A/N: hey. so it's been a little while, but i've had AP tests to study for and i kinda got sidetracked by an amazing show called chuck so sadly this story got brushed under the rug. but it's back again! at least for a little while since i somehow agreed to a bigbang challenge on livejournal, lol.

also, i hate fishing for reviews cause it's just not me but i was wondering if anyone is still really interested? it was kinda like a tumbleweed town last chapter... i mean i'll still post but if no one's really reading i kinda lose the drive to write. so could you guys leave a word? even if it's saying that this is the worst thing you've ever read? please :)

Thanks for reviewing/alerting/fav-ing: Midnight113, elbbubniaevili, hsmhsm, unknownbyhim22, & silenceeverything

Disclaimer: HSM belongs to Disney. CSI: NY belongs to CBS.

A Moment of Change

Chapter 4

And I chose guitar over ballet and I'd take these suckers down cause they just get in my way.
- Katy Perry

:::

I love New York City. On the corner of one block it is design couture and on the other, a hole in the wall pawn shop. It's especially nice when I can put down fifteen dollars on a complete meal compared to one hundred dollars for an artfully designed plate. Danny, Don, and I took the Buick; Stella having left with the Avalanche before the three of us realized we were dismissed. Much to my annoyance, I'm relegated to the back seat where the drunks and delinquents normally sit.

There was this burger place that the three of us tended to frequent. Not too far from the crime lab or the precinct, it's one of those surprising New York places. Located in Le Parker Meridian, the Burger Joint served up nothing but good, greasy, American food.

Plus, the location was pretentious enough that most cops would not go within ten blocks of the place. Danny and Don wouldn't either at first. I had to all but drag them in. But the place has become our regular spot when we actually have twenty minutes for lunch.

"So what's the plan?" Danny asked when our food has finally arrived.

I took my time swallowing part of my cheeseburger before answering. "Well we've gotta analyze the evidence don't we? And make a visit to Sid to see what the prelim has to say."

Sid Hammerback's our chief medical examiner at the NYPD. A little eccentric, but overall great guy, Sid was always sure to put our team's cases before any other investigators. And, his preliminary autopsy reports were the best in the business.

"Not about that Montez," corrected Danny. "Bolton. Can your guy hook us up with playoff tickets?"

I threw a fry at Danny. "I asked you weeks ago if you wanted a ticket and you were all indifferent about it!"

"That was when we thought they didn't have a shot at anything."

"They always have a shot. They're the best team in the NBA."

Don snorted, "What's Miami then?"

"An unfortunate opponent," I swiftly replied.

"Listen, Gabs, you're always goin' to games. Think you could hook us up once?" said Danny, leaning in.

I contemplated the request while taking another bite of my burger. Troy had given me a block of tickets before he had to go on the road for the playoffs. He told me that some guy owned him a favor and to invite whomever I wanted. Danny and Don were probably my best bets, considering that they were the huge sports fans, but I could just as easily persuade any of my other friends to go to a big-time game. I picked up the paper napkin and wiped some ketchup off of my face, all while Don and Danny watched on in anticipation. Reaching into my purse, I slowly extricated my wallet.

"Okay," I said. Before I could get any other words out Danny and Don's faces lit up like Christmas trees. I held my wallet protectively at my side. "Listen up, if I give you two these tickets, don't just assume that I'll be able to do this all the time. Someone owed Troy a favor, so he managed to get a block of tickets. I could just as easily take this back and offer them to Stella and Linds and, like, Taylor."

"Taylor hates basketball," Don replied.

"Don't you think I know that? It would be payback for the mayoral thingy she's making me go to Friday."

Donnie smirked in amusement. "Hey," I said. "No laughing at my expense, I just might reclaim the tickets."

"You haven't given us tickets yet Gabi," pointed out Danny. I sighed and opened my wallet, removing three tickets from a sleeve within. "Give the other to Linds," I told Danny as I doled out the thick paper.

"Third row, courtside," exclaimed Danny. "High-quality."

"Yeah, yeah," I rolled my eyes. "I've been demoted with you guys, normally I'm in the front row."

"Well we're normally stuck in the third level," said Donnie.

"Touché," I noted in amusement.

"So who else'll be going?" asked Danny, as we returned to our lunch.

"There're two more tickets. One of 'em is for Troy's best friend and I'm not sure about the last one."

"For you?" inquired Don.

I shook my head, "That's not including me. I might just invite Taylor for payback. She'd enjoy the alcohol I'm sure."

"Such an eclectic lifestyle," said Don.

"Such an impressive vocabulary," I replied before draining my Diet Coke. Don eyed me for a moment before returning to his double cheeseburger. I watched Danny munch on his pickle as yellow taxi cabs and tourists with fanny packs passed by outside.

:::

"Cover for me?" I asked Lindsay in a rush. I pulled off my latex gloves before she could give me an answer and was out of my white lab coat before I was out of the room, Lindsay's garbled reply cut off by the closing door.

I yanked my hair out of its ponytail and gave a cursory glance at my appearance in one of the glass walls. My breath probably smelled like coffee, but after twenty hours on shift that was something I just could not fix.

Jabbing at the down button on the escalator, I bounced on the balls of my feet ineffectively mimicking Danny's nervous habit. I bit back an exhaled, "Finally," when the elevator doors opened and I slipped inside the box and pressed the number that would take me to the lobby.

"I told you we can't keep meeting like this," I said as I exited the elevator and met with my unexpected visitor. "People talk you know and someone is bound to tell Troy."

Chad Danforth turned at my greeting and grinned widely before sweeping me into a huge hug. "Well there's the Gabster."

I laughed and accepted the Starbucks cup in his hand. "Thanks."

"No problemo," he said.

Chad is Troy's best friend. Since kindergarten, as I am told repeatedly. At five ten, with an afro atop his head, Chad doesn't seem like he used to be a coveted basketball recruit, but – as I am, again, told repeatedly – he was wanted more than Troy before an accident led to Chad never being able to play ball again. I have gotten their story in bits and pieces, mostly when the two are drunk and desperate to reminisce over the good times. Chad works as a sports announcer with ESPN, critiquing during basketball and baseball season and seems to live with Troy and I more than at his own apartment.

"But really, Danforth," I said in between a huge gulp of espresso. "Why'd you make the long trip to Midtown?"

"A little birdie told me that you're the one holding my ticket hostage."

"A little birdie huh? That little birdie wouldn't happen to have striking blue eyes?"

"Wouldn't know. But, do you have it?"

"Possibly," I shifted my weight and searched for a set of benches. "I was told to guard these with my life though, so I'll need the password."

"I brought you coffee Montez."

"Bribery can only get you so far."

We stared each other down, waiting for the other to crack. Chad did first, he always does.

"Troy told me," he said in a rush, sitting down on the wooden bench. "Jeez woman, you've got a stare."

"Comes in handy when a perp is being particularly difficult," I said happily, sitting beside him. "Unfortunately, my purse is in my locker upstairs. Can you wait until I get off shift before you can get your precious ticket?"

"I don't think my poor heart could stand that," teased Chad, dramatically throwing a hand over his heart.

I elbowed him in the ribs. "Quit messing around, Danforth."

"Ah, I was going to raid your kitchen anyways, so you can give it to me then."

I snort, "Stupendous."

"It's in the guy code, Gabster. Thou shall share foodstuffs and alcohol."

"Is thou shall share cable there too?"

"Funnily enough, in Troy's and mine it is."

I glanced at Chad out of the corner of my eyes. We sat side by side and faced forward, watching as people in suits passed by. I took another sip out of my cup while Chad took a deep breath. The two of us shouldn't really be friends. Chad still acted like he was the high school hero and cruised through life like it was a party every day. I, meanwhile, thought about the future and the future only, always mindful of the next step in my life. Troy was the beginning of our comradeship, but we developed a friendship all on our own. I think that Chad reminds me to have fun. It's not like I don't let loose with anyone else, but there is a different vibe with the afro-haired sports fanatic.

"Hoops gets back on Sunday," ventured Chad. Hoops, by the way, is Chad's nickname for Troy. Appropriate, right?

"Whether or not they win against the Lakers," I nodded.

"They better win. The Lakers are just cruising on, they don't deserve to win the championship this season."

"Yeah," I said stretching the word out. "Not in the mood for a rant right now, Chadster."

"Oh c'mon."

"Nope," I said, popping the 'p'. I got up from the bench and sipped the last of my espresso. Tipping the white cardboard at Chad I said, "Thanks for the coffee. This should keep me going for another five hours."

"How long have you been going anyway?" asked Chad in concern.

"Since one p.m., yesterday," I said after a moment. "My regular turned into a double and then I was on the skeleton crew and yeah – I'm running on coffee and not much else. My boss put me on a pretty high-profile case, so I've been analyzing evidence from the crime scene since then. I'm actually supposed to go out for lunch with a couple people today, but I don't think it's gonna happen. Too much stuff, we're swamped right now."

"You're always swamped," Chad pointed out.

"I'll drink to that," I told him. Giving him a kiss on the cheek, I turned back to the elevators. "Thanks for the break though, I needed it."

"Anytime," grinned Chad. "You want me to take Skittles for a walk?"

"Could you please?" I asked. "That'd be perfect."

Chad gave me a thumbs-up before disappearing out the doors and into the ever-moving crowd. As I waved good-bye, my phone trilled in my pocket, signaling a new message.

New TXT Message: Sid Hammerback
Autopsy done. I've got something interesting for you.