On Danny's Frustration

Earlier, that same evening…

Lindsay had called Danny that afternoon, offering to drive him home from the hospital. He had declined, saying that he'd take a cab, but the young CSI from Montana had thought her partner had sounded a bit odd on the phone, and came over anyway.

"I told you, I have a cab waiting downstairs," he stated, barely glancing at her when she entered the room.

"I know I just wanted to see you, make sure you're good to go." Danny didn't answer, busily shoving his clothes (which she had picked up for him from his apartment) into a duffel bag. "Is something wrong?"

"You told Flack you thought I'm having an affair Stella." Lindsay's jaw dropped.

"I didn't," she sputtered, "I just asked if there was something going on between you two. I thought since you were friends then he would know."

"Why not just ask me. I would know too, wouldn't I?"

"Would you have told me the truth?"

"Yes. Why wouldn't I? You think I would lie to you?" At Lindsay's silence, Danny lost his temper.

"Nice, real nice, Lindsay. You know what? Call me when you grow up a little. Oh, and by the way, Flack likes Stella so thanks for putting me in a real awkward position with my best friend," he stated, before walking past her out the room.

Later that night…

Danny opened the door, thinking his Chinese noodles have finally been delivered. Instead, he saw a nervous Lindsay standing outside his apartment door.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"Can I come in?" He gestured her inside.

"Look, Danny, in my defense, I didn't know Flack liked Stella. I must say, I find it relieving."

"And here I thought you came to say you were sorry," he said, sitting down on his couch.

"I did. I just," Dammit. I always do this. Everything comes out the wrong way. "I am sorry Danny. I heard a rumor that you and Stella kissed in her office. I dismissed it immediately but then when she came to visit you at the hospital, there seemed to be a connection between you two…I was jealous," she admitted.

"Lindsay, Stella and me have been working together a long time."

"I know," she replied quietly.

"It's normal for us to be close."

"I know," she said miserably. She looked so forlorn, standing up, still in her coat, her hands twisting together. Danny sighed, raised his glasses higher up on his nose as he thought of how he should handle this situation. He stood up from his couch and grabbed her hand, bringing her to sit down next to him.

"Did you know Stella is an orphan?" he started, knowing full well what the answer would be. Sure enough, Lindsay's big eyes widened in surprise.

"What? How can she be? Everyone knows she's Greek."

"Half Greek, from her mother's side. Bonasera is an Italian name," he reminded her, "and you're right. Everyone knows that she's half-Greek, half-Italian. And that's all anyone, herself included, knows about her family."

"Wow. I had no idea, I never would have guessed."

"Not many know. I don't think she means to keep it a big secret; probably it's just something she doesn't like to talk about, so she'd rather no one know. I only found out by chance. The reason I'm telling you is cause I think it'll make it easier for you to understand, and more importantly, believe, what I'm going to tell you now: I love Stella, and she loves me, but like a younger brother, okay? We people at the lab, we're the only family she's got."

Lindsay was feeling pretty ridiculous by now, and more than a little embarrassed as she remembered Stella's expression in the hospital. It had been loving, yes, but with Danny's explanation she now identified it as also being completely platonic.

For the second time since the start of their relationship, Lindsay spent the night at Messer's, only this time, in his bed, not on the pool table. And because of his injuries, they just enjoyed each others presence. A few days ago, they had finally consummated the relationship; after months of dating secretly. But, oddly enough, Lindsay felt happier this night, and closer to Danny than after their first romp of bliss. I guess this is what it feels like when it's right, she thought contentedly, running her hand through Danny's hair as he slept.