A change in atmosphere welcomed Danny Messer as he walked into the breakroom. Champagne glasses everywhere, pizza on the tale, the small enclosure packed with both lab coats and uniforms. And on the wall, a dorky computer print out congratulating the newly promoted CSI Grade 2's: Lindsay Monroe and Sheldon Hawkes.

Danny gave a forced smile as Sid Hammerback handed him a glass of champagne. He is happy for Lindsay and Sheldon, sure. But not overly happy. You see, Danny Messer has been a CSI Grade 3 for over six years now, he was a CSI long before Monroe and Hawkes.

With the promotion of Lindsay and Hawkes, Danny was the only CSI 3rd Grade in the team.

"To Lindsay and Hawkes" Stella Bonasera raised her glass "and more sleepless nights to come".

General laughter around. Danny found Lindsay's eyes in the crowd. She was smiling at him. He felt a painful stab in his chest as he recounted his last conversation with Lindsay here in this very room.

"I don't get it, Lindsay. I see it, other people see it…. But every time I lay down my cards on the able, you split" he said.

"We've only known each other for a while. And we work together. And there are things that I can't tell you right now" she said.

"Enough with the mixed signals, okay? I'm putting it out there. I'm crazy about you. Out of my mind crazy. There." He said.

"And you expect me to respond right here, right now, without thinking of the consequences?" she had raised her voice, even to her surprise.

"What exactly are you afraid of?" he asked "Don't you want us to be together?"

Lindsay paused.

"No" she said.

"Hey"

Don Flack's arm on his shoulder brought Danny back to reality.

"Good stuff" Danny raised his glass and finished his drink all in one gulp.

"How you holding up?" Flack asked.

"Don't pity me, now" Danny joked. "Come on, they deserve it".

Flack chuckled. "Oh I'm not talking about the promotion" Flack then glimpses at Lindsay "I'm talking about the promoted".

Danny stares at his empty glass "Better that I know now than later, eh?" he answered.

"I need to tell you something".

Flack takes Danny out of the breakroom and into the hall way. He produced a piece of paper from his jacket.

"I got this off Sgt. Ridgemont from booking." He showed Danny the piece of paper "Sonny Sassone made parole".

Sonny Sassone was a Tanglewood boy, a member of mafia wannabes that Danny grew up with in the Bronx. Unfortunately, Danny's brother Louie was himself a Tanglewood boy. Sonny Sassone was incarcerated for the murder of Bobby Manning and the brutal assault of Danny's brother.

"He's a murder suspect" Danny almost raised his voice "How can that be?"

"I don't know either, man. But he's definitely on my radar." Flack pats Danny's shoulder. "I'll keep you posted."

Just as Flack leaves, Danny sees from the corner of his eye the petite frame of a curly brunette approaching him.

"Glad you came" Lindsay said.

Danny turns to her. "Congratulations". He then turns his back to leave.