Disclaimer: I do not own any of the CSI NY characters, but Zoey is all mine!
A/N: Okay, here is chapter 6. Whew, can't believe I'm there already!
Kasmith101 – Flack just needs a little time to realize what he's done…
Snowbear96 – I will forgive you for not reviewing ch4 ;) Glad you like Ryan!
Chili-peppers – Flack is just being a boy, he'll come around ;)
Dddynamite – it is sad what happened to Zoey, but I needed to explain Ryan
Smiliee – Glad you liked the b-ball
Aemie – still haven't decided what I'm going to do with Mac and Zoey, but I think they'll have a great relationship.
Trixie7 – Ryan is cute, I feel I need to make him more realistic, since he's currently a little angel
Chapter 6
Knock! Knock!
"He's here, he's here!" Ryan squealed jumping off the couch and running to the door.
From outside, Danny heard the lock slide before the door swung open. He saw a young boy with a huge smile on the other side.
"You must be Ryan." He smiled.
"You're Aunt Linny's boyfriend. She told me so." He said proudly. "Today, is your sixth month anniversary, she said you are going to take her somewhere fancy." He babbled excitedly.
"Wow, you sure do know a lot." Danny chuckled.
"It's because I'm almost 7. And I'm in grade one." He said seriously.
"Almost 7, really? When's your birthday?"
"In a month. I asked to go to a Yankees game. Mom is thinking about it." He pouted. Danny smiled. He liked this kid. Too smart for his own good, he loved it.
It had been 5 months since the ball. Danny knew that Zoey and Flack hadn't seen each other since. Personally, he thought Flack was an idiot, but to each his own.
"Ok, I'm ready." Lindsay said, interrupting Danny's conversation with Ryan.
"Be good you two." Zoey mocked. "It's a school night you know."
"Yes mom, I'll have her home before midnight." Danny mocked back.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
"Mmmmmm, that was good." Lindsay smiled leaning back in her chair.
"Dessert?" Danny smiled.
"I could be convinced."
Danny gave the waitress their order. "So, how's Zoey?"
"She's good. Why?"
"Well, you know, Flack and all that."
Lindsay smiled. "She never expected him to stick around."
"Really?"
"She's a realist Danny."
"I still think that it was stupid of Flack to do what he did." Danny huffed. "I mean, the kid's great."
"Danny, it's a lot of responsibility having a kid, never mind someone else's kid." Lindsay laughed.
"Ya, I guess. Anyways, he mentioned he wanted to go to a Yankees game for his birthday? Think she'll let me take him?"
"Look at you Uncle Danny! You really like him!"
"He's a good kid. Likes the Yankees, best to foster that." He winked.
"Ya, she'll let you. She hates baseball. Just let her know when. You'd be his hero if you took him on the subway and wore your badge."
Danny smiled. "Done. Flack and Hawkes were talking about goin'. I'll set it up."
"Danny…." Lindsay warned. "Are you trying to play matchmaker?"
Danny just shrugged as their dessert arrived.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Woah…..Mac's gonna wanna see this." Danny whistled.
"What's that?" Stella asked. They had been working on this rape case for 2 days straight.
"DNA came up to a match on an unsolved case. Rape of Zoey Connors in 2000."Danny let out a breath.
"Our Zoey Connors?" Stella asked. After quick phone call,Mac had everyone in a conference room. He came in with Zoey's file and put it on the table. He ran a hand over his face.
"Ok. Let's compare the evidence. We had a couple of suspects back then, but most were cleared by DNA. Those who weren't, we didn't have enough to get a warrant."
"Would it help to re-interview Zoey?" Stella asked.
"I don't want to tell her until we absolutely need to. She still thinks it's her fault." Mac breathed.
"Hey guys, you called?" Flack asked entering the room.
"Ya, Flack. We are going to treat this as a serial case. Here is a list of people we looked into for Zoey Connors' rape, can you look them up?" Mac asked.
"Zoey's rape?" Flack was confused.
"Yes…" Mac said slowly. "Open case since 2000."
Flack did the math in his head. 'Shit.' Shewas pregnant from the rape. 'Way to be a dick, Don. And you thought she was just easy.'
"There is DNA from the child she had for comparison; everything is in here." Mac said handing him the file.
The next day, the team had no choice but to call Zoey in for an interview. They were out of options.
"Mac said we can do it in the conference room." Stella offered softly once Lindsay and Zoey arrived at the lab.
"That's fine, I just want it over with." Zoey said shakily. Crossing her arms defensively.
It turned out to be a waste of time, since Zoey couldn't tell them anything they didn't already know. Although, Danny noticed it really bothered Flack.
"You alright man? You seem distracted." Danny questioned a few hours later.
"Just bothers me that we had to bring her in again." He grumbled.
"We do it all the time, Flack."
"It's just…..different, with her."
"You mean it bothers you, because you like her, care for her and all that mumbo jumbo?" Danny smiled.
"S'complicated Messer. I'm not a good role model for a kid."
"Oh, so a rapist is better?"
Flack stared at him. He did have a point there….
Xxxxxxxxxxx
"Ryan, you need to calm down. You're going out with adults, so you need to be on your best mature behaviour." Zoey told him as she tied his shoes.
"I'm excited. We are going on the subway!" he exclaimed.
Zoey laughed. "I know, remember to thank the guys for taking you out, ok?"
When there was a knock at the door, Ryan was off like a shot. He fumbled with the lock, and pulled the door open to reveal Flack. He was dressed in a Yankees jersey, and had two baseball gloves and a Yankees cap in his hands.
"Ummm," he said suddenly looking uncomfortable. "Danny's going to meet us at the subway." He told Zoey nervously.
Zoey smiled. She was freaking on the inside, her stomach had butterflies like never before. "Here's my metrocard for him. And some spending money." She handed them to Flack. He took the card, but pushed the money away. "It's ok, we got it."
"Don"
"Zoey, it's his birthday present from us." He insisted. Ryan beamed. "I brought you a hat, since I heard this horrible rumor that your mom hates baseball. And a glove, in case we get a ball out way!"
Ryan was giddy with excited now. He grabbed Flack's hand and pulled him out the door. "Bye mom!"
"We'll have him home after supper." Flack called over his shoulder.
"Have fun!" Zoey called after them.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Ok, buddy, what do you want to eat?" Flack asked him once they were all seated in the booth. Danny was very happy. His plan had worked. He knew that Flack would bond with Ryan if given the chance.
"Chicken nuggets. No! A hamburger, a big huge one. With French fries. And a coke." He declared. "Please." He quickly added.
"And where do you think you are goin' to put all that food?" Danny asked playfully.
"In here." He pointed to his stomach.
45 minutes later, Flack was finishing off Ryan's hamburger and fries. He could tell Ryan was starting to get tired. Flack and Danny said goodbye to Hawkes as they walked with Ryan to the subway station. Once they reached the stairs, Flack picked him up. Danny looked at him and smiled.
"What? He's tired, I don't want him to fall." Flack told him.
They got into the subway and Flack sat down with Ryan asleep in his arms. An older woman smiled at him. Finally, just before her stop, the woman went over to Flack. "It's so nice to see a father and son spending time together this day in age. He looks just like you. Even has your eyes. How precious." She smiled.
Danny held his breath. 'Ya, the kid kinda looks like him, blue eyes and all.'
"Thank you." Flack smiled. "Have a nice night."
As soon as she was off the subway, Danny spoke up. "You've got it baaaaaaaad my friend."
"Don't tell Zoey…or Lindsay. I'll know it was you." He growled.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Hey Don." Zoey greeted as she answered her door. "He fell asleep?"
Flack laughed softly "Ya, he was pretty wired at the game. He's come down from the sugar rush now."
"Here, I'll take him so you can get going." She reached for Ryan.
"Just point me to his room, I'll carry him." Flack smiled.
"Right this way."
Flack placed Ryan in bed, while Zoey got his pjs from the dresser. She sat down on the edge of the bed and began to change his clothes.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Flack asked.
"Hmm? Tell you what?"
"About the rape."
Zoey's head snapped up. "It's not something I'm proud of."
"Sorry, I know." He said sheepishly.
"This is going to sound weird, but I wouldn't change it. Ryan is the best thing in my life." She smiled.
"He's a good kid." Flack admitted. "Really smart."
"Sometimes too smart." She chuckled as she pulled the covers over him and kissed his forehead.
"Do you want to go out for supper sometime?" Flack asked quickly. "With me?"
Zoey regarded him for a second. "You don't have to Don, I appreciate you offering…"
"Look, Zoey, I want to. After the ball, I was a dick. I just….well, I was surprised, and kids, I mean…"
"I know." Zoey smiled. "It's ok."
"He's not as scary as I thought. I could settle for being the second best thing in your life." Flack ducked his head once he'd registered what he'd just said. He was saved by Ryan.
"Momma?" he whispered.
"Yes, baby?" Zoey responded taking her eyes off Flack.
"My glove, can I sleep with it?" he asked.
"No honey, its Mr Flack's glove; he has to take it home."
"Its okay buddy, you can have it. That way we can play catch. I can teach you how to throw like the players?" Flack handed him the glove.
"And bat?"
"Of course!"
"Night Momma."
Zoey kissed his forehead and got up to leave the room.
"So…dinner?" Flack asked hopefully just before he stepped into the hallway.
"Sure." She smiled. "Better if it's one of Lindsay's nights off. I can bribe her into babysitting."
"Friday night, say at 6?"
"Sure, see you then."
Flack gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and left.