A/N - Thank you to reviewers. I wanted to get chapter two up quickly for the D/L fans as there wasn't any of them in chapter one. However updates may be slightly slower after this.

Israel - Chapter Two

Mac laughed to himself as he heard Don singing away in the shower. The sound echoed all the way down the hallway and into the kitchen where Mac was busy making breakfast. What on Earth the neighbours thought Mac didn't know. He broke six eggs into the frying pan and began to fry them up, pushing the bacon to one side. As they cooked Mac tried to work out exactly what the song was coming down the hall but really he had no idea. It sounded rather warped and he guessed that was due to the water and echoing. All of a sudden it stopped and he heard the shower switch off. Mac had gotten up early to go for a jog, leaving a sleeping Don in his bed and then had showered once he returned. That usually meant that half way through his showering a half asleep Don would shuffle into the bathroom, hair at odd angles if it was long enough, and sit on the toilet seat watching him until he'd finished. Then Mac would get out, place a quick kiss on Don's lips and leave the bathroom to the younger man.

"What smells so good?"

Mac turned and smiled at Don who had perched himself on a stool at the counter. He wore a dark pair of jeans and an off-white shirt. Mac missed the days when he used to dress in a suit but Don was long past that now. He'd been a different man back then, more naive to the world's cruelty in some ways, despite his profession.

"Bacon and eggs," Mac replied as he started placing the food on plates.

"And there was me thinking it was you," smiled Don cheekily.

"Now who's being soppy?" Mac smiled as he placed the two plates down on the counter and then started to pour out two cups of coffee.

"Soppy? When did I call you soppy?" Don frowned, trying to remember.

"Yesterday. When I called you perfect."

"Oh yeah," Don laughed. "Well that was kinda soppy, Mac."

Mac placed the two cups of coffee down beside the plates. "Just like you," Mac whispered and kissed the younger man.

"Hmph," Don moaned and then started to eat his breakfast.

"How's the shoulder?" Mac asked as they ate.

"Mmm, better. Doesn't ache as much today. Reckon it'll be healed within a week," Don replied, shovelling food into his mouth.

Mac smiled to himself as he watched the food in front of Don practically evaporate as the younger man ate it so fast.

"That's good. And if you want one of my special massages..." Mac suggested quietly.

"Always," Don winked at Mac.

Mac drank deeply from his coffee and smiled again. He couldn't help himself, he simply couldn't stop smiling. For once he actually felt at peace within himself. Yes, he still had unsolved cases, yes people were always going to murder each other, yes there was a very large chance that Don would get injured out in the field again at some point and yes they were both probably going to get a lot of grief for their upcoming nuptials but right at that moment Mac simply didn't care. Life was good. He had Don and he was happy.

"Oh, Danny and Lindsay invited us round for dinner a week on Wednesday. Me and Mess both have the day off so we're gonna go for some hoops and then make some food for you guys and Lucy."

"That sounds good. Count me in...as long as the criminals of New York don't get in the way."

"Hey, if they do, they do. We know how it is," Don shrugged. "More for us that way anyway," he added cheekily as an afterthought.

"I don't think you need anymore," Mac said, nodding his head toward Don's empty plate.

"I'm a growing boy," Don informed Mac.

"Outwards," Mac teased as he ate more of his own breakfast.

Don stared at him with an expression of disbelief. "Did you just call me fat, Mac Taylor?" he asked, a fake upset tone to his voice.

Mac looked up at him and pretended to size up Don's body with his eyes, just to wind the younger man up. "Of course not," he said after a moment, shaking his head.

"Cos I'll have you know my Grams thinks I'm skinny," Don said proudly.

Mac laughed loudly at Don's look of pride. "Bet you didn't really like being called that either," he said, one eyebrow raised knowingly.

Don hummed and shrugged his shoulders. "In shape, Mac. In shape."

Mac shook his head again, still smiling. "You never answered my question anyway."

"Hmmm? What question?" Don asked as he poured himself a second cup of coffee. He tilted the pot toward Mac to offer some to the other man but Mac shook his head.

"I wanted to know what Danny said to you yesterday," Mac said expectantly.

"About what?" Don asked.

"When you were talking on the roof last night," Mac prompted.

"Oh right," Don said. He thought back to the conversation he'd had the previous night with his best friend.

"So, you're finally jumping on the bandwagon, eh?" Danny joked as he joined Flack in sitting on the stone wall that ran the edge of the roof.

"Yep," Flack smiled as he fiddled with the beer bottle in his hands.

"I gotta tell you, Flack, I was kinda surprised," Danny shrugged.

"Surprised?"

"Well yeah."

"Cos of work?" Flack asked, furrowing his brow.

"Not really...well, I mean...yeah, I guess cos of work too," Danny mumbled.

"Too?" asked Flack.

Danny sighed and placed the bottle of water he was holding on the wall next to him. "You promise you won't be mad?"

"When have I ever been mad at you, Mess?" Flack asked, shaking his head. Both men paused for a second thinking and then laughed. "Okay, yeah I guess I've been mad at you lots of times. But I promise I won't be this time. You're my best friend and you're opinion means a lot to me."

Danny nodded gently as he stared down at the ground before him. "It's just...I never would've thought you guys would have worked out. I mean, you've been on-off for so long now...I just figured it was only a matter of time before it fell apart again," he said nervously, his eyes never leaving the ground.

Flack swallowed hard as he soaked up what Danny had said to him. Yes, it was true that his relationship with Mac had never been plain sailing but then, he really did love Mac and it felt right this time. It felt like this was how things were meant to be.

"I love him, Mess," he said softly.

"I know you do, Flack. I know you always have. Even when you were with Jess, as much as you loved her you still always loved him a little bit. Quite honestly I'm not sure how the others didn't see it," Danny shrugged.

"Didn't realise I was that obvious," Flack muttered.

Danny smiled. "For a cop, you're not that subtle when it comes to matters of the heart," Danny joked, raising one eyebrow as he turned to Flack. "Or maybe I just know you better than most."

"You know me better than anyone, Danno," Flack said honestly.

Danny sighed and nodded his head again. "Then you sure this is the right thing? That he'll make you happy? That he won't hurt you again?"

Flack smiled at the concern etched on his friend's face."Yes," he replied simply.

Danny smiled at his friend. "I just want you to be happy like I am, Flack. You've been through so much shit, not just with Mac but with everything...the explosion, Jess, Cade."

"I know, Danno. I know you're just trying to look out for me," Flack nodded. "And I appreciate that."

"Well it's not often I get the chance. Usually it's you who's got my back," Danny smiled.

Flack let out a quiet laugh. "Can't help it if you seem to attract trouble, Mess."

"Hey," Danny moaned as he elbowed Flack gently in the arm.

Flack laughed loudly this time and swigged his beer. After a while he spoke again. "You got Linds to look after you now anyway. But I'll always have your back, Danno."

"I know you will. And I'll always have yours. You're like a brother to me, man. Ever since Louie..."

Danny drifted off and his eyes glazed over for a moment as he thought about his brother.

"Hey."

Danny looked up at his best friend.

"Your brother was a good man, Danno. He saved your life."

"I know he was, Flack. And I'll never forget that. But you're like a second brother to me, man. And I love you just as much as I loved him."

"Gee, you're gonna make me blush," Flack laughed.

"I mean it," Danny said seriously.

Flack's laughter died immediately. "I mean it too, Danno. If I could have chosen my brother it would have been you."

Danny watched his wife for a few moments thinking about Louie, about Flack, and how they were both so different and yet he loved them both so much. "You never speak much about your brother," he said after a while. He noticed Flack nodding out of the corner of his eye.

"We're not close," Flack murmured.

Danny nodded again and decided not to pry any further. An easy silence elapsed between them while they both watched the rest of their team members and Flack finished his beer.

"Are you okay with this?" Flack asked suddenly, turning to look at Danny.

"With what? You and Mac?" Danny queried.

"Yeah. I know it must be weird for you. I mean, Mac is like a dad to you...and I'm your best friend and...I guess it must be a little weird."

It was Danny's turn to laugh. "It was a little weird five years ago when you first told me you'd been having a secret affair with him. Now...now I just want both of you to be happy and if you guys getting married will do that then count me on board."

Flack grinned. "Thanks, Danno."

"And if you get any trouble from anyone...well, let's just say I still know a few people from the back in the day, friends of Louie's..."

Flack's face dropped. "Seriously, Mess, don't joke about that stuff."

Danny grinned. "Man, I love to wind you up. But I mean it, any trouble and you tell me."

"I can handle myself, Mess. And you, my friend, will be far too busy with another baby on the way."

"I'm a little scared if I'm honest," Danny murmured as he watched Lindsay chatting to Lovato.

"Course you are. But you'll be fine. I mean, second one's a doddle right?"

"Doddle? I'll give you a doddle!" Danny smirked, cuffing Flack round the back of the head.

Flack jabbed Danny in the ribs with his elbow in response and laughed when the smaller man fell off the wall on to the ground in front of them. His laugh disappeared immediately when he looked up to see Lovato staring straight over Lindsay's shoulder at Mac, a look of great distaste on her face.

"He was pleased for us," Don murmured as he refocused his eyes on Mac who had sat patiently waiting for him to answer. "Worried about work and all that but pleased. He wants us to be happy."

Mac nodded and began to tidy the plates away.

"I was thinking I should have my sister round for dinner. Tell her the good news," Don told Mac's back.

"Would you like me to be there?" asked Mac as he deposited the plates in the sink and turned on the tap.

"Only if you want..."

Mac turned his head to look at his lover rather severely. "You don't even need to ask, Don. Your family is my family now remember? I'll even come to tell your Grams if you want."

"Nah, that's okay," Don smiled. "I think the fact that I'm getting married to a man will be enough of a shock to her, without her meeting you as well."

"Am I that bad?" asked Mac as he turned the tap off and stuck his hands into the soapy liquid.

"Yeah...but I love ya anyway," Don grinned as he stood up and headed for the doorway. "Right, I gotta get going. I'm on shift in thirty and traffic's a bitch at this time."

"Hey, Don," Mac called but didn't turn from the sink.

"Mmm?" Don hummed as he paused.

"Just be careful today, okay?" Mac said, unable to actually come out with what he truly wanted to say. He felt two long arms snake round his waist and then a kiss was pressed to the back of his neck.

"I always am, Mac," Don murmured. He held Mac for a while in silence, wishing he didn't have to let go.

"Are you coming round tonight?" Mac asked, finally breaking the silence.

"Will you be here?" Don asked, knowing how frequently Mac seemed to simply live at his office.

"I will be at some point," Mac reasoned.

"Then yes. Guess we have a lot we need to start planning."

Mac turned in Don's arms and gently kissed his lips, his hands coming up to hold the younger man's face.

"I need to tell Sinclair today," Mac said quietly as he drew back.

Don swallowed nervously and nodded. "Guess I'll be telling the Captain then."

"You ready?" Mac asked worriedly.

Don smiled reassuringly. "Ready to marry you."

He kissed Mac again and then disappeared from the kitchen to finish getting ready for work. Mac watched him leave, not convinced by Don's feeble attempt at a smile for one moment.

"Hey, Baby, what's this?" Danny asked as he kissed the top of his daughter's head and then sidled into a seat next to her.

"It's for school," she replied, not even looking at him and continuing with her colouring.

"What, you gotta draw something?" Danny asked as he frowned, trying to make out the picture.

"Umm hmm," she hummed.

"And you chose to do a..." Danny said, watching her expectantly for an answer.

She ignored his question and continued in her work.

"Yep, just like your mom," Danny said, shaking his head as he stood and went into the bedroom.

"Just like me how?" Lindsay asked, looking up as he entered.

"Oh, you heard that?" Danny asked.

"Yes. I did. And you didn't answer my question," she said, folding her arms.

"Errr...just good at ignoring me," Danny muttered, scratching the top of his head.

Lindsay's stern face broke and she smiled at him, walking over to hug him.

"I don't always ignore you," she whispered seductively in his ear.

"Mmmm...how long til work?" he murmured.

"You have three hours, but you have to take your daughter to kindergarten in ten minutes.

"Ten minutes, eh?" Danny said cheekily, grinning from ear to ear at his wife.

"Yes. And you better wipe that smirk off your face cos it's not happening."

"What?" Danny moaned.

"Perhaps tonight," she said, turning back to the wardrobe. "If you're a good boy."

"I'm always good," Danny retorted as he jumped onto the bed and patted the space next to him.

"Danny, I just made that," Lindsay said in dismay.

Danny sat up and reached out with one hand, pulling his wife over to him.

"Hey, I love you," he murmured before standing and kissing her.

"Mmm, what was that for?" she asked.

"Just don't want you to ever forget it," he replied, smiling happily. "That you...Lucy...us...our baby," he said, placing a hand on her belly. "You mean the world to me."

Lindsay leant up and kissed him again. "I love you too," she whispered.

Danny hugged her tight against him and smiled to himself, feeling something warm and fuzzy spread throughout his body. His life really was perfect and he wouldn't change it for the world.

"Right, do we need anything for school today?" he asked, releasing his wife.

"Lucy's lunch is in the fridge and her school bag is all ready by the door. She just needs the picture she's drawing of us."

"Oh, is that what that is," Danny said, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

Lindsay rolled her eyes. "Yes. She had to draw her family. What did you think it was?"

Lindsay didn't hear the answer Danny mumbled but it sounded suspiciously like 'farmyard' and he blushed slightly pink.

"Guess she takes after you in the art department then," Lindsay giggled as she chucked Danny a jacket from the wardrobe. "Now you better get going and I'll see you at work. I start in an hour."

"Is Ma picking Lucy up?" Danny asked.

"Yep and bringing her back here for the evening."

"Great. I'll see you later then," Danny nodded as he exited the bedroom.

Lindsay smiled and turned away, glancing at herself in the mirror. She gently placed her hand on her belly and stroked across it. At four months there was already a rather noticeable bump there. A bump that was her baby boy.

"Mac Taylor?" choked Flack's Captain, his eyes as big as saucers.

"Yes, Sir," Flack nodded as he fidgeted nervously with his hands.

"Mac Taylor as in Detective Mac Taylor, head of the New York City Crime Lab?"

"The one and only," Flack confirmed.

The Captain, Gordon Hatcher, collapsed into his chair and looked stunned. After a moment he stared back at Flack and studied him carefully.

"I see. And when did this happen?" asked Hatcher, his eyes suddenly narrowing suspiciously.

"About eight years ago, on and off. Two years ago if we're talking steady," Flack answered truthfully.

"Eight years?" Once again Hatcher's eyes grew large.

Flack fidgeted uncomfortably in his chair. This had to be the most awkward conversation he'd ever had in his entire life and he suddenly wished he could be anywhere else but sat in front of his Captain at that moment.

"Well. I see. I do see. I..." Hatcher broke off, clearly at a loss for what to say.

Flack didn't bother filling in the silence that ensued. He didn't really believe it was anyone else's business who he dated at all. Man or woman, cop or civilian, it was his choice, his life and nobody else's.

"Who else knows?" asked Hatcher eventually.

"A few friends and Mac's telling the Chief today," Flack replied.

"And you wanted to tell me before I heard it filtering down through the ranks?"

"I realise it might cause some trouble when the others hear about it and figured I'd give you a heads up."

"You're bloody right it'll cause trouble," Hatcher said in a rather loud voice. He sounded pissed. "Don't expect me to protect you from this."

"I can handle my own battles," Flack retorted swiftly.

"Can you? Because once your fellow detectives and officers hear about this there's no way I can protect you from them. They'll be comments and God knows what else."

"I realise that, Sir. We both do and we discussed it at great length but quite frankly this is what we want. It's our business not anyone..."

"It's damn well my business if it causes unrest between my detectives. I need you all to be able to rely on one another. What do you think this is going to do when it comes out?"

"They'll soon get over it, Sir, and then someone else will be the talking point of the bullpen."

"Not for a very long time, Flack. You know how it is for homosexual cops...you've heard the chat, no doubt been part of it on occasion."

"Sir, I..."

"And if that's not bad enough," Hatcher continued as though he hadn't heard Flack speak. "You're in a relationship with the head of the Crime Lab...and getting married." He shook his head in disbelief. "You know what they said about you when you became a detective, Flack?"

Flack looked down at his hands before answering. "Yes. That it must have been my dad. I was too young to have become one based on my own merit."

"Exactly. You think people aren't gonna say exactly the same thing now? Your Dad's gone so they'll think you're replacing him with Taylor. That you're trying to climb ranks by having a relationship with him!"

"I'm not," Flack said quickly and defiantly. "And that's why we're getting married. We're serious about each other. It's not some fling to boost my status within the force. Plus I'm not sure I even want to move on. I like being a homicide detective."

"People won't care about that, Flack. All they'll see is you shacking up with a senior detective who also happens to be a man."

Flack sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. "I know that," he replied tiredly.

"And you're ready to deal with that?"

"If that's what I have to do to marry him then yes."

Hatcher stared at him for a second. "And what about IA? They're going to have a field day about Taylor dating a subordinate."

Flack sighed loudly; he didn't understand why everything had to be so difficult. Why there were so many rules in the force. "That's why Mac's telling Chief Sinclair today. And it's not like Mac's my direct boss, he works in the Crime Lab and I work at one of the many precincts in New York."

"I'll be waiting to hear from the Chief then," Hatcher said sourly.

"I am sorry if this causes trouble, Sir," Flack said honestly.

Hatcher nodded and then shook his head, confusing Flack by the action.

"Get out of here," he muttered.

Flack stood and made his way to the door.

"Flack!"

Flack turned back to look at Hatcher.

"First sign of trouble and I want it reported to me immediately. Don't you go crying to Taylor."

"Yes, Sir," Flack nodded and then exited the office. He knew the rules and would never go crying to Mac, making out he couldn't handle himself yet again.

"How'd it go?"

Flack looked up to see Lovato leaning against the wall opposite the Captain's door.

"How'd you think?" Flack replied sarcastically. He made his way back to his desk and collapsed into his chair, only vaguely aware that the pretty female detective had followed him over.

"So what's he gonna do?" she asked.

"Not much he can do as long as Mac convinces Sinclair. Just told me to be prepared. Like I wasn't already."

"You made your bed...guess you gotta lie..."

"Alright, Lovato. I get it, Jeez..."

"I'm just trying to help, Flack. You're gonna need at least one friend in here when the shit hits the fan."

"Friend?" Flack said angrily. "Is that what you're calling yourself? Cos from where I'm standing you don't seem all that friendly to me. You've barely spoken to me since Hawkes told you about my relationship with Mac and don't think I didn't see the look you were giving him last night."

"Keep your voice down, Flack," Lovato replied, glancing around them. "Okay, yes. I admit it freaked me out when I found out."

"Why?" Flack spat.

"Because you're my friend and you were keeping this big secret from me," she replied.

"I kept it from everyone. Danny's the only one I told. He then told Lindsay and Jo guessed but no-one else had any idea. They only worked it out after Mac got shot last year."

Lovato shook her head, her hair falling off her shoulder. "Fine then. I liked you, Flack, a lot. You know I did, we even almost kissed and then I find out you're gay? I just wish you'd told me, been straight with me from the start. It made me feel like an idiot because I'd flirted with you."

Flack placed his face in his hands and rubbed it.

"I don't care if you flirted with me and I apologised for what happened. Now please explain to me why you were looking at Mac like that last night?"

"Because I was trying to see you two together, as a couple and quite honestly I couldn't picture it. But hey, who cares right cos it's none of my business..."

Flack looked up at her and glared angrily. "It is none of your business. I've been with him way before I ever met you and you have no idea about our relationship. I don't care if you think it's weird or sick or disgusting because it has nothing to do with you. So just get out of my face."

"Flack, I..."

"I said fuck off!" Flack growled.

"Fine," she said angrily. "But don't come running to me when everyone else in here finds out."

She stormed away, out of the bullpen and Flack collapsed over his desk. This was almost as difficult as dealing with the protestors yesterday.

"And why have you told me this, Mac? Your personal relationships are hardly any of my business," Chief of Detectives, Brigham Sinclair said cordially over his desk.

"Because I know this will have repercussions down the line, especially for Don," Mac replied.

"We both know that dating a subordinate and dating a man are two of the biggest No's in the rulebook, Mac," Sinclair replied.

"And I thought we were trying to get rid of that stereotype. Trying to make the NYPD more diverse," Mac stated irritably.

"There's diverse and then there's plain stupid."

"Does it matter at all that we're in love, that this isn't just some fling. That we've been seeing each other for a very long time?"

Sinclair leant back in his seat. "You know how the press will take this when it gets leaked out."

"They should be pleased that a senior official in the police department isn't scared of coming out," Mac said angrily.

"And the fact that he's a cop too? One from a very renowned family, third generation cop."

Mac sighed heavily. "I thought this might be okay. That evidence of more diversity and acceptance within the NYPD would be good for its image. I see now that was stupid of me. Would you like me to resign?"

Sinclair surveyed the man before him for some time. "No. I do not want you to resign. You're good at your job, Mac, and quite frankly I don't want to have to try and find a replacement for you yet again. I had enough trouble when you quit on me before."

"Thank you," Mac said in relief.

"As you're not the direct senior officer above him I can't actually see it being a problem in terms of the department. Just make sure you don't work cases together anymore. And I'll have a word with IA, they should agree with me."

Mac sighed again, out of relief more than anything. "Thank you."

"I wouldn't be too pleased with yourself just yet," Sinclair replied and Mac looked up at him sharply. "You need to think about Detective Flack. You may be protected by your position and seniority but he isn't. When this comes out he'll be in for some trouble make no mistake."

"He can look after himself," Mac retorted.

"I don't doubt that. But in a room full of homophobic cops, assuming he's sleeping with you for promotion? Dealing with them day in, day out, every shift he works..."

Mac pursed his lips as he realised Sinclair was right. Perhaps he should call it off? He needed to protect Don...Mac shook his head vehemently. No. Don wanted this. He wanted this as much as Mac did himself. He'd been doing this for so long, loving Don, committing to Don, doubting Don due to work, leaving Don for his own protection, breaking Don's heart. No, he wouldn't do that again. This time it was forever.

"He's well aware of the likely result of this but he doesn't care...and neither do I. This is happening, Sinclair."

Sinclair nodded. "Well then I guess congratulations are in order. It will be a small affair, won't it?"

Mac pursed his lips together in annoyance. He hated Sinclair telling him what to do. "Of course."

"Excellent. Well, you better be getting on then, Mac."

Mac nodded and got up to leave. As much as he hated to say it, Sinclair had just done him a massive favour and he had to be grateful to the man.

A/N - Flashback from 9x17