Chapter Twenty-Seven

Disclaimer: I own nothing, but the plot.

A/N: After such anticipation and so many reviews about this particular chapter, you have no idea how many times I've read, re-edited, and reviewed this thing, wanting to make it perfect for readers. I'm not completely satisfied; I doubt I ever will be. I hope you enjoy reading though and only one more chapter of this story left.

Blue eyes widened and then Danny hid a grimace. What was she doing here? After their last meeting, Danny didn't think that she would want to see him again and a spike of fear rose in him at the thought that perhaps his words that night had not gotten through to her.

Rikka straightened from the wall as he made his way to his apartment. "Hi." She tucked her hair behind one ear.

Gracing her with a nod, Danny gave her a look that plainly asked what she was doing there.

"I, um, just wanted to let you know that...I'm moving out." She nodded to herself. "I found a place closer to my parents." She waited to see if he was going to say anything, but Danny kept his face blank and her shoulders slumped. "I just, just wanted to say that I'm sorry for everything. And that I hope, one day, that we can somehow gain back our friendship, Danny. I really am sorry." She gave him a smile that he gave a nod to, still wary of any tricks. Rikka inhaled. "Well, I'll see you around then, maybe."

Wanting to just get away from her, Danny shoved his key into the door, quickly opening it and walking inside, seeking the safety of his place. Flipping on the light and throwing his mail down, Danny rubbed the back of his neck tiredly. All he wanted now was a beer, pizza, and news, any news, on Lindsay. He shrugged off his jacket and headed to his kitchen, pressing the flashing button on his answering machine as he went, intent on grabbing a cold beer.

He halted as he heard his only message, straightening and swiveling around to bore his eyes into the machine, hanging on every word being said.

"I don't know why I'm calling you, I really don't. Maybe because it's late, I'm tired and not thinking straight. Maybe it's because my world has just collapsed, I feel like I'm drowning and I need to hold onto something. Maybe I just need to hear a familiar voice and you are that, if nothing else and despite everything.

"I don't know what to do about you, about me, about...us. It's confusing, trying to muddle my way through after I've fallen so far. I hurt, I'm upset, but when I'm here, it all seems like a dull ache inside my chest when I think about you and I have, more than I wanted to, more than I should these past few days. We need to talk, Danny. This isn't something that's going to go away. Can't ignore it. Can't forget. We still have to work together; let's not destroy that too. We have to talk. I'll be back in New York by tomorrow."

The time stamp indicated when it was recorded and quickly taking in the time difference, Danny's heart skipped erratically. She was here; Lindsay was back in New York. His breathing quickened and he was almost certain that he would start hyperventilating any moment now. The somewhat ragged breaths seemed harsh and loud in his now too-quiet apartment.

She wanted to talk.

She wanted to talk.

Abandoning everything, Danny snatched his keys and bolted for the door. The tiredness that plagued him not ten minutes ago vanished as his blood sped up, rushing through his veins. She was back. Back in New York. Back, a large part of him selfishly declared, where she belonged. He just had to convince her to give him a second chance. His mind raced as he took the stairs two at a time, thinking and going over words, explanations, heartfelt declarations, that he could say to her, to show her how much he still wanted to be with her.

Almost tripping over a carpet in the entrance-way, Danny jogged down the block to the subway station, resisting the urge to break out into a full-fledged run; his heart was already pounding too fast. As it was, he dodged and weaved through other people outside, hurriedly apologizing for knocking against a few shoulders. Giving up on the subway, too impatient to want to stand still for more than a second, Danny flagged down a cab and hurriedly gave Lindsay's address. Words still ran around in his mind, wanting to make what he said perfect.

Predictably, his nerves began to desert him as the cab pulled in front of Lindsay's apartment. It was with shaky hands that he paid the driver and got out, small hesitant steps that took him up a familiar route. He recalled the last time he was here and he almost choked at the emotions filling up inside. Suddenly, he wasn't so sure about this. Suddenly he had doubts. Lots of doubts. Normal women would not take their boyfriend back if they did what he did. Lindsay was not a normal woman; she was so much more, which made her reaction that much harder to predict.

His feet led him to her door and Danny could see an image of his past self leaning, slumped and defeated, on the wall beside Lindsay's door. The perfect picture of despair. Would he look like that again tonight, this night, after talking to her? He prayed to God he wouldn't. He just had to make her listen, understand.

Danny visibly calmed himself. The shallow gulps of air didn't seem to be filling up his lungs. He swallowed audibly once, twice, feeling like a pimply teenager waiting to pick up his first date. His hands clenched once, twice. He rubbed the back of his neck and Danny idly wondered how long he was going to stand here. Lindsay would be in a less agreeable mood if he woke her up.

He steeled himself and lifted an anxious fist to rap once, twice on the barrier that separated him and Lindsay. Unable to hide his slightly heaving chest, Danny waited.

A minute dragged by, then two. Silence permeated around him and slowly, ever so slowly, Danny's shoulders began to slump. Maybe she was sleeping. Or not even here. Maybe -

The door knob twisted and a face that Danny had been longing to see so badly appeared him before him.

The swirl of apprehensive emotions disappeared, replaced by concern.

She looked so broken.

And he nearly crumpled then and there.

Concern heightened within Danny as he let his eyes rove over her. Cuts and scratches littered her hands and one or two on her cheek. She looked shattered and weary. A white bandage was wrapped comfortably around her upper arm and he had to ask, almost croaking out, "What happened?"

Lindsay shrugged one shoulder, splaying her hands out, palm-side up. "Rocks. Sharp rocks." Her voice was so dull and his fears were realized. What she had gone through in Montana had robbed her, stolen away the light, took away what made Lindsay her. Mechanically, she touched her arm. "Bullet graze."

Reaching out, almost hesitantly, with gentle fingers, Danny lifted her chin to peer searchingly into her eyes. "Your parents?"

Lindsay's reaction was instant. Brown eyes watered and filled with tears while her lips trembled, trying to maintain her composure, but couldn't even manage more than a small head-shake before her shoulders started to shake.

Cursing himself softly for feeling the need to confirm what he already knew to be true, Danny stepped forward and wound his arms around her, drawing her comfortingly against his chest. His hands rubbed her back soothingly even as he felt her tense against him; he hadn't forgotten the reason why he came here in the first place. Laying his cheek against her hair, he said quietly, "I know there's still this issue between us and I know you're still upset with me, a lot, but just for this moment, Lindsay, can we just put it aside and let me be here for you? Let me comfort you, please."

The body-wracking sobs came then.

Her cries for her now-gone parents were full of anger and agony. Future memories that Lindsay and her brothers would make that her parents would now never see and take part in. Danny's arms were vise-like around her as Lindsay's tears soaked his shirt and he didn't bother to try to move, instead closing the door and sinking onto the floor, unshed tears glimmered in his own eyes, listening to the woman in his arms.

Her fingers convulsively clutched at his shirt, wrinkling it, but Danny could care less. It was hard to believe that everything had happened in a week, but their lives had been irrevocably changed; their lives were more battered than before. Danny closed his eyes, feeling a few tears slip down his own cheeks and one hand came up to cradle Lindsay's head securely against his chest, as if wanting to protect her from any more pain. It had only been a week and she had been through more than enough. More than enough.

He wanted to say something, anything, to give her comfort, but in the next instant, Lindsay was already pulling away, standing, leaving his arms feeling empty and his body cold. The action made a few more tears slip out and he viciously dashed them away.

Sniffling and rubbing at her face with a nearby tissue, Lindsay's voice was hoarse as she asked, "Why are you here?"

His eyes flinched as he stood. "I got your message," Danny's hands twitched and shook, fighting the urge to brush the tears off her wet cheeks. "I didn't think you would be back so soon. But I'm relieved though, I...I was worried. A lot." He paused, hands fisting by his side. "I-I came to talk, like you said...but, maybe...we should wait a bit, you know, until - " he stopped at her head-shake.

"No." She stared at him with red-rimmed eyes, brown eyes still glassy and Danny felt like she was searching his soul. "I-I need to do this. We need to do this. I already talked to Mac and I'm back at work tomorrow; we...we need to get this over with." She brought her arms up and hugged herself, causing Danny to wish he could do that same action for her, but, like a piercing stab inside, realizing that he was the one causing her to do it in the first place. Lindsay was gathering enough strength to stand there and face him, to talk to him, to bring some resolution to her life.

In a move repetitively like last time, silence descended upon them. Like emotions of misery and sadness floated in the still air. But, unlike last time, hope also lingered. Hope for a potential new start.

Danny began, eyes swimming with longing. "Is there still any chance for us?"

Feeling so conflicted at the sight of the man who caused her to feel so much, good and bad, Lindsay had no idea what to say. She shook her head helplessly.

Danny ran a hand through his hair and in an abrupt move, he shrugged out of his jacket, tossing it on the back of a chair. "Look Linds, I...I know I messed things up a-and I don't know what else to say, to tell you that I haven't already said." Pleading leeched into his voice as he gave his piss-poor declaration. "It was a mistake. I can't take it back, any of it. My actions, the pain, hurt I've caused you, the trust I've broken, but...Sorry isn't enough, but it is all I have to offer you. I'll - I'm leaving it to you, but, Lindsay...I want to be with you, I want this to work. All I'm asking is for a second chance. To be with you, to be in your life and to have you share mine. You may not want to forgive me, may not be able to get over what I did and I'll understand." He winced. He would understand, but in the process, that understanding would break him. "But I just can't, I won't...I refuse to let it end like this if I can help it.

"When I'm with you Linds, I...I like it. You make me feel things that...This thing we have, had," he winced, "it's something wonderful, something special...I don't - don't want to lose it. I've never..." Danny exhaled noisily, frustrated that he couldn't express exactly what he wanted to say. Who could in such a situation? Words often failed at the most important times.

Lindsay averted her face and turned her back on him. Danny's heart clenched at that simple motion. He could see her taking deep breaths that did nothing to hide the shaking of her shoulders. Standing his ground, with words that had failed him, Danny waited.

"I told my brother about you. Everything." A sad smile trembled on her lips as Lindsay thought about Noah and Evan still in Montana.

Blue eyes darted around for a moment, contemplating that thought. "So, should I be expecting someone showing up at my doorstep with a shot gun?" Danny tried to inject some humor into the heavy air.

Her hair swished as shook her head. "No, although Noah did offer to come here and beat you up," Lindsay's voice had a tinge of amusement that quickly turned serious. "He also gave me some advice. He's the reason I even have the courage to talk to you - " Danny gave an inner sigh of relief and sent a mental thank-you to Lindsay's brother, even if he still came to New York to knock his brains around. "He told me that grief made people do crazy things, that's something I know about, and I remember what you said, even though I wasn't very rational at the time - I was a mess, still am, but seeing things a bit clearer now.

"He said that I needed to talk to you, for however long it took. To be open and honest. And so that's what I'm going to do." Lindsay looked at him, hanging onto her every word and saw that she wasn't the only one going through turmoil. She wondered briefly, between them, how many full nights of sleep they had. "We've both made mistakes. But...I care about you Danny, a lot. My heart does funny things when I look at you, when I'm with you, when...when you touch me." A smidgen of warmth lurked beneath the sadness in her eyes and her shoulders sagged. "But do I want to be with you still? That depends I guess."

His breath held. "On what?"

She shrugged, staring at her carpet. Her voice stayed quiet as she laid everything out, knowing that there was a chance that this could back-fire on her. "On how far you want to commit to this. You know me Danny, I don't do things half-assed. If I say yes...to giving this thing between us a second chance, then you have to know that I'm going to be completely open with you; no more shutting you out." Lindsay ran a shaky hand through her hair and her voice trembled, halting in between words, but needing to get this out. "And that scares me, more than you could possibly imagine; it means I'm vulnerable to you. I don't...I don't like doing that. I can't - can't protect myself. The pain is ten times worse if I don't. You've already hurt me once Danny, I don't know if I can take it a second time. I felt like I was dying. We've already messed things up pretty badly between us, first it was me and then it was you. We both have a problem with wanting to take care of things ourselves to the point of shutting everyone else out...and that's gotta stop." She bit her lip and stared at Danny with glistening brown eyes. "Can you do that Danny?" She searched his eyes. "I mean, really do that?"

Understanding what she was asking and realizing that this was it, Danny, without even needing to think about it for long, he'd had all the time to think about it already, nodded."If it means another chance with you, I'll do it." His soft voice caressed her. It was the voice she heard when they were alone; the one he used to show her that she was the sole focus in his world. It'd been so long since she heard it. "We'll lean on each other and take things slow then. No more 'I' or 'you', but 'us', huh?" Looking at Lindsay standing in front of him, after wishing so many damn times in the past week to be able to see her, talk to her, made him realize that she may be his only chance at feeling this way ever again. His penchant for wanting to suffer and deal alone almost drove her away, leaving him standing alone. Did he want to go back to the life he lived before her? Not while Lindsay was there, showing him that it was possible to get more out of this life than he had been living with. "Let's make a deal then. If you give me your heart to protect, I'll give you mine to do the same. Deal?"

Taking a deep breath that seemed almost twice her size, Lindsay nodded. "Deal."

Still, she made no move towards him. This whole conversation made Lindsay feel so exposed, laid bare and she dearly hoped that they weren't just saying words for the sake of getting back together, without meaning anything. Her eyes roamed his face, realizing just how she missed him. That handsome face shadowed when angry, muscled jaw clenched when determined, sensual mouth turned down in a frown or curved into a slow smile, his blue eyes alight with teasing or darkened with desire. Right now, he looked hopeful, beseeching. It was an expression she rarely saw on him. "Are you sure about this, Danny? I don't want you just saying these things because you missed me. I...I've missed you too, but I'm serious about what I said. I'm not...I couldn't handle it if, two months from now, something happens and you start shutting me out again. I can't. Because god knows how much I need someone right now and you have no idea how much I want that person to be you."

Danny stepped toward her, the look on his face completely earnest. "You have me Linds, you do, I swear." He meant every word he said.

Their eyes never broke contact, even when she took a tiny hesitant step toward him, trembling.

Danny's response was immediate and in a flash, his arms were wound tightly around her, his face buried in her hair.

Longingly, her mouth sought his, pressing a soft kiss against his lips.

Danny's heart stilled at a sensation he thought he'd never feel again before responding, taking over and nibbling on her bottom lip, seeking entrance. Her lips parted and he deepened the kiss. Mindful of any other injuries Lindsay had sustained, Danny's hands roamed gently, but persistently over her back, down her sides, fingers plowing into her silky curls as he cupped the back of her head, all the while as his tongue caressed hers.

God, yes...

Breaking the kiss to greedily gulp some air, Danny trailed his lips across her jawline; planting hot kisses down her throat, trying to show her how much he had missed her, at work, in New York, in his life. Remembering their past love-making, Danny's lips sought out one of his favorite spots, the soft skin just below Lindsay's ear and his almost-frantically moving hands tightened their hold on her waist as Lindsay let out a breathy whimper at the feel of his tongue sampling the taste of her skin.

"Danny..." Lindsay moaned out his name, already reeling from his touch. Her own hands massaged his chest through his shirt while her eyes fluttered at his heady scent. He didn't wear cologne, just regular soap and shampoo intimately mixed with a smell that was uniquely Danny Messer. She had missed him so much.

Her neck was a bountiful plain waiting to be worshiped. Danny's lips roved, almost frantically, not wanting to miss a single spot. He made his way back to her mouth and attacked her lips, relishing in Lindsay's moan and basking in a familiar taste that he had been far too long without. His tongue traced her lips, seeking permission and the second her mouth parted, his tongue darted in to duel with hers. Heavy breathing, contented moans, and the sound of clothes rustling as hands wandered flowed through the apartment as the two lost themselves. It wasn't simply that they had missed their intimate contact, but it was more. Danny both poured his regret and sought forgiveness for his transgression into the kiss while lending Lindsay strength to bear through everything she had been through and Lindsay greedily taking his strength while seeking shelter in his warm embrace from the horrors she had faced and still felt.

Feeling something splash on his shirt, Danny pulled back in alarm and saw silent tears dripping down her cheeks. It took a moment for him to understand that he hadn't hurt her in their frantic movements, but that she was crying at the pain she was feeling inside and at the relief that something else in her life hadn't been ruined. This time, Danny did not just give into the urge to brush her tears away, instead opting to kiss them away and in between, whispering words of comfort into her skin. She held onto him throughout it all, needing it, craving it to keep her from crashing.

Danny held her quietly until with utmost regret, he couldn't hold back the yawn that almost cracked his jaw. All the energy that had surged through his body suddenly left him, leaving him exhausted, but happy for the first time in weeks. He ran his hands down her arms, reluctant to let her go, and looked apologetic.

"I'm sorry; I just got off a double-shift and it's late. I better go." Ask me to stay, if only to keep you company.

Lindsay looked just as reluctant to let him leave. "Why don't you just crash here? You're already falling asleep on your feet, Danny. Please."

He looked at her and instantly recognized the scared look in her eyes. Scared of what she might see in her dreams that night and Danny sought to soothe her, any way he could. She was in a hard place at the moment and needed him to be there for her. And he would be. As long as she let him, he would be there.

Leaving his jacket where it was, he toed off his shoes. "I'll just crash on the couch then." Making a move to the hallway, he was headed for the tiny linen closet where he knew she kept extra blankets when a small tug on his shirt stopped him. Turning, he saw Lindsay hesitantly biting her lower lip and unable to help it, his blue eyes darkened slightly.

"Cou-could you stay with me? I mean, we've already shared beds and..." There was a hint of pleading in her eyes, though she kept them averted. "It's just...I know I'll feel better if you were there." Holding me, keeping the nightmares at bay, keeping me safe.

Danny stopped her fidgeting by gathering her up in his arms, causing her to relax instantly. "Of course." He tightened his hold on her for a long minute, rubbing his face in her hair as much to soothe her as it was to reassure him that he was indeed here, with her. Kissing her temple, Danny basked in the feel of her own arms gripping his waist, a tiny peck on his chest, and unable to help herself, a small nuzzle. His presence there was a sorely needed comforting balm on her wracked self.

Pulling back, Lindsay took his hand and began leading him to the bedroom. "Thank you." The words were said very quietly.

Squeezing her hand, Danny murmured, "Don't thank me for something I'd willingly do, Lindsay. Just tell me what side of the bed you want." He injected a teasing note into his voice and Lindsay rewarded him a small, very small smile. But, that was okay. If he did this right, he'd have years to get that smile back to the brilliance that endeared her to everyone around her, and that had captivated him in the first place.

The bedroom door closed and for the rest of the night, that one night, Lindsay slept soundly in Danny's arms, protected from her nightmares.

It had been a long day and Mac swallowed some more pills as the pain in his side once again reminded him that he had indeed been shot less than a week ago. He filed the last of the paperwork that he had finished that day and was in complete agreement with the rest of his team that it sucked. Grabbing his jacket, he made to turn off the light when his phone rang. Heaving a sigh, Mac answered it, hoping that whoever it was wasn't interested in a long conversation.

"Taylor."

"Mac." It was a single word, but caused him to raise his eyebrows at the familiar accent. His mind flooded with disbelief.

"Peyton?"

Chelsea Thompson sang loudly along with the radio as she drove while she checked the grocery list in her hand. Ew, broccoli. She shook her head. Honestly, if mom couldn't get her to eat it when she was younger, what made her think that she'd eat it now. Chelsea sighed as she checked the rest of the list, glancing up occasionally to look at road. While it wasn't a back-road, it wasn't widely populated. Kids were always trying to street-race on it, like stupid Tony Schater, constantly showing off for the girls at school. It was pathetic really, no matter how cute he was.

Glancing up at the road again, Chelsea let out a scream and slammed hard on the brakes. The seatbelt yanked hard enough against her chest that it was a sure thing that a bruise would be left and her heart pounded.

"Oh my god," she breathed. Chelsea looked out the windshield and saw that it was indeed a body lying halfway on the road. Unbuckling her seatbelt, Chelsea jumped out of the car and rushed to the man's side where she heard him barely whispering for help.

"It's okay sir, everything will be fine." She dug into her pocket. "I'm going to call for an ambulance. You'll be just fine, just stay with me."

"That's alright." A hand reached out and grabbed her tightly by the throat. Chelsea dropped the cell phone as the man stood up. "All I really need is your car." Dakin smiled as he shot the girl.

Throwing the girl onto the grassy ditch beside the road, Dakin pilfered her purse and strolled, whistling, to the waiting car.

A/N: How was that? Good? Bad?