And here's the second part..


Turning the engine off, Mac took several deep breaths and few minutes of silence before she stepped into the house. She needed to or else who knew what she might do or say.

Opening the front door, she was quickly enveloped with a strong smell of food. Something Indian it seemed.

Dropping her bag down near the door, she walked past the living room and into the kitchen.

"Oh! Hey beautiful!" Mic greeted her joyously

Chloe equally turned from where she stood at the counter and did the same; "Hey!"

"We were just making dinner! It's almost ready," Mic announced.

Mac was trying desperately to keep it together. How could he be so calm after what he'd done today? Did he think she wouldn't find out?

"Chloe. Please go upstairs."

"What?"

"I said go upstairs! You know very well why!" Her voice was low but firm.

"I haven't done anything!" Chloe shouted back.

"Are you really going to argue me on this Chloe?!" Mac shouted back. God, she really had wanted to keep it together. 'No shouting' she had told herself…but God it was difficult. "Now go upstairs!"

"You are the worst I swear!" Chloe shouted back as she threw the towel she'd been holding and stormed up the stairs.

Turning her eyes to Mic, she was seething. "I had a call from the school. Apparently Chloe didn't make it in today." Her arms crossed as she waited for an answer.

Clearly unrepentant, Mic had the audacity to smile as he answered; "Oops. Busted"

Mac frowned as she tried to control her words. Was he screwing with her?

"Didn't know the school would call," he continued.

"Actually the school has explicit orders to call me if Chloe doesn't make it there."

"That's a tight grip you've got on her."

"That's because I'm the only one that has a grip on her!"

Finally taking notice of Mac's growing anger, Mic decided it was best to lighten the situation; "I'm sorry."

Ignoring his 'apology' Mac asked; "Where were you?"

Mic took a deep breath and gave up altogether; "I took her out for breakfast and then she wanted to show me around."

"She's grounded Mic!"

"I didn't know that," he shrugged trying to shift the blame away. "You didn't say."

"That's because I expected you to be the adult and take her to school!"

"Ok. Ok. I said I'm sorry."

"You just don't understand do you? She's 16. She needs boundaries. She needs discipline. Just because she pushes doesn't mean you give way!"

"Ok. I said I was sorry," Mic continued, all the while reminding himself that Chloe wasn't his child and he really had no responsibility over her. "Yes. Fine. It was my bad. But…she just looked so miserable that…I don't know. I just wanted to help."

"Couldn't you take her tomorrow? When she doesn't have school? Mic, she's already having to repeat the year. The last thing I need is her being encouraged to miss out on more school!"

Giving up and having no more words to offer, Mic simply put his hands on the counter and let out a long breath; "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

"No. It certainly won't."

Running her hands over her face, Mac felt as her shoulders released the tension she'd been holding…before picking it up again. God. Now to deal with Chloe.

"I'll be back," she whispered before turning towards the stairs and reluctantly taking one step at a time.


"Dad," Mattie whispered.

Harm had been staring into space for several minutes now. He wasn't big on television and found it quickly bored him. But tonight, as he sat alone in the living room, he'd put on a DVD and done his best to focus…until of course the hero got the girl…and well by then his mind had all but gone, deep in thought…

"Dad," a little louder.

'That guy was there,' he repeated to himself. He'd seen the extra car parked in the driveway. 'I wonder if he's staying with her?' he considered.

"Dad!"

Snapping suddenly, he turned his head to find Mattie standing rather close to him. "Hey…" his voice quiet as it was catching up with him.

"Hey. You ok?"

"Yeah. Fine," sitting up a little straighter. "You ok?"

Mattie bit down on her lower lip and seemed to hesitate; "Can I talk to you?"

He frowned wondering where this was going; "Of course." Turning the television off, he shifted to give her more room on the couch.

Folding one leg under herself, she took a seat facing him; "It's about Chloe and what happened."

Now he was interested; "Go on."

"Look. I know you're still angry at me."

'Not entirely true,' he thought

"And I completely accept my responsibility and punishment you know that. But…" she had thought of many ways to say this but figured straightforward was the most honest way. "She saved my life dad."

'I know,' he silently agreed.

"If it hadn't been for her we would have frozen to death."

The seriousness with which she was discussing this made Harm very proud of her.

"And it bothers me that everyone is only too happy to put the blame on her. No matter what I say…it just doesn't seem to make a difference. And it's not fair."

He was smiling gently at her. That was his girl.

"I just…I wish people would stop assuming…yeah…"

She was such a mature soul for her age that it made Harm a little sad that she maybe wasn't living the life a 16 year old should.

"Listen," he prompted gently. "As long as you know the truth, what everyone else thinks doesn't matter at all."

"But even you think the same."

Touché.

"I did. For a moment." And boy did that moment cost him. "Until I realized I was in the wrong."

"So then why are you still not talking to them?"

Was that a nerve she'd struck?

Taking a deep breath, Harm put on his father voice and gently spoke; "That's complicated Mattie."

"How is it complicated? You just said you know Chloe was not fully to blame. And that's why you and her mom argued wasn't it? So why are you still not talking?"

Now he was uncomfortable; "Mattie" he shifted in his seat. "Like is said. That's different and…complicated."

Had she asked him this only 24 hours ago he would have pretended to consider her request and then probably fast walked over there with her. 24 hours later and the story was much different.

"It's just complicated," he reiterated softly.

Mattie kept silent for a minute before, watching her dad process something she couldn't quite put her finger on. She could see his uneasiness so she took a deep breath and changed the subject; "Do you think I can go next door and see her? It's just…she wasn't at school today and I thought I could go check on her."

Oh…

Well wasn't that…a neat idea…

He needed information…so what better way to disguise his curiosity then by sending in your child! Wow. Didn't he feel like an exemplary patient? Oh well! Reproached could wait till later! Right now he had a very simple plan and Mattie was front and center. In fact, he didn't even need to ask her to do anything!

"Sure. Of you go."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Just don't take too long. We're having dinner soon."

"Sure! Thanks!" quickly standing. "I'll be right back!" she smiled and made quick steps to the door.

As he heard the door close, he leaned over the back of the couch and peered through the blinds watching Mattie make her way down the driveway and disappearing next door.

To sit here and wait for her to return was simply going to carve at his nerves. Perhaps he could get started on that dinner he was supposed to be making.

Jumping up from the couch he headed to the kitchen and started pulling out all the ingredients he needed for a salad. The salmon had been marinating and was ready to go so putting it aside he busied himself on the tomatoes.

He hadn't known how long Mattie would be…but he certainly didn't expect her back in a matter of minutes! Pausing his work, he watched worriedly as Mattie made her way back in.

"What happened?" he asked.

Mattie shrugged a little disappointed as the took a seat on one of the stools at the kitchen island; "Nothing. She's fine. Apparently. But I didn't get to see her."

"Why?"

"Her mom and her are having a 'conversation'" she explained exaggerating the quotation marks with her fingers.

"So then how did you find out?"

"Coz. There was a guy there. He told me."

"'Because'," He corrected. Mattie was picking up that awful teenage habit of not using whole words and boy was it rubbing him the wrong way! 'Don't get side tracked' he ordered himself; "Who is it?"

Shrugging she took as cherry tomato from the bowl; "I don't know. He said his name was Mic. Just came down from New York."

'So it was him!' he thought. 'The lawyer that didn't have enough time to be here!' "Really?"

She made a sound of agreement and continued stealing tomatoes.

"Did he say anything else?" he was fishing.

"Not really. He said I should go by later but I told him I'd go over tomorrow instead."

"Ok."

Well that didn't give him anything to go on! In fact he hadn't really learnt anything at all! He would kill to be a fly on those walls!


"She's not talking but I left the plate of food on her bedside table. She'll eat it when she's hungry," Mic softly informed Mac as he made his way towards the couch where she was sitting. Folding one leg under him, he took a seat next to her. They were so close their legs were flushed against each other.

Mac was exhausted. She'd barely touched her dinner and now couldn't even bring herself to sit up straight on the couch feeling as she slowly slipped further down. Turning her head towards him, all her previous anger long gone, she whispered a small plea; "Please don't undermine me Mic. Not with Chloe."

"I'm not," he was almost getting tired of repeating it. "I'm sorry. Ok."

Letting out a long sigh Mac looked down at her hands, the couch shifting slightly as Mic stretched his left arm out along the back of the sofa.

After a few seconds of silence, Mac whispered; "I am glad you're here. It's been a long few days and…" taking a deep breath. "It's good to have a friend."

Watching her profile, his fingers playing with her hair, he whispered; "I'll always be here for you. You know that."

"I feel like…like I'm doing everything wrong." She sounded defeated and disappointed with herself.

"You're not," he reassured her though that wasn't necessarily what he honestly thought.

"We can't go a day without arguing. One day without something going wrong. And it's exhausting Mic. It is absolutely exhausting."

"I don't want to say 'I told you so' but…I did tell you this was not going to be easy."

"I had to protect her Mic!" she defended her actions.

"There were other ways to do it Mac and you know it."

"Like give her up to a foster home?" shaking her head; "No. I never would have forgiven myself!"

"Alright. Fine. Well then can you tell me why she's come off her meds?" asked Mic

Dammit! She was hoping he wouldn't bring it up. She knew he knew… it was a fairly obvious. He'd seen Chloe on them and knew the change it brought about in her. But that was the problem; "because I refused to live with a zombie." She was adamant about that. "Because I refuse to drug her food in order to get them into her. Those things were making her worse. At least now I can have a conversation with a human and not dazed and drowsy puppet." The thought of them made her angry. She wanted help. She wanted an answer. But not at Chloe's own expense.

"You can't just decide to take her off."

"Well I did."

"And now look at her!"

"Mic!" she sat up straight and looked him over her shoulder with so much hurt and anger; "Can you please stop questioning my decisions! Please!" If she weren't stronger she probably would have shed a few tears right here and now.

She was just so tired.

Lowering his voice and taking a calming breath; "I'm sorry," he accepted. "I'm sorry."

Letting her cool down just a little, he took her hand and guided her back down against the couch and back to where she'd been before.

And he reiterated; "I'm sorry. I just hate to see you like this."

Her eyes were fixed on a point but he needed to look her in the eyes. Cupping her face gently, he guided her head towards him and looked her straight in the eyes.

"I'm sorry Sarah. I wish I could do so much more. You know that."

"Yeah," she whispered. It was true. He had been there for her the whole time. He knew the lengths she'd gone through to get Chloe. He knew because he'd been there, with her. He was a good friend. A very good friend. As she looked him straight in the eyes she realized that he was maybe…her only friend…

Feeling his breath on her skin she realized just how close they actually were. And despite all the warning signs, every bell and whistle going off in her head, she couldn't even react as his lips found hers.

He was a strong kisser, for lack of a better word. He overpowered her. He almost scared her. She knew he wouldn't hurt her…but he was just too strong.

As his right hand continued to cup her cheek, he deepened the kiss, parting her lips with his tongue and pushing deeper and deeper until by sheer force and unable to sit up straight anymore against his strength, she was lying on her back on the couch.

God, he was strong. And heavy. And just a little too much of everything.

Breaking free of the kiss Mac whispered hurriedly; "Mic. Stop. Stop."

But it fell deaf ears as his ran his tongue along her neck and up to her ear and whispered; "I missed you."

God why was she doing this? Why was she letting him? She wasn't interested…so why? Was it out of sheer loneliness? Pure and basic human need? That was not a good enough reason!

As his hands pressed heavily against her hips, she brought both her hands against his shoulders and actively started pushing him back; "Mic stop!" her voice quiet but firm.

"Why?" he whispered in her ear. His breath clearly ragged.

"Because I said so," her voice firm as she looked him dead in the eyes. "Besides, Chloe is upstairs." She really shouldn't have said that. It almost implied that if Chloe hadn't been there then maybe this would have ended differently…and no, that wasn't the case.

Reluctantly Mic pushed himself up and off of her, catching his breath and running his hands through his hair as he sat on the edge of the coffee table. He needed a cold shower. Now.

Sitting up again, Mac straightened up her clothes and her hair.

Frustrated and horny Mic decided it was probably best that he left. "I should go." Standing up he moved towards the kitchen counter to gather up his wallet and keys. By the time he made it back, Mac was hovering near the door. Her eyes refused to meet his as he approached her to take his coat from the coat rack along the entry hallway.

"Am I gonna see you tomorrow?" he whispered hopefully.

Of course he would. It's not like this one incident would shadow their entire friendship. She just had to make sure it never happened again.

Looking up at him she whispered; "Yeah. Of course."

"Good," he smiled as he turned the doorknob and opened the door.

'Wait. Why was it unlocked?' she wondered. 'Oh!' "Oh hey! Wait. Did someone come by when I was upstairs with Chloe?" She now vaguely recalled the sound of the door and voices downstairs. But she'd been too busy trying to reason with Chloe that she couldn't quite remember.

"Yeah. Your neighbors kid came by."

"Mattie?" she asked surprised.

"Yeah. I think that was her name."

"What did she say?" trying to keep the urgency out of her voice.

Mic shrugged; "She just wanted to ask about Chloe. Said she hadn't seen her at school so she came to ask if she was ok."

"What did you say?"

Mic shrugged again; "Just that Chloe was fine and she'd be at school on Monday. I told her she was busy with you so she said she might come back tomorrow."

'Did that mean?' she wondered hopeful. 'If Harm let Mattie come over…did that mean…were they on speaking terms again?'


NOTE: I feel like I might be boring you guys with the length of this story. I know where I'm going and the things I want to cover but I feel like I'm taking forever to get there. If any of you are bored or think this is going too slow please let me know. I'll try and work on it. Otherwise, I hope you're still enjoying this little tale and hopefully I don't disappoint :)