Aphina - I've been struggling with writing Cory, as K will tell you, because I am so used to the Cory she is now, but it's been enjoyable at the same time.

laplandgurl - Thank you I have a few more uses for Cory, so she'll be making some more appearances - sparky's permission given, that is! Tay does need a break, I'll give you that!

abbabba - Wow - thank you! (You certainly know how to make a girl's head swell! lol) Is it really the fic with the longest word count? Dear lord, it really is epic! I cringe sometimes when I read over this - I try so hard with Tay, and I know that she can be very mary-sueish, but I think it's something that most people struggle with. Thank you again!

RK9 - I look back and realise just how far. I was playing with it for ages and ages. Maybe I'll have Maddy go rogue! lol

sparkyCSI - I didn't think it was that popular! It's completely blown me away (and now I'm worried I'm not going to live up to expectations!) They never officially met, and I have a bit planned - I think you've got some of it - I can't remember what I sent you! I'm not sure when I'll be online next - but I have a feeling the timezone may have decreased by then! lol

demolished-soul - Thank you! She definately had nothing to do with it! I feel sorry for her too - but I know what you mean!

Madison Bellows - lol, thank you! And don't worry about it! I just hope life isn't too hectic for you!

princessg - She will certainly be heading in that direction (and she'll be back again soon). Last weekend seemed so long ago, I can't actually remember what I did (:s)

brttmclv - It's take a while, but they are finally getting there. Hope I haven't kept you waiting too long!

meadow567 - I agree - finally! Glad you liked!

Alana Xavier1 - lol - happy dance! Thank you, and I will try!!

Forest Angel - I felt some form of resolution (however temporary) was needed there. And thank you very much!

Um, no spoliers - just thanks to my beta!

What The Eyes Can't See

Chapter 187: I'm gonna stop lookin' back and start movin' on, And learn how to face my fears

Lindsay awoke with a start to the smell of coffee drifting through the apartment. Slightly confused, she extracted herself from Danny's bed and padded into his kitchen where he was busy whisking eggs. 'Danny?' she asked, slightly confused.

'Mornin' Montana,' he all but sung at her as he added a little more milk to the mix.

'What are you doing?'

Danny looked over and grinned. 'Well, I was going to surprise you with breakfast in bed, what with it being your special day, and all, but I guess you'll have to sit patiently and wait for the omelets to cook.'

'Danny, what do you mean, my special day?' Lindsay asked, completely confused.

'Your birthday,' he explained. 'Well, it's not your birthday birthday, but that thing Taylor organized is tonight.'

Lindsay settled down onto a stool opposite, a small frown on her face. 'Danny,' she started, 'Are you sure this is a good idea? We buried Louie two days ago. I don't mind if we cancel, and I'm pretty certain no one else will.'

'I will,' Danny told her firmly, setting the bowl on the side. 'I miss Louie, I do. But I can't just sit around wishing I could change history. I think I need this, I think we all need this. And I think, that if Louie were here, he would say the same thing.'

'Danny,' Lindsay tried to start.

'Linds, I love you for thinking of me like this, but I really think we need this. And I want to do this for you.' He sighed. 'Look, I didn't mean to snap at you the other day. I just wasn't in a good place then.'

Lindsay shifted uncomfortably on the stool. 'It's not your fault, Danny. I just…'

'It's alright,' he told her as he returned his attention to the eggs. 'And I really do think you should continue with this shindig!'

As soon as Lindsay nodded her agreement, Danny turned to the stove burner, not seeing the worrisome stare Lindsay was shooting in his direction.

--

Flack rolled over, finding the other side of the bed, not only empty, but very cold too. He opened his eyes, and listened, but only hearing the rain and wind hammering at the window, decided to get up. He pulled on a robe - the room was unusually cold - and headed downstairs. "What are you doing?" he asked Taylor, finding her sitting in front of the boiler, surrounded by tools.

"The boiler broke. We have no hot water."

"Shouldn't we call out an expert?" he asked her gently.

Taylor shrugged. "I couldn't get anyone out, and I need to shower. I don't want to turn up to the shrink's smelling.'

Flack sighed and settled down next to her. 'You know; we could always pop around to someone's place and borrow their shower.'

Taylor looked up at him with a pained expression. 'I can fix it, Don.'

'I don't doubt that you can,' Flack agreed as he busied himself with pouring a bowl of cereal. 'But I think the problem isn't the boiler.'

'I'm pretty certain the pieces over the floor aren't helping to warm this house up,' Taylor told him as she surveyed said bits.

Flack shook his head. 'I'm talking about your visit to the shrink and how a broken boiler is a convenient excuse to cancel. Although I still maintain they prefer the term, therapist.'

'I'm not…' Taylors trailed off and sighed. 'Fine. I am.'

'Tay,' Flack started patiently.

'Don, I'm going,' Taylor sighed. 'I have an appointment booked with some shrink in a couple of hour's time. I just wanted to occupy myself for as long as I can.'

Flack sat down on the floor next to her. 'Can we at least get a professional in, Tay. This is gas we're talking about.'

'Fine,' Taylor agreed, grabbing the bowl and spoon out of Flack's hands and began munching on his cornflakes.

'Hey!' Flack objected. 'Don't deny a man of his food.'

--

At five feet, ten inches in flats, Taylor was quite a tall woman. She always had been – she remembered being in her last year at high school and the majority of the freshmen coming to below her chin – walking down a corridor, she towered above everyone.

When she hit college, the altitude problem had all but disappeared (save Maddy who was constantly complaining that she had to wear four inch heals to look her friend in the eye). However, sometimes, she had a slight issue taking people seriously if they were shorter than her – although only when they were in a position of authority and she was supposed to be agreeing with whatever they were saying. That was part of the reason she had been so committed to finding a fault with her high school principle.

Admittedly, she was regaining some control over that flaw, but as she sat in the waiting room for her shrink to appear, and the person in question called her name happened to look like a five foot two version of a meerkat, she was impressed. It didn't help that she didn't want to be there, either.

She followed him into his office and almost ran then. There were pictures of flowers and rainbows everywhere.

'Interesting pictures,' she muttered dryly.

'Aren't they?' he agreed, missing her sarcastic tone.

Refraining from rolling her eyes, Taylor sat down on the couch.

'So, Miss Turner, what brings you in here?'

'My fiancé?' Taylor shrugged.

'And why's that?'

Taylor sat back into the chair. 'He thinks I need to open up and talk.'

'About anything in particular?' he asked.

Taylor just shrugged at him.

'I don't judge, Miss Turner,' the meerkat told her. 'You clearly feel uncomfortable, so how about we ease the tension?' At her expectant stare, he continued. 'I always find a rendition of Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life is a great tension breaker.'

Taylor looked at him in disbelief. 'Are you serious?' she asked, not sure if she should be taking him seriously.

'Quite.'

Taylor blinked once, before rising to her feet.

'Oh, we can do a little dance too, if you like,' the meerkat told her, rising to his feet. 'Getting the blood pumping releases endorphins.'

'So does violence,' Taylor muttered as she stalked to the door.

'Alright, alright,' the meerkat cried, running after her. 'We'll not sing.'

Taylor stopped, whirling around go suddenly that the shrink ran into her. 'What if I told you I see ghosts?'

The little man looked up at her. 'Like Bruce Willis, Sixth Sense, see ghosts?'

'Ghosts who had been murdered and then I have to help them find justice.'

The meerkat burst out laughing.

Fists clenched, Taylor turned around and continued storming out of the building.

--

She was surprised to find that Flack had had a very productive couple of hours whilst she was having a couple of unsuccessful ones. Cordelia had already been dropped off at Rikki's (who was turning into a god-send for last minute babysitting), a repair guy was fixing the dismantled boiler back together, and Flack had taken the kettle upstairs and almost filled a bath with hot water.

'How did it go?' Flack asked her.

'What are you doing?' Taylor asked him.

'Running a bath so you can be clean for the party later. And stop avoiding the question: how did it go?'

'Just how I predicted,' Taylor told him, grimly. 'He laughed at me.'

Flack settled down on the side of the bath. 'Where did you find this guy, Tay?'

Taylor shrugged. 'Internet.'

'On what site?' he asked her. 'quacksRusdotcom?'

'shrinksinthecitydotcom,' Taylor offered.

Flack burst out laughing. 'Well when you looked on that, I'm not surprised the guy laughed at you. Did he hold any form of medical degree? Psychology degree? Hell, any form of qualification?'

Taylor shrugged. 'Didn't ask.'

'And you didn't think to check his walls?'

Taylor shook her head.

Flack sighed. 'You know, our department has an excellent-'

'I'm not seeing some department shrink,' Taylor told him. 'I went to someone, already.'

'Tay, walking out does not constitute talking to someone.'

'Fine,' Taylor said, flinging her arms in the air. 'I will talk to someone else. With credentials,' she added.

--

Taylor walked into the club, glad to be out of the torrential downpour; the weather seemed eager to make up for the months of heat.

'You're here!' Sasha cried excitedly as she dashed over. 'I didn't think you would come. And I know you aren't up for being set up with anyone, but just in case, the DJ is really pretty,' she told her with a wink.

'Oh, I don't think you have to worry about that,' Flack announced, causing Sasha to jump with a squeal.

'What? You're back together?' she asked happily.

Taylor nodded with a smile. 'Yeah.'

'Thank God,' Sasha told them. 'Because that DJ gave me his number and he's really cute.'

Taylor shook her head, laughing, and then grabbed Flack's arm, dragging him into the club.

'Have we just walked into a cliché?' Flack asked.

Taylor stared around the room at the bales of hay, propped up cartwheels, and even a trough. She laughed. 'You're wearing a Stetson, Don. You're a walking cliché yourself.' She leant up and brought her lips near his ear. 'And I love the cowboy look,' she whispered, nibbling his ear.

'Noted,' Flack muttered, as he leant in to kiss her.

'I don't think Daisy Duke constitutes Western.'

'Marty!' Taylor yelled, breaking away from Flack and flinging herself on her ex-flatmate. 'What are you doing here?'

'Lindsay's birthday,' he said, stating the obvious.

'How long for?'

'We have a week off for Thanksgiving.'

Taylor stopped and gaped at him.

'Yes, Drew, Thanksgiving is next week,' he informed her, laughing.

'You staying with us, or do you want the keys to my old place?' Flack asked him.

Marty shook his head. 'Neither. I'm fixed for a week.'

Taylor pulled a face. 'Please tell me you've not found yourself another Devon?'

'She wasn't that bad,' Marty shrugged.

'No, of course not,' Taylor muttered. 'What are you looking at?' Both Marty and Flack were staring at something on the other side of the room, head's cocked.

'Is that…' Flack started.

'…Maddy?' Marty finished.

Taylor turned, spotting Hawkes and the woman they were talking about almost instantly. 'No, she's some diver cop. I can't remember her name.'

'And what's she doing with the Hawkman?' Marty exclaimed. 'I think I need to make an introduction,' he grinned as he left Flack and Taylor.

'Unbelievable,' Taylor muttered.

--

Danny looked over at Lindsay who was quietly sipping champagne and obviously thinking the party had been a bad idea. He took a breath and walked over to her, pulled the glass out of her hand and set it on the side, and then dragged her into the middle of the dance floor, much to her amazement.

'Danny?' she questioned.

'Shhhh,' he hushed her. 'This is your birthday party and no one is dancing,' he told her before swinging her around.

Lindsay grinned broadly as she swirled back into him.

'Of course,' he added with a grin to match Lindsay's. 'It could be that no one other than you likes this music.'

'I think they just needed approval that it's alright to dance,' Lindsay retorted nodding her head in the direction of the guests joining them on the dance floor.

'Well, little miss, I think you're gonna have to show me how it's done before this place is open to the public and everyone puts me to shame.'

Lindsay shook her head. 'No one's going to do that.'

Danny smiled. 'I love you, Montana.'

Lindsay smiled back. 'I love you too.'

Sorry for the slow updating. Life is REALLY hectic at the moment. It's the week of our End Of Year Ball, which means this is the last free hour I have until sunday lunchtime (I'm not exagturating when I say i will be working about forty hours in three days!) But I go on Vay-Kay on monday (I'm so excited), and then I get to come back home (hopefully to a new job) but definately to a new home... minus a bed, because I have to buy one.

As you can probably gather, life is hectic, but it's all good! The point being, I don't know when the next update will be, but I guess you've all come to expect that of me by now! Anyhoos, thanks for sticking with me and continuing to read!