Disclaimer: I am not connected in any way with the creators of any of the CSI shows. (And with the way things are going on S4, especially with the spoilers on the upcoming episode "Boo", I am really happy with them right now.) These are just my mind's version of the show.
Sorry it took so long to update this story. It was only today that my creative juices started flowing again and I was able to think of a continuation of the story. Just give me time though, I plan to see this through. Thanks to all those who demanded that I finish this story. I look forward to your reviews!
This chapter shows Stella putting the first part of her plan in action.
After leaving Hawkes' office, Stella stopped by the trace lab to check if Adam was done with her samples. Having learned that Adam was still stuck in the AV lab with a tape from a jewelry store robbery, Stella decided to make good use of her time and put phase one of her plan in action.
She walked down the hall to Danny and Lindsay's office. He was on his phone with someone, so she tapped on the glass to let him know she was there.
Danny looked up to see Stella peering in the glass and held up his hand, asking her to wait for a bit. Turning away from the door, he said quietly into the phone, "Montana, I gotta go. Stella's outside our office and it looks like she wants to talk to me."
Lindsay answered, "Alright, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then." After a brief pause, she asked, "Does she know that you came here?"
Danny answered honestly, "No. I wasn't sure what to say so I dodged around the truth a bit. Told them I went for a bit of peace and quiet, I just didn't say where."
Stella tapped impatiently on the glass and Danny looked up at her again. Moving the mouthpiece of the phone away, he called out, "I'll be with you in a minute, Stel. I just have to finish this phone call."
Lindsay chuckled and said, "Go ahead, Danny. We can talk more about this tomorrow. I'll see you then okay? Be safe."
Danny was unable to stop the smile from forming on his face at her reminder. "Will do, Montana. Get some rest, I'm sure when you get back in, you'll get pulled into another bizarre case, so you might as well make good use of whatever time you have left to kick back."
After a moment, Danny hung up and rubbed the back of his neck briefly, the remnants of a happy smile still on his face. Another impatient tap on the glass reminded him that someone was waiting for him.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Stella. I was just on the phone," Danny said ruefully.
Stella waved away his apology. "It's fine. It was probably an important call." She looked closer at him shrewdly said, "You look happy." He probably just got off the phone with Lindsay.
A bit embarrassed, Danny shrugged and asked, "What's up? We got the trace back?"
"No," Stella answered. Starting phase one, she thought. "Hawkes just told me that he traded shifts with you. I just wanted to ask you if it's okay that he takes my 9 to 5 instead of yours. Lindsay told me she was getting in at 10AM tomorrow so I wanted to surprise her at the airport and pick her up."
Oh, shit. Schooling his face into an apologetic smile, Danny said, "I'm really sorry, Stel. I already traded shifts with Hawkes cause I needed to take care of something in the morning. I'm taking his 4 to 12 so he could take my 9 to 5."
Stella smiled sweetly at him, "Please, Danny? Can't you take care of your thing some other day? I really want to surprise Lindsay."
Swallowing uncomfortably, Danny averted his eyes from Stella's pleading, but sharp gaze. "This thing is really important, Stel."
Stella pounced, "Oh really? What is it? Maybe I can help you with it so you can take my shift tomorrow."
Danny winced inwardly, his mind racing a million miles a minute so that he could think of a good excuse to tell Stella. Then he hit on it.
Smiling sweetly back at Stella, he said, "Sorry, Stel. No can do. I really gotta take care of this thing tomorrow, but if you want, we could still surprise Lindsay at the airport and I can pick her up. I'm sure that would be enough of a surprise for her. Does that sound okay?"
Stella smiled back at him, but deep inside she was gritting her teeth. Nicely played, Messer, she thought. Unable to think of why she should refuse Danny's perfectly reasonable idea, she was forced to agree. "Hey, that sounds like a better idea. Good that you thought of that. Thanks, Dan." With that, she left Danny's office.
Danny plopped back into his chair, breathing a sigh of relief. That was close, he thought. His eyes wandered to the empty desk across from his.
He thought about what would happen tomorrow. It had only been a day, but he missed Lindsay again and he couldn't wait until her plane landed tomorrow. He sighed. They really needed to talk.
There you go! The next installment in my story. I hope you guys enjoyed this short addition. Hopefully, the next chapter is better. Reviews and comments are highly appreciated. Thanks again to all those who read this.