Complicated

Chapter Seven: Stalemate

Easy come, Easy go
That's just how you live oh
Take, take, take it all
But ya never give

Should've known
You was trouble
From the first kiss

Bruno Mars - Grenade

The bullpen was quiet for the first time in what seemed like an age. Flack hated it when it was like this, the silence let him too much time to think about the things. He couldn't stand the idea of doing that right now but it was happening and he was powerless to stop it. He shouldn't have got involved with Grace again. After a few drinks it had seemed like a good idea, coming home and finding her in his apartment and then in his shower naked it had been too good to be true.

It was only afterwards when his sensible side managed to kick in that he realized he was making a terrible mistake. Sex wasn't the way to go to get what he wanted, despite the fact it was mind blowing. If he was honest he wasn't sure that was accessible to him. Grace showed no signs of buckling. She cared about him, but it wasn't enough not any more.

The truth was he was in love with Grace, he had been from the moment he'd stolen that kiss from her that night in the bar. Too many drinks whilst playing pool after the Truby case when the bar was heaving. Somewhere in the midst when she'd been caught between the pool table and his body, he'd laid one on her. She hadn't resisted, in fact her hands had grasped his shirt and yanked him even closer.

The kiss had been sweet and sensual, their lips fit together as if the two of them were made for each other. Despite the fact it had only lasted seconds Don had placed it as his most memorable.

When the two of them broken apart the moment was over and they'd gone back to playing. Neither of them had mentioned it since. Don hadn't realized that was it then, he was hooked. Instead he had filled the missing piece of his heart with meaningless flings and one night affairs. It had taken a long time to realize that what he needed was right in front of his eyes.

He remembered that old saying, if you loved someone you set them free and that was what he was trying to do here. Don Flack always did the right thing, it was ingrained in his nature. Yet he was sick of being the brave one, it was exhausting giving so much of yourself away to the job, to other people. He needed more than that. He had wanted something for himself, someone to call his own but again it was eluding him.

He couldn't do this any more. He couldn't have what he wanted dangled so closely to his face only to have it snatched away at the last minute, he was done with that.

Don had been avoiding Grace's calls over the past few days, only returned a text if it was work related. The two of them were on separate cases at the moment so avoiding her wasn't too hard.

As soon as Don had the thought he knew that he had jinxed himself. The main door to the precinct opened as someone entered. He could tell the sound of her footsteps anywhere, and always with those battered ankle boots she adored so much.

Go away, he prayed without looking up from the report he was writing. Go away, go away.

She was wearing a different perfume today he noticed, something that was vaguely floral and reminded him of Spring. Her shadow fell across his desk, darkening the A4 papers he was reading as the footsteps came to a halt on the opposite side.

Don had learned many years ago that sometimes the best defense was to have a good offence and he was surprised to find himself shifting into that mindset almost automatically. He was already putting down his pen and rising to the challenge before she had a chance to attack. He kept his expression blank as he swiveled his head up to meet her piercing gaze, opening his hands in a mock gesture of welcome as he spoke.