So yeah, it's been a while, but this is the longest chapter I've written... ever. There, that should make you feel better!

Lindsay came back inside and approached her aunt in the kitchen.

"Aunt Jane, I'm really sorry about before. I shouldn't have attacked you like that," Lindsay apologized.

"It's fine Sweetie," She answered as she made her way around the kitchen. "You're a good kid."

Lindsay smiled appreciatively and glanced around. "Where's Danny?"

"He's outside with your Uncle Keith."

Lindsay smirked. "This should be interesting."

Lindsay went outside and shielded her eyes from the sun as she looked around. She spotted Danny and her uncle at the sheep enclosure. Lindsay jogged over to them and sat on the wooden fence.

"You see the trick to shearing sheep Danny Boy is to do it all in one go, make a nice big blanket, and don't be afraid to shear too close to the skin," Uncle Keith explained as he showed Danny the tools.

Lindsay swung her legs as she watched. "Giving Danny a crash course?"

"This boy has the heart of a country man, it's just been shielded by all that city nonsense," Uncle Keith answered and Danny laughed. "You know you remind me a little of Kaylee when she was a little girl Lindsay, always used to watch me work."

Uncle Keith dusted off his hands on his jeans. "Now it seems she has more important things to do."

Lindsay smirked. "That's teenagers for you. I remember when I was a little girl, I followed Dad out to the farm everyday to watch him work. He used to look up at me and say, 'Are you just gonna sit and watch all day or are you gonna help me?' and I would say, 'I'm a young lady Daddy, I'm not supposed to work hard.'"

Lindsay smiled fondly at the memory and Uncle Keith laughed.

"My little brother always used to tell me stories about his baby girl watching him out on the farm. You were his pride and joy, daddy's little girl."

Lindsay blushed and turned to Danny. "C'mon, I wanna show you something."

She jumped off the fence and began walking back to the house. Danny jogged up to her.

"Keep up Danny Boy," She teased.

He followed her inside and past the kitchen.

"Supper's almost ready," Aunt Jane called as they passed.

Lindsay's curls bobbed up and down on her shoulders as she made her way up the stairs. Danny followed her into her room where she pulled out a polished wooden box from under her bed.

Danny glanced around the room. A number of photos hung from the cream coloured walls. There was a desk in the corner of her room.

Lindsay sat on her queen size bed with a light green bed spread and opened the box. Danny sat down next to her and she handed him a photo.

"That's me and my dad."

Danny smiled at the photo of a young kid hanging off a smiling man's back. "You're cute."

Danny handed the photo back and Lindsay put it away, smiling.

"You seem really different out here Lindsay."

She looked up.

"You're glowing."

Lindsay blushed slightly, "Not everything in my past is bad. I'm happy."

"To be back home?"

"To be here with you Danny."

Danny smiled. "Me too."

Lindsay leaned in closer to Danny.

"Lindsay! Danny! Supper's ready!"

Lindsay smirked and kissed Danny quickly on the lips before getting up.

Danny blinked a couple of times and looked up at the purple ceiling. He couldn't sleep.

Dinner had been great. It had been so long since he'd had a good home cooked meal. The food was great, but Danny's focus had shifted during the evening to the hand that Lindsay had placed on his thigh under the table.

Danny was sure it was a gesture of support, Lindsay's way of saying, 'I know you're out of your comfort zone, but don't forget I'm here if you need me.' However innocent Lindsay had intended the gesture to be, Danny couldn't deny the passion and lust that surged in his body.

Danny knew that Lindsay wanted to wait until the time was right, but the sexual tension between them grew more and more each day. Danny noticed Lindsay's kisses were getting more and passionate, more heated.

Danny sighed as he rolled onto his side. There was no way he was going to fall asleep with thoughts of Lindsay in is head. It frustrated him that he was so close to her and that only a narrow hallway separated them, yet they couldn't be together.

With every minute he was getting more tired but sleep seemed to escape him.

Lindsay finished brushing her hair and placed the brush on her desk. She applied a bit of make-up and looked at the clock. It read 7:30.

Normally, her Uncle Keith would've woken the house up ages ago. Lindsay figured he was being lenient because of Danny. Lindsay's aunt and uncle had taken a liking to Danny and that meant a lot to Lindsay.

"Lindsay! Danny Boy! Rise and shine! We have a lot of work to do today!" Uncle Keith hollered throughout the house.

Lindsay smiled, and then turned quickly as she heard a loud thud emanating from Danny's room followed by a muttered 'Ouch'.

Lindsay smirked and stood in her bedroom doorway, waiting for Danny.

He emerged moments later with ruffled hair and sleepy eyes, wearing his signature tank top.

"Rough night?" Lindsay asked playfully, knowing that Danny was used to waking up much earlier due to their job.

"I'm just not used to waking up to hollering men and hardwood floors."

Lindsay smiled. "Sorry, I should have warned you about that."

She began pushing Danny gently towards the shower. "Towels are in the bottom drawer next to the sink. If you take longer than 15 minutes my aunt will pleasurably come in and turn the shower off for you."

Lindsay looked Danny up and down. "Actually, better make it 10 minutes."

Danny turned on the shower and pulled his top off over his head.

"You're not even gonna wait til I leave?" Lindsay teased.

"You're welcomed to stay," Danny quipped.

"Mmmm, tempting, but I think I'll wait downstairs," Lindsay said as she kissed Danny lightly on the cheek before leaving.

Lindsay made her way downstairs with a smile on her face. Bringing Danny back to Montana was arguably one of the best decisions she'd made.

"You seem chirpy this morning," Aunt Jane noted.

"So it's true," said a voice behind Lindsay. She turned and immediately smiled.

"You came all the way back home and didn't even bother to call me or drop in," Billy finished.

Lindsay walked over and hugged him. "Hey Billy, we just got in Yesterday."

"We?" Billy asked.

"Danny came with me," Lindsay answered, and Billy smiled.

"So it looks like things are getting pretty serious between the two of you," he noted.

"After all, you don't just up and fly from New York to Montana for anyone," Aunt Jane added.

"Danny and I, we've only been dating for about a month," Lindsay argued.

"Ya know Billy, I heard some 'thumping' coming from Danny's room this morning," Aunt Jane gossiped with a mischievous smile.

Billy screwed up his face. "Thumping?"

Lindsay swatted him in the arm. "He fell out of bed."

Billy raised his eyebrows.

"While I was in my room," Lindsay finished.

The room went silent as Danny came down the stairs, freshly showered.

"Hey there Danny," Billy greeted.

"Billy, hey," Danny replied and sat at the kitchen table next to Lindsay. Aunt Jane immediately placed a plate of pancakes in front of him.

"I suggest you eat up, Keith's got a lot planned for you today."

"Hard labour? This is supposed to be a holiday for Danny," Lindsay replied.

"I'm sure it's nothing he can't handle. What time are you going to see Corey?" Aunt Jane asked.

Lindsay looked at her watch. "8:30, I was kinda hoping that Danny would come with me."

"Well, I would come with you but I've gotta pick up Kaylee at the airport," Aunt Jane explained.

"I'll come with you," Billy volunteered.

Lindsay sighed. "That's not the point. I want Danny."

Danny couldn't help but smile at how persistent she was and how he loved to hear her say she wanted him.

Aunt Jane sighed. "Well it's really up to Danny." She turned to Danny. "What do you say? Would you like to stay here and help out a grateful old couple or would you like to go and have a meeting to discuss legal papers and what not?"

Danny smiled. "As much as I'd like to help you out, Lindsay asked me to Bozeman to help her wrap up her loose ends, so I owe it to her to go with her, sorry."

Aunt Jane smiled sweetly. "It's ok honey, I can see why Lindsay fell for such a supportive and kind soul as yours."

Lindsay smiled victoriously. "So it's settled. We better get going."

"Lindsay, can I ask you a question?"

Lindsay looked at him briefly before returning her eyes to the road.

"Sure."

"Returning these papers, was it the only reason you came back here?"

Lindsay gripped the steering wheel tighter. "Why do you ask?"

"It just seems there's something else going on. Something else you came back here to do," Danny answered carefully.

"Uh, I came back to see my family and… to tell myself to stop running from this place, to put the thing with Corey behind me."

Danny nodded. "Ok."

He knew that wasn't true. He knew there was something else, something that happened in her childhood. Danny didn't want to force the truth out of Lindsay; he wanted her to trust him enough to tell him on her own.

Lindsay stopped the car when they reached their destination and turned to Danny.

"Are you ok? You seem quiet."

Danny shrugged. "I guess I'm just a little nervous. It's not everyday I go to meet the husband of the woman I'm seeing."

Lindsay smiled sadly. "I don't want you to think any less of me Danny. My marriage to Corey… it was legal, but it wasn't serious."

Danny got out of the car and Lindsay followed. "I know, I don't think any less of you Montana."

Danny followed Lindsay to the small cottage they were parked in front of. Lindsay hesitated slightly before ringing the doorbell. Danny stood behind her anxiously.

Moments later a tall blonde woman answered the door. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of Lindsay.

"Lindsay? I heard you were back in town, but I thought they were just silly rumours."

Lindsay smiled politely. "Sarah, can we come in? It won't take a minute."

Sarah looked from Lindsay to Danny and stepped aside. "Uh sure."

She closed the door behind them. "Baby, Lindsay Monroe's here."

A dark haired, rugged looking man emerged from the other room.

"Lindsay, I'm glad you decided to return home." He glanced at Danny. "He's not your lawyer is he?"

"Danny, this is my pig- headed ex Corey, Corey this is my friend and colleague Danny," Lindsay announced in an uncaring tone.

"C'mon Linds, I thought we put all that behind us," Corey reasoned.

"Sarah's my cousin so I'm forced to be civil with her, but I have no interest in pretending to be friendly with you," Lindsay spat. She handed him the divorce papers. "It's all signed."

"Can we just go over a few things while you're here? It's so much easier than over the phone with lawyers and…"

Lindsay dropped the divorce papers on the kitchen table and sat down as Danny sat next to her.

Corey cleared his throat. "So Danny, how long have you been with Lindsay?"

"This isn't a social call Corey, if you have nothing further to discuss about the divorce, we'll leave," Lindsay interjected.

Corey ignored Lindsay. "Does it bother you Danny? That you're sleeping with a married woman?"

"What about you Corey? It bother you that you cheated on your wife with her cousin?" Danny spoke up bitterly.

"I suggest you watch your back with this one Danny. After all, can't be too careful with someone who keeps secrets as good as her," Corey said as he lit a cigarette. He turned his attention to Lindsay. "You tell your little lover boy about your hideous skeletons?"

Lindsay seemed frozen in place.

"She's one seriously damaged woman. Shit like that messes with your mind, mucks you up. She's no use to anyone anymore with all the issues she's got," Corey continued.

"Alright, that's it. We're outta here Lindsay," Danny said as he grabbed Lindsay's hand and headed for the door.

"What, you're just gonna run away? Can't even fight me like a real man?" Corey egged.

Danny turned around, still holding on to Lindsay's hand tightly. "Ya know what? I put punk ass scum like you behind bars everyday for a living, I'm not gonna waste my time on you," Danny spat.

"Is that so? You think you can take me on City Boy?"

"Danny can we please just leave," Lindsay begged quietly.

Danny grunted at Corey before leading Lindsay out of the house. When they got to the car Danny let go of Lindsay's hand and grabbed her shoulders. "Are you ok?"

She simply nodded and moved into Danny's body, resting her head on his chest.

"Thank you for being there for me Danny," She mumbled.

Danny and Lindsay looked up as Sarah emerged from the house and interrupted them. She approached them cautiously.

"I'm sorry about Corey, he's been a little on edge lately, what with the wedding and all…"

Lindsay got into the car. "Don't worry, I wasn't expecting anything more from him."

"So uh, how long are you in town? Are you gonna visit your dad's grave while you're in town?"

Lindsay buckled herself in. "I don't know, maybe."

"What about your mom's?"

Lindsay ignored Sarah and started the car.

"Well bye then, give my love to my mom and dad."

Lindsay walked through the front door and smiled when she saw her sister.

"Hey."

"Hey sis, where's Danny?"

"He went straight out the back. He was guilted into helping out Uncle Keith," Lindsay explained as she sat next to her sister.

"Awww, it's been so long since I've had both of you girls living under this roof," Aunt Jane exclaimed. "Ever since you moved in with Corey, Lindsay, and then found a small apartment while you were working…"

"Oh, speaking of which, how did it go with Corey?" Kaylee asked.

Lindsay screwed up her face. "As awful as I thought it'd be. Thank God Danny was there. Sarah sends her love by the way."

"What happened?" Kaylee asked.

"He just acted like the pig he is… and he told Danny about my 'awful past'," Lindsay said with a sigh.

"He told Danny what happened?"

"No, no. Corey just told Danny to watch out for me, that I was screwed up because of my childhood and couldn't be trusted…" Lindsay trailed off.

"But you will tell him?"

"Kaylee," Aunt Jane warned.

"I'm only looking out for you Linds. I know you really like this guy," Kaylee explained.

Lindsay sighed. "I will tell him, when the time's ready, I just… it's different for you Kay, you were so young, you didn't understand what was going on, the words meant nothing to you back then."

Kaylee was about to protest but Aunt Jane hushed her. "It doesn't matter now, Lindsay will tell Danny whatever she wants about her life whenever she wants to. Now girls, take these sandwiches out to Danny and Uncle Keith."

Lindsay and Kaylee accepted the plates and headed outside.

Uncle Keith and Danny were out in the paddock with the tractor. Danny was toying with the engine.

"Ok, try it now."

Uncle Keith turned the ignition and the tractor rumbled to life. He smiled. "Well done Danny Boy, you fixed it."

Danny smiled proudly and wiped his dirty hands on a rag. He was down to a tank top and was covered in grease. Lindsay looked him up and down quickly before approaching him.

"Here," She said as she handed Danny the plate.

"Thanks, good to see you again Kaylee," He greeted.

She smiled at him. "Nice to see you too. I'll be inside if you need anything."

Uncle Keith placed his plate on the tractor and wiped his hands on his jeans. "I think I need a beer, thirsty Danny Boy?"

"Sure, thanks."

Uncle Keith went to go get drinks and Lindsay stood next to Danny and leant back against the fence.

"Since when do you know how to fix engines?" Lindsay asked with a smirk.

"I'm a jack of all trades," Danny answered as he bit into his sandwich. He held it out towards Lindsay and she grabbed his hand and took a small bite.

"Having fun?" She asked.

"Yeah, I think I'm getting used to the whole country scene."

Lindsay smiled and wiped a smudge of dirt off Danny's face with her thumb. She turned around and saw her uncle making his way back to them. Lindsay gave Danny a quick peck on the cheek and whispered in his ear.

"By the way Messer, you look hot all greased up."

Danny chuckled and Lindsay left, waving to her uncle as she passed.

When she got inside she licked her lips, tasting the mustard either from biting Danny's sandwich or kissing his lips.

"What that boy does for a white tank top… oh my!"

Lindsay frowned and heard Kaylee giggle. She entered the dinning room to find Kaylee and her aunt staring at Danny through the window.

Lindsay cleared her throat and rolled her eyes as her aunt looked at her innocently.

Kaylee smirked and jumped down off of the counter. "What did you expect? He's Italian."

Danny took off his glasses and collapsed onto the bed. He rubbed his eyes wearily; he definitely wasn't going to have trouble falling asleep tonight.

Danny looked up at the sound of his door creeping slightly open.

Lindsay squeezed in. "I just wanted to say goodnight."

Danny smiled as she climbed on top of him and lay comfortably looking up at him with her chin on his chest.

"This the way you say goodnight to all your guests?" Danny murmured with a smirk.

"Only the ruggedly handsome ones," She replied with a smile before placing her lips on his. "I wanted to say thank you for helping out Uncle Keith today. It can get lonely out in the fields and it meant a lot to him."

Danny smiled wearily and wrapped his arms around Lindsay's waist. He molded his lips to hers, and Lindsay moaned as his tongue playfully tickled her. She slowly crept her hand under Danny's top and up his chest as she deepened the kiss.

"Lindsay!" Came a voice from the hallway and Danny immediately removed his hands that were grazing Lindsay's back.

"The least you could do is close the door," Kaylee called as she retreated down the hall.

Lindsay giggled and rested her head on Danny's chest. She sighed. "I could just fall asleep right here."

Danny smirked. "Somehow, lying with you on top of me like this, I don't think I'd have sleep on my mind."

Lindsay smiled and got off of Danny. She bent down and gave him a long kiss.

"Get some sleep Messer."

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