CSI:NY How Does Your Garden Grow

Circle of Friends

Chapter 5: Circle of Friends

Flack changed his mind about the blue dress once he saw how exhausted Gus was, falling asleep in the car. Not that he didn't plan to see the dress on his floor later. He knew she had slept little and fitfully and after overhearing her conversation with Billy, he even knew why.

The problem was he didn't know how to fix things. Scratch that, one part of the equation he could technically solve, but what if she wasn't ready? He meant what he said at her parents' mausoleum, yet there was something holding him back. Even though it had been a year and a half since Jess died- Flack cut his thought off, realizing he had missed his turn for his building and was thankful Gus was asleep and hadn't noticed.

He gently roused her, as she practically sleepwalked into his apartment. "Sorry about ruining sexy times, blue eyes, I'm just exhausted," she said sleepily, leaving a trail of clothing between his entry and bedroom and climbing underneath his covers.

"It's fine, sunshine, you've got, what, four hours sleep in forty-eight, not to mention I know you were worried about Adam," Flack replied, thinking her naked in his bed still equaled sexy times to him.

"I'm still worried about Adam, Don, but," she yawned widely, "I can worry about him in the morning. Assuming Mac didn't fire him, which he better not have," Gus grumbled.

Flack couldn't help but smile down at her, tucking her in and giving her a kiss, "Mac isn't stupid, babe. I'm going to forage for some food, you sure you don't want anything to eat before you go to sleep?"

"I'm good, but I demand a giant breakfast before shift tomorrow," she replied with a smile. Just before Flack went to stand, she gripped his shirt and pulled him back down to her, giving him a long, heated kiss. "String beans, Don, love you."

True to words he didn't even speak, Flack delivered a full breakfast in bed to Gus early the next morning. "Don, you can cook? I didn't know you knew how to make Eggs Benedict!" Gus exclaimed.

"It's really just boiling water," Flack replied, looking suddenly sheepish.

"Whatever, you could give the Brennan's a run for their money," Gus said, shoveling in the food, starving since she skipped dinner.

Flack laughed at her, "you could actually slow down and enjoy it you know, last bit of paperwork will wait."

"I know but I would rather take our comp time at the end of shift instead of the beginning," Gus said, "besides it is that good!"

"I guessed that by the fact that you've barely touched your coffee. Now if you don't mind, chef needs to eat as well. Plus, I don't want to witness you licking the plate, we should keep some mystery in our relationship."

"If this detective thing doesn't work out for you, brunch chef is a good back up plan," Gus called after him, as she ran her finger through the hollandaise sauce.

Final paperwork submitted, but still not cut loose by their boss, Gus went over to the lab to find out what Mac had done with Adam. She had tried calling her friend a few times, but her calls went straight to voice mail. Which is probably why she more stormed than strode into Mac's office.

He looked up from the pile of paperwork on his desk only when he heard her tapping her foot against the tile in front of him. He took in the arms crossed across her chest, her foot impatiently tapping away, her ponytail swinging with the movement, her eyes and jaw set. He couldn't help but smirk, which only caused her mouth to move from a straight line to a scowl.

"You look exactly like Claire when you do that, Gussie, she'd give me that she would give me when I had forgotten something or had to stand her up. What have I done now?" Mac set his pen down and leaned back in his seat.