The Best Option

CHAP 2

A Flack/oc story, because I think there is a big shortage of them.

And all the talk about the forms and immigration in this story is made up, I have no idea how it's really done. Other than that enjoy and don't forget to comment if you like it or I won't post the ending.

(And this story happens before CoTP)

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters or anything from CSI:NY, only Amy, Holly and Tammy.

(Noticed now they all end with 'Y's, funny how that happened)

csi:ny

As Amy walked to the lab the next morning she thought about the day before. Don had reassured her that he didn't mind doing this for her, after all it wasn't anything more than there names on a piece of paper, no big deal.

She walked into the lab happy, yesterday had been hard since she had been weighed down by the letter and she had been quite grumpy towards the poor lab techies.

"I'll get them some donuts or something to make up for it", she thought as she hung up her coat and headed to get the days assignments.

"You have the day off, that means don't come in", Mac said as she sat down with the others waiting for assignments.

"I know, but I fixed the problem so no need for a day off. What have we got?"

Exchanging looks with Stella, who just smiled, Mac continued giving out the orders.

"Danny, Amy and Stella; you've got a double homicide down on West 23rd, Flack will meet you there. Lindsay and Sheldon; you've got a suspected body dump in Central park, Maka is already there, lets go.

In the car Amy was in deep thought, when Mac had mentioned Flack would be working with them today she couldn't help but think 'my fiancée'. Because that's what he is, well for the moment. She smiled, this whole thing was bizarre, but in a good way. She was lucky that she had such a good friend who would help her, even if that meant marriage.

"So it's fixed then?", Stella asked as she drove through the New York traffic, not needing to ask what she was talking about Amy simple answered, "Yeah, nice and simple", and she smiled again as they parked and got out of the car and towards the scene.

They hadn't discussed when or what to tell their friends about their plan, Don had said it would be self evident soon anyway. So Amy just went with it.

"Hey, Flack, what have we got?", Danny bent down to a middle aged woman who seemed to have been stabbed multiple times in the chest.

"Good morning to you too Messer, anyway, Gina Hedling, 33 and the male inside is her husband David Hedling 34. Coroner's already been here saying they've been dead 12-6 hours. No witnesses of course."

"No weapon found?" Stella asked looking around the body.

"And no weapon found. And just so you know, this case has high priority; the husband was a friend of the police chief"

"I'll take the inside" Danny got up and walked inside, Stella brushed some dirt from her knees, "I'll take the outside, Amy could you search around the area, no one is stupid enough to keep the murder weapon so they could have dumped it close by"

"Sure, but if they're stupid enough to murder two people then they're probably stupid enough to keep the weapon too" picking up her kit and heading towards the car to get a flashlight Don followed her.

"You coming with me?" she asked as she checked the batteries of the flash light.

"Sure, one thing before we start", and he pulled out a diamond ring out of his pocket, "don't worry, it's not real", he reassured her as he saw her face fall, "cost a dollar on a street market, but I thought we needed some props".

"God, that's so sweet, I…what are you doing!" He had gotten down on one knee. "We have to do this properly you know" he said with a huge grin on his face, he was loving this.

They were standing by the car, people had actually stopped to look, some of the officers on the scene were whistling and then, with a made-up voice, he asked;

"Amy, this past year has been amazing and I don't want it to ever end, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife….for a month?", the last part he had whispered so only they could hear. Amy played along and with an equally made-up voice answered; "Oh my god, Don!", waving her hand in front of her face as if to stop the tears, "I can't believe it, I…of course I'll marry you!" she flung her arms around him as he stood up, people on the street and around them cheered as Amy whispered in Dons ear, "…for a month". He slipped the ring on her finger.

"What was that?", Stella was walking up to them, Amy was still holding her arms around Don and realizing that they quickly let go of each other.

"When did all this start?", she just stared at them as Danny joined the conversation.

"I know what this is, you took my advice, good for you guys. But Ams, you could do so much better than him".

While Don gave Danny a sharp left on the arm Stella looked to Amy with an understanding look, "You took Dannys' advice?", before Amy could say anything Stella waved her hand, "I don't want to know, I'm happy you're not going to be deported, even though this isn't the best way you know that right?" Amy nodded.

"Good, well congrats and I hope we're invited to the wedding. Let's get back to work people".

csi:ny

The bodies had been taken away, all evidence found put into bags and every neighbour interviewed. Left was to head back to the lab and figure out what happened.

Stella stood in the lab, arms crossed and her foot tapping the floor. The only thing standing in between her and a break in the case was the machines ability to process faster; they had waited for half an hour already for the machine to spit out the answer.

But it was only Stella who was inpatient; Amy sat by the table beside her stressed colleague, but not at all showing the same emotions as Stella. She sat fiddling with her ring, for a fake ring it looked quite good.

"When's the big day?", Amy snapped out of her thoughts, "What?"

"When do you swap 'I do's?"

"Depends if we can get time at city hall tomorrow, the sooner the better", since this was all still new to her, it felt so odd hearing her self say things like that.

Stella must have seen it on her face, "Feels strange, unreal maybe? Well it should because it isn't real. Amy I'm all for you being able to stay in the country but marrying Flack, that's not fair to him is it?"

She couldn't believe it, Stella; the one she thought would be most supportive is questioning her actions?

"He asked me, I said he didn't have to, but he wanted to help. Besides it's not like we're committing to each other for ever, only for a month. You have to understand that Stell".

"I do but, and I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, it's just have you thought of what this will do to your friendship to Flack?"

"We would become even better friends I'd think and that's a good…"

The machine finally beeped and produced a paper with figures relating to the case.

Stella took the paper and with one look their theory was confirmed; the husband killed the wife before probably killing himself.

"Let's not talk about this now, the weapon is still at the scene, come on"

csi:ny

Thursday evening at city hall, everyone was there, Mac, Stella, Hawkes and his girlfriend Tammy, Danny, Lindsay and Dons sister Holly. Not really everyone, but everyone that mattered. They kept it as short and simple as possible, Don was in a suit (big shocker) and Amy wore a fitted jacket and a short skirt.

A strange feeling came over Amy as she stood next to Don while the city official spoke. What would this do to their friendship? What if Don met someone and that someone were scared away by the fact he was married? What if the immigration office found out the marriage was a hoax? Then they'd both lose their jobs.

Her pulse gathered speed and she just wanted to shout out for someone to stop this, she regretted having put Don in this situation. She turned to him to some how say with her eyes to stop, but when she met his gaze it all blew away, her pulse calmed down and she smiled back at him. It was going to ok, all the reassurance she needed was there beside her. They said their I Do's and a very quick kiss and the guests left the room. Don and Amy went to sign the marriage license together with their witnesses. Holly was Dons witness and Amy had asked Danny.

As Holly was signing Amy gave Danny a hug, "Thanks for doing this"

"No problem, I feel honoured, besides your like the sister I never had so this is just logical, plus this was my idea", he smiled as he took the pen from Holly and signed. They walked out the doors and confetti flew everywhere and photos were taken, just like the real thing.

Afterwards it was dinner at a restaurant, the wine and conversations flowed freely, jokes about when and where they were going on a honeymoon and how many children they would have. The people sitting around the table were the only people who knew the true reason behind the marriage.

"Silence please, shhh...thank you. I have a gift for the newlyweds", Holly lifted a wrapped box from under the table and handed it over, "it's more of a joke than a necessity" she added as they ripped off the paper. When the contents were revealed everyone laughed, a plain white toaster.

"Now you have something to fight about when you get divorced; who gets to keep the toaster".

After about another hour it was three in the morning and time to head home, everyone a bit more wobbly than before. Waiting outside for cabs Stella walked up to Amy and gave her a big hug, "Don't hurt him ok? That's a good girl", she slurred as she patted Amy on the cheek.

"Come on Stella", Mac steered here into a cab and waved good night.

Don and Amy shared a cab and as they drove home they reminisced about the evening.

"We got married today, amazing!" Don uttered, barely being able to keep his eyes open.

"Yes, that we did, but remember; after tonight everything goes back to normal, we only need to be married on paper not for real", Don didn't answer, he had fallen asleep on her shoulder, "I'm tired too you know.." she mumbled as she closed her eyes.

"Lady, hey lady! We're here", Amy snapped her head up, the cab driver was glaring at her from the front seat.

"Sure, ok, I'm up".

"Lady, what about your husband?"

Amy poked Don and giggled as his eyes flung open, he was ticklish, good to know she thought.

"I'm coming", he slurred as the both slid out of the taxi.

Holding on to each other they climbed the stairs and at the door they were on hands and knees laughing their heads off looking for the keys in Amy's bag. After a short key hunt, and a few curse words from the neighbours, they stumbled inside and fell asleep almost immediately.

csi:ny

((Dons point of view))

The steady rays of sunlight landing directly in his face and had woken him up, but then he felt the thumping in his head and wished he could have continued sleeping.

The room was nice and cool and the bed comfortable warm. But it wasn't his bed, he was now wide awake.

His arm was flung over a white clad figure who was facing away from him, he smiled as he realized it was Amy and he was glad they both still had there cloths on. He leaned forward to see her face, she was still asleep. He lay back down, enjoying laying there next to her. It was this kind of thing Stella had told to avoid.

Flash back…(the day he gave Amy the ring)

"Your going to have to tell her before you get that marriage license", she had said as the two of them walked into the elevator.

"Tell her what Stell?" he answered nonchalantly pressing the '35' button..

"She said yes because it's her only option to stay, you asked because you wanted to help her stay, but I think you did it for another reason Don".

"I don't know what you're on about", he was avoiding her gaze.

"Stop the charade, you fancy the pants off of her and you know it and you asked her based on that but you're gonna' get hurt since she's in it for the marriage license only", she sighed as the elevator came to the 35th floor and they got off, "Don I just want you to watch out, you're acting like if you do this for her she'll magically fall for you. I don't want to see you get hurt that's all".

"I'm doing this as a friend to help her; it's going to be a very short and unconventional marriage, that's it"

"Sure, be in denial then, but promise me this, don't put her or your self in a situation where your feelings are forced to the surface, do that and you can kiss your friendship good bye…ok?"

…..

He carefully lifted his arm off of her and tiptoed into the kitchen, passing a mirror in the hall he caught his reflection, he had looked better. In the kitchen he grabbed a glass of milk and sat down, he wondered if he should wake her up to say he was leaving. He decided not to, if she had the same hangover he had she would be thankful for another hour or two of sleep. He wrote a note and put it n the fridge.

Tiptoeing back into the bedroom he stood for awhile just looking at her. He walked quietly up to her and kissed her on the forehead; she mumbled in her sleep and smiled.

He headed for the door; no need for a cab, a nice walk would do him good...