This is going to be a series of short stories about the experiences of autumn seen though the eyes of Danny and Lindsay

Thank you SallyJetson for being a Beta and for Audacity for the support!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, CBS does.

Descriptions: Some traditions are best shared with others, D/L

Ratings: K

Part 1: A Leaf Changing Experience

"Danny, how did you come up with this? Lindsay said, questioning the bizarre behavior of her boyfriend.

She knew that Danny had something up his sleeve when he had requested that her work schedule be cleared for a couple of days. She tried to ask Mac what it was about, but he had been tight-lipped. Knowing she was defeated, she had given up.

When she had arrived home from work, she had found an envelope taped to her apartment door. Before she opened the door, she had read the note:

Montana,

I know that you're not a big supporter of surprises, but this one you'll love. I know that you have seen the mountains of Montana, but I want to show you what upstate New York is all about.

Love,

Danny

"I have my sources." Danny said, as both of them loaded their bags into his SUV. "Do you like my plan?"

Lindsay smiled at her boyfriend. "I have to admit that this is a good idea. How you convinced Mac to let me off for a couple of days is beyond me. How did you do it?"

"I just told him that if he didn't let you off he would have two CSI's that would work half-hazardly. It really didn't take much to convince him."

She stepped closer to her Danny and snuggled close to him. He encased his arms around her small frame and took in the fragrant scent of her shampoo. He pulled away and looked into her liquid brown eyes. "Do you want to know where we are going?"

Lindsay nodded, her wavy hair blowing in the breeze. "The suspense is killing me Danny so go ahead and spit it out."

"How do the Adirondack Mountains sound to you? We can rent a little cabin near Lake Placid and just get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Are you up for it?"

The drive up to the cabin was beautiful. There was very little conversation because both of them were looking at the surroundings. Lindsay was doing most of the sightseeing. She sat in awe as she looked at the beautiful contrast of the mountains. The red, brown and the golden yellow of the changing leaves were a wonderful reminder of autumn in Montana. It was breathtaking.

Some time later, they arrived at the cabin rental office. Danny ran in to sign the lease and grab the keys to the cabin. Lindsay looked around and couldn't believe that she was sitting here in the Adirondacks. She remembered as a child her Grandfather Albert telling her about these mountains and that the Mohican and Algonquian had lived here. As a little girl, she had thought of this place as magical, an escape from reality.

Her thoughts were silenced as she saw Danny leave the rental office with a big grin on his face. He hopped in the SUV and just sat there. He looked over at her and grinned again. "What!" Lindsay said, almost shouting at him.

"Give props to me baby, I'm good!"

"Danny what have you done!"

"Not only are we getting a cabin, but a renter cancelled and the agent just upgraded us to a cabin for the same cost and get this: it's right next to the lake. We have our own dock!"

"Danny, was the agent a man or a woman?"

Danny started to stammer. "The agent said that the …." But he couldn't get past the playful glare from his girlfriend. "Okay, okay it was a woman! I'll admit I used the Messer charm to get a better upgrade. But I did it all for you sweetheart." he said looking at her, grabbing her hands and kissing the fingertips. "But can you forgive me?" He tried to be serious but the playful glint in his eyes gave it away.

"Danny, it's hard to be mad at you! Now come on cowboy hit the road!"

It took less than 10 minutes to find the cabin. All kidding aside, the upgrade to this cabin was worth it. It was a split level cabin that sat 20 feet from the lake. The cabin had a wrap-around porch that led to the back and from the side view she could see the boat dock that led to the lake. It was breathtaking and this view could only be recreated by a skillful artist.

Before Danny could say anything, Lindsay unlatched her seatbelt. She quickly opened the SUV door and ran up the three steps that led to the porch. She placed her hands on the pine railing and took a deep breath. The familiar smell of mountain air filled her lungs. She was so enthralled in the moment; she didn't hear the familiar steps of Danny sneaking up behind her.

She jumped a bit but quickly relaxed when she felt his arms enclose around her. "Isn't this beautiful, Danny?"

"That's why I picked this spot. I know sometimes that you miss the skies of Montana and I felt that you had to have a little bit of a reminder," Danny said softly.

"Thank you," Lindsay said. "We should get the stuff out of the car. We'll also need to get some food. I think there was a little market down the road."

Danny unlocked the cabin door and both of them took the suitcases in. "Lindsay, I'm going to get some supplies for the cabin. This is your time so if you want to relax you can or you can unpack some. It's up to you, baby."

While Danny was gone, Lindsay took advantage of the latter choice. She unpacked her suitcase, put her clothes in the drawer and chuckled when she got started unloading his suitcase. He had packed his skin tight green shirt. That shirt caused trouble because there had been many days in the lab when he wore it and that had triggered her wanting him, especially in the shower and any available spot. And look right here, he packed it!

Lindsay had put away the last article of clothing when she heard Danny come in through the front door. She headed towards the kitchen and expected to see one or two bags from the market. What she didn't expect was to see five bags of groceries.

"Danny!" Lindsay exclaimed, putting her hands on her hips. All she could do is stare at him and shake her head.

"What?" Danny said, innocently. He placed all the bags on the kitchen table and proceeded to unload them.

"We're only going to be here for a couple of days. How do you expect us to eat all of this?"

" Linds, you know how hungry I get. I'm a growing boy."

After the delicious dinner of baked chicken and vegetables that Danny fixed, they headed to the stairs with wine glasses in hand. Watching their step, they headed down to the dock that led to the lake. It was too cold to take off their shoes, but it was comfortable enough to stand on the dock and watch the sun set in the distance.

"Are you warm?" Danny said to Lindsay. "I'm fine." Lindsay said. Danny put his free arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

He couldn't imagine spending this time with any other woman except Lindsay. All the other women, who he had dated, had not been worthy of this. But Lindsay was different.

"Linds, I have to tell you a dream that I had when I was a little boy. I used to dream that I was a grown man and that I was on a dock with a woman. At the time I couldn't tell who she was. But I realized today, you are the woman on that dock with me. You are my perfect woman."

Both of them knew at that very moment that it was not fate that brought them together. It was the youthful dreams of a boy who never gave up his wish for a wonderful life.