The Flight back to New York was very quick and soon the whole plane was aware of the devastation which this Franken storm had caused. It was apparent even at 30,000 ft that many people had suffered and some died. It was worst the closer the plane got to NJ. Then the swing around the Islands when landing at Teeterboro was the worst. The flood had not yet receded. Even parts of Manhattan were underwater. The Bank where the safety deposit stood in 10 ft! It was like the city they both grew up took a major blow. Rick knew he had to do something. So he arranged for 7 massive generators to be trucked in and connected to the grid which was not under water. Con Ed had already isolated those lines. Saltwater was a major cause of the power being out. Rick was overwhelmed by the loss. They disembarked and ended up at the Loft. None of the four said a thing. Just got their suitcases and went into their rooms. It was a lot to take in.

Kate got ready for bed only to end up over the sink and toilet. She had thought the worst of the morning sickness was over but no. It was certainly not over. Great I go to Florida for a vacation and I come back a Fiancée and Pregnant! Kate thought as she hovered over the porcelain bowl emptying her guts one more time. Not the worst time to be pregnant I suppose Kate thought as her hand automatically touched her stomach. Kate was grateful that Rick was not being his nosy self. This time in the bathroom allowed her a quiet reflection over her life. Of course the Life size action figure of Boba Fett did nothing to change the mood as she observed the figure standing dispassionately in the corner.

Kate finally quit retching and there was a calm serenity to her mood as she exited the room the lights were out. How long was she in there? The quiet snores of her soon to be husband indicated it must have been quite awhile. Kate got into bed and Rick immediately claimed her. Tomorrow she was going to have to be tested. But she felt in her bones that this little one will be a girl one with Bright blue eyes and curly auburn hair. The one of her dreams which had been invading for many years. Soon baby very soon. Kate murmured.

\\\\\

The morning came and Kate got dressed it was vacation time no more she had to be a precinct before the boys arrived. She got up and was making coffee. Then she remembered and got out a hot chocolate packet. No that has caffeine too. Then she rummaged around to be startled by the loft door opening and Alexis entered with Graham in tow.

"Good Morning Kate!" Alexis said. "What are you looking for? Can I help?"

Kate dropped the box with the herbal teas and turned to look at the redhead.

"What?" Kate said surveying the mess of unopened tea bags littering the kitchen floor.

"Kate what is wrong? It that coffee I smell?" Alexis asked as Graham took their belongings up to their room. Trying to avoid what may be a lengthy conversation. Graham only smiled to his wife as he passed.

Kate getting her wits about her looked over the 19th year old and spotted the second ring!

"Alexis Harper Castle there is a SECOND ring! You got MARRIED!" Kate shrieked.

"Shhh! Kate calm down just don't awake Dad! Ok I will tell you but not now!" Alexis implored the detective.

"Ok Alexis your secret is safe with me but I still want all the details." Kate said finally brewing her tea.

"Kate are you not….Oh MY Gad! Kate you are not drinking coffee!" Alexis screeched then quieted down to a whisper. "Are you…"

"I don't know officially but I do think so!" Kate beamed.

"Dad is going to be over the Moon over this." Alexis said. "Of course I will not tell him. And if you excuse me I have a bed partner waiting for me."

Alexis left the kitchen. Kate was surprised Rick did not awake during those screams of joy.

/

Kate was not in a good mood once she ended up at the precinct. She had to stop twice to pee then getting to the floor she had to rush to the bathroom after smelling Javi's aftershave. Then to top it all off Gates was in the bathroom.

"So Detective I see you are back?" Gates inquired after Kate emerged from the stall and washed out her mouth.

"Yes Sir" Kate said after gargling with mouthwash.

"I see you have brought back a souvenir? Detective go home! I do not want you contaminating the whole precinct!" The Captain ordered. "Come back in a week! I can not have my whole department dropping from the flu. We are short staffed as it is."

"Sir?..." Kate began to speak.

"Didn't I make myself clear? Get out of here!" Gates spoke loudly.

"Yes Sir!" Kate said.

Espo looked at the door as Kate emerged she gave him a sickly smile and Javi waved only to drop his arm when Iron Gates appeared behind her scowling.

"Detective Esposito what is the status of the Wilkerson case?" The Captain grilled him.

Ryan was coming up the stairs and saw Kate.

"Hey you are back? Yes? No?" Ryan asked.

"No Kevin. It seems like the Captain extended my vacation for a week. But would you log into evidence this box and guard it with your life!" Kate said.

"What are you doing carrying such a heavy thing?" Ryan asked.

Kate ignored him.

"Just do it for me? Ok?" Kate said.

"Yeah Becks will do!" Kevin took the heavy box off her hands.

"Remember guard it with your life!" Kate warned.

Kate left the precinct and headed to the OCME.

Kevin curious took the box back to his desk.

Espo looked over to his partner.

"What do you have there?" Espo asked.

"I dunno! Becks gave it to me and told me to guard it with my life." Ryan confided.

Espo looked skeptically at Ryan.

"I am logging it into evidence. She gave me the number." Ryan said.

"Wait this can not be right it is two numbers. Her Mother's murder number and Jack Coonan killing." Espo noticed. "Ok what is up?"

"I do not know but I know the answer is in this box. I am going to look at it. Keep an eye out for Gates." Ryan said as he lifted the cover of the box and gave a low whistle.

"What is in it?" Espo asked impatiently.

"Ledgers!" Ryan said then closed the lid quickly.

"What?" Espo asked again.

"It is mob ledgers!" Ryan said.

"Which family?" Espo asked.

"All of them!" Ryan said and placed the box between his legs under his desk.

Espo let out a low whistle.

"Yeah I know!" Ryan said furtively still on the look out for Gates.

"We have dynamite here!" Espo said thinking what to do with the box to keep it safe. Then he thought of Lanie.

"Lanie can hold it!" Espo said.

"How?" Ryan asked.

"She has a safe in her apt. It is big enough for this box." Espo added.

"How do you know this?" Ryan asked now very curious about the ME.

"She showed me." Espo whispered.

"Wait I think we should consult Becks before hiding it there." Kevin said not wanting the wrath of Kate on his head.

"Ok good idea. Since it is logged in then she could deal with its security." Espo said.

\\\\\

Kate had just walked in the autopsy and Lanie exploded!

"Oh My Kate is that the ring! Oh Old Writer Boy sure did a fine one! Give me a hug Girlfriend!" Lanie said rapidly as only an excited Lanie could do.

"Ok Lanie calm down I will tell you all about the proposal." Kate said laughing the bouts of sickness earlier had disappeared.

Kate talk a few minutes when Lanie's phone rang it was Espo.

"Hi Honey Yeah she is here. Hold on." Lanie said holding the phone to her.

Kate's eyebrows shot up when Lanie addressed Espo as honey. Obviously there were new developments in that arena too.

"Hey Espo? Yeah that is what I told him. No just bring it back to the loft. Yes later. I mean it for Kevin not to let it leave his sight! Ok good here is Lanie." Kate said.

Lanie finished up and called him a sweetheart before she hung up.

"I see things are happening here while I was on vacation." Kate said.

"Maybe" Lanie said coyly she really did not want others to know about their new developments.

"Anyway the reason I wanted to see you is I think I need to be tested." Kate said.

"What you mean to be tested? Oh that tested. Ok well here is the jar go give me a sample and I will even tell you the DNA of your offspring." Lanie said.

Kate was impressed with Lanie's abilities.

Kate came back with the sample and in a few minutes the results were in. The new DNA splicer which was given to the OCME from an anonymous donor had done it job. The new machine got back DNA results about 40 times quicker. Lanie read the read out.

"Yep, You my Girl are pregnant! According to the fetal cells you are going to have a little girl with Blues eyes and Curly auburn Hair."

"A girl? Are you sure Lanie?" Kate asked anxiously.

"Yeah this machine is such a quantum leap forward! You need to thank Your Hubby for it!" Lanie said smugly. OCME was only one of 4 institutions in the world which was able to have such advanced technology.

Kate squealed and Lanie joined in. She could hardly wait to tell Rick.