. . .
Jo left Mac's place very early in the morning in order to have a chance of stepping into her place and change before work. He showed up first in the department and now he was sitting in his office trying to focus on the papers. But it was extremely hard as he was checking his watch every two minutes and glancing on the elevator. It was only three hours since she left him and he was already dying to see her again. He mentally kicked himself for being so sentimental. I had to lost my mind. He thought. It's totally crazy! I can't be so addicted to her. We're not together on the regular basis, I should be happy with every minute she spends with me and not expect she will be at my side 24/7. But there was a truth in a proverb that the appetite grows while one eats. He was trying to convince himself that it is irrational to miss her like that. But he could do nothing about it, as it was his heart that was aching for her and didn't want to listen to his rational mind. He wanted to take care of her, to feel needed, to life for someone else, not only for himself and his work.
Knocking on the door tore him out of his thoughts.
''Hi, boss.'' Lindsay said.
''Hello.''
''We run those fingerprints through AFIS and we got a hit. Sheldon and Flack are on their way to the place where suspect lives.''
''I thought you said yesterday it couldn't be done as there were only partials.'' Mac rose his eyebrow on her.
''Yeah, but many of them.'' She grinned. ''After a while I did recall why I used to hate puzzles as a kid.'' Lindsay winced and Mac laughed.
''Good job, Lindsay.''
''Tell me about it! I've stayed till midnight yesterday. I was the last one to leave the lab.'' She emphasize 'the last one' part, studying him closely. But damn! he and his poker face. She couldn't read anything out of it. But suddenly he looked over her shoulder and his face lighten up. It was so unusual seeing him like that. His features relaxed and his eyes shiny. She could even swear there was a light smile that crawled on his lips. She smirked as well. Let me guess... She thought, turning around and looking whose appearance made Mac so happy. ...of course, Jo. She smiled widely.
Jo got out from the elevator and headed to Mac's office.
''Hey there!'' She greeted Lindsay and Mac. She frowned her eyebrows a little seeing Mac's making sheep's eyes at her. His admiration for her so obvious, written in capitals all over his face. It would be very flattering if not the fact that Lindsay was a woman and Jo was pretty sure she would be able to read it without any difficulty. ''What's up, Linds?'' She asked, trying to divert her attention from Mac's look and giving him a chance to compose himself.
''Not much. Sid's wanted me to let you know that he is waiting for you in autopsy.''
''Oh, OK. I'll just leave a bag and a jacket in our office and I'm going to meet him.''
''You can leave it here.'' Mac said. How cunningly! Lindsay thought trying not to smile. Then she will have to pop in again in order to grab it back.
''OK.'' Jo said slowly, putting her bag on the chair and pulling off her jacket. ''So I'm going.''
One... Two... Three... Lindsay counted in mind.
''You know what?'' Mac asked. There he is! Lindsay thought. "I have to go down and ask Sid about something anyway, so I can go with you now.'' He offered.
Oh my God! They are so utterly cute together! Lindsay almost melted. Do they really think one cannot see that they are totally into each other?
"OK. So let's go.'' Jo said and they left, leaving Lindsay in Mac's office, heading for an elevator. Lindsay almost run to the lab.
''Daaaaannny!'' She called him, trying to be as quiet as possible, but it was still a little too loud.
''What is it?'' He froze for a moment, but seeing her all excited and smiling calmed him down again. She stopped, bumping lightly into him and grabbing his arm. ''Where's the fire, hun?'' He asked smiling at her.
''I know something and I soooo have to share it with you!'' She said, trying to keep her voice down.
''About the case?'' Danny asked, rising his eyebrows at her.
''Forget the case! It's about Mac and Jo.'' She whispered.
''What about 'em?'' He asked. Seeing her like that was making him smile unconsciously.
''They're together.'' She announced proud of herself.
''That can't be.'' Danny chuckled. ''You have overactive imagination, Linds.'' She looked at him, disappointed with his reaction.
''Honestly, can't you see it? They are totally into each other!''
''OK, they get along pretty good, but being together? You mean like romantically involved?'' He asked and she rolled her eyes.
''You need a definition? There is definitely something going on between them.'' She stated firmly.
''I agree. They're good friends.''
''Noooo.'' Lindsay groaned. ''More than that.''
''OK. Why do you think so?'' He asked, trusting that his wife observation was based on some facts, not only this undefined thing she used to call 'women's intuition'.
''They used to tease each other a lot, but now suddenly they don't do that anymore.''
''Hmm.'' Danny thought that was quite right.
''And all the tension is gone, now they only look at each other with those dreamy eyes and send each other insinuating smiles. Like they have a secret. What's even more, Mac looks more rested and relaxed. And he doesn't spend so much time at work.''
''That's kinda true.'' Danny agreed. ''And Jo looks good, too. Like glowing.''
''Oh yeah.'' Lindsay threw him a sexy smile and he got her suggestion immediately.
''You can't be serious! You think they are doing that?''
''Either they've already done or they are just about to.''
''Jeeez. Really? Our boss and his second in command?'' Danny frown at the thought. ''Naaah. Mac would never do that. It's kinda unprofessional.''
''You're saying?'' Lindsay smirked at his comment. ''We both know that if it comes to that matter, there is no rule. I used to swear to myself I'd never mix up work and private life and yet I ended up with you.'' She teased making him laugh.
''You've got the point here.'' Then he became silent.
''What are you thinking about?'' She asked after a few seconds.
''That's good. Even despite all inconveniences, that's still pretty great. Jo's gorgeous. And Mac? He's the finest man I know and he really should have someone.''
''Yeah, I think they make a perfect match.'' She sighed.
. . .
Jo closed a file and threw it on the pile on her desk. It slipped on the floor, pulling a few others, but she didn't notice. Today was the strangest day at work since her first day here. She had an odd feeling that some members of the team acted really bizarre. Especially Danny. She caught him staring at her several times and even asked what was it all about, but he just changed the subject. And Lindsay? She started to giggle a few times without any reason, driving Jo crazy. They were definitely up to something and during the whole day Jo was very careful in order not to become the victim of some practical joke. She glanced at her watch. It was already 7 pm. She had to leave soon if she wanted to pick Ellie up on time. She left her office and went towards the elevator, glancing at Mac's office. He was still busy, talking on the phone. But he did say he wanted to come with her, so she decided to step into his office and at least tell him she's leaving. She knocked on his door and entered, seeing him smiling as he saw her.
''Yes.''
''…''
''Of course. That's understandable.''
''…''
''Errr. Can I call you back later? I have kid of emergency here.'' Mac said and Jo rose her eyebrows.
''…''
''OK, then tomorrow.'' He said and ended his conversation. ''We're going?'' He asked, standing up and grabbing his jacket.
''I thought...'' She started but then she shook her head. ''Never mind. Let's go.'' She smiled. He put his hand on the small of her back, directing her towards the elevator. She wondered how it was possible that even after making love to him she was still getting captivated by this small gesture every single time he did it. When the door closed behind them he turned towards her and put his hand on her neck, behind her ear.
''Finally.'' He whispered and kissed her softly. His mouth was so soft and hot she couldn't stop herself from letting out a quiet moan. ''I was thinking whole day about doing it.'' He said and kissed her again, quicker this time as they were almost on the parking level. She headed left, to her car and he headed right to his. They both froze, realizing they have to go separately.
''I need a car to drive home with Ellie and to work tomorrow.'' Jo said.
''Can't we drive mine? I can give you a lift home.'' Mac offered, not wanting them to go separately.
''And tomorrow? I have to drop Ellie to school and come here.''
''Maybe... I can come to your place early in the morning and give you a lift to work? Ellie's school is on the way.'' He said. ''Or it would be awkward for her?'' He asked.
''Awkward or not, she has to get used to you.'' Jo smiled. ''OK, let's go with your car.''
. . .
''Hi, honey!'' Jo panted breathlessly as tiny hands hugged her waist tightly.
''Hi, mom.'' Ellie looked up at her. ''I really missed you.''
''I missed you, too.'' Jo said, stroking her hair. Mac watched them from a little distance thinking how very sweet they looked together. ''That's your bag?'' Jo asked and Ellie finally let go of her. The guy who was pulling bags from the bus trunk had just laid on the pavement the pink one.
''Yup, that's mine.'' Ellie said and grabbed it.
''Need some help with that?'' Mac said and gently took the bag from her. Ellie made a funny 'what the hell' face, making Jo laugh. ''Hi there, Ellie.'' He said smiling at her.
''Hi, Mac.'' She smiled back. ''So...'' She glanced at Jo, who suddenly felt uneasy. This 'so' was pretty significant, or maybe it was only her imagination? ''I'm starving!'' She exclaimed, making Mac chuckle. He heard the same statement not so long ago. Ellie and Jo might differ in appearance, but if it came to character and behaviour they were pretty much similar.
''Oh.'' Jo gasped, remembering that she hadn't done any shopping and their fridge was rather empty.
''I have an idea.'' Mac said. ''Let's go grab some burgers.'' He offered. Jo rose her eyebrow at him. Was he trying to pay court to Ellie? ''What?'' He asked, seeing Jo's expression. ''I just don't want to skip the opportunity of having a dinner with two lovely ladies.''
''Yay!'' Ellie squealed with delight. ''I'm totally with you on that one, Mac!''
Oh, he is not only trying! He actually is doing that and Ellie seems to love it. Jo thought.
''So let's go.'' He said, putting his hand around Jo's waist. He sensed she tensed a little, gazing quickly on Ellie, but she didn't notice anything, already chatting to Jo about the camp.
. . .
They were sitting in Ellie's favourite restaurant for half an hour now, eating, laughing and chatting about everything. Ellie was dying to share everything about the camp with her mom, but she also seemed to enjoy Mac's presence, as he was making jokes and funny comments on her stories. Suddenly Jo's phone started to ring.
''It's Tyler.'' She said to Mac and Ellie. ''Hi, honey!''
''…''
''I can't quite hear you... Will you wait a second?'' She said to Tyler and then turned to Mac and Ellie:
''I have to go outside, here's too noisy.'' She said and rose from the table, heading for the door.
''So...'' Ellie said between devouring some fries and Mac tensed a little, knowing she was just about to shoot him with question. ''What's between you and my mom?'' She asked openly, without beating around the bush.
''Well...'' Mac took a deep breath, glancing at the door. There was no sign of Jo coming back and no chance for him to avoid this question. ''I like your mom very much.''
''Is there another one you like more?'' Ellie asked and he shifted a little in his seat. God, she was good! He thought. How it is possible that twelve-year-old seems to investigate me, the head of NY crime lab?
''Errr, no. I like your mom the most.'' He admitted, feeling more than stupid.
''Good.'' She said looking directly into his eyes and somehow he found himself sighing with relief. ''So now you're dating or what?'' She shot another question.
''Yeah, you can say that.'' Mac answered, hoping that the next question wouldn't be about if they already had slept together, because that would be highly awkward.
''She seems happy.'' Ellie stated simply and took a sip of her soda. ''Happier then she was when I left for a camp, that's for sure.'' She smiled, letting him know she was thinking he was the reason of that. Mac shyly returned the smile.
''So... you have nothing against your mom being happy?'' He knew that question was very tricky, but yet she seemed she didn't mind that.
''I actually like you.'' She said, leaning back on her seat. ''You seem... legit.''
''Legit?'' He chuckled. ''Isn't it like an old-fashioned synonym for 'cool'?'' He asked smiling.
''I guess...''
''So you think I'm cool?'' Mac asked, relaxing a little.
''I said 'legit'.'' She said, looking obstinately into his eyes. ''However, if you hurt my mom or make her sad, I will easily change my opinion.'' She said and he thought she didn't at all sound like a twelve-years-old. But it was understandable. For a long time she and Tyler were the only ones in Jo's life to take care of her. And now, when Tyler was in college Ellie felt obliged to do that job. She might had still be a kid, but if it came to Jo's relationships, she was very mature and very protective.
''Of course.'' Mac answered. So it seemed he had Ellie as his ally. At least for now.
''Sorry for that.'' Jo said, sitting back at the table. ''What have you guys been talking about?'' She asked, stealing Mac's fries.
''You, actually.'' Mac said.
''Oh?'' Jo glanced at Mac, then at Ellie.
''Yeah, we discovered there is at least one thing that we have in common.'' Mac said, winking at Ellie.
''Which is?''
''We both like you very much.'' Ellie said, mocking a little at the 'like' word, letting Mac know she didn't buy his crippled version and she knew there was more than likening there. Jo turned to Mac then to Ellie again, totally confused.
''Huh?''
''I'm going to get some ketchup.'' Ellie said, standing up. Then she put her palms on the table and leaned over it, facing them both. ''Now you can kiss.'' She whispered and moved away, heading towards the nearest waiter.
''Ellie!'' Jo gasped looking at Mac who was laughing.
. . .
''It's good to be home, isn't it?'' Jo asked as Ellie threw herself on the couch, sighing happily.
''It is.'' She agreed. ''But the camp was pretty awesome, too.'' Jo sit in the corner of the couch, letting Ellie's head stay on her lap.
''I don't want you to spend rest of the summer in the city.'' She stroked her hair. ''I know you have to stay for two weeks now because of the soccer practice, but then you could leave to Virginia, to grandma.'' Ellie stayed silent. ''You don't want to?''
''It's not that. I just...''
''What?''
''I'm thinking I should stay with you.'' Ellie looked up at her with her big brown eyes.
''With me?'' Jo smiled lightly. ''Why?''
''It's kinda happening a lot recently, isn't it?''
''You mean... with Mac?'' Jo asked.
''Yeah.''
''Oh, Ellie.'' She smiled and stroked her hair again. ''It's... not big deal.'' She said, but she didn't sound convincing.
''It isn't?'' Ellie studied her face closely. ''It doesn't seem like that for Mac.''
''I guess you're right.'' Jo said quietly, feeling more than guilty.
''He's a nice guy, mom.''
''I know that, Ellie.''
''He could take good care of you.''
''You really think I need it? I'm not that old, you know.'' Jo joked, but Ellie stayed serious. She pulled up, sitting next to her mother and facing her. For a moment she was silent, then she looked directly into Jo's eyes.
''You won't let him do that, will you?''
''I won't let him do what?'' Jo asked trying to follow.
''Take care of you.'' Ellie said quietly.
''Oh, honey...'' Jo pulled Ellie into hug.
''I know you. You won't let him do that.'' Ellie repeated. Jo wanted to deny it, but couldn't find her voice. And what if Ellie's right? She thought and felt some ache gripping at her heart.
''It's not like that...''
''It is like that. Even with Tyler's father. When he is close you're like... curling inside yourself.''
''Now that's different and you know that.'' Jo said and Ellie could feel her body tensed.
''But he does make you happy, right? Mac, I mean.''
''Yes, he does.'' She answered without any hesitation. ''Very happy.'' She added smiling to her thoughts.
''So why...'' Ellie started, but Jo interrupted her, suddenly annoyed with this conversation.
''Because. It's who I am. I can't help it. OK?'' She tried not to sound too angry. She pulled away and stand up. ''I'm going to sleep. You should go too.'' Jo was about to leave the room when she heard Ellie saying:
''Mom, just promise me you'll try.'' Jo sighed.
''I will.'' She said, partly to Ellie, partly to herself. ''But I can't promise I will succeed.'' She added.
''If you won't with him, then I don't think you will with anyone else.'' Ellie said, looking sadly at her mom. Jo seemed struck hard with an accuracy of this statement.
''I guess you're right.'' She said and left the room.
. . .
A/N I was supposed to study today as I have exam on Spanish in 6 hours, so of course I felt like writing. It's not long, but at least more varied than the last one. Mostly conversations, but I need them to build up this story, as I have a real plan how to develop it (now that's surprising, isn't it? as it seemed like there is only some random mix of fluff and smut :D). I don't know if Ellie's not OCC, being too mature. I hope not, but if anyone finds this unreal, sorry for that. I just needed someone to have this conversation at the end with Jo, it couldn't be Mac and Ellie seemed perfect, despite her age.
Thank you very much for reading and reviewing! I love to get your feedback and if any idea pops into your head about how to make this story better, please don't hesitate to let me know.