Everyone warned Lindsay about the "big city." "Watch out for 'this and that,'" they said. "The crime is awful" they said. But that wasn't the New York she found. The teachers and staff at her school quickly became a second family for her. Everything she in August and September revolved around her school and the kids. And then Danny walked through her door, literally, and opened the rest of the city up for her. Sure the Graylines were great, but they were so impersonal. He gave the city personality.

**

Lindsay was gone. There was no petite body keeping the left side of his body warm anymore and his arms were empty. That was the only thing Danny was aware of when he woke up. She was no longer wrapped up and curled into his side. The spot she occupied was cold, she'd been gone a while. Finding the clock on top of the TV, he saw that it was after 9, but not by much.

He shuffled into the kitchen, stretching his back and scratching the side of his head. He let out a huge yawn as he made it into the kitchen looking for caffeine. A note was propped against the coffee pot. Her perfect teacher hand writing greeted him.

"Good Morning Messer, I'm an early riser even on the weekends. I left around 7. I didn't want to wake you up. Thank you for dinner last night and for being the best stand-in for a pillow. I hope we can do it again sometime soon."

His mood changed in the seconds it took to read the note. Showered and dressed, he called and made plans to ride up and see Madison Square Garden around noon.

**

"There it is, do you feel better now?" She took a bite of the hot dog in her hand. Once they reached their destination and he kissed the sidewalk, she suggested they get lunch.

"Linds, I'm still telling you that movie was just wrong."

"They destroyed the city in Armageddon. Does that movie bother you?"

"Nope, didn't bother me."

"Ghostbusters?"

"Nope."

"Just when they blew up this place in Godzilla?" She threw a thumb over the shoulder

"Yep."

"You're nuts." He got an eye roll.

"And you're hanging out with me."

"I am making sure that you don't hurt yourself, sweetie."

"Wiseass." When she laughed at him, the world became brighter, it was music to his ears. "You wanna ride around some more?"

"Do you want me to wrap my arms around you and hold on tight while you take the long, scenic route to get to wherever we are going?" Words of denial were on the tip of his tongue but he had no chance to use them. "Don't think I didn't notice all the extra miles we covered just to get here."

"Busted." He said under his voice.

"Yeah, busted, not that I mind any. I just like giving you a hard time. She shoots and scores." The garbage from lunch hit the trash can perfectly. "And the crowd goes wild."

"How are your kids?"

"They ask about you. They want to know if you are coming to the game with us, Monday after Thanksgiving."

"Tell them no one has asked me yet."

Detective Messer" She almost yelled and stepped in front of him, stopping his progress down the sidewalk, putting her hand over her heart, "my students and I would like to know you would you join us," she was dramatically waving her arms wildly as she spoke, "for a class trip to the Giants game the Monday after Thanksgiving." She froze like a statue with her arms spread out wide.

"You about finished with your little show there?" He tapped her nose with his finger and pulled back a bit, "Yes I would love to go." They started walking again. "You going home for Thanksgiving?"

"No, break's not long enough to make the trip worth it. I'm going to wake up and go to the parade and then meet some friends from school for a potluck dinner. I thought I might even brave some of the 'Black Friday' sales. You working?"

"No, I'll go to my parents. But I want you to come over Friday after shopping for a Christmas movie marathon. I do it every year the weekend after Thanksgiving."

"I'll call when I'm on my way, now what about the rest of that ride around town?"

**

She hated the sight of her building; it was getting bigger and bigger as he drove closer and closer. Her arms tightened around him for the hundredth time and her thighs squeezed him a bit more. She was already as close to him as she could get. It was head spinning to hold onto him this tight. They'd stop at a light and he'd lean back into her and hold onto the arms around him.

The sight of her building meant the ride and their time for now was coming to an end.

"That was nice." He leaned back into her once again after the motor was shut off.

"Anything to ease your pain and suffering brought on by a movie." Laughing at him, she stood up.

"So I will see you Friday?" She was standing really close and had her fingered laced with his as he sat on his bike.

"That's the plan, come comfortable."

"Okay." Without thinking she leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips. She realized what was happening only when her lips met his.

**

"I'm home, safe and sound and the doors are locked." She smiled at the message that was becoming routine to them. "See you Friday." She sent back and touched the spot where his lips had been.

****************************************************************************

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