Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, I just manipulate them for my amusement.

Author's note: Sometimes the best way to get out of a writing funk is just to get something down. Here it is, for better or worse. I'm kinmd of tying up Sheldon's part of the story and moving on with Danny and Lindsay ... your thoughts are always welcomed and appreciated!

CHAPTER 13

Sheldon Hawkes

Nicole and I are spending a delightful evening together curled up on the couch, talking and listening to smooth jazz. She looks beautiful in the candlelight, her skin shifting into lovely hues with each flicker of the flame.

"You're beautiful," I say, without realizing at first that I've vocalized my thoughts.

She smiles gently, reaching up to touch my cheek. "So are you."

I pull her to me, kissing her softly before she settles on my chest. We've discussed most everything tonight - touch cases, triumphs, childhood. There is one subject left untouched, until now.

"What's her name, Sheldon?"

I pause, then realize it's time. "Faith."

"She break your heart?"

I think carefully before I respond. "I don't know if she broke it as much as held it hostage."

"Has she released it?" Nicole has lifted her head to meet my eyes. There's a charge, and I realize there is nowhere else I'd rather be - in this moment, with this woman.

I touch her lips with mine, then meet her gaze once again. "No. You have."

Tears form and she smiles. "I've been waiting for that."

"I've been waiting for you."

We melt into each other, kisses deepening, clothing falling gently to the floor. Our movements become more urgent, leaving us no time to move to the bedroom. Afterward, she falls asleep in my arms, and I can't remember when I've been so happy.

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An hour later, I leave Nicole slumbering peacefully on my bed, where she lays adorably cuddled in my sheets and pillows. I walk to the balcony and check my watch - 1:14 a.m. Well shit - she's called me later. My fingers deftly dial the familiar numbers on my cell.

"Shel? Is that you, baby?" Her voice is full of relief.

"Hello Faith."

"It's been so long, I was worried. I need to -"

"Faith. I'm calling to say good-bye."

"Good-bye? Sheldon Hawkes, you can't -"

"I can, and I am Faith. I need to move on, and maybe this is what you need to move on as well."

"But I love you! You're my -"

"You don't love me, Faith. I don't know if you ever did. Listen, be happy, Faith, and don't settle. I finally realize I can't." I click off my cell, cutting off her protests, and make a note to change my number. Moving silently back through my apartment, I rejoin the woman that changed my life.

Lindsay Monroe

I can't help but smile through my somewhat blue mood. Sheldon and I met for coffee before work and he filled me in on his big break from Faith. I'm pleased - I ran into he and Nicole one evening at the lab - I was coming on shift as Sheldon was leaving. She's beautiful, sweet, and obviously adores him.

I've been avoiding Rich's calls the past couple days. We've had three dates over the past weeks, each ending with kisses that increased in ardor on his part. I just responded mechanically, waiting for that spark, that WOW feeling. It never arrived.

It pisses me off. He's everything I should want. On those dating websites we'd probably be a perfect match. Too bad those sites aren't full proof.

"Mornin' Montana." I look up to meet the blue eyes of the man I believe has spoiled things for me. I grunt a greeting in return and begin reviewing lab results from yesterday. Danny takes the hint and we work in silence.

Danny's cell rings. "Yeah, Messer." I watch him frown with concern.

"Hey Di." Pause. Who the hell is Di? Danny's face brightens a bit. "Honey, that's great. Tonight? Uh, yeah, sure. Look, I'll meetcha at that deli on your block … 6 o'clock? 'Kay, bye."

He clicks off, a puzzled expression on his face.

"Who was that?" The question's out before I can stop it.

"Di - Diana Petrillo, Louie's girlfriend. They were together on and off, I dunno, for 10 years or so?"

I remember her now: a woman with overly-processed hair and heavy makeup that streaked her face when she cried. She had a tough exterior but kind eyes, and anyone could tell she was truly heartbroken over Louie's death. "She's having a hard time, huh?"

"Devastated. She calls me a lot, I think I remind her of him. Today, though, she sounds okay - wants to meet for dinner, says she has good news." He shrugs. "Di's been kinda lost, so I'm glad to hear her sound hopeful about something. She'd never marry Louie - kept wantin' him to clean up his act - but she always loved him. She's been in a lotta pain. I hope things are lookin' up for her."

Danny wanders off to complete some lab work as my heart goes out to Di - Louie was her life and now he's gone. Was that what Danny was afraid of? A hint of understanding seeps through the walls I've erected against Danny Messer. He broke my heart, but part of me realizes it all to protect himself, a defense mechanism after a year of almost continual pain.

I brush the thought aside. I can't go there, not now.

Danny Messer

"Hey you."

Di sees me and breaks into a grin. "Danny!" She rushes over and throws her arms around me. When she pulls back, I take a good look and like what I see. The circles are still under her eyes, but they've faded. Her hair's been recently done, and she's taken time with her looks - has makeup, neat clothes that match. It's a good thing - she was kind of a trianwreck after Louie died.

"You look good, Di. What's up?"

She smiles a bit sadly. "Actually, Danny, I've come to say good-bye. I'm going to Arizona"

I'm shocked. Who would ever thought Di would leave New York? "Arizona? You goin' to see your Ma?"

Di nods, smiling. "My sister Suzy's there, too. I'm actually goin' to live with her. She has a salon, I can do nails there." I must look worried, because she gives me another hug. "It's a good thing, Danny. I need to get away from here, everything reminds me of Louie."

"It hurts, huh?"

"Yeah, but that's not why I'm leavin'. I've been feelin' better, ya know? I miss him like crazy, but I actually feel ready to move on, and it's hard to do that in New York. I need a fresh start."

We sit down at a table and order some soda from the waitress. I muster a smile. "If this helps make ya happy, then I'm all for it. Ya gotta get away, let Louie go."

Di shakes her head vigorously. "No, Danny, I'll never let Louie go. He's part of me, always will be. No matter what happens, I love him and I'm grateful he was part of my life. I just need space, breathing room."

I look at her quizzically. "No regrets? Even after everythin' he put ya through?"

She sighs. "Danny, my idea of love growin' up was Dad yellin' at Ma to get him a beer. Louie showed me somethin' different. Even though he's gone, and it hurts like hell, I'm glad I had that."

I'm quiet as her words sink in. I let Montana go to save myself from pain, but am I really happy now? No - I acted like an idiot and now I'm livin' like a monk. Bully for me. Reading my thoughts, or seeming to, Di reaches out for my hand. "How are you, Danny? How's that gal of yours? Lindsay? She seems like a nice girl."

I feel a headache forming. "Ya know, me and Lindsay - it just didn't work out. I wasn't ready, ya know?"

"Danny Messer, you're full of crap! You love that girl! Anyone can see it!"

I hang my head. She could always read me like a book. "I thought it'd be better for me, ya know? It's easier being free, no ties. Lot less painful."

"A lot more lonely, too, Danny. You still love her, don't you?" My silence seems to be enough of an answer. "Look, I'm not going to rest easy unless you promise me you're not gonna stop livin' Danny. You love this girl? Get her back - no matter what it takes. Promise?"

I look at her and think of all the crap she and Louie went through, just to finally be happy, then have him die. And here she is, tryin' to get me to be happy, to be with Lindsay. I finally admit that I can't have one without the other. "I can't promise anythin' Di, I really fucked things up. She may not want me."

She touches my cheek. "She loves you, Danny, anyone could see. Now you just need to remind her of that, make her see you've left the jackass part of ya behind."

Later, we're getting ready to leave and I give her one last hug. "Take care of you."

"Take care of you." She kissed my cheek. "Take care of that Lindsay, too, Danny."

"I'll try, Di, I'll try."

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Later that night, I'm starin' at my cell. Gotta follow up on that promise, huh? I dial the numbers.

"Hey Montana," I reply to her puzzled greetin'. "That paperwork didn't keep ya too late, did it?"

"No, Danny. I'm at home, now. What's up?"

"Well, ya know, I was rememberin' how nice you were to Di, and I just wanted ya to know that she's doin' better. She met me to let me know she's movin' to Arizona to be with her family, fresh start. She seems happy about it, hopeful."

"That's great, Danny, really."

I pause, then plunge on. "I asked her, ya know, if she regretted her and Louie, how much it hurt when she lost him. Can ya believe she said no? Said bein' with Louie showed her what love was, that it was better to have that in her life, even for a short time. The pain was worth it."

Silence. Well, at least she didn't hang up. I continue. "I think she's right, Montana."

I hear an agitated sigh on the other end. "Danny, I don't think -"

"Ya know what, Montana? It's late, and you need your sleep. 'Night." I hang up and sit there in the dark. Step one. We'll see if she's willing to take step two.

Lindsay

I'm staring off into space, the chick flick on TV forgotten. What are you doing, Danny? Along with the usual tension that accompanies my thoughts of him, a glimmer of hope worms its way through. And that worries me most of all.

TBC