Many a month had passed since the hostage scare, and the entire CSI unit was settled in their modernistic quarters. All equipment and tools, with the most up-to-date technology, lined the tables and desks of the freshly-built lab.
Lindsay drank this in as she shuffled through some forgotten pictures. The young woman's memory would never let her forget that horrific day. Danny's battered features were burned into her mind like a red-hot iron. She had worried about him for weeks, and still did, but he grew stronger with each day and eventually returned to work. At first it was painstakingly slow, as he didn't want to injure himself more, but he always managed to get the job done.
She would watch him through the window of her office, which they had shared for some time now. She loved how his eyes focused so intently on his work, either piecing together evidence or typing coordinates into the system. They had officially announced their relationship a few days after the lab re-opened. Nobody questioned their decision, although they sensed that their closest co-workers had a bet going on. Mac seemed cheery the day they had both revealed what everyone knew had emerged the first day the two met, though he warned them to not let it interfere with their work.
---
It was a constant struggle for Danny to wake up every morning and go to work. However, Lindsay made it easier by being there. She had moved into his apartment some time ago, both happy to be starting on a new path in their lives. Not a second went by that he didn't regret taking her shift that day. He was glad he had taken the blows, for he knew all too well what could have happened if the gang had gotten their filthy hands on Lindsay.
The pain wasn't the only thing on his mind. He had heard nothing of Louie since his older sibling was admitted to the hospital. Danny could still see the light fading from his brother's eyes, body hooked up to several machines as the doctors wheeled him off. He had struggled to get near, but they held him back. Danny was ecstatic. Spittle flew from his mouth as he wrestled in their grip, blood rising in his eyes at the thought of his own brother possibly dying. Weeks turned into months, but for some unknown reason Danny never found the courage to visit Louie. He was almost scared to show his face.
---
He was out. Finally, after so long of waiting, he was free. The two years he had spent in prison vaporized into the night air. It was his first full day away from the pitiful cell he had once called home. All thoughts of sleep were banished from his crazed mind as one word stole upon his breath, causing him to shiver with anticipation.
"Revenge!"