A/N: Writer's block has stolen my muse temporarily from my Mac/Claire story. I'm trying to coax her back, but for now, I'm exploring some other ideas. This story is a view of Mac through the eyes of eight different women in a short chapter for each. It's been fun to play with different perspectives and show Mac as we've seen him over the years. First chapter takes place Season One. Hope you enjoy! None of the characters belong to me...

Eight Dates with Mac

Jane

For years, Jane had admired the head of the Crime Lab from afar. She was single and he was about her age and so it was natural that, occasionally, her mind would wander and she would consider whether Mac might, perhaps, be dating material. He didn't exactly rebuff her rare and amateur attempts at flirting, yet he never reciprocated either. She thought he might find her attractive. A soft smile and a tiny sparkle in his gray eyes gave him away. But just like that, the smile ran away, and his eyes clouded over. Suffocating grief still won the silent battle. But no one else entered her life, and Jane was patient, so she would wait a few weeks, maybe months, and if the opportunity presented itself, she would try again.

It was the night he asked her to stay late, that she noticed the watch. Mac wasn't a fashion connoisseur so she noticed things that stood out. His clothes were neat and traditional, yet never outdated. He wore dress slacks in department store brands, always in neutral gray, black, or navy. He usually wore a sport coat, but on court days, he wore a suit. Once when he took off the jacket, she caught the label: Hugo Boss. Probably from Bloomingdales, she guessed.

He had insisted on buying her dinner, the least he could do, he had said, for imposing on her. She had been holed up in a windowless lab all day. He would only be gone a few minutes to get food. I'll bring it back. We can eat here. Jane shook her head. They needed at least forty-five minutes more before the computer would tell them anything. She would walk with him.

She had low expectations for Chinese food at eleven o'clock on a Wednesday night, but she was still surprised by Mac's absolute audacity at bringing her here. "Panda Express," she deadpanned.

"Best Chinese in Manhattan," Mac said seriously, holding the door for her. He arched his eyebrows, challenging her. Jane recognized the sparkle in his eye.

"You need to get out more," she teased. He offered her a half-smile, but didn't argue. Jane rolled her eyes and Mac's smile lingered. She looked over the counter at the slim pickings and complained, "They're out of chow mein."

"We can wait." They ordered and then Mac stuffed his hands in his pockets, and leaned against the counter, crossing his feet at the ankles. Jane watched his expression. For the first time that night, his brow was relaxed and his lips curved up. He was happy, Jane realized, and she smiled too. Their eyes met and Mac nodded. He was saying what? Jane wasn't sure but she didn't lower her gaze. Just when the stare was too much, he looked away and announced, "It's hot in here." Indeed.

Mac peeled off his jacket and hung it on a hook. He rolled his sleeves over his forearms and it was then that he displayed a remarkably sporty-looking luxury watch. It was a silver Movado with a large face. Jane wasn't even sure what the three subdials were for, but it was a beautiful watch, and it looked perfect on his arm. Without thinking, she reached out. He froze and Jane quickly removed her hand. "Your watch," she explained. He smiled as he learned the motivation for her touch.

"You like it?" he asked, holding his arm out and examining it himself. She nodded. He shrugged. "I just got it," he explained. She thought she detected a hint of pride in the accessory.

"It's nice," she said. And then, with his smile and soft expression encouraging her, Jane let her mind go there. Mac Taylor shopping. Mac Taylor picking out a watch. Mac Taylor standing at the jewelry counter while he looked at the selections. Mac Taylor trying on watches, allowing himself the luxury - no, the absolute vanity – of choosing a watch that easily cost a month's salary just because it looked good on his arm.

It made him all the more mysterious, interesting, and compelling. He was no longer the brooding boss whom she crushed on from afar, ever aware of his deep grief for his wife. He was suddenly a very attractive peer who was considerate enough to buy her dinner on a late night at the office and who liked to go shopping just to treat himself.

"Stella picked it out," he said sheepishly. "It wasn't her money," he quipped, "so, predictably, she picked the most expensive one. She has very particular tastes. I would have been fine with something from Duane Reed." Jane laughed, hiding her slight disappointment at the story that chased her fantasy away.

"It's a nice watch," she repeated. Mac nodded, folding his arms and hiding the watch. He stood quietly, his attention held by the television broadcasting a Chinese soccer match. Jane sat as they waited, her attention held by the muscular curve of his shoulders, the hair that was slightly mussed after a full day, his strong forearm, his narrow wrist, the perfect backdrop to a luxury watch.

Without warning, he stepped forward and Jane turned away quickly, masking her obvious stare. "Food," he said in explanation for his sudden move. Their order was packed neatly in a clear plastic sack, and Mac reached for napkins, plastic forks, and two sets of chopsticks. He stuffed it all into the bag and then looked her way. "Ready?" he asked, gesturing with his head. Jane nodded, unable to hide her disappointment that they wouldn't linger and enjoy the meal. She stepped forward and opened her mouth, about to ask him to sit.

He stepped back, aware of her move. He looked down, bit his lip and then glanced at her. His forehead was knitted in concentration, the smile was long gone, and his eyes were cloudy. Gold glimmered from his left ring finger, and Jane was suddenly embarrassed. He looked at his watch, and spoke softly, "We should get back. The results will be ready." With a disappointed nod, Jane followed her boss.