Epilogue: A better life

Summery: -

Disclaimer: I do not own CSI NY

A/N: Yeah okay the last chapter WAS the last chapter unless you count this XP

--------

It was bright in New York that morning. The sun was just touching the tips of the trees and the tall shadows of the New York skylines painted themselves out along the streets and path ways and just the same, as any ol' day in New York, at 7 in the morning people were up and everywhere. Streets bustling with pedestrians, the roads packed with cars and Central Park hosted itself for all the commuters to take advantage of the wonderful weather for a walk through its luscious greenery and cooling breeze.

It had been four weeks since the day it started and a week since she'd been released from the hospital. She was happy now, to escape from the whiteness of the hospital wards and the constant monitoring of nurses and doctors but still something inside felt lost and missing. As if, when they extracted the bullet from her, they'd taken away a part of her. She had to admit she was happy not have an infested bullets lodged in her shoulder but she felt like a weight was being rested on them.

Jess was sat on the hood of the silver sedan glinting in the sun as she stared up at the tall grey condo in front of her. She cradled her arm though there was very little need to due to it being out of the cast but after weeks of just having done so she found it hard not to. Over the past few weeks she had remained quiet, barely talking, barely socializing. She hadn't returned to her apartment until the previous day and entering it brought back fearful memories she intended on keeping hidden for a long time to come. Walking into the chaotic mess that still had to be cleared up she realised what kind of events she'd been through and it all started here. On a Wednesday. Four weeks ago.

'Jess?' Don came trudging down the steps of the condo. He was happy, happier than Jess possibly. It was a changed from how she'd first seen him after waking from her coma and though she didn't share the same feeling of love and happiness he did she defiantly felt it radiate from him.

'Do you want me to help you?' she said jumping off the front of the sedan. Don walked to the boot of the car and pulled out the last box.

'No, I'm fine.'

'Look you've been working for the past few hours why don't you let me,' Jess began reaching out for the brown cardboard box in his hands but he pulled it out of reach.

'No, I am not allowing you to carry anything this heavy. Your arms still not healed well yet.'

Jess tossed her head back in frustration as she followed Don back up the stairs of the condo and into the cooling lobby.

'Don, I'm fine. The doctor said I'm fine and I can continue back as normal. He even said I can go back to work!'

'Yeah, and you will be assigned a desk job for the next few weeks. I'll see to that.'

'Don, but that's not fair! You can't keep me held down forever.'

They were already half way up the stairs before he stopped. 'No,' he began, 'not forever, just until I feel you are fit to carry on as normal.'

'Let me prove that I can carry on as normal by helping you,' Jess followed Don up the stairs and opened the door of the fifth floor for him. 'Please?'

'Maybe later we'll see what you're up to,' Don gave a cheeky smile and raised an eyebrow before pushing open the door of his apartment and stepping it.

'That's not fair!' she called back at him from outside his apartment.

She had not expected everything to turn out like this. She actually never expected everything to turn out so well. She expected there to be tension, uneasiness and failure between them but instead everything was positive. After Don had gotten the 48 hours of missed sleep, after Jess had awoken, he'd arising with new desires and ideas and had begged Jess to do this.

She didn't want to agree at first but then she admitted that it was perfect for them as she couldn't bear to stay in her old apartment. So why not. If things didn't work out, it was simple – she'd just move out but he was determined to make things work.

'Jess.'

She turned and looked down the hall where Stella began walking towards her.

'Hey,' Jess called out embracing Stella in a hug. 'What are you doing here?'

Stella gave a smile, her kind considerate, her 'your still the bestest thing in the world' smile, 'I wanted to come over and apologise.'

'For what?'

'Mac and I won't be able to make it tonight for your open house celebration.'

'Aww, why not?'

'He's planned something apparently and I'm hoping it's not as extravagant as the last event he planned,' the two girls laughed at the memory of Stella birthday, 'So, I thought I'd give you this to make up for it. It's from me and Mac.'

She handed Jess a bottle of wine. The cool bottle was heavy in Jess's hands but she accepted it gratefully intrigued by the vintageness.

'Wow, it brilliant but I'm so sorry you can't make it but then again have fun! I hope it's better than this sorry little party.'

Another one of Don's idea, Jess's welcoming party, the open house which would establish their relationship to the rest of the crew.

'I wish I was here, I really do but we'll make it up to you. Maybe me and Mac can take you and Don out for dinner one night?'

'Oh, a double date?' Don came out of the apartment and waved a hello to Stella.

'Well, I wasn't really thinking that,' Stella started, 'but yeah, why not.'

The three shared a smile.

'Look, I really should go – work. Have fun tonight and can't wait to see you back at work Jess.'

'Yeah me too,' she murmured to herself.

Stella walked back down the hallway hair curls bobbing up and down as she walked. Don took the bottle of wine from Jess's hands and studied the label.

'Wow, good stuff,' he said. 'Why don't we open it now, see where it takes us?'

Jess raised an eye brow at her partner, 'What are you implying?' she muttered staring up into his bright eyes.

'Oh, something involving us being 'inside' my apartment,' his hands slithered their way around her waist. 'Something I think you will really enjoy.'

'Oh, yeah,' she replied sliding her arms around his neck. 'Will it fun?'

'I think so,' Don replied placing a soft, short kiss on her lips. He retreated slightly only to star deep into Jess's brown eyes contemplating the possibility of him loosing her again. He promised her he wouldn't think of it – saying that if anything happened to either of them they wouldn't be wallowed by depression but instead simply carry on.

'Don?'

'Yeah?'

'Do you love me?'

'Of course I do.'

'Really?'

'Yes. I love you, Jessica.'

She smiled.

'I love you too, Donald.'

Their lips came together again as they manoeuvre back into the apartment. Lost in the moment all Jess could concentrate on was thoughs three small words that made a whole new difference to the situation. She suddenly felt the small gaping hole that once contained a bullet was filled with the joyous, caring, love Don felt for her. He loved her and in the way he said it she knew there was nothing that could sound sweet or more perfect in the whole world.

--------

A/N: Okay now I think we can safely assure there will be no more. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I have writing and you have no idea the feeling of accomplishment I am going through right now! I have never, ever, done something this BIG before or LONG and it's just wonderful to know I am capable of it! =D Please review on what you thought not just of this chapter but the WHOLE story.
Message to anyone and everyone who has ever read this – give me ONE small review on what you thought – good, bad or ugly stand it… I need to know what you thought! Send me a PM even if you want to criticise it and don't want the world to know!

Lots of love now and forever LyzabethSay!