A Sense of Belonging….

A/N: I do not own CSI: NY, any of the characters or anything that may be real or copy-righted in this story. I am making no profit off this story, just writing it because I love to write.

Danny stared at the ballistics computer, his face tight with concentration, as if he was willing it to find a match. It was like 2 am, and Danny was working on his 3rd straight shift. He knew he should have just started the computer and gone home, the results would have been waiting for him in the morning, but Danny just couldn't get the look of the victim out of his mind. It was the look of fear, of betrayal, and it drove Danny to find, no matter what the length, the kind of person who could do a thing like this. He rested his head in his hands as the computer continued to compare striations of different bullets in the system.

Lindsay walked passed the ballistics lab on her way to the locker room to get her stuff and go home. It had been a long, excruciating shift, as it always is when children are involved. Luckily, the case had been pretty open and shut, though it didn't make the pain for the victims' family fade any faster.

She was surprised to see anyone else in the building, let alone the lab area, especially Danny Messer. She leaned against the doorframe, watching him. If he wouldn't be so damn annoying all the time, he was actually pretty cute, she thought to herself.

"You know just because you're sitting next to the computer doesn't mean it's going to work any faster" she said breaking the silence, and startling him.

"Wha? Oh it's you Montana" Danny replied dryly, "Yeah well I thought, being as good looking as I am, it might be worth a shot. It might want to impress me." He gave her a smile, and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Don't flatter yourself Messer." Lindsay shot back, "Still no luck on the bullet casing yet huh?" She said as she walked over to the computer and looked at what he was running.

"No and it's really upsetting me. I know, I'm absolutely positive that this can't be a random act" He answered her, his New York accent thick. He started to pace the lab out of frustration. He stared at Lindsay, noting her casual clothes and her hair was up in a casual fashion. She looked like she belonged on a runway or in a magazine, anywhere but a forensic lab.

"Hey Lindsay --" he started

"Did you just call me Lindsay? Not Monroe? Not Montana? Not new girl? What did I do wrong?" Lindsay asked her defenses up. She didn't know if she could trust Danny, regardless of how cute he is.

"Nothing, never mind. You should head home, it's late or early…whatever you want to call it." Danny replied. Geez, I'm an idiot he thought to himself.

"Danny, wait. I'm sorry. I'm just not used to hearing my first name come out of your mouth. Tell you what, since you need to leave this lab for awhile or Mac will have your butt, why don't we go grab breakfast? And, since you're the New York City expert, I'll let your pick the restaurant and I'll even let you buy." Lindsay smiled at him, "What'd you say?"

Danny stared at her. She was standing at an angle, looking over her shoulder at him. Even at 2am, she looked great…her outfit showed off her curves in all the right places and her pants hugged her in perfectly…He started to wonder if her butt was as round as her pants made it look and if she dressed this way on purpose. What was he doing? She was his co-worker for crying out loud! He couldn't start to have these thoughts!

"Danny? You ok?" She broke into his thoughts, and was staring at him, "Breakfast…you choosing…you buying….are we going…remember any of that?"

"Yeah, yeah. Let's go. I know this great little place. It's never real busy." He finished, hoping that his face didn't give away his thoughts.

About 30 minutes later, Danny and Lindsay had arrived at Mesterpiero's. Lindsay had fallen asleep on the way there, and Danny was hesitant about waking her up. She looked gorgeous, just sitting there, her eyes closed and a slight smile on her face. Danny wondered if she was dreaming or not. However, after a few minutes, Danny's stomach won out by grumbling loudly. He leaned over, taking in the scent of her hair. She smelled like raspberries.
"Lindsay, we're here. Time for breakfast." He whispered in her ear.

"Danny, just a few more minutes, please…It feels like we just fell asleep" she answered softly. Well guess that answers the dreaming question, Danny thought to himself, smiling.

"Lindsay, come on it's time for breakfast. We're here." Danny said again, trying to wake her. He put his hand on her arm gently rubbing it.

"Wha? Huh?" Lindsay awoke with a jolt, "What?"

"We're here. Ready for breakfast?" Danny asked getting out of his SUV. He walked over to her side and opened the door for her. "Ready for the best breakfast of your life Sleeping Beauty?" He asked as he offered her his hand.