A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed…I think I received more reviews for the first chapter than any other chapter I have written. Also great thanks to the person who pointed out that I was spelling Lindsay (I spelled it with an 'e') wrong. Here's the second chapter and I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything...sorry i didn't put it in the first chapter!
Chapter 2: A Trip Down Memory Lane
When Lindsay had gotten home she hadn't felt like doing anything. The news of losing her brother had torn her apart both on the outside and inside. She put her keys on the counter along with the box of Matt's belongings and headed for the shower. As she stood in the shower letting the hot water pour down on her, massaging her tense muscles, she let her tears fall. They disappeared down the drain while steam fogged the light blue tiles that surrounded her.
After finishing her shower she retreated to her bedroom, where she changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top. Gathering her old photo album, she cuddled up on the couch with a hot cup of coffee. The box sat there in front of her, but Lindsay didn't have the heart to open it. She knew that it held all of her and Matt's most treasured memories. Tears fell from her eyes once again and she cried herself to sleep.
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Danny Messer sat in his midnight blue Ford F150 outside Lindsay's apartment at 7pm that night. In his hands he held the envelope her had found on her desk earlier that morning. He had taken it to Mac and they had discussed how to handle the situation. Mac had warned Danny not to upset Lindsay anymore than she already was, yet Danny was sitting outside her apartment. Lindsay was his friend and she was there for him with the Louie and Flack situation, now it was his turn to comfort her.
He turned off the ignition and slowly walked up the steps to her door. Danny knocked softly hoping not to disturb her if she was asleep. Lindsay awoke to the sound. At first she though it was apart of her dream but she knew it was reality calling when it came again. She pushed herself off the couch and made her way to the door. She was quite surprised to see Danny standing on the other side.
She sighed when she opened the door, "Danny, I'm not in the mood." The words left her mouth before she could filter them. She hadn't meant to sound so cold and hostile. The look on Danny's face was filled with sadness accompanied by understanding and that surprised her.
"I'm sorry, Danny. I didn't mean that the way it sounded. It's just that I am under a lot of stress right now." Lindsay calmly explained even though she felt the tears creeping back into her eyes. She had to keep hers cool because she refused to let herself cry in front of Danny.
Danny nodded, "That's actually why I'm here. I went to talk to Mac after you abruptly left this morning." Lindsay looked at his slightly confused. "I also found this on your desk." Danny held up the envelope so Lindsay could see what he was referring to. It dawned on him then that Lindsay had just realized that she had forgotten the letter. It broke his heart to see the tears forming behind her eyes and her bottom lip begin to quiver.
"I'm sorry about your brother, Montana." Danny saw a look of fear, anger and sadness wash over her face. He didn't know whether to run or the stay and comfort her. What he really wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and hold her while she cried.
"How could you? I thought we were at least friends. Why would you read it?" Lindsay screamed. Before Danny could respond in defense, Lindsay was pounding her fists on his chest. He did the first this that came to mind and wrapped his arms around her. Her punches soon turned to sobs as she melted into Danny's embrace.
"He's gone Danny. He's really gone." Lindsay's words were muffled by Danny's dark green tee.
Danny places a kiss to the top of her head, "You're gonna be alright." He continued to stroke her damp, brunette curls in a calming motion. To him it felt right to be comforting her as they stood on her door step on hot, New York, summer night. After a few moments he guided her into the house and sat them both on the couch.
By the time they were seated Lindsay had stopped crying and she gently pulled out of Danny's embrace. She self-consciously wiped at her tear-stained face. After a few minutes their eyes met but Lindsay turned away shyly.
"I'm sorry." It was all Lindsay could think to say. She didn't feel the least bit embarrassed; she actually felt comfortable. Danny made her feel safe.
Danny's hand made its way to her face and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "You have nothing to be sorry for Montana." He gave her a reassuring smile and continued, "Think of it as my way of repaying you for all the times you saved me when it came to Louie and Don. I'm always here when you need me." Lindsay nodded her thanks.
Danny looked around the apartment. It was exactly how he had pictures it. Neutral colors filled the room along with some blues and greens. Accompanied by photos and other decorations it gave off that country/western feel.
"Tell me about your brother." The words just flowed out of Danny's mouth before he had the chance to stop them. Lindsay took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Danny's question hadn't come as a surprise to her; she just wasn't sure how to answer it. But somehow she found the strength to try. Gently she reached over to the coffee table that sat across from the couch and picked up the box.
"What's that?" Danny questioned gently. Lindsay glanced at the box and then at Danny's understanding and compassion filled eyes.
"Jason sent it to me. It's my brother's personal belongings that Matt requested be sent to me." Danny nodded, willing her to continue. "This and the letter were sent to the lab instead of my apartment because Jason didn't have my home address. I haven't had the will power to open it all day."
Danny interrupted her before she could continue. "You don't have to do anything you're not ready to do Montana." Lindsay gave him a grateful smile but shook her head.
"I want to do this Danny." He nodded as she slowly opened the box. Lindsay pulled out a photo and showed it to him. "This is a picture of my family." Lindsay explained. He examined the photo. Lindsay was surrounded by three other people in what seemed to be a cabin in the woods. "It was taken on our trip to the cabin the last time Matt was home."
Pointing out the two older people, "This is my mom Christine, Chris for short, and my dad Kyle. To the right of me is my sister, Becky Lynn. She's two years younger than me and is married to Brian Cashman's little brother, Brad." Lindsay smiled and looked at Danny. His jaw dropped about ten feet.
"Brian Cashman? Yankee GM, Brian Cashman?" Danny asked still in disbelief.
Lindsay nodded. "And if you're good I can get you, Don and Mac good tickets to see a game. Brian and I are the twins' godparents and we grew up together." The expression on Danny's face was that of a kid in a candy store.
"Montana, you've got yourself a deal. Now is that your brother?" Danny asked pointing to the young man standing behind Lindsay.
"That's my big brother, Matthew Ryan Monroe. Our birthdays were a month apart. His was June 13th and mine was July 17th." Her voice began to give way and Danny pulled her closer. Lindsay accepted his offer and rested her head on his chest. "Every year after he got his driver's license we would go up to the cabin for the weekend. It was our way of celebrating out birthdays and the last day of school."
It wasn't long after saying this did Lindsay break down crying once again. Danny just held her tight. "Now we're never going to get to do that again." She whispered just loud enough for Danny to hear. His only response was to pull her closer.
About two hours later, Danny knew almost everything there was to know about Matt mixed in with a few breakdowns. After he last one Danny was surprised to find that Lindsay had fallen asleep. She looked so peaceful and angelic with her head on his chest and her curls falling in her face.
Gently he extracted himself off the couch without letting her fall. Danny then carried her down the hall which he assumed would lead to her bedroom. Entering the second room on his left he laid her between the covers. Just when he pulled back, Lindsay touched his arm and murmured something.
"Don't go, Danny. I want you to stay. I don't feel like being alone." She whispered not bothering to open her eyes. Danny's only response was to press a light kiss to her forehead. A faint smile danced on Lindsay's lips. Danny climbed under the covers and wrapped his arms protectively around her waist and closed his own eyes.
While waiting for sleep to take over Danny let his thoughts drift back to the night's events. Danny wondered why everything, including lying there with Lindsay in his arms, felt so right. He knew the answer, he just wasn't sure he was ready to come face-to-face with that particular revelation.
A/N: So how did you like it…I promise there is much more to come. Review and let me know what you thought.
