From the moment Lindsay woke up, a sick, knotted feeling rested in her stomach. She rolled over and glanced at the alarm clock, careful not to disturb her sleeping husband. It was still early. The red lighted numbers proclaimed it to be 6:30. They didn't have to be at work until nine. Her mind flashed to that first morning she had with Danny. He'd told her to go back to sleep, that he'd wake her up. He hadn't, he'd left a note just like in the dream she'd had. And then he went and got himself held hostage and landed in the hospital for a week, on sick leave for an additional two weeks. She couldn't help but wonder if this little undercover stint he was going on would end up the same way, or maybe even worse.

"Montana?" Danny's husky, sleepy voice broke her trail of thoughts. She rolled back over and was face to face with her husband.

"Hey," she said quietly, "I'm sorry about last night."

Danny held her close and traced patterns on her back. "Don't be," he said, kissing her on the forehead. "What time is it?"

"Early," she replied, a slight smile on her face. "Just go back to sleep, I'll wake you up."

Danny chuckled. "I don't think so, Montana. Don't even try that on me."

She smiled sweetly. "Whatever are you talking about, honey?"

Danny rolled his eyes and kissed her. "Nice try."

"Ah, it was worth a shot," she said, slightly ruefully.

"I'm really leavin', Linds," he whispered, "I'm really goin' today."

"I know," she fought back tears.

"Shh," he crooned, "don't cry. I'm still here now."

She nodded and bit her lip. "What's it going to be like?" she asked, "Being a Tanglewood boy," she clarified.

"I'm not quite sure. A lot has changed since I was a kid and they were tryin' ta get me ta join. But I'm sure some stuff has stayed the same," he didn't go into detail.

"Like what?" Lindsay wasn't going to let him leave it at that. She wanted details.

"Well, y'know, drugs, crime," he coughed, "girls."

Lindsay nodded, knowing that this one was coming. She could handle drug involvement and crime, because she knew that it wasn't real, it was just a cover. There was that small part of her that worried that any girls he was involved with weren't just a cover. What if it was real to him? What if he changed his mind about her while he was undercover?

"Baby, listen to me," he tipped her chin so that she was staring straight into his cobalt eyes. "I'm gonna do everythin' that I can to try and stay away from bein' with any girls, I promise you. And, if I can't, I'll be thinkin' of you the entire time."

Lindsay nodded, tears squeezing through her tightly shut eyes. Danny tenderly wiped them away with his thumbs and then crushed her to his chest, never wanting to let go. He peppered kisses all over her hair, which mingled with the tears that were falling from his own eyes.

They eventually had to get up. Danny had some things he needed to get together. "I'll make breakfast," Lindsay said, putting on a brave face. She fled to the kitchen, willing herself not to break down amid the pots and pans. She whipped up some waffles and poured batter into the waffle maker to cook while she scrambled some eggs. As a finishing touch, she put some strips of bacon into the frying pan and retrieved some orange juice from the fridge.

By the time Danny came into the kitchen, ready to eat, the waffles were stacked on a plate, as was the bacon. The eggs were still nice and hot in the pan in front of him and the orange juice was poured. "This looks great, Linds."

They ate in silence, their hands intertwined on top of the table the whole time. They cleaned up the kitchen together, still not saying a word. When they were done they both glanced at the clock.

"We should get goin' pretty soon," Danny said quietly.

"Yeah," Lindsay agreed. "I'm going to go shower quickly and get dressed."

"Ok," Danny agreed. Half of him wanting to offer to join her, but he knew it wasn't a good idea. It would most likely make them late, and it would make saying goodbye so much harder for the both of them. He camped out in their bedroom, waiting for the shower to turn off so that he could go in.

Lindsay dissolved into tears the moment she stepped into the warm spray of the shower. She wanted to be strong for Danny, she didn't want him to feel guilty for leaving her, but her emotions kept getting in the way. Sure, she had a right to be upset, but she wanted to be stronger than the average person, she didn't want Danny to know how much she hurt inside.

Danny was able to hear her sobs, even over the roar of the shower. He fidgeted for a few minutes, trying to keep himself from going in there to comfort her. In the end he couldn't stand hearing her cry and he burst into the bathroom. He opened the glass door to the shower and stepped in beside her, fully clothed. He took her into his arms and held her close. "You're getting all wet," she choked out.

"I don't care," he told her, "I can change."

He held her until her tears subsided. "Ready?" he asked.

"Yeah," she smiled weakly. "Sorry."

"Don't be," he said for the second time that morning. He reached over and turned off the spray of water. They both stepped out and headed to the closet to change. Lindsay only took a few minutes to dry her hair and put on a little make up.

"Let's go," she said.


The two entered the lab hand in hand, both stony faced and expressionless. Everyone glanced at them in awe, elevating them to almost rock star status. This was a huge deal to everybody. The last time a CSI had gone undercover was when Lindsay did in the Holly Golighty case and that had only been for a few minutes, not a few months. They headed straight to Mac's office.

"Good morning," their boss greeted them. "Ready to go, Danny?" he cut right to the chase.

"Yeah," Danny said quietly.

"You two can say goodbye in the break room," he suggested, thinking that the glass walls of his office might make them uncomfortable.

Danny and Lindsay entered the break room, the silence of the small haven pounding in their ears. They both just stood there for a moment, not really knowing what to do. Wordlessly, Danny pulled her tightly into her arms. "I love you," he whispered into her ear, "You are my life, my world. Remember that."

Lindsay nodded as best she could in his tight embrace. "I love you so much, Danny." Tears began to slide down her face for what felt like the millionth time in the last few days.

They just stood there, enjoying each other's company one last time for who knew how long. There was a knock at the door, which they knew was Mac telling them that Danny needed to go. Danny rested his forehead on his wife's, not wanting to let go. He knew he had to, though, and pulled away. "Be safe," he told her. It was ironic as he was the one who was going to be in danger.

"You too," she squeaked.

Danny walked to the door. Lindsay stood on the far side of the room, tears falling down her cheeks.

His hand was on the doorknob. "Danny!" Lindsay called.

He turned around in time for his wife to jump into his arms, kissing him wildly. All the passion and love that she possessed was poured out into this kiss. He returned the kiss with just as much fervor, knowing that this would have to last him for a while. Gently, he pulled away when Mac knocked at the door once more. She reached up and kissed him one last time, gently this time. "I love you," she said.

"I love you too, Montana," he assured her and left.

Lindsay walked over to the couch and laid down on it, hugging her knees tightly to her chest, crying quietly. The sick feeling in her stomach intensified, due to the crying she supposed. She sat up, suddenly and bolted from the room. She literally ran down the hall and into the bathroom. She barely made it to the toilet before she began vomiting violently.

Stella had seen her friend fly down the hallway and ran after her. "Lindsay?" she called once she was in the bathroom. She heard the sound of retching and followed it to the stall. Luckily, Lindsay hadn't locked the door. Stella squeezed into the small space that definitely wasn't meant for two people and crouched down, comforting the young woman as best as she could. Finally she stopped throwing up and took a deep breath. "You ok?" Stella asked, standing up.

"Yeah," Lindsay managed to say, her face red and puffy. They both left the stall. Lindsay went to the sink to rinse out her mouth.

"Sure?" Stella asked.

"Under the circumstances, yes," Lindsay said quietly.

"If you need me, I'm right here," Stella told her.

"Thanks," she said, truly grateful.


Mac was surprised when he came back a few hours later and saw Lindsay working in the lab. "You don't have to work today," he told her. "You should go home."

"No!" Lindsay exclaimed, the thought of being at home without Danny bringing tears to her eyes. "No," she said again, more quietly and composed this time, "I'd rather stay busy with work," she told him.

"Ok," Mac respected her wishes. "Work it is."

A/N So there we go. Weird ending, I know. Sorry.

xoxo

Lia