dee and Ryo though."

"So she's been here before. Interesting. Has she showed up again?"

"Not yet. But it hasn't even been 24 hours."

"True… I'll keep an eye out for her."

"She was up here alone so she's probably pretty good."

Alex shrugged. "We're better." He checked his gun quickly.

Sean stood. "I'm going too."

"Huh?" Alex blinked at him then shook his head. "Not a good idea, geliebt."

"Why not?"

"Have you learned how to use a gun yet?"

"Well…no…"

Alex made a face. "The one thing the Adams boy can do right and you don't even bother having him teach you."

Sean bit his lip and spoke under his breath. "I didn't want him to teach me."

"What was that?"

"I said that it doesn't matter whether he taught me or not. You aren't visiting anyone hostile, just Vermov. Vermov likes me. I can talk to Emil while you check with Franz."

"Hmm…" Alex searched the pockets of his coat, tucking away a pair of extra guns. "That would be helpful." He looked over at Sean. "How well does Bauer's secretary know you?"

"Anyone who had connections down there knows I'm part of the family."

Alex shrugged. "Perhaps… All right, we'll go meet with Vermov then I'll call Franz and you try to set things up with Bauer. At least find out where he really is. If you have time you can call Emil."

"How long do you think this will take?"

"You're having dinner with Danny and Jaime, right?"

"Oh…right…" Sean shook his head. "That's not for hours though."

"If you say so. Better go change though. You're all rumpled."

Sean looked down at his clothes and made a face. "Ugh." He stood up and headed for the bedroom. "Do you anything that will fit."

"I stopped keeping clothes that fit you after you moved."

"Oh." Sean had been reaching into Alex's clothing bag, he'd pulled it from the pile in the corner instinctively, having done it dozens of times before. He hesitated. "Right…"

Alex entered the room. "We could just call the front desk and ask them to bring something up, if you want."

Sean shook his head, struggling to keep his voice cheerful. "I'll be fine. I'll call Bauer and Emil and try to arrange things then call you later, OK?"

"You sure?"

"Yeah. All we really want is to help Danny out, right?"

A moment of silence. "Right. Daniela's the one we should be worried about."

"Should I make an appointment with Bauer if I can get through to him for you? Tonight maybe?"

"After dinner, perhaps." Alex's voice was quiet, almost inaudible.

"All right then. I'll see you later." The door closed. Sean didn't turn around. Gripping the bag in his hands he turned and, eyes shut, flung it across the room. Unfortunately, through the skills of his abominable luck, it hit the radio, or CD he wasn't sure, and turned it on. To, of course, the worst possible song. It was just that kind of day.

I didn't hear you leave
I wonder how am I still here

And I don't wanna move a thing
It might change my memory

He sank down onto the bed and curled up.

Oh I am what I am, I'll do what I want, but
I can't hide

Reaching up he grabbed a pillow and pulled it over his head, crying softly.

And I won't go
I won't sleep
I can't breathe
Until you're resting here with me
And I won't leave
And I can't hide
I cannot be
Until you're resting here with me

He ignored the feel of the bed moving as someone sat down beside him, he even ignored the soothing hand on his back. But he couldn't ignore the voice, calling his name. "Sean…"

He pulled the pillow down and looked up with tears still running down his cheeks. "Alex…"

I don't wanna call my friends
They might wake me from this dream
And I can't leave this bed
Risk forgetting all that's been

Alex pulled him into his arms, knocking the pillow onto the floor. "Sean… you're such an idiot."

Sean clung to him, face buried in his shoulder.

"If you wanted to come so badly you should have just said so."

Oh I am what I am, I'll do what I want, but
I can't hide

"I shouldn't have left…" Sean whimpered. "I'm sorry."

"Danny needed you."

"But…"

"Sssh, it's OK. You had to leave. I've never really blamed you. Besides, Danny would never have made it up here without your help."

"I want to come home."

"You aren't happy."

Sean shook his head slowly. "I need you…"

Alex sighed. "Sean…"

And I won't go
I won't sleep
I can't breathe
Until you're resting here with me
And I won't leave
And I can't hide
I cannot be
Until you're resting here with me

"Don't leave me…"

"I won't…"

"I need you…" Sean sobbed. "I missed you."

"Well, I missed you too. You could've called though. You do remember my number, right?"

Sean nodded. "I didn't want to call you."

"Why?"

"I was mad."

"You were mad? You broke up with me!"

"You were being an ass."

"I was…" Alex made a face. "I haven't even seen you in over a year and we start fighting like this…"

And I won't go
I won't sleep
I can't breathe
Until you're resting here with me
And I won't leave
And I can't hide
I cannot be
Until you're resting here with me

"Why didn't you come up six months ago, when everyone was dying."

"I was in Germany. I didn't know."

"Dirk didn't tell you?"

"Vermov was out of state. He didn't find out until late so even father didn't know for a long time. Danny told no one."

"But…"

"I would have come. If I'd known."

"Because of Danny…"

"Sean…" Alex shook his head. "You never even called. If I'd come up without a reason you'd have refused to talk to me."

"…"

"But I'm here now. And so are you."

Oh I am what I am, I'll do what I want, but
I can't hide
And I won't go
I won't sleep
I can't breathe
Until you're resting here with me
And I won't leave
And I can't hide
I cannot be
Until you're resting here

Sean nodded slowly. Alex patted his back. "I'll call Danny and ask her to bring you some clothes, OK? She'll understand. She figured we wouldn't be able to make it back to your place."

He nodded again. Alex lay down on the bed, pulling Sean down with him. They curled up on the bed, Sean in Alex's arms. Alex whispered in his ear, voice quiet and soothing. "You worry too much, Sean. Danny will be fine. We won't let anything bad happen to her."

"You don't even know what's going to happen…"

"Do we ever? We've managed to keep her safe so far. And now we have cops to help us, Dee and Ryo seem fairly dependable. Josh could probably take care of it by himself, if his brother's as good as he is."

"They are very good." Sean murmured.

"See. You'd know too. You could always tell the posers from the real thing. Father missed that skill of yours almost as much as he did you, you know."

Sean relaxed slightly.

"It was kind of hard after you left. Father and Hilde liked you and that's about all they've agreed upon in years. She missed babying you."

"You're her son."

"Only you and Danny can get away with babying me." Alex chuckled. "It's not quite the same."

"Did they really miss me?" Sean turned around in Alex's arms to face him.

"Yeah. They did."

And I won't go
I won't sleep
I can't breathe
Until you're resting here with me
And I won't leave
And I can't hide
I cannot be
Until you're resting here with me

"…How long will you be up here?"

"Not sure. Until we know Danny's safe. I'll stay up here, at least. Father and Hilde may have to return to help watch over the business, but I don't have anything that can't be dealt with by others."

"So you're here indefinitely."

Alex nodded, smiling. "Yeah."

Sean closed his eyes. "I missed you."

"You've said that." Alex sounded almost smug. He kissed Sean's forehead. "Tell you what, if you still feel that way after everything's calmed down then come and talk to me."

"Eh?"

"You're rather emotional, love. You should remember to try and avoid any momentous decisions when you're upset. You need your head clear for things like this."

"Yeah…"

"I'm going to call Danny. We can all go have lunch. I'll invite Vermov. We'll go to a place with fish." He grinned and stood, pulling Sean to his feet and kissing him on the motuh this time, deep and slow. "So do whatever you need to get ready, OK? Anything special I should ask for?"

Sean shook his head.

"Good." Alex reached over and turned the radio off. "You wield a mean suitcase, you know?"

Sean smirked.

"That's my geliebt."

Sean kissed him quickly. "I probably look awful."

"Crying never did agree with you." Alex agreed.

Sean hit him on the shoulder. "You didn't have to agree so readily."

"Sorry." Alex walked out, already dialing.

Sean leaned against the wall and sighed, feeling drained. "Things are getting complicated again."

* * *

"Eh?" Danny stared at the phone in her hands. "You need me to bring Sean some clothes? Alex…Ahh, yes, his place does have a lot of stairs. But you're strong, you could've managed…I noticed that, you were barely walking straight… All right, I'll bring something…Lunch where?... I'll find somewhere. What does he want?... How'm I supposed to know?...You know how he is, if it isn't just right he'll be upset…You answered that pretty readily… Yes, I know what Josh would wear but that's different. He's not so picky… If you say so…I'll ask Tasha to come, he likes her."

Tasha blinked. "Me?" She'd been standing nearby talking to another girl. "I like who."

"Sean… Yes, I was talking to her…She wanted to know who I was talking about… no, I'm talking TO you and ABOUT him…Don't be perverse… I'm not supposed to know what that word means, 'lexie."

"Oooooh!" Tasha tried to snatch the phone. "Is that your brother?"

Danny nodded and stood, avoiding the grasps at the phone. "Where is Sean anyway?... He cried? What'd you do now?" she glared at the phone a minute then sighed. "Sean…" She sat, waving Tasha away. "He's been upset ever since Laura died. I don't think he's really been happy since then… I couldn't call you up! He would have been mad at me and you…Jaime's been trying to help but…He just isn't the kind of person Sean needs. They're both too emotional and Jaime's too clingy…I adore Jaime, but he isn't right for Sean… Well, you and Sean seemed pretty final and if you two can't be together I'd rather that they were." She held the phone away from her ear for a minute. "You keep forgetting I like Jaime… I'm not the only one! Sean does." She winced. "Look, just don't bother Jaime. Let him be. The last thing Sean needs is the two of you fighting… I know he starts it but… He really likes Sean, you should understand that… Just give him awhile. It's only been six months. They went through some really bad stuff… I got off lightly…They needed each other, Alex, not you coming up here and stealing Sean away. You don't want depressed Sean, do you? If anything's going to last between you two he has to able to get his confidence back. Jaime can help with that, if nothing else…I think they'd be great friends. Sean needs someone he can talk to when he's upset emotionally and neither of us are very good at that… I know you try but we just don't understand enough… Look, I'm coming over, OK? We can argue this later…I'll make dinner excuses for him…I'll invite Dee over, that always distracts Jaime…No, I think they're actually becoming friends now…They're both pretty wild, so it's fun, if nothing else… You know what, you should have dinner with Brett and Josh… Yes, I know you've been eating out with people ever since you got here but you've a lot to catch up on and who knows how long to do it… Just eat with them! In the room, if you want. Have pizza and beer. They'll love it… I'll give you the number, call them later...I'm leaving now…No, I'm really leaving…Shut up, if I'm ever going to get there I need to get going… Sean's going to be mad he's stuck in rumpled clothes because you won't be quiet… You really are loud, you know." She grinned wickedly and turned the phone off. Tasha was laughing. "Rumpled clothes?" She smirked. "Is it safe to ask?"

"We all got wasted last night and Alex decided to take Sean back home but Sean passed out and Alex didn't know for sure where his place was, all he knew was that there were a lot of stairs so…" She shrugged. "Back to the hotel they went."

Tasha pouted. "That's a boring story."

"Alex really likes Sean. He knows that if he does something sordid nothing good can come of it."

"Deep."

"Plus, they were really, really wasted. Sean was essentially unconscious."

Tasha giggled naughtily. "I bet Alex could've woken him up."

"Maybe." Danny yawned. "We'd better get going. I have to find those clothes and they want us to go to lunch with them."

"But we're still shooting."

"I'm done for the day. Too hung over to do much."

"Poor dear. You've got it easy, they always give you the breaks."

"Because I'm pretty and my family runs the criminal world in Miami and is a major power in LA."

"They don't run LA?"

"No one runs LA."

"True…"

"I'll grab the clothes. You get off. I said I'd bring you, Alex says Sean probably needs someone to talk to who isn't as deeply involved as I am that he likes. You're the only one who fits."

"Gee, thanks. Now I'm getting caught up in this."

"At least you won't be bored."

"That's true."

"Not hurry up, we'd better get over there before something sordid does happen."

"If you says so." Tasha walked off, shaking her head and laughing. Danny put her cellphone away and stretched. "Josh's right. This all does feel like one big soap opera…or maybe I'm just hung over." She shrugged. "Either way. Let's see…Where did Sean put those shirts from the other day?"

End