She recieved no answer, and it was as if the footsteps were now leading away from the door. Opening it only a crack, she peered out, but saw no one. Only a messy bed was placed before her. And then it hit her.

Who was in that bed. What happened in that bed. Why it happened.

'click'

The door closed shut again, and she slid down the wall until her butt touched the floor with a slight 'thud'. And she was back to her memory once more.

As Stella and Lindsay drove down the road, the radio was put on and a favorite song of Stella's came on. Singing along, she looked over to Lindsay who now had a weirded out look placed on her face.

"What?" Stella asked with a laugh, never seeing Lindsay like that before.

"I don't think I've ever heard or seen you sing, and let me tell you, you sound amazing Stell!" She clapped in a circle, "I applaud you!"

Stella reached over and pushed Lindsay's hands back to her lap, "Oh, stop!"

And the ride continued with music playing, the conversation of the two women going back and forth about the party and new plans. When they reached Stella's place, they parked, got out, and headed up the stairs that would lead them to her apartment.

****

****

****

Danny took the elevator up to the 8th floor, the floor that held his and Lindsay's joint office. Unlocking his door, he walked in, threw his coat on the hook, and sat down on his couch, on that could fit two people sitting, and a very small person laying down.

He leaned back, the pressures of work, family life, and friends all pushing down on him. Taking deep breaths, he sat there, slipping in to a relaxtion state of mind. Almost drifting in to a pleasant sleep, he was jolted awake by the sound of his office door being open and shut.

"What the hell are you doing, sleeping on the job. It's a good thing I wasn't Mac!" Flack slapped him on the shoulder.

Danny shot him a look, "You be up several times in the middle of the night to a crying baby, then we can talk."

"Ok, Mr. Daddy, take it easy. I got a question. What do you think has Linds and Stella all hyped up about?" He sat down next to Danny, pushing him over a bit to make more room for himself.

"I'm assuming it has something to do with Stella's New Years Eve party tonight. Maybe they thought up something good?" It was more of a statement than a question, because Danny was pretty sure he had an idea of what was going to happen later on that night.

"Alright hot shot, if you say so." Flack got back up, opening the door to leave, "If you hear anything, let me know."

Danny nodded him off and closed his eyes once again. He needed to sleep, to clear his mind of everything, but he knew, deep down, that wasn't going to happen.

****

****

****

Back at Stella's place music blared from her stereo speakers. As her and Lindsay decorated, they danced around, making it more fun.

"You have good taste in music, Stell!" Lindsay called from the kitchen, where she was making room in the fridge for the cases of beer and bottles of wine.

"Thank you, Linds!" Stella's voice echoed back from the living room, where tables were being pushed aside and things scooted back to make room for more than 4 people, which was Stella's current capacity.

Things started coming together, little by little. The food was put in the oven, or placed in the refridgerator to cool. Glasses were set out, candy bowls and snacks placed on the counter, and balloons floated in the air, almost screaming 'Happy New Year!' themselves.

"I've hid my feelings for you for a very long time," his voice echoed through her ears. She couldn't believe what he was saying.

"Really?" she asked, disbelief almost overwhelming her.

He nodded, "Yes. But I won't keep that any longer. I love you, and it's time you know it."

She froze, and in a sudden rush, his lips were against hers.

And she opened her eyes, now back to reality, sitting in the bathroom, curled almost to a ball.

"Why me.....?" her voice muttered, almost giving a faint echo in the loneliness that surrounded her.