Disclaimer: None of the familiar folks are mine... So far I can only stake a claim to the lovely Agent Denning, and our new friends... Maybe more later! ;)

Lindsay felt like she'd been dealt a blow that knocked the wind out of her. Gasping for air, she gripped the table, her knuckles white from the strain. "What?"

Larsen cleared his throat and spoke quietly. "The people I work for are concerned that the man who ordered the hit on Detective Messer might turn his attentions to you. It isn't probable but it is a possibility."

Lindsay glowered at him through eyes glazed over with unshed tears. "So you're telling me you know who killed Danny?" Her voice was deadly quiet. "The FBI knows who murdered my husband?"

Larsen gave her a small, sad smile. "Yes. We do."

Lindsay suddenly got up from the table and made her way outside onto the sidewalk. She was shaking with fury. Her fists were balled at her sides.

A waitress was just making her way to their table to take their order when Larsen jumped up and followed Lindsay. He walked over to where she was seething quietly. Suddenly she turned on him and pointing an angry finger at his chest, she spat, "I think you owe me an explanation."

"I know... And I will explain everything I can. Is there someplace we can go to talk? I don't think this is the kind of conversation you want to have in the middle of the sidewalk."

Lindsay sighed. "Fine. Let's go." With that, she started walking back toward the lab where she had just left when she'd spotted Larsen tailing her.

When they got off the elevator on the correct floor, Lindsay led the man to an empty conference room. Once they'd entered, she shut the door and turned to the agent. "Okay. You were about to tell me who killed my husband."

Agent Larsen reached up and loosened his tie, nervously clearing his throat. "Ah, not exactly... I'm afraid I can't divulge that information just yet. He's the subject of an ongoing investigation. It's classified."

Lindsay's eyebrows shot up into her hairline. "Classified?! Okay so you won't give me his name. Would you mind telling me why the hell he isn't rotting in some prison? You know he killed Danny! Why is he still on the loose?" Her voice had risen with each statement she uttered and now she was breathing heavily and trying not to cry.

Larsen looked around nervously. She was attracting a lot of attention from the other people in the lab and the glass walls didn't afford them much privacy. His hand went to fiddle with his tie again and he spoke with a calm he didn't feel. "I know you're angry. You have every right to be. But, I promise you, your husband's killer will be brought to justice. All we ask is that you be patient."

Lindsay ignored his statement. She made her way to the door and flung it open angrily, leaving the agent without a word. When she stepped out into the hall, Hawkes stopped her with his hands on her arms. "Linds? You okay, hon? What's going on?" He looked over her shoulder at the man that was still in the conference room. He had taken out his cell phone and was now talking to whoever was on the other end.

His soft, comforting tone coupled with the sincerity she saw in Sheldon's eyes were Lindsay's undoing. She waved a hand in the direction of the conference room while her eyes filled with tears. "He knows! He knows, Sheldon and he won't tell me! Classified! Like hell! I... I can't believe this! Oh, my g-- " Lindsay stepped back from Sheldon, her hands pushing her hair away from her face and holding her head.

Hawkes held up a hand. "Hey, Linds. Hold on a minute, here. Who is that guy? And what won't he tell you? What's classified, Linds?" His voice was still gentle but filled with obvious concern.

"Danny." Lindsay's response was a broken whisper.

"Hey, Messer! Get out here."

Danny looked up from the picture he'd been staring at for the past fifteen minutes when he heard his name being called. He got out of the bed and put the picture of Lindsay back in his wallet. Stuffing it back into his pocket as he walked, Danny made his way out of the bedroom.

He stopped short when he saw Agent Denning standing in the living room, along with another man.

"Denning, what're ya doin' here? Thought ya wouldn't be comin by 'til next week."

The agent gave him a wry smile. "Change of plans. I have to go out of town on a 'job' for Mickey. Since we don't know how long it's going to take, Jacobs here is going to be keeping tabs on you. He's already been briefed and is aware of the situation. Thought I'd make the formal introductions myself. Agent Matt Jacobs, the late Detective Daniel Messer."

Danny took the hand Jacobs offered and shook, murmuring a low "How ya doin'?"

Denning clapped his hands twice and said, "Well, now that you've met, play nice kids. I've got a plane to catch. I'll be seeing you." With that, he left, locking the door behind him.

Danny shrugged mentally and said, "So, Agent Jacobs, you stayin' awhile? I was just about to have dinner."

The agent tilted his head and said, "I could eat. And please, call me Matt. I have a feeling we'll probably be getting to know each other better than we'd like these next few weeks."

Danny smiled for the first time in weeks. "I get the feelin' you're right."

Hours later, sitting in the living room, Danny roared with laughter at the story Matt was telling him about his days as a rookie. Wiping at the mirthful tears leaking from his eyes, Danny said, "Aw man, that's classic! I haven't laughed that hard in months." He got up and headed toward the kitchen. "Can I get ya another drink?" he called over his shoulder.

Chuckling, Matt called back, "Nah, I'm good, thanks."

Sitting back down in his chair, Danny studied the man sitting across from him and said, "You're alright, Jacobs... Even though you are a fed." he added, taking a swig of his beer.

Matt grinned and nodded. "You're not so bad yourself, Messer."

After a few minutes of silence Danny spoke. "So, you just gonna hang around here? Denning never stayed more'n a few hours."

Matt shrugged. "Right now, you're my only assignment. Just wrapped a case a few days ago. I volunteered for this. Figured it'd be a good break."

Danny nodded his understanding. Sitting back he asked, "No family waiting on ya? Wife? Kids?"

Jacobs held out his hands and shrugged. "Nothing yet. Right now, I'm married to the job. How about you? Family?"

Danny grinned and nodded again. "I'm married... To the most incredible woman on the planet. No kids yet. But we'll be workin' on that when I get back." He paused and then added, "If she doesn't kill me first."

Matt laughed as he downed the last of his drink. "Feisty one, huh?"

Danny's smile threatened to split his face. "You know it. Country girl. She's a cop too. CSI, just like me. Matter of fact, we met on the job." He pulled out his wallet and showed Matt the picture he'd been staring at earlier.

Matt whistled. "You're a lucky one, Messer."

Danny took the photo back and looked at it again before replacing it in his wallet. "Man, you have no idea."

A/N: Huge apologies!!! Hope you all haven't given up on this one! Got caught up with life and work and everything... And my computer is now officially dead.

Thanks to all of my reviewers!!! I PROMISE to update again soon. Like tomorrow...