+I don't own any CSI: NY characters. But the rest is mine. I really hope you enjoy reading this.+
On Tuesday Don called Hannah to see if she wanted to have dinner with him the next night. They agreed on him picking her up at her apartment at six. Don told her to dress nice for the restaurant they would be going to.
Hannah was waiting patiently on Wednesday night for Don to come and pick her up. She was finished getting ready at exactly six, but Don didn't arrive when he said he would. Hannah sat on her new couch and stared at the ceiling when she laid her head back. Then she'd look at the clock then back at the ceiling. The clock hit seven then seven thirty. Hannah checked her cell phone and there were no missed calls. She laid down on the couch with her leg hanging over the side. She put an arm over her eyes and before she even realized she was asleep.
A knock at her door woke her up and she scrambled to get up to answer it. Hannah glanced at the clock and saw it was a little after ten. She opened the door and Don was standing in front of her. She rubbed her eyes then leaned her head against the door frame.
"You know, I've never been stood up before. And if I haven't exactly been stood up you are pretty damn late," Hannah greeted him.
"I'm sorry. I got caught up at work. I was trying to push a guy to confess but the dumb ass just wouldn't cooperate. I wanted to get here, I swear."
She smiled. "I believe you. But man if I would've known you weren't coming I definitely wouldn't have gotten so dressed up."
"You look great, but honestly you look just as good in sweats."
"Thank you. I guess, you can come in since you did apologize and pay me a compliment." She moved to the side and he went in. "Did you at least bring me something to eat?"
He turned and looked at her with a frown. "No, I'm sorry."
She went over to him and put a hand on his arm. "It's ok. Did you eat?"
"No, I didn't get a chance."
"How about…" Hannah was examining the contents of the pantry. "Some mac n cheese? It's the only quick thing I have."
"It doesn't matter to me. That actually sounds good." Don sat on the couch. "Hey, this is nice."
"Aw, thanks. Stella helped me pick it out." Hannah started to water for the noodles then went into the living room. Don was leaning his head back on the couch with his eyes closed. Hannah sat down next to him and rested her chin on his shoulder. "Are you ok?" she asked quietly.
He glanced at her. "It's just been a long day." He slid his arm behind her shoulders. "But this is a good way to end it." He kissed her forehead. "I promise, Hannah, I'll never stand you up again."
"I know." She got up and kissed his cheek then went to the kitchen. A little while later Hannah went back into the living room with two bowls of macaroni and cheese but Don was fast asleep. She emptied his bowl into a plastic container then took hers with her to her bedroom. She ate as she checked her e-mail then took her bowl back to the kitchen when she was done. "Don," she said softly as she tapped him on the shoulder. He didn't move so she decided to leave him on the couch. She determined that eventually he would wake up then lie down and fall back to sleep. Hannah got the blanket from the armchair and laid it over him.
Don woke up the next morning when he heard some moving around in the apartment. He saw Hannah coming out of her bedroom with her laptop case. He sat up and rubbed his eyes then yawned. Hannah was in the kitchen.
"Where you going?" he questioned quietly.
"Oh, good morning. I have to go to Boston for a Sox game. The guy who usually reports on baseball is sick so my editor called last night and asked if I would go."
"What time is it?"
"About six thirty. Do you have to work today?"
"Yeah, I start at nine. How long you gonna be gone?"
"I'll be back tonight."
Don yawned and got up from the couch. He went over to her and she handed him a mug of coffee. "Sorry I fell asleep on you last night."
"Aw, it's ok. I was pretty tired myself. I didn't know how long you'd be hanging out so I laid out a towel and washcloth for you, and I put out a new toothbrush."
"Oh, thanks but I should head home to get ready for work. Thanks for letting me sleep over."
She smiled. "No problem, I didn't want to wake you up." She looked at the microwave clock. "I better get going."
Don walked with her out of the apartment and to the elevator. When they got to the first floor, Don gave Hannah a hug and she gave him kiss on the cheek to say goodbye. He went to his car parked across the street and Hannah got a cab to take her to Grand Central Station.
That night Hannah was leaving Grand Central Station, when her phone rang. It was her brother wanting to know just how she was. They talked for a while as she went outside of the station and got a cab and started to her apartment. Halfway through their conversation her call-waiting between to beep in her ear; she checked to caller ID and saw that it was Don.
"Jason, can I call you back?"
"What, why?"
"I've got someone on the other line."
"A guy?"
"Yeah, a guy. I gotta go; I promise I'll call you back."
"Alright, but when you call back I wanna hear all about him."
"Fine, bye." She switched to her other call. "Hey, Don."
"Hi, how are you?" he replied.
"I'm good; I was on the other line with my brother. Are you working still?"
"I'm just leaving. Are you back in the city yet?"
"I just got in and I'm heading home."
"Can I ask you to divert to somewhere else?"
Hannah smiled to herself. "Maybe, where did you have in mind? And do you promise to show up?"
"I'm never gonna live that down, am I?"
"No," they both chuckled. "So, where do you have in mind?"
"There's a pub close to my place that has the best fish and chips, how does that sound?"
"Yeah, that sounds so good. Fish and chips and beer. I'll meet you there."
Don told her where to go and she told him she would be there soon. As the cab pulled in front of the pub Hannah got out and saw Don standing there waiting for her. She flashed him a smile, which he returned. They talked a little as they went inside and Don led her to a table in the back that he other people sitting around it, including Hannah's close friend, Stella.
"Hannah, this is Danny and Lindsay and Sheldon, and of course you know Stella," Don introduced her to each of his friends and coworkers.
"It's nice to meet you guys," Hannah told them, then sat down after they all scooted around in the booth to make room for Don and her. Hannah laughed.
"What?" Don asked her quietly.
She looked at him and leaned to his ear. "I thought we'd be eating alone."
"Sorry."
"No, I'm glad to meet your friends." She smiled and put her hand on his.
Through their dinner and drinks Hannah enjoyed talking and laughing with everyone. They asked her quite a bit about what she did and she asked them about their jobs as crime scene investigators. When they were finished eating, Danny and Lindsay told them they were going to head home. The rest of them talked over a couple more drinks then all decided they were ready to leave.
Don took her hand as they walked to his car. "So, you want me to take you home?" he questioned.
"Actually, why don't we go to your place?"
He looked at her and they both smiled. "My place, really?"
She kissed the top of his hand. "Yeah." He leaned down to kiss her lips.
When they got in the car, Don's phone rang. He talked for a little bit then put it back in his belt clip. "I, uh, I have to go to work."
"No, you don't," Hannah replied.
"Yeah, I do. I'll take you home. I'm sorry."
She put a hand on his cheek. "It's ok. I should get some sleep tonight anyway."
"God, I wish this could wait. What are you doing tomorrow night?"
"I have to babysit my nephew. My brother and his wife are going out for their anniversary."
Don sighed heavily then started toward Hannah's apartment.