Disclaimer: I'm test driving a few characters belonging to CBS, et al, and taking them out for a spin in my world… (insert wicked laugh here).
The Letter
Chapter 10 – Apartments
Lindsay's eyes automatically rose from her paperwork to the vibrating noise that emanated from her partner's side of their office. Danny reached for his phone without taking his eyes off of his computer screen and answered it.
"Messer…. This is he…. Yes, I wanted to know when I could come to see… "
Lindsay tried to concentrate on her work, but her mind was too busy trying to make sense of Danny's conversation. She didn't have to wonder for long.
Danny continued. "The ad says that heat is included. Does that mean…. Oh, okay." He chuckled. "So I will be able to control the heat…. Mhmmm…. Mhmmm…. Sounds good. I'll see you then."
He caught her staring at him, but she didn't say anything, neither did she look away. She didn't hide the fact that she was interested in confirming the nature of his phone call.
After a long pause filled with longing stares, he took the initiative to fill in the gaps. "Apartment I saw in the paper Sunday."
"You're looking for a new apartment?" she asked disbelievingly.
He nodded, their eyes still locked on each other.
"Why?" she whispered.
"Why do you think, Linds?"
"Is it because of what I said? You don't have to…"
"I don't have to what?"
"Danny, that's your apartment. Are you serious?"
"I'm very serious that I want you back in my life – whatever it takes."
"Danny, I can't make any promises."
"I'm not asking for promises, just a chance. Do you think you can give me that?"
"I don't know what to say, Danny. There are so many things to work out. I mean what if we didn't make it? Then you will have given up your apartment…"
"Why do you make it sound as if my apartment is what makes me happy? You wanna know what makes me happy?"
"What?" she mouthed.
"You," he responded in the same tone. "There are no guarantees in life. Right now I just want to be around you and know that you're enjoying my company too. That's all I want – for now. Is that alright?"
Lindsay nodded as she let his intentions sink in. She bit her lip in an attempt to keep the corners of her mouth from turned up into a smile, but it was futile.
"So…when are you going to look at the apartment?"
"After work today. Wanna come?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you want to come? I could use the company."
"Sure. I'll come. "
CSI:NY
"What?" Lindsay asked, reacting to the look of mock annoyance on Danny's face.
"What took you so long?" he asked as he pressed the down button on the elevator.
"I told you I had to get my things."
"Twenty minutes, Lindsay? Come on. My Uncle Peg Leg could've done that faster than you did." Lindsay laughed at him.
"Quit whining, Messer. Let's go."
"Okay. Let's see. It's 5:25 now, thanks to Ms. Slow Poke over here," he gave her a harsh glare which made her chuckle, "so we'll see how long it takes to get there on the train. You gotta time these things, Montana. Make sure you're not too far away from work. So let's see."
Lindsay didn't pay attention to him as he rambled on about which trains they had to take because she was letting it sink in that she was spending time with him, had been asked to go apartment hunting with him, and had been called Montana.
A whistle and Danny's hand waving in front of her face knocked her out of her daze.
"You alright there? You still with me?"
"Yeah. I'm just thinking."
"About what?"
Before she could answer, he was distracted by the oncoming headlight from so far down the track he hadn't even heard it yet. He leaned over toward the track to watch its seemingly slow arrival towards them. As it got closer to the station the rushing air and rumbling announced their train's arrival.
"That's us. Let's go." He grabbed her gently by the arm and walked a couple of steps to the train door, but stood off to the side to allow the riders who were getting off to exit.
As expected, there were no available seats, so he reached up to grab the pole and she latched onto him. She looked up at him nervously, not knowing if by holding onto him for safety she was silently making an offer she could not guarantee she could make good on. When he gazed into her eyes she knew that she couldn't let go. As Danny moved his body to compensate for the lurching and swaying of the train, Lindsay allowed herself to sink into him. She laid her head on his chest and he rested his cheek on her head. They were alone in their silence. Could she do this? Could she let him back in? They both wondered this, but Lindsay knew that she already had. She hadn't really ever let him go. Danny didn't know what was going through her mind. He knew that she cared for him, loved him even, but was that enough to make him appear to be the man of fidelity and honor that would allow them to rebuild the shambles that was their life together?
All too quickly the train ride was over. The moment had escaped them, leaving them clamoring to make it through the train's door before they slid shut.
They walked the next few blocks in silence. Danny looked at the numbers on the buildings they passed to see how close they were. They both took in the sights and sounds of the neighborhood to try to get the feel of how it would be when children had gotten home from school and adults were getting home from work. At mid-day every neighborhood was quiet, so this was what he'd be coming home to.
"Nice neighborhood," Lindsay commented.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. It has a family feel to it."
Danny made a mental note of her reaction.
CSI:NY
"So, what do you think?" Danny asked as they wrapped up the tour given by the owner who left them in the living room while he went outside for a smoke. "Does it feel like home?"
"You have to live here, Danny, not me." She had to admit that she was a bit flattered that he valued her opinion.
"I want you to be comfortable if you'll be spending a lot of time here." He turned to look in her eyes. "I want you to spend a lot of time here. With me, Lindsay.
"Make sure that you're ready to give up your apartment. You've been there for a while."
I don't know how many ways to tell you, but I don't care where I am as long as I'm with you." God, that was so cliché. "I'm in this for the long haul. I'm never hurting you again. You gotta believe me. Doing what I did didn't make me feel like a big man, it made me feel small. I've made so many mistakes. If staying in my apartment means I'm going to lose my only chance to earn you back…. I've made enough mistakes and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get you to see that I could some day possibly be worthy of your love. This is the easiest step for me to take. You want me to move? It's done. Don't get me wrong – I know that this doesn't solve anything, but if we can't be together to work on us because of where I live…. If being there makes you uncomfortable then I'm outta there." His voice lowered to a whisper, "I just want a chance Lindsay. Please."
She saw the pleading in his eyes and heard the sincerity in his voice. She grabbed his hand and nodded. He pulled her to him and held her tightly.
He said into her hair, "Thank you. I promise you won't regret it."
They stood there for about a minute before Lindsay broke the silence. "Do you think you can fit all of your furniture in here?"
"It's not important. I'm starting over. New place, new furniture."
Lindsay gawked at him. "Are you serious? Where are you getting all of this money from?"
"Don't worry about that. I'm going to get one thing at a time."
"So you're not keeping anything?"
"Just the pool table and I need room for my bike. Everything else will come with time." He looked over to her. "Wanna help me decorate?"
She beamed. "Sure. Are you registered anywhere?"