Quote: "The decision to kiss for the first time is the most crucial in any love story. It changes the relationship of two people much more strongly than even the final surrender; because this kiss already has within it that surrender." Emil Ludwig

Pulling into the driveway Flack was caught in two minds, half hoping the doc would invite him up, the other dreadful of the exact same thing. He did however manage to school his features as he turned towards Hawkes with what he hoped was a genuine smile. It didn't escape him that Hawkes was somewhat hesitant about leaving the vehicle.

Finally Hawkes shook his head as if disappointed with something and reached for the door handle but before he could get far Flack reached across and grabbed him by the arm.

Hawkes froze at first then reluctantly turn to meet Flack's gaze, the detective wasn't sure what the doc saw but he felt a slight tremor run through the taut muscles under his hand.

Seeming to brace himself, Hawkes covered Flack's hand with his own giving it a quick light squeeze before gently removing it. The doc's voice was husky when he spoke, "thanks for the lift and see you tomorrow Don." He swallowed the lumped that seem to be residing in his throat. "I mean see you at work tomorrow." With that he got out and walked into his apartment building without a backwards glance.

watching him walk away was hard and though he tried he was failing miserably at ignoring the nagging feeling deep inside him, a feeling that said if he'd been in the interrogation room, meant it was time to all it all on the line. He told himself or tried to at least that the timing was wrong.

Repeating the sentiment like a mantra while getting out the vehicle he walked purposefully into the building and up to Hawkes' apartment. By the time he found himself knocking on the door all trace of common sense and reason had left the detective to sink or swim.

Opening the door Hawkes gave him a bewildered smile but before he could utter a word Flack had stepped into his personal space causing the doctor to take a step back into the apartment. Deciding it was now or never the detective slipped his hand behind the doctor's neck and pulled him into a kiss causing the shorter man to freeze briefly. Hawkes found himself relaxing a little into the kiss though he never allowed himself to become too involved other than to part his lips slightly in response to Flack's demanding tongue.

Flack was undecided whether to push the doctor for more of a reaction than he was getting, but instinct told him to quit while he was ahead. The last thing he wanted was Hawkes to feel he forced anything beyond a kiss on him especially since it was hard to gauge what the doctor felt or thought about what was happening.

Once the kiss was broken Flack could see that Hawkes was looking fairly uncertain himself. Judging by his perplexed expression the doc was wearing, the detective couldn't help thinking it was similar to when trying to solve one of his many complex puzzles in the lab where the CSIs tackle everyday cases.

'Goodbye doc, see tomorrow at work." Flack was shocked and a bit embarrassed that his voice was hoarse. He had hoped he could pull of the still cold calm vibe he had before the kiss but clearly was failing miserably. "Try to get some rest; you're going to need it. I don't think Mac would take kindly to you falling asleep on the job." The detective smiled pleased that his voice had evened out more and that he didn't sound like a nervous teenager anymore.

Hawkes opened his mouth as if to respond but when no sound came out he promptly snapped it closed and settled for a nod of his head instead. He hoped that he did not seem like an inexperienced teenage boy who is stunned silent after that desire of his affections finally give him the kiss he's been after or worst a blushing virgin on prom night. How embarrassing would that be after he just got kissed by NYPD Blue's heart throb of the century, after all Don was every girls fantasy guy and while some men loved to hate him, others would die to him or be him.

He really hoped he didn't look goofy and that Don was not turned off by his lack of experience in kissing him back since technically it was his first kiss with a guy. Okay he really needed to cut the internal monologue and say something to his friend before he gets the wrong idea and start thinking the kiss was unwanted, but he just could not get his brain to translate that signal to his mouth and watched as the detective began to leave.

Backing out the doorway flack nodded to the doc then turned and left the apartment, leaving a too stunt CSI staring after him and head for his vehicle with an extra bounce in his steps. After all it wasn't everyday he got to render the brilliant Doctor Sheldon Hawkes speechless. Once he was inside his car his brave front fell away and he proceeded to bang his head against the steering wheel a few times for good measure. Damn he was feeling like a horny teenager who was finally allowed to kiss his high school crush.

He finally started the car and drove off to his home certain there was no chance of him getting any sleep even if he was bone tire. He just hoped he be rested and alert for when the good doctor was thinking straight and not stunned as he was at his apartment. Don smiled to himself, he was looking forward to whatever the Hawkes would come at him with but until then he needed rest and lots of it.