A/N: It's been a little while since I've updated. This is just a short one, kind of a bridge chapter. I've been so busy the past two weeks trying to get moved into the new house. I haven't had time to sit down and write (and boy I need it, it's how I unwind at the end of the day). As always, I appreciate comments and reviews, positive and negative. I like hearing what everyone has to say. I really want to know what you all like so I can incorporate it into the story. Thanks.

CH 21

Danny grabbed the pole in the middle of the car, anticipating the gentle rocking that came with the swaying of the train. His eyelids drooped as a yawn escaped. Going out on a Sunday night had been ridiculous. In spite of his fatigue, the corners of his mouth twitched up in a smile.

Salt N Pepa poured into his ears through the buds nestled in them. The smile broadened as the image of Mindy in green high-tops and a red leather jacket popped into his mind. A quiet laugh escaped him, provoking a halfhearted glare from the woman standing next to him. He ignored it.

He liked what was happening with Mindy. He'd felt the tendrils of affection creeping their way around his heart for a long time now, but for the first time it didn't make him feel panicky. It was a warmth that spread through him when he least expected it.

He found himself looking for her on the subway this morning, hoping to see her neon colored wardrobe and matching personality. More and more people streamed into the car, but she never appeared. Late as usual.

He turned his attention back to the ridiculous music assaulting his ears. Even though it was not the type he liked, he found himself enjoying it. It reminded him strongly of Mindy. Upbeat and unrepentantly confident bordering on feisty. His eyes drifted shut for a moment, picturing her striking her hip-hop stance in the doorway last night, confidently singing along to the music.

That's where he was, lost in thought, when he felt a smallish fist land on his shoulder. A scowl settled down over his features as he turned to face to offender, one handing reaching up to pull the earbuds down. The harsh words on the tip of his tongue fell away. He froze, a zing of pleasure mixed with embarrassment coursed through him.

Mindy looked up at him. "Wow, Danny, what is it you always tell me about dulling my senses with music while 'out and about on the streets of New York'? You always say I'm going to get attacked because I can't hear anything." She moved to stand beside him. "What are you listening to anyway? I didn't even know you had an iPod."

Danny quickly pulled the earbuds out and shoved the tangled mess into his jacket pocket. He felt like a teenager who'd been caught looking at dirty magazines, daydreaming about her on the subway. A flush crept up the back of his neck, making his ears feel suddenly warm. He reached up with his free hand and settled it on the back of his neck. "Um, you know, just some podcast about, uh, how to brew your own beer." He cringed. Lying was not his strong suit, and he didn't even know why he felt the need to lie to her about this. He didn't want to show his hand too soon.

He glanced over at her, hoping fruitlessly that she would believe him. Her eyes narrowed and she peered closely at him. "A podcast? I'm fairly certain you don't even know what a podcast is. When Jeremy was talking about it the other day you asked him if it was a type of fishing equipment." She leaned in close and quickly slipped her hand into the pocket his hand was still in, brushing his skin with her fingertips before she snatched the iPod.

The shiver of pleasure at her touch dulled his reflexes, and she had the iPod out in the open before he could react. She smiled as she looked at the screen. "Salt N' Pepa? You don't like Salt N' Pepa. I'm pretty sure you even told me that Shoop was one of the worst songs you'd ever heard."

He shrugged. "Well, you were listening to it at a ridiculously high volume at seven in the morning while I was trying to get paperwork done. And I don't even know why you were at the office that early listening to nineties rap…" He trailed off, smiling over at her despite being fairly certain she was on to him. "They've grown on me, ok?"

She cast a slightly dubious smile in his direction, but decided to drop it. She popped one earbud in and hit play, reaching across to put the other one in his ear. She tucked the player back into his jacket pocket and wordlessly captured his hand in hers, tucking herself into his side for support in the swaying car.

Rishi's words played on a loop in Mindy's head. You know he loves you right. Each time she thought about it, a sense of weightlessness pervaded her, and she found herself looking across at him, trying to find proof.

They walked along in companionable silence, nearing the office. Early morning sunlight fell on them, leaving a pleasant warmth on their skin in direct contrast to the occasional gust of brisk fall air. "Don't you just love New York in the fall?"

Danny squeezed her hand. "I'm pretty sure you love New York in every season, but you like to say you love it most in the fall, because that's the kind of thing they'd say in one of those Zac Efron movies you love so much.

He smiled at her, and that damn thought ran through her head again. When did he start smiling at her like that? For a long time she only every elicited grumpy scowls and the occasional reluctant half-smile. These full blown grins knocked her back on her heels. She quickly turned her gaze frontward. "Those are Nora Ephron movies, although Zac Efron is quite the little hottie. Oh my god, if Zac Efron were in a Nora Ephron movie, that would be the most perfect thing. Can you imagine him playing opposite some young beautiful Indian girl? Piercing blue eyes gazing into soulful brown ones. Perfection." She was rambling to cover up the sudden tightness she felt in her chest.

He squeezed her hand. "Min, please." The exasperation tinging his voice was undermined by the soft expression in his eyes. "Can you not gush over other men in my presence? My fragile ego can hardly take it."

She rolled her eyes. "Please, Danny, like most doctors, your body can barely contain your massive ego." They had arrived at their office building. She started to pull away from him, heading toward the steps.

He clasped her hand and pulled her back to him. Drawing her in for a quick embrace, settling his lips against hers in a quick kiss. He released her and she stepped back slowly. This wasn't something she'd expected. She was fairly certain that Danny was averse to public displays of affection.

He had already turned away from her, mounting the steps while she stared after him in contemplation. He glanced back at her, looking down at his watch. "Min, it's 8:58, we're going to be late."

She snapped out of her idle thoughts and rushed up the steps to meet him. "Oh my god, you really need to relax with the punctuality, Dr. Castellano."

They walked through the lobby to the elevator. "Whether or not you're on time says something about you. You could work on it, Dr. Lahiri."

She snorted. "Oh, please. You know who cared a lot about being on time? Hitler. The trains were never late in Nazi Germany. I hardly think five minutes here and there matters in the grand scheme of things."

Danny frowned in confusion. "I think you're thinking of Mussolini and the trains in Italy." How did this conversation begin? He reached forward and punched the floor button.

She blew a strand of hair out of her face. "Maybe your right, God Danny, I can't remember every little thing about history. I mean, I like Ken Burns, but I can only take so much before I have to switch over to Real Housewives."

He laughed. "You were the one who brought it up. Besides, it was propaganda anyway, and the reason the myth spread is because being on time is a good thing. So you can say it."

She cast a perplexed glance in his direction. "Say what?"

The doors whooshed open and Danny stepped out into the office, glancing down at his watch. "The magic words: You're right, Danny. Nine O'clock on the dot. Doesn't it just feel good to be on time?"

Danny strode over to his office, stopping in the doorway to glance back at her where she stood in her own doorway. "I think your watch is slow, Danny. It's 9:05." She pointed to the clock on the wall. "Feels exactly the same doesn't it?" She smiled smugly, turning on her heel almost skipping into her office.