Disclaimer: I do not own CSI: NY or Numb3rs.

This is an updated version (basically I went over and fixed a few things.) Read please.

Claire Conrad Taylor looked out on the scene with a heavy heart. Mac Taylor was sitting next to the bed of Reed Garrett, waiting for him to wake up. She only looked up when a woman sat down next to her. She had short brown hair and her eyes were slightly sad. "Why are you sad?" she asked.

"My husband can't even show emotion when he almost loses someone. Well, he can't show it around the person. His marine training keeps him down."

She sat down next to her. "I know how you feel. Don, my oldest, can't get himself a girl and tell her I love you in time. Charlie, my youngest, retreats to equations whenever something becomes unbearable. He has a girlfriend, though," Margaret said. She pointed to a scene in Los Angeles. Charlie Eppes was talking to Amita Ramanujan's parents. He was trying to talk to them when a man comes to the table after seeing Amita.

"I don't think the parents want Charlie to be with Amita."

"They haven't been around him long enough to know anything."

They watched their own families for a couple of minutes. "It's hard to protect them," Margaret commented.

"I never thought I would have to worry more about my son more than my husband. He's been beaten and almost killed. He shouldn't have to come this early."

"Don knows how to take care of himself. Charlie doesn't. He's been in many dangerous situations helping out Don."

"They need each other," they both said. Then they looked at each other.

"What happened to your son?" Margaret asked, pointing down to the hospital.

"He got kidnapped by the Cabbie killer. Then he tried to kill him. Stella tried to stop the bleeding, but she had to get Mac." Claire looked down when tears started to fall down her cheeks. "What about Charlie?"

"He's been shot at twice, has had someone chasing him, and got caught up in saving someone's life. I don't think this is what he expected." Margaret was watching as Charlie professed his feelings for Amita to her parents.

"What does Don do?"

"FBI agent. Charlie helps him on his cases, but his main profession is math professor at CalSci."

Margaret waited a moment before asking, "What about your husband and your son?"

"Mac's the boss of the crime lab in New York. Reed's a reporter."

"Are they father and son?"

"In some sense of the word, but not biologically. I gave up Reed for adoption. He scared Stella when he came looking for me." She sadly chuckled at the memory that she had when she watched the confrontation on that day. "I was already gone by the time he got up the courage to come find me."

"When did you die?"

"September 11th. I was in the towers. How about you?"

"Cancer." Margaret looked back on her sons. "Charlie went back to his math."

Claire smiled then watched as Reed woke up. She watched the interaction of the two. Mac was actually trying to be caring but then he brought up the Cabbie Killer. "He's hiding his feelings."

"They always do."

"Charlie's having better luck though." Claire pointed to Charlie getting the Ramanujans to get the feelings he has for their daughter. They were talking and started sitting down for dinner.

"How about we talk about some of the happier times?"

"Sure, I'm Claire, by the way." They walked off to another area. Claire waited a moment before watching Reed write something on the pad. Mac read what he wrote then nodded. Reed rolled over to his side and closed his eyes. Claire watched as Mac sat by Reed's side until Reed went back to sleep. Mac got up to leave and as an afterthought, kissed Reed on the forehead.

"I just hope it's getting better, Claire," Mac said to the air.

"It is getting better, Mac."

This was just a side thought. The ideas in my head planted this conversation.