Flipping through the massive stack of unfinished paperwork, I find a lost photo of Lindsay and I. Pleasant memories of that day in Central Park, they burn off the dark clouds that hang above me. It's one thing using those issue Nikon D70's, but taking self portraits is one skill I never managed to grasp.

"Just ask someone to take it for us!" Lindsay proclaims, within a fit of laughter.

"I got it..I got it…I just have to adjust the F-Stop to match the Shutter Speed."

"F-Stop….pfthhh. Stop trying to sound smart."

"You know Lindsay, these consumer models….user-friendly my ass."

She rips the camera out of my grasp, and motions me to join beside her. "Here"

Lindsay holds up the camera, after making a few adjustments.

"They didn't just teach me to scrape cow off the road in Bozeman, you know?"

Aiming the camera up, she grabs me by the waist and cuddles up close.

"Just use the lens to 'see yourself' okay?"

"I see, I see…..SmartyPants" I give her a playful slap.

"Okay..Danny…smile big now!"

The flash of light erupts, and captures a moment in time of our lives that brought us long due happiness.

"Lemme see Montana.." I try to reach for the digicam.

"NO…I look terrible…"

"Now how can that be? You always look beautiful, even when you're all sick and drippy."

"Awww…"

Her lips pursed, beckoned for mine. I kiss her, unaware of the things to come that would test us so dearly.

------

"--Ring, Ring, Ring---"

"Come on Danny, pickup your phone"

"Hi, You've reached Danny Messer, leave a--" "Click"

It had been almost a week since their breakup, she wasn't even sure if it was even official or not, or out of rage. Her calls still remain unanswered.

------

I gave into protective custody, only to keep me away from her. Nobody knew where I was, they think I'm on modified assignment in Jersey. Only Mac knew though, as we corresponded through secure lines while they find the person after my family. God knows how many times I've been though this 'reassignments'. Mac always was in my corner, no matter what.

It was extremely hard, many times I wanted to call her, meet her, to tell her that I'm sorry.
The fight almost lost it's meaning, as now I have 4 members of my family to bury. I needed her so much. The frail walls holding my rage eroded, frustrated, I throw the files off my desk.

"I need to do something."

My cell rings, it's Mac. "Yeah Mac."

"Danny, how's it going?"

"Not so good you know?"

There was this beat, a long beat.

"It's not my prerogative to pry, though I do notice these things. About Lindsay. I think you shouldn't have pushed her away like this. She's useless to me this way."

"Useless?"

"She hasn't left the lab in the last 3 days. She's locked herself in her office, along with dozens of boxes of files with the mere mention of 'Ghost'"

"I'm sorry, Mac. It has to be this way until we catch this guy."

"I'm sending a fax over. We found something that might crack this wide open. "

"Lucas Pavrosa. Does that ring a bell?"

"Maybe…..I knew one that went by Luka.."

Then it all came in in one fell swoop. Memories and names, events, the dame gave way to everything that started to make sense.

"I'm sending an officer over to take a statement, Danny. Don't go anywhere"

"Not going anywhere Mac."

------

She felt unnecessarily discarded, pushed aside.

Her stride became labored, losing the glide she had while she had finally been "accepted' by the lab-folk. Followed so closely by the familiar thunk of NYPD issue boots.

"Damn Bodyguard……" She muttered to herself. "Do you mind giving me some space?"

He just stared blankly at her.

In her hand she carries one of the many boxes of files with the mere mention of the word "Ghost"

Her frustration is evident, not able to actively go out and track this person down. This one person, that had actively burned the bridges to the one thing that meant most to her in this tirade in New York. Danny.

She is now alone in the office, her and the big hole in the wall.
It had been a tough few days, the police guard was driving me nuts.

I just spent a good 4 hours in the interrogation room, and I was sitting in the other chair. Not fun. I told the investigator everything I knew about Luka. From his favorite pizza joint, to when he purchases his Calvins.

"You don't find the guy….HE finds you"

My cellular rings, pulling it out of my pocket I find out that it's Lindsay. I couldn't help but to just stare at her name on the Caller ID. I let it continue to ring.

This time, instead of hanging up she leaves a voicemail. Instinctively, I dial into my mailbox.

"Danny, please hear me out. I've found a possible location on this Lucas. Meet me in Central Park, near the Columbus statue 4pm. Remember to ditch your guard."

----

"We ran the photo through CODUS, we didn't get a hit. Though I ran it through DMV to see if I could get anything, photo recognition software came up with one. A Frank Minetti. Moved here from California 3 years ago. No trace of this man exists before that."

Mac and Stella stood in the dark, dark room littered with super servers and large LCD panels that adorned the walls.

"We're getting closer, Stella."

"It's about time. How 's Danny doing?"

"Not so great. His temper blow-ups would shake up the precinct from time to time. He's not getting anything done at all."

"Why won't you just put him on forced vacation Mac?"

"I'm afraid of what he might do if he's not up to his eyeballs in work."

"Lindsay?

"I'm worried about Lindsay, Stella."

"I am too."

"At least this way, she's safe."

Both of the 1st Grade Detectives nod at each other, in agreement of the progress that they have made. Though, in both, lies and anxiety to close this case that hit so close to home.

----

I needed to get out of here fast, and quick.

"I need to go to the washroom"

"I still have to go with you Detective Messer."

I close in onto him, whispering into his ear.

"I ate a really really big bean burrito, I'm gonna need some privacy."

He nods and reluctantly follows me to the loo, but waits in front of the door leading into the washroom.

"I'll be a while."

"I'll be waiting, Detective"

As soon as I made sure he was waiting outside, I turn on the tap and dryer to muzzle any sound that would tell him that I was leaving.

The window was just wide enough, that god the 'officer only' washroom didn't have a security gate installed. I shimmy outside, and down the descending ladder, glancing back at window to see if the oaf saw me.

As my feet touched the ground, I made my way to the subway as quickly as possible.

----

Meanwhile back at the Precinct.

"My wife…when she gets mad..whoah…get out of her way..she's like a mad Italian with a corn-stick broom, and we aren't even Italian…heh.."

----

Walking through Central Park, didn't have that nice fuzzy feeling that it had before. This time there was purpose. As I neared the statue, I see her there standing behind the structure. Nervous. Lindsay..Nervous?

"Montana…"

My hand instinctively reached out to her, I had to muster my strength to keep from touching her again.

"I'd thought I'd never hear you call me that again.." She paused a moment, to take in my appearance.

"You look terrible. When was the last time you slept?"

"Not in a while…a few winks here and there. So..you brought me out here to give me some info."

"I wanted to come to you before Mac eventually finds out. He will, so you don't have much time. Lucas Pavrosa, or known as Frank Minetti. Quiet individual, job in Queens as a butcher. Squeaky clean. I canvassed his co-workers, no Tanglewood tattoo that they know of. No unusual behaviour, and he lives alone. There is the possibility of a girlfriend, according to one."

She took a deep breath.

"I came to you first, because I knew you needed closure. Before I give this to you, I need you to promise me that you do this by the book."

I try to swipe the file from her hands.

"Promise me Danny."
"Mac finds out about this,…"

"Danny..I don't care. I thought you didn't care anymore."

"This still doesn't change anything between us, Lindsay."

She hands the file to me, and as I grab it, I feel the touch of her goosebump ridden skin brush up against mine. Lindsay really was nervous.

"You do your thing, we will find a way to make him pay for what he has done to you. Remember, everything's connected. Don't do anything stupid. Call for backup, I'll vouch for you."

"Promise me Danny."

"Yeah."

----

From the darkness, under a massive Oak tree a figure watches them with intense scrutiny. Studying, documenting each and every move of their bodies, their lips. Body language.

"You're smart Messer, Though not by much. Frankie Minetti thanks NYU"

----

Then and there, I wanted to take her and hold her tight. To smooth away her anxiety and nervousness.
'Lindsay, Lindsay, Lindsay" I close my eyes, and entertain the thought.

Just as fast as it crossed my thoughts, I open my eyes, and she is gone from me yet again.