Author's Note: MJ Taylor is my creation. I have no claim or rights to established CSI: NY characters. They belong to CBS.
Secrets
MJ arrived at the scene with the rest of the team. Danny and Doc headed into the bombed building in search for survivors as well as evidence. Stella's focused turned to an injured Lindsay, who was desperately trying to get Mac on the phone, to no avail. For the first time in MJ's career, she froze.
Memories of 9/11 flooded back to her as she stared up at the building. Somewhere within it's collapsed floors and shattered windows her brother Mac Taylor was trapped long with Donald Flack, Jr. Stella taking one look at MJ, knew that this wasn't going to be the place for her. "MJ, help get the command center set up. DHS will be here within minutes and we've got work to do." MJ continued to silently stare. "MJ." Stella shouted louder trying to snap her back to reality. MJ finally hearing Stella snapped out of her daze. "You got it. I'll set up in the restaurant across the street."
MJ went into the restaurant and started setting things up. She made sure generators were brought in and the mobile response unit had everything needed to begin working. She wandered over to the window and saw Stella talking with what looked to be a government official. MJ working on assumptions informed the team in the room. "Okay, people, DHS is on scene. Let's get make sure we've got the answers to their questions before they're asked."
After a couple of hours, MJ finally had a moment to catch her breath. She found herself staring out the window; they had yet to hear anything on Mac or Don. Danny was inside with the rescue team trying to locate them. MJ hadn't allowed herself to think about their fate. She prayed that they would be fine. Any other option was inconceivable to her.
MJ's thoughts went to her brother Mac. Things have been strained and distant between the two of them since 9/11 when they lost Mac's wife Claire. Despite her best efforts, Mac just never seemed to let her in to his thoughts or his life anymore. MJ couldn't and didn't understand it. She just prayed that she would have the opportunity to set things straight, whatever the issues between them were.
Don was a totally different situation. Just the thought of him made her smile. The two of them have been dancing around as to exactly what their relationship entailed. They were indeed friends. But MJ knew Don wanted more, he point blank told her as much. If she was honest with herself, she wanted more as well. However, there was so much about herself and her life that she wasn't sure if Don was ready to hear. He was the first person in a long time that made her feel truly happy. He had become extremely important to her in the past few months and the idea of not seeing those beautiful blue eyes or that cocky grin of his again was really starting to frighten her.
"MJ, you okay?" Stella whispered from behind her. "Yeah, what do you need me to do?" MJ asked. "Nothing." Stella shook her head. "Stel, I need to keep busy." Stella stood her ground on this one. "No, what you need to do is head back to the lab. I'll call you as soon as there is any word." MJ shook her head. "I'm not leaving until I know, I can't. I won't." MJ whispered. Stella knew MJ thoughts and memories of 9/11 and losing Claire. "MJ, They'll find them." Stella reassured. MJ countered. "They have to. They simply have to." Just as they both turned back towards the window they suddenly caught sight of major activity. Both MJ and Stella immediately ran towards the bombed out building.
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