AN : I really like the idea of a Mac and Dick couple. I'm going to put this story in 3 or 4 parts. All your reviews are welcome. Thank you

Disclamer : I do not own anything. I am just rambling with the charaters Rob Thomas created.

Mac was not having a good day. She got assigned to a new project, on top of everything she already had, at Kane Software, and she had to work with a douchebag who was drooling every time he was laying eyes on her. She could make his life miserable but he would retaliate, sadly the asshole was a very smart programmer. She didn't want to start a war with him.

Now, after her shit day at work, she was going to see Logan. They still had a website running and the end of the 1st financial period had been two weeks ago. She had to check with him to get her money and plan the next 6 months.

Going to Logan's was synonym to meet Dick as they lived together in their big beach house (small for 09er standards). Mac was hoping not to see Dick. The last time they crossed path it was in a bar. She was drunk and ended up kissing him. That was a mistake and she didn't want to have to talk about it.

When she arrived and knocked she didn't praised the Lord as Dick opened the door.

"Hey, hello Mackie" he greeted.

"Hello Dick. Is Logan home?" Maybe he didn't remember. Maybe he was too drunk or too high.

"No, but I am" he answered leering.

Fuck me, he remembered, she tought. "My day is going from bad to worst" she muttered.

He heard and looked hurt. But before she could say anything more he talked: "you can come in and wait, he should be there in 10 and I have to leave."

"She hesitated but came in. "Thanks." She sat at the counter in the kitchen, following Dick, and he asked if she wanted a drink. "Hell yes, I need one."

Dick thought she was making an allusion to spending time with him. "No need to be harsh, I'm leaving anyway." He said giving her a beer.

She was surprised. "Oh, no that's not you, I had a bad day at work." Shaking her hand, and she added : "Not something you can relate."

"Sure, I do what I like."

"Hey, I do too. Well most of the time. And I don't have the choice of colleagues sadly."

"What's the issue Mackie. You don't like to work with people less smart than you? I have some news for you. Most of us can't compete with you."

"What the fuck!" she was starting to get pissed off by this exchange "you don't know me. How dare you assume that? For your information, I'm tired because starting tomorrow I have to work with an asshole, who, I'm sure is going to start harassing me before the end of the week."

Dick felt a cold sweat running through him.

"Don't let anyone bother you. Work your magic. If it's not enough Logan and I can persuade him."

She smiled. Dick was a dick but a nice one. They were not friends but she was friend with Logan so he cared for her. "You don't have to worry for me. I can't really work my magic on him but I can take care of myself."

"Well you know where to find us in case."

"Yah thanks."

He left her to get ready and she heard him from the other side of the house few minutes later "See ya Mac-Attack, take care."

It didn't go too bad at the end she thought.

Logan arrived a bit later. They talked and settled everything for the website.

The next Monday at lunch Mac thought she wouldn't make it through the day. Bill her project partner had already tried to get a date and almost groped her twice in the 4 hours of work.

Her phone rang and she answered with a sight not checking the caller ID: "Hello"

"Good morning Mac… or not good" Logan answered with a smile as he heard her sighed.

"Logan it's already past noon."

"Oh technicalities are your domain not mines."

"Yes sure. Why are you calling?"

"I thought we could talk a bit I have new ideas for the website."

"Really?" Mac was surprised the website was not their focus and it was running by itself. "ok I don't have much time right now but maybe this week I can come by after work."

"Tonight, Dick is going to pick you up at 5? No I'm sure you work a bit more, let's do 6. See you later."

Before she could answer he hung up. That was definitely weird but with those 09er you never knew what was in their head.

All the afternoon Mac managed to avoid Bill. She was almost at the door at 6 when he caught up.

"Hey Cindy, you're leaving. So, I was thinking maybe we could work on the project while having dinner this week. Tomorrow?"

Exasperated Mac tried to avoid a long conversation. "Bill, I don't want to have dinner with you. We have enough time to work on the project during office hours."

They were outside now and Bill walked passed Mac to stop in front of her. "Don't be like that. You know you won't be able to resist me…"

He was interrupted by a car stopping next to them. Dick opened his door and run to her side. He narrowed his eyes on hers.

"Hello Mackie" he said darkly.

"Hi Richard" she answered plainly.

Dick thought it was not starting well. She never called him with his full name unless she was very mad. He had made an effort: nice fitting dark jeans, dress shirt and his Audi R8 GT. He didn't want to mess up and he had to get her in the mood for talking. "Hum, everything's alright?" he asked still looking at her and tentatively touching her shoulder.

She sighed; she didn't want to be a bitch. Dick was not the one pissing her off. She had to be polite at least. Maybe later she could go to the gym to blow off steam. She turned to Bill who was looking at her with questioning eyes. "Bill let me introduce you. Dick this is Bill my partner for the project I told you about. Bill meet Dick Casablanca…"

She couldn't finish.

"her boyfriend" interrupted Dick putting an arm around her waist.

She turned to him to shut him up but saw his grin and anger in his eyes.

"Oh, she never told me she had a boyfriend." Bill snickered.

"I thought I didn't need to" she snapped back.

Dick felt her tense up and pulled her closer to reminder her he was there, she was not alone. He then told Bill they had to leave because he had planned a perfect date for his love.

When they were in the car she thanked him. He just nodded; she understood he didn't want to talk so she shut up. Five minutes later she asked why they were not heading to the house.

"I reserved a table at the best vegetarian restaurant of San Diego" he answered still focused on the road.

She wanted to say something about Logan but she started to twig the situation. So instead she asked "Why are you doing this?"

Dick turned to her for two second, came back to the road and spoke: "you need a break, you're stressed. Thank Logan for ratting you. I also want to talk to you." His tone didn't leave space for an objection so she sat quietly thinking about him, her and what she wanted.

At home that night, lying in bed Mac had hard time to process the evening. Dick had been nice, even a gentleman. She had had a good time and she was surprised of that. Usually when she spent time with Dick thanks to Logan, she could tolerate him but was not enjoying it. However tonight they had talked, laughed. He had changed. She was even smiling after dessert.

When he drove her to her car back at Kane Software, he apologized again for his behavior in high school and college. He told her he owed her a lot regarding Cassidy and his life in general. "So" he had said "you can ask me anything. I can be your genie with unlimited wishes." When she had said nothing he just touch her hand and asked her to think about it. He had added "the offer doesn't have an expiration date." So Dick had grown up and she could feel it was making a difference for her.

But neither of them spoke about the kiss they shared few months earlier. She fell asleep trying to know what to do next. Reject his offer? Accept? Be his friend?