Chapter Twenty-One: On the Street Where You Live
Lindsay sighed and rooted around in her purse for her keys as she walked the last half-block to her apartment. She'd given up on the idea of getting drunk after she'd walked out on Danny and had gone to a nearby movie theatre, instead. Sitting in the dark, surrounded by strangers and not really watching the movie, she was able to disconnect from reality for a while.
She stopped short when she arrived at the steps to her building. Sitting there, asleep, leaning against the cement wall, was Danny Messer. What in the world is he doing here?
"Messer?" she reached out and gave his shoulder a light shake. "Danny?"
His eyes opened slowly and he shook his head to clear out the cobwebs. Taking off his glasses, he rubbed his hands over his face and through his hair before replacing them on his nose. "Oh hey, Mon… roe. Lindsay. Howyadoin'? Y'alright?" She doesn't look like she's drunk. Here's hoping she thought better of the alcoholic remedy. He yawned once and then started to get to his feet. She motioned him to stay where he was and sat down next to him.
"I'm fine." Seeing his disbelieving look, she amended her statement. "I will be fine. It was just … one of those days, y'know?" One of those days, and then some.
He nodded emphatically. I definitely got that impression.
"I'm sorry for snapping at you all day." And I'm sorry about walking out on you at the bar.
"Forget about it." I'm just glad to see you're ok.
"Thanks for tracking me down at that bar, even though it was none of your business and it really pissed me off that you did it." It was actually really sweet of you.
Danny laughed, "I'm going to choose to interpret that as gratitude instead of criticism." Smile for me, Montana. Let me see that smile that lights up the whole damned city.
She let herself grin at him. "I suppose I can't stop a CSI from interpreting, now can I?"
"It'd be like stopping a fish from swimming."
"Stopping a bird from flying."
"Stopping Hawkes from trying to determine the cause of death at the scene."
They both cracked up, letting out the day's tension with some much-needed laughter.
As their laughter faded, they noticed how they'd moved closer together and how their faces were just inches apart. The last few echoes died down and suddenly they were very aware of each other and the intimate position they were in, practically hugging on the doorstep.
Danny was just leaning in towards her and Lindsay was trying frantically to decide what to do when Sheldon Hawkes, himself, opened the door to her building and came out, breaking the moment.
"Hey guys!" he greeted them. "What are you doing sitting out here?"
"It's a nice night, so we just wanted to enjoy it a bit before going inside." I wonder if he noticed anything. Not that there was anything to notice. I mean, there's no way in hell that Danny Messer was thinking about kissing me.
"Yeah, Monroe here wanted to point out some constellations and stuff, but you can't really see 'em from here." What the hell was that? C'mon, Messer! You've got a hot Italian chick just waiting to jump you when you get home. What are ya doin' thinkin' that way about Montana of all people?
Hawkes nodded, "Yeah, that's one thing I hate about the city. I miss the stars." He looked up in a vain attempt to see them. "Anyway, I'm gonna get some takeout. You guys want anything?"
Danny shook his head, "Nah. I was just making sure she got home ok. I'm gonna get goin' I think." Before I do something well and truly stupid.
"I'll have a metric tonne of whatever food it is that you're picking up. I'm starving to death, here." That feeling in my stomach must be hunger because it certainly can't be anything else.
"Deal, but you're going to have to buy me lunch tomorrow to make up for it."
"You're on," she smiled.
"See ya tomorrow, Mon… Lindsay." God, it's weird to call her that.
"See you tomorrow, Danny," I think I've gone round the bend. I actually kinda miss him calling me Montana.