A/N: Omg huge apologies, the story is finally done. I have written this ending a billion times and I've finally found one that I'm happy with. It's been so fun writing and it's so hard to end this story, I'd love to start writing a sequel but this time I'll write it backwards so I'll finish it without a month and a half hiatus. Well here you go, the final chapter!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chapter 10(the real one): I'll Never Leave You
It had been a long two weeks. Emotional and physical therapy, lots of sleep and pain medication had taken their toll, but things were starting to turn around. Lindsay had finally talked to Danny about what happened and Danny let her in.
"Today's the day Linds," he said quietly as Lindsay woke up.
"Finally, home. I miss it," she smiled lazily stretching her unbound arm.
"You're sure you're okay to go home?" he asked, brushing a few stray hairs off her forehead.
"Yes, dad," she said rolling her eyes, "I've been here long enough. I want to go home and be with you, and watch cheesy movies and eat microwave popcorn."
"I want that too baby," he said quietly, "I want that forever." He leaned over and kissed her gently, holding her face in his hands. They broke the connection after a long moment and took a deep breath.
"Time for me to get up," Lindsay said, throwing off the bed sheets and opening the duffle bag at the end of her bed. She got dressed, went to the nurse's desk to verify her discharge, and then got into the elevator to head back to her apartment. Danny walked her out and opened the car door for her in the parking lot. Midday traffic was a pain, but Lindsay didn't mind, she was happy to be back in the city.
"So, I was thinking, I uh… I think we should move in together," Danny spluttered out quickly. Lindsay wasn't taken aback. She was silent for a moment, and then opened her mouth.
"My house."
"What?"
"Your place is too small, we should live at my place," she said coolly.
"So you want to?" Danny asked excitement in his voice.
"Of course Danny, I love you. I want this more than anything," she smiled at him. Danny grasped her hand and kissed the top of it. They arrived at Lindsay's apartment after 45 minutes of fighting the city's jungle like streets. The old brass key turned in the doorknob and Lindsay was breathless as she opened the door. Inside was a huge welcome home banner, and her television was in the middle of the room. Danny picked up the remote off of the end table and pressed the play button. Everyone at the lab popped up on the screen.
"SURPRISE!! Welcome home Lindsay!" Lindsay could feel tears of happiness rushing to her eyes.
"Hey Lindsay, sorry we can't be there, you know the crappy hours. Get some more rest and we'll see you soon!" Stella said, standing between Flack and Mac.
"Hey Linds, easy on my boy, we need him around too. See you soon!" Flack smiled.
"SEE YOU SOON!"
The tape stopped and Danny turned the television. He turned to Lindsay who was perfectly still, tears in her eyes.
"Montana?" Lindsay turned and pounced on Danny, suffocating him with kisses.
"Have I told you how much I love you?" she smiled.
"I think so," Danny said, trying to make it look like was trying to remember something.
"Please," she said hitting him on the arm lightly.
"So you actually want me living here?" Danny asked.
"Yeah, I think I really do," Lindsay answered, a smile beaming from her face. It made Danny feel so much better to see her smiling like that, he hadn't seen that happy since she was taken.
"It's good to see you smilin' again Montana," Danny said wrapping his arms around her.
"It feels good to smile again," she replied, giving him another kiss.
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"How did you convince me to help you again?" Flack asked, lifting another heavy box up the apartment stairs.
"'Cause you're my best friend and you love Lindsay like a sister," Danny laughed, carrying a box behind Flack. They arrived at Lindsay's apartment and set the boxes down in the living room.
"Oh yeah, well I guess it's a good reason," Flack laughed.
"It better be!" Lindsay joked, coming out of the bedroom, "You have a lot of stuff Messer."
"You know me Montana, I'm a package deal," Danny replied, giving her a quick kiss.
"Well, I'm off to work, I'll see you tonight," Lindsay said giving him another kiss then heading out the door.
"Hey that's no fair! Leaving us to do all the work," Flack pouted.
"Oh well, you're big tough men, you'll be just fine," she pouted right back, heading off to the lab.
"Come on Messer, we got a lot more work to do," Flack said, heading downstairs to grab another box.
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"Lindsay! It's good to see you, how are you feeling?" Stella asked rushing over and giving her a hug.
"Better, thanks. It's good to see you Stel, it's so good to be back," she smiled looking around, thankful for her familiar surroundings.
"Well Mac wants to see you in his office, he said he's got some paperwork for you. I got to go, but I'll see you in a bit, good to have you back," she said warmly before catching up with one of the passing officers. Lindsay walked down the hallway to Mac's office where he was sitting, deep in thought staring at a case file.
"You wanted to see me?" she asked quietly standing at the door.
"Lindsay, it's good to have you back," Mac smiled getting up and giving her a welcoming hug.
"Thanks, it's good to be back. Stella said you had some paperwork for me to fill out?"
"Oh, yes, just some return forms, it will only take a minute, just sign on the dotted lines," he said handing over several papers. Lindsay pulled a pen out of her pocket and signed the forms. Mac put the papers in his desk, and handed her another file.
"Robbery at a corner store, Stella's on her way, if you hurry you can catch a ride with her," Mac instructed.
"Thanks Mac, I'll see you later," Lindsay said hurrying to the elevator. Mac sat back in his chair, breathing a sigh of relief, happy that things were returning to normal. Rubbing his tired eyes he lied down on the couch in his office, glad to have his team back.
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"Hey, I'm home," Lindsay called as she walked in the apartment. She was impressed as she looked around seeing an amazing absence of boxes.
"Hey Montana, I just made popcorn," Danny called from the kitchen. She kicked off her shoes and sat down on the couch, turning on the television.
"You and Flack did an excellent job, you unpacked everything?" she asked as Danny brought out the bowl of steaming fresh popcorn.
"Yup, though you have very little room left in your closet, it all fit," he explained, shoving a handful of the treat in his mouth.
"Well that's good. I'm just happy things are back to normal, plus a few benefits," she smiled, cuddling closer to Danny on the sofa and she surfed channels finally finding a good movie. Danny put his arm around her and set the popcorn in his lap.
"So are you happy?" Danny asked, stroking her hair.
"About?"
"Everything. Getting back to work, us living together, things getting back to normal," he explained.
"Very happy, and I think it's only going to get better."
Fin
A/N: sheds a tear it's done! It was fun while it lasted, I'll see if I can wrack my brain for another plot bunny, I must start setting traps right away!! Well thank you so much so all my dedicated readers, putting up with my crap and 5 week disappearance from the world of fan fiction, I assure you I am back and here to stay. Keeping checking in for possible new fics, and I say aurevior and good night:)