It was two days later, Jeffery's trial was now over and it was a big relief for Noelle, who almost lost it on the stand. Noelle now felt that she needed to get something else off her mind, so she went to the one place she never thought she would go, the crime lab. The lab was busy with people going from place to place. Noelle didn't know what to think. Was she showing up at the wrong time? Noelle sighed and continued on.

" May I help you?" someone asked.

Noelle turned to see a uniformed officer looking at her.

" I need to speak to Detective Mac Taylor, it's important."

Noelle was escorted to Mac's office by another officer.

" Excuse me, Detective Taylor. This young lady needed to speak to you."

Mac looked at Noelle.

" I can escort her back out if necessary."

" No, it's okay. She can stay."

The officer ended up leaving. Noelle didn't move at first, but then did.

" What can I do for you Ms. Foster?"

All of the sudden, Noelle became silent. Her heart pounded over what she needed to stay.

" Noelle?"

" It was a mistake coming here. You don't need me to bother you."

" You obviously came here for a reason."

Noelle then nodded her head.

" What I have to say doesn't seem right. What I did is unforgiveable. I came here to apologize."

" There's no need for you to."

Noelle sighed.

" I don't understand why you went to talk to my father. I was surprised by the course of action. You did something for me and I didn't deserve it. You went out of your way to talk to him. Too bad it didn't work. My father didn't show up. After my parents divorced it was really hard. My mother went back to her maiden name and didn't look back. The last few days, I got more then I bargained for. I've caused too much trouble over the years and that I have to live with."

" I understood why you didn't trust anyone. Your father didn't even blink."

Noelle paced around.

" Please, sit down."

Noelle did just that.

" I needed to come here in person to apologize and to thank you."

" You don't need to Noelle. You're not as much trouble as I thought."

" I know that I can't run away if I'm ever in trouble, especially from the police. You live and you learn. You have the right to your own opinion. I did cause you trouble."

Mac just nodded his head.

" I should get going. My brother is waiting for me. Christopher doesn't care for New York much anymore, but he thinks we need to spend some time together. In fact, I'm going down to Miami for a few days."

" You can't do that. It's against your probation."

" I already had it cleared, by a judge and my probation officer. I'll be back Sunday afternoon. I even made a copy of the forms if you would like one."

Noelle couldn't help but feel nervous. In the back of her mind, she knew that if she didn't come back, Mac would come for her himself. Noelle handed Mac a copy of the forms she was given and he accepted them.

" Anyways, you won't have a problem with me anymore. I'll know better next time."

" I'm sure you will. Maybe in time your father will come around. I'll keep those forms to make sure you keep your word."

" I keep hope on that. My family means the most to me, even though we're far apart. I'll see you around Detective Taylor."

Noelle went to the door but then stopped.

" I did the wrong thing and now I'm paying for it. You have more to attend to then me. You run this whole lab?"

Mac only nodded his head.

" A lot to keep track of. Science wasn't my best subject, but it is fascinating."

" Good luck Noelle. Safe trip, but if you're not back when you say you will, a warrant could be put out."

" I know. I've been warned about that twice already. Good day detective."

Noelle then ended up leaving the office. Stella came in.

" What did Noelle want?"

" To apologize and to say thanks."

" You seemed surprised?"

" Noelle coming here did surprise me. What she said surprised me more. At least she's reconnected with her family, except her father."

" He's not much of a father. What kind of a father would neglect his child in their time of need?"

" At least she has her brother and her mother again. They'll keep in touch with her more often."

" So what now?"

" Case is closed Stella. Noelle isn't so bad once you get to know her."

Stella ended up smiling.

" She rubbed off on you."

" Lost cause who needed help and maybe next time, Noelle won't run away."

" You're thinking we might deal with her again?"

" Who knows. You never know what's going to happen."