-1Takes place after the finale.
Despite the sights and sounds of New York City milling around them, Danny and Lindsay both felt the stillness of the space between them as he drove her home from the hospital. He's been through so much, Lindsay thought. His brother, Aidan, now Flack. Please let him be okay, she prayed of the detective, laying in recovery at the hospital. She didn't think Danny could handle losing anyone else right now.
"He's going to be okay, you know. The surgeon was hopeful," Lindsay said, desperate to break the silence.
"What? Oh, yeah, of course he'll be okay." Danny had been lost in his own thoughts, remembering how his Grandma always said bad things came in threes. Louie … Aidan … Flack. Danny just hopes that Flack's serious injury was bad enough, that fate wouldn't demand Flack's life as well.
Taking the hint from his distracted demeanor, Lindsay once again lapsed into silence. A few minutes later, they arrived at her building. She told Danny he could just drop her off, but he insisted on walking her up. "Chivalry is not dead, Montana," he said with a tired grin.
At her door they exchanged small talk about recent cases, funny Flack stories. Neither seemed willing to be alone.
"Hey, do you want some coffee or something? It was nice not to take the subway home, consider it a thank you gift. I might even be able to come up with a bagel or something."
Danny opened his mouth to beg off, but something in him wanted to stay with Lindsay, with the warmth and comfort her presence always seemed to bring him. "Yeah sure, why not."
Once inside, Danny gazed out Lindsay's window while she bustled around the kitchen, making coffee. Once it was perking, she went in and stood next to Danny, the two pondering the NY skyline in silence. "Penny for your thoughts?"
A tired smile crossed his face. "Not enough money in the world to cover my thoughts, sweetheart."
"You've been through a lot lately." Lindsay placed a hand on her arm. "I've wanted to help, but I never could think of what to say. But if you need anything, Danny, you just have to ask."
Danny turned to face her, the lights of the city reflecting on his glasses. "You've already done a lot Montana."
"Please. I haven't done anything. I didn't know Aidan, never met your brother, don't even know Flack that well. I've felt pretty much useless."
Danny smiled. "That's probably why I've been able to relax with you. There was no expectation from you to talk about stuff, and honestly, sometimes it's best just to try and focus on what's in front of you rather than think about the bad stuff all the time."
"Still, if there's anything I can do …"
"Oh, Montana, you should know better than to offer anything." Danny reached out to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear, his usual smirk on his lips. Lindsay's eyes widened slightly at his touch, and Danny felt the humor of the moment slip away, replaced by an odd sort of tension. His hand shifted to her cheek, resting there, as the air became thick of whatever had simmered beneath the surface of their professional banter.
Danny drew her toward him, kissing her gently on her forehead. "Seriously, thanks for being there. You didn't have to say anything." Concerned that their fatigue and emotional state might lead them somewhere neither were prepared to go, he pulled back. He observed that Lindsay looked a little relieved.
"Listen, I'll take a rain check on that coffee, huh?"
"Yeah, sure," Lindsay said quickly, moving away from him. "Actually, here …." She grabbed a travel mug out of a cupboard and gave him a cup of the steaming brew.
"Thanks," Danny replied, lingering a moment longer before opening the door. "See you tomorrow Montana."
"'night Danny," Lindsay said softly, closing the door behind him and leaning against it. Watch it Monroe, was all she could think and she heard his steps retreating down the hallway.