Desk Duty

[Don Flack]

Flack had just started working the front desk less then 30 minutes ago and he hated it already. He told himself that he would never lose his shield again.

The phone kept ranging off of th hook unstop with citizens calling in what they thought was the tip that would break open the 'Jack the ripper ' case that had been puzzeling the entire force.

Inbetween calls, Don saw Naula approach the desk. Here it comes , he thought. He had always had a friendly rival with Naula. Don was really glad to see her back at work. He truly missed her. Don and herlate fience' were close friends.

"Well, hello there detective. What brings you to this part of the woods?"

[Nuala Shannon]

Nuala walked into the lobby of NYPD, untouched coffees in hand. She'd stopped by the local coffee shop to pick some up rather than drink the drudged up mucky water that was referred to as coffee in the station. As she approached the front desk, a smirk crossed her face.

"Well well well, if it isn't Detective Flack, on desk duty." She teased, feeling more like herself now that she was back at work. "So this was your new assignment? Makes me glad I didn't offer to help." She leaned against the desk. Adjusting her shield and weapon, she looked at Don. "So, what did you do to deserve desk duty?" She inquired, sliding a cup of coffee before Don.

[Don Flack]

Don tried to hide his face, buthe knew that it wasn't any use to try with Nuala. "Yup this is the special assignment that Mac gave me for awhile. I lost my shield on the bus coming to work this morning. It was crowded and some young woman bumped into me when the bus turned a corner. She must have lifted my shield.
So I am stuck on desk duty until Mac can get me anothe shield. I don't have any idea how long that will be. I envy you being able to get out into the streets. Try not to let this get out too fast, Naula. " Don gave her one of his famous smiles .

[Nuala Shannon]

"Don Don Don..." Nuala said, shaking her head. "Always a sucker for a pretty face." She teased again, taking the lid off her coffee cup. Blowing on it, she listened to Don's story about his punishment. "Could be worse. You could be stuck traffic duty." She chuckled at his smile. " Stop trying to be a charmer..."

Shaking her head when he mentioned how lucky she was, Nuala looked down into her coffee. "To tell you the truth, I nearly didn't come back." She said quietly. Her fiance's death had done a number on her, but she knew it would have been what he wanted, for her to get back out in the game.

[Don Flack]

Don looked up at Naula. She was a pretty young woman. It would have been ashame if she had decided not to come back to work. "I'm glad that you decided to come back. I for one would have missed you very much." The city needed all of the good detectives that they could get. And Naula was one of them. "But you know me, always a charmer."

Don smiled. "You, know me well. Naula. Do you know any pretty faces that are available? Don teased. Naula was almost like a sister to him. He would do anything for her.

"True traffic would definitely be worse. Do me a favor. And don't give Mac any ideas. I think I'm in enough hot water right now with our boss. "

[Nuala Shannon]

"Oliver would have wanted me to come back." Nuala smiled. She could almost hear his voice telling her to get back in there and bring down some crooks. "Besides,the new place was starting to get rather boring." Not to mention empty.

"Pretty faces huh?" Nuala stopped and made as though she was thinking. "We're in New York Don, there are pretty faces everywhere." She chuckled. It felt good to laugh, and she was glad that Don was the one making her laugh.

"Cross my heart." She replied, smiling. She wasn't about to give Mac anymore ideas of how to make Don's punishment any worse. She pushed the second cup of coffee further towards Don. "Here, looks like you may need the caffeine..."

[Don Flack]

Don reached over the desk and took Nuala's hand gently in his. "Oliver was a good man and a great cop, and more important he was a good friend of mine. He is missed by everybody. " Don got a bit more serious. "Nuala, you know that if you ever need anything that I am here for you. It's the least I can do. You know my phone number. If you ever want cup of coffee with a friend or to just talk, I am here. And I have never been told that I was boring." Don smiled.

"I guess there are pretty faces everywhere in New York. But I don't think that I will have the time to find one anytime soon if Mac has anything to do with it. " Don was glad to see Nuala smile.
"Have you met the new detective who just transfered in ? She is hot. I haven't met her yet, just heard the guys talk. She has a strange last name. Angell, or something like that."

[Nuala Shannon]

Nuala's smile grew when Don took her hand. His words were very comforting, and she appreciated them. "Thanks Don, it really means a lot to me to have good friends like yourself." She put down her coffee and patted his hand. "I'm pretty sure I have your number around. Worse case scenario, I can always look you up in the directory here."

She cocked her head to the side when he inquired about the new detective. "Don, you seem to have forgotten that I've been gone for a while. Any new faces since I left I have yet to meet." Her smile turned to a grin. "A crush already? You haven't even met her yet." She teased.

[Don Flack]

Don smiled when Nuala said that she had his number. He wondered if all of the females at the NYPD had his number. " I mean it, Nuala. I'm always here for you, day or night. You know if Oliver hadn't hooked you first, I would have made a move for you. "

Don came back to reality when Nuala reminded him that she had been away for awhile. " Oh, you have been. Sorry. We've been so busy with this 'Jack the ripper ' case. Until Mac gave me this assignment, I didn't know if I was coming or going. " Don smiled. "No, not a crush. Just man talk around the station. I'm as free as a bird.

[Nuala Shannon]

Nuala blushed at his comment about scooping her up first if Oliver hadn't been around. "You're such a sweet guy, I don't know why no woman's scooped you up." She smiled back, her hand remaining on his. "I really do appreciate the offer. I may take you up on it, if you're not busy with desk duty." She added, sticking her tongue out at him.

"Jack the Ripper case huh?" Nuala was now intrigued. "No leads yet? How about under cover? Have they sent someone in?"

[Don Flack]

Don smiled his famous smile and winked at Nuala. " Thank you. I guess I haven't found the right girl. Not too many want to date a police officer. I guess it's an occupational hazard. If I get past the first date, I'm lucky."

"You are welcome to take me up on it anytime. That's what I'm here for. I know, Mac can't keep me on desk duty forever, or can he? " The thought of being on desk duty indefinitely frightened Don.

"The only lead that we have is that the perp always removes the vics sexual organs after he murders them. " Don got a sick look on his face at the thought. I don't know of anybody under cover on this one, Nuala. I don't know if Mac would be willing to risk somebody. Please, don't you get any ideas. I already lost one good friend in Oliver. I don't want to lose another. "

[Nuala Shannon]

"Aw, you poor thing. I think any woman would be lucky to have you." Nuala laughed. "Too bad they don't look past the shield." She shook her head. It was true, many women loved the idea of dating a detective. Heck, she had enjoyed dating one even though she was one herself.

"If he does I'll bust you out of here." She winked. She listened as he explained what was going on. "Sounds like one sick dude." She grimaced. She looked over at Flack when he voiced his concern. "I know, but really, you know I'd do anything for this job. If it means going under cover, so be it. Besides, think of all the trashy clothing I get to wear."

[Don Flack]

Don gave Nuala his famous puppy dog eyes. "Awww, thank you. I just haven't found one who can see past the shield yet. She's out there somewhere."

Don came from around the back of the desk and stood next to Nuala. " Now, if Mac give you this undercover assignment. I want to be your back up. Shield or no shield. And no arguements. I know you would do anything for this job. So would I. " Don liked the idea of seeing Nuala in sleezy clothes. Don had always thought of Nuala has a sister since she started to date Oliver. Now he wondered if they would eventually be anything more.

" I better get back to work before Mac stops by. You know it's just like him to check up on his detectives, just for the fun of it. Let me know what Mac saysa about you going under cover."

[Nuala Shannon]

"Sometimes she can be right under your nose." She chuckled, watching him come around to stand beside her.

"I couldn't ask for better back up." Nuala nodded, glad that if it came down to it, she'd have Flack watching her back. She gave him a playful nudge. "Think you could pull off being one of my Johns?" She giggled and blushed, a mental image of Flack in a purple pimp suit. Shaking her head, she tried to push that image away, but it still made her laugh.

"Yeah, I should let you get back to playing receptionist." She sighed, knowing it was time for her to get to work as well. "I'll let ya know when I ask him." She nodded, pushing herself away from the desk. "Hey, when you're done work, would you wanna go grab a coffee or something?"

[Don Flack]

Don smiled. "I will remember that. And keep checking under my nose for a beautiful girl. " Flack knew what Nuala meant but teased her anyway. I wouldn't let you go undercover without meas your back up. After all how many times do I get to see you in sleazy clothes. I wouldn't mind being your John, at all. "

As a matter of fact, the only reason that Don hadn't come on stronger to Nuala so far was out of respect for his friend and the fact that Nuala was morning him. Don thought how beautiful Nuala was. And hoped that she would be interested in dating sometime soon. He would be the first in line when she was ready. Flack smiled. "You want me a John or your pimp? Either one is good with me as long as I am their if things go wrong. Let's run all of this past Mac and see what he says. "

Don perked up when Nuala asked him to go for a cup of coffee with her after work. "Sure , that sounds great. I'll meet you here. Don't work too hard." Don give Nuala one of his sexy eye brow raises. "Thanks detective. My life's ambition, to be a receptionist." Don smiled .