Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of "CSI:NY" they are property of Anthony E. Zuiker and CBS.

Author's Note: I think I finally found a fittin' title for this story! Bear with me during this chapter, I know some of you will read it and go, "That's highly unlikely" especially for the time period and Flack's character. But work with me...I'll make it all right in the end! To any SMacked fans reading, there's a small barb in that general direction, I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. I love Mac and Stella together fine, but...well...

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CHAPTER NINE

I run down by the precinct again and fill in Taylor and Ross on the day's events. I tell them to meet me at my office around nine. Then I stop by the little Chinese dive on the corner, grab some food to go, and return to my office. I can hear laughter from my office as I step in the door.

"Hey," Stella greets me. "Your client here is a real cutup."

"Glad he's keepin' you all entertained. I brought dinner." I hand out the Chinese. I notice that my Fifth Avenue girl digs right in with no qualms at all. Lindsay catches me lookin'. "What's the matter? Never seen a girl eat Chinese before?"

She and Messer are made for each other. I shake my head and smile. "You just strike me as more the steak and wine kinda girl," I confess.

Danny grins. "Not my girl," he says as he throws an arm around her. He looks up at me. "So what'd you find out today?"

"I got us a warrant from Attorney Hammerback. Everythin' is legal, so we're ready to go. Taylor and Ross are comin' here around nine. We'll head to the docks from there. Oh, and one more thing." I shrug as I take a bite of my noodles. "I have a tail. They probably followed me here."

Danny about drops his chopsticks. "You what?" he demands. I notice Lindsay Monroe is lookin' at me in alarm. "And you led 'em here?"

"They ain't gonna try anythin'," I reply. "They're lower level thugs. They're just here to watch. All the same, Messer, I think you should stay here."

He looks at me. I knew this was gonna happen. "Yeah, right. I don' think so."

"Someone needs to stay here and keep an eye on the ladies," I tell him.

"Then it's gonna be you," Danny says, "'cause I ain't lettin' you take down Sassone by yourself."

"And you'd leave 'em here?" I ask, pointing a chopstick at Stella, then at his Lindsay.

Before he can say anything, Stella shoots me a look. "Give me your gun, Flack," she says.

I raise my eyebrows. "Excuse me? Do what?"

"Give..me..your damned gun," she says again. Thoroughly curious, I hand over my piece. Stella looks down the barrel, pops out the chamber, spins it, shoves it back in, cocks the gun...and aims it at me.

I'm now starin' down the barrel of my own gun. Damn it, did I mention I think I love that woman? "I get your point," I say. "All right, Messer, you're with me." I look at Stella. "But I don't feel right 'bout this at all."

Stella hands me back the gun. "I learned from the best," she replies simply. "Besides, they'll be after you and Danny, you all are the bigger threat." She takes a bite of her food and smiles at me. I return the smile, but halfheartedly. There's a nagging feelin' in the back of my head, but I ignore it. I get it before every bust...it's just that this one happens to be buggin' me more than usual...

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Nine o'clock rolls around, and there's a knock on my outside door. Taylor and Ross are standin' there, both out of uniform. "Evenin' boys," I say as I step aside so they can come in. Taylor acknowledges me with a nod, and I get a "Heya, Flack!" from Ross.

"Hey, son, you ready for tonight? This ain't gonna be no cakewalk."

He nods. "Oh, I'm completely terrified right now, won't lie to ya," he replies. "But I'll do ya proud."

I ruffle his hair. "I ain't worried, kid." I lead the two into my office. "Chief Taylor, Officer Ross, I would like to introduce you to my secretary, Stella Bonasera."

Taylor nods in her direction. I can tell he's checkin' her out, so it makes my day when Stella comes walkin' up, offers him a hand, and then comes to stand by me and puts her hand on my shoulder. "Nice to meet you, Chief," she says. She pats my shoulder.

Taylor gets the message loud and clear.

"Chief, this here is Lindsay Monroe," I move on, nodding to Lindsay. She comes over and he shakes her hand.

"Ma'am, nice to meet you," Taylor says.

"Likewise," she replies.

Then I turn to Danny. "And now I'd like to introduce ya to the boy that's gonna make your day. Chief Taylor, this is Danny Messer."

Messer hangs back a little bit. "How ya doin'?" he says.

He and Taylor stare at each other for a few moments. Then Taylor says, "So you're the man of the hour."

"Guess so," Danny shrugs.

"And you think you can help us bring down the biggest crime boss in New York," Taylor says.

He nods. "Ain't nobody better to bring down a gangster than another gangster." He shrugs. "No offense."

There's a long awkward silence. "If you two are finished havin' the who's horse is bigger contest," I break in, "I'd like to discuss what's goin' down tonight."

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Author's Note II: Short, yes, but just a little bit of the calm before the storm...