Disclaimer: I don't own these characters or the song included here.

Author's note: Here's the latest. Thanks for all the comments, and please, GIVE ME MORE! I"M A REVIEW WHORE!

Chapter 10

"Dress is something cool, it's still hot," Lindsay warned her sister.

"Hey, I always dress in something cool." Beth smiled as she walked out, stylish as always in denim shorts and lace-trimmed tank top. "Wow, you don't look so bad yourself."

Lindsay smiled. She did look pretty good. She was wearing a pair of white shorts that clung snugly to her hips, and a bright green halter-style shirt with a high neck - there were still bruises to hide. Her shoulders and upper back were bare and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She felt refreshed after they came back to her apartment to shower. After two games of baseball she had been dusty and irritable, although she had played well. She even threw out that idiot Rodgers in a double play from her short stop position.

"It was easier for you to stay cool, hanging out all cozy in the bleachers with Flack," Lindsay teased, grinning at her sister's blush.

"It's no big deal - I'm leaving tomorrow, anyway."

"Yeah, well, be careful."

"Hey, I'm not the one having one night stands."

"I do not - Danny was not a one night stand. That was a …. misunderstanding," Lindsay knew that sounded lame. Beth walked over and sat her down on the edge of the bed.

"Look, Linds, I know you think that didn't mean anything to Danny, but I think it did. Didn't you see the way he looked at you last night at Cozy's? And I swear, you two looked ready to spontaneously combust on the dance floor."

Lindsay couldn't help but smile. "Being that close to him did bring back memories."

"Well, there's no reason you can't make more. I think he cares about you, Lindsay, and I know you care about him. And don't give me any of this crap about not deserving him. You deserve to be happy, and if Danny does that for you, so be it."

"It's not that simple, Beth."

"Just promise me you won't close your eyes to the possibility."

Lindsay grudgingly nodded. "Okay, I promise, as long as you promise not to say anything to Danny. I know you, you'll try matchmaking."

She didn't say anything about Flack, Beth thought, and crossed her fingers behind her back for good measure. "I promise I won't say anything to Danny - on one condition." Lindsay raised an eyebrow. "How was it? I mean you told me it happened, but no details." Beth grabbed a pillow to her chest, hugging it with eyes agleam. "C'mon sis, spill."

Lindsay knew she shouldn't say anything, but Beth was her sister, and besides, she'd been bursting to tell someone. "Oh god, Beth, it was incredible …"

By the time Beth and Lindsay arrived, the DJ was spinning tracks and a crowd moved to the music.

"Hey you," Flack whispered in Beth's ear. She jumped, then smiled at the handsome detective, dressed in khaki shorts and a T-shirt.

Lindsay spotted Danny a few feet away chatting with friends. He looked Staten Island-smooth as always, in denim cut-offs and a gray tank top. She was about to say hi when she was grabbed from behind. "So we know you can swing, but can Montana girls conquer hip-hop?"

Lindsay smiled at Sheldon Hawkes. "Do you even have to ask?" The two ran out on the dance floor and began to dance to 50 Cent's In Da Club.

"You're sister can really move," Flack said, a grin on his face.

"Yeah, she's a great dancer," Beth agreed.

"I wasn't talking about dancing," he answered, chuckling at her shocked look. "I had a little chat with our friend Danny last night. He's got it bad, Beth, real bad."

"In his heart or in his shorts?"

Flack laughed. "Both. Problem is, he thinks Lindsay was just being kind that night, that it didn't mean anything …"

"And Lindsay thinks she was just his warm body for the night. Well, Detective, we may have some work to do …"

Several feet away, Stella was watching Flack and Beth conspire, wishing she was a little closer so she could listen in, while Mac had his eye on Hawkes and Lindsay, who matching the beat move for move. Kind of close, he thought.

"Hey Stell. Check those two out," he said, indicated Hawkes and Lindsay. Stella looked and nodded, and Mac continued: "You don't think there's anything going on there, do you?"

She laughed. "Lindsay and Hawkes? No, nothing more than friendship there." Stella turned to see Danny watching the pair intently from the sidelines and smiled. Wrong couple, Mac, she thought. Wrong couple.

The sun had begun to go down, and Danny found himself a quiet spot on a bench away from the crowd.

"Penny for your thoughts." He looked to see Beth plop down next to him.

"Is that a popular expression in Montana?" He asked. "Hey, why aren't you with your sister? Oh wait, she's busy with Hawkes." Danny had been in a foul move since watching those two earlier - They were practically freak-dancing, he groused to himself.

"Oh Danny." Beth laughed. "You can't think there's anything going on there. I'm her sister, I know - they're just friends."

He felt a little foolish. This wasn't high school after all. "Aw, it's no biggie, Montana can see whoever she wants."

"She's not interested in whoever, Danny."

He caught her implication, and though his heart quickened a bit, he shook his head. "I don't think she's interested in me, either, which is just as well. I've got a lotta what they call baggage."

"You think you're the only one? Listen, I love Linds, but she's got her issues, too, Danny."

"You keep sayin' that, but she's seems pretty well put together. She doesn't need trouble like me in her life."

Beth suppressed an urge to smack Danny and his self-pity. "You know what? You're not the only one who's had it rough. You want the short version? Here it is: My dad knocked up my mom with Lindsay when they were both 17. He kicked the crap out of her for the next 16 years, and took every chance he could to let my sister know how worthless she was - it didn't help that she looked just like mom.

"Anyway, this one day, Lindsay comes home to find him beating her up - again. She tried to intervene, and he turned on her. This time though, mom got some spine and pulled a gun on him."

"Good for her," Danny murmured.

"Not really. They fought over the gun and it went off, and mom died. Lindsay was calling the police when dad shot himself."

Danny gaped. "Jesus. I had no idea. Where were you?"

"A special camp Lindsay arranged to get me away from it all. She always protected me, never herself. So when I hear you've got demons, Danny, forgive me if I don't run and hide."

Beth, irritated with both of them, walked off. Danny was left in her wake, digesting the latest information he had on the enigma he called Montana.

Lindsay leaned up against a tree, watching the dancers move. She sipped a Coke, grateful for the break. Sheldon was a great dancer, but she was pooped.

"Hey Montana." Danny appeared at her side, grabbing her Coke and taking a swig.

Lindsay glared at him. "Help yourself," she said before snatching her drink back. The DJ announced a slow down in the action, and True by Ryan Cabrera began to play.

Danny gazed at her for a moment, then: "How 'bout it, Montana? Twice in as many days?" He offered her a hand, and Lindsay, hesitating a moment, took it, and the two went on the dance floor. Once again avoiding his gaze, she rested his head on his shoulder, registering some surprise when he rested his head on hers. She closed her eyes, and the two moved to the music.

I won't talk, I won't breathe,
I won't move till you finally see That you belong with me

You might think I don't look But deep inside the corner of my mind I'm attached to you I'm weak, it's true Cuz I'm afraid to know the answers Do you want me too?
Cuz my heart keeps falling faster

I've waited all my life To cross this line To the only thing that's true.
So I will not hide, it's time to try Anything to be with you.
All my life I've waited This is true.

You don't know what you do Every time you walk into the room I'm afraid to move.
I'm weak, it's true.
I'm just scared to know the ending.
Do you see me too?
Do you even know you met me?

I've waited all my life to cross this line To the only thing that's true.
So I will not hide It's time to try anything to be with you.
All my life I've waited, this is true.
I know when I go will be on my way to you,
The way that's true.

I've waited all my life to cross this line To the only thing that's true.
So I will not hide It's time to try anything to be with you.
All my life I've waited

This is true.

The song ended, and Danny did not let go of Lindsay, even as an upbeat song began to play. He looked into her eyes, her confusion mirroring his own. She finally broke away, afraid to be trapped in his gaze any long.

"I think I'll sit this one out." Lindsay walked off the dance floor, Danny close behind. "Hey Montana -"

"Lindsay! Hey, I was just coming to find you." Beth ran up to her sister. Lindsay was a bit relieved.

"Hey Beth, I'm glad you're here. I was thinking of heading home soon. The crowd's beginning to thin out anyway."

"Umm, I hope you don't mind, but Don - I mean Detective Flack - and I were thinking of going out for coffee? All the action has tired him out - you know he's still recovering."

Lindsay looked over at Flack, who tried his best to look pathetic.

"Don't worry, he'll get me home. Anyway, if it's OK, maybe you could take Danny home since he came with Don? Great! You're the best!" Before her sister could say anything, Beth was off, leaving Lindsay gaping her wake.

She continued to stand there, processing the exchange, when Danny spoke.

"Well, I guess it's just you and me, Montana."

TBC