Dani leaned back against the door. He looks to helpless. Okay, so he crossed a line but he absolutely could have taken advantage of me and he didn't. I'm still going to make him pay. But he's okay, and he's here…actually here…and he is letting me see him vulnerable.

She's going to break first. She hates me know. She's going to tell me to get out of her life and never look back. I deserve that. I don't deserve her. She is strong-willed and has a good heart; I can't damage that. I will hurt her. She can't see the scars; she can't know of my past. It will destroy her.

"Nico" Dani spoke. She kept her voice soft. She paused. Come on…

"Nico look at me." Dani whispered again. Damn it Nico, just look at me.

"Nico!" she shouted and he jerked his head up. I'm not shocked she yelled. I was waiting for it. Actually I'm surprised she didn't start by yelling.

Nico met Dani's eyes carefully. I can imagine what my face looks like right now…

Dani looked into Nico's eyes. Oh my God, that look is so hollow, so tortured. I just want to hold him and push the pain away. I want to make him better. I want him to be mine.

Dani moved across the room to stand in front of Nico. She reached for his face. He caught her hand. "Dr. Santino, please don't." Nico choked out.

She withdrew her hand immediately. "Don't use that title. Not after what I have just said. I may not have thought I was telling you, but you heard just the same. You know how I feel. Calling me that I now is a way of distancing yourself, but it kills me that you only think of me as a colleague. I thought we had moved on to at least the friend's stage, the one where we call each other by first names." I am on the verge of losing it. He doesn't know how much he means to me. Maybe he never will. He doesn't understand. She turned away.

"Danielle please leave." Just a colleague who was she kidding? I want her to stay, but I need her to leave. She needs to walk out of my life. I only came back to check on her. She wasn't even supposed to know I was here.

"No. I'm not leaving you. You are fragile right now and friends help friends rebuild." Dani sat down next to Nico. He better not push me away.

"I said leave Dr. Santino" he spit back at her. Get out of my life before I hurt you. I can't have you.

That did it. He used the title. He came in here and listened to me pour my heart out. He knows how I feel and he pulls that crap! Dani jumped up and crossed the room.

"Get out!" Nico screamed. She's never heard me yell. I need to get through to her. I am dangerous. I will ruin her life. I will ruin her. I will hurt her. I won't mean to, I would never on purpose but it will happen. I already have just by leaving. This is for the best. Let her see me as a monster if it protects her.

Dani was squinting at him from across the room. She hadn't moved; she hadn't even flinched. She walked up and got in Nico's face. "How dare you?" He wants this hard, well then it's gonna get dirty.

"I said get out!" Nico yelled again. I thought the first time would get through to her. Well I guess she needs to see more.

"And I said no" Dani whispered. She met his eyes and he saw the fury there. She's not going to give up without a fight. Well is she wants more, than that's what she's going to get.

Nico grabbed Dani around the waist and smashed her into the lockers they were between. He pushed his entire body in line with hers. He put his arms up on either side of her head like a predator. "I don't want you. I don't need you to fix me." It is not lost on me that she is only wearing a sheet and I have her trapped. If only that was where this could head…

Dani felt Nico grab her and fling her back into the locker. Okay, so that was meant to scare, not to harm. I think he forgot I don't scare easily and I don't give up. She heard Nico speak. Did he just say he doesn't want me? I'm not buying it.

"I don't want to fix you. I want you to trust me and to love me." Dani gasped out. Oh my God I can feel him…

"I'm sorry I'm not Ray or Matt. I don't trust easily and I don't want you to love me. I don't love you." That was the first lie I have ever told.

Dani listened to Nico. His words registered. She pulled her fist back and punched him with as much as she had. That's for everything you're saying to me. And for digging into my personal life. And for being in my life in general. And for comparing yourself to, and for even bringing up Matt and Ray. That's for telling me a lie when you said you'd never lie to me.

Nico saw the fist coming but didn't stop it. I want her to do this. I want her to hate me and to leave me. She needs to see me as the enemy as someone who will destroy her. She needs to leave me.

Dani's fist connected with Nico's right eye. Honestly I didn't think I'd actually hit him. I thought he'd stop me. He must have let me do it. My heart aches for him.

Okay, so that wasn't fun but if it gets her to walk out that door I'll take it gladly.

"Now that you've had your say please leave Dr. Santino." Nico spoke quietly, controlled. They were about arm's length away.

"Again with the title! Why do you think you got hit Nico?" Dani challenged. He was going to own up to it. What it was that was driving him. Whatever it was that let her hit him.

"You were venting your frustration, whatever it may be. It doesn't matter what I think." It doesn't matter how I feel. All I really want to do is hold you in my arms and take away the pain I have caused but all that will really do is put you in further jeopardy.

"It does matter. At least to me." Dani spoke and stepped back into his personal space. She placed her hand on this cheek.

This cannot be happening I cannot let her get close. She will take what is left of my heart. It has been torn to shreds. It cannot survive another round. I can't have her. We will destroy each other. "It can't." He sat back down, effectively removing himself from her touch. A touch that stirred his mangled heart.

Dani sighed. He was being so stubborn. Well I'm going to lay everything on the table then. Put all of my thoughts and feelings out there. For him this time. Not to vent, not to cry, but for him to see what he means to me.

Dani knelt down in front of him. He had his heads in his hands. They were about eye level if he would make contact, she on the floor, him on the bench. "Nico look at me." He met her eyes hesitantly. "It does."

Dani reached up and cupped his cheek; his eye was starting to bruise. All right Santino, now's your chance.