OLD FLAME

BY QUASI9



Disclaimer: I don't own Frank Donovan or the team; the rest of the characters are mine.

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Chris returns (sequel to Frank's Match)

Feedback: yes Quasi9@msn.com

Frank was up earlier than usual, so he decided he would take his morning run after a restless night. Frank used running to help him get a perceptive on things and clear his head. His night was restless due to images of the person he was trying so hard to forget. Michelle was great in everything she did last night and showed a side of her that Frank really liked, however during her performance images of Chris appeared in place of Michelle. This haunted Frank because he didn't know how to handle it, maybe he would talk to the team about it. He didn't want to hurt Michelle and somehow he knew it was inevitable.

The team was at the nest all night, they went home long enough to get cleaned up and fresh set of clothes. They wanted to be there when Frank finally got the news; they knew it was going to be a hard case to work.

Chris, Max, and Frankie landed early in the morning in Chicago and headed straight to her uncle's house. He probably was already gone taking care of business, but Max called to say they were on their way.

Michelle had the morning coffee on along with the news show, when Frank opened the door. He walked in the kitchen and was kissing Michelle when he heard, "Last night Tony Demarco was gunned down right outside of Sirone's, known to be frequent by organized crime figures. The hit was true mafia style, has the days of Al Capone been resurrected in Chicago again? For now the Chicago PD is quiet, but we'll update with any breaking news on this case."

Frank stopped and asked, "Where's my cell phone?"

"It's in the bedroom with the rest of your clothes from last night. Why?"

Frank didn't answer, went to get his phone, and when he finally found it noticed it was off. He never turned it off, he turned it on and came out of the bedroom said, "Michelle did you turn my cell off last night?"

Before she could answer, it was ringing off the hook with messages waiting. He checked his messages and was not happy when he finished. "Michelle, you know that my cell phone can not be off in the line of work I do. Why did you turn it off?" He said calmly but Michelle could tell he was pissed.

"Because I wanted last night to be special without any interruptions for once. If you had gotten the calls sure as shit you would have gone. Whether you believe it or not, things can get done without you being there. What would they do if you died?" She cried.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get you upset, you're right and last night was incredible." He said hugging her.

When Frank arrived at the nest, his staff looked like death warmed over greeted him. He figured that they were there all night and left just long enough to get cleaned up.

"Good Morning." He said.

"Good Morning." They all answered.

"Hope you night was one to remember." Jake said.

"Oh it was, sorry I wasn't available last night, Michelle turned off my cell phone."

"We knew, she turned off your cell so she had your full attention to turn you on." Jake said.

"You all knew about last night?"

"Well, the girls did because Michelle confide in them and Cody and I got it out of them. Anyway, we covered for you, Boss."

"Thanks, I owe you one. What have you got on the hit?" He asked.

Monica said, "A whole lot of nothing. Johnson wants us on the case because he thinks the "families" have most of the PD in their pockets. The victim was Tony Demarco, as far as information we know is that he is Sal Aiello's right hand and also his son-in-law."

Cody interjected, "Which we know that Sal is Chris' uncle."

"What does that have to do with the case?" Frank asked.

"Don't you think she will be here for the funeral?" He said.

"And you point is Cody?" Frank asked a little irate.

Jake saw the change in Frank and decided to bail Cody out, "What Cody means is that Chris will know we are assigned to the case and it won't be an undercover gig."

"If Chris does come here, makes the wrong choices and interferes with the our investigation, she will go down. Give me what you complied so far, I going upstairs to review it."

Once in his office, Cody said, "He can be a heartless bastard sometimes."

"No, you just got the hots for her, be very careful what you say and who to." Jake warned.

Frankie was crabby and crying because he was off his schedule. Chris left him in the car seat when she brought him into the house. She had just gotten him asleep when her uncle arrived.

Sal walked up to Chris and hugged her. She whispered, "I'm so sorry, Uncle Sal. How is Nina handling it?

"As well as she can. Your aunt and cousin is with her, you know the woman of the family knows the risk."

"Yea, but it still doesn't prepare you."

"Enough of that for right now, I am happy to see you although I wish it was under different circumstances. Now, where's that son of yours?"

Chris looked at him sadly, "He's sleeping, Uncle Sal I wanted to tell you but."

"I know we don't see eye to eye on a lot of issues, one being Frank Donovan. I just wished you had enough trust in me to tell me. You didn't have to go it alone."

"I know but I had more support than you can even imagine."

"Are you going to tell him while you're here?"

"I don't know, every time we try to talk we just piss each other off, making it worse."

"Foolish pride, you two a more alike than either of you will admit. Chris think about two things and I have said all I say on the subject. If I knew about Frankie, don't you think with all his connections, he knows too? Second: Last night at the crime scene, I was told that the Chicago PD was off the case, that the Chicago Division of The Department of Justice would be taking over the case. They said Federal Agent Frank Donovan would be in charge."

She just looked at him and thought Frank and her paths were definitely going to cross and she still didn't know how to prepare herself for the confrontation.