Disclaimer I don't own anything I wish!

A/N – This isn't JUST a Danny/Lindsay story. This first chapter was just necessary so clear up some stuff so the rest of my story could happen.

Stella, Lindsay, and Flack working a case of a murdered scientist.

Meanwhile, Mac, Danny, Hawks and Angell are just wrapping up the case of a suspected robbery which turned out to be faked for insurance money.

Chapter One – Girl Talk

(Stella and Lindsay are in a department SUV)

"Rikki Sandoval? Are you kidding me?" Stella Bonasera stared in disbelief at her younger colleague. "And he just came straight out with all this?"

"Yep, last night" Lindsay answered quietly. When Stella had asked her if she was feeling okay, she fully intended to reply with a curt nod. Instead, she had spilled all the details of the previous night's conversation with her boyfriend. Now she was feeling as though she would live to regret it.

"AND? What did you say back?" Stella answered, struggling to keep her eyes fixed on the road ahead of them.

"I asked him why he was telling me this. I mean, I didn't know if he was trying to break up with me, or try and work things out with me..."

"Work things out? Again, are you kidding me? They guy cheated on you Lindsay! I want to be all calm and impartial here, but I never imagined this of Danny! I mean, this guy flew halfway across the country to be with you, and then he pulls a complete 180... I just... I don't know... Why did he..."

Lindsay cut off her friend's stuttering. "He's grieving Stell."

Stella was for once grateful of New York's infamous traffic jams. She whirled in her seat to face her friend. "WHAT? You're excusing him? He's blaming this on that poor little kid? You're actually forgiving him?"

Faltering ever so slightly under Stella's fierce questioning, Lindsay replied: "No he's not. He didn't expect me to forgive him, he said he just wanted things out in the open and I don't think I have – just so you know. I HAVE told him it's over, but I also told him that I'll still be there for him. As friends."

"Oh sure, 'coz that will be so easy to do. I just don't understand how you could be so patient Linds. I couldn't, I don't give guys second chances". The traffic began to move slowly again, forcing Stella to split her attention once again.

"Look, it probably won't be easy, it's just... I understand Stella. I understand what he's going through, the grieving, the guilt, everything. I know what it's like to have something eating away at you, and you'll do anything to stop that, even for a few moments..."

She stopped her hurried speech abruptly, and turned to face away out the window. Eyeing Lindsay carefully out the corner of her eye, Stella let silence fill the vehicle while Lindsay composed herself.

"I'm not saying I forgive him. Not yet, maybe not ever. But I DO get why he slept with her, even if it makes my skin crawl to think about it. I mean, after my friends... after they... died, I did some pretty messed up stuff, stuff you probably wouldn't even believe"

Lindsay added the last part in response to Stella's raised eyebrows.

"I think I'd believe anything of a country girl" was the reply she got.

Lindsay smiled for the first time that day, a gesture that was mirrored back at her.

"I can't be a hypocrite Stella. I did much worse things than having a one night stand. When I look back, sometimes, I wonder... I mean, I was so young, and there were so many times...

Anyway, my point is, I still love him. I can't help it, and last night he said he loves me too. AND I believe him" She hastily added as Stella's eyebrows shot up once more.



Swinging the wheel as she turned a corner, Stella muttered, "Funny way of showing it". Silence filled the car once more, and once she could, Stella looked across to see Lindsay glaring at her.

"Oh I'm sorry Linds. I just... you know I don't have, let's say, the best track record with guys. I'm just weary now, and I'm weary for you too. I don't want to see you get hurt. Well, hurt anymore anyway."

"I know, that's why I'm gonna make him sweat for a while. You know, let him show me just how sorry he is"

"I'm not stupid Lindsay; you can't just crack jokes and cover up how much you're hurting. You want to take a sick day today? Just clear your mind, relax? I'll cover for you" Stella smiled sympathetically as she pulled up the SUV in front of a very official looking building.

"Nah, s'ok Stell, I'm fine honestly. Hey, we're already here now, Danny's on another case. Come on, Flack's gonna be waiting for us. Look, I'm fine."

She ended with more conviction, as though she was convincing herself as much as anyone. Lindsay made a move to open the car door, before she was stopped by Stella laying a gentle hand on her wrist.

"Lindsay, what are you going to do? If you DO really love each other, you won't be able to just stay friends. And if you don't, then you aren't gonna be able to avoid him together. How are you going to work with him after this?"

Stella paused, mentally reprimanding herself for mentioning the lab. Lindsay needed a friend right now, not a boss.

"I don't know Stell, I figured that..." She cut her sentence short as she saw Flack approaching the vehicle. Stella followed her gaze until her eyes rested on the tall Detective.

Lindsay turned back to her colleague in time to see a strange expression on her face, one she hadn't seen before. Stella slid her eyes back to the woman beside her, and blushed slightly. Lindsay made to open the car door, still looking at Stella, while saying quietly but firmly: "We'll finish this later".



Both women exited the SUV, pleased that their conversation had to be ended, or at least put on hold. They both shrugged off their individual thoughts and went to the trunk to collect their kits.

Moments later they were greeted by Don Flack; "Good morning ladies. How are you this lovely New York morning? Woah, sorry, am I interrupting something?"

Lindsay just smiled, letting Stella reply; "We're fine thanks, and it's nothing. Just... ahh... girl talk".

Stella and Lindsay looked at each other briefly, before turning back to Flack.

A/ N – Reviews very much appreciated – but please remember this is my first ever FanFic! Thanks xxx