-1Disclaimer: I don't own these people.

Author's Note: LOOOONNNGGGG chapter. Hyped up on cold meds, couldn't sleep. Okay, going to crawl off to bed, now …

CHAPTER 7

Sheldon Hawkes

I can't hold back a yawn. Last night, Faith called again, which I suppose I knew she would. I guess she thought the ring on her finger would tame the wild ways of her asshole husband, but apparently not. I listened until 2 in the morning, and that's why my ass is dragging today.

"Late night, Doc?" I turn to see Flack standing nearby, an odd look on his face. He's workingtoday's murder/robbery with me.

"Yeah … you could say that."

"A woman, huh? Wish I could have that kind of action … the Frankenstein look on my chest doesn't help."

I chuckle. Somehow I don't think a scar will keep women away from Flack. They fall all over him - young, old, classy, skanky, you name it. "It's not what you think. I was on the phone."

"Mmmm … phone sex … wouldn't think you for the type. Guess I wouldn't have thought Lindsay was either."

I freeze. "What are you talking about?"

"C'mon Doc. Anyone can see you two are pretty tight, although I never would have … I don't know. Danny figured it out, actually, so you might want to steer clear."

"Figured what out?" I fumble.

"That you and Lindsay are sleeping together." Flack blows a breath out impatiently. "Danny said he could just tell, the way you talk, touch, I dunno. I told him he was crazy, but now I'm not so sure."

I was perched on my bumper, and sigh. "Slept."

Flack's confused. "What?"

"Slept. Past tense. It only happened once, and we've agreed that it won't happen again. We'd both had a crappy day … remember the thong-in-the-pants incident? Yeah. Anyway, she came over, we were talking and … you know … it happened."

"How do you know it won't happen again?"

I shake my head emphatically. "Because it won't. We're friends. That's it." Flack nods, and I think he believes me. "Thing is, Don, as her friend, I don't think Danny has a right to be concerned."

"Doc, I know, he's been an ass, but I don't think he meant to hurt her. He just wanted to go back to where he was before he met Lindsay, when all it took was a warm, female body with a pulse to make the world go away. He thought he could forget her. I bet you can guess how that's goin'."

"It's not that I don't have sympathy, but he ripped her in half. She deserves better than that. Look, you're not going to say anything? I promised Lindsay …"

Flack waves a hand at me. "Don't worry. My lips are sealed. Danny's my friend, but so is Lindsay and so are you - don't think I forgot all you did when I was laid up. And I don't disagree - Danny's been a real prick. But I'm warnin' you - he's tryin' to act like he doesn't care … but I think he's goin' to blow."

Lindsay Monroe

The moment I see Sheldon, I know something's up. "All right. Let's here it," I say with a sigh.

"Flack knows." I start to say something angry when Sheldon holds up his hands. "I didn't say anything, he figured it out. Actually … Danny figured it out and told Flack." I groan. "I tried to deny it, but he knows. He said he won't say anything, and warned me that Danny's upset, even if he acts like he doesn't care."

I close my eyes, suddenly aware of a huge headache forming. Thing is, I trust Flack - It's the other male in this equation. Danny angry and trying to hold himself back at the same time - NOT a good thing. "Maybe we should just lay low for awhile, try and stay away from him."

When I look at Sheldon for his reaction, I see an odd, thoughtful expression.. "What?"

"I'm not going to hide from him, Lindsay. We did nothing wrong. And maybe it's time Danny to get angry."

Hearing those words, seeing Sheldon's face, one thought above all others takes center stage in my brain.

Uh oh.

Hawkes

Danny Messer. Poor, unfortunate Danny Messer. I mean, I'm sorry for the guy, too, but that doesn't give him the right to treat Lindsay like shit, then be all pissed off when she finally seeks some comfort. If he's going to blow at anyone, it should be me.

My shift is over, as is Danny's. I know where he is, and it's where I'm headed. Russo's Gym is a hole in the wall off 34th, and I know he likes to go there to burn off steam after shifts. It doesn't take long to find him - he and another guy are getting ready to play racquetball. Since it's known as the grown-up version of handball, Danny's very good. What he doesn't know is that I'm good, too.

"Mind if I take this one?" The man opens his mouth to protest, but catches the look passing between Messer and I.

"No problem," he says, and leaves. Smart man.

Danny's eyes are burning. "You want to take me on, Doc? Sure that's a good idea?"

I smile without humor. "Let's go, white boy." We head to the court.

Danny serves. Thwack! The game is on.

Half an hour later, it's still going, and my arms are burning like wildfire. I know Danny's are, too, but neither of us are willing to stop. I guess it's our version of a pissing match. Running for a shot, Danny moves in my way and I plow him over. He's up in a heartbeat.

"What the FUCK is your problem, Hawkes?" He pushes me. I push back.

"You're the one with the problem." Danny looks ready to breathe fire and comes toward me. I prepare for a fight, and then … He stops. The flame in his eyes dies down.

"You know what? I'm not doin' this. I don't care."

I stand in his way. "You don't care? After everything, you're going to stand there and say you don't care? Ask yourself why you're so pissed off, Danny."

"I don't have to explain myself to ya."

"You should be explaining yourself to Lindsay." His eyes narrow.

"Ah. You know all about Lindsay, doncha. You …" I can see him getting angry again, then he stops himself. "I don't care," he repeats, and turns to walk away.

"The fuck you don't care. C'mon Danny, fight for her, get mad." I walk toward him determined to break through. I put my lips near his ear. "I slept with her, Danny."

I watch the battle within him as he struggles to maintain control. I have to admit it's a little scary, but this man needs to break down. It's one of those "come to Jesus" moments where you have to face the music, get your shit together.

"I know. It's none of my business." He starts to leave again.

I try again, and this time I go for the jugular. "She told me about how much she loves you, how much you hurt her. Come on, you had a thong hanging out of your pants. What were you thinking? Was it necessary? Really, though, made my job easier. That's a fine woman you had there, Messer. So passionate - Who would have thought that sweet Montana girl had it in her?"

Danny whirls around and his fist connects with my jaw. I see stars as I fly backward, but I'm up in a minute, just in time to prepare for his rush. I sidestep, and when he gets up, I nail him - hey, I have anger issues, too. In the corner of my eye I see the owner stick his head in. "Leave it, Rusty," Danny snarls, and moves in. Rusty does.

Pain becomes secondary as Danny and I have it out, exchanging blows fueled by adrenaline. Finally, both bloodied and bruised, we collapse. "That's a lot of anger for a man who doesn't care," I wheeze.

"What's your problem? Why do you care 'bout me? You got her, you're sleepin' together."

"Slept."

"Whathefuck?"

"Slept. Past tense. It only happened once," I say, experiencing some déjà vu. "We were both hurting. I give you three guesses what Lindsay was hurting about, first two don't count."

"I know I hurt her. I felt like shit 'bout it. But it had to be done. I can't lose anyone else. I can't stand it."

I sigh. "Yeah, losing someone you love does hurt. Lindsay knows all about that. And that pain … is it gone, Danny? Are you going to tell me you don't feel it every time you look at her? Are you better off? Are you really?"

His eyes meet mine - the anger gone, replaced by a weary sadness. "What's it matter? I've been such an asshole, she wouldn't take me back, anyway. Besides, you and her …" His eyes shift down again.

"Are good friends. That's all. That night … well, it's over and done with, Danny, I promise you." I lean over and shake him. "Goddamn it, Danny, you're both in love, and miserable because you're not together. How stupid is that? You can fight, Messer, my face can testify to that. But can you fight that hard for someone who matters? Can't you fight that hard for Lindsay?"

He smiles a sad smile. "Hell, yeah, I can do that. But maybe she deserves better, ya know?"

"Maybe. But why don't you try and let her decide?"

Danny looks hard at me, and seems to come to a decision, hopping quickly to his feet. He groans. "Jesus, Doc. We're gonna be sore tomorrow." He looks down at me, then reaches out his hand. "C'mon."

I look at his hand a moment, then accept it, and he hauls me up. "Look, I don' know how I feel about what happened between you two - ah Hell, it sucks - but I appreciate what you did today. I guess I really needed my ass kicked."

I smile. "I guess you did."

Danny nods, then looks at me. "She really loves me, huh?"

"She really loves you. But she's going to make you beg."

He smiles ruefully. "Don't I know it."

TBC