"She's hot," Danny commented, nodding to someone at the bar.

Flack and Stella turned to see a skinny blond sipping an apple martini. Don looked at her for a moment before turning back and shrugging.

"Eh."

Stella raised an eyebrow. "C'mon, Flack. She looks your type."

He shrugged again, avoiding her eyes as he took a drink from his beer. "It's my birthday - I'm not here to pick up women."

Danny smirked. "What's the matter, Flack? Afraid your pick-up lines don't work anymore?"

"Drop it, Messer."

"Don't be embarrassed," Stella said teasingly. "Here, try the line on me first, and I'll tell you if you should use it or not.

He took another drink, shaking his head. "You don't use lines on a woman like you, Stell."

"Oh really?" she asked, amusement in her voice. "Then how exactly does one get a woman like me?"

Flack blushed slightly and shrugged, his eyes locked on his beer as his thumb played with the label. "Ya throw a Hail Mary and pray for the best."

"What kind of Hail Mary?"

He almost wished that she hadn't asked - but she had, and now it was lying there between them. Taking one more long drink, he wondered if God had just handed him an opportunity, or if Fate was simply mocking him. Either way, he knew exactly what he had to do; he set down his beer and turned to face Stella.

"This kind," he murmured.

Leaning in, he said a silent prayer as he tangled one hand in her curls and kissed her softly. Stella gasped, instinctively grabbing the front of his shirt. She leaned into him, her eyes fluttering shut as he continued to kiss her. He caught her lower lip, sucking on it for a moment before nudging her mouth open and slipping his tongue inside. Stella moaned, one hand sliding into his short hair, and the other clinging desperately to his shirt.

Danny stared at his friends in amazement, not sure what to do. He definitely didn't want to interrupt them - it was about damn time they did this - but at the same time, it was really awkward sitting at a table with two people who were making out. Luckily, he was saved by the arrival of their friends.

"Oh wow," Lindsay whispered as she took a seat next to him.

"Sorry we're late," Mac said loudly, an amused smile on his face as Flack and Stella jumped apart. "Looks like we missed something interesting."

Stella blushed furiously, and Flack cleared his throat.

"Sorry," he muttered.

Mac shrugged, taking a seat across from them and giving Don a pointed look, his eyes full of laughter. "For what?"

Realizing that his boss wasn't angry, Flack let himself relax. He glanced at Stella, who was still blushing, as his friends began to laugh and talk and drink. She caught his eye, and then slid her hand into his under the table, entwining their fingers. Smiling, Flack squeezed her hand - so far, this birthday was definitely looking up.