Lindsay arrived home with a couple of hours to go until Danny and Don's party. She had a mountain of mail to go through but she was glad to be back. She was enjoying her time in New Jersey though she missed her own team. The New Jersey CSI's were all so friendly and she had barely had any time to herself since she arrived. She was always being invited out by one or all of the team. They all worked hard and played hard together. She was starting to get a little tired but at least it didn't give her a lot of time to dwell on her situation with Danny.

She had confided in Quinn what had happened and she had been advised by the older CSI never to get involved at work unless it was absolutely worth it. She had thought Quinn would be very straight laced and no nonsense but was surprised to find she did indeed have a soft side. Quinn had also let Lindsay work a case by herself, a rare occurrence in New York but it was great to feel so trusted.

The team had taken to her straight away and she was welcomed to the team with a night in a local cop bar. Matt, James and Stacey had been only too happy to spend time getting to know her and had gone out of their way to make sure she didn't spend a lot of time alone at her hotel.

She couldn't wait for tonight, however, and headed straight for the shower to get ready.

Danny was nervous. He hadn't spoken to Lindsay in over a week, besides a text to ask if she was still coming tonight. It had been difficult for him not to hear the sound of her voice but he respected her wishes. He had stopped himself a couple of times when all he had wanted was to find out how her day had been. Was she OK? Were the team treating her well? He was dying to see her but so nervous at the same time. What if she decided that New Jersey was where she wanted to be and requested a transfer? What if she met some other guy while she was there? What if the time apart had been what she needed to realise she didn't want him back?

All these thoughts were pushed to the back of his mind as Don stepped through the door carrying a case of beer. They were having a very simple guy party. Beer, Wine for the ladies and takeout pizza.

Lindsay checked her make up in her compact for the twelfth time as she rode the elevator to the Danny's. As she exited the elevator and walked towards the door she could already hear the sound of her team having fun. She knocked quickly on the door and fixed her hair.

Don opened the door to her and she felt a little stab of disappointment, which she quickly covered.

'Hey Linds, thanks for coming. How's New Jersey treatin' ya?' He asked as they walked into the apartment. She was already on the lookout for Danny.

'Fine, they're a really good team. The cases are not as interesting though. No killer, former fat cheer leaders there!' She joked and then her breath caught as she caught sight of him coming in from the balcony, having just finished a cigarette.

He looked good. He'd had a haircut and had shaved his goatee just the way she like it Short but definitely there. He was wearing a pair of grey dress pants and a white shirt, unbuttoned at the collar. He hardly ever dressed like this anymore, preferring jeans and T Shirt but she had always liked this look.

Stella was about to approach her friend but hesitated when she realised that Lindsay's attention was elsewhere. She watched the younger woman's eyes darken with what she had assumed was anger 

when she saw Danny, but when she bit down on her bottom lip it became clear that the look was pure lust. It was quickly shaken off and Lindsay was intercepted by Hawkes.

Danny saw her as he came in from the balcony and stopped in his tracks. She looked phenomenal. She was wearing very little make up, her hair was straight and she was wearing a green halter top with some very tight jeans. The stared at each other for a second before Hawkes interrupted their eye flirting.

The next hour she was able to catch up with every member of the team but Danny, one after another they had come over to her and started chatting and she didn't want to be rude and excuse herself. She saw him go to the balcony and decided now was her chance. She walked outside and closed the door behind them.

He was surprised to see her out there with him.

'Hi, how have you been?' she asked a little shyly.

'You know, the usual. I've missed you though. You look amazing Montana.'

Lindsay blushed deep red and walked closer to him.

'Thanks Danny. I miss you too.'

An awkward silence passed between them and Lindsay decided to be the one to end it.

'So, How's work?' she asked a little too enthusiastically.

'I haven't seen you in over a week, I don't want to chit chat about work,' he smiled and reached out to take her hand in his. He threaded his fingers through hers and sighed quietly.

'Have you come to any decision yet?' he asked warily.

'No Danny, I think it will take longer than a week to work this one out.'

'I thought so, just being optimistic.'

She let go of his hand and walked over to the railing, leaning over and letting out a sigh.

'So, how's living with Don going? You guys finishing each other's sentences yet?' she asked with an amused tone.

'It's going fine smartass; we're hardly ever around at the same time anyway. When we are we usually have a beer and play some pool.' He leaned over the railing beside her.

She looked at him with a wicked glint in her eye.

'I hope you had it cleaned before you brought it here. Does Don know what happened on the pool table he's now playing on?'

He let out a heartfelt laugh, glad she was being her cheeky self. It was good to share the memory of happier times with her.



'Yes I cleaned it, and no Don doesn't know. I might have to tell him the next time he's beating me though, that would definitely put him off his stride.'

They laughed together and Lindsay felt a warmth she hadn't felt in weeks. This was the man she had fallen for, not the sad, angry cheater he had morphed into recently. She would give anything for the last few weeks not to have happened and she knew he would too. They really did have a lot to lose if they gave up on their relationship but the hurt was hard to forget. It wouldn't go away by her refusing to talk to him about it or refusing to let him it. She was seriously considering giving things another shot but they would have to put all their cards on the table before that happened. Now wasn't the time for that and she would be gone another three weeks.

She knew he had been missing her badly, Stella's e-mails had made that clear and she really appreciated that he had given her space when it was the last thing he wanted. He was really trying and it couldn't hurt for her to try too.

'I really want to give us another shot Danny.'

His heart soared; those were the magic words he never thought he would hear.

'Baby, you won't regret it I promise you. I'll do everything I can to make sure you don't.'

'Danny, I want to give us another shot but it won't be that easy. We have a lot to talk about, to work through. We can't just sweep it under the rug and pretend it never happened, it'll just come back to bite us in the ass. When I get back I want us to spend some time together, away from here to just get everything out. It'll be hard Danny, there's probably a lot we both don't want to hear but we have to do it.'

'Hey, whatever it takes. You know I'll do anything. I'll talk to Mac about us getting a weekend off together and I'll book somewhere for us to go, somewhere quiet.'

He knew he was rambling but he couldn't help it, he felt like his life was finally coming together again. He wouldn't take it, or her for granted ever again.

He reached out and brought her into a hug, they clung to each other tightly. They stood for long moments just getting lost in the feel of one another. He could feel her start to shake. He knew she was getting emotional and decided to lighten the mood Danny Messer style.

'You know, I wouldn't have been able to say this a week ago but I can now we're back together.'

'What's that,' asked Lindsay.

They looked into each other's eyes and he gave her a sly grin.

'Your ass looks amazing in those jeans.'