A blurry haze greeted Danny when he finally opened his eyes the next morning. The bright light shining in from the open window wasn't helping much as he blinked several times to clear his vision. He was able to make out a few fuzzy shapes, like the television in the corner and a chair at the foot of the bed; it was just the details he was having problems with. His other senses were as sharp as ever, though. Danny could feel the warm hand gently wrapped around his, but he couldn't make out the face it belonged to. It felt lithe and feminine, and immediately his heart began to race.

Another difference that Danny noticed was his ability to breath through his nose. The tube that had been shoved down his throat was finally gone. Now was a good time as any to test his voice and see if he could speak. With his first attempt, his lips barely moved and nothing came out. But Danny kept trying. He took several deep breaths before finding the strength to mumble, " Montana."

The person that had been holding his hand quickly sat up in her seat and gazed down at him. Danny could make out the faint details of her dark curly hair, but not much else, until he heard her voice. "No, honey, it's Stella." He frowned, not expecting it to be her. His heart sank when he realized it wasn't Lindsay's hand that he'd been holding that night.

"Wh… where… is she?" Danny struggled to speak, his voice coming out hoarse and raspy.

Stella could feel her own heart break when she figured out that she wasn't the one Danny wanted to see first. Gazing into his clouded ocean blue eyes, she could see the hope fading away quickly. "Lindsay went home," she tried to let him down easy. "She was really tired." That didn't make the situation any better, though. It made Stella feel like more of an ass.

"Is she… okay?" Danny continued asking questions.

Stella didn't know what to say this time. Physically, Lindsay was fine, but mentally, she was a train wreck. "She'll be fine," Stella answered, skirting around the question as much as she could. That was the safest answer she could give him. "How are you doing? Are you feeling better?" she completely turned the conversation around so that it was now about him instead of Lindsay.

"I hurt," Danny answered, closing his eyes as a current of pain ran from his collarbone to his brain.

"You want me to go get the doctor?" Stella asked, her voice full of concern.

She was about to get up from her seat when he replied, "No, it's not that bad." Danny turned his head, his gaze falling on his friend as the details of her face finally started to appear. His eyes were slow in to adjusting to the light, but soon enough, he could make out the troubled expression on her tired face.

"We were worried about you," Stella launched herself into another conversation, his sad eyes giving her all the more reason to keep talking so he wouldn't have to focus on the fact that Lindsay wasn't there. "It was touch and go for a while. We thought we'd have to plan for another funeral, but you're one tough cookie, Danny." He gave her one of his trademark grins that almost melted her heart. "I don't think any of us have ever been so afraid of losing someone, especially Lindsay." Stella quickly stopped talking, realizing she's just said too much.

"Lindsay was afraid… of losing me?" Danny's heart began to race again. That was all it took to confirm his suspicions that Lindsay still cared for him deeply, and that maybe he hadn't been dreaming when he heard her whisper those three little words he hadn't expected to hear. He'd be thinking about this for the rest of the day, even after Stella was gone and someone else from the lab had come to take her place.

Stella, on the other hand, couldn't believe she'd let something like that slip out even though he'd probably find out eventually. But right now, the timing was completely off, especially if Lindsay was having second thoughts about her feelings for Danny. She didn't want to give him false hope after seeing his heart break once already. Stella knew he'd been holding out for her, and only her. Lindsay was Danny's kryptonite; the one person that had stolen his heart and refused to give it back. Stella could only hope that Lindsay would figure this out before he moved on.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Finally, after nearly breaking my wrist in a very stupid accident yesterday, I managed to finish this chapter and post it. Don't worry, I'm fine! I can type and that's all that matters, right?! LoL! I can't believe it... There's only one more chapter left after this one and the story's finished. I'm about ready to CRY! I've been so warmly welcomed by you guys and I really don't want it to end! Ah, well... There's always that Christmas story I'm writing that should be ready to post soon. :D We'll see, though. I still gotta work out the kinks cuz I can't seem to find my rhythm with that one. Oh well...

BTW, check out my profile for a new wallpaper!! I completely forgot to mention it in my last post cuz I was in such a rush to get it posted. It's the least I could do to show my appreciation!

Onto the review replies:

messermonroe: Hi! Welcome! Nice to meet you! I'm glad you're enjoying my story:D I know all about impatient readers. I am one myself! I can't tell you how many times I've told people patience isn't in my vocabulary. LoL! Thanks again for stopping by! I really do appreciate it!

Melting: Thanks hon! It's been pretty crazy, alright! Like yesterday's wrist incident... It's all good, though. I'm managing. :) And yes, Lindsay's been through a LOT! Taking last night ep into consideration, I wasn't too far off in this story! Hehe. But DAMN! It still left me wondering what the hell happened to her back in Montana! Definitely gotta watch that ep again! Anyway, thanks again for another review! I really really really appreciate it!

prplerayne: And just for pipe organ... Geoduck. Stick that in your juice box and suck it! LOL! Pic war is ON! You'll be getting an email soon!

fatkat: Awww! Thank you so much for your wonderful review! And thank you so much for all your support. I really do appreciate it like I can never really express. LoL! How funny is that, the writer can really bring out the character's emotions, but not her own? I guess it's because it goes above and beyond. :) Thank you so much for your reviews! I really do appreciate them!

Tiantian Wang: You are too kind! Too too kind! I really do try to respond to everyone that reviews my multichapter fics. I take pride in it because I know that you all go out of your way to tell me how much you like my story, so I go out of my way to thank you for it. :D So thank you! I'd definitely love to see a mid-season D/L hookup, but what I'd like even more is if they'd draw it out until next season, let them slowly get closer and do some confiding in each other before it happens, because then it's more meaningful, ya know? I guess I'm just justifying myself with that. LoL. Anyway, thanks again for reviewing! I really do appreciate it! And this is only the tip of the iceberg. I really wish there was something else I could say, but I can't seem to find the right words. LoL!

Shelbers: Hello! Nice to meet you! Thanks for coming out of the shadows and reviewing. :D Yes, good things do come to those who wait. And that good thing is come up in the next chapter. Hehe. So stay tuned, because I've got a feeling you're gonna love it. :D So far, it's very very sweet and surprising. After all, I've led you guys on a wild goose chase with Lindsay, it's time you all got your reward for sticking with me. LOL! I can't wait to see your reaction to this chapter as well as the next one. Thanks again for stopping in and saying hi! I really can't tell you how much I appreciate it!

Franniecat: Oh my, another newcomer! Hi! Welcome! Pleased to meet you! You are so right, and Lindsay will get over her insecurities soon enough. Like in the next chapter. :D I know that's a total tease, but trust me, it's totally gonna be worth it! I know you and everyone else is absolutely gonna love it! So far, so good. I should be done in a couple of days, so hopefully I won't keep you waiting too long! Hehe. I hate doing that. I know how amazingly agonizing the wait is when you know something good is gonna happen in the next chapter but it's not posted yet, LoL! Thanks again for coming out of the shadows! I really do appreciate the review! Thanks so much! Can't wait to hear from you again!

Lady Elanya: Hello there! Wow... So many people coming out of the shadows! Thank you for stopping by and reviewing! I'm so glad you like my story. :) Thank you so much! I really do appreciate it! I can't wait to hear from you again soon!

PRTFCSI: I updated! Hehehehe. Aww! Did I really make you cry?! I hope I didn't piss you off with this chapter! Don't worry, it all comes together in the next update! Lindsay's gonna get to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Yay:D I'm so glad you're enjoying my story! I really do appreciate it when people tell me that. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside, lol! And believe me, I'm even happier that you found it! I absolutely love reading your reviews and I can't wait to see what you think about this chapter! Thanks again!!

Leanne: Hey, girl! Of course I gotta punch up the pain factor in Linday's history. They're doing a pretty damn good job on the show! Shit, you see yesterday's ep?! OMG! I was going crazy when they didn't elaborate more on what happened in her past! That tantilizing tidbit already has my mind spinning with possibilities for a new fic! Oh boy! There are just so many conclusions you can draw from it and so many places it could go! Anyway, thank you so much for your review!! I really appreciate it! IM me anytime!

simbagirl: I got your email. I hope you feel better soon! I'll try to email you soon. Thanks for the review!

The Lurkers: Thank you so much for reading my story!! I just hit a milestone because of you guys... over 10,000 hits! Woohoo!! BIG THANK YOU to all of you guys!! You all ROCK!

As always, I thank you all for your love and support! Best wishes this holiday season! Stay tuned, more coming soon!

-DK