These characters and their environs on Sports Night belong to ABC and Aaron Sorkin. No infringement is intended. This is just for fun, no money is being made from this. This story involves a relationship between two men, aka: slash. If that is *not* your cup of tea, sweet as it is, then don't read it! (simple, ain't it??) Feedback is *very* much appreciated, and always answered. Flames will be passed around to friends and chuckled over. :) Some references to 'Napoleon's Battle Plan'. Sequel to 'Cleveland', 'Treasure', 'Creaming', 'Things', 'Consideration', 'Elevated', 'Frustration', and 'Non- problems'. More to come... Plans by Amirin #130 *********************** "Please tell me you're kidding." "Why would I be kidding?" Isaac scowled. "The Indians have the highest win percentage in both leagues, right now. You know half the players; they like you. They'll talk to you." "I'm going." "Yes, Daniel, you are." "To *Cleveland*." "Is there some problem with *Cleveland* I need to know about?" "It's a bad, bad thing, Isaac." "It is." "Yes." "Why?" "Casey made me promise never to go to Cleveland without him." "Please tell me you're kidding." Dan sighed. "It's not exactly about Cleveland." "Then what the hell *is* it about?" "It's about a joke I made after missing that plane crash. The flight number Casey gave me was for a plane bound for Trenton. I told him it could've been worse, that it could've been..." "Cleveland?" "Yeah." "So, now, for both of you, Cleveland is..." "Death. Yeah." Isaac grinned and shook his head. "You two speak a language all your own." "It's mostly Casey's fault. He speaks four of them. I'm just trying to keep up." "So, if it weren't for Casey, you'd be normal." "No, if it weren't for Casey, I'd be dead." "Jesus, Daniel." "I'm sorry," Dan winced and dragged a hand through his hair. "Look, he's going to want to come with me. Will you let him take the time? Please?" "Vacation time." "Yes. God knows, he's got enough of it." "True. You both do." "Then you'll okay it?" "You seem pretty certain Casey's going to want to go." "Dead certain." "Will you *please* stop *saying* that?" "Sorry." "All right, yes, if he asks for the time, he can take it. It's only for a couple of days. We'll manage. You'd better go tell him." "Yeah." "Is there another problem?" "It's nothing I can't handle." "Daniel." "I'll be fine. Really." "You're certain," Isaac said, a frown creasing his forehead. "Yeah. Casey'll be there. I'll be fine." "Okay. Have a good trip." "Thanks, Isaac." "You're welcome." ~~~ Dan grabbed Casey's arm before the man flew out of their office. "Hey, whoa, wait a minute. Where are you going?" "I've got to talk to Isaac. See if he'll let me come with you." "You want to come with me." "You're not going without me." "It's okay. I already talked to Isaac. He said you could take the time off, if you wanted it." "You knew?" "I thought..." "You thought correctly." "Want to know what else I thought?" "What?" "Honestly?" "Danny, what?" "Adjoining rooms..." "Hell with that. We'll share one." "Casey, it's going to look..." "Like we're sharing a hotel room." "That, too." "So, we get a double king. With two beds. For appearances' sake." Dan arched an eyebrow. "You're being rather presumptuous." "You don't want to sleep with me?" "*Casey*." "Because I really want to sleep with you." "Hell, *yes*, I want to sleep with you." "Really?" "Ohh, yeah." "Nice to know," Casey smiled. "This should take care of the territory thing, too." "What the hell is that all about?" "Cleveland is neutral territory. It's not your place and it's not my place. No one has the home advantage." "It's a territory-free zone." "Yes, it is." "It's perfect." "Yes, it is." "This could change my whole outlook on Cleveland." "I'm counting on it, actually." Danny grinned. "Sooo, what did Dana want?" "She knew we were in the closet." "Were? We *are* in the closet. Unless you decided to leave the closet without me." "No, the other closet." "Oh?" Danny's eyes widened. "Uh, oh." "She heard the hinges squeak." "Shit." "It's okay." "How the hell can it be okay?" "She doesn't expect us to hide the thing anymore." "You're kidding." "No. She said hiding it makes it look like we have something to be ashamed of." "I'm not ashamed of anything." Casey smiled. "I know. I'm not, either." "So, we're out in the open?" "And still in the closet." "With the squeaky hinges." "Until she gets them oiled." "She's going to oil the hinges on the closet." "Yes, she is." "Wow. Dana's...remarkable." "Yeah," Casey grinned. "She is." "I'm glad she's on our side." "According to her, lots of people are on our side." "Really?" "Yup. She told me about the general opinion." Danny arched an eyebrow. "There's a general opinion?" "Yes, there is." "About us?" "About us." "And what would that opinion be?" "That we are very close to perfect. And people want us to work out." "We have good friends." "Yes, we do." "Who think we're very close to perfect." "Apparently, yes." "Do these people know us at *all*?" Casey laughed. "I think they think we're perfect *together*." "Ahh. So, alone, we pretty much suck." "Pretty much." Danny nodded. "I can respect that." "So can I." "Yeah." "Danny. What's wrong?" "You know, you're really good at that." "And you're stalling." "I'm just saying..." "And I'm just saying that you're stalling. What is it?" "We're going to Cleveland." "Yes, we are." "I am incredibly aware of this." "What's the problem?" "It's a small problem. A very small problem. Really." Casey led Danny over to a chair by the table and sat down next to him. "A very small problem you are doing your *damnedest* to avoid telling me about." "I'm not *avoiding*." "Fine, I'll consult the Oracle later for another word. Talk to me, Danny." "I have some slight concerns." "About Cleveland." "About how we're *getting* to Cleveland. To be exact." "We're..." Casey's eyes widened. "Uh, oh." "It's really a very small problem." "We're flying." "The flying part's not the problem." "The taking off and landing part?" "That would be the problem. That would most *definitely* be the problem." "We have a problem." "No, *I* have a problem." "If you have a problem, then I have a problem." "Then I guess we have a problem." "Yes, we do." "What do we do about this problem?" "When are we leaving for Cleveland?" "Tomorrow." "I'll think of something." "You will." "I will." "By tomorrow." "I'll have a plan." Danny groaned. "Not another plan." "What? It's not like it's a *list* or anything." "Please tell me it'll be a *real* plan." "Tell me what an *un*real plan would be." "First, we show up at the airport. Then, we see what happens." "That would be a really stupid plan." "*Now* he gets it," Danny mumbled. "Funny. Shut up." "I want..." "...And deserve..." "And deserve..." "A real plan," they finished together. "You'll get a real plan." "You promise." "I promise." "I can count on you for a real plan." "Yes, Danny, you can. I will not let you down." "That's such a comfort, Case. Truly." "I'm sensing doubt as to my ability to come up with a real plan." "Gee, now, why would that be?" "I can do a real plan." "You can." "I sure as hell can. You haven't seen me plan." "Oh, Christ." "I have not yet *begun* to plan." "Casey..." "We, who are about to plan, salute you." "You're just going to get me drunk and carry me onto the plane, aren't you?" "That's Plan B." "What's Plan A?" "I'm still thinking about Plan A." "Which means, you don't *have* a Plan A." "I'm working on it." "Then, your Plan B is really Plan A." "How do you figure?" "Casey, you don't *have* a Plan A. You have 'getting me drunk and carrying me onto the plane' as your only plan. And you can't have a Plan B without a Plan A." "At least I have a plan." "That's the plan." "I think it is, yes." "I think I'd almost prefer 'first, we show up at the airport, then, we see what happens'." "*That* was Plan A." "I am in *serious* trouble, here, aren't I?" "I'll come up with a plan." "Yeah, I've heard your plans." "I can do better." "Face it, you have no plan." "I have a plan." "You have no plan." "I have *two* plans." "A and B." "Those are the plans." "Those aren't plans." "Yes, they are." "Casey, those are *non-plans*." "I already have a Plan C." "You do *not*." "I do so." "Let's hear it." "First, we show up at the airport." "That was Plan A." "Then, I get you drunk." "That was Plan B. I've heard that plan." "*Then*, I carry you onto the airplane." "Still hearing the same plan, Case." "*Then*, I distract you by kissing you stupid." "Take off *and* landing?" "Take off and landing." Danny thought for a moment. "Good plan." ~~~end