AN Just as an FYI I, Dream, am going home for the holidays tomorrow so the updates aren't gonna be frequent for awhile...that said enjoy this chapter...I have an idea where this is going...it should be fun. :)
Disclaimer No owning going on here, just fantasizing and it's ever so pretty in my mind. I hope CBS doesn't mind me borrowing and manipulating their characters. They'll come back unharmed I promise. ;)
"Let me guess," Mandy said that night, "More drama with hottie."
"I really wish you'd stop calling him that," Lindsay said with a sigh.
"I would if you would tell me you didn't think he was hot." Mandy prompted.
Lindsay licked her lips in spite of herself, "I hate you."
"No you don't, you love me and you know it." Mandy laughed, "So tell me what sort of thing happened today?"
"It was by accident, we were working a case…"
"You were working the case by accident?"
"No what happened WHILE we were working the case was by accident, don't interrupt me it's rude."
"Right, sorry Ms. Etiquette."
Lindsay had to laugh, "Do you want to hear this story or not?"
"Desperately."
"Okay so we're recreating this scene…" Lindsay went on to describe the scenario that had ended with Sheldon and Stella exchanging quips. There was silence when she was done, "Uh, so now is the time to talk."
Mandy finally sighed, "Oh my good lord I don't even know the man and I can feel the pheromones from here."
"Stop it." Lindsay blushed and was glad her sister wasn't there to see it.
It didn't matter. "Stop what? If you're that much closer to him you must be radiating heat, especially if his body was…" She sighed, "I hate living life vicariously through you it's depressing."
"Mandy!" Lindsay exclaimed, "All I do is go to work and come home, my life is hardly overly exciting."
"You know it would be if you'd just jump onto that Italian Stallion."
"Oh you did not just say that." Lindsay burst out laughing, "Come on Mandy that's not fair I gotta work with the guy."
Mandy giggled, "You know you were thinking it."
"N-n-not with t-t-the title." Lindsay stuttered trying desperately to stop laughing.
"That's it I think you need a visit from your little sister." Mandy said out of no where.
That sobered Lindsay up, "What? Seriously?"
"Hell ya, you aren't gonna realize a dang thing while I'm still here in Montana and you're being pressed up against building's and evidence by a hot co-worker. It appears the only way this will work is if I come out."
"What will work? Mandy you know I love you and would love to see you but I don't think…"
"Pshh, you thinking too much is what's gonna consistently stop you from getting this guy."
"I don't want to get this guy!" Lindsay was exasperated.
"You are gonna give yourself a damn ulcer with that denial."
"I'm not in denial I just…" Lindsay trailed off and desperately searched for another topic, "Bill called." She blurted out.
That calmed Mandy right down, "What? You mean former Deputy Sheriff Bill? The butt wipe that tried to get you fired because you wouldn't sleep with him to get promoted, that Bill?"
Lindsay grimaced she really should have picked a more neutral topic, "Uh yeah, a few weeks back. On the day…uh…you know with the archway story."
Mandy let it slide that the memory coincided with yet another Danny story, "Lindsay you have a retraining order out against this man. He should not have your number, let alone call you."
"He's in town." She whispered.
"I'll be there tomorrow." Mandy exclaimed, "And you better damn well tell your boss, or hottie, anyone from work before I get there or you'll regret it." She hung up without a goodbye already logging online to book a plane ticket.
Lindsay stared at the phone and sighed. "Well there you have it." She whispered, "One less secret I have from the team."
Bill called again that night. Lindsay figured karma was just not her thing. She didn't answer the phone, expecting that it was him. She was right; he left a message on her voice mail, which proved to be the start of his downfall.
Linds, you can't avoid me. You know I'm gonna find you and bring you back where you belong. I wouldn't have tried to have you fired if you played fair…don't stay away from me too long or I may be persuaded to take extreme measures.
Mac and Stella listened intently to the message for the third time. Lindsay had come into work the next day and asked to speak to both of them. Bill calling again pushed her over the edge, this needed to end and she would need help ending it, as much as she hated asking for help.
"Extreme measures?" Mac asked. "Has he become violent before?"
Lindsay shook her head, "No, even when he came onto me. It was actually kinda dorky. Until these phone calls I just figured he was some insecure guy with a big crush."
"This sounds like more than a crush to me Lindsay." Stella said seriously, "He may not have been violent before, but he sounds pretty desperate to me. Have you seen him at all?"
"Well, no, I," Lindsay paused, "I kinda hadn't thought it had gotten to the point where he would actually be in New York."
"He might not be here yet, but it sounds like that might be the next step." Mac mused, "Listen I have some contacts in Montana I'll call and see what I can get on this guy."
"Thanks Mac, I don't want to be a bother but…" She trailed off.
Mac smiled, "Its better that you tell us sooner then later."
Lindsay stood, "Still, I appreciate the effort."
"Of course." He nodded then glanced at the door.
Knowing that meant he wanted to talk things over with Stella she took that as her cue, "I'll uh get back to my case work now."
"Danny should be waiting for you in the break room." Stella said, "You need to go back to the scene and process the guest room, apparently a rape happened there last year, same vic, might be the same guy."
Lindsay nodded, "Okay thanks."
"He's gonna be curious." Stella warned with a twinkle in her eye.
"I know," Lindsay blushed and looked down, "I'll tell him."
He met her on her way out of the office having grown tired of waiting, "Okay what's going on?" He asked glancing at Mac and Stella before the two of them walked to the elevators.
"Apparently we're going back to the scene." She said evasively.
He hit the emergency stop button and put both arms on either side of her waist making her look at him, "What was the meeting for Linds?"
She raised an eyebrow at him that was a very familiar nickname for him to use. Only her nearest and dearest called her that and she didn't want to admit just yet that she enjoyed how it sounded when he said it. She tried another tactic, "Who was the guy in the pinstripe suit?"
He sighed, he knew this had been coming and it was scary but he figured he could trust her with it. It wasn't a big deal anyway. "My dad, we don't talk, I was avoiding an awkward moment."
She knew there was more, but decided to find that out at later date. "By creating one with me in an archway?" She asked shifting a bit; he was really quite close to her.
He smiled at her slightly, "I'd rather be in an awkward moment with you than him, trust me." He got sombre again, "Your turn."
She sighed and started absent mindedly fidgeting with the lapels of his suit jacket, "A guy from back home has been calling me lately. He was sketchy to begin with, but now it's starting to get downright creepy. My sister forced me to tell Mac about it cause she's worried about me."
He regarded her for a moment then stepped away and started the elevator again, "Your sister's smart." He said, "You can regale me with details on the way."
She nodded mutely. When did her and Danny share stuff about each other and get along without argument? More importantly, why hadn't she pushed him away when he had been so forcibly close to her?
All Danny could think about was her playing with his jacket. How in the world did she manage to make such a cute nervous action look so damn sexy?