Author's Notes: I went back in to Chapter 4 and fixed my misnomer of Lindsay. I guess I'm so accustomed to calling her Lindsay Messer that I forgot I was writing pre-wedded Lindsay. Thanks Afrozenheart412 for pointing it out to me. Here's the next chapter. I appreciate everyone's comments and hope you continue to enjoy the ride.

Disclaimer: CBS, Anthony E. Zuiker, Carol Mendelsohn, and Ann Donahue own all rights to the characters and premise of the show. I am making no money off this story and it is for entertainment purposes only. However, this particular story is my creation and should not be used without my express written permission.

Attack

Chapter 7

"Here you go, that should warm you up." Mac handed Lindsay a mug of steaming hot chocolate, making sure she had a good hold on it before releasing his own grip. She was curled comfortably on his couch with the blanket still wrapped around her legs and he was now in his recliner. She'd been embarrassed when she woke up thirty minutes earlier to find that she'd been asleep in his arms for almost an hour. Embarrassed that she'd falling asleep on her boss, even more embarrassed that there was a wet spot on his shirt that suggested that she'd drooled on him in her sleep. He had assured her that it was okay and had even gone and changed his shirt just to make her feel better. Then he'd fixed hot chocolate for her and coffee for himself.

"You're good at playing nurse." Lindsay commented as she blew on the hot liquid before taking a tentative sip. Mac smiled grimly.

"Sad to say I've had my unfair share of practice. You could call my spare bedroom the Mac Taylor home for injured officers. After Flack was released from the hospital after the explosion, he stayed here for a week or two until he recovered enough to be by himself. He could have had his dad or sister come stay with him but they had already practically suffocated him while he was in the hospital and he was afraid of what they'd do if they got him home alone. In fact, there's probably still a chair in the bathroom in that bedroom from when he wasn't strong enough to stand long enough to get a shower. Feel free to use it yourself later if you don't feel too steady. The heat from the shower would probably help."

"Thanks. I was thinking a shower would feel great but wasn't sure how I'd manage on my own. And no matter how helpful and nice you've been, there's no way I'm getting you to help me with that."

He laughed but it wasn't his normal warm chuckle. It might have been just the stress of everything that had happened during the day; Lindsay certainly couldn't say her own personality was her typical. But still, she'd noticed something different about him every since she woke up.

"You're hiding something from me." Lindsay accused over her steaming cup of hot chocolate.

Mac gave her a stern look as he set aside his own steaming mug. In the time she'd been awake, he hadn't let on that he'd heard from Sheldon but apparently she'd picked up on his mood. He nodded toward the yellowish bruise that was just peeking out from the edge of her t-shirt sleeve. "I could say the same about you. I know you don't want to talk about it but it's not something I'm going to be able to ignore, not as your friend and definitely not as your boss. If someone hurt you, then it's a crime and it's my job to investigate."

Lindsay set the mug on a coaster on the coffee table and self consciously tugged the blanket up a little higher to hide the evidence. She frowned. "Why does everyone think someone hurt me? I told you that I was just clumsy."

Mac shook his head. "Lindsay, one of the things that put you on my radar to be hired was you attention to detail. You notice the smallest things that end up breaking the case more times than not. You know the science of bruises better than anyone I know. That bruise was caused by a hand and not your own. That alone is enough to concern me. The fact that you seem so secretive about it downright worries me. Who are you trying to protect and why?"

Lindsay closed her eyes, as if she were afraid he'd see the truth reflected back at her. "Mac, please…"

"No, Lindsay. I'm sorry. I'm sorry this day has been so terrible for you and I'm sorry that something you obviously wanted kept secret was discovered. Those bruises look to be about three weeks old. Stella believes Danny -"

"No, God no. Danny didn't hurt me. Why would she - Okay, forget I was about to say that. What happened today with Danny was an isolated incident. Before today, he never laid a hand on me."

"Stella accused Danny of trying to get back at you for not showing up for a date." Mac's tone was completely neutral. He hoped by not sounding accusatory that she'd finally open up.

"How did Stella even know about our date? I didn't say anything to her about it and I'm pretty sure Danny wouldn't." Lindsay protested to which Mac shrugged.

"How does Stella find out about half the things she knows about? I'd accuse her of supernatural powers if that made any sense whatsoever." Mac argued. It also made him cringe inwardly as he realized it was true. Had he done or said anything that would clue Stella in on his relationship with Peyton? He'd been so careful but with Stella there was no such thing as too careful. "But that's neither here nor there. Lindsay, do those bruises have anything to do with a date that may or may not have happened?"

"With all due respect, what Danny and I do on our own time is our own business. It doesn't affect you or Stella."

Mac leaned forward in his chair, his expression serious. "You are right, what the two of you do on your own time isn't any of business. Unless, and this is a big one, if affects my lab. Like it or not, your injuries today became a crime scene and once Stella photographed those old bruises, it became lab business. No, I hope to God that Danny didn't put those bruises on your arm but your silence on the subject and stubbornness on answering our questions really gives me cause to doubt. No, I'll ask again. Who are you trying to protect?"

"Myself." Lindsay muttered lowly and then reached for her mug again. She gave herself some thinking time by taking several slow slips of the hot liquid. Her hand was shaking slightly and she hoped it wasn't obvious to Mac.

"Lindsay, if something is threatening your or giving you cause to fear for your safety, all you have to do is tell me and I can protect you. I will protect you. But I can't do that unless I know the whole truth."

Lindsay feigned great interest in her hot chocolate for a couple more minutes before placing it back on the coaster and readjusting the blanket. She played with the fringe of the blanket as she spoke, not wanting to meet Mac's gauge. "I'm not in danger; nothing like that. You remember a few weeks ago when I went undercover to help save the third thieve in the jewelry store robbery?"

Mac nodded. "I already asked Stella, she said the bruises didn't happen during the flash bomb."

"I know." Lindsay's voice was soft and he had to strain to hear it at all. "But the medic who checked me out afterward gave me a list of things to watch out for in case of a concussion or problems with my ears from the flash bomb. I was supposed to go to my own doctor if the ringing in my ears didn't subside after a couple of days or if I experienced any signs of vertigo. I brushed off the medic's concern because I didn't want anyone worrying about me. Then a couple of days after the incident, I was working in the lab when I got suddenly dizzy. I lost my balance and started to fall. My shoulder clipped one of the cabinets."

She rubbed her shoulder almost absently as if talking about the injury caused it to hurt. "I knew I was supposed to report the incident and fill out an accident report but I didn't. I was afraid if I did, you and Stella would force me to go to the doctor. If he discovered my ear drum was perforated or something like that, I'd have to take off work until it healed and the dizziness faded. I knew I'd also have everyone giving me grief about going undercover and I didn't want people questioning my ability to do my job. I knew it was wrong but I figured the bruise would fade before anyone would notice and nobody would be the wiser."

"And the handprint? I'm pretty sure the cabinets in the lab don't have hands." Mac's tone was again carefully neutral. She had no idea what he was thinking.

"My equilibrium was still off when I got off work. I probably should have taken a cab but I didn't want the extra expense so I made my way to the subway. As I was standing there waiting for the subway to reach the stop, I lost my balance again and almost fell onto the track. I would have if some good Samaritan hadn't reached out and grabbed my arm and stopped my fall. His grip was pretty tight but it was better than falling. I'm sorry I worried everyone; it's what I was trying to avoid by not saying anything in the first place. After the bruises formed I was worried that I'd get in trouble for not reporting it to start with and the longer it went unnoticed the more embarrassed I got about it. I'm sorry, Mac. Please don't be mad or disappointed."

Her story made perfect sense and he could see the events happening just as Lindsay described them. Yeah, it would breach protocol not to report an accident at work even if you didn't think it caused an injury but she wouldn't be the first person not to report a minor incident. They had all done the same thing at one time or another. Hearing her explanation should have made him feel better but it didn't. As convincing as she sounded, there wasn't a doubt in his mind that it was all a complete fabrication. He wasn't sure if he was more hurt or worried but he couldn't deny the truth. Lindsay Monroe had lied to him.

"I'm not disappointed." Now it was Mac's turn to lie. Eventually he'd have to find out the real story but before he confronted her with his theory, he wanted to have a little more proof on his side. "In the future, I'd rather you be upfront about such an incident so we can avoid the kind of speculation we've been doing today."

Lindsay nodded, still not looking up from the fringe of the blanket that had so captured her attention. A single tear ran down her cheek but she didn't bother to wipe it away. He might have said he wasn't disappointed but she could hear it in his voice anyway. She could only imagine how much worse it would sound if he knew the truth. Finally she looked up. "Did you find out something more about Danny?"

Mac nodded. "We found the source of the steroids."

She brightened. "That's great. If we know where it came from then we can figure out who gave them to him."

"Lindsay," Mac began delicately, knowing she wouldn't like what he had to say. "I don't know all the details; Stella's brining me the report when she leaves the lab, but the drugs were in Danny's apartment."

She shook her head. "I don't get it, Mac. Danny wouldn't do drugs. If he was dosed it was without his knowledge."

Mac raised his own mug to his lips before responding. "It's looking less and less likely that that's the way it happened."

Lindsay's eyes narrowed. "I don't get you, Mac. Danny's your friend but you seem willing to believe the worst about him."

"It's not about believing the worst but not assuming the outcome without the proof. You on the other head seem to refuse the idea that he was responsible."

The doorbell rang interrupting their conversation. Mac inclined his head toward the door. "Speak of the devil." Excusing himself, he went to let Stella into the apartment. She wasn't empty-handed; she was carrying several bags from a local retail store. She didn't even try to look embarrassed by Mac's inquisitive glance at her parcels.

"I knew Lindsay wouldn't have enough of what she needed in that gym bag of hers and I was pretty sure she wouldn't feel up to making a run to her apartment. I thought about just getting a list from her of what she needed and getting her key but that somehow didn't feel right to me, especially after Hawkes and Don had to search Danny's apartment today. So, I went shopping instead. A nightgown and another change of clothes, just something to get you through tonight and tomorrow."

Mac had to laugh. Leave it to Stella to use what happened today as an excuse to go shopping. She dropped the bags near the couch to carefully engulf the younger woman in a hug. She'd been forced to leave the hospital earlier before Lindsay had regained consciousness so it was a little reassuring to see her standing there in one piece, albeit a very bruised and battered one piece.

"How are you feeling, Kiddo? You had me worried."

Lindsay blushed slightly as Stella then held her at arm's length in order to get a good look at her condition. "I'm okay. A bit worse for wear but nothing that won't heal."

The derisive snort Stella made was most unladylike and it was clear she was still upset that there had been any injuries in the first place that needed to heal. "You know you could have stayed with me. I don't have as much space as Mac does but you are always welcomed."

Lindsay nodded. She appreciated the gesture and she knew the offer was sincere. However, she also was pretty sure the interrogation about what happened both today and several weeks ago would be much worse under Stella's keen and penetrating eye. She'd take her chances with Mac. "Thanks. I appreciate it but it's probably just easier for me to stay here. Mac said you were bringing over the report of how Danny got dosed with the steroids."

Stella glanced over at Mac, a little surprised that he was keeping Lindsay in the loop of things. Didn't he realize she needed the rest and not the aggravation of the mistakes their friend and co-worker had apparently made? "Yeah, I did."

She released Lindsay who then settled back on the couch gingerly and went for her messenger bag. She pulled the report out and handed it to Mac with a warning. "Sinclair has called at least ten times and stopped by three trying to get his hands on the tox report and anything else we've found. We've managed to put him off each time but it's only a matter of time before he finds out what's in the report or worse assigns the case to another lab. You aren't going to be able to protect him for long."

Mac nodded as he took the report and scanned it. "I know; I'm just hoping for long enough." His frown deepened the more he read. "Damn, this doesn't look good."

Lindsay shook her head. "What? Mac, please. What does it say?"

It went against his better judgment to show her the report but in the end she would probably know Danny better than the rest of them. Any possible feelings the two CSIs shared aside, they were partners and spent the most time together. He handed her the report. "You know anything about this?"

She took the paper in her unbraced hand and carefully read what it had to say. The more she read, the whiter her expression became until almost every ounce of color had drained from her face. It worried both Mac and Stella to see her look so pale; Stella even wrapped her arm around Lindsay's waist again in case the younger woman suddenly collapsed. She shook her head as her whole body began to tremble. The results couldn't be right because if it was then there was a similar container sitting in the bottom of desk drawer that was probably also tainted. A gift from Danny himself. "No, it's not possible. Danny promised."

"Lindsay? What did Danny promise? If you know about this, you have to tell us what you know." Mac's tone was as gentle as he could make it but it seemed to snap Lindsay back to reality. She handed the paper back to Mac using just the tips of her fingers. It was as if she found the contents of the paper more disgusting than anything she might have ever discovered from a dumpster dive for evidence.

"Why are you so quick to believe he's guilty?" Lindsay accused. "Danny is a friend; he deserves our trust and support, not these accusations."

"Hey, Linds, we do want to believe in his innocence but the evidence isn't making it easy. Did you know about this?" Stella assured her but Lindsay wasn't listening.

"There's a good explanation. I know there is. Danny doesn't do drugs." She looked at them both defiantly, as if daring them to argue with her.

Mac's cell phone rang and he almost reluctantly reached for it. "Taylor."

"Detective Taylor, Dr. Peterson. I've just been called back to the hospital for Detective Messer."

"Is something wrong?" Mac frowned into the phone. He wasn't sure he could handle any more problems.

"I'm not sure yet. Apparently Detective Messer has become quite agitated. He's demanding the use of a phone claiming it's a matter of life and death. The hospital employees tried to explain to him that he's not allowed to use the phone but he's rather insistent apparently. Before they called me back, they tried sedating him but it didn't help. Finally they called me in to because their only other alternative would have been to restrain him again. I've tried to talk to him but he won't tell me what's wrong. Says he'll only talk to you. Do you think you can come back to the hospital?"

"I'll be there as soon as I can." Mac hung up the phone. He looked from Stella to

Lindsay. He didn't want to leave the younger woman alone but he was pretty sure Stella would agree to stay until he could return. "I have to go to the hospital. Danny needs to see me."

Lindsay nodded, looking a little relieved. She knew he wouldn't have tried to hurt her or drug himself. This was all a misunderstanding. "I bet he's figured out how this all happened. You'll see; there'll be an explanation."

At Mac's unspoken question, Stella nodded. "I'll keep Linds company until you get back. Help her get comfortable and settled for the night."

Mac smiled. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

Mac indicated that Stella should follow him to the door. Once he was sure Lindsay couldn't hear his whispered instructions, he continued. "Stel, I know you have a dozen or more questions about all that happened. She's at the end of her rope tonight. Don't ask or press her for any more. I don't think she can handle it and she'll shut down on us completely."

Stella nodded her understanding. "I'm furious with Danny; you know that. But I don't want any of this to be true but I can't help these doubts I have either. I just don't see how she can have that much faith in him."

Mac looked back to the younger woman who looked so lost and frail, not traits he was used to seeing from her. "She has to. Acknowledging that Danny might have been responsible for his own actions would be admitting that she might have misplaced her trust in someone she cares about very much. Right now, she can manage the pain but I don't think she'd survive that."

- CSI: NY - CSI: NY - CSI: NY -

"Come on, you stupid pricks, just one phone call. The fucking suspects I arrest on a daily basis at least get a phone call. What's the problem? I know you can hear me." Danny yelled at the camera. Damn it, where was Mac? Sure, he'd lost his temper with his friend and boss earlier but it wouldn't be the first time and he was pretty sure that Mac wouldn't hold it against him. "Fucking assholes."

He could feel the rage boiling just below the surface. A rage that would seem to give credence to the story they'd given him that he was high on steroids. But still, he knew no matter what any blood test showed, he couldn't put the sole blame for his current mood on the use of any drug no matter how it had managed to work its way into his system. He'd never been one to handle inactivity well; how many times had his family complained about his foul mood in those months after his wrist injury had ended his baseball career? He'd been forced to slow down while he recovered and contemplated where his life would go now that his dream of professional baseball was dead and buried. No, inactivity was never easy for him but this forced inactivity- being locked away whether for his own good or not, was a thousand times worse.

Still, the part of him that knew he deserved to be there; hell deserved worse truth be told would have paid his current captivity at least tolerable. He could bide his time albeit impatiently while his friends figured things out but his growing fear that the person he cared about more than his own life could also be in danger had driven him past the point of caring about anything else.

He needed to reach Mac, tell him where to look, make sure that Lindsay would be protected. Something deep in his gut convinced him of this and the longer his pleas were ignored by that stupid camera that seemed to be mocking him the worse it got. Once more he threw his body against the door hoping the dulled thud of his body hitting the soft padding would convince someone on the other side to listen to his pleas.

His strangled cry was a mixture of anger and frustration. He left the door and slumped on the mattress that served as a bed in the room. He could only hope that Lindsay's injuries would keep her out of the lab until he finally got the chance to talk to Mac. Keep her away from what he was horrifically sure was the source of the steroids.

After what seemed like hours, he heard the electronic lock on the door disengage and the door opened. He was on his feet in a second, ready to scream, beg, curse, whatever it took to get whomever was coming through the door to listen to what he needed. When it was Mac himself who stepped inside and allowed the door to close behind him, Danny was so relieved that he sank back to the mattress, unable to stand.

"Thank God, Mac. I kept telling them I needed to talk to you but they kept giving me the run around. I know you're probably pissed at me for how I reacted in the break room. I know you have to do your job and you'll have my back if possible. I've been thinking about what you said about the steroids and how I could have gotten them. You know none of us tend to eat the same thing every day so it coming that way is difficult but I suddenly remembered a source that I've been in contact with almost everyday for about three weeks now. It's got to be the source but you gotta check Montana cause I think she's probably been dosed as well."

Mac frowned. He knew for a fact that Lindsay was okay because her blood test came back negative for any drugs. Still he was curious as to what Danny was going to put the blame on. "What should we be looking for?"

"Montana's bottom drawer. Glass container; I know I probably shouldn't have but it seemed harmless. She said it was a gift from a neighbor; an apology for something but she wouldn't say what. It would have been easy to doctor; inject liquid steroids into bananas, oranges, apples, hell whatever other fruit was in there and boom, instant steroid fix without anyone being the wiser. Hell, I should have questioned her about it more. I knew she seemed a little nervous about it but I thought it had more to do with me than the gift. Shit, what have I done?"

Mac had a hard time following Danny's speech. He sat down next to him on the bed. "Danny, what fruits? What glass container? What are you talking about?"

"Dehydrated fruit. Homemade. Just check the jar and get Montana checked. Please Mac. I'm much bigger than she is; if it affected me like it did there's no telling what it's doing to her. Dammit Mac, it doesn't matter about me but please don't let anything happen to her."

Mac knew Danny's suspicions were unfounded as far as the steroids went but he had alarm bells of his own ringing at Danny's description of how the dehydrated fruit was an apology that came about three weeks earlier - the same times as the old bruises. "Did Lindsay say which neighbor?"

Danny shook his head. "I should have asked more questions but I kind of figured it wasn't my place; I don't know maybe I was afraid of the answer. She'd seemed upset at the time and I didn't want to upset her further. What kind of partner am I if I allow someone to dose her under my nose?"

Mac's interest was definitely piqued, again more for what he might learn about the bruises Lindsay had lied about than the steroids. "I assume you've seen or met some of her neighbors. Anybody that you could think of that might want to hurt Lindsay?"

With a shrug, Danny considered Mac's question, grateful that the older man was taking his concerns to heart. "I don't know. Maybe Petey. He lives a few doors down. He's just a few years younger than Montana but he acts much younger. He's as big as an ox but has the demeanor of a small child. I think Montana once said he has some form of autism. Lives with his older brother because he can't function on his own. He might have even thought he was helping her."

Big as an ox and probably as strong as one as well. Capable of leaving a handprint bruise and not understanding it was wrong. Apologizing for hurting a neighbor and friend by giving a jar of dried fruit. Mac had a sinking feeling he might be on to the true story of Lindsay's bruises. Danny reached out and touched Mac's arm.

"Mac, you look a little funny. What is it? Has Montana already gotten sick from it?"

"Danny, Lindsay is fine. Her blood was tested at the same time yours was and there was no sign of the steroids in her bloodstream. We also know where the steroids came from."

Mac's calm voice reached through the tumult of emotions running through Danny. He ran his hand over his face, missing his glasses that would have further hid what he was sure had to be red rimmed eyes. He hoped the hospital staff was taking care of his glasses during his forced stay. "She's okay? You sure? Thank God. Where? Where did you find the steroids? How did you know where to look?"

"Danny, tell me about Coach's Special."

Danny shook his head, his face slack. "Coach's Special? Why would you want to know…? Dammit, how DID you know? Fuck, Mac, you searched my apartment? You had no right. How could you? What, did you even get a search warrant?"

Danny pushed off the mattress and began to pace once again. As he neared one of the soft walls, he pulled his arm back and slammed it against the wall, not even registering the pain that even the slight padding on the wall caused his already battered fist. Then he twisted and threw his body against the wall, sliding down to the floor and covering his head with his bandaged hands.

Mac didn't move from his spot on the mattress. "You gave me permission to search."

Danny looked up at him with a resigned glare. "I didn't think you'd actually do it. Who? Who did it? Was it you? I know you had to have gotten Flack involved; he's the only one with a key to my place unless you got my parents involved. Shit, please tell me you haven't told them about this?"

Mac shook his head. "I haven't said anything to them yet. I've tried not to tell anyone unless I absolutely have to. I don't want to ruin your reputation if I can help it. Hawkes and Flack did the search. Danny, Coach's Special?"

"It's nothing, Mac. Nothing. Just a vitamin mix my high school baseball coach recommended to everyone on the team. A combination of vitamins, minerals, and herbs; pretty holistic stuff. Something to boost energy nothing dangerous. I promise you Mac; it's nothing."

Mac wasn't sure what to believe anymore. The facts were staring him in the face but yet Danny seemed so believable. He thought back to Lindsay's admonishment that Danny needed their trust and support. Could he give it knowing what he knew?

"Danny, Hawkes tested one of the pills. It was pure anabolic steroid."