Title: He's The One Loving You Now
Author: Jaxson K.
Pairing(s): Mac/Danny, Danny/Jackson (past)
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Jackson loses Danny, and they talk once more before Jackson leaves town.
A/N: This takes place about six months after Jackson and Danny split.

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Jackson stood in line at Pressman's Deli waiting to place his order. He decided to have one more pastrami on wheat before he left. He knew once he was back in Texas he wouldn't have a chance to get a sandwich as good as the ones Pressman's made so he decided to indulge.

While he was standing in line he saw Danny Messer come in with Don Flack and Mac Taylor. He felt the feeling of dread bubble up within him and he sure as hell hoped that the three men wouldn't see him. Ever since he and Danny had split up he's done his level best to stay away from them.

Seeing Danny again brought back all the hurt and sadness, and Jackson decided he wasn't hungry anymore. Add that to the fact that he didn't want another confrontation with Don who would gloat on the fact that he knew Jackson wasn't the right man for Danny.

Jackson left Pressman's and worked his way toward Central Park. He wanted to see Strawberry Fields one more time, and he wanted to walk to the bridge over the duck pond. He made it over the bridge, had found a picnic table in Strawberry Fields and sat down when he heard a very familiar voice call his name.

He groaned inwardly as he saw Danny coming toward him. 'Damn it all to Hell!' Jackson thought. He raised his hand in greeting and waited for Danny to arrive at the table.....

"Hey, you!"

"Hello, Danny....."

"How are you?"

"I'm alright....."

"Liar! I could see in Pressman's that you weren't....."

"Danny, why are you here?"

"I followed you so we could talk....."

"I thought we had said everything there was to say already....."

"Not really....."

"What do you mean?"

"Jackson, I never really got a chance to tell you how sorry I was about leaving you. You know you never really gave me a chance....."

"I know I didn't, Danny. That's because I really didn't want to hear it....."

"Well, I'm telling you now: I'm sorry....."

"Whatever, Danny..... it doesn't matter now anyway....."

"I hear you're going back to Texas....."

"Yeah..... it's too painful here anymore......"

"Do you think leaving is going to help....."

"I'm sure it will.... Mac's got what I want now, so I need to step aside....."

"Jackson....."

"No, Danny! He's got what I want; you to lean on. I wish I could get that off of my mind but I don't know how. He doesn't love you like I do, but it don't mean anything because he's the one loving you now."

"Jackson, please....."

"No, Danny..... I'm done! Take care of yourself and please try to be happy....."

As Jackson walked away, he didn't see the tears streaming down Danny's face. In addition, he never heard Danny say, "You, too, sweet man....."

END

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