Fic: [NR] Mix of Dark Minors and Sunny Majors [2/14]
Mix of Dark Minors and Sunny Majors
Word Count: Chapter 2: 3,220 ; [48,282 total]
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Nico/Dani-Possibly. Eventually?
Spoilers: References something from 1x07 and 1x11.
Disclaimer: don't own. Don't profit. Don't … a lot of things
Summary: She'd be willing to bet the Nico of reality was somewhere between her good guy and his evil one but he wasn't ready to see that just yet. "Nico, I work on feelings and intuition. Of course I see the potential. You work in cold facts and realities that aren't pretty so you see the bad. In order for music to be beautiful, there has to be a mix of sunny majors with the dark, harsh minors."
Author's Note: So, you can blame or credit, jeer or cheer brokenroots & goodisrelative for this 92-page (20+ chapter) fic. Brokenroots started me thinking about NR fic (go read hers, it's better) and then they both beat me up to get more. Please note, this fic is done. finished. fin. over. ended. ... that doesn't mean there might not be a sequel. at least a "Sunday Supper at Mama C's" [you'll meet Mama C in a much later chapter]
Chapter 1
-%-
Dani smiled at Xeno as she pushed him inside her house at 705 AM. "I'll deal with Nico later," she swore.
She waited for his knock then opened the door and sailed out to his car.
"Breakfast?"
Dani lifted an eyebrow at his expectation. "The text said 'might' and you told Xeno not to leave his post until he took the kids to school."
"He cannot-." Nico started.
"Do not talk to me about protection, Nico. He's watching out for my kids, spent the night standing guard at my house. The least I can do is give the man a good meal!" Dani cut him off and cut into him, pissed.
A wise man knew when to let a pissed off woman win an argument and no one would ever accuse Nico of stupidity. He nodded. "Duly noted, Mother Santino." Then again he didn't get any sleep last night, and knowing how to push people's buttons was something he excelled at.
Dani snapped around and was glad he was following so close behind her because it put him within slapping range and she knew he'd never expect it. But then, she didn't expect it to be so loud. And she didn't expect the guilt to be so strong either.
It took a minute for Nico to respond. "Well that certainly was a wake up." When her eyes flashed, he held up his hands in surrender, knowing he had stepped way over the line. "My words were uncalled for." He stopped short of apologizing.
Dani's eyes stayed narrowed. "Which set of words, Nico, were uncalled for?"
Nico smiled down at her. "Both sets- when I called you Mother Santino and the last ones about the wakeup call."
Dani nodded and turned to continue to his car and got in. God she was tired: she'd allow it was the reason she actually slapped him. If she had been thinking rationally, she would have let his sarcastic words just roll off her.
Nico sighed. "Did you get any sleep?" He asked as he got in and started the car.
Dani shook her head no and just stared blankly out the window. She could tell he was going to say something else and sighed. "Not now, Nico. Just let it go for now."
-%-
The first thing he did was bring her to his office. "The lock code is 9183. When you need time alone, use my office. Lock the door. You do not leave the team's secure areas without me." When she would have argued, he just added, "I promised Lindsay I would take care of her mother."
Dani smiled and gave a small nod of understanding. "9183, no alone outside the team's secure area. Got it, Nico, but when you get other situations, you go-."
"I will deal with them as they come up; you do not need to concern yourself with those. This is the situation that needs, deserves, my time and attention. I have others whom can handle other situations." He eyed her for a moment. "Can I see your mobile?"
Dani squinted, smiled at the thought of that old conversation of theirs, and handed over her phone. "What are you planning on doing to it?"
Nico debated if the truth would be best but he had told her he didn't lie-oh, he could be vague and evasive on this and she wouldn't even realize it-but her peace of mind was already balanced precariously and he wasn't going to be the one to tip it into paranoia and freaking out. "Setting the GPS to 'always on' and cloning it so if he calls I'll know. And programming in my emergency number so you can always reach me."
Dani stared at him. "What were you after being a SeAL?" She shivered even as she held his gaze. "And no listening on Jeanette conversations or patient calls or calls with my kids!"
Nico didn't even blink at her question-nor did he answer it. He just pulled out his briefcase, scanned the phone and scanned a second one. He put the second phone in his pocket. "Just know your calls are monitored: on your mobile and at your home."
Dani was squinting again and she knew it. "Nico, the two women-." She started as she took her phone back.
"You and I will visit them later this morning and explain what the team is doing to help them. And they will meet their security details, which have been in place since I left your home last night." This time Nico cut her off, knowing what she needed to hear.
Dani eyed him with a small smile gracing her lips. "When you walked out or finally drove away? And did you get any sleep last night in between planning security and dealing with other situations that arose?"
Nico smiled. "I got sufficient rest, Doctor Santino."
She rolled her eyes and muttered something about vague answers, men, and last nerves on her way out of his office.
-%-
"Doctor D! How you be?" TK yelled down the hall a couple hours later.
Dani didn't even bother stopping the smile that lit up her face. TK's exuberance was exactly what she needed right now. Turning to watch him walk down the hall to her, she shook her head. "I'm good, TK. Tired but good."
"My man Nico treatin' ya okay? Don't let him cross boundaries, Doctor D. Ya know how those men in black get: give 'em an inch, they tie ya up, and take a mile!"
Dani laughed. "Funny, TK. Very funny." Last night's parting words came back to her then and her eyes narrowed. "About Nico, TK. You are not to ask him-."
"I got the down low form my man already, so did the team. Y'all's decision, girl power, yada yada. We back it. Don't like it, but we'll back it. Girl power brings on the sexy, Doctor D." TK cut her off. He eyed her with his last words and sighed. "That was outta line. I know, Doctor D, but it takes time to change stripes."
Dani patted his arm. "Awareness and knowing are half the battle, TK."
TK leaned back and studied her. "Whoa, deep, Doctor D! Yoda and GIJoe. Didn't know ya had it in ya." He grinned at her.
Dani grinned back with a roll of her eyes. "I was going more for Yogurt and GIJoe, but I'll take Yoda." She left him puzzling over the Yogurt reference and made a mental note to get him a copy of Spaceballs-or to just have Ray Jay and Lindsay make him watch it.
"Nice Spaceballs reference, Doctor Santino." Nico came up behind her on her right side.
She pulled up short and stomped her foot. "Damnit, Nico! We both know I'm teetering on the edge. Must you push me over with your damn stealth?!"
Nico raised an eyebrow, silently asking if the tantrum was over.
She fisted her hands and growled at him in frustration, then took a deep breath and let it go. She pointed a finger at him. "I swear you take pleasure in doing that to me!" Her eyes narrowed as she caught the glint in his eyes. "I knew it! I friggin' knew it!"
"Now are you done?" Nico asked patiently, blanking his eyes completely.
She sighed and just gave in. "You'll get your due one day, Mister Careles." She hooked her arm through his and asked, "Time to head out to visit the ladies? Did you do as I texted and arrange to meet them together at a public place?"
Nico looked down at their joined arms, frowning but allowed it for now-he couldn't let it become habit though. "Of course, ma'am. I also had my men secure the location. While I know he was picked up later last night so he could not get out until this morning and his bail hearing was pushed back until late this morning, I didn't want to chance his attendance."
Dani pulled him to a stop as she got a true understanding of just how connected he really was. Looking up at him, she smiled. "You really are a good friend to have around, Nico. Even with your vague answers, annoying sneakiness and stealth, and scary freeze glare."
Nico glanced down at her with his half smile and set them in motion again. "I checked in with Xeno: all's quiet on that front."
Dani was too tired to think about her next action: she rested her head against his arm and just concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other as they made their way out of the stadium.
Nico frowned. This was getting out of hand-if he pulled away now, though, she may stumble and fall and he couldn't allow that. But he caught Donnally's surprise at seeing Dani hugging his arm and leaning into him and couldn't stop himself from stiffening.
Dani felt him stiffen and straightened herself up and pulled off of Nico. "Sorry," she whispered.
Nico frowned again. "Donnally's getting the wrong idea."
Dani filed that way, surprised Nico cared what the other man thought. "That's his problem; not mine nor yours." Then she let his arm go and shifted slightly to put more space between them. She wasn't about to add more to his plate, nor was she about to hurt his reputation with the team.
Nico looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "Then why let my arm go and move away if it is not your problem?"
"I don't want the team to see you differently. I'm taking enough of your time and attention, Nico." Dani stated quietly as he held open the door for her. She squinted at the bright light and fumbled in her purse for sunglasses.
Nico allowed the door to shut behind them and stared at her. What did he do with that admission? "Dani, the team failed to protect these women and you. I failed to protect you-."
Dani whirled around to face him, putting her finger right in his face, and swore. "Bullshit, Nico! I have said it before and I will again: You. Are. Not. Omniscient! Do not even let me see it cross your mind again! Neither one of us failed anyone. And, hell, you are more than making it up to us right now. You take on too much, Nico Careles." She closed her eyes and rubbed her temple. "Christ, I have a headache."
"We could-."
"We see the women, get food, then maybe I'll rest-on the condition you do too." Dani cut him off with a list of actions. "This headache is only on you because you keep frustrating me and sneaking up on me." And she smiled up at him before she put her sunglasses on and headed for his car.
Nico shook his head with a rueful smile. She is definitely an impact player-a hard-hitting and unexpected impact player.
-%-
The two women cowered under Nico's steady gaze. Dani sighed and moved to stand between them and Nico. "Nico, give the ladies and I ten minutes. Disappear. You keep us in sight but I do not want them to see you." She spoke quietly-her voice only carrying to Nico.
Nico sighed. "I don't-."
"I know, Nico. I know." She smiled up at him and patted his arm. She turned to face the ladies and knew when Nico was out of sight by the relaxing of their facial features. "Scary, isn't he? It's a damn good thing he's on our side." She got a nervous chuckle out of the two before she continued. "TK has given the one who shall not be named a new name: Rat Bastard. I think that is what we shall use when discussing the rat bastard who hurt us." There were small smiles and Dani sighed in relief. "Rat Bastard was arrested last night. His bail hearing is going on right now. By the end of this, there will be a lot more women identified whom he sexually assaulted or harassed. We will all get through this. You both need to know that the Hawks have terminated his contract. He will never play ball for us again." Dani caught their disbelief and smiled. "Ladies, I'm not kidding when I say the team is pissed-at Rat Bastard, and more importantly, at themselves for not seeing it and not stopping it. Even for not preventing it altogether. They feel they failed us."
That dropped both of their jaws. "You serious? They feel guilty?"
"Dead serious, ladies. To borrow a friend's words, I don't lie." Dani stated. "We'll meet for individual and group therapy if you would like-with me or with another, all on the Hawks' dime. The team is working with me on how they can recognize the signs and how to be a bit more respectful of women." Dani smiled. "That will take a while because TK said it best: it takes time to change stripes."
The two women chuckled. "Sounds like TK."
"The Hawks-Nico-is setting up security details at wherever you two are staying for the foreseeable future. It's a precaution I would have asked for if Nico hadn't already started it last night." Dani stated and waited for their reactions as she motioned for Nico to come back.
Both women froze. "Mr. Careles was concerned-."
"You both are important assets of the team and team assets are to be protected. I didn't-." Nico eyed Dani and changed words. "As we weren't aware of the problem before, we are making sure it is over and will not happen again. I do not take chances."
Both women blinked and looked to Dani.
Dani smiled and stood next to Nico and took his arm. "Ladies, yes, Nico has a scary glare that can freeze hell in five seconds; likes to sneak up and scare the shit out of a person; and only answers questions in annoyingly vague answers and misdirects-but he is not a person we should be scared of. He'll deny it, but he likes to fix people's problems because he cares." Dani chuckled. "Not saying he couldn't break us in half or that I think he is so connected he could delay Rat Bastard's bail hearing. But you can trust me, and more importantly, trust Nico, on this: he and his merry band of men in black who like to break kneecaps will protect us." Dani knew it was more of her hanging onto Nico's arm than her mix of serious and comedic words that got the ladies to see they didn't need to be scared of Nico.
"But let's not let the team know. Damages my carefully crafted reputation." Nico smiled.
One smiled, the other chuckled nervously but nodded. "Can we meet our security details?"
Nico nodded and raised a hand: six men came out of the shadows.
Dani let go of his arm and stepped back: it was his show now. She sat and listened to his voice explain details and security plans then introduce the men. She sighed and let her eyes close as she used his voice to soothe her own fear still lurking in the back of her mind.
Dani sat up abruptly when the silence penetrated her rest. She would not admit it may have been a nightmare. She blinked at the harsh light and found only Nico sitting next to her, his hand resting on her arm, almost as if he was trying to ground her.
Nico looked over at her, silently asking if she was okay.
She offered him a smile and hoped it looked right. "Startled awake. I'll be fine. When did they all head out?" She wasn't going to ask how long he had been watching her sleep or how long he had been keeping her dreams.
"About five minutes ago." Nico smiled. "I think it's time to head to your house and rest before the kids get home from school."
Dani stretched and stood. "You know the condition on that, Nico."
"Where do you want to grab lunch?" Nico asked as his phone rang. He squinted at the number before he answered it with "What happened?"
Dani watched him carefully. His eyes cut to her before he turned slightly away to listen to whomever was on the phone. "Why was there-." He paused. "I'll-."
Dani knew then. He wasn't paying attention to her-it was the only reason she could steal his phone from him. "We will be there in 20." Then she ended the call and handed the phone back over to him. "McDonalds or Burger King, I don't care. But we are going to my house." Dani decreed, ice in her glare, daring him to challenge her.
He just held her glare. "Never said you would not come with me."
"Do not play the semantics game with me now, Careles. You started with I'll not we'll. And your last words never said you would bring me now to my own house. I'm starting to see through your vagueness," Dani growled, then pulled out her phone. "Jeanette, I need a favor. I have a problem and I need the kids and their security detail to stay with you for a few days." Dani sighed at the rapid fire questions her friend issued. "Jeanette! I will explain all later, but, yes, Nico is with me." Dani sighed before she hung up.
"Not with Ray?" Nico asked.
Dani snorted. "Jeanette lives in a gated community with top of the line," she paused to eye Nico, "er, with decent security."
Nico smiled at her change in description. "I know."
Dani just rolled her eyes. "Screw it. Let's just pick up pizza. I'll call it in and it will be ready in 15 minutes. It's on the way."
Nico nodded and they headed out to the car. He was still trying to think of a way to prevent her from going to her house until he had a chance to survey it. He could probably press that he had promised Lindsay he would protect her, but he had a feeling he would need that later. Giving in for the moment, he dialed Xeno. "They go to Jeanette's after school." He listened a minute then held the phone out for Dani.
Dani eyed him then it. "Don't you dare apologize, Xeno. You, like your boss, cannot be everywhere nor can you predict every action Rat Bastard will take." Dani swallowed a smile then frowned. "No, that order is not lifted. It is only if one of us women asks and even then no serious injury or death. I swear, Xeno, I will get Nico to kick your ass." Dani smiled evilly at something the man on the phone said. "Of course, if he breaks that, you get to kick his ass. Thanks, Xeno. Take care."
"What makes you think he can kick my ass?" Nico asked as he drove.
"What makes you think I would play fair or not help him?" Dani countered. At Nico's raised eyebrow, Dani shrugged. "If there is one thing I have learned from watching you, Nico, is that there is always a way to get something done. And I'll add the qualifier 'and come out mostly the way you want it to'."
Nico smiled. "Good lessons to learn."
Word Count: Chapter 2: 3,220 ; [48,282 total]
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Nico/Dani-Possibly. Eventually?
Spoilers: References something from 1x07 and 1x11.
Disclaimer: don't own. Don't profit. Don't … a lot of things
Summary: She'd be willing to bet the Nico of reality was somewhere between her good guy and his evil one but he wasn't ready to see that just yet. "Nico, I work on feelings and intuition. Of course I see the potential. You work in cold facts and realities that aren't pretty so you see the bad. In order for music to be beautiful, there has to be a mix of sunny majors with the dark, harsh minors."
Author's Note: So, you can blame or credit, jeer or cheer brokenroots & goodisrelative for this 92-page (20+ chapter) fic. Brokenroots started me thinking about NR fic (go read hers, it's better) and then they both beat me up to get more. Please note, this fic is done. finished. fin. over. ended. ... that doesn't mean there might not be a sequel. at least a "Sunday Supper at Mama C's" [you'll meet Mama C in a much later chapter]
Chapter 1
-%-
Dani smiled at Xeno as she pushed him inside her house at 705 AM. "I'll deal with Nico later," she swore.
She waited for his knock then opened the door and sailed out to his car.
"Breakfast?"
Dani lifted an eyebrow at his expectation. "The text said 'might' and you told Xeno not to leave his post until he took the kids to school."
"He cannot-." Nico started.
"Do not talk to me about protection, Nico. He's watching out for my kids, spent the night standing guard at my house. The least I can do is give the man a good meal!" Dani cut him off and cut into him, pissed.
A wise man knew when to let a pissed off woman win an argument and no one would ever accuse Nico of stupidity. He nodded. "Duly noted, Mother Santino." Then again he didn't get any sleep last night, and knowing how to push people's buttons was something he excelled at.
Dani snapped around and was glad he was following so close behind her because it put him within slapping range and she knew he'd never expect it. But then, she didn't expect it to be so loud. And she didn't expect the guilt to be so strong either.
It took a minute for Nico to respond. "Well that certainly was a wake up." When her eyes flashed, he held up his hands in surrender, knowing he had stepped way over the line. "My words were uncalled for." He stopped short of apologizing.
Dani's eyes stayed narrowed. "Which set of words, Nico, were uncalled for?"
Nico smiled down at her. "Both sets- when I called you Mother Santino and the last ones about the wakeup call."
Dani nodded and turned to continue to his car and got in. God she was tired: she'd allow it was the reason she actually slapped him. If she had been thinking rationally, she would have let his sarcastic words just roll off her.
Nico sighed. "Did you get any sleep?" He asked as he got in and started the car.
Dani shook her head no and just stared blankly out the window. She could tell he was going to say something else and sighed. "Not now, Nico. Just let it go for now."
-%-
The first thing he did was bring her to his office. "The lock code is 9183. When you need time alone, use my office. Lock the door. You do not leave the team's secure areas without me." When she would have argued, he just added, "I promised Lindsay I would take care of her mother."
Dani smiled and gave a small nod of understanding. "9183, no alone outside the team's secure area. Got it, Nico, but when you get other situations, you go-."
"I will deal with them as they come up; you do not need to concern yourself with those. This is the situation that needs, deserves, my time and attention. I have others whom can handle other situations." He eyed her for a moment. "Can I see your mobile?"
Dani squinted, smiled at the thought of that old conversation of theirs, and handed over her phone. "What are you planning on doing to it?"
Nico debated if the truth would be best but he had told her he didn't lie-oh, he could be vague and evasive on this and she wouldn't even realize it-but her peace of mind was already balanced precariously and he wasn't going to be the one to tip it into paranoia and freaking out. "Setting the GPS to 'always on' and cloning it so if he calls I'll know. And programming in my emergency number so you can always reach me."
Dani stared at him. "What were you after being a SeAL?" She shivered even as she held his gaze. "And no listening on Jeanette conversations or patient calls or calls with my kids!"
Nico didn't even blink at her question-nor did he answer it. He just pulled out his briefcase, scanned the phone and scanned a second one. He put the second phone in his pocket. "Just know your calls are monitored: on your mobile and at your home."
Dani was squinting again and she knew it. "Nico, the two women-." She started as she took her phone back.
"You and I will visit them later this morning and explain what the team is doing to help them. And they will meet their security details, which have been in place since I left your home last night." This time Nico cut her off, knowing what she needed to hear.
Dani eyed him with a small smile gracing her lips. "When you walked out or finally drove away? And did you get any sleep last night in between planning security and dealing with other situations that arose?"
Nico smiled. "I got sufficient rest, Doctor Santino."
She rolled her eyes and muttered something about vague answers, men, and last nerves on her way out of his office.
-%-
"Doctor D! How you be?" TK yelled down the hall a couple hours later.
Dani didn't even bother stopping the smile that lit up her face. TK's exuberance was exactly what she needed right now. Turning to watch him walk down the hall to her, she shook her head. "I'm good, TK. Tired but good."
"My man Nico treatin' ya okay? Don't let him cross boundaries, Doctor D. Ya know how those men in black get: give 'em an inch, they tie ya up, and take a mile!"
Dani laughed. "Funny, TK. Very funny." Last night's parting words came back to her then and her eyes narrowed. "About Nico, TK. You are not to ask him-."
"I got the down low form my man already, so did the team. Y'all's decision, girl power, yada yada. We back it. Don't like it, but we'll back it. Girl power brings on the sexy, Doctor D." TK cut her off. He eyed her with his last words and sighed. "That was outta line. I know, Doctor D, but it takes time to change stripes."
Dani patted his arm. "Awareness and knowing are half the battle, TK."
TK leaned back and studied her. "Whoa, deep, Doctor D! Yoda and GIJoe. Didn't know ya had it in ya." He grinned at her.
Dani grinned back with a roll of her eyes. "I was going more for Yogurt and GIJoe, but I'll take Yoda." She left him puzzling over the Yogurt reference and made a mental note to get him a copy of Spaceballs-or to just have Ray Jay and Lindsay make him watch it.
"Nice Spaceballs reference, Doctor Santino." Nico came up behind her on her right side.
She pulled up short and stomped her foot. "Damnit, Nico! We both know I'm teetering on the edge. Must you push me over with your damn stealth?!"
Nico raised an eyebrow, silently asking if the tantrum was over.
She fisted her hands and growled at him in frustration, then took a deep breath and let it go. She pointed a finger at him. "I swear you take pleasure in doing that to me!" Her eyes narrowed as she caught the glint in his eyes. "I knew it! I friggin' knew it!"
"Now are you done?" Nico asked patiently, blanking his eyes completely.
She sighed and just gave in. "You'll get your due one day, Mister Careles." She hooked her arm through his and asked, "Time to head out to visit the ladies? Did you do as I texted and arrange to meet them together at a public place?"
Nico looked down at their joined arms, frowning but allowed it for now-he couldn't let it become habit though. "Of course, ma'am. I also had my men secure the location. While I know he was picked up later last night so he could not get out until this morning and his bail hearing was pushed back until late this morning, I didn't want to chance his attendance."
Dani pulled him to a stop as she got a true understanding of just how connected he really was. Looking up at him, she smiled. "You really are a good friend to have around, Nico. Even with your vague answers, annoying sneakiness and stealth, and scary freeze glare."
Nico glanced down at her with his half smile and set them in motion again. "I checked in with Xeno: all's quiet on that front."
Dani was too tired to think about her next action: she rested her head against his arm and just concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other as they made their way out of the stadium.
Nico frowned. This was getting out of hand-if he pulled away now, though, she may stumble and fall and he couldn't allow that. But he caught Donnally's surprise at seeing Dani hugging his arm and leaning into him and couldn't stop himself from stiffening.
Dani felt him stiffen and straightened herself up and pulled off of Nico. "Sorry," she whispered.
Nico frowned again. "Donnally's getting the wrong idea."
Dani filed that way, surprised Nico cared what the other man thought. "That's his problem; not mine nor yours." Then she let his arm go and shifted slightly to put more space between them. She wasn't about to add more to his plate, nor was she about to hurt his reputation with the team.
Nico looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "Then why let my arm go and move away if it is not your problem?"
"I don't want the team to see you differently. I'm taking enough of your time and attention, Nico." Dani stated quietly as he held open the door for her. She squinted at the bright light and fumbled in her purse for sunglasses.
Nico allowed the door to shut behind them and stared at her. What did he do with that admission? "Dani, the team failed to protect these women and you. I failed to protect you-."
Dani whirled around to face him, putting her finger right in his face, and swore. "Bullshit, Nico! I have said it before and I will again: You. Are. Not. Omniscient! Do not even let me see it cross your mind again! Neither one of us failed anyone. And, hell, you are more than making it up to us right now. You take on too much, Nico Careles." She closed her eyes and rubbed her temple. "Christ, I have a headache."
"We could-."
"We see the women, get food, then maybe I'll rest-on the condition you do too." Dani cut him off with a list of actions. "This headache is only on you because you keep frustrating me and sneaking up on me." And she smiled up at him before she put her sunglasses on and headed for his car.
Nico shook his head with a rueful smile. She is definitely an impact player-a hard-hitting and unexpected impact player.
-%-
The two women cowered under Nico's steady gaze. Dani sighed and moved to stand between them and Nico. "Nico, give the ladies and I ten minutes. Disappear. You keep us in sight but I do not want them to see you." She spoke quietly-her voice only carrying to Nico.
Nico sighed. "I don't-."
"I know, Nico. I know." She smiled up at him and patted his arm. She turned to face the ladies and knew when Nico was out of sight by the relaxing of their facial features. "Scary, isn't he? It's a damn good thing he's on our side." She got a nervous chuckle out of the two before she continued. "TK has given the one who shall not be named a new name: Rat Bastard. I think that is what we shall use when discussing the rat bastard who hurt us." There were small smiles and Dani sighed in relief. "Rat Bastard was arrested last night. His bail hearing is going on right now. By the end of this, there will be a lot more women identified whom he sexually assaulted or harassed. We will all get through this. You both need to know that the Hawks have terminated his contract. He will never play ball for us again." Dani caught their disbelief and smiled. "Ladies, I'm not kidding when I say the team is pissed-at Rat Bastard, and more importantly, at themselves for not seeing it and not stopping it. Even for not preventing it altogether. They feel they failed us."
That dropped both of their jaws. "You serious? They feel guilty?"
"Dead serious, ladies. To borrow a friend's words, I don't lie." Dani stated. "We'll meet for individual and group therapy if you would like-with me or with another, all on the Hawks' dime. The team is working with me on how they can recognize the signs and how to be a bit more respectful of women." Dani smiled. "That will take a while because TK said it best: it takes time to change stripes."
The two women chuckled. "Sounds like TK."
"The Hawks-Nico-is setting up security details at wherever you two are staying for the foreseeable future. It's a precaution I would have asked for if Nico hadn't already started it last night." Dani stated and waited for their reactions as she motioned for Nico to come back.
Both women froze. "Mr. Careles was concerned-."
"You both are important assets of the team and team assets are to be protected. I didn't-." Nico eyed Dani and changed words. "As we weren't aware of the problem before, we are making sure it is over and will not happen again. I do not take chances."
Both women blinked and looked to Dani.
Dani smiled and stood next to Nico and took his arm. "Ladies, yes, Nico has a scary glare that can freeze hell in five seconds; likes to sneak up and scare the shit out of a person; and only answers questions in annoyingly vague answers and misdirects-but he is not a person we should be scared of. He'll deny it, but he likes to fix people's problems because he cares." Dani chuckled. "Not saying he couldn't break us in half or that I think he is so connected he could delay Rat Bastard's bail hearing. But you can trust me, and more importantly, trust Nico, on this: he and his merry band of men in black who like to break kneecaps will protect us." Dani knew it was more of her hanging onto Nico's arm than her mix of serious and comedic words that got the ladies to see they didn't need to be scared of Nico.
"But let's not let the team know. Damages my carefully crafted reputation." Nico smiled.
One smiled, the other chuckled nervously but nodded. "Can we meet our security details?"
Nico nodded and raised a hand: six men came out of the shadows.
Dani let go of his arm and stepped back: it was his show now. She sat and listened to his voice explain details and security plans then introduce the men. She sighed and let her eyes close as she used his voice to soothe her own fear still lurking in the back of her mind.
Dani sat up abruptly when the silence penetrated her rest. She would not admit it may have been a nightmare. She blinked at the harsh light and found only Nico sitting next to her, his hand resting on her arm, almost as if he was trying to ground her.
Nico looked over at her, silently asking if she was okay.
She offered him a smile and hoped it looked right. "Startled awake. I'll be fine. When did they all head out?" She wasn't going to ask how long he had been watching her sleep or how long he had been keeping her dreams.
"About five minutes ago." Nico smiled. "I think it's time to head to your house and rest before the kids get home from school."
Dani stretched and stood. "You know the condition on that, Nico."
"Where do you want to grab lunch?" Nico asked as his phone rang. He squinted at the number before he answered it with "What happened?"
Dani watched him carefully. His eyes cut to her before he turned slightly away to listen to whomever was on the phone. "Why was there-." He paused. "I'll-."
Dani knew then. He wasn't paying attention to her-it was the only reason she could steal his phone from him. "We will be there in 20." Then she ended the call and handed the phone back over to him. "McDonalds or Burger King, I don't care. But we are going to my house." Dani decreed, ice in her glare, daring him to challenge her.
He just held her glare. "Never said you would not come with me."
"Do not play the semantics game with me now, Careles. You started with I'll not we'll. And your last words never said you would bring me now to my own house. I'm starting to see through your vagueness," Dani growled, then pulled out her phone. "Jeanette, I need a favor. I have a problem and I need the kids and their security detail to stay with you for a few days." Dani sighed at the rapid fire questions her friend issued. "Jeanette! I will explain all later, but, yes, Nico is with me." Dani sighed before she hung up.
"Not with Ray?" Nico asked.
Dani snorted. "Jeanette lives in a gated community with top of the line," she paused to eye Nico, "er, with decent security."
Nico smiled at her change in description. "I know."
Dani just rolled her eyes. "Screw it. Let's just pick up pizza. I'll call it in and it will be ready in 15 minutes. It's on the way."
Nico nodded and they headed out to the car. He was still trying to think of a way to prevent her from going to her house until he had a chance to survey it. He could probably press that he had promised Lindsay he would protect her, but he had a feeling he would need that later. Giving in for the moment, he dialed Xeno. "They go to Jeanette's after school." He listened a minute then held the phone out for Dani.
Dani eyed him then it. "Don't you dare apologize, Xeno. You, like your boss, cannot be everywhere nor can you predict every action Rat Bastard will take." Dani swallowed a smile then frowned. "No, that order is not lifted. It is only if one of us women asks and even then no serious injury or death. I swear, Xeno, I will get Nico to kick your ass." Dani smiled evilly at something the man on the phone said. "Of course, if he breaks that, you get to kick his ass. Thanks, Xeno. Take care."
"What makes you think he can kick my ass?" Nico asked as he drove.
"What makes you think I would play fair or not help him?" Dani countered. At Nico's raised eyebrow, Dani shrugged. "If there is one thing I have learned from watching you, Nico, is that there is always a way to get something done. And I'll add the qualifier 'and come out mostly the way you want it to'."
Nico smiled. "Good lessons to learn."