See part one for disclaimer. This is the last part.

Part Five

A week later, things were almost back to normal at the lab. Danny still didn't know exactly what Flack had said to Lindsay, but he and Flack had made up. Flack had apologized to Lindsay and he was dating Natasha. Sometimes, Danny saw her outside the precinct waiting for Flack. Danny had spoken to her and he didn't quite feel so bad about how they'd broken up. She'd even said that they could be friends. Danny could see that she was happy with Flack and he was glad for them. They were both great people and they truly deserved each other.

The team had just solved a high profile case and everyone was going out for drinks. If Danny had known that Flack was bringing Natasha, or that Lindsay had seen Danny talking to Natasha and had thought they were back together, maybe he wouldn't have gone.

As it was, he didn't know any of that, so when Stella mentioned drinks, he jumped at the chance.

That night, when he arrived at the bar he found the team near the back. Most people were there already and the only seats left were two between Natasha and Sid. Danny took the seat beside his ex and ordered a beer from the waitress.

Everyone was talking and laughing when Lindsay arrived five minutes later. Danny saw her reaction to Natasha and the position of the empty chair beside him. She looked upset when she saw the chair was beside him and relieved when she saw Natasha on his other side. Danny had no idea how to interpret that. He couldn't have known she was thinking that Natasha was his girlfriend and would distract him.

Everything was fine until Flack started getting a little tipsy and whispered into Natasha's ear. She giggled and gave him a light punch on his arm.

"Don!" she cried, sounding totally scandalized.

"What?" he asked.

She gave him a pointed look, which said 'that's-completely-inappropriate'.

"Oh, alright, Tasha," he relented. "At least come dance with me, baby."

She grinned and nodded. They went over to the corner near the old fashioned jukebox and started swaying to the music.

Danny hadn't noticed Lindsay go all tense, but he certainly heard her hiss his name angrily.

"What?" he asked, turning to her but keeping his voice low enough for just her to hear.

"I thought Natasha was your girlfriend."

He shook his head. "We broke up last week. You know that. She's going out with Flack now."

"Oh."

Lindsay's voice was so soft Danny could hardly hear it.

"I should go," she mumbled. She quickly stood up and practically ran out of the bar.

Everyone at the table looked at him, but he ignored them and ran after her.

"Montana!" he called as soon as he was outside and he caught sight of her walking away.

She stopped, but didn't turn around.

"Don't go," he said. "Talk to me."

She turned around and looked at the ground.

"I can't do this anymore, Danny."

It was the second time he'd heard that in less than two weeks and if Lindsay was trying to leave him too, he thought he might die.

"Can't do what?" he asked, only just keeping his voice from wavering.

"This," she repeated. "I can't keep pretending."

His throat felt dry, but he managed to choke out, "What are you pretending?"

Lindsay sobbed dryly. "That I don't need you."

He gasped slightly, not at all expecting her to say that.

"It was easier when you had a girlfriend," she continued. "I could tell myself you were off the market and I could keep you at arms length. But I can't do that anymore."

He put her hands on her upper arms and she looked up at him.

"Then, don't," he whispered.

"But, I don't know how," she replied.

He gently cupped her cheek with his hand and caught a tear with his thumb.

"We'll learn together, Montana."

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Then, Lindsay smiled ever so slightly and Danny pulled her to him in a crushing hug.

"I need you, Danny," she murmured into his chest.

"I need you too, Montana. Let me help you."

He felt her nod and heard her softly say 'okay'.