Quote: "A friend should be one in whose understanding and virtue we can equally confide, and whose opinion we can value at once for its justness and its sincerity." Robert Hall

Following his instincts Flack went to Sullivan's bar, there he found the doc sitting in a corner by himself nursing his drink. He walked over to the other man, his presence casting a shadow that caused the Hawkes to look up at him.

"Hey there, is this seat taken?"

"No, it's not."

"Mind if I join you then?"

"Suit yourself but I must warn you I'm not very good company tonight."

"That's okay, I'm actually glad you're here, wanted to talk to you further."

"You following me Flack?"

"Maybe, but last time I checked this was a public place frequented by cops and the likes."

"Whatever you say man-"

Seating himself across from the other man Flack could help but stare, wondering not for the first time what the good doctor was hiding.

"Truth is I'd hoped you'd be here so we could talk in a less formal setting away from the precinct."

"There's nothing left to say, I told you all that I know about Brian and his involvement in the embezzlement."

"That might be true, so how about you tell me what's been bothering you these past months. Don't say it's nothing because we both know that's a lie."

Hawkes raised his head and stared intently at Flack, trying to convey that the other man should back off but Flack not willing to be intimidated by the other man just stared right back.

"Are you going to tell me what's been bothering you or do I have to pull it out of you?"

"You don't want to hear my woes, I'm sure you have better things to do or even some place more important to be than here."

'Well you're wrong, there's nothing I'd rather do and no place I'd rather be so start talking."

"I messed up big time, brushed of Stafford because I thought he was drunk, the guy turned up dead a few hours later and it's my fault. I should have known something more was wrong with him."

'I heard about that, also heard he was poisoned and based on what Sid said there's no way you could have known. Therefore, I don't see how it's your fault."

"Still doesn't stop me from feeling responsible."

'Feel bad if you want to, doc, but don't blame yourself for Stafford's death. The person that poisoned him is to be blamed for that, and they will be made to pay once we catch them."

Hawkes managed a half smile of gratitude towards Flack before he was back lamenting over his drink.

It wasn't the response Flack was aiming for, he didn't expect Hawkes to just get over his blame but he was hoping that it would encourage the other man to keep talking.

For the most part, Flack accepted the tendency to be a perfectionist was part of what make Hawkes, well Hawkes. It was a trait that he had grown to accept in the doc considering his level of intelligence when compared to most of the persons they worked with.

"You need to let it go, okay, may not have been one of your finer moments but certainly not the end of the world."

"I'm a doctor Flack, always have been and always will be, I should have known something else was wrong with that guy."

"I don't know what you want to hear doc, I'm no expert on medical situations but I think we're beating a dead horse here. Besides, I thought my presence would cheer you up."

Hawkes actually smirked, "you sure are full of yourself," and after a few beats of silence he added quietly a thank you to his friend.

"Hey, seemed like something you needed to hear from a friend."

Hawkes stared at him intensely. 'You always tell people what they need to hear or what you think they want to hear?"

Flack chuckled humourously at his question. "What can I say, I'm good like that, I tell you the whole truth and nothing but the truth, when you need to hear it of course."

"Do you now?"

The question was so quiet Flack almost didn't hear him and it held a note that had his senses on alert. A short silence fell over them and Flack used it to study his friend more closely.

"Shel…"

Hawkes looked up and for the first time Flack noticed the haunted look reflected in his eyes, a sure sign the doc was sleeping well.

"What?"

"You look really exhausted, even more so now, with how close you are to this particular case."

Hawkes shrugged, looking vaguely disappointed.

Flack indicated to the waiter to bring their cheque. "Why don't I give you a ride home? Save me having to worry about you taking the train so late."

The look in the doc's dark orbs had Flack wondering if Mac was giving lessons on his patented stare. He wasn't sure what Hawkes hoped to see so he kept his expression neutral.

Hawkes muttered something as he broke the stare. Flack couldn't quite decipher, but it sounded suspiciously like-"Damn poker face."

Knowing it was probably unwise to respond, Flack decided to treat the situation as he would if it were an interrogation and play it cool. "I'll settle the bill and then we can leave."

The silence in the car was tense and charged as they drove to Hawkes' apartment. Flack was at a loss, unsure how his attempt to cheer up the doc had changed into a minefield of unsaid words.