Disclaimer: I do not own anything. The characters belong to CBS.
Enjoy! )
It was one of those rare days in New York when no one was trying to create havoc. The investigators of the New York crime lab were enjoying their peaceful day, finishing reports and testing evidence. But for five people in New York City, it gave them a day to gather their thoughts and reminisce their last moments of their friend.
Detective Mac Taylor, head of the New York Crime Lab sat in his office, signing reports and finishing up his own. He opened his desk drawer and saw Lindsay's old badge and lab entry card. He'd always admired Lindsay's work attitude; determined, smart, optimistic and a good detective. He viewed her like his own daughter; Lindsay had no family in New York since her Uncle Freddy moved back to Montana. She was always the first to hand in reports; not like some people he could name. He should have sensed that something was wrong; she was somewhat edgy the day before she disappeared.
Mac looked up when he heard someone knocking on his door, he frowned when he realized it was Lindsay. It was 1 in the morning "Its late Lindsay. What are you still doing here?"
"Just finishing up some stuff" she said, giving him a stack of reports.
"What's this?"
"My reports"
"You finished all of them?" Mac looked at her in shock
Lindsay grinned sheepishly "I had the time."
"Go home Lindsay. I won't be expecting you until the next day"
"Thanks Mac" Lindsay turned to leave, but turned around when she reached the door "You should go home too Mac. Night" Mac nodded.
The next morning, Mac just entered his office when the receptionists knocked on the door.
"Detective Taylor, this packaged was dropped off for you."
Mac looked at the package, there was no returning address, just his name and title. "Who dropped it off?"
"I'm not sure, it was already on my desk when I came in" the woman replied. Mac nodded his thanks and the receptionists left. Mac opened the package to find Lindsay's badge, lab entry card and a resignation letter; bewildered, he read the letter that fell out along with Lindsay's things.
Mac,
You've been a great mentor and friend to me. I don't know if you knew, but you were like a father figure to me. If you haven't phoned and invited me to work with you in the New York Crime Lab, I wouldn't know what I would have done, but believe me, it was my best choice ever. My family is all the way in Montana, but I know that I will always have a second family in New York, with you guys. This job is important to me, and I would not have left for anything in the world, but there's something more important that I have to do; that you guys can't help me with. Please don't come and try to find me. You won't be able to. I'll find you guys. I will be back, soon I hope.
Mac, don't stay up too late
Love,
Lindsay Monroe.
--
Down the hall in another office, Detective Stella Bonasera sat in her office chair doing some finishing touches on her lab reports. Stella's eyes zoned in on a picture frame of the team celebrating Christmas at Cosy's. Sid had taken the picture. All of them were smiling, even Mac. Taking the picture out of the frame, she read the note at the back.
Stella,
You're a great friend and a sister to me. You helped me when nobody else noticed my problem; you helped me when I gave up on myself. I wouldn't have left if I knew I had a choice. But I don't. But I promise I will be back. Sooner than later I hope. Please don't come looking for me. I'm going to miss our girls' day out, that's for sure. Please continue to be strong. You have the strength.
Love,
Lindsay Monroe
Stella remembered the day before Lindsay left.
"Hey Stella" Lindsay said from her doorway. "This is for you." Handing her a wrapped present
"What is this? It's not my birthday yet" Stella smiled. Trust Lindsay for doing something so sweet. She opened the present to find a picture frame of the team smiling back at her.
"Lindsay..." Stella gasped.
"It's nothing special" Lindsay amended, "I just thought of all the things you did for me and I just wanted to do something for you."
Stella gave Lindsay a hug "Thanks Lindsay" Lindsay smiled shyly and left the office.
Stella forgoes the frame, and stands the picture next to her lamp.
--
Dr. Sheldon Hawkes sat in the break room, eating his homemade lunch. Staring at his lunch, he thought back to Lindsay.
"Hey Sheldon" Lindsay said as she walked in the break room and towards the coffee station.
"No lunch again?" Sheldon questioned.
"Didn't have time, I need to finish some last minute stuff" she said as she swallowed her granola bar.
"Eat" he passed her his pasta lunch
"But, that's your lunch" Lindsay argued.
"I have too much for myself anyways. Might as well share"
Lindsay stared at his lunch for a bit before accepting his lunch. "Thanks Sheldon"
The next day, Lindsay entered the break room to see Sheldon sitting at the table.
"Oh good, you're here" she walked towards him, hands behind her back.
"You were looking for me?" Sheldon asked "By the way, did you eat yet?"
Lindsay smiled "I took an early lunch" Then preceded to hand him a bag of cookies.
"What's this?" Sheldon asked eyeing the bag of homemade cookies.
"A thank-you for your lunch; I might not be a great chef, but I'm an excellent baker." Sheldon took a bite out of her cookies.
"These are good" he praised. Lindsay looked at him. "What? Do I have something on my face?"
She shook her head "You're sweet Sheldon Hawkes, don't let anybody tell you otherwise"
Shaking his head out of reverie, he toke another bite of his lunch.
First chapter finished! Reviews are much appreciated.