A/N: Same disclosures apply as in all other chapters. Thanks for reviewing!!

Chapter 10

Back at the zoo…

We reached the bear exhibit and were currently looking at the polar bears. We sat down on a bench next to the rail of the enclosure to watch them. They were playing on an ice float that had been put in their pool.

"They always look so cute when they play." Danny observed, "Almost cute enough to make you forget that they have razor sharp claws and teeth."

I nodded but said nothing. My eyes were transfixed on one of the black bears in the next enclosure; he was laying next to the pool, dipping one of his paws in and out of the water; it was as if he was testing the water before he got it.

"Linds," I heard his voice break through, "You ok?"

I heard the concern in his voice. He was afraid that I was having another daymare, as I had taken to calling them. Shaking my head, as if to clear my mind, I told him yes, I was fine.

"I believe that it's your turn to ask me a question." He said, as he caused us both to lean back on the bench, continuing to watch the bears play.

"What's your family like?" I asked, watching him cautiously out of the corner of my eye.

"We're a normal family I guess." He answered, half shrugging, "Dad is a high level executive in some business, and mom stayed home with us, Louie and I, until we were older, then she got a job in a medical billing practice near their house. Dad was gone on business a lot when we were younger, so it was mainly Mom, Louie, and I. We do the holiday thing, and phone calls atleast once a week, ya know?"

There was a pause. I wasn't sure I wanted to ask this question, but I hadn't heard anyone mention or say anything in awhile, so I asked anyway.

"How is Louie doing?" I asked, inquisitively.

Danny grew silent for a moment, leaning forward his elbows on his knees. I started to feel like I had crossed a line and put my hand on his back when he started to say something.

"There's really no change in Louie." Danny said quietly, "The doctors' have said that it's really not a big deal that he's still in a coma, that it's just giving his body and brain time to heal."

I started to rub his back in a comforting manner, something that, while I didn't know if it helped him any, made me feel like I was showing I cared.

"I'm just not used to seeing Louie like that ya know?" He continued, "He's always been so strong…He's always looked out for me and that nearly cost him his life."

"Danny…" I started, not quite sure what to say, "I'm sure that you would have done the same thing for Louie; He's family, that's what you do."

"Ya know Linds," Danny looked at me, "Before this whole thing happened I would have told you that you were wrong, but now, now that I understand…"

"I get it Danny." I said softly, "I understand."

"My turn." Danny said softly, leaning back and putting his arm around me.

"Turnabout is fair play." I said, smiling.

"What made you come to New York City?" He asked, his eyes focused on me now.

"I needed a change; Mac had a job for me," I said plainly, "There really isn't much more to it than that."

"What did your family think of your move?" He questioned.

"Um," I answered hesitantly, "I'm not sure really. I sort of just said I was leaving and was gone shortly after. There wasn't much discussion about it really."

Danny cocked an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.

"It's not that I didn't tell them," I said, a little defensively, "I just didn't leave it open for debate. I had already accepted the job and set a start date. Besides, they understood."

"What did they understand?" Danny asked.

"I think it's time to move to another exhibit," I said, looking around, "this one is starting to get crowded."

Danny opened up the map as we started to meander away from the bears.

"How about we go to the elephant house?" I asked, pointing at the map.

"And look," he pointed at a symbol on the map, "they do elephant rides."

"Ooh," I said, smiling broadly, "Sounds like fun."

Back at the Lab

"Stella."

"Hawkes," Stella answered, "If you're looking for Mac, he's not back yet from collecting the comparison samples for the sap we have."

"No, it's not that. I heard a rumor, and I need you to yeah or nay it." Sheldon Hawkes replied, "Not that I'm trying to be a gossip, but I really can't see it happening. However there is that old saying – there's always some truth in a rumor."

"Well," Stella answered, "I'll do my best. What's the rumor?"

Sheldon and Stella walked into an empty office, to ensure that they wouldn't be overheard. Working in the lab was great, but the office gossip spread quicker than wildfire in a dry desert heat.

"I heard," Sheldon started, "that Lindsay shot out of that children's home like a shot of lightning, not because of the scene but because she was having morning sickness."

There was dead silence between the two of them.

"Stel?" Hawkes asked questioningly.

He faded off into another bout of silence.

"Sheldon," Stella started off, "Did you happened to hear who supposedly helped cause this bout of morning sickness?"

Sheldon shook his head, and told her that's what made it so much more unbelieveable.

"Danny." He told her.

"Ok." She said, "Wow, those techs really have it in for her don't they?"

"Well," Hawkes said, "You have to admit, there's something there. We all can feel it, so it'd be hard to believe they don't know. Maybe they're just keeping it out of the lab?"

"Hawkes," Stella said, smiling and shaking her head, " I can tell you that yes, Lindsay did run out on the scene today, and yes, she did get sick. Was it morning sickness or just revulsion to the scene – I couldn't tell you. And as far as I know, Danny and Lindsay are just friends."

"Is she ok?" Sheldon asked, "I'd never picture Lindsay to run from anything."

"She said she was," Stella said shrugging her shoulders as they left the empty office, "but if she's not she'll tell us when she's ready, according to Danny."

They both walked into trace laughing.