A/N: See the intro for a disclaimer. Please R&R. I can hear you breathing, just click the button. Thanks. Sorry about the delay.
S-B: TYK RS: Yeah, you gotta watch Don. Tess can hold her own though. CaffineKid: Glad you thought things rang true. Probably won't be seeing too much of Don's family, so don't get too attached. To all of those lurking readers, thanks for the hits. A teensy review is just as easy.
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Dim light filtered into the bedroom as Don stretched. He glanced over at the alarm clock. Just about time to get up anyway. He reluctantly kept his eyes open. He would rather snuggle back down under the blankets with Tess. He sighed. Tess really had to get up to. Don leaned over and kissed Tess lightly on the temple. She murmured slightly and pressed back against him. He groaned slightly. That was not going to convince him to get out of bed.
"Tess Sweetheart, ya need ta get outta of bed." Tess rolled on her back and slowly opened her eyes. She silently reached up and ran a finger along Don's jaw. Not helping. Not helping, his mind screamed. Tess smiled up at him.
"I know what you're thinking." Her fingers trailed down his neck. Don captured her hand and wove his fingers through hers.
"Do ya now?"
"Mmm. That you really have to get ready to go to work and that I need to get back home."
"If ya let me get ta work ya can grab a shower before you go."
Tess wrinkled her nose. "With no clean underwear? Ew. I'll shower when I get home." Tess gave him a quick kiss. "You go on. I'll make some coffee." Tess slid out of the bed and looked for her clothes. Don propped himself on his elbows and watched her wander around the room. Tess caught him staring and raised her eyebrows. "You are going to work, right?"
"Yeah. Unless you want me to go with you today." Tess sat down on the edge of the bed. She reached for Don's hand and held it for a few minutes. She looked at their hands and then finally up at Don.
"I can't begin to tell you how much that means to me. But you need to go to work. I'll be alright."
"Ya sure?"
Tess nodded slightly. "I think so. It's not going to be fun or easy, but I really can't expect you to take off work just to baby-sit me." Tess brought his hand up to her face and kissed his palm. "Thanks for offering though." Don slid his hand back to massage her neck. Tess tilted her head back. "You won't be getting that shower anytime soon if you keep that up."
"Maybe that's my plan," chuckled Don. He tugged Tess closer.
"How about you keep that plan in mind for later?"
"Howabout I pursue the plan now and later?" he countered.
"You're going to end up late."
"I'll shower fast and skip the coffee." Don ran his fingers along Tess' bare leg. Tess shivered. "Yer cold. Come back under here and warm up."
"I see. This is just about my health and well-being." Tess peeled her sweater over her head and slid out of her bra.
"Completely. I'd hate for ya ta get sick and not come out with us for drinks later."
Tess smiled and slid under the covers. She ran her leg along Don's. "That would be bad. After all, you've finally deemed me worthy of meeting everyone else."
Don ran his hands down her body, removing that last article of clothing. "It's wasn't that," he whispered against her neck. "I jus' didn't want to subject you to them."
Tess pulled away from Don a little. "You mean Danny is the best of them?"
Don groaned a little. "Ya know, Sweetheart, I really don't wanna be talking about Messer right now."
Tess chuckled. "No?"
Don raised himself over Tess. "No," he growled. Don leaned down and captured her lips. Tess smiled and wrapped her arms around Don's neck.
--
Tess pushed open the door to Sullivan's and scanned the room for Don. She sighed a little when she didn't spot him immediately. It had been a long day and Tess had considered calling and asking for a night in instead. Her spirits lifted when she spotted Danny at the bar. She crossed over and tapped him on the shoulder. Danny spun around and greeted Tess with a warm hug.
"Tiger Girl! Great to see you." He pulled back slightly. "Howya holdin' up?"
"Let's just say there have been infinitely better days." Tess craned her head around. "Don made it yet?"
"No. Dunno what's keepin' him. So, what are ya havin'?"
"I guess I'll start with a beer."
"Yer gonna start with a beer?"
"I may need to be carried home at the end of the night."
Danny called for one more beer. "Come on, Tess. Diving into the bottle isn't gonna make ya feel better."
"In the long run, no. In the short run…" Tess just shrugged. Danny shook his head and passed her a beer. He headed back into the bar and Tess fell in step with him. About halfway back she leaned over. "There's a very pretty brunette giving me the evil eye. I'm guessing that she's a certain girl Don keeps giving you grief about."
Danny looked at the table in the back. "Yeah. That's Montana."
"She doesn't look like she likes me very much right now. Good thing looks can't kill or you'd end up back on the clock." Tess fought a burst of giggles. "Are you going to put her out of her misery when we get there?"
"Maybe ya'd like to give me a little hand?"
"Are you asking me to perpetuate a little deception, Daniel Messer? Shame on you. Besides as soon as you introduce me the gig is up."
"I guess then I'll jus' have to enjoy her discomfort until we get to the table." Tess just laughed, earning her a darker scowl from Lindsay. When they reached the rest of the lab crew, Danny introduced her. Lindsay was still skeptical, but Stella held out her hand and Tess shook it.
"I heard rumors, but I figured ya were just a figment of Flack's imagination." Stella's smile broadened. "Then again, Flack's imagination ain't that good." Several people around the table laughed including Tess.
"Oh. I see how this works. I'm a little late and ya decide to flay me." Tess spun around and gave Don a smile. Don smiled back, reached out and touched her hair. "Hey, you. How are things?"
"The day has been …" Tess closed her eyes briefly. "Rough. Danny was trying to convince me that drinking my sorrow away is a bad idea and Stella was telling me no one believed I was real."
"Much as I hate to admit it, Danny's probably right."
"Did anyone get that on tape? Flack just said I'm right," cackled Danny.
"Guess everyone has a once in a lifetime. Even you, Messer." Don wrapped his arm around Tess' waist. "Now that ya all have seen her and verified Tess ain't some figment, I'm borrowing my girl. I might consider bringin' her back if ya promise to behave."
"Don't worry, Tess. We'll keep an eye out and come rescue ya," assured Stella.
Tess looked up at Don and then back at Stella. "Oh, I'll be fine. If I didn't like him, I wouldn't be here."
"Yeah, Stel. For your info, some women actually find me interestin'."
Tess flashed Stella a wicked grin. "Yes, Don definitely has his uses," she purred and ran her hand up his arm. Don actually blushed and Danny tried not to spit a mouthful of beer across the table. Stella burst out laughing.
"Ya'll do jus' fine, Tess," Stella grinned.
Tess nodded her head demurely. "Thank you." She looked sweetly up at Don. "You planned to whisk me away somewhere?"
"Yeah," mumbled Don. "I don't think I can take you and Stel tearing me to pieces anymore." Don turned Tess away from the lab crew. They hadn't taken more than a step before Tess' knees buckled and she stank to the floor. Don slowly sank with her, his arm tightening around her waist. "Tess? Tess!" As she hit the floor, Tess' eyes re-focused. She blinked twice and looked into Don's concerned face. She closed her eyes opened them slowly.
"I am so sorry," she said shaking her head.
Don frowned. "Sorry? Why are ya sorry? Are ya okay?"
"I'm fine. Really. This…" Tess closed her eyes again. "Happens occasionally. Low blood pressure." Tess ducked her head. "I really haven't eaten much today and I've been a little stressed," she said sheepishly.
"Then let's get ya up and get ya something to eat." Don carefully helped her up. Tess looked around at everyone staring at her and looked at the floor.
"I'm sorry." Tess stared at the floor. "I feel like an idiot."
Don squeezed her hand. "No reason to feel that way."
"Yes. I should know better," lamented Tess. Don settled her into a chair and answered everyone's questions. Tess tried to shrink down in the corner. Don flagged down a waitress and Tess ordered some food. Several of the rest of the crew ordered things to eat too.
Tess started loosening up again as the food arrived. Plates were passed and food shared. People shared embarrassing stories of things they had happen to them in public.
--
"Last call!" shouted the bartender.
Don leaned down and whispered in Tess' ear. "Ready to head out, Sweetheart?" Tess nodded and started saying their goodbyes.
Stella gave her a wide smile. "Hope to see ya again, Tess. Unless ya wise up and get rid of Flack."
"Hey!" Don wrapped his arm tightly around Tess' waist. "I know for a fact that ya can't run Tess off that easily."
"Well, I'd have to a least see what alternative is being offered first," said Tess slyly. Don opened and closed his mouth several times. Tess laughed, turned in his arms and kissed him soundly. The group erupted into catcalls. Tess broke off the kiss and smiled up at Don. "Don't worry. You're stuck with me. I can't be run off that easily." Don gave Stella a triumphant grin.
"I'm gettin' ya out of here while ya still feel that way." They gave a last round of goodbyes and headed out.
Tess wrapped her fingers around Don's as they headed for the subway. As they stood on the platform, Don wrapped his arms around Tess and pulled her back against him. He rubbed his cheek against her hair.
"Ya sure you're doin' okay?"
Tess sighed. "I'm fine. I should have eaten better today. I just wasn't very hungry."
"Tell ya what then. I'll just drop ya home."
Tess turned slightly. "You can stay. I'm not an invalid."
"I've got ta get up early for shift. I don't want ta wake ya up."
"I don't mind."
"I know."
Tess turned completely so she could look up at Don. "I didn't mean to freak you out tonight."
Don shook his head and traced a finger along her jaw. "Ya didn't. It's not you. I'm jus' not getting enough sleep when I stay by your place." Tess started to say something. Don placed a finger over her lips. He smiled mischievously at her. "And I don't get a whole lot more when ya come by my place either."
Tess blushed a little. "It is not my fault you have no self-control, Mr. Flack," she teased. Don grinned back. Tess sighed and nodded. "I suppose I can deal." She turned and leaned her head back against Don's shoulder. "It's going to be awfully lonely though. I kind of like waking up with you there."
Don kissed her temple. "I know, Sweetheart. Me too." The subway screeched to a stop in front of them. They broke apart and boarded.
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