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 also don't own the name of the chapter. It belongs to the wonderful Smashing Pumpkins.

A/N: Here's the next chappie!! Thanks to all who reviewed. As always, please R&R. My muse loves the attention. :D Thanks again to the wonderful Axellia, without whom, this story would be full of mistakes! Any mistakes left are from me mucking with the chapter after she got it back to me!

Chapter 18.

Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness

The next morning, when Cory woke up, she tried to put the fight out of her mind. Nicole, true to her word, had taken her back to her house after the debacle at her parent's house. Beth had shown up and she was livid at their mother's reaction. Cory smiled as she remembered what Beth had said.

"Why? Why does she have to be so mean? I know that she knows that it wasn't your fault. It was fate. That's it. Tomorrow we are going over there and we are going to talk to her."

"But," Cory started.

"No buts about it. I don't care if she doesn't want to talk to you. You will talk, she will listen. I don't care what you say; this is what we're going to do."

Cory looked at Beth in surprise. "Wow, sis. You've grown up."

Cory got out of bed, still smiling. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail and made her way into the kitchen.

"Good morning, sleepy," said Nicole.

"Mornin'. Kids already gone?"

Nicole smiled as put some pancakes on a plate. "Of course. They had to be at school at eight. It's nine now."

Cory accepted the plate with a smile. "It's nine? Wow. I didn't mean to sleep that long. I guess I needed it."

"Of course you did. Beth called earlier. She said that she would pick you up at noon to go corner your mom."

Cory nodded. "Good. That means I'll have time to work out. It's been so long since I've been able to do my morning run."

"Why? You lived for that run."

"One word. Danny."

Nicole raised her eyebrows. "So are you getting a different kind of workout?"

Cory laughed. "Sometimes. But a lot of times, we've just gotten home after working crazy hours and it's nice to lie in bed. I've become lazy in the morning."

"Understandable. I'm going to go check some of my clients, so just put the dishes in the sink when you're done."

Cory nodded.

A couple of hours later, and feeling much better after her workout, Cory waited patiently for Beth to arrive. When she arrived, Cory embraced her sister in a tight hug. "I've missed you," she said.

Beth smiled. "I've missed you, too. How've ya been?"

"Other than Dad's death? Okay. I've been happy with Danny. He completes me."

Beth looked into Cory's eyes. "I can see that. You have a happier aura around you." She drew away. "Let's go. I'm ready to end this feud between you and Mom."

Cory nodded and grabbed her purse to leave.

When they got to their parents house, Cory walked up the steps slowly. Beth looked at her, understanding her hesitation. Drawing a steadying breath, Cory opened the door. She moved to the side, to allow Beth to precede her into the house.

Beth walked into the foyer, her heels clicking quietly on the marble floor. She led Cory to a small sitting room, their mother's retreat from the world. Without knocking, she walked in.

"Beth? What are you doing here?" asked Alexis.

"I'm here because you need to end this feud with Cory. You two are going to sit down and talk everything out. I'll lock you in here until you do if I have to."

Alexis looked at her youngest daughter in disbelief. "Elizabeth, you have no right to do that."

"Au contraire, Mother. I have every right to. This feud is not just affecting the two of you. It affects me as well." Beth made a small motion behind her back and Cory walked into the room.

"Hello, Mother."

Alexis pursued her lips and didn't respond. Both Beth and Cory took the silence as a sign of encouragement and sat down in two chairs opposite of Alexis.

Cory took a breath and looked at her mother. "Mom. Please. Can we talk about why I left?"

"Nothing you can say will change my mind."

"All I want to know is why? Why were you okay with my moving to New York until I told you that I can see spirits?"

"That is an evil power, Corrine. You would do well to heed my warning."

Cory frowned in confusion. "Seeing ghosts isn't evil. No power is ever evil. It's only how you choose to use your power that determines whether or not it's good or evil. I will not use this for evil. The reason that I have this power is to help prevent great evil."

Alexis looked at her oldest daughter, an unknown emotion swimming in her eyes. "I know that Cory, but you chose to go against my wishes."

"Your wishes? As far as I'm concerned, this is my life and I'll live it like I choose. Why does that make you unhappy? Isn't this what you always told me that I was supposed to do? Live my life as my own?"

"She's right, Mom," Beth interjected. "That is what you always told us. Why raise us to be independent and then disown as at the realization that we are?"

Alexis took a deep breath. "Because I was afraid," she muttered quietly.

Suddenly, the air temperature dropped. Cory looked up in shock as Armando materialized behind her mom. "Armando?"

Armando nodded. "Cory, remember what I told you about your power running in families? This is the perfect time to ask the hard questions. Ask your mother about her sister."

Cory looked stunned. "Sister? What?" Armando didn't wait around and a glimmer of light, he vanished. She turned back to Alexis, whose face had become pale. "Mom? Did you see him?"

Alexis shook her head. "No, but I recognized the temperature drop. I guess that the Powers that Be are unhappy at my silence. So I will break it."

Both Beth and Cory looked confused. "Mom?" Cory began. "I thought you were an only child."

"No, I wasn't. I had a twin sister. Her name was Catherine Corrine." Alexis saw the lights go on in both of her daughter's eyes. "Yes. Both of you were named after her. Corrine Danielle and Elizabeth Catherine. You see, she died when we were ten."

"What happened," Beth asked in hushed tones.

"I'll get to that. But let me tell you a story, first. CC and I were inseparable, like most twins. We were both special. And we found that with each other, our special abilities didn't matter. CC talked to spirits. I saw the future. Your grandmother and grandfather didn't believe us, and sought to cure us of our evil possession. We went to doctor after doctor who told them that they were just childish fantasies. But as we grew older, our powers strengthened." Alexis paused, trying to gather her courage.

"Mom?" asked Cory. "Let it out. You need to purge yourself of these horrific memories."

Alexis nodded. "It's hard. I've kept it in so long. The only other person who knew the whole story was your dad. Anyway, after about three years of "therapy" I couldn't take it anymore. I started to pretend that I didn't have the powers. CC supported me, knowing that I craved Mom and Dad's approval. So I seemingly got better, but she refused. They locked her into an asylum. Within a year, she was dead. I knew the moment she had died, but I have no clue how she died." She paused, wiping her face free of tears. "That's haunted me for the past forty years."

Both girls stood up and embraced their mother, trying to comfort her. Cory took the lead. "Why were you upset when I went to New York?"

"Ever since you went to New York the first time, I began having premonitions again. They all involve you and an explosion in a subway. I see you die, Cory."

"I've been having the same dream, Mom. But in mine, I don't die. I save a little girl. Look, I got some really good advice once. Every decision that we make changes the future. It's not set in stone. Who's to say that I will live or die? My actions alone will determine that. You can't wrap me in cotton and prevent me from harm. If you could, then that entire thing with Ortiz would have never happened and I never would have met the love of my life."

Cory stood back up. "Look. Why don't I leave for a little bit, let you process everything. I'll be in the pool if you want to talk more." Cory got up quietly and walked out of the room.

A couple of hours later, she was lounging by the pool. She opened her eyes when she felt a shadow move across her. "Hey sis."

Beth smiled. "Hey. You'd better cover up before you burn. You're not used to the Texas sun anymore."

Cory smiled. "I know, but the sun feels so good. I've missed it." She sat up with a sigh and adjusted an umbrella so that it would shade her. "How's Mom?"

Beth nodded as she slathered on sunscreen. "Morose. I've never seen her so down on something, but she has stopped cursing your name."

Cory sighed. "That's a step. I feel so bad for what's she's gone through. I thought my life had been rough."

"I know what you're talking about. It's mind boggling."

Cory was about to respond when she saw her mother walk out of the house. She followed her with her eyes until she had sat down in the chair opposite of her.

"Cory," Alexis began. "I'm so sorry that I reacted the way I did. I was just so scared that you were going to die that I lost reason. Harold kept trying to tell me that." Alexis' eyes watered at the mention of him.

"I understand, Mom. I just need you to know that I will do everything I can to protect myself. But, if I have to die, I want to die protecting others."

Alexis nodded. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you." Her face grew somber again. "The funeral is in two days. Can you stay?"

Cory's eyes began to water. "For as long as you need."

Over the next two day, Alexis, Cory and Beth caught up on everything that they had missed in their lives. Cory had managed to extract a promise from her mother to come and live in New York with her until Frasier was caught.

The morning of the funeral, Cory and Beth dressed somberly in the guest room. Both women were wearing black suits. They looked at each other. "Are you ready?" asked Beth.

Cory shook her head. "No. I'm still trying to come to terms with the fact that he's dead."

Beth nodded. "I know what you mean." She sighed as she picked up her purse and they made their way down the stairs.

They had just made it down the stairs when the doorbell rang. Cory went to the door and opened it to find Danny standing on the stoop.

"Danny?" she asked incredulously.

"Bella. I thought that you needed me more than the crime lab today."

In shock, Cory just stared at him. "I—I don't believe that you're here."

Danny stepped forward and wrapped her in his arms. "Why would I not be? I traded a shift with Hawkes, who was more than willing. It's important that I be here for you. I love you."

Cory sniffed, trying to hold back her tears. "I love you, too. I just…I don't know what to feel right now."

Beth, who witnessed the tearful reunion, quietly left the room. She found her mom in the study. "Hey, Mom. How are you?"

Alexis looked at her youngest daughter. "Sad. Your dad and I had a great life together. I can't believe that he's gone."

Beth nodded. "We feel that way to." She smiled softly. "On the bright side—if there is one—I think that you'll get to meet Danny. He just showed up on the doorstep telling Cory that he had to be here for her."

Alexis raised her eyebrows. "Well. That's informative. Maybe I should go meet the man that has managed to hook her." Trying to distract herself from the upcoming funeral, Alexis walked into the foyer and smiled at the sight.

Cory's shoulders were shaking in silent tears as Danny's hand moved in comforting circles on her back. Danny's eyes opened up at the sound of her heels clicking on the marble.

Danny bent his head and whispered in Cory's ear, "I think it's time to introduce me to your mother, bella."

Cory looked over her shoulder and sighed. "Mom, this is Danny Messer, my boyfriend. Danny this is my mother, Alexis Reid."

Danny reluctantly let Cory go and walked over to her mother with his hand extended. "Nice to meet you, ma'am."

Alexis smiled. "It's very nice to meet you, too. I just wish it was under better circumstances." Danny nodded his head as they shook hands. Alexis seemed to gather her strength and turned to the others. "It's time to leave."

Silently, the four made their way out of the house and prepared to go the funeral.

AN: Okay...Anyone suprised that Danny showed up?? Just to let you know...There is fluff in the works! Yeah for fluff!!

babes - rubbing my hands together evilly I love getting people addicted. Of course, I feel like I know the characters personally since they've been living in my head for over a year! I'm glad you enjoyed the update.

CSI junkie - I love giving twists and turns. It makes it more interesting. :D Some more drama, then some fluff, then some more drama. Although, I do actually kinda have the plot mapped out now, so hopefully I'll be able to getting it written soon!

brainDamage - Yeah, her mom was so harsh! But, c'est la vie. I had to have that drama. I've heard the same thing about JKR. Hopefully, it'll be out in the next couple of years!

Axellia - I'm glad that you still love it. Are you happy that Danny showed up?? I'm trying to finish up 21, but I've been so tired the last couple of days that it's been impossible to write! (except for last night). :D

mj - I'm sorry I made you cry! I promise, fluff is coming!!

Wow, guys!! 5 reviews for the last chapter!! Y'all made my day!! Hope y'all enjoy this one just as much!