Title: Danny in Love
Author: JE / immortalje Pairing: one-sided Danny/Mac, Danny/Don
Series: 1) Counsellor Stella, 2) Danny in Love, 3) Mac Finds Out
Summary: Danny's trying to get over Mac and ends up screwing up even more, or so he thinks.
Rating: FRT
Beta: Zoe

Now he knew that he stood no chance at all with Mac. How could he if Mac was as far away from trusting him as possible? ‘We’ll see’, he had said. He swore everybody at the lab had heard how his heart broke. He wished Stella didn’t have a date tonight, but he knew he could survive until the following day. Had to. He wouldn’t ruin her chance at normalcy only because he had a minor crisis.
God, how could he have been able to believe he would ever have a chance?

He was lying on his couch, staring up at the ceiling. How could he work with Mac Taylor, knowing the other man didn’t trust him? He felt like crying. Six months ago, everything was fine. Then came Sonny Sassone and everything went downhill.

Suddenly, someone knocked on his door. Sorely tempted to pretend he wasn’t home, he sighed in defeat and stood up. Going over to the door, he opened it and looked at the waiting person in annoyance.

It was a grinning Don Flack, dressed for their usual basketball game. Remembering that today was their weekly game, he groaned.

“Sorry Flack, but I won’t be good company today. Just want to go to sleep and want to forget that today happened,” said Danny.

Don’s eyebrow rose, “I didn’t know today was so bad.”

“Did my Psych Evaluation and talked with Mac about it. I asked him if we’re alright,” started Danny.

Don interrupted, “Of course. You didn’t do anything wrong. Alright, you shot wild, but you’re not used to using your gun in the field.”

“Actually, no. He said ‘We’ll see’ and I could hear that he meant to say no. He doesn’t trust me, simple as that,” disagreed Danny. After a while he added,
“Want a beer? I think I could use some company anyway. I just don’t feel like playing.”

“Sure, if you don’t mind. I also doubt that Mac doesn’t trust you. You wouldn’t be on the team otherwise,” explained Don while stepping in.

Danny snorted, “Yeah sure. Don, he can’t fire me. Otherwise he’d have to admit that everybody was right to warn him about me.”

“Who said that?” asked Don angrily while Danny returned with two beers from the kitchen.

Danny sat down on the couch and said, “Mac? Right after I shot the cop?”

“You didn’t kill him!” stated Don.

Danny only shrugged, “If you say so.”

Realising that Danny wouldn’t change his mind; Don refrained from arguing with the other man.

“Want to watch a game?” asked Don to change the topic.

Danny shrugged, “Might as well. Nothing better to do.”


During the game, Danny didn’t pay much attention, favouring to drink one beer after the other in quick succession. Don watched it, worried about his friend. When he had enough of it, he turned the TV off and turned to Danny, who still had to notice any of it.

“What happened today?” asked Don seriously.

Danny stared at the ceiling, taking a sip, before answering, “Mac doesn’t trust me.”

“Why is he so important?” asked Don curiously.

Danny never once moved, “He’s everything. I… God, I wish he could look at me and see how much I want him.”

Don didn’t know what to say. He had never expected Danny to be gay, had never expected that he might have a chance. He blissfully ignored that Danny had said he wanted Mac.

“Shush, you still have me,” whispered Don, pulling Danny in to his arms.

He pressed a kiss to Danny’s neck, stroking his back in comfort. Don wasn’t sure how it happened, but suddenly Danny was kissing him. A voice in his head told him to stop, but he found that he couldn’t resist the temptation.


The next morning, Danny woke up in bed, alone, with a raging headache. Slowly the memories returned and he groaned at his own stupidity. No wonder Don had gone while he was still out. How could he scream Mac’s name when he was having sex with Don Flack? Now everything was even worse than the day before. He had just ruined the friendship with his best friend.

Danny felt like crying, but fought hard to keep the tears in when someone rang at the door.

He got up, put a pair of fresh boxers on and went to the door and opened it. He was relieved to notice an anxious Stella on the other side.

“What’s wrong? You sounded desperate on the phone,” asked Stella.

Danny sighed unhappily, “Yesterday it was all about Mac. I asked him if we’re alright and he said ‘We’ll see’. It’s…”

“You’re heartbroken. Danny, you’ll get over it,” tried Stella to reassure him.

Danny continued, “That’s not all. Don was over and we kind of ended up in bed. How could I use him like that?”

“Did you talk with him today?” asked Stella.

Danny shook his head, “He was gone when I woke up. I ruined a perfectly good friendship.”

“Hush Danny, You don’t know that. You should talk with him,” said Stella, already planning on how she could use this to her advantage. Meanwhile, she led him over to his couch and pulled him into her arms after sitting down.


When Danny had fallen back asleep, Stella crawled out from beneath him and went over to the kitchen. Once there, she pulled out her phone and called Don.

“Flack,” said Don when he picked up after the third ring.

Stella sighed, “It’s me Stella. This isn’t a case, but about Danny.”

“Tell him I’m sorry that I took advantage of him, will you?” interrupted Don.

Stella smiled, “That’s not why I’m calling. He’s worried that he used you. Threw all worries about Mac overboard and is breaking down that he ruined your friendship.”

“He didn’t…,” started Don confused.

Stella interrupted him, “I know that, but he doesn’t. Talk with him. And if you’d like my advice: Danny needs someone and if you do it right you might just be able to keep him. Show him that you care about him, that he’s worth it. I
can assure you that he’s given up on Mac.”

“You think…,” started Don.

Stella interrupted him again, “I think that you’re perfect for each other.”

“I’ll come over in an hour or so,” agreed Don finally.

Stella ended the call and made some breakfast for Danny. He’d need it after all the alcohol he had drank last night, and that was only assuming that he drank half of the beer that still stood on the table in the living room. Once he had eaten something she’d leave. There was no use in being around when Don and Danny talked, although she wouldn’t mind getting a show should they decide to get it on again.

Getting her mind back on track, Stella concentrated on making breakfast again.


An hour later, a fed and showered Danny was sitting in a relatively clean living room. Stella had left again and he had instantly returned to being miserable. Well, he was more miserable than when Stella had been there to share his being miserable with.

His thoughts were interrupted by someone knocking on the door. Warily, he stood up and opened the door. When he saw Don, he opened his mouth to apologise, but was pushed back into his flat instead.

“Stella’s worried about you and called me. It’s funny how you thought you used me and me that I took advantage of you, don’t you think? She seems to think I’m good for you. Want to try?” asked Don.

Danny only got half of what Don said, but he understood that Don had only left because he felt guilty, not because he was disgusted at Danny using him.

When he heard the door close, he looked at Don. For a second nothing happened and then they were kissing again.

The End