Disclaimer: I am not connected in any way with the creators of any of the CSI shows. (I wish I was though, so Danny and Lindsay would get together already.) These are just my mind's version of the events that transpire on the show.

Late that afternoon, Flack walked wearily down the hall of the police station. He found Jordan seated at the desk next to his, finishing up on some paperwork.

She looked up with a welcoming smile, "Hey, Don…" Her smile quickly melted into a look of concern at the haggard expression on his face. "What happened?" she asked as she stood up to meet him halfway.

Flack silently hauled her closer and wrapped his arms around her. He buried his face in the clean fragrance of her hair and inhaled deeply.

Jordan immediately wrapped her arms around his waist and cradled his body against hers, not understanding why he was acting so strangely, but understanding instinctively that he needed her.

For long moments, they clung to each other, love and trust and healing flowing from one to the other.

Finally, Flack stepped back with a deep breath.

Jordan found her voice and asked, "What happened, Don?" Worry and concern were mirrored in the green depths of her eyes and the furrow in her forehead.

Flack said gruffly, "Lindsay was stabbed today at a scene."

Much like Cassie when she found out about Lindsay, Jordan's eyes widened in alarm. "Is she alright?"

Flack hastened to reassure her, "She's fine. They stitched her up. She's in Trinity and Danny's with her now."

Flack reached for her again and tucked her close to his body. This time, it was he who gave her comfort as he clasped her head in his big hand and pushed it tenderly to rest on his chest. He bent his head to press a kiss in her hair and he whispered hoarsely, "It could just as easily have been you."

Jordan made a soft sound and tightened her grip on his waist. She tilted her head upward to press her lips into his neck reassuringly. She understood now why he reacted like this.

"I'm here, Don," she said softy. "I'm safe and I'm alive and I'm with you." Her hand moved in soothing circles on his broad back.

Flack's bright blue eyes locked intently with Jordan's emerald gaze. "You have to promise me that you'll always be careful," he said in his deep, gruff voice. Jordan could see the naked plea hidden behind his tough exterior.

Jordan nodded and pulled his head down to kiss his lips gently. "So long as you promise me you'll always be careful as well." He bent his head to kiss her again, their lips meeting each other's in quiet desperation. Pretty soon, the kiss spiraled out of control and they tore apart from each other, breathing heavily.

"I love you, Don," Jordan whispered against Flack's neck.

His arms closed reflexively around her, "I love you too, Jordan." His big hand pushed her light brown hair aside and curled his hand tenderly around the nape of her neck, feeling the warmth of her skin.

She quipped shakily, a glimmer of humor in her eyes, "No more getting blown up in buildings alright? You're lucky we weren't together then. I would have waited for you to wake up just to be able to scream at you."

A reluctant chuckle escaped from Flack's lips and he murmured as he hugged her close again, "So long as it's you doing the yelling, sweetheart, I'm completely fine with that."

The day after Christmas, Danny took Lindsay home from the hospital. Mac had kindly given him the day off so he could stay with her.

Despite Lindsay's protests that she could walk up the stairs by herself, Danny had insisted on carrying her down the hallway to their apartment.

He struggled briefly with opening the door. Sticking a key into a lock isn't easy when you were carrying a person in your arms, but Danny would have gone through worse for Lindsay. After a few more attempts, he finally managed to insert the key into the lock and push the door open.

He used his foot to kick the door gently shut behind them then asked Lindsay to pull the dead bolt home. After that, he walked swiftly towards the bedroom, where he helped Lindsay settle into the bed.

When Lindsay was propped up against the pillows and tucked warmly into the bed, Danny settled in beside her, his arm wrapped around her shoulders.

He loved the way she smelled. She wasn't like any of his old girlfriends, who smelled like a perfume counter. He realized just then how much he hated their smell.

The mixture of Lindsay's soap and shampoo, combined with the natural chemistry of her body, created a scent so sweet and clean that it made Danny heady. He breathed in the fragrance of her hair and thanked the powers that be that she was safe beside him.

Her head was pillowed on his chest, the soft curls of her hair tickling his neck and chin gently. Her hand played with his dog tags, stroking his chest through his shirt. She sensed the storm brewing inside him and she asked in a gentle voice, "You okay, Danny?"

Danny let out a long breath. He closed his eyes and mumbled, "No."

Lindsay sighed and pushed herself up from his chest, catching herself before she could let out a wince. She knew Danny would go ballistic if he found out that the painkillers had already stopped working and her side was hurting like hell.

"Danny," she said softly, reaching for his hand, tracing her finger on his wide, slightly rough palm. "I'm sorry I made you worry." She noticed the muscle twitching slightly in his cheek as he fought to tamp down his emotions. As she gazed into his eyes, she saw how terrified he had been and how angry he was that she had gotten hurt. She looked beseechingly at him, willing him to understand that she hadn't taken an unnecessary risk and that it just happened.

He looked at her for a moment longer and then sighed deeply, his free hand reaching out to tuck wayward curls behind her ear. He bent his head and his blue eyes searched her face. "I don't think I'll ever stop worrying about you, Linds." He shrugged, "But we've talked about this already. We both understand that it's a hazard of the job that the best we can do is try to avoid getting hurt on the job as much as we can, right?"

Lindsay nodded hesitantly and Danny continued his hand stroking the side of her face. "I know you followed procedure and you were careful, and that these things happen. I just want you to promise me that you'll be twice as careful next time okay?" Danny swallowed hard as he remembered how helpless he had felt when he found out that Lindsay had been injured.

Lindsay nodded again and said, "I promise I'll be more careful." She leaned forward to kiss him and he wrapped his arms carefully around her, conscious of her wound. Lindsay heard the hammering of his heart and the current of emotion that flowed through him when she rested her head on his chest once more.

He turned his face into her hair and said in a voice roughened by fear, "I almost lost you again, Montana." He breathed deeply and let her scent fold around him in a comforting cocoon, reassuring him of her presence. "I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you."

Lindsay was humbled by the naked emotion she heard in Danny's voice. She levered herself up to gaze into the stormy depths of his blue eyes and said seriously, "You won't ever lose me, Danny. We've come too far to lose each other now." She sought to lighten the mood by quipping, "I think you're stuck with me now, Messer."

Danny smiled into her chocolate brown eyes and whispered hoarsely, "Thank god." He pulled her close again and kissed her one last time, before saying, "You better get some rest, Montana."

He gently helped her until she was able to ease into a lying position on the bed. He tucked the covers tight around her and planted a kiss on her forehead. "I love you, Montana. I'll be right outside if you need me, okay?"

Lindsay nodded sleepily and he asked one last question, "Do you want anything before I go outside?"

She answered, "Can I have another painkiller? The last one wore off already."

Danny asked in alarm, "What? How long ago?"

"About half an hour ago," Lindsay admitted.

Danny's brow immediately creased in concern, "That must have been hurting for a while. Why didn't you say so earlier?" Without waiting for her to answer, he quickly stood up from the bed and left the bedroom.

He returned with a glass of water and a prescription bottle. He shook out one of the pills and fed it to Lindsay, holding up her head so she could wash the pill down with water. He eased her back down on the pillow, whispering endearments to her. "There you go, baby. Don't worry, it will feel better soon."

Lindsay smiled gratefully at him and teased him gently, "Who would have thought that the cocky Danny Messer would be so sweet?"

Danny grinned self-consciously, "I dunno, Montana. You bring it out in me." He shook his head ruefully, muttering something beneath his breath.

Lindsay asked him, "What?"

He repeated it, a bit louder this time, a flush stealing up his face. "I said, I guess this is what happens when a country girl reforms a player."

Lindsay smiled drowsily at him and whispered as she closed her eyes, "Stay with me, Danny."

He bent down and kissed her gently, "Don't worry, Montana. I'll be right here. I always will be."

Danny quickly dragged a chair next to the bed and held Lindsay's hand until she fell asleep. When he saw that her breathing had evened out, he eased his hand gently from her grasp and tucked her hand under the covers.

He walked silently towards his bureau and reached into the back of one of the drawers. He pulled out the small box that his mother had given him that night they had dinner with his family.

He opened the box and examined the object inside. Nestled in the dark blue velvet was a ring made of white gold, with a simple diamond surrounded by light blue sapphires the exact same shade of Danny's eyes. It had been his mother's engagement ring. He imagined it on Lindsay's hand and found himself smiling in satisfaction.

As he tilted the box, the light caught in the stones, making it sparkle. Danny closed the box resolutely. It's time. But I have to do it right. He returned the box to its hiding place and slid the bureau drawer shut soundlessly.

He walked back to the bed and resumed his place at Lindsay's bedside. For the rest of the afternoon, he sat there and schemed as he watched the woman he loved sleep peacefully.

That's all for today folks:D I hope you guys liked this chapter. Let me know what you think of it, okay?

Sorry it took so long to update. Things have been crazy at work and I hope this chapter, short as it is, has enough sweet moments to last us until January, when hopefully, Lindsay and Danny finally get together. I can't wait till that happens!:D

No MacStella yet. I'm still trying to figure out how to get them together without making it too dramatic. But don't worry, they WILL get together. Although a bit late, so you have to keep reading. Moments between them will pop up every once in a while. I never really know when it happens, it just does. :D

Please review! I miss your reviews:D