A/N: Same disclosures apply as in all other chapters. Thanks for reading, please remember to review. I was in a Nirvana mood today, think you can spot it? Lol. Thanks in advance!

Chapter 7

I just stood there, taken aback, disbelieving that I had just heard those words come out of his mouth. There was silence between us for what seemed like hours. He lifted his head up and propped it on his hand, still staring at me.

"So are you going to tell me what happened this time in the dream?" He asked me, "Or would you rather have breakfast first?"

"Um," I answered rather stupidly in my opinion, "breakfast I guess." I was in no hurry to relive the dream again and his words, "because I want to be", were still ringing in my ears.

"What would you like?" He asked, moving back into the kitchen, "I brought stuff for omelets, or we could have eggs and hash browns?"

"Omelets would be nice." I said, my head still resting on my arms, "Could you make mine ham and cheese?"

I watched as Danny maneuvered around my kitchen, pulling out pans and ingredients needed to make breakfast. I felt my eyes getting heavier as I watched him move about. As he started cooking, the smells filled the kitchen with a wonderful aroma. The next thing I knew was Danny was whispering in my ear.

"Time to eat, Sleepyhead." Danny said, softly, "Your omelet is ready."

"Ok," I said sitting up slowly.

Danny had set the plate with the steaming food to the side of me, and set a cup of coffee in front of me.

"Thanks," I said, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear, "Sorry about dozing off."

"Hey I don't blame you," Danny said, flipping another omelet into the air catching it in the pan, "I'm betting you haven't slept much tonight."

I took a bite of the omelet, choosing not to answer him but simply shrug my shoulders in a position of indifference. The omelet was really good, and they weren't small by any comparison. It was much better than I had expected, and made me realize just how hungry I actually was. Mine was more than half gone before Danny had even had the opportunity to start on his.

"This is good." I told Danny, smiling at him in what I hope was a grateful way, "Really good."

"Thanks." Danny said as he plated his meal, and took a seat next to me.

We ate in silence for awhile, the only sounds being made were the clinking of silverware against plates and cups being raised and lowered. When plates were clean I started to rise to clean up when Danny stopped me.

"I'll clean up," Danny said taking the plates from my hands, "You go relax on the couch. I'll be right in."

Dumbfounded, I listened to him. As I sat down on the couch, listening to his clink around in the kitchen my eyes went to his bag. Why had he brought it? Surely he couldn't want to stay here with me. I mean, I was a co-worker, nothing more to him, right?

Just then Danny came in and sat down on the couch with me. He shifted so that his back was leaning against the arm of the sofa and he was looking at me.

"What?" I asked, feeling extremely self conscious, "Do I look horrible or something?"

"No," He answered, shaking his head, "You just look really tired, like you could use a good night sleep."

I leaned back into the couch, tucking my feet underneath me. For the first time since Danny had arrived I took a good look at his appearance. He was wearing black lounge pants and a white hooded sweatshirt. He looked so different than at work, more relaxed.

"I probably could," I said, trying to smile, "I mean it is after one am."

"So what happened this time?"

What a simple question, yet such a loaded question. I shook my head, I didn't want to go there, I just wanted to sleep, I just wanted to feel and be me again. Not some charity case for Danny Messer to feel better about himself.

"Did Stella put you up to this?" I had to ask; had to know.

The look on his face said it all, even though it was only there for a few seconds. He probably didn't even think I had caught it.

"No."

His answer was short and snappish; I deserved it for questioning his motives, but I had to know. The rumors were more than abundant around the lab about Danny Messer and his womanizing ways. I don't believe rumors because there is always more fiction than fact to them, but there's also always some truth.

"Danny," I started, "I'm sor-"

"Forget about it." He refused to look at me, "Why don't you go to bed? I'm gonna crash here on the couch."

"Danny…" I tried to get him to look at me again.

He didn't answer me and was suddenly very interesting in my dvd collection. I waited a few more minutes, but to no avail.

"I'll get you a more comfortable pillow and some blankets." I said solemnly as I rose from the couch.

I looked over my shoulder as I headed down the hall, but he was messing with his cell phone. Feeling like a troll, I went to grab one of my pillows and some extra blankets from the closet.

When I returned a few minutes later, Danny's appearance had changed slightly. Gone was the sweatshirt, in its place was a white ribbed tank that accentuated his chest and shoulders. I felt my stomach flip flop. He had his glasses off, and was sitting with his head back on the sofa.

"Here you go." I said softly, "I don't know how warm you like to be when you sleep so I brought a couple different blankets."

He opened his eyes and took the pillow and blankets from me. He still didn't look at me however.

"Danny." I said softly, "I'm sorry. I can't think of anything else to say. What else can I be but all apologies?"

"I told you earlier that I was here because I wanted to be." Danny said in a voice barely above a whisper, "I'm worried about you. Everyone is worried about you."

He whipped around, dropping the pillow and blankets, to face me, looking me dead in the eyes. Our faces were inches apart.

"Yes," he said in the same low voice, "Stella told me what happened today and for some reason, when I heard that you reacted that way it scared the shit out of me. Yes, she wanted me to try to get it out of you – but I told her that you would tell us when you were ready."

"Danny"

His lips brushed against mines. They were soft and gentle, like a swimmer testing the water. When I kissed him back, the kiss became needier; more desperate. The need for oxygen was burning in my lungs, but I didn't want to be the first pull back.

"Lindsay," Danny said, pulling back, "My heart nearly stopped when I heard that you had freaked at the scene and I don't know why. I know we've got this connection, but I don't know why or what it means."

I just stood there; looking into those baby blue eyes and saw something that I had never seen in another man's eyes before. His soul; Danny Messer was baring a part of his soul to me.

"Danny," I said, taking his hand in mine, "I know. I don't know what's going on; with these dreams or with us. I'm terrified that Mac is going to pull me from the case before I can figure out why this scene triggered these visions, and I'm petrified that if I let you in more than you already are, I'm going to lose a good friend, not to mention have to move to another state. Again."

Danny laughed.

"I'm sorry, I know it's not funny," He said, "But I heard from my friend Delko in Miami that they're looking to add another CSI to their crew."

I slapped him on the arm.

"I'm being serious Danny!" I said, trying to look miffed.

Danny wrapped his arms around my shoulders, pulling me into his chest. He smelled like Axe Clix, and it sent me into seventh heaven.

"Let's figure out why you're getting these visions," He said, kissing the top of my head, "and then we'll figure out us."

"Sounds good." I said distractedly, as I was still taking in his scent, "You smell good."

He let me go and kissed me gently once more.

"Go to bed Montana." He said, smiling at me, "We'll talk more in the morning, I'm not going anywhere."