Disclaimer: I do not own any of the CSI NY characters, but Zoey is all mine!
A/N: I got a lot of writing done today while my dad dragged me around the countryside to pick up some horses at the crack of dawn, so here is chapter 5, chapter 6 should be posted this afternoon/evening!
Aemie – Here is Flack learning about Ryan
Trixie7 – You'll have to see if Flack loves Ryan…;)
Dddynamite – yay! I made you speechless!
Pepite – here is the ball!
Xbexyboox – here's more!
Chilli-peppers – who couldn't love shirtless Flack and Danny?
Kasmith101 – Here is the ball! Glad you like Zoey!
Chapter 5
"Ok Ryan, put on your pjs and we'll go to Hazel's apartment." Zoey called from the bathroom,
"But I want to see you in your dresses!" he called back.
"I know, you already told me that." Zoey laughed. "We're getting dressed right now, so go put your pjs on and we'll get Hazel to take a picture."
"A picture! Good idea Mom!" he exclaimed excitedly and ran to his room to change.
Xxxxxxxxx
"He's had his dinner, he's allowed a snack, but nothing sweet or he'll never get to bed." Zoey smiled ruffling his hair. She crouched down to his level. "Be good. We'll be gone until late, so I'll come get you in the morning. If you're good, maybe Hazel will make you her pancakes for breakfast."
"Ok mom! See you later." He hugged her quickly and dashed in the apartment.
"Hey, What about me?" Lindsay called after him. Ryan reappeared in the doorway and gave her a quick hug before heading back in to find Hazel's cat. Zoey turned to Hazel again.
"I won't have my cell, so if there's anything you can call Linsday's cell."
"Don't you worry Zoey, go, have a good time. You deserve it!" Hazel smiled.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"God, I'm nervous." Zoey confessed when they got back to the apartment to put the finishing touches on makeup and hair. "I haven't been to an event like this since Ryan was born."
Lindsay smiled. "It's going to be fun. I think Flack is good for you."
Zoey scoffed. "Lindsay, there is nothing there. I'm not his type!"
"How do you know that?"
Zoey stopped was she was doing and looked at Lindsay. "I hate to burst your bubble, but guys don't usually take too highly to raising another guy's kid."
"Pfffft, give him a chance." Lindsay smiled.
Zoey gave her a look. The phone rang, signalling someone was waiting to get buzzed in. "They're here!" Lindsay giggled.
"Look at you, all giggly and excited." Zoey chuckled as she answered the phone and gave Danny the instructions on how to come up. By the time they got to the apartment, the girls were ready to go.
"No purses?" Danny questions playfully as he took Lindsay's cell phone at her request and put it in his pocket.
"Money and ID is safely tucked away." Zoey winked and patted her chest.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"So, think is a big deal then?" Zoey asked a bit nervously as they pulled up in front of the Waldorf-Astoria.
"It's a chance for us to schmooze with the higher ups" Danny made a face. "Although, since we are with Junior here, we get bonus points with Daddy Flack."
"Junior?" Zoey asked.
Flack sighed as he opened the door for them. "My dad is an important NYPD guy." He supplied vaguely.
"He'll be here?" Lindsay asked.
"With my mother." Flack mumbled.
"Wait until you meet them. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Danny winked.
Zoey giggled. Flack looked miffed with Danny's comment, but took the opportunity to put his hand on the small of Zoey's back and lead her into the ballroom.
They weren't even in there two minutes before Flack heard his father's booming voice. "Junior!"
Zoey felt Flack stiffen beside her as he responded. "Dad."
"Whose this lovely young lady?" his dad smiled at Zoey.
"Dad, this is Zoey Connors, Zoey, this is my dad, Donald Flack Sr." Flack introduced them.
"Nice to meet you Mr Flack." Zoey smiled shyly, shaking his hand.
"Oh please, call me Donald. Let me go find Katherine, she'll want to meet you." He smiled before going off in his search.
"Wow, Danny wasn't kidding. Don, you look exactly like your dad!" Zoey laughed at the face Flack made.
"Oh my heavens! Donnie, you've brought a date! I'm so proud of you." A woman gushed as she took Flack into a hug.
"Ma!" Flack grumbled.
"Hush Donnie. Dear, I'm Katherine Flack, Donnie's mother." She said as she pulled Zoey into a hug.
"Ma, let the girl breathe. Her name is Zoey, in case you were wondering." Flack said sarcastically.
By that time, Danny and Lindsay has made their way over from the bat with drinks in their hands. A couple of minutes of idle chit chat passed before Katherine addressed Flack and Zoey.
"So does this mean my hope of having grandchildren soon can be revived?" she asked seriously.
Flack's eyes went wide. Danny held his breath. Lindsay choked on her drink. Zoey had enough composure to smile sweetly. 'Oh lady, if you only knew…'
"It's a little early yet, but I'm working on it. He doesn't realize it quite yet. The trick is to make him think it's his idea." Zoey responded.
Katherine laughed. "Right you are my dear! Let me tell you about how Donnie came to be…" Katherine ushered Zoey away from the others.
"You better go Flack." Danny tried to bit back his laughter. "Or she'll have some really good stories on you."
Flack turned to follow them and bumped into Mac.
"Flack. How are you?" he asked.
"Good. Have you seen my mother walking around with my date?"
Mac chuckled. "Over with Stella. You're here with Zoey Connors?"
"Yes, why?" Flack asked slowly.
"She has a special place with me. The first unsolved case of my career here in NY." Mac sighed as he looked at Zoey laughing with Stella at something Katherine had said. Flack was sure it was at his expense, but he was now more interested in what Mac had to say. "She looks happy. I'm glad."
"She's a great girl." Flack smiled. "We just started seeing each other; well, sort of…dating?"
Mac eyed him. 'Ok, I don't think he knows…' "She's handled more in her short life than most people, and surprisingly it's shaped her into a fantastic young woman."
Zoey had noticed Mac and Flack talking. She excused herself from Stella and Katherine.
"Ms Connors." Mac smiled.
"Detective Taylor." Zoey smiled warmly. "How are you?"
"I'm well, and yourself?" he said hugging her.
Xxxxxxxxxx
"She knows Mac?" Danny asked.
"She worked with us for the summer." Lindsay pointed out.
"Nice try, but Mac doesn't hug employees." Danny looked at her.
Lindsay sighed and regarded Danny for a moment. "Ok, but you keep this to yourself until she tells Flack herself. Pinky swear?"
"What, are we 6?" he laughed.
"Danny." She said seriously, and held out her pinky finger.
"Ok, let's dance while you talk." He winked.
"When Zoey was 19, she was out at a club with some friends. She remembers sitting at the bar ordering a drink, and then waking up a day later with no memory of what happened. Mac was the CSI on her case, they never solved it. She was drugged, raped and 5 weeks later, pregnant." Lindsay fell silent.
"They never found him?" Danny asked quietly.
"No. Mac's still got the file on his desk."
"The baby?" Danny asked.
Lindsay smiled. "Baby boy. He's 6 now. Ryan."
Danny stopped dancing and looked at her. "She's raising a kid?"
"She is."
"Holy crap. She's probably a good mom, huh?"
"Very good."
They were interrupted by Lindsay's cell phone. Danny reached into his pocket and handed Lindsay the phone.
"Monroe."
Danny watched as she listened. Her brow furrowed.
"For how long? Fever? Shit. I'm gonna get her, hold on."
Danny questioned her silently with raised eyebrows.
"Ryan's sick." Lindsay replied. "Gimme a minute."
"Sorry to interrupt. Zoey, phone's for you." Lindsay said handing her the phone.
Flack noticed Zoey's face change to worry. "Hazel?" she said into the phone.
"Ok, I'm coming home." She glanced at her watch. "I'll catch a cab and be there in 15."
"Sorry everyone. I've got to go." She handed Lindsay back her phone.
"I'll take you." Flack volunteered. He immediately noticed the look of fear that crossed her face.
"It's ok Don; I'll cab it." She insisted.
"Are you kidding me? I can be a gentleman you know." Flack scoffed. "Its past 11, you're not going anywhere alone."
"Ok, if it makes you feel better." She surrendered. "See you later Linny."
"Call me if you need anything!"
xxxxxxxxxxxx
"So, I better tell you now, before we get there." Zoey said nervously after she'd given the cabbie her address. "I have a son."
Flack's breath caught in his throat. "Ok?"
"He's six. And he's sick, which is why I have to get home."
"He lives with you and Lindsay?" Don asked. Zoey nodded. "What's his name?
"Ryan."
Flack nodded slowly. This was a lot to process for him. The girl he thought was shy and reserved had a kid. Obviously not shy and reserved. He didn't want to be an asshole, but he knew that this was not what he wanted. Six year old kid. Talk about baggage. They sat in silence for the rest of the ride. 'Ok, here's the plan, walk her up, nice peck on the cheek goodbye, and I'm outta there.'
Flack insisted on paying the cab driver before walking Zoey up. They went to get the kid first. Zoey knocked. An older woman opened the door.
"I'm sorry Zoey. I was worried. He's pretty sick. I told him you were coming; now he's really crying. He's upset he ruined your date." She addressed Flack with that last comment. He smiled 'Ok, that's kinda cute.'
"Hazel, this is Don Flack. This is my neighbour, Hazel. She watches Ryan for me." Zoey smiled. "Thanks for walking me up Don."
"My job isn't complete until you are safe in your apartment." He smiled.
"Ok" Zoey said slowly. "I'll go get him."
She returned later carrying a young boy with dark hair. He was wearing Superman pjs. He looked at Flack suspiciously. Flack was surprised at how much the kid looked like Zoey, except he had sky blue eyes. He was still crying as Zoey said goodbye to Hazel and they went down the hall.
"Are you a policeman?" he asked, sniffling.
"He's a detective." Zoey provided as she fumbled for her keys. Flack reached out and took her keys. She smiled gratefully as he opened the door.
"Really? You catch the bad guys?" he asked interested. Flack followed them to his room. "With handcuffs and a gun? Do you have a gun?"
Flack chuckled. "Ya. I catch the bad guys. I only have a gun when I'm working."
Ryan looked satisfied as Zoey put him in bed. "Let me say goodbye to Mr Flack, and then I'll come back. Here is the garbage can if you feel sick, ok?"
"Ok. By Mr Flack." He mumbled.
"Sorry about that." Zoey said shyly. "Thanks for walking me up."
Flack leaned in and kissed her cheek. "My pleasure. Take care."
Zoey sighed as she closed the door. Talk about crash and burn…