Nico and Dani decide to go to his place to have their discussion about strategy but somehow they get sidetracked. I had a difficult time with chapter and I think it sucks so be warned. And thanks to my beta Haku2009 for all of your patience with me.

-oOo-

By the time we arrive at my apartment I could tell she has calmed down after her run in with Gabriele in coach's office. She had been quietly fuming the entire ride over refusing to say a word. Deciding it was best I remained silent as well allowing her to calm down.

Dani entered my apartment hesitantly almost as if she was expecting to turn a corner and the boogie man was going to jump out at her. Her eyes widened as she made her way through the massive penthouse, windows dominating the entire living room watching the expression crossing her face as she took in the black leather sofa and chair along with the other furnishings as she tried to interpret the meaning behind them.

I moved forward my footsteps making very little noise as I followed her motions. "I didn't mean to startle you," I told her.

She turned towards me at the sound of my voice squinting as her arms crossed. Anyone else would have realized that the squinting said she was pissed or maybe slightly annoyed. At the moment that was the last thing on my mind as whatever Gabriele said or did that had upset Dani so much consumed my thoughts.

Gazing out the window she spoke, "You have a beautiful home with a beautiful view, Nico."

"Thank you," I replied glancing at her wishing to be able to pry into her thoughts. "Would you like a glass of wine or something else perhaps?"

She looked over to me answering, "Wine would be great, thanks."

Moving into the kitchen I grabbed us some wine before we began the conversation. My instincts told me that wine would be needed as we dove into whatever it was that I had walked in on earlier. As I came back into the living room I found that Dani has taken a seat on the sofa her legs curled up underneath her obviously lost in thought.

"Your drink my lady," I snapped her from her mind as I passed her the glass of red wine smirking.

She accepted the wine eyes watching me as I took a seat at the opposite end of the sofa responding with a smirk of her own, "Nico, who knew you were such a gentleman."

Leaning back I crossed my legs answering, "Only when the moment calls for it Doctor." Taking a sip of my wine I watched her as she tipped the glass back drinking slowly moaning in appreciation. Forcing a moan back at the sound I shifted in my seat deciding it would be best to just jump into the issue at hand. "So do you want to talk about what I walked in on in coach's office?"

I shifted in her direction to gauge her reaction waiting for her to answer getting whatever it was off her chest. She squinted shooting me a glare so fierce I decided not to mention that I found that adorable rather than intimidating. She didn't even blink. No, now was definitely not the best time.

She took in a deep breath preparing herself to answer, "How did you ever get involved with such a horrible woman?"

I hadn't expected to have this conversation yet not sure where to start. "Gabriele and I met after my tour with the Navy Seals was finished."

Dani moved to sit with her chin propped up on her knees staring at me with an expectant look, "And?"

My response is what Dani likes to refer to as my "typical Nico answer", "And what?" I smirk at her earning another squint. "Look Doctor how I met or became involved with Gabriele is irrelevant at the moment."

My answer was defensive. It was defensive because I have asked myself the same question over and over again never once in the twenty something odd years that I have known her have I yet to find an answer. So if I couldn't answer that question after all these years what makes the good doctor think I can answer it now? Just as her mouth opened to reply my phone cut in. Glancing down at the screen I find that it is none other than Mrs. Gabriele Pittman herself. Hitting the ignore button I made to resume our conversation when I noticed her squinting meaning she probably saw the screen.

Getting up off the sofa I moved to stand in front of the window staring out into the night. I became deep in thought not about Gabriele but about Dani. The moment when I could finally let Dani in, into my thoughts and just be me, she has to call. Damn it. Why couldn't I be rid of her? Maybe I should abandon this whole thing. Having Dani in my life with all the complications and baggage that I bring to the table.

Finally turning back to her I say, "Maybe this isn't such a good idea for you to help with Gabrielle after all. I don't want you to end up hurt by Gabrielle since she's probably more than you can handle or even have to deal with."

Her response was swift, "Excuse me." She leaped off the sofa moving to stand right in front of me her arms crossed. "So what you think I can't handle that little snake so you no longer want my help or maybe you just want to go back to being her little lap dog?" Her voice is dripping with venom

Now I am the one with venom in my voice as I take step towards her towering over her, "Dr. Santino, I have never been nor will I ever be Gabrielle or anyone else's lap dog." She begins to apologize but ignore her. "Now if you are finished with your assertions of me being her lapdog I will take you home."

Her apologies immediately stop and the anger returns. "No I am not going anywhere until we settle this matter once and for all. You will not just dismiss me because you don't like what I have to say, which by the way, I sincerely apologize for saying because I didn't mean it. I am just frustrated by her, you, me, and this entire situation."

Gazing at her I can't help but notice just how fiercely determined she is. Sighing I realize a different approach with her will probably be best to get her to go along with it so I can take her home.

"Dr. Santino-" I begin but am quickly cut off, "No my name is Dani and you should get use to saying it since we are in a relationship after all." She smirked.

Instantly I recognized that my effort to put some distance between her and Dani put her right in the middle. Damn but she is such a pain in the ass but I wouldn't have it or her any other way.

"Whether you wish to continue this or not I have decided that you are not going to be put in the middle of hurricane Gabrielle," I respond. "So are you ready to go?"

Not knowing what has gotten into me I find myself almost goading her to do something drastic knowing that if I tell her no she's just going to put herself in the way, keeping her in my sights. It also keeps my dreams of having her in my life alive. Just as she is about to respond my phone rings. Pulling it out of my pocket I realize its Gabriele calling again. Turning my back on Dani I answer the call feeling her seething behind my back I smirk to myself still goading her to do something unsure as to what yet knowing that whatever it was it would change our relationship forever.

…

Standing there seething, stream practically coming out of my ears I stare at his back as he just chats away with that little arrggg. I can barely think straight I'm so infuriated at his clear dismissal to talk with me. It's not rational and if it were anyone other than myself I might think it was jealousy, but that is impossible since I have no feelings for Nico.

Taking a deep breath I try to calm myself my mind slowly coming back to me. Going over the last few minutes of the conversation in my head I realize it was like he was trying to goad me into leaving. Challenging me with what I'm not sure but I am sure he's challenging me to go or to stay. Whatever the gauntlet he's thrown at me I accept because for whatever reason I know that it will change us, our relationship forever. Accepting the challenge it is Game On!