A/N: Thank you for sticking with this story, and many apologizes for the late update. As a reminder, this is the last chapter; the next one will be a short epilogue. The song in this chapter is Home by Michael Buble, which holds a special but solemn place in my heart. Reviews are appreciated and love. Enjoy!

All mistakes are mine.

Chapter 6 - Stars

The afternoon was bright and sunny, nothing at all like the solemn atmosphere in the funeral home. As the guests entered, they were motioned to the viewing room, where collages were proudly displayed and a massive wreath of roses covered the closed coffin that housed Kate’s body. On the other side was another large room where the actual ceremony was going to take place. It was similar to a church, with a giant stained-glass pane at the head of the column.

Lindsay moved from one collage to the next, forcing the tears away as she recalled countless memories of her mother. Kate’s eyes seemed to stare out from the pictures, offering comfort to her daughter. Surrounding the coffin was an array of flowers brought by the guests. Making her way over, Lindsay gingerly touched a rose petal, smiling softly at its gentle texture.

A hand touched the small of her back, and she looked up into the big brown eyes of her father. “C’mon,” he whispered. “It’s time.”

“It is always sad to see such a brilliant life cut short. Katie Monroe was a loving wife and mother, a generous person who put others before herself. She fought a brave battle against an unseen enemy, and like a true warrior she never gave up.”

As the priest spoke, Danny glanced to his left at Lindsay. They were seated in the front row along with Todd and his family, the young woman on either side of both men. Father and daughter were consoling each other, wiping away falling tears from their eyes. He wanted to comfort her but held back for the moment, choosing to wait until after she had given her speech.

A little while later, the priest was finished the opening sermon. Lindsay took a deep breath as he called upon her to approach the front. She came up to the microphone and cleared her throat, throwing a quick glance to Danny and Todd. Both gave a nod of encouragement, and after a few seconds of centreing herself, Lindsay began her speech.

“My mom used to say that stars are really the spirits of good people that had died in the world. All the soldiers who fought in wars, the brave people who gave their life for another, and those who valued family, friendship, and honour are lifted up to the sky where their spirits become the burning stars we see each night. I still believe that to this day. Mom…” she broke down for a split second before continuing. “Mom had a gentle soul. She was a great wife to my father, Todd. In her last days she brought him and I closer together, and I can never thank her enough for that. When I moved to New York, I would always write her. We’d go back and forth with our letters. She would tell me of all the happenings in Bozeman and what my father was up to, and I’d gush about how much I adored the city. Later on she teased me about falling in love and that I’d grow old with him, just like she was with my father.”

She paused, moving her eyes downward to the coffin and sniffing. “She helped show me that hope is a good thing – maybe the best of things – and no good thing ever dies. I’ll keep an eye out for her star tonight.”

Lindsay returned to her seat amidst silence. Taking her place between her boyfriend and father, she offered both a small smile. “How did I do?”

Todd squeezed her shoulder gently. “Your mother would be proud of you.”

They turned their attention to the priest, who was continuing with the ceremony. Danny, however, held his gaze on Lindsay. Her head swiveled back around, and he took her hand in his, whispering in her ear, “Well done, my love.”

With a gentle song hovering in the background, the slideshow that depicted Katie’s life was projected onto the giant white wall at the front. It was something both Todd and Lindsay had requested, and the former’s brother had put it together. There were pictures from her early years, birthdays, wedding, and many a shot of her with her husband and daughter. Being the boyfriend of a girl who enjoyed Michael Buble, Danny immediately recognized the song that was playing.

Another summer day
Has come and gone away
In Paris and Rome
But I wanna go home

May be surrounded by
A million people I
Still feel all alone
Just wanna go home
Oh I miss you, you know

And I've been keeping all the letters that I wrote to you
Each one a line or two
"I'm fine baby, how are you?"
Well, I would send them but I know that it’s just not enough
My words were cold and flat
And you deserve more than that

Another aeroplane
Another sunny place
I'm lucky I know
But I wanna go home
I got to go home

Let me go home
I'm just too far from where you are
I wanna come home

And I feel just like I'm living someone else's life
It's like I just stepped outside
When everything was going right
And I know just why you could not
Come along with me
This was not your dream
But you always believed in me

Another winter day has come
And gone away
And even Paris and Rome
And I wanna go home
Let me go home

And I'm surrounded by
A million people I
Still feel alone
Let me go home
Oh, I miss you, you know

Let me go home
I've had my run
Baby, I'm done
I gotta go home
Let me go home
It'll all be alright
I'll be home tonight
I'm coming back home

With the conclusion of the slideshow, Katie Monroe’s funeral came to an end.

Todd and Lindsay were the only one left in the room, huddled around Katie’s casket. Danny waited patiently in the hallway, alone. Everyone else was downstairs for a catered lunch, but none of the three that remained were even remotely hungry. As Danny sat in a chair, his mind ventured back to the last few weeks. It had been a harrowing experience, one that hit close to home for him but left an even bigger hole in Lindsay and Todd’s hearts. The mental and physical toll was evident, as Lindsay was understandably no longer her normally spry self. Danny had done his best to chase away the nightmares, but sometimes he could not always keep them at bay. Todd was no different; the bags were still present under his eyes. However, now that Katie had passed, they could start on the road to recovery.

“She’s sleeping now,” Todd whispered softly. “No more will she feel pain.”

Lindsay allowed her tears to flow freely, her father’s warmth traveling through the arm that was wrapped around her shoulders. “Yes, she’s free now. She would have liked this, even thought she was never fond of funerals.”

Todd reached over and gently flicked away one of his daughter’s many tears. “True, but we celebrated her life. That’s the sole purpose of a funeral: to remember the person and cherish all the memories you share with them.”

Both fell silent, immersed in their own thoughts. A little while later, Todd kissed Lindsay’s temple and headed towards the downstairs, giving Danny a brief nod as he passed him. The younger man returned the gesture and stood up, peeking around the door frame at the single figure that still stood at the casket. Her head was arched up a bit, and Danny knew she was staring at the stained-glass pane. A few seconds passed before she lurched over to the front bench, throwing herself onto it. Not once did her eyes leave the portrait.

She instinctively knew it was him walking towards her. Without a word he sat down beside her and took her much smaller hand in his, following her gaze up to the window. It was a magnificent sight; the eyes of Mary and her beloved son seemed to watch them as they stood guard over the room. Neither Danny nor Lindsay practiced their religion, but it was still comforting to be in the presence of such revered spirits.

“You were great up there. Your parents are blessed to have you as their daughter.”

Lindsay continued to stare at the window as she spoke. “This may sound cruel, but in a way I’m happy she’s gone. You were right; she’s in a place far better than this one. At least she doesn’t have to suffer any longer. I like to think my grandmother met her at the Gates.”

Releasing a heavy sigh, she let her head rest on Danny’s shoulder. He took his hand out of hers to slide his arm around her, pulling her in. His right hand immediately replaced the other in her mitt. “I didn’t know your mother believed that about stars.”

“She told me after my friends died. She used to say that they watched over the rest of us, and to gaze at the night sky whenever a loved one passed. That night I did just that, and four new stars appeared over our house.”

Danny kissed her hair. “When we get back to New York, we’ll look for her star.”

His back resting comfortably against the trunk of an ancient tree, Todd glanced up at the night sky, pointing with an aged finger. “The stars are beginning to appear.”

“She’ll be the biggest and brightest one.” Lindsay sighed, nestling deeper into her father’s embrace. It was the following day, and the two were situated in their backyard. A giant wheatfield stretched out before them, and from his vantage point at Lindsay’s bedroom window, Danny watched father and daughter in silence.

“Do you remember your first day of school?”

Lindsay smiled at the recollection. “Mom was in tears that day. She didn’t want me to go.”

“She sat at the front window all afternoon, waiting for your bus to pull up. The minute it did, she tore out of the house and smothered you with kisses.”

“That was nothing compared to my graduation,” Lindsay pointed out. “During the ceremony she kept sobbing, and she wouldn’t stop taking pictures of you and I dancing. Then there was my prom, where we went dress-shopping for three hours. I wouldn’t have changed that for the world.”

Todd continued to stare up at the heavens, which was now slowly becoming lit with dots of varied sizes. “She was looking forward to that day for the longest time, even if it made her more emotional than usual.”

The second journey down memory lane was just as painful as the first, but both knew it was part of the healing process. Lindsay drank in the tranquility of her surroundings and focused on the stars above them. At first she could only see a few faint ones, but as she stared harder, more stars appeared in the velvety blanket that covered the night sky. It looked for all the world like some giant duvet spotted with white specks. Some were so small she could barely make them out, whilst others were larger and holding the slightest tinge of some random colour.

“Lindsay, look.”

She shifted her eyes to where her father was pointing. Almost directly diagonal from their position rested a star far brighter and larger than the rest, just as she had predicted. Danny saw it too; the orb was a magnificent white hue with some red swirling within. It was an eerily beautiful sight.

Lindsay’s voice was hushed with wonder. “That’s her. That’s Mom’s star.”

The bittersweet moment was too much for Todd, and he blinked to allow a single tear dribble down his cheek. “She has joined the spirits she believed in for so long.”

Danny was already in bed when Lindsay came into the room, lit with only a small lamp. She stole across the wood floor and slid under the sheets, immediately curling up beside him. Closeness had become a natural instinct to them, and they settled into each other as they allowed the other’s warmth to flow through their skin.

“I’m so proud of you,” he whispered soothingly, running a thumb up and down her bicep. “Throughout all this you’ve been incredibly brave.”

Lindsay’s body and mind were exhausted, but she felt a sense of closure wash over her. Finally, after all the weeks of watching Katie wither away, the ordeal was over with. Although she wished her mother was still alive, Lindsay was content in knowing she was in a safe place.

She looked up at him, voice full of gratitude. “How can I ever thank you for what you have done for my family and I?”

He cupped his free hand around her chin. Though her eyes were still grey from the weight of her mother’s death, the chocolate hue was slowly but surely reappearing. “S’okay Montana, you don’t need t’thank me. You were there when Ruben died; I’m simply returnin' the favour.”

“I love you.”

A smile creased Danny’s lips at the purity of her words, and his arms wrapped tighter around her. Entangled in one another, Lindsay was the first to drift off. From the corridors of her mind, she made out his words, causing her heart to swell, and a faint touch sparked from her forehead.

“I love you too.”

“You sure you’re going to be okay?”

A light chuckle rumbled from Todd’s chest. “I’ll be fine, honey. You have a life back in New York with the team and Danny. That’s where you belong.”

Lindsay hesitated. Several days had passed since the funeral, and she and Danny were preparing to board their flight for the city. Much as she missed her colleagues, the young woman did not want to leave her father by himself. She was concerned for his mental health, but the stubborn Todd would hear none of it.

“But Dad-“

He silenced her with a massive hug. “My dear,” he whispered in her ear. “New York is your home now. Your mother would want you to go back.”

He released her and shook hands with Danny. “I know you will take good care of my daughter.”

The younger man’s eyes twinkled respectfully. “With my life, sir.”

“Good. It will do my heart well to know that you are protecting her.”

Lindsay squeezed her father’s hand. “Visit us, whenever you want. You are always welcome in our home.”

The announcement over the speaker system at the Bozeman airport paralyzed her heart for a split second. Their flight had arrived; it was time for them to leave. Lindsay’s emotions threatened to reveal themselves, but she kept a brave face. Todd, however, noticed her distress and encased her in his arms again. “Come now child, you mustn’t cry. You cannot stay here when you have so much more in New York. Don’t worry about this old fog. He’ll see you off.”

The announcement rang out again, and Todd handed his daughter over to Danny. Lindsay sniffed away her tears and waved goodbye to her father one last time. “I love you Daddy.”

“I love you too bumblebee. I’ll see you later.”

Peering out the window, Lindsay marveled at the sight that her eyes fell upon. It was identical to what she had witnessed on the ride to Bozeman: two worlds colliding in the eternal sky. Below her were hills of white clouds, whilst above lay a giant sea of blue that stretched to what looked like the very corners of the horizon.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

She turned her gaze to Danny, who was sitting beside her. “I saw that same view when I came over,” he said, his gorgeous blue eyes echoing the sky that lay just outside. “It really is somethin' else.”

“I hope my father is going to be alright.” The worry in her tone was evident.

Danny squeezed her hand gently, which he had held from the moment they had said goodbye to Todd at the airport. “He’ll be fine, Montana. Your mother will protect him.”

A small smile played across her lips. “I have no doubt on that.”

Danny shifted his gaze to the window, and then back to her. “Aren’t you going to say hi?”

“What do you mean?”

He motioned to the outside and posed another question. “Is this what you think heaven looks like?”

His words made her breath catch in her throat, and she recalled the same words that had crossed her mind on the first plane. This was indeed what she envisioned heaven to be. Glancing out the small window, she gave another smile and a little wave. “Hi Mom. Nice place you got here.”

Danny chuckled softly; the old Montana was starting to return. “Hey there Mrs. Monroe. Don’t you worry about your daughter now; I’ll take good care of her. I promise.”

Clutching his arm with her free hand and giving it a hug, Lindsay rested her head on his shoulder. “She’s okay now.”

“Yeah, she’s okay.”

Amidst the crowded streets and usual noises rising from the streets, the flight arrived in New York in the early afternoon. Danny had made Mac aware of their arrival long before they even landed. This gave Mac the opportunity to rally the team together, as he had also been told of the tragic news. Upon returning home, Danny and Lindsay stopped by the lab to greet everyone. Hugs were passed all around as the two reunited with their friends and colleagues. Danny shook hands and clapped backs whilst Lindsay was consoled by Stella and Angell. Tears were shed as the couple related their story, and when it was finished a silence hung in the office.

Mac was the first to break it. “You two best go home and get some rest. I can’t imagine how exhausted you must be. Take a few days off; I’ll see you both at the end of the week.”

With a few final hugs and kisses, Danny and Lindsay headed to the latter’s apartment for some much-needed sleep.

In the weeks that followed their return to New York City, it became clear to everyone that Lindsay was growing stronger by the day. Though she still grieved, her eyes no longer held a grey note to them, and her skin was flushed with a healthy glow. Danny was glad to see his girlfriend happy again. He often found himself staying over at her apartment, and it grew to the point where he was sleeping there every night. They had become closer than ever while in Bozeman, and Danny was seriously considering the notion of them moving in together. Unbeknownst to him, Lindsay was already one step ahead.

Snuggling deeper into his arm, she gazed up at the night sky that covered Manhattan in a warm and secure blanket, much like the one that was wrapped around her and Danny. They were situated on her apartment balcony, nestled together on a small couch that he and Flack had helped her move. Danny watched as the billions of stars began to appear; he had kept his promise of keeping an eye out for Katie’s star.

“There seems to be more out than usual.”

Lindsay shivered slightly as his thumb ran along her arm. They continued to survey the heavens in silence before she gasped and sat up slightly. “Danny.”

He followed her stare. The star was identical to the one they had seen in Bozeman. It stood out from the rest, burning magnificently in the darkened sky. The uncharted vaults were aglitter with the countless orbs. It was a staggering sight.

“Look at them,” Danny said gently. “I think your mother wants her presence to be felt. I haven’t seen so many stars in all my life. Though t’be honest, I never spent any time watchin' them.”

Lindsay was awestruck by the beautiful scene. A small voice spoke something in her mind, and she knew it was a signal from her mother. Half-twisting in Danny’s embrace, she focused her own chocolate orbs on his. “I’ve been thinking…we love each other, right?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Funny, I thought we were just friends who liked each other an' hung out all the time.”

That comment earned him a light punch in the arm and her the famous Messer grin. “I’ll choose to ignore that smart-ass remark. I’m sure you’ve noticed that you’ve spent quite a few nights here. I just thought that maybe…”

“What?” He knew what was coming but let her say it.

“Well, maybe instead of you going back and forth between places, you could just stay here. Permanently.”

The request still took him by surprise. Lindsay Monroe, the girl who had been afraid to be with him in the first place because of her past, was asking him to move in with her. His answer came instinctively. “Yes.”

Underneath the brilliant night sky, he captured her lips in a deep and thirsty kiss. After they had broken apart, he rested his forehead against hers. “I think I’m goin' to enjoy this, roomie.”

She smiled slyly. “You’re damn lucky I love you, you little cheek.”

He gathered her in his arms and carried her off to bed, where they slept in the security of one another's embrace. High over the skyline and far above the slumbering world, four small pinpoints of light appeared around the large star.