When Adam went off to analyze some lab results that he'd put in for overnight processing Mac motioned for Flack to stay back.
"What do you make of what is going on?"
Flack sighed. "Mac you ain't gonna like my answer."
Suspecting as much Mac said, "Tell me anyway."
"Adam has a woman. She's in trouble and has a problem. Adam is making sure that he is part of the solution to her problem. And … and it appears that he's a damn sight better at it than he's been getting credit for. I had a talk with that agent … what's his face … Agent Fielding. Did you know that other agencies have tried to recruit Adam?"
Mac looked stunned. "What other agencies?"
"That bit wasn't shared but Adam just shrugged it off like it was no big deal. Fielding also made it like Adam had an open invitation … all he had to do was seem interested. From what I can tell Adam is the opposite of interested. To turn down that kind of offer should tell you how much he likes his job with you. But liking your job and loving a woman ain't the same thing Mac and we both know it."
Flack had to leave after that but no sooner had he left than Jo wanted to talk to Mac.
"We have a problem in the lab."
"What now?!" Mac growled in frustration.
Jo's eyebrows hit her hair line. "Wow, sounds like your day didn't start out well."
"You have no idea. Just tell me so I can add it to the list."
"Adam and Danny are on the outs."
Mac blinked and slowly sat down before saying, "OK, that trumps some of the other stuff already on the list. I suppose I need to explain a few things to Danny. Adam is going through a bad time. There is still no reason for Adam to cause problems."
Jo sighed. "Actually it's … well I thought it was going to be a nothing event that Adam would blow off and move on like he usually does but …"
"Not this time? So it wasn't something that Adam started? Let me guess, it revolves around Emi."
"Got it in one but in my opinion Adam isn't necessarily over reacting." Mac was briefly surprised then concerned. Jo continued. "It isn't that I don't understand Danny and Lindsey's point of view but it got back to Adam … or Adam guessed what was going on … and the Messers didn't really understand how he would take it."
Sarcastically Mac said, "Well, don't leave me in suspense."
Jo sighed. "Emi's … background … and her actions the day she came to the lab woke up Papa and Mama Messer's protective side. Apparently Emi had helped them out by babysitting Lucy and Luke and …"
Mac guessed, "And they started having reservations about Emi in general and Emi and the kids in particular and it made Adam angry."
"That's the thing Mac. If he was angry I think it would have been over with already. You know Adam, he would have backed off just so it didn't disrupt the lab. I … I'm not sure what it is but Danny came in after Adam looking like he wanted to tear someone's head off and Adam is ignoring him … not avoiding him, flat out ignoring him. As soon as Lindsey came in Danny went straight to her and now she's upset and keeps glancing towards the AV lab."
"Oh hell. Dammit, this isn't high school. OK, I'm siding with Adam on this one. Send Danny …"
Concerned Jo asked, "Do you think that is a good idea Mac? I agree, we are all adults here and our personal lives should not impact our professional lives … at least as much as we can help. Adam … just may need some guidance on how to keep the two separate. I can understand the concern about Emi's interaction with children. In my opinion I think Danny or Lindsey should have gone directly to Adam … or even to Emi … rather than allow it to get back to them from discussions occurring at work. But they didn't and rightly or wrongly it has created what has the potential to be a disruptive problem."
"Jo, this goes well beyond office politics. Adam and Emi have a very real situation they are dealing with. I may sympathize with Danny and Lindsey as far as being cautious but at the moment Adam is not in a position to be able to afford to soothe their nerves. Frankly he shouldn't have to. And knowing Emi she'd probably simply shut down or blow up. The problem should have been discussed outside of the lab since it was a personal issue. I'm not going to have it become a problem inside the lab."
Mac gave Jo the most recent updates and then told her, "Do me a favor and tell Danny to meet me down at the precinct. He needs to see that this isn't just me running interference for Adam. Flack can give him a firsthand account of a certain meeting that occurred yesterday."
# # # # # # # #
No sooner had Mac and Danny left the Lab than Lindsey headed towards AV where she cornered Adam right as he was on his way out.
"Wait, Adam. Please."
Adam sighed feeling the headache that had started after his confrontation with Danny grow worse. It was like screws turning in his temples. Unknowingly echoing what Mac had just said he told her, "Lindsey, this isn't the time or the place."
"OK. I get you don't want to talk about it but I need to say my piece and unless you want me to say it where everyone else can hear you'll come on an elevator ride with me."
Adam shut his eyes and tried to visualize a place of calm. Lindsey was the last person … female type person especially … that he would ever want to show any anger towards. Hell, he'd had a crush on her before she'd fixated on Danny. "Lindsey do we really have to do this?"
"Yes. I think we do," she told him. Both concern and steel threaded through her voice.