Sorry for the delay but the muse was being really stubborn!

Nico takes Janette's now vacant seat and gives her an indescribable look that Dani's never seen before on his face…but then again she'd never been in this particular situation before either.

Picking up her wine she takes a huge gulp because she needs some liquid courage if she's going to deal with Nico-who's obviously pissed if his silence is any indication. The man himself is not that talkative to begin with but when he's pissed it's a much more frightening silence.

"Nico, maybe we should go somewhere and talk more privately." She wanted to say more but he cut her off with a shake of his head and a glint in his eye that she'd never seen aimed her way.

"It's funny, the morning after having one of the best nights of my life I woke up and wanted to talk, only to find myself all alone in my bed-which you had vacated." He practically hisses out the last part with so much venom that she snaps back in her chair trying to escape but she knows the running is over. It's time for her to stop running from this man who has become such a vital part of her life and her very soul so she lifts her chin giving him her usual glare and prepares for battle.

Watching her sitting there with her chin lifted, he can't help but think that it was that gall that attracted him to her in the first place. Her stubborn determination no matter what the situation and her belief in everyone deserving better all the while trying to give her all in everything she did was so refreshing for a cynic like him. Especially when the only women he was used to dealing with were vipers; like Gabrielle who only knew how to take and never give.

Taking a deep breath she tries once more to reach through the anger and get him to see reason which would be nearly impossible because he'd been as cold as ice since she had turned around to face him. "Nico please, let's go and have this discussion somewhere more private." Picking up her purse she lays money on the table for her and Janette's wine and starts to get up from the table only to have him come around to pull out her chair for her.

He leans down and says. "I booked a room in the hotel across the walkway so why don't we finish this discussion there Doctor." Placing his hand on her lower back he guides her out of the restaurant and across the walkway, all of this done in complete silence.

They reach the hotel and get on the elevator still in silence and it's a silence that's fraught with tension, anger, and so much more that's indescribable. Finally they reach his floor and he once again leads her with his hand at the small of her back towards his room. Stepping through the doorway she walks to the center of the room; too nervous to admire the beauty of the suite because she knows what happens next will change the course of both their lives.

Turning, she watches him watch her as he stalks towards her wearing his usual intense expression. He slowly circles her not saying a word merely watching her until he finally speaks. "Just tell me this Doctor, why'd you run from me? No, from us, and leave without so much as a note or phone call to at least let me know you were alright. I had to hear it from Margo; who took great pleasure in informing me that I would only find you when you were good and ready. So tell me Doctor, are you ready or should I just take you running from me as a sign to walk away now and just let things go back to the way they were."

She closes her eyes and prepares to open up about her fears and lay her soul bare to this complicated and frustrating man because she knows there's no more running for either of them.

"First I want to say that I'm so sorry for running away from you. It had nothing to do with you and everything to do with me and my own fears I didn't even know were hidden just below the surface waiting to make an appearance. I thought after my divorce that I was ready to move on and that I had sorted out everything I needed to but obviously not if after one wonderful night with you, I not only run but leave the country for God's sake." Sighing, she watches him take in everything she had to say but he's still not giving an inch. She realizes that she really has her work cut out for her.

"When I agreed to start dating Matt I thought okay, I'm ready to move on but what I really was doing was still running. Matt was a safe choice because I could never really feel for him what I was beginning to feel for you and that scared the hell out of me." She looks at him and notices that he doesn't seem to like what she just said or was it who she was talking about.

He walks right up to her with the fiercest face she's ever seen and says. "First, never compare anything that happens between you and I with that flip flopping idiot Donnally. Unlike him I know that you are worth pursuing to the ends of the earth. I also know that your biggest fear, thanks to that ex-husband, is that you think you won't be enough for any man. But Dani you aren't just enough, you're everything I never thought I would have in this lifetime or any other. I have baggage or have you forgotten Gabriel and what she put me through? She kept me on a string for all those years just letting me believe that Juliet was my daughter; when all along she knew otherwise. So, I get it, I do but you should have talked to me instead of running away like you did because I thought maybe I was destined to never have a woman stay and want to be with me."

His vulnerability shines through and she realizes that he was just as scared and hurt as she was, that essentially they were in the same boat when it came to being hurt by the people who they loved and trusted the most.

"I'm scared, Nico." She says softly with tears in her eyes looking so hauntingly beautiful that he takes her into his arms holding her tigh;t trying to comfort her the only way he knows how.

Leaning down he places his forehead against hers. "Tell me what has you so afraid Dani?" He whispers softly.

Sighing she steps back and runs a hand through her hair and realizes that it's time to lay all of her fears out on the table and take a chance. Even if it blows up in her face she wants to move forward with this man. "I'm afraid of not being enough, like you said, but also of being able to keep the attention of a man like you when I couldn't even hold keep my husband from straying. I mean look at my history. I get knocked up by Ray, get married, spend the next seventeen years raising kids, keeping house, and earning my degree and yet I always felt like something was missing. Then my marriage ends because Ray would rather sleep with every woman he crosses paths with than with me. Next I have a one night stand with Matt and then an 'almost' relationship because I was too scared of exploring my feelings for you. And last but not least- J.D. who wanted me to drop everything and run off to the Congo with him."

Interrupting her Nico says. "Where are you going with this, Danielle?"

Looking him in the eye she says. "I just, for once in my life, want to be wanted with a passion so fierce that it takes my breath away. I want someone who will think I'm worth the chase. Someone who will think I'm enough for them to stay. Nico I want the fairytale."

She feels so vulnerable, raw, and exposed standing in this room with this man sharing all of her most painful fears that she's never even told Jeanette.

He leans down and kisses the tears that escape from her eyes gently then bends to kiss her lips softly. He bites her lower lip demanding access which she gives readily, moaning as his tongue dances with hers. He backs her into the nearest wall one hand gripping her hair to control the kiss which has quickly turned passionate. Giving and taking everything, she hears a low moan and realizes that it came from her. Ripping his mouth away she gasps for air. Staring into her eyes he slowly takes a step back while giving her a look so hot it would melt tar on the road.

Shaking his head trying to clear the lust that has clouded his mind he starts to speak knowing he has to make her see she is everything he's ever wanted or needed. "First, your ex was an idiot for cheating on you, second, Donnally just wasn't right for you with his wishy-washy ways, and last, J.D. -well he should just stick to his flock in the Congo."

That last part had her giggling at the image of J.D. studying flocks in the Congo. She smiles so brightly up at Nico that he knows he's on the right track.

"And last I don't know if you noticed but I flew all the way to Barcelona, Spain to 'chase' you Danielle. The Ray's, Matts, and J.D's of the world…they're all idiots; for which I'm grateful. I'm grateful that they never saw the most compassionate, loving, wonderfully amazing woman that I see, I'm glad they never got to see just how hot you can really be in and out of the bedroom."

She really starts to tear up as he says these things about her that almost sounds poetic. She realizes he's not finished as he continues. "You're the woman that took an overgrown kid like TK and helped him be a better man, a woman that didn't even realize that she brought light into my very dark and lonely soul. You are worth anything and everything and I plan on sticking around and showing you just how much. You're my yesterday, today, and tomorrow. And let me tell you I've never wanted anything past today except for Gabriel and Juliet. I'm just as scared as you are Dani so why don't we be scared together instead of apart."

She really starts crying now because she realizes that this is it; the real thing that she's been waiting for her entire life, this feeling of being everything a man could want or need. It's scary, it's hard, and so fucking frightening that she feels her knees start to shake so she locks them in place to keep her balance because Nico Careless has left her off-balance and almost knocked her on her ass in the best possible way…And he's not done yet.

"Gabriel knew what she was doing to me all those years which was how she kept me hooked like a fish on a hook. People think its hope that kills you but it's not, it's the idea of a maybe. With her it was the maybe that this is the year she'd finally leave Pittman to be with me, of her loving me the way I loved her, and the maybe of Juliet being my daughter. Hope keeps you alive and going but the maybes destroy you slowly."

This last statement is whispered so softly and said with such sadness that her eyes burn with a fresh wave of tears and feeling overwhelmed with emotions she places her hand on his chest and whispers the only thing she can say. "Oh Nico." She doesn't know who moves first him or her but they meet in the middle as she launches herself at him crying tears of joy, pain, and relief. Joy; because this man wants her the way she wants him. Pain; because she hurt him by running away and not believing in him. And last relief; because finally she can let go of the past and start living for the future that includes Nico in every way possible.

Holding her in his arms fills him with a completeness that he's never felt before. Smirking he leans back and says. "It looks like you took Jeanette's advice after all."

Leaning back from him and wiping the tears from her eyes she gives him a confused look and says. "What advice."

"Why…running towards me and not way." He waits for his meaning to dawn on her.

And once again blushing like a school girl she yells. "Nico!" Crossing her arms while giving him her most evil squint she glares at him.

His sexy ass smirk grows and leaning down he whispers. "Now doctor I can't help it if it's true, after all, I have the scratch marks on my back to prove just how…good it was." Cutting off her retort he does what he'd been aching to do since he walked into the restaurant earlier…kiss her long, slow, and tenderly.

And does he ever…her gasp opens the way for his tongue to duel with hers. Standing tall in her heels she wraps her arms round his neck as he kisses her thoroughly taking his time to savor her. Slowing things down a little he gives her one last gently soft kiss and steps back snapping her out of the desire filled hazed.

Looking at him in confusion she asks. "Nico what…what happened? Why did you stop?"

"The reason I stopped is because I don't want it to be like last night where everything was so fast and quick. No tonight. I want to, no, I plan on taking my time with you. I plan to make love to you the way I should have the first time-until your surprise attack that is; I plan to take my time and show you just how much you mean to me."

Looking into his eyes she realizes she would take his hand and let him lead her anywhere as long as he was by her side.

Leading her to the bed he turns and his eyes sweep her body from head to toe giving her a spine tingling gaze so hot she can feel the wetness between her legs.

Circling her until he stands behind her he leans down and kisses her shoulder gently nipping his way up her neck. He slowly lowers the zipper on her dress and reaching up he pulls the straps down caressing her arms lightly with his fingers. He pulls it down her body until she's standing there in nothing but her black lace panty and bra set.

Stepping closer to her until there's no space between them he places his hands on her hips. His erection brushes against her, causing her to moan and push back against him. Leaning down he whispers as he stills her movements. "Not this time Dani, no this time I plan on taking my time and showing you just how beautiful you are and how much I want you…slowly."

Not giving her a chance to respond he reaches down and sweeps her up into his arms which surprises her. She yelps his name and wraps her arms around his neck as he turns and gently places her on the bed. "I want you to lay back and enjoy yourself because after today you will never doubt just how much you are wanted."

He takes off his jacket while still maintaining eye contact. He tosses it onto a nearby chair and then proceeds to unbutton his shirt to reveal a muscular chest and torso which causes her to lick her lips in appreciation. He walks towards her and gently picks up her foot and removes the first shoe dropping it on the floor then repeats the process with the second. He keeps her right foot in one hand as he slowly strokes his way up behind her knee with his other hand and leans down to kiss her above her knee and then places her leg back on the bed.

Sitting next to her he rubs his knuckles across her collar bone and down the middle of her breast to graze her harden nipple. She arches into his hand and she moans as her senses are in overdrive from a simple touch but he's not done with her yet. He leans down to suck her nipple through her bra and slowly he lowers his hand to stop at the top of her panties. She's arching off the bed trying to get him to move his hand further but he just retreats.

Pulling down her bra straps he slips off her bra uncovering her breast as he devours her with his eyes. He cups both breasts as he tugs on her nipples ripping a moan out of her throat as she throws her head back into the bed body quivering.

Damn, was all she could think. This man had barely begun and she's almost ready to come it's so good. He latches onto her nipple sucking hard like he's trying to devour it then turns his attention to its twin biting hard then soothing the sting with his tongue twirling it around her nipple. She grabs his head holding him in place as he plays with her nipples making her so fucking hot she thinks she's going to lose her mind.

"Nico please!" She begs as she arches her back then she cries out as he cups her heat in his hands; grinding his palm against her clit and that sets off her first orgasm. He continues to rub his palm over her clit as her orgasm wanes. He stops rubbing her for a moment and she tries to catch her breath as he's pulling her bra and panties off her body.

Looking up she watches as he stands and unbuckles his belt and quickly disposes of his pants and boxers leaving him completely nude as his thick, long, cock springs forward. Wrapping his hand around his cock he strokes himself as he heads toward her and God help her-watching him touch himself turns her on even more.

She decides two can play at that game so she takes her right hand and slowly reaches between her legs and starts rubbing her clit. She smirks as she watches him stop in mid-stride eyes darkening with desire as she pleasures herself. Dani can't believe she's being so wickedly bold but Nico just brings out the sex kitten in her like no man has done before.

Dani can feel the beginnings of another orgasm but she doesn't want to come unless his cock is nestled deep inside her heat so she reaches for him. He kneels on the bed and spreads her thighs as he lowers his body onto hers. He guides his hard cock into her heat and slowly thrusts into her over and over. The sensation is driving her wild.

She arches her back wrapping her legs around his waist trying to get him to go faster but he's insistent about taking his time. Leaning down he kisses her slipping his tongue into her mouth as their tongues mate just like their bodies.

Deciding to take matters into her own hands she tightens her vaginal walls and grabs his ass in both arms and this definitely has the desired effect she wants. He throws back his head and slams his cock into her hard. His control is shot to hell as he rises to his knees and grabs her thighs spreading them wider as he continues to slam into her.

They're both so out of control but neither seem to care as he lifts her legs higher around his waist pulling his cock all the way out only to slam back in making her moan. Her eyes role to the back of her head as her climax is fast approaching.

"Oh God. Nico…yes…it's…so…good…I'm…coming…it's…too…much." She screams as the orgasm hits her hard but he continues thrusting harder and harder as the bed rocks against the wall and then he comes screaming her name. "Daniiiiiiiiiii!" He thrusts a few more times and then he collapses on top of her breathing hard but trying to catch his breath.

Rolling off of her he pulls her over to rest atop him as he covers them with the sheet. Leaning down to kiss her forehead gently he whispers softly. "I love you Danielle." He can feel her smile against his chest as she looks up into his eyes filled with love and contentment.

"And I love you Nico Careless. Hmm you know we never did find a resolution now did we?"

Smirking at her he kisses her gently on the lips and says. "Actually I think we resolved the fact that from here on out whatever comes our way we will handle it together and that's all I could ask for."

She sighs because he was right; whatever life threw at her she knew she would have him at her side to 'resolve' it, no matter what. Dani lays her head on his shoulder as she contemplates what lies ahead of them and she looks forward to it with love and contentment… and just think they had set out for one resolution and found so much more.

That's it folks and I'm so sorry for the delay but my muse was being a real witch but thanks for reading. I'm thinking of doing an epilogue but maybe not. LOL