Disclaimer: yea yea yea.

A/N: A major thanks to all my readers and reviewers! Love you all Gigi.

TEASER: After much internal debate and a few reviews and pms, I have decided to actually write the first date(p.s. the restaurant is mirrored after the main restaurant in no reservations), and really here comes an ENTIRE dvd disk of episode. This is gonna be a long one, get comfy and enjoy.

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: : What Schemes May Come : : (Quick timeline: the (MON) morning after Daze of Wine wraps up)

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"Someone's happy again." Jenna sing songed when Lindsay bounced into the kitchen one sunny morning.

"And, why shouldn't I be." Lindsay shot back grabbing a glass from the cupboard then hitting the fridge for some juice. "Life is good."

"Oh thank god." Jenna shouted to the ceiling "My Lindsay is back!"

"What's that mean?" Lindsay laughed hopping up on the counter and sipping her drink.

Jenna laughed at her roomie clad in pink pj bottoms, a tank, and fuzzy slippers. "It means you're you again."

"I've been me since the trial ended hun." Lindsay said with a chuckle.

Jenna nodded, but eyed her roommate up skeptically. "Is it just that the trial's over and you're back were you belong, or is it because of a certain co-worker that just happened to make the front page with you."

Lindsay nearly shot orange juice out her nose. "What's that now?"

Lindsay watched as Jenna pulled yesterday's mail towards her and took the top envelop. Lindsay knew that chicken scratch. A letter and a newspaper clipping came out. "Dear Jenna-Bear," she began to read "She left before we could get our mileage out of this one, enjoy. Love Charlie." Jenna finished then unfolded the newspaper clipping and stuck it on the fridge with 4 magnets. Staring back at Lindsay was that photo. Her and Danny about to take the leap, caught by the media. Lindsay knew she should have been completely embarrassed when Jenna turned around with that look-But Lindsay just shrugged and started laughing. She was so okay with this. Anything her brothers could say, it didn't matter. She was happy, and all it was all because of two kissing sessions and the promise of an upcoming date. "Now, I have a list of comments from the boys, but first…he flew out to Montana for you!" She was flabbergasted. No way did she ever picture Danny Messer flying all the way out to Montana for a girl he wasn't even dating, a girl that had stood him up.

"Yea, he did."

"Well by George, he showed me up." Jenna laughed along with her friend.

"Um, you were in the beautiful Caribbean with your Benji, if you came I'd disown you."

"Okay, one: that I actually believe!" Jenna said ticking her points off on her fingers "and two! You and Messer!"

"Yea, I know." Lindsay said giddily.

"Well girl talk! Wha-whats the….I mean you kissed him?"

"Yea."

"You seduced him"

"Uh huh."

"You stand him up and pretty much ice him out."

"Yea-we're forgetting about that."

"And he still fly's across the country to be there for you."

"Yea. What's your point?" Lindsay asked, her voice laced with humor.

"I want the story." She demanded.

Lindsay laughed at her roomie. Of course Jenna, ever the gossip. "I um…." Lindsay started still laughing but sobered up real quick just thinking back to the trial. "I cracked when I was on the stand the first day-I had to ask for a continuance. That night, you were out of service area, and I just, I called Danny. I know you think I iced him out, and I tried, but….God he made it so freaking hard!" Lindsay laughed, and thinking back to it all, he did make it hard for her to close him out. It was damn near impossible. "He….he made it hard to ignore him, he chipped away at what I was hiding, he got bits out of me, but always-always respected my space."

"For some reason I don't see that coming from Messer."

"Yea, I think that's what did it, it caught me off guard, threw me off balance, and then the next morning, he walked into the court room."

"And the picture." Jenna pushed.

Lindsay smiled before she began. "It was after the verdict came in, we were about a second away from a kiss when the media stormed in and ruined the moment."

Jenna pouted. "So no kiss?"

"Not right away…." Lindsay trailed off . Jenna's frown turned into an eager smile, "When I dropped him off at the airport."

"Ooooh, a goodbye kiss! How was it?"

"Memorable."

"That's all I'm gonna get! Really? When you kissed him last summer we got like a super detailed play by play."

"What do you want to know, it started out as a goodbye hug, then he took my chin in his hand, turned my face up to his and crashed his lips to mine and it just consumed us."

"And since?"

"When he picked me up at the airport we grabbed dinner, traffic was bad on the bridge so we stopped for hot chocolate, talked, sort of had a version of 'the talk.'"

"What do ya mean? Can I call him your boyfriend?"

"No!..." Lindsay laughed. "I said a version of the talk, let's not count our chickens before their hatched, we're just going to….date I guess, see where it goes. Nothing too big too fast."

"And…."

"How do you always know there's an and?"

"Because you got that smile, and Connie caught you."

"So you already know we had a mini make out session out front the other day."

"Yes I do." Jenna gloated.

"He asked me out last night before we left work." Lindsay added barely suppressing her glee.

"Girl!" Jenna shouted, jumping up to hug her friend "I'm so happy for you."

"Good, now you got your gossip go get ready for work." Lindsay ordered

"What about you?"

"I'm just got off a weekend shift and am on call third shift tonight." Lindsay informed taking a sip of her juice. Yea, she was happy, and hoped to god the feeling wouldn't fade anytime soon.
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: : DATE! : :

Friday night could not come soon enough. She and Danny had been seeing each other at work and were back to their flirty banter, but now the words held more, oh so much more.

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Lindsay spent more time than usual on her appearance as she got ready late Friday afternoon. This time the excited buzz didn't get doused with cold water when she entered the apartment. There would be no interruptions, and Danny was picking her up for the date. A date with Danny Messer. Wow.

By the time 7 pm rolled around her hair had been perfectly curled, her makeup was done just right for a night out with awesomely alluring smokey eyes. Danny said the plan was to grab dinner and then some musician friends of his were playing a gig in the city. She had settled on a high waisted black balloon skirt that hit mid thigh and an indigo and black corset style top (cause she had to face it, between the stress of the trial and being at the will of her mother's cooking for weeks she had put on a few pounds, pounds that Danny hadn't seemed to mind, but that she desperately wanted to hide, especially on this: their first real date.) and a pair of studded black flats.

Jenna poked her head into Lindsay's room and let out a wolf whistle. "Wow."

Lindsay laughed and continued to shuffle around her room and pack her small black clutch for the night, "Good that's the reaction I was going for." She caught a glimpse of herself in her mirror-she detoured and began up her makeup when there was a knock at the door.

"I got it." Jenna said pushing off the door frame and heading to the front door. Lindsay made quick work of touching up and threw eyeliner, lip balm, and gloss into her bag. She heard the front door open and Jenna say "You clean up good Messer. She's almost ready."

"Eh, No ruh….sh." Lindsay appeared around the corner mid-word and Danny lost his train of thought. Damn. "Wow, Miss Monroe."

Lindsay felt her cheeks heat up slightly with her smile. "Not bad yourself Messer. She was right: you do clean up good." It was true, she thought eyeing him up, he cleaned up real good, even if it wasn't too far off what he normally wore. He wore that green muscle shirt he always looked so good in, a pair of awesome fitting dark wash jeans, and a black blazer, with his kicks.

"Well, if you two are done eye fucking each other here…" Jenna said bringing them both out of their admiring of the other.

"Alright." Lindsay laughed walking over to Danny at the door and slipping her arm into Danny's. "See ya Mom."

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The restaurant was a small bistro tucked away in one of New York's many nooks and crannies. They were sat in a dimly/romantically lit corner across from the restaurant's bar. Danny was a complete gentleman; he opened doors for her, pulled out her chair, and then once she was sat slipped into the booth across the table from her.

The waiter came over and read off the specials. "Can I offer you any wine?"

Danny looked across the table at Lindsay, gave his head a little cock. "Well Montana."

"Yes Danny?" Lindsay asked

"You're the wine connoisseur."

"I am in no way a connoisseur."

"Yea, and what was it you and Flack were going on about last weekend?"

"So….can I get you anything?" The waiter asked a little miffed. He seemed to be in a rush.

"Okay, lets taste the….."

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"Oh gosh." Lindsay laughed pushing some hair out of her face.

"Yea." Danny chuckled along with her.

"This is like…like starting on the 5th date."

"Well…" Danny started his eyes locking with hers and not parting as he took a sip of wine. "Almost."

"Almost." Lindsay giggled-there was a twinkle in his eyes. She knew what that almost meant. And god she had been thinking the same thing.

"So dessert?"

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Half an hour later the wine was gone, dinner was cleared, and a piece of cheesecake sat between the two of them, their forks dueling over the last piece with crust.

"So what time does the band start?" Lindsay asked hoping to distract him. It didn't work, the crust ended up crumbling between their two forks.

"Nice try Monroe." Danny smiled warmly. And in about half an hour. "We should get going soon." He waved for the check which appeared quickly. Danny shifted to the side to pull his wallet out of his back pocket when Lindsay reached for the check. "I don't think so Montana." He said plucking it from the top before she had a chance to open it.

"Danny!" she whined as he smoothly made the transaction. Lindsay glared at him, a girly smile playing on her face.

"Come on Babe." He offered one hand while the other turned her chair. "Let's get out of here."

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A cool spring breeze whipped past them as they exited the warm restaurant onto the New York street. Lindsay let out a slight, involuntary, shiver. Danny quickly shrugged off his blazer and sat it atop her shoulders and pulled her in tight leading her down the street. "The bar is only a few blocks up." He said rubbing her shoulder to keep her warm.

They entered a pub with its brick walls, dark wood floors, and up on stage a group preparing to go on. Danny got them both a bottle of beer and they leaned up against a side wall with a ledge and watched as the group went into a set of great covers from the 70's, 80's, and even 90's—the good stuff. Danny and Lindsay continued to talk and joke as the set went on, sang along, and finished their second beers.

When Sweet Caroline came on. Danny watched as Lindsay's face lit up and she started to sway with the music. He took her empty bottle, and put it next to his on the ledge, took her hand and pulled her out onto the dance floor. "Didn't think you were a dancer Messer."

"I'm full of surprises Miss Monroe." He grinned before twirling her out.

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"Well, thank you for a great night Danny." Lindsay said fidgeting with her keys as they reached the top landing outside her apartment building.

"It was a good time, well do it again-soon."

Lindsay smiled and tilted her head to get a good look at him in the dark. "Yea, we will."

They stared at each other for another second before Danny gripped the lapel of his blazer-she was still wearing it, and pulled her to him: Fusing their lips together in a heated kiss. His hands moved up and played in her hair for a few moments, angling her head for more access before slipping down her neck, along her collar bone and shoulders slipping his jacket off her.

Lindsay broke the kiss giggling when the jacket fell free of her arms. "Smooth Danny, where'd you learn that one?"

With the straightest of faces Danny replied: "Boy scouts." Lindsay let out a snort of laughter. "What, ya don't think I could have been a boy scout?" He asked toying with one of her curls

"Just couldn't picture it." Lindsay smiled,

"Good."

"So where?"

"Varsity Baseball."

"See now that." Lindsay said pushing up on her toes to press a chaste kiss to his lips "Is believable."

"Mmmm hmm." He said bending down seal their lips together again in a final goodnight kiss. "Goodnight Montana."

"Night Danny, see you at work."

"Or sooner." He said holding the door open for her. She beamed at that, he stood in the door way and watched her get on the elevator before closing the door and making his way home. God was he getting himself in deep with this one.

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: : Past Imperfect : :

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It had been a good day, for them most part. He got to work a case with Lindsay-sort of, he was out in the field most of the day but, he got to work out at Orion Park. However, Clay Dobson was out. It was one of the first cases Danny had worked after joining Mac's team. The guy was a sicko. And what was worse, his victims shared a resemblance to Lindsay…..and she was about to leave the lab for the night. Not happening on his watch. Danny leapt up and jogged to the elevator just slipping in as the door closed.

"Danny!" Lindsay jumped, surprised to see Danny, just seconds ago he was at his desk working on his massive pile of paperwork. "What's up?"

"Nothing much, you done for the night?"

"Yea just about to grab the train home."

"I'll drive ya." He offered.

Lindsay laughed lightly, "Not necessary, but thanks."

Danny eyed her up for a second. Thanks as in sure she'll take that ride or…."Necessary, I think so, come on." He said giving her jacket a little tug. He led her down a parking aisle towards his bike.

"Why is it necessary Messer?" Lindsay asked curiously following him wherever he was going….he did not have keys to a truck for the night, and as far as she knew, he didn't have a car.

"Just humor me." Danny replied, "But you- being a skinny little brunette, fit Dobson's M.O. and well I'd like to keep ya around for a bit."

"One: I'm a big girl. And two: Just a bit?" Lindsay stopped, putting her hands on her hips and tapping her foot on the cool concrete as if she were pissed.

Danny pivoted around to look at Lindsay; she had a hell of a poker face when she wanted to. He smirked as he made his way back to her. "One: Mighty Mouse, you're petite, and Two." He said snaking both arms through her bent ones and settling his clasped hands low on her back "You ain't goin anywhere."

Lindsay looked up at him dramatically and considering his answer/offer. "Better."

"Better works." Danny smirked, "You are, however, goin home. So…." Danny bent down slightly so his hands rested under Lindsay's tush and hoisted her up.

"Danny!" Lindsay protested but gave up squirming just so he didn't drop her and crack her head open on the concrete. He carried her to his motorcycle before setting her down. She watched him straddle the bike and pull on a helmet-then handed over the spare which she took willingly. "I should have guessed." Lindsay laughed strapping on the helmet.

"That so?" Danny asked starting it up as Lindsay slipped on behind him, her arms loosely circling his waist.

"Yea that's so."

"Aright, you ready? Hang on tight." He said and immediately felt Lindsay's arms hold him a bit snugger.

"Let's go cowboy." And with that they were roaring through the streets of Manhattan towards Queens.

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Danny slowed and pulled up in front of Lindsay's building. "Handled that like a pro."

"Don't sound so surprised." Lindsay said happily, her cheeks rosy from the slight sting of wind.

"Been on the back of a few bikes Miss Monroe?" Danny teased taking the extra helmet from Lindsay and securing it onto the back of his bike.

"Whoever said anything about the back?" Lindsay shot back with a seductive undertone. She looked up at her apartment window, it was dark. Jenna was at her boyfriend, Ben's. She thought it over for a second, and went with her gut. "Come up for some coffee Messer."

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Lindsay unlocked the front door and flipped the switch for the living room lamp, dropped her bag and jacket on a chair before moving into the kitchen to start a new pot of coffee. Danny locked the door behind him before turning and taking in the space. He'd been here before, many times before, but it was different now, he wasn't just picking her up for work, or hanging out in a cleaned apartment with a group of friends. This was he and Lindsay spending time together alone. At her place. At the girlfriends place, not that he'd call her that, yet. They'd had one proper formal date, a few impromptu casual evenings, and they worked together, they had to be careful with this thing.

He took a seat on the sofa and gazed around. The room was a bit cluttered-sweatshirts thrown onto a chair, a blanket left on the couch, magazines littering the coffee table, dvds piling up on top of the tv and player. Her apartment had a warm lived in feel.

"Feel like a movie?" Lindsay asked. When she had walked back into the living room with two large mugs of hot coffee she had noticed Danny looking at the dvds that had taken up residence on the top of her tv. She handed Danny his cup.

"Sure what ya have in mind?" and "Thank you Linds." he took an appreciative long sip of the steaming liquid. It was nearly May, but still chilly when riding the bike at night, coffee was the perfect warm up.

"Mmmm hmm." Lindsay nodded mid sip before putting her coffee down on the table in front of her. "Well out here we've got….da da da…" she skimmed, "Lot's of chick flicks, Oh, Pirates."

"….of the Caribbean? Isn't that for I don't know…..8 year old boys."

Lindsay let out a shocked oh! "Danny Messer, bite your tongue." Lindsay said popping open the case and cuing up the movie. "You have no idea what you're in for."

"If you say so Montana." Danny laughed at her playful outrage and determination. She plopped down on the sofa landing perfectly at Danny's side and under his arm he had rested on the back of the couch.

"I do." She laughed grabbing the remote and hitting play, then reaching over Danny to turn off the lamp. "Get ready to eat your words."

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Light stung their eyes. The room had been dark since they started the movie an hour and a half ago and without much warning BOOM light-Jenna had entered and hit the light switch. "Well Hel—lo Kids." She smirked. They looked comfy, like they thought no one was going to interrupt them tonight: Lindsay lay snuggled up to Danny, a blanket draped over her. He was slouched back, sock clad feet propped up on the coffee table and his fingers tangled in and running through her curls. "Whatcha doing?"

"What's it look like?" Lindsay chuckled. Jenna knew that she and Danny were trying to take this slow, they wouldn't be doing anything more until it was unavoidable. Which would probably come pretty soon at the rate they were seeing each other. Though tonight they hadn't even really kissed, so….. "You're welcome to join."

"Nah, got some work to finish…..have fun."

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As the credits rolled Lindsay tipped her head up to look at Danny, "And the verdict is?"

"Good movie Montana." Danny smiled down at her. He could really get used to this kind of evening. Just lounging around with Lindsay in his arms. A larger smile tugged at his lips a second before he bent down and pressed a kiss to Lindsay's upturned lips.

"What was that for?" Lindsay asked when the kiss broke.

Danny gave a little shrug. "Just cause." He glanced at his wrist watch. It was getting pretty late. "I should get going." He sighed, he really didn't want to leave the comfy little bubble they were in, really it was perfect.

"Okay." Lindsay said through a yawn and stretched out before pushing herself up so that Danny could get up. She offered her hand and hauled him up. They held hands on the short walk to the door. Danny's hand rose to cup the side of her cheek, gently rubbing circular patterns in it, his eyes penetrating/memorizing her features. Lindsay pushed up onto her toes, her hand slipping around his neck and pulling him to her. The kiss was deliberate and ardent.

"Good night Linds." Danny bid her pressing one more kiss to her forehead before turning and walking down the hall, away from her. She could still taste that last kiss as he disappeared behind lift doors.

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: : Cold Reveal : :

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Danny spotted Lindsay about a block away and jogged to catch up to her "Montana, Babe, wait up." Danny called to grab her attention as he fell into step with her.

"Hey Danny." Lindsay said slinging an arm around his waist. "How was your day?"

"Not bad, a bit of a change, got to stand up for Stel instead of her doing it for me ya know."

"Yea." Lindsay chuckled. Danny was the one that was usually under scrutiny.

"You laughin at me?" Danny asked feigning shock. Lindsay shot him an are you kidding me look. "Yea, ok, I gotcha, have a good day? Feel like I haven't seen ya,"

"Well today you haven't." Lindsay laughed squeezing closer to him as an elderly couple passed them. "But yea today was…heavy."

"Well, let's change that." He said twirling them at the corner to cross the other direction.

"Danny! Where are we going!" Lindsay giggled jogging to keep up with him. He had a plan, he was taking her somewhere.

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They arrived at the batting cages about ten minutes later. "Of course the batting cages would be your go to release after a heavy day."

"Not always." Danny responded, a glint was evident in his eyes as his gaze ran over her body. She felt a twitch deep inside her. Technically this could be seen as a third or fourth date, depending how you counted. Lindsay bit her bottom lip and eyed him up. If they really wanted to they could, he lived a few blocks over, but they were taking it slow, dinner, drinks, some laughs….if they were going to become intimate it would be closer to date 10-12 right.

"Yea well, let me know when that's an option." She dead panned slapping her thighs, pushing off them to stand, grab a bat and slipped into the cages…

"Don't worry Montana, you'll know." Damn him, more than the frustrations of a heavy day were going to be exerted as she hit each speeding pitch.

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: : …Comes Around : :

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Lindsay stepped into the dimly lit Sullivan's Bar and found Danny and Flack playing a game of pool. She grabbed a drink from the bar before heading over. The discussion was serious, she could tell that from across the room as she made her way over to them. This whole trial was screwing with the lab, everyone was on edge when it came to Clay Dobson. Danny spotted her and gave her a welcoming little smile. "Looks like an intense discussion guys." Lindsay observed in greeting, giving Flack a little pat on the back as she walked past and Danny a slightly hidden rub to the inside of his arm.

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The conversation stayed on the trial of a while longer, before it switched over to sports, Lindsay eyed the bottom of her pint glass. "Alright, I'm getting another, can I get you guy's anything?" Lindsay asked pushing herself out of her leaning position.

"Nah I'm good." Flack called taking a sip of his still nearly full drink. He was sipping at the good stuff tonight.

"Yea, I'll have another." Danny nodded. Lindsay began to take off towards the bar but Danny called her back - grabbing her arm, his hand slipped down until their fingers entwined "Linds, one more thing." He whispered. And Danny suavely handed over money for both their drinks. Lindsay's gaze moved slowly from their hands to his eyes. She whispered a "Danny." In protest

"Thanks Sweetheart." He said giving her a swift kiss on the cheek and a small nudge to the bar so she couldn't object again. Danny watched her twist her way up to the bar. Flack had watched the interaction between his two friends, and when he was sure she was out of ear shot he turned to his friend.

"Guess things are going well for ya now?" Flack said with a slight smirk while he racked up the pool balls.

Thinking over the last few weeks brought a genuine smile to Danny's face. "Yea man, I think they are."

"How long has it been going on now?"

"How long has what been going on?" Danny asked trying to buy time. Guess he and Lindsay were a little obvious when they were off the clock.

"Danno, come on, you and Monroe?"

"What…..?...oh aright" Danny gave in. It was Flack, he'd find out, he's a friend "Been dating since she got back." Danny replied taking a sip of what was left of his drink.

"Dude, its been what? a month since she got back."

"Yea. Something like that." Danny shrugged

"Have you…..you know." Danny shot his friend a look. Yea they hadn't yet. And it actually was sort of refreshing. It was a change, it was new, and sometimes change was good. Danny took a long gulp downing his scotch and crunching on the ice cube. Flack laughed at him. Yea, they hadn't, Danny usually didn't chew on ice. "Gotcha man,"

"What now Flack?"

"Nothing Danno, go ahead and break."

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Danny walked Lindsay out of the Sullivan's an hour later. Jenna was having a crisis of sorts and needed Lindsay pronto. Not wanting to ruin Danny's night she told him she was fin hailing a cab. He was still going to make sure she got into that cab okay.

A cab pulled up and Lindsay opened the door to get in, but before she could Danny twisted her around, encircling her lower back with his hands and pulled her tightly toward him his hands resting playfully on the round of her bum. "Night Montana."

"Night Danny." She smiled wrapping her arms around his neck and placed a kiss the side of his throat, causing him to groan. Neither of them would be holding out much longer. He wanted her just as much as she wanted him. And if Jenna didn't need her asap for some relationship crisis, well, she wouldn't be going home this early, nor would she be alone.

"EY, What do ya say to dinner Thursday night? We both get off work pretty early,"

"Dinner huh?" Lindsay joked eyeing him up.

"Oh sorry, that's right, it's supper to you." Danny teased squeezing her to him a little tighter.

"Dinner's great."

"Kay, I'll pick you up at 7."

"Look forward to it." She smiled, then leaned up for one more kiss. "See you tomorrow Danny."

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"Hey Man, she get a cab okay?" Flack asked when his friend came back into the bar.

"Yea." Danny nodded taking a sip of the drink Flack had gotten refilled.

"Okay, so now that you don't have to worry about her overhearing you, what's going on?"

"Flack man, you're just as bad as a, I don't know, a woman."

"Danno?"

"I don't know Don." Danny said seriously this time. "She's…"

"The one." Flack mocked a little.

"eh…..I wouldn't go that far yet. She's not like other girls." And boy was he right about that. He had never been here with a girlfriend before. He knew more about Lindsay, he wanted to know more about her, he actually genuinely cared for her….she mattered. The others had never mattered before.

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