A/N: i know, i know, y'all – it's been a long while since i posted, but i just want to say that my thoughts and wishes go out to anyone who experienced major flooding like my own family did this past week. i haven't posted because when it rains here in PA, it literally pours, and for 3 days my house was an island in a river. so that meant no story update, unfortunately. but we're all well now, so i'll be back on track with regular updates.
yay! another long one here, y'all – because i just found out Carmine Giovinazzo was voted one of TV's sexiest men by TV Guide, and that the editor for Playgirl picked him as her #1 sexiest TV guy. i heartily agree!
Love, El
Chapter 7: Radiation
If he was going to have to spend the night alone in the lab, while Montana was out with her horse of a man, he was going to at least do something that made him feel more in touch with her. Danny had searched all over New York and finally called up a specific restaurant, hoping they made deliveries. "Uh huh, yeah, NY Crime Lab, that's right. Look I know it's far, but trust me, I'll make it worth your driver's trip." It's not my fault their café is in the far lower corner of Queens and I'm in Manhattan.
While he was waiting for his food, Danny started printing and examining some of the medicine bottles he had showed Lindsay earlier. When he got to the injection equipment which had no corresponding drug to go with it, he tried to get at least a partial off the depressor of the syringe. Nothing viable could be gathered. Then, striking a brainstorm, Danny carried the syringes and other injection stuff down to the DNA lab, hoping that maybe he could get something off the equipment which would help them determine the use of the syringes and who did the using. So far his luck had held out – there was a needle still attached to one of the syringes. Please let there be some DNA left.
Danny started the prep work for the PCR process, but ran into a problem with one of the pipette tips. Ugh! Nothing is going right tonight: no Montana kiss, she's out with that guy, and I'm stuck here with broken equipment. He audibly groaned.
"What's got you so frustrated, mi amigo?" Adam strolled over to check out what Danny had been working on. Danny had continued to extract minute amounts of residue from the needle core, only he couldn't run the tests without a working pipette system.
"Can you see if you can fool with the pipette rotator, because I can't get it to set at .5 micro Liters?" Danny handed the tool to Adam, who had slid into a pair of latex gloves.
"Did you try to reset to default before cranking the turn shaft to the left before clicking it to the 0.500 box? Sometimes I find the setting mechanism gets jammed if it isn't turned precisely." Danny shrugged, mumbled something about 'being so high-tech nothing works right,' and pulled off his own gloves. "Listen," Adam said, "I actually came in here with a purpose. There's a guy in the break room; he has the most awful smelling takeout bags with him and he said he's looking for you. What did you order that smells so bad?" Danny handed a couple samples over to Adam.
"Never mind that. Can you run a PCR on these when you finish fixing that thing?" Adam nodded and said it'd be done in a jiff, and Danny headed for the break room. But before he could make it out the lab door, Adam called out: "It's not more bugs, is it Danny?" Danny chuckled and kept going; Ok, food's here. Moving on to Phase 2 of the plan.
Danny was just unwrapping his meal, when Stella strode into the room looking for some fresh coffee as a boost. "Danny, what in the name of all that's good are you eating?" She turned to look at him, sipping her coffee, and wrinkling her nose. He seemed to be trying to figure out how to actually eat the takeout he had ordered.
"It's a Rocky Mountain Oyster, Stell. You want a bite?" he had just picked up the sandwich, turning it all around, examining it rather skeptically.
Stella nearly choked on her coffee. She stared at him, "Danny, can I ask you something?" He shrugged as he started lifting his sandwich to his mouth. "Why are you about to eat bull's testicles for dinner?"
This time Danny spluttered, and threw the sandwich down onto the table. "They're what!" Danny coughed and moved his chair back, as if the meat in the sandwich was still attached to the bull. By this time, Stella was laughing so hard she could barely breathe.
Clutching her abs, she gasped, and said, "You didn't know what Rocky Mountain Oysters were?"
"No, I didn't! All the thing said was that it was an authentic Western sandwich. It said nothing about bull's balls." Danny groaned at the thought of his wasted dinner, then groaned again at the thought of the extra big tip that he gave the guy for delivering the dinner he wasn't eating.
Stella had somewhat controlled her laughter. "Oh Danny, Danny." She sighed, "Come with me and let's go get some real dinner – my treat." He looked at her suspiciously, afraid she might trick him into doing something he didn't want to do. She tugged his arm, pulling him up from his chair, "Come on, Danny, I don't bite. Let's go get some good food. I promise it'll be worth your while!" She dragged him out the door, leaving the testicle meat behind.
"So, Danny, isn't this pizza much better than the takeout you were going to eat?" Stella grinned at him across the little plastic pizzeria table.
"Hell yes! I am not eating bull's testicles for anyone, no matter what the reason." He took a rather large bite out of his folded slice of mushroom. As he concentrated on not getting the dripping cheese stuck in his facial hair, Stella watched him, eyes holding laughter. 'He doesn't even realize that he just let slip his little plan to eat a food he thinks Lindsay likes,' Stella thought.
Danny looked up and caught her staring with an amused look on her face. "What? What is it?" He rubbed his face, "I know, I know, if I shaved I wouldn't have this problem." At that, Stella broke into a full belly laugh.
Danny just looked completely perplexed. "Oh Danny! You make me laugh," Stella managed between gulps of air; he quirked an eyebrow at her. Her amusement finally subsided enough to talk. "You wanna tell me why you were so hell-bent on eating an authentic Western meal?" Danny eyed her, unable to tell whether she was teasing or serious. "One, I might add, that is popular in a state that starts with an 'M' and ends in –ontana?" Danny stifled a groan; Man, I knew she had ulterior motives. She's always able to get crap out of me that I don't want her to know – she's like Montana in that way. At his last thought, his eyes took on a whole new look, and Stella, being a trained scientific observer and all, caught the change instantly.
"Babe," she reached across the table and patted his hand, much like a big sister, "you have got it bad!"
"I don't…Look it's not…what?" Danny stuttered out. "Got what?" Yeah, that's it. Go with the totally obvious lie and 'pretend ignorance'. Stella grinned. Okay, new approach, because she obviously didn't buy that.
"Listen, I'm not…" gather your thoughts, "It was just an impulse. I didn't mean for you to make it into a huge production. I just wanted to…" Danny trailed off, looking sheepish and ducking his head to stare at his mostly finished pizza.
Stella's face took on a serious look, but there was still a tiny twinkle in her eyes. "Danny, I think it's sweet that you want to get to know what makes Lindsay who she is," Danny looked up at her, a slight look of shock on his face, "but," Stella continued, not bothering to stop and mollify him, "you are going about this all wrong."
"Stell, I appreciate that you care and all, but this is, I mean, I'm not sure, but I can handle it. It's just impulse acting on attraction, so I've got things worked out," he said. Is there any way we can still manage to avoid having this conversation?
Stella knew it was about way more than just attraction, but she kept quiet about that part, opting rather for, "No, Danny, you obviously don't have things under control." He shuffled his shoulders and Stella knew she was treading dangerous waters – if she didn't say the right things, he'd just get angry and belligerent and leave in a huff. "Danny, Lindsay is out with someone else and you're here with me, only because I saved you from eating a bull's genitals." He wasn't looking at her, but at least he was still in his seat and listening. "I've seen the look on your face lately, especially when her firefighter has been around, and I'm not going to help you with your little plan – mainly because I'm not going to add 'office pimp' to my resume." At this, Danny balked a little, but Stella cutoff his coming objection to her statement with, "oh please, Danny, let it go. You know your reputation precedes you." Yeah, yeah. Rebel badboy who made good, but still loves and leaves. "I am, however, going to let you in on a couple of secrets."
Danny lifted his eyes; Stella could see a war raging behind those gorgeous blues. She could tell that Danny wanted Lindsay at least physically – anyone with eyes and hormones knew that. But Stella could see in his eyes a tinge of some emotion besides lust; it was well hidden, but it seemed like Danny was beginning to pull this new set of emotions to the forefront. She just wanted to help him do it right.
"That obvious, Stell?" Danny sighed, resigned to the fact that she ha him completely pegged. At least she thinks it's all physicality – and that is all this is. He was too unsure to wonder about anything more than that.
She grinned; "No, but I've been working way too long with you, Danny." He smirked at that. "Now listen to me, because I care, I'm female, and I know these things, will you?"
"Go on, oh Wise One." This has got to be good.
"I know that you've been overpowering her with your sexuality…"
"What! How do you know that's true?" Does everyone know about this freakin' plan! "What, did you spy on me?"
Stella rolled her eyes, "Danny, I'm not stupid – give me a little more credit than that." Stella went about finishing her dinner with no more production than if they were having a conversation about work or sports or weather. "It's pretty damn obvious what your plan is, when you corner her in a lab, making her feel the heat that's been radiating between the two of you since she got here. Everyone but you two, apparently, notices it." I didn't think anyone saw what happened today. "Or when you shoot her looks that you think no one can see, and when you make remarks about the guy she's dating because you're jealous, but you think that none of us can hear you." I really need to rethink this plan.
"I didn't think that I was that obvious," Danny said glumly. Stella grinned at him and laughed. "So what is it that you're trying to tell me? To stop trying?"
"No, don't stop trying; as they say, anything worth getting is worth the effort." She let him digest the fact that she wanted him to get the girl. Seeing recognition dawn on his face, she moved on, "However, you need to stop trying so hard. Don't be so aggressive with her – this isn't a Tarzan movie. Lindsay is the sort of girl who is used to Montana guys, which, from talking to her about home, seem to be just like that firefighter we met. They're big and sweet and gentlemanly. She's not used to the forwardness of this city – despite what you might think. So while I insist that you stay exactly as you are," at this she made sure to grab his eyes with her own, "because, Danny, no matter whether you think so or not, Lindsay is very attracted to you - just as you are. It is my suggestion, though, that you refine your techniques for her." Hey! No need to get mean here.
Danny's feathers were noticeably ruffled; it is safe to assume no man likes to be told his technique at picking up women is faulty. 'Such a guy,' Stella thought with a laugh. "No Danny, I don't mean you have any problems picking up girls" – what, does she read my mind? – "but this is not just a girl. This is Lindsay."
Danny lowered his head and his voice. Uncharacteristically serious, he said, "Don't you think I know that?" Hesitant, he lifted his eyes to Stella's, afraid he was going to see disapproval at his feelings towards Lindsay. There was none; Stella knew this was not a typical reaction to a girl for him.
"I know, Danny, I know," Stella's heart sagged for the uncertainty she saw in his face, "so do this right, okay." He nodded. "Learn about her – this time without involving the unmentionables of a bull." Danny gave a wry grin. "Do little things for her, be sweet to her, and show her you can be caring, and sensitive, and not just raw sex. Trust me; she knows you can be that!" Stella smirked at Danny's astonishment. "Girls do talk, Danny. You've only shown her snippets of your sensitive side – that time during the interrogation while I was in the hospital, when she cut her head the day Flack got hurt." Danny's eyes glazed over remembering those times, remembering the fleet of emotions that had sailed through him regarding the brunette. I'd do those things all over again, in a heartbeat, just to keep her from getting hurt.
"And judging by the look on your face, you know what I'm talking about," Stella wiped her hands on her napkin, just as Danny's phone beeped. Checking it out, he pushed his chair back.
"Time to go?" Stella asked.
"Yeah, sorry, Adam just paged me with an 'URGENT' telling me to come back right away," he said as he started reaching for his wallet.
"Aa ah ah," Stella tsked, "I said it's my treat. You go get the car and I'll pay quickly."
During the car ride back to the lab, Stella's phone rang. Thinking she might be getting an assignment, she answered quickly, "Bonasera." Danny kept his eyes on the road; he was thinking about their conversation at dinner.
"Oh hi! How was it?" Stella laughed. "Really? That's so sweet. It's a shame it didn't last longer." Danny figured it was safe to assume that this wasn't a work-related call. "Oh yeah? Yeah, that does seem kind of forward, but, you know, he is a sweetheart. Did you not want to?" Danny's eyes were still on the road, but his ears were wide open; that has got to be Montana. "Oh I see. Yeah, we all get that way sometimes. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise until you feel good and ready. Always better to be safe than sorry – I oughta know… No no, I'm not, so don't worry. I'm just imparting experience on you so you don't run into the same thing." I hope she's okay. If Smoky the Bear tried anything on her like what happened with Stella…Danny tensed at the thought.
"Uh-huh, maybe it's a sign," she laughed - I wonder how you kill a Grizzly Bear?Is it legal? Oh hell, who cares, I'll do it anyway – "Or yeah, it could mean that too," Stella chuckled. "Okay, well, I'll see you in half-an-hour then." Stella folded her phone shut, and grinned over at Danny. He wanted to know so badly what Lindsay had said on her side, but he kept his mouth shut. Stella knew he was trying to appear nonchalantly not interested, and boy! was he failing miserably.
"That," Stella smirked, "was Lindsay." Danny finally turned his head and glanced at her, just before pulling into a parking spot. He got out and went over to open Stella's door and help her out of the vehicle.
"You're learning," she grinned and patted his shoulder at the gentlemanlike behavior. "She's coming in to work on something. She said she'll be here in about 30 minutes; she had to change first." As they made their way up to the labs, each was lost in their own thoughts. Just before Danny turned to look for Adam, Stella laid a hand on his arm. "Remember," she said in a low tone, "it's the little things that make a big impact. Take what I said to heart." With that, she left.
Danny made his way into the lab, grabbing his lab coat as he passed the rack, and replaying what Stella just said. 'Take what I said to heart. Yeah…he mused; it's all in the heart.
Lindsay entered the Crime Lab building, strolling towards the elevator bay. Her thoughts and feelings were going a mile a minute. Tonight had been a combination of happiness and apprehension, of urgency and hesitancy, and she was left feeling utterly bamboozled. She replayed the events that had led to her current mental state as she rode the elevator up.
First, there was her and Danny's case. They couldn't figure out how their victim caught on fire, they couldn't figure out whether it was the fire or the Clorox that had actually killed her, and they had a semi-suspect, who was really only a lying SOB. Nothing Dr. Terrill had done or said indicated explicit criminal action; he merely was very good at lying. 'He is definitely involved in this somehow, we just need to figure out what that connection is,' she thought to herself. She and Danny were no closer to finding the killer and they needed a break in the case badly.
Then there was that moment in the lab this afternoon, after they had gotten back from interviewing the doctor. She was so sure Danny had been about to kiss her, she even readied herself for it, but then he hadn't and Adam had come in, and Danny ha acted like nothing had even transpired. "Errrgghh," she groaned aloud in frustration. 'Why does Danny have to do this to me now?' she thought. She had finally found someone in this big city who made her feel secure and homey; he was a Montanan after all. Colt was sweet, a gentleman, caring, and had moved to NYC to do what he loved and help those in need – she had to respect that in a person. And he reminded her of home.
'But then again, Danny also does what he loves and helps people,' her conscience chided her. The only difference was that Danny wasn't from Montana, and he wasn't secure or homey. 'No,' Lindsay thought, 'those aren't the only differences between those two.' As much as she tried to make her attraction towards Danny seem irrational by focusing on his reputation and how he was from the 'wrong side of the tracks,' she couldn't quite fully succeed in condemning him. Yes, Colt was a sweetheart, but she had seen Danny's big heart shine through on various occasions: with his brother, with Aiden, with Flack, with his cases.
Dinner tonight with Colt had been good, they got along so well. There were a few glitches and funky vibes felt, but overall Lindsay would rate the night a success. Except that she couldn't bring herself to kiss Colt; 'not yet,' she kept telling herself, 'we can kiss later.' But Lindsay wasn't sure why she wanted to put off kissing him so much, but she knew she'd feel guilty if she did take that step. Without her consciously knowing it, Lindsay's mind was fast creating two categories: Colt was everything Montana and Danny was all New York.
Shaking her head and finding herself arriving at the office she shared with Danny, Lindsay sat down to do some paperwork and mull over the case, hoping to find the break they so desperately needed.
"Oh good, you're back. Sorry for the crazy page, but what I have to show you, you'll really want to see." Adam grabbed at the newly printed papers sitting in the printer tray. "I ran your sample from the needle, and I was surprised by the results, so I wondered what you might make of it." He handed Danny the results.
"You're sure these are the results from that needle? We didn't find any other evidence to corroborate this in that apartment."
Adam nodded, "Oh yeah. I ran it through, just like you asked." Danny's eyes were hurriedly scanning the page in disbelief. "I fixed the pipettes too, by the way."
"Yeah good work on that. But if these are the results, then this is big news. Super big." Danny licked his lips, hoping these results meant what he thought they did. "Adam, do me a big favor and let's run these one more time. This time we'll compare epithelials from the pill bottles to the DNA results from the syringes." Quickly, Danny and Adam went to work.
Danny rubbed his hand over the back of his neck, trying to massage out the kinks he had gotten in the last hour and a half, while doing the PCR testing with Adam. In his hands, he held a blue folder with big news. Headed for the break room for some highly caffeinated goodness, he noticed the lights were on in his office. So, Montana's still here, plugging away at her desk. Wonder why she's here so late.
He entered the break room and brewed a new pot of coffee, as he readied two mugs. Grabbing the coffees, the file, and a muffin, he headed back towards his office and Montana, deciding now was as good a time as any to practice the advice Stella had conveyed to him. That, and he had some big news to tell her. And I just like being around her, so here goes.
Danny opened the door to the office with his butt, keeping the door from swinging into his hand and making him spill the coffee. "Hey Montana, thought you could use a little pick me up." He placed a mug in front of her and the muffin on a napkin. She eyed him in surprise; first, because he was here so late, and second, because he had brought her coffee. She took a sip – 'and he fixed it the way I like it,' she thought. Danny went and sat at his desk opposite her, sipping his own coffee and rearranging paperwork on his desk. "What gives? Why're you here so late?" he asked her, his voice quiet, like the nights in Montana.
"I could ask you the same thing," she said, still feeling a little surprise, but also a small prick of happiness.
"I stayed to do some more work on our case. I was working on the pill bottles and injection equipment."
"I was preoccupied by the case, so I thought I'd come in and do paperwork, and think it all over." She rubbed her eyes, and shifted some papers. "But I haven't seemed to make any progress."
He waved the blue folder at her. "Well I have some big news." She stared at him, he seemed happy, so she hoped it meant he found something to help them find their killer during his testing.
"What's up? Did you find something?" Danny just grinned his trademark half-grin and licked his lips.
"Don't tease me, Danny," she said, 'although he looks damn sexy when he does,' she thought, "Just tell me. What is it?"
Danny smiled a full smile and handed her the folder. She opened it and read the contents, her eyes nearly bugging out of her head. "Danny! Danny, this is big! This means that Cristine Connors had family nearby." He nodded, feeling excited at her excitement. God, she's gorgeous when she gets excited about a case! "These results mean that Cristine had a brother or father nearby, and he used the needle found in her apartment!"
Danny leaned back in his chair, fingers linked behind his head. "Yeah, I was hoping to get some good DNA off those syringes, but I never expected this."
"This is the break we needed; I'm so glad you stayed to work on this. I could just jump over this desk and kiss you, Danny!" I wish you did.
alrighty, hope you liked it. Big transition chapter there.
oh, before i forget – let me explain about the 1G and 2E notations… as i said, this is most definitely a D/L story, big time, all the way; but i have two ending types worked out as far as the Montana guy goes – he either turns out to be 1) Good, but Lindsay chooses Danny over him, or 2) Evil, and Lindsay ends up with Danny cause of that. so when i asked for you to pick one, you were picking which ending i'd go with for the Montana guy, not whether it was D/L or not. D/L ALWAYS
…i heart your reviews, they keep me going!
