The event was a success and the money raised along with the rest was all put to a good use. Danny and the other ball players were on the receiving end of some well earned respect from their co-workers.
Thanksgiving and Christmas quickly passed, the new year dawned and Lindsay's first day back at work.
"You have my cell phone number and my pager?" Lindsay asked the babysitter as she dropped Olivia off.
"I have all your numbers, Danny's numbers, the number for the crime lab, dispatch and Danny's parents. I also have the number for her paediatrician and I have all the documents to say exactly who and cannot pick her up. She'll be fine Lindsay I promise."
"I'm being ridiculous aren't I?" Lindsay asked.
"You're going back to work for the first time since you had her, you're allowed to be concerned. She'll be fine. If you're concerned you can always call and check on her."
Lindsay took a deep breath whilst she checked her watch.
"I'd better go before I'm late. Bye honey." She kissed Olivia's forehead, Olivia who was asleep didn't even notice, the tear that fell down Lindsay's cheek as she drove away.
"So how does it feel to be back?" Stella inquired as Lindsay stood staring at her desk, on which stood a vase with some flowers in it.
"Ask me at the end of the day." Lindsay replied.
"It was nice of Danny to get you flowers."
"He was supposed to come with me to drop Liv off today, but he got called in the middle of the night so I had to do it by myself."
"He would have been there if he could." Stella assured her. "How do you feel about jumping in feet first?"
"What have we got?"
"Dead stripper in a hotel room."
"Just what you want on your first day back. Let me just grab my kit and I'll meet you by the car."
CSI NY CSI NY
"Hey Lindsay welcome back." Flack greeted her when they arrived at the crime scene.
"Thanks." Lindsay replied.
"What have we got?" Stella inquired.
"House keeping came into change the sheets and found. Stripper."
"How do you know she's a stripper?" Lindsay asked as she studied the woman in pink lacy underwear who by the looks of it had been strangled with fishnet stockings.
"Business card, meet Miss Crystal Chandelier, stripper extraordinaire." Flack handed it to her. "We're still trying to track down her real name."
"Who is the room registered too?" Stella asked as she started taking photographs.
"It's on permanent retainer to an investment management company for their out of town clients, there was one due today which is why the maid was coming to change the sheets. It should have been empty. Last client left last week when it was cleaned."
"Then I guess we should get to it."
CSI NY CSI NY
Lindsay was examining the bed sheet for trace when a strong arm wrapped around her and she was kissed just below her ear.
Lindsay slapped the hand away.
"Keep your hands to yourself Messer." Lindsay chastised.
"You didn't say that last night." Danny whispered into her ear.
"I wasn't at work last night." Lindsay reminded him with a smile.
"Was Liv okay when you dropped her off this morning?"
"She was asleep. I hope she's okay."
"She'll be fine. What've you got?"
"Dead stripper in a hotel room that should have been empty." She replied. "How about you?"
"I'm waiting on Adam for some results, so I thought I'd drop by and welcome you back."
"I meant to say thank you for the flowers, they're beautiful."
"So are you."
"You can flirt with me when we get off work." Lindsay suggested.
"I've always flirted with you at work Montana. Why change now?" He teased as his pager. "I'll see you later."
"Have fun." She smiled and turned back to her evidence.
TBC