Title: Contingent
Fandom: Without A Trace
Pairing: Danny/Martin
Rating: PG13
Warnings: Spoilers through "Lost and Found"
Summary: Martin doesn't owe him anything.
Author's note: I owed
spoiledjap a Danny/Martin fic, and although it's possible I promised her smut, it just didn't work out that way. So Ruth, I owe you a smut fic. But in the meantime, this is something that I sort of felt like I had to do, partly because certain events in "Lost and Found" just really, really bugged me (and I'm not speaking specifically to the forced Sam/Martin vibe) and partly because I think some of us need a little preemptive fix, if you will. So I'm inventing my own canon, in a way, and even if it gets completely jossed tomorrow night, that's okay. Zen place. It's sparkly.
He's doing it again. Staring, like she's made of porcelain and if he takes his eyes off her for a second she'll break. And Danny always knew Martin had a bit of a hero complex, but this is ridiculous. Because that's what this job is all about - saving people, so they can all go home at the end of the day feeling like they did something to make the world a better place. They're all superhero wannabes - Danny's never lied to himself about that - but it's supposed to stop at the cases.
Martin's not supposed to obsess about Sam. He's not supposed to try to save her from herself or whatever he's thinking about when he watches her mope around like she just lost her best friend. Ever since Jack's announcement…and he's not stupid, he knows exactly why Sam's so upset. He was even pathetic enough to try to talk Jack into staying, and he doesn't really want to have to break in a new boss, but he wants Martin mooning over Sam even less.
It's not like he didn't know Martin dated girls. He knows Martin's slept with other guys too, and it's not like either of them came into this thing without a past. He's not even sure what this thing between them is, because they've slept together, sure, but they're not dating. It's only happened a few times, mostly when they were out of town on cases, and then that one time at his place. When he woke up in the morning Martin was gone, and Danny got the message loud and clear. Martin didn't want a relationship - didn't want to talk anything out or say anything they couldn't take back.
He just wanted to fuck Danny once in awhile, no strings attached, and leave their working relationship out of it. And that was okay with Danny - at least he thought it was, until he saw Martin watching Sam like a damn vulture. He's been hovering all day, just waiting for his opening and Danny wants to tell him it's pathetic. He would, if Martin would just stop shadowing Sam for two seconds. But as soon as she sits down Martin's right there, leaning in and looking sympathetic and Danny watches to punch him.
Not that he hasn't wanted to punch Martin before. He can't even count the number of times they've gotten under each other's skin, but he thought all that was behind them. Then again, he thought he was the only one in the office Martin wanted to fuck, and that's his big mistake. He let himself believe Martin's little crush on Sam was over back before it started, lied to himself that he wasn't second choice, because he's Danny Taylor and he's never been anybody's second choice.
It's embarrassing. Not that Sam's not gorgeous - he knows a good-looking girl when he sees one, but she's not the answer to all Martin's problems, either. She's not magically going to make him straight or make his father respect him or even help him sleep better at night. She's not going to make him feel the way Danny makes him feel, and she's not going to keep her mouth shut when he sneaks out in the middle of the night like the coward he is.
By the time Martin stands up and walks toward him Danny's hands are clenched into fists, arms crossed in front of him and he's not even bothering to pretend he's not watching. He's leaning against his desk, smirk firmly in place and he ignores the little thrill of triumph when Martin frowns at him. "You and Sam talking about the case?"
"Something like that."
Liar, Danny doesn't say as Martin looks down and away and yeah, that's definitely guilt. Only there's no reason for guilt, because they never made a commitment, so Martin doesn't owe him anything. He doesn't owe Danny so much as a 'sorry, it's nothing personal', but Danny wants it anyway. He wants to hear Martin stumble through an explanation, because even though it'll hurt him to hear it, it'll hurt Martin even more to say it.
Not because he has feelings for Danny. There might have been a time when Danny could lie to himself about that, back when Martin was still blushing at every smile and leaning into casual touches like he just couldn't help himself, but now…now Danny knows better. Martin's in control - somewhere along the way he flipped a switch or something, and now all those emotions he used to wear on his sleeve are long gone.
Danny's not sure how he did it, what changed or even when it happened, but it doesn't even matter because the point is Martin's different, and nothing Danny says is going to change him back.
"Sure," Danny says, shaking his head and he forces a hollow little laugh. "Whatever you say, Martin."
He turns away, because this conversation is over and they're over and everything's…wrong, but it's exactly the way he always knew it would end up, so he can't even tell himself he didn't see it coming. Only Martin's following him, practically on his heels and that's not how this is supposed to go. He's supposed to follow Sam, moon over her some more and drop more hints about how much happier she'd be with someone like him. And the sad thing is Danny can't even argue that point, because he knows firsthand that Martin's a hell of a guy.
"I feel bad for her, you know? Hearing it like that, right in front of everyone. Jack owed her more than that."
"Because he fucked her a few times?" Danny asks, the words sharp and he enjoys Martin's wince. "So what, you're gonna make it all better? Give me a break, Martin."
He sounds like a jealous boyfriend, but he doesn't even care because Martin's staring across the room again. And Danny knows Sam disappeared in the direction of Jack's office awhile ago, but that just makes Martin even more pathetic. Then again, that makes Danny the most pathetic of all of them, because Martin's been pining for Sam this whole time and Danny still wants him.
"I'm not trying to make anything better," Martin says, and Danny rolls his eyes at that because that's what they do. It's what they all do - all of them except Vivian, maybe, because for her this is just a job and she's always been focused on bigger and better. Which makes her a better agent than the rest of them, because she doesn't make cases personal.
And maybe Danny should ask her how she does it, because if he could just turn off his feelings he wouldn't be in this situation right now. If he could just stop thinking about Martin, stop picturing him sweaty and flushed and arching against Danny everything would be fine. "Right."
He starts toward the elevators, ignoring Martin's confused look and the urge to kiss it away. Because he's not that desperate, especially not right in the middle of the office where anyone could see them. He still wants Martin, but he wants his job more and he has a feeling his career will still be there long after Martin's just a memory.
That thought hurts more than it should, and he hits the down button just a little too hard when he finally reaches the elevators. His back's to the office and he's not looking, because he refuses to watch Martin watching Sam. He's not wasting any more time on this little soap opera - he had a life before Martin, after all, and if he tries hard enough he might even remember what it was like.
The elevator finally opens and he steps inside, turning to hit the button for the ground floor and when he catches sight of Martin his heart skips a beat. Because Martin's not still standing in the center of the room staring after Sam. Martin's right in front of him, stepping onto the elevator and giving Danny a curious look as the doors slide closed behind him.
"You wanna tell me what this is all about?"
"What?" And he's not fooling anybody, but as long as he doesn't admit it he'll be okay. Because Martin can suspect he's jealous all he wants, but he can't prove it, and that's all Danny cares about.
"What's the matter with you?"
"Nothing," Danny lies, leaning against the back of the elevator and doing his best impression of casual. "Shouldn't you stick around in case Sam needs a shoulder to cry on?"
And okay, maybe not so casual after all, but he manages not to look away from Martin. His crooked grin doesn't even falter, and he has to admit that he's got this act down. Even Martin's not sure what to think - Danny can tell by his bemused grin and the way he sighs before he slumps against the wall next to Danny.
"I'm pretty sure she's crying on somebody else's shoulder right now."
She must be, because Martin's shoulder is pressed right up against Danny's, and he's not thinking about the heat between them. He's not thinking about Martin like that anymore, not when Martin's hung up on somebody else. "So you're off duty?"
Martin grins at that, and Danny's stomach twists into a tight knot. Before he has a chance to answer the elevator stops, and he swallows a relieved sigh and does his best not to run out of the car. No matter how fast he walks Martin's right on his heels, though, and this is starting to feel just a little too familiar.
He waits until they make it out of the building to stop, turning to look at Martin and just for a second he considers letting Martin follow him home. Just one last time - for old time's sake, he could call it. And it's tempting, but he knows tomorrow he'll wake up alone and Martin will be right back to staring at Sam.
"What do you want, Martin?"
"Nothing," Martin answers, surprise flashing in his eyes. "I don't know. I just…I feel bad."
"Don't," Danny says, and maybe he doesn't want to hear Martin stammer his way through an apology after all. "Sometimes things just happen, Martin. Beating yourself up about it won't change anything."
"I know. But I shouldn't have lied to her."
"What?"
"The other day, when Jack sprung the news on us about transferring to Chicago, I pretended I didn't know about them. I don't know why - I guess maybe I was trying to make her feel like the whole office wasn't laughing at her behind her back."
He can't believe this, because he thought Martin was about to apologize for using him, but he's still talking about Sam. And he should have known, but that's what he gets for letting himself fall for somebody like Martin. "What does it matter?"
"It doesn't. It's just…she did something for me. Something big. She was a friend, you know? And I wanted to repay the favor, make her see that she could move on. But I shouldn't have lied."
And now he's really confused, because a few seconds ago he was positive Martin was about to give him the 'it's been fun, but…' speech, and now…now he doesn't know what's going on. "Wait. You're telling me you've been following Sam around for days because you owe her? For what?"
"It's a long story," Martin answers, frowning a little and looking away and now Danny has to know.
"I've got all night, Martin."
He looks up sharply at that, eyes flashing with something Danny can't quite name, but it sends a thrill of want down his spine. "Yeah?"
He wants Martin - he's wanted Martin since the beginning, but he's not going through this again. They've tried casual and it didn't work, and he's willing to risk giving up Martin altogether to get what he really wants. And he can't believe they're having this conversation on the sidewalk right in front of the Federal Building, but it's already waited too long and he's not willing to put it off even long enough to find someplace more private.
"Two conditions."
Martin bristles at that and Danny can't help grinning, because that's the Martin he's gotten so used to over the past two years. "What?"
"I buy you dinner and you tell me all about this big favor Sam did for you."
Martin shifts uncomfortably at that, but he nods his agreement and that's good enough for Danny. "What's the second condition?"
"You're still there when I wake up tomorrow."
He can't remember the last time he was so nervous - it's a simple request, but they both know what he's asking for. A second ticks by, then another and he's starting to think maybe Martin's going to tell him to forget it, but finally Martin smiles that shy smile and Danny's heart stops beating. "Done."
And he has a feeling he's grinning like an idiot, but he doesn't care. He doesn't care that they're still standing in front of work where anybody can see them, doesn't care about anything except the fact that Martin's smiling back at him like he's just been waiting for Danny to ask. He wonders how long ago he could have changed the rules, if he could have woken up with Martin in his bed months ago. But it doesn't really matter, because it's happening now, and he already knows Martin's worth the wait.