A/N Thank you for the reviews, who knew that would be so rewarding? They inspired this short but sweet chapter. I'm more afraid than I imagine Mac would be to see what happens next. Cheers.
No doubt about it, Will was freaked out. As he sat in the the cab, pointedly ignoring the cabbie staring in the rearview mirror, the ride to Mackenzie's brownstone felt familiar, new and totally fucking weird. It was absurd, really, he works side by side with her everyday, yet the thought of her opening her door completely unhinged him. He wanted the ride over, but needed time to figure out what the hell he was going to say. Fucking idiot, he had the message speech all worked out and hadn't given the slightest thought to the fact that there would be an after.
He smiled at his delivery, he said the 'in my heart' part and she definitely heard it. He was relieved to have told her he accepted some responsibility for their breakup, but really didn't want to talk or think about that anymore. There, that's what he was worried about. Well, and the possibility of sex. Was he rushing across town for sex? He didn't know for sure, though he had just confessed undying love, you never knew when a conversation, or a relationship for that matter, with Mackenzie could totally fucking derail. Still, he wish he'd taken the time to shower. And he wished the cabbie would keep his eyes on the damn road. "Relax, man, I'm not that famous, I just do the news." Satisfied that his fare wasn't a movie star, or embarrassed at being called out on it, the cabbie quit staring.
Across town, Mackenzie was much worse. Will was on his fucking way to her house. This was, she was pretty sure, the most amazing thing, unless, of course she completely fucks up again. A very real possibility, she knew, which is why her hands were shaking. She had asked him to come over, sort of and he had replied "I'd better." With that, she had gulped down the rest of her cabernet and generously refilled the glass. She stood looking across her darkened living room, thinking she ought to get ready. Ready for what? That was a loaded question. She ached to be close to him, as physically close as she could, but refused to let her mind go there. Lights, surely she thought with a flip, she should turn on the lights, welcoming him into her dark house in the middle of the night was presumptive. Just because she was so totally ready to fall back into bed with him before they had actually started dating didn't mean she had to do it. As a matter of fact, she resolved, she should not sleep with him tonight. Never mind that they already had carnal knowledge of each other, in, oh lord, every conceivable manner, she didn't want to seem easy now. Tonight would be chaste, as pure as the driven snow, rated G. At that thought, Mac rolled her eyes at herself and apologized for gulping a perfectly good wine and eyed her stereo.
The route from his home to Mac's had been a well-worn path, Will knew he would be there in mere minutes, he had to come up with something to say. Or maybe not, maybe he should just kiss her? His chest squeezed at the idea. He replayed the phone conversation in his head, searching for confirmation that she would want to be kissed, or, Will cleared his throat, more. No, she hadn't made any declarations, only questioned him. He supposed that was fair, he had certainly ambushed her with his declaration. Will had always admired the lightning speed at which Mac's mind works, especially when she didn't stop to think. Then a wave of panic washed over him as he realized this fucking cab ride was giving her time to think, to think about what a total shit he has been. She's going to be ready for a fight. Disarm, he decided, we've fucked around too long to keep sparring, I need to shut her up immediately. So, a kiss it would be.
There is no music suitable for playing when the man you love, whose heart you have ripped out and whom you are hoping will give it back to you, comes calling in the middle of the night. Mac cursed herself for wasting precious minutes staring at her cd collection when she could have been, what? Preparing? Her entire body was tingling, there was some circulation issue at play, but her mind was racing in meaningless circles. Forget preparing, if she could just calm the fuck down, she'd be content. She took a deep breath and one thought resounded clear as a bell, "He's coming back." All resolve wasted away with that realization and she knew that she would surrender herself completely. She could refuse no advance, but would wait if he wanted. Whatever will be, will be.
Will had rolled the fifty into a tube and pushed it through the safety glass as soon as the taxi stopped. He eyed Mac's building and only knew the cabbie grabbed it when it slipped out of his fingers. Without waiting for change or nodding in recognition, Will got out of the cab and stood in the street in front of her building. "Oh, for fuck's sake, McAvoy, quit being melodramatic," he admonished himself and bounded up the stairs. Before he could ring the bell, the outer door buzzed open. Reflexively, he pulled it and stood in the covered entry. Will could see Mac through the glass, she was standing right in front of the door, arms stiff at her sides and her eyes tightly closed. "Mac? I can still see you, you know. Can you let me in," she nodded, but didn't move, "please?"
Without opening her eyes, Mac reached for the handle, opened the door but remained motionless. Will sighed, "Mackenzie, open your eyes and look at me." She didn't, but asked "You really are here, right."
"Yes and I'm not leaving." Another deep breath and Mac's shoulders relaxed as she opened her eyes.