Disclaimer: I am not connected in any way with the creators of any of the CSI shows. (Although based on the spoilers for S4, I am really happy with them right now.) These are just my mind's version of the show.

I wait eagerly for your reviews. The chapters will come one after the other.

Twisting his neck from side to side, Danny tried to ease the crick that resulted from falling asleep on the flight back from Montana.

He dug in his pocket for his keys and after a while, managed to push the door open.

He stepped inside the apartment, hung up his jacket and reached for the mail he had tossed unceremoniously onto the counter before his impulsive, but not regrettable flight to Montana. Before going through the stack, he flipped his phone open and hit the speed-dial for Lindsay's cell.

After five rings, the call automatically connected to her voice mail. "You've reached Detective Lindsay Monroe. Can't take your call right now, so leave me a message after the tone. Thanks!"

"Montana, it's me. I just got back to my place and I'm gonna hit the sack in a bit, cause I got the early shift tomorrow. Don't forget to email me your flight info." After a slight pause, Danny said, "Come home soon, alright? I miss you."

He exhaled deeply as he cut the connection, still rolling his shoulders in an attempt to get rid of the damn pain in the base of his neck. Sorting through his mail, he set aside a couple of bills and threw the rest of the stack in the trash. Yawning widely, he dropped down onto his bed and fell asleep instantly.

He awoke to the sound of his phone's alarm clock bleeping insistently. Blearily, he reached out a hand to silence the damn thing and staggered out of bed to get dressed.

Forty-five minutes later, he stepped out of the elevator and into the New York City Crime Lab. Checking his watch, he saw that he was a bit early for his shift so he headed to the break room to grab a cup of coffee, where he found Stella and Hawkes chatting about the Luke Blade case.

"Hey, Danny," Hawkes called out to him. "You look well-rested. I'm guessing you made good use of the time off that Mac forced on you."

Danny chuckled and ducked his head while pouring a cup of coffee. "I guess you could say that."

Stella asked, "So what did you do on your day off?"

Danny hesitated before answering. He and Lindsay both wanted to take it slow and he wasn't sure if she was okay with letting the team know about what happened in Montana. Deciding to keep quiet for the time being, he gave a vague and evasive answer, "Not much, just hung out by myself, got some peace and quiet."

Grabbing his mug, he waved good-bye to the two and said, "I gotta go and catch up on paperwork. See you guys later."

Escaping the break room and choosing to ignore the confused looks on the faces of his co-workers, Danny hurried back to the office he shared with Lindsay. He slumped in his chair and hit the power button on his iMac, sipping his coffee as he waited for the computer to come to life.

Almost immediately, a message popped up on the screen. You have 1 new message.

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From: LMonroe

To: DMesser

Hey cowboy!

I'll be back in New York by the 4th. My flight gets in at 10 in the morning, Gate 12.

I miss you too.

Montana

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A grin broke out on his face as he read the email one more time. Glancing at the schedule posted on his wall, Danny winced as he saw that he had was on at that time. Surveying the rest of the list, his eyes lit up as he saw a possible swap.

Minimizing the window on the screen, he walked briskly down the hall to another office, where Hawkes was just about to sit down at his desk.

"Hey, Hawkes," Danny greeted. "I need a huge favor, man."

Hawkes answered, "Sure Danny, what's up?"

"I got something to take care of on the morning of the 4th but I'm on the 9 to 5 shift at that time. I was wondering if I could swap shifts with you and take your 4 to 12 on that day," he explained.

Hawkes nodded in response and said, "Sure, no problem."

Danny grinned widely and his friend and called out as he left the office, "Thanks, Hawkes, I owe you, man."

Shaking his head at Danny's good mood, Hawkes switched his computer on. Ever since Lindsay had left, he had been keeping tabs on the trial in Bozeman and today was no exception. As he clicked on the link to the Bozeman daily that gave him details on the trial, Stella breezed into office with a huge smile, and said, "Guess who's coming home?

Hawkes looked up and answered with a delighted grin, "Lindsay's coming back? When?"

Stella flopped down on the chair across from Hawkes' desk and said, "On the 4th. I just got an email from her and she said her flight gets in at 10." She shrugged, "I offered to pick her up, but she said that she wanted to take a cab."

Hawkes' brow furrowed as he digested that piece of information. Something was clicking in his head, but he was momentarily distracted as the front page of the Bozeman Daily News flashed on his screen.

"Hmm," Hawkes muttered to himself, distracted. "Stel, when's Lindsay coming back again?"

Stella answered, confused by Hawkes' odd behavior, "On the 4th. Her flight gets in at 10, I just told you."

And just like that the pieces fell into place and Hawkes started laughing.

"What's with you?" Stella asked.

In response, he motioned her closer and she came to his side to see what made him laugh.

"Peace and quiet, my ass!" Stella exclaimed.

There, on the front page, of the Bozeman Daily News was a picture of Danny and Lindsay, about to kiss.

Coming up: Lindsay gets back to the city. What will Stella and Hawkes do with the new information they found? Again, thanks so much for reading this story and stay tuned for the next installment! Don't forget to review!