+I don't own any CSI: NY characters. But the rest is mine. I really hope you enjoy reading this.+
The next day Stella came to the crime scene where Don was waiting for her. He filled her in as he escorted her to where the body was lying. Stella made some comments then asked Lindsay to look around for the shell casings and any other evidence. Don waited until Lindsay was out of earshot then looked back toward Stella.
"I, uh, I hung out with Hannah last night."
Stella turned from the body to look at him. "Really?"
"Yeah, we kind of ran into each other at the pizza parlor a couple blocks from my place. Then she asked if I wanted to come over to her apartment and eat the pizza there. We just ate and talked, that's all."
Stella started to laugh.
"What?"
"I called it. I should've placed some money on it."
Don shook his head. "We're going to Yankees game on Saturday."
"I should be a match-maker."
"Alright, alright. We're just friends, Stell."
"I know, but this is just the beginning of what could turn into more than friends."
That afternoon Stella left the lab early and met Hannah at a furniture store on the West Side of town. Hannah handed her a coffee as she walked up to her outside. Stella had agreed to meet Hannah to help her pick out new furniture.
"What about this one?" Hannah inquired and flopped down on a sage green sofa.
"I like it," Stella responded and sat down next to her.
Hannah moved around to make sure it was comfortable then she settled. "I hung out with Don last night," she stated.
"I heard."
She looked at Stella. "Really? He said something?"
"Yeah, he told me you guys ate pizza at your place and just talked and such." She noticed Hannah smile. "I saw that."
"What?"
"You smiled. You like him, don't you?"
"He's a nice guy, a change for me." She chuckled. "Did he tell you about the game on Saturday?"
"Yeah, did you tell him he'll be sitting in the luxury box?"
Hannah giggled again. "No, I thought I should leave it a surprise for him."
"He'll fall in love with you after that."
Hannah leaned forward then looked back at Stella. "All part of my evil plan."
Hannah waited outside of Yankees Stadium for ten minutes before she noticed Don coming toward her. He noticed her and gave her a smile. "Hey," she greeted.
"Hi, sorry I'm late." He leaned down and kissed her cheek.
"No, it's ok. I haven't been here long." She handed him a pass to wear around his neck.
"We don't have tickets?"
"Oh, no, we're in the luxury box." She started to walk away.
"The what?" he called after her. He followed her to the elevator then they showed their passes to an attendant who escorted them to a room. The older gentleman opened the door and Hannah went in first. She turned to look at Don once they got inside and his mouth was almost wide open.
"You ok?"
"Oh, uh, yeah I'm good. This is just amazing; these are the best seats I've ever had at a game."
"I'm glad you like them. There will be a few people joining us, a couple other reporters that I work with and their spouses."
"That's cool."
"There's food and drinks, and whatever you need, help yourself."
Don looked at her. "I really appreciate this, Hannah. I've needed to get out and just chill for a while."
Hannah flashed him a smile. "You're welcome."
"I'm gonna go out and check out the view."
Hannah's colleagues came a short while later with their wives and she introduced them to Don. They all broke into conversation until the game began. Then Don and Hannah sat in the seats outside of the box to watch the game. He put his arm on the back of her chair as they watched. He laughed as he noticed that Hannah was as into the game as he was. He had never been around a girl who was as into sports even close to as much as him.
The Yankees won the game. Don and Hannah congratulated each other on their teams' victory. Then they talked briefly with the others sharing their luxury box before they all filed out. Don and Hannah walked to the same subway entrance. They sat together on the train and talked about the game. When the train stopped at the station close to Hannah's apartment, Don got off too sticking to his offer to see her home.
"You know I don't really feel like going home yet. It's still early you wanna grab some dinner or something?" she asked Don as they got to the street.
"Yeah, I don't feel like going home either."
"There's a diner just a couple blocks from here."
"Sounds good," he told her with a smile.
They never ran out of things to talk about as they walked to the diner then as they sat at the table. As Hannah told Don about her brother he realized that he did know him and they had worked on a case a time or two. Don spoke briefly about some of the cases he had worked recently. He even found himself talking about his relationship with his dad something he tried to avoid in conversation with someone he didn't know very well. Hannah assured him he wasn't the only one with a sensitive relationship with a parent; she and her mom had never been that close and at times they didn't get along well. It was after nine when they left the diner.
"Do you have plans tomorrow?" Hannah questioned as they stood outside the diner.
"I got a family thing at my parents' house, you?"
"The Giants are having a press conference. I gotta go and do my job."
"I would trade you."
"Come on, hanging with the family isn't so bad."
"Yeah, yeah." He looked down to her. "Can I call you this week? Maybe we can have dinner or something."
"Yeah, of course." Hannah dug for her card in her purse and handed it to him. "I'll be waiting for your call." She smiled.
"I'm gonna call." He smiled warmly at her. "I had a really nice time today."
"I did, too." She stood up to kiss his cheek. Then let her hand slide out of his as she walked away.
