Author's Note: I apologize for there not being much dancing. Believe me, I wish I could write a decent dance scene, but my ballroom knowledge is limited to what I see on "Dancing With the Stars."

CHAPTER SIX

"Did you see anything unusual?" Mac asked Danny as Danny shed his samba costume backstage. Stella and Flack had their eyes on Annalise and Xander, who were on the floor for the paso doble, the one dance of the night that Danny and Lindsay weren't in.

Danny shook his head. "No. Not even the Latin Creepy Couple were suspicious." He tossed the one-piece yellow and black number aside. He realized he was standing in his boxers, black socks and dance shoes in front of his boss. "Mac, not gonna lie to you, this is kinda disturbing."

Mac took it in stride. "Trust me, I'm not looking."

Danny pulled a pair of black pants and a blue shirt from the garment bag. "I think something's gonna happen during the cha-cha, Mac," he said. "It's faster, more movement...more opportunity."

"We've got your back," Mac promised him.

"Great." Danny pulled the shirt over his head. "You know, that first dance wasn't so bad. I mean, I screwed up a few things, but other than that the pace and flow weren't half bad. Couple of heel leads, maybe-"

He caught Mac looking at him amusedly. "Sorry, Mac," Danny said, turning red.

Mac held his hands up. "Hey, Hawkes was right," he shrugged. "You really have turned into Mr. Suave Ballroom. Even some of the lab techs have noticed you hold yourself a little differently now."

"Mac, I'm getting a complex, please stop talking."

And one, two, chachacha...spin...chachacha...One more minute, Lindsay Monroe reminded herself. She didn't like her costume for this dance, the thing was too 'painted on'- the dress was so tight. At least it was more proper than the samba dress-But I might ask if I can keep that one, Danny seemed to like it. She and Danny spun in unison and then Lindsay cha-cha'd around him, one hand on his shoulders. She caught his eye as she came around, and he winked at her. She had to refrain from rolling her eyes. She couldn't believe it-but he was enjoying this!

The cha-cha ended, and still nothing unusual had happened. Danny took Lindsay's hand and led her off the floor. "I didn't see anything," he said. "And we're on the final dance."

"I'll be back," Lindsay said. "Don't worry, Danny, we'll get them." She grabbed her dress off the rack, leaving Danny alone. Danny switched into the green longsleeved shirt and white pants. He tied on his shoes and looked around. It's the rhumba, the slowest dance, he thought. Costumes too tight-for us guys anyway-to hide any weapon. The women though...dresses are a little looser. Not by much- "Hello," Danny whispered as Lindsay came across the room. The green rhumba dress had one long sleeve, and cut straight across her chest. The sides were lace-up, and the skirt flared just above her knees. She'd left her hair down for this one.

"I think I like this one the best," he told her.

"Even better than the samba dress?"

"Ten times more," he said. He grinned. "Screw solving the case, I want to win the rhumba category."

The couples were on the floor for the final dance. Don Flack had been shocked into silence two routines ago with Danny's samba. Never again would he accuse Danny of being an athletic ape or a big muscled dope jock. He was very impressed. He'd also been pretty impressed by the women's costumes.

His eyes drifted down to the floor as the notes began to play for the rhumba. It was a slower dance. "There's Danny and Lindsay," Hawkes noted, sitting next to him. "Damn, Linds looks great."

Flack gaped at her dress. "No more Montana cowgirl," he replied. "Hell, I'd pay good money to be Messer right now," he added as Danny dipped her and slowly swung her around his waist.

Hawkes grinned. "This is so wrong," he said.

Down on the floor, Danny was seriously enjoying himself. He was sure Flack would give him hell later- The rhumba's all about sex and gettin' it on, no wonder you're so good at it, Messer. But Danny didn't care. It was all worth it right now. The song was almost over, and still no sign of anything amiss.

And then he caught it. "Linds, there's a girl comin' down the center aisle. Think that's our mystery stalker," he said as he spun her out. Lindsay looked, saw the woman. "Oh yeah, woman on a mission," Lindsay said as Danny brought her back against his chest. "She's head right for Annalise and Xander, too. Spin me out again."

"That's not-" Danny blinked as he let her go. Lindsay spun across the dance floor until she was right in the path of the would-be attacker. Security was coming, but they weren't gonna make it. Lindsay steadied herself as the girl flew at her, determined to go through Lindsay to get to Annalise and Xander. Lindsay crouched and used the girls' momentum to flip her onto her back.

The girl dropped. The music stopped. It was over.