A/N: All right people. You've been generous beyond my wildest dreams and for that, I'm thankful. Only one more station to go before this train reaches its final destination.

Xxx XXX xxX

Six pairs of eyes had witnessed the exchange between Mac Taylor and Emma Lou Stevens and were now busy pretending they hadn't done it as Mac and Peyton approached their table.

"I almost feel sorry for her.." commented Sheldon.

"I don't. She's a real bitch. Half the squad hates her guts." This, from Det. Angell.

"Will she try to get back at us using our paychecks?" wondered Lindsay, remembering the large chunk this affair had taken off her available credit.

"I'd love to see her try that. Let's see how she explains to the higher ups why the whole CSI department is suing her for illegally withholding our pay." Danny grabbed another grape and popped it into his mouth, swirling it around with his tongue. Lindsay next to him inhaled deeply at the stream of x-rated thoughts the sight had provoked in her.

"All I can say is that she had it coming. I could have very well let bygones be bygones, but she felt compelled to humiliate me any chance she got. Enough was enough." Stella explained.

"You don't have to explain. We saw it. We heard her..."

"And hopefully," Mac added sitting down next to them, "we'll never have to do either one again. And Stella, if that woman gets close to you ever again, you come to me, ok? As much as I admire Stefan's work, I'm not sure retail backlash is as effective as a restraining order. Do I make myself clear?"

Stella agreed by giving him a half-nod.

"Good!" exclaimed Sheldon, "Now let's eat something before our beloved bosses here start with the show and tell. What?" he asked, noticing the shocked expressions on Mac and Stella's faces, "You guys seriously don't think that you'd finally come out in public with your significant others and get to walk away without spilling the juicy details?"

Xxx XXX xxX

As much as Dany was enjoying watching Mac and Stella squirm and ahem under the fire of their not-so innocent questions, he couldn't help to feel nervous regarding what was still ahead. It wouldn't be long before someone suggested getting up to dance, and unless he wanted to loose Lindsay to any other hormonally fueled detective in the party, he was going to HAVE to dance with her.

It wasn´t that he didn't like dancing. It wasn't his favourite activity, granted, but he was fine with it. It wasn't that he didn't know how to dance; his mamma had made sure that all her bambini knew how to treat a lady right, and that included dancing. Not only waltz, but swingy rock n' roll and even some attempted salsa. No. What Danny Messer was dreading was the exact moment that he'd have to dance with Lindsay that night.

He had studied her dress ever since he had seen her and he knew that the damn thing presented two huge hurdles when it came to dancing. Namely, where to put his hands. Normally, he's place them on his date's back or, if they had been intimate enough, on her hips. And if he was feeling really really frisky, or horny, or was just plain wasted, he'd simply grab her ass. But that wasn't the case here. Ok, he was horny as hell, but damned if he was going to put his drunken ass moves on Montana's ass in front of the whole force to see.

So that brought him back to his dilemma. Where to put his hands. He figured one would be busy holding Lindsay's own, but the other? There was no way in hell he could put in on her bare back and not end up ravishing her behind the curtains. What little fabric there was covering her rear end was too low to be considered appropriate, and it would also serve as a reminder that she wasn't wearing any panties, thus bringing him back to the aforementioned ravishing. Either way, he was screwed.

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Lindsay Monroe was trying her damned hardest to keep her cool. Not only was it difficult not to react to the sled of looks she was getting, it was damn near impossible not to react to the amount of heat Danny Messer was generating next to her. And she knew that the minute he touched her and pulled her close to him she was going to be a goner. And, judging by the way her coworkers had been behaving the last half hour, they were sure to have a field day getting in her case.

She began wondering, and not for the first time, if getting involved with Danny was really such a bad thing. She knew it was, and not because of him, The poor man had no need to be dealing with HER demons, or fighting HER battles for her. And still... she wanted to be with him so badly, she was sure she wasn't going to be able to resist his touch. She was going to mold her body to his and she was going to get intoxicated by the smell of his cologne, and she was going to surrender to the sound of his voice and the moment his hand touched her skin she was certainly going to orgasm, and all in all, make a complete and utter fool of herself in front of the whole department and she'd be so better off keeping way from him...

But not dancing with him wasn't even an option.

Xxx XXX xxX

By 10 pm, the dance floor was full and the CSI's table was empty.

Sheldon Hawkes and Det. Angell had bid their farewells early, as they were both on call and they both had a pending case downstairs.
Mac Taylor and Payton Driscoll were softly swaying to the music, oblivious to anyone around them.

"It wasn't that bad, was it?" asked the doctor.

Mac cringed at the memory of the third degree they had just gotten. "I don't want to know what your definition of bad is, dear... but I'll concede that it could have been a lot worse than it actually was."

They danced in silence for a minute or two close together. Mac brought her hand to his lips and placed a tender kiss on her fingertips. Then he slid it until he placed an open mouth kiss on her palm. "Let's go home," he murmured, and they both grabbed their belongings and proceeded to quietly leave the banquet hall unnoticed...

...by all, except for a pair of female eyes. Emma Lou Stevens was sitting by herself, having the biggest pity party of her life. People had been avoiding her all night, ever since her fateful encounter with the CSIs, and she was beginning to understand that the unwelcoming feeling was going to extend to working hours as well.

"Fools", she thought to herself, "they actually think the won! They still don't know who they're messing with..." And as if to prove her right, just then Lt. Tenorio approached her table and sat down with her. "Ha! Take that you fools! The higher ups still seek my presence!"

Emma Lou turned towards Lt. Tenorio, all gracious smiles and charm. "How very nice of you to join me, Lieutenant!"

Lt. Tenorio, an imposing woman in her early 50's, raised her hand to cut the accountant short. "Stevens, this isn't a social call. It's been brought to my attention that you've been in some sort of personal vendetta against Det. Stella Bonasera, is that right?"

"Listen, Lt. I can explain that, It's nothing like what you're implying..."

"Stevens... Eight years ago I made the mistake of taking your side after you and Bonasera got into a fight. I've been hearing rumours, DISTURBING rumours, regarding your behavior leading to that incident. Not only that, but from what I've been hearing, you've made a point that every single head department in the force REMEMBERED that incident whenever Bonasera's name was brought up either for promotion or demotion. I don't have tolerance, or use, for two-faced, back-stabbing bitches in MY command, and that's EXACTLY how you've been behaving Stevens."

Emma Lou had not made it this far in the game by taking the passive approach, so she decided to defend herself, claws and fangs out for the kill. "Lieutenant, I can understand the way you feel and I deeply regret that you've been played this way by Bonsera and Taylor, whom are both clearly behind all this..."

The cold look Lt. Tenorio zoomed on Emma Lou was enough to cut her tirade short. The older woman sighed and shook her head. "Stevens, a part of me was hoping that you were a better person. But sadly, I've been proven wrong. I have 8 people from all over the Force vouching for Bonasera's character and integrity. Want to know how many were willing to go out on a limb for you? None. Quite the opposite, as a matter of fact. I still don't know how this is going to reflect in your next year evaluation, I still have to work that out with the union representative, but I can tell you this: if you EVER come near any of the CSIs, or if I hear there's as much as half a penny missing in their accounts, I will make it my personal mission to dig up every single spec of dirt anyone has on you and I WIL ruin you. Am I making myself clear?"

Emma Lou had been shocked beyond speech for the third time that evening, and all she managed to do was nod. She watched Lt. Tenorio walk away from the table and knew it was over. Trying to stop the tears until she had reached the privacy of her car, she grabbed her purse and left the banquet hall, totally defeated, dragging what was left of her dignity behind her.

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Stella Bonasera had watched the whole exchange and was now feeling pangs of guilt. Sure, she wanted Emma Lou to have a taste of her own poison, but she never intended for things to get this bad for the other woman.

"Maybe I should talk with Lt. Tenorio..." she mused.

Don Flack looked at the woman he was holding in his arms. Stuff like this was what made him cherish her even more. He pondered if it would help any if he mentioned that one of the people that had stood up for her was his dad. Flack Sr. wasn't that thrilled when he heard his son was intent on shacking with an older woman, but he had been a lot more understanding when he heard who it was. Stella had been a rookie fresh out of the Academy the only time they had worked together, but the seasoned veteran knew a good thing when he saw one. Apparently, his kid had recognized it as well.

"Stella, luv, listen to me and listen to me good. Emma Lou Stevens has been bad news for years. Not only for you, but for everyone around here. Sooner or later, she was going to have to face the music. Don't waste another moment of your life worrying about her. She brought this up upon herself."

Stella sighed and burrowed deeper in Don's arms, resting her head against between his neck and shoulders. And for the first time in a long time, she felt safe.

Xxx XXX xxX

A/N: Ok, now the cat is out of the bag, and the baddies got their just punishment. Why do I have this nagging feeling that I'm forgetting something???

A/N2: Anyone else beside me keep having flashes of S. Ephata Merkerson (Lt. Anita Van Buren from "L&O") whenever they "hear" Lt. Tenorio?