A/N: Okay, I had to post or I would lose the process, but I can't stay awake! I'll try to post again soon.

Flack dialed Karina's number. After three rings a breathless voice answered.

"Pronto."

"K, it's Donnie. Can you be ready in an hour to go to the bar?"

"Sure. Does this mean I get to meet your friends?"

"Yes it does. I'll see you in an hour." Flack hung up and looked at the CSI's as they prepared to leave for the day.

"So, We're all meeting at Flanagin's for drinks right?" he asked them.

"Sure. You buying?" Stella teased.

"I'll pick up the first round. I want you guys to meet my cousin Karina. She's from Italy." Flack replied. Danny grinned.

"Is she cute?" he asked. This earned him a punch to the arm from Lindsay.

"Watch it buddy." She said.

"I was just asking. I don't need anybody but you Montana." He replied. Mac rolled his eyes.

"See you guys at the bar." He said. Hawkes came up and greeted the rest of the team.

"What's up?"

"We're gonna meet Flack's cousin at Flanagin's." Stella replied.

"Karina? I already met her."

"Lucky! So, what's she like?"

"I only talked to her for a minute. She got beat up last night, and I checked to make sure she didn't have any broken bones."

"She okay?"

"Yeah, just bruised."

"I gotta go get K, so I'll see you at the bar." Flack said. The others split to head home and change. Flack drove through the midtown traffic to Karina's apartment. He knocked on her door, but there was no answer. He knocked again, louder. A door across the way opened and a little old lady poked her head out.

"Detective Flack?" she asked. He nodded, showing her his badge.

"Karina might be in the shower. She asked me to let you in if she didn't answer the door." She stepped across the hall and opened Karina's door.

"Thank you ma'am." He said. She nodded and returned to her own apartment. Flack came in just as Karina began to sing along with the radio.

When you say you love me,

The world goes still, so still inside

When you say you love me,

For a moment, there's no one else alive

And this journey that we're on,

How far we've come and I

Celebrate every moment

When you say you love me

That's all you have to say,

I'll always feel this way

Flack stepped into the door of Karina's bedroom. She sat at her vanity, touching up her makeup as she sang along with Josh Groben.

"I never figured you for a hopeless romantic." He said. Karina looked over and smiled. The makeup did wonders to hide the bruises o her face.

"I'm just about ready." She replied.

"So, you want to tell me about it?" he asked. Karina sighed.

"When I turned twenty-one, Papa said I needed to be married. I said college first. He let it slide for a while, but he kept pushing, bringing these men around, pointing me out like I was a prize cow. It made me angry, and I told Mama I will only marry for love. You know Papa, everything has to be his way. So he says to me he has chosen a husband for me. I tell him no Papa, I will not marry someone I have never met. He says I will marry this man because I must obey him. I tell him to go to hell and pack my bags. Two weeks later I am here. Mama helped me get settled, and I am still taking courses online."

"I see you're still painting. You should do that for a living."

"I know, Mario kept smuggling me supplies when Papa ranted about it being a waste. Maybe I will try. For now, I am ready to meet your friends." She stood and picked up her purse. She wore dark bootcut jeans, a wine colored blouse, and had pinned her hair in a half ponytail. Flack smiled and led the way.

Song is 'When you say you Love me' by Josh Groben

A/N: Okay, I know it sucks, but I can't focus! I hate being sick and sleepy! It's an awful combo! Anywho, push the button! Push it, Push it!