FIC: White Shroud (20/20) CSI:NY, T
Title: White Shroud, Chapter 20 (Epilogue)
Author: Zelda Ophelia (zeldaophelia)
Fandom/Character: CSI:NY; Stella, Angell, Flack
General info: Not mine; T.
Content: Some chapters include discussion of sexual violence.
Notes:Written for the csi_bigbang challenge. Big thanks to eternal_sadist for the beta. This fic can be considered a sequel to Titania Falling. And thank you to everyone who has followed along and left feedback! :X
Summary: When the flu bug hits the NYPD, the detectives and CSIs work to cover the caseload. Angell, Stella, and Lindsay confront the mystery behind a body in Union Square Park. Meanwhile, Flack, Mac, and Hawkes try to determine what happened at a Rangers game and Danny deals with a case of karma. Previous parts here.
There was a knock on her door as Stella filed away the last of her paperwork for the Norton/Tarleton case. Looking up, she saw Aaron Dixon standing in her doorway, a uniformed officer just behind him.
"Aaron, come in," she said, waving him into the room. "What can I help you with?"
"Um, I wanted to talk to you," he said nervously as he took a seat. "Um, about what you do."
"As a CSI?" she asked.
"Yeah," he said with a shrug. "You do science stuff, right? But to help people?"
"That's a simplified version of it, but yes."
"What kind of bachelor's degree did you get? Do you have a Masters, as well? You're a detective, so did you have to go to the Police Academy also?" He seemed to become more sure of himself as he asked the questions, pulling out a spiral bound notebook and pencil to take notes.
"Why all the questions? Are you interested in becoming a CSI?"
"Maybe," he said. He rubbed the back of his head before continuing, "I- Well, my parents have always stressed how important it is to give back, to help other people, you know? Dad's on the hospital board back home, and Mom works at a shelter."
"I thought that you were Pre-Med, though," Stella commented, trying to remember that first conversation with him and his advisor.
"Well, when I started school, it was just expected that I'd go Pre-Med. Everyone's pushing for it, even Dr. Eisenberg." He fidgeted in his chair, looking down at his hands. "But, um, I spent enough time in hospitals as a kid - my sister had leukemia - and I'm not really interested in spending any more time in one than I have to now. So I always planned to go into research, try to help people that way. It seems kind of pointless now. What good would I be stuck off in a lab? I wasn't able to help the women that Tripp hurt."
"You may not have been able to help them at the time, but you did help us with the investigation."
"At least I was able to help someone," he muttered, shifting in his seat.
"So you're thinking of a career change?"
"There's, um, there's an internship opening down in Jersey City at the crime lab there. It's just a summer internship, and I haven't applied yet, but I've been thinking about it and wanted to, well, talk to someone about it."
"Well," Stella said, leaning forward and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "I think you have a great start with what you're currently majoring in. A dual major of molecular/cellular biology and chemistry is going to prepare you for a large percentage of the lab work that we do here. Normally, it would be suggested that you have some classes in forensic science or criminal justice as well. I don't, however, believe that NYU offers much coursework in those areas, and if you are interested in being a CSI, you'd want to attend the Police Academy, where you'd pick most of that up anyway. If you're interested in just working in the crime lab as a lab tech, I'd suggest getting a Masters degree, continuing in one of the areas you're already studying instead of going to the Academy."
"I was thinking of maybe picking up some evening or summer classes at CUNY," Aaron said, looking up from where he was scribbling down her comments. "They have a pretty good criminal justice program, according to the research I've been doing."
"So you've really been thinking a lot about this?"
"Enough to do some research. I've, uh, had a lot of spare time lately," he said with a shrug. "The end of my junior year isn't really a good time to suddenly decide to change my career path."
"But it's better than the end of your senior year," she pointed out.
Aaron grinned in response. "That's why I was thinking of trying out the internship, see if it really is something I'd want to do."
"If that's the case, I'd suggest waiting until next fall to pick up the classes at CUNY," Stella said, a thoughtful look on her face. "That'll give you a chance to see if you like it before you overwhelm yourself with classes and work. Crime has a tendency to go up in the warmer months, so you might end up busier than you'd think. What kind of course load were you planning for the fall?"
"Well," he said, "I've finished most of my required credits because I've taken a lot of overload semesters. I could graduate in December if I wanted to. Or I could take fewer credits at NYU each semester and take some classes at CUNY-- graduate in the spring instead."
"You know, Aaron, I think the internship is a good idea," Stella said. "I'd also suggest that you speak with Dr. Eisenberg about this, since he's your advisor. And contact CUNY to speak with one of their Criminal Justice professors, too: they might have some advice on how it’s best for you to go about enrolling in the fall. But the Jersey City crime lab is a good one." She couldn't help but smile a bit ruefully as she continued, "I've worked with the head of their lab before. In fact, several members of their lab are assisting us right now, since we - well, the NYPD as a whole - have been hit pretty hard with the flu."
"I'd heard about that," he said, nodding. "We were talking about the process of predicting the flu vaccine in class the other day, and it came up."
"You know," Stella said, looking through the glass walls across the lab and spying a familiar redhead near Mac's office, "come with me, Aaron. Let me introduce you to someone."
Quinn was on the move, but they caught up with her near the break room. "Hey, Quinn."
"Detective Bonasera," Quinn said, nodding her head before glancing over at Aaron.
"I hear that you have an internship open this summer," Stella continued.
"Yes, we do," Quinn said, giving Stella an amused look. "Interested in applying?"
"Actually, I want you to meet someone," she said, motioning to Aaron. "This is Aaron Dixon; he's a junior in Cellular and Molecular Biology and Chemistry at NYU, and he also happens to be interested in applying for that internship. Aaron," she said, turning to him, "this is Inspector Quinn Shelby, the head of the Jersey City crime lab."
Aaron gave her a surprised look before extending his hand to Quinn. "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am."
"Interested in becoming a CSI?" Quinn glanced at her watch before nodding to the break room door. "I have about fifteen minutes and was going to grab a quick bite to eat. Why don't you join me? I can tell you about the internship, and you can tell me about your studies."
"That would be great, if you don't mind. I don't want to take over your break-"
"Come on, it's fine," Quinn said, opening the break room door.
"Aaron," Stella added quickly, "I'll be down in my office if you want to talk about anything else."
He nodded as he followed Quinn into the break room, the two of them already deep in discussion over the internship.
"Friend of yours?" Mac asked from just behind her, causing her to jump.
"Mac! Don't do that! I didn't hear you," she chided him with an exasperated look.
"Sorry," he said, nodding to the door. "So?"
"Tripp Norton's roommate, the one who helped us break the case."
"And he's here because?"
"You're looking at the next generation of CSI, Mac," she said with a grin. "He came to ask about some career advice and mentioned he was interested in the internship Quinn's offering this summer. It seemed like a good idea to introduce them since she's around. With his background, he'd be a great addition to any lab." She frowned slightly. "It almost makes me wish we had an intern spot to fill this summer."
"Really, Stella? Trying to recruit him already? "
::
"Mr. Mahoney?" Maka said as she knocked on the hospital room door.
Mahoney looked up from the journal he was reading. "Detective Maka, how are you?"
"Good. And you're looking much better."
"I'm feeling much better," he said, "though there is something to be said for the cure being worse than the ailment. But I'm feeling better than I have in nearly a month. And, if nothing else, being in here is giving me time to get caught up on my reading."
"That's very good to hear."
"I'm trying to decide if you're here with good news or bad," he said, watching her. "So just sit and tell me."
"It's a bit of both, I'm afraid."
"Jake?" Mahoney asked apprehensively.
"Stabilized, though he will likely need a new kidney soon," Maka said as she took a seat in the chair by the bed.
"Poor kid," he said, shaking his head slowly. "I've been working with him for several years now. He's bright, has a great future ahead of him. So does Ivy--how is she doing?"
"Had," Maka said slowly. "Had a great future, both of them."
"I don't understand."
"Ivy has confessed to the poisonings. She'll be going to prison. As will Jacob, as soon as he's out of the hospital."
"Jake? Going to prison? And what's this about Ivy?"
"Jacob, Tripp, and Matt drugged Ivy at the party a month ago, raping her while she was passed out. Jacob has confessed to his role in what happened."
"That's why she--" he closed his eyes in defeat with the realization. "That's why she poisoned them."
"Yes."
"Do I even want to know?" he asked.
"Know what?"
"Why me? Why did she poison me, too? And herself?"
"We think she poisoned herself at first to throw anyone who might be suspicious off track, make herself look like a victim too. As for you.." Maka took a deep breath, "you left while she was in the bathroom."
"Yes, I did. I told the guys to tell her I said goodbye, but I just couldn't stay out any longer."
"That was the only time she was away from her drink."
"When they drugged her." Mahoney leaned back against the pillows. "It was my fault. If I hadn't left-"
"No, it wasn't your fault. It was Tripp and Matt and Jacob's fault. Truthfully, if not Ivy, it would have been another woman. Had been another woman, on more than one occasion. According to Jacob, that wasn't the first time Tripp and Matt had 'shared'." She shuddered in disgust at that thought, the feeling that she needed to go home and shower after speaking with Plank coming back. "We know that Tripp was using the miraculin the lab was producing to disguise the taste of GHB, and we know that Ivy wasn't the only one they drugged."
"If only one of the victims had come forward," he said.
"It's easy to say that," Maka said quietly, "but it isn't so easy for the victims. Rape victims get blamed for the crime more than any other group of victims. People tend to forget that just because you're wearing a low neckline or a short skirt or have had a bit much to drink doesn't mean you're asking for it. But more than one victim I've worked with has had that experience, being blamed for the crime, and GHB affects the memory as well. In most cases it's doubtful they knew what happened, much less whether or not they gave consent. Not that it would have mattered--when you've been drugged you're impaired, and legally you can't give consent."
"You know a lot about this."
"I was in the Special Victims Unit before transferring to homicide," Maka said. "I've worked with a lot of rape victims. I should have recognized the signs when we first met Ivy; looking back, they were everywhere."
"And I should have realized, as well," Mahoney said. "I work with her almost every day. I'd noticed she'd become withdrawn. I just assumed that she was under a lot of stress with her classes."
"She was under stress, all right."
"It just didn't have anything to do with her schoolwork."
::
Angell stretched, fighting back a yawn as she stood from her desk. The Lieutenant had already told her to take the rest of the day and tomorrow off but she had decided to stick around long enough to finish the paperwork for the case. Getting it done now meant that it wouldn't be there when she got back. But now she was going home, and she really liked the idea of sleeping for the next thirty-six hours
"Hey, sleepyhead," Flack said as he joined her by her desk. "Heading home?"
"Yeah, I think so," she said as she gave him a tired grin.
"I heard the Lieutenant gave you tomorrow off, also."
"And trust me, I'm looking forward to spending quality time with my bed."
"And your noisy neighbors," he reminded her.
"Don't," she groaned as she pulled her coat on. "You realize you just ruined it. Now any chance I had of them being quiet has been ruined."
"Poor thing," he said, walking with her out the front doors of the precinct. "It's a shame you aren't seeing someone who has a place in a nice, quiet building."
"Like we'd get any rest," she said with an amused snort.
"You never know," he said lightly. "I could surprise you. It has been a long couple of days for me, too, you know."
"I'd be more inclined to believe that," she teased him, "if I didn't have firsthand experience of you sleeping through storm sirens. And just about anything else." She inadvertently followed her comment with a huge yawn, causing him to chuckle.
"C'mon, Jess," he said, steering her toward his car. "I'm not going to let you drive this tired. Let me take you home."
"Mmm-hmm," she hummed lightly. "Whose home?"
"Does it matter?" he asked with a laugh.
"Not really," she said as they stepped in. She leaned her head back against the seat rest and closed her eyes after buckling the seatbelt.
"I didn't think so. It'll just be you, me, and ten hours of uninterrupted sleep."
"Make that twelve and you've got a deal," she said without opening her eyes.
He laughed. "Deal."
The car grew silent as he pulled out into traffic. He was almost certain that she'd fallen asleep when she turned to him and gave him a sleepy smile. "Oh, and Don, thanks."
He reached across the seat, squeezing her hand. "No problem, no problem at all. Just remember, you owe me."
Her laughter filled the car as they drove.
End
Previous || Master Post
Author: Zelda Ophelia (zeldaophelia)
Fandom/Character: CSI:NY; Stella, Angell, Flack
General info: Not mine; T.
Content: Some chapters include discussion of sexual violence.
Notes:Written for the csi_bigbang challenge. Big thanks to eternal_sadist for the beta. This fic can be considered a sequel to Titania Falling. And thank you to everyone who has followed along and left feedback! :X
Summary: When the flu bug hits the NYPD, the detectives and CSIs work to cover the caseload. Angell, Stella, and Lindsay confront the mystery behind a body in Union Square Park. Meanwhile, Flack, Mac, and Hawkes try to determine what happened at a Rangers game and Danny deals with a case of karma. Previous parts here.
There was a knock on her door as Stella filed away the last of her paperwork for the Norton/Tarleton case. Looking up, she saw Aaron Dixon standing in her doorway, a uniformed officer just behind him.
"Aaron, come in," she said, waving him into the room. "What can I help you with?"
"Um, I wanted to talk to you," he said nervously as he took a seat. "Um, about what you do."
"As a CSI?" she asked.
"Yeah," he said with a shrug. "You do science stuff, right? But to help people?"
"That's a simplified version of it, but yes."
"What kind of bachelor's degree did you get? Do you have a Masters, as well? You're a detective, so did you have to go to the Police Academy also?" He seemed to become more sure of himself as he asked the questions, pulling out a spiral bound notebook and pencil to take notes.
"Why all the questions? Are you interested in becoming a CSI?"
"Maybe," he said. He rubbed the back of his head before continuing, "I- Well, my parents have always stressed how important it is to give back, to help other people, you know? Dad's on the hospital board back home, and Mom works at a shelter."
"I thought that you were Pre-Med, though," Stella commented, trying to remember that first conversation with him and his advisor.
"Well, when I started school, it was just expected that I'd go Pre-Med. Everyone's pushing for it, even Dr. Eisenberg." He fidgeted in his chair, looking down at his hands. "But, um, I spent enough time in hospitals as a kid - my sister had leukemia - and I'm not really interested in spending any more time in one than I have to now. So I always planned to go into research, try to help people that way. It seems kind of pointless now. What good would I be stuck off in a lab? I wasn't able to help the women that Tripp hurt."
"You may not have been able to help them at the time, but you did help us with the investigation."
"At least I was able to help someone," he muttered, shifting in his seat.
"So you're thinking of a career change?"
"There's, um, there's an internship opening down in Jersey City at the crime lab there. It's just a summer internship, and I haven't applied yet, but I've been thinking about it and wanted to, well, talk to someone about it."
"Well," Stella said, leaning forward and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "I think you have a great start with what you're currently majoring in. A dual major of molecular/cellular biology and chemistry is going to prepare you for a large percentage of the lab work that we do here. Normally, it would be suggested that you have some classes in forensic science or criminal justice as well. I don't, however, believe that NYU offers much coursework in those areas, and if you are interested in being a CSI, you'd want to attend the Police Academy, where you'd pick most of that up anyway. If you're interested in just working in the crime lab as a lab tech, I'd suggest getting a Masters degree, continuing in one of the areas you're already studying instead of going to the Academy."
"I was thinking of maybe picking up some evening or summer classes at CUNY," Aaron said, looking up from where he was scribbling down her comments. "They have a pretty good criminal justice program, according to the research I've been doing."
"So you've really been thinking a lot about this?"
"Enough to do some research. I've, uh, had a lot of spare time lately," he said with a shrug. "The end of my junior year isn't really a good time to suddenly decide to change my career path."
"But it's better than the end of your senior year," she pointed out.
Aaron grinned in response. "That's why I was thinking of trying out the internship, see if it really is something I'd want to do."
"If that's the case, I'd suggest waiting until next fall to pick up the classes at CUNY," Stella said, a thoughtful look on her face. "That'll give you a chance to see if you like it before you overwhelm yourself with classes and work. Crime has a tendency to go up in the warmer months, so you might end up busier than you'd think. What kind of course load were you planning for the fall?"
"Well," he said, "I've finished most of my required credits because I've taken a lot of overload semesters. I could graduate in December if I wanted to. Or I could take fewer credits at NYU each semester and take some classes at CUNY-- graduate in the spring instead."
"You know, Aaron, I think the internship is a good idea," Stella said. "I'd also suggest that you speak with Dr. Eisenberg about this, since he's your advisor. And contact CUNY to speak with one of their Criminal Justice professors, too: they might have some advice on how it’s best for you to go about enrolling in the fall. But the Jersey City crime lab is a good one." She couldn't help but smile a bit ruefully as she continued, "I've worked with the head of their lab before. In fact, several members of their lab are assisting us right now, since we - well, the NYPD as a whole - have been hit pretty hard with the flu."
"I'd heard about that," he said, nodding. "We were talking about the process of predicting the flu vaccine in class the other day, and it came up."
"You know," Stella said, looking through the glass walls across the lab and spying a familiar redhead near Mac's office, "come with me, Aaron. Let me introduce you to someone."
Quinn was on the move, but they caught up with her near the break room. "Hey, Quinn."
"Detective Bonasera," Quinn said, nodding her head before glancing over at Aaron.
"I hear that you have an internship open this summer," Stella continued.
"Yes, we do," Quinn said, giving Stella an amused look. "Interested in applying?"
"Actually, I want you to meet someone," she said, motioning to Aaron. "This is Aaron Dixon; he's a junior in Cellular and Molecular Biology and Chemistry at NYU, and he also happens to be interested in applying for that internship. Aaron," she said, turning to him, "this is Inspector Quinn Shelby, the head of the Jersey City crime lab."
Aaron gave her a surprised look before extending his hand to Quinn. "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am."
"Interested in becoming a CSI?" Quinn glanced at her watch before nodding to the break room door. "I have about fifteen minutes and was going to grab a quick bite to eat. Why don't you join me? I can tell you about the internship, and you can tell me about your studies."
"That would be great, if you don't mind. I don't want to take over your break-"
"Come on, it's fine," Quinn said, opening the break room door.
"Aaron," Stella added quickly, "I'll be down in my office if you want to talk about anything else."
He nodded as he followed Quinn into the break room, the two of them already deep in discussion over the internship.
"Friend of yours?" Mac asked from just behind her, causing her to jump.
"Mac! Don't do that! I didn't hear you," she chided him with an exasperated look.
"Sorry," he said, nodding to the door. "So?"
"Tripp Norton's roommate, the one who helped us break the case."
"And he's here because?"
"You're looking at the next generation of CSI, Mac," she said with a grin. "He came to ask about some career advice and mentioned he was interested in the internship Quinn's offering this summer. It seemed like a good idea to introduce them since she's around. With his background, he'd be a great addition to any lab." She frowned slightly. "It almost makes me wish we had an intern spot to fill this summer."
"Really, Stella? Trying to recruit him already? "
::
"Mr. Mahoney?" Maka said as she knocked on the hospital room door.
Mahoney looked up from the journal he was reading. "Detective Maka, how are you?"
"Good. And you're looking much better."
"I'm feeling much better," he said, "though there is something to be said for the cure being worse than the ailment. But I'm feeling better than I have in nearly a month. And, if nothing else, being in here is giving me time to get caught up on my reading."
"That's very good to hear."
"I'm trying to decide if you're here with good news or bad," he said, watching her. "So just sit and tell me."
"It's a bit of both, I'm afraid."
"Jake?" Mahoney asked apprehensively.
"Stabilized, though he will likely need a new kidney soon," Maka said as she took a seat in the chair by the bed.
"Poor kid," he said, shaking his head slowly. "I've been working with him for several years now. He's bright, has a great future ahead of him. So does Ivy--how is she doing?"
"Had," Maka said slowly. "Had a great future, both of them."
"I don't understand."
"Ivy has confessed to the poisonings. She'll be going to prison. As will Jacob, as soon as he's out of the hospital."
"Jake? Going to prison? And what's this about Ivy?"
"Jacob, Tripp, and Matt drugged Ivy at the party a month ago, raping her while she was passed out. Jacob has confessed to his role in what happened."
"That's why she--" he closed his eyes in defeat with the realization. "That's why she poisoned them."
"Yes."
"Do I even want to know?" he asked.
"Know what?"
"Why me? Why did she poison me, too? And herself?"
"We think she poisoned herself at first to throw anyone who might be suspicious off track, make herself look like a victim too. As for you.." Maka took a deep breath, "you left while she was in the bathroom."
"Yes, I did. I told the guys to tell her I said goodbye, but I just couldn't stay out any longer."
"That was the only time she was away from her drink."
"When they drugged her." Mahoney leaned back against the pillows. "It was my fault. If I hadn't left-"
"No, it wasn't your fault. It was Tripp and Matt and Jacob's fault. Truthfully, if not Ivy, it would have been another woman. Had been another woman, on more than one occasion. According to Jacob, that wasn't the first time Tripp and Matt had 'shared'." She shuddered in disgust at that thought, the feeling that she needed to go home and shower after speaking with Plank coming back. "We know that Tripp was using the miraculin the lab was producing to disguise the taste of GHB, and we know that Ivy wasn't the only one they drugged."
"If only one of the victims had come forward," he said.
"It's easy to say that," Maka said quietly, "but it isn't so easy for the victims. Rape victims get blamed for the crime more than any other group of victims. People tend to forget that just because you're wearing a low neckline or a short skirt or have had a bit much to drink doesn't mean you're asking for it. But more than one victim I've worked with has had that experience, being blamed for the crime, and GHB affects the memory as well. In most cases it's doubtful they knew what happened, much less whether or not they gave consent. Not that it would have mattered--when you've been drugged you're impaired, and legally you can't give consent."
"You know a lot about this."
"I was in the Special Victims Unit before transferring to homicide," Maka said. "I've worked with a lot of rape victims. I should have recognized the signs when we first met Ivy; looking back, they were everywhere."
"And I should have realized, as well," Mahoney said. "I work with her almost every day. I'd noticed she'd become withdrawn. I just assumed that she was under a lot of stress with her classes."
"She was under stress, all right."
"It just didn't have anything to do with her schoolwork."
::
Angell stretched, fighting back a yawn as she stood from her desk. The Lieutenant had already told her to take the rest of the day and tomorrow off but she had decided to stick around long enough to finish the paperwork for the case. Getting it done now meant that it wouldn't be there when she got back. But now she was going home, and she really liked the idea of sleeping for the next thirty-six hours
"Hey, sleepyhead," Flack said as he joined her by her desk. "Heading home?"
"Yeah, I think so," she said as she gave him a tired grin.
"I heard the Lieutenant gave you tomorrow off, also."
"And trust me, I'm looking forward to spending quality time with my bed."
"And your noisy neighbors," he reminded her.
"Don't," she groaned as she pulled her coat on. "You realize you just ruined it. Now any chance I had of them being quiet has been ruined."
"Poor thing," he said, walking with her out the front doors of the precinct. "It's a shame you aren't seeing someone who has a place in a nice, quiet building."
"Like we'd get any rest," she said with an amused snort.
"You never know," he said lightly. "I could surprise you. It has been a long couple of days for me, too, you know."
"I'd be more inclined to believe that," she teased him, "if I didn't have firsthand experience of you sleeping through storm sirens. And just about anything else." She inadvertently followed her comment with a huge yawn, causing him to chuckle.
"C'mon, Jess," he said, steering her toward his car. "I'm not going to let you drive this tired. Let me take you home."
"Mmm-hmm," she hummed lightly. "Whose home?"
"Does it matter?" he asked with a laugh.
"Not really," she said as they stepped in. She leaned her head back against the seat rest and closed her eyes after buckling the seatbelt.
"I didn't think so. It'll just be you, me, and ten hours of uninterrupted sleep."
"Make that twelve and you've got a deal," she said without opening her eyes.
He laughed. "Deal."
The car grew silent as he pulled out into traffic. He was almost certain that she'd fallen asleep when she turned to him and gave him a sleepy smile. "Oh, and Don, thanks."
He reached across the seat, squeezing her hand. "No problem, no problem at all. Just remember, you owe me."
Her laughter filled the car as they drove.
End
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