AN: I don't own any of the CSI:NY Characters or any of the show's storylines that I may refer to from time to time, but the rest of the plot is mine.

Sorry for the delay in getting this out. While half the chapter came easy I had to force the muse to co-operate over the rest.

14. Papa Bear

Things began to hot up around the lab in the next few weeks, another body was discovered on the beach in similar circumstances to their two real estate agents. On top of that the manner of death and the carvings on their necks caused the inspector to recall an old Jersey case and when she summoned the file, a 4th victim was identified, or rather more precisely the first victim. They had a serial killer. Mac had pretty much single handedly shut down the city when he demanded all cabs were checked as it caused a transportation nightmare. So not only did they have the media on their backs, but everyone from the mayor down wanted the case solved. The city inhabitants were losing patience over the restrictions and were becoming more vocal about what they thought of the decision. Panic and disorder began to spread through the city.

On a more positive note however the inspector had completed her work soon after the fourth body had shown up and gave the lab her seal of approval before disappearing back to her own lab in Jersey. Mac had found Nikki a temporary job supervising the new interns, one which meant she could stay in the field and work cases, but she didn't have to handle too much evidence or write too many reports, she directed her students to do that. Of course the latest doctor's follow up to her attack had given her a better explanation of the problems with her hands. She had suffered some temporary neurological malfunction due to the knock on her head, which had been further complicated by the development of carpal tunnel syndrome brought on by the pregnancy. At least now she knew it would improve even if it took another 6 months.

----

Nikki lead her new charge, a young intern named Luke, towards the crime scene as officers patrolled the hallway outside, keeping back the students who had previously been enjoying themselves at the Nathanson Academy Dance. As Luke stepped aside to let Nikki enter the room first, she found her path blocked by her normally favourite homicide detective, however things weren't normal. He'd suddenly got his over-protective streak working full throttle and it was seriously pissing her off.

"Can't come in." He announced gruffly, blocking her way and the view of the scene.

"Don that's not funny, it's a bloody crime scene, Mac wanted me to meet him here." She protested.

"Still not letting you in." She eyed him curiously as she felt the young man at her side recoil at the detective's brash words. She could forgive both of them. One terrified of the journey he had embarked on that day under her supervision, the other fiercely protective of her in her current condition. However her sympathy at that instant lay with their victim who she was prevented from seeing.

"Do I even get to know why?" She asked, challenging him.

"There's chemical stuff all over the floor and the body, eaten away half the guy's face, I called Stella to cover for you." He answered matter of factly as he glared at her.

She thought for a minute then tried again to look round him at the body, but he resolutely blocked her view. "Sounds like it could be hydrofluoric acid. Quite likely in a high school chem lab, they use it for demonstration purposes to show its powers by etching glass, but wasn't it locked up?"

"Makes no difference you're not going one step further inside, you got a problem with that?" He shot back as she felt a flutter in her stomach, a combination of early movements of the baby and the fact that they were about to have a showdown right in front of everyone, but he had pushed her one step too far and he needed to know that.

"Actually I have. This has got to stop, I know my job and my restrictions, I can make decisions for myself!" She noticed the brief flicker of guilt run through his eyes, but he never moved from the doorway, still blocking the scene. She could almost feel the intern shaking next to her, so far he had been ignored by the "brick wall" in front of her.

"I'm just looking out for you Princess, protecting-"

She glared at him. "Not another word!" She seethed. "I know EXACTLY what you're doing and I've tolerated it long enough, it's been going on for days and it stops right now Don. I'm perfectly capable and it's time you accepted that. ... Let me assess the scene for myself."

"Not happening. Can't you go interview the witnesses or something?" He asked waving his hand towards the gym at the end of the corridor, while she noted the look of sheer bloody-mindedness in his eyes.

"You know perfectly well I could, but this is my priority until anyone else gets here, while we're standing here arguing about it I could be losing evidence."

"My responsibility is to you and making sure you and the baby are safe, who knows what fumes are in there that could hurt you."

Nikki sighed heavily. She knew this was one fight that he would never let her win and to continue would only send her blood pressure soaring, but this wasn't going to be the end of their discussion. She would wait until they were home and then really let him know what was on her mind. "Fine!" She snapped. "But later we are going to sort this out. I am not working every crime scene with you second guessing me. I'll let you tell Mac you sent me off to do the "safe job", and see what he says then." She snarled and turned and stomped away, the intern trailing behind her.

"That was brave." Stella's voice floated down the hallway as she approached from the opposite direction having witnessed half the exchange. Don looked up and rubbed his face.

"Or stupid, a hormonal, pregnant and pissed off wife is not a good combination and I just got all three. ... I just didn't want her taking risks until we know what we're dealing with."

"Can't say I'd do anything different in your place, but she's a professional Don, she knows what could happen. Would there really be any harm in letting her step inside the door and assess the scene?"

"It's too risky Stell, I just can't let her do it." Don finally stepped back from the doorway and let Stella see the scene, as he wondered what awaited him when they were off the clock.

"I may just agree with you on this occasion, but don't tell her I said so." Stella grinned as she moved towards the body to make an assessment, and he noted she was careful to avoid the puddles of liquid which were scattered across the floor.

-----

He saw Nikki look at the him as they walked into the Academy gymnasium where the students were still gathered. She seemed to have switched off the anger he had seen moments before and was back to the calm, friendly woman he had been working with for the afternoon. "I'm sorry about that, he's getting a little heavy on the protection front with me right now. I'll introduce you later."

"I-introduce me?" Luke couldn't help but stammer, he wasn't sure he was ready to actually be introduced to the fierce detective. What made it worse was that she had picked up on his nervousness.

"Yeah Luke, he's a homicide detective and this isn't going to be the only time you cross paths. Don't worry, he's a softie really."

A softie? From where Luke stood the six foot two detective seemed pretty scary, he really couldn't picture him being anything other than tough and demanding. "He um didn't seem like it."

"Trust me, he's one of the good ones." He knew she was watching him and the various emotions which he knew must be running across his face, "I should have explained it better, he's my husband and father to a lively 5 year old and this one." He saw the protective rub she gave her slightly swollen stomach and realised who it was he had just almost met.

"That's Detective Flack?" He asked feeling horrified. The detective's reputation had preceded him, along with the knowledge that he was married to one of the CSIs and now he knew that he had just spent the afternoon with the other Detective Flack.

"Don't be scared, his reputation is worse than he is. He's tough but fair. Just ignore the two of us at the moment I need to break him out of the papa bear protection routine." He felt a little relieved that she wasn't mad at him. He wasn't sure if he could handle having both of them on his case and now he understood why no-one had mentioned Nikki's last name earlier. She had just introduced herself as Nikki.

"Detective Flack?" He ventured.

"Luke that's one reason I never introduced myself properly earlier, I'm Nikki, the team are mostly on first name terms, although a lot of them use Flack to refer to the papa bear out there, but he'll answer to practically anything. There are a few guys around that still call me Palmer if we're on a scene together, but I'm happy with just Nikki and whatever you do don't call Mac, Sir, he hates it, and don't let Danny Messer tell you any different."

"Ah, OK." He looked around at the assembled students as he tried to process the information which she had just shared. "So what do we do now?"

"Start interviewing the possible suspects. I'll talk, you make notes, names, addresses, key facts, we're after anything which seems out of place or which may confirm the last steps of the victim. First I want you to stand here and look around, get a feel for what's going on, check if you think if anyone is acting suspiciously? I need to get a few details about the victim before we start talking."

"How will I know?"

"It's something that comes with experience, do what I asked and I'll compare notes with you when I get back."

"O-K." Luke watched her walk back towards the crime scene then slowly turned his attention to the crowd in front of him and tried to do as he was asked as he got more than a few sceptical looks from the crowd.

----

Don walked into the kitchen where Nikki was coaxing Amy to eat her breakfast.

"Daddy! You're here! Did you catch the bad guys?"

"Not yet sweetie, but we will. Are you ready for school?"

"Only if she eats her breakfast." Nikki answered as she reached for a pot of freshly brewed coffee and poured a cup and handed it to him. "Here. You ok with the rest? I need some sleep."

Don rubbed her bump as she walked past and kissed her cheek. "Yeah, I got a couple of hours, I'll take her to school. Take care of yourself." he gave her another peck to her cheek and she left father and daughter alone. He gulped a mouthful of the black liquid and turned his attention to Amy.

"Daddy-" Amy half whined before pushing a spoonful of cereal into her mouth.

"What's up Ames?" Asked Don, knowing that whatever followed that simple word was likely to be a challenge to resist.

"Why can't we tell mummy's doctors that I want a baby sister?"

"We've already talked about this, the doctor's aren't in control of whether you are going to have a brother or sister."

"Why not? They're doctors, they make people better."

"Mummy's not sick sweetie, there's a baby growing in her tummy and the decision about if it's a boy or girl was made a long time ago."

"Why don't we know what it is then?"

"Because we want to be surprised."

"If it's a boy can we send it back and change it?"

"Nope"

"Why not? Mummy bought me that dress last week and the shop changed it when it didn't fit right."

Don rubbed his hand over his chin and flopped into one of the chairs at the table. Talking to kids was worse than some of the perps he faced in interrogation.

"Because we can't. Whatever comes out of mummy's tummy is ours and part of this family, we can't change our minds."

"Why not?"

"Because there's nowhere to send babies back to."

"Maybe a baby brother could be 'dopted and then you and mummy can have a baby sister for me."

"As much as I love you Ames, if it's a little brother he will be coming home to live here with us, he's not going in the trash or being adopted or sent anywhere. He's ours and we'll love him just like we love you. Now go brush your teeth." Don told her firmly, hoping that he was getting through to her. His patience over the sex of the baby was wearing thin and it was a subject she seemed to bring up on a daily basis. He wondered if they should find out the sex before it was born, just to help her get used to the idea. He filed away that thought to discuss later with Nikki.

As Amy got off the chair she looked thoughtful, then turned her blue eyes up to her father and blinked a couple of times. Don could see tears pooling in them as her lip began to quiver. "I don't want a baby brother, boys are bad, they do bad things to people then you have to find them and lock them up."

"Not all boys are bad sweetie. Think of uncle Danny and Uncle Mac and me, we're not bad and we're boys."

"But you don't count."

"And neither will a baby brother. He'll be family like I am, now go brush your teeth we have to go soon."

He was a little relieved when she left the room without further comment. He gulped down more of his coffee as he wondered how to break her from her obsession about a baby sister.

----

Nikki had been sitting with Natalie Gerrard in Mac's office a couple of days later while he was down in the precinct observing the interview with one of her attackers. They had talked about the baby mostly, but now silence ensued as Nikki waited for Natalie to say something. After several attempts she looked up with tears in her eyes.

"I don't want to feel like this anymore."

"Feel like what?" Nikki probed gently. She had seen her fair share of shrinks so knew the type of questions they asked.

"... I don't know, sad I guess. ... I tried to hide it for so long, now it's got my Dad mad at me, he won't talk to me."

"It's not an easy thing to face up to Natalie, but you've done the right thing. Keeping your dress was brave, you knew the help it could be to an investigation."

"But if I hadn't said anything my Dad wouldn't be angry so much." Nikki could see the tears beginning to flow again and held out another tissue. Natalie took it with shaking hands.

"He's not angry with you, he's angry with the guys downstairs who hurt you. ... He loves you and I don't think that will ever change." Nikki consoled gently as Natalie scrubbed the tears from her eyes only to have new ones form. It was clear that she needed help, but Nikki wasn't so sure that she was the right person to give it, but Natalie had latched on to her and Lindsay since confessing what happened.

"But I disappointed him, I pulled out of college and my grades have slipped. I just don't know what to do."

"Have you talked to anyone?" Natalie shook her head. "It's not always easy to talk to parents about stuff, I've got a number for a doctor, she helped me last year when I was having problems, would you like her number?"

"Could I talk to you?" Natalie asked warily, fear flashing in her eyes. The idea of talking to anyone else, telling anyone else obviously bothering her.

"Anytime, but I'm not qualified, I was scared the first time I saw her, but she's nice and she won't rush you."

"... I think I'd like that, can I ask a favour?"

"Of course."

"Would you go with me, ... the first time." Natalie's voice was strained, she was close to breaking down.

"I'd be happy to, but don't you have an aunt or cousin you would feel more comfortable with?"

Natalie shook her head and dabbed her eyes with a ragged tissue. "I feel more comfortable with you or Detective Monroe."

"... Alright, if you're sure, but Natalie, if you change your mind you must tell me, this is your life and they're your decisions. Just because you say something now doesn't mean you can't change your mind later, you understand that?" Nikki stressed this to the young girl, knowing it was important for her to realise that she was still able to control her life.

"I have the choice." She mumbled quietly. "Thank you." Nikki was relieved, it seemed that Natalie might be making progress, but she still needed some professional help.

"What do you say we go across the street for milkshakes until your Dad's ready?"

"... I'd like that." For the first time she managed a weak smile as one of the interns knocked on the door.

Nikki looked up and waved them in. "Annie, everything alright?"

"Um, yeah, I was asked to give you this message. it's urgent." She held out a shaky hand and Nikki took the note.

Don't alarm Natalie

Need you in Squad room

Bring two kits

Urgent

Mac

Nikki looked between the two young women as she crushed the note in her hand. "Annie, this is Natalie, her Dad's busy downstairs and she needs some company, we were just going to get some milkshakes across the street, would you go with her?"

"Sure, is everything OK?" Answered Annie.

"Fine, Natalie, I'm sorry, I've got something I need to follow up on, I'll be as quick as I can and I'll come and find you. ... Would you go with Annie?"

"Will you be long?"

"I hope not, Annie's one of our interns studying at Chelsea, I know you don't want to think about college right now, but maybe there are some things you would like to know and I'm sure Annie can answer them."

Quickly pairing up the girls Nikki hurried to the lab to collect the two silver cases Mac had requested then to the elevator where she met Adam armed with a camera and several large evidence bags.

Emerging onto the ground floor they headed across the foyer until they entered the older part of the building and the dilapidated precinct. As they approached the door to the squad room they noticed the flurry of activity around the interrogation rooms and the yellow police tape. Stella and Hawkes were standing in the doorway. Stella looked up on hearing them.

"Adam, we need you here." He mumbled is acquiescence and now carrying the two silver cases as well as the other items he headed in Stella's direction as she turned her attention to Nikki who was approaching. "They're in the Captain's office waiting for you." Nikki sensed something bad had happened, but so far she was in the dark about what.

Walking through it struck her that the place was rather subdued compared to normal, small groups of officers scattered around the room spoke in hushed tones. The normally open door to the corner office was firmly closed. It opened as she approached feeling rather apprehensive. At 18 weeks into her second pregnancy she was more certain about the fluttering feelings in her abdomen. The baby had picked up her unease and was making its presence known.

Mac waited in the doorway, stepping aside as she got closer. "Nikki, how's Natalie?"

"Fine for now, I've sent her across the street with Annie, Adam's with Stella. What's going on?" She asked stepping into the room and hearing the click as Mac closed the door behind her. She glanced between Don and his Captain, both wearing serious expressions. She rubbed her abdomen as she felt the baby flutter again. Don couldn't fail to notice the movement.

"You OK?" He asked taking her elbow and guiding her to a chair.

"Fine, just a little concerned about what's going on."

"Sit down Detective. Mac I'll let you explain, I'll go and wait for the Chief."

The captain made his exit leaving Don and Mac. Don took the other vacant chair while Mac leaned against the Captain's desk.

"Sorry to drag you down like this, but we need you to talk to Natalie, she's most comfortable with you and ..."

"Mac, stop trying to take a leaf out of papa bear's book and tell me."

"Papa Bear!?" Wheezed Don, trying to catch his breath. It was the first time she had used the term in his presence and it had obviously come as quite a shock.

"He being a little overbearing?" Asked Mac for the moment a light-hearted grin on his face.

"A little? Oh no, he's so infuriatingly over the top all the time."

"But-"

"Don, I swear if you do this for the next 12 weeks-"

"OK you two, we need to focus here, you can deal with that stuff later- ... at home."

"I'm sorry, so what happened?" Nikki replied her eyes on Mac as he rubbed his hand around his neck.

She heard Don shift in the chair at her side and felt his had close around hers, "Gerrard just killed the scumbag who raped Natalie." She couldn't tell if he was angry or just upset.

He felt her flinch at the news then he was looking into her confused eyes as she turned to him. "... What possessed him?"

"Could be a lot of things, right now he's sitting alone in an interrogation room with Scagnetti standing guard. The chief is on his way to conduct the interrogation personally. We'll probably be here for some time. .... Some one needs to talk to Natalie." It was Mac who answered, drawing the attention of the couple.

"And you want me to do it?" Nikki asked quietly.

"She's comfortable with you, none of us saw this coming she's going to need someone with her for a while until we can find a relative for her to stay with. Think you can handle it?"

"I'll find a way. Could you do me a favour in return?"

"I probably wont argue with- what did you say papa bear?"

"Nothing to do with that. Is Gerrard able to speak to her himself?"

"We'll arrange it, you think it would help?" Asked Mac, who had been doing most of the talking.

"I don't know Mac, but right now she needs to know he's not angry with her."

"I'll talk to him."

"I'll go get her." Nikki pushed herself up from the chair, before she had barely moved, Don was out of his seat and helping her. She did nothing more than glare at him before leaving the room.

Thanks to hope4sall and DantanaMM for the reviews, I will send replies shortly.

I have started the next chapter so hopefully it won't be a long wait for the next update. As you know reviews always feed the muse. Please ....