WARNING: Abnormally Long Author's Note: Well hello there! Okay so a good friend of mine who also doubles as a half-assed beta (jkjk she's the bomb for real) brought up a few points that I wanted to address for you guys.

I know I promised potential smut and I am not going back on that. It is just going to take a while. With the shit storm of things going on around them I don't think Dani or Nico would want to just hop in to bed at their first chance. They are both too level headed and logical for that. Don't get me wrong though, I am a huge fan of some Danico sexiness. For a fantastic example of said sexiness, go read 'All the Words' by SciFiRN. It'll make you blush. Seriously.

I realize that even though they are 'together' there is, and is going to continue to be, a good bit of angst. I want to stay true to cannon as much as I can and the truth of the matter is Dani did just get out of a pretty serious relationship with Matt. Those feelings just don't go away overnight. We will see in the next couple of chapters how all three of them deal with those feelings. Personally, I think Matt is a tool bag. Will that reflect in my writing of him? Probably. So if you're a huge Matt fan I apologize in advance (Not really.)

There will be plenty more interactions between Nico and the kids, as well as Juliette and…well…everyone. And don't think that you've seen the last of Gabrielle either. She's like hemorrhoids…a constant pain in the ass.

If you guys think there is anything plot wise that you would like me to explain, or if you have questions that DO NOT involve giving away major story line, please feel free to leave them in a review or PM me. I promise I won't bite harder than you like.

Because this note has gotten completely out of hand, I won't be adding one at the end of this chap. So, GIANT thank you to everyone who has reviewed, faved, and followed! If I could open mouth kiss you I would. (Too creepy?)

Follow me on Twitter for updates and randomness. At NicAm13.

See you next chap!

Nic

On with the show. Get your tissues ready.

X

Nico made it back in to the city and was pulling in the parking garage below his building in less than twenty minutes. He knew Juliette was a mess and he needed to be there for her. Despite what Marshall had said about their contact while he was still alive, Nico knew in his heart that he'd want his daughter taken care of now. He keyed in the code for his loft in to the keypad beside the elevator. That was definitely one of the many things his considerable paycheck was good for: ensuring his security. At least while he was home he could at least attempt to forget to be paranoid.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened to the view of his loft. It was all hardwood floors in the joined kitchen/dinette and living room. The floor plan was open, the breakfast bar topped with black marble being the only separation between the two rooms. The kitchen itself had matching black marble counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and dark cherry wood cabinets. There were technically only three walls, which were painted a rich red wine color and the far wall of the living room was a giant paneled window overlooking the bustling city. There was a crème colored leather sectional couch that wrapped around in a horseshoe with matching ottoman and recliner chair. He couldn't count the number of times he had fallen asleep in that chair simply because he bed had just felt entirely too large for only him.

Nico walked to the breakfast bar and took off his uniform jacket, placing it on the back of a stool. As he began to undo his tie he noticed a lump of blue blanket and brown hair on the couch. He sighed while unbuttoning his cufflinks and stopped to stare at Juliette. Part of him just wanted to leave her sleep, let her enjoy oblivion for just a while longer before reality flooded her mind again; before she was reminded of her mother's cruelty. The poor girl already had enough of her own demons to fight. The last thing she needed was her viper bitch of a mother adding to it. Then again, the majority of Juliette's problems could probably be laid at Gabrielle's feet to begin with.

He walked over and crouched down beside her resting form and brushed the hair out of her face. He had to suppress a heavy sigh at the look of her. Her cheeks were sunken and dark rings circled her eyes. And now that he caught a glimpse of the hand resting beside her cheek, he could tell it was entirely too skinny. She was using again. There was no way only two days of grieving had caused this much damage. Nico reached out gently and shook her shoulder. Her big doe eyes shot open and she sat up quickly, panic on her face as she took in her surroundings. Nico remained quiet, watching the realization of where she was calm her. When her eyes rested on him finally, he took note of how bloodshot they were.

"When?" Was all he asked, knowing she would know exactly what he was talking about. They had danced to this tune way too many times for her not to. Her eyes dropped from his and she shook her head.

"Almost two days. Once mo- she called me to tell me about my dad I couldn't even function enough to get a fix." Nico nodded his head once and stood to sit beside her on the couch. He sat still and allowed her to rest her head on his shoulder. It terrified him just how much she looked like her mother like this. But she wasn't Gabrielle. Thank god for that. Juliette drew in a long breath and shivered, drawing the blanket around her shoulders tighter.

"Ya know, I didn't have the best relationship with him. Hell, for the last year I hardly had what anyone would call a relationship with him at all. I spent a lot of my time hating him; going around talking about what a terrible person he was. And that's the worst part isn't it?" She fell quiet and he could feel tears run down her cheeks and on to his shirt. He reached an arm around her waist and hugged her, trying to offer some form of comfort. When it became apparent that she wasn't going to talk any more, Nico squeezed her one last time and sat her upright.

"Why don't you go take a shower and get changed? I need to do the same but then I will take you to see him if you want to." Juliette nodded once and stood. She made her way across the living room to the guest bedroom but stopped once she was in the door way. She turned back to face Nico.

"Have you talked to my mother?" Nico shook his head.

"Not since the funeral. But I did leave a voicemail vaguely threatening her well-being after I talked to you earlier." That earned him a half grin and a snort of approval. He tried to return it but sighed instead. "Do you have any idea why she would lie to you about this?" Juliette rolled her eyes and bit the inside corner of her mouth.

"You do remember who you're talking about right? Who knows why she does half of the shit she does. My best guess? She wanted you all to herself." Nico looked down and shook his head.

"That would certainly explain why she looked so pissed off."

"Pissed off? Over what?" Nico flashed her a grin.

"I didn't go alone. I brought a very close friend with me, one who doesn't care for your mother all too much." Juliette's mouth fell open in shock.

"You brought a date to my dad's funeral?" The hurt and anger in her voice should have caught him off guard but he had known it was coming eventually. She was going through withdrawals and was hyper emotional and sensitive. Nico stood with his palms up and took a step towards her.

"No. Not a date. A friend for support." His tone was measured, not wanting to set her off even more. She had a tendency to become violent when she needed a fix. He was filled with pride as he watched her close her eyes and regain control of her emotions however. Despite her going back to drugs, rehab must have imparted something positive in the long run. When she opened her eyes again they were filled with sadness.

"I…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to jump down your throat. This is all just…really hard." Nico closed the distance between them and placed a hand on either of her shoulders.

"I know, believe me I know." He leaned in and planted a soft kiss to her forehead. "Now go on and shower. We'll leave whenever you're ready." Juliette wrapped her arms around Nico's waist and hugged him tight.

"Thanks Nico." He stepped away and let slight grimace play on his lips.

"You and Dani both need to stop thanking me all the time. I don't do anything that deserves being thanked for." Juliette rolled her eyes again.

"First off, yes. You do. Even if you don't think so. We're grateful for you just being you. The sooner you accept that the happier you'll be. Second, Dani? Is that the 'friend' you were talking about?"

Nico ran his palm over his face. He knew he had said too much.

"Yes and I'd prefer if you didn't say 'friend' in such a suggestive way."

"Oh please. We both know you don't have any friends. So she must mean a lot to you for you to call her that. And again, we both know you don't do feelings very well either. She must be one awesome woman." Nico smiled and looked down at his shoes.

"I think you two would get along perfectly. You're both way too perceptive for your own good. Now go shower."

"Fine, fine. Have it your way." She turned and shut the bedroom door behind her leaving Nico to his thoughts.

He turned and walked in to the master bedroom, unbuttoning his shirt as he went. He stripped off the rest of his uniform and placed the articles on a hanger to be dry cleaned. He walked in to the master bathroom and turned on the shower, catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror. His own eyes were starting to form dark rings and his shoulders were slumped with exhaustion. His normally darker skin tone was paled, making his various scars stick out more. Nico twisted around to look at the SEAL tattoo he had on his right shoulder blade. His heart twisted as he remembered Marshall had had a matching one. They had gotten them together after they had made it through training. Their whole squad had. And now the crippling reality was that Nico was the only one of the original nine left. Images of his time with those men started to flash in his mind and Nico had to lean against the sink for support. Juliette was right; this was all just too damn much.

Nico shook his head and pushed off the sink. He opened the glass door to the shower and let the steam and scalding water wash over him. He wasn't sure which bothered him more; the fact that he could barely feel the heat from the water on his skin or the fact that he was too exhausted to care.

X

The drive back to the cemetery felt like it took longer with Juliette. Of course they had stopped to pick up flowers for her to place on the grave. She insisted on getting Juniper. She had said that when she was little Marshall had called her his Juniper Juli flower. Nico sat silently and listened as she recounted the few happy times of her childhood, back when Marshall and Gabrielle had been happy. He felt bad for tuning parts of it out but he couldn't let her know that hearing some of it actually hurt. He wished he could have been the one to raise her. Maybe then her life wouldn't be the mess it was now. But that little nagging voice in the back of his head told him not to be stupid, that he was just as messed up as the rest of them. He got lost in his head for a while and was actually surprised when he pulled in to the cemetery and put the car in park. He turned to look at Juliette and found her staring across the grass at the fresh mound of dirt covered with flowers and the headstone with a marble hawk perched on top.

"Do you want me to go with you?" Juliette turned to him with tears in her eyes.

"Please?" He nodded and got out of the car. He walked around and took her hand, leading her towards her father. When they got within two feet, she collapsed to her knees and started crying. Her sobs were heart wrenching and he knew in an instant he was in over his head. He immediately pulled out his phone and pressed the first speed dial.

"Nico?"

"I need you."

"Where?" He swallowed and looked down at Juliette's hunched form.

"Same place I was this morning." God had it really only been this morning?

"I'm on my way." The line disconnected and he shoved his phone back in his jeans pocket. He knelt down beside Juliette and did his best to comfort her without losing it himself.

X

After what felt like an eternity, Nico finally heard the crunch of gravel behind them and turned to see her car pull up behind his. He squeezed his arm around Juliette's shoulders tightly.

"I will be right back okay?" She nodded once, her eyes never leaving the headstone. "Holler if you need me." Nico stood and walked over to meet Dani who was half way to them already. She had changed in to a pair of lightly faded jeans, a dark grey t-shirt, and running shoes…and she looked as gorgeous as ever. It amazed him that just the sight of her made the weight on his chest lighten. When he reached her he pulled her to him in a crushing hug and buried his face in her hair, inhaling her scent. The wave of emotion that rolled through him at having her in his arms again almost brought him to his knees.

"Is it pathetic to say that I missed you?" His voice was muffled by her hair but he knew she heard him. He felt her chuckle against him and run her hands up his back soothingly.

"If it does then I'll have to admit I'm pretty pathetic too." He smiled softly and pulled back, his arms still around her shoulders. She looked up at him with sympathetic eyes.

"What's wrong Nico?" Her hand reached up and stroked his cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned in to her touch while letting out a long breath.

"A little bit of everything. I thought it might be a good idea to bring her here, you know, for closure. But as soon as we walked up to the grave she completely lost it and I didn't know what to do. I finally got her to calm down about five minutes ago but since she's just been staring straight ahead, hardly blinking." Dani nodded her head in understanding.

"Do you want me to talk to her?" He looked at her with pleading eyes.

"If anyone can I know it's you."

"Okay." Was all she answered. She started towards the girl sitting on the ground but stopped when she realized Nico wasn't following her. "Are you coming?"

He looked hesitant and pushed his hands in to his jeans pockets.

"Isn't there some rule about confidentiality?" Dani shook her head at him and reached for his arm.

"This isn't a therapy session Nico. I'm here because you both need a friend. If she decides she wants therapy later then sure, the rules will apply; but not here, not today." She tugged the sleeve of his shirt and walked over to the grave. She let go of him once they were right behind Juliette and sat down beside her, leaving Nico to watch the two of them.

"Juliette?" The brunette girl finally turned her gaze to the woman beside her in acknowledgment. "My name is Dani Santino, I'm a friend of Nico's." Juliette's eyes flickered between Nico and Dani. "I'm also a therapist." Nico cringed at the admission, afraid it would cause Juliette to shut down completely. But for the second time that day she surprised him by smiling slightly.

"Nico is friends with a therapist? Now that is something I never saw coming." Nico shook his head and Dani returned the small smile.

"While typically I'd agree, right now isn't about that. He called me because he's worried about you and he thought I could help." The smile slipped from Juliette's face and she turned back to stare at the headstone. The silence hung over them for a while before Juliette finally spoke.

"I don't know how to do this." She whispered. Dani leaned forward and looked at her fully.

"No one does sweetie. All you can do is what feels natural." Juliette scoffed.

"Natural between me and my dad was shouting until one of us walked away." Dani glanced at the headstone and back to the frail girl beside her.

"Well, he can't walk away this time. Why don't you tell him everything you're feeling right now?"

"What, just talk to his grave?" Juliette's voice was skeptical.

"Why not? Look at it this way; it's one last chance to get everything off your chest."

Juliette sighed but leaned forward, tucking her legs underneath her. She was quiet for a moment before she bowed her head and began speaking.

"Hey dad. I uh…I'm sorry I wasn't here earlier. There was a mix up." Juliette let out a tearful scoff at herself. "Fuck that, no there wasn't. Your wife is a bitch. Like seriously, a major fucking douchebag. Did you know she didn't even call me to tell me you were missing? I didn't know anything was wrong until she told me you were dead…and then proceeded to lie to me about when your funeral was just so she could…" She trailed off and shook her head, wiping at the tears streaming down her face.

"You know I keep replaying our last conversation in my head over and over? We fought like always. I was so pissed at you for cutting me off. And when you told me it was for my own good? God did that light a fire under my ass. The part that really got to me was when you told me I wasn't allowed to contact Nico any more. Telling me I couldn't turn to the man I wished was my father instead of you…yeah you really knew how to hurt me dad. Did you know I called him anyway? That he helped me get in to rehab? He has helped me more in the last ten years than you have my entire life." Nico closed his eyes and swallowed down the lump in his throat. He knew everything she said was true, but that didn't make it hurt any less. He felt Dani's hand take his and he squeezed hard.

"At least, that's what I thought. I've had some clarity the past two days. Granted I'm jonesing hardcore but still…no drugs, no alcohol…nothing. Ever since your wife called me to tell me you were gone. I've spent the last two days thinking back over our whole relationship. And this morning I realized that you did love me; you just didn't know how to help me. And god knows I didn't exactly make it easy on you. I realize now that you tried the only way you knew how. And that means more to me then I will ever be able to say." Her tears were flowing freely now and a sob escaped her throat.

"Despite all of the hatred, all of the arguing, and lies, and bullshit; you were still my dad. And I love you." Juliette leaned forward and placed the bouquet of Juniper on top of the dirt. She left her hand linger for a moment before standing and wiping at her face. She turned to the couple standing behind her.

"Can I have a minute alone with Nico?" Dani nodded her head.

"Of course." She faced Nico and squeezed his hand. "I'll be at my car." He looked down at her and nodded once then turned back to Juliette and shoved his hands in his pockets. He watched her watch Dani's retreating form with a sad smile on her face.

"That woman is something else. She managed to get me to open up more in five minutes then I ever have the total of six months I've spent in rehabs." Nico felt his lips twitch.

"Yeah she has a habit of doing that."

"I can see why you like her. She seems just as strong as you are." Nico nodded.

"Stronger." It was quiet for another moment.

"So she's a therapist huh?"

"Yeap. And a substance abuse counselor." Juliette fought the urge to roll her eyes.

"Would it be inappropriate of me to want to see her again? You know, in a professional capacity?"

Relief flooded through Nico and he let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

"Actually, I think she'd really like that."

Juliette didn't say a word, just walked past him and went straight for his car, Nico following behind her. He veered to the left once he got close enough and walked over to Dani, leaning back against the hood of her car beside her. She leaned in to him, knowing they both needed the physical contact.

"She agreed to therapy." Dani smiled and looked at the outline of Juliette in the passenger seat of his car.

"Good. I'll get her in whenever she is ready for her first session." Nico looked down his shoulder at her.

"You don't have to do this for me. You can always recommend someone else." Dani snickered and turned to face him fully.

"As important as you are to me Nico, I'm not doing this for you. That girl needs help. More importantly, she wants it. I'd never turn away someone who needed me."

Nico stared at her in awe.

"You're truly amazing, you know that?" She smiled playfully up at him.

"Thank god I'm not the only one who thinks so." He laughed. Actually laughed, and it felt great. Nico reached for her and pulled her in to a soft, yet passionate kiss; his tongue dancing with hers as her arms wound their way around his neck. She melted in to him and he couldn't help but notice how perfect she fit against him.

"Alright already. You two are worse than half the teenagers I hung out with in high school!" Juliette had stuck her head out the passenger side window and was smiling ear to ear at them. They pulled away but left their arms wrapped around one another. Nico brushed his nose upwards against hers once.

"I better get her home before she starts doing a full color commentary." Dani chuckled.

"Yeah I better get back to make sure Ray Jay is abiding by his punishment of replanting the trees in my garden."

"I'll see you at work tomorrow?" Dani leaned up and pecked him on the lips one last time.

"Of course. But it'd be nice to get a good night phone call." She teased him. He smiled at her.

"I am a gentlemen aren't I?" Dani shot him a smoldering glance as she climbed in to her car.

"That is still to be determined Mr. Careles." His eyes narrowed at her.

"You're an evil woman." She winked at him through the windshield as she backed her car away and turned around. Nico ran his hand over his face and drew in a deep breath. That woman was going to be the death of him. He turned and climbed in to his car, feeling Juliette's eyes on him the whole time.

"Nico and Dani sitting in a-" He held up his hand and glared at her.

"If you finish that sentence I'll make sure you regret it for the rest of your life."