Danny watched through the window of Lindsay's room. She was stable for the moment and the team was beginning to process. Stella was gathering DNA from Lindsay's nails and wounds. One of the nurses was about to begin the rape test kit. His stomach churned at the disgusting thought that someone had done that to her. His hand balled into a fist and he brought it up next to his head. The drapes around Lindsay bed closed and he lowered his head. He turned around, leaning against the wall and window.

To say Lindsay was lucky to be alive was the biggest understatement ever. Four broken ribs, shattered collarbone, fractured tibia, multiple head contusions, and the list goes on. Not to mention internal injuries. Danny grew sick just contemplating it all. He clenched his fist tighter, digging his nails into his palm.

"How're you holdin' up, Dan?" Flack asked.

Danny looked up from the floor. Flack had stuck around since Mac left. He knew it was to make sure he didn't go after the Tanglewood boys alone. Danny shook his head, "I don' know man. I feel useless out here."

Flack gave Danny's shoulder a comforting squeeze. "I know what ya mean. But trust me, the basterds that did this to Linds, they're not only goin' to rot in hell, but we'll make sure the rest of their lives are hell, before they go down."

Danny looked back into Lindsay room. Stella came from around the curtain, carrying her kit. She walked out of the room and quietly closed the door. Flack turned to face her.

"How bad's it looking?" Flack asked.

Stella diverted her eyes and swallowed. Danny sighed and leaned his head against the glass. "She's pretty bad, Flack."

"Basterds." Flack hissed.

"You got that right. I'm heading back to the lab to process. I'll call if I find anything out." Stella said.

Danny nodded.

"Call if anything chances." Stella said.

"You got it, Stell." Flack replied.

Danny heard Stella walk down the hall toward the exit. Through the window, he could see Lindsay's ventilator. Right now, it was the only thing that was keeping his world alive at the moment. The constant beeping of her heart rate was the only knowledge that proved Lindsay was still alive. His vision blurred with painful tears. Danny quickly wiped them away before Flack could see them.

"I uh…I gotta…I gotta go make a call Flack." Danny said. He pushed himself off the window and fished in his pocket for his phone.

"You're not goin' alone, Dan." Flack replied.

Danny started walking down the hall, "I stay in your sight." He opened his phone and started dialing. He got the dial tone instantly and waited for the other end.

"Hello?" came a gruff voice.

"Hey pop's, it's me, Danny." Danny said.

"Off work and on your way?" his father asked.

Danny swallowed hard, "No, dad. Somethin'…somethin' came up and…Linds…Lindsay got hurt."

"Oh my god."

"She's down at General and she's stable, but there's…the doctor's…" Danny could say it. More tears fell down his face.

"We're on our way, Danny. Just stay there and stay strong." he said. The call ended then.

Danny shut his phone and placed it back into his pocket. He pulled off his glasses and wiped his eyes clean of tears. He slipped his glasses back on and walked toward Lindsay's room again. Flack was watching him like a hawk, which was good for Danny.

The nurse walked out of Lindsay room, carrying her chart. Danny turned to look at the nurse, "When can someone be with her?"

"You can go in now, but only one person at a time." she replied.

"Thank you." Danny said. He watched the nurse walk away before he entered the room. Each step he took felt heavy and slow. He wanted to run to her side, to hold her in his arms, kiss her sweetly, and pray this had been a nightmare. Her heart beat in a safe, constant rhythm.

Danny sat in the chair near Lindsay's bed. He gently took her bandaged hand in his and held it. "Hey Montana, it's Dan. If uh…if you can hear me…you're in the hospital. They found you…in an alley…near where you crashed your car. I wish you could tell us who did this to you. The doc's are sayin' you're no better than Louie was when he came."

Danny paused, unsure if he could continue without breaking. He brought his other hand to Lindsay's and rubbed her hand gently. "Lucas is on his with my folks. They're pretty worried about you. Everyone is. They're all workin' hard to find the guys, Lindsay. I feel so useless. I can't help them and I can't help you. I got you into the Tanglewood boys and I shouldn't have done it." Danny paused again. Several tears ran down his face, but he'd given up on them now. "I can't live with myself if I lose you, Lindsay. You gotta fight. Fight hard, like we all know you can."

Suddenly someone tapped on the glass frantically. Danny turned his head. Flack held his phone to his ear and waved Danny out. He seemed worried.

"I'll be back, babe. I love you." Danny said. He squeezed her hand one last time and left the room. Flack was ready to pounce him as soon as Danny had cleared the door. "What's goin' on?"

"9-1-1 just got a call about a drive by shooting." Flack said. He closed his phone.

Danny felt the despair coming on. "Who was it, Flack?"

"You're parents." Flack answered.

Danny dropped his head. His hands balled into tight fists.

"There're alright. You're dad was hit in the arm, but he'll live. You ma and Lucas are fine. They're on their way right now." Flack explained.

Danny brought up his head and nodded slowly. His nails were digging deeply into his palms, cutting them up. "They say who did it?"

Flack didn't reply. Danny met Flack's unsure eyes. Danny returned them with fury. Flack nodded slowly. "They recognized a few Tanglewood boys."

Danny leaned against the wall before he didn't something stupid. "Those son's of-"

"I've sent a few cars over to their last known location. They're not getting away form us, Dan."

Danny nodded slowly.

Flack's phone rang again. He pulled it out of his pocket and flipped it open. "Detective Flack."

Danny could hear a female voice on the other end. Stella probably. He watched Flack as their conversation took off. Flack's face shifted around. Disgust, fury, anger, murder. Danny could only imagine what Stella was telling him, but he didn't feel like asking for real. He didn't trust himself if he knew the truth.

"You're sure Stell?" Flack asked. His lips were pressed together in anger as he listened to her answer. Flack nodded. "Thanks for letting' me know. I'll get working on the court order." he hung up his phone and slipped it back into his pocket.

Danny turned around and looked back into Lindsay's room. He watched the ventilator give her oxygen. He sensed Flack grow closer to the window, watching her as well. From behind, Danny's gaze was broken by a small child's cry. Danny turned around to see his mother and son coming down the hall.

"Ma!" Danny called.

His mother saw him and hurried to her son. "Danny!"

Danny hugged his mother tightly. He took Lucas into his arms and held him. "Are you alright?"

Camille nodded. "Yes, thank god. You're father's downstairs runin' his mouth at the doctors. How's Lindsay doing?"

"Not too good, ma." Danny answered.

Camille rubbed Danny's arm. "She'll pull through, Danny."

Danny said nothing. He looked back at Lindsay's window. She looked defenseless and brittle. Bruised skin that had only been flawless to this point. A spirit that couldn't be diminished by any force on earth. Her eyes were once a deep chocolate that he could always drink in. He longed to see her eyes gazing back at him. He wanted to hear her melodious voice. Out of everything he was missing about Lindsay at the moment, he just wanted her safe. To breathe on her own. Anything that could show him she would be alright.

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i own nothing.

um...not much else to say really.