On Truby's Arrest

Contains general spoilers for the series, up to and including Consequences (episode 8, season 3)

"You know you did the right thing Flack."

"Would you stop saying that Danny, it doesn't make this any easier. Besides, I'm not sure it's true."

"C'mon Flack."

"Buddy, The reason I came to the diner instead of the bar was I knew it would be less crowded with cops and I didn't feel like talking to anyone." He could have gone home but not wanting to talk didn't entail wanting to be alone. "Can we please drop this?"

"Look, I get it. You think that even though Mac and I are also detectives, we work in the lab and aren't subjected to the 'code' you cops live by. But I know what a big deal this is for you and the PD, which, in case you forgot we all work for. So please don't act like I don't get what's going on."

"Do you get that I don't want to talk about this now? Maybe not ever?" he snapped, wondering if it might have actually been better to go home.

Danny would have continued his efforts to make Flack feel better. He might have even ventured to ask how the dark haired detective thought his dad would take the news if he found out. But he spotted Lindsay entering the diner.

"Okay, fine. I'll catch you later." Don looked up from the menu, startled from this abrupt goodbye, but his surprise abated when he where Danny was headed. He shook his head, astounded at how quickly the guy changed gears the moment he saw Lindsay. He would never say anything, but the infatuation was a mystery to him. She was pretty, but so were many girls. He suspected Danny was attracted to her wholesome nature. In his mind though, nothing could make up for the way she kept avoiding his friend. It was annoying as well as hurtful even though Messer wouldn't let on. It also made the Don pretty angry with her. Almost as if proving his point, he saw how unenthusiastically she let Danny join her for dinner.

"They seem to be doing okay, right?" Stella's voice came from behind him, leaning an arm on his booth's top. He was about to ask her if she was watching a different channel when her raised eyebrows told him that she wasn't being serious. Her lips turned up at the corners as she gestured to the empty seat across from him. "Can I join you?" and he couldn't resist smiling back.

"Always, Stella. What's up?"

"Nothing. I just didn't feel like eating alone," sitting down. He guessed the topic of Truby was on her mind but hoped they wouldn't talk about it. And he needn't have worried. They sat chatting about old cases and mutual acquaintances until, surprisingly, he brought up the subject himself during his steak and her chicken.

"You know Mac arrested Dean Truby?"

"Yeah. Hawkes had mentioned earlier that they suspected a cop killed Tanaka and that Mac needed your memo book to be sure who it was," She affirmed, taking a drink of water.

"It's for the best," he said, clearly unsure if he really meant it. Stella thought she might know how he felt. As a woman, it had taken her more work to be integrated into the NYPD. No matter how many female officers there are, it will always be hard to prove yourself in a 'man's world'. And when you did, you had to be vigilant to never do anything that in any way can constitute as a 'mistake'. And she was sure that contrary to what people may think, it must have been hard for Flack as well. Coming into the NYPD where your father is a legend meant that people either had irrationally high expectations for you, or extremely low ones depending on whether they thought you would inherit your father's talent or just traded on it. Either notion was equally unfair. She also knew that Mac, with his military background, didn't have to endure any of that. He had already proven himself. But she wouldn't tell that to Don; no need to give him any more reason for resentment against Mac, she thought, remembering of the Moran ordeal and of how sour Flack had been over Mac's insisting he remain on the case. He obviously enjoys watching me nail a friend. She had told him Mac was just looking out for him, which was true but apparently Flack didn't get that, and she wasn't surprised. Mac was too damn professional. But she wanted to see how warranted the comment was. So she mentioned to Mac how the situation had done a number on Flack. And what was his answer? He's been by the book, he'll come out of it alright. She answered that that wasn't what she meant, but hadn't said anything else. They were at a crime scene. And to remind Mac of the mechanics of human emotion would have taken far too much of time and energy that should be spent on the case. But her fears were confirmed. The head of the lab's professionalism was bordering on insensitivity. That he was worried about Flack may have been a given, but saying it would have been more considerate. It was understandable that the younger detective resentful of Mac's behavior at the time; and it made her suspect that he did now as well. There was certainly a vibe of ill use emanating from him, even though he was too disciplined to ever complain. Especially to her; Mac's right hand and best friend. So she chose a diplomatic answer to his comment about having done the right thing, letting him know that just because she and Mac were close, didn't automatically mean she was on his side.

"Time will tell Flack."

"Yeah." As if he absorbed Stella's thoughts, Flack was also thinking about the Gavin Moran. This must be how he felt and although Don never wanted to bring him in, a mocking thought entered his head: what goes around comes around. But he saved that thought for later; he preferred to wallow in his misery in private. Now he brought his attention back to Stella, who had been speaking.

"It'll be okay, Flack," she said encouragingly. "It'll suck for a while, maybe a long time, but it will get better." And unlike when Mac tried to console him, he didn't feel any anger. All he felt was a sense of gratitude. In her eyes, he saw a true understanding of the situation. She was letting him know that she knew how bad it will be. How bad it already is. And without belittling his situation or his feelings, telling him that despite everything, she still thought he would get past it. And though he knew it would be hard and although he felt sick to his stomach when he thought of it, he knew he would.

"Thanks Stella."