It had been a long few weeks for me. After Lindsay turned me down we barely spoke, only occasionally greeting each other in the lab. Awkward wasn't the word for the tension between us, and it was clear that Lindsay was bothered by something. She became distant and depressed, the usual brightness of her face replaced with a solemn frown. I worried about her constantly, always checking up on her to make sure everything was okay, but she refused to let anyone inside the walls she had built around herself. I was determined to break down those barriers, no matter how long it took.
---
If I thought not speaking to Lindsay was hard enough, her departing would be unbearable. For a reason unknown to me, she took off for her hometown state, only leaving me a card signed 'Montana'. Despite my heartache, I knew she was being brave and fighting her demons. She needed time, and I was willing to give it to her. When you love someone with all your soul, with every beat of your heart and every breath from your lungs, sometimes you have to give them space in order to show just how much you really care.
Once I realized what had happened, I knew something was wrong with me. I had just envisioned Lindsay in the lab, walking my way with her brilliant smile that never ceased to amaze me. I blinked and took a second look, feeling my heart lurch with disappointment: it wasn't Lindsay. She was pretty, but nothing compared to my Montana.
Evidently my mind was somewhere else.
---
In the days following her departure, I grew nervous and edgy. Finally I gave in to my emotions; I had to fly to Montana to see her. I couldn't live with myself knowing she was over there doing battle with her past alone. She needed support, even if she didn't want to admit it.
Throwing my mail onto my apartment table, I surveyed the darkened room for a moment, my eyelids flickering from the lack of sleep. My mind was in complete control of my mouth.
"Go with your instincts."
The words were barely out when I grabbed my keys and closed the door behind me.
---
As the plane soared above the sun-rimmed clouds, I peered out at the endless streak of blue that stretched above me. Not a single fiber of my being regretted jumping on that flight, en route to the wheatfields I had heard so much about. A memory stole across my vision, causing me to chuckle.
"Montana." I called her over, casting a hand across the city skyline that lay before us. She strode up beside me, her simple beauty not going unnoticed by my gaze. "See a view like this. Huh? Beats the wheatfields, no?"
Ever the fiesty girl, she glanced at me through crafty eyes.
"Have you ever even seen a wheatfield?"
As she headed back to the body, I couldn't help but smile at her cleverness. I knew I liked her for a reason.
---
Now that I look back on it all as I lay here, I feel a sense of accomplishment for Lindsay. She faced her demons with courage, not backing down when she had to face her friends' killer. I was so proud of her in that courtroom, and nearly exploded with happiness as the man was found guilty. I stole a glance at Lindsay and saw her face flood with relief. Her past had vanished like sand on the wind, and we could both finally move on with our lives.
I stared at her slumbering form, her arm lying across my chest and gripping my right shoulder. She looked so beautiful, the sparse sunlight dancing on her skin as she dug deeper into my embrace. My mind swiftly played back to the previous night, when the stars danced endlessly around us and all our pent-up feelings had come loose.
Pulling the cover tighter around our warm bodies, I planted a gentle kiss on her forehead and ran my hand through her hair, content in watching her sleep peacefully.
---
"Hey Mac! Heard you were looking for Lindsay?"
My boss eyed me suspiciously. I hope he doesn't know I took her shift. "Yeah, any idea where she is?"
I adopted a light tone to ease the oncoming tension. "Mentioned something about personal stuff yesterday, so I said I'd take her shift."
Mac was not pleased. "Well next time make sure you call in then. You know the rules."
"Sorry, Mac. It was my fault. What do you need me to do?"
"Adam is down at the warehouse processing by himself. I need someone down there with him."
I held up my hands to indicate there was no argument in his decision. "You got it."
---
I sniffed the air and knew all was not right. Instinctively taking out my gun, my eyes slowly scanned the area for any signs of life.
"Adam." I called out in a low voice. "Adam."
Something was definitely up. Police tape was splayed out on the floor and cigarette butts lay discarded near a familiar-looking kit. My pulse began racing, and I gripped the gun tighter.
"Adam."
"Danny! Danny, look out!" Adam's voice rang out in alarm. Before I could even move, a bolt of pain ran through my neck and blackness engulfed my every sense.
A/N: This is the second last chapter. The next one is the last actual chapter, and the one after that will be the prologue. Thanks again for reading and reviewing, 'tis always appreciated :)