Hi thanks for taking the time to read my story, I hope you enjoy. This is the first in what I hope will be a long line of CSI:NY stories from me, but just so we're clear none of the characters are mine (apart from Madison Danville) and although I have used some locations actually found in NYC, none of the events in this story are based on fact. Any similarities found are purely by coincidence.

As she walked out of the bar the auburn haired woman stumbled into the wall. She held on tight to steady herself before she attempted to take a few more steps forward, but her vision kept doubling and she couldn't focus properly. Her head was banging almost in time to the rhythmic thumping of the loud music coming from the bar she'd just come from. Everything she felt seemed to be getting worse with every step she took and she could barely stay conscious. Finally she collapsed at the mouth of an alleyway before a figure dragged her into the darkness.

-CSI: NY-

Jo Danville rolled over onto her side with a small groan as she was rudely awakened by the loud ringing of her cell phone. She had no idea what the time was but glanced at her bedroom window; she could see it was still dark outside, so she guessed that it was either the middle of the night or the early hours of the morning. She grabbed her phone from its position on her bedside table and placed it against her ear.

'Jo Danville.' She answered as she rolled onto her back, sleep evident in her voice.

'Jo it's Mac. Sorry to disturb you but we've got a crime scene.' Mac Taylor said as he pulled on his jacket before exiting his apartment.

Jo smiled when she heard Mac's voice and felt immediately awake with his words. She quickly got out of bed once she ended her conversation, throwing her cell on top of the bed clothes. She quickly showered and dressed and found herself driving to the crime scene on auto-pilot.

She'd been in New York for just over a year and she loved her job, the people she worked with and the city that never slept. What she didn't like, though, was these early morning wake-up calls; but she knew that at her destination there was a victim and that made the early start seem insignificant.

As she drew her vehicle closer to the crime scene she could see the flashing lights of an ambulance and several police cars. She was stopped by a young police officer as she got out of her vehicle, but she flashed him her badge and he apologised before allowing her duck under the crime scene tape.

On seeing her arrival Mac immediately went to her side, his brow creased in thought, as per usual when he was on a case.

'So what've we got?' Jo asked him, sounding a lot more awake than she had done earlier.

'Our rapist has struck again. Our victim was with a group of friends at the Duo when she came outside for some fresh air. She stumbled onto the street and ended up being attacked in the alleyway. Unfortunately that's all we've managed to establish from her at this time. She's taken one hell of a beating Jo; this guy has really upped his game.' Mac explained as they slowly walked towards their crime scene.

'She's probably in shock. Has she been taken to the hospital yet?' Jo asked.

'No; she won't let anyone go near her. She's come round a lot and is quiet responsive but she is fairly hysterical.' Mac added as they hovered around the back of one of the ambulances.

'OK well I can try and speak to her; she might be more responsive to a woman. Do we have a name for her yet?' Jo said as she took a couple of notes in her note pad.

'Unfortunately not. We've barely been able to get anything out of her.'

Jo nodded her head in acknowledgement as they both walked towards where the victim was still sat in the alleyway, but as they drew closer Jo's blood ran cold and she gripped Mac's arm tightly.

'Mac that's my daughter Maddie!' She exclaimed as she ran over to the young woman who began crying when she saw her. 'Oh my God Maddie.' She added as she knelt down beside her.

Maddie couldn't speak as she cried and all she really wanted was to be held, but both she and Jo knew that until all forensic evidence had been collected physical contact had to be avoided where possible.

'Does Jo know the victim?' Don Flack asked as he joined Mac and watched Jo with the younger woman.

'She's her daughter apparently.' Mac replied before turning silent as Jo joined them once more.

'She's agreed to go to the hospital, but only if I stay with her. She's also agreed to let Lindsay photograph her and take swabs.' Jo explained sorrowfully.

'OK Jo, I'll join you at the hospital once I've finished up here.' Mac replied as Maddie was carried on a gurney into the ambulance.

Jo didn't say anything further as she climbed into the back of the ambulance beside Maddie. She looked at Mac with sorrow, pain and concern before the doors were closed and they lost visual of each other.

-CSI: NY-

Jo already felt exhausted, even though she'd only been awake a couple of hours, as she stood in the corridor outside Maddie's hospital room. She was sipping on a cup of coffee that she'd got from the machine down the hall. It wasn't the best she'd ever tasted but at least it gave her the caffeine jolt she needed.

Maddie was now resting after Lindsay had photographed all of her injuries and had taken her clothing for evidence. Jo couldn't prevent herself from watching her through the window and was so distracted that she didn't hear Mac come up behind her.

'How's she doing?' He asked as he joined her.

'They've given her a sedative to help her sleep. She's taken a hell of a beating; fractured wrist, fractured jaw, her face is that battered she can barely see out of her left eye; she's got bruising on her neck and all over her body…' Jo began explaining before breaking off as tears pricked at her eyes.

'I'm sorry Jo. I never realised you had another daughter.' He replied empathetically as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

'Thanks Mac. It's kinda complicated; she's actually my niece but I've looked after her since she was little. I'm all she has really.' Jo said as she sniffed back her tears, trying to remain strong.

'I didn't realise.' Mac said with a stunned look.

'Her mother was my younger sister and she was one of the nicest girls you could meet, but she could be very naïve. Maddie's father was a bully who took advantage of Marina. He used to beat her for the hell of it. When Maddie was about five he beat Marina to death and then took off; I've been searching for him ever since but I've never found him.' Jo explained to his unasked question and without taking her eyes off Maddie for a second.

'I don't know what to say Jo, I am truly sorry. It must have been tough for you.' He replied solomnly.

'Are you kidding? Maddie helped me through it all. She was such a resiliant little thing and bounced back stronger than ever, she's always been full of surprises.' She explained, a very small smile forming on her lips.

'Do you fancy going and grabbing some proper coffee?' He asked before they began walking down towards the hospital cafeteria.

Jo found a table by the window whilst Mac went to buy their coffee. She glanced out of the window as she gently rubbed her temple, the stress and exhaustion really beginning to take its toll.

'So when did you last speak to Maddie?' Mac asked as he joined her, placing a cup of coffee and a sandwhich in front of her.

'She comes round most weekends or at least every Sunday. She stayed over this weekend because Sunday was mother's day. She came round with a gorgeous bunch of flowers. She's always spoiled me on mother's day or my birthday.' She recalled fondly. 'She doesn't remember much about her mom, but I've always tried to tell her as much as I could about her. Shortly after moving in with me she got upset at school because a boy made fun of her because she didn't have a mom. She was so upset that it took me all night to console her. Anyway long story short she realised that I was the closest thing she had to a mom, so sometimes she'll call me mom and other times it's just Jo; it depends on what mood she's in.' Jo explained proudly and with a very small laugh.

'Did she move to New York with you?' Mac asked as he sipped his coffee, feeling the refreshing taste hit the back of his throat.

'No she was actually already here. She's been here…let me think…about four years. She'd just turned eighteen and had got a place at university here. I was terrified about letting her come alone, but as per usual she just took it all in her stride.' She replied.

'What she studying?'

'Law and forensic science. I can't tell you how excited I was when she told me that that's what she wanted to do, and she's doing so well at it too. She's hoping to come and join us at the crime lab once she's graduated.' Jo said as she stifled a yawn and Mac couldn't help but notice how much more pronounced her southern accent was when she was tired.

Before they could continue with their discussion further a young nurse approached their table.

'Ms Danville your daughter is awake and asking for you.' She said.

Both Jo and Mac left their table to return the Maddie's side, and hoped that now she was rested she might be able to tell them more about her attack.