Author's Note – Thanks again for all the reviews. I truly appreciate them. Like always, let me know what you think!

Disclaimer – I own nothing unfortunately

Special thanks to Axellia for the help!

************

Flack leaned against the bar, waiting for Frankie, the bartender, to bring back the drinks he was sent to get. After their shift, he, Danny, and Sheldon along with Adam had decided to meet to watch some of the hockey game.

For a Monday night, the bar was actually quite crowded. But after years as both a detective and a regular patron, Flack knew that that wasn't an uncommon fact. Sometimes, a night out at a bar was just what a member of the NYPD needed to erase the gruesome images of the day. Flack's eyes scanned the bar, landing on the front door just as it opened, revealing two familiar faces.

He saw Adam and Adriana enter the bar, both searching the room. As he watched them, he noticed how Adriana seemed to look a little bit different. He realized that it was the first time he'd seen her with her hair let down. The light brown wavy locks sat gracefully on her shoulders, framing her face. He made a mental note that he preferred it that way.

When he first met Adriana in the lab, he found her rather attractive. But it seemed liked each time he saw her, she came off as even more striking. He had to admit, the woman was beautiful. Her olive eyes seemed to be both light and dark at the same time, a fact that Flack couldn't quite understand. But the thing that he found most stunning was her smile. He didn't know why but the way her full lips curled and her bright white teeth came through made her smile contagious.

He noticed Adriana smile that very smile when she spotted him at the bar, pointing it out to Adam. He watched as Adam told her something before making his way over to the booth occupied by Danny and Sheldon. Adriana walked over to Flack, rolling her eyes.

"Adam ordered me to tell you that he wants his usual," she said, joining him in leaning against the bar.

"You want anything?" he asked smile.

"Uh, just a sweet tea. Thanks"

"Hey Frankie, add a beer and sweet tea, will ya?" he called out to the bartender.

"No problem Flack," the man replied, moving to make the orders.

"A beer?" Adriana scoffed. "That's his usual? Why didn't he just say that?"

"It's Adam," Flack said with a shrug.

"That's true," she replied with a chuckle.

"So, you likin' New York so far?" he asked casually.

"Yeah, it's been pretty good. I like how everyone moves so swift," she said before laughing at her choice of words. "Swift?" she repeated to herself.

Flack laughed with her. "Don't worry. I know what you mean," he assured.

Frankie returned with the tray of drinks. Flack took it and led Adriana to the circular booth located towards the back of the bar.

When they reached the table, Flack sat the tray in the center before sliding into the booth next to Danny. Adriana sat next to Adam as Sheldon sat in the center.

"Nice to see you again Ms. James," Sheldon greeted her.

"Adriana," she told him with a smile.

"Adriana," he corrected.

Just then, a thunderous cheer erupted throughout the bar. All the patrons cheered in unison at the game, including the men at her table.

Adriana rolled her eyes as she took a sip of her tea, a gesture that didn't go unnoticed.

"Don't tell me you're a Capitals fan," Flack said after the cheers subsided.

"Hardly," she told him.

"So what, you don't like hockey?"

Adriana rested her elbows on the table. "Maybe I'm a Rangers fan," she pointed out.

"Really? You don't seem like one."

"And what makes you say that Detective?" she asked.

"Well for one, you haven't glanced at the TV since you've been here, which tells me that you really don't care about the score," he said with a smirk playing on his lips.

"Fine, you win," she said with a small groan. "But to answer your question, no, I really don't care for hockey at all."

"Then why are you at a bar on the night of a big game?" Danny asked pointedly.

"I was forced," she said, sending a glare towards Adam.

"Well, consider it just to be for the company," Sheldon told her.

Adriana laughed slightly. "Yeah well, I could use some new company. Only person I've met so far was my ninety something year old next door neighbor," she admitted.

"Ha, ninety something year old, that's funny," Adam said, laughing louder than anyone else, causing the rest of the table to give him odd stares. "Sorry, I just find that kinda funny you know. Some old guy all like, hey little lady, can you come and scrub my…"

"Adam," Adriana interrupted.

"Sorry," he said with a sheepish grin before turning back to the television.

"So what made you choose New York?" Sheldon asked her.

"You," she said before noticing the confused look on his face. "I mean not you directly, but the whole crime lab. I read that its one of the best in the country so I figured, why not," she explained.

"I like you," Danny said pointing at her. "About time someone recognizes the work we do."

"Well I have to. In order to do my job, I got to trust the job you do."

"When's your first trial?" Flack asked.

"I've got an arraignment tomorrow," she told him. "Hopefully the jerk will plead guilty and I can move on."

"I bet you kind of want him not to plead guilty just so you can prosecute him and show your stuff," Adam commented.

Adriana shrugged lightly at his statement. "Is that wrong?"

"Not at all," Flack said with a chuckle.

She smiled at him just as another set of cheers erupted throughout the bar. Adriana started to roll her eyes but noticed Flack watching her expectantly.

"Aren't you missing the game?" she asked with a smirk.

"I'll be alright," he replied with a shrug.

Adriana was about to comment when the sound of phone ringing stopped her.

Danny groaned as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone.

"Messer," he answered.

For the second time that day, Adriana watched Danny's facial expression turn to that of disappointment.

"You gotta go in," Flack asked after he hung up.

"Yeah. Triple homicide over in Queens," he explained. "Stella said it's a big one so you might as well come too Hawkes cause your phone is gonna be ringing any minute."

Sheldon nodded in understanding. Flack got out of his seat to allow Danny and Sheldon to leave.

The two said their goodbyes and headed out the door as Flack retook his seat.

"And then there were three," Adriana commented.

Flack chuckled before focusing his attention back on the TV, allowing Adriana time to really look him over.

She had to admit, the man was attractive. She also found his smile to be rather sexy; the way his dimples came upon his face and his bright white teeth came through. But she had to admit, she found his eyes to be his best feature. The brightness in them always made her want to smile.

Adriana shook the thoughts from her head as she turned to watch the others patrons of the bar. She watched as men and woman literally jumped up and down in their seats as they watched the game play out on TV. She never understood the fascination with the game. She just pictured it to be a bunch of guys skating around, hitting pucks with sticks.

"AJ."

"Huh," Adriana said, oblivious to the fact that Adam had been trying to get her attention.

"I asked what time do you have to go in tomorrow?"

"Oh, uh at about ten," she told him before glancing down at her watch. It was nearing eleven o'clock. "Wow, I didn't realize it's so late," she said. "I gotta head out Adam."

"Party pooper," he teased him.

"Whatever," she countered as she stood from her seat.

"I probably should get ready too," Flack commented, doing the same.

"So you're both leaving me," Adam whined.

'Seems that way," Flack said smile. "But don't worry buddy. There's a girl at the bar that's been looking at you the whole time. Maybe you should go talk to her."

Adam's head spun around as he searched the bar for the mystery woman.

"I don't see anyone," he said but Adriana and Flack had already reached the door.

Adriana laughed out loud as she and Flack stepped out into the cool April night. The light breeze created a small chill in the air. Adriana unconsciously wrapped her arms around her as her jean jacket proved to be insufficient in providing enough warmth. The one thing she would always miss about Phoenix would be the constant warm weather.

"That was mean," she said in between laughs.

"What?" he asked innocently.

"There was no girl was in there, was it?"

"Okay, maybe not. But it'll take him a good minute to figure that out," he admitted.

"That's so true. But hey, that's my Adam," she said.

Flack paused for a minute, taking in her comment. "Are you two…," he started.

"Dating? Hell, no," she interrupted. "Don't get me wrong, I love Adam but only as a friend," she told him before a smirk came across her face. "Why?"

"Just curious," he said with a simple shrug.

"Sure," she replied slowly.

Flack chuckled before looking over towards the street. "You need me to catch you a cab again?"

"As a matter of fact I don't. I can get one all on my own Detective," she said confidently before moving towards the street. She didn't have to wait long before a cab drove in her direction. She stepped forward slightly and raised her arm, waving in its direction.

She heard Flack laugh out loud as it sped right past her.

"Dammit," she said in frustration. She turned around to Flack who was smirking playfully at her.

"Nice job," he teased.

"Ha, ha," she said sarcastically. "I was just practicing. You know, warming up."

"Sure," he said before stepping towards the street. When he saw another cab, he turned back towards Adriana and remained eye contact with her, still managing to gesture the cab to them. When it stopped in front of them, Flack lowered his arm and raised his eyebrows at her.

"How's that?" he asked playfully.

After recovering from the overall shock, Adriana sent a glare in his direction. "Show off."

"You're welcome," he replied as he moved to open the door for her.

Adriana rolled her eyes as she went towards the cab. She stopped at the door and looked back at Flack.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"No problem," he said.

Adriana smiled at him one last time before fully entering the cab and rattling off her address. Flack closed the door and moved back onto the sidewalk. He gave her a small wave as the cab slowly pulled away.

Adriana sat in the back of the taxi, a small smile on her face. She didn't know if it was Flack or the fact the she got to go into court the next day but she smiled for the rest of the ride home.

************

"Your honor, the city of New York would like to charge Charles Easton with the murder, in the first degree, of Susan Mayer."

"Very well, how does the defendant plea?"

"Not guilty, your honor."

Adriana held back the smirk that she so wanted to show. She cast a sideward glance in the direction of her opponent.

Charles Easton sat nervously in his chair, fidgeting his hands in his lap. He wore what looked to be his only suit, one that had never been washed. He kept throwing nervous glances in Adriana's direction, obviously threatened by her. He should be she thought to herself. Every time she looked at him, she suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. The guy's demeanor screamed guilty. The only reason he probably plead not guilty was because of the woman standing beside him.

Adriana heard many times about defense attorney Susan Willis. She was a tall, older blonde, probably standing at six feet. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun that made her forehead seem fairly large. She had a big bust; one that Adriana was confident was fake. Her gray paints suit seemed one size too small in Adriana's opinion.

Everyone in her office said though she wasn't that tough of a competitor, her attitude would always rub people the wrong way.

"Does the prosecution wish to continue in seeking a conviction?" Judge Richard Grange asked. He was an old judge with a head full of gray hair and wrinkles all over his face. Adriana had been told that this judge was pretty fair when it came to convictions.

"We do, Your Honor. The New York City Crime Lab was able to find more than enough evidence against Charles Easton," Adriana replied with confidence.

"All of the evidence doesn't prove anything, Your Honor," Susan argued, throwing a heated glare in Adriana's direction.

"Your Honor, the suspect's DNA was found at the crime scene, including in the victim's bedroom," Adriana pointed out.

"They were dating Your Honor, which can easily explain my client's DNA in that apartment," Susan countered.

"Well how do you explain the fact that the victim filed a restraining order against Charles Easton three weeks prior to the murder? Plus, there is video footage of the victim that proves that she washed her sheets after the restraining order was filed which proves Easton violated it when he entered Susan Mayer's apartment."

"Alright. It's seems I've heard enough." Grange spoke up. "After listening to the arguments of the prosecution and reviewing the case file, it seems fit to take this matter to trial."

"Your Honor, the people request that Charles Easton be held without bail." Adriana stated.

"Your Honor, I don't think that that is entirely necessary…"

"Your Honor, the suspect has history of suicide attempts which proves that he should be held without the opportunity to inflict any type of self injury." Adriana interrupted.

"Your Honor, that was ten years ago and my client has received the appropriate counseling," Susan countered.

She watched as Grange thought for a minute before speaking. "I will grant the wish of the defense. Charles Easton is set to be held with bail set at five thousand dollars. Trial will be held in one week," he said before slamming the gavel, indicating that that was the final word.

Adriana watched as the bailiff came to escort a gloomy looking Charles Easton away in handcuffs. She was disappointed at the bail but also knew that Charles in no way had five thousand dollars lying around.

She gathered all of her materials together as she felt a presence beside her. She turned to find Susan standing over her, looking down at her shorter frame.

"You may be new in town but don't start thinking you have any chance of winning this case," she said harshly.

Adriana just gave the woman a small smile and shrugged. "Too late for that," she said simply.

She didn't wait for a reply as she slid past her and headed out of the courtroom. When she entered the hallway, she finally released the breath she didn't know she was holding.

She looked forward to the trial that would be coming up in a week so she could finally put the creep away where he belonged.

Adriana was making her way towards the exit when the sound of her cell phone interrupted her. She reached into her purse and glanced down at the screen. "I nailed it," she said after flipping the phone open.

"That's awesome. I'm really proud of you AJ," Adam replied.

"Thanks, Adam. I really think…" she trailed off when she noticed a familiar figure up ahead. "Hey Adam, let me call you back," she said.

She waited for Adam's reply before closing the phone shut. She dropped it back into her purse before walking up to the figure. She got behind him and purposefully bumped into him.

"Oh excuse me kind sir," she joked.

Flack smiled when he saw who it was the bumped him from behind. "You followin' me now James?" he asked with a smirk.

"Yes. I woke up this morning and said, I think I'm gonna follow that Detective around today," she said sarcastically.

"Seems like a good plan," he said with a shrug.

Adriana rolled her eyes before continuing. "What are you doing here?"

"Testifying in another case," he told her while nodding his head in the direction of the courtroom he was waiting in front of. "So how'd yours go?"

"Brilliantly, if I do say so myself," she said.

"Well congrats then," he told her with a smile.

Adriana returned the gesture before a voice called out.

"Hey Flack, they're ready for you," an officer from inside the court called out.

Flack nodded in his direction before turning back to Adriana. "I guess I'll see you later."

"Yeah," she replied.

He gave her one last smile before heading towards the courtroom.

Adriana watched him for a minute before turning in the direction of the exit. She had barely made it three feet when she heard Flack call out to her.

"Hey James, if you want you can wait for me to get ya a cab but if not, maybe you should try using the subway," he teased before disappearing into the courtroom.

Adriana couldn't help but laugh at his teasing. She walked out of the main door and headed down the steps, still shaking her head.

Flack was definitely one to remember.