A/N: Same disclosures apply as in all other chapters. Sorry again for the delays. Enjoy. Please review.

Chapter 16

Danny pulled over to the side of the street in front of the lab’s building and put the truck into park. From the front of the building you would never know that murderers were brought to justice inside. Where just a fingerprint could cause your ultimate demise and put you behind bars if you broke the law. I heard Danny unlock his seatbelt and I turned to look at him.

“I’ll walk you up.” He said nonchalantly.

I eyed him with extreme suspicion as I undid my belt, but again said nothing. Something was up, I was sure of it. Again however, I said nothing and got out of our truck. I took his hand as he came over to the passenger side and we walked into the building.

“Hi Sam.” I greeted the security officer at the front desk with a smile and a wave.

“Hello Ms. Messer.” Sam replied, “How are you?”

“I feel wonderful.” I answered honestly, rubbing my bump, “How are things going today?”

Sam checked our identification and buzzed the security door open. He was an older gentleman who reminded me a lot of my grandfather; from talking to him in the past I learned that he was a retired corrections officer who just couldn’t sit at home so he took security as a part time job. His wife was deceased and his children lived outside of the city. When I asked why he didn’t move closer to them and get away from the city, he laughed and said that you can take the boy from the city but you can’t take the city from the boy. He was a city boy through and through and would always be.

“Well pregnancy definitely agrees with you. You’re absolutely glowing.” Sam smiled, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile or glow more.”

“Guess I’ll just have to keep her knocked up.” Danny joked, “cause I have to agree with you one hundred percent Sam.”

We all laughed and said our goodbyes. Danny and I made our way to the elevator that would take us to the floor the lab was on. We stepped inside and pressed the proper button. As the doors closed I cuddled up to Danny.

“What are you doing?” He asked, looking in my eyes.

“Nothing.” I said as I let my hands wander to his waistline.

“Montana…” Danny said breathily.

“Yes?” I answered innocently as I slid my hand into his pocket, seeking a target I knew I would be able to reach.

“You’re gonna kill me.” He said leaning back slightly to allow the wall of the elevator support him, “You do know that right?”

“I’m not doing anything,” I said in a very low voice that I knew drive him nuts, “so how can I do that?”

My hand had found its target and was ever so slowly rubbing circles. I heard him exhale slowly, his head tilted back and eyes partially closed. I glanced at the floor indicator and saw that we only had four floors left before we reached our destination. I started to rub a little harder wanting to cause light friction, not pain.

“You’re not doing anything and the Pope’s Jewish.” Danny said firmly.

“Ooh, I didn’t know Messer was a Jewish name.” I said laughing and slowly removing my hand from his pocket, “See you learn something new every day.”

Danny stuffed his hands in his pockets, trying to conceal the evidence of our elevator trip. I leaned in and nuzzled his neck, knowing that I only had a minute at best before we stepped off the elevator and became co-workers first; husband and wife second.

“Make sure you come straight home tonight,” I said throatily, “I think it’s time we played pool again.”

Danny’s eyes lit up as he remembered our first time playing pool and the outcome of that faithful game.

“Whatever my lovely wife wants, she gets.” Danny said as the elevator dinged signaling our arrival.

We stepped out onto the floor and were immediately met by Mac.

“Danny I’m glad you’re here.”

We had been greeted by the no nonsense Mac; not a good sign in the least.

“What’s up Mac?” Danny said, “I was just dropping Linds off and thought I’d walk her up.”

I could have sworn I saw something unspoken go between them; hell was I starting to get paranoid now? What was it that no one wanted me to know? I felt my temper flare faintly.

“I need you to do a double.” Mac said, “I need you to go help Sheldon at a car fire.”

Then he turned and looked at me;

“Lindsay,” He said, looking me directly in the eyes, “you have reports due.”

I was confused. I had finished all of my reports and even had gotten the pre-trial information to the D.A. before Cam came in.

“I got them done a few days ago Mac.” I said, hating to question him, “I even sent Drake the pre-trial info that he requested.”

“Oh.”

“So what am I doing today?” I questioned, “Where is the most help needed?”

“Um…” Mac said, thinking, “Go to the AV Lab and see if you can pull up anything on the robbery case Stella and I are working. Danny you’d better get going if you’re going to meet Hawkes at that scene.”

This time I was sure that I had seen something and it wasn’t just my imagination. Mac’s eyes had met Danny’s and it wasn’t about Danny working a double or him meeting Sheldon at a scene.

“Can I have just a moment with him Mac?” I said, trying to sound calm, “Pregnancy stuff; just take a second.”

“That’s fine, but then he’s got to get going.” Mac said and left.

I pulled Danny over to a secluded corner of the lab where we wouldn’t be overheard easily.

“What the hell is going on Messer?” I said, trying to keep my voice calm but failing, “I saw that look between you and Mac. And you didn’t just feel like walking me up to the lab. Now spill.”

Danny rubbed the back of his neck and looked out the nearby window.

“It’s really nothing Linds,” Danny said, still not looking at me but trying to sound like he was calm and relaxed, “We just didn’t want you to have to worry about anything.”

“What is it Danny?” I said crossing my arms across my chest.

“Hawkes isn’t working a car fire.” Danny said, “He’s working a break in.”

“So?” I interrupted, confusion clouding my mind; why would Mac lie about a case.

“It wasn’t just any break in Montana,” Danny continued, “It was at your old apartment building; it was your old apartment.”

“Ok,” I said slowly, “that still doesn’t explain the cloak and dagger routine. My apartment has been rented has certainly been rented by now; it’s been over a year since we were married and almost two since I moved out.”

“There was a message.” Danny paused, “Written to you.”

My mind went blank.

“What?”

“There was a message,” Danny repeated, “written to you.”

There was silence between us, and my arms moved subconsciously to my bump, wrapping around it protectively. Danny moved to my side, and wrapped his arms around me as well. We stood quiet for a few more minutes. The playful mood from the elevator was gone, replaced with uncertainty and alarm.

“Lindsay,” Danny said quietly, “Everything will be ok. We’re just being extra careful, it’s nothing major. No one wanted you to worry; we’ve got tons of leads and everything will be fine.”

“When did this happen?” I asked, “What did the message say?”

I sounded braver than I felt.

“Honey,” Danny said cautiously, “Do you really want to know? What would it change? I don’t want you or the baby stressed; it’s not good for either of you.”

Danny was pleading with me and I knew it. I was weighing my options; on one hand I wanted to know what I was up against. I want to know everything to best educate myself to protect my baby and my family. On the other hand, I knew no one in this lab would let me work the evidence that came into the lab not just because of the pregnancy but because it could create a conflict of interest and I knew that no one would leave me unprotected.

“For now,” I relented, “I’ll let it go.”

“Thank you.”

“I do want you to know that I understand why you didn’t tell me,” I said, “but thank you for trusting me not to panic now.”

“I’ve got to go meet Hawkes.” Danny’s sadden voice whispered into my ear.

I felt him release me and the cold air immediately took his place.

“I know.”

We kissed goodbye once more and we walked to the elevator together. I watched him get on and push the button. I mouthed I love you to him, and he mouthed that he loved me too. After the doors closed, I turned and started to walk to the AV lab when I changed my mind. I turned and walked towards the glass encased office of my boss. I knocked on the door and he waved me in.

“What’s up Lindsay?” Mac said, putting the folder he was looking at on his desk.

“I think it’s time for me to be pulled out of the field.” I said, trying to keep my voice even and keep the tears flowing.

“Are you sure?” Mac asked.

“Yeah,” I said, feeling the tears starting to well, “I just think it’s time. I mean, Danny was really right when we were originally discussing this. I don’t need to be a hero.”

“Lindsay,” Mac started, sitting on the edge of his desk, “I’m gathering that Danny told you.”

I couldn’t talk anymore without losing it completely so I just nodded that he had. Mac got off his desk and pulled a chair closer to the one that I was sitting in.

“Lindsay,” Mac said, “you know why we didn’t tell you right?”

I nodded again; I hated being this vulnerable in front of anyone but especially Mac.

“We’ve got everything under control.” He continued, “And you’ve got nothing to worry about, you’re perfectly safe.”

I nodded again, wiping the tears from my eyes.

“Danny didn’t tell me what the message said.” I managed to choke out, “I know I’m not allowed anywhere near this case.”

Mac reached over and hugged me. I pulled back after a few minutes, and collected myself.

“I’m sorry.” I said, wiping my eyes “I’m sure that you don’t need a blubbering CSI.”

“Lindsay,” He said, chuckling slightly, “I think you’ve got one big reason to be slightly blubbering.”

I smiled.

“Now,” Mac stood up, “I think you’ve got some videos to review in AV.”

I left Mac’s office calmer than when I had entered and made my way to the AV lab. I gathered the videos and sat down at the monitor with my notebook and pen for a long afternoon.