A/N: Same disclosures apply as in all other chapters. The song in this chapter is Nelly's Over and Over Again Ft. Tim McGraw. I hope everyone who is reading this story (and all of my stories…) are loving it (them), please review after reading…Thanks!
Chapter 6
I saw Danny rub the back of his neck, a sure indication of him being in an uncomfortable situation.
"I just thought that you might want a drink," I stammered, my voice fading out, "or just to talk more…"
"Lindsay," Danny said slowly, "It's not that I don't-"
I cut him off.
"Danny," I said softly, "Don't worry about it. I'm sure that you have more important things to do than baby-sit a neurotic co-worker. Thank you for being a shoulder for me to lean on, and for making sure I got to my apartment ok. Have a good night."
I didn't want to hear the "it's not that I don't care for you" speech. I can't believe that I was so stupid to think that he would actually care for me in anyway beyond that of a co-worker. That I had read more into his actions today than what was actually there. I opened the door to my apartment, entered, and slammed the door shut before Danny could reply. I slid down to the floor with my back against my door. I felt the tears threaten to fall again as I felt Danny knock on the door.
"Lindsay."
He knocked again and I felt the vibrations against my back.
"Lindsay! Please open the door."
The tears fell. He knocked again.
"Lindsay, please."
There was silence. I was sobbing silently, though I'm sure he could hear me. I can't believe that I actually still have tears to cry.
"Please call me if you need anything."
I heard his footsteps retreat down the hall. I sat there for a few minutes before I dragged myself down the hall to my bathroom and started the shower. The water warmed my body and I stood underneath it until it ran cold.
Getting out and drying myself off, I looked in the mirror. I looked so tired, my eyes made it look like I hadn't slept in days and my skin was almost ghostly pale. Quickly I put on a pair of sweatpants and a plain white t-shirt to try and keep the warmth I had gained from the shower. I went into the kitchen and made myself a cup of tea with a shot of bourbon to try and calm my nerves. I'm not normally a drinker, especially of hard liquor but tonight – tonight I needed it.
After I finished my tea, I went into my bedroom, turned the radio on and crawled into bed, even though it was only like nine at night. I listened to the songs playing softly into the dark room…
Cause its all in my head
I think about it over and over again…
Definitely something that I could relate to; despite how tired my body was and no matter how much my eyes burned, my mind wouldn't let me sleep.
I think about it over and over again
I replay it over and over again
And I can't take it yeah, I can't shake it.
I don't know what time I finally fell asleep, after tossing and turning for what felt like forever, but the last time I had looked at the clock it read a little past eleven.
I was back in that building, standing in the mirror. I stared at my six year old self for a moment, trying to recall why I was here. Everything here feels vaguely familiar. I turn around and again see the carnage. I walk among the bodies, calling out for someone but the name isn't recognizable. I looked at one of the faces and…
I woke up screaming at one. Immediately I grabbed my cell phone but stopped after opening it. Who was I going to call? I had no family close by, and I didn't even know what was going on, what would I say?
I got out of bed and got dressed like there was a fire in the building. Grabbing my keys, cell phone, and purse I left my apartment and headed towards one of the few places I truly felt safe – the lab. What I got when I opened my door nearly caused my heart to leap out of my chest and for me to scream once again.
There was Danny Messer, outside my door.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, dumbfounded, "It's one in the morning."
"Where are you going at one in the morning?" He countered.
I felt myself blushing and I don't know why.
"I said you didn't need to baby-sit me." I deflected, "How long have you been standing here anyway?"
"Long enough to know that you've had another dream." Danny answered simply, "Can I set these down somewhere? They're kinda heavy."
For the first time since opening the door I realized that Danny was not empty handed. He was holding two bags, one was a duffel bag and the other was a grocery bag that was overflowing. I stood aside and let him into the apartment, watching him drop the duffel bag next to the couch and head into the kitchen. Closing the door, I followed him into the kitchen and watched as he put the contents of the bag away. He had been to my apartment before, but I was amazed that he had pretty much mastered where everything was, or maybe my layout was predictable.
"What are you doing?" I asked, "Why are you here?"
"What do you mean Montana?" He asked, still putting things away.
"You know what I mean," I said as I sat down on one of my bar stools, resting my head on my arms, "Why are you here at one in the morning?"
Danny stopped what he was doing and sat down next to me. He rested his head on his arms, so that we were facing each other; our faces were inches away from each other.
"I'm here," Danny said, "because I want to be."