"Even now when I'm alone
I've always known with you
I am home
For me it's a glance
And the smile on your face
The touch of your hands
And honest embrace
For where I lay it's you I keep
This changing world I fall asleep
With you all I know is I'm coming home
Coming home"
- Vanessa Carlton ("Home")
Lindsay eyes light up brighter as she smiles warmly at Danny, taking a seat next to her. He rewards her with the lopsided grin reserved only for her. He feels his stomach clench while he takes in her beauty. Her cheeks are flush with color, her eyes glassy from tears of laughter. For a moment, the room falls away. There is only him. There is only her. He reaches out to brush the stray tendril from her face and cups her cheek gently. Her smile softens as she looks deeply into his clear blue eyes.
A soft cough from Don brings them out of their reverie, causing Lindsay's cheeks to redden a shade darker. She releases herself from the power of Danny's gaze. Would Danny like a room or a beer? Danny regretfully tears his eyes away from Lindsay to frown at Don, who passes him a full glass to him. He has some catching up to do. Monroe's already on her sixth. Danny raises his eyebrows. Her sixth? In two hours? What was Don trying to do? Get her to go…?
Before Danny can complete his thought, he catches Lindsay roll her eyes. Third, Don. Unlike him, she is responsible and spaces her drinks so she won't be crying in corner begging for her momma later tonight. Her comment elicits a roar of laughter from the table. It's on, Monroe, Don smirks at her. Bring it, she challenges. That's his fearless country girl.
The evening flies by quickly. Beers are poured, dinners eaten, shots are taken. Laughter, stories, and histories are shared. This is what they need. A chance to talk. A chance to breathe. A chance to catch up. It is a night of reprieve. It is a night together. It is a night with loved ones. This is something they have not had a chance to do since celebrating the life of their fallen friend Aiden.
The mood is light and jovial until Mac clears his throat lightly as he rises from the table. It's getting late and he is on the six a.m. shift tomorrow morning. As he is wishing his team a good evening, Stella pops up from her seat next to him. She better get going as well. She's on the nine a.m. and will split a cab with him. From there, the group slowly breaks off as they make their ways home. Sheldon leaves next, followed by Adam and Kendall. Then Don and Jess, which makes Danny cock an eyebrow at his friend. Don merely shakes his head and pats Danny on the back. He thanks Danny for the drinks and wishes him and Lindsay a good night as he guides Jess towards the door.
Danny sighs. He is alone. With Lindsay. In a crowded bar. She plays with her glass nervously. He fidgets, unsure what to do, though he knows he is being stupid again. They share an office. They've been alone in the lab before. This is not the first time it's been just him and Montana. Why is he acting like such a putz?
He is about to open his mouth when she suddenly announces that she better call it a night as well. She's not on the early shift by any means, but she will be on call. Disappointed, he nods in agreement. Wait for him to settle the tab and he'll… what? Split a cab with her? Walk her to the subway? Kiss her senseless? Make sweet love to her all night? Make an honest woman out of her if she'll have him? Have lots of babies with her? Worship her for the rest of his life?
He meets her on the curb outside of Sullivan's. He shoves his hands in his pockets as he rocks back and forth on his heels. She smiles softly at him. She tries to bid him a good night but he notices that she is shivering from the slight breeze in her thin jacket. He shrugs out of his own and wraps it around her tiny shoulders. Come on, he says as he takes her hand in his. I'll walk you home.