This is my first ever fanfic and as of now I still do not have any concrete idea of how this story will go. Please R&R. I'd appreciate it very much. Thank you.

"...be careful where you stick your nose. stay out of my personal business.."

She kept on thinking about that conver-..confrontation. She had never heard him use that kind of tone on her. And it is what hurts the most. She can handle the words that he said, but his tone... it breaks her heart.

She knows there is something wrong with him, just doesn't know what it is specifically. She wants to help him overcome it. If not, at least she could lend him her ears, or her shoulder, or her arms.. but now she is sure that he doesn't need any of those. He basically just pushed her away.

-Crime Lab-

"J.D.! I got a match from the number used to send the text to blackmail Mr. Danton. It belonged to.. uhh.. J.D.? hehe... yoohoo.. Jo?"

"Sorry Adam.. you were saying?"

"I said I found a match from the mobile number and it traced back to his half-brother Johnny. Where were you?"

"What do you mean? I'm here, talking to you."

"Oh come on Jo.. what's wrong? You look like a wandering zombie. Even Hawkes and Danny had noticed it. "

"Oh.. no, nothing's wrong. I am just.. uhh.. thinking about something.. uhh.. Ellie has told me this morning. So, you said you found a match, right? "

"Yup, everything's here. Danny dug more info about little Johnny and it's all here." Adam said, handing the tablet to Jo.

"Okay, can you please give it to Mac? I need to go back to my office, I just thought of something.. about the case. Thanks." Jo turned around from Adam and briskly walked back to her office, while Adam walked towards Mac's office, scratching his head unsure of what has just happened.

"Lindsay, where are you going?" asked Jo when Lindsay stood up from her table and was about to walk out from their office.

"I'm going to send this to Mac. Would you like me to get something for you on my way back?"

"Actually, can you please hand this to him also, while you're there? Saves me the trip up and down the hall." Jo smiled as she handed Lindsay two file folders.

"Sure" said Lindsay as she leaves.

"Hey Mac here is my report. And these, are Jo's. She asked me to give these to you." Lindsay said to her boss, while trying to detect a hint that will tell her what was going on between the two senior detectives.

Mac stared at Jo's folders before finally reaching up to accept them with a subtle sigh. "Thanks Lindsay, you may go home now. It's getting late." Then he started reading the files, brows furrowed, uneasiness settling on him.

Damn it. Jo has been avoiding me all day. Mac thought while opening the folders. Whether he should be relieved or dismayed, he hasn't decided yet.

Lindsay left his office, growing more and more suspicious and went to find his husband. She found him by the vending machine, talking with Sheldon, Adam, and Don. "Hey babe. Ready to go?" asked Danny when he saw a frowning Lindsay heading towards them.

"Have you noticed Mac and Jo? I can sense something wrong going on between the two of them but can't figure out what." Lindsay said as she stopped by her husband's side.

"Well.. Jo's been weird today. I have not seen her smile the whole day. Well, aside from the tiny smile she flashed me this afternoon. But she is awfully quiet today." said Sheldon, looking around to make sure Jo is not within earshot.

"I don't know if this will make sense.. but I find it odd when this morning, while I was talking to Jo about Johnny's phone she just stood there, totally zoned out, without hearing a word I said. Then, after finally getting her attention, she just asked me to send the result to Mac, myself." Adam said unsure if what he said is related to Lindsay's concern.

"Just now, Jo asked me to give Mac her report. She never asked me to do that. She always goes to his office herself." said Lindsay, scrunching her brows together.

"Whoa.. so you guys mean that Jo is avoiding Mac? Why" Don asked, quite not believing what he is hearing.

"Hey guys, heading home yet?" Jo's voice pierced through their thoughts, unsettling all of them.

Danny was the one who answered first. "We're about to go for a drink Jo. Would you like to come?"

Jo hesitated a moment before shaking her head. "No, I can't tonight. Too tired. You guys enjoy yourselves. Night." She told them before heading to the elevator, summoning all of her willpower to not even glance at the figure across the hallway, not wanting to risk to be caught looking at him by Mac himself.

Relief washed over her when she finally heard the elevator's ding, announcing its arrival to whisk her down to the safety of her car.

Mac was looking at her from where he's sitting, silently willing her to look his way. But was at the same time very worried to be caught looking at her by Jo. When she disappeared to the elevator, he realized he is holding his breath and slowly released it. Damn it Mac. You really messed it up this time. he silently cursed himself.

He tried to focus on the case file in his hands but thoughts of Jo's face while he tells her to back off flooded his mind. The hurt in her eyes; that's what has been bugging his conscience since last night. He did not mean to tell her off and most of all, he did not mean to hurt her but the fear of anybody finding out his problem made him defensive. He knew that Jo is a smart woman and very determined. It will only be a matter of time before she could figure out on her own what his problem is.

Mac went to bed that night with guilt gnawing at his gut. He knew what he did was wrong. But he has no idea how to initiate a conversation with Jo especially when she is doing everything in her power to avoid him. He spent most of the night tossing and turning, thinking and debating himself on how to make things right with Jo.