Author's Note: MJ Taylor is my creation. I have no claim to established CSI: NY Characters, they belong to CBS.
Secrets
About an hour later, MJ was sitting in her office contemplating Adam's words. She knew he was right, but this would be a first for her. She had never intentionally told anyone everything about her life. Mac and his parents knew everything, but not from her lips, from her file. When her life was discussed with them, she always chose her words very carefully. The idea of someone knowing everything about her childhood, from her words and perspective, was very intimidating. It gave her a feeling of being very exposed and vulnerable. She had never taken that risk, not even with Danny. He knew more than most, but she never told him all of it. Now, she was actually considering sharing all of her secrets with Don. She stood, grabbed her bag and walked to Stella's office.
She seemed to be on her way out somewhere when MJ approached her office. "Hey, MJ." MJ stood in the doorway. "Stel, I can't stay here. I'm not doing anyone any good here, I'm going to head to the hospital. Just call if you need anything, okay?" MJ waited for an argument but to her surprise she didn't get one. "MJ, I'm amazed you even came back here. I expected you to put your feet in blocks on concrete at his bedside." Stella gave her half a laugh and walked to stand in front of her. "Listen kiddo. I know, even if you're just now realizing it, how important Don's become to you." MJ teared and whispered. "I have to be there, Stel, I can't lose him." Stella gave her a hug and reassured her. "You won't. I was coming to find you. Mac just told me he's been moved to recovery." MJ caught her breath. "Oh, thank God." Stella gently pushed her out the door. "Go. We'll meet you there later to check on him." MJ gave her a nod and was gone.
At the hospital MJ found her way to recovery and inquired at the nurses' station as to Don's room. A nurse showed her the way. She stood in the doorway and watched him for a minute. He was hooked up to machines and looked extremely pale. There was no one in his room. "His still in critical condition. We'll know more in a few hours." MJ nodded and asked. "Has his family arrived?" The nurse nodded and informed her. "Yes. His parents just went to the cafeteria. They said they would be back in a little while. "Thanks." MJ stated then took a seat in the chair next to his bed. MJ gently took his hand and interlaced her fingers with his. The warmth of his hands brought fresh tears to her eyes. "Don. Can you hear me? I'm here and I'm not leaving." MJ gently touched his hand to her cheek. "Don, please come back to me. You have to be okay, you hear me. I need you to be okay." Tears fell down MJ cheek as she continued to hold Don's hand and talk to him.
A little bit later, that's how Don's parents found her. "Who's that?" Donald Flack Sr. inquired. "I have no idea. She cares about him very much, that's obvious." Responded Mrs. Flack, as they walked into the room, she asked in a gentle voice. "Hello, are you a friend of Don's?" MJ surprised, quickly stood and wiped away her tears. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I was told you went to the cafeteria and I just wanted to sit with him. My name's MJ Taylor." MJ stood and folded her hands in front of her. Mrs. Flack approached her with her arm extended. "I'm Catherine Flack, this is my husband Donald. We're Don's parents." MJ smiled. She took Mrs. Flack's hand and returned the gentle squeeze. "Nice to meet you both, I just wish it was under different circumstances." She sighed. "Me too. So you're a friend of Don's?" MJ nodded. "Yes, madam. I'm a detective with the crime lab." Don Sr., who had been silent until this point, inquired. "Taylor, did you say?" MJ reaffirmed. "Yes sir." Don Sr. clarified again. "As in Mac Taylor?" MJ nodded. "My brother, sir." MJ turned and glanced back at Don. "I'll leave you alone. I just needed to see him." As MJ got to the door, Mrs. Flack stopped her. "Will you be here a while?" MJ nodded. "Yes. Madam. So if you need anything, I'll be happy to get it for you so you can stay with Don." Mrs. Flack smiled. "Thank you dear. It's appreciated." MJ returned the smile. "Not a problem, happy to do it." With that she left and took a seat in the waiting area just outside his room.
MJ spent the next few hours wandering the halls, visiting the chapel, and ensuring to Don's parents comfort as best as she could. Finally the doctors came to meet with them with the latest information on Don's condition. They gathered in his room and it nearly killed MJ not to be in there. Within a few minutes, his parents came out and MJ saw the relief in Mrs. Flack's eyes. 'Detective. I want to thank you for being here." MJ asked. "Please call me MJ. How is he?" Mrs. Flack squeezed her hand. "We'll know more in the morning. But they are optimistic. Seeing he'll be asleep, we're going home to do the same." MJ nodded. Mrs. Flack was intrigued by the woman standing in front of her. She then asked. "I take it I'll be seeing you in the morning?" MJ gave her a shy smile and nodded. "Yes, madam." Interesting, Mrs. Flack thought to herself but commented out loud. "I thought as much. I'll bring you some fresh coffee, that cafeteria stuff is awful." MJ laughed. "I would appreciate that." Don's parents started to leave, when Mrs. Flack turned back with an observation. "MJ, he's very lucky to have you caring about him so much." MJ smiled and responded. "I'm the lucky one Mrs. Flack." "Call me Catherine. I think you and I should get to know each other better." MJ grinned. "I'd like that." "You take care of him for me." MJ reassured her. "Count on it."
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