Title: Long Lost Love

Disclaimer: I do not own CSI:NY, Anthony Zuiker and CBS do.

Author's Note: Another Stella/Russ (Suss) story, have you ever thought of why Russ had ownership issues, then again it is just a random thought. I know that Stella's birth year is 1975 on the show but for this story I bumped it up to 1968 for the story to work and Russ would be born in about 1967.

Beta'd by: csiny96

Genre: Romance/Angst

Rating: T

Chapter 1: Meeting and Relationship


-March, 1987-

It was something neither of them thought would happen but then fate intervened.

Stella and her roommate and best friend, Kelsey Tang, were at their favorite restaurant close to campus, George Mason, where Stella had chosen to attend, subsequently to finishing at St. Basils. Whilst there Stella caught the eye of one guy. Sophomore Russ Josephson and a few of his fraternity brothers, from Sigma Phi Epsilon, were in a another part of the restaurant participating in a fundraiser when someone caught his eye; this same someone he had also been eyeing for the past several weeks now, but never had a chance to go and talk to her. He realized now was the time. When his big bro, Ryland, noticed that Russ was blanking out he saw what Russ was looking at and he said to him, "Bro now is the chance to go and talk to the girl you have had your eye on."

Russ smiled and excused himself and made his way over to where the young woman was sitting, in hopes she wasn't here with another guy and he realized he was in luck.

Stella and Kelsey were talking about how classes for this semester were going so far when Kelsey saw a tall handsome guy headed towards Stella and since Stella had her back towards him she choose to say nothing. Then Stella heard a deep male voice talking, "Hey beautiful can I get you something to drink?"

Stella turned around and came face to face with the most gorgeous guy she had seen and she realized it was the guy all the single women on campus wanted to date. The one thought that went through her mind, why was he singling her out?

Kelsey took her cue and said, "You know something Stella, I see one of my TA's I need to go talk to, I will see you in a bit."

Kelsey took off without even giving Stella a chance to protest and Russ sat in the seat Kelsey vacated. Calming her nerves Stella had requested her drink, the guy summoned a waiter and ordered the drinks; pineapple juice for her and club soda for himself. Whilst waiting for their drinks the two started talking and hit it off. Stella found out Russ had two younger brothers, Joshua and Merick and he was from a line of civil servants on his father's and mother's side of the family and he had high hopes of joining the FBI once he graduated. Russ found out Stella was an only child and her mother was killed when she was only two years old and had been living at an orphanage up until she turned eighteen. She had a father figure, Professor Papakota, who looked out for her. As they continued to talk they had lost track of time when Stella heard Kelsey clear her throat Stella broke eye contact with Russ and turned around and looked Kelsey in the eye as she said, "Hey there I hate to interrupt but don't you have an early class Stella?"

Stella scrunched up her face at Kelsey for interrupting but she did have an early class in the morning and a possible pop quiz. Right before she left with Kelsey, Stella thanked Russ for her drink and gave him her number.

Kelsey and Stella had gotten back to their dorm when Kelsey began to say, "Say, Stell, I saw you chatting up a storm with the hottest guy on campus and word is he has been eyeing you for quite some time, when he calls to ask you out what are you going to say?"

Stella was flabbergasted to hear the news, apparently she had been too busy too even notice—

truth was she had developed a crush on him as well—yeah like she was going to admit that, knowing full well what Kelsey would do so she casually answered and asked, "Hmm I don't know, I mean I have heard he is also a lothario, do you think he will call?"

Kelsey shook her head and asked, "C'mon Stell, one if he wasn't interested in you why would he have been a deep conversation with you at the restaurant... and two I probably would not have told you if wasn't true."

Stella thought to herself, 'point taken.'

The next day she did get a call from Russ and they made plans to meet again. After a few informal and formal dates, a month later they became a couple—much to the dismay of the other single ladies on campus.

It didn't take long for Russ to realize he was lucky when he got together with Stella—she was both beautiful inside and out but she also has the brains as she continuously maintained a high GPA in Biological Sciences despite the stiff competition within the sciences. Russ was also ready to change the fact he had been branded as a Casanova now that he had found the one who he is destined to be with.

Their relationship was going well and they managed to spend time with each other and their friends and sometimes everyone went out for a good time. Their relationship had been cozy but purely nonphysical; sure there had been kissing and making out but he knew he did not want pressure her into anything she wasn't ready for, despite the rumors out there.

It was seven months into their relationship and one of the things they did was movie night. During that one movie was when he got the signals she was sending him that she was ready. After a stressful midterm exam week, Russ had Stella over for movie night as a stress reliever. When Stella arrived with the drinks, he noticed after she shed the overcoat she was wearing a blouse and skirt (when she usually wore sweats to their movie night) and had a few buttons on her blouse undone which gave him a peek of her cleavage.

As they watched the movie Russ had his arms around Stella and began sending little signals of his own, whispering sweet words into her ear, kissing her earlobe letting his fingers run up and down her right arm. Stella knew she had his attention so she lifted her head and looked him straight in the eye and asked in a low voice, "Is there something wrong my darling?"

Russ stroked her face and said, "Have I told you, that you look beautiful tonight?"

Stella replied sweetly, "Why yes you ha-"

She didn't even finish what she said as Russ had tilted his head to the right, leaned in and kissed her on the lips. With the movie long forgotten she instantly wrapped her arms around his neck and he eased down on the couch. They proceeded to kiss at a bruising pace. When they came apart for air, Russ undid the buttons on her blouse, took in her intoxicating floral perfume as he let his lips roam her body causing Stella to arch her back to give him better access.

The moment their eyes met after Russ kissed his way back up they saw that the other's eyes had darkened with lust. He got off the couch and turned off the TV and VCR off he gives her a hand and pulls her off the couch and then leads her to his room. Once the door was closed they undress each other. When he saw her in a blue strapless push up bra and matching panty he felt his member harden, Stella noted the obvious bulge in his boxers and grinned salaciously. As soon as they were in each other's arms, Stella let her left arm wound around his neck and her right hand run through his hair and leaning forehead to forehead Russ asked in a low enticing voice, "Baby are you ready to take our relationship to the next level?"

Stella smiled; she was ready to give herself to him. He then kissed her, gently at first but it quickly got frenzied and whilst making out he let his arms travel down to her butt and to her long legs and from there he lifted her up. Now Stella could freely run both her hands in his hair and kiss him easier. He then carried her to the bed; soon they were nude under the sheets and with protection on gave into their desires and made love for the first time.

-x-

Once they had taken their relationship to the next level, their connection grew stronger and stronger, even a bad argument couldn't break that bond. Time soon flew and Russ had not only graduated at the top of his class with a Psychology degree but landed his dream job and was slated to start the FBI agent training program in August. A year later Stella had graduated with honors and would be starting her Masters in Biomedical Sciences. Their schedules were tough but they made it work to spend time with each other. By now Russ had also brought Stella to meet his family who absolutely loved her and Russ received immediate approval from his parents Bo and Jacqueline Josephson. Russ had also met Professor P when he went with her to spend New Years in New York. Although the professor liked him he still had to grill Russ on his intentions which made Stella cringe.

By the summer of 1991 Russ was well established in at the FBI and had many assignments under his belt and was rising through the ranks. Following a tough case that got him badly injured - in which he made a full recovery - he along with Stella and a few friends celebrated his birthday. It was right towards the end when Stella whispered, "Russ I have your present at home but it is for your eyes only."

Russ raised an eyebrow and then after bidding farewell they made their way back to his place. Now he was sitting in a chair waiting for his special birthday surprise.

Suddenly he noticed the lights in the apartment dim, music came on and heard a sultry voice call to him, "Hey tiger, I want you to close your eyes and count to ten."

Russ did as he was told and when he opened his eyes he could not believe it. Stella stood in front of him in an extremely provocative outfit. She had on short boy-shorts and a top that hugged her body.

Seeing her like that made his member jump alive and when he saw her sashay towards him, moving in ways that were really for his eyes only. Before long she was straddling his lap. He knew he was one lucky guy and didn't know what he did to deserve the gorgeous and spunky Greek goddess in front of him. With his hands on her waist and her hands on his shoulders she began to grind into his now growing erection. Stella leaned in and she rubbed her chest against him causing him to groan, and as she nibbled on his ear lobe she whispered, "Russ I love you more than ever before, especially after nearly losing you in the Martinez drug bust that went awry. Tonight you get to have your way with me."

A sly grin appeared on his face as naughty thoughts of what he wanted to do went through his head; he stood up, holding his sweetheart, and carried her to his room and ravished her senseless.

Following that special night Russ knew what he wanted to do next: ask Stella to be his wife. He had also asked Professor P. for his blessing and received it readily. Only what he didn't know was his heart was about to be stomped on.

With the ring and flowers in hand Russ was at Stella's place hoping to pick her up and take her out for an end of summer picnic. However, Russ was about to experience an enormous upset. He had arrived at her apartment and knocked on the door only to find the only person who answered was her roommate, Kelsey Tang. Kelsey felt sorry when she because Russ was about to have his heart broken. Taking a deep breath, Kelsey said, "Hey Russ, Stella wanted me to give this to you and anything you need to know is in the note."

Russ arched his eyebrow and said thanks to Kelsey and as he waited for the elevator he opened and read the note.

Saturday September 14, 1991

My Dearest Russ,

If you are reading this it means I have gone back to New York. Ugh this is the last thing I want to do to you after all we have been through together.

After getting my Masters you know I was looking to join the police academy (it is because of your inspiration). However, I have decided not to attend the police academy in DC but in New York as you know it will always be my first home.

Russ, you will always be my first love but I don't think we can make the long distance relationship work. You will always have a special place in my heart. I will always cherish our time together.

Maybe our paths may cross in the future.

I will miss you,

Stella Bonasera

Russ, who usually was not the type to let his emotions show through, completely lost it; he had lost the love of his life when she had broken his heart and left without warning. From that moment on he buried himself at work and became a workaholic.


A/N 2: Thanks for reading the first chapter of "Long Lost Love", reviews are appreciated!