Bringing Sexy Back
Time-Out
Special Thanks: nikhel4eva, CSINYgal, Brichen86, Adelina Chen, madhatterette, drvvh, asbestoswings, aliciums8187, twinkeyrocks, KTmac09, carly-babes11, Colie04, CSIhannah, nicson, skylar87, swfap88, LuganandReelaForever, Little Miss Messer, laurzz, JavaJunkie4evr, nkhh923, madmush, afrozenheart412, webdlfan, qwen24, court99274, and Elja. WOW! I am overwhelmed by the response to this story. I giggle like a school girl every time I think about it; a particularly Big-o thank you to those who reviewed.
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"Wow," Adam exclaimed as he saw Danny walk into the Break room, "Some one should let Sid know that one of his bodies is up and walking around."
"Ha ha," Danny said sarcastically as he went straight for the coffee.
Stella looked up from her salad and couldn't help but agree with Adam's assessment, "Hey Danny, you do look a little zombie like. Is everything alright?" she asked with concern.
Danny poured himself a cup of coffee—strong—then turned and faced his co-workers.
He knew his eyes were red and half open, not to mention the dark circles under them and the weary expression he was wearing.
"Just the joys of parenthood; Lucy was up and down all night with a stomach ache and Lindsay and I didn't get much sleep," he explained for what he was sure was going to be the first time of several.
"Oh poor baby," Stella sympathized, "Is she feeling better today?"
"Yeah, Lindsay was finally able to get her to eat around 3 this morning and thankfully she didn't puke it back up. She slept pretty solid from about 3:30 to 6—which is about the only sleep Linds and I got. She was still pretty cranky when I left this morning but at least she wasn't screamin' her head off anymore," Danny conveyed. Adam looked at him with a slightly uncomfortable expression and Stella couldn't help the compassion in her eyes. He knew his fellow overworked CSIs understood the feelings of exhaustion and fatigue but this was different. It wasn't just the lack of sleep; it was also the emotions and stress he and Lindsay went through as their tiny daughter suffered. It was the anxiety and fear that something was seriously wrong with her and they wouldn't know how to help her. Despite his desperation for sleep any time he would close his eyes he couldn't fight the worry that would invade his mind and after a few moments of dosing he would jerk awake to check on Lucy. Danny truly felt drained.
"And how about Lindsay?" Stella inquired.
"She's tired. I'm hopin' she gets a chance to sleep. Fingers crossed Lucy gives her a break today," Danny then actually chuckled, "Why is it murders, thieves, kidnappers, rapists and the like we can handle but give us a 6 week old and we are practically wiped out?"
Adam laughed loudly at that question absolutely delighted at the image of an infant baby taking out two NYPD cops, and then quickly sobered at the look Stella threw him.
"Probably because you can leave all of the other stuff at work but your baby girl is a full time deal. You and Lindsay are gonna do just fine Danny. You've already done a great job so far. So just take a deep breath and remember you guys are the Messer family. You don't mess with the Messers," Stella bolstered.
Danny gave Stella a genuine smile before saying, "Don't mess with the Messers huh? I like dat. Thanks Stell."
"No problem kiddo and if you and Lindsay need a little break then remember that Aunt Stella is a very eager babysitter," Stella informed him as she threw an arm over his shoulders.
"That is a dangerous offer," Danny teased her, "but I am not gonna let you take it back." He put a cap on his disposable coffee cup and headed towards the morgue to hear the results of the autopsy on Mr. Parham.
As the elevator opened Danny came face to face with Don Flack.
"Hey Danno, goin' down?" Don asked as he moved over to allow for Danny to enter the lift.
"Yeah, morgue," Danny said simply.
"Me too," Don shot back and noticed the haggard look of his friend. Danny leaned against the wall of the elevator, closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of nose.
"Wild night?" Don needled with a smirk.
"Oh you know it. Lindsay got puked on, I got crapped on, and the good times just kept coming," Danny answered without opening his eyes. He really wasn't in the mood to see the look on Don's face.
Don, for his part, did all he could to not frown at the idea of getting pooped on. He found the thought so troubling any further teasing ceased. When they reached their destination Don allowed Danny to exit first then waited for a moment and once Danny was out of ear shot let out a "Bleh" and gave a disgusted shiver.
Danny knew what was going through his friend's mind. It was the same thing that would have been going through his before he became a father. 'Who knew?' Danny thought, 'I've found a way to shut Don Flack up.' Danny made a mental note to store that information away for future use.
"Hey Sid, I heard you've got some results for me," Danny called out to the older M.E.
Sid looked up from the body he was draping a sheet over and motioned for the younger detective to join him.
"Here we are, Mr. Parham, nothing surprising to discover. He died of a gun shot wound to the chest but I did think his stomach contents would help establish where he spent the evening," Sid answered as he handed the results to Danny.
As Danny looked over the report Sid took a moment to look over the new father.
"Rough night?" He asked simply.
Danny looked up at him, "Huh?"
"You look a little…" Sid trailed off as he waved a hand vaguely in front of his face.
"Oh, yeah I know. Zombie like," Danny finished for him then explained what happened the night before.
"I remember those days," Sid empathized, "just wait until she starts teething. That's when the real fun begins. Fever, drooling, crying…
"Thanks Sid," Danny said abruptly and rather unconvincingly.
"Just remember you and Lindsay are a team. Make sure and keep that connection. It was the only thing that got my wife and me through it," Sid advised.
Danny simply nodded and tried again to focus on the report.
Sid continued, "Intimacy is so important in a marriage. Kids can sometimes make it difficult but you definitely want to make sure you guys find the time for each other."
Sid seemed lost in thought for a moment and Danny began to have a very distinct uncomfortable feeling.
"It can be particularly difficult after childbirth. A woman can really struggle with sexual contact. Their biology is fighting against them and us," Sid used his hands to demonstrate two forces in battle, "Sex is all we can think about and sex is the last thing they want to think about."
'Oh please let a fire alarm go off or somethin'' Danny pleaded silently. He was definitely afraid of where this was heading.
"I remember after my first was born my wife refused to let me touch her for nearly 6 months. Oh we did some stuff but not the 'full Monty' so to speak till our daughter was nearly 9 months old. Which reminds me; KY jelly, you'll thank me later," Sid remarked looking at Danny pointedly, "Some women go an entire year before they start to get their sex drive back. Oh and don't forget breastfeeding is not a form of contraceptive," he finished.
After a moment of silence a disgruntled Danny regained his ability to speak.
"Wow Sid. You have officially creeped me the hell out. Can we just talk about the case please?" he pleaded.
"Oh, right," Sid clicked his signature classes together on his nose and together they discussed the findings of the autopsy.
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Danny did his best to fight off another yawn as he tried to finish going through his notes for a court hearing tomorrow. He had reread the same paragraph about four times and had yet to actually pay attention. He squeezed his eyes shut and rubbed them vigorously with the palms of his hands.
"Hey Danny you finished with the Delmore DNA?" Mac asked as he entered Danny and Lindsay's shared office.
Danny blinked over exaggeratedly to clear his vision before answering, "Yeah, Adam's got the results and is passin' 'em off to Detective Harper so they can get a warrant for the brother's home."
Mac shook his head in understanding and then paused giving Danny a stern look, "Why don't you finish up with your notes and then head home?"
Danny for a moment believed his exhaustion was causing him to hear things but quickly realized Mac was actually suggesting he go home early.
"You sure?" Danny wondered.
"Yeah, we've got things covered here and I'm sure you would appreciate a little extra time at home with your family," Mac assured him.
"Wow, thanks Mac. I really appreciate it. To tell you the truth I could do with a break after last night…" Danny trailed off as he considered the man standing in front of him, "Did Lindsay call you?" Danny suddenly wanted to know. He and Lindsay had agreed to do the best they could to keep their family life separate from the job. They didn't want to ever be accused of not doing their best and Danny didn't want any special treatment.
Mac's hesitation and slight feet shuffle answered Danny's question, "She did, didn't she?" he asked indignant.
"No, she didn't call me. It's Thursday and I call every Thursday to check on my goddaughter. Lindsay had to tell me about last night. I am not giving you special treatment here Danny. I am trying to keep an exhausted CSI from wearing himself out. I need you at your best and today Danny you are too tired to be your best. Just take this chance and go home a little early. Besides you've had an 8 hour day already so technically you've put in a full day," Mac reminded him.
Danny nodded, "Ya right Mac. I think goin' home to see my girls is a great idea. Thank you."
"No problem, now get out of here and get some rest. Lucy promised her godfather she would be on her best behavior tonight," Mac told him with a smile.
Danny shared a smile with him. He knew he was going to make a lot of mistakes as a father but he was happy to know that he and Lindsay made a great choice when they asked Mac to be Lucy's godfather. The formidable former Marine cared greatly for their daughter and Danny was truly touched by that.
"Goodnight Danny," Mac called as he walked out of the Messer's office.
"Nite Mac," Danny replied and began gathering his things to leave for home.
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The quiet that met Danny's ears as he entered their apartment was both pleasing and disconcerting. Danny wanted to believe that everything was ok but he was also concerned that it was the calm before the storm.
He softly set his bag down and turned the lock on the door. A quick look around showed that the living room was empty. Danny walked towards the kitchen and called out in a whisper, "Lindsay?"
"Right here," she said to him. Danny spun around and watched as a smiling Lindsay came out of the hall carrying a laundry basket of clothes. She set the basket down on the couch and walked up to Danny.
"Mac let you leave early?" she asked as she wound her arms around his neck.
"Yeah," Danny breathed as he pulled his wife close.
"He's a good godfather," she whispered into his neck.
"I was thinking that too," Danny told her.
Lindsay jumped up and wrapped her legs around her husband. He immediately responded by locking his arms around her to support her.
"Hello," he said.
"I've missed you," Lindsay responded and kissed him lightly on the lips.
"I've missed you," Danny shot back before deepening the kiss.
"Lucy is sound asleep and you're home early. Think you want to join me in the bedroom so we can start missing each other less?" Lindsay teased him.
"You want to? But Sid said…"
"Sid?" Lindsay interrupted.
"Never mind," Danny shook his. He was not going to think of Sid Hammerback at a time like this.
Lindsay giggled at him before saying, "Make tracks cowboy!"
Exhaustion forgotten, a very eager Danny Messer carried his wife to their bedroom.
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Yeah for Danny! It's finally going to happen…
no…
probably not.
We'll just have to wait and see!
Thanks for reading!!!