Title: Chances Lost (Webb)
Author: Penne
E-mail: pennenew@aol.com
Rating: G, R
Classification: Mac/Webb?
Spoilers: Jagathon
Summary: Alternate outcomes to pre-Jagathon. Webb version. Apologies, due to ill-health this ongoing story has been somewhat delayed.
Disclaimer: I don't claim to own these characters, please don't sue.
"OK, talk." Mac looked at Clayton Webb warily. Her mouth felt like the Sahara, and her heart's beat had taken on bongo drum proportions. She was sure he was going to opt out and tell her all his actions in the past few days had been a mistake.
Webb took a deep breath, his eyes never moving from her face, and appeared to be planning his next words carefully. Mac watched the impassive face that she once thought was such a closed book, and marveled at the emotions flitting across his features, ever so briefly, unsure whether she had simply missed them in the past, or whether he was finding harder to shut himself off from her. Either way, she was inordinately pleased that she was seeing more of what she felt was the real Clayton Webb.
Several minutes passed with neither of them saying a word, simply staring deep into each other's eyes, as if trying to bore into each-other's souls. Usually Mac ran from the level of honesty that such intimate looks demanded, however, nothing in the world would have caused her to voluntarily look away. With each moment that passed she felt a stronger bond between them.
Stealthily, Mac moved forward in her chair and leant her elbows on her knees, so they were face-to-face, a mere breath apart. She had a growing certainty that the longer they held eye contact, the less chance there was of losing him.
"Clay?" Although her voice was soft, it demanded his full attention, which he silently acknowledged. "What is it? What are you thinking?"
He tried to turn away, but found it impossible to get away from her penetrating gaze, so he returned it in full. "Doesn't matter Mac."
"I want to know."
A small smile played upon his lips. "No. You really don't." He exhaled deeply and closed his eyes.
"Let me be the judge of that"
He opened his eyes again and searched her face for signs of uncertainty, and found none. "What do you want from me?"
"I just want you to be honest with me."
His look pleaded with her. "Sarah…….I cant. For your own sake."
"You can." Her voice was calm, and reassuring. "Please."
Webb tried to turn his face away, but she followed, insistently. Both of their breath was erratic, and finally when she thought she couldn't stand it a moment longer, he leant forward and kissed her. They finally abandoned all pretenses, discarded their insecurities about one another, and let their emotions tumble out through touch.