Danny watched Lindsay reading in her hospital bed. She was wrapped up in thick blanket around her shoulders and in front, but she was looking better. Her skin had flushed out greatly. The brown locks of her hair were still held in the bun, only most strands were loose and hanging around her face.

Danny opened the door slowly. "Aren't you supposed to be restin'?"

Lindsay looked up from her book. "I am."

"'Cuse me, but I always thought rest included sleep." Danny said. "Especially if you fell into subzero temp water."

Lindsay closed her book and shrugged. "Only if it's your first time falling through."

Danny caught her words. "You've fallen in before?"

Lindsay nodded. "Back in Montana. My dad and I were ice fishing and I fell through thin ice."

"How old were you?" Danny asked.

"About ten at that time." Lindsay answered.

Danny's brows shot up. "There were more?"

"Oh yeah." Lindsay replied. "Lots more."

"How many?"

Lindsay thought for at least a minute. "Maybe four total."

"And ice fishing was one." Danny started.

"At fourteen I crashed my bike and fell into the creek. Seventeen I fell through while playing ice hockey. And the last time was while I was working in the Bozeman Crime lab." Lindsay explained.

Danny whistled. "So cold water's something' you're used to."

Lindsay nodded. "Oh yeah. This only difference here is the pollution."

Danny chuckled. That was definitely and issue in the water here. "So when's the doc givin' you the 'all clear'?"

"Not until tomorrow. They want to keep me here for overnight observation." Lindsay explained. Her tone seemed irritated.

"Bet you're used to that huh?" Danny asked.

Lindsay smiled shyly and nodded.

Danny watched Lindsay turned back to her book. She was an interesting partner. That was for sure. To be honest, she intrigued Danny. Moving across the states from everything you know takes guts. Danny already knew Lindsay had guts. After all, she put up with him and the trouble that came from New York. He'd seen her handle psychotic murders with ease. She worked quickly and thoroughly. To say the least, Lindsay fit in perfectly with the team. And all he did was drag her down.

"Lindsay, I'm sorry for takin' everything out on you. You didn't deserve any of the crap I've given you." Danny said. "You're a great detective and you've help put away some of the worst thugs in this city. All I've ever done to you is treat you like them."

Lindsay looked at Danny completely stunned. She never expected Danny-of all people- to apologize to her. There was something different about him. Sure he was cocky and arrogant, but he had a determination about him in his work. Lindsay had noticed on several occasions that Danny followed his instincts, but followed through with the evidence.

"Apology accepted, Danny." Lindsay said. She closed her book and held out her hand. "Friends?"

Danny smirked at her and took her hand. "Friends."

The damage wasn't undone, but it was in repairs. Who knows, maybe they could form a partnership from this? They each were drawn to their work, emotionally driven to catch the criminals. They were both skilled, and they seemed to complement each other's work. Danny was street smart and resilient. Lindsay was adventurous and never quit. Whatever it was that seemed to bring out their qualities, it brought out the best of them. It made them a stronger team. And it could only be the beginning.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i hate endings, i can never get them really good. oh well, practice i guess. what did you think?

i own nothing!