Danny's eyes opened the next morning with the first touches of the sun, the down side and up side of being a light sleeper, but last night was a great sleep; and glancing down saw that the reason for that great sleep was still in dreamland. Lindsay was tightly curled into his chest and their legs were intertwined.

Grinning to himself he once again reminded himself that this was a really good idea to sleep together. He closed his eyes to try for a little more sleep, when the sounds of 'Sweet Home, Alabama' rang through his ears and bed room. Opening his eyes fully, Danny looked around for the source and realized that it was none other than Lindsay's phone that was sharing space with his on the bedside table.

Sitting up slightly Danny reached over and picked up the small object that was still playing and checked the Caller ID. The name 'NICK' was displayed. Danny swallowed and started to wonder who this person was and why they got a different ring tone than everyone else (granted the only times he heard her phone was during a case and it was always some one from work).

Still looking at the phone, now currently on its second time through the song, he jumped a little when his bed mate spoke.

"Who is it?" Lindsay mumbled into his chest. The sensation of her lips on his flesh made him bite his cheek to hold a groan.

"Someone named 'NICK,'" he tried to sound uncaring.

"Cousin from Texas….works at the Vegas crime lab…level two CSI," Lindsay reached for the phone and gave him a quick kiss, "nothing for you to worry about, Messer." Danny smiled. Was he that obvious? Apparently he was, or she was just that good at reading him. His ego leaned towards the second. Giving her the phone, he watched her open it while leaning down again on the pillow with her. She smiled and started drawing circles on his chest while she talked.

"Hi, Nicky! What's up?"

"Just enjoying the sun over the New York skyline," Danny heard because he was so close, not that Lindsay obviously cared.

"You are?!... When did you get in?" she was getting excited.

"Yesterday, around 1:30…." his tone was anxious; the reason was clouded until the time mentioned clicked in Danny's slightly sleep clogged brain.

"That's gre….Oh….Nick, I swear I'm fine…." she knew what 'NICK' was talking about and her tone went from happy to exhaustion to reassuring all in the same breath; a marvel to Danny, but then it was Lindsay.

"Lindsay, your not lyin' to me are ya'? Tell the truth, where were you?" 'NICK's' obvious Texan draw was not lost on Danny, nor was the gentle concern for the women in his arms. He already liked this CSI cousin of hers.

"Not lying…I was outside the blast," she stopped drawing circles on Danny's chest and leaned into him again at this point, his arms tightening in response. She smiled up at him before telling her cousin about Flack and Mac. Danny missed his response to her and the conversation that followed, because of his own thoughts about Mac and Flack. Mac was shaken, but Stella would take care of that – Stella always took care of Mac, just like he takes care of her (especially after Frankie's attack).

It wasn't well know, but after Mac had dropped Stella at her apartment he had remained just in case and when she had appeared a few minuets later, Mac had taken her to his place. To Danny's current knowledge, even though it had been about a month ago, Mac and Stella are still living together, but that's really not important as long as they are both happy and safe.

"Danny?" Lindsay's voice caused Danny to drop his gave back to brown eyed beauty in his arms, "…you okay?"

"Yeah," he nodded at her then kissed her forehead, "just thinking – nothing big," she was smiling and leaned forward to kiss him properly. He noticed that her phone was open still and currently resting on her shoulder to keep her cousin from hearing them talk – or kiss. He smirked and she raised an eyebrow.

"Do I wanna know?" Danny continued to smirk and shrugged in response. Smiling and lightly giggling, Lindsay kissed him again and locked eyes with him.

"Nicky wants to have lunch with me," Lindsay said and Danny nodded for her to continue, "Do you wanna join us? There will be one other, so you won't be a third wheel…" he put two fingers on Lindsay's lips to stop her speech. He smiled and raised his eyebrows – obviously entertained and ready to tease.

"I get to meet part of the family?" his Staten Island accent rolling over his lips and he looked thoughtful, "you think that's a good idea? Do you want me too?"

"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want you there," she was smiling and trying to hold onto her excitement of Danny and Nick meeting – both very important men in her life, but in different ways, "I think it's probably a good thing, seeing how we slept together and all." Danny laughed fully on that and kissed her giggles quiet too. They touched foreheads and locked eyes (a habit they kinda started on the first day they met).

"I would love to have lunch with you cousin and friend, but your not paying – ya' hear?" though smiling and teasing, Danny was very serious about all things gentlemanly – and Lindsay loved it. Rolling her eyes, she gave a dramatic sigh.

"Oh, I suppose…if you insist," she paused.

"I do," he affirmed.

"Okay, then," she lifted the phone once again and confirmed the time and place. After saying goodbye to Nick, Lindsay closed her phone and reached over Danny to replace it on the bed side table. Danny gripped her waist and rolled on to his back, dragging her on top of him. Lindsay smiled down at him and dropped the cell next to his and then reached down to run her fingers along his stubble cheeks and into his short hair.

Closing his eyes, Danny focused on her traveling fingers and the feel of her atop him. Lindsay smiled at his face and resting her hands on his cheeks, she leaned down again to kiss him.

"I knew sleeping with you was a good idea," Danny moaned out, "but this wake up is even better."

"I agree, whole heartily," Lindsay responded between kisses, "we should do this more often."

"Kinda hard, seeing as we have separate apartments," Danny explained while moving his fingers under her sleeping tank top to feel her back and sides, "but we could fix that."

"I have a question," Lindsay stated while sitting upon his chest.

"I have an answer, let's see if they match," Danny retorted with a smirk and his hands moving behind his head.

"Do you think that we've been through enough together to merit living together before even really dating?" she asked.

'Good, we always could read each other's mind,' Danny thought.

"Well, lets see…," he started calmly, "you know about the Minhas shooting, Louie and Tangelwood; been a great friend through Stella's ordeal, Aiden's death and funeral, my bullshit, the DNA results, and this latest fiasco has you lying on top of me in my bed wasting time before we go meet your brother and friend for lunch.

"I don't know about you Linds, but on my side – yeah I think moving in together is alright. I trust you, care about you, and want nothing more then to spend lots and lots of time getting to know you. I still have some secrets, but you are too incredibly to let go." When he finished he kissed her soundly.

Smirking into the kiss he rolled them over, and braced himself on his elbows before separating them. Lindsay looked a little dazed with closed eyes and a silly smile – Danny smirked more.

'I did that – no cowboy rancher. Me. A city boy – and damn proud too,' Danny thought smugly. Lindsay watched him beneath hooded eyes and grinned more.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked from below him.

"I caused that look."

"What look?"

"That satisfied, 'he-kisses-like-god' look."

"Well, you do."

"Me and my ego thank, you" They laughed and smiled again at one another. He broke the short silence.

"You didn't answer my question."

"Your right," she sighed, "I didn't."

"If you gotta think about—"

"No," she stated with strength and a quick nod, "I don't have to think about it. I want to – I was worried that it might infringe upon your life."

"You, Miz Monroe," he spoke between butterfly kisses on her throat, "have nothing to fear. I am going to stay with this as long as we both feel mutual. I promise," he lifted his right hand, as if swearing an oath in court. Lindsay smiled and kissed him on the lips, letting his rough goatee scrap her skin.

"Let's move into together."

"Alright; where?"

"Here."

"Here?"

"Yes, here. I like your bed." He laughed.

"You haven't even seen the rest of the place."

"Two story brownstone house. Through the front door: the kitchen and dinning room on the left, hallway and living room on the right. Up the stairs: three doors – two on the right and one at the end. End is the bathroom and the second door is the master bedroom. First: unknown -- door was closed," she finished with an amused smile at his face: the same one from the dock with the Montana mermaid.

Dumbfounded and impressed. She smirked and kissed his again.

"The first" Danny explained, "upstairs door is the spare bedroom and storage – I hate trying to hull things into the attic the door too damn small," he hesitated, before continuing, "Flack is known for crashing here when the case is long and we're working together…"

"As long as he stays out when the door is closed."

"Really?!" She nodded. Danny sent her a smile she wasn't sure she had ever seen before – but defiantly wanted to see again. He leaned down next to her cheek, his hot breath against her ear causing hers to catch.

"I think I'm in love with you, Lindsay." Lindsay's heart stopped and her eyes widened. Every comfortable feeling was gone and all that remained is – fear; pure, unadulterated fear. Danny sensed the change in her body and started to sit up, but Lindsay pulled him tighter.

"Linds –"

"I'm sorry."

"What?!"

"It's just that…….well..." This time when Danny moved upwards, she fought less and locked eyes with him. She was scared and shaking. He cupped her face and forced her gently to keep her head up -- their eyes still locked.

"I'm not sorry, Montana. Not by a long shot. I do think I'm falling for you – if I haven't already. But if you're not ready to say it, don't worry. I know."

"You know? How?"

"I can see it your eyes and taste it in your kiss. I know you love me. Never thought I'd say it first, but hey – sometimes that's how it is," he smiled and used his thumbs to wipe the tears that had started to fall from her eyes.

"Your right," her voice thick with tears, "I do love you. It wasn't you or the emotion that scared me, it was how you said it and what you said it."

"What--?"

"The last time a man had leaned down like that and said that," she took a steadying breath and avoided his eyes (only to have him pull her back), "was when I was 12 and my uncle was raping me, instead of just watching me, a week my parents went away." She stopped and tried to read his eyes and body. He had broken contact and looked down. She could tell he was thinking, because his eyes were moving – brain churning over this revelation.

'This explains her reaction to Stella and the "mermaid." She knew the fear and pain – its why she pulled away from me,' Danny glanced at her nervous face and nodded to himself, 'Doesn't change her and doesn't change us – Holy crap, I'm in love.' He gave her a small smile and kissed her softly.

"I still love you, Montana," he was serious, "but there is one thing."

"What?" she was scared.

"Please," he whispered, locking eyes with her (she was a little nervous at the suppressed anger and murderous glint she saw in the blue depths), "please, tell me he's dead."

She released a dry sob, breathed, and wrapped her arms around his neck, burrowing her face into his neck. He clung to her just as tightly, wrapping one arm her shoulders and the other around her waist. It was a few seconds, before she spoke – voice trembling.

"Yeah, he's dead," she paused to clear her throat; "My parents came home early and found him pinning me to my bed. My dad hauled him off of me. My mother, bawling her eyes out with me, wrapped me in a sheet.

"My dad was, and is still, the local sheriff – but he was more then ready to commit murder. Beat him good and then called his deputy to came and pick him up. My mother just held me all the while. I just wanted to sit under some really cold water and wash him off. She said no. Mama's a law instructor at the community college and practicing lawyer – she was trying to save evidence. Papa called a friend who was into the budding forensic world.

"The guy came and took evidence and did what he could. He was able to collect enough evidence to convict my uncle. My uncle was sentenced and later killed in a fight with another inmate – one he started.

"That forensic scientist inspired me to learn and become a CSI. Coincidently," she smirked at him, "that same man – he later became my mentor and boss," she stopped and looked up into Danny's eyes. The look was daring him to solve the mystery: who is this guy? Danny glanced at the ceiling and then looked back down – he had answer. She was joking – she had to be.

"There's no way."

"Yep."

"Mac?"

"Mac."

"The connections in Montana –"

"Papa."

"No way."

"Small world."

"Obviously," he conceited, still shocked, "How --?"

"They were marines together – since boot camp," she smiled.

"No way," he repeated still shocked, "the job?"

"Remember the case he was referring too when I first started?"

"Vaguely…"

"He had just come out to see Papa for a quick visit and stopped in the crime lab to check up on me. I was working the case then; he spoke to my supervisor and realized I had put in for a transfer. My supervisor kept him up to date with the case and when Aiden – you know," she paused. Aiden's reason for leaving the crime lab was a still sore spot for the Montana bred CSI and her Staten Island partner – as well for the rest of the team. Her death and funeral were easier to talk about. They both swallowed and looked at each other.

"You know?" he asked.

"I've heard things. Mac didn't say and I didn't ask," she admitted.

"Okay," he swallowed again before looking at her and nodding for her to continue.

"Right, so," she cleared her throat and tucked hair behind her ear, "after that. Mac didn't want the fact that he knew me sway his decision – I guess he interviewed several people and in the end he sent me an email saying there was a position to hire a new CSI to the NYPD crime lab and if I wanted to come work for him," she started to giggle at the memory and laughed out right at his confused face.

"I didn't get the email until three days after it was sent and didn't respond for another four," she laughed as he rolled his eyes and dramatically, dropped his head to her shoulder.

"Glad to see we were high on your list of priorities; big case?" came his muffled inquest.

"Yes, but I wasn't on it. The rest of the team was trying to find a six year old who was kid-knapped from the tent he was camping in; I got everything else that came in meanwhile. I was a little over booked," she explained, "Mac didn't respond for another week after that – something about the mayor. He said he would handle all the paperwork and all I had to do was show up.

"The next thing I know I'm standing outside a tiger cage with some jerk… DANNY!" Lindsay shrieked as Danny tickled her. After a few minuets, he still had her pinned beneath him – hands on her wrist – and they were both laughing. Danny stilled to a smile and leaned foreword to kiss her. She responded in time and soon they were into a heavy make-out session.

"I'm glad you're here," he whispered, "why did you believe me and call Mac 'sir' that day if you already knew him?"

"Knowing Mac and working for Mac are two different things."

"So very true," he consented, "when's lunch?"

"Meeting Nick and Aurie at 12:30 at their hotel, the Radisson, and going from there; I told them that I was bringing a local who could give us a great recommendation on where to eat," she kissed him and smiled as his usual smile graced his face.

"You trust me with your family and friends, I'm touched,"

"Speaking of touch," she ran her hands up and down his chest appreciatively. Danny stifled a groan and closed his eyes. Her lips followed; working their way over his Adam's apple, throat, and shoulders. He slipped his own hands under the thin sleeping tank she wore and moved both up slowly. He glanced at the clock on the bedside table. Grinning like a Cheshire cat, Danny nodded; a quarter after ten.

He awoke around nine and Nick called around 9:07 (he recalled the time from the cell phone screen). Given the short time need to get to the hotel, Danny figured they had plenty of time to take their time. Still smiling, Danny started to suck on Lindsay's throat and collar bone. Still taking her shirt higher, the phones both rung shocking the engaged couple. They laughed and touched foreheads.

Reaching over Danny grabbed both mobiles and handed his lady hers. Resting beside, rather on top, each other they glanced at the caller ID's and then looked at each other. The phones rang again. Still looking at each other, they flipped them open and answered.

"Messer" "Monroe"

"When, Mac?" "Really, Stella?!"

"On my way!" "As soon as possible, ASAP!"

"Yeah, bye Mac!" "See you soon, Stella!"

They hung up and look at each other. For a mere second they sit there, then they smile, laugh, and kiss passionately before exclaiming together:

"Flack's awake!!!!"