Title: As Far As My Heart's Concerned
Author: Jaxson K.
Characters/Pairings: Danny/Jackson, Don/Jackson (past)
Rating: R
Summary: Don can't seem to let go of the past.

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Danny sat eating his lunch when Don came up to the table and sat down. Danny really didn't want a confrontation with him, but the look on Don's face said there just might be one.....

"What's up, Messer?"

"Eating my lunch..... what's up with you?"

"I've been trying to get in touch with Jackson..... do you know where he is?"

"I assume he's at the shop.....why are trying to reach him?"

"Some unfinished business we need to take care of....."

"What kind of unfinished business would that be, Don?"

"It's between me and him..... nothing you need concern yourself with....."

"That's where you are wrong, Don. Anything concerning Jackson concerns me....."

"Not this time, Messer!"

Danny knew Don was baiting him, and he decided not to give Don the satisfaction. He gathered his things, put them in the trash, and was preparing to leave the break room when Don stepped in front of him.....

"Make damn sure and certain to tell the little bitch to call me so we can take care of business....."

Danny walked past Don without saying a word. He went back to his workstation and started working on some partial prints. He tried to concentrate on what he was doing but failed miserably. He found Stella and told her he wasn't feeling well and said he was going home.

Instead of going home, he went to Groovy Gold to see if Jackson was there. He was glad to note that Jackson's Lincoln was in its' usual parking spot so he parked his motorcycle and went inside to find his man. Lisa MacLoed was putting albums in a rack and greeted Danny when he came in......

"How's my favorite CSI?"

"Good.... What ya got there?"

"Some Hendrix, a couple Joplin lps, and some Beatles....."

"Which Janis lps?"

" 'Kozmic Blues', and 'Pearl'....."

"I think Jax has both of the Janis lps.... I thought I might catch him slipping and surprise him with one he didn't have....."

"I really don't think that's possible. You know how he is about the artists he really like....."

"That's so true..... is he here?"

"Yeah, in his office arguing with one of our distributors about a botched order....."

Danny laughed and headed toward the office behind the counter. Sure enough, he could hear Jackson telling someone that they'd better straighten this mess out, or he would find someone else to order from. When Danny heard the phone receiver clatter into its' cradle, he stuck his head in the door.....

"Is it safe to come in???"

"It's always safe for you, babe!"

Danny walked over behind the desk and kissed Jackson deeply. Jackson kissed back hungrily and pulled Danny onto his lap. The mood didn't last long when Jackson noticed the look on Danny's face.....

"Babe, what's wrong?"

"Don came by the break room while I was eating lunch and asked where you were....."

"Really? That explains all the calls on my cell. He called the shop earlier today demanding to speak to me and Lisa told him I was out. I finally had to turn my cell off because he wouldn't quit calling. Did he say why he wanted to talk to me?"

"He said that the two of you had some unfinished business to tend to, and told me 'make sure you tell the little bitch to call me so we can tend to this matter'. Babe, what is he talking about?"

"I don't have a clue, Dan. I think it was more to cause friction between you and I more than anything. Whatever unfinished business we had was finished when I signed the final divorce decree. Anything else is just Don trying to start shit....."

"So it's just sour grapes then?"

"That's it exactly! He's been trying to get me alone with him so he came try and get me back. I know you remember that smear campaign he started when you and I got together and how he did his best to split us up....."

"I remember..... I knew better, and that's why I don't understand why he's starting this crap up again....."

"I don't understand it either, babe, but I'm not gonna worry about it too much because I have the man I was meant to have, and that y-o-u!"
Danny kissed Jackson and hugged him tightly. He loved his Jax deeply and was comforted in the knowledge that Jackson loved him just as much. Don could try to start all the shit he wanted to because it wouldn't do a damn bit of good. Nothing or nobody was going to split them up!

The two men made small talk and were making plans for dinner when Lisa poked her head in the office door and told them that Don was coming up the sidewalk. Just as Jackson stood up, the chime above the door rang. Danny looked at Jackson and saw him square his shoulders and take a deep breath. He knew that look on Jackson's face well. He was not happy.

Jackson walked from behind the counter area and met Don halfway across the sales floor.....

"What do you want, Don?"

"I came to talk to you....."

"So talk....."

"Can we take this someplace private, like the office?"

"Not a chance, dude! Whatever you've got to say can be said right here....."

"What about Lisa and Danny?"

"What about them? I want them here so I can have witnesses to this whole conversation......"

Jackson saw a wicked gleam in Don's eye, and knew he'd just set himself up for God knew what.....

"I've been trying to get in touch with you....."

"I know that, and I want to know why....."

"You know why, you just won't admit it....."

"Spare me the come-on..... I've told you more than once that I'm not interested in what you have to say, and I sure as hell don't want to sleep with you. You got all you're gonna get out of this 'ol boy, so you might as well give it up. If I had wanted you, I'd have stayed married to you....."

"You know that divorce was a mistake. You know you still want me..... just think about giving me another chance....."

"The answer is 'NO!' You can beg and plead all you want, but as far as my heart's concerned, Danny Messer is the only man for me. I know that pisses you off, but that's tough! You threw me away, and I thank God every day for Danny being able to pick up the pieces. Now, the best thing you can do is get it through that thick-ass head of yours that I belong to Danny and that you need to find somebody else. If you keep bothering me, I'll file charges. The choice is yours.....

Don didn't say another word. He turned and left the shop looking dejected and a little pissed, too. Jackson turned to see Lisa grinning from ear-to-ear, and Danny wiping his eyes. Jackson went and held Danny in his arms for a moment, then he told Lisa he was leaving for the day.

He and Danny made it home in record time and barely had the door closed before they were all over each other. Danny ripped Jackson's shirt open and began trying to devour his lover. Jackson had the presence of mind to lead Danny to the bedroom so they could be more comfortable. When it was over, Danny lay in the crook of Jackson's arm while Jackson softly kissed the top of his head.....

"Jax????"
"What is it, babe?"

"I just wanted to thank you for loving me....."

"Dan, you never have to thank me for that....."

"Well, I just want you to know that I'm thankful you chose me instead of being swayed by Don's BS....."

"There was no choice, baby..... What I told Don is the truth; as far as my heart's concerned, you are the only man for me. Please don't ever forget that....."

THE END

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