Author's Note: So…in honour of finishing my undergrad I wanted to post this story which I finished about a year ago. It's actually a CSI NY one I wanted to give it a try. It is five parts I will post over the next week So as always enjoy!
Disclaimer: So this is defiantly an AU I took a lot of liberties with the plot as well as I am not familiar with the American Military system so I probably imposed a little of the Canadian system with it. I don't own anything except for the plot line and as always I have the utmost respect for everyone who is part of the armed forces.
Story: Danny Messer was looking forward to starting his new job with CSI of New York City. What he hadn't counted on was falling in love…
Love a Man In Uniform
Case 1- Fortunate Son
Kabul, Iraq
"Captain Messer! Sir!" a blonde head turned to the solider currently running towards him. Sighing Captain Messer stopped waiting for the runner to reach him, patting his men on the way back for a job well done. All of them have come home from patrol, "Captain Messer?" The runner stood in front of him saluting smartly, nodding he rooted around in his pockets for his smokes as the runner breathlessly began to give his missive. "Sir, orders came through for you sir." Handing the paper over Captain Messer finding his smokes and lighting one he pulled his helmet off taking the documents and squinting at them as the desert sun rose high above them.
Saluting again the runner took off back to command, while one Captain Daniel Messer grinned at the paper he was currently holding. He was going home.
New York City, United States of America
"Mac, nice of you to show up on this lovely New York evening." Sending the grinning detective a withering look the ex-Marine, ducked under the tape. "Flack, what we got?" Flipping open his notebook one Detective Donald Flack Jr. began to relate the crime scene particulars to one CSI Mac Taylor. The rainy New York night had decided to let up a bit, but the wet and humidity, did nothing for the comfort of those going over the crime scene. "You alone tonight Mac?" hunkering down beside the body Mac began going over it with his flashlight, "Actually no, we have a new CSI beginning this evening he's currently get some trace out at the mouth of the alley." Flack's dark brows lifted in interest, "Oh yeah? What's he like?" Mac turned to look at Flack, "He's my kind of man."
Puzzled at the CSI's words he heard the sudden rapid foot falls behind him, tuning he saw a figure moving rapidly with what looked like at least twenty pounds of gear. He easily ducked the tape barely breaking pace. "Sorry sir!" he heard a rather thick Bronx accent, as rich as New York itself. The figure finally came to a halt next to Mac, quickly setting the equipment next to older man on the wet pavement, "I got the evidence sir, at the ally entrance there was also a discarded knife, with human blood on it." Flack was sure his eyebrows didn't lift any higher. "Danny, you don't have to call me sir, it's Mac." Smiling the other man nodded, "Right got it si- Mac."
Much to Flack's surprise Mac gave the new comer a rather warm smile, "No problem Danny. Danny this is Detective Flack. Flack this is Danny Messer our new CSI." Standing Danny moved around the body to stand before the still speechless Detective. Flack was able to finally get a decent glimpse in the ally light. Danny was slightly shorter then himself but broader, he was wearing a dress shirt and tie. Short blonde hair was messily standing out on end. Blue eyes looked out at him from behind square wire frame glasses. The man had a an easy smile, and was most defiantly easy on the eyes, Flack took all this in and the hand that was being held out to him, "Cap- ummm…. Danny Messer." That easy smile widened and Flack swore he was drowning in those blue eyes. Without hesitation he gripped the offered hand, it was a very strong, and surprisingly very calloused hand. "Don Flack," he replied finding his voice. With a shake Danny released his hand turning once more to work.
-#-#-#-
"You hear about the new guy?" CSI Lindsey Monroe, was currently sitting in the break room with her collages Stella Bonasara, and Sheldon Hawkes. Stella raised an eyebrow, "New guy? That's pretty high school Lindsey." Shrugging the younger girl turned her attention to the doors as Mac, Flack and another unknown figure appeared before the glass. "Wow….is that him?" Lindsey felt her jaw drop a bit, she has though Flack was good looking, the new guy was…well he was hot. Stella tilted her head, "Must be, he's rather good looking isn't he?" Shel rolled his eyes. "Ladies the man is not a piece of meat." As they watched the three men seemed to come to a consensus and Mac headed to the lab with the blonde man hot on his heels. Flack spotting the rest of the team decided to join them for some coffee.
"Hey Flack," the three chorused as he entered heading for the coffee machine. "So Flack, is that new guy?" Lindsay smiled trying to look charming as she fished for information. Rolling his eyes Flack stirred his coffee leaning back against the counter. "Yup, got to know him a little I guess we were just working a scene together." Lindsey leaned forward, "Yeah go on…." Sighing Flack shrugged, "Well all I really got was that I think he's either military or ex-military." Well that and the man is hot as sin, but he wasn't about to tell nosey Lindsey. "What makes you say that Flack?" Shel asked joining the conversation, "Well he kept calling Mac 'sir' and I think he was about to introduce himself as Captain Danny Messer." There were some shared looks, another military man? They were doomed. "Danny Messer…" Lindsey's eyes turned speculative and Flack wasn't sure he liked that.
-#-#-#-
"Danny! Hi!" Flack recognized the broad back moving down the hallway nose stuck in a file. Pausing the other man turned, that easy grin spreading across his face once again. "Flack, hi." Catching up they continued down the hall, "So you done for the day?" Nodding Danny closed the folder, "Yeah, was a hell of a first day…" looking at his watch he grinned, "I guess it was two days? Geez…" Flack grinned and patting him on the back, "Your doing all right, though don't look too tired." That easy grin turned a little hard, "Yeah….well I've stayed up longer then this." About to ask what he meant the came to a halt outside the locker room.
Flack opened his mouth to ask what he had meant by that comment when they heard voices from inside the change room. "…seen the new guy?" the voice carried to the two men standing in the hallway. Both Flack and Danny paused, "Oh my god yes….he is too cute! But what is he wearing?" it was defiantly two girls, and Danny looked down at his nicely starched white shirt and simple black tie. Self-consciously he smoothed the front of his shirt. "Did he get dressed in the dark?" they continued to laugh, feeling incredibly awkward Flack watched as despite his dark tan Danny flushed a deep red. Deciding this had gone long enough, he cleared his throat opening the door, "So Danny, " he said a little louder, "We going for that beer now?" striding into the locker room he gave the girls chatting a withering look before the scurried out passed the still slightly red faced Danny, who just walked into the room.
Once gone and alone Danny smiled at Don, "Uh, thanks Flack." Shaking his head Danny made his way to his locker, Don glanced at his taped nametag and shook his head. "So, you wanna go get a celebratory drink?" Danny was staring into his locker unmoving. Before slowly turning to Flack, "Umm, can I ask you something?" Nodding his dark head Don sat down on the bench in the middle of the row. "Do I….do I look that bad?" His eyebrows were getting a work out today, but in the interest of providing a critical opinion he ran an eye over Danny head to toe. His hair was not to long, or too short somewhere in between though it was sort of sticking up in places, probably form the man running his hands through it. The white shirt was almost too crisp and white it looked like he had ironed it before his shift. The black dress pants did not fit quite right, there were a little to long and a little to wide. His shoes, the black dress shoes where done to a high buff, Flack was sure if he got close enough he'd be able to see his own face in them. The tie, well the tie was just plain boring. Sighing the CSI sat down beside him, "That bad eh?" Shaking his head, Don gave a sort of half shrug, "No, I mean it's not that bad it could be better, I mean you've got more in your closet right?" That red flush was back, Flack thought it was quite endearing. "Well, ummm no not really…"
Arching an eyebrow Don smiled, "What do you mean?" Sighing the other man began to unbutton his shirt, "I haven't…I haven't worn civilian cloths in years." His voice was mumbled but Flack caught it. "I had to borrow this suit for today, I just got back and I haven't had time to shop." The dress shirt and tie was off, standing he carefully hung it up smoothing out the wrinkles. He stood before Don in a plain white t-shirt, and those dress paints ridding low on slim hips. For reasons unknown to himself he wanted to reach out and hook those belt loops with his fingers pulling the other man closer. Flack had been right though, Danny was far broader then himself, he could see the muscles of his arms and back pressing against the thin cotton material. Turning back to him, the blonde man leaned against the lockers in front of him arms crossed. Don could see what looked like a barbed wire tattoo encircling his bicep. He could also see what looked like numerous scars, twisted white lines across the tanned flesh of his forearms. Suddenly something he said seemed to click, "Just got back?" the detective asked.
Nodding he pulled his glasses off rubbing his temples, "Yeah, I just finished my tour, my orders came through that I was coming home and working now for the New York Police Department," grinning again he replaced his glasses. Flack nodded in triumph, "I knew it! I knew you were a military man!" blinking the other shook his head, "That obvious am I?" Laughing Don stood, "Well when you introduced yourself, I think you where going to introduce yourself as Captain Danny Messer." Nodding the blonde CSI suddenly snapped to attention, "Sir, Captain Daniel Messer, sir! United Sates Marine Corp, 100677438." Saluting smartly he laughed suddenly, "Been wanting to do that all day, " he chuckled slightly, "Old habits die hard I guess." Patting him on the back Flack steered them towards the door. "Come on lets go get that drink."
-#-#-#-
The pair laughed, Don took another swig of his beer, Danny of his coke. Smiling in satisfaction, he set it down sating intently at the dark liquid. "You never know how much you take for granted until you don't have them anymore." He took another sip savoring the taste, "So you don't drink?" shaking his head Danny, turned to his companion, "I ummmm, I don't… I've see one to many men crawl inside a bottle. Its not the way to deal with life."
"How come your joined the military? Your obviously an native New Yorker?" That smile was back; Don was fast becoming addicted to it. "Well, how about I give you the short version?" Nodding Don took another sip of his beer, "Well my dad was involved with some rather shady character, my ma died when I was very young. My dad met a rather tragic end, the details of which remain a mystery to me even today. Which left me and my brother alone, I was ten at the time, he was seventeen, he tried his best but in the end he choose a life of crime, money, women…drugs and I was shipped off to foster home. Got into trouble myself ended up in some serious trouble my choices were juive or the military. You can guess what one I chose." Smiling slightly Don watched his face closely; his story was somehow so tragic, yet he told it like it was someone else's life. "Sixteen I joined the maries, they paid for me to go to school, I got my education and when 9/11 happened I answered my countries call."
Blinking in surprise Don looked at Danny with new respect, "You where….you where there? When it began?" Nodding Danny took a sip of his coke, "When the shit hit the fan? Most defiantly, that was my first tour, my second I found out my estranged brother had finally gotten himself landed in jail and promptly there after was killed. Which lead to my third tour, and into my fourth….and finally my fifth which is when I received my rotation back and my fancy new job." He saluted with his glass, finishing the last of his coke signaling for another. For the first time in a long time Don was speechless, Danny had…he had lived through hell, and now he'd entered into a strange new breed of hell or at least that's what Don saw it as. Fishing out his wallet Danny was about to pay for his drink when Don stopped him, "Someone who has seen five tours in hell, doesn't buy his own coke while I'm around." Smiling Danny put his wallet away, "Thanks."
"So, you now know my sordid history, how about your own?" Flack was surprised, "I guess it's only fair isn't it?" Nodding Danny turned steady blue eyes on him. Don did not like talking about his past, but…as he spoke he found it easy, Danny was incredibly easy to talk too. "Well I am the legacy of sorts, my illustrious father Detective Don Flack Sr. is something of a legend among New York cops. My blood is as blue as yours is kaki I would assume." Laughing Danny nodded waiting for him to continue, "Well I didn't really have much of a choice in the matter I was going to be a cop, my mom died just after I was born, no siblings. My dad raised me molding me into being a cop, well not really molding me as so much beating me into the mold he had set out for me."
There wasn't sympathy in those blue eyes looking at him, there was understanding, but no pity. "He died of a heart attack the day I graduated from the academy…he never saw me make detective." So there it was, two men both very alone in a big city, but that night the two men made a connection. In that dark bar, two very different men, yet very similar became fast, friends.
-#-#-#-
Several months later…
This wasn't happening…Danny's head was ringing from the explosion his eyes, ears, and mouth were full of grit as the dust started to settle after the blast. Flack…his best friend in this world was laying several feet away moaning his stomach torn open. Suddenly Danny was in New York City, he was back in the desert, on the side of the road and one of his men had just hit upon an IED. "No…" he whispered, his glass were broken but it didn't matter, his arm was killing and he was having a hard time catching his breathe, people were yelling around him. His whole world had narrowed, Don…. "MEDIC!" he practically screamed running to his side. He yanked his shirt off quickly, holding it too the wound, "MEDIC! MAN DOWN! MAN DOWN!" he hollered, "Don! Stay with me Don, you're not leaving me!" Gathering the man close he shielded him with his body, pulling his gun to cover them from enemy fire Cradling him closer he pressed him to his chest, "Mmmm Danny…" Flack whispered blood was running out of his mouth, "Don't talk Flack, we'll get you out of here."
Mac was first there he heard the call from Danny; the paramedics were hot on his heels. "Danny!" Mac saw the scene quickly, especially when Danny's service weapon aimed directly at him. Halting they all looked at the rather wild looking, blood smeared Danny Messer, holding an even bloodier Flack close. "Danny?" Mac wasn't sure what the other man was seeing, but he was looking down the barrel of that gun, and Flack needed help ASAP. "Captain Messer! Medics are here!" the wavering Mac came into focus, this wasn't the desert…he wasn't at war, but his best friend was still laying bloody in his arms. He needed help.
Quickly he holstered his weapon allowing the EMS to take over. The rest was a blur Mac was leading him away; he refused riding in the ambulance. Don was all he had in this world, and he was all Don had. "I don't know who should I call?" Mac stood to the side with Stella who had silent tears running down her face. Danny stood next to them shirtless and bloody, "Me…You call me Mac…" turning he watched as Danny hopped in the ambulance.
A hospital was a hospital, whether it was in the middle of a firefight in Iraq or the superbly clean and sterile one he was currently sitting in, in the middle of the civilized world. The minutes dragged by into hours, Danny was loaned a scrub shirt by the hospital he was scaring people sitting ramrod straight waiting for news. The rest of the team stopped bye, all trying to talk to him. Danny didn't dare open his mouth, his training took over, he fell into what Don called 'marine mode'. He shut down, and waiting unmoving.
Finally hours later, a doctor emerged looking haggard, "Ummm…Daniel Messer?" he said looking at his clipboard. Hearing his name he jumped to attention eyes not quite looking at the doctor more over his shoulder. "Sir?" The doctor was a bit startled, "It says here your Detective Flacks emergency contact?" Nodding, Danny continued to hold fast, "He's just come out of surgery…he's pretty banged up, it was touch and go for a while, but he have him stabilized. He's currently unconscious we, don't really know when he's going to wake up. It could be tomorrow it could be next week, it's really up to him." Danny nodded emotions firmly in check. "You can go see him now since he doesn't have any family, and you're his contact." Following the doctor he entered the room where a very pale Don Flack lay. Danny nearly broke right there, but he held tight entering the room and pulling up a chair beside the man who meant the world to him.
Once alone he carefully took hold of one of those pale, cool hands holding it gently. He brushed back dark hair, mindful of the bandage over his eye, "What happened Don? Why did this happen to you?" feeling his eyes misting be pressed a gentle kiss to the hand he held tight. "We're not in Iraq…you shouldn't be getting torn apart by bombs…you should be here with me awake…so I can tell you…" Danny shuddered, his emotions in turmoil. Since join the Marine Corps life had been simple, you pushed your emotions away, you got the job done. It was simple eat, sleep, train that was it, and when required you go to school. Up every morning at five PT, then you did what you had to do. It had been his life since he was sixteen…it had been that way for almost sixteen years now. He'd never really had time for someone else in his life, he had his men, those under his command he needed to look after but…Don…Don had shown up and thrown his life out of whack.
From the moment he'd started into deep blue eyes, he was lost. For the first time in a long time his emotions got a hold of him. Flack was a lot like he wished he could be, he was outgoing and sarcastic and he teased Danny to no end. He'd instantly liked the man, and as he spent more time with him….his body began to react in ways that it hadn't before. For a long time he believed something was wrong with him. He hadn't felt any sort of attraction to anyone, with the loss of his parents at an early age, and the bouncing around in foster care he'd shut down emotionally. Even as a teen no one got close, the military taught him even more to compartmentalize those feelings…nothing cracked his veneer until Don.
He'd only ever kissed one person in his life and it had been in boot camp, another boy. It had been quick, and he hadn't felt anything, but he found himself wondering more and more what it would be like to kiss Don. Would his lips be soft…his thumb moved on its on violation to rub slightly chapped lips. "Fantastic Messer, he's lying there in pain and you want to kiss him…" Danny knew he wanted more then that. He wanted to touch Don all over run his hands across the broad plans of his chest, his back…his ass. "Snap out of it…" he knew without a doubt he was hopelessly, desperately… in love with Don and he had no idea how to express it or even if the man felt the same about him. He realized that loving a man probably wasn't the greatest idea being cops and all, but he could care less what people thought. He could kill a man fifty ways with his bare hands, he was not worried at all, but Don…he was always worried about Don.
TBC...