Chapter Five: Such A Beautiful Night

Even though it was a 32 block difference between Lindsay's apartment and the building he called home, Danny didn't take a cab. With all the turmoil going on inside of his head he figured he could use the walking time to figure out what exactly he was going to say when he saw Lindsay.

He knew what he wanted to say- he wanted to say 'who the hell is that guy and what is he to you?' But Danny wasn't stupid and even through the jealous haze that clouded his judgment he knew that approach wouldn't go over well. So he would use the walk to Lindsay's apartment to think of how to tell her that the sight of her with another guy, whoever he was, was killing him.

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Lindsay couldn't remember the last time she had such a carefree evening. Grant had always been great company, and tonight proved no exception. As they lingered over their coffee and dessert, their conversation turned from work and mutual friends, to Grant's girlfriend and Lindsay's best friend, Kaelyn.

"So are you still madly in love with Kaelyn?" Lindsay asked.

Grant gave a half-dreamy smile that gave Lindsay more insight than any answer possibly could and replied, "Yeah I'm still with her and things are great."

Lindsay couldn't help but feel a twinge at his response. She wished she had that type of relationship with someone. Again Danny popped into her mind, and again she pushed the thought aside.

"Actually Linds, that's part of the reason I looked you up as soon as I got into New York. I wanted you to help me with a project for Kaelyn, well not a project exactly, but a…a…well let's say maybe an experiment- no, that's not right either… ummm," Grant trailed off. He looked flustered, an unusual state for him to be in as he was usually cool and polished no matter what the situation.

Lindsay felt a tingle go up her spine and asked, "Grant? Are you thinking of asking Kaelyn to marry you?"

"Well, yes as a matter of fact, I was hoping you, being one of her closest friends, would help me pick out the ring while I was in the city," he replied looking slightly flushed.

"Yes! Of course I'll help you Grant- oh this is so wonderful, you and Kaelyn are so fantastic together," Lindsay exclaimed.

"I think so," Grant said with a smug little smile, having regained some of his composure.

"Congratulations," Lindsay said as she jumped up to give him a hug which he readily accepted.

"Thanks but don't congratulate me yet, she hasn't said 'yes' and she could turn me down," Grant warned.

"Like that would ever happen," Lindsay laughed with a roll of her eyes. When Kaelyn and Grant had first started dating Lindsay had been a little unnerved. After all, two of her closest friends dating- What if something had gone wrong and then Lindsay would've had to choose? But her fears had quickly been put to rest because they were, quite simply, an amazing couple. Kaelyn was an extremely lucky woman.

"Come on," Grant said as he settled their check, "Now that I've shared this news I'm way too excited to just sit here and talk. I need to walk, or run, hmmm… maybe I'll even try skipping!"

Laughing at his excitement and riding the wave with him Lindsay replied, "Well then let's go! There's a whole city as our playground! And I've never seen such a beautiful night in New York before, so it must be just for you and me to celebrate!"

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Danny was slightly tired when he reached Lindsay's apartment building, but he didn't mind. The walk had done him good and, since it was an unbelievably beautiful evening, helped to clear his head. He'd decided that he shouldn't jump to conclusions. 'After all,' he thought, 'the guy could be her cousin for all I know!' So until he had further evidence Danny had decided to remain calm and try not to jump to conclusions.

Danny looked up at her third floor apartment windows and didn't see any lights on inside. He checked his watch, it was only 10p.m., but maybe she had gone to bed early. He toyed with the idea of not bothering her but knew what he needed to talk to her about couldn't wait, so he rang her buzzer and waited….but there was no answer.

After two more tries with the buzzer and waiting about five minutes after each attempt, Danny accepted that Lindsay wasn't home. He also realized that she was probably out- with him- that pretty boy from the lab. Slowly but surely his ideas about not jumping to conclusions faded away, and the burning feeling of dread returned to his stomach.