OLD FLAME

BY QUASI9



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

Rating: R

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

Feedback: yes Quasi9@msn.com

As soon as Chris returned to the house, Joey made his way to her and said, " Have you been crying? Your uncle wants to see you."

"Ok, give me a minute, I want to check on Frankie." She said ignoring his question.

"He can wait, your uncle said as soon as you got here."

"Where is he?"

"In the library."

Chris made her way to the library as she walked down the hall Nicholas was just coming out of it. He stopped her in the hallway, "Be careful of how you answer his questions. We still have unfinished business."

"Are you threatening me?"

"No, just stating a fact, I'm sure you don't want "the family" to know about our past."

"It was so long ago, no one would really care." She said trying to remain calm and not to take his bait.

"Are you so sure about that? I don't think the police would view it as an accident"

"They already clear me of any involvement years ago and need I remind you I went on to become a federal agent."

"That's right but you know I can stir some shit." Nicholas rubbed him chin as he said it.

"Go for what you know and you be careful of where the cards fall." Chris said as she ended the conversation and resumed her walk to the library.

Max opened the door to let Chris in, her uncle was looking out the window said, "I understand from Joey he left you with Frank Donovan."

"Yes, Frank and I talked."

He turned around to see the puffiness around her eyes and her nose red, "What did he want?" He didn't have to ask her why she was crying, he knew.

"Just the usual, information about why I'm here, how long I'm going to stay, why the bodyguards on certain people, and Nicholas."

"That's a lot of questions, what did you say?"

"Whoa, why do I feel I'm getting the third degree here?"

"Because you are. Many people saw you stay back with him and raised questions."

"Are you questioning my loyalty?"

"Don't get so defensive. You know he's investigating Tony's murder and everyone is suspicious because you were a federal agent."

"Well, you can put everyone's mind at ease. I gave the politically correct answers. I came here because there was a death in the family. I will be here as long it takes to support my family through their time of grief. After what happened two years ago, bodyguards are a necessary now. And Nicholas, he had surveillance on the funeral home and saw the whole incident. I went off on him and never answered. Then he let me know he was in charge of this investigation and that if I interfered, I had a lot to lose."

"Very clever, but then you know how to handle yourself in most situations as long as it doesn't become personal. Tell me what made you to pull a gun on Nicholas?"

Chris never outright lied to her uncle but there was always a first time, "He called me a whore."

"That does not justify pulling a gun on him."

She did not look at him, "I am tired of men taking advantage of me. He just him a nerve when he said it."

Sal did not believe his niece for one minute but he would not push her, he just needed to keep them apart. "Did you tell him about his son?"

"No."

"Don't you think after that comment about you having a lot to lose, he was referring to Frankie?"

"Maybe, but if he knows he didn't persuade the issue. I don't think it would really matter, he's cold, unfeeling, arrogant, heartless, stub---."

Sal interrupted her rampage, "Ok, Ok I get the point. Just keep me informed on anything you do."

"Yes sir." She said and walked out the door.

No one in the van said a word when they saw the look on his face. Apparently he did not get the answered he wanted and no one dared to ask.

When they got back to the warehouse, he went into his "I'm the boss" mode and barked instructions, "Cody, you need to find out every and any thing about the guy that's with Chris, Nicholas Demarco, and movements of any known hit men. Monica, I want you to profile the heads of the families again. Jake and Alex, comb the streets and the witness list again. Use every source you have available."

He had to do something with this case; he didn't want Chris snooping around. He wanted his life back to normal and it wouldn't be until she was back in Miami with her son. But is that what he really wanted?