Lindsay was now openly sobbing. "Chase! No….Chase!"

Out of instinct (or possibly just pure habit) Danny pulled Lindsay into his arms and let her sob into his shoulder. She did so for a few moments, until she suddenly pulled away. "Call Mac and Stella," she demanded, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Ok," Danny said, trying to ignore the jolt of pain that hit him upon hearing her hostile tone. He whipped out his cell phone and called Mac quickly.

"Taylor."

"Mac, you need ta come down ta my crime scene."

"Why? Can't you do it yourself? Don't tell me this is about working alone with Lindsay." Mac scoffed, in a tone very unlike him. Ever since Danny had broken Lindsay's heart Mac had become colder towards Danny, as he had adopted Lindsay as a sort of daughter/sister.

"It is about Lindsay," Danny admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "The victim is her cousin, Mac."

"Oh. I'll be right there."

"Bring Stella, will ya? Lindsay asked specifically for her."

"Where is Lindsay now?"

"With the body."

"Get her into the car. Stella and I will be right there." With that Mac hung up.

Danny wandered back over to where Lindsay sat and gently pulled her to her feet. "C'mon, Montana. Into the car you go."

"No!" Lindsay insisted "And don't call me Montana. You lost that right when you hooked up with your ex." She took a breath to calm herself. "I'm staying with Chase," she said defiantly.

"No, you're not," Danny insisted. "Mac said ta get you ta the car, so that's what I'm gonna do."

"Good luck with that," Lindsay said stubbornly.

"You've given me no other choice." He said, somewhat apologetically. He leaned over and scooped her up into his arms with ease, much to the protesting of Lindsay.

"NO! Danny, put me down!" she screeched, hysterically, tears streaming down her face. "I want to stay with him! I want to stay with my cousin! Please!" She sounded so weak and vulnerable after her initial hysteria that Danny almost gave into her wishes and let her stay with her cousin. He did what he was told, however and took her to the car where he waited with her until Mac got there.

"Linds, are you ok?" Danny asked gently an hour later as she sat in the locker room.

She scoffed. "What kind of question is that? Seriously, Danny, do you think I'm ok? That's what everybody asked me after I gave- " she stopped. She was going to say 'after I gave your ring back.' She took a deep breath. "I'm not ok, alright? Just leave me alone." A tear tracked down her face.

It hurt Danny that she was in pain. He wished more than anything that she would let him comfort her, but he knew that he wouldn't. Not after the way she shoved him away when he tried to hold her. Not after all that crap with Leila and after she saw him leaving with Alissa. He'd ruined everything, and it made him hurt as well. Every tear that she shed that he didn't kiss away for her made him die a little more inside. "Ok," he said quietly and stood up to leave. He was halfway out the door when she called after him.

"Danny?"

His heart swelled as he turned around to face Lindsay, who in his opinion looked more beautiful than ever, even with her hair in a tangled ponytail and her face red and puffy from crying. "Yeah?"

"Thanks for asking. If I'm ok, I mean," Lindsay said somewhat shyly.

"No problem." He smiled and closed the door behind him.

A/N Short, ik, don't hurt me please. Inspiration has been on the weak to not even there side. I'll try and do better next chapter….promise.

xoxo

Lia