Well, things are winding down here with this story, but thanks to all of you for the great reviews! It's truly amazing to get all of that good feedback! And a heads-up, I think I'll be organizing a few things and putting all my one-shots in to one story and clearing up a few stories I haven't worked on in ages. Plus… I have a new idea to work on from watching a movie over this past weekend, so that'll probably pop around sooner rather than later to be honest…

~ Chapter Fourteen: The Future Waits ~

"This your new spot?"

Mac looked over his shoulder to see Jo walking over to join him as he stood on the roof of the crime lab building.

He smiled softly. "Might as well be," he told her as she finally stopped at his side and they both looked out at the city. The night sky stretched above them and the lights characterized Manhattan around them.

Jo smiled a little. "Amber's a handful, you know?" she said. There was almost a teasing tone to her voice and Mac laughed.

"What are you trying to imply, Danville?" he asked, grinning as he looked over at his partner.

Jo smiled. "She's a hell of lot like her father," she said, eyeing him and her smile growing in to a grin.

Mac smirked. "Am I really that big of a pain in your ass?" he asked.

Jo shrugged and put her hand on Mac's shoulder.

Mac looked back over at her, smiling softly. Something was on her mind and he knew it.

"No," Jo finally said, stepping closer to him and laying her head on his shoulder. "I love you too much to say that, Mac Taylor… Although you undeniably have your moments."

Mac smirked and put his arm around her shoulders. "Yeah, I know. Must run in the family," he said.

Jo smiled softly. "Is this coming back to Amber?"

Mac shrugged. "Yeah… My father had his moments, too, mind you," he said, smirking softly at the thought. When he looked back at Jo, she was smiling softly.

She shook her head for a moment. "Mac Taylor… you are something else," she murmured.

Mac smiled softly as she got a little closer, her forehead now pressed against his own. "Is that your way of trying to see if I'm ready?" he asked, looking at her knowingly.

Jo let out a partial laugh. "You know me too well," she replied. With that, she kissed him.

This time… there were no thoughts of pulling back.

He never would've guessed in a thousand years that he would've let Jo get this close to him… even before he'd been taken. But now… he couldn't do it without her. The road seemed a little too rough under his feet for him to walk it alone.

But thankfully… he didn't have to. Jo had already seen that and right there she was.

When Jo finally pulled back and looked at him, he was smiling. She nervously brushed a stray strand of her black hair back in its place behind her ear.

"Thanks, Jo. For everything," Mac finally said, looking back to the lights that defined Manhattan's skyline. "I honestly couldn't imagine doing this without you. Any of you."

Jo smiled softly and stayed close to him, laying her head on his shoulder again. "Oh, I think you already know what this team is. The future waits for us all, Mac, and none of us know what it'll be for us, but we've got each other because this team is so much more than just a team."

Mac smiled and looked down at her. "And I am thankful beyond words that I've had the chance to meet every single one of you. I couldn't ask for a better family than the team. You guys are… well, something else."

Jo smirked. "You're running out of words, aren't you?" she teased.

Mac chuckled softly. "Yes, actually, I am."

"What about drinks later?"

Mac smirked. "Danny's idea?"

"You know it," Jo said, smiling.

"Deal."

"Well, let's go then!" Jo said, standing and slapping him on the arm lightly. "We're going to be late!"

Mac looked at her in surprise. "Tonight?" he asked.

"Yes, tonight, Mac Taylor!" Jo said with a nod, already heading for the door. She paused to look back at him. "And don't you dare play hardass and tell me you've got things to do in the lab. You and I both know everything's taken care of."

Mac smirked and shook his head. "Oh… the things you guys get me in to," he muttered, joining Jo as she headed back for the lab.

Jo grinned as he caught up to her. "Oh, shut up. You need it."

Mac smiled. "Alright, relax. I know I do."

The End

There you have it! Pfffttt…. They did it! Did not honestly have that planned when I started! XD But it fit… so that's exactly why it happened. I hope you enjoyed it and thanks so much for the reviews guys!