Chapter 12 – December 12, 2006

"With the Christmas party in a week, I figured we'd better pick our Secret Santa now," Stella proposed, holding the Santa hat to the surrounding group. "Who wants to pick first?"

With a sigh, Lindsay held up her hand. "I'll start." She'd humour Stella.

The little piece of paper was folded in four and Lindsay opened it, playfully leaning away from Danny to open the paper. She giggled softly as he pulled at her wrists to try and get her to show him her result. She held fast, happy when the distraction of picking his own came around. She was half way out the door before he could catch her.

"Montana, you got me on your little slip of paper?"

Lindsay looked up from the microscope she was inspecting, placing both hands for support on the table. "Danny, you know I can't tell you that."

He came right up next to her, putting one hand between hers and the microscope so his shoulder brushed hers companionably. "I can tell you that your name's not on my slip," he said softly in her ear.

She sucked in a breath as quietly as possible. "Are you going to?"

He chuckled, low in his throat and she could feel his shoulder shift against hers. "I just did."

It was her turn to chuckle. "You're not on mine, either."

"Good, then you can help me find somethin' for Stel."

His voice was still soft and low in her ear and if she'd managed to suppress the shiver, she swore she'd be up for sainthood. "Are you asking me to go shopping with you?"

"I can't shop for women, Monroe. The last time I did, it was for my mom for Christmas."

"And you can't shop for Stella because…?"

"She's Stella. I can't go about getting her gift the same way I got my ma's. Stella ain't my mother."

"I guess I could go shopping," she conceded, turning her head and not even trying to pretend she was working any more.

"You not gunna tell me who you're buyin' for?"

She smiled. "Doesn't that take away from the whole 'secret' part of it?"

Danny stuck out his lower lip in a well-practiced pout. "Come on, Montana."

She laughed. "Maybe I'll tell you when we're shopping."

He groaned.

Danny owed her huge. There was a reason she preferred to make her Christmas gifts instead of buying them. She was never proactive enough to do her shopping early and never wanted to brave the malls and stores after the first week of December. She hoped above all else Danny wasn't doing any other shopping while they were there.

"Montana, we've been around this mall twice already. Can't we find something?"

"This is for your gift, Danny. You're going to have to start picking somewhere." They'd been in stores since entering the mall. In fact, Lindsay had been able to buy small things for some of the lab techs like Adam and even, much to Danny's chagrin, Marty Pino.

"It's Stella."

"So what would you get your sister?" He looked at her with a puzzled gaze, but Lindsay knew better. "Pretend you had a sister, what would you get her?"

"Lindsay," he whined.

She rolled her eyes. "I'll make you a deal. You go find somewhere for us to eat and I'll find something for Stel, okay?"

Without thinking twice, he leaned over kissing her cheek. "You are fantastic, thank you."

She was stunned, and stood completely still for a few moments while he walked off to find dinner. She closed her eyes, holding the memory for a moment in her head before wandering off to find a present for Stella.

She hated this. Eventually, she'd found a gift for Stella and Danny had just called her to let her know he'd found a spot and was waiting for her, but that wasn't what was bugging her. The way they had been wandering through the stores, the kiss he'd pressed to her cheek, it was all overly domestic for her. It screamed that they'd been in a relationship for a long time.

Something had changed and it had changed since the beginning of the "official" Christmas season. In fact, whatever they were working towards had started when she invited him to wrap presents with her. Their contact had been rather limited the last couple of days because of case restrictions, but it didn't stop him from making sure to at least flash her a smile – probably better characterized as a cocky grin – and left her a note every time he was in their office.

The worst part was that she still had those notes in an envelope in her bedside table.

Now she sat on her couch after dinner, a smile plastered on her face. There was nothing else she could do really. Dinner had been… fun. They chatted and amused each other to no end and Lindsay knew that their banter was something that made things normal between them.

Her phone rang cheerfully and she almost groaned. The last thing she was ready to do was work. The smile that crawled across her face was involuntary when she read Danny's name on the display. "Hey."

"Hey, Montana."

"You home with all of your bags?"

"Yeah. I got some funny looks on the subway, let me tell you."

She giggled at the thought of Danny on the subway with the bags she'd unloaded onto him. "That reminds me, you have some of my gifts. Can you bring them to the lab tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow's Saturday, Linds, I have the day off."

She almost slapped her forehead. She'd completely forgotten about their day off. "I totally forgot. Okay, I'll come get them."

"Call me when you're on your way, okay?"

"You going to time me, Messer?"

"Nah, just gunna make sure you're here and not kidnapped."

She rolled her eyes. "Same thing."

"Semantics," he countered. "They are slightly different."

"You're incorrigible."

"That's why you love me."

She smiled softly. "Yeah. I'll call you tomorrow." Her words were just as soft as her smile had been.

"Night, Montana."

"Good night, Danny."

Typed this in between my studying for my psychology exam and I wanted to get this up by the end of the 12th. Unfortunately, its 1am on the 13th. Against my wishes, unfortunately. I also hope, in a moment of severe insecurity, this isn't rushed. I had a few problems with the end, so let me know. It was a little bit under-fluffed, but there's gingerbread in the next one with icing and candy. There should be fluff in there!

Anyway, I'm hoping to get 13 up today and better than I did with this one. It depends if I manage to write up the outlines for the 4 possible essay topics I have on my December 14th exam! If not, it'll be up on the 15th/16th which means you get extra chapters in the same day.

Bedtime! Exam at 9am!

Hugs to all of the reviewers. You guys have been ridiculously awesome. Those who go above and beyond the call of duty know who you are. Thank you.