Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of CSI:NY; they are property of CBS and Anthony E. Zuiker.

Author's Note: I am really surprised at the responses I've been getting for this story- you all are amazing! Please keep reviewing!

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Date Until Test Results: One month, one week

"I can't do this."

Flack threw his hands in the air in mock exasperation. "Stella," he sighed. "I thought we'd been through this."

"I know, I know!" Stella stood up from the couch and began pacing her living room. "I just...maybe I should wait until the results are in. I mean, then nobody can do anything about it one way or the other. And if they come back negative, well, then I never got anybody worried, you know?"

"Except Mac. And Sid," Flack pointed out.

Stella glared at him. "You're sort of missing the point here."

"No, I'm not," Flack said. He stood up and put his hands on her shoulders to stop her pacing. "You're trying to make excuses to get yourself out of it. To avoid a potentially painful situation. But you know, and I know, that if you put this off, something like what happened between you and Lindsay could happen again. Or worse, what if something does happen to you at work and nobody knows what's wrong with you and it's Mac and Sid's day off?" He gave her a hug and pulled her down onto the couch. "You gotta tell them, Stel. I bet you feel a hundred percent better afterward, too."

She looked at him. She bit her lip, then nodded. "Okay," she whispered.

"What was that?" Flack asked, leaning back on the cushions and pulling her down with him.

"I said, okay." Stella replied.

"I'm sorry; I didn't quite hear that." Flack ran a hand through her hair. "What did you say?"

She rolled her eyes. "You heard me, Don Flack."

He grinned and feigned innocence. "I'm sorry, what?"

She shook her head and kissed him. "I said, okay!" She brushed a strand of hair out of his face. "Did you hear me that time?"

Flack grinned cheekily. "Loud and clear," he said. "But maybe you want to repeat that, just in case."

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The next day, Stella gathered her closest friends together in Mac's office. Mac gave her a hug when she came in with Flack. "Everything will be fine," he told her.

Stella nodded. "I hope so."

Lindsay was still stung by the argument she'd had with Stella the day before. She stayed close to Danny when the two of them came into Mac's office. She wouldn't even look at Stella, and, while Stella couldn't blame her, the action still stung. She looked at Flack, and Flack smiled reassuringly and squeezed her hand. Sid Hammerback came in, and winked at Stella. He knew what this powwow was all about, seeing as how Stella had saved his life and had told him about her situation. Stella smiled gratefully back at him. Adam and Peyton came in next, followed by Hawkes. When Hawkes had taken a position leaning against the door, Stella took a breath.

"Um, Mac already knows what I'm about to tell you all, but he has graciously allowed me use of his office, since, uh, mine's too small."

She caught a smile from Hawkes, and continued. "Anyway, I'm sure you've all noticed that I haven't exactly been myself the past couple of weeks."

Danny nodded. "You've been really...edgy," he said. "And kind of a witch."

"Danny!" Flack and Mac hissed together.

Stella smiled. "No, it's okay guys. He's right. I shouldn't have been so awful, and I apologize." She took a breath and let it out. "Anyway. Do you all remember the Gable case?"

Hawkes and Adam nodded. "Well, when I was processing the scene, I picked up a piece of glass from the fishtank that Emery Gable had stumbled into when he died. Some of the pieces had his blood on it. I was holding one when it fell apart and sliced my arm open."

She stopped. I can't do this!! she thought to herself. Luckily, Flack sensed it and put a hand around her waist for comfort. She paused a moment, and then resumed speaking, but her voice was slowly breaking. "I went into the bathroom to find something to clean the cut. In...in Emery Gable's medicine cabinet, I found HIV drugs."

Peyton covered her mouth. And a light slowly began to dawn in Lindsay's eyes.

"I haven't got the results back," Stella continued, looking at Lindsay, "but I should in about a month or so." She sighed. "I didn't want to tell you all at first. I was afraid you'd treat me like I wasn't capable of doing my job. I was worried...that you would treat me like I was untouchable, that you would all keep your distance." Tears were forming again, and Stella worked hard to fight them back. "But I finally realized that friends wouldn't do that. And I realized that I need the support. However this goes, one way or the other, I want my friends by me through it all."

She didn't bother to hold the tears back now, letting a few slide down her face. She waited for a response.

The room was still, soaking in the situation.

Lindsay was the first to come up to Stella and throw her arms around her friend. "Stella, I'm so sorry," she said. "I'm sorry I've been so awful the past couple days."

"It's okay," Stella whispered back, hugging Lindsay fiercely. "I'm sorry I blew up at you. It wasn't you I was upset at, it was me."

"I'm here for you," Lindsay promised her friend. "Whatever comes your way."

"So am I," Danny Messer said, coming up to her and giving her a strong hug.

Hawkes came over and gave her a hug. "Me too," he said.

Flack smiled as Peyton and even Adam followed suit.

Stella looked at all of them, all of her best friends. "Thank you," she whispered.

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Like/Love/Hate it? Doesn't matter, please review. I think this one's got one or two more chapters, maybe more if I can get creative.