Stella glanced around her office once more as she slipped on her jacket. Faced with another night alone in her apartment, trapped with nothing but crime scene photos and evidence in her head, she found herself desperately looking for something else to do. But Mac had already ordered her home, and she knew that he would come by and make sure that she had left.

Moving out into the corridor, she decided to check on Flack before she left. If he was still around, there was a good chance he'd get a drink with her - and she could put off going home for just a little bit longer.

She found him at his desk, his shoulders slumped and his eyes tired. Stella walked over until she was standing behind him, and then rested a gentle hand on his right shoulder. The contact startled him, and he jumped slightly, glancing up at her.

"Sorry," she said quietly. "I didn't mean to scare you."

It's okay, Stell," he replied, reaching up and holding her hand to his shoulder. "I was just thinkin'."

She didn't say anything. Staring down at their hands, and the way Flack's thumb brushed over her skin, Stella suddenly tried to remember the last time she had been touched. Her mind kept drawing a blank, and she found herself transfixed by how good it felt to have contact with another person. Flack seemed to be feeling the same way, as his hold on her tightened. Taking a deep breath, Stella leaned down so that she could whisper in his ear.

"Let's go."

Don nodded and stood up, never really letting her go as his hand slid to the small of her back. Comforted by his presence, Stella let them out into the night.

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When they got to his apartment, Flack didn't even turn the lights on. he moved right to his couch, letting go of Stella reluctantly as he took off his shoes, tie, belt, and jacket. She mimicked him, taking off her shoes and top blouse, leaving her in her pants and a tank top.

They looked at each other for a long time, the moon lighting up their faces, and Stella was afraid that she would burst. She was suddenly so lonely that her body ached, and she wanted him to touch her again. Somewhere in the back of her mind she realized that this must have been building for a long time, and that there had to be a reason she had turned to Don. But she couldn't deal with any of that right then - she just needed to feel.

Shifting so that his legs were stretched out across the couch, Flack reached for her, and without any hesitation, she went to him. He pulled her until she was curled up on his chest, his strong arms wrapped tightly around her. Both hands pressed against her back, and Stella sighed at the contact, soaking him in.

After a little while, he pulled a blanket down and covered them both. Stella buried her face in his neck, letting one hand caress his chest through his shirt.

"Thank you," she murmured.

Don pressed a kiss to her forehead, his hand slipping just slightly under the hem of her shirt. "We both needed this."

"And tomorrow?" she couldn't help from asking.

His arms tightened. "Tomorrow I'll do the same." He paused. "If you'll let me."

Stella kissed his chest and closed her eyes. "I'll let you," she whispered.