Just because I apparently like to torture Danny.
Maybe you don't know him as well as you thought. The casual comment stuck in my mind long after it was made. And Lindsey didn't know him well enough to see how much it affected me. I smiled, and laughed at her jokes as we listened to Mac's band and ate. The band that I never knew Mac was in. I'd never even known that Mac played. Maybe you didn't know him as well as you thought.
Lindsey was so new here, how did she know things about Mac that I'd never guessed at? Was it just that she came in with fresh eyes, and no preconceptions about him? To me, Mac had always been tough but fair, the patriarch of the lab, and a second father figure when my fight with Louie put a little distance between me and my family. But I'd never thought about what Mac might do outside of work. There were the functions he attended for the city, of course, but since 9/11, and what happened to Mac's wife, he'd thrown himself into his work. He'd only just recently started dating again, and I'd never heard anything about Mac's social life. I'd just assumed that he didn't have much of one. Maybe you didn't know him as well as you thought.
I went home that night, went through my normal nighttime routine, and ended up lying in my bed staring up at the water stained ceiling, sleep having totally deserted me. The traitor. And Lindsey's innocent voice echoing in my head. Maybe you didn't know him as well as you thought.
I know Mac noticed something was up the next day. I'm sure I looked like crap, and I never beat him in. But he just nodded, and offered me a to-go bag and a coffee from his favorite diner. I smile slightly as I take it. Mac's always looked out for me, ever since he hired me, and we've kind of gotten used to this routine. I always miss breakfast sleeping in, and Mac always grabs me something when he has breakfast. I generally pay him back at the end of the week, or whenever I get my next check if money's tight. He never says anything about it, and I think he would keep on bringing me breakfast even if I didn't pay him back, but it's my honor in question. Sometimes I feel like I'm already taking advantage of his goodwill just by accepting the job that he was advised against giving me.
"Everything alright, Messer?" I rub my hand across my face, but nod.
"Do I look that bad?" I ask Don with a tired grin.
"Yeah, you do, actually. I recommend staying in the lab today if you can." I laugh.
"Like hell that's gonna happen." Don grins back, and I know he said it just to make me laugh. He's a good friend. Almost as good as Mac, for all that I've known him a year longer than Don. Maybe you don't know him as well as you thought. I sigh. Don rolls his eyes and pulls a chair over to sit next to me.
"Alright, spill Messer. What's wrong?"
"Nothin's wrong, Flack. Just- somethin' on my mind."
"Yeah? What's that?" I know that tone. It's his interrogation tone, the one that says that he doesn't intend to go anywhere until he's gotten his answers. I shake my head in frustration.
"Don' worry about it. It's personal, Flack."
"Oh." I know he's surprised that I snapped at him, but even if I wanted to talk to him about it -which I don't- I wouldn't do it here, where Mac or Lindsey could walk in on us at any time. "Well, you know where to find me if you change your mind." I just nod, managing another slight smile.
"Yeah. Thanks Don." He nods and heads off, leaving me alone with those words still ringing in my ears. Maybe you don't know him as well as you thought.