A/N - I know that this is a slow chapter but I wanted it be that way. I needed to establish the connection between Danny and Lindsay before I did anything else. Enjoy my first ever CSI:NY fanfic. Believe me, you don't want to miss what I have planned!
Singing In The Rain
Chapter One – Birthday Girl
When Lindsay woke up, Danny wasn't there. He didn't leave a note or anything but he had laid out breakfast for her on the table. She smiled and nibbled the still warm waffles. She felt more relaxed then she had in weeks. They had busted open a huge case and to celebrate, Danny had stayed over and they had watched a whole bunch of movies until they couldn't keep their eyes open. She had fallen asleep on the sofa and Danny must have carried her into the room because when she woke up again she was wrapped up in her blankets, Danny sleeping soundly beside her. She was just contemplating having a shower when her door swung open and Danny walked in.
"Good morning"
He laid a quick kiss on her cheek as she frowned at him.
"Where did you go?"
Danny took a seat next to her and gave her a half smile.
"You know how last year I stuffed up on your birthday?"
"Yeah"
"Well, this year it's going to be different."
"Danny, my birthday was last week. We went to dinner, remember?"
He shook his head, his smile getting wider.
"That wasn't the present. I spent a whole year planning this."
"What is it?"
"Not telling. But you need to be ready in the next twenty minutes."
"I was just thinking about having a shower."
"You had one when we got home last night. Don't worry about it, just put some clothes on"
"What kind of clothes? Fancy or casual?"
"Casual. Go get changed Montana"
She smiled at him and headed to her room, pulling on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. She paused for a moment before pulling on her sneakers and running a brush through her hair. When she went back into the kitchen, the dishes had been done and Danny was standing at the front door, tapping his foot and looking at his watch.
"Ready"
Danny shook his head, pulling a long piece of cloth from his pocket.
"Not yet we're not. I'm kidnapping you"
She allowed him to put the material over her eyes, her curiosity almost getting the better of her.
"Danny, if you tell me where we are going I will so make it worth your while"
She felt him move closer, his breath still minty from toothpaste.
"I'm not telling you Montana. Relax and trust me"
He took her hand, holding it in his and led her out the door. She heard him turn the lock before allowing herself to be lead outside and into the hot morning sun. She heard him open the car door and she felt her way into the seat. He carefully closed the door after her before getting into the drivers side.
"Now Montana, we are in for a long ride."
"Where are we going?"
"For once, would you stop asking questions? Just enjoy the ride ok?"
"Yes Boss."
He kissed the top of her head and started the car.
They drove for over an hour by Lindsay's count. Danny had put on a CD so there was no way for her to tell exactly what time it was. She noticed that the sounds of the city had more then faded and that the roads were a little bumpier then normal. She could hear loose stones hitting the bottom of the car. Another twenty minutes later, Danny stopped the car.
"Ok, we're here."
He gently undid the blindfold and it took a few minutes for her eyes to adjust to the bright sunlight. When she did, she realized why it was such a long drive out. Her ears hadn't deceived her at all; they were indeed out of the city. Lots of trees, long green grass and the smell of hay greeted her when she opened the window.
"It's beautiful out here. It reminds me of Montana"
"That's the point."
"Thank you for this Danny"
She leaned forward and kissed him. She leaned her head against his, enjoying the quiet. After a few minutes, Danny spoke again.
"This isn't your present before you keep thanking me"
"It isn't?"
"Nope."
He started the car up again and slowly made his way up a very long twisted drive. Lindsay noticed a large red sign hanging from a worn looking fence. She smiled widely at Danny.
"We're going horse riding"
He just shrugged and parked the car. Lindsay got out of the car and took a deep breath, closing her eyes. It felt like it had been forever since she had left Montana and her family behind. She only opened her eyes again when she heard footsteps on the gravel behind her. When she turned, an older looking woman with long blonde hair was shaking hands with Danny.
"Danny, how are you?"
"Good thanks Michelle. This is Lindsay"
Michelle smiled widely at her.
"I have heard all about you"
Lindsay gave Danny a look before shaking the woman's hand.
"All good I hope"
"Certainly was"
Danny clapped his hands slightly and gave Michelle a wide smile.
"Is she ready?"
"More then ready"
Michelle began walking from the direction she had come from, Lindsay only moving when Danny took her hand. She heard the nickering of horses long before she saw their elegant heads bowing from the top of their stable doors. She paused for a moment to stroke the closest one, a tall stallion that sniffed her hand. Michelle smiled at her.
"His name is Fire"
"He's beautiful"
"We rescued him three years ago near starvation"
Lindsay leaned over the stable door for a closer look and was amazed at what she saw. They had done a fantastic job with him and it was hard to believe that he had once been nothing more then skin and bone. Danny cleared his throat, bouncing slightly from foot to foot.
"Come on ladies."
Michelle led the way again until they were right at the end of the barn.
"Lindsay, I want you to meet Firefly"
Firefly was a tall mare, Lindsay guessed her to be about two, with a star over her big brown eyes. Michelle opened the stable door and Lindsay moved inside, Firefly snickering at her. She extended a hand and Firefly sniffed it before pressing her face into Lindsay's palm. Michelle stood beside her, stroking Firefly's side.
"She's Fire's daughter."
"What kind of condition was she in when you rescued her?"
"She was a foal so her condition was far worse then her father's. She was pretty much on death's door. Her mother had passed about a week before hand and little Firefly here was standing over her when we found them."
Lindsay pressed her face into the mare's neck, breathing in the scent of her coat. Danny moved closer to the two woman, tapping Lindsay on the shoulder.
"Do you like her?"
Lindsay looked at Firefly, the big horse looked at her and Lindsay found herself smiling. Firefly reminded her of a horse that she had growing up.
"She's beautiful"
"I'm glad you like her. She's yours. Happy birthday Lindsay"
Lindsay smiled at Danny.
"Yeah right. I live in the city. Where am I going to put her? In the lab?"
Danny shook his head.
"I got it all organized with Michelle. Firefly will board here. The funny part is that her rent here is cheaper then at either of our apartments."
Lindsay looked at Danny and then at Michelle, not quite grasping what they were telling her.
"You're not kidding? You got me a horse for my birthday?"
"As I said before, happy birthday"
Lindsay threw herself into Danny's arms, hugging him tightly.
"Thank you Danny. You have no idea what this means to me"
"Yeah I do. I know how much you miss home so I thought that I would bring a little bit of it to you"
Lindsay kissed him, truly amazed at the man that held her so tightly. Danny never failed to surprise her. A thought came to her and she pulled away to look him in the eye.
"How can you afford this?"
Danny shrugged.
"It's not a big deal Linds. Don't worry about it"
"But I do"
"And that's part of your problem. Enjoy your gift."
Lindsay turned back to Firefly, who was nudging her with her nose. Lindsay stroked her head, speaking softly.
"You and I are going to be great friends, aren't we?"
Firefly nickered softly, leaning into Lindsay's touch.
"For a horse that had been so severely abused, she's incredibly friendly."
"So is her father. I guess these two are the rare few that make it relatively unscathed."
Lindsay slowly circled Firefly, remembering everything her father had ever taught her about horses. Firefly was in great condition. Lindsay was almost deaf to the conversation going on between Michelle and Danny; she was too busy examining every inch of the mare.
"Hey Linds?"
"Hmm?"
"Wanna take her for a test drive?"
She nodded and Danny pulled back some blankets that were sitting on some hay bales in the corner of the stable. Beneath it was a shiny new saddle, bridle and blanket. Lindsay moved closer, running her hands over the new leather.
"You spoil me Danny Messer"
"I like nothing more then spoiling you. Do you wanna teach me how to get this gear on?"
Twenty minutes later they were on their way, Danny riding Fire and Lindsay riding Firefly. The sun beat down on them, the smell of hay and fresh grass attacking their senses. It had been far too long since Lindsay had felt this close to her old life in Montana.
"Hey Danny?"
"Yeah?"
"Race ya!"
Lindsay clicked her tongue and gently urged Firefly into a gallop, not looking back until she had reached an old, beaten looking oak tree. She was already off Firefly and sitting down by the time Danny caught up with her. He winced as he slipped off Fire.
"That was not fun"
"You're just no used to it city boy"
Danny offered her a small smile before taking off the back pack that he had on. He said nothing as he laid out a blanket and began placing cartons of food down on top of it. It was only when he sat down beside her that he spoke again.
"We have strawberries, champagne, brie, French stick and chocolate"
"Wow. You really did have this planned, didn't you?"
"Oh and before I forget"
He carefully extracted two large carrots from the bag, handing one to Lindsay.
"We can't forget out four legged friends now, can we?"
After feeding the horses, Danny and Lindsay ate their lunch in silence, watching the sun fade into the clouds that signaled the passing morning.