Title: Crumble
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: Established Fiesta, DL
Category: Heavy angst in parts, romance
Spoilers: Season five set between The Triangle and Forbidden Fruit
Summary: Someone is back for revenge against Mac…going after the one thing that would make him crumble….Stella
Notes: This is my first long CSI:NY fic so please let me know of any mistakes. Many, many thanks to my beta Nika. This story wouldn't have gotten this far without her. This story is over halfway written I have forty pages so far. I hope to be posting a chapter a week.

"Now this is something I could get used too."Detective Don Flack commented as he stood in the doorway to his tiny kitchen.

Stella Bonasera smiled. "What? A meal that doesn't come out of a bag or a freezer?"

Don shook his head as he closed the space between them taking Stella in his arms as she moved away from the sink. "You, in my kitchen."

Stella laughed as she kissed him before moving out of his arms so she could check the lasagna in the oven. "Though there isn't room for both of us in your kitchen."

Don grinned. "I don't mind the tight space."

Stella swatted his hand away as he reached for a roll that was in a basket on the counter by the stove. She'd prepared this meal for Don's birthday which wasn't until that weekend but since they were both working they'd decided on celebrating tonight.

"Hey!"Don protested with a grin as she gently maneuvered him out of the way.

"No stealing, Detective."

"Technically it's my kitchen."Don replied with a grin as he leaned against the doorframe.

Stella opened the door to the refrigerator and frowned. She could've sworn she'd bought that…..

"What's the matter?"Flack asked seeing the expression on her face.

Stella looked up sheepishly. "I forgot dessert."

Don leaned over and kissed her. "Don't worry about it, Stell. You're all the dessert I need."

Stella blushed as she closed the refrigerator door and turned toward him. "Can you run down to the store and grab something? Preferably chocolate."

Don shook his head he was quite comfortable right where he was. "I don't need anything, Stell…."

Stella moved back towards him and rested her hands on his chest as she kissed him quickly. "Humor me….it's your birthday……everybody has to have something sweet."

Don's mouth hovered inches from Stella's. "I already do."

Stella smiled as she ducked away from him. "Don….."

Flack grinned as he backed out of the kitchen. "Alright, alright…..I'm going."

Stella shook her head with a smile as she heard the apartment door close. Sometimes Stella couldn't believe how lucky she was to have Don Flack in her life. He was just the medicine she needed to keep the dark aspects of her job at bay. He was her shelter.

Stella took the lettuce out of the fridge and began preparations for the salad. She was taking a large bowl out of the cupboard when she heard her phone ring. Stella reached into her pocket for her cell when she remembered she'd left it in her purse which was in the living room.

With a sigh Stella did a last check on the oven before moving into the small living room. If it was the lab……

The phone was on its fifth ring by the time Stella fished it out of the bottom of her purse and activated it.

"Bonasera."Stella answered as she walked towards the window and started back to the kitchen.

Silence.

"Hello?"Stella greeted with a frown.

The line went dead.

"Weird."Stella stated as she looked down at the screen to see where the call had originated. She moved over to the window to get better light.

Just as Stella pulled up the right screen the window shattered. The bullet slammed into Stella spinning her around. She collapsed to the carpet the phone bouncing away and skidding towards the kitchen.

As darkness closed in Stella's last thoughts were of Don.

*********

Don put the key into the lock and turned it pushing the familiar door open. He stepped inside and turned quickly so he could shut the door and still keep the cake balanced in his left hand.

"Stel…..they were out of chocolate…..I looked….."Don explained as he moved away from the door. "Vanilla with chocolate fr …….."

The cake hit the floor as Don took in the smashed window and Stella's still and bloodied form.

Oh God……

Instincts and training took over before he could lose it and Don instantly withdrew his gun. Clicking off the safety Don skirted the living room keeping by the kitchen staying away from the window. Don glanced in the kitchen and moved down the small hallway to the bedroom and bathroom.
It killed him to leave her for even a second but he had to make sure. Don carefully flung open the hallway closet then the bedroom one.

Empty.
All rooms clear.

With his heart in his throat Don crouched down by Stella and felt for a pulse. A beat moved under his fingers but it was sluggish and thready.
His hands shaking Don yanked his phone out of his pocket and dialed 911. As he stared down at Stella's pale face he barely remembered what he said to the operator.
After all the appropriate questions Don stuffed the device back in the pocket of his jeans..

As the situation sank in Don's head began to swim.
This was his home.
Granted it wasn't much but it was safe…..or it had been…..

Don dropped to his knees when it felt like his legs wouldn't hold him any longer. He pulled his jacket off quickly and pressed it against Stella's wound.

The garment was almost instantly saturated with blood.

"Stella."Don whispered his voice cracking his heart hammering in his ears. "Don't do this….please…..don't you dare die on me…..Stel….come on….stay with me……"

Sirens pierced the heavy silence and Don sent off a silent prayer.
He looked down at the woman who had become so much more than the love of his life.

Her skin seemed clammier to the touch…..
The blood was on his hands now…..her blood….her lifeblood…..

Don swallowed hard and felt tears prick his eyes and he blinked them back. Stella had become so integrated in his life that Don could simply not remember a time without her.

Co-worker.
Friend.
Lover.

It all meshed now in a haze of memories. Their life flashing before his eyes.
A life he desperately did not want to lose.
A life that had just begun and had so much potential.

"You hear that, Stel?"Don asked as he felt tears form a lump in his throat. "Help's comin'…..they're comin'…..stay with me, Stel….stay with me."

********

Danny Messer had pulled a double shift that day. With recent events he was going to need the extra money. While his heart was warming to the idea of fatherhood his brain still hadn't quite wrapped around the idea.

He'd just been on his way to a crime scene. The first of his night shift when the call came over the radio.
Recognizing Flack's address attached to the officer down status had almost made Danny slam on his brakes which would've resulted in a two car pile up.
Instead Danny swung the vehicle into an almost impossible u-turn.

As his tires squealed and horns blared in protest Danny pulled out his cell phone and hit a speed dial.

His finger had barely touched the button when the phone began to ring.

Danny answered praying the situation wasn't as bad as what his instincts were screaming.

*********

Mac Taylor had been catching a late dinner at one of the all night diners he frequented. He'd been half way through his burger when his phone and pager went off at the same time.

With a wistful last look at his dinner Mac snatched both devices out of his pocket. A knot of dread landed on his chest when he saw the code on his pager.

The knot tightened more when he saw Flack's number on the caller id.

"Taylor."Mac answered as he activated the phone.

What Flack said next made Mac's blood turn to ice and his face pale.

Mac's grip tightened on the phone so hard his knuckles were white. He'd already lost one part of his soul……

"What hospital?"Mac asked through gritted teeth as he stood and tossed money on the table.

"I'll be there in ten. She's a fighter, Don….hang on to that."

Mac quickly exited the diner and looked for a cab. It seemed excruciatingly long but he finally managed to catch one's attention and it pulled up to the curb.
Mac gave the cab driver the needed information along with two twenties. The extra money Mac knew would be the incentive to get him to the hospital the quickest way.

As the cab merged into traffic Mac stared out the window praying that his world wasn't about to shatter once more.