The Letter

A/N: Yes, I'm joining in on the fray. I felt compelled to write this, as I'm sure all of the authors who have penned stories in reaction to the promo for episode 416 have. As much as I've tried to calm myself down by saying 'it's just a TV show,' I've come to realize that this bothers me for one reason and one reason only – I have no life. So here it is.

Chapter 1 – From Lindsay

Danny looked at the empty desk across from his own. His mind went back to the past few months and he couldn't deny the pangs of guilt that sent intermittent shockwaves through his body. He could feel it, almost like an accusatory finger poking him in his chest along with a jolt that would momentarily still his footsteps.

His new office mate, Tim, would arrive next week from Texas and he knew nothing about him except his "stellar record" as a CSI, or at least that was how Mac had put it. He didn't plan any subtle or extravagant "Welcome to New York" hazing. That was a thing of the past.

When he received Lindsay's letter, he read and reread it until its words, no, its phrases and sentences were etched into his memory. At this point, it played over and over in his mind. It was as if he could see her saying:

Danny,

It would be so easy to demonize our whole relationship by dwelling only on the past few months. I've never been one to take the easy route, so I'll let you know that I don't regret having known you. You provided companionship that I needed – it kept me from trying to leave New York sooner.

I don't blame you for the way things turned out. I blame myself because I've fallen in love with you, and that's a problem of my own making. I was warned against even going out with you, but I chose to ignore the warnings and went so far as to let my heart get involved. My mother always told me that I had to learn lessons the hard way, and as usual she was right. I walked down this path hoping that I could make you something you weren't. Obviously, I was doomed to fail from the start. It was unfair of me to try to change you.

I don't know how many times you had a lapse in judgment or whatever you called it, and I really don't want to know. Every memory of every touch from you is tainted because I can never think about our time together without wondering whose hands yours held before, or whose skin you caressed, and if you wished you were with someone else when you were with me. I hate that I'm left to wonder how I measure up to the others.

Do the next girl a favor. Tell her up front that you're not capable of being in a long-term monogamous relationship. It will save her a lot of heartache as well as the time it would take for her to repair her self-esteem. I understand that some people get a thrill from breaking hearts, but I guess I'll ask you one more time to be something you're not and implore you to forgo that thrill and show some compassion.

I hope I don't come across as harsh, but after what we've been through we're past being coy and caring.

I wish you well. I wish you better than you gave me.

Lindsay

A/N: I've started a response from Danny; actually I've started two. One is from a cocky Danny, and I couldn't finish that one because it seemed too OOC, and the other is from a contrite Danny. Let me know what you want to see. Thanks!