Sorry it's been awhile. Just trying to get a fanbase. I will be starting another story soon, just a different version of Don and Melanie's romance and more concentrated on all the characters in CSI:NY. I have a great person in mind to be the enemy, but you'll find out who they are and why everything is connected later.
No more pretending
No more pretending
Lord, I know I need to tell you the truth tonight
But everything is not alright in my life
And I need you like never before
I don't want to pretend anymore
I'm tired of hiding my weakness
I'm tired of trying to look strong
I don't want to say that everything's fine
When there's so much that's wrong
Tell me again that you love me
Though it's more than my heart understands
And I will lay down my disguises
And show You who I am
Scott Krippayne ~ No More Pretending
Headaches, Bruises and Concerned Parents
As Don Flack led Melanie out of the hospital building, he noticed something was off. Most of the cabs in front of him had cabbies sitting in their vehicles or outside leaning against them, talking amongst each other. Except for one. He noticed first off, from all his homicides that it was different. The cab had new paint and not nearly all the damage all the others cabs got from driving through New York City. His eyes widened when his belt started vibrating and Mel jumped when it did.
He assumed that she, too, with her field and intelligence training noticed the stray cab. She stopped, pulling Flack with her away from it. It was too late because whoever set off the bomb noticed Melanie and her security detail getting closer, and it exploded.
Don grabbed Melanie to shelter her from the blast only to have her ripped from his arms when the shockwave came toward them. The last thing he remembered was seeing his pregnant girlfriend lying sprawled out on the concrete and then everything went black.
Flashback to three months earlier
Don was sitting in his living room looking at the mound of paperwork he had to do before dawn tomorrow. Or his boss would have his ass. He groaned, sipping the glass of wine he had in front of him. Wine was his getaway from the heartache he experienced in his life. He may have recovered fully from the explosion but a broken heart, you can't repair so easily. Flack looked out his 15 story window in his living room at the New York skyline. He remembered sitting on this very couch with her in his arms, lights off just watching the nightlife go by. He still had her millions of clothes in his closet, her expensive Jimmy Choos and whatever else shoes she had still in the same spot. He still couldn't believe that he went down the street to New York bagels and got a bag of cinnamon crunch bagels and strawberry cream every week. Danny mentioned that getting over his woman was a tough thing to do. She was one of a kind woman, and this woman left him three years ago.
Sure he been on dates, some with Danny but every time he saw a red head with long hair pulled back he was reminded of her. So he gave up on women, especially the one at the charity event, oh and Detective Angell. He knew no one would ever replace Melanie Fischer in his heart.
Then, out of the blue, there was three knocks at his front door. His eyes sharply turned from window to the door. It couldn't be. The only person who knocked on his door like that… was Melanie. He got up, setting his wine on the coffee table, and went to the front door. He opened it to find the one person he thought he would never see again.
"Hi, Donny." Melanie said, softly, looking down. Don stood there staring at the red hair beauty standing in front of him, at his door. Her tan complexion was browner from being in Italy for years, her lip still as full, her body even more full of curves especially with the a-line brown skirt that hugged her hips, and the bright blue blouse that hugged that lustrous chest of hers.
Don couldn't resist what was right in front of him and he lifted her chin so her eyes could meet him. The bright blue eyes that were so full of sadness but also hope and love. He grabbed Melanie's waist and dragged her inside, bringing his lips to hers.
She wrapped her slender arms around his neck as he slid his hands down to her ass and caressed it. He whipped her around to where her back was against the wall, and he felt her hands start to wander. As his tongue explored her mouth, she moaned with pleasure. The slender red head brought her leg up higher, rubbing his leg with hers.
The wandering and caressing of hands were going to lead to something else when Flack's cell phone started ringing on the entry table. Melanie reached over to the table and grabbed it, breaking their fierce and passionate kiss. Don panted heavily, looking lustily at his woman. He then realized that his cell phone was ringing and that meant one thing.
"You're not going to answer it are you?" Mel asked, waving the cell phone in front of his face. He grabbed it as she reached for his belt next. Don sighed, knowing that if she kept going the way she was, he would not be able to resist.
His phone started ringing again, so he opened it and answered it. "Flack." He said, listening to the other line. Another rookie cop trying to explain what kind of dead body he just found. He sighed. "Forget it, Lawson. I'll be there in ten minutes. Call dispatch and have them page Detective Taylor."
"Ah, a typical night in New York City. Not a day goes by where someone isn't found dead. What kind of low life is it this time?" Melanie asked, pushing him away fixing the almost unbuttoned blouse. He buttoned his shirt back up and reached behind her for the tie he was wearing earlier that day.
"Actually, it wasn't a low life. Lawson on the other end, mentioned something about a uniform. I know it's not blue otherwise the chief and Sergeant Mueller would be calling me nonstop. Other than that, the dead body was around the VA hospital. So who knows until I get there." Don said, grabbing his suit jacket, badge and gun. Melanie looked down and grabbed her purse and luggage closer to her. He noticed a suit jacket for her to go with the skirt. While she did that, he accidentally, ok purposely looked down her blouse.
"Flack! Stop staring at my rack." Mel said, with a hint of a New York accent. She put her jacket on and placed her badge and gun on her belt. "Care if I join, Detective? If it's a uniform there is a very big possibility of it being a Marine or Navy personnel, especially that close to the VA."
"Sorry." He huffed, as he opened the door. "You know you can come with me anytime. Mac and the team would love to see you. I just hope your field skills have been hindered by the European vacation you've been on."
Melanie glared at him. "You're an ass, Don Flack. And to answer your question, dumbass, I can still remember how to process a crime scene." She replied, pushing him toward the elevator. "I certainly hope it doesn't take the long. I would love to continue where we left off back there."
Don rolled his eyes as they entered the elevator. It was like old times, they could never have enough of each other. How he survived these past few years is beyond him. How she survived is another story. He felt a tug on his shirt and felt a pair of lips on his. This time it wasn't a passionate kiss, it was one full of love.
The NCIS agent pulled away, looking at the New York second grade detective. "I think I'll take you up on the offer later. We need to get in my car and drive to where this body that destroyed my night is." Don replied, leading Mel to where his car was parked beneath his building. They piled into the Crown Vic and headed south toward the crime scene.
Flack parked just a few blocks away, and got out of the car. He and Melanie, with her knee high leather boots, starting walking toward the yellow tape and before they arrived, two cops stopped them. Flack held out his badge and id, stepping forward. "Let her thru guys." He said, having her show her badge and Id too.
"Special Agent Fischer, NCIS." She said, as the two cops stepped aside. She and Flack ducked under the tape, to find a dead marine lying in the alleyway. Melanie motioned to the cop standing guard to hand her latex gloves. Once she got her wish, she put them on and scoured the crime scene.
"Looks like blunt force trauma to the head. Pool of blood spreads out a good couple feet." She said, kneeling down next to the body. "Flack, you have a flashlight? I forgot my purse at your place."
"No worries, Agent Fischer. I have just what you need." Mac said, ducking under the tape behind them. Stella wasn't too far behind, lugging another case. He shined a flashlight on the neck of the Marine so she could see his dog tags. She also pulled a military id from his front pocket of his camouflage uniform .
"Nice to see you Melanie. What brings you back to this wonderful city?" Stella said, kneeling beside her. "Who is this?"
Fischer sighed and Flack noticed she hung her head. "Corporal Shaun Lessinger. Stationed out of Iraq, went on leave to Milan five days ago. We lost track of him three days ago." Don looked at her strangely. "He was my inside source of a drug smuggling operation out of Iraq to Italy. Apparently somehow, without my knowing it, he managed to get here."
"So I take it you're staying for awhile?" Mac asked, looking at Flack questioningly.
"I was only here on a lead but now with this. I definitely have to stay longer. Excuse me, my fellow law enforcement officers. I have a call I have to make." She said, pushing Don out of the way and ducking under the yellow tape. Mac looked at the detective still standing.
"Great just what I need on a Friday night. A dead marine corporal, drunk military on leave and a very sexy woman that I might not ever get to have sex with while she's here." Don muttered, leaving to go find the witnesses who found the body. "Just my luck."
Flack woke with a start, sitting up straight only to have his head throb in the process. Standing next to his bed was Mac, looking extremely worried.
Don rubbed his temples. "You know, this entire being blown up by maniacs trying to prove a point is getting on my nerves." He said, as Mac smirked. "Plus hospitals still creep me out. Almost as much as the morgue."
"Glad to see you awake and talking, Flack." Mac said, handing him a glass of water. Don took it then sat up sharply again, causing the pain to come back.
"Melanie…" he said, hoarsely. Mac gently helped him lie back down.
"She's fine. A couple of bruised ribs, a massive headache and angry as hell. I wouldn't want to be around her right now." Stella said, entering the room. "He back to normal too?"
"Yep, sarcasm and concern for Melanie. He's good to go. Well with the exception of a massive headache whenever he sits up straight." Mac said, as Stella came to his side and grabbed Mac's hand. Don looked between the two carefully. "The baby's fine. You grabbing her helped cushion her fall."
Flack sighed with relief. He looked straight at Mac. "You care to tell me something, Mac? Stella?"
"Flack, buddy, why do bombs and crazy maniacs seem to be drawn to you?" Danny said, holding his arm. Don looked knowingly. "Melanie slammed me against wall when I wouldn't tell her what your condition is. Deadly woman you got there."
"I told you to stay away from her, Danny. Not my fault you got hurt." Stella replied, as Don snickered.
"Who else did she hurt?" Don asked, as he heard a very belligerent Melanie outside his door. "Mac, go get her before she hurts any more doctors. And before they stick her with a needle that might be used to kill them."
Mac scooted over to the door and looked for Melanie. "Agent Fischer, come here. Don's awake." He said, causing a tumbling of feet to come crashing through Flack's door. Mel appeared in the doorway, wearing blue scrubs. She smiled right at him and the others got out of the way so she could hug Don. She saw tears in her eyes as she climbed into his bed. The detective pulled her into his arms as she placed her head on his chest, which managed to get an "Awww how cute" from Danny.
"Shut your trap, Messer." Don replied, stroking the very teary Melanie's long red hair. He looked at the others. "How are Agents Dinozzo and David?"
"David was the closest to the blast and just got out of surgery. She'll be just fine as soon as wakes up." Mac said, as Don nodded.
" And just like the one on your bed, Ziva won't want to stay still for long." Tony said, limping in the room, his right arm in a sling. "I however was fortunate enough to only suffer a sprained ankle and dislocated shoulder. Ziva on the other hand got debris in her side. Not like that's gonna stop her."
Melanie smiled, sweetly. "How you gonna help her recover Dinozzo? And are you going to keep a very close eye on her." Tony smiled sarcastically back, when Gibbs appeared behind him, slapping him upside the head. With that, Mel buried herself in Don's chest trying to protect herself from her very angry former boss.
"Don't worry, Fischer. Tony deserved that one for not answering his phone in time." Gibbs said, as Tony cowered out of the room. "I just came to see how the detective and you were doing."
"Back to normal, Jethro. Flack's joking and Mel's New York accent came back for awhile. I'd say they would be good to go soon." Stella said, as Gibbs nodded and left the room. "I think I'm going to head back to the lab, I will see you two soon."
"Thank you Stella." Melanie yelled, as she left. She then looked at Danny, who threw his good arm up in defense.
"I'm too afraid of you right now Mel. I'm leaving." Danny said, moving toward the door. "Good luck Flack."
Mac laughed as Danny left, leaving only the three in the room. Mel sighed. "It's bad, isn't it Mac?"
"Special Agent Caiman has been reported missing. Your sister Flack is also missing. Disappeared this morning when she went to the grocery. Hawkes and Lindsay are looking at the surveillance cameras around where she lives as we speak."
"They have Sam?" Don choked out tightening his grip on Melanie.
"We have every person available working on this case," Mac answered assuredly.
Melanie felt Don's body growing tenser against her," Mac could you give us a few minutes alone?" she looked at her friend and fellow detective.
"I'll be at the crime scene and I will call you with any news," Mac left the couple alone in the hospital room.
Melanie looked up at Don, his blue eyes were far away and his jaw was set in a defiant way that she knew all to well, "They will find her Donny," she pressed a hand against his cheek forcing him to look at her," Gibbs and Mac will stop at nothing. I will stop at nothing"
"Mel, they have already killed two of your other agents, what's going to keep them from doing the same to Sam?"
"Sam has no ties to anything except me, she cannot provide them any useful information."
"It still wouldn't stop them and you know it," Don said feeling the biting sting of hot tears. Even though Sam and him had their differences they were still family. He had a feeling that his father would kill his ass, not to mention Melanie's for getting his only daughter into this trouble.
"Don, look at it in this perspective. It's nothing different that the trouble Sam and I got ourselves into while we were teenagers. Remember when you had to play our savior through most of high school?" Don smiled weakly remembering those times when he thought saving Melanie would impress her. Come to think of it, she has always needing saving from something sometime or another.
"True, considering Sam followed you around everywhere and even though she had Brian, she always wanted me to save her." Don replied, absently stroking Mel's arm.
"That's because Sam was always Daddy's girl and you always strived to be like your father. Cop and everything. Plus Brian was away most of our time in high school, so we always depended on the good kid to get us out of our messes."
Don's eyes finally came back to reality and his jaw was set in a determined way. "Honestly, Mel, where do you think he could be keeping them?" he asked, gently pushing Mel away from him to sit up. She moved to the edge of the bed, a thoughtful look in her eyes, her forehead wrinkled as she racked her brain to where her friends could be.
"Truthfully, there are so many places in this city to take people hostage and not have anyone hear this scream." She replied, brushing her red hair behind her ears. "I have honestly no idea where to start."
Before Don could reply, Mel's cell phone rang. "Fischer" she answered, as she listened intently. She mouthed that it was Mac and Flack could only imagine what he had found out. He knew himself that the bomb was a professional done job and someone set it off when the four of them exited the hospital. So somehow someway, the person knew they were at the doctor's. His only question was how did they know they were coming out at that specific time.
"My cell phone wasn't the only being tracked. McGee hacked into the central NCIS server and found out someone was remotely tracking all of Gibbs' team from somewhere in the city. He's still trying to get lock on where exactly the signal is coming from." Don raised an eyebrow. "Trust me, with Abby and McGee together, they're definitely smarter than these bozos. They'll find something leading toward the location or close to it of Sam."
"Why do you hold so much faith in them?"Don asked, getting a very hard slap from his girlfriend.
"You are so cynical and pessimistic, Flack. I have no idea where you get that from. Now imagine this, MIT and John Hopkins graduate together with a forensic scientist who does all the work of Mac's lab combined versus two rogue agents that according to Gibbs weren't the brightest crayons in the box and a terrorist who hates American ways. Which one do you think will win?" Mel asked, as Don pressed the nurses' button so he could see if he could get his ass released to chase these crazy ass people.
"What I think is the sooner I get out of this place, the sooner I get to arrest these people and get rid of them from our lives." Don replied, as an older nurse entered the room. She looked at the two and looked over at the IV line that ran into Don's right hand.
"I think, Detective Flack that once I get your IV out, the doctor will release you." She replied, going over to Don's right side. "Now if you are squeamish around needles, don't look."
Both Mel and Don turned away as the nurse took out his line. "All done. Keep this gauze on the spot for a little while and someone will be back with discharge papers."
They both sighed as Melanie reached out to squeeze his hand. "We'll find her I promise." She said softly, as his blue eyes met hers.
"Oh we will, Mel. We will and whoever is doing this is going to pay the price. Harshly. I feel sorry for whoever it is, because they've never fought with me before." Don said, as they both waited anxiously for the discharge papers and once they came, he felt sorry for the bastard who did this because they were going to pay. Big time.
____________________________________________________________________
Next chapter is a softer side of Melanie. She shows a lot of emotion and fear so beware. Also we'll find Samantha Flack soon enough!