Title: Secrets Will Make You Sick

Description: Mac has another fight on his hands. After overcoming a harrowing nightmare of Reed nearly dying, Mac now has to fend off a huge custody battle waged on him by Reed's maternal grandparents and Reed's biological father. Also a woman from his past comes back to put a HUGE strain on Mac and Stella's relationship. Flack and Angell's big day is coming, and Danny and Lindsay might be expecting another. Also a new CSI brings the drama. Follow me on this ride, as I go back and forth from the past to the present.

I will tell you when the chapter will be a past chapter or a present chapter, please read the author notes to know which chapter it is. I hate it when people don't read the chapter, then they message me telling me that they are confused. Please read the Author's notes. Also I would like new readers of mine to go and read Brink of Sanity before reading this one.

Welcome to Secrets Will Make You Sick.

Prologue: The past colliding with a expectant future

Claire clutched the baby in her arms, as tears silently fell unto the babies brown curls. She couldn't bring herself to hand her child over, but she knew that it was the best thing for her right now. She was convinced, told, and even threatened by the people she loved the most-her parents, that she could not care for a baby and in the end she decided that they were right. But the decision did not make it easier on her heart. She has carried this baby for nine months, felt him kick or move, she had began to get used to the unusual cravings for pancakes at four in the morning, and even embraced the 15 pounds she had gained. Her mother had warned her not to get attached, but how could she not when it was her child growing inside of her? Claire was distraught as she held the baby she had decided to name Reed in her arms. Why was god punishing her like this? Why had life suddenly gotten so hard to deal with?

The baby began to move, and Claire wiped a few tears from her eyes so that she can inspect him a little more. He had rosy cheeks, a small button nose, and a full head of hair. She knew that her son was going to be a beautiful baby boy, and the thought that she would never see him again, was tearing her up. But that thought could not get the best of her right now, she needed to soak up ever fiber of her child's being, so that she could remember something, anything. Her mother was standing near the window watching her intently, and her father was outside with the adoptive family, waiting for Claire to finally hand the child over. Claire moved her fingers to trace the outline of her child's face and cleared her throat:

"Mother, I'm.."

"Claire your not having second thoughts are you? Your father and I talked about this with you, your giving him up and that is final." Claire's mother, Catherine, interjected.

"Mom just listen to me,"Claire said rather defeated,"I'm not having second thoughts; I have a camera in my bag, I want you to take a picture of me and Reed"

"Why?" Catherine snapped.

"Because I just want something to remind me of him mom."

Catherine looked at her daughter and down at the baby:

"Claire.."

"Please mom." Claire pleaded

Catherine sighed and walked over towards the bag to retrieve the camera:

"I told you Claire not to get too attached to that child Claire, I told you.."

"That child has a name mother, his name is Reed. Now I know what you told me, and I just want a picture, so please just take it."

Claire's mother snapped the picture and put the camera down:

"Are you ready?"

"Mom just leave please, I need a moment alone with him."

"Claire I'm not.."

"Mom just go," Claire shouted,"Or I'll have you removed."

Catherine grabbed her purse and walked towards the door, before opening it she turned and looked at Claire:

"Believe it or not Claire, your father and I love you."

"Sometimes I don't believe it." Claire looked away from her mother and back down at Reed.

Catherine did not respond. She just walked out of the hospital room, and that was the last time Claire had saw her mother alive.

A year later

Claire sat waiting for her drink. She hated being dressed up, and she hated coming to pretentious parties for the rich. Her company was throwing a gala for the NYC police and fire departments, to raise money for various stations around New York City, and she was ordered to attend. But being at a gala dressed in a 4,000 dollar dress was the least of her worries for today was Reed's first birthday. From the moment she has awoken, her heart was heavy. It had been a year since she had kissed her son goodbye and watched as a nurse walked out of the room with him. A year since she had cried herself to sleep, dreading having to wake up in the morning and face another day.

It had taken Claire the whole year to finally stop grieving, a year to stop staring at the only photo she had of her son. She still held the picture in her wallet, but she has forced herself to stop staring at it because she knew tears wouldn't be too far behind. But her son's birthday was today, and the thought that she didn't even know where he was, ate away at her every being. She didn't want to be surrounded by happy, smiling, giving people, when deep inside she was fighting a break down. She could not fake her happiness, so she wore a frown, a frown that only left her face when she downed a jack and coke.

Mac Taylor hated fundraisers. Well not really fundraisers, but overly ostentatious ones that only rich people attended to be seen. He had gravitated to a corner and watched others pretend to be important. He had just came to New York from Chicago, and was about to officially start work as a CSI. Though he was a little apprehensive, he was eager to begin his work in New York City. After standing by himself for a few moments, he walked over to the bar and ordered his drink. Sitting at the bar was a lovely curly haired women, staring down at a picture of a woman and a baby. Mac recieved his drink and listened as she ordered another drink:

"I'll have one more Jack and Coke."

"Wow ma'am that's your fourth Jack and Coke." The bartender joked.

"Well I'm trying to drown my sorrows away."

"What's a lovely lady like you doing drowning sorrows away?" The bartender asked as he poured her drink.

"Life, I'm trying to drown away my life" Claire sighed as she downed her drink and got up from the bar stool.

Mac watched as she walked outside on the terrance. He finished his drink and put the glass down. He tipped the bartender, than walked out on the terrance towards Claire. He instantly noticed that she was crying:

"Excuse me Ma'am"

"I don't want anything." Claire responded not looking up.

"I'm not a waiter," Mac smiled as he handed her a napkin,"I've noticed that you have been crying.."

"I'm alright." Claire half-smiled as she took the napkin.

"Are you sure? Because I heard your little comment at the bar and it did not sound like it was nothing."

"Well I'm going to be alright eventually." Claire put the napkin down and stood up.

Mac pulled his card out of his jacket pocket and handed it to her:

"Well if you ever need someone to talk to, you can call me."

Claire took the card:

"Mac Taylor CSI"

"That's me.." Mac laughed

"Well thank you Mr. Taylor, I'll keep that in mind."

Claire moved to walk back into the room, but Mac called after her:

"Excuse me Miss what is your name?"

Claire turned back around and thought about it for a moment:

"My name is Claire Conrad."

"I am pleased to meet you Miss Conrad."

Claire smiled and turned to walk back into the room. Not knowing that tonight would be the start of a new life for her and Mac Taylor.

I hope you all enjoyed the first pre-lude to Secrets will Make you sick