Chapter 31 – New Year's Eve, December 31, 2006

She'd cleaned her apartment to sparkling while she waited. She was anxious and nervous because Danny had managed to convince her to arrive with him. They hadn't been necessarily hiding their relationship, but they definitely didn't advertise it at work. This would be the first time they did anything in the public eye of the lab.

There were thoughts that hadn't surfaced in any of their discussions. She was damaged, and she'd proven that on a number of occasions. There was a million other people that would kill for her position and she truly felt – in that stupid insecure part of her brain – that she would give it up in an instant. He deserved better.

But he'd chosen her.

She was roused from her musings by the pounding on her door. "Coming," she called, slipping on her heels. She pulled open the door and had to force herself to remember to breathe. He looked fantastic in a suit, but Danny Messer in a tux was bone melting. It should be illegal.

"Hey," she finally managed, pulling the door open all the way and letting him in.

He was completely speechless. She was gorgeous, from the careful curls on her head to the strappy black heels on her feet. He went from head to toe and then back again, making sure to take in all aspects of her front before taking her hand and spinning her to get the whole view of the dress.

He still didn't say anything and Lindsay was getting anxious. "Danny?"

He knew he wouldn't be convey exactly what was spinning quickly through his head so he pulled her close, hands on her hips and sealing his lips to hers. He hoped his kiss conveyed everything he was feeling, the utter awe at how beautiful she was. "Do we really have to go?"

She blushed bright red. "I promised Stella I'd show off my dress and my date."

Danny's eyebrows rose. "You told her?"

"No. She's been guessing."

Danny chuckled, holding out an arm for her to link hers through. "Whenever you're ready Miss Monroe, we have a party to attend."

Lindsay giggled as she grabbed her coat and linked her arm through Danny's making sure to lock up as she left.

The ball was in full swing when she and Danny stepped into the tastefully decorated ballroom. Danny, the taller of the two, started searching over heads, but it was Lindsay that caught sight of Flack's black head. She tugged his arm in that direction, eventually able to make out Stella, Mac and Hawkes.

"Lindsay!" Stella exclaimed, pulling the younger woman into a happy hug. "Where is your date?"

Lindsay smiled secretively, deliberately not shooting Danny a glance. "Around."

"I have to meet him."

"You're like a dog with a bone, Stel, leave the poor woman alone," Danny stepped in, also handing Lindsay a glass of champagne he'd snatched from a nearby waiter.

Lindsay thanked him softly before engaging Flack in conversation

Danny caught up to Lindsay ten minutes before midnight, snatching her away from a dance with Adam to pull her into one with him.

"You couldn't wait until the song finished? He's been waiting all night," she admonished playfully, wasting no time in wrapping her arms around his neck and closing the space between them.

"Couldn't wait. Two minutes until the new year."

She grinned. "And you have a New Year's Resolution that couldn't wait three minutes to tell me?"

"My resolutions have everythin' to do with you, Montana, so I won't be tellin' you a thing."

"But if they're all about me, that's not fair," she said with a pout.

"You keep that up and everyone's gonna know this is a real thing," he growled at her, his hands spreading out just north of her skirt seam.

"So then what about midnight? Are you just going to stand there?"

Suddenly, the music was cut off and the chief started the thirty second count down.

"We're about see, won't we."

5…

She prepared herself for the inevitable heat that swamped her body when his lips connected with hers and for the light-headed feeling that also inevitably followed.

4…

He'd already decided that he didn't care if their kiss proclaimed to the world they were together. He'd kiss her whatever way he damned well pleased!

3…

Her wrists were crossed behind his neck, subconsciously pulling him closer as the new year drew nearer. She could already feel his breath fanning across her face and her eyes started to flutter closed.

2…

The room disappeared around them as they waited for the end of the count down.

1….

Don't kill me!!!

I divided this into 2, New Year's Eve and New Year's. Be patient while I sleep for 8 hours and I'll post January 1st, I promise.

This will be the end of this particular story. I am planning a sequel, because I adore writing these characters, and, for those that followed Jackson I'm planning a rewrite of that so it makes more sense, but as I've said before, I have to get Wicked out of my system first.

Either that or some darn good DL SOON! And my alerts back, but we all already know how bitter I am about that one.