A/N: Thank you so much to those who continue to review, as well as those lurking out in space. Here is the after math of Danny and Lindsay's 'confrontation'. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Most of the characters belong to CBS though the plot is mine.

Special thanks to SallyJetson for the beta.

Chapter 9: The Afternoon After:

Danny woke for the second time in his life with a sleeping Lindsay Monroe curled securely in his arms. He didn't dare wake her as he wanted this feeling to last for as long as possible, and he didn't know how she would react to what had happened when she was no longer in the heat of the moment.

Lindsay stirred beside him and finally opened her eyes, closing them quickly to keep them away from the strong afternoon sunshine coming through the curtains. "Hey."

"Hey," Danny responded as he gently rubbed her back. "How'd you sleep?"

"Mmmm… good. You?"

"Me too," Danny added as he planted a sweet kiss to her forehead.

They continued to lie there, wrapped in each other's arms, bathing in the comfort they found there.

"Linds… Why Vegas?"

"mmmm?"

"Why did you choose to move to Vegas?"

Lindsay fully awake now opened her eyes and moved away slightly to lean on one elbow. "I couldn't stay in New York anymore. Cat's a cousin of my Mom's friend from Bozeman, and she helped me get a job at the Vegas crime lab."

"Crime lab? So what was the whole stripper thing about? They must pay you even less in Vegas than they do in New York."

Lindsay gave him a playful slap to the chest. "Actually, that was just for a case. I was working undercover to try and get information about the owner. Several girls who worked there over the past few months had disappeared and we couldn't get anything on the guy any other way."

"Was for a case? As in past tense? As in no longer?"

"Yeah. I got the info we needed last night. They should be finding the evidence we need as we speak."

"You do realize that going undercover is not part of the CSI job description, right?"

"Yes, but there wasn't anyone else and we really needed to get this guy. Jim was going to do it but he couldn't fit into the outfits."

"Yeah I think some of the patrons may have become suspicious and asked for their money back."

Danny's hand started to find its way into Lindsay's hair as he gently stroked through her curls. Lindsay's hand found its way to his chest as she traced small circles with her finger tips.

"So why are you here?"

"Friend of mine is getting married"

"When?"

Danny moved slightly to have a look at his watch. "Fuck. About an hour ago."

"Smooth Dan. Real smooth."

"He'll understand. I'll join them for dinner afterwards. You should come. Flack'll be there and I'm sure he would want to see ya. Plus we could spend more time together before my flight back tonight."

"I have to work," and with that Lindsay extracted herself from Danny and the bed to start collecting her various items of clothing.

"Does that mean you have to leave now? Like right this second?" Danny was now sitting up in bed trying to decide what had happened to change things from a few moments ago.

"I think it's best if we just make a clean break Danny."

Danny was now on his feet standing in front of a partially dressed Lindsay. "Break?? So this morning meant what exactly?"

"Danny…"

"No Montana, you can't tell me that what happened here meant nothing to you." Danny wrapped his arms around her waist to draw her closer to him.

"It's not that it meant nothing, but …. I live here and you live in New York. It wouldn't work."

"So move back to New York. You've got friends there. I'm sure Mac would give you your job back if you asked. He was saying the other day that he was hoping to get more money for resources."

"Danny, I have a life here. I am not just going to pack up everything and go back there. I'm sorry." Lindsay pulled away from Danny's embrace to finish getting ready to leave.

"Then long distance. It sucks but hey there's always phone sex, right?"

"No Danny. I can't. I just can't. I'm really sorry, but it wouldn't work." With that Lindsay returned to give him one more, quick kiss just beside the mouth. "Goodbye Danny."

"This ain't over Montana. Not by a long shot," Danny whispered into her forehead before finally letting her go. She grabbed her things and went to the door, giving one last backward glance before she was gone.

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Danny had now seen the love of his life leave him for a second time. Surprisingly it wasn't as bad the second time around. Over the past year he had started doubting that she had ever really cared for him, but now he was sure that his feelings were returned. Her heart wanted him, now he just had to get her head to realize it too.