Toasty here,

Since I made you guys wait so long for the last update I wanted to put this one up fairly pronto. Can you believe that some people write all their chapters and then post them one by one? No offence at all if you are one of those people but how can you not want to know what people think of it straight away? Yeah I can't write my chapters in stages either; it has to be all in one go otherwise I forget where the chapter is even going. It takes a while to write it all in one lot but it works for me! Rambling over, I'd like to thank each and every reviewer- you guys rock!

Oh one more thing: I am not sexist like some of the characters in this story, I myself am female and strongly believe in females rights. One of the things I happen to hate is sexism and it happens I hate Lucian, Cliff and Don snr so they have those traits.

Disclaimer: If I owned CSI New York then Jess would still be alive- therefore I do not own CSI New York and do not own the copyright and I am just borrowing the characters you recognize.

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The precinct was alive with activity when Jess and Don arrived. Jess's car was still sitting in the car park looking as broken as it had the night before. Jess's car had refused utterly to start and Don had asked whether she needed a lift back to her apartment. They were both shattered and it would have taken an extra half an hour to get over to the Angell residence and that wasn't including the fact that one of her brothers ect could have seen Don. Therefore they made a mutual agreement it would just be better to go back to Don's and crash out. They had been so tired Jess hadn't even bothered to worry about her lack of night wear and had just worn his shirt again.

"Mac?" Don asked walking out of the elevator, his stride matching Jess's.

"Don, we've got a body in a pub around the alley streets, Stella is already there. I'll meet you out there later I've got some things to attend to," Mac answered and Don nodded before swivelling on the balls of his feet back to the elevator.

"I didn't know you were a dancer," Jess teased as she followed him back into the small elevator which slowly began its decent once they had both entered.

"King of the dance," Don grinned back causing Jess to shudder slightly- images of the night before crashing and stomping through her head. Knowing she had to focus, Jess pushed them to the back of her head though knowing full well they would come back as soon as they could.

The elevator doors opened and another officer walked into the small space alongside them. He glanced nervously at Don and then shifted his gaze to Jess. He slowly seemed to step between them shaking as he did so.

"Is there a problem Tilling?" Don asked noticing the man's anxiousness.

"Uh…" Tilling trailed off looking between the two of them again and Don sighed. He was expecting a fight of some kind between them. It almost insulted Don that Tilling would think he'd hit a woman like that. The stupid feud made everyone think the worst of the two families.

The elevator pinged as it stopped off at the next level and Tilling stepped off nervously glancing again as if deciding whether or not he should stay on.

"Tilling, get off the elevator if you need to," Don spoke to the younger officer who nodded and stepped cautiously off and began walking down the corridor. The doors shut once more and the decent once more started.

"That is going to bug me," Jess stated glaring at the wall of the elevator. "I can't just pretend like I hate you Don, I just can't do it," Jess looked up at him and he sighed slowly.

"Tell me about it Jess, tell me about it."

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The body was that of a young man dressed up as a green Martian. When they arrived at the crime scene Jess had to cough twice to avoid the giggles she knew she shouldn't let go of. He was painted with green body paint and his outfit even included antenna eyes sticking of springs.

"Is this your usual case?" Jess asked smiling as she walked over to where Stella was taking photos.

"Nope, this one is out of this world," Stella replied and Jess found herself shaking her head smiling at Stella's terrible joke.

"Vic is 23 years of age, there are some witnesses that were at the bar when he died," Stella indicated to a group of teens that were dressed just a strangely as the vic was and Jess once more tried not to laugh. One of the witnesses was a very convincing Whale but was supposed to look like a fairy and another one was trying for the crocodile image but instead looked like a stick insect.

"We better start on them then," Don said as he began walking over to the witnesses, indicating for Jess to follow him. Jess was about to follow before Stella moved so she was just slightly in the way.

"Jess, you realize the risk you two are running don't you?" Real concern was flooding through Stella's voice and Jess blushed at the though the woman cared for her so much.

"I know Stella, but it's going to be worth it," Jess replied as she began walking over to Don. Half way there she realized she hadn't mentioned it to Stella at all and she glanced over her shoulder to see her smiling and begin to take pictures again.

"Stella knows," Jess whispered in Don's ear as he stood staring forward making no signs of saying he could actually hear her.

"That doesn't surprise me, she knows everything," Don replied with as slight smile, the only indication he had heard her at all. To the witnesses, there was no hint anything had been spoken between them.

"I'm detective Flack and this is my partner," Jess noticed he deliberately didn't mention her name, "We just need to speak to all of you to find out what was going on here."

The whale look alike gulped and stepped forward.

"Detective, will he be ok?" It took all Jess's self restraint not to slam her head against a brick wall several times and she looked over to see Don staring at the woman as if she was crazy.

"He is dead Valerie," The speaker was a tall blonde woman dressed as Marylyn Monroe and she virtually spat the girl's name out. The woman was pretty in the same way a Venus fly trap was, you knew it was dangerous- but that just made it prettier.

"Valerie, we would like to speak to you first if that is alright with you," Jess spoke softly the teenager and the girl nodded before stepping forward.

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"It isn't the fairy and it isn't the caterpillar," Don said leaning back on his chair stretching. Jess looked at him curiously and he elaborated, "The only damage that fairy could do is sit on him and the caterpillar is so pissed he probably doesn't even know his own name, he couldn't hold the gun never mind shoot correctly."

Jess nodded and looked down at the list.

"Well that leaves the Hot dog, crocodile, Marylyn Monroe and Werewolf," Jess sighed and Don wrapped his arm around her shoulders pulling her close to him. Jess felt like she should protest, after all anyone could walk in at any moment, but she just couldn't find the words and instead snuggled herself deeper into his shirt.

"Let's bring in the Marylyn then, there is something not right about her," Don suggested lightly kissing Jess's forehead.

"Detectives?" Stella asked popping her head through the door just as they pulled away from each other.

"Stella," Don replied cheerily looking over at Stella.

"One of the witnesses is complaining about needing to be somewhere, can we please do her next?" Stella asked wearily and it was obvious she had done a lot of fighting to make sure this witness actually stayed.

"Sure," Jess replied and Stella let out a small sigh of relief before disappearing once more.

A few seconds later the Hot Dog walked in glaring at the two detectives.

"Look, I didn't see anything and I really do need to get back to college!" She all but shrieked and Don leaned back on his chair again.

"Look lady, you aren't going anywhere until you stop shouting and just answer a few questions," He spoke calmly and Jess felt some kind of admiration toward him that he could keep such a level headed voice in times like these.

"Alright," The hot dog mumbled back and Jess grinned at her.

"Let's start with your name," Jess said looking once over the hot dog trying not to laugh.

"Haley," She replied sulkily staring at the wall behind Don's head.

"So Haley, you're at this fancy dress party. What happened when you got there?" Don asked slowly and the hot dog some how managed to roll it's eyes.

"It was just like any other party really. There were drinks, music and just people having fun," Hailey answered still staring at the wall.

"Did you notice anything suspicious happening while you were at the party?" Jess asked carefully looking into what she imagined was Hailey's eyes.

"Nope, nothing. Look, there were loads of people at this party, why are you questioning me?" Hailey replied angrily and Don shook his head signalling to Jess to end the questioning.

"Thank you for your time Hailey, we will contact you if we need to ask any thing else," Jess spoke to the young woman and watched her stand up and stride her way out of the interrogation room.

"Think she is telling the truth?" Jess asked as she stood up and tucked the chair in.

"Not one bit," Don replied following suit.

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Stella was walking along the small corridor when she noticed Mac sitting- head in hands- at his desk. Slowly slipping into his office she walked quietly over to his desk and bent down so she was the same height.

"Mac?" Stella asked quietly and she watched Mac slowly lift his head until he saw her and her heart skipped a beat when he smiled at her.

"Is everything ok Stella?" Mac asked his tone slightly quieter then usual.

"I could ask you the same thing Mac, what happened?" Stella knew it was prying, but they were good friends and if Mac was hurt she wanted to know why and make it better if she could.

"Peyton. She is leaving for London and… she isn't coming back," Mac replied to her and sunk his head back into his hands. "I know I shouldn't let it effect me while I'm at work but I can't understand it!"

Stella smiled softly and lifted Mac's head up so it was facing hers.

"Mac, you can't help but let it hurt you when someone does something like that. There isn't really a cure to it, it just goes away after time though," Stella's words were laced with experience but Mac shook his head.

"That isn't just the problem Stella- I just can't tell you," Mac spoke his words echoing the frustration showing clearly on his face. Stella took a small step back, trying not to show how hurt she felt. He didn't have to tell her anything, but she liked being one of the only people he could trust with anything.

"That's fine Mac," Stella spoke quickly and rose with the intention of leaving his office as soon as she could.

"Stella, it isn't because I don't trust you or anything! It's just that-well…" Mac trailed off and looked up at the bright beautiful detective standing hands on hips in front of him, one of her eyebrows slightly raised.

"I loved another woman while I was with her Stella, I feel guilty that I should care about Peyton leaving more but I just don't," Mac replied and nearly smiled when he saw the shocked look on Stella's face.

"That isn't a crime Mac, but you loving another woman while dating someone isn't well… you," she said quietly and bent back down to sit next to him again.

"I know," Mac responded looking deep into her eyes. "I think I have always loved her though, ever since I started here."

Stella felt her cheeks blushing slightly, a silent prayer fluttering through her mind that it could be her; she tried to squash that, telling herself that wasn't possible. That didn't mean she couldn't dream it though.

Summoning all the courage Mac could find, he faced Stella and found himself telling her what he should have long ago.

"I've always loved you," His words were only slightly above a whisper and when Stella didn't respond Mac went to put his head back in his hands before Stella stopped him.

"I love you too."

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Jess didn't even bother to walk towards her car, instead when she was sure the other officers leaving were busy she slipped into the passenger seat of Don's car.

"Hey," Jess whispered as she rested her head on his shoulder. He gently stroked her hair before turning on the ignition and pulling the car into reverse.

"Pizza at yours?" Jess suggested and smiled when she saw Don's grin.

"Pizza at mine sounds great to me, all though just spending time with you will always sound great to me," Don replied to her and she leaned herself back onto his shoulder as he drove through New York's streets.

As they walked through his apartment door she picked up his mail in a severely domestic way and laid it on the table for him to collect. Don looked over as she did so and found himself smiling as she did this, it felt so right to see her collecting his mail and walking around the apartment like she owned the place. It felt right that she was there.

"Want to watch a movie?" He asked her still watching her as she sat herself on the sofa.

"Sounds brilliant, where do you keep them?" Pointing out the shelf to her, Don walked into the kitchen and picked up the phone before ringing the pizza company.

"What do you want on your pizza?" Don called out to her and he grinned at her reply.

"Whatever you're having is good for me."

Walking back into the living room he saw the curtains drawn and Jess sitting across the couch, trailers for whatever film she had picked already showing. Kicking his shoes off, Don moved so he was on the inside of the couch to make sure he wasn't blocking her view and had his arm protectively around her. Slowly nestling herself into him, Jess felt more relaxed then she had ever before.

By the time they had eaten the pizza, it was around half way into the movie. It wasn't some sappy romance- to which Don was glad for, though he was pretty sure he didn't own any. Jess was half asleep and Don's arm still lay draped around her.

"I love you," Jess murmured so quietly she was sure he didn't hear her.

"I love you too," Don whispered back and Jess shot up and turned to look at him.

"How do you do that? Every time I think you can't hear me you can! No one should be able to hear like that!" Jess exclaimed looking straight at him. Don shrugged once and then spoke softly.

"I guess I'm just tuned into you," he replied and Jess leaned forward and pushed her lips against his.

"I really do love you," she said as she pulled back slightly, her eyes twinkling in the dim light.

"I really do love you too," Don responded earning himself another kiss that sent his back right against the back of the couch. They were so wrapped up in each other they didn't notice the door open and they didn't notice another figure enter the room.

"Don?" Sam asked smirking slightly at her brother being shoved against a couch.

"Sam!" Don responded nearly falling over the back of the sofa.

"This is your new partner then I take it," Sam teased laughing as she picked up the bags she had put down.

"Yeah, meet urm…." Don's voice trailed off and he looked down to see Jess's eyes wide and rather terrified.

"Hi Urm!" Samantha responded cheerily causing Don to roll his eyes despite the slight smile on his face. "Can I see you then, according to sofa boy your one of the prettiest girls in New York," Sam continued as she placed the bags on the table and Jess blushed.

Turning slowly, Jess looked over at Sam and watched the bags fall.

"Shit!" Sam responded and she staggered a step back. "But you're…"

"Sam," Don said quietly as he looked directly at her.

"You're Jessica Angell! Don do you know who that is!" Sam practically shouted and Don glowered at his sister when he saw Jess flinch slightly.

"Yes Samantha, I know very well who she is," Don replied steadily and Sam looked at him as if he had just said he saw a red rocket fall out of the sky.

"Is this just to spite papa or something? To show you can be the bad kid too, because this is taking it too far!" Sam continued her voice only rising as she spoke.

"Samantha that is enough!" Don said angrily, virtually glaring at her.

"Enough?" Sam echoed staring right at Don.

"Samantha, I'm sorry but I love your brother and I don't care about my father or brothers. They can go screw themselves for all I care!" Jess said speaking for the first time since Sam had entered.

"Love him?" Sam echoed again looking between the two of them.

"Yes," Jess replied firmly staring straight back at Sam.

"I love her too Sam," Don added, pulling Jess tighter to him.

"Oh," It was the only word Sam could manage to speak and for a moment a pregnant pause filled the entire apartment.

"Well I guess that is good then," Sam spoke shakily but when she looked up at the two of them she was smiling.

"It is," Don replied smiling back at his sister only slightly, but enough for her to notice.

"Alright, I was just dropping this stuff off. I'll leave you guys to um… go back to what it was you were doing," Sam spoke slowly and turned to go out the house.

"Sam, you can't tell anyone," Don added and Sam just nodded once.

"I won't."

Toasty here,

What did you guys think of that? Was her reaction realistic, I thought it was but I want to know what you guys think! Please review!