Maddie was erasing her chalkboards after school when her cell phone rang on the other side of the room. She hurried over to it and flipped it open.

"Hello?"

"Maddie, it's Aiden," a familiar voice said. "Gotta sec?"

"Sure, what's up?"

"Mac's birthday is today, and we're taking him out to celebrate after shift. Nothin' fancy, just some beers and pool at Charlie's…can you come?"

Maddie smiled. "I'd love to. What time?"

"We're shootin' for seven," Aiden replied, "if we can get the birthday boy out of the office that early."

"Good luck with that," Maddie chuckled.

"Yeah, no kiddin'. So, say maybe seven thirty."

"I'll be there."

Maddie finished cleaning off the chalkboards and got some paperwork out of the way, made a quick stop at home to change out of her school clothes, then headed to the CSIs' favorite bar, Charlie's.

Aiden had reserved a pool table for the little group ahead of time, and Danny and Don were already playing when Maddie arrived.

"Hey, it's Maddie Ali," Danny grinned. He had been attaching various boxers' names to hers since the attack, telling her it was because she was such a fighter. Ali was his current favorite.

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee," Maddie grinned, allowing him to hug her hello. He glanced at her throat as he pulled away, subtly checking out the remains of her wound. She caught him, though, and gave his arm a little squeeze to let him know that she appreciated his concern. Don gave her a quick hug, too, and Sheldon and Aiden appeared with the pitchers to say their hellos as well.

"So where is the man of the hour?" she asked.

"Stella's in charge of prying him from the office," Aiden told her.

"Well, if there's anyone that can get Mac to do something, it's Stella," Don said. "You see the way he looks at her?"

"Like some homicide detective I know," Maddie muttered as she walked past Don to the rack of cue sticks against the wall.

Don waited until she walked past him again before answering. "You're turn's comin' Parrish…" he whispered over his shoulder.

"Bring it on," she grinned, spying a jukebox in the corner and knowing she had a little trick up her sleeve.

At that moment a smiling Stella escorted a less-than-happy Mac into the bar. Exclamations of "happy birthday!" rang out from his six friends and a small smile appeared on his lips.

"I told you I didn't want to make a big deal out of this…"

"It's not a big deal," Aiden promised him.

"Just some beers and pool," Maddie added, echoing the words Aiden had used earlier.

Mac sighed. "Okay, I guess I can handle that," he conceded, permitting Stella to lead him to an empty table.

Glasses of beer were poured, the jukebox was cranked up, and bets were placed at the pool table. Don lost handily to Danny a couple of times before declaring he needed a break.

Maddie grabbed her cue. "Me next."

Danny grimaced. He had beaten her a few times, but more often than not Maddie won when they squared off in pool. "Why don't we play partners this round?" he asked, hoping for some reinforcements. "Doc? Whaddaya say?"

Aiden jumped up before Sheldon could reply. "I'm in…"

Sheldon smiled. "I can't say no to two beautiful women."

Aiden broke and the four concentrated intently on the game, still laughing and talking, but focused on the competition. Stella sat with Mac and Don at a nearby table, watching the game and teasing the birthday boy.

About halfway through the first game, Don excused himself to use the bathroom and Maddie grinned mischievously. Danny caught the twinkle in her eye and raised an eyebrow at her, wondering what was going on. She flickered her eyes in the direction Don had gone and her smile widened. When the unsuspecting detective returned, Danny signaled her from across the pool table.

Aiden leaned over the table lining up her shot, and Maddie nonchalantly walked around the table and stood close beside Danny. She slipped him a quarter and whispered in his ear, "G-eleven". Danny grinned and wandered over to the jukebox as Sheldon studied the pool table looking for his shot. The young doctor found something he liked and Danny found song G-eleven on the jukebox. His chuckled as he plunked the quarter in and pressed the appropriate buttons. When he came back to the pool table, Sheldon was lining up a second shot and Aiden was watching him intently.

Danny resumed his place next to Maddie. "Nice choice," he grinned.

"Yeah," she smirked. "I thought so, too."

Blue Oyster Cult poured from the speakers a moment later, and Aiden perked up her ears. "Hey, it's my song," she smiled, singing along.

Burn out the day

Burn out the night

I can't see no reason to put up a fight

I'm living for giving the devil his due

And I'm burning, I'm burning, I'm burning for you

Danny and Stella cracked up laughing, and Maddie winked at Don. Sheldon took aim again and missed, but smiled as he stood up.

"Don't shoot yet," he told Maddie, fishing a quarter out of his pocket.

Maddie looked at Aiden and both women wondered what he and his dry sense of humor had come up with. Burnin' for You finished and Sheldon arrived back at the pool table as the Beatles began.

Help, I need somebody,

Help, not just anybody,

Help, you know I need someone, help.

Maddie looked at the table and laughed—she and Aiden were losing badly to the boys—and Danny grinned, offering some sarcastic advice about hitting the little white ball. Aiden found some change and made her own jukebox selections, choosing Motley Crue's Dr. Feelgood and Bon Jovi's Bad Medicine for Sheldon. Don picked out some Van Halen for Maddie, making everybody laugh when Hot for Teacher blared from the speakers. Stella got in on the act, playing the Blues Brothers' version of Sweet Home Chicago for Mac, coaxing a smile out of the man as he sat quietly at a table.

The music war continued through several games of pool as the participants rotated partners. After a few games, Aiden decided to call it quits and headed over to the dartboard, challenging Don to a contest. Sheldon took the empty pitchers to the bar for a refill, and Stella took on Danny in nine-ball.

Maddie spied Mac still sitting alone at his table and made her way over to him. "This seat taken?" she asked smiling.

Mac smiled back. "Be my guest." He stood and pulled the chair out for her, sitting again when she was situated. "You all done playing pool?"

"Thought I'd take a break for a while, come visit the birthday boy," she replied patting his shoulder. "Wanted to make sure you were having a good time."

He smiled and looked down at his hands, twisting his wedding ring. "I am."

"You miss her, don't you?" she asked quietly.

He sighed and stopped twisting to stare at the ring. "I do." He paused, eyes still fixed on the gold band. "She was the love of my life. I don't think I'll ever stop missing her."

"Claire's a big part of you," she replied gently. "She always will be."

He smiled a sad little smile and nodded.

They sat together without speaking for a bit when Maddie noticed Mac's attention had been drawn to the pool table. "It could happen again, you know," she smiled softly.

"What's that?"

"You could find love again, Mac."

The detective shook his head and glanced back down at his wedding ring. "I don't know. I don't think so."

"There's no hurry," she assured him. "The right woman may not come along for a while." Her gaze shifted to the pool table where Stella was enjoying herself immensely, and Danny looked decidedly unhappy. "Or she might be closer than you think."

Mac allowed his eyes to dwell on Stella's form as she slowly circled the pool table, and he smiled shyly. Maddie didn't push, knowing she had gotten her point across.

Aiden and Don finished their game of darts, Stella and Danny finished their nine ball tournament, and Sheldon returned from the bar, signaling the others to join him as he set a birthday cake on the table in front of Mac. Stella took a seat beside the senior CSI and slipped an arm around his shoulders, Don and Aiden stood grinning on either side of Sheldon, and Danny found a place standing behind Maddie's chair, resting his hands on her shoulders. The little group sang Happy Birthday loudly and way off key, making Mac laugh out loud for the first time that night. He blew out the double-helix-shaped candles in one breath, grinning as he did. Stella planted a kiss on his cheek and Mac blushed faintly. He knew Maddie would notice and glanced over at her.

"Happy birthday, Mac," she smiled happily.

"Thanks," he replied.

Danny offered his birthday wishes as well, leaning over Maddie to shake his boss's hand and pat him on the back. As he did Maddie's smiled changed slightly, becoming a little dreamy. Her eyes never left Mac and no one else saw the variation, but at that moment Mac knew her smile wasn't for him. It was for Danny.

The moment went as quickly as it came, and someone found a knife for Mac to cut the cake with. The games of pool and darts resumed and the party continued, but Mac and Maddie's friendship had found a new level of trust. Though neither had spoken the words, they now knew each other's secrets.