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.
Danny awoke with a rush, breathing heavily. His arm swept jerkily across the bed and he sighed in utter relief as he felt Lindsay's warm form on the bed.
She awakened instantly, sensing his panic.
"Danny," she said worriedly, placing her hand on his chest in an attempt to soothe his raging heartbeat. "What's wrong?"
Danny reached out blindly and pulled her into the cocoon of his arms. "It's nothing," he whispered to her, placing a soft kiss on her temple as he cuddled her closer against his body.
Lindsay whispered back, rubbing soothing circles on his chest, "Nightmare?"
His eyes closed, Danny grunted in assent.
Lindsay continued to probe, her voice low and calming, "About what, Danny?" Her hand was still moving relaxingly across his chest, infusing him with a languorous feeling.
Danny answered in a tight voice, "You." He rubbed his hands over her back, as though to reassure himself that she was still there. "This time, the knife went two inches higher and punctured your heart."
Lindsay twisted slightly in his arms, reaching up wipe the damp sweat on Danny's face. He opened his eyes to look deeply into hers. The faint lights of the city that filtered through the window shimmered in chocolate brown eyes that were alert as she gazed deeply into his tormented blue eyes. "I'm with you, Danny," she said softly. "I can't promise you that it won't happen again, any more than you can promise me that it won't happen to you. But I can promise you that I'll be doubly careful from now on, and you should be too."
Danny was reassured by the glimmer he saw in Lindsay's eyes as she said, "I mean it, cowboy. You're stuck with me now."
Danny let out a choked laugh as he drew her closer and kissed her gently, "Don't think I'd have it any other way, Montana."
They fell asleep like that, cuddled against each other and their fingers intertwined.
The next morning, Danny woke up to find Lindsay still sleeping peacefully, her head tucked securely in the crook of his neck and shoulder. He let out a silent prayer of thanks. Despite what had happened the previous night, he still couldn't completely get over the fear of losing her and he figured it may be a while until he would be back to normal.
Trying not to wake her up, Danny gently pulled the covers back and lifted Lindsay's shirt. He looked at the bandage on her side and noted with relief that her wound wasn't bleeding. He tucked the covers tight around her once more.
Lindsay felt around sleepily and found Danny's side of the bed empty. Her eyes opened slowly and she found him sitting on the edge of the bed, smiling down at her. "Morning, Montana," he said in that sleep-roughened voice she loved.
"Morning, cowboy," she replied, yawning. "What time is it?"
"It's seven AM. Go back to sleep," Danny ordered, softening his words with a tender caress down her cheek.
Lindsay shook her head and tried to get up. "No, I'm fine. I've rested enough."
Danny said patiently, "Montana, just in case you've forgotten, Mac told me that you're taking the next few days off."
Lindsay sighed deeply. "What am I going to do here by myself all day? I'm going to go nuts," she complained, pouting sulkily.
She looked so adorable that Danny couldn't help but bend down to take a gentle nip of her bottom lip. "What you're going to do," he answered, "is heal and rest."
Lindsay sighed dreamily, giving herself up to the pleasure of having Danny nibble on her. "Fine," she said grouchily, pouting again, deliberately tempting Danny to give her a kiss.
Danny didn't disappoint Lindsay and he stopped nibbling and got down to the serious business of kissing his Montana.
As they pulled away, Lindsay smiled at him and said, "Okay. I'll just wait for you to come home."
Danny grinned in satisfaction at having gotten Lindsay to do what he wanted. "Okay, now I really have to go and get ready for work."
Lindsay reluctantly pulled her arms from around his neck and watched as he walked out of the bedroom. Then she frowned. Wait a minute. Where's he going?
Her question was answered when the aroma of freshly brewed coffee floated into the bedroom, plus the familiar hiss of the frying pan.
A few minutes later, Danny re-entered the bedroom, carrying a tray. He set the tray down on the bed and sat back down. "Dig in, Montana."
Lindsay's stomach rumbled as she took in the plate Danny set before her. He made scrambled eggs and toast, with several strips of bacon. He'd also prepared her coffee just the way she liked it. She made a low sound of appreciation as the warm coffee slid down her throat.
She grinned at Danny, "If I didn't love you already, I would love you by now."
Danny laughed and said, "I aim to please. Now eat before your eggs get cold."
When Danny walked into the lab, he was immediately accosted by various people who wanted to know how Lindsay was doing. In the year and a half that she had been at the lab, she had quickly gained a reputation for being cheerful and hardworking, something that had been greatly appreciated. Now, every one in the crime lab expressed their concern when they found out that she had been injured.
As Danny walked into the locker room, Hawkes was there, stuffing his bag into his locker. "Hey Danny," he greeted. "How's Lindsay doing?"
Danny rolled his eyes, "I swear Hawkes, that woman will drive me nuts. It hasn't even been a full day since she got stitched up and she's already itching to go back to work."
Hawkes chuckled, "That's the Lindsay Monroe we know and love, never letting anything stop her…" He trailed off as he caught the indignant glare that Danny shot him. "Except Danny Messer," he finished.
Danny grinned at his friend. "Anyway, I was thinking of inviting the team over to our place, just to keep her company. I bet she'd like to see you guys. We can order pizza or something and just hang out at home."
Hawkes nodded in agreement. "I'll tell Cassie when I see her," he promised. "Don't worry, we'll be there."
Danny answered, "Cool." He slammed his locker door shut and waved good-bye to Hawkes. "See you later, man," he called out as he walked briskly out of the locker room.
Hawkes smiled and turned back to his locker. To his surprise, two small hands snaked around his back and a sultry voice whispered in his ear, "What's up, Doc?"
Hawkes laughed and twisted around to drape his arm around Cassie and pull her close for a kiss. "Mm. Hey Cass."
Cassie grinned and answered, "I just came by to tell you that Stella's asking if we want to go visit Lindsay later. I already said yes."
Hawkes laughed and countered, "That's funny, cause I was just talking to Danny and he's asking if we want to come over to their place later to keep Lindsay company."
Cassie laughed along with him and remarked, "I guess it's true that great minds do think alike."
Hawkes slammed his locker shut and slung his arm around Cassie's shoulders. "Come on, O Great Mind. I'll walk you back to your lab."
This is it for tonight. :D Just another chapter for all of us to enjoy. :D Stay tuned for the latest updates. :D Next chapter will have the team at Danny and Lindsay's. :D
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