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.
51. New Year Celebration
Mac's impromptu new year party had spilled into the foyer outside the breakroom and Don was leaning against the wall, his arms loosely around Nikki's waist as they talked, she slipped her arms around his neck. Stella joined Mac and Lindsay and wished them a Happy New Year as Danny joined them. He nodded at Don and Nikki. "They look like they're doing ok" he commented as he looked at Lindsay. She averted her gaze from his and excused herself from the group.
Don and Nikki were lost in each other's gaze. "I'm glad Marc brought you out for Christmas" He told her.
"Me too" She whispered.
"I am sorry about that snowball, you know that?"
"Don, It wasn't your fault. It was an accident. We know what happened. You have to stop blaming yourself for everything. You aren't responsible for what other people do, you know that" She told him, trying to assuage his guilt. He nodded.
"It's just that-" he began, Nikki put her finger on his lips
"You don't want to see me get hurt. ... I've heard that before, .. you're never going to give up trying to look after me, I know that now." She told him.
"So what do you think Amy would say if I was around more often?" he asked with a grin while changing the subject.
Nikki giggled "More often than what? You've practically been living at my place since I got back from California, Mum's thinking of moving out!"
"That's what I'm talking about, is Amy ok with it?" he asked trying to look serious. Nikki shook her head and whispered in his ear.
".. and I love having you around too" she said as she pulled back slightly. A big smile spread across his face and lit up his eyes as he ran his hand across her face and into her hair drawing her in. His lips brushing hers momentarily before gently deepening the kiss, Nikki tightened her arms round his neck locking them together. The moment did not go unnoticed across the room as Danny watched.
"Yup they're ok" He commented and Stella looked up and grinned.
"It's good to see them together again. Perhaps this will be a better year for them." She said.
"Perhaps it will be a better year for everyone, we've all had our own demons to excise."
A moment later Mac caught everyone's attention and made a toast, before sending everyone home. The girls were in the locker room collecting their stuff. Nikki closed her locker taking her holdall. Stella closed her locker. "Nik, its good to see you and Don together again." She told her.
"It's been a weird couple of weeks, but I'm looking forward to a fresh start." Nikki answered as Stella went to the bathroom. Lindsay closed her locker and sighed.
"You're looking much better too. What's the secret?" She asked.
"For me or for you? ... For you I would say Danny, take a chance Linds, let him take you home." Nikki suggested. Lindsay's face crumpled and she looked close to tears.
"I can't ... I don't know if I can ever take that chance." Lindsay sobbed.
"Hey, Linds I'm sorry, but to the rest of us its obvious that something is going on with you. Have you talked to anyone yet?" Nikki asked gently as she sat on the bench with Lindsay.
"I know I have to excise my demons, but its not that easy." Lindsay sighed.
"I know it isn't. Remember I've had enough of my own to deal with the last 6 months, you have to face your fears in order to move on. It took me a long time to do that. I should have done it two years ago but I was scared. I know you're scared of something. You've got friends Lindsay, don't shut us out, we'll be there for you whatever you need, just like you were all there for me over Jason and the stalker. ... I had the advantage that Don knew what my demons were. ... I'm sorry I'm rambling ... I'm tired." Nikki finished. Lindsay looked up.
"But I don't think I can tell anyone!" she wailed as Stella returned. Lindsay picked up her bag and stood up.
"Linds, I'll listen if you want me to." Nikki offered as she too picked up her bag and the girls made their way to the door with Nikki in front.
"so you and Flack did talk over the holidays?" asked Stella.
"A little, things have actually been much better the last few days. We've had time to talk this weekend. I mean really talk, like we haven't in a long time. ... I need sleep, I'm rambling again!" Nikki muttered as she opened the door and something hit her in the face, she screamed and jumped back then looked up, straight at Don, who looked mortified. Everyone went quiet.
"It just had to be you again!" she teased as he finally managed to move his feet and step in front of her cupping her face in his hands to check what damage had been caused.
Danny spluttered "Again, ... Flack! You did-" The rest of his sentence was cut short as Don turned on those present.
"yeah, it was me, now you see how accidents happen!" he snapped at them. Nikki wrapped her arm around his waist and looked up at him.
"At least this time it was just paper and not a stone in sight!" she grinned. "What were you guys up to?"
"You don't wanna know" answered Sheldon.
"Ok kids, its almost 5am time to go home" Mac ushered them out. Don wrapped his arm round Nikki and took her bag with his free hand and they headed for the elevator.
Nikki was woken by a ringing phone, it was still dark outside. She reached over to the bedside table and picked hers up and groaned then dropped it and turned over and prodded the sleeping form next to her. "Ah! ... Don, wake up ... its yours" she moaned tiredly. He rolled over and grabbed his phone as Nikki lay down again, hoping that she could stay in bed for a week. Well a few more hours at least. They had managed 2 hours sleep since they left the lab she realised as she rolled over to check the clock, 7:45am! She didn't have the energy to move and lay on her side staring at the wall, listening to Don.
"Flack, ... yeah ... ok, I'm on my way ... who else is being called? ... ok thanks" He hung up and turned to Nikki running his finger down her arm, before brushing her hair off her face and whispering in her ear. "Sorry Princess, you gotta get up too, you're next on their list ... want a lift?"
Nikki moaned. "So much for a lay in after last night ... what we got?" she asked finally as she forced her eyes to stay open and she rolled onto her back.
"Another body in the Park" he answered and she groaned again.
"Why can't I get an inside case where its warm. I'm still on Californian weather."
Don grinned "Never mind, I'll warm you up later Princess" he assured her before he kissed her, just as her phone rang.
