I apologize for the delay in updating, but here is part 3 of 7. This is a bit of a filler/transition chapter, but more exciting things are to come. Thanks for reading!

Part 3

Debut

"So, Mac does this every year?"

Lindsay's voice was muffled coming through the bathroom door. She stood inside, curling her hair. Danny was in front of the bedroom mirror, adjusting his tie. "Usually," he replied. "He didn't last year. With what happened to Flack and Aiden, nobody felt much like celebrating."

"It's a nice thing for him to do," she called back. "A fancy dinner for everyone, and it's not even covered by the department."

Danny smiled as he voiced his agreement. He was quickly adjusting to domestic life with her, and although there were annoyances—like tripping over the high-heels she often left in the middle of the bedroom floor—he loved having her there. It was no longer his home, it was theirs, and that was more than okay with him. In fact, sharing it made it feel like even more of a home. He had experienced downward spirals in his life before, but this time, falling was a good thing; it was only lifting him up.

With a click of the bathroom doorknob, Lindsay emerged. His jaw dropped: she was wearing a silky wrap dress the color of over-ripened mulberries, cinched around her waist, subtly hugging her hips, and coming to just below the knee. Normally, her choice in clothes didn't affect him - he'd seen her naked, after all, and nothing could top that. But tonight she looked hot enough to melt steel. "You," he murmured as he drank her in, "look incredible."

"Thanks." She blushed as she gave a mock twirl. "You look awfully dashing yourself, Messer."

"Maybe we should just stay in tonight," he growled lightly, wondering what excuse he could give Mac to get them both off the hook for dinner.

Lindsay shook her head sternly. "Come on, we have to go. It'll be fun. Besides, there's plenty of time for… other things later."

Danny slipped on his jacket, smoothing out the sleeves. "But it's a little cruel, don't you think? No man in the entire restaurant will be able to take his eyes off you."

"Yeah, well. They can't have me." She moved close to him, eyes sparkling with playful desire.

He pulled her to his chest for a light squeeze. She smelled delicious, he recognized that fancy perfume she only wore on special occasions. He assumed it would be weird for him to ask her to spray it on more often. "I can't figure out why Mac invited Hammerback this year," he wondered aloud.

Lindsay chuckled. "That's obvious. So he can invite Peyton without raising any eyebrows."

"As if everyone doesn't already know. I guess getting involved with coworkers is a bad, bad thing." His voice dropped an octave as he leered at her.

"Very bad," she agreed, leaning up to press her lips to his. The kiss didn't last nearly long enough for Danny before she pulled away. "Let's go," she instructed, reaching for her purse. "I'll put on my lipstick in the car."

--

Just before entering the restaurant, Danny hesitated and turned to Lindsay. "You ready for this?" he asked. "If we let them know about us, things will be different from now on."

She nodded firmly, not a hint of doubt in her voice. "They have to find out eventually. I want everyone to know."

He squeezed her hand. As much as he wanted to share the news, he was a little nervous. Still, confidence was key. "Me too. So let's do this."

The others were waiting in the lobby: Mac, Peyton, Hammerback, Hawkes, Flack and Stella were gathered around. It was unusual to see them all in such a formal setting. Casual greetings of light hugs and cheek kisses were exchanged. No one expressed surprise at seeing Danny and Lindsay arrive together, or the fact that his arm was around her waist. The host guided them into the cozy, dimly-lit dining room that was draped in dark green and silver accents. Soft classical music drifted through the speakers, adding a relaxing feel. They were seated around a large circular table, and drink orders were taken.

As the group perused the menus, Lindsay started to get up, and whispered in Danny's ear, "Order for me." Then she disappeared to the ladies' room. Danny was befuddled by her sudden exit. What was this - a test? He looked up and saw Peyton's warm, knowing smile over her wine glass. Well, she knows, he thought. One down, five to go.

The waiter returned to take orders, but thankfully began at the other side of the table. Danny quickly scanned the menu. Would she prefer chicken or steak? He frowned thoughtfully… he knew she ate both. Like him, she wasn't much for fish, so the salmon was out. Duck seemed too unusual. By deduction, strip steak would be the best bet. If it was the right choice, maybe he could hope for another kind of strip later.

He crossed his fingers under the table as he ordered the steak for himself, then gestured toward Lindsay's seat and said, "And she'll have the same." Not a comment, look, or even raised eyebrow resulted from his action. It was if everyone already knew, but Danny didn't think that was possible. After all, he and Lindsay had taken every precaution to be discreet.

When she returned and slid back into the chair next to him, he whispered, "Steak okay?"

"Sounds great, thanks babe," she replied, treating him to a sunny smile. Her voice had grown a bit louder on the word 'babe'. None of the group seemed to hear, however.

Throughout the meal, Danny rested his arm on the back of Lindsay's chair, refilled her champagne glass as needed, and overall just couldn't take his eyes from her. He stopped caring if anyone noticed or not, he was just lost in enjoying her company. In fact, the whole team was enjoying the casual conversation and laughter of the evening. Sports scores were discussed, humorous stories were told, and even a little friendly debate occurred. The food arrived at the best possible time; just as Sid began to gush about the horsepower of the new bone saw in the morgue. All talk faded as they dug into their meals.

As the sounds of clinking silverware replaced voices, Danny was again perturbed. Not a single person referred to the status of his relationship with Lindsay. This was supposed to be their debut. They had arrived together, shown affection towards each other, he had even ordered her dinner for her! How much more obvious could they be?

Midway through the entrees, he decided to try again. "I forgot to set the trash out when we left," he said to Lindsay. "Remind me when we get home." Of course, garbage didn't need to be set out until Thursday, but she knew his game, and nodded. There was no reaction from their tablemates.

By dessert, they were both downright impatient. "Let's just tell them now," he whispered. "You do it."

"No. You," she hissed.

He lapsed into silence, concentrating on his cup of coffee. He felt her poke his ribs Fine.

"There is something we want to tell you all," he began, waiting for the six pairs of eyes to fix on him. "Lindsay and I… uh, we've been seeing each other for a few months now." He was greeted with blank looks – no shock, no surprise. So he continued, "And we moved in together two weeks ago."

Hawkes was the first to respond. "And?" he prompted.

"And what?" Danny was confused.

"What did you have to tell us?" Mac asked.

"That's we've been dating, and we're living together," Lindsay spoke up.

Stella joined in, "That's it? That's the news?"

"We already knew that. We're not blind," Flack snickered. "Come on, Danny, who didn't notice those puppy-dog eyes you make every time she walks into the room?" He tried to imitate the look, and everyone chuckled.

"You sent her flowers to the lab, after all," Peyton reminded slyly.

"How did you know those were from me?"

Hawkes smirked. "Adam read the card out loud. To my Montana…", he mimicked.

As even more chortles shook the table, Danny felt his cheeks growing red. Well, this was going great. Not only did everyone already know, but they thought he was some wimpy, gooey mush-pot. And he most certainly wasn't.

"In fact," Sid said, as he prepared to stab his slice of key lime pie. "I think I called it first. I'm very perceptive like that, you know. I can smell chemistry."

"Oh, hardly," Mac disagreed. "I knew it from day one. These two couldn't keep their eyes off each other. "

As the group bickered playfully, Danny realize the irony of it all: everyone else had seen their connection for quite awhile, before the two of them even did. Damn, he was lucky she didn't slip away. He would have missed out on so much--even the little things he was just starting to enjoy, like having her mail come to his address.

"No matter who saw it first," Stella said, picking up her champagne glass, "I think the one thing we can all agree on is what a great couple these two make."

"Here, here!" Mac saluted with his own glass.

"To Danny and Lindsay!"

The warm moment was interrupted by a mischievous Hawkes. "Does this mean we can tease you guys at work now?"

"NO!" Danny and Lindsay chorused in unison, knowing their answer was a futile one, regardless.

After the last cup of coffee had been drained, and the dessert plates cleared away, the group gathered in the lobby to say goodbye. Lindsay was chatting with Stella and Sid, Mac and Hawkes were discussing the photography on the wall. Flack approached Danny, a twinkle in his eyes. Danny had a feeling he was about to get some major ribbing from his friend.

"So I guess you've finally met your match with Monroe," Flack chuckled. "I can't count on you for the department's Most Eligible Bachelor competition this year, huh?"

Danny laughed—though there was no such competition, the idea was entertaining. "No, sorry, pal," he replied. "It's not quite the ball and chain, but…"

"This is serious stuff," Flack finished for him. He slapped his friend on the shoulder as he turned to leave. "It's not just Danny Messer bedding a coworker. Catch you tomorrow, Mess."

He suddenly became aware of Lindsay at his side. The rest of the team was already gone, and she had ventured over at the worst possible time. Painted on her face was a look of extreme hurt. Danny groaned—she had heard the tail end of Flack's comment. More specifically, the 'Danny Messer beddings a coworker' line.

"Wait, Lindsay, I can explain," he started.

"Is that all this is?" she demanded, not even letting him speak. "'Bedding a coworker'? What exactly is it you're after, Danny?" She had one hand on her hip, right leg thrust out, with fire in her eyes. He made a mental note not to piss her off ever again. But this really wasn't his fault.

"What is this?" she repeated.

He swallowed hard. This wasn't going to be cleared up simply, she wouldn't believe that it was a joke. Time to grovel, he thought.

"Okay, you want to know?" He took her arm, turning her around, and pointed to an older couple waiting to be seated. They were holding hands contentedly, seated so close their legs were touching, and sharing a private laugh. "You see that? That's what I want. Thirty years from now, I want that to be us. I will still want that in fifty years." His voice grew louder with each word, and people began to stare. He didn't care—hell, he'd ask for a microphone if he had to. "When I hear people talking about dating and breaking up, I know I'm done with that crap. This is it for me, Lindsay—you're it for me. There will be no other woman."

The anger had melted from her face, but the look that replaced it was not one of teary-eyed emotion, but instead-- smugness. "I was just kidding, you know," she confessed. "I knew it was Flack making a joke."

Danny was stunned. Great, he had just opened up the floodgates of his heart for no reason?

She went on. "But I appreciate that, and I'm holding you to it." She added sweetly, "and it's mutual."

He went to embrace her, but she stopped him by holding up a finger. "If you want to bed that coworker, we'd better get going." She winked and headed out the door.

Like he always did, and like he always would – smiling so hard he thought his cheekbones would fracture - he ran to catch up with her, ready for whatever was in store for them.