"We got him," Mac told Cori, Danny and Lindsay as he sat on the couch in the living room of the safe house. "The man who killed the Davenports," he clarified. "His name is Robert Stephens and he's…" Mac racked his mind for the right words to use, "well, in lack of a better word, he's basically a raving lunatic. Seems he had something against the rich living in New York City. He confessed immediately when we got him into custody and he seemed proud of what he's done. He expected praise for his work," Mac paused, "But then again he is basically insane."

"So that's it?" Danny asked, "We can go back to our normal lives?"

"Not quite yet," Mac said, "We still don't know for sure if it was Stephens who was threatening you. Now that I've met the man who killed Cori's parents, I somehow doubt it was him. He was going on and on about equality and justice for the lower class of New Yorkers. I think it might be Clay Moreno harassing you." Mac added quietly.

Lindsay paled slightly, and Danny told a hold of her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. Although she hadn't even worked on the Max Moreno case, and had never even met Clay, the very mention of his name brought shivers to her body. It caused her to remember that day when Danny got the call about her and Sophia and Danny had been practically out of his mind with worry. She hated seeing Danny like that. "What about Cori?" Lindsay asked softly, "She's not in any danger anymore, is she?"

"I don't think so, but I think that for her own safety, we should keep her here for at least another couple of days. Just as a precaution." Mac added.

Cori shrugged. "I've been here nearly a month…. what's another week going to hurt? It's not like I have a life to get back to anyway," she said forlornly.

"That's the spirit," Mac said, a slight smile on his face. He stood to leave. "I should be going. Hopefully next time I see you I'll have more good news."

Danny saw Mac to the door, but Lindsay stayed in the living room with a very somber Cori. "You ok?" she asked, not sure how Cori was processing the news.

"I think so," Cori said, "It's just a weird feeling. I mean, I know that they're dead and that they're not coming back, but knowing that the killer is behind bars gives me a feeling of…" she trailed off, not knowing what word to use.

"Closure?" Lindsay suggested.

"Yeah," Cori said, smiling a little "Closure. Like maybe I can get back to a normal life now. I do feel a little guilty though. "

"And why is that?"

"I guess it's because I feel so happy so soon after their death. I feel like I should still be in mourning and crying and stuff all the time."

"Everybody grieves differently, Cori. It took me years to get over my mother's death, but my dad was remarried within a month. There's nothing wrong with how long it takes you to mourn."

"Thanks, Lindsay," Cori said, giving her a hug, "You guys have really helped me get through this."

Lindsay smiled and hugged her back. "Group hug!" Danny cried in his normal spontaneous manner upon entering the room. He came over and wrapped his muscular arms around the two girls, causing them to giggle. "You know what I think?" Danny asked, when they finally pulled away. "I think that we need to celebrate."

"How are we supposed to celebrate when we're stuck here?" Lindsay asked.

"Lindsay, my dear, it hurts that you doubt me," he said in a mock sad tone. He kissed her on the cheek and bid them to follow him to the kitchen. He opened the well stocked freezer and starting going through the contents. "Well," he said, pulling out a few cartons and placing them on the counter, "We have Triple Chocolate Chunk ice cream, Peanut Butter Blast and a carton of my dear wife's favorite, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. In addition to a tub of raw cookie dough that I have no intention of bakin'," Danny said, pulling one more carton out of the refrigerator.

"You're point being…." Lindsay teased.

"My point is, that we should eat it all, plus anythin' else we can find that's high in fat and is terribly bad for you while havin' a movie marathon," he paused, "I'll even let you girls pick out some sappy chick flicks if you want."

"Oh, how generous," Lindsay said, rolling her eyes.

"Watch it, Montana," he said teasingly, "you may never get this offer ever again."

Lindsay pretended to think about it. "What do you think, Cori?"

"I say we go for it," the teen responded, "He's right. We may never have this opportunity again."

"Ok, then, that's settled." Lindsay said, unable to stop smiling.

"Alright. How about you girls go get the DVD player fired up, I'll grab some spoons and raid the pantry and meet you in there."

"Cori, why don't you go pick the first movie?" Lindsay asked, "I'll be there in a sec."

Cori left and Lindsay turned to her husband. "Thank you," she kissed him tenderly and then turned and followed Cori to the living room.

So that's how Danny Messer ended up sitting on the living room floor of a safe house, his wife next to him and Cori on the other side of her, watching Sweet Home Alabama while surrounded by dripping ice cream cartons, half a tub of cookie dough, a yet to be opened bag of potato chips and an entire package of Oreos that had barely made it past the first ten minutes. "Who would you choose?" Cori asked in the middle. They had all seen the movie before, so it wasn't spoiling the ending. "Andrew the rich city boy or Jake the country boy?"

Lindsay thought about it. "I don't know. From my experience, country boys seem to be better looking," she said, laughing as Danny protested.

"Watch your mouth, Montana," he said, poking her in the side.

"Ah, I'm just kidding. I'd go for the city boy, I suppose." She glanced at Danny. "Happy now?"

He nodded. "Very. I, for one, would choose a country girl over a city girl any day."

"Then I've trained you well," Lindsay teased.

Cori rolled her eyes.

"What about you, Cori?"

"I don't know…. I've never really met a full-blown country boy. I've lived in New York my entire life, so all I know are city boys."

"Take my advice, Cori," Lindsay said, "Go for the city boy."

They watched the rest of the movie in silence, save it be for a few sarcastic comments here and there, most of which came from Danny. He had an especially fun time making fun of the girls when they both teared up a little bit at the end. "C'mon…. it's not even sad!" he said with a roll of his cobalt eyes.

"I know!" Lindsay protested, "It's just such a cute ending."

"Women," Danny muttered under his breath.

"Watch it, buddy," Lindsay warned, "may I remind you that the women outnumber you three to one is this lovely little apartment?"

"Three to one? Please…." Danny rolled his eyes yet again, "Fee isn't even one yet She hardly counts."

At that moment, Sophia woke up from her nap, crying loudly. All three of them burst out laughing. "I think she heard you," Cori joked.

Lindsay hopped up and went to go get Sophia out of her crib.

"Thank you, Danny," Cori said softly, shyly, when Lindsay left the room.

"What for?" Danny asked.

"Everything. You both have been so kind to me… I know it has to be hard to go straight from caring for a one year old to having a teenager around the house."

"I hafta admit, I was a lil' bit nervous at first," Danny said sheepishly, "But I like havin' you around."

"Thanks," Cori's smile lit up her face and made her even more beautiful, if that was possible.

Lindsay watched the two from the doorway, a fluttering of happiness erupting in her heart when she saw how well they were getting along.

A/N AHH! So sorry. I thought I had already posted this chapter! Anyway… lamest ending I've ever had, but whatever. Just review. Please.

xoxo

Lia