Adam took a deep breath before sliding the key into the lock. He didn't know why he was so nervous. Mac was still at work; there was nothing on the other side of the door besides an empty apartment. Turning the key, Adam pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Mac's apartment was almost what Adam had expected. It was simple and tidy, but with an indefinable warmth to it. What Adam hadn't been expecting was the widescreen TV nestled in the corner of the room, or the large black bass guitar on a stand by the door. A soft smile graced Adam's face as he reached a tentative hand out to brush over the headstock. Moving further into the room, Adam dropped his bag at the end of the sofa and sat down to remove his shoes. He placed them carefully under the coffee table before sitting back and looking around. Adam was surprised at how comfortable he felt in his boss' apartment, and soon felt his eyes drifting closed.

(~*~*~)

It was dark by the time Adam woke up. It took a moment to remember where he was, but as soon as he did, Adam sat up completely. He quickly noticed a light on in the kitchen and, after looking around, he realised that Mac must be home. As if answering his curiosity, Mac came through the kitchen door with two cups of coffee in his hands.

"Good, you're up," Mac smiled at Adam and handed him a cup. Adam smiled back, a little bemused, and took a sip.

"Thanks… When did you get back?"

"About an hour ago. Have you eaten?" Slowly, Adam shook his head. He was expecting to receive Mac's disappointed look, but instead he was met with another soft smile.
"I'll make us something. What do you feel like?"

"I don't mind, anything you want." Mac held Adam's gaze for a second longer before nodding.

"Alright, I'll see what I can dig up," He turned back towards the kitchen. "Turn on the TV if you'd like." Mac went back to the kitchen and Adam looked at the TV remote nervously. Slowly he picked it up and flipped on the television, quickly finding the newest episode of his favourite show.

"Dammit!" Adam flinched and turned quickly to look at Mac, who was coming in from the kitchen.

"I completely forgot this was on." Mac sat down next to Adam, who relaxed as much as he could through the shock he was feeling. Mac reached for the remote in Adam's hand, and the younger man released it.
"You don't mind us ordering in, do you?" Adam shook his head numbly as Mac turned up the TV a little.
"Adam, are you ok?"

"You like Leverage?" Adam asked in disbelief. Mac laughed lightly and turned to grab the phone.

"Do you want Chinese or Italian?"

(~*~*~)

Adam closed his locker and sat heavily on the bench. He didn't hear someone else coming into the room.

"Everything alright Adam?" Adam looked up to see Danny looking at him.

"Uh, yeah. I'm just a little…"

"Little…?" Danny prompted.

"Confused." Sitting next to Adam, Danny sighed.

"Confused about what?" Adam looked down at his hands as he spoke.

"About Mac."

"Why, what happened with Mac?" Adam looked at Danny with a hint of desperation in his eyes. He'd never liked things he couldn't understand.

"He was… weird, last night." It was clear Danny needed further explanation, so Adam continued. "He kept smiling at me. He likes TV shows about criminals… He wiped marinara sauce off my face. Escorted me to my room, like it was a hotel or something. And then, this morning, there was a cup of coffee waiting for me; exactly the way I like it. I've never told him how I like my coffee." Adam was looking even more confused, and Danny couldn't help smiling.

"Adam, relax," He said gently. "There's nothing to worry about."

"There isn't?"

"Nah, you just met Mac, that's all." This didn't seem to help much, and Adam shook his head.

"What? I… I already know Mac…"

"No," Danny corrected calmly. "You know work Mac. You know the boss. When he's away from this place, Mac's a completely different person."

"But… How…"

"Mac pays attention," Danny explained. "He knows you – or as much of you as you show around here. When he's in this lab, Mac carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. When he's away, he's… sweeter." Adam nodded as if he understood.

"Did you know he plays the bass?" Danny smirked and nodded.

"Every week at a club down town." This just seemed to shock Adam all over again.

"He plays in public?" The sound of someone gently clearing their throat had Adam and Danny turning around. Adam wanted to hide when he saw Mac standing in the doorway.

"Danny, have you seen Stella?" Danny smiled softly at the panicked look in Adam's eyes before turning to Mac.

"She's on a callout down town, why?"

"I need someone to question a suspect with me; I guess you're it."

"Sure thing boss," Danny stood up and turned to Adam. "See you later Adam." Adam nodded numbly as Danny passed Mac and left the room. Adam expected Mac to leave too, but instead he lingered for a moment. Adam risked a look up at his boss. Mac smiled a little before turning to leave.

(~*~*~)

Adam looked up as Danny walked into his lab a few hours later.

"You busy?" Adam simply shook his head. Danny smiled and turned towards the door. "C'mon, I'm taking you to lunch."

Adam followed Danny to a secluded table, coffee cup in hand. Danny sat down and looked at Adam with a sympathetic smile. He could see the younger man was still confused over his new discoveries. Adam was silent for a moment, before looking at Danny warily.

"When did you first know?" He asked quietly. "That Mac could be… different." Danny sipped his coffee, as if reluctant to answer.

"My brother Louie," Danny answered slowly. "He got beat up a while back. He taped Sonny Sassone confessing to a murder I was in the frame for, but they caught him out, put him in the ICU. I was a mess. I felt so guilty; refused to leave the hospital. The one time I went out to get some air, and Mac was there. When I saw him, I just broke. I cried, and Mac let me. He just hugged me until I stopped. After that he was around a lot. Made sure I ate, brought me spare clothes from home. He flashed his badge so many times; just stopping the nurses from kicking me out." Danny laughed softly, a fondness in his eyes that Adam couldn't help smiling at.
"It didn't change the way he acted in work. He still called me out when I did something stupid, and I started to understand. He doesn't always need to be Detective Mac Taylor. Sometimes, he's just Mac." Adam nodded slowly, taking a drink from his cup.
"Do you understand what I'm saying here?"

"I think so," Adam sighed. "He likes to keep his lives separate. Even if they involve the same people."

"Bingo!" Danny smiled. "Now drink your coffee, we're gonna be late."