So, this idea just happened to pop into my head while I was doing chores this morning. I thought about how ironic it is that everyone else in the lab can probably see the attraction between Danny and Lindsay, but they can't see it themselves. Which is why I thought it would be funny to write some chapters from various points of view, from Mac's observations to the wittier ones of Hammerback. This first one is written from the standpoint of an OC who is new at the lab, but still quite observant. Let me know what you think of the idea and this first chapter.

Disclaimer: There are spoilers, so beware. For this chapter, it's only from 2x14 – 2x16. But there will be references to the rest of season 2 and season 3 coming up. I also own none of CBS, but I do own Lillian. So don't take her…or the lab techs. They're mine too.


"Love is not about finding the right person, but creating a right relationship. It's not about how much love you have in the beginning but how much love you build till the end."

10:03 am – The Trace Lab

Now, I know that I may be the "new girl" around here, but seriously – are they as dumb as they appear?

No, that's mean. I shouldn't think that. Alright, let's start over, shall we?

I don't exactly know why they aren't able to see what I am able to see.

Damnit, that was too cryptic. Let me try this one more time.

This is coming to you – whoever you are – via the mind of me, Lillian Ashworth. I am a lab rat in the leading crime lab in New York City. I am quite outspoken, with a slight tendency to be sarcastic and obnoxious at times. But I am observant. That's why I work in trace. I am able to analyze little bits and pieces of information in ways that no one else can. Mac Taylor noticed this, and thus, hired me.

And I love my job. Honestly, I do. I love being able to assist these CSIs in catching the criminal, and in solving the pieces of a puzzle.

But really, some people around here just don't get it yet.

Let's focus first on my problem. Or, shall I say, problems.

Their names are Danny Messer and Lindsay Monroe. And speak of the devil; here they come down the hall…

10: 22 – Still in Trace

After a nice polite conversation with two of New York's finest detectives, I sent them off towards Sheldon with my results. I'm quite alone now, except for the occasional visits from Adam or Jackie. But nonetheless, let me continue where I left off. Let's start with Danny Messer.

When I first arrived at the lab, some of the techs had given me a little bit of a forewarning about Messer. I was told that if I wanted to keep my heart in one piece, that I would have to avoid falling for the guy. I was also told that I should try and stay on his good side, because he could be kind of a pain in the ass sometimes. Alright, I understood that much. And then they started talking about a certain woman named Lindsay.

"He always calls her Montana," Jackie mentioned in a hushed whisper to the circle of lab tech girls. "I think he's got a crush on her."

Annette scoffed. "As if," she replied cattily. "Do you really think that a hot city boy like him would ever fall for that plain kinda girl. Nuh uh ladies. I have been around this lab for almost three years, and never have I seen Danny fall for any girl besides the tough Staten Islanders."

Kate chimed in. "Well, I heard that he carried her across a rooftop a few months ago."

The women in the circle rolled their eyes, and Brittany spoke up. "That was for an experiment, Kate. It wasn't as if it was flirtatious or anything."

Jackie laughed and the woman looked at her. "Oh, well, you didn't hear the conversation that took place," she remarked cryptically. The women stared Jackie down, and I looked quizzically at my friend.

"Well," Jackie remarked, lowering her voice, "apparently Danny, in one of his smug voices goes 'You promised me drinks for this, but I think I'm gonna need some dinner too.' And then Lindsay goes: 'I'm not gonna give you anything if you don't get going. Make tracks, cowboy.' So, yeah, Brittany – that doesn't sound flirtatious at all."

Jackie's triumphant grin wiped the smirks off of the other woman's face. But Brittany wasn't defeated quite yet. "Well, whatever the case, nothing else has happened yet, so as far as I am concerned, Lindsay Monroe is no threat to us."

I let out a little chuckle and the women turned towards me. "What?" Annette scowled. "Did you hear something?"

"Straight from the mouth of Danny Messer, if you must know…"

All of the women perked up. "What? What did he say?"

I grinned. "Apparently, he mentioned to Flack that he had a 'date' at Cozy's with Lindsay a few weeks ago…"

Kate clapped her hands together. "I knew it! You owe me ten bucks Brittany. I called it, and you lost."

Brittany rolled her eyes and rose from the circle in order to throw her Styrofoam cup into the garbage. She flicked her brunette hair over her shoulder and strode out of the room with Annette following close behind. Kate shrugged her shoulders and threw us an 'I'm sorry for my friends being bitches' look before exiting.

Jackie smiled and put an arm on my shoulder. "Here, we better get back to work," she said, rising from her chair. I frowned for a moment.

"If Danny likes Lindsay, and Lindsay likes Danny, then why don't they do anything about it?" I asked, puzzled. Jackie sighed and stared off into the distance before glancing back at me with shining hazel eyes.

"That's the million dollar question kid."

And from then on out, I learned to observe Danny Messer. And to my surprise, whenever Danny and I were in the same room, nothing was uncomfortable. He was a very nice person, not a jerk, as I had been told. He was friendly and charming.

"The Messer men have this charm, ya know?" he had joked once, smiling at me. "We're told that it works on women."

"Maybe you should try it on Lindsay sometime," I mentioned boldly. I smirked as I watched Messer clear his throat and change the subject. Yes, there was something…something happened when Danny and Lindsay were together. He was gentler, sweeter, kinder, and he always had this sparkle to his brilliantly blue eyes.

Flack caught me staring at the pair as they strode down the hall together.

"Keep thinking about why they're not together, and pretty soon, all you'll be is frustrated," he whispered. I turned to face him and shook my head, laughing, as I walked back toward the trace lab.

And here I sit, early morning hours ticking away, as it grows closer to noon. And she's rushing past the window with results in her hand, and a cell phone in the other. I can only catch the frantic look on her face for a moment before I watch her mumble to herself: "No…how could it be his DNA?"

I frown and watch her lean against the wall, running a hand through her hair. She takes a deep breath, tears barely visible in her eyes from where I am standing. But I know that they are there. She takes one last deep breath and prepares to face God-knows-what…or God-knows-who…


Well, that's Lillian's observation. I'm contemplating who to do next…oh, and if you didn't catch the reference, Lillian is watching Lindsay just before she goes to tell Danny about the DNA results in "Run Silent, Run Deep".