AN: I don't own any of the CSI:NY Characters or any of the show's storylines that I may refer to from time to time, but the rest of the plot is mine.

2. Getting to Know Each Other

Don and Danny were in the reception area outside Mac's office. Laura left the elevator. Danny sees her. "Hey thought you were off the clock." Laura saw the two detectives and took a breath. She could tell they were checking her out again, dressed as she was it wasn't unusual and she considered it a hazard of the job. "Hey, not so lucky I just pulled a triple and another case." Don could tell she was tired, she looked more drained than when they had met earlier. He asked if someone else could cover. "Not this time, my case just blew up and I'm running things at the moment." Danny pointed out the coffee pot in the breakroom. She asked if there was anything to eat as she was starving and missed breakfast. Don offered to take her to breakfast, she declined but asked him to bring a take out. Danny's pager went off and he looked at it and announced that he had to go. He told Laura the ME would be about another half hour, he promised to let her know when the report was ready. She thanked him as he disappeared into the lab.

"Kat, you sure you're ok?" Don asked when they were alone. She nodded "I've got some calls to make". "I heard about Mark, I'm sorry" She nodded, then looked into his eyes, "I need to know what happened" He could see she was almost asleep on her feet. "We'll figure it out, go get your coffee I'll bring breakfast, what would you like?" She shrugged. "Surprise me I'm too tired to think." He nodded and left.

Laura was half asleep in a chair in the breakroom when Stella entered. Laura sat up. Stella noted the exhausted look about her and asked how she was doing. "I feel like I could sleep for a week right now. I could use a shower to wake me up. Is there any news on Mark and Charlotte?" Stella shook her head, "Not yet I'm sorry".

Don entered with a holdall and a brown bag. He greeted Laura and gave her the bag. "This was just left at reception for you". She looked up. "Someone read my mind ... Stella is there someplace I can change?"

The older woman nodded. "Flack if you're waiting, make yourself useful the coffee pot's empty."

Stella showed Laura to the locker room and got her set up with some shampoo and a towel. Laura thanked her. "Who knew to drop you off a change of clothes?"

Stella asked. Laura looked at her, "Boyfriend. I managed to speak to him briefly earlier. I didn't know he'd manage it so quick". "Boyfriend? Been together long?" Laura was non specific about how long she had been seeing him. "That must be tough when you're working undercover and strange hours."

Laura looked at her. "He's on the job so he knows the score. We haven't seen each other in a couple of weeks. Our off time hasn't coincided and the case has been taking more of my time."

About 20 minutes later Laura entered the breakroom wearing a pair of black trousers and a pale blue blouse, her long hair hung around her shoulders still damp from the shower. Danny saw her first.

"Detective Stevens?" Danny breathed, "Wow you clean up nice, not that the other outfit didn't look good on you." Don chipped in teasing Danny "Hey, Messer, be careful what you say her boyfriend's on the force" Laura smiled. She was feeling awake at the moment and was enjoying the moment between the two friends, but she added her own taunts. "Nice of you to try and protect me Detective Flack, but I'm quite capable of taking down Detective Messer here if I wanted to." Danny looked up at her face, "that sounds like a challenge" he said. "I could make it one if you wanted" she replied. Don watched them, he asked her if she was sure. Danny protested "Hey Flack quit protecting her, she made the challenge," Danny turned to Laura "I'll let you know where and when." Laura glanced at Don then asked Danny what the bet was. They agreed on a $100. Danny's pager beeped. He checked it and left.

Don watched Laura as he handed over the brown bag he'd brought in with him earlier. She sank into a chair opposite him. "you sure you're ok Kat? You could catch a couple of hours sleep at my place until we've got something to go on?" She looked at him, "You know they're going to suspect something soon.?" He grinned, his eyes sparkling, "Yeah, well I can have some fun for a bit longer".

Stella entered and told them the autopsy results were in on their victims. Laura looked up and asked what they were, she had to know. Stella nodded. "Mark put up a fight, lots of defensive wounds" she paused a moment then continued. "Laura, he was tortured, both kneecaps broken, crushed fingers" Stella stopped again as Laura buried her head in her hands. Laura looked up "Cause of death?" Stella was reluctant to continue, but if Laura was on the case she needed to know. "Gunshot through the back of his neck, after he'd been beaten." She concluded that someone wanted something badly and Mark wouldn't give it up. She asked Laura if she knew what it might be. She paused then nodded. "I have a good idea, if I'm right Mark and Charlotte aren't the only ones they're after. I have to see my boss." She pushed herself up from the chair. Don got a sinking feeling in his stomach as he watched her. "Who else is in danger?" He was afraid of the answer. "Later, I've gotta go" She grabbed her handbag from the table and left. Stella and Don looked at each other. "Go with her, don't let her out of your sight. She knew both of them, it's possible they'll go after her too." Don was already half out of the chair, having had the same gut wrenching feeling. "I'm going, I was afraid that's what you'd say". Don caught up with Laura at the elevator and offered to drive her.

They entered the squad room at Laura's precinct. The room was buzzing with officers preparing for the day, some were obviously ready to go undercover which was obvious with their attire. Several people greeted Laura as she walked to her captain's office, but she barely noticed them. She walked into the corner office and closed the door. Don dropped into the chair at the desk she indicated. He looked over her desk, it was pretty neat, except for a pile of papers and a photo. He reached over and picked it up. It was the same as one he had at home.

AN: Please review. Would you like this to continue?

Suggestions welcome.