A/N: We're being pulled in every other direction… we'll we manage to hold?

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The drive from "Ollie's" to "The Oyster's Cult" was done in taught silence, memories of what had happened being analyzed and over analyzed ad infinitum; some images wanting to be vanquished forever, others longing to remain engraved permanently.

Angell wondered if she should try to make light of the mood Flack seemed to be in, but she simply couldn't find the words that would make him crack the tiniest of smiles. Pissed-off Flack was difficult to deal with, albeit survivable; full-blown raving-mad Flack, however… she didn't want to go there. And she knew he must be at the very least upset with her, as he'd never particularly cared for her saving HIS day.

But she just couldn't stand watching him agonize under Bryan's scrutiny, private truths being hurled unceremoniously into front stage for everyone to stare at. Besides, she hadn't wanted to hear what he had to say. If he was going to admit that yes, he was in love with her, she'd much rather hear it from him in a more romantic setting; and if he wasn't, well… there wasn't a written law anywhere that said that he had to say that in public, either.

So she did what she could to diffuse the situation, taking charge, making light of it, asking Bryan to give them both a second chance. And if to prove Flack could do gay like the best of them, she simply straddled him and slid down the zipper from her tight leather vest, giving him a full view of her breasts. Flack, smart cop that he was, played along, not even glancing down. He simply zipped her back up, patting her in the head, as if she were a misbehaving bra

"Nice try, girlfriend. Now go show them to someone who'd actually wanna play with them and get off of me, you're blocking the view!"

Bryan started coughing, nearly choking on his drink, and Robert had patted him on the head, all the while flashing the other two officers a bright smile. The pitch, the intonation, the words… simply perfect. Too bad no one had paid attention!

Robert's assumption, however, had been wrong. Patrons had paid attention, close attention, and soon enough Angell was dirty-dancing with an ebony goddess and Flack was shamelessly flirting with a blond blue-eyed guy built like a corner back, who was quick to suggest moving to the bar's area to enjoy a drink. Flack agreed with enthusiasm, perhaps too much enthusiasm, and Bryan had to actually pull him back to explain that "going to the bar area" was gay-speak for "let's make out in a corner".

Too bad it had been too late to backtrack, Flack thought, flinching, as he maneuvered in the early morning traffic of the city that never really slept, at least, not entirely. He had been looking at Angell from the corner of his eye, trying to get a read on her feelings and thoughts, but he was getting zip from her. Her shields were up, her cards heavily guarded against her chest, and he wondered where he stood with her now. And for the second time in the last twenty-four hours, he found himself regretfully considering that perhaps it had indeed been for the best that what had transpired between them back in his bedroom had not gone further. It was going to hurt like hell if she could never again look at him straight in the face after what she'd seen him done tonight… but he was certain he'd never manage if he had already kissed her.

Just then he heard her murmur something.

"What was that?" Neutral tone.

"Huh?"

"Did you say anything?"

"Me? No… no, I haven't spoken"

She turned back to looking out of the window and he went back to paying attention to his driving. He was almost certain he had heard her voice, but maybe it was wishful thinking, wanting to know if things were cool between them, if they would hold even when everything around them crumbled.

He needed to know that she understood, that she knew what was going on. He wanted to be sure she could see beyond the fact that, while she was dancing with another woman, he was making out with some guy, kissing some guy, giving some guy a hand job… and not enjoying it one bit. He was worried things were going to end badly; Nick (or was it Mick? He couldn't remember) had already asked twice if there was something wrong…

And then he had looked up over the other man's shoulder and he'd seen her… looking straight at him, her eyes fixed on him, and watched as the other woman had her hands all over Jenn's body, straddling her leg and non-discreetly humping her. And all the time, even as she ran her tongue up and down the woman's neck, Jenn had been looking at him. And he had moaned in wanton, his body finally reacting to the assault of physical sensations from within inches of him, and the emotional torture taking place several yards away.

Then he heard her murmur something… again.

This time around he was positive he'd heard her voice. Could it be possible that his thoughts had been spoken out loud? Things were shaky enough as they were to have him moaning out loud about having received an impromptu blowjob from a perfect male stranger!

"What?" Harsh tone to hide his true feelings

"What… what?" Confusion once more.

Could he be wrong? Or was she playing him along? He felt his temper rise and pulled over to the sidewalk to be able to twist his body and look at her in the face.

"If you have something to tell me, tell it to my face Angell!"

"I haven't said a word!"

"Like hell you haven't! I'm not crazy, you know, at least, not the kind of crazy to be hearing things… so if you want to comment on what went down back at Ollie's, do it now and get off my back!"

She was silent for a moment or two. He braced himself for what she had to say.

"Don't fear the reaper…" she finally said.

What the…? Reaper? What reaper? What the hell was she talking about? His confusion was clear on his face, and he was at a loss for words.

"I've been trying to remember the lyrics to "Don't Fear the Reaper" the song by Oyster's Cult… I guess I was humming them…"

Flack looked at her for a long time. In the back of his head, he could hear the "na, na, na, na, na, na, na" in the chorus of the song she was talking about. And then he burst out laughing, marveling at the whole absurdity of it all. Jenn gave a small sigh of relief before joining him. If they could laugh, they were still good.

Two blocks away from their destination, Flack's cell phone rang. One glance at the screen told him it was Bryan.

"Hello lover-boy…" he greeted, grinning

"Cute, sugar-pie. Real cute. Now listen, honey-bunch, we just got to the Oyster and found they had already called it a day. Night-watchman, chatty fellow he is, tells us we blue boys showed up for an impromptu drug check, but we're cordially invited to come back after four this afternoon…"

Part of Flack was relieved to hear this, emotionally drained as he was and running mostly on adrenaline for the past couple of hours. But another part of him had wanted to get this over as quickly as possible. He sighed.

"Guess there's nothing else we can do, buddy. Six sounds good to you?" he finally asked.

He heard some mumbling on the other side of the call.

"More like sevenish to work for us. We're no spring chickens anymore and we need our beauty sleep…"

"Which is Bryan speak for you're planning on getting some…"

"Give my regards to Jenn, Flack"

They hung up and Flack felt in a better mood already. He quickly told Angell about the change in plans and he could see that she was happy at the idea of getting some sleep before going into Phase B. He made a quick u-turn and hesitated for a moment as to where to head next. If he went to his place, Angell might not like the way he was making assumptions; if he drove to her place, she might think he was anxious to get rid of her. Fortunately for him, she spoke before it became obvious which direction he was taking.

"Don…?" Hesitation filled that one single word.

"Yes." It wasn't a question. He was agreeing to whatever it was that she wanted, that she needed; he'd give it to her in a flash, no questions asked.

"Thanks" Relief evident, the huge burden having being removed from her shoulders. "Can we swing by my place to pack a few things then?"

He nodded, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. It was the simple things in everyday life that made the difficult parts so much easier. And maybe it was because she was also a cop, or maybe it was because she'd grown up surrounded by males, but truth was, being with Jenn was so much easier than any other prior relationships… Flack cut himself short. Relationship? What on earth was he thinking! He didn't even know if she cared enough for him to overlook what she'd witnessed tonight and there he was talking relationship. True, he could turn the tables and say she was also doing some same-sex fucking around, but he wasn't a moralist and neither a hypocrite: watching Jenn with another woman was a fucking turn-on, a fantasy come true kinda deal. Watching him with another man… he shook his head, not wanting to remember.

Several blocks away, Robert and Bryan were getting ready to go to bed. When Bryan slid in between the sheets, Robert snuggled behind him, holding him against his chest. The former cop could feel the tension spilling from his loved one and decided to address the situation.

"They didn't do so badly"

"No, not really. Flack was right about the Angell kid… she's good. Quick thinker and not afraid to get her hands dirty…"

"I agree. I have to say he surprised me as well…"

Robert knew Bryan well enough as to know how to say things without actually saying them… he was also aware that Don Flack was a soft/sore spot in his husband's life, one that he wasn't allowed to touch unless asked to do so, and he wasn't about to alter the delicate balance of their relationship over this.

Bryan sighed. "I know. He surprised me, too. I would have sworn he didn't have it in him. Of course, he got all worked up over HER and not the barbarian he was screwing, but…"

"You're wondering if he'll manage if she's not around to contribute with the visuals?"

"Not exactly" Bryan turned around in bed to face his life mate. "I'm sorry I've brought him into our bed, hun. I know I'm asking way too much from you. If places were reversed, you'd be sleeping in the sofa most probably…"

Robert ran his hand gently over Bryan's face. "Babe, when I said I loved you and that it was for better or for worse, I didn't do it to piss my mother or the NYPD. I meant it when I said those vows, and I mean them today. I understand that there's something between the two of you that maybe I don't get, and yes, I'm somehow jealous as hell of him… but if this is important to you, then it is important to me. You ARE worried, Bry, can't deny that, but if you don't talk to me, I can't help you…"

Bryan leaned in and kissed him. "I must have done something absofuckinglutely great in a former life to deserve you. You're right, I'm worried about him… about his state of mind… not sure how's he's going to process what happened tonight, or the rest that's coming to him. He's a good man, Bobby… way to fucking good to deserve this shitty case…"

"He's got Jenn to help him…"

"Yeah, but she ain't unbreakable, either"

"I think she's far stronger than you give her credit for…"

"Hopefully she'll be… for all of our sakes. Last thing we need is a sexually disoriented Don Flack…"

"Nothing a good female lovin' won't cure, babe. And speaking of loving…"

Robert's hands had made their way down his husband's torso. Needless to say, there wasn't any more shop talk.

X xxx X

Although it was six in the morning, Jennifer Angell indulged in a bath. Lying amidst fragrant bubbles, she closed her eyes trying to relax and forget the whirlwind of a day she had just had. Her legs ached, her back was sore and she was trying to keep her mind from wandering too far away, too delve too much into the memories of the day.

Once they gotten to her place, she had gone straight into her bedroom to pack a few things. She noticed the blinking light in her answering machine and decided to ignore it. If Flack noticed as well, he chose not to mention it. She told him to help himself at the kitchen before disappearing into her room.

Flack had noticed the blinking light. He also noticed the folded slip of paper that had been slid under the door. Not meaning to pry, but unable to help himself, he picked it up and opened it. The note was from Rick Silva, and from the look of it, he was pissed off that she hadn't been at home or had not been in touch. Casually glancing at the answering machine, he wondered how many of the six messages displayed would be from him…

Jenn had come back from her room, bag packed, she found Flack in the kitchen, two steamy mugs of coffee in front of him, whisky bottle in hand. He raised an inquiring eyebrow at her and she declined with a head movement. If they started drinking to deal with this case, or to forget, a bottle would not be anywhere near enough. He shrugged his shoulders, put the bottle back under the sink and handed her a cup.

"I don't know about you, but if I have to keep my eyes open for another while I need some caffeine to do so…"

As they sipped their coffees in silence she kept looking at him, trying to find signs that he was starting to crack under the pressure. She could see that he was holding, but realized there was an underlying restlessness inside of him that might be dangerous if not addressed soon.

She also realized that she loved him.

And it was that realization that she was studying while sitting in a bath that screamed "male!" from wherever you looked. Should she be surprised then that he had lavender bath salts hidden under the counter? Or that he had a beautiful silk pajama simply laying around? A fool she wasn't, she understood that all of those things had not been intended originally for her; was that fact that he had given them to her now insulting? Or just a simple gesture from a man that could read anything on a suspect's eyes and yet could not read anything other than practicality in his gestures towards his coworker. It was simply who he was, and she loved him for who he was, and that was it.

Sighing, she got out of the tub and dressed once more in the soft blue pajama he'd given her the last time she'd been there… although it seemed decades away it had been only yesterday. She came out of the bathroom drying her hair and she heard noises coming from the living room. She went in to check what was going on, only to find Flack sitting cross-legged on the floor, eating a bowl of Cocoa Puffs and watching TV. A familiar musical background caught her attention.

"Turtles, Flack?" she asked, one eyebrow going up in surprise.

He mumbled his response through a spoonful of cereal. Grabbing the box, he shook it in her direction.

"Breakfast?" he asked.

Accepting his offer, she sat down on the floor as well.

"Michelangelo rocks" he said, motioning towards the screen, as if that explained it all.

"Personally, I've always preferred Donatello…"

"Why am I not surprised you know your turtles?"

"Keep bugging me and I'll channel surf until I find a rerun of "Biker Mice from Mars", you hear me?"

It was already day time when they finally went to bed. It was a given than they will share the bed once more, and as soon as they were settled down, he had his arms around her, pulling him close to his chest. There was only one thing that could stand between Flack and his nightmares, and that was Jenn. They'd come to the point where he needed her in his life, no questions asked. It was as simple as that.

Jenn knew him well enough to know he was going to need to talk about what had happened at the club. But she also knew him well enough to know that he wasn't going to just open his mouth and spit it out. He was going to need some prodding, and she was more than willing to give it to him. So she turned around inside his arms until she was facing him. His big blue eyes were staring deeply into hers, making her forget what she has wanted to say. Flack could feel the heat coming from her, he could feel the softness of her body… he could feel himself getting lost in those dark eyes of her. Something was going to give, and it was going to give in soon…

"I want to make love to you…"

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A/N: Bets are now open: who said that last line? Bonus points: play six degrees of separation and find the connection between this chapter to Gary Sinise (aka Mac Taylor)