Mac pulled up to her house, and someone had already brought the Land Rover back, Walter and Devon she guessed. She and Mac bickered all the way back from the hospital and she continued to insist that she was fine to be alone.

He countered with a reason why she needed him there with everything she said and when they got to the house she was thoroughly pissed at him. They had always been like fire and water, even as kids, but now there was an elephant in the room.

They had mad sexual chemistry, the kind that other people daydreamed about. But Carina was determined to ignore that and Mac couldn't ignore it. He was a man ruled by instinct, but she was working his nerves good.

Carina continued to give reasons why she was fine but he just pulled into the driveway and killed the engine.

"I hate when you get like this."

Mac just shrugged, "You can have an attitude all you want but I'm not budging."

He helped her out of the truck but Carina just huffed, "I'm fine…" She pulled her arm out of his grip then she proceeded to trip and almost fell in the dark.

"Sure you are princess," Mac laughed and took her by the arm again to lead her into the house. He wasn't rough, he could never be rough with her unless she wanted it that way, he just helped her, even though she didn't want him to.

When they got inside Mac tossed her backpack on the couch and headed to the kitchen as if he owned the place.

"You got any beer?"

"Yeah in the fridge, get me one too…"

"Nope, you're on percocet…"

"You're a shitty roommate." Carina flopped down on the couch and he brought her a coke instead.

Mac just shrugged and parked himself next to her on the couch and grabbed the remote.

"You got Netflix?"

"You're just eating this up aren't you?"

"With a spoon…" Mac laughed as he took a long pull on his beer, "So why don't we binge watch Lost or something."

"I remember you could never shut the hell up about that show in high school. I'm happy to say I have never seen it."

"Oh really," He turned on the TV, "Well, you're gonna learn tonight…"

"Don't you have somewhere to be?"

"Nope, I'm all yours…"

Carina stood up and set her coke on the table, "I'm going to take a shower."

"Want me to wash your back?" Mac leered at her.

"No, I'm fine…" Carina snipped at him.

"Suit yourself, I'll be right here if you change your mind."

Carina huffed and headed to the bathroom. Part of her was annoyed by him taking over everything, but part of her was pleased he cared, even when she had made it clear there would be no sex.

They had history, a childhood that was a lifetime ago, they were above all, friends. Friends who fucked each other just a few weeks ago.

While Carina was in the shower Reggie had stopped by with clothes for Mac and gave him a bunch of grief over his decision to take care of Carina.

"I smell a rat," Reggie laughed as she handed him the bag on the front porch.

"You know Reg, I don't appreciate your remarks. She has no family, or anyone but us."

"Is there a soul in there?"

"Shhhh…"

"So you aren't trying to get in her pants?"

Mac looked up from the cigarette he was lighting, "Oh no, I'm still trying…"

"That's what I said," She laughed too, "Maybe she's your person, ya know?"

"I don't believe in that shit."

"You don't have to, all I know is she's the only woman besides me that you would help this way."

"Get off my back Reggie, she's fuckable, that's it."

"Ok," She grinned to herself, "Sure."

When Carina came out of the shower dressed in sweatpants and a sweatshirt, Mac was in the kitchen frying eggs and Bacon and Reggie was sitting at the counter island talking to him.

"I thought I heard you out here…"

"I brought your self appointed savior a change of clothes." Reggie answered with a roll of her eyes, she and Carina both shook their heads as she took the other seat.

"Do you believe this shit Reg?" Carina remarked.

"Explain to me how you are going to take care of yourself then?" Mac interrupted.

"I did just fine in the shower."

"I see you didn't wash your hair…" Mac snarked.

"Why are you keeping track of my hygiene practices?"

"Just observant, how do you like your eggs."

"Fried, break the yolks and burn the toast and bacon."

"You're wish…" He winked at her and Reggie giggled.

/

Reggie hung around to have a bite to eat and help Mac do the dishes and then she left saying she had an early day in the morning. Mac and Carina were back on the couch after that and he turned on Lost.

"Six seasons baby," He rubbed his hands together with glee and reached for a bowl of popcorn on the table.

"Mac I have to be…" She stopped and started again, "I have work to do at the Reservation tomorrow."

"How are you driving a stick shift hmmm, neither of your vehicles is automatic." He tossed some popcorn in his mouth, "And you can't type on the computer one handed."

Carina just remained quiet and crossed her arms. It was better than admitting he was right.

"I mean, I got a stick shift for you that you don't need your bad arm for…" He put his feet up on the coffee table and snickered at her, "You know how good it is between us...should I remind you about how hard I can make you cum?"

"Take those fucking boots off my God damn table asshole!"

Mac side eyed her, "Fine," He unlaced and kicked them off right by the couch, then took off his flannel and shirt and sat back in just his t-shirt and jeans.

"Don't get too comfortable…"

"Shhh, here comes the plane crash…"

/

The days passed and soon it had been a week, Mac had made her watch all of Lost and Carina was going stir crazy. He drove her out to the Reservation each day and picked her up each night. It was an awkward alliance at best, but one she was stuck in at the moment.

He was right though, it was one thing for her to be out in the canyon with her gun and both arms, it was quite another to not be able to hold or cock the rifle correctly.

"How's your broken wing today?" He called to her from the couch when he woke up, Carina stood in the doorway watching him as he ran his hand through his hair. Mac slept in his boxers and they left little to the imagination.

"It's ok."

He stood up, aware that he was giving her a show now. So he really gave her a show, stretching and pretending to crack his back.

"Like what you see…"

Carina just turned and walked back into her room, slamming the door and locking it.

"You'll invite me in," He called in to her.

"Like a vampire you need an invitation. Don't hold your breath…" She hollered back.