Chapter 17 – Different people

A couple of weeks passed and both Flack and Lily were getting ready for a fancy party. When she was touching up her make up he knocked on the door.

'Hey,' she let him in.

'You look really good,' he said as he looked her up and down.

'Okay, I'm ready. And you look very handsome,' she grabbed her purse and they left her apartment.

When they were getting into his car, Flack spoke.

'Are you alright? You seem weird.'

'I'm just nervous, I hate these parties. Not to mention I'm bringing a date.'

'Take it that's a first?'

'It is.'

'You afraid I'll embarrass you?' he asked seriously.

'No!' she dismissed the idea as ridiculous. 'I'm afraid they'll embarrass you.'

'What?'

'Oh, remember they're lawyers. They can get pretty nasty if they want to,' she exhaled. 'I'm afraid you'll hate me after meeting them.'

'Don't be silly,' he smiled and gently squeezed her hand.

'You'll see why I say it.'

They pulled over and after giving the keys to the valet, got inside the building where White, Brandson & Jordan was giving a party to celebrate the firm's 105th anniversary. The couple got into the room where the party was being held with a sigh from her part and his hand on the small of her back.

'It's gonna be okay,' he whispered.

Lily walked round the room saying hello to colleagues and clients alike and introducing Don.

'You want me to get you a drink?' he asked after a while, overwhelmed with all the people he'd met.

'A glass of water, if you don't mind.'

'Sure,' he left her side to get the drinks and returned five minutes later. 'Funny how people say anything behind your back.'

'Subtlety isn't their trademark. What did you hear?' she was both apprehensive and curious.

'Lots of things; that I'm actually an escort, that I'm a charity case for you, that you're desperate and aren't getting any,' to this she snorted. 'Oh, and that you're sleeping with me to get inside information on cases.'

'I told you, rumors spread really fast,' she shook her head in disgust.

'Don't worry about it, they're jealous.' She raised and eyebrow. 'You're looking even more gorgeous than usual and you've got good company tonight …'

'Only tonight?' she blinked.

'Lily! Great to see you!' a man in his mid-sixties interrupted.

'Mr. Nikkos, always a pleasure,' she smiled politely.

'Who is this young gentleman with you?' he faked a smile.

'That'd be my boyfriend, Don Flack,' the men shook hands.

'I was hoping I could steal her for a dance?'

'I only deal with you when it's business Mr. Nikkos, you know that,' Lily politely put him in his place and he left to chase some other woman.

'Nice,' Flack nodded appreciatively.

'He's disgusting, trying to sleep with every younger woman that crosses his path.'

'Ms. Stewart, looking nice tonight.'

'Why all so formal, Nicky?' she turned around after recognizing the voice and smiled.

'You can never be too careful,' he said and glanced at Don. 'Nick Holtz.'

'Don Flack.'

'Could you entertain Don for a minute? I've got to talk to Sam.'

'Sure.' The men started a conversation on sports as she went in search of one of the partners.

'Sam, what happened?' she found him with a frown on his face.

'Everybody's talking about you, Lily. You and that guy you brought,' he was concerned.

'Well, he is extremely handsome,' reasoned Lily.

'They're not only talking about that, they're putting your – and therefore our – reputation into question. So I need to know, are you really getting information from him?'

'I can't believe you're asking me this,' she shook her head in disappointment. 'If he was my spy in the NYPD, would I bring him to the party?'

'Maybe you're sending a message.'

'I am. I love this man and I wanted all of you to meet him.'

'Why?'

'Because I'm sick and tired of seeing how everyone gets married or has a date and I'm always alone. So now, I'm with a great man and I want to share my success. But, no, I must be dirty and unethical and so must he,' she was annoyed.

'We don't know that, Lily. You were Jeff's golden girl, whatever you did he always backed you up so we never got to know you. Now that he's gone and you're a partner we're going to question every move you make and we're in our right to do so.'

'Apparently not only was Jeff the only who knew me but the only one who trusted and respected me. It's good to know. I've got a boyfriend to return to,' she walked quickly.

'There's no way the Colts are going to win,' said Nick and Lily smiled.

'He only says that because he's a Patriot's fan.'

'That's not true. After seeing the Bears play I can honestly say they deserve to win,' Nick smirked and there was a mischievous glint in his eyes.

'He's a Patriot's fan,' said Lily again, this time looking at Flack.

'You think the Colts have a chance?' asked the detective.

'I don't care who wins if we don't get to play in the finals.'

'How long is it since the Giants won a Super Bowl?'

'1990,' Flack was ashamed.

'But we got to the finals in 2000, that should count for something.'

'That's pathetic!' the younger man clicked his tongue and went for a drink.

'He's a nice kid,' said Flack with a nod.

'He is. I was thinking that maybe we could leave now,' Lily bit her lip.

'We've only been here for an hour.'

'I hate these parties, remember? I always leave early.'

'Okay, you sure you wanna go home?'

'Yes, please. Your place, if you don't mind.'

They grabbed their coats, waited patiently for the valet to come with the car and drove silently to Flack's place. Once inside the apartment Flack spoke.

'What's the matter? You've been really quiet and withdrawn.'

'I think that … that we should break up,' she looked down and bit her bottom lip so hard she almost drew blood.

'What? Why?' Flack was taken aback.

'Everybody's putting our character into question, Don. We could even lose our jobs for it.'

'So what? It's not the first time and it won't be the last. But hey, if you want to use it as an excuse because I embarrass you, go ahead,' he was mad.

'I could start over again and practice law somewhere else. I'm doing it for you because you can't leave everything behind. FYI, you could never embarrass me. Do you think I like doing this?'

'Right, make me the guilty one.'

'This is not about guilt, Don; it's about protecting everything we've worked so hard to get. It's a sacrifice.'

'And what are you sacrificing?'

'My happiness, my life with you,' she started crying at this point.

'So don't do this!' he pleaded. 'Do you love me?'

'You know I do.'

'Then stay with me and we'll get through this,' he hugged her and they stood like that until she stopped crying.

'We were doing good, don't bail on me now and most importantly: don't let them win. So what do you say?'

'Sorry for doing this. I just didn't want to mess up our lives but I should …' he interrupted her with a passionate kiss.

'I want you to promise me something,' his tone was serious as he entwined their fingers. 'That you won't pull off something like that again.'

'You've got my word,' she squeezed his hand.

'Good. After a long, long night, I'd like to go to sleep, what about you?'

'You come up with all the brilliant ideas, Don.'

They walked hand in hand to the bedroom and started taking off their clothes.

'Help me with the zipper, will you?' she asked.

He did as he was told and watched enthralled as the dress slowly fell to her feet.

'You want one of my t-shirts?'

'That'd be appreciated.'

'Take it out.'

Lily chose an old NYPD t-shirt and when they were already in bed, his arms around her, the lights went off.

Two weeks later, both Lily and Flack were getting ready for a party at his apartment. He had one eye on the TV and the other on his girlfriend who was running from the bedroom to the bathroom and vice versa.

'We still got half an hour before we have to leave,' he yelled, trying to calm her.

'I've so many things to do!'

Flack rolled his eyes. Women! It took them hours and hours to get ready. Not that he didn't like the results, because he did but was all that time necessary? Now that she came out of the bedroom, hell yes! If almost three hours got his girlfriend looking like a Greek goddess it was more than worth it. He was stunned when he saw her ready. She was wearing a golden gown with only one shoulder that looked like a Greek tunic and her hair had big curls and two golden barrettes on the top of her head which were taking some locks out of her face.

'It's not a costume party, you don't have to look like Aphrodite,' he said without taking his eyes off her.

'I know there's a compliment in there but I can't point it out …' Lily gave him a small smile. 'I'm ready.'

'I just need my jacket,' he stood up and went for it.

When they were almost getting to their destination, Lily sighed loudly.

'It's gonna be okay,' he found himself saying again. This time he was sure of it, though. 'You know everybody already.'

'That's the problem, Don! I know them and they hate me,' she had a worried look.

'They don't, they sometimes hate your job, that's all.'

'My job is part of who I am, sweetheart.'

'Don't freak out, alright? It'll be fine.'

Flack entered the room where the Policeman's Ball was being held along side his girlfriend, one of his hands, as usual, on the small of her back. This time though, it was his turn to greet people he knew and introduce his date. She already knew most of the detectives and some of the other cops he introduced her to and except for a few jokes about her profession and her role in that party, everything was fine. The couple got to the table they were sat at and greeted the only person who was occupying a chair.

'Detective Angell, nice to see you again,' Lily offered her hand as a peace gesture. She was aware of how angry the other woman had gotten the last time they'd met.

'Ms. Stewart,' she shook her hand.

'You can call me Lily.'

They then turned to greet the people gathered around the next table. Lily relaxed, she got along well with a few of them. She greeted Danny and Hawkes with the usual hug, Mac with the accustomed nod of the head and the rest of the team with a warm smile. They all returned the greetings to the couple and talked for a while.

Lily laughed at one of Danny's jokes and when she looked to her side saw Flack had wandered off probably to go meet some colleague. At first she freaked out and felt uncomfortable without him but then realized everything was okay.

When it was time for dinner everyone sat at the table. Stella asked Lily why her plate was untouched and she started telling a story about an arrogant ex co-worker. How she had been through an extreme diet to get into a dress and that night at the party had eaten as if there was no tomorrow.

'So we hear a slight 'crack' and then she stands up and we see her dress had opened at the seams. I've never eaten at a party ever since,' she smiled.

Everyone started laughing, the women wincing a bit.

'What happened to her?' asked Hawkes.

'She ran out of the party and left the firm five days after it.'

Everybody finished eating and it was time for dessert. Flack asked his girlfriend if she wanted some cake and she shook her head.

'It's really good,' he got a forkful into his mouth and licked the fork.

'And it's going straight here,' she smiled sweetly and patted his belly.

That made some of the others smile.

'Won't be there for long,' Flack defended himself. 'I burn a lot of calories.'

'Watching TV on the couch does that to you,' the sarcasm evident in her voice.

'Hey, I run a lot on the job.'

'Yeah, he always gets the runners,' said Mac and they started sharing stories of all the times Flack had chased suspects.

After dessert the band started playing and most couples got to the dance floor.

'Dance with me?' whispered Flack to Lily.

'I don't think so.'

'C'mon!' he took her hand and led her to the dance floor. They started swaying to the slow music.

'You know that everybody's watching us, don't you?'

'Yeah. Why do you care?' he made her spin.

'I'm extremely self-conscious, you know that. I mean, you see these people every day …' her arms were round his neck again.

'So what?'

'Why did you do this? You don't dance and neither do I.'

'I just wanted to dance with the most beautiful woman in the room and show everybody that you're with me.'

'I'm like a trophy girlfriend, then?' she smiled and waited for his answer.

'No, but I enjoy you getting all the looks.'

'Are you kidding? Every woman in this room wants me to drop dead and take over.'

'That's not true,' he rolled his eyes.

'They all want me to die and I get it, you look too good in a suit,' their eyes locked in a loving gaze and he pushed her body closer to him.

'Remember where we are,' she warned him.

'I'm not gonna do anything inappropriate. At least not yet,' he grinned.

Lily leaned to kiss his cheek but Flack moved his face and trapped her lips with his.

'You're mean!' she blushed.

'Don't know why it embarrasses you.'

'Me neither, it just does,' she looked into his eyes for the millionth time that night. 'I love you.'

'Me too,' he kissed her cheek.

The song ended and they parted ways; she went to sit down and he went to talk to one of his guys.

'Young love!' exclaimed Sid and Lily blushed.

Only Adam, Hawkes and Lily had stayed at the party and the table long enough to hear many stories from Sid. At one thirty Flack suggested going home.

'Can I please hear the end of the story?' she pleaded and he couldn't say no.

The couple left ten minutes later.

'Had fun?' he put his arm round her waist.

'Yes, they're great. Especially Sid,' she grinned.

'Good.'

'Were you worried they wouldn't like me?'

'Nah, if you get someone like Mac to like you, the rest is easy.'

She couldn't help but think the difference between her co-workers and Don's and wish she could work alongside them. But she wasn't that lucky.

Okay people, here's the next chapter. Leave a review and tell me what you think. Comments, suggestions and what not are always welcome.

Thanks to sparkyCSI for being an awesome beta.