Disclaimer: I am not connected in any way with the creators of any of the CSI shows. (I wish I was though, so Danny and Lindsay would get together already.) These are just my mind's version of the events that transpire on the show.

Bloomingdale's was a hubbub of activity any day of the year. But during the Christmas season, it always turns into a madhouse. People were scrambling from one end to the other, hurriedly finishing their Christmas shopping, and even those who were smart enough to go shopping early always forgot someone on the list, and invariably ended up fighting his or her way through the throng of busy shoppers.

Unlike those other people, Danny Messer had planned in advance. Way back in the middle of November, he had already bought gifts for everyone on his list. He had learned this lesson the hard way a few years ago, when he had procrastinated until the last minute to get gifts for his family. The day he planned to go shopping, he got called in on a triple homicide and had ended up pulling a triple shift, showing up at his parents' house empty handed.

Since then, he always started shopping little by little, making his list by mid-October and working his way through it, usually finishing by the first week of December.

Last Christmas, a new name had been added to his Christmas list: Lindsay Monroe. He remembered spending hours wandering through various malls finding a gift appropriate for her, which annoyed the hell out of him. For his entire family, and Stella, Mac, Flack, Hawkes, Adam, even Sid, gift shopping was usually easy. But for some reason, none of the things he saw in the malls seemed special enough to give to his new partner.

He didn't really want to look too deeply into the reason why he was intent on finding the perfect gift for Lindsay. He just doggedly went around the malls, with one thought in his head. It has to be perfect for her.

He had never found that special thing for Lindsay. Danny now understood that the reason was because everything that was special enough to give Lindsay for Christmas was something that would come from a boyfriend, or at the very least, a really close friend, not the co-worker who stubbornly insists on annoying you to no end.

But that was last year. This year, Danny no longer occupied the post of 'pesky co-worker' in Lindsay's life. He was now her boyfriend and it pleased the hell out of him that he could finally give Lindsay all the things he wanted to give her.

So that blustery morning, on his day off, while Lindsay was on duty at the lab, Danny was standing in front of a store counter, impatiently waiting for the woman to come out of the back room with the present he ordered for Lindsay several weeks ago.

He had seen it in mid-November and he immediately had one thought. This is it. This is the gift I'm going to get her this Christmas. Never mind that when he found it, he and Lindsay weren't together yet. He was certain that since the previous holiday season, his status in Lindsay's life had changed and he was more than just a co-worker. He was damned well going to give her whatever he felt like giving.

The woman came out, handing Danny a small box, with a courteous smile. Danny opened the box and took a cursory glance, inspecting the item nestled inside, his face breaking out into a wide smile.

He looked up at the saleslady and said with a handsome grin, "It's perfect. Thank you."

Humming a Christmas carol beneath his breath, Danny headed towards the counter to pay for the gift. Within a few minutes, he was casually strolling through the mad throng of people, out of the mall, carrying a small bag.

It was now time to put phase two of his plan in action.

Later that day, Lindsay received a surprising call.

She had been in the layout room, trying to recreate the crime scene using the photos she had taken earlier that morning, when her phone rang.

The caller ID read Flack. Must be a new lead. Lindsay flipped the phone open and said, "What's up, Flack?"

From the other end of the line, Flack's voice carried through loud and clear. "Hey Lindsay, are you alone right now?"

Lindsay answered, slightly confused. "Yeah, why?"

Flack asked again, "Danny's not there?"

Lindsay laughed and said, "It's his day off, so he's not here. What's up?"

Flack's sigh of relief was audible. "Good, cause I wanted to talk to you without him nosing around."

Lindsay was intrigued. "Why? Are you planning to prank him again?"

Flack snorted, "Hardly. If I wanted to prank Messer, I'd get him on my own, not enlist his girlfriend, who may very well sell me out."

Lindsay replied, "So what did you want to talk to me about?"

"I need help with something."

Lindsay patiently answered, "I think we've kinda established that, Flack. What do you need help with?"

Flack asked, "Are you free today?"

Lindsay said, "I'm not doing anything for lunch. Why?"

Flack muttered into the phone. "I need help shopping."

Lindsay laughed at his tone. "Shopping? For Christmas gifts?"

Flack answered, "Yeah. I still have no idea what to get Jordan."

Lindsay laughed again. "I see. Well, like I said, I'm free for lunch. Want to go shopping then?" she offered.

Flack said gratefully, "Yeah, that'd be great. I'll pick you up there at 11:30, is that okay?"

Lindsay answered, "Mm-hmm. That sounds okay."

Flack added, "Don't tell Danny, okay? He'll never let me live it down, with him and his stupid shop early policy," he grumbled.

Lindsay chuckled at his surly tone. "I have to, Flack. He might come looking for me here and then everyone would find out."

Flack sighed again, defeated. "Guess you're right. I'll see you then. Thanks again, Linds."

"No problem, Flack," she answered and disconnected the call, immediately hitting her speed dial.

Within minutes the phone was picked up and a familiar drawl came through the line, "Hey, Montana."

"Hey yourself," Lindsay answered. "What are you up to?"

Danny answered noncommittally, "Nothing much, just picking up here at home."

Lindsay was impressed, "You're cleaning?"

Danny said defensively, "Hey, just cause I'm a guy doesn't mean I like living like a slob."

Lindsay laughed and said, "Damn, I lucked out, moving in with you."

Danny chuckled and asked, "How's your case going?"

Lindsay replied, "It's going okay, I guess. I got a hit off a fingerprint we collected at the scene." She quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, I called cause Flack asked me to go shopping with him during lunch. He still doesn't have a gift for Jordan."

Danny responded, "Okay. At least if you're with Flack, I know you're safe. Be careful okay? The malls are crazy during this time of the year."

Lindsay answered, smiling into the phone, "I will, Danny. Make sure you eat okay?"

Danny replied, "You too, Montana. I love you."

Lindsay smiled and said, "I love you too, Danny."

At precisely 11:30, Flack pulled up outside the lab. He unlocked the doors and Lindsay slid in, shivering slightly from the crisp New York air.

"Hey," she greeted him, taking off her gloves and hat.

"Hey, Linds. Thanks for agreeing to go shopping with me," Flack said gratefully.

Lindsay waved her hand casually and said, "No worries. Let's head to Bloomie's?"

Flack nodded. "Sure." He smoothly maneuvered his car through the traffic.

Lindsay asked, "So how'd you manage to ditch Jordan?"

Flack grinned and said, "I told her I had to go give a deposition at the court house for an old case."

Lindsay smirked and said, "How original."

Flack flushed as he answered, "What? I couldn't think of a better excuse."

Lindsay just laughed at him and said, "Whatever works, I guess." She changed the topic to the matter at hand. "So do you have any ideas on what to give her?"

Flack groaned and said, "No. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. I have absolutely no idea what to get her."

Lindsay shot him a glare and said, "Flack she's your girlfriend. You don't even have an inkling of what would be a good gift for her?"

Flack glanced at Lindsay and said, "I am so screwed, aren't I?"

Lindsay nodded in the affirmative and said, "That you are, my friend." She reached across the car to pat Flack's shoulder. "But don't worry. I'll help you."

She was rewarded by a grateful smile. Lindsay warned, "But don't think I'm not going to collect."

Flack snorted and said, "You've been hanging out way too much with Danny."

Lindsay glared at him again and said, "Do you want my help or not?"

He backed down gracefully and said, "Like I said, I owe you one."

Satisfied with his meek answer, Lindsay started talking. "Okay, let's go through the usual gifts. Perfume?"

Flack smiled to himself and said, "She doesn't need it."

"Flowers?"

"Not special enough."

"Jewelry?" Lindsay tried hopefully.

Flack shot her a glance and said, "Too special."

"Damn," Lindsay said under her breath. "I was hoping to get away with that one."

Flack just laughed at her.

"Sweater?"

"Too impersonal."

"Book?"

"Too boring."

Lindsay shot him an exasperated look. "Picky much, aren't you?"

Flack looked helplessly at her, "I'm sorry. I just want to give her something nice. I mean, if it was Danny, would you be satisfied, just getting him a regular gift?"

Lindsay had to concede that point to Flack. "I guess you're right." She asked him, "Why did you wait until this late to get her a gift?"

Flack was starting to look frazzled, "Actually, I've been looking for the past three weeks, but I can't seem to find anything."

Lindsay looked at him in disbelief, "You've only been looking for three weeks?"

Flack shot her a look, "We've only been together a month, Monroe."

She shrugged. "Good point."

Suddenly Flack had a flash of inspiration. "Why don't I give her lingerie?"

Lindsay smirked at Flack and said, "Is this gift for her or for you?"

Flack blushed under Lindsay's knowing gaze. He quickly retorted, "I guess Danny's gift was meant for himself then."

She socked him playfully on the shoulder.

"Seriously though," Flack continued. "She hasn't mentioned anything to you at all? Anything she wanted to buy for herself?"

Lindsay thought for a long moment. There's something, I just can't remember what. She tried to recall what item it was that Jordan was drooling over that day the girls went shopping. She snapped her fingers and said, "I know! There was this pair of shoes that she really wanted to buy. She saw it when we went out shopping."

Flack asked, "If she wanted it so much, then why didn't she get it?"

Lindsay explained, "She said it was way out of budget, one of those indulgences that take a long time to save up for. She really wanted to buy it though."

Flack grinned. "Perfect." He steered the car into a parking space and killed the engine. "Lead the way, Monroe."

They got out of the car and joined the throng of people inside the malls. Flack had to grab the back of Lindsay's coat just to make sure they didn't get separated.

Soon, she led him to an upscale store, where thankfully, there were less people. Lindsay looked around quickly and zeroed in on a pair of shoes. "There," she pointed, grabbing Flack's arm and dragging him over.

It was a simple pair of black high heeled boots made out of soft, luxurious leather. The attraction of the shoe was not so much in the design, but in the comfort offered by the material. It was soft, plush and utterly comfortable. It was perfect for Jordan, who liked simple, casual styles.

The saleslady said politely, "That's our last pair, ma'am."

Excitedly, Lindsay whispered to Flack, "It's in Jordan's size."

Flack said to the lady decisively, "We'll take it."

The woman hurried to ring up their purchases. When Flack signed the charge slip, Lindsay was surprised. He didn't even bat an eyelash. Wow, he must really like her. Common to all simple yet wonderfully comfortable shoes, the pair they bought was also wonderfully expensive.

They exited the mall less than fifteen minutes later, with Flack carrying a paper bag discreetly bearing the logo of the store. They stashed it in the back seat and headed back to the lab, where he dropped Lindsay off.

As Lindsay alighted from the car, Flack called out, "Thanks again, Linds."

Grinning at him, "No problem, Flack. Remember…"

Flack finished for her, "Yeah yeah yeah, I owe you one, Monroe."

She smirked at him and waved as she entered the building.

Lindsay entered the break room just as Hawkes and Cassie were finishing their lunch.

"Hey," Cassie greeted. "Where'd you come from?"

Lindsay grinned at her friend and said, "I just got back from the mall. Flack needed help finding a gift for Jordan."

Hawkes asked, "So what did he get her?"

Lindsay answered, "Cassie, do you remember when we went shopping for our dresses? That pair of boots that Jordan really wanted to buy?"

"Uh-huh," Cassie answered, taking a sip of her soda. Then her eyes widened and she looked up at Lindsay in excitement, "No way!"

Lindsay started nodding vigorously, "Uh-huh."

Cassie said in disbelief, "He did not!"

Lindsay nodded her head firmly and said, "He did too."

"Damn!" Cassie breathed. "Those boots were gorgeous."

Lindsay grinned and said, "I know. I was the one who came up with the idea." She checked her phone and said, "I have to go you guys. Adam has results for me already." She waved good-bye to the couple and exited the break room.

After Lindsay left, Hawkes turned to Cassie and said, "So how special were these boots?"

Cassie smirked and said, "Special enough to tell me that Flack's going to get a lot of lovin' this Christmas." She waggled her eyebrows significantly.

Hawkes grinned at her and said, "That good huh?"

Cassie nodded in the affirmative. "Uh-huh."

Hawkes teased, "So where can I get you a pair of these boots?"

Cassie shot him a mock glare and propped her hands on her hips. "You complainin' about the lovin' you get, Doc?"

Hawkes laughed and grabbed Cassie, wrapping her in his arms before giving her a deep kiss. "Nope. Not at all."

Cassie's contented laughter rang out through the break room.

Stick around to find out what the couples are getting each other for Christmas. :D How did you like this one? I'm going to be drawing out the Christmas season for all of them.

Also, find out how Hawkes and Cassie spend Christmas. What did you think of this one? Please review as soon as you can:D I wait eagerly for your reviews. :D