These comments containspoilers(if you haven't seen season two of WaT, especially the episodes "Confidence" and "Legacy"): The Danny name thing is straight WaT cannon – season two. The first episode it's mentioned in, I believe, is "Confidence"; Danny says something about their missing person changing her name to change who she was and Viv asks if he's speaking from experience and puts an emphasis on Danny's last name. In the episode ("Legacy") with Danny's brother you find out that his brother's last name is Alvarez.

Who's Your Daddy? (aka Masks): Chapter Two

by Ami-chan

Martin returned exactly three days later looking tired but strangely contented. He was entirely more relaxed than any of their unit had seen before and they could only assume that was due to his trip to visit his mother's family. Not that they had time to talk about it – they had a missing person they were rushing to find and Martin was immediately thrown into the organized chaos of the investigation. As they were gathering information on the missing girl's family and friends Danny found himself studying Martin a little bit closer than he usually would have. Then again, Martin was usually a lot harder to read, too.

"I take it your trip was successful?" Danny finally had to ask.

A grin that could only be described as a shit-eating grin crossed Martin's face and all he said in reply was, "I'm a Tanner."

Danny took that as a good thing.

The office was back to normal with Martin back, or at least as normal as it had ever been, and despite small differences in this happier less stressed Martin he was still Martin. It wasn't a big deal. Or so they thought. Within twenty-four hours of returning something drastic happened – perhaps minor in the scheme of things but a definite statement – Martin changed his name.

He had left the office as Martin Fitzgerald and returned with a shiny new ID card with the name Martin Tanner clearly printed on it. According to Martin he'd kept his first and middle names the same not wanting to confuse anyone, especially himself, too much. He'd gotten used to being called Martin somehow so why change that?

The ensuing rumors were amusing to say the least. Those that didn't know the story were shocked. Had Martin… taken on the last name of a male partner? Had he perhaps married a woman and taken her name instead of the other way around? Martin only responded to the questions when asked directly and then, as if he wanted everyone one know or maybe he was simply unable to stop himself from saying the truth, explained that it was his real mother's last name. Then everyone knew. Martin had never been Victor Fitzgerald's legitimate son and Martin was proud of that because he wasn't a Fitzgerald.

Weeks passed and they began to grow accustomed to hearing "Tanner" when Martin answered his phone. Danny still slipped and called Martin "Fitzie" every once in a while though he had taken to calling Martin "Vin" or "Vinny" instead since there simply wasn't a good nickname to be had from Tanner and corrupting "Martin" seemed pointless after so much time. It seemed they had only just settled into their new routine, this new and improved Martin when he showed up.

Victor Fitzgerald.

He didn't look particularly happy. As if that was a big surprise.

"Martin." His voice was calm though his eyes were narrowed like he really wanted to scream and shake his son but was restraining himself. It helped that they were surrounded by witnesses so the chances of Victor doing that, here, was slim to none even if Victor did look to be at the end of hisrope.

There was no response from Martin even though his father was standing right there, maybe a foot away from him just glaring in the Victor Fitzgeraldian way that made grown men quake. "Matin." Again, nothing. It was as if Martin suddenly found that his computer was the most interesting fucking thing he'd ever seen. "Martin!" Victor was pissed, practically breathing fire, his hands clenching like he wanted to wrap them around someone's – Martin's – neck. Then suddenly all of the anger dissipated as if Victor was suddenly too damned tired to deal with it. "Vincent."

As if a light had suddenly gone on, Martin turned his head and glanced up. "Can I help you?"

A definite wince from his fellow agents as Victor's brow creased in annoyance. "Don't do this, Martin. I get it."

A snort, a sharp shake of his head. "Yeah, of course you do." Very sarcastic. Martin turned back to his computer, continuing to ignore his father.

There was a heavy sigh from Victor and suddenly the impenetrable Victor Fitzgerald looked old and worn out and not at all intimidating. "Let's have this discussion somewhere else, shall we?"

Martin's eyebrows lifted as if you say, what so there won't be any witnesses? I don't think so. While he responded with, "What's wrong with having it here? The whole building already has the details as I'm sure nearly every FBI agent does at this point in time. News travels quickly, or so I've heard."

"I think there are some agents in Alaska that don't know, but beyond that I think you're right." And was that humor from Victor? Humor? Danny was stunned. "I'm serious though, Martin. We need to talk. I tried to call, but you're obviously screening them – I've left you numerous messages on your cell and home phones and you've not returned them."

"I've been busy."

Victor took a step closer. "To busy to pick up a phone and say 'hi'?"

"I think the conversation would have entailed a bit more than 'hi' so yes, too busy." Martin didn't look the least bit apologetic. "Besides, I really didn't need the headache. Now, if you'll excuse me I have work to - "

"Damn it, Martin, if you refuse to talk to me otherwise you'll at least talk to me now. What is this all about?" So must for calm and collected. Danny glanced around and noticed there was quite a bit of an audience and if anyone looked like they were doing work they probably were faking it. No one had popcorn, though. Popcorn might have been nice. And M&M's, those were good too.

Martin leaned back in his chair looking vaguely amused. "I'm afraid you're going to have to be a bit more specific. What is the 'this' you are referring to?"

"You know what I'm referring to, Martin, and don't act as if you don't. Why did you change your name?"

"Shall I list the reasons, honestly? I don't think you're ready to hear that, but if you insist, for starters I didn't want my name changed in the first place. Two, I don't like you and that doesn't make me particularly receptive to having your name. Most importantly I am not and have never been a Fitzgerald – and – and even though I've barely met them I like my mother's family a whole lot better than yours. Besides, you lied to me."

Ooooh feisty Martin. This was getting interesting. Then a familiar scent made his eyes start searching the room because someone did have popcorn and who had had the presence of mind to do that? Oh, Vivian, of course. He took some of the offered popcorn from her and they both settled down to watch. Samantha was too busy recording everything on her cell phone so she could play it back later and show everyone.

"Lied? How did I lie?" The funny thing was that Victor genuinely looked confused.

"Come on, Victor, you lied about everything. What didn't you lie about? I'm talking about my grandfather, you knew he was looking for me and he found me but you refused to let us meet. You tried to pay him to leave me alone!" Martin's cool was gone and he was shaking in rage. "He didn't take your money, of course, but you pressured him enough so that he left without me ever knowing who he was. You told me my mother didn't have any family!"

Victor took a step back, uncertain. "I thought she didn't."

"Until he showed up and then you kept him from me!"

"Martin, that was for the best, it was a very – "

A low, dark growl cut Victor off. "The best for whom? You didn't ask me, you never ask me! What about what I want, what about me making my own decisions? Why do you always do this? Why do you always go behind my back and do things that I don't want because you think it will make everything better? It's not helping me!"

Now an appearance from huffy Martin. He was kind of cute when he was huffy. Danny continued to munch on popcorn and to not analyze that thought.

"Martin, please believe me, I never meant for that to happen it just wasn't a good time."

Victor looked like he was being honest but it was hard to tell. Apparently Martin was having a hard time trying to decide that one for himself. "Then what would have been a good time? Because you had numerous opportunities to tell me and now is really a bit late since he's dead and all and I'll never know him now."

It was as if Martin had suddenly been replaced by a small child – all big, innocent eyes and heartbroken expression as if someone had just told him his puppy had died. Several agents who had better vantage points were brushing tears from their eyes. Soap operas had nothing on the Fitzgeralds… er… Fitzgerald/Tanners.

"I'm sorry Martin. I just – I was just trying to protect you, I didn't want you to be disappointed and I didn't… I didn't want there to be a chance that anyone would try to take you away from me."

The transformation of Martin's face was nearly comical from sadness to shock to confusion and back to shock. "What?"

"In hindsight I probably should have allowed you to meet him or at least given you a choice, but – I know he didn't want to physically take you away from me, but you were already so distance I didn't – I didn't want you to like him more than me. It was – I just didn't want to take the chance." Victor was shifting nervously aware of the eyes on them though he didn't seem at all ready to end their conversation yet. At least not until he had had his say.

"You were jealous of someone I had never even met?" The mind boggled. "You were jealous of the potential relationship I would have with my grandfather. Dad, are you serious?"

Everyone, especially Victor, noticed Martin's first use of the term "dad" in connection with Victor, Martin's father breathing a sigh of what could be considered relief. "Yes, as much as I don't like to admit it, I'm serious. I wanted your undivided attention, even if it was your anger and hate. Martin, you're my son and I love you, but I've never… I've never felt as if you loved me back."

There was a soft "aww" that traveled around the room, ignored by the father and son that were standing in the center of attention. Martin was swallowing hard, desperately trying to find the best way to respond to that. "Some days are harder than others, some days I don't want to like you at all, but you are still my father and nothing will change that or the fact that I love you."

And if that wasn't the hardest thing Martin ever had to say than Danny would eat his… well… he wasn't wearing a hat. His desk, yes. He'd eat his desk. There was no chance of that happening, though, so he continued to eat popcorn.

Then Victor suggested dinner – and when had it gotten that late anyway? – and Martin agreed. Before they left Victor wandered over to Samantha and plucked the phone out of her hand. "I'll be borrowing that." He ignored Samantha's gaping mouth, put his arm around his son, and started for the elevators.

As soon as the elevator doors shut Samantha was howling, "Did you see that? My footage! I can't believe that!"

Danny just shrugged. It was Victor Fitzgerald, what were you going to do? At least things seemed to have worked out for the moment. No doubt in a few days or hours or minutes father and son would be at each other's throats again. That would be fine with Danny, though, because Martin could always come bitching to him about it and Danny was always willing to let Martin do that. Or to rest his head on Danny's shoulder. That would be nice, cozy.

"Having impure thoughts about Marty again?"

Danny smirked up at Vivian because Vivian just knew everything. "Better believe it. Think he'd buy it if I told him I was jealous of everyone that takes his attention away from me?"

"Might want to wait a week before trying that one," Vivian suggested as she turned back to her desk, leaving Danny with the rest of the popcorn.

"Good idea."

-The End-

Okay, so it turned out being pre-slash. I really didn't intend that to happen, but Danny has a mind of his own and Danny's pretty so he gets whatever he wants.