Spoilers: Season Two.

Disclaimer: Own what I do, not what I don't.

Author's note: Thanks so much to those that have read and reviewed. I really appreciate it. And thanks, scoj, for reviewing.


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On with the chapter…

She snorted.

"Oh yeah, humble pie's on your plate every meal."

"Glad you noticed. So…any other attributes of mine you wish to express a particular fondness for?"

She chuckled but nonetheless mentally went through a list of things she would have to include on a list of that nature. After his glasses it was probably a tie between his eyes and voice. Oh man, that accent got to her every single time. And his smile? Gah!

She shook her head to clear it of thoughts of like those. It was hard not to have a tiny crush on her co-worker. Especially once they became friends and she got to know the man behind the exterior, it was all too easy to be drawn to his dedication, loyalty, and that sharp sense of humor that never failed to amuse her…even if it was all-too-often at her expense.

Suddenly out of nowhere she remembered it was Friday night, and more likely than not Danny had been on a date when Mac called him in. The thought nearly put her in tears.

"Oh, Danny. I messed up your plans with Cindy for tonight, didn't I? I shouldn't have asked you to stay. You probably have other stuff to do. I'm sorry, you should go. I'll be all right."

If Danny was shocked by her admission that she found his glasses sexy, it was nothing compared to the astonishment that pronouncement left him feeling. He recognized if he didn't speak up and quell her fears she was going to shut down and possibly stop responding.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Where is this comin' from? First of all, I'm not with Cindy anymore. More importantly, I don't have anywhere else I gotta be, no place else I wanna be, either, okay? Now can I please focus on gettin' you hot?"

There was a pause, and then Lindsay laughed as hard as she could. Danny was glad she couldn't see him, as she would undoubtedly find even more humor in the blush that now infused his cheeks. He struggled to find something to say, but Lindsay spoke up before he could retract the statement or change the subject.

"Yeah, like that'll happen," she scoffed.

His pride demanded that he respond to this obvious challenge to his masculinity.

"You doubtin' my abilities, Montana?"

"Absolutely."

And damn if he didn't like her more for daring to give that answer instead of placating him with blatantly false and patronizing assurances. Their teasing was already the highlight of his day, but the opportunity to turn it blatantly sexual was without a doubt going to make his year.

"Are you sure you want to go there, Monroe?"

His voice had dropped about an octave and if Lindsay hadn't already been shivering she would have gotten the chills from the ripple it sent over her skin.

"'Cause I gotta be honest…I'm not too confident about your ability to handle it."

She bit her lip, uncertain for a moment whether this really was a good idea. The cold had definitely seeped into her brain; otherwise she would never have invited this topic into their conversation. She thought for a moment that she would have been better off letting his slip of the tongue pass instead of taking the chance it offered to tease him.

And though she'd never admit it, she too doubted her ability to handle it. There had already been times when he said or did things that turned her on without him even realizing it. It was absolutely playing with fire to put herself in a position where he was actually trying. If he succeeded she'd never hear the end of it…or be able to look at him again.

On the other hand, she'd be alive, and would have tons of delicious images that would unquestionably turn into fantastic dreams and highly inappropriate musings during free moments at work.

Of course this whole thing depended on his ability to deliver. She almost laughed aloud. Somehow she knew he would not have any problems in that area, though. And the prospect of him turning the charm on her was just too once-in-a-lifetime to pass up.

Realizing she'd left him waiting for a little bit she decided to just roll her eyes and answer with every ounce of false bravado she could muster.

"Please. I'd like to see you try," she scoffed.

Part of him was surprised. He'd taken her silence as one that would lead to her refusal to follow through. The rest of him was impressed…her willingness to stand her ground was actually really attractive.

"I'm impressed," he told her with a smile he belatedly realized she couldn't see.

He shook his head and blew out a long breath.

"Okay then, here we go."

Before he started speaking he saw her mouth something.

"What was that, Montana? I didn't catch that."

She tilted her head and mouthed it again, this time pointing behind her to the vent. It took him a moment to understand that she was speaking, he just couldn't hear her. And from her pointing it was probably a safe bet that she was trying to tell him that the cold air had kicked on again, or higher, or something.

"Hey, Montana? I can't hear you anymore. Can you hear me?"

She nodded.

"Okay, it's probably the cold; it's affectin' the cables or somethin'."

She nodded again, a bit more slowly and looked up at the lights. He realized that he should tell her that when she looked up and was turned the way she was, he could see the front of her.

"Hey, Monroe. It seems like the camera at least is up near whatever you just looked at. And I can see the front of you now."

She waved up at him then stuck her tongue out.

"Cute."

He sat back in the chair for a moment, thinking about what he was going to tell her.

Actually, this whole non-speaker thing was going to make this whole challenge that much easier to fulfill, he thought. He could pretty much pretend she wasn't there and just detail a fantasy to her. If she was still willing, that is. She was looking a bit nervous and he decided he should check in on her.

"Montana…you still want me—" he waited until her lips had begun to curve up before he continued "to get you hot?"

He could see her laughing and it made him smile. She stopped laughing and smiled, then tilted her head up and slowly mouthed the words "Yes I want you."

He chuckled and could see her shoulders shake anew.

"I wish I could say I was surprised, Montana. I wish I could."