I hope he likes this, she thought as she paced the elevator. It was empty of all people, except herself. Does he even remember me? Does he care anymore?
These thoughts were consuming her mind, as she tried to gather her head. She leaned against one of the elevators walls remembering the terms of her team: Mac Taylor, the boss and father figure; Lindsay Messer, the good daughter; Danny Messer and Don Flack, the troublemakers, the dynamic duo; Sheldon Hawkes, the smart one; Jessica Angell, the badass one; and Sid Hammerback, the grandpa of the morgue. Now all that was missing to that mix was her. By now she should've been replaced with someone worthy enough to take care of the team. If only her team had known that she had to leave. New York just produced so many painful memories. Ones that she'd like to forget. But that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. Her demons hadn't let her forget what had happened that fateful day on her day off.
The doors opened and she was released into the lab she loved for so many years. She could still remember going into the AV lab or the Toxicology lab, waiting for results on a case. Looking around, she realized everything was the same as it'd been when she left. Everyone was working; no one noticing her, yet. Remembering that someone would notice her eventually, she decided to wander the lab. Passing the break room she peered in to see if anyone of her friends were in there; none of them were. Lightly cursing under her breath, she continued on her rounds of the lab. Finally she came to a halt in front of her old office; the one she shared with Danny and Lindsay.
Everything in there had been replaced. It was filled with junk from her replacement. Part of her stung, as she realized that Danny and Lindsay had gotten rid of everything that was a reminder of her. Her absence must've put them all in a lot of pain. Dreadful thoughts started pouring into her brain, as she thought of them not wanting her here. No! They will want me here, she told herself. She forced herself to look at his office. The office was the same as it'd been when she left. But only one difference. And that one burned her.
He had taken all of the photos of them down. It'd always been said that they were the perfect kind of friends. The ones who had each others backs. But then Sinclair told her about a position in a new city. She had told Mac about it and he had told her to take it. If he wanted her to take that job, then why'd he get rid of any photos of them together or them and the team. She was lost in a daze, but suddenly remembered where she was and hurried away from his office. She went to the conference room.
There everyone was. Mac was obviously relaying a new case to the team. In there were all of her friends and a new face she didn't recognize. It hit her abruptly; that woman was her replacement, his new second-in-command. A stab of pain lodged in her chest, right where her heart was.
Sid was getting bored as Mac briefed the entire team. There was a new rapist-serial killer on the loose. So far he's killed twelve women. And all of them bared resembling traits of someone vaguely familiar. He looked out the window of the room. What he saw completely shocked him. There was a mass of curly hair bouncing away from the window.
He couldn't help himself. Sid jumped up and ran out of the room, calling for the mysterious woman. Behind him, he left a trail of confused coworkers. Then the others stood and hurried after him, shouting at him. But he didn't care. All he saw was her. It pained him, because he couldn't remember her name. The others noticed that Sid was gaining on the woman and that she was picking up the pace. Soon she was running, dodging lab techs and shoving them out of her way.
"Please! Wait!" Sid called to her. They all watched as she made a beeline for the elevators. The doors opened and people rushed out. She disappeared in the stampeding swarm. All of them watched as she went into the elevator.
She turned around and they stopped in their tracks. That girl was... someone whose name they couldn't recall.
"Do you even know my name?" she questioned.
"N-no."
"Exactly. I thought I'd been a part of this lab long enough so that when I left, I'd still be remembered. Obviously not."
"B-b-but-"
"No!" she shouted. Then proceeded to laugh bitterly. "You couldn't remember me. You are all so busy with work." She stepped out of the elevator, closer to them.
"That's not fair!" Sid cried in dismay.
"I think it is. Here. I'll help you figure out who I am."
"Wait!" Mac shouted. "I know who you are!"
"Who?"
"You're gonna be another victim of our rapist-serial killer!"
"Fuck off! I left and you all got rid of any trace of me! I disappeared to go to New Orleans! Fucking remember me now?" and with that she turned, marched into the elevator, spun around, and pressed the down button.
"What the hell just happened?" Danny asked.
"I have no idea." Mac answered pulling Jo Danville close and kissing her softly. Jo responded to the kiss and soon everyone around them was gagging.
She angrily stormed out of the New York Crime Lab. They hadn't remembered her. None of the facts were going to make it into any of their brains. Crying, she tried to hail a taxi. Fuck them! Fuck all of them, she thought bitterly.
Within seconds it started pouring. She cursed as her dry clothes became soggy. The rain pounded against the ground. Raising her hand, she continued to try and hail a taxi. Meanwhile the people she had left dumbfounded were staring down at her. They watched as her shoulders slumped, they watched as she wiped her hand across her face. Oblivious to someone watching her, the woman pulled out her cell phone. There was no signal.
"God damn it!" She cursed.
A figure stepped close to her. The team watched as her shoulders tensed. She glared at the traffic. The man put his hand on her shoulder. Instantly, she retaliated. She grabbed his wrist and twisted it. He howled in pain. Next, she kneed him in the groin. He fell to the ground, his free hand clutching the offended part. Then, to finish him off, she swung her leg around and her foot collided with his face.
The man hit the ground, unconscious. She panted; gasping for air. Running a hand through her hair, she looked up at the window. Her eyes met theirs then she turned and walked off. Leaving the man on the ground, for others to take care of him.
"Damn! Who the hell was she?" Flack questioned.
"I have no clue, whatsoever." Jess replied.
"Either way, whoever she is. She has some good combat skills," Hawkes said.
"Definitely." Lindsay agreed.
Everyone else in the room nodded their heads in agreement to Hawkes' statement.
"I guess we better figure it out. And fast." Mac murmured under his breath.
"Yes." They all agreed and hurried out.
Lindsay, Jess, Don, and Danny went to the office Lindsay, Danny, and Jo shared.
"Who is she?" Jess inquired as soon as the door closed.
"I dunno. She looked kinda familiar, though." Danny replied.
"Yeah," Flack stated.
"Hey, guys, look." Lindsay exclaimed, pointing at her desk. The others rushed over and saw a little recording tape.
"What is it?"
"Let me play it, Messer." It started playing.
"Do you dream that the world will know your name?
So tell me your name
Do you care about all the little things
or anything at all?
I wanna feel, all the chemicals inside
I wanna feel
I wanna sunburn, just to know that I'm alive
To know I'm alive
Don't tell me if I'm dying
'Cause I don't wanna know
If I can't see the sun, maybe I should go
Don't wake me 'cause I'm dreaming
Of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know
Never leaves too soon
Do you believe, in the day that you were born
Tell me do you believe?
Do you know, that every day's the first
Of the rest of your life?
Don't tell me if I'm dying
'Cause I don't wanna know
If I can't see the sun
Maybe I should go
Don't wake me 'cause I'm dreaming
Of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know
Never leaves too soon.
This is to one last day in the shadows
And to know a brother's love
This is to New York City angels
And the rivers of our blood
This is to all of us
To all of us
Don't tell me if I'm dying
'Cause I don't wanna know
If I can't see the sun
Maybe I should go
Don't wake me 'cause I'm dreaming
Of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know never leaves too soon
You can tell me all your thoughts
About the stars that fill polluted skies
And show me where you run to
When no one's left to take your side
But don't tell me where the road ends
'Cause I just don't wanna know
No I don't wanna know
Don't tell me if I'm dying
Don't tell me if I'm dying."
"Oh my God." Jess breathed.
"I can't believe it."
"She's back."
"And we forgot her!"
"We have to tell Mac."
"Right now!"
They practically ran into Mac's office. He turned and gestured for them to slow down.
"What's wrong?"
"We believe we know the woman's name."
"And?" Mac prodded.
"Mac. She's Stella."
"Oh God."
They should remember me by now. I did leave them that little gift. I just hope they listen to it. It wouldn't surprise me, though, if they didn't listen to it. These demented thoughts kept her up the whole night. It was if sleep wasn't a priority now. She was turning into Mac. And she didn't want that to happen.
She was worried. What ifs filled her mind and made it hard for her to concentrate. Her feet hit the pavement at a steady rhythmic pace. Her heels made staccato beats as she strolled along. Stopping by her favorite coffee place did little to alleviate her migraine.
"Yo! Stella, how you doin'?" Joey the manager asked.
"I'm doing fine, Joey."
"Regular?"
"'Course."
"So... where you been?"
"I was in New Orleans. Then I decided to visit my hometown."
"Did it take awhile to get adjusted to the new life?"
"Hell yeah. But you know me. I can handle anything," she laughed. And he laughed right along with her.
Soon her coffee was ready.
"Bye Stella."
"Bye Joey! Tell your wife that she's lucky to have you."
"You ain't the only one tellin' me that."
"I bet not! Knock 'er dead!"
Now she paced in front of the lab. Sinclair was coming to give her a tour. Then she was tackled from behind. She hit the ground with a hard thud. Groaning, she blinked and surveyed her surroundings. There were two girls giggling.
"Stella!" Lindsay squealed.
"Took you morons long enough." Stella grumbled and stood, brushing off the dirt and gravel on her pants.
"Sorry," Angell apologized.
"It was the song, wasn't it?"
"Of course."
"Only you would do that," Lindsay pointed out.
"Does everyone else know?"
"Yep, everyone except Jo."
"Who?"
"Your replacement."
"Oh."
"Did you miss us?"
"Do you want to come back?" Stella was bombarded by questions.
"Yes, I missed you. And no, unfortunately. I still have the NOPD, that's under my supervision. Not at the moment though." She laughed. "Did you guys miss me? What'd I miss?"
"Oh, nothing much. And you bet we did. Jo and Mac started dating. They're now engaged."
"Congrats, Mac."
"Yeah, their wedding is on Sunday. Can you stay that long?"
"I don't know. I'll try," said Stella.
"Thanks. Now, Don and Danny wanna see you again."
"Kay."