Hey Y'all I am back. I have some stories to finish (sigh, I know) BUT I finished some of these up so I figured to get the ball rolling I would publish. Thank you so very much for the Favorites, Follows, and Reviews. Seriously this is so therapeutic for me, it helps keep my mind off anything that is bothering me. Thank you for taking the time to read them
CHAPTER FOUR:: STAY- FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE
I could hear his footsteps running up the stairs as I blindly chased after him. As I rounded the corner to start on the next flight of stairs, I could hear him charge through the roof door. I lost Danny and Sheldon when the suspect surprised us by throwing smoke bombs and gun shots our direction. Finally making it to the roof, I scanned the area with my gun drawn. The sun was beginning to set out in the distance. I heard a crunch to my left and went towards it, slowly rounding the corner of the ventilation shaft, the suspect quickly knocked the gun out of my hands and sucker punched me before I could think. I connected back with his face and it stunned him a minute, until he hit me right in the stomach. As I doubled over he shoved me down, as I rolled into a standing position we got into a few more rounds.
"You're a lot tougher than I thought" The suspect choked out.
I went to deliver another punch, but he sensed my intentions and grabbed my wrist using the momentum hurled me past him. Down I went, and rolled right over the edge of the building.
24 HOURS EARLIER
Mac Taylor sat at his desk reading over the report of the team's latest victim. He appeared to be shot execution style. Male, 30yrs old, Single.
"Hey there handsome" came a sweet southern voice
"Hi Jo" Mac not looking up from the report
"Mac Taylor, how long are you going to stare at that picture and report? I've been standin' here for almost five minutes til I decided to say something" Jo said hands on hips
"Just looking it over to see if I missed anything" he responded
"Can you take a break and get coffee with me?" placing her hand on his desk
"Yea. I could definitely use a break" Mac finally looking at Jo
"Let me grab my bag" Jo leaving the office for her own
CAFÉ
"Do you wanna go out tonight?" Jo asked once they sat down with their coffees
"Sure. Where would you like to go?" Mac asked
"Doesn't matter. I chose last time"
"How bout that new Mexican place on 4th? Heard good reviews so far"
"Mmm sounds good to me. I'll have to try one of their margaritas!" Jo said laughing
RESTURANT
"Mac Taylor, you're a man of few words, but this is crazy. All I've been doing is yammering on and you've still got that stone face look.
"Sorry Jo, just thinking about the case, Is it a serial killer? A mob hit?—"
"Maaac, we are at dinner. Away from work, we've promised we wouldn't discuss shop talk on our dates" Jo raising her brow
"I know I know. I'll push it aside til tomorrow." Mac said as he grabbed Jo's hand "How's the margarita?"
"AMAZING. Very much needed after a day like today!" Jo raising it up again
They had begun dating two months ago. Mac wanted to keep it on the down low for a while. It was usually the key topic that lead to all of their arguments. Mac spotted an officer from Don's precinct walk in and immediately dropped Jo's hand. Jo spotted him too.
"Seriously Mac? We are in the back corner, nobody can see you" Jo said getting agitated.
"Yea and if he saw me he would tell Flack, and then it would just get around." Mac said looking around to see if he recognized anyone else.
"I want to go home" Jo stated
"So soon? Before dessert?" Mac said picking up the menu
"I lost my appetite" Jo said angrily grabbing her purse and coat. By the time Mac could get and pay the bill, Jo was already outside halfway down the street.
"Jo! Jo wait" Mac said as he jogged up the street after her. "What the hell was that?!" Mac said catching his breath as he caught up to her.
"Are you sure you wanna talk here? Someone might see us Mac" Jo said mocking him looking around all paranoid
"Jo—" Mac warned
"No Mac. It hurts what you do. It's like you're embarrassed to be out with me." Jo said frankly
"Let's go back to my place and discuss this there" Grabbing her hand
"Are you sure no one will see me go to your house?"
"Enough Jo"
MAC'S HOME
"Is it safe to talk now or are you afraid someone stopped and bugged your apartment?"
"Jo I'm sorry ok? I'm not embarrassed to be going out with you"
"Then what the hell is the big deal? Because right now it looks like all our dates have to be at one of our apartments, out of the public eye" Jo said folding her arms and walking in circles
"You're my second in command Jo. How do you think that looks? I'm the one who asked you out remember? So of course I want to be with you." Mac said trying to remain calm
"Just not where someone from the lab will see us right? Mac, Danny and Lindsey are married and they work together. If you're afraid of being judged, you shouldn't be. First off they are terrified of you and secondly they are family to you."
"Danny and Lindsey also had to go through some hoops from Sinclair. Danny also isn't the head of the crime lab. I'm not afraid of judgment Jo. You should know that by now. We've known each other over two years."
"Yes, and dating for two months. I get Claire and even Peyton I guess. What I don't understand is what you are afraid of? I have told you I love you countless times. All I get in return is that cute sheepish grin of yours. I don't know what else you could want from me. I'm honest and open as you well know."
"Stubborn" Mac slipped out
"Excuse me?" Jo said
"You forgot stubborn, and independent, and caring. Three of the things I like about you. Annd the post-it notes." Mac said grinning
"That's sweet of you to say but again you completely avoid talking about any feelings" Jo said rolling her eyes
"How come every date we walk away fighting?" Mac threw out into the air
"I'm not fighting Mac. I'm making a statement, pointing out the truth."
"Well maybe I don't want to discuss this right now. So stop trying all your psychological methods on me" Mac said finally having enough
"Fine. How bout you get back to me when you are ready to commit to a full actual relationship. Something like where if I wanted to hold your hand, or kiss you goodbye in the office I actually could. Or when we can go out to dinner and you're not looking over your shoulder every 3 seconds. I love you Mac Taylor and I would shout that from the rooftops to the world if I needed to prove it, but this, right now. I just—just can't do this." Jo said heading for the door
"Wait, you're leaving?" Mac said jumping up to follow
"Yea. Maybe it will give you the time you need to work through whatever is stopping you from making this serious." Jo gave him one more look and then shut the door behind her.
Mac stood in front of the door waiting for her to come back, but she never did.
I'd sell my soul just to see your face.
And I'd break my bones just to heal your pain.
In these times I need a saving grace, but time is running out and I'm starting to lose my faith.
Mac showered and sat in bed replaying everything that had happened. He thought about Jo and what she had said to him. He loved her, he truly did. He just didn't know what was stopping him and why he couldn't say it. He remembered how she always seemed to be there. Even though he was usually her sounding board, they shared many things in his office. She was his light in the darkness of the cruel world they live in. He had just never been good at speaking how he felt.
But if I told you I loved you, would it make you want to stay?
I'm sorry for the way I hurt you and making you walk away.
(I should have took the time to tell you)
And if I wrote you a love song and sang it to you every day, would it ever be enough to make you wanna come back home and stay?
(I can't go another day without you)
Would it make you, make you, wanna stay?
(Girl you gotta know I love you)
Hopefully tomorrow they can work things out, Mac thought to himself before turning out the light.
NEXT DAY::::
Mac sat in his office watching the lab techs as they ran around the lab. Then he spotted Jo getting off the elevator.
My heart's on my sleeve, but it's turning black.
(I guess I know what it feels like it to be alone)
Without your touch I'm not gonna last.
(I know you know that I need ya just to carry on)
It feels like my walls are caving in.
(You'd always hold me before I left you hanging on)
And I'll do anything to have you here again.
All she did was walk by without even looking towards Mac. She looked tired. Before he could investigate, Sinclair called him to his office. Maybe now would be a good time to mention his relationship while I'm up there. He thought to himself.
Jo was tired, she didn't sleep well, she thought of what she said, "Maybe I was too harsh?" When she got off the elevator, she didn't feel like revisiting last night so she breezed by. She knew he was watching, she could feel his eyes.
SINCLAIR'S OFFICE:::::::
"It's about time Taylor!"
'Excuse me sir?" Mac commented after telling Sinclair about the latest case and then bringing up his relationship with Jo.
"Are you kidding Mac? Do I look like an idiot? Everyone sees the way you look at her. Ever since she started I guessed that you two would end up together…eventually." Sinclair with a big smile on his face
"Thank you sir, so if that is all?"
"Yes, yes go back to solving and finishing this case" Sinclair said waving his hand toward the door
By the time Mac got back down to his office, Jo, Danny, and Sheldon were called out to a scene.
"This can wait til later" Mac thought to himself as he resumed reading over the case file and latest developments.
Jo couldn't believe what happened it happened so fast. They walked into the open apartment guns drawn. They found the body waiting for them, what they didn't expect was the suspect to still be hanging around. Smoke bombs rolled out onto the floor towards them and shots rang out. The suspect shoved past Danny and Jo being closest to the door escaped to somewhat fresh air and chased after him. She hated the stairmaster at the gym and right now she hated chasing this guy up these flights of stairs.
I could hear his footsteps running up the stairs as I blindly chased after him. As I rounded the corner to start on the next flight of stairs, I could hear him charge through the roof door. Finally making it to the roof, I scanned the area with my gun drawn. The sun was beginning to set out in the distance. I heard a crunch to my left and went towards it, slowly rounding the corner of the ventilation shaft, the suspect quickly knocked the gun out of my hands and sucker punched me before I could think. I connected back with his face and it stunned him a minute, until he hit me right in the stomach. As I doubled over he shoved me down, as I rolled into a standing position we got into a few more rounds.
"You're a lot tougher than I thought….especially for a chick" The suspect choked out.
I went to deliver another punch, but he sensed my intentions and grabbed my wrist using the momentum hurled me past him. Down I went, and rolled right over the edge of the building.
"No!" I shouted as a literally rolled right off the roof. Thankfully catching the edge as I went over. My body slammed so violently into the brick wall I got the wind knocked out of me. All I could think of was my kids, and how I so wanted to see them grow up. Then I thought of him….Mac and how the last time I saw him I ignored him. "God don't let it end like this"
Danny and Sheldon caught the guy making it back to the roof door. "Hey there Pal, forget about us?" Danny said grabbing him. Sheldon handed a pair of cuffs. Once Danny had the suspect secured to a pipe they both went and searched for Jo.
"Jo! Jo Where are ya?"
Jo's fingers were slipping, when she heard her name being called out. "Mac?" Could he really be here? "Mac! Mac help me!"
One hand slipped…
"JO!"
"Help mee! Please! Oh god!" Jo screamed as she felt her fingers slipping slowly
Just then Danny and Sheldon appeared grabbing her hand, Sheldon was reaching for the other one. "Come on Jo, we've got ya" He called out. Jo swung her other arm up with all the strength she had left. Once they both got her onto solid ground, her legs felt like jello. She hugged Sheldon and then Danny.
"Thank you…thank you so very much"
They both helped her down the rest of the building out to the front where an EMT was awaiting to check her over.
But if I told you I loved you, would it make you want to stay?
I'm sorry for the way I hurt you and making you walk away.
(I should have took the time to tell you)
And if I wrote you a love song and sang it to you every day, would it ever be enough to make you wanna come back home and stay?
(I can't go another day without you)
"She what?!" Mac yelled into the phone. It was Don on the other line. One of his officers told him about Jo going over the edge of the building. "Thanks Don" Mac said as he hung up.
As soon as the three of them stepped off the elevator Mac was waiting. Telling them they were all going to his office NOW, before they could sneak off and hide.
"What the hell happened out there?!" Mac growled standing behind his desk "Where was back-up? Why wasn't I informed?!"
"Well ya see Mac—" Danny was cut off
"No Danny, you know better. You know the drill"
"Mac, what Danny was saying—"
"I don't think I want to know the excuse you are planning on using to cover Danny, Sheldon"
"Mac!" Jo finally snapped "We were attacked the moment we got there. The uniforms we had with us were attacked. THEY couldn't do a damn thing! If you would let someone other than yourself talk we could explain that to YOU!"
Danny and Sheldon exchanged shocked expressions at Jo's outburst.
"Then how the hell did you end up over that roof? That bit was left out?"
"How did you?—Nevermind. I told them not to tell you" Jo said defiantly
"You two can go, Jo I need to speak to you" Mac said scary quiet
Danny and Sheldon looked at Jo and then quietly left Mac's office and went back to work.
"Didn't you learn from the last time you decided to go on the roof to help a case?"
"Obviously you haven't let that go—" Jo started to say
"Jo I'm serious. What were you thinking?"
"Thinking? I was thinking about a murderer getting away. That's what I was thinking"
"Yea? And that almost cost you your damn life!" Mac shouted
"Why are you being an asshole right now?" Jo shouted back
Yeah, the days are cold, the nights are long.
And I can't stand to be alone.
Please know this is not your fault.
And all I want...
"I love you that's why! I almost lost you, I couldn't….I can't lose you" Mac softening
"Mac—"
Is to tell you I love you and make you wanna stay. And if I wrote you a love song and sang it to you every day, would it ever be enough to make you wanna come back home and stay?
There's gotta be a way, 'cause going on without you is killing me everyday.
(I can't go another day without you)
Would it make you, make you, wanna stay?
(Girl you gotta know I love you)
Would it make you, make you, wanna stay?
(I can't go another day without you)
"Yea I finally said it, and I can't believe I waited this long. When you, ya know…"
"I almost died, I know. I love you too" Jo said approaching him
"I told Sinclair about us—"
"You what?"
"I thought about everything you said. I need you Jo. I realized I can't go on without you. You're the best thing that has happened to me in a really long time. I'm sorry it took me so long"
Would it make you, make you, wanna stay?
"Aw Mac" Jo said putting her arms around his neck
"And the whole shouting from the rooftop deal…"
"What about that?" Jo said grinning
"I love you" Mac whispered really quiet
"Why are you whispering?" Jo said looking into his eyes
"Because you are my world" Mac said cheesily
Jo laughed and then kissed Mac long enough to hear Adam and Danny's wolf whistle.
"Mac, I almost died. Can I have a kiss too!?"Danny laughed
Mac and Jo just laughed and smiled at each other.
THE END.
STAY-FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE