Part Ten- Who Started It? Who Ended?
Lindsay didn't listen to the person calling her name about fifty feet back. She just shoved her way through the crowds of New York. Tears were running rivers down her cheeks as she tried to make it in some direction to her apartment. She heard the voice calling out again, and she skillfully weaved away from it. She didn't want to talk to anyone, didn't they get it?
Shoving her wrist against her mouth, she squeezed her eyes shut as she turned onto another street. Anyone who noticed her pain brushed it off. They always did that. Strangers never cared.
She barely even cried out when rough hands grabbed her shoulders and spun her around. All she did was break down further, and lean in to inhale the scent that was so undeniably Danny. He pulled her tight against him, wrapping his arms around her waist. She grabbed a fistful of his shirt, trying to bury the pain throbbing through her body. Her chest was hurting, along with her ribs, which were still healing.
"C'mon Montana, lets get you home." his voice murmured in her ear, making her whole body shiver.
She nodded, and she felt him kiss the top of her head gently. He then led her to the subway. She wiped her eyes, and tried to get rid of the runs in her mascara. It only smudged, which made her sigh. Danny smirked at her, and gently pulled her against him, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, his fingers tugging gently at her sling.
They navigated New York to her apartment, and Danny pushed her to the bathroom.
"Clean up Montana. Then we'll talk." he said, and walked back to the living room to sit on the couch.
She nodded, and trudged into the bathroom. Turning the shower up scalding hot, she peeled off her clothing. Stepping in the searing heat, she let the water pound out the tenseness in her back muscles. She slowly rubbed the melon smelling shampoo into her hair, massaging her scalp in slow circles. Conditioner followed, then her body. It all flowed off of her and down the drain. Feeling reenergized, she stepped out and slipped the plastic bag off her broken arm and trashed it. She then awkwardly rubbed out her hair and dried her body. Pulling her plain white a fluffy robe over her small form, she walked out, hair now wrapped in the towel. Danny was still sitting on the couch just as before, and watched her nervously step into the room and sit beside him.
"Okay Lindsay, you have to talk to me. Get it out." he said soothingly.
"Why bother? You already got the story from my oh-so-sweet sister." she said dully.
"You should tell it to someone anyway. Besides, I doubt everything she said was true." Danny replied, and surprised her by pulling her into his arms and lap, "You can trust me Lindsay."
With those words, the dam broke.
"It was my last week of high school as a senior. I was in Math class, and we were actually having a small celebration. I came out with an A+ from the class." she paused, "Half-way through, five people dressed in black burst into the room and held us up at gunpoint. They shot the teacher, Mr. Gene, but kept us alive. For ten hours we were stuck in that room, getting threatened. Finally they lost it and shot everyone dead. I was the only one who survived the attack. Cops found me on the floor bleeding with a gunshot wound to the shoulder."
She slowly reached up and pushed off her robe enough so he could see the small but silvery scar on both sides of her shoulder.
"It was a through and through. It was lodged into my desk." she said, and shuddered, "I had originally thought to just work on Mama's ranch. But after that, since all five got away from the police, that I went into forensics. I had a knack for it, as you can tell." she stopped to gather her thoughts, and was grateful that Danny was silent the whole time, only squeezing her slightly in comfort, "I was in and out of college pretty fast, and I was soon working cases again. One day I found out they'd uncovered evidence from the shooting that they hadn't found before. They managed to bring in one man, and he saw me. He managed to throw off the officers and kick me to the ground, saying 'his boys would get me' when I least expected it."
Silence enveloped them, but Danny nudged her a bit, "What did ya do after that?"
"I quit." she said simply, "I quit my job and looked for one somewhere else. I got an offer from New York and I took it. Once I finished going through therapy again I left for here. And here I am. With you."
Danny eyebrows drew together as she fell silent, resting her head on his hard chest. He tightened his hold around her, and rested his cheek on her head.
"And you stood me up because…?" he finally asked.
She flinched, and looked up at him with watery coffee eyes, "I wanted to go Danny. Believe me I did. In fact, I was in front of the door… but…"
"But what?"
"The man they caught… he was my boyfriend at the time. He'd been trying to get me into a position to kill Me." she said softly, "Now do you understand? My trust was shattered. I wanted to go to dinner with you Danny; you don't realize how much I did. Still do! But…"
"Don't bother." he said abruptly, "I understand."
"Thank you."
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When Danny opened his eyes and closed them again, it took a minute to remember where he was. But when he felt a warm body snuggle closer to him, it all came back to him. Cracking one eye open, he glanced at the sleep tousled curls of Lindsay. She was still sleeping blissfully. He noticed their position; somehow during the night he'd stretched out the full length of the couch, and trapped Lindsay in his arms around her waist and stomach. She'd turned around and buried her face into his shirt more fully, and he was able to see half the smile she wore.
Arching his back to work out the kinks that came from sleeping on the couch, he relaxed and looked back at Lindsay. She seemed to be pulling back from the depths of sleep. Suddenly his phone started to belt out a jaunty tune, and Lindsay groaned, a hand flailing out to hit the off button. Danny watched with a smirk as she realized several things.
One: that was not her alarm.
Two: that was not her phone.
Three: her pillow was warm and breathing.
When she opened her eyes to meet Danny's blue orbs, they were still fogged over with sleep. Then she heard her alarm clock going off in her bedroom. She groaned, and got off of him.
"You might want to get that." she said with a sleep-cracked voice as she disappeared into her room.
He nodded with a laugh, and answered his phone. It was Mac calling about a corpse in the Bronx. He was hanging up when Lindsay came out in jeans and a form-fitting green tank top with a plain white long sleeve underneath. She stretched uncomfortably, finding the kinks Danny had already discovered.
Her phone had also gone off for the same call, and she groaned again. She glanced over at him.
"I can give you a ride if you want. Since you decided to chase me half-way through New York you have no car." she offered, pulling a jean jacket on and straightening.
"Thanks Montana." he replied looking around for his jacket. She saw it on the chair and tossed it to him, who caught it was a smile of thanks.
"Let's go solve a crime." she said softly, and after grabbing her keys she jogged down the stairs to her car.
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"Hey you two." Flack said absentmindedly, still jotting down notes in his book.
"What've we got Flack?" Danny said, pulling up the yellow tapes.
"Name's Fiona Jennings. Found dead in the bushes by her about half an hour ago. She didn't touch anything, so she says." he replied, glancing at his notes.
Lindsay scanned the crime scene, eyes narrowed. Something here wasn't right. Then she glanced over at the woman who found the body. Her whole body jerked in response. She excused herself from the men, and approached the blonde.
"Annette." she said simply.
"Oh my god, Lindsay! I didn't know what to do! I-I found her… a-and I didn't want to… After everything I've learned from you being a CSI, I knew not to touch anything. S-She wasn't breathing!" her sister-in-law wailed, chewing on her fingernails.
"There a problem Montana?" Danny walked up behind her.
"Danny, this is my sister-in-law. Don't worry Annette, you aren't in any trouble. I'm sorry you had to see this. Listen, tell Leo I said hi." she pulled out a card and snatched a pen from Danny, "This is my new house phone, call me so we can all meet up. Alright?"
"Yeah. I'm sorry Lindsay, I just…" the woman trailed off, then quickly kissed the CSIs cheek, "I'll call you later tonight, alright?"
Lindsay nodded, and watched her sister leave. She groaned, and rubbed her temples, "My personal life is getting way too messed up."
"Yeah, but we got a job t' do. C'mon, you take body, I'll take scene?" Danny replied, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"You got it, Cowboy." she grinned, and both turned to their jobs.
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"Lindsay."
Lindsay spun around, fumbling with the test results to meet Mac's cold stare. She winced, knowing what he was about to ask. She hadn't seen him since Jessica's oh-so-wonderful appearance.
"Mac, I'm sorry, I didn't know she was going to do that here. I shouldn't have-"he cut her off.
"How many of the others knew before your sister?" he asked.
"Only you knew from my file. Not even Stella knew." she mumbled, raking her fingers through her smooth hair.
"Is them knowing this going to be a problem in the lab?" he questioned, tone serious.
"It shouldn't be, but I don't know how they might react. Stella knew something happened, something horrible. She didn't know what. The others, even Danny, had no idea. I haven't really spoken to anyone." she confessed.
"If they start to bring it up, I'll talk to them alright? It may sound cold but, I can't have this interrupting your work ethic." he placed a hand on each of her shoulders, "If you need to talk, Lindsay, I am more than your boss."
She nodded, biting her bottom lip gently, "Thanks Mac. I really am fine. It happened a long time ago."
"Alright. Now what have you got on our vic?" he said, and she cracked a smile.
"Substance on her jacket was pyridine …"
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Lindsay shut her locker, the sound a bit louder than needed, but it helped ease out some anger. Resting her forehead on the metal again, she was wondering how stupid it would be to get raving drunk that night. She didn't drink much, but passing out without dreams sounded like a good idea. The hang over would suck, but they always did. And she wasn't on call tonight, and it was her day off tomorrow.
"Maybe getting drunk wouldn't be such a bad thing…" she said lowly.
"I don't think so Montana. I don't think I want to see you drunk." said a teasing voice she'd come to know to well.
"I don't think it's any of your business what I do after hours, Messer." snapped Lindsay, but without much bite to it.
"It is if I'm going to invite you to something. You. Me. Dinner, tonight?" he offered, leaning on her locker so he could face her, "And you actually show up?"
"Danny…" she started.
"Listen, I know you said you needed time to work things out an' all. But really, is getting drunk gonna help? You can talk to me Monroe." revised Danny quickly, holding up his hands.
She paused for a minute, then giggled, "I was going to say what time?"
He lost the wind in his sails at that.
"Oh."
She giggled again, shaking her head as she shouldered her purse.
"What… What made you change your mind?" he asked curiously.
"Danny, if anything, you're a really good friend to me. Annoying at points yes, but still a really close friend. And now since you know what I'm trying to get over, I don't have anything to hide anymore. And it's actually helped that you know, and you care." Lindsay explained, pinks tinting slightly, "So, yes and what time will you pick me up?"
He laughed, pushing off her locker to open his own. He pulled out his jacket, and before leaving, she heard him call out the time.
"I'll get ya at seven!"
She smiled, maybe getting drunk wasn't the best idea. And it was now at the bottom at her list as she left the lab.
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When Danny knocked on Lindsay's door, he was imagining the many different outfits she could be wearing. He totally did not expect her to be wearing nothing date worthy.
Her hair was soaking wet, and dripped onto the white bath-robe, and her face was a healthy pink for a hot shower.
"Hey Danny. Sorry about the lack of clothes. Just give me a second, alright?" she said, letting him in and taking his jacket to hang on a hook.
"Sure, sure, go right ahead Ms. Monroe. But I don't really mind staying here with you in that." he waggled his eyebrows, and she just rolled her eyes, putting a delicate hand to her temple.
"Why did I agree to this?" she murmured to herself, fiddling with the ties to her robe as she shut her bedroom door.
"'Cause I'm so dashingly handsome, and sexy, right?" he called out, plopping down on the couch.
He could hear the faint sound of a groan, and he smirked. At least she still had some humor left. He glanced at her coffee table, which now had only one book, then a novel (romance from what he could tell), a box of tissues, and some chocolate kisses. Shooting a look over at the door, he reached over to grab a kiss and unwrapped it to pop it in his mouth. Chewing the chocolate, he listened to the very faint sounds of Lindsay getting ready.
Lazily walking out, Lindsay watched Danny steal another Hershey Kiss from her coffee table. Grinning, she leaned back against the wall as he took a peek at the back of the book. He peeked back to make sure she wasn't there, and it didn't hit him that she was there, arms crossed, until after he'd turned around again. Tossing the romance on couch he stood, and nodded as he looked over her choice of clothing. Simple but clean tan pants with a neat green long sleeve with clearish beads.
"Well Miss Monroe, shall we?" he said, putting on fake grace. It looked rather ridiculous.
"Danny…" she laughed, shaking her head since her hair was pulled back in a ponytail.
He led her to his car, and opened her door. The gentleman in him was really surprising her now.
They arrived at a petite restaurant that was, not surprisingly, Italian. He pulled her in, placing a guiding hand at her lower back. It was a dim place, with soothing music playing in the back round. The scents wafting through the air made Lindsay stop a moment just to inhale the delights. When she opened her eyes, she met Danny's amused gaze.
"What?" she said charmingly, and brushed past to follow their waiter.
He shook his head as they followed the man to a comfy secluded booth, with soft navy blue seats. As they sat, some wine was poured for them, and Lindsay tasted it. It tingled in her mouth it was so delicious.
"I'm telling you Danny, you spoil me." she said breathlessly, stealing another taste then setting it aside.
"Glad you're enjoying yourself," he grumbled, probably due to the fact that the waiter was raking his gaze over Lindsay's unique form.
The pondered over the menus for a while, then ordered.
"Danny why did you take me to dinner?" she asked finally, catching his ice blue gaze with her chocolate one.
"What, I can't take a friend out to dinner?" he tried to brush it off.
"Danny, I know you're worried about me, but I'm fine. Trust me; I've had to deal with this before. Now, why are you so intent on getting me out?" she said in a low, deadly voice.
"C'mon Montana, you're goin' through a rough spot." he started.
'You have no idea, Danny Messer… Ever since the Holly case…' she thought sadly
"-and I heard you say you were gonna go out just to get drunk. Not exactly a good idea Monroe. And really, isn't gettin' dinner with me better than a hangover?" he asked, raising his eyebrow at the question.
She tore her eyes away from his now, settling it on the table. She bit her bottom lip and silently tapped the pads of her fingers on the table. She shook her head and looked back up, and Danny was surprised to see her eyes were starting to shine with unshed tears.
"Danny, after I was shot, then changed my career to a CSI, and was then confronted by my past, Jessica was still cold to me. We never really got along, since you obviously noticed that we look alike. But I was the one the boys looked at in high school, even though I didn't go through all the "beauty measures" that Jessie did. She was very jealous, even though I told he I didn't like it. It's always been a rift between us. When I was shot, I got sympathy votes, and she was basically ignored by the public. I even tried to get some attention to her, but it failed. I'm surprised she still let me see her daughter Allie, who even though she knows there's an issue between us, tries to pull us back together." she rambled, then shut her mouth, not wanting to go further into it.
"So this whole thing is a jealousy act, telling the whole team about you crappy past?" he said surprised.
She nodded with dry humor, "Stupid isn't it?"
"Yeah…" he trailed off, then looked up at her, "Well just don't think of it tonight Montana."
She smiled, "Thanks Danny."
"No problem."
Their meals came, and they tucked into the delicious delicacies with enthusiasm. They talked over menial things and Lindsay got to know the mysterious Danny Messer better. When they were done, Lindsay settled back into the comfy booth seat, holding a hand to her stomach.
"You know, this is almost as good as the fried bugs." she teased.
"Oh yeah? If ya want I can order some." he said, waggling his eyebrows in humor.
"Hm, unfortunately I'm stuffed to the brim." she said, contemplating his offer, "Should we get the check?"
Danny had to fight Lindsay for the bill, insisting that he offered to bring her and she should pay. She finally gave with a roll of her eyes and they paid and left. He walked her up to her apartment, which earned him another smile.
"Thanks Danny, I had a good time." she said, sliding her key into the lock and turning to face him.
"Glad ya had a good time." he said, then totally surprised her.
He kissed her.
Lindsay had heard the rumors of Danny being a player, and he certainly had the looks for it. But the touch of his lips to hers was gentle, and very careful. It made her eyes widen, then slide shut. When he started to pull away she encircled her arms around his neck and pulled him a fraction more firmly to her to return the kiss. He cautiously placed his hands on her waist as she tipped her head back and pulled him with her so that the kiss deepened. This was taking him completely by surprise, considering her thought that Lindsay would pull back and deny him again. But she'd basically and subtly taken over the romantic gesture. He wasn't going to waste the chance. Pulling her tightly to him, he caressed her lips with his, making the woman's breath catch and sigh.
Then it was over. Danny had pulled back, his eyes still closed. Lindsay was breathing rather heavily, as had his shirt now fisted in her hand. Her broken one was still pinned to her side, but the fingers were trembling.
Neither spoke, not knowing how to react. Finally he stammered a goodbye, and Lindsay disappeared into her apartment. But she didn't get far. When she'd closed the door she collapsed against it and slowly slid down. Taking a deep breath, she finally spoke, but it was only one word.
"Wow…"
A/N: WOOOO! Hot smoochies! I love it! Please read and review about the hot make-out scene!
Next Chapter: Soup Man in Winter and Reunion