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.

Thanks to Lily Moonlight for additional discussion. The Smacked scene is your reward.

25. Meet your new big sister

It had been three days since their world had been turned upside down. Don, Nikki and her mum had been in Philadelphia making all the necessary arrangements, Cameron was with them while Amy had stayed in New York with her best friend, still unaware of the further change which had taken place in their family. It was her first week back in school after the summer holidays and Nikki and Don felt it was more important for her to have a stable few days before they introduced her to her baby cousin. It also gave them a few days to ensure there would be no surprises when it came to formalising the paperwork.

Nikki and Don had taken the preferred option to handle the custody hearing in Philly to make things easier as Cameron was born and lived there. So now they found themselves at the court house waiting for the hearing.

Leaving the ladies room to rejoin Don who was waiting outside the judge's chambers Nikki looked up and down the hallway, regaining her bearings. She was surprised to see a familiar face sauntering along the corridor, any hope of avoiding him was washed away when he called her.

"Nicole!" She stopped in the middle of the hallway and waited for him to reach her.

"Hi Scott. This is a surprise." She commented a little ill at ease. The last time they had met was the year before when her and Don were working a case which brought them here. A time when Don was extremely jealous of the guy in front of her and what he thought they had shared. Scotty looked her up and down in surprise before giving her a hug and a kiss to her cheek.

"Hey darlin' you're looking good."

"Thanks, how are you?" She asked, turning the attention back to him, but knowing that it would only be for a moment, he would ask about the baby, after all it wasn't exactly hard to hide the fact that she was almost ready to give birth.

"Pretty good. Looks like you've been busy ... and you're married." He commented lifting her left hand showing off her wedding ring.

"Actually, we were already married when we were here last October, we just hadn't told anyone."

"So what are you doing here now, how long you got to go?" He asked nodding at her bulging abdomen.

"Due next week, so Don's keeping everything crossed it doesn't come early; he wants us back home for the birth." She answered rubbing her bump lovingly.

"I can't blame him for that; kinda surprised you're here at all this close." He commented fixing her with a firm gaze.

"... It's a long story, but we're taking care of some family business. ... I'd better be heading back to find Don, he's probably wondering where I got to." She knew it wouldn't be long before he came looking, and she wanted to be the one to either take Scott to him or be without him.

"I'll walk you. ... I heard about what happened back in January, it sounded pretty grim." Scotty commented as they walked down the hallway, referring to the attack which had landed her in hospital.

"Yeah, it was rough for a while, I've still got a few problems, but I've been told they're exacerbated by the pregnancy, so things should settle down after the birth." Nikki sighed; it was a subject she didn't like to dwell on too much, she'd had an amazing escape from serious brain injury and she wanted to focus on her family and the chance she had been given at life.

"And do you know what you're having?" Scotty asked, breaking her silence.

"We're keeping it a surprise." They rounded the corner and Don looked up, a frown crossed his face as he recognised her companion. He stood up and slipped his arm possessively around Nikki's waist as she stopped next to him.

"You OK Princess? I was getting worried." He asked, for the moment ignoring the detective with her.

"I'm fine, I just ran into Scotty and we got chatting. ... you remember each other?" She asked rather hesitantly, already having detected his protectiveness of her.

"Yeah, Detective Flack how are you?"

"Good, we're good." Flack held his hand out a little begrudgingly which Scotty shook firmly.

"What are you doing here?" He asked repeating an earlier question.

"Waiting for the family court judge, we're sorting out some business for my brother." Nikki answered leaning into Don hoping she didn't really have to explain.

------

Stella walked into Mac's office without invitation and closed the door. Hearing her entrance he looked up. She noticed the frown on his face as he tossed aside the file he had been reviewing.

"Stella? To what do I owe the pleasure?" He seemed a little wary as she had entered empty handed and closed the door. She smiled at him brightly and perched against his desk at his side.

"Does there have to be a reason for me to drop by Mac?"

"No, but there usually is." He replied his eyes fixed on her face. She shrugged a little.

"OK, well there kind of is, I need an extra pair of hands and you're going to supply them."

He raised his eyes at her, "I am?"

"Yes, Nikki called they should be home soon and she asked me to round up someone to do her a favour."

"A favour?" Stella's grin widened. Her boss was currently completely ill at ease and wondering just what she was dragging him into. His hesitant questions and frown showed her that.

"Come on Mac it's not so hard, .. Ok she's asked me to collect the new crib from Bellini's on 2nd Avenue and I can't move it myself, so I nominated you to come and help me."

"You did huh?"

Stella shook her head and giggled a little before sighing. "Mac, it's been weeks since you took a day off, all I'm asking is for you to finish early so we can get to the store before they close, that's not so hard is it?"

"I guess not, but why doesn't Flack do that tomorrow?"

"Sythe has him on overtime for the next few days, to cover what he just had off, and they don't want to be caught out when the new baby arrives with nowhere for it to sleep. Lindsay's already taken their pram back and changed it for a double one. It's the least we can do."

"OK give me five minutes to sign off these reports and then I'm all yours."

"You sure about that?" She asked giving him a nudge. She couldn't quite tell if the colour in his cheeks was a blush or if it was the reflection of his computer screen saver. "Five minutes," she warned, "then I'm going to bodily remove you from the building."

"That so?" He asked cocking his head to one side and a faint smile gracing his lips, a smile that rose to reflect from his eyes too.

"Definitely and if you don't come quietly I might be forced to use my cuffs!" Stella quipped as she pushed herself from his desk and left the room leaving Mac to contemplate the suggestion.

-----

Don opened the door and Amy ran inside, calling for her mother and grandmother. Don dropped his keys on the table and Amy's bags nearby before heading into the lounge where the family were gathering.

"Mummy! Has the baby come already?" She asked looking around the room at the play gym and mat on the floor.

"No sweetie not yet, but Daddy and I do need to talk to you." Don watched his daughter for a moment as she looked around again and a puzzled expression crossed her face. "Why don't you come and sit down here," Nikki suggested patting the cushion to the side of her." Amy looked sceptical then turned to Don and wrapped her arms round his legs, so he bent down and scooped her up.

"OK squirt, you can sit with me, and I'll sit next to Mummy."

Amy's normal chatter stopped and she was very quiet, Nikki looked at Don anxiously in the silence as he sat down and sat Amy on his lap. "Ames, you know you're going to be a big sister to the Alien," Nikki reminded her while rubbing her tummy, which caused Amy to reach over and press her hand there too.

"But it's not ready to be born yet." She stated firmly patting Nikki's stomach. "Are you?" She pressed talking to the baby.

"No not quite, but it could happen any time now. ...." Don replied, and letting her think for a moment he could see the concentrated look she had.

"But I'm going to be a good big sister, unless it's a boy, then it can go in the trash." She informed them, repeating the threat that had been fairly constant since she knew about the new baby.

"Why don't you want a baby brother?" Nikki ventured, needing to understand her daughter and bring her around before she met Cameron.

"Coz boys are a pain; they spoil your games and stuff."

"What if your Ma and I make sure that doesn't happen?" Don asked, with a glance at Nikki for reassurance he was doing the right thing.

"But you can't always be there." She half whined.

"But when we are we'll make sure you get some time without a baby brother or sister interfering with your games. How's that?" Nikki reinforced.

Amy thought for a moment then nodded once briefly, so Don seized the moment to introduce their news. "Ames, we want you to meet someone, his name's Cameron, he's a baby too, he's going to come and live with us."

"Why?" She asked her eyes opening wide.

"Something bad happened to his Mummy and Daddy and now he has nowhere to live. He's only little and he needs us to help him." Nikki explained in simple terms, trying not to overwhelm Amy.

"Why here? Why can't he live with someone else?" Nikki heard Don sigh at their daughter's logic.

"He could, but his Daddy ... his Daddy was my brother, ... I found out a few weeks ago that he was living in another city and I hadn't seen him for a long long time, since I was in school."

"Why not?" Nikki could sense Don's discomfort rising at Amy's endless questions.

"James, my brother, was a soldier and a long time ago he got hurt badly and he was hurt so bad that he couldn't remember who he was, and when he got married and Cameron was born it helped him remember. He remembered holding me as a little baby; he was about your age when I was born, so he helped my mum look after me." Nikki informed her daughter gently, trying to ease her path of understanding.

"So why doesn't Cameron live with his mummy and daddy." Amy had seem to forget what she had been told at the start of the conversation, Nikki was about to remind her when Amy piped up again, a frown creasing her normally smooth forehead. "What bad thing happened?"

Don hugged her a little tighter as Nikki spoke. "There was an accident and Cameron's Mummy and Daddy were hurt so bad that the doctors couldn't make them better."

"So they've gone to live with Grandpa Drew." Amy asked referring to Nikki's father who she had seen pictures of, and had always known as Grandpa Drew from when she was little and had talked about him with Nikki and her mum.

"That's it sweetie, they're living with God and the angels,"

"And Grandpa Drew." She reminded them.

"And Grandpa Drew," Nikki reassured her.

"That's sad. So baby Cameron doesn't have any Mummy or Daddy now?" She asked slowly processing the information.

"Not his own ones, but you know if something bad happens to us, you'll go and live with Uncle Marc and Aunt Cassie, well James asked if Cameron could come and live with us." Don answered. "D'you think he can do that?" He asked.

"And you'll be his Mummy and Daddy too, not just mine and the Alien's?" She asked still processing the information.

"Sort of. For now we're still Aunt and Uncle and we act like his Mummy and Daddy."

"So what does he call you?"

"What would you like him to call us?"

Amy thought for a moment, then scrubbed her hand across her face, a gesture that mimicked her father. "I guess calling you aunty and uncle all the time would be weird-"

"Ow!" Nikki half squealed and rubbed the side of her abdomen roughly, Amy jumped and Don turned his attention to his wife.

"Nik?" He queried anxiously as she caught her breath.

"I'm fine, sorry, I just got kicked in the kidney."

"You sure?" Don questioned, still watching her, his heart pounding in his chest and Amy trembling in his lap from the sudden outburst.

"Yes, it's just woken up. Always happens when I sit down."

"Can I feel?" Amy asked.

"Sure sweetie, but wouldn't you like to meet your baby cousin too?"

"OK. Was your brother a pain in the ass even if he was a boy?"

"Ames, language, .. you know you're not supposed to talk like that." Nikki chided gently as Don lifted Amy off his lap and on to the couch beside Nikki allowing him to go in search of his mother-in-law and the baby.

"I'm sorry. ... but was he?" She asked again.

"Sometimes, but grandma and grandpa wouldn't let him spoil my games." Nikki answered honestly. "Cameron is still little and as he grows up he's going to learn things just like you did and like the Alien will and we're going to need your help to do some of those things. Do you think you could try and like him, even just a little bit for me?"

"I won't promise, but he can stay here tonight." Amy added as Don carried a screaming baby down the stairs and into the lounge. "He's loud!" Amy shouted above the din as Don approached them.

"He's hungry, ... would you like to feed him?"

"Will he keep screaming?"

"Not when he's comfortable and eating."

Amy shuffled along the couch and wedged herself against the corner with her arm on the rest, "This is what you told me for the new baby right?" She asked with a wide eyed look.

"Good girl," Don acknowledged sitting on the coffee table and leaning forward with the squirming infant. "Why don't you talk to him? .... Cameron, be quiet and meet your new big sister." Don spoke to both children. Nikki watched, except for a brief glance at her mother when she brought in the bottle for the baby, which Nikki tested while turning her attention back to the family.

"Hey, Cammy, I'm Amy, my mummy says you're all alone now, well we're going to look after you." She told him as Don laid him on her lap, making sure he was securely held. Nikki handed the bottle of feed to her that Don had brought in with him. Amy carefully nudged the bottle against the baby's mouth. "Here you go, if you're hungry you need to drink this stuff, it's good for you."

Nikki glanced at Don as he sat back a little from the children, his expression fixed in utter rapture at his daughter with the baby, as she cajoled him into taking the bottle and silence fell around the room.

"Dinner's almost ready," Maggie announced leaving the kitchen, "how are you all doing?"

"Fine mum, Amy's taking charge." Nikki commented her eyes still hovering between the children and Don. He slowly tore his gaze away and looked at her.

"You alright babe, you're looking a little pale?" He asked wondering if the kick she claimed to have received was really just that.

"It's been a long day, I'm just tired. Can you give me and Amy a hand with Cameron after dinner?"

"Sure."

-----

Nearly two weeks had passed since they returned from Philadelphia and introduced Amy to her new cousin, they had begun to settle into a routine which involved Maggie temporarily living with them, so that Nikki had company the nights when Don was working, as well as help with the baby and someone on call if she went into labour, but so far the new Flack baby was quiet comfortable still residing inside Nikki. She on the other hand was getting booted black and blue every time it moved. Her latest doctor's visit had resulted in a decision to induce if labour hadn't started within two days, something she wasn't looking forward to.

Amy had taken to Cameron surprisingly well and spent every moment she could with him. It seemed the point about him having no parents of his own had struck a chord with her and she was doting on him any chance she got. Nikki and Don had breathed a sigh of relief that it seemed to stop all talk of a baby brother going in the trash and their evening routine was for Amy to read to Cameron after their bath before she went to bed herself.

Nikki had just settled Amy in for the night and was leaving Amy's room when Don jogged up the stairs.

"It's quiet," he whispered, half expecting both children to still be awake.

"I think the trip to the park wore them out, I'm glad you had some time with them."

"Me too, but I've gotta make up for it now, dispatch just called I got a case downtown. How are you doing?" He asked wrapping one arm around her shoulder and his free hand on her bump, gaining a few kicks from the baby for his trouble.

"I think they're set for life, nothing's even remotely happening."

"You sure, coz if there is I'll stay."

"No, you go; anything happens I'll call you. Give Jess at least one night off."

"Alright, I'll be home as soon as I can." He planted a brief chaste kiss on her lips and slid his hand over her bump again, aware that she was watching him.

"We're ok, Mum will be back soon and if you're still out in the morning she'll take Amy to school."

"OK then." He took Nikki's hand and lead her into their room while he pulled on a shirt and tie, replacing the one's he had discarded earlier before playing with the children. Nikki leant against the wall watching him as she rubbed her hand over the baby, he had hoped that he would escape any call outs so close to the birth, but this baby was being stubborn; already a week late and no sign that it was even remotely ready to put in an appearance, there again it was probably something to do with inherited genes, he had been three days late and Nikki herself nearly three weeks! Three weeks seemed rather extreme, but then she had been born overseas where different rules applied to mothers being induced. He tried several times to knot his tie, but with his mind occupied by the impending birth he only seemed to succeed in tying himself in knots.

"Damn it!" The words escaped him before he thought and he caught the amused look on her face as she waddled towards him. Actually waddle was unfair, although she seemed to have a large bump, she actually managed a pretty good posture and movement, probably had something to do with the exercise classes she had taken up after the accident, helping to keep her fit.

"Here, let me before you strangle yourself." She chided sweetly, taking the ends of his tie and almost expertly looping them to produce the desired result. "I know you're wound up about the birth and don't want to leave me alone, but I promise as soon as anything starts I'll call you and you'll be in plenty of time to see your son or daughter arrive." She flattened his tie against his shirt, he knew she would call, but he still worried about not being there when things started and that he would be stuck somewhere unable to get to her. He slipped his hand into her hair and caressed her neck with his fingers, eliciting a low moan from her as he lowered his head to capture her lips in a slow sensuous kiss.

She was the first one to pull away, a dark look in her eyes, "If you didn't have to be somewhere else I would suggest our own method of inducing this baby, but you can always wake me up when you come in."

He couldn't resist the grin which crossed his face. "I like your thinking, Princess, I may just hold you to that." He dropped another intense kiss on her lips before a final stroke of her stomach and leaving the room.

----

Nikki had spoken to Don briefly before going to bed, it was likely to be an all night shift, the scene was a messy one, so when she awoke in the early hours it didn't surprise her she was the only one in bed. She glanced at the clock and realised that it was actually later than she first thought. She could hear her mother downstairs with the children and as she lay listening she felt a little nauseous as a slight cramp rolled across her abdomen. She glanced at the clock again and decided to wait a few minutes before doing anything more.

By the time her mother appeared with a glass of milk for her the weird cramps had appeared a couple more times, however there was no regularity to them, so she was reluctant to declare herself in labour and decided to hold off for a bit before saying anything.

"Cameron is up too, so if you want I'll take him with me to drop Amy, give you a chance to have a lie in, perhaps see a little of Don if he makes it home soon." Maggie offered.

"That would be good if you're sure." Nikki replied, feeling the cramp appear again.

"I'll send Amy up to see you before we go, you enjoy yourself."

Nikki thanked her mother as she left the room, but as soon as she was closing the door, she rubbed her hand across the lower part of the bump. "I think your Daddy is going to want to know about this." She whispered, hoping it wasn't another false alarm.

Nikki reached for her phone from the bedside table and pressed the speed dial for her husband, cursing when it went straight to voicemail. Knowing he had been with Stella at the scene she tried her number only to discover that she hadn't seen him for a while, but at least she promised to call the precinct and get him to call, allowing Nikki to go back to watching the clock. She had been awake over half an hour, but was still no clearer as to whether she was really in labour, there was barely any pain and the contractions, if that's what they were, didn't occur at regular intervals, except that they were happening between every three and six minutes.

"Ok baby, this is it, either decide it's time and this is for real, or go back to sleep and stop stretching my insides."

AN: OK folks ... this is somewhere near where I want it to conclude, so there may only be another chapter or two, but your views are still welcome. I have already decided what the baby is going to be and what to name it, but if any one wishes to guess feel free.