Disclaimer: I am not Anthony Zuiker, Ann Donahue or Carol Mendelsohn. All the characters of CSI: NY are not mine…I'm just borrowing them for a little bit. I promise that I will put them back, exactly the way I found them when I'm done….Oh, Cory Reid is mine and I will take credit for anything she does. :)

A/N: Ok. So here some more fluff and angst...If you haven't noticed by now...they are starting to really work the Ortiz case...Hope y'all like the fluff at the end! And congrats to Axellia---she authored review #100! Yeah...breaking out the champagne here...Anyone want a drink? Slainte! As always, please R&R...the next couple of chapters have been hard for me to write...it's like my muse went on vacation and just left me with the story outline. I know where it's going but have no idea how it's going to get there!

A/N #2: Btw...since my beta is going out of town on vacation, it'll be about 2 to 3 days between updates for a week or so...PrincessG...you'd better be prepared to come back to quite a few chapter's to beta! i promise y'all that i'm going to do my best during this time to write as many chapters as possible!

Chapter 22.

The Cloudy Past

When Danny and Cory finally came down from the roof, both had smiles on their faces. Cory was both worried and glad that Danny had decided to take the risk.

They went back to the computer lab so that they could work on finding out where Armando had been for the last three years.

A few hours later, they were still trying to piece things together.

Danny took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "So let me get this straight. The last time you spoke to Armando was three years ago on June 2. You had just marked thethird anniversary of James' death."

Cory shook her head somberly. "Yeah. I called him the next day, but I didn't get an answer. A week later, his cell phone was disconnected and no one has heard from him since."

"Okay. He's obviously connected to Mala Suerte somehow. Do you have any reason to believe that he would have tried to infiltrate to gang himself?"

Cory thought for a moment. "It's possible. That night, we had talked about how frustrating it was not to be able to get anyone to flip on Ortiz. I know that he was involved in gangs as a youth." Cory closed her eyes. "Oh, shit. Armando, why would you do something so stupid?"

"I don't know, Feebie. I do remember from the data that we got from you that Hector De La Cruz was not a name you had heard until three years ago. Did you ever think that it could be him?"

"No. No clue. I know he wanted Ortiz dead, but I didn't think he would go to that length."

Danny ran some more information through the computer. He noticed that the Armando's fingerprints matched a closed murder case. He pulled up the file and realized that his fingerprints were found at the scene of the dead drug mule.

"Damn. Cory? Armando's fingerprints match the unknowns that were at the drug mule crime scene."

Cory's eyes opened wide. "No way. There is no way that he would be involved in killing a woman. I just….I don't accept that."

Danny knew that what he was about to say was harsh, but decided to say it anyway. "The evidence never lies, Cory."

"I know. But still…I've known him for years, Danny. I just…I can't."

"I understand. I'll drop it for now. Moving on. We know that Armando was definitely upset enough with Ortiz to try to do whatever it took to catch him. So how did he get into the gang? I mean, Ortiz would have killed him sooner if he had found out. What did he do that made him so successful in integrating himself in?"

"I don't know, Danny. If I knew that, I could have my own mole in the gang."

Danny sensed Cory's frustration. "Look. Rome wasn't built in a day, and this is going to take time to put together. What do you say about dinner?"

Cory smiled. "As much as I'd love to? I'm exhausted. It took a lot out of me to tell everyone my past. I need some time alone."

Danny nodded. He understood. "That's fine. What about tomorrow. Say dinner and a movie?"

Cory smiled. "That would be perfect."

Stella and Lindsay walked in at that moment. Lindsay looked at the relaxed demeanor between them and smiled in happiness. "Hey, guys. We found out a little about what Michael has been up to. Turns out that he moved to New York two years ago. His job transferred him at his request."

Cory looked confused. "Really?"

Stella picked up the story. "Yeah. None of his co-workers knew him well. They say he was nice, came in did his job and no one saw him outside of work. All signs point to the fact that he lived a quiet life. No unusual activity on credit cards, bank accounts, nothing."

Mac walked in. "Michael Hogan's parents are here to identify his body."

Cory looked at Mac. "Mac. Let me do this. I know them. Maybe I can make it a little easier."

Mac got a knowing look in eyes. "I kinda figured that. That's why I came to find you."

"Thanks, Mac."

Cory walked into the lobby and saw Marlene and Matthew Hogan standing there, looking lost. "Matthew. Marlene."

Both of them looked up at the sound of their names. Marlene rushed over to hug Cory. "Cory. Is it true? Is Mike really dead?"

Cory looked over at Matthew. "Yeah. It is. The NYPD needs you identify the body. The detective in charge agreed to let me come with you, to try to make it easier."

Matthew nodded his head, swallowing the lump in this throat. "Thanks."

Marlene looked Cory in the eyes. "Honey, are you going to be okay doin' this? I don't want you there if it's gonna bring back memories."

Cory closed her eyes briefly. "Thanks, Marlene, but I was with the team when the bodies were discovered, so I think I'll be okay."

The three linked arms and Cory led them to the elevator. On the ride down, Cory struggled to keep her emotions in check. She wasn't sure how she was going to react, but she knew that she had to be strong for Marlene and Matthew.

Cory drew a breath when they got to the viewing room. "Okay. Whenever you're ready."

Both of them visibly steeled themselves for the sight that was to follow. Then Matthew looked at Cory and nodded. Cory opened the curtain. Sid moved the sheet covering Michael.

"Oh, God. My baby!" Marlene began to weep into Matthew's shoulder. He had tears streaming down his face as well. Silently Cory closed the curtain and went over and put her arms around them.

It took five minutes for Marlene to gain control over herself. "Why, Cory? Why does Ortiz do this to my family?"

Blinking the tears out of her eyes, Cory responded, "I don't know. But he will pay. I promise you that. Do you think that y'all can come back to an interview room so we can try to figure out what happened?"

Both of them nodded yes and with Cory turned to go back up the elevator.

About fifteen minutes later, they were settled in the room. Mac and Danny had joined Cory.

"Marlene. Matthew. I know this hard, but we need to get some information. I know the last time I talked to Mike was two years ago. Right after the forth anniversary. Why'd he leave Dallas?"

Matthew was the one to respond. "We don't know."

Cory looked at them. "How often did you talk to him?"

Marlene looked at Matthew. "Never. I haven't talked to him since the day he left."

Cory looked confused. "But you told me that y'all were talking on a regular basis."

Marlene looked down at her hands. "I lied to you Cory."

"Why. What happened before he left?"

Matthew looked at Cory and she saw emotion swimming in them. "Remember, Armando?" At Cory's nod, he continued. "He called on the anniversary. Marlene took the message. Mike called him back and the next day told us that he was leaving."

"Why didn't you ever tell me this? Why lie to me and say that y'all still talked?"

"He asked us not to. He told us that the reason he was leaving would upset you and you might worry. So before he left, he made us swear to him that you would never find out. I should have told you."

"Matthew. You couldn't have imagined that this would happen. Don't blame yourself."

Mac decided to jump in at this point. "When he left, did he say where he was going?"

Marlene looked at Mac. "No. He just said that he had something to take care of for James…the next day he was gone."

Mac looked at both parents, unable to imagine the pain they were feeling. "Mr. and Mrs. Hogan, thank you so much for your time. We'll be in touch." Mac grabbed Danny and they left the room.

Marlene looked at Cory after they had left. "When can we take our son's body home? I'd like to arrange the funeral as soon a possible."

"I'm not sure. The lab is still processing the evidence. I want to get him, Marlene. I need to get him. I will make sure that both of your son's get the justice that they deserve."

"Thank you. You're like the daughter that we always wanted. You're always welcome in our home, Cory."

Marlene and Matthew stood up and made their way out of the lab. Cory continued to sit at the table, lost in thought.

This is how Lindsay found her almost an hour later. "You okay."

"I'm fine. It's just hard. Mike was like the brother that I never had. Losing him, because of Ortiz, makes me want to kill someone. I never imagined that I could hate someone so much."

"Just let it go. Ortiz will get what's coming to him. Mind if I change the subject?" Cory shook her head at Lindsay question. "Good. What is going on with you and Messer?"

Cory just looked at Lindsay, with a dopey grin on her face. "I apologized to him and told him everything about Ortiz. And he still asked me out! I'm in shock. I would have thought that with the threat that Ortiz is, it would have scared him off."

"You don't give him enough credit. He grew up around those kinds of people. Messer doesn't scare easily. When are you guys going out?"

Cory blushed. "Tomorrow night. Dinner and a movie. Wanna help me choose something to wear?"

"Of course! You did such a great job with me!"

(The next night)

Cory was frustrated. Her day at work had been unbelievably busy and now she was running late. Muttering to herself, she walked into her hallway outside of her apartment and saw Lindsay waiting for her. "Sorry. Work was scary busy today and I couldn't get away any sooner."

"That's okay. I understand." Lindsay followed her into her apartment. "Go take a shower and I'll look through your closet. Dressy or casual?"

Cory shot a smile over her shoulder as she was walking to the bathroom. "Definitely dressy."

Fifteen minutes later, she was out of the shower and putting baby oil on her skin to make it soft. She took the time to blow dry her hair, which took another 20 minutes. She looked at the clock in the bedroom and realized that Danny was supposed to be there in thirty minutes. "Damn. I hate running late!"

Lindsay looked up at her muttered curse and smiled. "Don't we all? Men have it so easy! Here. Look at these outfits and tell me what you like."

Cory looked at the clothes that Lindsay had laid out and her eyes fell on a deep purple backless dress. It was a halter neck and would show the tattoo on her back off nicely. "It's gotta be the dress."

Lindsay smiled her approval. "That's what I thought, too. It's light enough to be cool in the heat and Danny will still be able to see your tattoo." Cory just raised her eyebrows at that comment. "Flack told me how much Danny drooled when he saw your tattoo the night we went clubbing. What can I say? I wanna see Messer drool!"

Cory just started to laugh. "I'll wear the strappy stiletto sandals with it. Okay. I've got to do my hair and makeup. What should I do with my hair? I know I'm leaving it down, but straight or curly?"

Lindsay thought for a moment. "Straight. I don't think I've ever seen you with your hair straight. How long is it when it is?"

"It goes down to right about the dragons."

"Wow."

"I know. That's why I always wear it up. It's too much of a pain to try to fix it in the morning. I'd better go heat up the straightening iron. I'll do my make-up and then my hair." Cory walked back to the bathroom and began her final preparations.

Fifteen minutes later her doorbell rang. "I'll get it for you," Lindsay said. She walked to the door and opened it.Danny was wearing a dark suit with a blue shirt and tie.He was carrying a single yellow rose. "Well, hello Mr. Messer," Lindsay drawled with an impish smile. "Ya clean up nice."

Danny looked shocked. "Montana, what the hell ya doin' here?"

Lindsay laughed. "I just came to help Cory get ready. She's running a bit late because she had to stay at work an extra hour, but she'll be ready in a couple of minutes. Now, since she doesn't have any family here, it's my duty to ask what your intentions are. Do you plan on having her home at a reasonable hour?"

Danny decided to try to side step the question. "It's up to her, Montana." Danny was about to say more when Cory walked into the living room. He almost swallowed his tongue. "Um…Damn, Cory. You look….amazing."

Cory smiled and slowly turned around so that Danny could see the whole ensemble.

Danny almost moaned out load when he saw the tattoo on her back. "Oh…Is she…wow."

Cory accepted the yellow rose when he handed it to her. "That's so sweet. A yellow rose." Cory smiled as the song The Yellow Rose of Texas began to play in her head.

Lindsay looked at the sparks flying between them and decided to leave, so that she would not get burned. "You guys have fun tonight!"

(The restaurant)

Danny had taken Cory to a small, intimate Italian restaurant for dinner. The main source of light was from the many candles place around the room.

Cory loved the atmosphere. It was so charming and romantic. They talked about everything, except work.

"So, Cory," Danny said and he picked up her hand. "When did you get the tattoo on your back?"

Cory smiled as she bit her lip. "That was the second tat that I got. The first one is this one." She moved the cloth on her top a little, so he could see the fairy. "I got this one after I graduated high school. The dragons were after I graduated college."

Danny licked his bottom lip; he was completely in awe of the fact that she had another tattoo. "Why dragons?"

"You're a CSI, I should make you figure it out for yourself, but I'll be nice. I was born in 1976, the year of the dragon in the Chinese Zodiac. Thus the dragons."

"I think it's hot."

Cory just blushed.

"You look cute when you blush. I'm glad that you said yes." Danny glanced down at his watch. "Ya know what? I think we missed the movie. It's after midnight."

Cory opened her eyes wide. "Really? Wow. Tempus Fugit."

"What?"

"Time flies. I've had a really great time tonight. Thank you for the best first date that I've ever had."

Danny smirked. "Best ever? Who've ya been dating? This was nothing."

The waiter came by at that moments and delivered the check. Danny paid the bill and discreetly added a huge tip. "He deserves it. The service here was amazing tonight."

Danny and Cory left the restaurant, slowly walking back to her apartment. Cory shivered in the night air. "Here, wear my jacket. You're cold."

"Thanks, Danny." Danny draped the coat around her shoulders and kept his arm there. They were content to walk in silence. It just felt natural.

They got to her door and Danny gently took the keys from her. He unlocked the door and gave them back to her. "This is my stop. I'd better let you go inside by yourself or I might not leave. Somehow this doesn't feel like the right time for that. Arrivederci, bella. Mi sono divertito stasera."

"What?"

"I had a really good time tonight."

"Moi, aussi. Me, too."

Danny drew Cory into his arms slowly. They looked deep into each other's eyes as Danny slowly lowered his head. He softly touched Cory's lips with his own.

Cory closed her eyes in pleasure. It had been so long since she had let herself feel this way. She gave her self over to the soft kiss and whimpered a little when Danny drew away.

Danny lifted his head, feeling somehow at peace. "Buona notte, bella."

Cory understood this time. "Bonne nuit, mon cherie." She replied to him in French as she walked inside and shut her door.

Danny walked down the hall with a smirk across his face.

A/N:

chili-peppers-yes they FINALLY admitted how they feel, but things are going to get dicey for them...why does Danny have to save her? Can't she save herself? ;)

bluenose-no, i've never read it...I'll have to check it out at Barnes & Noble (it's only my home away from home!) glad you like everything in the open...i had no idea until i wrote that chapter if i was going to let them get together before Ortiz was caught or not...but obviously my muse wanted some fluff!

screaming-poetically- (blushes in embarrassment)-yeah...she definately is complicated and she has her own past to deal with...that's why they will be such a great couple...they both have been there and done that...wow...you've really thought the plot twists out...but who says that Ortiz will take her hostage? if my muse is visting you up there, will you please tell her to come home? tell her i'll get her a Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper if she comes home right away! I haven't thought far enough in advance for kids, but I like the whole Claire idea. I was going to go with a boy named James. btw...the explicit version! OMG, it was soooo good!

axellia--first let me congratulate you for writing review #100...it made my night when i got it! just email me with your character info and I'll work it in somewhere around chapter 26 or 27...I'm glad you stayed up to read! Yeah,I AW'd when i wrote that line...it was sooo romantic-why can't I find a guy like Danny?(stop thinking about Flack in the shower)...don't worry, mine stays in the gutter! how'd you like the kiss? i had fun writing that part! and they may require your shot gun skills, soon. danny and her getting together is just going to piss off Ortiz even more (i mean, come on...he's crazy!), oh and stop thinking about Flack in the shower!

pnkrckprncss-i'm sorry that i've made you cry! i hope at least a little of them were happy tears! Yeah, you missed it by one...don't worry, i think i might do that contest again, later in the story (it's getting hard creating characters!) i'm glad you like where the story is going...i do too! (even if my muse is keeping me in the dark!)...as per flack and linds in the shower... :D it just felt right, somehow!

kasmith101-of course there will be more "talking" in the future...along with angst, happiness, worry, anger, fluff...they still have a long, long way to go!