Thanks to Simplelove for being my 200th reviewer!

It's present day now... so who was Paige trying to call in the prologue? Well, you'll just have to find out!

Chapter 24- Present Day

Spoilers: Charge Of This Post

All Paige could hear was ringing.

"Pick up the phone, I don't have time for this," Paige muttered.

Her sadness had been replaced by an endless anger that knew no bounds – if Gary didn't pick up, she would leave voicemail after voicemail until he did. She got voicemail on the first try then got a wicked idea – impersonate Gary's mean old boss.

"Agent Fleming, you pick up your phone right now or you will answer to me!" Paige yelled in a deep voice.

"Agent Murphy, I'm still in New York, there was –" said Gary.

"It's Paige, and if you hang up I'll contact the real Agent Murphy," said Paige. "Don't ask me how I have his number – I want to know everything about that laptop, it's the reason the bombing happened!"

"What?!" Gary yelled. "Shit!! What can I do?"

"Ask your friends at DHS what happened," said Paige.

She hung up then got a text from Ian.

I'm at NYU, heard what happened.

Paige couldn't believe her luck – Ian was the only hacker she knew, and he was as good as in her back pocket.

Get on a computer! I wanna know who did this! Surveillance feeds!

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Ian looked and saw a guy on a phone – there was a bag.

"Shit," Ian muttered. "Oh shit oh shit oh shit."

It was the bomber. Forget hacking – he took out his phone and took a picture, even though he only had the bastard from the back.

He sent the picture to Paige.

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After Mac and Danny diffused the bomb, Scagnetti came up.

"Found a kid," said Scagnetti. "He was hiding from the bomber."

"My name is Ian Hanson. I have a picture of the S.O.B. I go to school here," said Ian.

"School's out," said Mac.

"I know… my friend, she… her boyfriend was caught in the blast," said Ian. "I came down, moral support and stuff. I was gonna come here and call her to see which hospital they were at, then the S.O.B. showed up."

"Is your friend Paige by any chance?" said Danny.

Ian nodded.

"Trinity," said Danny.

"I'll hail a cab," said Ian.

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Paige was sitting back in the waiting room when she heard the elevator ding.

"Ian! When did you fly down here?" said Paige. "I got your text, but when?"

"You my friend are national news," said Ian. "See the TV up there?"

Paige looked up.

"I had no idea I was being caught on tape," said Paige. "I got your picture. I hope the bastard rots."

"Where did you fly in from?" said Jimmy.

"Seattle," said Ian. "What? Do NOT look at me like that!"

"Same floor huh?" said Jimmy.

"Until she went Greek, yeah," said Ian.

The elevator opened again.

"Rhonda!" said Paige.

Rhonda wasted no time in giving her best friend a hug.

"I'm here, okay?" said Rhonda. "I just saw Abs, he's fine."

"He was in the bombing?" said Paige.

"Block party, broke his leg, he's in traction," said Rhonda. "The others will be arriving soon."

4 Hours Later

Paige looked up as the surgeon came out. There were more people in the waiting room now – Scagnetti, Kaile, and Gavin. Kaile had gone straight to her apartment and dragged Scagnetti out of bed and Paige had called Gavin. He now sat a slight distance from the others, however he was as distraught as the rest of them.

"Donald Flack Jr. is out of surgery," said the surgeon.

"How is he?" said Paige.

"We've done all we can, but I'm afraid he's slipped into a coma. It doesn't look good," said the surgeon.

Paige heard Caroline losing it and felt the color drain from her face, so she had to put a hand on a nearby wall to steady herself.

"Don't you dare faint, I'm not gonna catch you," said Ian.

"Like I'd expect you too, you ass," Paige hissed.

"Okay, I was being sarcastic, where did that from?" Ian whispered.

Paige wasn't sure herself – this anger, it was familiar, and yet… it was worse.

So much worse. She had felt it only twice before – her father, Josie. The anger of knowing that someone absolutely cold blooded had gone out of their way to cut down the ones she loved.

Hopefully, she would luck out this time – her father had lived. Josie hadn't, and Paige tried to shake that from her subconscious for now.

Paige heard another doctor come out – Dr. Singh – and heard details about how soon Don would have a room in ICU and she would be able to see him.

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Donald Sr., as much as he tried to hide it, was devastated.

That's when he saw that girl, the one who called herself Paige's "bestie". She had a cup of iced coffee and was chugging it down like a fish. She was just like detective Taylor – always needed her coffee.

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When Paige was able to see Don, she wasn't sure what to expect.

"You'll be okay, you're one of the strongest people I know," said Rhonda. "Here, you can borrow this."

Paige looked at Rhonda's outstretched hand – a pearl necklace was in it.

"I can't borrow that! You told me it was your mother's," said Paige. "I'm sorry, I just don't want to chance losing it, you told me it's the one thing you have left of her."

Rhonda nodded. Other than photographs, all her mother's possessions had had to be sold to pay off medical expenses, but the pearl necklace had stayed, and Rhonda wore it almost every day.

At a loss for words, Rhonda gave her BFF a hug and sat in the waiting room until Paige was gone, then went to see Abs, who wasn't in ICU so she had to take the elevator.

"I see you managed to get yourself in trouble. I'm not even gone 24 hours and you get your ass blown to heaven!" said Rhonda.

"Not my fault!" said Abs.

They heard a snickering noise – Matt and Amanda were in a visitor's chair, and Stacy was sitting on the windowsill.

"Where's Zac?" said Rhonda.

"What you should be asking is where my nurse is!" said Abs.

Rhonda was about to laugh when she heard moaning in the bathroom – quietly, she snuck in and yanked open the curtain to find Zac and a blonde nurse going at it.

"Oh, hey Rhonda – this is Tiffany. Tiffany, this is my friend Rhonda," said Zac.

"Get a life!" said Rhonda.

She closed the curtain and walked out in a huff to find Abs cursing about being in traction – Rhonda was grateful that traction was the worst of it, she really liked Abs. He was one of the few guys she had had a thing for who wasn't a total skeez. She could actually see it going somewhere beyond college. Prior to the two of them getting together, they had been quite close – despite Abs being a player, a lot of people had mistaken Abs and Rhonda for a couple.

"You alright, Rhonda?" said Abs.

She didn't say anything, but bent down and gave him a whopper of a kiss instead.

"Considering the nurse is too busy, um, nursing Zac, wanna get in the bed?" said Abs.

Rhonda was about to shake her head when Abs pulled a puppy face – Rhonda hated that face, it was the reason she had gone and had sex with him the last night of Greek Week, although the better part of a bottle of red wine she had consumed had also played a role.

So reluctantly she climbed in, trying not to disturb the traction as the couple got more comfortable.

Although she wouldn't admit it to anyone, she had been scared when Abs had mentioned being caught in the bombing – that, and she was relieved she wasn't in Paige's shoes, but that made her feel guilty because she knew if Don died, it would devastate Paige.

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Paige quietly walked into Don's room. While different scenarios had played out in her mind of what would be, she hadn't exactly expected to see Don looking the way he did.

He was so pale, and still. Paige didn't know which one bothered her more. No, that was easy. It was the latter.

Every time they had been together he had never been completely still, not even when he sat – she vaguely wondered how he slept, because whenever they had fallen asleep after making love they had always been in the same position the next morning.

Shoot… how do I do this, how the hell do I do this… my father wasn't even comatose when he got hurt, he was doped on pain meds and singing the Rolling Stones off-key.

She took a seat next to his bed and took his hand in both of hers.

"Donnie… hey, it's me," said Paige. "I told you I wasn't going anywhere, and I never break a promise, although that's something you already know about me. The doctors are acting like they're the sons of grim reaper – whatever. I know you, they don't… a lot of people are pulling for you. Your family's in the waiting room. Your mom had to call some people so everyone suggested I go first."

The last part was a lie. Caroline had been supposed to go first, but hadn't pulled it together so Melanie had suggested Paige go first. Jimmy had made a Katie-esque remark, and Paige had been seething until she had gotten to Don's hospital room, not wanting to bring in the bad vibes.

Paige had made a promise at the blast site and she intended to keep it – even if it meant disappointing others in the process, like her

Caroline didn't show up until later that night when Paige left – not after heavy convincing – and she wasn't the first person that Paige saw.

Rather, it was Mac, Stella, and the rest of the team.

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Stella stared through the blinds-covered windows of Don's ICU room. Even though the mood was a somber one, she was glad Paige was there. The CSI heard a voice behind her.

"Okay, who are you and why are you peeping at my best friend?" said the voice. "She's been to hell and back today so leave her alone!"

Startled, Stella turned around to see a young woman Paige's age, dark brown hair dark brown eyes and a pearl necklace to go with a pair of black shorts and a matching tank top. Stella sighed – the girl had snuck behind her just like the many times Mac did, only she always knew it was Mac. This piqued Stella's interest in the co-ed.

"What about you?" said Stella.

"You didn't answer my question," said the voice.

"Stella Bonasera, Don is my friend too," said Stella.

"Rhonda James, and I'm sorry if I came off harsh, I'm kinda protective of the people in my life," said Rhonda.

"Kinda?" said a voice.

Stella whipped around to see another co-ed in a wheelchair, his left leg in a heavy cast.

"Abs, if you don't get back in bed you'll wish…" said Rhonda.

"Can't say it can ya?" said Abs. "Admit it you're in love with me… who took care of ya when you broke your arm?"

Stella saw Rhonda grin.

"Are you from Chicago, by any chance?" said Stella.

"Yep! My boo is all South Side!" said Abs.

"Abs! Seriously, I thought you were in traction," said Rhonda.

"Ortho guy re-examined me and didn't see the need, so he cut me loose! I'm free as a bird!" said Abs.

"Free as a bird? Seriously, I said lay off the pain meds!" said Rhonda. "I'm taking you back to your room."

"I'm a big boy, I can go myself – hey, what about you come up later and see what we can do despite this big ol' thang on my leg, eh?" said Abs.

Stella heard more heated arguing – not loud – followed by the ding of an elevator. Rhonda came back and sat on a chair in a huff. It was the chair next to Mac, Stella saw. She also saw that her dear friend and Rhonda were sitting in the exact same way, bent over and battle-weary – they looked really alike save for their eyes although Rhonda seemed to have Mac's stare.

Could Rhonda be Mac's…nah!

Soon the rest of the team drifted in. Rhonda watched them come in – sure enough, Danny came with them. Stacy and Amanda soon followed.

"How is she?" said Stacy.

"Hanging tough," said Rhonda.

"Still mad that you lost that bet Stacy?" said Amanda.

"We all know I could've bedded the man with my eyes closed if I hadn't been completely wasted – that was so dirty Rhonda," said Stacy.

"Last I checked, anything went in that bet," said Rhonda.

The girls minus Paige left ICU and sighed – it had been a wild crazy bet between Rhonda and Stacy to see who could bed Danny first. Then one night Stacy got wasted courtesy of Zac and Abs, so Rhonda went for it. Danny had been hungry and Rhonda had had some leftover pizza in the fridge so they had journeyed downstairs to find Don and Paige locking lips – it had been completely awkward but Rhonda had gotten $500 in the bet. Danny hadn't known, and Rhonda just thought it was hilarious.

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"The others are here… Mac, Stella, Danny, Lindsay, all of them… and now Lindsay's beckoning me to come out, but I'll be back. I love you, stay strong Donnie," said Paige.

Paige gave Don a kiss on his uninjured cheek and quietly walked out.

"Hey," said Danny. "How ya holdin' up?"

"What he said," said Lindsay.

Danny took a good look at Paige. He'd watched her exit Don's room with all the dignity she could muster, but he could see the unshed tears in her eyes that threatened to spill over.

"I'm holding up," said Paige. "First visit is the hardest."

"Dr. Singh said Don's neurological eval is set for tomorrow," said Stella. "There's room for cautious optimism."

"In other words the miracles of modern medicine," said Hawkes.

A miracle – Paige wanted and needed one desperately. If love was a miracle… she hoped with all her heart that the love she felt for Don would be more than enough to bring him back to her, to all the people whose lives he held an important place in.

"He's on round-the-clock care… we don't all have to stay and stand watch," said Stella.

"We don't have to," said Mac.

"Black coffee two sugars right?" said Stella.

"Where were you stayin'?" said Danny.

"At Don's, but it doesn't feel right staying there now," said Paige. "I have a friend that lives in the city, I'll stay with her."

"You can stay with me," said Lindsay. "We'll go to Don's place and get your stuff."

"I don't wanna put you out," said Paige.

"It's not a problem, really," said Lindsay.

"I'll give you guys a ride," said Danny.

"I'm coming back here right after," said Paige.

"You need to rest," said Lindsay. "I have a guestroom. You can use it as long as you need it."

"We'll all come back tomorrow," said Danny. "I overheard Caroline say she was gonna stay the night, an' no one in history, not even Flack Senior, has been able to argue against her an' win."

Paige nodded. Before she left, she walked up to Mac.

"I want to thank you for what you did before they found you and Don," said Paige. "If it weren't for you Don might be… I can't even say it."

Mac put a hand on the young woman's shoulder.

"Go and get some rest," said Mac. "He knows you love him, even if you aren't there."

Paige nodded before leaving with Danny and Lindsay.

Mac knew it was the truth. The couple had a special connection. They had only been going out over six months at this point, it wasn't fair.

If Paige had stayed a little longer she would've seen Don squeeze Macs hand.

However, she did see something else – Danny and Lindsay kissing in one of the hospital halls when she went to bring Danny's car around. Paige saw it through the revolving door – when Danny and Lindsay came out they acted like nothing had happened.

The ride to Don's apartment was silent. Not even the radio was on, and Danny was the kind of guy who couldn't go without tunes to save his life. When they reached their destination, Paige and Lindsay got out of the car then came back half an hour later two suitcases in hand. For some reason Danny had expected more suitcases and a longer wait in the car. Soon they arrived at Lindsay's building. Danny walked them up to Lindsay's apartment then went back down the stairs. Lindsay showed Paige where everything was.

"If you need anything don't hesitate to ask," said Lindsay.

"Alright," said Paige. "Thanks, Lindsay."

"Not a problem," said Lindsay.

Paige began unpacking. After she did that and took a shower did she try to fall asleep.

When she finally did, she had what she would call both a dream and a nightmare rolled into one.

It was April 1912, and she was sailing on a ship doomed to sink on its maiden voyage.

If I'm Rose that means Jack is…

I got work tomorrow, which is why I'm updating so soon: I want to see reviews filling my inbox when I get back from a long and tiring shift!