Disclaimer: I do not own any of the CSINY characters, but Abby is mine!

A/N: I'm REALLY sorry that I didn't post before I left. I just got so busy there were a million things I had to do before I left. I had an awesome time! NYC is amazing; everyone should go there at least once in their lifetime. I'm in love with that city!

Rogue Amazon Boo – Thanks for kind words! I'm happy that you think the story flows well, I'm always worried about that…

Demolished-soul – I can't wait to see where the story goes either ;)

The Little Corinthian – Thanks! I can't believe I actually went to NYC. It was amazing.

Bluenose – Glad you like Abby! Took me awhile to think up her character, the slip of the tongue seemed fitting for her 

Liria – Here is the next update, I hope it's long enough for you ;)

Troo – Glad it makes you laugh…it's important to laugh a few times each day!

Brett – Thanks for the review!

Tylerhiltongrupie53 – I haven't decided how this is going to all pan out, eventually they will have dinner at his place I'm sure…

Snowbear96 – I'm glad you like it. I'm having trouble with the DL part…so many waaaaay better DL stories out there!

Chapter Four

"Eat fast Piggy, I gotta go." Abby said as she scooped the cat food into the dish. "I've got thirty minutes to get downtown."

Abby finished getting dressed while Miss Piggy finished her food.

"You know, for a fat cat, you eat really slowly." Abby told the cat in passing. "You have until I get my shoes on and find my metrocard to finish."

Five minutes later Abby was out the door, the cat fed and dishes cleaned.

'Rush hour, how wonderful' she thought to herself as she waited for the subway.

Thirty minutes later, she was walking into the CSI building.

"Can I help you ma'am?" the security guard asked her as she looked around the lobby.

"Yes, I'm here to see Detective Flack or Messer on the 21st floor." Abby told him

"In that case, you need to sign this log, and wear a visitor's tag."

Abby filled out the paperwork and was in the elevator in no time. She stepped off the elevator at the 21st floor. 'Hmmm, actually kind of looks like it does on tv.' she smirked.

She must have looked out of place because a guy carrying a stack of folders offered his help.

"Looking for anyone in particular?"

"Yes, actually, Detective Flack and Messer?" Abby said shyly.

"Well, Flack is interrogating a suspect right now, but I think Messer is free. Have a seat; I'll go get him for you."

"Thanks, I appreciate it." She smiled.

"No problem."

Xxxxxxxxx

"Hey Messer!" Adam called down the hall once he was sure he was out of 'her' hearing range.

Danny looked up from whatever he was going over with Lindsay.

"You got some hot chick asking for you or Flack." Adam smiled and motioned towards the front reception area.

Danny peered through the glass and sure enough, there she was. Just as Flack had described her: slightly taller than Lindsay, but just as petite; brown wavy hair and glasses. Although Flack has always described her as casual and carefree, today, she was anything but. First off, she looks extremely nervous. Secondly, her hair was down, she wore a black knee length skirt and a white blouse with the top three buttons undone, not in the 'here everyone have a look' way, but the 'no one would look anyways' kinda way.

"Well, are you just gonna stand here, or you gonna go talk to her?" Lindsay asked.

"I'm goin'….I was just trying to get a feel of what type of person she is." Danny explained.

"Is that a hint of nervousness I hear Messer?" Lindsay smirked.

Danny scoffed. "Not a chance."

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Lindsay grinned. Danny just shot her a look.

Danny walked up to Abby slowly. They made eye contact and he smiled. She had nice brown eyes, a lot like Lindsay's except hers were filled with worry. Danny held out his hand "I'm Detective Messer, you must be Flack's….neighbor?"

"Ya, Abby Everett, nice to meet you." She smiled, shaking Danny's hand. "I have his notebook, unfortunately my cat found it first. She chewed the corner a bit. Sorry." She said, obviously embarrassed as she held out the notebook for Danny.

Danny chuckled. "It's alright. I'm sure Flack won't mind." He smiled.

Abby smiled back. "Could you tell him I said hi? I have to run to the airport, pick up some friends."

"Will do. Hey, we're going out for drinks tonight, want to join us?" Danny asked.

"I'd love to, but my friends are coming from home to visit…."

"Oh, just bring them along!"

"Are you sure? My friends aren't really city people…." Abby scrunched her face up.

"Bring 'em along. Flack'll be happy to see ya. 7 tonight at Joe's on 8th?" Danny smirked and Abby blushed.

"We'll be there." Abby smiled. "Was nice to meet you Detective."

"Likewise, and call me Danny." He winked.

Abby nodded and got into the elevator. After the doors closed, Danny heard a voice behind him.

"Flack is going to kill you." Lindsay said matter of factly.

"It'll be worth it." Danny chuckled. He looked up to see Flack coming down the hall.

"Hey Flack! Joe's at 7, you, me, Montana, Abby and some of her friend's from back home. We'll have a good time, no?"

Flack looked at Danny, then Lindsay who held up her hands gesturing it was all Danny's doing.

"By the way, here is your notebook. Abby dropped it off, she apologizes for the cat teeth marks on the corner, she also says hi." Danny said casually as he handed Flack the notebook.

"What the hell is going on Messer?" Flack asked. Lindsay could almost see the steam coming out of his ears.

"Look, she called your phone, I answered, she dropped the notebook off. I invited her to come with us for drinks, her friends are gonna come too." Danny smiled completely pleased with himself.

Before Flack has a chance to respond, Danny was walking down the hall back towards the interrogation room.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

"Think she's coming? Like really?" Flack asked Lindsay nervously.

"Jeez Flack, relax. She was bringing her friends, the probably got held up." Just as the words were out of Lindsay's mouth, the door opened and Abby stepped in.

Danny waved to her. She smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. She turned to her friends and pointed in Danny's direction. She had changed since the morning. She was now in jeans and a loose fitting spaghetti strapped top. Again, he noticed that she showed off enough to catch a guy's eye, but seemed as if she never meant to. She had three friends with her. All dressed casually in jeans and t-shirts. Two of them were blond and one was a brunette, like Abby, but taller, and pregnant. The three girls screamed country.

"Hey Abby. Glad you could make it." Danny greeted. "This is my girlfriend, Lindsay, and of course, Flack."

"Sorry we're late." Abby apologized "Took some convincing to get them on the subway."

"We've heard stories about the crazies in this city." One of the blonds piped up. "And with Abby walking around in clothes like that….just asking for trouble."

"Amanda…" Abby blushed. Lindsay tried to change the subject and ease the tension.

"Where are you guys from?"

"Where are my manners?" Abby forced a laugh, trying not to make eye contact with Flack while she was still blushing. "I should have done introductions. This is Ashley, Amanda and Chantal. Oh, and of course, this little munchkin is my yet-to-be-name goddaughter." Abby smiled as she touched Chantal's belly.

"We're from a small town in Ontario." Ashley provided. "Not used to big city life. It's very different. Sure changed her." She gestured towards Abby.

"You ladies want a drink?" Danny asked, noticing that Abby was getting annoyed with the comments. He took everyone's orders as Flack strategically placed himself closer to Abby.

"Thanks for returning the notebook." He said quietly.

She blushed. "Oh, no problem. I'm sorry Miss Piggy got to it before I did."

"So, you must be the hot cop she's been raving about for the past couple of weeks?" Ashley asked loudly.

"Ashley!" Abby shot her a look. "Bathroom, let's go"

"I'll join you." Amanda smiled. The three girls got up and headed towards the bathroom. Flack could tell Abby was mad.

"You'll have to excuse them." Chantal told them. "They tend to get a little carried away. Abby's the one that got away. Small towns like ours don't really produce people like her. She's the only one of us who got out of the town, went to school and moved to the city. She's beautiful and successful…I think there's some jealousy there. Although everything they say is true, they really truly believe that Abby would be better off at home." Chantal said smiling.

Lindsay smiled back. "I know what you mean. Same thing tends to happen where I'm from, although, not to that extent."

"You just have to let them be themselves….the more Abby protests, the worse they'll get. They really do care for her, scares them a bit to have her in the big city all alone. She's fit in really well, and I think that's part of their problem. Ash and Abby have always butted heads." Chantal explained as the girls came walking back to the table.

Danny came back with the drinks. Abby settled back down beside Flack. Judging by the look on her face she wasn't pleased. Ashley and Amanda both looked extremely pleased with themselves.

"So, Don, are you the hot cop she's been talking about?" Ashley smirked. Flack saw the look of exasperation and embarrassment on Abby's face. He decided to play along with them.

Flack chuckled and out his arm around on the back of Abby's chair. "I guess so, Don Flack, nice to meet you."

Ashley was momentarily shocked, as was Abby, who gave him a weird look. "Well, I'll tell you Don, I was getting worried about her, y'know? 22, still single, no kids. Practically unheard of where we are from." Ashley chuckled.

"Ok, Ash, they don't need to hear your rant. Let's just order our food, ok?" Abby said, almost desperately. Flack made a point to inch a little closer to her. By the look on Ashley's face, he didn't think he was going to like what she had to say.

"Oh come on Abs. You can't deny it! You're just different." She chuckled. Then turned to address the others. "We all thought she'd be the first to settled down."

"Settle down?" Danny asked confused.

"Ya, you know, get married, have kids. She used to talk about it all the time, 5 kids, 3 boys 2 girls, right Abs? And you know, she's always been so good with them, kids I mean. Especially after her mother died, for sure we figured she's settle with….Garet was it?"

"Oh ya, Garet would have been a steal. Married Lea Goodins y'know, have 2 kids now." Amanda supplied.

"So, anyways, she decides after high school to go to college. Of all things! By this time, Amanda and I are married." Ashley scoffs.

"I swear, Abby, when you had that breast cancer scare, I figured you'd realize you calling and come home." Amanda said sipping her drink.

Flack felt Abby stiffen. She was sitting straight up in her chair, obviously not enjoying the conversation. He dropped his hand to her back and rubbed her back hoping to calm her down.

"Woah, woah, she's only 22." Danny interjected. All of a sudden he felt extremely protective of her.

"It's different where we lived." Chantal tried to explain calmly. "Farming town, very small. By 22, girls are married with kids on the way. Abby here just figured out there was a world out there and went for it."

Flack felt Abby release a breath. She refused to look at him. He thought she was starting to relax, but he was wrong.

"Ashley, you don't even know these people." Abby started harshly. Flack kept his hand on her back. "They don't need to hear you gripe about my apparent failures so let's move on to other things. You have no idea what you are talking about."

"Oh really? We are friends since birth, and I don't know what I'm talking about?" she countered, ready for a fight. Amanda and Chantal exchanged a look, like they were expecting this eventually.

"Right, because if you did, you'd know I chose to go to school because I watched my mother die not having done half the things she wanted to do. And I stayed in school after the breast cancer scare because I was following my dreams, and that was how I wanted to live my life." Abby was furious now. Flack could feel every muscle in her back tense.

"That's all fine and dandy, but you're mother had a husband, and kids. You don't think that's an accomplishment?" Ashley fired back. "Instead of doing things that matter, you are here, all alone in a big city, dressing like a tramp, and probably sleeping with any guy who looks down your shirt and tells you he thinks you're pretty." As Ashley made her last comment, she shot Flack a look.

"OK! You know what? We're tired from our flight." Chantal said standing up. "We should get back. Abby, you stay here. We'll catch a cab."

Ashley and Abby just stared at each other. Ashley finally broke the stare. "Ya, whatever."

Ashley and Amanda got up and went outside.

"Don't let her get to you Abs. You know she's just jealous right?" Chantal winked. "She's just jealous that she never got her 'before baby' body back, and here you are looking fabulous. See you at the apartment?"

"Ya, gimme and hour."

Danny, Lindsay, Flack and Abby sat in silence for a few moments before the tears started streaming down Abby's face.

"I'm really sorry about that. I thought now that she's a mother of two; she'd have a little more class. I should have known she would bring it up." She tried to give a slight smile as she went to stand.

"Woah, where you goin'?" Danny asked.

"Sorry, I just need to get out of here. This was nice, but I haven't been this morbidly embarrassed, ever. Again, I'm really sorry. It was nice of you to invite us."

"Don't worry about it! Rain check, ok?" Lindsay offered her a comforting smile.

Flack got up as Abby did. She gave him a funny look as she dropped some money on the table, but let him follow her to the door.

"Look, you can't wander around alone." Flack told her before she had a chance to talk.

"Thanks Ducky, but I'll be fine. Extremely embarrassed, but I'll live I'm sure." She smiled weakly.

"Why don't you stay at my place? I'll crash on the couch. And before you say anything, I won't take no for an answer." He smirked.

Abby smiled, her cheeks still stained with tears. "I guess I have no choice then."

Flack smiled and hailed a cab. "Can I just ask you something, it's personal; you can refuse to answer if you want…"

"Sure. Can't get any worse than it was in there…"

"The breast cancer thing is it…uh…is it over?" he asked nervously.

Abby smiled. "Well, yes and no. My mother died from it. So I'm at a higher risk. I found a lump, had it checked out. They sent me on my merry way with a list of recommendations. I got every 6 months to get re-checked."

"Recommendations to prevent it?" Flack asked as the got into the cab.

Abby laughed. "I guess. The doctor told me to do regular self exams, or have my boyfriend do them for me, his words, not mine! Stop the pill, have kids and breast feed. Don't tell Ashley, she'd have a field day with that."

Flack was surprised. "That's the great advice?"

"Not much one can do. It's cancer Ducky. Take precautions and live your life." Abby smiled.

"Did you?"

"Did I what?"

"Take the precautions?"

Abby giggled and blushed. "I do the self exams, since the boyfriend thing is still in the works. I did stop the pill Dr. Ducky, but the having kids and breastfeeding thing is on hold. Takes two to tango on that one."

Now it was Flack's turn to blush. "Right, sorry."

"Don't be sorry. It's nice to know someone cares about me and isn't judging me by my lack of offspring."

They spent the rest of the cab ride in comfortable silence. Flack could tell Abby was tired. The second she lay on Flack's bed, she was out like a light. After Flack took off her shoes and slipped her under the covers, he turned to leave.

"Don?" his stomach flip-flopped at the sound of his name.

"Ya?"

"Could you maybe stay? Usually Miss Piggy's snoring helps me sleep, but…..I just don't like to be alone."

"Sure, I can stay." He said, trying not to sound too eager. He stripped down to his boxers and a t-shirt and climbed into bed. "I even think I snore."

He felt Abby laugh in the bed. "Thanks Don. You're awesome."

He lay listening to her sleep. About 15 minutes after she fell asleep, she rolled onto her side, rested her head on his chest and her hand on his stomach. Flack sighed. He liked this way too much.