Chapter 30: What Happened?

Flack woke up in a panic the next morning, blinded by the light streaming in the room. His head was pounding, his tongue felt like moss was growing on it and he wasn't really sure where the hell he was.

He was, however, aware of Gus staring at him from only a couple of inches away. "Gah!" he screamed and immediately regretted it. Flack clutched his head and dove under one of the feather pillows.

"Morning to you too, blue eyes," Gus said amused, well aware that Flack was experiencing a special brand of hangover that only New Orleans could offer.

"What the hell happened?" Flack asked, thoroughly confused as Gus yanked the pillow off of his head.

Gus suppressed a snicker. "I bet you would like to know. I'll be right back, I am sure Buela has coffee on already," she slipped out of the bed.

"Buela?" Flack asked, still foggy headed.

"Billy's maid, well originally Big Daddy and Miss Loretta's maid and now Billy's, though she is older than dirt and needs to retire."

Flack watched as Gus left the room, clad in a silk robe, looking like she owned the place.

"God help me," he moaned, sticking one foot on the ground to stop the world from spinning, "Junior you ain't in New York anymore."

As she expected, Buela had set out coffee and a full spread and was currently dusting the dining room.

"Mister Billy is still in bed, Miss Gussie, and your pretty friend already left, said she wanted to get an early start, looked like she was on a mission," Buela said as Gus picked up mugs.

Gus poured the coffee, grabbed a couple of pastries and a bottle of vitamins before she padded back to the bedroom.

"Here," Gus said shoving a mug full of coffee and a danish at Flack along with a handful of pills.

"Thanks," Flack said, struggling to pull himself to sitting position and taking a long pull of the mug. "What the hell happened, where the hell am I and is this mud?" Flack said with a face.

"New Orleans to the first two and chicory the last, Gus smiled. "I have never seen you like you were last night, not even with..." she trailed off, not wanting to bring up the dark times before she left.

"That is because I have never been that drunk before, no one has been that drunk before!" Flack continued to gulp the coffee, though he couldn't stomach the idea of eating anything which he was pretty sure was a first for him.

Gus wasn't able to hide her small snort, "how much of yesterday do you even remember?"

"I remember that talk with Stella and next thing I know, I was buying a plane ticket and then there was the kid kicking my seat. And then the humidity, how can it be so friggin' humid?" Flack paused for a long moment willing his head to ease up on its pounding for a moment.

"Then Stella got her cab to go to dinner and I came here and, ah, met your friend Billy and he gave me some drinks and directions to come find you…" he glanced down at his forearm where sure enough there was a note that said, "if lost please return to and the address of Good Friends.

"Lovely," Gus smirked, "and?" she asked.

"That is where it starts to get fuzzy, really fuzzy," Flack sighed and leaned his head in his hands, "it feels like a got run over by a truck."

"More like a hurricane or three," Gus quipped.

"Hurricanes, the courtyard, that popped collar guy," Flack said, his voice growing icy, "you were there but you didn't look like you. I felt like I didn't know you," he continued, looking crestfallen, "and then you were worried about me hurling in Miss Loretta's car. Who is Miss Loretta?" Flack wrinkled his forehead.

"Billy's mama, it was her jaguar that got us home last night, my jeep wouldn't start and I was running late," Gus said, trailing off, turning to look out the window as she took in what he said.

Flack studied Gus, knowing by the way she chewed on her lip hat she was deep in thought. He also knew she was nervous by the way she was twirling on her hair. He fought down the urge to wrap her up in an embrace, still haunted by the image of her at that table, looking like she belonged.

"Sunshine, I feel like a fell down the rabbit hole," he said coming up behind her.

"Welcome to New Orleans, dawlin'," Gus smiled as she turned to face him. She looked like she was about to lean into him, but instead ducked around him, "I need a shower," she said, leaving Flack alone with his thoughts and hangover.

Flack stared out at the park spread out in front of the house instead of a yard. He didn't know where to start or where he stood with Gus. He planned on working everything out once she got back in New York, where he felt settled and in control, but when Stella told him Gus was thinking about extender her stay, something in him snapped.

Gus let the water run over her in the shower, trying to figure out where she stood with Flack. Yes, she had run away, more than once, and broken his heart, possibly more than once and yes, she had briefly wondered if he wouldn't have been better off if she had never some to New York. But she loved him more than she even knew she could love, and her heart lay with him, not the city she grew up she had to convince him of that.

Gus came back into the guest room, dressed in a simple cotton dress, looking much calmer and cooler than she felt. Flack felt his heart catch as she entered the bedroom once again. Before he could speak, she held up her hand. "No talking before you shower," she said, handing him his bag, "you want breakfast?"

Flack contemplated for a moment, "yes to shower, no to food", he replied before heading to the shower.

As he let the water flow over him, he thought about how to approach the situation. Should he tell her everything he felt or wait on her to tell him what she really wanted? Or should he actually knock her out like a gator and drag her back home? Chuckling slightly at the last idea, he stepped out of the shower and dried off.

Flack came back into the bedroom, clad in jeans and a t-shirt, still slightly damp from the shower and the humidity.

Gus suppressed a delighted shiver at the sight and rose from her chair. "Flack, I don't know what to say here," she said staring up at him.

"I can't say I do either. Somehow it always seems I am getting into situations with you that I have never been in before," Flack replied moving slightly closer.

"I don't know why I left the first time, and I am not so sure I should have left this time. I just couldn't handle sitting back and watching you destroy yourself and I sure as hell couldn't keep helping you do it," she cried out, her eyes filling with tears. "And I also don't know if I have managed to banish all my ghosts or if I am just meant to be cursed. The only thing I do know is that I still love you as much as ever!"

Flack looked at her before deciding to close the distance between them. He had wanted her in his arms endless times over the past six months, he couldn't hold back now. He pulled her into his arms, feeling her tears on his chest as he inhaled her scent. "Aren't we in the land of voodoo," he asked as her tears finally subsided and she looked up at him. Gus nodded, confused. "Then what better place to break this stupid curse once and for all?" Flack said kissing her forehead.

"Stop humoring me, Don," Gus sniffed.

"I'm not, I'm willing to do whatever to convince you that you aren't cursed and that we both have banished everything we need to," Flack replied, leaning in to give her a tender kiss that quickly turned passionate.

Breaking away before he threw her down on the bed, he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear."How about you show me around this town of yours?"

Chapter 31: My City Not My Home

A good shaking of wires got Gus' jeep up and running again. Flack slid in nervously. "Don't think I didn't catch that look, blue eyes. Just because I don't drive in the city and you have control issues, does not mean I don't know how to drive," Gus dripped with a smile.

"I do not have control issues," Flack protested, "any more than you do."

"Good, buckle up!" Gus said driving out along the river, driving them past a myriad of plantations, sugar cane fields and oil refineries.

Pulling up on the levee, the pair stared out at the river. "It is pretty damn mighty," Flack remarked, "but I don't think we're supposed to be up here."

"Didn't anyone tell you that I have a badge?" Gus shot him a look, but slid back into the jeep, "onward."

Gus gave Flack the same disaster tour silly tourists paid for, but added actual history and explanation. Flack was speechless, he couldn't believe his eyes, even all these years later, there still seemed to be a ring of destruction.

"I haven't even shown you the worst part," Gus said, pulling away from the lower nine and heading back uptown.

Flack suppressed a shudder until they pulled up to a house on Prytania. Flack looked at the camel back cottage, happy that some of her architecture lesson was sticking,."Looks fine to me. Cute even."

"That's the problem, they added gingerbread and a second story and good lord, the paint. My house is pink, Don!" Gus cried out, dropping her head to the steering wheel.

"I don't know how to tell you this, Gus," Flack patted her knee, "but this hasn't been your house for years."

"Obviously not!" Gus cried, beating her head on the wheel a bit before looking up with a smirk, "at least these idiots gave me enough to pay for half of my co-op."

"Way to look on the bright side, sunshine."

While Flack enjoyed exploring New Orleans with Gus, he couldn't lift the worry from his mind and heart. Strolling hand in hand through City Park, Flack suddenly stopped, breaking away to face her. "Do you want to stay here?"

Gus knew the question was coming, she took a deep breath, "I have been useful here and I know Stella could desperately use me, but I don't belong here, Don."

"You looked like you belonged last night," Flack started in.

Gus sighed, "you of all people should know that looks can be deceiving. I was putting on a good show, but was hating every second of it. What I want out of life isn't here."

He studied her, knowing he had to ask, "are you sure?"

Gus nodded emphatically, "yes, Don, I am. I was sure the last time. My home, my family, my heart, it is all in New York, with you." She grabbed a fistful of his damp t-shirt, pulling him in for a kiss.

When they broke off, she whelped, "wow, I've missed that, but come on, I have some people you need to meet."

Flack tried to suppress a groan, he really had no desire to meet any more trust funders, especially not with a raging hangover.

"Humor me, Flack, and then I'll treat you to best po'boy of your life, okay?"

"What is all this?" Flack asked, trying to figure out why there are all these ornate concrete playhouses sandwiched between the city and the suburbs with flowers everywhere.

Gus just shook her head and kept walking toward older and more ornate structures. Carefully picking her way over weeds and flower remnants, Gus finally stopped in front of what Flack suddenly realized was a family crypt.

"Don, meet my parents," she said gesturing at the stone structure.

"Augustin Henri and Marie Conrad Broussard, united in love and death," Flack read noticing Gus shiver.

"I didn't pick it," was all she said.

Flack nodded slowly, taking in the carvings on the mausoleum. "You're named after your father," he remarked.

Gus nodded before she cleared her throat, "Mama and daddy, you know I always had trouble following the rules, so of course I fell in love with a cop. After becoming one myself. Well, at least I think it was after but it may be been before. I tried really hard not to, but he's a really great guy and I do love him with all my heart and I want to spend the rest of my life with him. So if you could just make sure I don't have some curse that is going to get him killed, I would really appreciate that," Gus finished, taking a huge gulp of air.

Flack at first hadn't known what to say or do, finally moving in behind Gus and letting her lean against him, fitting perfectly into his arms.

"Thanks for bringing me here," Flack said after a few minutes.

"Well, it might not be the cheeriest, but at least it is the quietest meeting the girl's parents!" Gus joked, trying to lighten her mood.

Flack kissed her head with a sad smile, "you could say that. Though I would have much rather met them and dealt with your father being pissed off at me being a cop."

Gus turned in his arms, looking up at him, "he would have gotten over it, you're a great cop and an even better guy and my mother would have loved those dimples of yours." She traced at his jawline, looking up at him with sad eyes.

Flack covered her hand with his own, pulling it to his lips for kiss. "Curse broken yet?" he asked, with a wistful smile.

"Maybe," Gus murmured, thinking about the murder board hidden in her closet, "how much vacation time do you have?"

Flack looked down at her quizzically, "more than I will ever use, why?"

"I have one last ghost to banish. Help me figure out who killed my parents, Don, please?"

Her eyes pleaded with him, reaching out and twisting his heart; he wanted to help her fight any battle she encountered, this seems like the least he could do. "Whatever you need, Gus, I'm there, always."

She leaned in to kiss him again, feeling like she was already home as her lips met his. "Alright, then, how about that po'boy?"

"Sure thing, I'll be right there."

Gus assumed he was taking a minute to marvel at the undead city above ground and giving her a moment to collect herself. She walked back to the jeep, relief filling her as she knew she would be returning to New York with the love of her life by her side.

Flack looked at the mausoleum in front of him, thinking it was weird for it to be on eye took a breath, feeling a little foolish, sticking his hands in his pockets.

"You two probably don't know this, since she wasn't even thirteen when you, ah, but your daughter is an amazing woman. She is smart, funny, gorgeous, kind, loyal, stubborn, willful, exasperating, but in a good way, I swear! She's like nobody I have ever met. My point is, I love her, I have for a long time. I've asked her to marry me, twice, actually, but she wasn't ready or maybe we both weren't. But I can't imagine my life without her, and I want to be there for her, like you can't be. At some point, I'm going to ask your daughter to marry me again, and I hope you'll help to get her to agree and actually walk down the aisle. Also, she is one of the best damn cops ever and you would be proud of her, sir, she makes the badge something far greater than just a piece of tin." Flack nodded, pulling his hands out of his pockets and giving the crypt a small salute before walking back to join Gus.

Chapter 32: Cold Showers

They arrived back at the house somewhat subdued, but Stella and Billy could immediately tell they had worked through at least a few of the issues between them.

"You two look like something the nutria dragged in!" Billy exclaimed, taking in their wind-blown and dusty appearances.

Stella and Flack exchanged a look and started laughing, but Gus, used to Billy's dramatic nature, just rolled her eyes. "Like you wouldn't make us clean up before dinner anyway, Tibs," she said, giving her friend a peck on the cheek and taking the drink he offered her.

"How can you even think about drinking?" Flack grimaced, turning green again.

"Aw, you have your first New Orleans hangover, don't you, sugar?" Billy said, batting his eyelashes at Flack and pouring him a sweet tea.

"I have learned to not mix my liquors, blue eyes and never have more than two hurricanes in one night, ever!" Gus warned, "keep that in mind Stella." She sat down on an empty rocking chair, tucking her legs underneath her.

"I will," Stella replied with a smile, "though I may have had a little too much wine last night, I don't think I can keep up"

"Welcome to New Orleans," Billy and Gus retorted at the same time.

Billy smiled, "I am going to miss you, darling, though I imagine this one and I will get up to no good," Billy remarked hooking his thumb toward Stella. "Tell them your news, you goddess," he urged.

Flack and Gus both looked at Stella, waiting, Flack sitting on the porch swing across from the trio, until the movement made his stomach clench again. New Orleans was clearly trying to kill him. He ignored the three smirks looking up at him as Stella busted out with, "I found a place!"

"Not just a place, that amazing complex we were just looking at," Billy remarked to Gus.

"Those converted lofts in the CBD? Oh, those are gorgeous and it is amazing how affordable they are..." Gus broke off, seeing the look Flack was giving her.

Stella and Billy saw it as well, both of them rushing to step in. "But not as great as your place, Gus, perfect for me, but not your style," Stella said.

"When are you getting her the hell out of my hair, Augusta?" Billy cut in, not nearly as delicately.

Gus rose from her chair, glaring at all three of them, "nice, y'all!"

She shook her head, "Stella, I am happy for you and it sounds perfect for YOU," she stressed. "Billy, thank you for your hospitality and friendship, I hope I have overstayed my welcome," she turned to Flack, "Don, stop freaking out, I am coming back with you, I promise."

She wiped her hand across her sweating and dusty forehead, "now, if y'all don't mind I am going to take a shower." As she went to turn the doorknob she looked back over her shoulder, a wicked gleam in her eyes, "you coming or not, blue eyes? I'm sure these two are fine out here for a bit."

Billy and Stella both covered their smirks with coughs as Flack froze and then made a hasty retreat after her.

Gus was already most of the way up the stairs, laughing as Billy tuned on the house surround sound when Flack caught up with her. "Where do you think you are going?" he said catching her by the waist.

"Told you, shower. I wanted to show you that round these parts a cold shower is a very nice thing," she said, flinging open the door to her suite, kicking off her sneakers as she closed the blinds as Flack closed the door behind them.

He gulped for air as she untied the halter of her dress, it pooling on the floor around her. "Jesus, Gus," he growled, the air condition doing nothing to cool him down.

"What, it's not like you haven't seen me naked before," Gus simpered, though she did grab a wrap from the back of a chair, slipping it around her.

He followed her into the en suite bathroom, completely transfixed, "yeah, but it has been six months."

"My point exactly," she retorted, turning to face him and snagging his damp and dirty t-shirt in her hands, pulling him in for a kiss.

He gave in willingly, how he had missed those lips against his own, the happiness and comfort that could only be found against them. Her palms slipped underneath the fabric, peeling it away from his sweaty skin, working it up over his chest.

"Sunshine, I can't," he said, suddenly, breaking off the kiss trying to ignore the waves of desire rolling through him.

Oh, I am pretty sure you can, Don, and quite well, I might add," she said with a grin that was somehow both sinful and angelic.

As she reached from the velcro on her wrap, he grabbed her hands bringing them down to her sides. Gus could see the battle happening within him, stopping her instinct to push. "What is it?" she asked, fearing what he might say.

"I just...can't, not don't want, can't, not with our friends sitting down there knowing what is happening up here," Flack said, cupping her face in his palms, leaning his forehead against hers, before pulling slightly back.

Gus gave him a wistful smile, "we are all consenting adults, Don! I don't know about you, sugar, but it has been a long six months on this end." Gus moved one of his palms over her mouth, giving it a kiss, realizing how much she missed their strength and soft touch.

Flack took a deep breath, "it's not just that."

Gus closed her eyes for a moment after he pulled his hands back, worried about what else might be holding him back.

"Before you left, I know we were..." he trailed off.

"Pretty close to having sex in some absolutely disgusting dive bar bathrooms? Yeah not my finest moments either," Gus cut in.

Flack heaved a sigh, his shoulders heavy, "the thing is, that isn't how I want things between us. If we are going to get back to things being right between us, I want to do everything right, including this. You deserve better."

Gus crinkled her nose in frustration. On one hand, she agreed with him, on the other, her body was screaming at her.

She gave a small growl, to which Flack replied with a dimpled grin, "yeah, it ain't exactly what I want either, sunshine, regardless, but we will have plenty of time without other people around."

"Fine," Gus grumbled, "can one of us please shower though?"

Flack rolled his eyes, "get in the damn shower, Broussard, and if you ask nice, I'll wash your back."

"Ask nice? Like you don't just want to watch me shower."

"I am trying to do right, not be a monk, sunshine," he said, pulling the wrap off of her and pushing her into the shower.

Gus padded downstairs while Flack was in the shower. Stella wasn't around, but Billy was wiping down the counter in the kitchen. He looked at her with raised eyebrows that he waggled, "did you have a nice shower?"

Gus glared at him, "let's just say, if you still need that silver polished, I'm your gal."

"Ouch," Billy replied, "was not expecting that."

"Me neither," Gus said, blowing her hair out of her face, "but he wants to and I quote, do everything right."

Billy smiled at her, "we should all have such problems, Augusta. You do deserve it, I hope you have finally gotten that through your thick, gorgeous, skull." He shot her a sly grin, "though I suppose I should go tell Stella to stop making those Olympic score cards now..."

"William Brooks, you are awful, but I love you," Gus said, giving him a hug and a kiss.

"Should I be worried?" Flack said, coming into the kitchen after his very cold shower, a smirk on his face.

"Nah," Billy replied, continuing without missing a beat, "Gus will share me!"

"Tibs!" Gus admonished as Stella walked in to the kitchen, asking, "have a nice shower, you two?"

Flack started to choke, Gus cut in with, "where are we going to dinner, Billy?"

"Finally, someone asks the important questions," Billy answered with a wink.

"You are sure you cleared this?" Stella asked as they dropped her off at the airport on Sunday.

"We told Mac and Tony, promise, Stel," Flack said, setting Stella's bag on the curb, giving her a hug before Gus broke in to squeeze her tightly.

"You know I will be back soon, right?" Stella asked, her smile wide and her curls bouncing. "

Yeah, if Mac lets you go," Flack retorted.

Stella laughed, "like Mac lets me do anything, Don, take care of this one, and bring her back to New York, would you?" she hitched her thumb towards Gus.

"That is the plan," Flack said with a full dimpled grin.

"Yeah, well try to get it done soon, buddy!" Stella said, wagging her finger at him.

He just raised his eyebrows in response while Gus rolled her eyes. "Stella, I am going back. I love this swamp, but it is all your. Safe travels and keep in touch, will you?"

"Always," Stella said, before grabbing her suitcase and disappearing into the crowd.

Flack wrapped an arm around Gus as they watched her get swallowed up by the hustle and bustle. He drew her to him, kissing her on the head. "How about we get out of here and go solve a murder?"

"Not exactly a dream vacation, I realize," Gus said, giving him a wry grin.

Flack scoffed, "yeah, well, next time, sunshine, I am planning our vacation and it better involve you in a bikini."

"Holy crap," Flack swore as she flung open the closet doors hiding her murder board.

She exhaled, "yeah, I know I look like a tinfoil hat girl, but I didn't know what all I knew until I laid it all out."

"Jesus," he exclaimed, taking in all her fragmented notes and the different colored strings criss-crossing across it all.

"There's something else you should know," Gus admitted, sitting on the bed, wringing her hands.

Flack stood, looking between her and the board, "what, what is it, Gus?"

"The only reason I ever hesitated on not coming back right away, was that I found this and," she took a deep breath, "the new commander knew my father and he offered me help to solve my parents' murder if I stayed on."

Suddenly, everything made a lot more sense to Flack, he closed the distance between them, moving to stand beside the bed. "You could have just said that!"

"I know, but there's more," Gus said, working her jaw, "I think he knows more than he is letting on, there is just something about him that rubs me the wrong way and then, then there is this," she reached down and slid the tub out from underneath the bed.

"What the hell is that?" Flack said, grimacing.

"I sort of stole some evidence when we were cleaning out the justice center's basement. It's from my parents' case, but hidden in with the B&Es."

Flack stared at her, a stream of thoughts running through his head and unsure of which one to run with. "How many people know about this?"

"Not many, and it's probably moot anyway, look at it, what can we get from that? Even if we had the whole team working on it!"

"No wonder you wanted to stay after Stella got here," Flack said, rocking back and forth on his heels, unsure how to go ahead.

"I didn't want to stay, Don, I felt like I had to stay, I couldn't just leave them," Gus started, feeling overwhelmed with emotion, "I know it is stupid, they are dead, what does it matter? But it is bad enough with Claire not having been found at Ground Zero and..." she trailed off.

Flack was overcome with his desire to protect her, to help her as much as she had helped him. He sat on the bed beside her. "Look at me," Flack demanded, hooking his finger under her chin and forcing her to look into his eyes, "I get it, Gus, and we are in this together. I got two good shoulders to help carry the load. Now how about we see what you have going on here and see if I need to beat something out of some NOPD Brass?"

"Always a hero, huh, Flack?" Gus replied with a wry smile as she accepted his hand to help her to her feet.