Danny found her in the break room nursing a cup of hot tea while Stella guarded her like a mama bear protecting its cub. The Greek woman had passed the point of livid and was now bordering on homicidal. He knew that if Davis was in front of her right now he probably wouldn't be enjoying the sensation of walking anytime soon.

The EMTs where just finishing up and packing their kits. The older of the two men was trying to convince Lindsay that she needed to go to the hospital but she just shook her head.

"No," she croaked out and rubbed her abused throat. "No, I just want to go home."

"You might have a concussion Miss. You should really go to the hospital and if you won't do that you should at least have someone with you tonight in case complications arise."

Danny had been observing her from the doorway and noticed that she had that look, the one that said that no matter what anyone told her she was going to be doing as she pleased. He both loved and hated that look.

"I'll be fine. I'm not going to the hospital over this."

She was not going to let a sub-human troglodyte like Davis intimidate her. She was tougher than that and had dealt with criminals far scarier than Davis could ever hope to be.

The paramedic seemed like he was going to argue with her further but Danny stepped in.

"Don't worry, I'm gonna drive her home and stay with her tonight. She'll be fine."

He avoided the questioning look in Stella's eyes and the annoyed glare that Lindsay was now shooting at him, deciding that focusing his attention on the EMT was less hazardous to his health. The guy eyed him up and down and focused his attention on his split lip.

"You want us to look at that?" Danny had forgotten about his lip, he touched it, and flinched.

"Naw, It's fine. Nothin' a cold steak won't fix." The EMT threw up his hands and mumbled something about stubborn cops before motioning to his partner that it was time to leave. They filed out without a backwards glance and Danny turned his attention to Lindsay.

"Hey Stel, give us a minute?" He asked. The older woman eyed him suspiciously and then glanced between him and Lindsay before nodding.

"Before you both leave you need to come see me in the lab. We are going to have to take some swabs and pictures for evidence."

Both the CSIs shot her grave looks and nodded in agreement. Stella smiled and whispered to Danny in passing "Good luck." He smirked.

The young woman before him did not look happy about his presumption that he would be staying the night. That was just too damn bad.

"I'm a big girl, Danny. I don't need you to baby sit me," she croaked out. He didn't say much because his gaze was riveted to her throat and the bruising that was becoming visible. Death was too good for Davis.

He walked over to where she was sitting on the counter and gently tipped her head back and ran his fingers lightly over the bruises. She closed her eyes and sighed. She knew he was only concerned about her but she couldn't stop the shiver that went down her spine from the touch of his long fingers on her sensitive skin.

The moment passed much too quickly for Lindsay and when he released her she opened her eyes.

"I'm takin' you home and crashin' on your couch, Monroe. This isn't negotiable."

"Danny…" she started to protest. He shook his head and crossed his arms.

"I'll just sleep outside in the truck if you don't let me in." She frowned at him.

"You're very stubborn, Detective Messer."

Danny smirked at her but it faded quickly as he brushed her hair back behind her ear.

"I should have killed him."

Lindsay's expressive brown eyes got huge. He couldn't mean that? She studied his face and was surprised to see the depth of emotion there. She blushed and cleared her throat. She had no idea how to re-act to that statement, so she said nothing.

The strange moment passed and he stepped away from her, distancing himself. She wasn't going to admit that she felt the loss of his body heat like a physical blow.

"Let's get your stuff and get you home," he said; his voice gruff.

She watched him walk out and realized subconsciously that something had just shifted in their relationship. She just wasn't sure what it was or what it was going to mean.

Danny had driven Lindsay home on other occasions and had even spent an evening or two watching movies at her place, but he had never stayed the night. He was trying to tell himself that it wasn't a big deal. He was just here looking out for his partner and friend, but every time he glanced at her neck he had a hard time swallowing past the lump in his throat.

He had never felt so unbalanced around a woman before. Shaking off that unproductive line of thought Danny shouldered his duffle bag and followed Lindsay up the stairs to her place. She hadn't said much on the drive over and he knew it was because it hurt too much for her to speak.

She unlocked her front door and went inside. He followed her and put his duffle bag down on the floor next to the couch.

She walked into the kitchen, put her bag down on the table, and then headed across the apartment to her bedroom.

"I'm going to shower and change and then tomorrow we can burn these clothes."

She was only slightly joking and Danny seemed to know it because he didn't crack a smile. She shuddered slightly. She could still smell Davis on her and she wanted to shower and get into her pajamas more than anything right now.

"Hey Linds," Danny said, stopping her. She turned to him and paused in her doorway while he nervously rubbed the back of his head.

"I just wanted to…ya know what? Never mind. Go get your shower and I'll just make up the couch." Lindsay frowned at him, puzzled and then shrugged.

"The sheets are in the linen closet in the hallway." She disappeared into her bedroom and Danny stood there for a minute until he heard the shower start.

Immediately images of wet and naked Lindsay filled his mind and he ruthlessly crushed them. This was going to kill him.

Danny walked over to the linen closet, got the sheets, and proceeded to make up the couch, the whole time reminding himself that he was here as her friend. She had been injured and she should have gone to the hospital and since she didn't he was going to stay here and help her out.

That was the only reason he was here.

He knew he was lying to himself but he also knew that she was hurt and aching and he was not going to go there.

After making up his bed he changed into a clean wife beater and a pair of dark blue pajama bottoms and then wandered over to her DVD's. His eyes fell on an unlikely looking title and he smirked. He pulled the box set off the shelf and carried it over to the DVD player, fired it up and placed the first disk of volume one into the tray.

Lindsay came out a few moments later drying her hair with a towel. She stopped dead when she realized what Danny was watching and a wide smile split her face, flashing her dimples.

Danny seemed to sense her and he turned around to get a look at her. He immediately wished he hadn't. She was wearing a pair of light blue boy shorts and a matching light blue tank top with spaghetti straps. It was official; she was trying to kill him.

He shifted his focus but it was hard and made an offhanded gesture towards the television.

"Aqua Teen Hunger Force Miz Monroe? What would the lab think?" She smirked at him and crossed the room so she could plop down on the sofa next to him.

"What, it's funny! Besides you aren't going to tell, cause I distinctly remember a copy of When Harry Met Sally nestled in with your DVD collection. Chick flicks, Messer?"

Danny got defensive.

"Now that was a good movie and it ain't a chick flick, it's a classic." Her smile grew wide.

"Whatever you need to tell yourself." He sighed and turned his attention back to the TV.

"So how ya feelin"

Her voice was still hoarse as she answered.

"I'm all right, a little dizzy, a lot sore, but I'll live."

He nodded and pushed down the guilt he was feeling. She should never have been injured. He should have known that Davis was unstable and he should have been the one sitting across from him. She seemed to read his mind and her hand reached out and captured his.

"Danny, this was not your fault. There was no way you could have known that Davis would snap like that."

He nodded but she could tell he wasn't listening. He changed the subject, pulled his hand out of her grasp, and she fought not to sigh.

"You tired?" She asked. He shook his head in the negative.

"Neither am I." She turned her attention to Aqua Teen and they watched Frylock, Master Shake, Meatwad and Carl as they ran amuck in New Jersey. It wasn't long though before her head started to droop and she started fighting her heavy eyelids.

She lost her battle with sleep a little while later and her head came to rest on his shoulder. Danny could have moved her, probably should have, but the intoxicating scent of her silky hair had him distracted. He moved his arm up around her waist and she snuggled closer to him in her sleep.

Danny closed his eyes tightly begging any god who happened to be listening for control. When none was forthcoming he snapped his eyes back open and decided it was time to move temptation somewhere less accessible.

He gently disentangled himself and stood, laying her down on the sofa as he did. He then put one arm under he knees and the other under her shoulders so he could lift her.

He grunted when he lifted her into his arms but it was hardly a strain, she probably weighed a buck fifteen or a buck twenty tops. Danny ignored the soft give of her body against his own and carried her past the sofa and into her bedroom where he deposited her on her bed. Her shirt rode up her rib cage and stopped just under her breasts and he prayed for strength.

This had not been one of his better ideas. He already battled enough carnal thoughts when it came to Lindsay Monroe and now he was adding a whole slew of images to fuel those thoughts. He frowned and quickly pulled her covers over her and watched as she snuggled against her pillows the way she had snuggled against his chest.

He had to get out of this bedroom, right now.

Danny beat a hasty retreat to the sofa, shut off the TV and DVD player and tried to get comfortable. He could still smell the clean seductive scent of her shampoo in the cushions and he groaned.

It was a good thing he didn't have to go anywhere but home tomorrow because there was no way in hell he was getting any sleep tonight.