First of all I'm sorry for not updating sooner! It's been kinda crazy lately…and my muse decided to go into hibernation for a little. This chapter was hard for me to get out. I just want it to be good and I hope I didn't let ya'll down.

Second I hope ya'll are having a good holidays. I'm looking forward to Christmas. Already have my tree up and everything! Haha I'm a dork LOL

Disclaimer: I don't own anything about or around CSI NY. I wish lol

Anywhoo! Hope ya'll enjoy!

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Stella stood nervously in front of Flack's door. It was quiet in his building and as she glanced at her watch she saw that it was really late…or early depending on how you looked at it. Doubt began to creep in and she turned to walk away before shaking herself and turning back around quickly. She knocked softly on the door before she could change her mind.

The door was pulled open to reveal a disheveled and rumpled Flack. His hair was slightly damp from a shower, sticking up in different directions like he'd been running his fingers through it. He had changed from his suit into an old pair of sweats and a wifebeater.

Blue eyes widened in surprise at seeing her and then filled with worry. "Stell? What are you doing here? Is everything alright?"

Her voice cracked as she looked sadly up at him. "I couldn't stay there Donny. It was supposed to be my haven, the one place where I could be safe…but it's not anymore." Tears spilled over to run down her cheeks. "I-I just couldn't stay there. It felt violated…and…and I was fine until you left. And then…I didn't feel safe at all…all the memories came rushing back." She put her hand to her mouth and tried to choke back a sob. "I…I…just need you to hold me. Please. I need to feel safe again. And I feel safe with you….no where else."

Flack's heart broke as he watched Stella try to stifle her sobs. She was always so strong and now she looked so broken, something he had never seen from her before. Gently grabbing her hand he pulled her into the apartment locking the door before walking her towards the couch. He sat down and pulled her sideways onto his lap. Wrapping his arms around her tightly, he rocked back and forth, gently rubbing a hand up and down her back soothingly. He murmured soft nothings to her, just comforting as her body shook with gut wrenching sobs. Her sobs rattled him to the core. He knew Stella was broken from what had happened with Frankie. Anger filled him at the thought of the damage Frankie had done to Stella. If he could he'd bring Frankie back so he could kill him himself.

Slowly her sobs subsided to soft hiccoughs. Flack gently pushed her back, framing her face with his hands so he could look at her. Love for her rushed through him as she took a deep steadying breath. Wiping the tears from her face with his thumbs, he kissed her gently on the forehead. Her beautiful green eyes still swam with tears.

"Alright now?" he asked. She nodded at him. "Do you want anything? A glass of water? A beer? Whiskey?" He flashed a smile at her.

She gave a small laugh. "Just a glass of water please. Though keep the whiskey on hand just in case." He grinned at her, flashing the famous dimples.

Flack headed for the kitchen to get her request. He stood lost in his thoughts as he filled the glass of water. She'd shown up so unexpectedly. After he'd said his piece and left he hadn't expected to hear or see her so soon…if ever. She was way out of his league and with everything she had been through he didn't think he'd even have a chance. He would always love her and didn't regret telling her how he felt. If she hadn't made it through this ordeal, he would have regretted not telling her for the rest of his life. Going through all this with her made him realize how short life was and that he needed to tell her. Even if she didn't repay them, she would know how much she was loved. And that would make it all worthwhile.

He was startled out of his thoughts by a soft voice. "Don?"

Turning quickly he saw Stella standing the in the dim light of the doorway. Walking to her he went to hand her the glass, but she was still so shaken it started to slip from her fingers. He grabbed the glass quickly before it fell and gently to her hand in his to lead her back to the living room.

He set the glass on the coffee table before pulling Stella back down onto his lap. She pulled her legs up onto the couch and wrapped her arms around him burying her face in his neck. Inhaling his scent she sighed. He smelled like fresh soap and a hint of Old Spice. Staying here in his arms where it was safe sounded good to her. His hands gently ran through her hair, then up and down her back again just soothing her with his touch.

Stella sighed deeply and pulled back to look into his eyes. Those beautiful blue eyes had captured her attention the first time she had met him. They were the first thing she noticed when she had looked up into his face as he introduced himself. The next thing she had observed about his baby blues was how they showed every emotion he was feeling. Looking into them now she could see the love he felt for her shining brightly. It shone so bright she almost gasped aloud, wondering how she hadn't seen it before now.

"Donny…"

"It's ok Stella. You don't haveta say anything now. I just wanna be here for you…"

"Donny…I've never felt safer with anyone that I do with you. I should have let you stay but I was afraid of looking weak. And then you said all those wonderful things…and I let you leave." She looked down at her hands briefly before looking back up at him. "Donny, I've had feelings for you for awhile. I tried to push them back, deny them. I told myself you were too young, that it wouldn't work because we worked together and because I didn't to ruin our friendship. You are so way out of my league why would you even look at me? So I buried my feelings by dating Frankie. But I was never truly happy with him…I knew I wasn't in love with him. "

Stella laid her hand gently on his cheek. "I think I could very easily love you Don Flack. You are the only person I trust more than Mac…but I'm still afraid. Is it ok if we just take this slow? And find out where it takes us?"

Flack pulled her down to meet his lips. This kiss was gentle, loving, and filled her with joy. She sighed as he deepened the kiss, tilting his head to the side and gently tracing her lips with his tongue.

Pulling back he stared into her luminous green eyes as he gently brushed her hair behind one ear. "I love you with all of my heart Stella. And I always will. I'll wait forever for you…till you're ready to love and be loved." Her eyes filled with tears again. "I'm not gonna rush because I know what we have is special and it needs to be taken care of. No regrets right? You're the most precious thing in the world to me. Let me show you what true love is. What it means. Through thick'n thin, ups and downs, highs and lows…that's what love is. Let me love you Stella."

Leaning forward he placed a tender kiss on her forehead. Her eyes closed in an attempt to stop her tears, but it was no use. He placed kisses on both eyelids before moving to each cheek. As he lovingly kissed away her tears, the broken pieces of her heart slowly began to mend.

Flack slowly kissed her chin, and then placed a gentle kiss on each side of her neck where it met her shoulders. His eyes welled up with tears as love for this woman swept through him. He loved her more than anything and seeing her in so much pain had nearly killed him. Gently grasping her hands he lifted towards his lips.

Stella opened her eyes as Don lifted her hands up. The tenderness with which he was bestowing each kiss made her heart ache. She loved this wonderful man in front of her. It had taken nearly dying for her to finally see it, but honestly she was thankful. He had been there through everything never leaving her unless it was absolutely necessary. Who better to fall in love with than your best friend?

He slowly kissed her left palm and as he kissed the right she felt something damp hit her palm. Gently wrapping her hand around the side of his face she lifted his head so she could look at him. The sight of his eyes speaking volumes and full of tears, she leaned forward to kiss him again, pushing all of her love into it.

Flack slowed the kiss down before pulling away to gaze into her eyes. He pushed her hair behind her ear, kissing her gently on the forehead again. Grabbing her hand he pulled her up from the couch, clicked the lamp off and headed for the bedroom.

Stella stopped abruptly when she saw where he was heading and anxiety filled her. Images of what Frankie had done filled her head and she gasped for air as her throat closed with panic. Her vision started to tunnel, the darkness threatening to swallow her.

Glancing back when he was pulled to a stop, Flack was shocked at how white Stella was. All the blood had drained from her face and she was gasping for air. "Stella! Stella, breathe honey. Come on baby take small breaths now. Calm down Stell, you gotta calm down." He quickly pushed her head towards the floor.

Air rushed into her lungs as she took a deep breath, the blood quickly rushing back to her head. Gasping she tried to take quick breaths but it just seemed to make it worse. Her eyes welled up with tears from the lack of air. A voice was saying something in her ear, but it was foggy, like it was far away, all she could hear were her harsh breaths and the blood pounding in her ears. She rested her hands on her knees and sound suddenly came rushing back to her.

Flack knelt down quickly so he could look up into her face. "Stell! Breathe honey, come on. That's it. Slow it down, slow it down baby. There you go." He coached her as she slowly got her breathing back under control as tears streamed down her face.

Pulling her upright he wrapped his arms around her, breathing a sigh of relief. The panic was fading slowly as he felt her start breathing normally. He pulled back to look at her, gently cradling her face in his hands.

"Alright? Stella what happened? One minute you're fine the next you're white as a sheet and not breathing."

Stella raised a hand to her forehead, rubbing gently. "I…I…I…just panicked. We started heading for the bedroom and all of a sudden I was having flashbacks of what happened with Frankie…and…I couldn't…control it. I'm sorry Donny. You know I trust you more than anyone. I…just…it's been so much so soon."

Sighing he pulled her close again. "We don't have to do anything you don't want to. Just sleep and cuddle. Nothing like that will ever happen again Stell. You have my word. I know you've been through a lot." He looked down into her face. "But I can promise you that I will never hurt you. Ever. Ok?"

She nodded against his chest. "I know. Sleeping and cuddling sounds like a good start. I trust you Donny."

"You know, you are the only one I ever let call me Donny…'cept my Ma of course." His dimples flashed as he grinned. "And that better never get out to anyone."

Stella laughed and hugged him tightly. "I promise." Holding up two fingers she said. "Scouts honor!"

Flack raised one eyebrow at her as he snorted. "You were never a girl scout."

"What are you talking about? Of course I was…Ok, no I wasn't." She giggled at the look on his face.

Flack smiled at the sound of her laughter ringing through his apartment before saying. "Although I bet you would look real cute in one of those uniforms." He waggled his eyebrows at her.

She laughed again as she swatted at him. "You perv!"

Flack laughed and wrapped an arm around her as he led her towards the bedroom. He left Stella standing by the bed as he dug through his drawers for a pair an old t-shirt for her to sleep in. Grabbing an old hockey jersey he handed it to her so she could change. Quickly turning his back so she could have some privacy, he picked his gun and badge off the dresser and locked them in his safe.

Turning back around his first thought was how amazing she looked in his shirt. It wasn't too long, hanging to mid-thigh. The second was curiosity at why she was sniffing it. "It should be clean Stell. Does it smell funny?"

Stella blushed furiously before answering. "No…it smells good." She ducked her head in embarrassment. "It smells like you. I like it."

Grinning he pulled the covers back and climbed in motioning for her to do the same. She climbed in and immediately moved over to him. He put one arm under her head so she could lay on it and he could wrap it around her. Pulling her close he kissed the top of her head.

"I love you Stella." His voice deepened as he spoke, slipping quickly into sleep.

Stella smiled against his chest. "I love you too." She closed her eyes and drifted into a dreamless, contented sleep for the first time in a long, long time.

Fin

There it is. Complete. Hope you all liked it! Please, Please review! I wanna hear what you think.