Disclaimer: you know how it goes...!!!
A/N: sorry it has taken me soo long to update this chapter guys.. wat with work and havin to keep up the new epi's!!!!!! but here it is :D
CHAPTER 15:
It was New years eve. The snow outside had now turned to black sludgy ice on the ground, and the falling snow was turning to rain. It had been 2 days since Danny had been released from hospital, and given a months supply of painkillers for his pain. He sat on the couch in his apartment flicking through the channels, just staring, while Lindsey was in the shower. The news of Louie and Sonny Sassone had made its way all over the news channels and Danny quickly passed through them, not wanting to be reminded of it all. He flicked the Tv set off, slowly got him self up from the couch and walked in to the bedroom.
"How long you gonna be in there for Montana?" He called, sighing as he layed down on the bed, propping himself up with pillows to relieve some of the pressure.
"Hold your horse's Messer, im just coming out!" she replied, as she emerged through the bathroom door wearing jus a towel, and her hair still dripping.
"Please tell me you are going to wear that for me tonight?" he said, jokingly as she walked over to him and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Er, don't bet on that Danny.. you really want everbody to be lookin at what you get off on?" she leant forward, whispering in his ear and raising her eyebrows as she pulled back.
"Well now you put it like that..." Danny reached his hands up to her face, and pushed the wet strands of hair away that were stuck to her cheek. "Linds, i'm so sorry for - "
"Danny, " Lindsey replied, placing her hands on top of his, " You have nothing to be sorry about, ok? What ever happens, i'll always be here, always love you and support you. This wasn't your fault in any way babe." She looked into his eyes and could see the pain he was trying so desperately to hide from her. "What Louie did..it was unforgiveable.. how could he do that to somebody he loved?"
A tear ran down Danny's cheek, and Lindsey's hand wiped away the path it left. "I really didnt think anyone was gonna come and find me ya know? When i heard footsteps i thought it was one of Sonny's guys and... I'm so glad it was Flack.." His voice trailed off and Lindsey pulled him closer to him, holding him tight.
"Hey, come on Danny... " She felt his tears on her shoulder and brushed her hand through his hair. " Its ok, come on, lets relax for a while huh?"
Gently, Lindsey and Danny layed on the bed, Danny still laying in Lindsey's arms, and within no time at all they had drifted off to sleep.
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The New Years Eve party:
"You sure I look ok?" Lindsey asked, biting her lip as they got out of the cab. " I mean, its not too much is it?" She straightened the bottom of her dress, and pulled her mini cardigan around her shoulders more. Her dress was black and silver, low cut, and off the shoulder - Danny had helped her choose it especially.
"Hey, you look great.. stop worrying!" he exclaimed.
Danny paid the cab driver and told him to keep the change. Linking arms with Danny, they walked up the few steps that lead to the venue.
Danny and Lindsey walked into the heavily decorated room and were greeted with a nod of a champagne glass by Flack, Peruzzo and Mac. Lindsey looked around the room and noticed all the guys were wearing the same style tux.
"See? Aren't you glad i got you to go with the tux?!" she whispered quietly as she kissed his cheek.
"Yeah Yeah..." he said, dropping his hand from hers and slipping it around to rest on the small of her back. They passed through a selection of people who hadn't realised that Danny and Lindsey were now a couple, and were met with whispers and stares.
"Hey, never mind them!" Flack cried. As Danny and Lindsey approached closer one of the waiters came floating over with a tray of champagne flutes. "It's good to see you could make it, Messer!"
"Thanks Flack.. Although im not sure that i'm gonna be able to enjoy myself." Danny replied, before turning to the waiter. "Can i get an OJ?"
"Ah, come on Danny,' Peruzzo laughed, taking a glass from the tray. " You got a beautiful woman at your side! How can you not enjoy yourself?"
Lindsey blushed as she took a small sip of her champagne. She could feel Danny's eyes on her, and as she looked up and caught his gaze, he grinned at her, making her melt.
She smiled back, and Danny soon took hold of her hand again, this time holding it tighter than he had earlier.
"You're very quiet tonight, Mac,' Danny asked. "Everything ok?"
"Yeah everything is great Danny, thanks." Mac replied. He downed the last of his champagne, and placed the empty glass on the tray of a passing waiter. "Excuse me."
He walked away leaving Flack, Danny, Lindsey and Peruzzo feeling puzzled.
The waiter bought over Danny's Orange juice, as requested, and Danny grabbed a painkiller from his inside pocket, before washing it down with a mouthful of the juice.
"So, guys, has anyone seen Stella yet? She's normally the first one here!" Lindsey exclaimed as they walked over and sat at their designated table. Danny and Flack sat opposite Lindsey and Peruzzo, leaving the other 6 spaces for the rest of the team.
"I think she said she was gonna be a bit late tonight," Flack replied, getting comfy in his seat. "Said something about having to stop by and pick someone up on the way."
"Maybe the lovely Miss Bonasera has finally found a sensible and sane guy at last!" Peruzzo said.
Danny reached across the table and locked his fingers with Lindsey's. He smiled at her as she finished the last drop of her champagne, ready for the waiter to fill her up again. "Mac's been an awful long time. don't ya think?" She said, as Danny rubbed small circles on the back of her hand.
"He probably got lost!" Flack replied just as James Russo, the head of NYPD came over with Whittard.
"Guys, i want you to meet Mayor Whittard." James exclaimed, as he patted Danny on the back.
"Ouch!" Danny cried, taking in a sharp breath.
"Damn! Sorry Messer, i forgot about that..." James replied, not daring to move his hand.
"No worries J."
"Ok, Mayor Whittard, this is Detective Danny Messer, Detective Lindsey Monroe - both CSI's under Mac's watchful eye!" James said smiling. "And this, as you've heard is Detective Flack and Detective Peruzzo."
"It's great to meet you all,' Mayor Whittard exclaimed, as he shook everyones hand. When he got to Lindsey, he stopped and looked at the gorgeous ring that decorated her dainty little hand. "Now that is a gorgeous piece right there!" he continued. "Who's the lucky guy to have caught you, eh?"
Danny felt his heart skip a beat - was he trying to home in on Montana?
Lindsey, once again, blushed as he let go of her hand. "That would be a certain Detective Daniel Messer, Mayor!" She exclaimed looking at Danny and smiling.
Danny felt his heart catch up from the skipped beat, and as he gave her a wink, he could see her cheeks glowing a darker shade of pink.
"Well! Looks like you definately are the lucky one!" Mayor Whittard exclaimed, turning to Danny as he rested his hand gently on Danny's shoulder.
James looked around the room and shifted from one foot to the other. "Where is Stella tonight? She is coming isn't she?" Mayor Whittard asked as he turned to James.
"i believe she is, probably jus running a bit late." James replied as he handed the Mayor a glass of Champagne.
"She was meant to be coming with my step-son tonight."
"You have a step-son.. that knows Stella?" Flack exclaimed, nearly choking on his champagne.
"Yes, well, im guessing you must all know him." the Mayor replied. "Ah! There they are!" He pointed over to the entrance door for everyone to see who it was.
Flack gasped as he saw Stella walking in smiling like the cat that got the cream, arm in arm with Adam.