Chapter Three

A/N: I promise that I have not forgotten Hostage! It's just that I've had such a need to work this one out that I've become a little lazy and distracted with the other. Don't worry though! I'm not dropping it! I just want to get a couple chapters up with this one (I've got a great idea coming up) and I want it to be read soon, not in forever. And plus, I've been getting a ton of reviews about ships and let me just say, the characters may jump around with one another. If you've read 'Into a Grey Sky Morning' by me you'll see what I'm talking about. I'm just going to be experimenting and see which one I like best. So, anyway, onto the fanfic!

Within five minutes of walking, Danny decided that signaling down a taxicab was a much better idea that walking the whole thirty minutes to Flack's apartment.

Danny wasn't a big fan of cabs but when it was nearly close to midnight and the day's earlier work wasstill having a heavy effect on him, he knew that the cab was his final and last straw for survival.

The driver stayed silent as they passed buildings after buildings, their shapes all-forming into one as they sped pass. And as they drove, Danny couldn't help but let his mind wander.

When the cab finally came to a stop at Flack's apartment complex, Danny handed over the fee and stepped out, the chilled air quickly greeting him. Flack's apartment complex was different and yet similar to Danny's. Flack's was centered in probably what would be the best and safest place in the city while Danny's seemed to stand right in the dead center of gangs and trouble. Maybe their apartment choices had matched their history and personalities.

And as he made his way up to the complex, Danny realized that he wasn't exactly sure of what he was going to say. Yeah, so Flack had basically left Danny to fend for Aiden but because why? Was it because he was upset that Aiden wasn't going to get Mac's protection? Either way, Danny felt that Flack should at least properly explain himself with the feeling of the bar slowly creeping up into his side.

Once inside, Danny knocked at Flack's door, rocking back and forth on his feet as he waited. He knew that it was late and that it probably wasn't the greatest idea to be schlepping across town but Danny desperately needed answers from Flack.

So, he knocked again.

He soon heard the sound of locks unlocking and the door opened to show an irritated and tired Flack. He was still in his work clothes except for his tie (which Danny saw lying on the back of the couch) and his shirt, which was hanging out at the end with most of his collar buttons undone, revealing his white undershirt.

Yeah, maybe coming over wasn't such a great idea but Danny somehow or another could not make any communication with his feet. Something was telling him to stay instead of run, but then again, Danny Messer was never a man to just bring up a fight and leave. Never. He needed to win them.

"What Dan?" Flack asked irritably as he sighed, leaning up against the doorframe.

Danny took a step forward and Flack looked at him questionably. Danny could tell that the detective was wondering why he was here so late and what he wanted because no one in their right mind would have ever made their way over so late for just a simple 'good night' unless it was something really important.

Danny took another step and they were so close that their bodies almost touched. He looked up at Flack and said seriously, "we've gotta talk about earlier, Don."

Flack's face hardened. "Why? I've already said what needed to be said and obviously that didn't go through anyone's skulls because you're here in my fuckin' apartment complex tellin' me we've gotta talk."

Danny's brows furrowed and he absently licked his lower lip, something he seemed to be doing out of nerves recently. "Don, I didn't say that we didn't hear ya because trust me, Aiden and I did loud and clear but ya gotta understand Don. She's goin' through a tough time."

"She needs Mac's help."

"I understand that-"

"So why the fuck won't'cha give it to her? Pratt doesn't care who sees him. Just as long as he rapes an' kills."

"I was just at her place, Don. Things are fine." He insisted, his voice rising just slightly that Flack could hear him but not the curious neighbors next door.

"Ya didn't see him? Didn't see anythin' that Pratt can, oh I dunno, use to his advantage?"

"No." Danny emphasized. "I saw nothin'."

Flack didn't seem all too convinced and Danny laughed faintly, trying anything in his power just to get the detective to relax. "Don, seriously, listen' to me man. She's fine and plus, if there was somethin' up, she'd call us."

"She wouldn't even admit that she needed protection."

"She would call."

Silence fell heavily on the two, both engulfing them whole as the two men stared at one another. It was a hard decision on both part of whom to believe and neither one wanted to give in to the other side. That was how it was with these two. Always having something to argue about and even though their arguments could get pretty heavy, they'd still be close as ever to the best friends that they were.

And maybe even something more. But Danny never dared to cross that line. Never.

"So, um, wanna grab a beer and watch a game?" Danny asked hopefully as Flack's brow rose.

"Danny, it's twelve fifteen." He responded even though he couldn't help but let a small smile tug at the corners of his lips.

"So what. It's not like that has ever stopped us before."

"Ya don't wanna sleep like normal people, Messer?" Flack asked as he stepped aside, giving Danny enough room to make his way inside the apartment. Apparently it too didn't seem like such a bad idea to Flack.

Danny laughed at his comment and stepped inside, his body just barely brushing up against Flack's. "I wanna drink like a drunk, party like a drunk, and fall asleep like a drunk. That's all I want."

Flack smirked as he closed the door behind the other man. "You and me both, pal. You and me both."

Xxxx

He was watching her but in a way that she couldn't watch him. It was an odd and strange way of finding her but it worked and it worked in a way that she'd never be able to pinpoint anything on him.

His the black hood on top of his head provided as a disguise for him, giving him complete access to his surroundings without anyone exactly seeing his.

Once that man had left (he thinks his name is Danny, or Denny), Pratt had decided to enter the woman's apartment, catching the apartment complex door with his foot before slipping silently inside.

This time, he wouldn't paint rooms. This time, he would make the mistakes he had done in the past. This time, as he slipped his identical key of hers into her apartment door lock, he knew that this would be his best and final killing.

And they would never be able to pin it on him.

TBC.