Disclaimers: Can't afford to own CBS so no I don't own anything except the plot of this story. Please don't sue.
Author's Note: BIG APOLOGY for not being able to update in such a long time. Happy to see many reviews and supporters of this story and a bit proud over this little achievement and of course i owe this all to you guys... Thank you. This chapter is a bit short but lots of DL so hopefully it doesn't disappoint readers and DL supporters. Future update might be slow but I won't give up this story. Any thought on how this story should go?? Feel free to let me know...
Nothing, no fiber, not a drop of blood, no bodily fluid, not even a single trace, I tossed the crime scene photos on my messy desk, sighing in defeat. How am I going to seek justice for Zoe Adkins while I kept hitting dead end in this case? All these bumps had chased away my appetite, my sleepiness and only making the pot of coffee more appealing as my sleepless hours kept going up. Speaking of my newest craving, I need another refill, maybe a break could help me find a breakthrough in this case.
Standing up, I realized how stiff my body had become from all those hours of sitting sifting through the evidence. Walking in the hall, I noted I had the lab all by myself, not a single person in the lab, not even Mac who had known to be the last person to leave work. Searching in my head, I did vaguely remember hearing Mac telling me to go home when he was about to leave earlier. Well, apparently his advice fell on deaf ear. On the down low, no making a beeline for Mr. Coffee, I could have it all by myself. Dreamingly thinking of the rich black liquid, I make my way into the break room only to have my dream shattered.
Empty pot, not even a drop and the crime lab had run out of coffee. There goes my break. Wait a minute, was I hallucinating due to my uncontrollable craving or I did smell real coffee? My nose perked at the strong aroma, turning around to search for it, instead of the subject catching my eyes, the figure had my attention.
What are you doing here? I inquired.
"Special delivery to a stubborn workaholic." He lifted up slightly the rather large brown paper bag.
Stubborn workaholic, huh? I would much prefer Montana. Of course I would never admit I loved that nickname, well not to him anyway. Doing that would only inflate his ego further, as if his were not big enough to be handled at the moment.
A strange sound was heard made me groaned inwardly. Danny too heard that and his gaze tried to follow that sound and ended up looking at me with much amusement. I almost had an impulse to hit my stomach for not picking the right time to growl but refrained myself to do so before ended up entertaining the annoyingly arrogant ex-boyfriend of mine further more.
Heat rose to my cheeks, I refused to look at Danny directly because somehow I was sure he would be smirking right now thinking he had showed up at the right time saving me, the damsel in distress. But that arrogant ex-boyfriend had brought something that tempted me to jump in front of him, giving him a big hug, (cough) I meant hug that existed between two close friends, I debated against myself.
"You haven't had your dinner?" He spoke softly, totally out of my prediction, which contained the images of him teasing me.
My gaze made its' way to his face and none of his feature showing sign of smirking and teasing I expected instead the concern had painted his always-perfect-face. His eyes held my gaze and I found my body immune system weakening against him.
"Linds… Lindsay" His voice penetrated through my trance.
My dilated pupils were able to focus again and found myself being caught staring. Errgh, I hated (loved) his blue eyes. If I was blushing before, now my face must have been reddened like a ripe tomato.
Yeah, I'm starving… so what?! I said. I couldn't believe myself pouting, turning away and standing arms crossed, showing off extremely childish behavior.
"So now that's where my special delivery comes into the picture." He said proudly, taking out a couple of Tupperware and a thermal bottle from the paper bag onto the table.
Sitting himself down on the chair, Danny watched the standing me with the same amusement, "Well, are you going to sit down and eat? I bet you don't have anything inside your stomach for almost a day, I would be starving if I were you."
I wanted to deny and make more argument but my stomach had once again betrayed me. "Come on." Smiling, he came to invite me again, grabbing my hand and leading me to my seat.
When both of us were seated, he opened the lids of Tupperware one by one, revealing meatballs pasta and cannolis. They smelled great and looking so tempting my stomach couldn't help but protested once more for not putting in the food. Pouring out the coffee, Danny handed me my mug. One of my five senses took in the aroma and one sniff, just one had enough to cloud my mind not letting me to overanalyze, which was not a bad thing.
One sip, my body cells had stopped all the protesting and screaming 'I'm revived' happily. Unknown to me, my mouth had arched upward forming a satisfying smile. Maybe smile was contagious after all, I found one charming one on Danny's face too.
You made all this? I asked out of curiosity.
A nod was all I got and my share of pasta was handed out to me which I gladly accepted. "Eat and that's all I need from you as thank you." He said.
Placing my hand on top of his, I said thank you wholeheartedly with an addition of a smile. He seemed quite shocked at my sudden move but quickly softened into an equally smile. How could I be heartless after hearing him saying that? If we weren't broken up now, I would have repay him with a kiss or more but I could do no more than a thank you for his unique city boy gentleness.
I had never known Danny to be able to make mean pasta and cannolis. After one taste of them, I was falling in love with Italian food. 'Mama Recipe' was all I could probe from his sealed lips but he did promise to show me when we had the chance and I was already eagerly waiting for that day he kept his promise. Whether it was the food or the chance to spend time with Danny formed my eagerness, I had left it unanswered.
While eating in silence, I brought up my previous question again though I was pretty sure I knew the answer already.
Danny, what brings you here in the first place? I asked.
"Like I told you before, I'm being the most handsome delivery boy in this city for a beautiful country girl." His ego was still as big as ever.
I had to laugh at him being his boosted-self again. I always liked the always overconfident side of him. It was one of those things I loved about him although I did find his arrogant attitude annoying in the first place.
Really, why did you come back to the lab? You heard about Zoe Adkins from Flack, didn't you?
His smile faded and couldn't deny anymore and answered me with a nod.
You would come here because you think the case is too much for me and you're worry?
Another nod. For a few seconds, he didn't look up from the table and when he did, he asked, "Aren't you mad?"
I shook my head. Why should I be?
"For me being nosy and not believing in you being able to handle the case."
Well, I can't bring myself to be mad when you're genuinely concern about me and I admit this case is haunting me. I had been through similar experience the victim had.
"You can pull yourself out if you just tell Mac the truth, he'll understand…"
No, I cut him off. I want to be in this case. I want to do this for Zoe, for myself. Unconsciously, my hand had balled up into a fist. Tears of frustration were filling the rims and I was finally falling apart even if I refused to admit.
His calloused hand clamped over mine, his warmth softening my fist, shock signals were being sent to my neuron rushing my brain to rack the cells for translation but once my eyes held his gaze, I couldn't stop myself from buried into his chest seeking for desperate comfort I longed for from him.
Between my sobbing, I heard him assuring me, "I'm here. I'll always be here for you. Always…"
Daytimedrama: Thanks for being my 'pusher' and the valuable reviews for this story.
CSI808: Happy ending is my plan but let's see where my plot bunny takes me.
JennCorinthos: Hope your heart heal with this chap then...
seaandsun: Of course DL forever. Cheer for this couple!!!
chili-peppers: They'll be together. It's a promise.
mwar123: Not yet though not sure where this will lead to.
nikkilou: As you wish. Thanks for the reviews.