This is the last flashback chapter for a while. I felt that this would be necessary, to show how Riley and Flack's relationship had progressed. This chapter takes place probably late-season 6 era, when Flack's getting himself back on track. :)
Thanks to emmy72 and Torchwood Cardiff for reviewing! I really appreciate that fact that people are reading this fic... :)
Disclaimer: Still don't own Flack...darn it. :P But Riley is mine, all mine. x)
Riley poured potato chips into a bowl and set it on the tray. She and Flack were having a movie night, so she was preparing the snacks. She pulled some cans of Coke out of the fridge and placed them on the tray.
"Popcorn!" she exclaimed.
Riley dug through her cupboards until she found a couple of bags of microwaveable popcorn. She looked for an expiration date, and finding none, she shrugged and opened the package.
"Never heard of anyone dying from old popcorn..." she muttered as she started the microwave.
In the living room, Flack was digging through Riley's DVD shelves. He bumped the shelf and a blank disc fell the to floor.
"What's that..." he muttered as he picked it up.
Flack put the disc in the DVD player and pressed Play. The screen flickered to life and Flack moved to the couch. His jaw dropped and he gasped softly as he watched the screen.
Jess's image slowly came into focus, and Flack could see from the background that she was in Riley's apartment. She was grinning at the camera as she walked across the living room. She was halfway across when she slipped and fell backwards. She began to laugh and Flack heard Riley's laugh coming from behind the camera.
"You're supposed to strut," Riley's voice could be heard as a hand reached to help Jess up. "Not fall on your butt..."
"Let's see you strut in heels," Jess teased. "And on a funky carpet..."
"Not my turn yet," Riley replied. "And my carpet is not funky. It's unique..."
The camera turned and Riley's face came into view. Jess moved closer to get into the camera's view and Riley wrapped an arm around her shoulder. The two young women grinned at the camera before making silly faces.
"We're models," Jess said.
"Well...maybe someday," Riley added.
"Where'd you find that?" Flack heard Riley's voice, but this time, it came from the kitchen doorway.
He switched off the DVD and turned to see Riley standing there, holding a tray.
"I-I'm sorry," Flack said. "I was looking through your DVD's and it fell onto the floor. I didn't know what it was."
"It's okay," Riley replied as she set the tray down. "I'd almost forgotten I have that..."
"When'd you make it?" Flack asked as Riley sat down beside him.
"Can't remember the exact date," she said. "But it was after she transferred. We were hanging out and decided to be goofy. We wore about the same size clothes, so we were trying on some of my clothes. Just girl stuff."
Flack smiled slightly. He felt a pang in his heart at the sudden reminder of Jess. He was still trying to fully process the fact that she was gone, out of his life as quick as a flame being snuffed out.
Riley felt her eyes burning as tears threatened to form. She hadn't been as close to Jess as Don had, but the loss still shook her. When Jess had been killed in the line of duty, Riley had not only lost a fellow detective, but a good friend.
"I still can't believe she's gone..." Riley sighed.
"Me, neither," Flack replied, his tone serious.
"I miss her. I look at those videos we used to make and I just...I wish she was still here, you know? I mean, she was..." Riley's voice trailed off as she turned away.
"I just wish I could have told her how I felt," the blue-eyed man said with a sigh. "I never said how I felt."
Riley looked at Flack. He met the brunette's teary gaze with one of his own.
"I had so many chances-" Flack voice choked up. "-But I never did. It wouldn't have been so hard; I don't know what I was afraid of!"
"It's okay," Riley said softly. "I'm sure she knew."
"I-I just..." A tear rolled down Flack's cheek as he looked toward the floor.
Riley pulled Flack into a hug and he buried his face in her shoulder. He began to sob and his arms tightened around Riley. Tears stung her eyes as she ran a hand through his hair and he clung to her.
"I know, Don..." she murmured. "I know..."
"I'm sorry..." the detective muttered into her shoulder.
He slowly pulled away and looked at Riley. They were both red-eyed from crying, and Flack was still shaking. Riley took Flack's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"I'm sorry," he repeated with a shake of his head. "I just-when I saw Jess on that video, it brought back so many memories."
"You're still healing," Riley said. "It's hard, I know. But I also know you're strong."
Flack managed a smile as he looked at Riley's hand still holding his.
Their relationship had changed so much, and it still seemed to be changing. Deep down, Flack knew that Jess would want him to be happy. And he was sure that she would approve of Riley. If their relationship continued down the path it seemed to be taking.
"Maybe we'd better watch a comedy," he said slowly. "I don't think either of us could handle any more heavy emotion..."
"You're probably right..." Riley nodded.
"Thanks," Flack said. "For being there."
"I'll always be there for you," Riley replied with a small smile. "If you ever need to talk, as they say, 'you have my number'..."
Riley gave Flack a gentle hug. He cupped her cheek and brushed the tears out of her eyes with his thumb.
"Same goes for you." Flack's ice-blue eyes bored into Riley's. "Anytime."
Okay, no more emotion chapters like that for a while... I don't like writing them... :( Next couple chapters should be nice and light, though. :D
If you spot any errors, let me know. And don't forget to review! :)
Kristy :3
