Disclaimer:I obviously do not own CSI: NY. I just own my car, my laptop and my crazy muse who seems to want to write 4 different stories at a time. I also do own any characters that you do not recognize. You can borrow them if you ask permission first! I still do not own Taylor or Maddy. They belong to Axellia.

A/N: Here's the next chappie!! Thanks to all who reviewed. As always, please R&R. My muse loves the attention. :D

Chapter 17.

Repercussions

Cory and Taylor talked for a couple of hours, with Cory trying to come to terms with her grief. They were only interrupted by a sleepy-eyed Danny walking into the room.

"Cory, bella," he said. "How are you?"

Cory looked at Danny. "I'm not sure. I need to make arrangements to go to Texas and talk with Mom. I just…" she trailed off.

"I know. Beth called. I think she was calling to tell you that your dad had died, but then I heard you scream. I've never been more terrified than when I was running into the room."

"She called? I'd better call her back." Cory reached for her cell phone and soon was talking to her sister. After reassuring her that she was fine, she promised that she would be in Dallas by the next day and hung up.

Taylor looked at her. "I'd better go. Marty should be getting off work now, and I need some time to process everything."

Cory looked at her. "Thanks, Tay. For everything."

Taylor smiled and left.

Danny sat down on the bed and drew Cory into his arms. "I wish I could do something."

"You just being here is enough Danny. I'm glad that you're here. It makes the grief more bearable."

Danny nodded and just held her in his arms until they both fell asleep.

The next morning, Cory woke up still in a somber mood. She quietly disentangled herself from Danny's arms. Sighing, she made her way into the living room, to try to arrange a flight to Dallas. Once she purchased her ticket, she picked up the phone to call Agent Michaels.

"Michaels."

"It's Cory."

"Is everything alright, Cory? You sound different."

"My father was killed last night. I need to go to Dallas."

"Oh my God. Are you alright?"

"I'm not quite sure what I am yet, other than really pissed off. I just…I just need to be with my family right now."

"Understandable. I'll have Lydia cover for you. Take as long as you need."

"Thank you, Agent Michaels. I'll keep in touch and let you know when I'm expected back."

"I appreciate that. Do you think that it was Frasier?"

Cory swallowed, trying to fight down her rage. "Yeah. I do. And I know that since I'm the daughter of the victim, I can't do anything to help the investigation, other than to turn over all the information to the lead investigator. I'm not happy about that, but I'll accept it. It's probably best that he was killed in Texas and I won't be close to the investigators. My question is—how does this affect my case against the Martinez Brothers?"

Cory heard Agent Michaels inhale deeply. "On the whole, I'd say it doesn't. You have no material evidence that links Frasier to the Martinez Brothers. The word of a man on death row really doesn't mean anything. I'd say to continue on with your investigation as normal and if something comes up, we'll deal with it."

Cory managed to smile. "I can do that. I'd better let you go. I need to pack. My flight leaves at two."

"Have a safe trip and I really am sorry to hear about your father."

Cory let out a sigh of relief at Agent Michaels' easy acceptance. She walked back to the bedroom, to find Danny sprawled out on her side of the bed. With a quiet chuckle, she began to pack.

When she was done packing, Cory sat lightly on the bed staring at Danny sleeping peacefully. She sighed softly again and leaned down to give him a small kiss.

Danny woke up at her kiss and looked at her. "Come back to bed, bella," he murmured.

"I can't, chere. I have to catch a plane to Dallas. It leaves in a couple of hours. I just wanted to let you know that I was leaving and that I'll be back when I can."

Danny sat up, unsurprised. "I wish I could go with you."

Cory smiled. "I know, but this is something that I have to do on my own. I'm sorry that you never got to meet Daddy. Maybe you'll get to meet Mom and Beth. I should go. You know how angsty the air marshals get when an agent is on the plane with them."

Danny laughed. "Just don't go trading war stories again. You made the last guy cry."

Cory managed a real laugh at that. "What can I say? He was trying to say that the FBI was full of pansies. I bristled, he cried." She saw Danny's look. "Okay. I promise. No trading war stories. I'll probably just stare off into space."

Danny drew her into his arms. "It'll be okay, sweetheart. You've faced worse."

Cory drew back. "You really need to meet my mother when she's pissed. Trust me. Facing Ortiz will look like a day in the park compared to facing my mother. My dad was always the nice one."

Danny saw the look of pain cross her face and just pulled her back into his arms. "Let me get dressed and I'll drive you to the airport."

Cory nodded and let him get up.

At four-thirty that afternoon, Cory walked off of the plane. As she walked towards the waiting passengers, she heard her name being called out. She turned to find Nicole standing there, waiting for her.

Nicole walked up to her and wrapped her in a huge hug. "How ya doing, chica?"

"Hurt, depressed, pissed off. And that's just the beginning. I honestly don't know what to feel."

Nicole nodded. "That's understandable. Bright side, you're house is free right now, if you want to stay there."

Cory shook her head. "I may, but I really want to see if Mom will let me stay there. I think I need to be close to her right now. But, she might throw me out as soon as she sees me, so I might have to stay there."

Nicole threw her a sympathetic look. "Maybe, maybe not. You won't know until you get there."

Cory nodded and stayed silent as she followed Nicole out of the airport. She was silent the whole trip to her parent's house. Nicole noticed, but chose not to press her, knowing that she needed time to process everything.

When they got to her parents house in Highland Park, Cory sat in the car. "I don't want to do this, Nic. I don't think that I could handle it if she yelled at me right now."

Nicole looked at Cory, concerned about her depressed tone. "Cory, honey. I know that this is hard. I know that you and your mom have differences right now, but someone has to take the first step. Be the bigger person."

Cory turned to look at Nicole. "Yes, oh wise one. I'll do this, but only if you'll stay in the car for a bit. If Mom kicks me out, then I want to have a ride."

Nicole nodded and leaned over to give her a hug. "Everything will be alright, trust me," she whispered.

Cory returned her hug. "Thanks, chica." Cory drew in a breath to try to get some courage. Then she opened the door and got out of the car. With trepidation in her heart, she slowly walked up the steps of the two story mansion that her parent had purchased after she and her sister had moved out. Standing at the door, she debated on whether or not to know or to simply go in. Thinking over the last time her and her mother had spoken, she rang the doorbell and waited.

The door opened and Cory's mom, Alexis, looked at her in surprise. "Corrine. What are you doing here?"

Cory's eyes began to fill with tears. "I'm here because of Dad."

Alexis just looked at her. "You shouldn't have come. You don't belong here. It's your fault that he died."

"Mom! It's not my fault. The only thing that is my fault is being damn good at my job. You can't put this on me."

Alexis turned her back. "I don't want you here. Go back to New York, Corrine. I told you that when you walked out that door, you could never come back. I meant it. Harold's death doesn't change anything." With those parting words, Alexis closed the door.

Cory stood there, in shock, the tears finally spilling over. Slowly, she turned around and walked towards Nicole, who had gotten out of the car. She didn't say a word; she just walked into Nicole's arms, sobbing.

"Oh, honey. I'm so sorry," Nicole said as she wrapped her best friend into a hug. "Why don't you stay at my house tonight? You can go see Beth tomorrow."

Silently, Cory nodded. The women got into Nicole's car to begin the drive to her house.

AN: Anyone else feel really bad for Cory right now?? I know I do!

CSI junkie 247 - I'm sorry I had you in tears...But I'm glad that I sucked you into my evil world (laughing evilly). On the bright side, I think I finally (FINALLY) know where I'm going with the story, so hopefully, I'll be able to write more. :D

brainDamage089 - I loved, loved, loved HP! OMG. The last six chapters were so fast to read! I'm sad about R&T, too. Is it just me, or was everyone else left wanting after the epilogue! Wow...I didn't start reading the HP fics until the first movie came out when I was 25 (Lord, I'm getting OLD). I'm glad you squealed when getting the alert. I squeal when I get alerts, too!

Axellia - Ah, you finally reviewed! No worries. I know that you've read them!! I like the pizza scene, too. I'm telling you, our muses are linked somehow! So you got the wireless to work..Nice! Yes, Knocked up is really that good! I haven't laughed so hard in a movie in a long time. Yes, some fluff is definitely needed, and I think possibly around 21 is when it might show back up. I need to get some good fm Radio in there! I'm glad I could build the suspense (it's like reading your stories, I know what's coming, but I still can't wait to read it). Plea has been heard! I will do my best to wrestle my muse to giving up control to me again!

babes - Yeah! A new reviewer!! Did you read all my stories in one day? I don't think even I could do that! I'm glad you're liking the story. I'm going to arm wrestle my muse for control back and try to throw some fluff in around chapter 21 or 22. The story needs the break from all the drama! Thanks for the review and I am updating once a week for a while. As long as I can keep ahead of myself, I'll keep myself at that pace. :D