a time to gain, a time to lose/ a time to rend, a time to sew/ a time to love...
The Byrds, Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)

"Did you like the music?"

She turned. "I did. I thought the base player was especially good."

He smiled, embarrassed. "How did you know?"

She pressed her lips together and looked contrite. "I checked your desk planner..." She placed a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry Mac."

He frowned, then after a moment, sighed.

"I had to check you were okay. When you didn't answer your phone I decided to come see for myself."

He nodded, tried to smile a little. "Thanks Stella."

She shook her head. "You let me know if I can do anything."

He indicated her clothes. "You off somewhere? Drew Bedford, perhaps?"

She smiled. "No. I did call him, but only to say that I would have to pass on jumping out of an airplane at 13,000 feet."

Over her shoulder he saw someone enter the bar.

"There's someone else who's been, um..." she trailed off, ending on a small smile.

He watched as the man, hands in his pockets, ducked his head a little and looked out over the crowd, observing everyone in the room while presenting a non-threatening front. A cop to the core. Mac turned back to her and nodded in the direction of the entrance.

He liked the way she was blushing when she turned back from glancing over her shoulder. The man nodded towards Mac but stayed where he was.

"Have fun," he told her.

"Are you sure you don't-"

He waved off her concern. "Go."

"Okay," she smiled, and he liked the way her eyes lit up. "I'll see you tomorrow. Call me if you need anything."

He waved off her concern, and watched as she crossed the room. He saw the way they smiled at each other, the way his hand fell to hover at the small of her back as she proceeded him out of the bar.

He turned and walked over to the bar, sliding onto a vacant stool, alone in the crowd. After a moment, the bartender came to take his order.

"What can I get you?"

"Scotch, on the rocks," he said. "Thanks."

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Even when that man isn't in the episode he still manages to piss me off. I just had to 'fix' it.