CHAPTER 2
The phone call with Tyler had centered a bit, momentarily stopping the butterflies inhabiting her stomach. Jo scolded herself for this bout of nerves. Her conversation with Stella had been strange at best, and had put ideas in her head that had absolutely no place being there. She sighed, putting on long earrings and checking her lipstick in the small mirror in her hotel room. Jo didn't wear dresses unless expressly requested; since it wasn't, she had opted for blue linen pants and a white top which left her shoulders bare.
Hastily grabbing her purse, she exited the hotel room in a hurry, before she could talk herself out of it. In doing so, she blindly bumped into Mac, also exiting what Jo knew to be Stella's room. –Hey, where's the fire?-, the man chuckled, placing a hand on the woman's arm to steady her. –You wanna drink something while we wait for Stella? She's still drying her hair, who knows how long that will take!-, he offered, placing his hand on the small of Jo's back. She narrowed her eyes at him.
-Do you make a habit of visiting other guests' rooms?-, the woman quipped, letting the man guide her for the moment. He gave a small, almost embarrassed laugh. –Not usually, no. Ellie wanted to talk to Stella. Apparently, she doesn't trust my suggestions about boys, I wonder why. -, Mac replied humorously, smiling at Jo. Despite herself, she smiled back. It was evident how much Mac cared about his daughter; he cherished her. There really seemed to be nothing wrong about him, and the butterflies were back.
Mac led her to the small bar of the conference hotel. Other patrons were already there. He shook hands with Horatio Caine, exchanging some pleasantries with the ginger-haired man and his blonde companion before leading Jo to a couple of empty spots at the far end of the counter. After having consulted his companion, he ordered two beers to the bartender. Turning back to Jo, he found her smirking. –What?-
-The blonde is checking you out. -, Jo giggled, noticing Mac's ears turning a faint pink. –Who, Calleigh? I don't think so. We had a little run in last time I came here; she must still be sore about it, that's all. -, he explained. Jo's grin prompted him to add: -It was about a case!-, causing his partner to laugh. –I believe you. Still, she's checking you out. -, Jo replied cheekily. Frankly, she couldn't blame the blonde woman; clad in black slacks and a white designer T-shirt, he looked positively hot. Also, the tousled look did wonders to make him look years younger.
They talked for the better part of forty minutes, exchanging tales about the respective cities, Crime Lab families and actual families. Mac gathered Stella had informed Jo about the salient moments in his life, so he didn't feel particularly bad about pushing Jo to talk about herself. He was impressed about her achievements, both in the FBI and as a Crime Scene Investigator, but also as a single mother to now 22-year old Tyler. It must have been very difficult for both Jo and her now ex-husband to work together during the last months of their marriage; luckily for her, he had decided of his own accord to resign as Head of the Crime Lab and switch back to the FBI. At any rate, her team sounded great, not that he could complain about his.
When Stella finally reached the duo, they moved to the dining room. They decided to mingle with other colleagues, and ended up with the loud duo from Alaska, which immediately engaged them in conversation. Upon their suggestion, after dinner they moved to a nearby bar offering country music; Stella immediately immersed herself in the atmosphere, taking the chance to go dancing with a good-looking stranger, while Mac and Jo held back. –Not really my scene. -, the man shrugged, nursing a soda. Jo nodded. -Mine either. -, she agreed.
That was how the couple sneaked off and got a taxi headed towards the sea, both of them secretly excited to put their feet first in the sand, and then into the water. After a while, they resumed their conversation. –So, why didn't you get the Supervisor position, if you don't mind me asking?-, Mac wondered, shoes dangling from his fingers. Jo sighed. What a complicated question! -It's, uh… God, complicated doesn't even begin to describe it. The team is a mess right now… Don't get me wrong, they are all very competent and hardworking, but the lack of leadership they've experienced in the last few years is starting to take its toll on the morale. Not to mention, everybody seems to be at a point in their life… when something big is up. You know?-
-Of course. Let me guess, as Assistant Supervisor, they flock to you with their personal problems, or just, you know, life. -, Mac replied, smiling sadly to himself as Jo nodded, eyes lost to survey the water swirling around her feet. –Actually being Supervisor would free you from this role, so there must be something else at play, am I right?-, he probed. The woman shot him a funny look. –There is, but I'd prefer not to discuss it. -, she retorted with an air of finality about it. Just then, Mac's phone started ringing. Perplexed, he excused himself and picked up the call.
-Aiden? Aiden, are you okay? What's going on? No, I'm not with Stella at the moment… I'm sure she's safe, I left her with some colleagues. How can I know why she's not answering your calls? Maybe her battery's dead… Aiden? Aiden?-
Jo couldn't help but partially eavesdrop on the conversation. She gathered Aiden was Stella's partner, her female partner, judging by the frantic voice coming from the other end of the line, a confirmation that Stella indeed fancied women. Mac's tone was getting increasingly frustrated, especially as it became apparent that the woman had hung up on him. He turned to look her straight in the eye. –Sometimes I swear they're worse than my daughter when she was a teenager. Do you mind if we go back to the bar to check on Stella? I don't fancy getting other calls of that kind. –
Jo nodded, exiting the water and putting on her shoes. She felt a strange mixture of relief and regret swirling in her chest, for she didn't particularly look forward to resume her previous conversation with Mac, but at the same time she wanted to spend more time with the man.
They found Stella a bit tipsy, but otherwise fine. Mac scolded her and prompted her to call Aiden; what followed was a conversation Jo wasn't particularly keen on relive, ending with more fluff either she or Mac could tolerate. The man made sure to accompany his partner to her room, closing the door behind her, before turning his attention to Jo. He smiled sheepishly at her. –I'm sorry our evening ended so abruptly. I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast. Sweet dreams, Jo. -, he told her softly before turning on his heels, leaving a very unsatisfied woman in his wake.