That night, Danny arrived at Lindsay's door at seven o'clock sharp. They walked in the cool spring air to a cozy Italian place a few blocks from Lindsay's apartment. Inside, the restaurant was dark and intimate and at first the conversation revolved around the lab, a few cases and the regular gossip. Finally Danny broke their conversational pattern.

"Look, Montana, we've got to talk. I have to admit, I just don't know…"

"Oh my god, don't say it." Lindsay interrupted suddenly. Lindsay really didn't want to hear the end of Danny's thought. Conversations that began with "we've got to talk" never ended well with Lindsay. Lindsay anxiously went on. "You just don't know what to get me for my birthday? Well, a ladder would be nice. It would be handy to have my own to smack you in the head with."

Danny didn't say anything. He sniffed, closed his eyes slightly and shook his head. He could tell that Lindsay was nervous. She rambled when she was nervous. And Lindsay was definitely rambling – what was she saying about a ladder?

"That was a joke." Lindsay clarified rather seriously.

"Look..." Danny hedged.

"It was a joke. It may not have been a good one, but it was a joke." Lindsay said, trying her best to convince Danny.

"Okay."

"I'm just saying, I'm funnier than I think you've given me credit for in the past." Lindsay said this, shaking her head vigorously and trying to prove her point to Danny.

"Yeah, you've been a real barrel of laughs…" Danny started, only to be cut off again by Lindsay.

"I'm just saying, if you're calling off our relationship because you don't think I'm funny enough…"

"Okay. Stop right there, Montana." Danny said. He held a single finger up to Lindsay's lips to silence her. "I'm not calling off anything."

"Oh." Lindsay practically whispered.

"Well, first of all, Montana, I think only one of us should be irritated with the other at a time – and I've got a hunch that right now, after the last few days, that privilege goes to me." Danny paused to gauge Lindsay's reaction. When he saw that she was listening and not protesting, he continued. "Yeah, I've had a string of women before you, but I chose you. Then you came up with this idiotic dating plan, and my life has been hell ever since. But, I'm not mad. You had your reasons, and, while I thank God that you finally came to your senses, if I had to play along with your little plan to get a chance to be a part of your life, then it was worth it."

When Danny finished, Lindsay was speechless. Danny was a little unnerved by Lindsay's silence and glanced around the restaurant before finally looking at Lindsay again. Lindsay was smiling, giving Danny some relief.

"I realized today, after I talked to Tracie, that I didn't want you with other women, I want you with me." Lindsay said. The moment Lindsay finished talking, Danny bit his lower lip and grinned smugly. Lindsay smirked at Danny. "And don't think for a minute that I didn't know that you were playing me. You gambled on the fact that I would be jealous and brought Tracie in this morning to drive me crazy."

"How'd you know?" Danny asked. He hadn't expected Lindsay to figure things out so quickly. But Mac hadn't hired her solely based on her looks.

"I asked her what she had for breakfast. There were no waffles." Lindsay said with a proud smile. "And I heard Flack scheduling his date with her right before you two got lunch."

"But by that time you were jealous and had already decided that your plan was crap." Danny supplied the ending.

"Yeah." Lindsay agreed. "I still say that I'm funnier than you give me credit for."

"Whatever you say, Montana. Except when it comes to epiphanies. You should leave those to the pros." Danny said.

Danny leaned across the table and captured Lindsay's lips with his. Lindsay deepened the kiss, opening her mouth just a little to allow more access. Lindsay felt Danny's hand snake through her hair and come to rest just above her neck. When both Danny and Lindsay needed air, they broke apart. Lindsay resituated herself back in her seat as Danny rubbed his forehead and looked around the restaurant.

"So, we're good? I mean, we're ready to do this?" Danny asked hesitantly. Leave it to Lindsay to get cold feet and come up with another plan.

"Yeah. I was being stupid. You're what I want. I don't know why I was willing to share you with other women for six months. Not when I can have you all to myself." Lindsay admitted.

Danny smiled. His plan had worked and Lindsay was finally all his. The food came and interrupted Danny's thoughts. Danny poured some more wine and watched Lindsay take her first bite of food. He knew the time was perfect…

"So, Lindsay. When I got hit in the head with that ladder, it got me thinking. I've had an epiphany."

Lindsay almost choked on her spaghetti and Danny couldn't help but laugh. When Lindsay was able to breath again, she stared at Danny begging him not to say anything.

"Don't worry, Montana. Unlike some people I know, I know a good thing when I see it, and I'm not going to ruin it with a n epiphany." Danny said. The look in his eyes told Lindsay everything she needed to know. Lindsay put her fork down and leaned over the table to kiss Danny again, because she lmew a good thing when she saw it too.

The End

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