Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters

Author's note: This is a short little chapter to bridge to the next part of the story. Thanks again for your feedback. It's very helpful!

Chapter 6

"Lindsay! Hey, did you talk to Danny this weekend? I tried to reach him, but he didn't return my calls," Stella fell instep beside Lindsay in the lab.

Not sure how to respond after what had happened between her and the man in question, Lindsay replied, "Hey, you were the one who said I should let him be."

"Yeah, well, I was worried. I guess you didn't talk to him either. He's supposed to be in today. We'll see for ourselves," Stella shrugged.

About an hour later, Lindsay headed into the break room, looking down into a file as she walked, and slammed right into the hard, compact body of Danny Messer. "Oh my god! I'm sorry." Completely flustered, she crouched down to gather the papers that scattered around. Danny knelt to help her as well. Fortunately for her, Hawkes also joined the fray, picking up some strays that had landed under the table.

"Here you go, Linds," he said with a smile. Thank god for Hawkes, Lindsay thought. She wasn't ready to face him yet. Her savior then looked at Danny. "You ready? That DB on 21st is not going to smell any better the longer we wait."

Danny's blue eyes met her brown ones for a moment before he nodded. "Yeah, let's go."

Lindsay breathed a sigh of relief as they left, but knew she had only dodged the bullet. They would have to address things sooner or later. I know it was a mistake, he didn't want anything permanent, she thought. I just helped him through a rough night. When the time comes, I'll make it easy on him.

She was just being kind, and I took advantage, Danny thought as Hawkes drove them to the scene. He could still smack himself for letting things get too far last weekend. Nothing like a little sympathy sex, Danny sighed. He pictured her rabbit-like expression when they collided in the break room. Looking for the nearest hole to jump into, away from me. Well, we're going to have to discuss this eventually. I'll just apologize, and we'll move on.

Oddly, despite his issues with Lindsay, Danny found each day a little easier since Louie's funeral. True, it hurt like hell, but her words had helped. "You're worth it, Danny. Louie knew it, we all know it." His father had echoed those sentiments, encouraging him to move on with his life and be grateful for the peace he found with his brother before he died.

"The doctors said Louie was never going to be 100 percent, would likely have needed care for the rest of his life. He would have hated that. I think he came back long enough to let us know he loved us, loved you, and now he's in a better place," Robert "Bobby" Messer told his remaining son. "Move on Danny. It's OK - it doesn't mean you've forgotten Louie. You'll be honoring him."

Danny had by no means recovered from his brother's death, but he was on his way. Now I just need to deal with Montana, and I'll be all set.

The "big talk" took place outside later that day, around the corner from the lab, away from prying eyes. Lindsay was sitting on a bench outside of Stan's Deli eating lunch when Danny plopped down beside her. They stared at each other.

"Danny, I -"

"Listen Montana -"

They both stopped, unsure of where to go from there. Danny started. "Look, I appreciate you comin' over Saturday, and the things you said about Louie, ya know, they really helped. Pop said the same thing."

"That's great, Danny. I'm glad I was able to help." She stopped, and once again there was silence. Finally Danny blew out a breath of air and put his face in his hands for a moment before turning to look at her.

"I'm sorry, it was all my fault. I never should have let that happen. Here you were trying to be a friend and I'm all over you. I never should have taken advantage of our friendship that way."

Ah. I was right. I was his warm body for the night. "Danny, it's OK. I knew you were hurting and I was there to talk, not to - well, you know. But things just got out of hand, and I didn't know how to stop it. Ishould have realized you were in pain, and that hopping into bed was only a momentary distraction - it wasn't going to help you in the long run."

Sympathy sex, I knew it. Despite what he heard as her confirmation of his earlier thoughts, he felt like throwing up. A small part of him - well, maybe a big part - had hoped she thought it was more. "Well, let's just move on, shall we? It won't happen again. We'll just chalk it up to bad judgment."

"Definitely. We'll be fine. A little awkward at first, but fine." Lindsay gathered her things and Danny rose from the bench with her. They went their separate ways, and as they left, Lindsay felt tears sting her eyes. It was your own fault, Lindsay. You should have known better.

TBC

Lighter moments coming, I promise!