This episode is one of my very favorites and it's been alot of fun to write so much of what was unsaid. I have added hours of missing moments from the trial and in between. I hope that you enjoy. A special thanks to everyone who has been reviewing my work. Thank you for all the advice and suggestions. I appreciate them very much. A special thank you to Sugah66 and other fans who post these special moments on Youtube. It makes it much easier to watch and rewatch when you are trying to quote the dialogue just right. Just to review I own none of the characters or the CSI NY show, I just wish that I worked with these people.

Slight of Hand- Episode 3.18

Lindsay stood in the hallway of the Bozeman County Courthouse and tried to calm her already frazzled nerves. She had been at the trial for more than 3 weeks now, and had watched as the evidence of that horrible night was gone over, and over again. She had tried to focus on the evidence against the suspect, but it could easily be seen as circumstantial at best. The suspect, Daniel Cadence had been in the restaurant earlier that day, had eaten there alone as he was just passing through and didn't know anyone in town. He'd stayed at a local motel outside of town and had even claimed to have flirted with the cashier Sarah. His attorney claimed that every print the forensics team had found that night were left earlier in the day, and that he hadn't stepped foot in there again, and certainly not with the intention of robbing the store, but Lindsay knew better. The prosecutor had told her that her testimony was the only thing that could solidly place him in that room that night. The entire case hung on the balance of her words.

She hung her head and in a moment of weakness wished that she had asked her folks to come to the courthouse. But she didn't want them to have to relive it any more. Reporters were already swarming the house, and she didn't think she could sit there and go through her testimony if she saw her mother crying. She had to be strong. Her friends were counting on her.

Lindsay closed hereyes for a moment and conjured up a familiar face in her mind. Usually it made her smile a little to think of him, but ever since she left New York all she did was wonder how he was doing. She pulled out her phone and looked at it for a moment. He hadn't called her since she left New York. To be fair she hadn't either, but she didn't want to say what needed to be said to him over the phone. He deserved to hear things face to face. When this is all over... she promised herself. Phone still in hand she dialed another number. The number of a friend.

"Bonasera."

"Stella, Hi."

"Lindsay," Stella said sitting forward in her chair as she recognized the voice. "How is the trial going?"

"Good, at least the prosecutor says it is."

"When do you have to testify?"

"This afternoon. You know it's weird, I've testified in this courthouse over a hundred times," she said softly, "but always as a forensic expert never as a witness to a crime."

"I know it's tough, but there are a few things you should remember about going on the stand. Look those jurors in the eye make them hear you..."

Stella's voice faded into the background as the noise from the crowd around her increased. Lindsay turned and watched as the bailiffs brought him into the courtroom. She didn't remember anything else Stella said, she just watched as reporters swarmed around him. As though he could sense exactly where she was in the crowd his eyes found her and he smiled directly at her. Her hands suddenly felt cold and she struggled to breathe. She gradually became aware of noise around her again and of Stella's voice coming from the phone she still had pressed to her ear.

"Lindsay?" Stella asked again, concerned at the lack of response.

"Thanks Stel, I'll remember." Lindsay answered woodenly. "Say Hi to ...everyone for me."

"I will." Stella assured her. "Hang in there kiddo."

Stella looked at the phone for another moment before hanging it back up. She frowned, worried for her friend, wishing there was something she could do.

There was a knock at her door interrupting her thought. She looked up and saw Danny standing in the doorway with a folder in hand.

"Am I interrupting?" he asked her.

Stella shook her head 'no', then gestured to the phone. "I was just speaking to Lindsay." she explained.

Danny's attention was instantly riveted, but he crossed his arms across his chest and tried to look casual. "Really?" he asked.

Stella frowned as she reflected back on the conversation. "She just didn't sound the same." she admitted to him.

Danny nodded, his thoughts going a mile a minute of questions he was dying to ask but couldn't. Was she ok? What happened? Had someone said something to upset her? What was wrong?

"She said to say hello." Stella offered.

Danny brightened a little and tried to push the hundreds of questions out of his mind and failed. Should I call her? Does she miss me? What was going on? Would she be home soon? Was she ok?

Stella waited for Danny to say why he came into her office, but his mind seemed elsewhere. "Danny?" she prompted. Poor guy, she thought. He'd been there working around the clock again.

"Oh yeah." he said as he remembered his purpose for seeing Stella. His rattled off information about the case, but his focus was elsewhere, wondering about Montana.