Aphina - Don't worry, RL always gets me! Hell, I'm DJing and posting this at the same time. Glad you're back though!

sparkyCSI - At leas we got a couple of episodes of Sam... Can anyone say "Louie"? No, I have things whirring for Sam that even you don; tknow about!

Madison Bellows - It hit me when I realised that all our freshers next year would have been born in 1991. That means they missed the 80s! It was bad enough a couple of years ago when I played Baggy Trousers and got some stange looks! EEK!

ambercsiny - I'm sorry I haven't returned the chapter - I'm at work at the mo and can't give it the attention it needs, but I promise I will get it to you asap!

Bmangaka - I know that feeling! And there aren't enough days in a weekend either!

Nienna Tinehtele - lol, thank you, and I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long, for once!

Trizzy - It's endless. Everytime I think I'm getting to the end, my muses kick in. Ah well! There are longer stories!

meadow567 - Well it took them five years to mention her to start with, so I've not done too badly. Besides, I realised (or rather, my sister pointed out) she's been seeing her boyfriend for nearly three years and I've never met him!

Vanessa.J - I have plans. Lol, I always have plans! And thank you!

Ok, still spoilers for Veritas, and still thanks for my wonderful beta! And, incase I haven't mentioned it recently - thanks to all you guys for still reading this!!

What The Eyes Can't See

Chapter 217: Who died and made you Elvis?

Taylor and Flack were behind the two way mirror watching Danny interview Flack's sister. Flack hadn't said anything on the ride back, and short of requesting to Mac that Danny take the lead on the interview, hadn't said anything since. Taylor had slipped his hand into hers and he stood, clutching at it as Danny sat down opposite Sam and slid a picture at her.

'Is this the woman you leant your car to?' he asked her.

'Yeah, that's her,' Sam told him. 'That's Lauren. I can't believe she's dead.'

'Look, Sam,' said Danny. 'I need you to tell me everything. Everything you know about her.'

Sam shrugged. 'She was a regular at the bar. She loved to party. We had a lot of laughs together, but aside from that, I really don't know that much about her.'

Danny leant over, but kept his tone soft. 'If you don't know that much about her, why would you lend her your car?'

'I'm a generous person?' Sam offered. 'She said it was only going to be for a few days whilst her car was in the shop and in any case, I can walk to work. I tried to help somebody out okay?'

'Did she mention anything about coming into money? Moving? Buying any expensive items like that?'

'No.'

'Did she mention anything about having a husband or a boyfriend or anything like that?' Danny pressed.

Sam nodded. 'Yeah, she had a steady guy, but I never met him.'

Danny produced another photograph. This time of the guy that had been pulled out of the river. 'You ever see her with guy here?'

Sam looked at the photo and shook her head. 'No.'

'How about him?' This time it was a picture of Joe.

'No,' she said, giving it a good look.

The pair of them looked up at the mirror. Sam sighed and looked back at Danny. 'Do you think these guys killed Lauren?'

'That's what we're trying to find out,' Danny told her quietly.

Sam looked back up at the mirror. 'I really don't know anything else,' she said, probably realizing that her brother was on the other side of the glass.

Taylor glanced up at him. Flack actually looked tired. Tired and sad. 'Don?'

Flack tore his eyes away from the glass. 'Let's get home,' he told her. They stepped out of the room, and moments later, were joined by Danny and Sam. 'Come on,' he addressed Sam as he led her back into the pit.

Sam hurried after him. 'Hey, you're not going to tell Dad about this, are you?'

Flack turned back to her but said nothing.

'I don't want him to worry. You know how he gets. He will not stay off my ass if he hears about this.'

'Let me give you a ride home,' Flack said, ignoring the question as he clipped his gun to his belt. As he turned to leave, Sam grabbed his arm.

'Come on, Don, please? Just promise me you're not going to tell him.'

Flack glanced over at Taylor.

'Samantha, baby. How you been?'

Taylor and Flack looked over at the guy who was being led past them, wearing cuffs. 'Alright pal, that's enough,' Flack told him, looking like he was ready to take his head off, whilst keeping his voice calm.

'Alright, I was just being friendly,' the guy returned.

'Go be friendly over there,' Flack said, his voice rising slightly.

Sam rolled her eyes and strode past him to the door. 'You know, I can handle my own life,' she told him coldly.

Flack let out a dry laugh.

'What?' Sam demanded.

Flack snapped. 'What?' he repeated. 'Take a look at that guy. That guy's in your life? That's the kind of scum you hang out with? What's wrong with you? What are you thinking?'

'I'm thinking I don't need you passing judgment on me,' she shouted back at him, her accent becoming just as thick as his. 'I'm sorry that I embarrass you.'

Flack sighed, crossing his arms. 'That's not true,' he told her, his tone softening. 'I just-'

'You just wish I was a little more like you?' When she didn't get a response, she looked sad. 'I'll get my own ride home.'

Taylor watched her leave. 'Don?'

'Let's go home,' Flack said.

---

'We were supposed to go out and celebrate your birthday this evening,' Taylor admitted as she slipped between the sheets.

Flack stuck his head out of the ensuite, toothbrush poking out of his mouth. 'Ahn ow.'

'Come again?'

Flack's head disappeared as he spat the toothpaste out and rinsed his brush. He wandered back into the bedroom and got into bed. 'I know.'

Taylor gazed in amazement. 'How? I thought I had it underwraps.'

Flack laughed, switching the light out. 'Tay, I'm a detective.'

'That's not an answer; that's an excuse,' Taylor chided him. 'How did you know?'

'Danny,' he admitted.

Taylor scowled. 'Trust him to blow it.'

'I think you underestimate him,' Flack corrected her. 'When we were on the way back from Joe's house, he said something along the lines of, well I guess we're not going out tonight.'

'Oh.' Taylor rolled onto her side, sticking her arm under her pillow as she gazed at Flack. 'How's the new partner?'

Flack shrugged, mirroring her. 'I couldn't tell you. I still haven't met her. I got caught up with the bank and she got assigned with Angell.'

'Does that mean you're not having a partner?'

Flack shook his head with a sigh. 'No, Gerrard is adamant I'm still having her.'

'Well you can just watch how you have her,' Taylor informed him.

Flack laughed. 'You don't have anything to worry about, Tay. You're stuck with me.'

Taylor smiled. "Well, I'm not complaining. Did you know Stella's having a boy?' she asked, changing the subject.

'Really?' Flack grinned. 'Cute.'

Taylro inhaled deeply. 'How's Sam?'

'Still the same,' he muttered, staring into her eyes. 'I keep hoping she's gonna wake up and realise what she could be doing with her life, but I don't think she's ever going to change.'

'Are you going to tell your dad?'

Flack shook his head. 'He's just going to think I'm diverting some crap at her.'

'You mean because of me.' It was a statement, not a question.

'He's a stubborn bastard,' Flack agreed.

'Maybe we should invite your parents to dinner one night.'

Flack stared at her in disbelief.

'Seriously,' Taylor pressed. 'A normal meal, us, them... maybe we can win the around.'

Flack continued to stare at her. 'Maybe that might work.'

Taylor shrugged. 'There's no harm in asking. The worst they can do is say no.'

Flack nodded. 'Perhaps. But let's wait until we know more about Sam. I don't want that getting in the way.'

'Sure.' Taylor smiled. 'Don, I love you.'

'Love you, more,' he told her.

Taylor snuggled down into her pillow. And then she sat bolt upright in bed, swearing loudly.

'What?' Flack asked, having jumped violently.

'My article!' she exclaimed, ripping the covers back.

'What?' he asked, flicking the light on.

'The Witch has decided I report now. I have an article due in for morning edition,' she told him as she threw a robe and slippers on. 'I'll be in the living room.'

---

Taylor was awoken the following morning by her phone. She groaned, rolling over and picked the land line up.

'Why aren't you answering your cell?' Nancy's demanding voice asked her.

Taylor glanced blurry eyed at the clock. It was a little after eight. She had been up until an hour before her deadline putting the finishing touches to her article. 'Joe took it.'

'Who is Joe?'

'The guy who held the bank up,' she yawned, sitting up in bed.

'I'll get a new one couriered over to you this morning. I need to be able to contact you at all times.'

Taylor's eyes narrowed. 'What's the matter, Nancy?' she asked coldly.

'Your article is brilliant,' Nancy informed her. 'And I want the follow up piece for tomorrow.'

'On what?' Taylor asked, confused. 'And I don't have another piece due in until Thursday.'

'I'm not talking about your column, Taylor. You're reporting the crime now, and stories like this can't wait until Thursday. The public wants to know what happens as it happens. And put it this way, at least now you're reporting the crime, you don't have to work at your desk all day.'

So there was one positive. 'But Nancy, I don't even know where to begin.'

'You can start at the crime lab. And tomorrow, I want you at Hallworth Studios in Greenwich. It's time we launched a campaign to let people know about the changes.' She hung up before Taylor could object.

'I'm really beginning to hate that woman,' Taylor mumbled, as she hung up. She got out of bed and pulled her robe around her, heading downstairs. Her head was in the fridge when Marty appeared.

'Congratulations.'

Taylor pulled the orange juice out and shut the door. 'What are you on about?' she asked as she poured herself a glass.

Marty threw a copy of the Daily on the counter. Her article was the headline piece.

Taylor put the glass back on the counter next to it, the liquid sloshing over the side as she snatched it up and read it, mouth open. 'Oh my God! I made the front page!' she cried excitedly.

'Ergo, congratulations,' Marty beamed me. 'You did good, kid.'

The kid comment went unnoticed as Taylor reread her story. Suddenly, there was another up side to what Nancy was demanding of her.

---

Taylor was heading to the crime lab when she bumped into Stella, or, more accurately, Stella's bump. 'Sorry,' she apologized.

'It's alright,' Stella told her. 'I forget how much it sticks out,' she told her, rolling her eyes. 'I can't wait for him to be out and in the world now.'

'You off to home?' Taylor asked her.

Stella shook her head. 'Back to the bank. I have a feeling the money never actually left it.'

Taylor frowned. 'Stell, shouldn't you be taking it easy.'

'Exactly,' Stella told her. 'Which is why I'm taking it easy at the bank.'

'Are you sure that's a good idea?'

'What's the worst that could happen?' Stella asked. Seeing Taylor's worried expression, she sighed. 'Would you feel better if you came with me?'

'I'd feel better if you didn't go at all,' Taylor admitted.

Stella rolled her eyes. 'You sound like Mac. And as I explained to him, the doctor said I was alright for another two weeks before I had to be confined to the lab, and I'll be damned if I start that earlier than I have to. I'll be perfectly fine at the bank.'

'Fine. I'm coming with you,' Taylor told her.

Stella laughed. 'Come on then, worry wart.'

It was a short ride, the majority of it spent talking about the baby.

'Have you heard from Keanu?' Taylor asked.

Stella shook her head. 'No, he still doesn't want to be a part of the baby's life. His loss. Besides,' she added, seeing Taylor's face. 'At least this way I get full choice when it comes to naming him.'

'You got any ideas?'

Stella nodded. 'Plenty. I just can't seem to settle on one. I think I'll know when I see him. There's no point deciding on Nikolas when he looks like an Andreas.'

'You're thinking of Greek names?'

Stella shrugged. 'I don't know,' she admitted. 'But I do like the idea of going back to my roots.'

They were still discussing baby names when they arrived at the bank, and only stopped when Stella stepped behind the counter. She pulled open a drawer and a hundred dollar bill dropped out. 'He was here,' she muttered.

'Huh?' Taylor asked. She had drifted off as they stood there, the previous morning suddenly becoming alive again – she could even hear Joe's voice.

'NYPD! Freeze!' Stella yelled and drew her gun.

Taylor looked up at where Stella was aiming, her eyes widening as she spotted Joe.

As he took off, so did Stella. Taylor watched in surprise, unable to believe a pregnant woman could run so fast. And then it hit her that she was allowing a pregnant woman to run after an armed suspect. 'Stella!' she yelled, taking off after her.

'Call for back up,' Stella shouted back to her as Taylor ran past the officer Joe had knocked out.

Taylor dropped to the floor, checking for the officer's pulse as she grabbed the radio. 'Uh, Officer down,' she cried into it. 'Detective Bonasera is in pursuit of the suspect. And she's pregnant,' Taylor added, before letting the person on the other end know where they were. The voice continued to bombard her with questions, but Taylor ignored her, dropping the radio to the ground and following the direction Stella had gone.

She burst onto the roof to find Joe hanging on to a black bag over the side of the building. Taylor scanned the roof for Stella – she could hear her, but she couldn't see her. And then the penny dropped. 'Stella!' she yelled, just as Joe yanked the bag back and took off.

Taylor sprinted over, flinging herself to the ground to wrap her arm around Stella's, who was clutching to the metal grating. Between the two of them, Taylor hauled Stella back over the side. She sat back, panting as Stella got to her feet and scanned the roof. 'Did you see which way he went?' she asked her.

Taylor's eyes widened in disbelief. 'Stella!'

---

'I don't care, Stella,' Mac told the curly haired detective firmly. 'You're on lab duty until you take your maternity leave.'

'Mac, it wasn't that bad,' Stella objected.

'Stella, you were chasing after an armed suspect, one who is wanted for murder, no less. One who thought he had killed me. You're on lab duty, or you take early maternity leave.'

'Fine,' Stella accepted as she, Mac and Taylor close behind, joined Lindsay, Danny and Hawkes in one of the labs. 'What have we got?' she asked them.

'We checked the passports you found,' Lindsay explained. All but one were counterfeit. We traced it back to an Ethan Scott and ran the social security number. Through tax records, we found his wife and daughter, Alison and Emma Scott. He's been living with them in Manhattan for the past eight years.'

'Have you got an address?' Mac asked

'Yeah,' Hawkes replied. 'Flack canvassed it and the area. It looks like they cleared out, and Emma wasn't in school today.'

'They're on the run,' Mac frowned.

'We've notified the Port Authority and we've got all bridges and tunnels covered too,' Danny said.

'Can we get Ethan's photo in the late edition of the papers?' Mac asked Taylor.

'I can't see that being a problem,' Taylor agreed.

'What about the money?' Mac asked.

'I put an alert on the serial numbers,' said Danny. 'I got some calls. The money was used to purchase tickets at Grand Central Station, Washington Bus terminal, and the Staten Island Ferry,' Danny informed them. 'All afternoon departures. The cash was also used to rent a car from three different agencies.'

'He's trying to confuse us by using the stolen cash to create decoys,' said Mac.

'Well if that's the case, maybe he's not leaving town at all,' Lindsay suggested. 'He just wants us to think he is.'

'Or he already jumped a cab out of town,' Adam spoke up as he joined them. 'I got a hit on a credit card purchase by his wife. She bought three train tickets to Toronto, Canada. Purchase and departure point, Poughkeepsie, New York. The train leaves in two hours.'

'Three tickets? He's meeting them there,' said Stella.

'I'll get the photo to local PD and get some officers on the trains,' Hawkes suggested.

'No,' said Mac, firmly. 'No, wait. Joe thinks this is a game, fine. We'll keep it going, but this time, we're going to play by my rules. We're going to get Alison.'

'I'll do that,' Stella said. 'Or Lindsay can,' she corrected herself when she saw Mac's expression. 'I will stay here with Taylor.'

Taylor nodded. 'I'll get that picture in the paper.'

---

The picture, and the article made the evening edition – Nancy was more than happy for the paper to have an exclusive. Unfortunately, and Taylor didn't tell Nancy, but Joe, aka Ethan, was arrested only minutes after the edition hit the streets.

She headed to the pit to locate Flack, ready to head home. He was deep in conversation with a pretty blonde wearing a very cute pants suit.

'Taylor,' Flack waved her over. 'This is my new partner, Grace Perry.'

'Pleased to meet you,' Taylor said.

'Likewise,' Grace returned, although her eyes never left Flack.

'Are you ready to go?' Taylor asked Flack with a frown. 'Or have you got to finish up here?'

'No, I'm good,' Flack smiled, draping his arm over her shoulder.

'Good,' Taylor told him. 'Because I never gave you your birthday present,' she told him as she led him to the car.

---

Taylor climbed out of the bath, wrapping a towel around her. She had left Flack playing with his birthday present with Marty – a PS3 and NHL '09 – and headed upstairs to have a bath. She padded into the bedroom and was about to pull a clean set of pajamas out of her drawers when Flack walked in. Taylor quickly pulled the towel tighter around her and grabbed the clothing before dashing back into the bathroom, ignoring the confused look on Flack's face.

When she came out for the second time, dressed, Flack was sat on the bed waiting for her. She smiled uncomfortably at him.

'You alright?' he asked her.

Taylor nodded and headed over to her dresser to dry her hair.

Flack pursed his lips and then got to his feet, walking over behind Taylor. He leant over, swept her hair away and then began nibbling her neck.

'Don,' Taylor moaned. 'How am I supposed to dry my hair with you distracting me?'

'Don't dry it,' he offered between kisses.

'Don,' Taylor shook her head and leant forward. 'I should dry this.'

Flack pulled the hair brush out of her hands, placed it on the dresser and then, sinking to his knees, turned her around so that she was facing him.

'I need to dry-'

He cut her off with a kiss.

Taylor started to kiss him back until he started to unbutton her top. Taylor leapt to her feet, clutching the two halves of fabric together and ran out into the bathroom. She was pouring herself a glass of water when Flack joined her.

'This isn't about your hair, is it?'

'I'm just not feeling well,' she choked out.

'Taylor,' Flack started softly, turning her to face him. 'You won't get changed in front of me, and you won't sleep with me. I'm not stupid, Taylor. I know what you're thinking, and you're wrong.'

'Wrong about what?' she asked him.

'Wrong if you thing I care that you have a scar.'

Taylor wrapped her arms around herself, 'I don't think that,' she muttered.

Flack licked his lips then moved Taylor's arms to her side. Slowly, he began unbuttoning her shirt. He traced his fingers gently over her two scars and felt her inhale sharply. He switched his attention to her face. She was looking away, tears lining her eyes. 'Taylor,' he said gently, 'you're still the most beautiful woman in the world to me.'

'Really?' she asked him, finally looking at him.

'You always have been,' he promised her. He sighed. 'I just don't understand why you're so ashamed of them. You don't mind mine.'

Taylor looked at him as if he was asking one of the most ridiculous questions she'd ever heard. 'You got your scars from a terrorist. You saved someone's life to get them. They're a badge of honor. Mine are just… a reminder of how stupid I was.'

'Baby,' he said softly. 'I don't want you to feel ashamed of those scars, especially not around me.' Flack took a step back. 'Look, you get changed for bed. I'm going to tell Marty to have fun with the game and I'll be up in a minute.'

Taylor nodded. 'I'm sorry.'

Flack shook his head. 'You don't have to apologize, Tay. I love you. And I still want to marry you.'

Taylor sighed and looked at the floor, 'Don, I-'

'Get changed,' Flack interrupted her, kissing her forehead. 'I'm going to say night to Marty.'

Taylor watched him leave, unperturbed by the lack of affirmative response she was giving him, and then turned her attention back out of the window. She loved him. She really did. But she just couldn't make herself say "yes".

Despite the fact she was pretending to be asleep when he came in a short while later, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. 'I love you so much,' he whispered, leaving Taylor biting her lip, her eyes squeezed tightly shut as she tried to fight back the tears.

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