Disclaimer: CBS owns CSI:NY

A/N: Sorry for the delay…I haven't felt motivated to write lately…I've been checking my e-mail religiously, just hoping that someone under my alerts had posted something lol Apparently some are in a writer drought just like me…lol :-)

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A week and a half after the incident, Sam silently continued washing dishes alone with her mother in her parent's comfortable two story home as she did every Sunday night since she was welcomed into the Sullivan family.

As a law enforcement family, her parents knew that their time together was precious and would continue their Sunday night tradition to maintain that close bond. It seemed even more important now, especially after Sam's run-in, even though she swore that she was fine her parents knew it was bothering her. Tonight gave her a chance to relax. They were always relaxed during their dinners. All phones turned off. No TV. No police calls to rush out to. No papers to grade. No interruptions. Just family.

"So…Mike told me about Mac." Julie started, hoping to provoke a serious conversation with her daughter. Most of the night, they had conversed with casual conversation of news and work, slightly dancing around the issue of Mac, hoping she would open up but she would skillfully change the topic.

Sam slightly paused before continuing with her task, handing a dish to Julie to dry. Julie couldn't help but notice the frown on her daughters face. "Munchkin, talk to me." she said gently.

With all of the stress from work and trying to constantly put up her barriers, Sam suddenly felt her walls caving into her mother's request. After all, she didn't have anyone that could really understand her situation and she hadn't felt so alone in her life. Her chin began to quiver as her eyes teared. Taking notice of this, her mother set down the towel and took in her daughters soaked hands.

"I'm fi…"

"Oh honey, don't bull-shit me…I got more experience at it than you do…" she said amuzingly, as her daughter laughed. "I can't say I understand what you're going through but I damn well sense how you feel."

"It's just…mom, you didn't see the look on Dad's face when he introduced us…I felt so guilty for putting him in that position…" she said, letting the tears fall as her mother grasped her hands tighter for support.

"Baby, your dad is a tough cookie…we both know that…he's dealing with his emotions in his own way. None of this is your fault no matter how 'logically' you think your reasoning is. We only want what's best for you…and this is it." she finished, reassuring Sam.

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Don walked confidently down the second floor of the precincts hallway to the elevator.

The day was off to an interesting start the second he'd sat in his desk adjacent to his partner, Scagnetti. He'd received a call from his Inspector that he'd be put on a high priority case as lead detective. Initially he'd been shocked, but the aggressive voice on the other line received his attention requesting his presence on the tenth floor of the building for a briefing before going on a stake-out with Angell.

He pressed the 'up' button as he looked around to the unusually quieted area. Looks like the crazies took the night off. The elevator dinged open as he almost collided with a female uniform.

"Sor…ry." he finished, meeting Sam's glowing gaze. Both slightly surprised at each other's presence.

"Excuse me, sir." an older woman said, trying to politely ask Don to move so she could exit the elevator. Don shook himself back.

"Yeah, of course. Sorry." he moved onto the elevator next to her, their arms slightly brushing.

She was surprisingly happy to see him again, yet extremely embarrassed about her slight breakdown in front of him at the hospital. He desperately wanted to talk to her but found every topic he could think of, boring. He was interested in how she was coping with the incident but also her in general.

The elevator stopped at the fourth floor, letting the last patron off, leaving the two alone. Don watched his chances slip away as the elevator climbed to the tenth floor. With a ding, the doors opened to the semi-empty floor and he regrettably moved away. Sam let out the breath she was holding as the doors closed, surprised when his hand stopped the doors. She waited, hopeful, as he looked back at her about to say something when a voice interrupted him.

"Don, we still on for tonight?" Angell said with a flirtatious smirk. The slightest bit of hope in Sam's heart had shattered as she faked a half smile. Don looked back at Sam as their chance withered away.

"Have a good day, Detective." she said, almost sadly as the doors closed. She let out a regretful sigh, angry with herself. Stupid! The more boys I meet, the more I love my dog…

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A/N: I'm in a crappy mood so I wrote another sad chapter…I'll try to throw some 'happiness' into the mix in the next one…lol Review!...Seriously…Please…I'm desperate for motivation…