A/N: See the intro for the disclaimer stuff. So who else is counting down until the season premier? It's not soon enough! Anyhow, welcome new readers. Thanks for hanging in old ones. Hope you enjoy and please R & R. I do like to hear from you. Thanks for reading.

Hugs and prayers to those who need it today. God Bless America. (09/11/2009)

Don shook his head as he and Stella left Club Random. He had a strong desire to shower in alcohol. Stella caught a glimpse of his perplexed look and grinned.

"Come on, Don. You really wouldn't have gone to a place like that?" she ribbed.

"Na. No way." Don shook his head again. He opened the door to the cruiser and settled in. He waited for Stella to get seated before he continued. "For one thing I'm not really inta public performance. Besides I wasn't being the one recruited." He grinned mischievously at Stella.

Stella shook her curls. "Wouldn't find me there either. I think I'd discover that the nuns were still willing to hunt me down. Besides not the world's safest environment."

"As Emma Pierce found out."

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Don slammed the apartment door shut. He stood just inside, letting his eyes adjust to the dimness. He made his way to the couch and dropped down onto it. He leaned his head back closing his eyes briefly before they snapped open again and he pounded his fist on a couch cushion. He knew this was going to happen. He had warned Mac. And now a girl was dead. Another one missing, probably with the same sicko. Clay Dobson. And how many more? How many more bastards walkin' the street. How many more victims? Don stood up suddenly. The apartment was suddenly too close. Too stifling. He got up and headed out for a walk.

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Tess headed for home. Just after getting off the subway, she spotted her favorite Dean and Deluca's. She glanced at the clock over the counter. It was later than she intended to be, but Don wouldn't be home for a while. The idea of going to the empty apartment didn't appeal to her at the moment. She ducked in and ordered a hazelnut steamer. Tess grabbed a table and pulled out a stack of quizzes to work on.

A knock on the window caused her to look up. She frowned at the figure standing there. Alex? He motioned if it was ok to join her. Tess sighed heavily and shrugged. Alex nodded and headed inside. He got a coffee as Tess straightened up her quizzes and tucked them back into her messenger bag. She looked up as Alex approached the table. He smiled at Tess.

"Hiya, Tess. Kind of out of your neighborhood."

"No. I live a couple of blocks from here. With my fiancé."

Alex looked at her in surprise. "Fiancé? Really?"

Tess nodded. "We're getting married in about a month."

"Really? Wow." Alex looked around a little. Tess indicated it was okay for him to sit.

"Yeah. Remember, how I ditched you at dinner that night?" Tess rocked her head from side to side. "It was to get back to Don."

"Your fiancé?"

"He wasn't at the time, but yeah."

"Well, congratulations."

Tess smiled. "Thanks. He's a great guy."

"He'd better be. He's a lucky guy."

Tess laughed. "Thank you. I think I'm pretty lucky to have him too."

"So what does he do?"

Tess sipped her now cooled steamer. "Don's a homicide detective."

"That sounds like a cheerful job," mused Alex.

Tess shrugged. "It's tough, not fun, but….he's good at it. I really couldn't picture him doing anything else. The job fits him."

"So he's kind of intense."

"Well, yes, but in a good way." Tess looked over at Alex. "He's got a wicked sense of humor. Very sarcastic, biting."

Alex grinned. "Oh, I can see that appealing to you. And I'll bet he likes sports."

Tess smiled and nodded. "But he's a Yankees fan."

"Oh, your poor father."

"Daddy likes him."

"And your Mom?"

Tess bit her lip as the tears filled her eyes. "Mama died in February."

"Oh my God, Tess. I am so sorry."

Tess reached up and tugged on her braid. "She was in a car accident. But a blood clot killed her."

"Oh, Tess." Alex reached out and touched the hand resting on the table.

"This is lookin' cozy."

Tess' head snapped up. Don was standing there glaring at them. A flicker of guilt flew through Tess. What do you have to feel guilty about? You didn't meet Alex here on purpose. You were sitting here. He walked in. "Don? What are you doing here?"

"I might ask the same of you, Tess."

"I stopped by here to grade some papers. I actually do that a lot when you're working late."

"And do ya do this a lot?" He looked from Tess to Alex. Tess' eyes widened. She opened and shut her mouth several times, but no sound came out.

"Hey, I was just passing by and saw Tess. She was here just grading papers."

Don glared at Alex. "So ya thought ya'd jus' come in and chat her up?"

"It's not like that…Don? Right?"

"It sure looks like that."

Tess felt her anger rising. "I had just told Alex…"

"Alex? As in flower guy Alex? As in ex-boyfriend Alex?" Don's voice was getting louder.

Tess' frowned at him. "What is wrong with you? I didn't want to go home to an empty apartment, so I stopped in here to get a steamer and grade some papers. Alex was just walking by."

"Very convenient."

Tess stood up and snatched up her messenger bag. She glared at Don. "It was just a coincidence. I don't have to stand here and listen to you accuse me of…of…whatever. Alex, I'm sorry. Thank you for your condolences about my mother."

"Yer jus' gonna leave?" asked Don. Tess ignored him and walked away. Don stood there watching her leave. Each step away took the steam out of his anger. He closed his eyes knowing he'd been an ass. He opened his eyes again and watched Tess leave.

"She's pregnant?" asked Alex surprised.

Don glanced at Alex. His shoulders slumped. Anger completely burned out. Guilt filling the spaces left behind. Pregnant. Unxepectedly. With your kid. Cuz you weren't thinkin' after Truby got busted. "Yeah. She's due in August."

Alex kept staring after Tess' retreating form. "We'd been talking about you," said Alex. "Tess was telling me what a great guy you are."

Don looked at the other man and smiled grimly. "Hard ta believe, isn't it?"

"I know what it looked like. I don't like the idea of you with her either." Don flashed a heated look at Alex who shrugged. "You're in love with her. I know the feeling."

"I don't really want to talk wit' ya about Tess," growled Don.

"Tess is very special," prompted Alex watching the detective towering over him.

"I know that," growled Don. He leaned down on the table and pinned Alex with an intense gaze. "I don't really appreciate ya chattin' up my fiancée. You walked out on her. She's marryin' me and havin' my baby. She's moved on. I suggest you do the same."

Alex looked mildly at Don. "I can't guarantee that if I run into Tess again that I won't talk to her. Or have coffee with her. Are you going to tell her she can't talk to me?"

"I don't boss Tess around."

Alex smiled. "Probably a good thing. Tess doesn't take well to being bossed around."

Don narrowed his at Alex. "Yer getting some kind of kick outta this. Ya know I don't need yer approval to marry Tess."

Alex looked down at the table. "Put the shoe on the other foot. What if you'd broken up with Tess and I was marrying her?"

"I wouldn't be havin' a discussion wit' you about it."

"Fair enough." Alex looked up. "But if I were you, I wouldn't still be here not having a discussion."

Don stood up a little startled. "Jus' leave her be," he growled and left the coffee shop.

Don walked around the block a few times still trying to burn off his anger. And guilt. You had no right to attack Tess like that. But the sight of Flower Guy touching his Tess. It was easier to latch onto that bit of indignation. He couldn't really be mad at Mac. And even if you were not much ya can do about it. Could be mad at Truby for being a fuck-up. Yeah, but can't do anythin' about that either. Wish Flower Guy had given me a reason to punch him. Gotta settle down. Can't go home and pick a fight with Tess over somethin' stupid. Rain started to fall. Don looked up, closed his eyes and shook his head. Perfect. He kept walking.

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Tess looked over the edge of the couch when Don finally walked in. She sighed heavily and set the half empty yogurt container on the coffee table. She walked over and stood in front of Don. She looked him up and down shaking her head.

"You're making the carpet mushy." Don just stood there staring down at her. Tess silently slid his suit coat off and hung it over the back of a chair. She went back to Don and undid his tie. When she reached for the buttons of his shirt, Don's hands came up and stopped her.

"I'm sorry. I'm an idiot."

Tess dropped her hands. She looked up and smiled. "Yes, you are. But lucky for you, I love you anyhow." She went back to unbuttoning Don's shirt. "You're soaked through." Tess untucked Don's shirt. "Lucky for you too, this time I'm already pregnant." Don's eyes widened slightly. Tess blinked slowly. She pushed her glasses up her nose. "I talked to Stella. I figured if I called her, or Jess, or Danny, one of them would know why you were being an ass. Stella answered."

"Great," mumbled Don. Stella would chew him out good the next time he saw her.

"And you'll deserve it too." Tess smiled at the look on Don's face. "I told you that your thoughts are written in the depth of those pretty blue eyes." Tess touched his cheek lightly. "I'm sorry. I wish there was something I could do." She wrapped her arms around Don. He tried to duck out of her embrace.

"Sweetheart. Yer gonna git soaked," he protested. Tess refused to let go. Don rested his head on hers and absorbed the comfort she offered. He breathed in the scent of gingerbread and smiled. He tried to pull her a little closer and chuckled. "That bump of yours is starting to get in the way."

Tess looked up and grinned. "Bump of mine? I think you had something to do with it too. And you'd better get used to it. It'll be getting bigger before it disappears." Don kissed the top of Tess' head and ran his hand over the bump in question. Tess shivered slightly. Don rubbed her arms to warm her a little.

"I told ya that you'd git wet." Don stepped away, linking his fingers with Tess'. "Come on. Let's git outta these clothes before ya really git chilled. I'll get cleaned up and then how about something' ta eat?"

"Sounds like a plan," agreed Tess.

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The apartment door rattled and Tess quickly turned off the television. She dropped the remote and jumped up as Don opened the door. She rubbed her hands on her pants as he took in her appearance. Cloudy blue eyes met hers.

"So, I take it ya heard," he said dully. Don headed to the bedroom to change, Tess followed him. She glanced back towards the living room.

"I saw the news. But they were already talking about it at school."

Don chuckled bitterly. "I bet that was entertaining."

Tess caught Don's hand as she sat down on the edge of the bed. Don stood before her. She gave his hand a squeeze. "Are you OK?"

Don looked at their linked hands, Tess' eyes and looked away. He tried to pull his hand back, but Tess held on. "I dunno, Sweetheart." He sat down next to Tess, shoulders slumped. "The thing is…I can't really say I'm sorry Dobson is dead."

"He was handcuffed when..."

"And Mac was the only one up there. Yeah. I know how it looks, Tess. Ya don't have ta spin it." Don stood back up. "I just dunno know, Tess. This is Mac." He raked his fingers through his hair.

Tess nodded. "I know." They stood silently, both lost in thought. "Dinner's ready whenever you want it. I just have to heat it up. Do you want a beer or something?"

"A beer would be good." Tess stood up. She leaned up and gave Don a soft kiss as she passed by. He pulled Tess close and held her for a few heartbeats. He kissed her hair and let her go. "I'll be out in a few minutes," he promised.

Tess tried to give Don a reassuring smile. She touched his cheek again and Don leaned into her hand. "Whenever. No hurry."

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Sunlight barely filtered in through the curtains when Don sat up and slid quietly out of bed. He slipped on a pair of sweats, a tshirt and hoodie. He grabbed his wallet and keys and turned to find Tess sitting up and watching him.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep. I didn't mean to…"

"You didn't." Tess smiled. "Usually it's me up and you asleep."

Don frowned. He knelt down in front of Tess and picked up her hand, rubbing her knuckles. "You haven't said anythin' about…"

"It's okay." Tess squeezed his hand. "What was I supposed to do? Wake you up so neither of us got any sleep?"

Don sighed heavily. He stood up again. "I was gonna go out and grab something from around the corner for breakfast. But you've gone and ruined my surprise," he teased. Tess let go of his hand, fluffed her pillows and flopped back down. She closed her eyes.

"Just pretend I wasn't awake. Surprise me." Don grinned, shook his head and left.

As soon as he was gone, Tess snuck to the bathroom. When she came out, she pulled a dark charcoal suit from the closet, laid it on the bed and brushed it off. She grabbed a pale gray dress shirt with a slight pinstripe and set it next to the suit. Tess turned back to the closet and started sorting through Don's ties. She chose one and was about to lay it out when she noticed a slight stain on it. Tess clucked her tongue and put it back. She grinned as she pulled out a wide diagonal stripe with light blue, medium blue and a slightly darker green. Love this tie. Tess held the tie against the shirt, nodded and dropped it. She stepped back and surveyed what she had laid out. The gray undertone ties the group together. Tess knit her brows together. How dare Bette comment on Don's clothes. Tess yawned, stretched and headed to the living room.

Tess flipped the TV off as Don rattled the door open. She reclined on the couch and closed her eyes. Don shut the door and chuckled as he caught sight of her playing opossum on the couch. He set the bag of pastries and cup carrier on the table and walked over to Tess. He knelt down and just watched Tess for a bit. Tess' lips started to twitch as she felt his stare. Suddenly, Don reached out and tickled Tess. Her eyes snapped open and she started shrieking with laughter. Tess beat ineffectually at Don, trying to stop the onslaught.

"Cut it out. Please," she begged, gasping for breath. Don finally relented and gave her a smacking kiss. Tess glared up at him, the ghost of a smile destroying the angry look she was trying for. Don helped her up. He drew her into a short squeeze and led her over to the table. He pulled out a chair and got her seated.

"Don't touch the bag," he said as he headed for the kitchen. Don grabbed two plates and some napkins before returning to Tess. He set the plates out and started to open the bag.

Tess grinned up at him. "Such formality."

"Tess, we are not barbarians. We can use plates," he answered with mock primness. Tess stifled a giggle. Don placed a large cheese Danish in front of Tess and a sticky bun on his plate. He took one cup and placed it next to Tess' plate. "Hazelnut Latte, heavy on the milk because you're pregnant and need to cut back on the coffee."

"A little late for that, Mom," smirked Tess. Don smirked back. Tess looked down at the Danish. She looked back at Don and pushed her glasses up her nose. "What, no fork? I might get my fingers all sticky."

Don frowned at her. He picked up Tess' hand and pressed her fingers into the gooey cheese of the Danish. He looked into her eyes as he brought her hand to his mouth. Don slowly and carefully sucked the cheese from Tess' fingers. When he had finished, he flashed a heated grin.

"Solved that problem."

Tess stared at him lips slightly parted, face flushed. "Um. Thanks."

Don's grin broadened. "Anytime." He dropped her hand and sat down.

"Tease," grumbled Tess. Don just grinned and took a big bite of his sticky bun, licking his lips. Tess bit into her Danish and chewed thoughtfully. She took another bite, titled her head back and moaned in ecstasy. She ran her tongue over her lips, clearing off the crumbs.

"Now, who's a tease?"

"What goes around comes around."

"What's good for the goose is good for the gander?"

"Don't dish it out…"

Don held up his hand laughing. "Stop it. I give." Tess smiled. They finished eating in silence. When he had finished, Don stood up and glanced at the clock. He sighed heavily, breaking the light mood.

"I gotta get outta here." Tess nodded silently. Don headed for the bathroom to shower as Tess cleared the table. She ran her finger over Don's plate, scooping up a couple of sticky pecan crumbs. She licked her finger and sighed sadly. Not at all the same.

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