Chapter 13

As Danny headed down to the lockers he felt the pain of his headache hit him full force.

"Auuuuuuuuuugh..." as he leaned against the wall holding his head.

"Hey Danno I ha...... Danny. You okay man?"

Putting the coffee down, Don grabbed him.

"Damn you Messer. I thought you said those headaches had disappeared?"

"I know. I know Donnie. Don't tell Mac. I'm fine. I need to work. It helps me keep my mind somewhere else."

Don knew Danny was playing the sympathy card. But he was also concerned more about his health.

"Listen Danny...."

"No. You listen Don. Not a word to Mac. Promise me."

"I can't Danno. I'm sorry. He needs to know. If you pass out on the job then what? If he finds out I knew what do you think he'd do?"

"I won't. Please. Com'n Don, I promise I'll see a doctor."

"Fine. I'll give till this afternoon to see a doctor. If you don't then I tell Mac."

"Deal man. I promise."

Walking away Don hoped to hell he wasn't making a mistake he would later regret.

Back upstairs Mac and Sheldon were working on an old case file when Stella walked in.

"Hey guys, what are you working on?"

"The Mindy Sanchez, aka Veronica Page file. It's a couple years old. But we thought we'd review it, hopefully something will stand out we may have missed. As she was one of the ones that got away."

Stella was worried. She had kept that part of her life hidden from Mac. She remembered visiting Mindy that night. Telling her that the following day she would return as a cop. Knowing that if he dug deeper, he may find out she allowed her to flee.

"So what makes you think re-opening it will now make a difference?"

"We're not saying it will Stella. But we'd like to at least try."

"I'm sorry Mac. I see no reason to re-open the case. besides that it was my case. So I should be the one handling it."

Stella was getting upset. Mac was trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with her.

"I'm sorry you feel that way Stella. But I feel differently. It's been bothering me for some time now"

Getting up she stormed out of the breakroom leaving Sheldon with Mac.

Storming back to his office he sat down. Damn what the hell was wrong with her. What would possess her to fly off the handle from this case.

Leaning back in his chair he rubbed his hands over his face. Then closing his eyes he heard Don's voice.

"Mac....let's go. We got a crime scene."

Grabbing his kit he headed out.

"Where's the team?"

"Danny, Stella and Hawkes just left."

Mac was stunned. Trying not to show it he left with Don.

"You okay Mac?"

"I'm fine Don. Don't worry about me."

"Is it about the case you re-opened with Sheldon Mac? Is Stella upset about it?

"A little Don. I just don't understand what the problem is. I always look into old cases that were unsolved. I mean this woman was never found. I can't see the harm in checking it over."

Don was surprised. Mac wasn't really one to talk about his feelings with anyone. But he was slowly opening up which Don had to admit he liked.

"Well....maybe if you involve her in the case, she'll feel a little more at ease. It is her case afterall."

"Yeah. I guess. I'll discuss with her later."

When they arrived at the crime scene they found Stella and Danny leaning over Sheldon.

"TOD Sheldon please?"

"Eight to ten hours ago Mac. We found something interesting. The victim is a homeless man. According to the witnesses he was known as Thomas."

"What caused his death Sheldon?"

"His body fluids were drained Mac. The killer left the tubing in his neck. I can tell you he didn't suffer. Looks like he was poisoned. I'll know more when I get these samples back to Tox."

"Okay. Stella, Danny search the area. Sheldon come with me let's see if we can't find out where this victim called home."

After speaking with a few witnesses they realized they were having no luck. For alot them just new him from the park. After taking a few names, Mac and the team headed back to the lab.

When they got back to the lab, Mac called Stella into his office.

"Stella, a moment please. Close the door."

Stella was nervous. Her biggest concern was that Mac had found something in the case file.

"What is it Mac?"

"I was hoping you'd find some time to work on the Sanchez case with me. You were right, it's your case. She was also your blood sister. So I figured if we worked on it together maybe we could find her."

Stella didn't want to find her. For that meant Mac would know she was the one who helped her flee.

"Umm..I really don't see any need Mac. Some ghosts are best left in the past. I'd really rather not have my past re opened."

Mac could tell she was frightened. He could tell she was hiding something from him. What he wasn't sure.

"Stel remember last night we talked about no secrets between us?"

"I know Mac. I just don't see the need to find her. The case has been closed for two years now."

"Something about the case is still bothering me."

"What would bother you Mac? It was a clean case. When we went to arrest Mindy she wasn't there. The apartment was empty. No one knew where she went. Just let it rest Mac. Please."

Turning around Stella left his office. Oh she knew deep down this case would one day come back and haunt her. Heading down to the lockers she grabbed her coat and headed out.

"Hey Stel. Where are you going?"

"I'm not feeling well Danny. Let Mac know I went home."

Watching her leave Danny wondered what had upset her. Heading back upstairs he felt the pain hit him again. God...he could barely see through the tears in his eyes from the pain. Taking out the vile of pain medication he swallowed down two tablets.

"Danny!!!"

Trying to stand straight he looked up at Mac.

"What is it Mac?"

"You okay? You look like you're in pain."

"I'm fine Mac. No worries. Stella said to let you know she went home."

"Home?? Why??"

"Said she wasn't feeling well. I gotta go Mac. I'll see ya."

Mac was concerned. She was fine not more then five minutes ago. Grabbing his jacket from his office he headed over to her place.

tbc.....