Disclaimer: I do not own CSI: NY, the characters, nor have I anything connected to the state park system of the state of New York.

For the third time that morning, Lindsey Monroe felt tears prick the back of her eyes. They come unexpectedly as she was looking through the microscope at a DNA sample. A young, beautiful black woman had been murdered savegely in her office where she was a partner in a prestigious law firm. Her husband was unaccounted for, and there had been blood trace on the outside of the office's closed door. Probably left there when the killer shut the body in the room. Now the sample began to swirl before her eyes as tears teeterd on her lashes. Angrily, she swiped them away with the back of her gloved hand before continuing to make notes.

The next day was her dad's birthday, and thanks to a call from her mom, Lindsey knew that the entire family would be going out for a celebratory dinner. Ever since last night when she'd hung up the phone, Lindsey had been swamped with the heavy feeling of homesickness. She hadn't been this homesick since she'd gone on a camping trip with a friend when she was nine years old. But now she wanted to be celebrating with her family back home in Montana. Lindsey had fallen in love with New York, and really enjoyed working for the crime lab, but today, she was just not feeling the love.

"Hey Montana!" Danny's familiar voice caused her to turn quickly away as she tried to get rid of those damned tears.

"Have you got a match to that blood we found on the door at the lawyer's office?" He asked, noticing the sample under the microscope.

When Lindsey didn't respond, Danny looked up to see her standing at the end of the table. Her back was rigid, and her hands clenched into fists at her side. Danny frowned and moved closer.

"Lindsey?" he questioned, and she turned to face him.

The smile on her face was a good attempt, but unconvincing, given her red-rimmed eyes and moisture on her cheeks.

"What's wrong?" Danny asked, alarmed.

Lindsey shrugged and shook her head, hoping he wouldn't press her. He did. Taking her hand, Danny led her to the waiting area outside the interrogation rooms. Turning to face her, he let go of her hand and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Spill it, Montana," he commanded, his accent gruff.

"There's nothing wrong, Danny," she said, and moved toward the door.

Danny stepped in front of her, blocking her exit with his lithe frame.

"Look, Linds," he began, trying to keep his voice even,

"Maybe you don't want a relationship with me; I'm okay with that. But that doesn't mean I don't care about you." He saw her resolve begin to waver.

"Come on Linds;" he coaxed,

"Friend to friend, okay?" He gave her a reassuring smile, and

Lindsey returned it, her cheeks colouring slightly.

"Tomorrow is my dad's birthday and I guess I'm feeling sorry for myself because I'll be missing out on it all." Her chin quivered as another wave of homesickness crashed over her.

"Yeah?" Danny asked, a tender smile on his face.

"They having a birthday party for him?" He was genuinely interested.

Lindsey's eyes lit up, and she nodded, looking up into Danny's handsome face.

"Everyone's birthday is a big deal in my family. There's cake, ice cream, games, the works. In the summertime, we'd saddle up and go for a long ride together; the whole family." She told him, her eyes dancing with the memories.

"I can see why you'd miss that," Danny said.

"Sounds like a blast." He finished, and Lindsey nodded.

"It was, and right now, I just want to go home and sing happy birthday to daddy with the rest of my family." Her voice broke, and Lindsey swallowed hard, annoyed at her emotional state today.

Danny's heart ached for Lindsey, and although she'd rejected his offer of a relationship with him, Danny couldn't help but reach out to her. Gently, he took her by the arm and folded her against his strong chest. Lindsey didn't resist. Instead, she pressed her face to his shirt and let her saddness over come her for a brief moment. Danny's familiar scent was in her nose, and she found comfort in the

subtle hint of cologne and cigarrete smoke that always clung to him. Danny rubbed her back, grateful that she was allowing him to hold her close. He'd been confused and saddened when she'd rejected his suggestion that they get together, but he didn't resent her for it. Something had her scared off of relationships, and he hoped someday she'd tell him what it was. When he spoke, his words were hesitant and nearly whispered.

"What about celebrating your dad's birthday long-distance?" he asked, and continued on.

"You know, go out to eat, have a nice dessert, maybe sing happy birthday.." He stopped when Lindsey raised her head to look at him.

"I don't think.." she began, pulling away quickly.

Danny grabbed her arm, dropping his hand when he saw the cautious expression in her eyes again.

"Just one meal; it'll be a celebration for your dad in spirit. We can go as just friends; collegues, if you want. We'll have a nice dinner and call it good. That's all." He watched Lindsey's face carefully, and to his relief, she smiled.

"Okay," agreed, and held his gaze a second more.

"Just friends." She reiterated, and Danny nodded, not saying what he was really feeling.

Why won't you let me in, Montana? His heart asked, but he knew that pressing her for an answer wouldn't get him anywhere at all. Instead, he watched Lindsey walk down the hall until she disappeared

through into the lab. Sighing, Danny figured that he too, needed to get back to work.