A/N: I got some responses to continue the piece. Here is a second chapter that I hope you will enjoy.


Chapter 2

Weeks passed and both Danny and Lindsay grew withdrawn. Not only did they pull away from each other but from everyone around them as well. Stella had tried to get Lindsay to go out after work but the younger woman had refused. Flack had tried to get Danny to do anything but drink. Unfortunately there wasn't any success there either. Finally Mac had to get involved.

"Have a seat," he said as the two entered his office. The boss looked at both of them and how their appearances had changed rapidly. He no longer saw either one smile or even have the same flair for their work. Both appeared to not be sleeping and their gaunt looks meant they weren't eating properly either.

"Your performance has suffered as of late and I can't have your personal problems getting in the way of the efficiency of this lab," his tone was stern and he gave them the 'I'm disappointed' look. Neither one said anything and Mac continued.

"Lindsay, you've been picking up shifts whenever possible and you're running yourself ragged. Danny you've been showing up late, smelling like stale beer. Now I don't want to know what one of you did to the other, I just want you to understand that should your performance not improve, you're fired," he laid down the law and then dismissed them. Both left the room slightly gloomier than before. Mac shook his head as he watched them leave and saw Stella watching. He smiled slightly and opened his office door.

"You can come in," he said. She smiled and entered the room.

"So did you give them the old 'You better shape up' routine?" His friend asked.

"I tried. I threatened to fire both of them, so we'll see what happens. If they don't fly right, I'm afraid they leave me no choice," Mac told her.

"Wasn't that a bit extreme?" Stella wondered, nervous on how both Lindsay and Danny would react.

"They love their jobs and at one point they'd loved each other. I'm willing to bet that to protect what little they have left of either one will be enough to pull them from this funk. In the meantime, you keep an eye on Lindsay and I'll keep an eye on Danny," the boss explained.

"Sounds like a plan. I hope you're right," Bonasera let out a loud exhale.

"So do I, Stella, so do I," Mac said.


It was the end of her first shift and Lindsay walked into the break room. There in the corner of the room sat Danny. He held a cup of coffee but by the looks of it, the drink hadn't been hot in at least twenty minutes.

"We need to talk," she said the last words he'd said to her still ringing in her ears, "I will never stop loving you, never".

"So it would seem," he replied without looking up. He wasn't sure if he could look into her chocolate eyes, not after what he'd done, and after their last discussion (if you could call it that).

"There are two things I love in this world, one of which is my job," Lindsay started as she took the seat across from him.

"Say no more, I'll quit," Danny told her.

"You're not listening Messer. I said there were two things I loved. One of them is you," she said. For the first time in weeks, Danny looked right at her. He could see her bloodshot eyes and how skinny she'd become.

"I'm not saying we can pick up where we left off. We both have to work this out but I can't keep living like this. I can't take coming home to an empty bed. I can't come into work knowing you're here but I can't be with you because of the feeling in my gut. I…" Lindsay didn't get the chance to finish.

"You are not the reason for all of this, I am. What you felt and still feel is warranted believe me. I messed up the best thing I've ever had and the fact that you'll even consider talking to me…" Danny paused.

"I don't want everything we had before to just be a memory but trust is something that takes a long time to build and only seconds to destroy. I want us to rebuild the trust and the love we had. It will take a long time but I need to know that I'm not in it on my own," Monroe told him.

"I'm with you Lindsay, I swear. When I said that I would never stop loving you, I meant it," the sincerity in his voice pushed her over the edge and tears began to flow down her cheeks. Carefully Danny reached across the table and brushed away the tears. When she didn't pull away from him, he got out of his seat and pulled her into his arms. He could feel his shirt getting wet but he didn't care. If his Montana needed to cry then she could cry. Mac and Flack were walking by the break room and could see Lindsay's face buried into Danny's chest. The younger detective went to open the door but Taylor stopped him.

"He's making her cry again. Lindsay can't take any more of that," Don said.

"I don't think she's crying for the reason you think," Mac pointed out. Flack turned around and found Danny's lips on Lindsay's.

"What's going on? The lab techs are whispering about the break room," Stella asked followed by Hawkes.

"Seems as though the pep talk did the trick," Mac smiled. Everyone peered through the glass and could see the two holding each other.

"I think everyone is staring at us," Monroe said.

"Don't let it bother you. All that matters is you, it's always been you," Danny told her. A smile spread across both of their faces. It may be a long time coming but they would find their way back. They needed each other and no matter what it took they would make sure they were together forever.

The End