-1Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters

Author's note: Sorry this is kind of long. Got inspired. Hope you enjoy. Reviews, please! I'm a total glutton for them, good or bad.

Chapter 9

Danny and Flack arrived at Cozy's, expecting to be among the first to arrive but everyone except for Lindsay and Beth - Stella, Mac, Hawkes, Hammer beck - were waiting at the table. They exchanged greetings and had just gotten settled when Stella stood and waved toward the entrance.

"Hey! Over here!" she called. Danny glanced over and saw Lindsay and her sister picking their way through the crowd.

Wow, he thought. Red is her color. He loved the way her hair looked swept back from her face, showcasing her delicate features. Flack was more interested in Beth.

"Well hello Miss Beth. Don't you look lovely this evening," he grinned, all but drooling on the floor. Beth did look pretty in her effortless way - a dark green peasant top that dipped low and set off her eyes and a denim skirt. Her blondish brown hair - curlier than Lindsay's soft waves - bounced around her face. "Oh, you look nice, too, Linds."

She chuckled at his afterthought, perfectly understanding his interest in Beth. She was beautiful and outgoing. Rather than any jealousy, Lindsay had always been proud of her sister's beauty, especially since the inside was just as lovely. Lindsay quickly made introductions.

Hawkes reached over to shake Beth's hand but she went up and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Thanks for taking care of my sister the other day." He smiled, slightly embarrassed but touched. "We take care of each other," he said.

"I didn't get a kiss," Flack grumbled.

"Hawkes is cuter," Danny teased, earning a smack from his buddy.

"You better be nice, or your walking home," Flack said. Danny's car wouldn't start that afternoon.

Cozy's was comfortably crowded. Tonight, a mixed ensemble of horns, piano and drums was on stage, playing a mix of jazz, big band and rock and roll. Dinner soon arrived, and the group hummed with comfortable conversation.

"Wow, cool place," Beth commented, watching some skilled dancers wiz by.

"Yeah, Mac plays bass here once a week," Lindsay said.

"Well, sis, you're going to have to show off some of your moves."

"Moves?" Danny raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah. I am proud to say that my sister's dance team in high school won every competition they entered. Lindsay was one of the stars," Beth explained, ignoring her sister's death glare and slashing motions across her throat. "Yep, her particular talent was swing dancing. Out of all the clubs and sports she participated in, that was probably her strongest talent."

"Swing? Really?" Hawkes leaned forward. "I used to have to spend every Saturday at Miss Effie's Ballroom Dancing School. Hated everything but the swing dancing."

"Yeah, well, I hung up my dancing shoes a long time ago. So, anyone for dessert?" Lindsay quickly changed the subject.

As the conversation flowed, Lindsay sat back and relaxed a bit. Danny leaned over. "I've said it before, but it's worth sayin' again: You clean up good, Montana. What did you use here," he indicated her neck. "Vanishing cream?"

"Nope just skillful makeup by my sister," Lindsay smiled. "She was always better at that stuff."

"She's sweet," Danny nodded. "And obviously loves you."

"Yeah, she's the best."

"Funny, I would say that about you," Danny said, looking at her intently. She blushed, and looked away. Danny cursed himself for making her uncomfortable. He needed to learn to take a hint.

Just then, the band leader spoke in the microphone. "For our next song, a little retro swing with 'Jump, Jive An' Wail' from the Brian Setzer Orchestra. This comes by special request by Sheldon Hawkes, who would like Lindsay Monroe to prove that Montana girls can dance."

With that, the music began, and Hawkes was at Lindsay's elbow. She blushed furiously. "Oh, god, Sheldon, don't do this to me."

He grinned. "What's wrong, Montana? You scared?" Hawkes' cocky use of Danny's nickname got Lindsay's competitive juices flowing.

"All right doctor. See if you can keep up." Lindsay led the way to the dance floor.

Beth scooted next to Danny for a better view. "Ooohh. This should be good."

And it was. Soon the dance floor cleared, and a crowd gathered around Lindsay and Hawkes. Sheldon spun her around, and she matched him step for step. "Baby, baby it looks like's it's going to hail …." Hawkes sent Lindsay twirling back against their table, and she slithered back to the beat, prompting cat calls.

"Wow, she's really something," Danny murmured.

"Yeah. She's incredible. It's good to see her so alive after what happened this week," Beth said, her eyes a little misty.

"Hey, Montana's a tough cookie, she'll be ok," Danny put his hand on Beth's. She smiled sadly. "Well, she's had to be."

Danny thought of asking her to elaborate - all he knew is that their parents were dead and they had gone to live with an aunt and uncle they were fond of - but decided it was none of his business. Soon, the song ended and Hawkes and Lindsay returned to the table amid wild applause.

"Ok, Montana girls can dance," Hawkes said, giving Lindsay a kiss on the cheek. She laughed.

"You're not so bad yourself Sheldon," Lindsay said. "That was fun, thanks."

"Yeah, Lindsay, you didn't put that on your resume," Mac said, eyes twinkling. "By the way, I expect to see all of you at the party tomorrow. The swing shift's covering us. I think we could all use the break. You're welcome, too, Beth."

"Hey, speaking of that, who's playing baseball?" Danny asked. Everyone raised their hand except Flack, who looked glum.

"Can't. Doc said no physical exertion for at least another week."

"Well, that's OK. You can keep me company," said Beth, lowering her eyes demurely. "I'm not very good at baseball."

Lindsay raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Beth had made all-state in Montana as a member of the varsity softball team, and even subbed on the boy's baseball team. Oh well, she thought. My sister is a big girl and Flack looks happy.

Soon the music slowed down and the dance floor crowded with couples. The group paired off: Flack with Beth, Lindsay with Hammerbeck, who swirled her around in a silly tango, and Danny with Stella. Mac chatted with the bouncer, a close friend, and Hawkes appeared to making the acquaintance of a lovely woman at the bar.

"Oh my God, Sid, be careful!" Lindsay giggled. "You're going to hit someone."

Hammerbeck only laughed maniacally. Thankfully, though, he spotted Stella. "Hey! I haven't gotten a chance to dance with the birthday girl." Stella gave her a frightened look as Hammerbeck swept her away.

Lindsay stood awkwardly with Danny until he finally broke the silence. "So, what do you say? I'm no Sheldon Hawkes, but I can still cut a rug." Lindsay hesitated only a moment before taking his hand, and he slid his free one around her waist, pulling her closer as I Only Have Eyes For You began. They were stiff with each other at first, reminiscent of Aunt Effie's, Lindsay thought, when Danny suddenly pulled her closer.

"Sorry, I just can't dance like I I'm in sixth grade anymore. No more penguin," he cracked.

Lindsay laughed, but the sound died on her lips as her eyes met his, intense even in the dim light of the bar. She felt that familiar charge, and ducked her head so they were dancing cheek to cheek. She thought it would cut the tension, but her cheek burned where his touched, and she closed her eyes. Hold it together, Lindsay, all you need is to make a show in front of everybody.

Next to her, Danny battled his own complex feelings. Having her this close brought back memories of that night they were together. God help me, it's a good thing we're not alone.

Across the dance floor, Beth went on tiptoe to glimpse the conflicted pair. Flack noticed. "Let's just make this easier," he said, turning her so they both could watch Lindsay and Danny more comfortably.

She flashed him a grateful smile. "That obvious, huh?"

He chuckled. "That's OK. Actually, I'm kind of curious about what's going on there myself. Danny usually clams up if I mention Lindsay. Hammerbeck says he's got a crush."

"Well …" Beth looked at Flack for a moment before taking a plunge. "My theory, based on conversations with my sister, is that they've both got crushes, and maybe think they're the only one. You know, crossed signals and all that."

"Yeah," Flack said thoughtfully. "Lindsay is always concerned about how he's doing. I normally think workplace romances are usually not a good idea - ya know what they say about dipping the pen in company ink - but I think they'd be good for each other."

Beth eyes gleamed as an idea formed. "We might just have to do something about that …"

Flack looked down at her warily. He didn't like the idea of meddling, but damn, Beth was cute, and he really did think Danny and Lindsay could be a good team outside of work as well. "We'll just have to see what develops."

Later, Flack and Danny sat on Danny's balcony enjoying the cool night air and reviewing the night's events. "That Hammerbeck, he's kind of a wack job, hey?" Danny chuckled. "What a goof, draggin' the girls around like that."

Flack laughed with him, then turned serious. "You seemed pretty comfortable with Lindsay, chief."

Danny was startled, and tried to play dumb. "What? Montana? Nah, you kiddin' me? She's no match for the Messer magic." One withering look from Flack told him it wasn't working. "Aw hell, Flack. I'm no good for her. I knew it then, I know it now. I need to stay away."

His friend looked at him closely. "What do you men, 'I knew it then?' Has something happened between you two?"

Danny looked uncomfortable. "Not really. She came over one night after Louie died. I called to chat, then felt bad cuz it was late and hung up, but you know her. Can't stand to be left hanging. No big deal."

"What, you're telling me she came over and nothing happened?"

"I didn't say that. Or wait, maybe I did. Yeah, right. Nothing happened." Danny realized his error when Flack leapt from his seat, shock on his face.

"No way! Oh my god! You slept with her!"

"I did not! There was no sleeping involved! Aw shit. You can't tell anybody." Danny buried his head in his hands. "It shouldn't have happened," he said, his voice quieter now. "She felt sorry for me."

Flack sat down and sighed. He could see his friend had it bad. "I may not know Lindsay as well as you do - scratch that, I definitely don't know Lindsay as well as you do -" he stopped at Danny's look. "Seriously, I don't think she's the type to sleep with someone - or whatever it is you two did - out of pity. You might have to entertain the fact that she cares about you."

Danny didn't answer for a moment, thinking of his friend's words. "I don't know what to think right now, except that I have to be careful. There's a lot on the line here - personally and professionally." He looked hard at Flack. "You can't tell nobody."

His friend nodded. "On one condition," he said, eyes crinkling with mischief. "You have to tell me … how was it? C'mon Messer, spill."

Danny tried to maintain an offended look before giving in to the age old need of men everywhere. "Aw man, it was incredible…"

TBC