This story ignores that Jessica Angell was ever involved in CSI:NY. I am personally a fan of the F/A relationship, but I don't want to fit it into this story. Because that means making Don Flack depressed for certain points. I don't like a depressed Don. I will only say this once, I don't own anything that is from the show, but I can officially say that I own Kelsey O'Neill, Brandon O'Neill, Connor O'Neill, Natasha Fuller and any other characters you don't recognize. - Please don't forget to review once you have read!

Just One Glance

Chapter One - Getting Hooked

By Annie-Louise

All it took was one single glance and he knew he had been hooked.

She was an attractive girl to say the least, one of short height and slender form, but it was her face that seemed to fascinate him the most, with its delicately molded features, unfathomable emerald eyes, and lips that showed her idealistic, high-strung temperament. The auburn haired beauty had unknowingly captured his attention in such a way that no matter how long he stared he found himself always wanting more.

Yes, Don Flack had been hooked.

Under the blue neon glow of the clubbing spotlights, Don subtly kept his eyes on the attractive woman who was busy serving a variety of alcoholic beverages, all of them obviously some strange concoction of spirits and fruit juices. However, Don was more than happy to stick with his usual order of Guinness, the Irish brew that his father had first introduced him to in his late teens. His father, though a respectable member of the force, allowed his eldest son illegally to have an alcoholic drink from time to time - of course, Don Sr. would only personally allow it on special occasions.

Standing from the supple, red leather upholstered chair, Don took a final mouthful of what was left in his glass and made his way through the gathering crowds towards the bar. Leaning on the smoothly polished counter with his empty glass to hand and a cheeky grin gracing his lips, he soon caught the eye of the redhead.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the auburn beauty that came to serve him, but a lanky bloke who had raven black hair and an assortment of colorful tattoos adorning his arms, neck and what little you could see of his chest. However, he didn't look completely menacing. He smiled happily as if the last conversation he had come from was still amusing him to some degree. "Can I help you, mate?"

Don was quite surprised to hear a faint twinge of an Irish accent to the tattoo man's tone.

"Yeah, I'll just have another Guinness, thanks."

Nodding, the tattoo man headed towards the other end of the bar to fill the pint glass with fresh Guinness while Don allowed his eyes to wander back to the girl, examining her form with an appreciative gaze. After several moments, the new glass of fine ale was placed next to him and two hands where slammed down on either side of it. "I'd appreciate you not eyeing my sister like that, mate."

"I'd appreciate my big bro not starting arguments with customers." The soft retort came from the redhead, who had obviously predicted her brother's move. She smiled softly and placed a hand on the tattoo man's shoulder while looking to Don. "Brandon here allows himself to eye up and flirt with any female that's within a five foot radius of him but likes to contradict himself when its switched around."

The tattooed barkeep let out a short grunt of frustration before rudely requesting the money for the drink and strolling away to see to another customer who was sat only a few bar stools away. Don eyed him warily for a moment, but quickly put on a smile and turned to the woman who had been fascinating him all night.

"Seeing as how my brother was so rude your next round can be on the house." She said kindly, a similar twinge of the Irish accent evident in her voice too. "Call it an apology from him seeing as I know he won't actually apologize to you." Don shook his head and grabbed the pint glass of the counter.

"There's nothing to apologize for, love. Don't worry about it."

"Still, when you finish that, find me and I'll give you one on the house. Don't try to argue with me about it, because you will certainly lose."

Don chuckled lightly and smirked. "So, do I get a name then? I can't exactly ask for the 'gorgeous redhead', can I?"

Don could swear he saw the smallest blush creep over her pale cheeks before she politely replied, "I'm Kelsey." Don stuck out his hand and she shuck in gently, her touch almost feather light as her finger expertly curved around his palm, leaving a tingling sensation over his skin.

"I'm Don Flack."

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Don Flack." She replied with a cheeky smirk. Grabbing a damp cloth from under the bar, she began to feebly wipe the already highly polished counter top in a lame attempt to make it look as if she was working. "I don't think I have ever seen you in here before…." Trailing off, Kelsey raised her perfectly plucked eyebrow in a questioning manner.

"I'm meeting some people here." Don replied confidently. "It was their suggestion to come here instead. Usually we just go to Sullivans that's a few blocks from the precinct."

"Oh, so you're a cop then?"

"Actually, I'm a Detective," Don said smugly, unaware of how his posture had suddenly straightened and how he held himself with a little more pride. He suddenly realized her pensive expression and quickly added, "Don't worry. There's not gonna be a raid just 'cause I'm here."

She physically relaxed and grinned broadly at the detective, "Yeah, well there's nothing we have to hide anyway."

"Yeah?" Don asked with amusement to his tone. "Well that's good to know."

She laughed musically, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Don was amazed by how much the dazzling smile drew him in. Something about that playful grin was just so alluring. "Now, I had really better get back to work before he begins breathing down my neck." She nodded towards her brother who seemed to be loathing with anger at the flirtatious exchange. Kelsey, most likely to annoy her brother further, winked teasingly at Don and seductively drawled out, "Come find me when you want that drink, 'kay? And don't take anything he says seriously. He's just being overprotective."

Don nodded, letting a cheeky grin curve onto his lips as she seductively sauntered away to serve one of the many waiting punters at the other end of the bar. Not only was she gorgeous, but as far as Don could tell she also had a good sense of humor and a kind nature.

Don couldn't wait until he finished his drink.

Spotting his friends who had just arrived, Don stood from the bar stool which was upholstered in the same red leather as most of the soft furnishings and made his way over to them. Danny and Lindsay Messer stood side by side, their hands tightly clasped in the middle, Adam Ross slightly behind them while eyeing up one particularly underdressed individual who smirked seductively at the lab tech.

Grabbing the fresh pint of Guinness from the polished black counter, Don ploughed his way through the crowd until he got to the newly arrived trio. They all smiled when they finally saw him emerging from the swarm of youths that were currently occupying the club. It did seem a strange place for Adam Ross to pick as their place to relax after work. "Hey!"

"Hey man!" Danny yelled over the loud music, his thick New York accent prominent in his voice. "You not got a table yet?" That made Don chuckle. You could always tell when you where getting older when you begin walking into nightclubs and instead of looking for the hottest women, you look for a place to sit.

Danny headed off to the bar to retrieve the drinks for his wife and the lab tech, while Don, Lindsay and Adam found a table at the edge of the large room.

Settling down in his seat, Don couldn't help the instinctive urge to look over his shoulder, trying to spot Kelsey among the crowd. It was awkward, but he managed. As he had seen her before she was serving the punters and speaking to them in a friendly manner, often laughing that oh so musical laugh. Mentally, he cursed himself for not picking one of the seats that faced the bar.

His fascination with the girl was surely beginning to evolve into an obsession.

"Are you okay, Don?" The question had come from Lindsay. She was ever so good at noticing the little things, though Don was sure his constant looks towards the bar were anything but subtle. He just couldn't help it, the redhead was just so enticing. He couldn't understand it.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He lied.

As harsh as it may of sounded, he wished to be stood at the bar talking to Kelsey. He wanted to get to know her. He wanted to make sure this wasn't going to be the last time he saw her.

Lindsay nodded a little skeptically but didn't ask any questions of why his behavior was so strange.

Placing a glass orange juice and two dark bottles of Budweiser down on the black polished table, Danny sat next to his wife and stretched his arm out to drape casually round her shoulders. "So, why are we here? Are you suddenly too good for Sullivans now, Ross?"

"Nah" Adam smirked "I just like this place."

"He likes that blonde who hasn't stopped staring since we got here." Lindsay giggled, "What was her name? Ellen?"

"…Ellie" The lab tech seemed to trail of in a thoughtful dream as he spoke.

Lindsay leaned in slightly and in a hushed tone she asked, "Have you spoken to her yet?" Adam shook his head. It was quite obvious that he had yet to introduce himself to the attractive blonde. It was also obvious that the said woman had a certain amount of interest in the Lab geek. Confidence seemed to be the only problem.

Danny snorted and picked up his own bottle of Budweiser, reclining back in his seat even further as he let the stress of the day melt away. "So that's why we're here? So Ross can check out the girl he's to scared to actually talk to? Man, we could just get a picture and let him stare at that while we relax in a quiet bar."

"Leave him alone," Lindsay chastised, slapping her husband lightly on the chest. "He'll speak to her when he's ready. Sometimes playing it safe is better than marching in their and making a fool of yourself."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Danny questioned, raising an accusing eyebrow at the hidden meaning behind the statement. "Are you saying I make a fool of myself?"

"Sometimes…yes." Lindsay replied, trying –and failing- to suppress a smirk curving onto her lips. To be honest, the playful banter which some couples would take to heart was common between the newly weds. Danny and Lindsay, though they had a rocky start to their relationship, soon realized they were perfect for each other. Even if it were a baby that made them see that. "You hardly got along with me when we first met."

"Ah, but that's cause you were the new girl." Lindsay playfully rolled her eyes and took a sip of her orange juice. "It's a tradition to poke fun at the newbie."

Just as he finished speaking, a pint of Guinness was placed down on the edge of the table.

Kelsey stood a little awkwardly, a small handbag draping off her shoulder. "Hi –eh- sorry to interrupt." She lifted her gaze to meet Don's and smiled that dazzling grin. "I have to clock off now and I owe you that drink…" She pushed the glass further in his direction. "I didn't think leaving my brother to make sure you got it was a wise idea."

Don –who had been in a trance- caught himself quickly. "Thanks Kelsey."

"Okay. Well, bye guys. Have a nice night." Kelsey hoisted her bag further up her shoulder, turned and walked towards the exit of the bar. All of the members of the group seemed to stare after her, noting how she glanced over her shoulder before pushing opened the large double doors to exit the club.

Don, being too caught up in his thoughts had failed to realize the smug expressions from his colleagues.

"So, Ross isn't the only reason why we're here then," Danny taunted. "Care to tell us who the redhead is and why she owed you a drink?"