DISCLAIMER: the characters and show aint mine

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: : Heroes : :

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Stella and Lindsay were sitting on a bench in front of the NYPD Crime Lab sipping coffee, laughing, and talking. It was a beautiful day, and even though they had just pulled a horrible murder, somehow it couldn't dim the brightness of the day not to mention the fact that men in uniform were swarming New York's city streets.

Danny and Mac had arrived back from their scene and were headed inside, when they were greeted by the two females.

"Ladies," Mac nodded with a smirk, this was Stella's favorite time of the year. "Should have known I'd find you out here this week."

"Really, and why's that?" Stella asked ignoring her boss and watching as a Marine walked by.

"Women and men in uniform, they don't even hear us." Mac said laughing. Looking over he could see Danny perplexed by the act.

"Men in uniform don't they see that every day Mac?" Danny asked referring to the police force.

"Yea, but not like that." Lindsay said pointing out a Sailor in amazing shape that walked by. Apparently, they weren't oblivious to their coworkers/friends presence.

"Oh Montana." Danny cringed "please tell me you're at least Paula and she's Lynette."

"Danny Messer." Stella said flabbergasted. "You know an Officer and a Gentleman."

"Yea me." He said not wanting to let on that yes he has watched the movie, and actually enjoyed it.

"pfffffffffffffffft." Lindsay snorted.

"What was that Montana?" Danny asked, his eyebrow rose at the noise that just came from her. Seeing that Danny was about to come back with another smart ass remark Mac cut him off, he did not need another epic competition between the two. Especially today, the death of a marine during fleet week is bad news.

"Alright. You guys can duke it out during your off time, Danny, let's get to work on the marine."

"I'll get to work on your marine." Stella said with a wicked smirked and went to get up.

"You, finish your coffee, don't harass any service men, and see if you can get an id on the burn victim."

Lindsay turned to Danny. "Did he just say 'duke it out'?"

"Yea yea he did, that's a little uncomforting."

"To say the least." Lindsay laughed as she and Danny parted ways.

Lindsay was running late, so very late, she had been so caught up in work she had missed the text to meet in AV. She missed something big by the looks of it. Nearing the glass encased computer room she saw Stella brush of a tear, Hawkes shaking his head, and Danny…well Danny left the room. He was upset, that was clear, he shook his head as he walked past Lindsay, his eyes full of unshed tears.

"Dan—Danny, What's wrong?" Lindsay asked turning away from the meeting and falling in step with Danny as he headed towards the back stairwell. There he slumped onto one of the first steps. "It's Aiden Linds." Danny whispered

"What about her Danny?" Lindsay asked sympathetically.

"She's your vic, the body in the car."

"Wha-"

"Hawkes just id-ed her, dental records are on their way to confirm, but, I haven't been able to get a hold of her for days, and…"

"Danny, this happened this morning…."

"It's her, Aiden, she's gone…." He broke down his head fell to his chest he couldn't look at Lindsay, sure she had been there for his brother, and he'd seen her break down, but he just couldn't. Not today, not with this.

Lindsay draped an arm around his larger form and kissed his t-shirted shoulder. "I'm sorry Dan." She whispered. "I'll let you know what I find." She said rubbing his back affectionately. She gave him one more glance than went to work. Her friends had all had enough trauma for one spring season.

"Just don't get yourself suspended again." Danny said back watching her leave. Lindsay Monroe was going to help get whoever did this to Aiden, she owed her at least that much.

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"Linds you coming?" Danny asked as he walked up to the locker next to hers.

"I don't know…." Lindsay trailed off

"Come on Montana" He would resort to begging if he had to. Lindsay had a way of brightening his mood. It just happened, and he could really use that tonight.

"Dan, I didn't even know her, it would feel wrong."

"What would feel wrong is you not being there Montana." Danny said honestly staring at her with shockingly sad blue eyes.

"Damn it Dan." Lindsay smiled giving in.

"My grieving heart thanks you." He said slinging an arm around her as they walked out of the locker room. "You know when we first moved into this place Aiden had this fit about the co-ed locker rooms with the glass door. It's not like we harass anyone."

"Oh bull." Lindsay laughed. "Every time I go to take off a shirt-even if I'm wearing a tank-I get a wolf whistle."

"Well, then don't look so good."

"So I look good?" Lindsay smirked. Maybe Sid was right, he at least noticed her body.

"You know it Montana."

"And so my options are look good and get wolf whistles or get ugly."

"Yea, but please don't." Danny smirked as they met up with the rest of the group.

"Where's Mac?" Danny asked.

"Said he'd meet us there, 'something that he had to do first'" Stella quoted.

"It's something with the marine right?" Hawkes asked?

"More than likely, the guy is a marine, once a marine, always a marine, it's a brotherhood." Danny answered.

"Someone knows his stuff."

"I looked into it once, but with the wrist fracture, it was the same as playing ball." Danny explained.

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When the group arrived at Sullivan's bar they found Flack at a table large enough for 6. There were 2 pitchers of beer in front of him. "Thought I'd grab the first round." Flack smirked. Taking their seats they all glanced at one another. It was strange, this was a place they had come to visit so many times together, but the fact that Aiden was gone. It was a place that they never thought they'd be. Ever. Grieving for the loss of a team member, of a friend, of someone who they thought got out. They never thought they would have to solve her murder, handle her fragile skeleton, go through her things. It was an awkward yet peaceful silence. They all knew they were here to toast Aiden, to celebrate putting her killer behind bars for life, and to remember her, but known knew what to say.

Just then Frankie the bar tender goes running toward the bathroom with a plunger in his hands. "Damn cops taking a dump, clogging my toilets." He was muttering as he passed, causing the group to break into a fit of laughter.

"Oh, that reminds me." Don laughed as he held his side –it hurt from laughing so hard. "A year or two back Aiden and I worked this case, the guy reeked! Couldn't find any evidence as to what killed the guy, except this chemical substance in the head wound. A crapsicle killed the guy."

"Flack what the hell is a crapsicle?" Danny asked.

"A crapsicle is the shit that leaks from an air plane's sewage tank and freezes on the fall."

"Oh ewwwwe." Lindsay gagged making a face.

"Yea, imagine turning in the paper work for that one." Don laughed. "Thank god Aiden was pretty, otherwise I don't think the chief woulda listened as well."

"She was beautiful." Hawkes said.

"Yea, and did she get hassled for it." Stella smirked, "She once had to tell a detective not to check out her ass at a crime scene—it was disrespectful ya know." Stella smirked,

"Yea I was just telling Linds, Aiden had such an issue with the coed locker rooms in the crime lab."

"WHY? What's so wrong with that?" Flack asked. Stella gave a surprisingly loud wolf whistle. Causing the whole group to break into a fit of laughter and Stella, who rarely ever blushed, blushed.

"Nice Stel." Danny choked out.

"Yea well, it's true." Stella chuckled.

"Deal with it or get ugly right Danny?" Lindsay smirked taking a sip of her beer.

"Get ugly. Danno? Really? I thought you enjoyed working with good looking women."

"I do. Hence Stella and Lindsay…." Danny trailed off, he couldn't say the last name,

"And AIDEN." Flack smirked, "You had a thing for her, don't lie to us, no secrets tonight."

"Yea yea fine alright." Danny gave in. "when she first started I had a little thing for her, but I didn't do anything about it. Good thing to, she would broken my poor little heart with a two letter word."

"And why do you say that Danny?" Stella asked her interest peaked. The woman next to him however seemed a little tense, like she didn't want to hear that he had had feelings for Aiden. And in all truthfulness she really didn't. OK. Yes. Lindsay Monroe had a crush on Danny Messer. But they were friends, and co workers, and she couldn't but oh did she want to act on the feelings that he brought every time he even just brushed past her. She hoped Danny didn't notice. Only he did.

As Hawkes started pouring the second round Danny answered. "Cause Stel, she was Aiden, she got a kick outta tearing me down, that's what we did. This is no lie, she a, Aiden gets in my face, you know how she did that, and she tells me keep dreaming Messer, I think you're cute, but I am way outta your league." Everyone started laughing, even Lindsay, she did admire this girl. "She could just cut ya down like nobody else." Danny finished as Mac walked up behind him. Drinks were topped off and a toast was made to Aiden Burn: dedicated CSI and friend.

The funeral arrangements were made, and as promised Aiden's father had informed Mac and the CSI team of dates and times. Aiden's burial was set on a sunny Thursday morning. The team, dressed in black, stood watching as Aiden's father said goodbye to his daughter, they stood together as one, they said goodbye to a good friend. They caught DJ Pratt: she could rest in peace.

Walking away from the service Lindsay was in step with Danny. She stole glances at him; there was a lone tear stain down his left cheek. Lindsay sighed, they'd all lost a friend and she was an outsider. She was there to tell their stories to, but she wished she could do more. Seeing that Danny needed a little more comfort she linked an arm with his. "It's ok Dan." She said,

"Thanks Montana." Danny smiled softly. "I really don't want to go to this reception…" Danny admitted.

"Ok….." Lindsay began, "then let's go get some lunch. Where do you want to go?"

"Just someplace with no memories."

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Lindsay and Danny found a corner diner a few blocks away. They sat there had lunch and Danny began to heal, began to move on. Aiden was gone, but she knew how it was going to end, she had made her peace with it, and left them the clues. She did it for the greater good. And Danny had to accept that, and get on with his life, and with that, he had Lindsay now, she was a friend, and as Aiden had pointed out, would one day be more. Now sitting here, watching her talk with animation, the sun softly bouncing off her face and hair, he couldn't deny that the idea of he and Lindsay may actually be a good one, he was attracted to her, but….but….but….was there a but?...

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A/N: next chapter is almost done. Then it's into unchartered territory. I have written very little for seasons 3&4, so thanks for all the support, I'm probably going to need it.