A/N: Sorry this is so long coming! I took a little spring break holiday, but now I'm back! Thanks for all your reviews and, as always, enjoy!
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Flack arrived at the precinct still dressed in his rumpled tuxedo. He hadn't even thought to change. Now, as he watched his friends and co-workers shoot him odd looks, he thought maybe wearing his formal attire hadn't been his smartest decision.
A few people called out greetings which he acknowledged, but most remained silent. A murmur went through the room as people watched him pass. Ignoring the curious stares, Flack headed straight for Captain Gerrard's office.
His supervisor wasn't exactly known for being the nicest man on the force, but Flack knew he was fair in his own way. Not even bothering to knock since the door was open, Flack entered, shutting it behind him.
Captain Gerrard looked up, not the least bit surprised to see one of his top detectives in front of his desk. He didn't offer Flack a seat, and Flack didn't ask for one.
"Well?" Gerrard asked pointedly.
"I think I'm going to be using all that vacation and personal time I've accumulated," Flack informed him. He slipped his hands into his pants, waiting for Gerrard's response.
Gerrard leaned back in his chair. "Fine. It'd probably be best to let all this die down anyway."
Flack frowned. "Let what die down?"
Gerrard raised his eyebrows. "What? You don't read the papers?" He tossed a copy of the New York Post toward Flack. The headline read, "New York Heir Donald Flack, Jr. Uses Hidden Cop Skills to Rescue Heiress- Superman Watch Out!"
Flack silently cursed, but his flashing eyes told Gerard all he needed to know.
"Take the time. Just check in and let me know when you'll be back," Gerard ordered. With that, he turned back to the report he'd been reviewing, effectively dismissing Flack.
Taking the hint, Flack offered a terse 'thanks' and left. He felt the stares of his co-workers boring holes into his back as he climbed the stairs to the forensic lab.
The minute he crested the top and saw Danny, tension formed a knot between his shoulder blades. "Hey Danny," he greeted his friend cautiously, not sure what reaction to expect.
Danny looked up, his signature grin flashing across his face. "Hey man. How's the girl?"
"Madison?" Flack shrugged. "She's…going to need some time."
Danny nodded. "So… you've been holding out on me?"
Flack felt the knot tighten. "What?"
"All those times we bet on the Knicks games and you didn't want to front more than $100 because you couldn't afford it- - you just didn't want to end up owing me millions did you?" Danny asked with a mock scowl.
Flack couldn't help the chuckle that escaped. "Yeah man. If I wasn't careful you could've ended up a millionaire and I'd be broke." It felt good to know that Danny, if no one else, had his back.
Danny scoffed. "It's serve you right for betting against the home team!"
Lindsay ambled over, attracted by the laughter. "Well hey Flack!"
"Hi yourself Linds. Thanks for all your help at the hospital with Madison."
Flack started to say more, but Lindsay waved him off. "It was nothing. How's she doing?"
"It'll take time, but I hope she'll be okay. She's strong."
Lindsay nodded. "If either of you need anything, just let me know okay?"
Impulsively, Flack leaned down pressing a kiss to Lindsay's cheek.
"Hey, hey now," Danny teased. "No poaching on my territory."
"Territory?" Lindsay echoed in pseudo-anger. "Better watch it there Messer!"
"Or what Montana?" Danny challenged.
Flack held up his hands. "This could get a little personal, so I think I'm just going to head back to the hospital." He winked at Lindsay. "Besides, I wouldn't want to be here when she wipes the floor with you Messer."
"What? Me?" Danny questioned incredulously.
Flack and Lindsay both laughed at his insulted expression. Grumbling, Danny caught Flack sneaking a glance at his watch. "Have an appointment?" he asked.
Flack shook his head. "No, but I need to get back to the hospital before Madison gets discharged. She's going to be staying with me for a few days until she's stronger. Hey, could you guys do me a favor? I don't have time to look for Mac, but can you let him know that I stopped by, and that I'm taking some time off? I'll be in touch soon. Thanks guys!"
Before Lindsay or Danny could respond Flack dashed off. Lindsay looked at Danny with a smug smile. "I told you so," she informed him.
"Told me what?" he asked.
"That there was something going on between him and Madison."
"Wait a second. Her staying with him for a few days proves nothing," Danny countered.
Lindsay rolled her eyes, wandering back toward the lab. Danny followed, steadily arguing all the reasons why it was impossible for Flack and Madison to be a couple.
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Flack broke at least three traffic laws on the drive back to the hospital. He needed to be there when they discharged Madison. He didn't want her to be outnumbered when her family found out that she wasn't going home - at least not with them.
Impatiently waiting for the elevator, Flack checked the time. He was cutting it close, but if he was lucky he should have just a minute or two to spare. He boarded the elevator that whisked him up to Madison's floor.
Hurrying down the hall he came to an abrupt halt as he heard a high-pitched female voice say, 'What do you mean you're not coming home?' Flack was too late.
Pushing the door to Madison's room open, he saw Madison's mother with tears in her eyes. Madison's father looked helplessly between his wife and his daughter. Flack's own sister, Lila, sat silently in corner trying not to be involved.
All eyes zeroed in on him as he entered the room. He went straight for Madison, taking her trembling hand in his. "What's going on?" he asked casually.
Madison's father cleared his throat. "She…," he motioned towards Madison, "she says she doesn't want to come home with us. That she's made other arrangements."
Flack heard Madison's mother choke back a sniffle. He gave Madison's hand a squeeze.
"That's right," Flack began. "She did make other arrangements. She's going to be staying with me at my apartment for a few days so she can re-gain her bearings, so to speak. It's quiet there, and she'll have plenty of privacy."
Madison's mother, Betsy, swiped at her tears. "With you? Well Madison, why didn't you just say so?" She turned to Flack. "We really just want Madison to be comfortable. You're offer is very generous. Are you sure it's not an imposition?"
"Not at all," Flack told her. "I'll be able to see to Madison's every need. She'll have the best counselor available, and I promise you she'll be back under your roof soon."
Betsy seemed appeased, as did Madison's father, Martin. No one noticed that Madison had stiffened at Flack's words, no one except Lila.
Moving quietly from her corner, Lila came to other side of the bed, running a hand lightly over Madison's hair. Madison closed her eyes at the contact, glad that at least her best-friend understood. Flack saw her as a victim, nothing more-nothing less. Sure he wanted to take care of her, but that was ingrained into his nature- the very essence of his job was to serve and protect.
Lila watched disappointment flit across Madison's face, mentally kicking her brother for his obliviousness. Why couldn't he see that Madison was desperately in love with him? Even emotionally battered and physically bruised, Madison couldn't hide what she felt for Flack.
While Betsy, Martin and Flack discussed Madison's arrangements, Lila leaned close to her friend and whispered, "You can kick him in the shins if it makes you feel better."
Madison gave a faint smile. "Unfortunately, he wouldn't know what the kick was for. He'd probably just assume I was working through my 'issues'."
Lila gave a snort of laughter. "As pretty as my brother may be, he's not the brightest of the bunch is he?"
Madison nodded in agreement. She would've responded, but Flack turned toward them. "Ready to go?" he asked.
Madison's heart jumped into her throat. What she most desperately wanted was out of her reach, she knew that- logically. But somewhere deep inside of her, a seedling of hope continued to exist.
She offered Flack a slight smile. "Sure. Ready when you are."
Almost absentmindedly he brushed a strand of hair of her shoulder. "Great. I'll go get the car and meet you out front," he replied. With a quiet word to her parents, a quick hug to Lila, and a final supportive grin for Madison, Flack disappeared.
Madison's mother fussed over her, making sure she had all her belongings. Her father kissed her, gruffly muttering words of encouragement.
As they left the room, Lila wondered if her brother would ever realize what was right in front of him, and Madison hoped she'd have the strength to walk away from Flack when the time came…
