Disclaimer: I do not own any of CSI: NY, I am just barrowing it.

A/N: This follows the last chapter of Sins of the Past and before the Epilogue.

Summary: The day to day life of a CSI and a CPS agent who are trying to make things work. As in any life, the day to day can be hard, but in the end, it is all worth it.

Chapter 1: Let us get this party started.

Jessica was ready to get out of the hospital and start her new life with Jordan. She knew there was a long road ahead, but that only mildly scared her. She was lost in thought when there was a knock on the hospital door.

"Yeah."

"Hey Jessica," her best friend Katie walked in wearing what looked like a French maid costume, "You ready to bust out of this joint yet?"

"You have got to be kidding me. I have been in here a week and I am about ready to make a run for it. What the hell are you wearing?"

Katie spun around, "Like it. Kevin bought it for me."

"I bet he meant for you to wear it in the bedroom not in public."

"Well, what good is that? It is a great outfit."

Jessica just shook her head at her friend. Sometimes it still amazed her that they were friends. They were nothing a like, yet they couldn't stay away from each other. Opposites really do attract.

"Did you bring me clothes?"

"Why yes I did," Katie through a blue Scooby-Doo duffel bag on the bed.

"Please tell me you put normal clothes in the bag." Opening the bag cautiously, "Like my kind of normal not yours.

"You'll be pleased to know there is a pair of blue jeans and a white t-shirt packed, also managed to pack a toothbrush and a hair brush. Are you impressed yet?"

Jessica just grinned and went to get dressed. After she had brushed her hair and tied it in a bun she brushed her teeth. "Aw, I feel so much better."

The nurse came in with some forms for Jessica to sign, and gave her some prescriptions for antibiotics and pain killers. Jessica read carefully over each page before signing it. Katie was standing in the corner getting restless, and the nurse was standing by the bed starting at Katie. Jessica finally signed the papers and set in the wheel chair. The nurse pushed her down to the street where a cab was waiting.

"Jess, why do you think you have to read every word on the hospital paperwork," Katie asked as the cab drove off.

"Just a habit, I sign nothing without reading it. I want to make sure exactly what it says." Jessica was a little vague on the details, but her family had been caught in a legal battle over a few select words in a divorce decree.

"So Jordan and Lindsay should be back in about an hour from riding," Katie broke the silence. "They have gone every day since you have been in the hospital. I think it is helping Jordan get back to some form of normalcy."

"I am so glad that Lindsay has been able to do that while I was gone."

"So when did you see Danny last?"

"He came by the hospital last night and watched a movie with me. I told him it did not count as a date unless I get to be dressed up and a hospital gown is not my idea of dressed up."

"He has come by to see Jordan everyday. I think he has a thing for her, or you."

"Yeah, he said that they had been spending time together. I am really glad everyone is taking part in her recovery."

"What about yours? Have you talked to the councilor that Aaron sent to you?"

Jessica just rolled her eyes. Everyone had been trying to get her to see a councilor since she woke up in the hospital.

"I'm fine. I am a psychologist remember. I think I would know if I needed help."

"Really… I think you are just avoiding the problem." Katie became very serious, "Jess, you were raped in front of a small girl, you were beaten and stabbed. I think you need to talk to someone. It is ok to admit you need help."

Jessica rolled her eyes and changed the subject. "So I am supposed to go to dinner with my parents tonight. They are leaving in the morning to go home."

"Way to avoid," Katie laughed. "You are a pro at that ya know."

The girls continued to talk as they reached the apartment. Katie paid the cab driver then helped Jessica out of the car.

"My legs aren't broken. I just have a few stitches and some bruises which are a lovely yellowish color now."

"Look, I am not that much of a helper, as you know. So shut up and take advantage of it."

The woman reached the front door and Katie opened it. Jessica nearly fell down when the loud rupture of sound escaped her apartment, "SURPRISE! WELCOME HOME!"

"Wow ya'll are a lot to take in at this moment," Jessica caught her breath and scanned the room. Another habit she had picked up as a child. Always be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. She made her way around the room and said hello to everyone. Her parents, co-workers, Jordan, and a few people from the lab were there.

Jordan ran up, "I am so glad you are home. I have missed you." She whispered.

Jessica leaned over, hugged the girl, and whispered in her ear, "I missed you too."

Everyone visited with Jessica, until her mom noticed that she was starting to look a little tired, "Everyone, "she yelled to be heard over the crowd, "I think Jess needs some rest. I know that you are all excited to see her and she you, but I think it best if we start to vacate the apartment."

Everyone agreed and started slowly saying their good byes. After about thirty minutes everyone but Jordan, Katie, Danny, and Jessica's parents were gone.

"Katie why don't you help me clean up," Jessica's mom Lisa said in that do not ague with me motherly tone. "Danny why don't you take Jordan to a movie, so Jess can take a nap."

Katie sighed and got up off the couch. Danny and Jordan said good bye and left.

"Jessica, go get in your bed and take a nap." Lisa instructed, as Jessica was about to argue, "I mean it. Everything will be fine without you. Go now." Jessica just nodded and got up. Her dad followed her to her room.

"Hey baby," Jake stated as head stroked her hair, "Are you ok?"

"Yes Daddy I am fine, why does everyone keep asking me that."

"Jessie, we all love you and some of us are aware of your past. I just don't want to see anything bad happen to you."

"Daddy, you and I both know that bad things happen. We have seen it in our own lives and I still see it every day with the kids I help. I will survive. I always do."

"Do you? Last time you shut down completely and it took sending you away to get you back. Can you really handle it or are you trying to be strong for everyone else. We can be strong for you sometimes too."

"I'm fine! Just let me get some sleep."

"Ok honey, but I mean it, go see that doctor!"

Jessica just closed her eyes and fell fast asleep. Katie had left and Jessica's parents were sitting on the couch talking when Jessica woke up. She could hear what they were saying, so she stayed in her room and listened. She had perfected the art of spying as a child. When there are ten kids you have to spy to be up on all the good gossip. And Jessica was good at being invisible.

"Jake, I am worried about her."

"She'll give in. You know she will."

"I'm not so sure. She has convinced herself that she has to be strong for Jordan. But how can she be there for her if she can't take care of herself."

"Jessie is a smart, strong woman Lisa, and she has good friend here that will help her. We can't protect her."

Lisa started crying, "I know I have never been able to protect her. It is my fault all those things happened when she was a child. I should have been more careful with her."

"You did everything you could to keep all of your children safe, and you love each of them so much. Jessica knows that and doesn't blame you for any of the bad in her life. She is just thankful to have such a loving family."

Jessica walked in at that moment, "He's right ya know." Her parents turned to face her. "I wouldn't have made it this far without you Mom. Nothing that happened was your fault. It wasn't mine either. It was his and his alone. If it will make you feel any better I will set up an appointment to see the doctor on Monday."

"Please," her mother said as she hugged her.

That evening Jessica and Jordan joined Lisa and Jake for dinner. Danny had left just after dropping Jordan off to go to work. He promised to call Jessica the next day.

"Jessica, I really like Danny," Lisa started. "Are you going to date him?"

"Mother."

"Well?"

"He has asked me out yes, but it is just one date."

"Jess, I don't care what you say there is something there. He has been to see you and Jordan everyday since you were taken to the hospital."

"I like him." Jordan popped off quickly. "I think you should marry him."

"Oh do you now?"

"YES!" Jordan said matter of fact and went back to eating her chicken.

"Well let's just start with one date for now."

"Ok, but I know you will marry him."

"And how do you know that?"

"I'm just smart that way." Jordan was trying to be all grown up with her statement, but failed as she started to giggle.

"Why don't you just eat?" Jessica grinned as her cell phone rang.

"Hello."

Jordan and Lisa listened to the one sided conversation.

"Yeah, that sounds good…I'll ask Katie…ok see you tomorrow…you too, bye"

"Who was that?" Lisa grinned at her daughter as everyone finished their meal.

"Danny."

"And?"

"And he wants to go out tomorrow at seven for dinner and a movie. I am supposed to ask Katie if Jordan can stay with her while I go out." Turning to Jordan, "Is that ok with you?"

"Yes, I love hanging out with Katie. She is so much fun. The other day she put some red stuff in my hair, dressed me up, and did my makeup. It was way cool." Jordan noticed the look of surprise that came across Jessica's face. "Oops I wasn't supposed to say that. I promised Katie…Can I still stay with her."

"Only after she and I have a long talk." Jessica grinned.

Lisa just started giggling and Jake just grinned at Jessica and Jordan's word play.

"So the party begins." Lisa grinned as the waiter came back with the check.

A/N: There were not a whole lot of the people from CSI, but I had to lay some groundwork first. They will come I promise. The date is next. Please review and let me know what you think.