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.

7. Angell and a Confession

Don rounded on Angell as they stood outside Stella's office, his stomach in knots trying to keep calm but at the same time furious that Laura was subjected to an interrogation like a common criminal.

"What the hell was that?! She's exhausted. She's also one of us give her a break!" He yelled at her.

Angell looked at him her face stern and devoid of emotion. "Don't you think its weird she's avoided becoming a target?"

"Doesn't mean she isn't ... She's been at the precinct or here for the last 12 hours!" He shot back.

"That's convenient don't you think? Besides we only have her word what time she left the bar!" Angell countered.

Don sighed "Adam just reviewed the CCTV, it confirms she left before Mark was attacked. 3 guys in balaclava's, they have the whole thing recorded ... I spoke to her Captain earlier, he confirmed she was at her desk most of the night ... She's off the hook." He told her forcefully.

Angell shook her head "What about the boyfriend, she wouldn't give us his name she could be covering for him."

Don looked at her, the muscles in his face taut as he controlled his temper. He stepped forward and stared in her eyes, his height emphasising his ability to control the situation. "Listen to me, I'm only gonna say this once. ... Back off Angell! ... I told you I know who it is, I'll handle it, ... She's off the hook."

"For now ... I'm gonna take her down Flack, she killed 3 people in cold blood, you gone soft on her or what?" Angell knew she was pushing, she also knew Don was right on the edge of losing it with her, but she wanted answers to this case, he hadn't seen what she had at the bar, the state of Mark's body, she was almost physically sick at the gruesome sight.

"She's a cop working an undercover case who's been up for nearly 2 days, that doesn't mean she's bad, you're still a rookie, you've got a lot to learn about this job!" He spat at Angell. He knew that Laura wasn't responsible, but they had nothing in this case that did make sense and right now he was sick of the attitude of the woman before him. "I suggest you get out of here now before I report you to IAB for harassment and intimidation." He knew it was stupid and childish, but right then he didn't care. He didn't want Angell anywhere near Laura or the case.

Angell gave up, she knew she had pushed too hard, she just wanted to get a break in the case, she was still relatively new to the job and didn't want a run in with IAB, and he would have had a pretty good case. She couldn't work out why he was being so protective, especially as they had only just met. Hadn't they? "I can't believe you just said that. But I'll give her space ... for now. Just remember this when I slap the cuffs on and arrest her!" She spoke in a low even voice which sent chills down Don's spine. Then she turned and walked away.

Don turned looking for a wall to punch to take out his frustration and anger, he saw Laura hunched over in a chair still in Stella's office, he sighed and ran his hand through his hair and took some deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down, before going back in.

Laura jumped and looked up as the door closed. She was relieved to see Don return alone.

"Thank you ... I don't know how long before I would have throttled her, please tell me you haven't."

"No, but she's convinced you're involved."

"Of course I'm involved, it was my case and Mark was my partner and I would have been the last one to see him alive! I never killed them!" Laura's voice was strained and shaky.

"I know, ... Laura, we've got everything in the bar on CCTV. If you'd have left 5 minutes later they would have had you too, they went in right after you left."

She looked up at him tears running down her cheek, he knelt down next to her and dried her tears with his handkerchief. "We will get them, I promise, right now Stella needs your help, are you up to it?."

Laura nodded as Don stood up then he held out his hand to help her up. He tightened his grip around her hand, the only comfort he could give her right now which wouldn't get him removed from the case. He couldn't do that, and leave her for Angell to rip apart. He really wanted to have his arms round her and never let her go, to have this nightmare over. He hated her job sometimes and this was one of those moments, but on the other hand he was really proud of her and what she did. She pulled her hand from his and tuned to the door.

Laura spent a couple of hours with the team going over the evidence piece by piece. There was too much and she was exhausted so when Stella told her to take a break, Don appeared to take her to get some food. They were sitting in a booth in Sullivan's when the team joined them. As they all sat down Laura and Don were squashed together, she lay her head on his shoulder, too tired to care who noticed. Hawkes noticed immediately. "You ok Laura?"

"Yeah, sorry, don't mean to be anti social but I still need sleep and I'm back on duty in an hour"

Danny eyed Laura and Don, he didn't seem too bothered about the fact that she was half asleep on him. "Hey Flack, didn't you say you had a date with your girlfriend?"

Don looked over "might have ... She's been called in again"

Danny couldn't let the moment pass "maybe that's a good thing seeing how you two are best buddies today." Laura's phone rang and she ushered the others out of the way so she could get up, and she took the call in a quieter corner of the bar. Danny was still determined to get information from Don, and he noticed he was watching Laura carefully. "Flack, ... thought she had a boyfriend, you shouldn't be checking her out like that!"

Don grinned. "What's wrong Danno? Scared she might see something she likes?"

Stella caught the look between the two. "Down boys, she told me she's really happy with her current relationship. So leave her alone."

Laura returned to the table as Don's phone beeped with a message, he flicked it open and read it, then grinned even more. "Well what ya know, my girl's got the night off after all."

It was Don's turn now to usher the others out of the way to let him out. Once standing he slipped an arm around Laura's waist and planted a semi chaste kiss on her lips as she leaned against him. Danny was a bit surprised at his friend's actions if he was about to go and meet his girlfriend. "Don't mind him Laura, he's celebrating, his fictional girlfriend just got the night off."

Laura looked at Don, then to Danny. "I know, who do you think sent him the message?" She could feel Don's hand tighten round her waist as he tipped his head and he whispered in her ear. Danny looked at them, the penny finally dropping. "You mean you two- you're- " he stammered. Don grinned wickedly.

"You mean I didn't tell you? Kat's my girl!"