1Secrets and Disasters

Chapter 19 shows more of the case at hand, a stunning revelation for Arielle, and Flack receiving certain heartbreaking news. R&R, please. Thanks for everyone's reviews so far.

The case was one that would drag both of them in and suck their lives dry. It would confuse Arielle and throw Danny into memories he thought he'd gotten rid of, no doubt. Arielle knew the feeling, and she hated it as much as she knew he did. And as she went through the apartment, she knew the feeling was intensifying.

"No forced entry," she said, studying the door. "She must have let him in."

"Why would she let in a convicted criminal?" he called from where he was.

"Danny, do you know how many convicted criminals pose as good friends or lovers? She must have been in some sort of relationship with him, or something. Or she could have just had ties to him through Tanglewood."

"What connections to the gang might she have had?"

"Maybe a friend, family, boyfriend..."

"Lover? I see where you're going."

"Yeah, apparently when sex comes into play." She smiled wryly.

"You know it."

"I got something from the key hooks." She studied it using a tweezer. "Looks like a thread."

"Gloves?"

"Probably. Someone was in a hell of a hurry- pulled the whole thing out of the fabric."

Danny came over with an envelope. "We'll see who that belongs to."

"Don't robbers usually have gloves on when they carry through with their plans?"

"Yeah, but Vetra had his prints all over the box."

"He could have conveniently panicked."

"I don't know..." He sighed. "Something tells me there might have been more than one person working here."

"Accomplice? Why didn't I think of that?"

"Let's get out of here, make sure we've got the right guys."

"You sure you want to do that, Danny?"

He nodded, feeling very unsure by contrast. "Yeah, why not? It's part of the job."

"I don't know... this can get personal."

"I know that, Arielle, but it's what we've got to do."

"Danny..." She ran a hand through her hair and eyed him uncertainly. "I've got a bad feeling about this. It's not just because of that- think of what Mac would say if he knew about that."

"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. It's you I'm worried about- the case was a rape/murder. Hawkes found traces of semen on the vic's body. If you do this alone, think of what could happen."

"I won't be alone. I'd be working with Mac, or Flack. I wouldn't be alone, Danny. I just don't want you getting hurt."

"Arielle, it's not a big deal!"

An hour later, Arielle was at a house in Long Island alongside Flack, waiting for Alec Vetra to answer his door. "Let's see how long it takes an idiot to open a door, shall we?" Flack said mock thoughtfully after a minute.

She smiled laboriously. "It could be that he's not home."

"Or he's being stubborn." Flack banged on the door. "Alec Vetra, open up! NYPD!"

The door opened almost instantly, and a skinny young man with considerable acne stood in front of them. "Can I help you?"

"Detective Flack and Detective Williamson, NYPD." They flashed their badges. "Does Alec Vetra live here?"

"Yeah. But he's not here right now." The kid spoke hesitantly, his eyes wide and nervous.

"You sure about that?"

"Yeah, why?"

"He's suspected for a rape and murder of Danielle Abramson. Does the name ring a bell?" Arielle asked him.

He took a while in answering. "No... not familiar."

"Oh, come on, kid, you're a worse liar than I am. Alec's here, isn't he?" Flack said.

"No, he's not-"

"Bull."

The glare on his face jolted the kid into truth. His shoulders sagged.

"He's upstairs. Hold on."

The door closed, and Flack smiled at Arielle. "This should be promising. I feel like getting a pastrami sandwich over on Third after this. Care to join me?"

"Um..." She contemplated the options. Should I tell him now? She asked herself. "Don... I have something to tell you."

"No problem, go ahead."

"I... I have to break up with you."

His smile disappeared like the sun. "What do you mean, you have to...?"

"I can't do this. You have a life, you have plans, and I can't give you any of that. I mean, if you ever thought we could get married... I can't give you a family. I can't give you kids. I can't give you anything."

"That's not true. Arielle... I love you, I'm willing to put all of that to the side."

Just then the door opened and Alec Vetra, a tall, built young man, came out. "Well, well... to what do I owe this pleasure?"

Flack turned to the suspect slowly, distractedly, and Arielle had never felt worse in her entire life.

It was the next day when her cell phone rang.

"Williamson."

"Arielle, it's Dr. Colson. We have the best news for you."

"Good morning, Dr. Colson. What do you have for me?" she asked.

"The labels on your tests were accidentally switched with someone else's by an intern. Congratulations, it turns out you are able to have children after all."

Shock and dread filled her insides. "Is that so...? Well, um, thank you! Thanks so much..."

"You're welcome. Have a good day."

Arielle nearly dropped the phone as he hung up. "Arielle, are you all right? You look like you've just seen a ghost."

"I... I just got news from my doctor. The test was wrong. I can have children."

"Oh my... that's great! That is so great, Arielle!" Aiden started to smile but stopped when Arielle remained shocked. "Why... why aren't you... you should be thrilled."

"I just broke up with Don because I told him I can't give him a family."

"Oh no... you've got to tell him, of course."

"No. I can't do that, I can't."

"Why not?" Aiden was confused.

"I'm in love with someone else."

"Who?"

Arielle watched the tiles on the floor. "I... can't tell you."

"Danny? It's him, isn't it? Arielle... you've been with Flack for months, up until you found your stepfather. Now you're just going to give up? Are you even sure you love him?"

"I don't know. I'm not sure of anything anymore..."

A/N: This isn't my best chapter, but hope you like it anyhow.