Thanks for the reviews :) Also I didn't have time to go back and watch last season's premire to know if Scott and Flack interacted in that episode. If they did please let me know and I'll change it. :)
Title: Crumble
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: Fiesta, DL, Smacked friendship
Summary and notes: See part one
It was a full seventy-two hours before Stella was able to have visitors for any length of time.
Mac arrived at her room as soon as visiting hours started. He was surprised to find the chair next to the bed unoccupied. Flack's sister must have finally won and convinced her brother to get some solid sleep.
Sinking down into the chair Mac smiled as he saw Stella's eyes open and focus on him.
"Hi."
"Hi."
Hearing her voice was better than any present he'd ever receive.
"You had a lot of people worried."Mac began his voice sounding hoarse and strained even to his own ears. "It's wonderful to see that beautiful smile again."
"Sorry."Stella apologized with a weak smile."Don filled me in."
"Scott's in custody."Mac assured her as he felt Stella's hand cover his. "He won't hurt you again."
"Mac…."
"I'm sorry, Stella…..if I'd had any idea…."
"Don't."
Mac met her gaze. "You got hurt because of me….nearly died because of me."
"Not another word."Stella ordered softly. "I don't want you beating yourself up…I'm fine."
"Stella…"Mac whispered feeling the tears threaten.
"What happened to me was because of Scott….not you."Stella replied as she squeezed his hand. "You're one of the most important people in my life, Mac Taylor. You're my best friend…I love you. I need you to forgive yourself…."
"You were a target…."
"Because of Scott's warped sense of revenge."Stella insisted. "It's…."
"Don't give me its part of the job speech."Mac replied bitterly as he withdrew his hand. "This was personal….he wanted me to hurt, to suffer. Scott wanted me to know what it was like to have family taken away and he very nearly succeeded. It was close, Stel, too damn close this time."
"There's always going to be somebody who's not happy about being caught, Mac."Stella stated her voice fading in and out as her strength ebbed. "If we let the guilt take over they've won and we can't let the darkness win."
Mac turned to face her a smile playing across his face. "Easier said than done."
Stella's hand reached for his once more. "I know….but we can't do this job if we let people like Scott have power over us."
Mac nodded and stood. He leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on Stella's forehead.
"Get some rest."
Stella caught his right arm as he passed by her expression worried. "Mac."
Mac squeezed her hand. "I'm alright, Stel….this one will just take awhile to heal. For all of us."
He let go of her hand and walked out of the room closing the door behind him.
*********
Nearing midnight Don Flack returned to the station. He hadn't been there since Stella had been shot.
The news of her death being a cover story had surfaced and flown through the police grapevine.
As Don walked through the bullpen he felt his co-workers gazes on him. There'd be time for explanations later.
There was one reason he was here.
Flack moved down a hallway towards where the secure holding cells were. The officers on duty didn't even glance up as he walked by.
Part of the perks of being a detective.
The closer Don got to Scott's cell his anger went from a simmer to a boil. He felt his hands ball into fists and forced them to relax.
Don tried to rationalize why he was here.
It wasn't to know why…he knew why.
Closure? Maybe.
When he reached Scott's cell Don saw the prisoner was asleep. Curled up awkwardly on his right side his feet hanging off the small cot.
Don kicked the cell door and Scott shot awake.
Disoriented Ethan looked at the front of the cell. "Do I know you?"
Flack felt his right hand grip one of the bars of the cell door. "Detective Don Flack. You almost killed my girlfriend."
Scott smiled as he leaned back against the wall. "Ah the lovely Stella. She is indeed a lucky woman to have survived. I only hire the best."
"Bastard!"Flack spat his eyes narrowing sharply. "She was just a pawn to you."
"She is much more than that, Detective."Scott replied as he stood and walked to the cell door. "She is an integral part of Mac Taylor's life….taking that away made him vulnerable."
Pain suddenly sliced its way up his right fist and it took Flack a full minute to realize that he'd punched Scott.
He looked over at Ethan to find the other man regaining his balance.
"And it appears she is important enough to make you risk everything."Scott commented as he rubbed his jaw blood appearing from the split lip.
Flack saw Scott was still within arm's reach. It'd be so easy to snap his neck.
So easy.
Justice for Stella…..it'd be worth losing his badge…..
Memories came fast and furious as Don stared at Scott.
Stella covered in blood in his apartment.
Pale and still in his arms.
Stella lying in ICU surrounded by wires and tubes.
Don started to reach for Scott once again but images of Stella flashed through his mind's eye.
Images of her laughing, smiling, dancing in his arms.
Curled up next to him sound asleep on the sofa after a long day.
Killing Scott she wouldn't want….Don knew that as sure as anything.
As overwhelming as his anger and need for revenge was reality began to seep in.
He wouldn't be able to cover up Scott's murder.
Too many witnesses.
Too much technology watching.
Don would spend the rest of his life in prison.
Flack retracted his arm and gripped the bars once more. "She's everything to me and I will do anything to keep her safe. I'm going to make sure the D.A. sends you to the darkest part of hell to rot. If you even think of trying to come after her again it'll be the last thing you ever do."
Before Scott could reply Don turned and left.
*********
Lindsay laughed as Danny hugged her tightly as they stood in the living room of their apartment.
Bright late morning sunlight streamed in.
"Danny, can't breathe."
"Sorry."Messer apologized as he quickly stepped back placing one hand on Lindsay's stomach. "I'm just happy you're home…both of you."
"So am I."Lindsay replied quietly as she sat down on the sofa. She took his hand in hers and pulled Danny down next to her. "Is Stella really going to be okay?"
Danny nodded as he scooted back and pulled his fiancé into an embrace. "Yeah…docs have upgraded her condition. She's out of ICU….gonna be a long road but she'll be alright."
"Thank God."Lindsay whispered as she rested her head on Danny's chest and closed her eyes. "Not being here….I was so worried….for all of you…."
"I know, Linds."Danny acknowledged as he tightened his embrace. "There's nothing you could've done here….not without bein' in danger…..if anything had happened to you….I wouldn't have been able to handle it."
Lindsay placed their entwined hands on her stomach. "We're lucky, Danny….and blessed."
Danny felt a lump form in his throat and he swallowed it back just as the baby kicked under his hand. "Yeah, we are. I love you."
"I love you too, Danny."
*********
Don Flack wiped sweaty palms against the pants of his light grey suit as he walked the familiar hallway to Stella's room. In his right hand he held a bouquet of red roses. Nestled in the left pocket of his jacket was his grandmother's wedding ring.
Don slipped his left hand in to make sure the ring was still there. His fingers brushed the crushed velvet top of the jewelry box and he forced himself to relax.
Pausing outside of Stella's room Don shifted the bouquet of flowers to his other hand. He'd been up all night wondering if proposing now was the best move. He'd talked it over with his sister and Danny at length.
In the end for better or worse Don had decided he couldn't wait until Christmas like he'd originally planned.
After everything that had happened Don wanted her to know how much she meant to him. That no matter what he was going to be there.
So cheesy or not he was standing in a hospital corridor in a suit and tie, roses in hand and a knot in his stomach.
Taking a calming breath Don pushed the door open and stepped inside.
At first he thought Stella was asleep but as Don approached the bed her eyes opened and focused on him.
"Hi."
"Hi beautiful."Don greeted as he kissed her softly.
"You look dashing yourself."Stella replied with a smile. "Do you have a hot date?"
"Matter of fact I do."Flack stated as he sat down and scooted the chair closer to her. He rested the flowers on the bed next to Stella.
"Oh Don."Stella whispered as she looked at the roses. "They're beautiful…thank you."
Flack licked suddenly dry lips as he pulled the jewelry box out of his pocket. Now or never.
He stood and pushed the chair back before getting down on his left knee.
Don met Stella's watery gaze as he opened the jewelry box. "If you'll let me I'll buy you flowers every day for the rest of our lives. I know my timing probably sucks but this last week and our jobs have shown me that we're not guaranteed tomorrow.
I love you, Stella more than I thought possible. I want to spend every day, every minute with you."
Taking the ring out of the box Don set the box aside and took Stella's left hand in his. "Stella Bonasera will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?"
For several long seconds the room was silent as tears flowed down Stella's face capturing her voice.
She nodded and Don slipped the ring on her finger.
"Yes."Stella whispered her voice barely audible. "Yes, Don I'll marry you. I love you now and forever."
As gingerly as he could Don pulled his finance into an embrace and kissed her. Losing himself in the kiss and the moment Don knew that they'd be able to face whatever life and fate threw at them.
Epilog to follow