Disclaimer: I don't own these people.

Author's Note: Kind of a transitional chapter. Kind of boring, but I like transitions, so sue me! Comments are always lusted after, sooooo … REVIEW!

CHAPTER 8

Sheldon Hawkes

The alarm goes off for the third time, and I know pressing snooze again is not an option - I have to be to work in an hour. I sit up in bed and groan instinctively - my head is throbbing, my legs rubbery, my ribs sore. I walk into my bathroom, and the view in the mirror isn't much better. Black eye, bruised cheekbone with a small cut on my jaw. Wow.

Gotta watch out for those Statten Island boys. I comfort myself with the fact that Danny will look worse - bruises are more prominent on white skin. I sigh at my reflection a moment longer then go to dress. I've done my level best to help him get his head out of his ass. The rest is up to him.

I park in our structure at work, and ready myself. Flack and Lindsay will definitely have an idea of what happened. With both of our faces battered, it won't take much for the others to put two and two together. As I enter the lab, I ignore the curious looks and head to the locker room to find Lindsay already there.

I hear a sharp intake of breath. "Jesus, Sheldon. What happened? I'm going to kick Danny's …"

"Actually sweetie, I already did that, and he returned the favor. It was mutual, no one gets full blame." I hold my hand when she opens her mouth to speak. "Listen, it was coming, nothing was going to stop it. I just thought we should get it over with. And for what it's worth? He still loves you." Before she can say another word, I leave.

About an hour later, we've had our morning meeting. It's a slow day, and we're all working on previously existing cases. Danny and I both had our share of raised eyebrows, and after an initial nod, he and I pretty much ignore each other. I think everyone has moved on when Mac approaches my desk.

"Hawkes. In my office. You too, Danny." He jerks his head toward his door and leaves no room for argument - vintage Mac.

Like school children being sent to the principal's office, we file in and sit down. Mac sits across at his desk and looks at us sternly. "Are you going to tell me what happened?"

"Rough racquetball game." Danny grunts.

"I've never seen a racquetball game cause this much damage. What else."

"Twinkle toes here tripped and fell down the locker room stairs," I add, trying not to smile.

Danny raises an eyebrow. "Yeah, it hurt like a bitch. Then Hawkes hit himself in the face with his own locker door. Klutz."

Mac glares at us. "Is that all you have to say?" We are silent. "All right, well, whatever's going on here better not affect my lab, boys. I mean it."

We know he does.

Lindsay Monroe

I'm furious at both of them. I end up getting the scoop from Flack, who got the scoop from some of his buddies at the gym where the great rumble took place. Fighting over me like a piece of meat. I'm headed to my car at the end of the day, and I see Danny at his. I erupt.

"Messer! What the hell? Why did you go after Sheldon? You have no right, no right! He's been a good friend to me, been there for me, he doesn't deserve crap from you." I'm so mad I'm shaking.

He opens his mouth to speak - I think he's gearing up a defense - then he stops. A beat later, he says: "You're right, Lindsay, I had no right. Not after how I've treated you. But if means anything, Hawkes found me, not the other way around."

I'm taken aback by his words and the sad look in his eyes. But I'm not ready to let him off the hook, Sheldon either. "Yeah, well, you both acted like a couple of idiots," I manage feebly.

Another beat. "Don't be mad at Hawkes - although who woulda thought the Doc had it in 'em? I deserved it, Lindsay. Someone needed to knock me upside the head."

Oh God, where did this contrite Danny come from? I'm thrown off, wary, and in emotional upheaval. Time to retreat. "I have to go." I turn and fumble for my keys, and they fall to the ground. "Shit!"

Danny ambles over and picks them up for me. He unlocks my door, opens it, and hands me my keys. I take them, avoiding his eyes, and get in the car. He gazes at me, and I'm locked by those eyes. I fear his next words.

"Good night, Montana." He leaves me dumbfounded. Such a simple statement, such complex emotions. He hasn't called me Montana in, well … since he told me we were done. For the second time in as many days, my mind is dominated by one thought:

Uh oh.

Hawkes

I hear the tentative knock on my door and smile. I peer out the peep hole. "Are you armed?"

Lindsay huffs out an impatient breath. "Just open the door."

"You're not going to hurt me?"

"Only if you don't open the door. The chocolate chip cookie dough is melting."

That's enough for me, and I greet her with a smile. I can tell she's trying not to smile back as she comes in and stashes the goods in the freezer. "Ice cream's going to wait for now. What possessed you to go over and start a fight with Danny? By the way, you look like hell."

"Thanks," I mutter. "So have you talked to him yet?"

"I saw him in the parking garage. He basically apologized for treating me badly. That's about it. Oh, and he called me Montana - haven't heard that in awhile."

I struggle not to grin. Who knew? Danny Messer could be subtle.

"What about you, Sheldon? Did you ask out that artist yet?

"Nicole? Not yet … we just run into each other from time to time." I head to the kitchen to get the ice cream. I don't want her to continue because I'm not sure how I feel yet. Nicole has basically sent me the "I've available and interested" signals, and just when I get ready to respond, Faith calls. It's not fair to either of us to rush.

Luckily, Lindsay is lost in her own thoughts. "Do you think he wants me back?" she asks softly.

"Maybe. The more important question is, do you want him back?"

She smiles sadly. "That's the million dollar question."

TBC