Chapter 4

"Sorry I'm late." John Munch came in Danny's apartment with a document bag in his hand, "Case kept me up, but I managed to get few minutes away. And," Speed and Horatio came in after Munch, "I get our guests here."

"Lieutenant Caine, and I take it you're Speed." Flack smiled, stood up from the coach where he was sitting, shook hands with the two men, "I'm detective Don Flack. Good to have someone we know here for Danny, and welcome to the Big Apple," he waved for Horatio, "again."

Horatio laughed softly, and Speed smiled, "Thank you, Flack." then he cast a look towards bedroom, "How's he?"

"Fed up, and sleeping." Tony walked out the bedroom with Gibbs, carefully closing the door behind them, "It's good to see you guys so soon again, though I have to say the situation is disliked."

"Indeed." Flack quickly went through the document Munch gave him, " Sonny Sassone's out. Shit." he cursed, "They're supposed to keep him there and none of these will be happening."

"Care to explain more?" Gibbs raised his brows, "I think I have heard that name as the one who messed all these."

"Sonny Sassone, " handing Gibbs the file, Flack sighed, "is the one who controls a gang called Tanglewoods. Danny used to have a past with that gang, but we do not knows how much he involved. We actually know nothing about Danny and Tanglewoods until several months ago Sonny was in for a murder case. Then he grounded Danny and made sure everyone knew Danny had a past with them, which we know nothing about."

Horatio quietly frowned, it kind of reminded him about Ray. He mentally shook himself and was met with Speed's concerned glance. He smiled a little to console his mate.

"Danny has been bearing a black mark since then. Everyone kinda began to distance him. He tried very hard to prove himself back but……" Flack shook his head.

"He tried too hard." Gibbs commented over the file, "Accidentally shot an undercover instead."

"Ouch." Tony blinked a bit blankly, "That's bad."

"More than bad." Corrected Horatio.

Munch noded, "Nobody likes one who shoot one of our own."

"Yes and especially in Danny's situation, most cops that knew about it thought it's more than an accident, though IAB did clear him up." Flack punched the bridge of his nose a little, "I mean I and the team still trust him, but……we never talked to him about all this and he just kept himself locked up. You know what that's look like."

"Doubt." said Horatio almost absent-minded, "Once it starts, it's hard to get rid of, and it spreads way too fast."

"I think Mac was expecting some kind of explaination, but would not reach out first, being a stubborn ex-marine – sorry no offence," Flack gave a half smile on Gibbs, who shot a deadly glare at Tony's smirk, "Stella was kinda same here, she cared for Danny just like she cared for others in the team – but if you don't ask for her help, you are not likely to get it. Aiden did try to get to Danny once or twice but had failed miserably, don't think she'd ever tried again."

"Ar hun." Gibbs exchanged few gazes with Tony as Speed did the same with Horatio, "What about you, Don?"

"Me?" Flack sighed again, heavier this time, "I was one good example of 'don't ask don't tell', until yesterday. I thought he'll get through it one day, we just need some patience……than I realized it's not so. Keep waiting doesn't make things any better. Danny's just too headstrong for asking help even when he might need it – he see it as a weakness and he hate to be considered weak. That's why I'm calling to check on him last night."

"Which is a really good timing." added Tony, "So where is this Sonny now?"

"We don't have him located yet, since he should be at jail now. He got out much sooner than he should." Munch replied, "And so far we don't get anything about who turned him, so we have nothing about his connection to any other clanes now. But this seems more like a personal grudge than organized attack. But we do know that Sassone's been turned no more than a few months."

"A mere baby." Tony humphed, "I really see the necessary on having some words with this brad."

Speed sighed turning towards Horatio, "I really should bring Riddick with us you know. He would definitely want to kick Sassone's ass."

"Plus his sire's." added Tony, "and tell you what, I don't think we need Riddick this time – I'm more than willing to do that. Turned some dangerous guys then have them run around and endangered the innocents, he'd need more than a talk."

TBC