DISCLAIMERS: I do not own any of these characters. They belong to Jerry Bruckheimer and the wonderful writers for CSI: NY. Any resemblance to scenes from the episodes is included for clarity and continuity and I do not claim any of those as my own work. However everything else is mine.

Taking the First Step

Stella broke the silence by saying, "I'll grab us all some coffee." Mac nodded in agreement and Danny began his pacing routine again. He didn't know how long it would take Flack to get Lindsay's statement. He knew he wanted Lindsay to take as much time as she needed but man he needed to see her, to make sure she was really alright, to smell the springy scent of her hair, to hear her voice say his name, to look in to those deep, brown eyes of hers, to feel that radiant smile upon him, to have her arms around his neck and her lips upon his.

Stella returned with coffee. "One for everyone, strong and black."

Mac took the coffee from Stella and said wryly, "I hope you got him decaff," as he gestured his thumb in Danny's direction.

Stella smiled and handed Danny his coffee. Danny nodded his thanks and returned to his pacing.

Mac looked thoughtfully at Danny and summed up all the changes he'd seen in the young detective since he had come to work for him several years ago. Mac hired him as a top graduate from the academy with an eye for detail in the lab and unmatched street smarts that came from years of growing up in the tough neighborhoods on Staten Island. With a penchant for emotionality and a fierce dedication to the job, Daniel Messer gave it his all which sometimes landed him in trouble. Within the last year however he had matured and grown and Mac credited most of that change to Lindsay Monroe. With her subtle wit and congenial Midwestern manner, she quietly charmed and captivated the young detective. With her focused work in the lab and her willingness to do whatever the job required, she earned his respect and admiration. But where she wrought the most change was in her ability to reach beyond the rash and sometimes volatile behavior and touch the calm place within him. Most of the time he didn't even know this calm place existed yet she could bring it to the forefront. She was the polish for his rough edges and he was the pulse of vibrancy in her life. Yes, it was definitely a good paring in more areas than the lab.

Mac was brought out of his musings and Danny out of his pacing when Flack approached.

"We're finished," Flack said in a subdued manner. "The doctor has given her something to help her sleep and is moving her up to her room. He said you can go up and see her but it won't be long until she's out for the night or what's left of it."

Danny sighed deeply in relief and ran his hand through his hair as he said to Flack, "Did she come through it okay?"

"Yeah, Danny, she did real well, you'd be proud of her but she's extremely exhausted and I think the shock is beginning to wear off."

"Danny, why don't you go ahead up and we'll come up in a few minutes," Mac said.

As Danny made his way to Lindsay's room he thought about Lindsay revealing the details of her trauma to Flack. It must have been excruciatingly painful to relive the event so soon after it happened and even though she had done it in the line of duty to Flack, he hoped the next time she needed to unburden herself it would be to him.

When Danny arrived at Lindsay's room, the nurse was just leaving so he was able to slip in before the door closed. She wasn't aware that he was there yet so he was able to watch her for a few moments. He didn't think she was asleep yet but her eyes were closed and a soft light from the lamp played subtly across her face. The bruise on her jaw was even more pronounced now than before and there was a bandage on the cut on her forehead. She was lying on her side facing him, curled in a tight ball with the blankets pulled tightly around her. She looked so frail and forlorn and his heart ached.

Somehow she realized he was there because without opening her eyes, she said "Danny," in the most heart wrenching voice and in an instant he was by her bed. He took her outstretched hand in his and kissed the knuckles tenderly as he sat beside her on the bed. A tear rolled down her cheek and he gently stroked it away with his thumb.

"Hey Montana, open those gorgeous brown eyes of yours and look at me," he said half playfully and half desperately. He needed to see her eyes, to read her emotions and connect to her soul.

"I can't," she said with a catch in her voice.

He leaned in, cupped her chin with his free hand and stroked her cheek softly with his thumb. "Why not?" he asked softly.

She smelled his unique scent that made him Danny and felt his warm breath on her cheek. She felt her resistance melting away but she couldn't let go just yet. "Because if I do, I'll start crying and I'm afraid I'll never stop."

He chuckled softly. "Montana, there's nothing wrong with crying. In fact I've done a good bit of it myself tonight, but shhh… don't tell anyone. I'd hate for it to get around and tarnish my manly image."

At this she laughed softly and his heart did a little flip.

"So, what do you say?"

He waited. And with one sudden movement she had her arms around his neck and was sobbing uncontrollably into his neck. He still hadn't seen her eyes but her actions told him all he needed to know. His Montana had taken the first step on her way back to him!

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When Mac and Stella peeked into Lindsay's room later on, they saw Danny lying on the bed next to Lindsay with his arm wrapped around her waist and their fingers interlaced.

"I guess everything's fine here, Stella," Mac said approvingly.

"Yeah, I think Danny's got it all under control," Stella said with a smile.

"To me, it looks more like Lindsay's got him wrapped around her little finger." Mac retorted quickly.

Stella laughed right out loud. And the two senior detectives left to catch some sleep of their own before their next shift started.

Authors Note: Do not think this is the end by any means so if want to hear the rest of the story please let me know. Good reviews always speak volumes!!