A/N: See the intro for the standard stuff. Here's a little warm-up before watching tonight's epi or a little dessert for after. Not that it has anything to do with tonight's epi. Hope you enjoy.

Meadow: Thanks. Wolvie: It just clicked. RoadRunner: Did I say gf? Hmm. Bad bunny. One question will be answered. Hallucinating: That's the thing about paybacks. Never know what they are or when they're coming. LittleCornithian: Glad you think so. RS: Glad you're enjoying the game. I'll have to come up with harder lyrics.

"Take care, Don."

Tess snapped her phone shut as she bounced down the steps of Hunter. Just grab a quick cup of real coffee and back to practice. She grinned to herself, still thinking of her phone call.

"Somebody sure looks chipper for being so sick this weekend." Tess' head shot up and she stopped dead. There was a sandy haired man leaning on the light post. He uncrossed his arms and walked up to Tess. With her still on a step, she was actually taller than him. Tess took a deep breath.

"Alex."

"You seem surprised to see me."

Tess grimaced at him. She ducked her head and tugged on her braid. "Well, let's see. That may be because I haven't seen or heard from you since you transferred to St. Louis to 'find yourself.'" Tess made little quote marks with her fingers around the last two words. She tapped her lips with a single finger. "That would be, hm, over five months ago. Right after you broke up with me. After two and a half years."

Alex stepped closer. Tess stepped away. "I got a promotion."

Tess raised her eyebrows and shook her head. "So?"

"I'm back here in New York."

"And that's supposed to mean what?" She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Did you get your flowers?"

Tess closed her eyes and sighed heavily. Her arms fell to her sides. "You sent them. I should have known."

Alex looked a little taken aback. "Well, yes."

Tess set her chin at a stubborn angle. She planted her fists on her hips. "Yes, why? Why would anything in the past five plus months give me any reason to think you'd send me flowers?" Tess shook her head and put up her hands. "I am not doing this right now. I was just supposed to run out for a coffee and then get right back to practice."

"Still jumping to Misha's call?"

"Still working with Misha, yes. And yes he's still head coach. He's good."

"He still treats you like an errand girl."

"The coffee is for me. And he does not. And you have no right. God, you breeze back here, send me flowers and think you can have an opinion on my life?" Tess turned and started up the steps. "Five months, Alex. You gave up that right over five months ago," she called over her shoulder.

Alex took a step up. "When do you get done with practice? Let me take you to dinner."

Tess stopped on the top step. She didn't turn around. "I don't think that's such a good idea, Alex."

"Come on, Tess. Just a simple dinner out. Just for old times."

Tess turned at that. "I am not living old times with you, Alex. I haven't been sitting in neutral for five months. I've gone on."

"Just dinner." Alex looked up with her. Tess closed her eyes. She didn't want to see his green ones pleading with her. She wished she could be as cold as he was when she had done the pleading.

"Just dinner. Just this time. Just because we did have two and a half years. Nothing more, Alex."

"Nothing more," he agreed. He smiled. "What time?"

"I'll meet you out here at quarter to six." Tess went into the school. This is a stupid idea, she chided herself.

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Tess bent to pick up one last foil and stow it in the equipment bag. She straightened and rubbed the small of her back. She bent again to pick up the bag.

"Hey, lemme get that for ya." Tess jumped. She looked and saw Don heading across the cafeteria. He was dressed in black jeans, a pale grey shirt and a black leather jacket. Tess' heart jumped. He was smiling, blue eyes sparkling. No, not now. Tess felt the walls starting to close in.

"This day just keeps getting better and better," she mumbled to herself.

Don stopped in front of her and frowned. He tilted her chin up. "Ya don't look so happy ta see me."

Tess sighed heavily. "I thought you were wrapped up in something."

"I got finished. I thought we could grab a bite." Tess looked down at the tips of his shoes. "Tess, what's up?"

"I'm not free." She looked up at Don and back down at the ground.

"I didn't know ya had plans." He took a step back. "I shouldn't have just assumed. I guess I'll jus'…" He spun around and started to walk away. "It's not like we're serious or anything. I don't have…"

Tess let the equipment bag slip off her shoulder. It landed with a clatter. "Yeah. Because I sleep with every guy I pick up in a bar." Don stopped dead. He looked around. No one else was in the room. He turned back and looked at Tess. Her arms were crossed over her chest.

"That's not what I said."

"You didn't have to," she fought to keep the tremor out of her voice. Her chin was tilted up and her jaw was clenched.

"I'm not the one who's lookin' guilty," countered Don. He fought to control his temper. Why did the thought that someone else might be going out with Tess get him so worked up? Danny warned ya about too fast too deep, Moron. He missed the too late part, you idiot.

"No, 'innocent until proven' with you, is there?"

"Ya ain't doin' well provin' that."

Tess picked up the bag again. "I don't have time for this."

"Neither do I."

Tess turned and started to walk away. "Fine, then," she called over her shoulder.

"Fine," he mumbled and left.

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Tess rested her head on her hand and picked at her food with the other. Alex took a bite of his dinner and chewed, watching her thoughtfully.

"Is there anybody home? I know you don't really want to be here, but you could at least make an effort at pretending."

Tess looked up. "No. I really can't." She went back to picking at her food. "I should have just stood you up."

Alex paused and raised his eyebrows at her. "Pardon?"

Tess glared at him. "When the guy I am seeing came by, I should have gone with him and stood you up."

Alex paused mid-bite. "You're seeing someone." It was much more a statement than a question.

Tess rolled her eyes. "I told you, Alex. I haven't spent the last five months holed up in my apartment crying over love letters from you. Yes, I've been seeing someone."

"Seriously?"

"What do you mean by 'seriously?' 'Seriously, I'm seeing someone' or 'Am I seeing someone seriously?'"

"Either. Both," shrugged Alex.

"I am seeing someone. I don't know if it's serious."

Alex gave a short bark of laughter. "It's serious, Tess. Otherwise, you wouldn't be beating yourself up over being here."

Tess shook her head. "We've only been going out for about a month."

Alex gave Tess a wistful smile. "Tess, I was with you for two and a half years. I think I can recognize the signs." Alex set down his fork. He focused his attention completely on Tess. "I did come back to New York hoping to pick up from where we left off. I meant the card. I did miss you."

"Yeah, but you did leave too."

"I know. Looks like something I'm going to keep on regretting." He nodded his head in Tess' direction. "Go on. Track down your guy. Just let him know how lucky he is."

Tess smiled. "I'll do that." She reached out and gently touched Alex's hand. "I guess you did find yourself out in St. Louis."

Alex gave her a sad smile. "Too bad I was a little too late. Take care of yourself, Tess."

"You know I will. Bye, Alex." Tess pushed her chair away from the table. She walked over to Alex and kissed his cheek.

"See you, Tess." Tess gave a small wave and quickly left the restaurant.

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Don sat at the bar scowling at his beer bottle lost in thought. Danny came up and slapped him on the back.

"Hey! Didn't think I'd find ya here."

"Neither did I."

Danny frowned at him. "What gives? Couple of hours ago ya breezed outta the station about three feet off the ground. Who ran over yer puppy?"

Don's eyes barely flicked in Danny's direction. "Ya told me not ta talk about it." Danny frowned in confusion. He ordered a beer and took a couple of pulls. Suddenly he nodded.

"Tiger Girl had a date. And it wasn't with you."

"Yeah. And we fought about it."

"You've been busy. Tracked down Tiger Girl, fought with her and got back here to drown yer sorrows."

"It was a short fight," mumbled Don.

"I'll bet not pretty though."

"She thinks I called her a…" Don couldn't finish the sentence. He took a long pull on his beer. The looked over at Danny. Danny shook his head. It didn't take someone who knew Don well to read what was going through his mind. "She's not, ya know. Even if my ma hadn't taught me better, I wouldn't ever call her that." Danny smirked and shook his head again. "Ya think this is funny?"

"No, man. Yer just in so deep." Danny saluted Don with his bottle. "Welcome to the club. Misery loves company, Donny." They sat there drinking their beers staring into space.

"I'm an idiot," Don burst out.

"Yer gittin' no argument from me."

"Thanks buddy." Don waved for another beer. He took a drink. "Maybe I should go find her."

"And ya plan on doin' that how?"

"I dunno. I need to tell Tess I'm sorry."

"Buy her flowers."

Don groaned and dropped his head, shaking it. "No. Definitely not."

"Tiger Girl doesn't like flowers?"

Don sniffed and shook his head again. He took a swig of beer. "Flowers started this whole mess."

"Back up. What are ya talkin' 'bout?"

"Someone sent Tess flowers on Friday."

"Someone meaning not you."

"Boy, are you quick. Yeah. Not me."

"Then whatdaya mean 'someone?' Didn't the guy sign his name?"

"No. Bet that's who she's out with though." Danny just shook his head.

They sat drinking some more. Don ordered another beer and one for Danny too. Danny shook his head, but didn't stop him. If he wanted to get shitfaced. Danny looked up in the mirror over the bar. He elbowed Don.

"Yer fight wasn't the only thing that was short." Don looked at Danny like he had grown a third head. He looked into the mirror and saw Tess searching the room for him. "Ya gonna leave her lookin' or ya gonna go talk ta her?"

"I don't think I can get over there." Danny frowned at him.

"How many of those things did ya have?"

Don took another swig of beer. "I started with somethin' beside beer."

Danny resisted the urge to hit him upside the head. "I don't believe you." He slid off his stool and went over to Tess. She looked at his feet as he came to a stop in front of her. "So, ya came lookin' for Flack, did ya?"

"Yes."

"How was yer date?" Tess' head shot up. "Yeah. He mighta said somethin'." Danny shrugged. "Not really my business. Flack'd come talk to ya himself, but he decided on havin' a liquid dinner." Tess' eyes closed and her shoulders slumped. Danny smiled and shook his head. At least they were both in deep. "Come on. Time for ya to go rescue Flack from himself." Danny led Tess over to the bar. Don's head swiveled as she stopped at his elbow.

"Hiya," she said quietly.

"Hey."

"I hear you've been sitting here getting blitzed."

Don nodded. "I am." He looked Tess up and down. "Didn't expect ta see ya."

Tess smiled slightly. "I got things wrapped up. Thought you might want to grab a bite."

"I'm not really in shape ta…"

Tess shook her head. "I can see that. Let's get you to a table, get something besides beer into you and get you home."

"Tess, ya don't…"

"Yeah. I do." She turned toward Danny. "Could you give me a hand?" They wrestled Don to a table and sat him down. Tess got a pitcher of water and an order of fries. She sat down and poured Don a large glass. "Drink this."

"Tess," he whined.

"Just drink it. I will force the water and the fries down your throat if I have to." Something in her voice made Don believe she would do it. He picked up the glass and drank down about half of it. "Now some French fries." Don looked at the fries and shook his head. Tess picked up a fry and waved it at him. "You are going to eat these. It's your decision if it's going to be with or without help." Don frowned at Tess, but opened his mouth. He bit the fry off just at her fingers. "Hey. You be careful. I need those."

"I wouldn't have bit you, Tess." Don raised his eyebrows. "Not unless you wanted me to."

Tess blushed hard. She waved another fry at him. "I don't trust your aim at the moment, Donald."

Don grabbed her wrist and bit that fry out of her fingers too. "No one calls me Donald." He grinned at her. "I like it."

Tess shook her head. "No flirting until you're sober. Besides, I believe a couple of hours ago we were in a fight."

"But ya came lookin' for me."

"And found you with your nose down a bottle." Tess picked up another fry. "Less talking, more eating."

"Yes, ma'am."

Danny shook his head. "If you two are settled now, I'm getting out of here." He stood up. "Before I go into sugar shock," he muttered under his breath.

Don grinned up at Danny. "I heard that. Now ya know how I feel when yer sittin' there makin' doe eyes at Monroe."

"Not the same thing."

Don smirked at Danny. "No, it ain't. My girl is sittin' right here. Yer girl doesn't…" Tess clamped her hand over Don's mouth.

"And we're going to end this conversation right here. Before it ends with Danny shoving the fries and the plate down your throat." Tess looked up at Danny. "Good night, Danny and thanks."

"No problem, Tiger Girl. Just keep him out of trouble."

"I'll certainly give it a shot."

Danny shook his head. "Good luck with that." He walked away.

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The alarm screeched loudly. Don reached out from under the covers and hit the clock hard. He tried to sit up and fell back with his head pounding. He cracked one eye and saw a glass of water and a bottle of aspirin on the nightstand. He rolled over and slid up his pillows. He poured out a couple of capsules, popped them in his mouth and downed the water. His stomach gave a roll and he closed his eyes willing it to settle. He glanced at the time, groaned and headed to the shower.

Don searched his apartment. Where was that jacket? He didn't have time for this. Finally, he gave up, grabbed his trench coat and flew out the door. On his way down the stairs, he dialed his phone.

"Would ya know anything about my jacket bein' missing?"

"Good morning to you too."

"It is not a good morning," he growled.

"Not my fault." Tess paused. "Well, maybe a little. But I did try to make it up to you."

"I know. Thanks. Now, 'bout my jacket."

"I like this jacket."

"Ya took it."

"Yes. Are you going to come arrest me?" purred Tess.

Don groaned. "I'm on my way to work, Sweetheart."

"And I'm getting ready for school. I just got out of the shower."

Don stopped dead on the stairs. "Tess. Cut it out. Yer makin' my head hurt."

"That's the hangover. I would love to continue this conversation. Especially since I know what it's doing to you, but I have to get ready for school. I'm running just a touch late this morning."

"Not my fault. Ya didn't have ta stay here last night. I went right ta sleep." But it was nice to have you curled up next to me.

"I know. By the way, I have your t-shirt too."

"I'll have to take possession of them the next time I see ya."

"Who says I'm giving them up?"

"That's my favorite jacket, Tess."

"I know. It looks good on you. Smells like you too."

"Yer gonna have ta give it back."

"You're going to have to make me."

Don took a deep breath. "Yer killin' me, Tess."

She laughed. "Well, when you get a chance you can come over here and take your things into custody. Until then I get to walk around in them."

Don stopped and closed his eyes again briefly. "You have got to stop, Tess. Please."

"But you make it so easy, Donald," hummed Tess.

"I'm hangin' up now," he ground out.

"I'll talk to you later." Tess clicked off.

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