Author's Note: Well hello there. I am not going to make excuses for the delay in these chapters because I doubt you really want to hear them. I do apologize though since I feel terrible for leaving you guys with a crappy cliff hanger type deal. Any mistakes are my own…no beta.

This picks up immediately where we left off.

X

The amount of time it took Nico to get himself back under control infuriated him on so many levels. He ended up curled in to Dani's chest, his arms around her waist and his head tucked under her chin. The sobs had stopped a while ago and the tears had finally run their course, but the ache in his heart pulsated pain through his veins with every beat.

His best friend for his entire adult life had killed himself. Marshall had felt like there had been no other option; that no one needed him. And Nico couldn't help but feel like he was the cause of a lot of that pain. If he had just left Gabriel alone once she decided to marry Marshall, none of this might have happened. But then who was he trying to kid? Marshall had always been messed up. For all he knew, this could have happened years sooner if Nico hadn't remained a constant in his life. That thought was what finally brought Nico back from the edge of despair. He had to cling to the hope that he had helped Marshall in some way; that he hadn't caused his death.

Nico drew in a long, steadying breath. Dani's scent filled his head and he squeezed her tighter to him. He was still in awe of the fact that he hadn't hesitated to break in front of her. He had known that his respect and feelings for her were growing strong daily, but he hadn't been exactly aware of just how much he had grown to trust her. Falling apart wasn't something he did. And the fact that he had trusted her to catch him spoke volumes.

Her hand made its way over his hair, smoothing it down comfortingly as Nico straightened himself to look in to Dani's beautiful brown eyes. The tear tracks on her cheeks and the moisture still in her eyes made his breath hitch. She was absolutely gorgeous, even in this state. He brought a hand up to her cheek and thumbed away a stray tear, and in that moment, he knew the reason she was so beautiful to him right then; it was her compassion. Her heart had broken right along with his and she had felt his pain. He had never felt so close to someone in his entire life.

"I love you." The words were out of his mouth before he had a chance to even register the realization in his head. But part of him had known for a long while just how deeply he cared for this woman. He watched her eyes widen in shock and felt her pull back slightly to study his face.

"Nico, you don't have to say that just because you're feeling grateful-"

He shook his head once and pressed the palm of his hand firmly to her cheek.

"I'm not. I'm saying it because it's true. I love you Danielle." He stopped as her eyes closed and she leaned in to his hand. "You don't have to say it back if you don't feel the same. I just needed to tell you."

Her eyes shot open and searched his for sincerity. Nico had to swallow the sudden anger he felt rise up. The men before him had done a hell of a number on her if she doubted him now, of all times. But he knew it wasn't her fault so he held her gaze and tried to convey his feelings to her. It was new to him, having to prove himself. He had gotten far too used to everyone simply taking him at his word.

In a flash of brown hair, Dani leaned in and placed her lips over his, her hands coming up to his collar and pulling him closer. The kiss was slow and tender, but burned with passion and feeling. Nico twisted his fingers in to her hair and used his leverage to pull her in to his lap so that she was straddling him. They both let out a low groan the moment their groins pressed together and the kiss turned primal, both fighting for dominance. Nico released her hair with one hand and trailed his fingers down her spine and back up the bottom of her shirt, relishing the feel of her heated skin. He traced a delicate pattern up her side and around until he brushed her hardened nipple with his thumb. Dani gasped and pressed her chest in to his palm, begging him for more. Nico was more than willing to give it to her. Just as he began to slide her shirt up, his phone began to buzz from its place in his blazer pocket.

"Oh you have got to be fucking kidding me!" He practically growled as he reluctantly tore his lips from hers. He reached in to his pocket and glared at his phone, which he could now officially label as the world's best cock blocker. His frustration subsided mildly when he saw Juliette's name on the screen. He pressed the green send button and brought the phone to his ear, his eyes instinctively finding Dani's.

"Yes?"

"Hey Nico, are we heading home sometime soon? I'm getting hungry." Her question prompted him to glance at the clock on Dani's desk. He let out a heavy breath when he realized she had been waiting in the car for nearly an hour.

"I'm sorry Juliette. I'll be right out."

"Okay, cool. Oh, and why are you breathing so hard? Wait. Oh. My. God. You were getting laid weren't you?" Her voice raised three octaves with the question.

"Good bye Juliette." He hung up and dropped his hand to the floor, phone held loosely in his fingers. He sighed and looked apologetically up at Dani who was still astride his lap.

"The wild child begs for nourishment."

She snorted. "Don't I know how that is."

They laughed together before falling in to silence.

"I should probably get going." His voice was soft as he glanced at the door to her office. She nodded at him but made no effort to move off of him. He was about to lift her to stand when she pressed her forehead to his and framed his face with her hands.

"I love you too." Her words were soft but they rang in his ears as if she had shouted them. Nico pulled his face back from hers and took his turn to study her.

"Really?" He kicked himself for such an inadequate reply but it was honestly all he was able to muster. She smiled warmly at him and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.

"Yes, really. And I hope we can find the time to discuss this new found revelation soon, maybe over dinner?"

He nodded enthusiastically in response.

"Absolutely. Tomorrow after we go visit TK we will plan something."

Dani bit her bottom lip in thought.

"I kind of promised the kids I'd cook tomorrow and we'd have dinner together for once in forever."

Nico couldn't help the disappointment he felt but it was overpowered by his admiration of the commitment she held towards her family. He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Okay then, just let me know when you have the free time and I will be there." He leaned forward and kissed her again to prove he meant his words. When he pulled back he caught the flicker of genius flash in her eyes.

"How about you and Juliette come over too? That way she can get to know Ray Jay and Lindsay while we talk after we eat?"

He didn't hesitate one second in agreeing. The fact that she wanted to include him and his only real family in to her own made his heart swell.

"I'm sure that can be arranged. Now I really should be going. The last thing I need is an angry, hungry, former junkie keying my car because I didn't feed her before midnight." He gently placed his hands under her bottom and lifted her up, pulling her with him as he stood.

"Good night Danielle. And thank you."

She looked up at him confused.

"What on earth are you thanking me for now?"

His gaze turned serious and he pulled her flush against his chest.

"For being the only person in the world I know who can help me fall apart while keeping me grounded at the same time. I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't had you to turn to earlier." His throat felt raw with the sincerity of his words. "And for so many other things that I will keep thanking you for, for as long as you let me."

He brushed the brimming tears from her eyes and leaned in for a parting kiss. Very reluctantly he let her go and made his way to the door. He stopped and looked back over his shoulder at her before turning the knob.

"I'll see you in the morning Danielle. Good night and sweet dreams." He opened the door and walked through it, shutting it behind him, but not before he heard her whisper:

"Only because they'll be of you."

X

AN: Alright so this is pretty short and I apologize for that. But the upside is I will be posting again tomorrow and probably Sunday as well. This chap was very emotionally charged for me because I have been in the position of blaming myself for the death of a loved one…it's not a place you want to be.

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed. I appreciate each and every one of you who leave me your wonderful reviews, faves, and follows. You are all the greatest and give me motivation. I love you.

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See you guys next chap!

Nic