CSI:NY How Does Your Garden Grow

Scared, Are You?

Chapter 38: Scared Are You?

"Good Lord, how long does it take to eat breakfast at a diner," Gus asked by way of greeting. She was at Mac's apartment, addressing invitations, tasked by Jo to babysit her uncle through a nap before she had to be at the precinct that afternoon.

Don had been instructed to get him fed and to his place for the handoff. Gus knew Mac wasn't going to be happy with the arrangement, but she also knew her uncle had worked too many late nights again, in fact she wasn't sure the last time he had been home.

Not that any of them were ones to talk, but Mac got more obsessed with cases, putting his whole being in to them.

She and Don had recently discussed how worn Mac had looked as of late, Gus surprising herself by wondering aloud if Mac shouldn't consider alternative career options.

"Can you really picture Mac Taylor as anything but a cop, sunshine?" Don asked, shocked.

"I mean, I made a pretty drastic career change, I'm not even suggesting that for him; maybe just a move to a civilian lab. Have you seriously never considered..." she trailed off, "wait, I forgot who I was talking to, Junior."

She rolled her eyes, typing in another name from the list Grams had given them into their spreadsheet. "Speaking of which, are we seriously not even going to send an invitation to your mother and Frank?"

Don shrugged, looking extremely blasé. "Told you they are going to be in Italy on an 'art and wine tour'," he said, making a face, "non-refundable. She doesn't want to make an effort, I'm not going to either."

Gus shook her head, but didn't say anything.

"Gus," Don said with a slight growl, "she left, it was her choice. Sam and I did fine without her growing up, more or less, I don't need her at our wedding. Less potential for drama this way."

She nodded in agreement. "Your brother?" she asked, knowing things were strained between them even after all these years but still hoping.

"And Bridget are coming, with all their many children," he said, making an amused face.

He paused the television, looking over at Gus on the other end of the sofa. "I woulda thought you want the guest list smaller, sunshine."

Gus set down the laptop, "I know the chapel is small, Don, but it is family. Something I don't have much of."

"I have too much of. The important people will be there, Gus, the people we need there will be there, I promise," he said, leaning over and pulling her to him for a kiss. "Now how many more days of you freaking out about this?" he asked after they came up for air.

"41," she said, "but I think I can stop freaking out for say twenty or so minutes?" she said with a smoldering looking.

"Game will wait," he said, with a raise of his eyebrows, following Gus to the bedroom.

"Yeah, well, Mac managed to get his wallet lifted at the diner by someone either very bold or very stupid," Don said, feeling exasperated.

"Ouch, I am certain he is taking that well. Regardless, Jo gave her orders, so get him back here ASAP."

"On it, babe," he said, ignoring Mac's smirk.

Gus wasn't shocked when Mac didn't make it back to his apartment before she had to head to the precinct, even though she was sure Jo was hopping mad. What she was shocked by was Jo asking for her help on interviewing a guy in custody that had admitted to being a sexually motivated serial killer. "You want my help, former FBI agent, Jo Danville?"