A/N:

i) I don't own anything, alluded to or directly mentioned, in this chapter or previous: Flack, Angell, CSI NY, Monopoly, Thin Mints etc

ii) Nor do I own any of the songs, except in 100% legal download format on my MP3

iii) Tequila is the devil's work; I just didn't think Angell looked like a G&T kind of gal

Tequila
It makes me happy
Con Tequila it feels fine
Con Tequila when the doors are opened
And con Tequila when they're calling time
That's the curse of Tequila

Terrorvision - Tequila

They'd animatedly debated the Blue Flu, over wok roasted prawns and sesame beef on her sofa; amicably resolving to agree, to disagree.

She knew that although he whole heartedly agreed that the pay sucked, he was too dedicated to 'Fidelis ad Mortem' to leave the streets. And he knew that while she was as dedicated as he was, she had her old man and four brothers, all underpaid disgruntled cops, leaning on her.

It always saddened him a little, that while she was so strong willed and such a fierce free thinker, when it came to family she fell back in the little sister role with ease. He knew that she'd dropped out of college to travel and then joined the force all against their will but in some areas, seemed to just let her Father and brothers dominate her. Whenever he broached the subject, she'd scowl and grumble "Family; can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em. Don't start though Don... "

While only three Angells served with the NYPD, the remainder had loyally rallied around from their forces; planning a tactical family dinner in the city with attendance non negotiable.

He'd watched her dress, driven her across town to Sel de la Terre and sent her in with a kiss; promising to bring her breakfast in the morning and debrief the night.

:-:-:

Letting himself into her apartment, he was met only by silence; locking the door he called tentatively, "Jess?" Moving stealthily through the rooms he found her flopped on the bed, hair tangled and yellow striped cami pajamas crumpled, face burrowed in a pillow. He set down the tray of coffee and paper bag on the nightstand, crouching down and playfully tickling her back, "J?"

She lifted her head, croaking, "I'm dying."

Kicking off his shoes and stretching out on the bed beside her, he dropped a kiss on her head, chortling, "You've been practicing your sick voice for the Captain then."

Lifting her head again she groaned, "No really, I'm dying. It's always round about now that I remember why I don't go out with my brothers much." As he quirked an eyebrow in amusement, she widened her eyes and nodded gravely, "Tequila is the devil's work Don...the devil's work", before burrowing her head in the pillow again.

After an hour, a lot of OJ and a slightly queasy moment as she choked down a breakfast bagel, she was propped up against him, happily dozing. "So, what's the news from Team Angell?" he asked, lazily twisting his fingers through her now straightened hair. Although he'd hooted with laughter when he'd seen the Angell family camping photo, a grinning nine year old Jess in the middle and all proudly wearing their 'Team Angell' t-shirts, he'd been touched that her Father cared so deeply about unifying the family after their tragic loss.

She picked out a few of the more interesting snippets from the evening; an amusing case from the Boston PD, the impending arrival of a new niece or nephew and the family view point on the NYPD pay dispute. Casually adding, as if after thought, "Oh yeah, and you..."

He craned his neck to look her in the eye, "Me?"

Nestling further into his embrace she muttered, "Mmm, you."

They sat in contented silence until he prodded her, forcing her to continue. "It's the way they do it; sit there all stony faced, asking awkward questions. 'You have a boy drive you to dinner but you don't bring him in to meet us Jessica?'" she parroted, "A 'boy' for god sake?! It's like I'm sixteen again!" She sat up, sulkily folding her arms, "Honestly they're a nightmare Don. They know all about you Detective Donald J Flack; they'll have read your file, know where you live, know your credit score…that's what they do! Then Dad heads home and the boys ply me with drink until I crack...bloody tequila...It's SO unfair, I'm just a girl!"

He snickered at her whining, drawing her back into his arms, having worked out a long time ago that she cheerfully played the 'just a girl' card when it suited her; when she was comfortable on the sofa and wanted to him collect the pizza from the boy in the lobby or when she when was tired and just wanted to cuddle, but the rest of the time she'd kick his ass at merest hint of the implication.

Turning, she looked at him, jabbing him in the chest "I wouldn't be laughing quite so much if I were you Flack!"

Raising his eyebrows in amusement he leant forward, kissing her, "Oh no?!"

She groaned, settling back into his embrace, "No. I may have, inadvertently under the influence of tequila..."

"The devil's work, I know!" he teased.

"...agreed to bring you to family thing next weekend." she finished.

"A 'family thing' Jess? That doesn't sound so bad…I am a very nice boy after all."

She twisted her head, 'Really?" As he nodded, she kissed him sweetly, "Thank you Don."

They lazed in comfortable silence, enjoying the simplicity of being together; his fingers trailing along her arm and their breathing synchronized.

Until she smirked, patting his arm, "You remember I have four brothers don't you, older ones? Cop ones? And my old man's a cop too? It'll be a breeze though baby, they'll love a boy like you..."