Hey folks, time for another update. A bit shorter this time but there's more Claire in this one so that should cheer everyone up a bit :D

Let me knowha what you think.

A/N the think about the Catholic services finishing first is a true story I got from my best friend's ex who is in the navy ;)

Chapter 4: Making Up is Hard to Do

"Come on Mac, it's time for church."

Mac didn't reply, still staring glumly into his cereal.

"Mac!"

His mother was stood right in front of him, hands on hips, determined look on her face.

"Come on, we have to go."

Mac wanted to roll his eyes but didn't. His mother wasn't really all that religious; she hadn't made him go to Sunday school or bible group when he was a kid. If there was a religious nut in the family it had been grandma but she'd died when he was only a baby so he had been spared her own peculiar brand of mania.

When his father died Mac worried that his mom might become more zealous but in truth she was far too sensible to be overly religious; if she believed in anything it was that God helped those who helped themselves. A couple of hours psalm singing on a Sunday was as much as she felt the Almighty should require by way of assurance of her belief.

Of course there were services in the marines. While at training camp Mac had discovered that the true virtue of Catholicism was that they were the first congregation to be released from their service and so got first stab at the coffee and doughnuts laid on in the break room on a Sunday morning. In the field, services were more random although he still made an effort to attend; there was something strangely comforting in the repetition of a familiar task that he enjoyed.

But this morning Mac was in no mood for hymns and prayers.

"I really don't feel like it," he said, knowing he sounded like some sort of moody teen.

His mother glared at him.

"Church," she said. "Now."

He gave in.

It did not escape general notice that Moira Taylor's son was once more home on leave and after the service Mac found himself surrounded by various members of the congregation anxious to ask him how he was and how long was he home for and had he heard from so and so since he got back?

Eventually he managed to extricate himself without causing too much offence and wandered off towards town, promising he'd be home for supper. His mother didn't stop him; she knew he needed a little space to think.

He ended up back at Archie's late in the afternoon, leaning up against the bar, staring into his beer. This was not turning into a great trip home, he thought to himself.

"You look a little glum," said a voice and he turned, smiling slightly when he saw who it was.

"Hello," he said.

"Hi," replied Claire, leaning against the bar beside him. "What's up, still waiting for the invisible girlfriend?" she joked.

Mac looked back down at his beer.

"She's no longer my girlfriend," he said quietly.

"Ah." She was silent for a minute or two. "Am I allowed to ask what happened or would you rather not talk about it?"

"She slept with my best friend," he said by way of reply.

She raised her eyebrows.

"You mean Tucker; the guy you were here with the other night?"

"Yeah."

She frowned.

"I didn't think he liked your girlfriend."

It was Mac's turn to frown as he looked at her.

"How did you know that?"

She blushed.

"I uh, kinda asked him about you and her the other night."

Mac smiled at her momentary embarrassment.

"Oh really?" he said, seeing her blush deepen at his teasing tone.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up wise guy," she muttered.

Mac grinned.

"Sorry," he said lightly. "Hey, don't I owe you a drink?"

"Yeah you do."

She ordered and they took their drinks over to one of the side tables.

"What are you doing here on a Sunday afternoon anyway?" he asked as they sat down.

"Urgh! Avoiding dinner with my parents."

"That bad huh?"

"You have no idea. Still, I guess it seems kinda childish."

Mac shook his head.

"I guess we're both hiding out," he murmured.

Claire looked at him intently for a few minutes, blonde head cocked a little to one side.

"He really slept with her?" she asked eventually.

Mac nodded silently and she shook her head.

"He seemed like a decent guy," she said sadly.

"He is," he murmured.

"He tell you why he did it?" she asked and Mac looked away.

"I didn't really give him a chance," he said.

When he turned back she was looking at him with expectant eyebrows.

"I hit him," he explained.

In truth that was what bothered him the most. He'd always known deep down that Angela was a flake, but he hadn't even given Tucker the benefit of the doubt, he'd just ploughed in there like the kind of testosterone fuelled stereotypical dumb marine he'd always sworn he wasn't.

He stared down at his hands in shame. Claire was probably looking at him in disgust. But he looked up in surprise when one of her small hands reached across the table and closed over his.

She was giving him a soft smile and squeezed his hand as she spoke.

"You should go talk to Tucker," she said gently.

"I should."

"You should."

He looked at her, her bright eyes and soft smile, all full of concern.

"Thanks," he whispered and she squeezed his hand again before letting go.

"Any time," she said as he stood.

"You gonna be okay by yourself?" he asked and she grinned at him.

"I'll be fine. Go on now."

And with that she shooed him out the door, smiling after him.

***

The side of Tucker's jaw was black and swollen when he opened the door and Mac felt even worse than he had before.

"Hey Tuck," he said, his throat a little dry.

"Hey," was the slightly thick reply.

"You uh, mind if I come in?"

"Sure."

Tucker stood to one side, letting him pass, closing the door behind him as they headed through to the kitchen.

"Where's your dad?" asked Mac.

"Went into the shop to get some parts."

Mac nodded. "How's your jaw?"

"Hurts like hell but you didn't break nothin'." Tucker managed a slightly pained smile. "You must be goin' soft," he said and Mac managed to raise a smile in return.

"I'm sorry Tuck," he said gently.

"Don't worry about it."

"I mean it."

"I know you do."

There was silence for a little while but some of the heaviness had gone.

"I'm sorry about Angela," said Tucker. "Mac I swear to you, I never would've given in to her if I thought she was gonna take you back, but she said you were through for good."

Mac nodded glumly. "Yeah," he whispered.

"It was just the once you know," continued Tucker. "And I felt like crap for days after but I figured that if the two of you were really over and you never found out then…" he trailed off.

"No harm, no foul right?" said Mac.

Tucker swore.

"I'm sorry Mac, I really am. The other night when you told me the two of you were back together I wanted the ground to swallow me right then and there. I wanted to tell you but I knew you'd be pissed and I knew Angela would probably try and spin it…" he trailed off again.

"She didn't," said Mac quietly. "She gave me a straight answer." He sighed. "Probably the first one she's ever given me."

"I'm sorry man," said Tucker again.

"Me too," said Mac. "Sorry I was such an ass about the whole thing." He gave him a small smile. "I guess maybe I should listen when you give me advice about women," he said and Tucker gave another painful grin.

"It's what I keep tellin' you," he said.

There was another, lighter silence for a moment or two.

"So," said Tucker eventually, "we good?"

Mac nodded.

"Yeah," he said, "we're good."

Tucker breathed a sigh of relief.

"Good," he looked down at the ground. "Don't know what I'd do without you man; you're my best friend."

"You too man," replied Mac.

They hugged briefly, Mac patting his friend on the back. But they broke apart when the kitchen door opened and Tucker's father walked in.

"So you two made up huh?" he asked, grinning at the two younger men who looked away in embarrassment. "Good," continued Rick. "You stayin' for dinner Mac?" he asked but Mac shook his head.

"Thanks, but I promised my mom I'd be home."

"Okay, see you around kid," said Rick as Mac turned to go. "Oh and kid!"

Mac turned around.

"Not that I don't doubt you had your reasons but I'd appreciate it if you didn't use my son's face as a punching bag."

Mac blushed.

"Sorry sir," he murmured.

"I told you I got drunk and fell over," said Tucker in shock, staring at his father who only laughed at him.

"Tucker, you got a lousy poker face," Rick replied.