Title: U is for Underworld
Author: stellaluna_
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Danny/Don
Summary: Written for bedlamsbard.
Disclaimer: None of these are mine. Characters are the property of Anthony Zuiker, Jerry Bruckheimer Television, CBS, and Alliance Atlantis.

***

"Things are different down here," Danny says. "That's the first thing you have to understand." He's lying on his back. Tendrils of smoke drift from the end of his cigarette, and Flack watches the tiny glow of embers that flares to life every time he inhales.

It's not enough to see his face by.

"Yeah, I figured that much out already," Flack says.

"The old rules don't apply. Don't try to tell yourself they do. I've seen a lot of people come in and figure, oh, it's not so different, but I can still use all the stuff I learned back at the Academy or at the precinct. No. Don't do that. That's a good way to get yourself taken out in a body bag. Or worse."

This isn't the kind of pillow talk Flack had in mind when he had decided to take Danny to bed. On the other hand, it could be valuable information, and it's the kind of thing no one else has been willing to talk to him about. "Bullshit," he says. "I get that things aren't the same here, but you can't tell me that every last thing I learned before
is of no use anymore."

"No, no, you're right." Danny takes another drag of his cigarette. "Some of it's still good. You'll figure out what is and what isn't as you go along. I'm just saying that you shouldn't think that this is...I don't know."

He pauses, and this time Flack waits out the pause without saying anything. "You shouldn't think that this is easy, or that it's not dangerous. You can't think it's the same thing as still being a cop."

"I am still a cop," Flack says.

"I know," Danny says. "That's why we need you. Just watch yourself as you go along."

"I'm not stupid."

"No, you're not." Danny lowers the cigarette. "But it's going to change you. Be ready for that."

"I don't...it's not going to change me." He wants to get out of bed, wants to find his pants and his jacket so he can show Danny his badge and his gun. He wants to show Danny -- and himself -- that nothing is any different, that nothing is going to be any different. He can change the job he does without changing who he is underneath. He's sure of it.

Danny lets out a harsh little sound that might be a laugh. "That's what they all say." He holds out his cigarette. Finally, Flack takes it.

***