A/N: I had a lot of fun writing chapters 11 & 12 and I hope you enjoy them both! I'd love to hear some feedback on the story as well.
Disclaimer: I only own Scarlett Monroe!
Chapter 11: What if We...?
Flack drove to his apartment in silence with Scarlett sitting just as quietly in the passenger seat. They were both lost in their own worlds, each going over the events of the day. Scarlett was trying as hard as she could to mentally solve the mystery of the message on her door but she was drawing a big fat blank.
"Stop worrying about the message, Lett," Flack said to her quietly, taking his eyes off of the road for a brief moment to look at her.
She wrinkled her eyebrows and started to say, "How did you know I -?"
"You've got this look on your face...I haven't seen you look this frustrated in a long time."
Scarlett sighed and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Flack. I must be driving you crazy. I'm just trying to figure out what the hell the message meant. I mean, I know my job isn't exactly safe but it isn't often that I actually have people coming after me."
He shook his head, "No, you aren't driving me crazy." He laughed a little, a smile breaking out on his face, "But if you were a normal person, you'd be worried about your life instead of trying to figure out how to solve this case. You're one of the most devoted CSI I've ever had the pleasure to work with."
She laughed, "Thanks, Donnie. I can't help it, it just comes naturally to me. I've let go of the fear that comes along with the job a long time ago."
He nodded, "I know exactly what you mean. But," he paused for a moment, hesitating slightly before continuing, "you need to understand where I'm coming from... I'm a cop and I have a job to do. I need to protect you and I need to find the son of a bitch that's responsible for this. I can't have you running around New York trying to solve this case on your own."
She looked at him, anger flashing in her blue gray eyes. Icily, she answered, "Don, I don't need you to tell me how to do my job."
"I'm not telling you how to do your job. I'm only telling you to be careful. I know you, Lett. If you had it your way you'd be at the lab right now or out on the streets trying to hunt this guy down by yourself."
Scarlett turned her body towards the passenger side window and crossed her arms over her chest. At the moment, she didn't feel like continuing this conversation and she remained silent. Of course she knew Don had a point. She was a take charge kind of girl and that made her excellent at her job. She was more than happy to know she had Flack to protect her but he was taking this a little too seriously. He could try and keep her safe all he wanted but he couldn't expect to tell her what she could or couldn't do. Scarlett had never been good at taking orders from anyone.
The tension between them remained while they were climbing the stairs to Flack's apartment. "You're mad," Flack said to Scarlett's back since she was a few steps ahead of him. It was more of a statement than a question.
Scarlett stopped and turned on her heel to face Flack. She was a few steps up, so she stood at eye level with him. She jabbed a finger into his chest and started to say, "Look, Flack, I need you to - " she stopped mid-sentence when she saw the look in his beautiful blue eyes. There was nothing but genuine concern on his face, he wasn't trying to control her. God, I'm so messed up, she thought to herself. She was going to tell him he needed to stop giving her orders, but she stopped herself. Instead she bit down lightly on her full bottom lip and felt her blue gray eyes soften. She looked down at her feet and then back up into his eyes. "No, I'm not mad. I'm just a little -," she paused, looking for the right word, "touchy today. That's right, I'm just touchy."
Flack nodded. He hadn't been offended by her outburst. He knew she'd had a hard day. He also knew that he'd crossed the line a little when he told her to be careful with this case. When they were inside his tiny apartment, he locked the door behind him and turned towards Scarlett, all the tension in his voice gone, "Wanna help out with dinner?"
Scarlett nodded excitedly, appreciating the change in conversation. "I'd love to. I need to see what you've got in your fridge but I'm sure I can whip something up." She went on, rambling about various recipes and dishes she knew how to cook. Once they were in Flack's kitchen, Scarlett was still talking, "and, Lindsay says I make a mean lasagna. So it really depends on - ," Flack cut her off at that point, leaning over and pulling open one of his kitchen drawers.
"Take your pick," he said tossing a thick stack of take-out menus at her, a grin on his handsome face. She could tell he had found her knowledge of recipes rather amusing.
She laughed and tossed a dirty dish towel at him. "You could have just said you wanted me to pick take-out!" she said before jumping up lightly to sit on the counter. She crossed her legs and tossed her long brown hair over to one shoulder before flipping through the menus. Flack was watching her as she did this and he couldn't help but admire how adorable she looked in his kitchen. To be perfectly honest with himself, he could get used to having her here.
Finally, she said, "I'll have a burger with cheese, tomatoes, onions, and pickles. Well-done. With a plate of fries." She hungrily licked her lips and hopped off the counter, slapping the menu against Flack's muscular chest. "And, a beer. Thanks, Flack." She smirked and made her way out of the kitchen and into his living room.
She heard him call out, "Chef Monroe, I expect a nice juicy steak one of these nights."
She laughed as she dropped onto his couch, sinking into the soft cushions. "Dream, on Donnie." She rolled over and closed her eyes for a moment. The exhaustion of the day had definitely gotten to her.
A while later she rolled off of the couch and decided to take a quick shower. She padded over to the bathroom, stripping off her white t-shirt and dropping it on the floor. After kicking off her jeans, she turned on the water, waiting for it to get hot. While under the steaming water, she thought about her earlier conversation with Flack. Maybe you should apologize to him. I mean, he's only doing his job and he obviously cares about you. She felt slightly guilty for her earlier outburst and even though she'd already apologized, she felt she owed Flack a better explanation.
Scarlett stepped out of the shower, droplets of water dripping off her taut body and onto the bathroom tiles. She realized she hadn't brought a change of clothes with her so she looked around for a towel. Instead, she saw Don's navy blue bathrobe hanging up on the back of the door. She threw it on her shivering frame and fastened it tightly around her tiny waist. The robe was dragging on the floor slightly and it swallowed up her five foot five petite frame.
"Donnie, can I get something to wear?" she called out as she stepped out of the bathroom. No answer. That's weird, she thought to herself. She shrugged and figured she would just help herself to a t-shirt and a pair of boxers from his bedroom. She snuck into his room, closing the door quietly behind her. She walked over to his closet which had mirrored doors running from top to bottom. She untied the knot around her waist and let the bathrobe slide off her slender shoulders, landing at her feet. A moment later, Flack stepped into the room, surprise on his face. He wasn't wearing a shirt and she couldn't help admire his muscular chest in the mirror.
"Shit, sorry, Lett," he finally said, a little embarrassed that he'd walked in on her naked. He was about to turn and walk out of the room but she stopped him.
"It's okay, Don," she whispered, her voice low and sexy. Her skin was was still slightly damp from her shower and the wet hair that was hanging all around her face and back was leaving glistening drops of water on her smooth skin. "Come here," she whispered gently, watching him walk slowly towards her. She turned to meet him and looked up into his blue eyes. She couldn't help but notice the lusty look he was giving her.
"I'm sorry for what I said before, Don. I know you only want what's best for me," she whispered. "Now," she said, reaching forward and placing a hand on his chest, "touch me." Flack was more than happy to fulfill her request. He put his large hands on her tiny waist, loving how soft her skin felt under his hands. He pulled her closer to him, admiring her body. Scarlett may have been small and petite, but she definitely had curves in all the right places. Don lifted her up easily and she wrapped her long legs around his waist. He leaned in to kiss away the droplets of water on her chest and neck, giving her goosebumps.
Finally, they were face to face, their noses touching and their lips only centimeters apart. Scarlett tilted her head and leaned in closer, pressing her soft full lips onto his. He kissed her back, urgently and passionately. Scarlett couldn't get enough of his mouth. His kisses were hot and his lips tasted salty. She let a low moan slip out of her mouth...