"DANNY!!" Stella bellowed, her high heels slapping against the marble floor of the lab, her long curly hair trailing behind her.
Danny was just starting a file for the latest case he had been assigned, he looked up from his desk in the office that he and Lindsay shared, "Hey Stell, I was just…"
"You need to get home now!!" she demanded, her chest heaving.
"I just…" he began again.
Then Stella thrust the phone she had on in her hand at him, "Just shut up, and listen," She barked at him again.
Hesitantly he took the phone and raised it to his ear; he didn't have to move it too close to his ear, to hear crying and sobbing. Then like a slap in the face he recognized the voice and the sobs, "I can't make him stop, mommy. He won't stop crying! I've done what I know to do. Mommy, tell me what to do to make him stop!"
She was crying too hysterically for her to even realize she wasn't talking to her mother. Without a second thought he grabbed his jacket and ran out of the office and towards the elevators. He heard Stella's heels slapping again, "How long ago did she call?" he yelled behind him.
"About 3 minutes before I came to you. You need me to come with?" But he didn't answer; he was too busy pressing the down button of the elevator repeatedly.
"Dammit, come on!" He yelled, balling his hand up into a fist, making a motion to hit the control panel when it popped open and a throng of people piled out.
After repeatedly jamming his thumb against the control panel inside the elevator and making the other riders each floor had picked up very nervous, he ran out of the building and to the street, pretty much running in the middle of the road to stop a taxi, ripping his badge off his side in the process and holding it up for the driver to see.
"What's the matter officer?" the driver asked as Danny as he jumped in the front set.
"Drive!!" he demanded.
The cab screeched to a halt, but it didn't matter because Danny was already sprinting up the stairs before the car came to a stop, money laying on the seat and the car door still wide open the only reminder he had been there at all.
When he got to her door, he listened carefully but didn't her any crying. Carefully he took his key out and opened the door, he walked into the apartment and found her laying on her back on the couch, his son Ethan sleeping soundly and her fast asleep too. Breathing a sigh of relief that everything at least appeared to be okay, he bent down and picked his son up off her chest.
Two month old Ethan whimpered for a second until he realized his daddy had him, he settled into the crook of his father's arm until Danny gently kissed his head and laid him in his bassinet, "Daddy loves you Ethan," he ran his hand down Ethan's little chest, the even rise and fall making his heart swell with joy.
Then he came back out to the living room, and looked at Lindsay. She looked so peaceful, but he knew from the last two hours that she was anything but. He was there when he could be or when she let him be. He still had his place, stayed with her and his son most of the time though. When she woke up later he would try to talk to her, and explain to make that he really did need to cut back his hours at work now.
He bent down and gently lifted her into his arms, she stirred for a minute, "Ethan, Danny where's Ethan?" she struggled in his arms.
"He's okay Montana," he promised her, "You need to sleep baby," he said laying her on the bed, "Let me take care of you," he whispered to her already sleeping form, "I love you," he kissed her head and pulled the blanket over her.
Five hours later, Lindsay sat bolt right up in the bed. She heard no screaming or crying, and a wonderful aroma of pasta sauce filled the air. Throwing back the blanket she went to her son's bassinet, and didn't see him. Her mind started racing, frantically she ran out into the living room, and saw nothing. Her son was nowhere to be found. Then she ran to the kitchen, the corners of her mouth going up into a half smile.
"What are you doing?" she asked, looking at Danny who had dish rag/burp cloth over his shoulder, and pots and pans were everywhere, and Ethan sat cooing happily at his daddy from his bouncer sit sitting on the kitchen table, as his daddy explained what he was doing and how he was doing it.
Danny looked up and smiled his Messer grin at her, "What? A guy can't make his girl and son dinner?"
"Aren't you supposed to be at the lab?"
"I thought you could use some help today," he said.
He watched as her mouth went from a smile to frown to her bottom lip quivering, and the tears began falling down her face, he went to her and pulled her into his arms, "Shh, I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere," he soothed.
"I'm glad you're here, but I can take care of my son on my own, Messer," she quickly sobered, and pushed him away from her.
Sighing deeply, he tried again, "I know you can, Montana. I know you are capable of taking care of your baby, but no one can do it alone, and I want to be here for you whenever you need anything at all. You're a wonderful mother and I'm so proud of you right now," his fingers ached to touch, to tell her through his touch that she had him, all of him, for whatever she needed. He was there to help her with their son.
He watched again as her bottom lip quivered and she covered her face with her hands, he couldn't take it anymore, so he wrapped his arm loosely around her waist, and she fell into his chest, her little body racked with quiet sobs.
After a minute, her breathing began to calm again, "How did you know? How did you know I needed you?"
"You called Stella," he explained softly, his arms wrapped tightly around her, "Ya thought you called your mom."
"I love you Montana," he said softly to her, "Ya just let me know if ya need anything. Even if ya need me to go down THAT aisle in the drug store," he felt her giggle a little against his chest.
"I love you Dan," she whispered into his chest, "Thanks," she added softly.
"You never have to thank me, baby. For anything."