Stubborn Guardian
Disclaimer: CSI: NY, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and CSI: Miami do not belong to me. They are property of CBS, thank you very much.
Summary: She grew up never knowing who her father was…and now, she's working in the very same lab her father is working in…
Chapter Two: In Miami
Stella Bonasera stepped out cautiously onto the road and surveyed her surroundings. What am I doing? She asked herself as her hand gently fluttered onto her stomach and a soft smile broke out on her face. Her child… Three months on the way already. She pushed a lock of hair behind her ear and glanced at the two CSIs standing there. Her smile split into a full-sized grin as the younger of the two ran up to her and grabbed her in a bear hug, crushing her.
"Hello Stella!" Calleigh sang in her lilting voice.
Horatio nodded, his blue eyes sparkled as he smiled at her. "Welcome to Miami, Ms Bonasera."
Stella gave a slight chuckle as she gently punched him on the shoulder. "We know each other for so long, and all I get is a "Hello" from you?"
Now it was Horatio's turn to chuckle as they hugged. "I hope Miami is up to your standards in New York, Stella."
"Of course, and probably even better."
Horatio and Calleigh looked at each other with surprise evident on their faces. Apparently something had happened back in New York, but they weren't going to probe. Stella had called Horatio to ask for a transfer to Miami, and he had agreed. He had knew not to push or probe too much, as she cited her move as personal reasons.
Stella looked at them. "Now who's going to give me a tour of your highly-acclaimed lab?"
Calleigh smiled. "O course I am! Come on, we'll get you acquainted with everyone!"
Horatio smiled at his girlfriend's enthusiasm. "Now, now," he chided her, "we don't want to scare Stella off, do we?"
Calleigh gave him a hurt look and pouted, making him chuckle and wrap an arm around her shoulder. Stella closed her eyes and looked at the ground, silently begging for the tears to go away.
"Stella?" Horatio's voice was calm now; it was like he knew what was happening.
She swallowed thickly and mustered enough courage to look at them. "I'm fine, don't worry about me," she assured them with a forced smile. Calleigh smiled brightly.
"Now, let's take you on a tour of the lab, shall we?"
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"Hey guys, everybody meet Stella from New York, she's coming here to join us!" chirped Calleigh as she entered the room with Stella behind her.
There were shouts of Hellos all around the break room; apparently, they were all excited to have a real CSI from New York to join them.
"And apparently, they're all childish," Horatio said in a mock-whisper.
A guy of muscular built punched his shoulder and then turned to Stella. "Hello, I'm Eric Delko."
"I'm Natalia Boa Vista!" another voice called out and she turned to see a tanned and slim figure who was sitting at the table waving at her.
"I'm Ryan Wofle, a transfer." Black hair, big eyes, good built.
"Very funny Ryan, that was YEARS ago," Eric commented.
"And I'm Alexx Woods," a soft voice said from besides her.
"Uhh, hello, I'm Stella Bonasera from New York and nice to meet you. I look forward to our working with you all."
Chaos reigned back in the break room as all of them rushed for the coffee machines.
"Hey Stella, what do you specialize in?" shouted Ryan.
"Blood patterns." She answered, smiling slightly as she took in the whole scene in front of her. Five members, now six, with one capable leader. She felt a sudden wave of nausea and grabbed onto the side of a table tightly and closed her eyes. The world was spinning, spinning…
"Stella? Stella, are you alright? Stella?"
Stella opened her eyes and took in a deep breath. "I'm alright, its cool, guys."
All six of them sighed in relief, even as Horatio felt something was wrong with her.
"So," she asked brightly, "when can I start work?"
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Stella sighed as Horatio pulled up to his and Calleigh's apartment.
"Guys, we've been through this before, why won't you let me get my own flat?"
"Because," Calleigh said, turning in the car seat to look at her, "you're new to Miami, sweetie, and I wouldn't want you to get lost. Besides, Mac would have killed me."
Stella felt a stabbing pain in her heart and she closed her eyes. Mac…he seemed so far away now. Had he known where she was going? Had he worried?
Her own lips trembled and tears gathered in her eyes. She closed them shut, willing for them not to drop down. Not now, not now…
"Stella?"
They had opened the car door by now, and saw Stella sitting there with her eyes closed. Calleigh cast a worried look at Horatio before leaning in. "Stella?"
Slowly Stella's eyes opened. "Oh. Okay. Umm, I'll get down now."
She reached for her luggage bag and proceeded to drag it into their house, considering making a break for it but Calleigh caught the look in her eye.
"Stella, we'll just chase after you."
She gave a loud grumble and lugged her suitcase up the stairs and into the guest room as Calleigh headed for the kitchen to make dinner for three of them.
"Know that you are always welcome here. We're not going to eat you up, you know," Horatio's voice was soft.
Stella felt tears gathered in her eyes; she bit her lip and nodded. "I know."
Horatio cast one more look at her, and then he went down to join his girlfriend in the kitchen, leaving Stella there in the room, lost in her thoughts.
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Calleigh sighed and stirred the spaghetti with a fork as it cooked in the pot filled with water. She smiled when she felt arms wrapped around her waist and kissed the side of her head. "How was your day?" he asked.
"Fine, yours?"
"Good too."
They stood there like that for awhile in silence until she broke it.
"Horatio, I'm worried about Stella." The worry was evident in her voice.
"I know, sweetie, but unless she wants to be helped, we can't help her." He said reassuringly.
"I know, but I just wish there is something we could do to help her," Calleigh let out in a frustrated tone of voice.
Horatio said nothing, he knew better than to frustrate her even more. Eventually they settled into a comfortable silence once more.
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Stella closed her eyes. New York seemed so far away, and yet she still remembered the days she spent with her friends there. Lindsay, Danny, Flack, Sid, Sheldon… Mac. She sighed and let her tears fall onto her lap as she shook.
"I'm sorry child," she whispered as her hands caressed her stomach. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry for taking you away from your father…"
She sat there, her body contorting and convulsing as sobs escaped her lips…
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A/N: Sorry for the long wait peeps! D: Hope you enjoy this chapter, and of course, do review. Any suggestions on how to let Horatio or Calleigh find out Stella's pregnant will be fully appreciated. xoxo, CrystallineSparks.