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.

Second Time Around

After the phone conversation with Danny, the day could not move fast enough. When she left the lab a little after 5, she practically ran to the subway. She knew it was going to be crowded, this time of the day, but she would gladly cram herself into the first available train, even if she had to stand underneath someone's smelly armpit as they hung onto the bars in the middle of the aisle. Being rather petite in stature, this happened to her a lot. Sometimes she felt she would rather walk the 20 blocks to her apartment, than to be crammed into the subway like a sardine. The subway was the thing she liked least about New York. It made her miss the wide open spaces of Montana. But today… today it didn't matter because she was going out with the handsomest and hottest man in all of New York, and Montana for that matter. She had just one little stop to make on the way home.

Once she alighted from the subway and was topside again, she ducked into the little corner store near her apartment to pick up some condoms. She didn't have any in her apartment, she felt sure, since she hadn't slept with anyone since coming to New York, over a year ago. Lord that was a long time to… never mind. And she certainly didn't want to put off being with Danny one more time, because she wasn't prepared. Isn't that the Girl Scout motto, 'Be Prepared'? That was ironic, she thought, because she was quite sure what she would be doing tonight, with Danny, would not be considered appropriate Girl Scout conduct.

"Lindsay," she heard a familiar voice call her name.

She whipped around. It was her Uncle Fred coming towards her with his arms outstretched. What is he doing in this part of town?

She quickly remembered the condoms in her hand and hid them behind her back as she walked up and gave her uncle a one-armed hug.

"I was in the neighborhood visiting a friend, when I thought I would stop by and see if you were home… you know say, 'hi'. Lucky I saw you duck in here or we might have missed each other," he explained.

Yeah, real lucky. What am I going to do? I can't tell the man I have a date, while I'm holding a box of condoms in my hand. That would be too… too… she couldn't even finish the thought.

"Uncle Fred, it was great bumping into you, but I've got an appointment in a few minutes that I've got to get to, so I'll just be on my way… 'cause it's important… and I don't want to be late." The words tumbled out of her mouth of their own accord. What a little white liar she had become. She reached up to kiss him on the cheek, in parting.

"I'll walk and talk with you, while you check out. That way, at least we can catch up a little bit," he offered.

Holy crap, what am I going to do?

"Um… okay… good idea…" she stammered.

Quick! Lindsay grab something, anything, to take the focus off your other little ahem purchase.

She grabbed the first thing she focused on, a bunch of bananas, and walked quickly to the check out aisle with Uncle Fred close on her heels. She set the condoms and bananas down together with the bananas strategically placed on top of the condoms. Then she turned to Uncle Fred, to engage him in conversation, while the cashier rang up her items. She glanced back at the cashier quickly and saw him give her a strange look, as he placed the items in a bag. She knew her face was slowly turning from pink to red. She quickly handed over the money and departed. She said her goodbyes to Uncle Fred and hurried to her apartment.

Back in her apartment, the hilarity of the whole situation hit her. Condoms and bananas! Off all the things she could have chosen, she chose bananas! No wonder the cashier had given her an odd look. Lindsay, you looked like such a pervert and you didn't even realize it! Oh god, she thought, as she slapped her forehead in disbelief. She hoped this was not an indication of how things were going to go tonight. She did not want to come across as some bumbling, naive, little country girl. Particularly around a smooth city boy like Daniel Messer!

As she readied for her date, she took great care that everything would have the effect of teasing, tantalizing and seducing. She wanted him begging for it, the minute he saw her! She carefully fastened her hair up to resemble a chaotically ordered mass of curls with plenty of tendrils dangling around her neck, just begging for certain fingers to twirl in them. She knew Danny preferred her hair down, but this way he'd have to agonize over the moment when her hair would finally come down. The underwear was low cut, simply white, and lacy. There was no bra, because she would be wearing the halter dress she bought with Stella yesterday. That made her feel a bit nervous, but at least the dress was lined so there wouldn't be any embarrassing moments if she got a little cold. The thigh high stockings were a sensual boon for her. She had never worn a pair before, but when she strapped on her delicate bronze sandals and surveyed herself in the full length mirror, she was very pleased with what she saw. She may not be model tall, rail thin and synthetically breasted but she was young, shapely and well toned, with curves in all the right places. Finally, she carefully pulled the buy of the decade over her head, and let it settle like a liquid, shimmering cloud around her body. It was such an exquisite dress and she was so thankful that Stella had talked her into it! She felt like she could compete with all the fashionable and sexy New York women in a dress like this. She finished with the dangling bronze earrings, added a light touch of mascara and lipstick, for a bit of sparkle, and dabbed herself, in all the sensual places, with the perfume she had worn when she went to the opera.

She was ready!

Knock, Knock!

Her stomach dropped as anxiety overtook her. Oh god, no she wasn't ready! This was too much pressure. It was one thing to be messing around with Messer, just hanging out and having fun, but now… but now this was the real deal. Even though she wanted this and badly, she didn't know if she could live up to the moment. Suddenly she did feel like a bumbling, naïve, little country girl.

Knock, Knock!

"Lindsay!"

Get moving, Lindsay! Fear is no place from which to operate your life! She prodded herself to walk across the bedroom and into the living room.

Just as she entered the living room, Danny had unlocked the door with his key and entered the apartment. As he was pulling the key out of the door, he started talking.

" Montana, I could die from hunger out there waitin' for ya to…" The rest of the sentence died in his throat as she stood, in the living room, firmly rooted to a spot about 5 feet in front of him.

"Daaammmnnnn Montana," he croaked out, as his mouth gaped open. He had been hoping for the opera dress. He thought that blue was her color. But this chocolate concoction that flowed seductively along her curves, to end several inches above her knees, put the opera dress to shame.

Lindsay felt her stomach calming and her confidence returning at his reaction. He looked amazing in a dark forest green suit that was fashionably cut and a tan dress shirt that emphasized his chest muscles. He was wearing a tie too! She had never seen him wear a tie before and it made him look incredibly dashing. Ties were the male equivalent for females wearing their hair up. While it completed the package, it only made the yearning for it to be undone, that much greater.

"You're catching flies, Cowboy!" she said softly, as she moved towards him, stopping just as their chests met. He gazed down at her and she put her palm under his chin to close his mouth and he quickly pressed her fingers to his lips.

The electrical charge was immediate as it pulsed through every square micrometer of her being. She let out a hard sigh and closed her eyes.

That sigh would be his undoing every time, he knew that now, without a doubt, as he slid his arms around her waist and cinched her tightly against him. Her arms went around his neck to rhythmically stroke the back of his neck. Their lips met without any other thought in their heads, except for being as close to one another as possible. Their tongues teased and titillated each other until there was no oxygen left between them. When they pulled back, Danny's eyes were like liquid blue flames and Lindsay's were pools of simmering chocolate, their bodies heated by their aching need for each other.

Lindsay put her hands on his chest and breathlessly said, "What about the dinner reservations?"

"Reservations?" Danny blinked. "I have no reservations about haulin' ya into the bedroom this instance, Montana, and havin' my way with ya," he smirked at her.

She playfully slapped his arm. "I'm not that kind of girl, Messer. I require dinner first!"

"There's a deli on the corner that delivers," he suggested hopefully.

"No, I want a proper date! Besides I dropped a bucket full of cash on this dress and I want everyone to see it."

He growled slightly. "I don't think I want anyone to see you in that dress!"

She blushed at his compliment.

"By the way, where'd ya get that dress?"

"Stella and I went shopping at some posh shop yesterday, after lunch."

Lucky me, he thought! Then he recalled Stella's text message to him yesterday. Bless you, Stella, as understanding settled in. Stella just made it onto his very short Christmas list!

"You know, you should go shopping with Stella more often," he declared huskily, as his hands began to roam up and down her back.

She felt her control slipping away. "Danny, we better go!" she whispered.

"Why?" he breathed into her ear.

"Because I have a lot more fire and stamina if I've been properly wined and dined!" she breathed back into his ear.

He pulled back and looked at her. Damn she knew how to fight fire with fire!

"Alright, but no dessert until we get home," he double entendre'd as he released one arm from around her waist, but kept the other securely there to guide her out of the apartment and down the stairs.

She laughed. This was going to be one hell of a night!

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When they arrived at the restaurant, Lindsay knew Danny was pulling out all the stops, when he tossed the keys to the valet attendant, as he steered her, with one palm lightly pressed to the small of back, toward the entrance of the restaurant. When she entered, the elegance and exclusivity of the place assailed her senses. The lighting was dim, the music discreet and the waiting area, which was richly furnished, was already full of waiting people, elegantly dressed. This was as posh as the dress shop Stella had taken her to and she was doubly glad that she had shelled out the money for the dress she was wearing. Danny confidently strode up the hostess and quietly announced, "Two for Daniel Messer."

Ohhh, tonight he was Daniel Messer! She liked the sound of that!

"This way", the hostess murmured, as she gave Danny an appreciative look. That was no small compliment for New York and in an establishment such as this. The hostess must see tons of good-looking guys, night in and night out. Lindsay's pride swelled, as the full realization hit her, she was here with Danny and he was definitely the most handsome and sexy man she had ever been with. It made her feel downright giddy and almost in need to pinch herself.

When they were seated, side by side, in a cozy booth, Lindsay couldn't help leaning over to Danny and whispering breathlessly, "Danny I've never haven been in a place like this before."

Even though it was dim, he could see her eyes, shining brightly, and a smile of enchantment on her face. He loved doing this for her and with her. This was how he wanted it to be since that first time he had asked her out, except he had upped the ante considerably since that night, when she stood him up. That place then, though nice in its own right, was a dive compared to this place.

"Well to tell you the truth, I've never been to a place like this before either," he confided to her. "So kick me under the table if I do something inappropriate."

She put her fingers to her lips to stifle the giggle that threatened to escape. She really doubted if any of what Danny had just said was true, but he sure knew how to put her at ease.

Before she knew, the meal had flown by and Danny was motioning to the waiter.

The waiter approached, "Would you care for dessert this evening?"

Danny winked at Lindsay and replied, "No thank you, we have other plans for dessert."

Lindsay blushed furiously, as she looked down at her hands.

Soon the bill was paid, and they were in the SUV on their way back to Lindsay's apartment.

The evening had been magical so far and Danny's touch had never left her. If his hand wasn't holding hers on the drive to and from the restaurant, it was on the small of her back guiding her in and out of the restaurant. While in the restaurant, either his fingertips rested along her bare shoulder, as he laid his arm along the back of the booth, or his thigh was touching hers, warming her skin through the thin material of her dress. It had all been so innocent and hot at the same time. He had been a perfect gentleman, but soon, they would be alone together and her heart beat wildly in anticipation and in nervousness of what was coming next. Her old doubts seized her once again as Danny found a parking spot.

As he came around and opened her door, he held out his hand and she put her hand in his. He squeezed it gently and pulled it through the crook of his arm. When they climbed the stairs to the entrance of her building, she pulled on his arm slightly and he stopped.

He turned to her and his face was quizzical.

"Um…" she looked up at him, biting her lip in consternation.

"What's wrong, Lindsay?" he asked softly.

When she didn't answer, he backed up against the stoop and half sat on it, sliding his arms around her waist and drawing her into the v of his legs.

She looked down and he placed a finger under her chin to lift her eyes to his.

"Whatever it is… you can tell me… it won't faze me… I promise… scout's honor," he sing-songed that last phrase, as he lifted two fingers in a mock pledge.

She laughed at that because she doubted he had ever been a boy scout, far from it in fact, and that is what troubled her.

She nervously ran her hands under the lapels of his jacket and fingered the topsides with her thumbs.

Okay Lindsay, just spit it out… nobody's getting any younger here!

"Danny, I'm just not as experienced as you and I don't want to dis-…"

He smiled at her indulgently as he put two fingers to her lips!

"Lindsay, I have just one question for you?" he quizzed as he quirked an eyebrow at her.

"What?" her eyes widened.

"Are you a virgin?" he asked in mock seriousness.

"No, of course not!" she replied a little indignantly.

Damn, I love teasing her!

"Well then you have nothing to worry about!" he chuckled reassuringly. Then with feeling, he said, "Look, this is the first time for me, with you and the first time for you, with me… am I right here?"

She nodded.

"So we're even on that score."

She nodded again.

He took a deep breath, "Then all that matters is what is in there," he said as he tapped an index finger on her chest where her heart lay, still thumping in nervousness and anticipation. "Let your actions be guided by what's in there and everything will be fine."

She stared at him in wonder, "How did you get so wise?"

"Experience?" he couldn't help but tease her a bit more.

"Come on, Cowboy!" she groaned as she pulled him through the entrance of her building.

"Do you know, Montana, how many times you've pushed me, to the brink, in the past several days?" he teased, as he watched her sway up the stairs in her high heels.

She laughed as she unlocked the door.

"I don't think we're gonna have any problems with meetin' expec-…" he was cutoff as she grabbed the lapels of his jacket, pulled him into the apartment and silenced him with a full mouth on mouth kiss. He kicked the door shut with his foot, swung her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom.

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Author's Note: The next time I post it will be M-rated so if you are not on alert and want to read on after this... check the M section! And reviewers, You Guys ROCK! This story is my heart and soul right now and I am touched by how many of you are touched by it! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on it with me. Always, SJ