A/N -- I'm not completely happy with this chapter, but it was necessary to the advancement of the story, especially Danny's. Thanks for the reviews!

The blaring music wouldn't stop. It was constant and pervasive and all it did was remind him of how weak he was. The base of the music pounded in his head, still smelling the stench of smoke and liquor. He wanted it to go away. He wanted it all to go away…

Barely opening eyes, Danny slammed the alarm clock with his hand to make it shut off and then stubbornly covered his head with a pillow to block out the slivers of sunlight coming in through the blinds.

The sheets twisted around his naked body were evidence of a night of restless sleep. Squeezing his eyes shut, he tried to will himself into a dreamless sleep because the night before kept invading his mind.

He hadn't been there in almost a year. The last time he came, he'd brought a date – a girl he'd been seeing off and on who he'd met at the gym. She was young, just 22, and not looking for anything serious, which suited Danny fine at the time.

It was just a couple of months after that when he'd realized his feelings for Elena and everything changed.

But on this night, he didn't come with anyone. The club was packed and loud, but he managed to find a seat at the bar. Looking around at all the people, he noticed they all seemed so young or maybe he just felt really old. He knew he'd outgrown all of this, but he hadn't known anywhere else to go. It was places like this that he'd come to so he could get lost in the music and bodies. He could completely disconnect and not feel anything. That was the feeling he'd wanted to achieve tonight, hopefully without the help of alcohol.

"What'll it be?" the bartender asked.

"Um, just a club soda please," he said, the tension in his shoulders lessening when he didn't order a scotch.

Putting some money on the bar, he leaned forward as the bartender set his drink down. "Does Mandy still work here?" Danny asked. "She was working here about a year ago, I think."

Nodding, the bartender motioned over to a roped off area upstairs. "She works in the VIP area now. You know her?"

"Used to. Is she here tonight?" Danny asked, and part of him was praying that she wouldn't be. If she wasn't there, there would be less temptation and maybe he'd just go home.

But the bartender nodded again. "She's here. What's your name? I'll call up there and let her know you're here."

Danny took a breath as he tried to stop himself from doing something stupid. All he had to do was say no and then walk out the door. "Danny. My name's Danny Taylor."

A new noise now threatened to invade his sleep. This noise was just as persistent, but less threatening than the music. Opening his eyes under the cover of the pillow, Danny groaned as he reached over to the nightstand and grabbed the ringing cell phone.

"Taylor," he answered in a gruff tone.

"Sounds like someone had a rough night," Martin responded, instead of saying hello.

"Christ, what time is it? Am I late?" he asked, trying to focus so he could see the clock on the nightstand.

"No, no. You're not late. I haven't even left for work yet, but I wanted to talk to you about something before we go in today. Want to meet me at Frank's?" Martin asked. It was a greasy spoon diner not far from the federal building. Danny hated it, but Martin loved eating breakfast there about once a week.

Danny groaned. "I don't know, man. The last couple of days, with no sleep, kind of caught up with me."

"Look it won't take long. Just stop by there on your way in. I'll still be there."

"Okay," Danny agreed reluctantly, knowing Martin would think something was really wrong if he protested too much.

Now sitting in one of the private, purple velvets booths in the VIP area, Danny looked down at what he was wearing – jeans and a blue button-down shirt. Throughout the club, people were dressed in all different ways, but he could tell the VIP section clearly had a certain dress code. The women were all in short, revealing dresses with stiletto heals and the men were dressed in Armani or Hugo Boss.

But Danny didn't really care about that. All he cared about was getting to a point where he stopped feeling the pain of her not wanting him anymore.

"Danny Taylor, are my eyes deceiving me?" she asked as she pulled the curtains closed so that the booth could no longer been seen from the VIP area.

Mandy – a tall blonde with ice blue eyes and a killer body, she couldn't look more different from Elena if she tried. He met her three years ago when he came here with a couple of old law school buddies. They'd danced together during a couple of her breaks and then she lead him to one of the back rooms where they made out like crazy. That night led to brief sexual affair between them that ended when she decided to go back to an old boyfriend. From then on, Danny would check in with her periodically when he was feeling lonely. If she were willing, then they would occasionally hook up.

Of course, this changed after he'd realized his feelings for Elena. Everything had changed after that.

Taking a seat next him, she put her hand on his thigh. "Where the hell have you been? The last time I saw you here, you were with some silly little co-ed."

"I've just been busy. How about you? What's going on with you?" he asked in a quiet, noncommittal tone.

Even though his question was vague, they both knew what he was really asking. Was she willing to sleep with him tonight?

Smiling, Mandy leaned close as her hand continued to trace small circles on his thigh. "There's a boyfriend, a fiancé, actually," she said, raising hand her to show a small diamond on her left hand. "But I won't tell him, if you won't," she finished as she closed the distance between them for a kiss.

The voice in his head was telling him to stop, but instead, he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss.

Wearily rubbing his eyes, Danny entered Frank's Diner. He'd barely had enough energy to stumble into the shower. Needless to say, he wasn't looking his best, and Martin couldn't help but notice.

"Five bucks says Jack notices that you haven't shaved within five seconds of seeing you this morning," Martin said, looking up from his plate full of fried breakfast food.

Shrugging, Danny rolled his eyes as he collapsed into the both across from Martin. "Screw Jack," he mumbled.

Martin's eye's widened at Danny's response. Usually, if Danny made these types of comments, they were always with a lighthearted, sarcastic grin. But there was nothing comical about his tone. He sounded surly and pissed off.

"What happened last night? You look like hell," Martin said in a concerned tone.

Running a hand through his hair, Danny tossed Martin a glance like that last thing he wanted to talk about was last night.

"Morning, what can I get you?" the waitress asked as she approached their table.

"Just coffee, please. Thanks," Danny replied.

When the waitress walked away, Martin continued. "Are you okay?" The tone of the question was probing like Martin just wanted confirmation that Danny hadn't done anything stupid last night. Knowing that Elena had intended on breaking up with Danny, Martin had reason to be concerned – especially since he knew that Elena wouldn't give Danny the real reason for leaving him.

"I'm fine. I'm just tired," Danny answered in a quiet tone. "In fact, after we're done here, I might take a sick day if we don't have a case. I'm just feeling crappy."

"Maybe that's a good idea," Martin replied, knowing it would be hard for Danny to see Elena.

"What did you want to talk about?"

Suddenly remembering the reason for asking Danny there, Martin eyes lit up. "I, um, after we talked the other day and you told me that you were thinking about leaving, I remembered that I have a contact that you really need to talk to. Her father is the senior partner at Thomson, Hiller and Vine. She's a senior associate there, Camille Thomson. Our fathers are old college friends. We practically grew up together. I called her about you."

Danny's eyes widened in surprise. "Me? Geeze, Martin. I thought you didn't want me to leave and now you're my agent?"

"No, I mean, I don't want you to go, but if you're going anyway, then why not check out all the options? This firm would be a great opportunity."

Nodding, Danny agreed, "Yeah, I mean, I was focusing on the US attorney's office, because I wanted to find something fast. I've already talked to someone there, but I don't really have the time to pursue law firm gigs."

"This won't take any time at all. Just talk to Camille and then you'll have a better feel if its something you can move into quickly," he said as he slid his friend's card over to Danny.

Martin couldn't believe he was not only encouraging Danny, but also helping him leave the FBI. After Elena had confided in him, he knew that Danny would want to leave more than ever. Just looking at him that morning, Martin knew that Elena had likely already ended things. As much as Martin wanted to tell Danny the truth, he knew it wasn't his place. So the least he could do is help him find the best opportunity possible.

"Thanks, Martin. I appreciate it," Danny said as he took a sip of coffee. "Now more than ever, I think I need a fresh start.

He did what he'd told Martin he would do and called in sick. Jack was positively shocked since he could count on less than a hand the number of times Danny had called in sick in the last ten years.

Not really wanting to go home, Danny started walking. Eventually, he found himself on a subway platform boarding a train to Queens.

He didn't even know if anyone would be home, but he took a chance. This is probably what he should have done last night.

He and Mandy made out on the VIP couch for what seemed like forever. She was straddling his lap, grinding against him and literally all over him to the point where his blue button down wasn't buttoned at all anymore. Occasionally, he'd look up at the curtain that shielded them; almost hoping that someone would interrupt them. But no one did.

"Hey," she whispered his ear. "Wanna just go for it here? No one will interrupt us. I don't know if I can wait."

Feeling her hot breath against his neck, Danny closed his eyes. All he could see was Elena's face that last night he made love to her, feeling her breath against his skin. Opening his eyes quickly, hoping her face would disappear, he tilted Mandy's chin to look in her eyes. This wasn't Elena. It wasn't her. He didn't need her anymore.

Leaning forward, Mandy kissed him on the lips. "I forgot how good you were at this," she as she reached into the small pocket of her mini-skirt. Pulling out a condom, she ran her hand down his bare chest and stomach and then started to unbutton his jeans. "No one will know, just like old times."

After knocking on the door, Danny waited for a few moments. He heard her shuffle to the door, and then murmured something in a surprised tone after seeing him through the peephole.

Opening the door, Sylvia greeted him with Cristina bouncing on her hip. "Danny! This is a surprise!"

"Tio!" Cristina said as she almost flew into Danny's arms.

"Hi," he said as he held the toddler close as she hugged him around his neck. Leaning forward, he kissed Sylvia's cheek, "Sorry I didn't call."

"That's okay. You can come anytime, especially since I can now move around with two arms," Sylvia said as he followed her into the apartment. "Shouldn't you be at work?"

Danny nodded as he sat down on the sofa and shifted Cristina to his knee. "I took a personal day. We had a tough case end yesterday and I hadn't gotten any sleep."

"So you came here? Why aren't you home resting?" she asked, voice full of concern.

Shrugging, Danny stroked Cristina's hair. "I'm tired, but I can't seem to sleep."

Sylvia looked at him sympathetically. "You sound down. Are you doing okay?"

"I'm hanging in there. What are you guys up to today?" he asked as he looked at Cristina.

"Mommy…work," Cristina answered. "Me, go to abuela's."

"That's right. I work the noon to eight shift, so I was going to drop Cristina off on my way. I was just getting this place picked up before we headed out."

"Why don't I watch her today?" Danny asked suddenly. "And then, she and I can get Nicky from school and I can take them to a movie or dinner or something."

Sylvia smiled. "That sounds really great, but I thought you needed rest. Keeping up with a two year old is—"

"Three!" Cristina corrected. "I'm three now," she said, holding up three fingers to Danny which made him smile.

"Sorry, a three year old, is far from relaxing."

"I can handle it, Sylvia. Maybe if I do this then I can get my head straight so I can actually get some sleep tonight."

"What's wrong, Danny? What is it?"

Looking down at Cristina, he smiled sadly, thinking of Sophie. "Elena…Elena broke up with me. She doesn't think we have a future together."

"Oh, Danny," Sylvia said as she sat down next to him. "I'm sorry. I know you really care about her and Sophie. Poor Sophie. She loves you so much. Does she know?"

"We told her yesterday. It was awful. I should have never let her get so close to me. It was stupid."

"Why did Elena do it? I mean, how could she not think you have a future? You have the same job, you love her kid, and you're completely crazy about both of them. I don't get it."

"Me, either, but she didn't exactly mince words. She…she said she doesn't love me."

Sylvia shook her head. She couldn't imagine what Elena was thinking. Of course, Danny had flaws, but at his core, he was a sweet, compassionate, funny man who most women would give anything to be with. .

"So I need a diversion," Danny said as looked at Cristina again. "And I need to not feel so self-absorbed, and I think Cristina is just what the doctor ordered."

"Me?" the little girl said as she looked at him with an enchanting smile.

"You," he replied as he planted a kiss on her forehead.

Shortly after Sylvia left, Danny fed Cristina lunch and then they played "monster" where Danny chased her around the apartment until he caught her and tossed her in the air, all while she laughed hysterically.

Then it was her naptime, so he took her into Sylvia's room and lay down next to her. He read her book after book until she finally fell asleep with her head nestled in the crook of his arm. Leaning his head against the pillow, he closed his eyes.

"Whoa, whoa," Danny said as Mandy started to unzip his jeans.

"What? You don't want to do it here? You want to go back to your place? Can't do that till 2 am, baby."

Carefully regarding her for a few moments, he tucked her hair behind her ears. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure," she answered with a confused smile.

"Do you think your fiancé is in love with you?"

Her smile turning into a frown, she sat back against his thighs. "What?"

"Is he in love with you?" Danny asked again.

"Why are you asking me this? I don't want to talk about him…now."

"Why are you willing to risk losing him to do this?"

"He'll never know about this, Danny. Unless you tell him"

"No, I mean, do you love him?"

"Of course."

"Then I don't understand—"

"What's wrong with you, Danny? You've never cared before. You never let that get in the way of a good time."

"I know. And I kind of hate myself because of that, especially now. What the hell is wrong with me?" he asked as he leaned forward and carefully moved her off of him. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry if I've ever hurt your feelings or lead you on. I…I—"

"Danny, you never did that. You were always honest."

"Yeah, but that doesn't make it right. Every time I think I'm okay and that I have my issues taken care of…something like this happens. I'm just…I'm really sorry," he said as he reached out and squeezed her hand. "If you love your fiancé and he loves you and you think you can make it work, then don't screw it up for jerks like me. I know it's scary. Commitment. Commitment is scary. But when you find the right person, it's worth it," he said as he stood and opened the curtain. "Take care. I gotta get out of here.

Danny's mind went blank as he listened to the steady, even breathing of the toddler next to him. Within minutes, he was fast asleep.