A/N: I own nothing this is based on Season 3 eps to-date and spoilers.

Chapter 1: Just Punishment

Before she had even returned to duty after testifying in Bozeman she had heard the rumors that there was something going on between Angell and Messer. He had called her a few times but she didn't return the calls, expecting instead to be able to face him in-person with some more clarity after the trial. But she tabled that plan learning that he had moved on. She returned to her empty, dark apartment and briefly looked around at everything that had not changed since she left. With some frustration she threw her luggage on her bed and donned her running clothes. Leaving her apartment again within moments of having returned to it, she had no real plan in mind. This was instinct.

She ran, and ran, and ran. She could feel her calves and thighs burning and crying out for a respite but she wouldn't relent. If she ran hard enough and fast enough maybe the confusion would clear and the pain would dissipate. She had left Danny to his own devices and it led him away from her and to Angell. Who was she to object? She was punishing her body for the uncertainty of her heart and the hesitation of her mind.

He went to find her, to explain, but she wasn't home. He tried to think of a next, better move and his mind was numb. "Moves" were getting him nowhere he figured he might be better off being genuine. He shoved his cold hands in the pockets of his pea coat after turning the wool collar up against his throat, and he waited outside her building. He waited more than an hour.

He could see her blocks away, the steam puffs of her warm breath meeting the cold January NYC air, over and over. Perhaps he was imaging it but he heard the pounding of her soles to the pavement, over and over forcefully, incessantly. She didn't come to her own door. She slowed and eventually halted in front of a newsstand across the street. Danny narrowed his eyes and watched as the weathered newsstand owner passed her a small duffle bag from behind his counter. She extracted a water bottle and NYPD wind breaker that she shrugged over her shoulders. She and the newsstand keeper were engaging in dialogue while she stood outside the stand, stretching. Danny grinned at her intimacy with a man so many New Yorkers ignored in their daily lives. His Montana. He crossed the street to their side with the full intent of eavesdropping as much as possible.

"I know, you know better, but you need to not run so much. Today you were gone long time, after dark, in big city, you tire yourself out and you are no match for a bad man." The newsman scolded Lindsay, an affectionate tone to his Eastern European accent.

"I know Mika. Tonight I was distracted, lost in thought." She said alternating her weight to her other foot, stretching her other hamstring.

"Lost in thought, and yet, not thinking." The shop keeper replied looking away from her, up the street gauging business. She sighed.

"Its been a rough few weeks." The newsman met her eye, seeing the tears behind them and Danny caught the hitch in her voice.

"Mmffffph." He groaned like so many scolding mothers trying to keep the sympathy out of the discussion. "I am glad you are home back here now." The 'where I can keep an eye on you and make sure you are safe' was implied.

Lindsay stood up straight ceasing her stretches and pulling the zipper on her jacket up higher. She gave her grizzled friend a weary smile.

"Mika, I don't even know where 'home' is anymore." She turned to leave and Danny thought this was his chance to approach her when the shop-keeper bellowed out,

"Detective Lindsay!" she turned with urgency matching the tone of his as she trotted the two steps back to his stand.

"I got you welcome home present." He said.

She titled her head and gave him a smile with a quizzical grin. Even watching it from the shadows caused a warmth somewhere inside of Danny.

Mika bent down and pulled a single periodical from behind his counter and extended it to Lindsay. She took it and only had to glance at the issue to recognize the Bozeman Telegraph and understand.

"Mika…"

"I pull strings," he said, watching her reaction. "I get one copy every day."

Tears escaped her eyes, she dropped her gym bag and leaned her torso over the counter to deliver a kiss to the old man's cheek.

"I can't remember when anyone did something so nice for me." She said still sniffling. Danny made a mental note to do nice things for Lindsay more frequently.

"Not for you, for business. Now I know I can count on your $0.50 every day. Forecasting they call it. I read Fortune when it is slow." Mike replied shrugging.

She brushed her cheek and beamed at him. She knew about men too tough to admit a tenderness for another human being.

"Right, of course." She picked her bag up again. "Well, thank you either way. I'll see you tomorrow."

Danny made a second mental note to buy this Mika guy a drink. Lindsay was now in a generous state of mind and snapped out of her dark and punishing one.

He emerged from the shadows and approached her.

"Montana?"

She didn't jump when she heard him but the warm smile melted from her face.

"Danny." She uttered, not knowing what else to say.

"Welcome back." He said his hands in his pockets as he reached her side.

"Thanks." She began crossing the street to her own building and he fell in step with her.

A/N: Chap 3 is written I just have to get us from here to there in some kind of a meaningful chapter 2..