Warning … don't mind the shameless C/W plug…. My favorite ship in the original.

"Two months, now… I swear it'll never end. She's so depressed I want to just bring her home and let her end it in peace." Don's exasperated voice was just a notch above a whisper.

"Hang in there. She can do it… trust me, we've been friends as long as I can remember. If anyone can pull through this Stella can." Mac's voice did little to comfort, but he was there, on the other end of the nation, but there regardless.

"I know, but she looks so helpless, and scared… and sick." Don's fingers tightened around the phone as he paced the living room in his sister's house.

"Just be there for her. That's it. That's all you can do." Mac sighed. "Hey, listen… we have a homicide I have to respond to. I hate to cut you short, but Sheldon isn't about ready to crawl out of bed and handle it." He laughed half-heartedly and dryly as a silence entered into their conversation. "Let her know she's in all of our thoughts and prayers, as are you and Jordan."

"It's appreciated more than you'll ever know, Mac. Thanks."

They both hung up and Don flopped on the couch. He didn't hear Catharine come into the living room with a visitor.

"Hey, Donnie?"

He all but jumped through the roof as he reached to his side where his gun was not located.

Her hand rested gently on his shoulder. "It's okay, Detective… come on down."

He smiled wearily at her as he gave her a bear hug.

"Donnie, I'd like you to meet my fiancé, Warrick. Warrick, this is my baby brother."

"Pleasure." Warrick thrust his hand out somewhat uncomfortably. "Hanging in there alright?"

"Working on it." Don smiled slightly. "Thanks."

He nodded. "Cat thought maybe you'd like to escape this mundane lifestyle you've been stuck in past few months. So I thought I'd invite you to a drink and a chat. Something to take your mind off of things."

Don shrugged. "Sounds good to me."

Catharine released her brother and Warrick slipped his arm over his shoulder.

"C'mon… let's get you something strong." The men left quickly, driving down the flat long road.

Catharine smiled as she stepped into the guest bedroom Don and Stella had been sharing. Danny and Lindsay had gone back to New York and planned on returning in a month or so if things didn't improve. Catharine's daughter, Lindsay, who had just turned 17, was more than willing to watch over Jordan. Summer had just arrived, and with school out, Lindsay was bored out of her mind. Entertaining their small guest would serve to pass the days quickly.

Stella was curled up in the fetal position on her bed, appearing almost to be cold. Catharine climbed carefully onto the bed next to her and lay down. She put her hand on the younger woman's back. Stella tensed, obviously having not heard her come in, and turned her head.

"Where's Don?"

"He went out for a drink with my fiancé." Catharine whispered.

Stella smiled. "Good. He deserves a break. I think he's going to have a panic attack soon."

Catharine nodded. "That's what I'm worried about. You're holding up better than he."

"Scares me too…" Stella trailed off as she turned her head back to the window.

Catharine rubbed her back gently and soothingly as she felt her shake as she sobbed quietly.

A knock on the door forced Stella to wipe the tears and relax.

Lindsay, with her bright blue eyes and sleek blond hair, peeked in. "Aunt Stella? Jordan wants to know if she can take a nap with you."

Stella nodded. "Come on in."

Lindsay picked the little one up and carried her in, sitting on the opposite side of the bed. She let Jordan crawl from her arms to her mother.

Stella cradled her baby in her arms as she lay back down.

Lindsay flopped down behind her own mother and put her chin on Catharine's arm.

"So, Aunt Stella, do you think she understands?"

Stella nodded. "She's starting to grasp the fact that something isn't right, though we have tried to alter her perception of it."

Jordan quickly fell asleep as the two women and Lindsay continued talking.

"I just don't want her to grow up without a mother. I'm not so scared myself as I was, but I'm afraid for her."

Lindsay nodded. "It sucks to lose a parent, trust me."

Stella's eyes filled with tears again. "I know."

Lindsay tipped her head to the side and stared at Stella.

Stella sighed softly, resigning to give both girls an explanation. "I grew up in an orphanage. I lost both my parents before I turned a year old, though I'm not sure how. So, yes, I understand, Lindsay, what that is like."

"Oh." All Lindsay could say as she offered her Aunt a comforting hug. "If it helps any, even if something goes wrong, Don seems like such a good Dad to Jordan."

Stella smiled and nodded. "Good observation, Hun. I think he'd be fine raising her alone. I just, what happens when she feels like a girl talk? Or when she gets her first period? It's not something a father can really help a girl with."

Lindsay shrugged. "I don't know."

Catharine slipped her arms around both her daughter and her sister-in-law. "Ladies, how about I make some lemonade and we sit out under the tree? Jordan can nap out there and we can get a breath of fresh air."

"Sounds good." Stella managed.