Jo discovers Mac is a nerd. And a softie. Enjoy

Jo dreaded going down to Autopsy with Mac. Ever since she'd gone out with Sid for that wretched date, he'd become overprotective of her; sometimes she found it sweet, but mostly it was just plain annoying. She truly had no idea how the quirky ME would react to Mac's presence, nor if he could guess her growing attraction to her coworker. For all the parts involved, she sincerely hoped not.

-Are you alright? You seem… tense. -, Mac observed from the other side of the elevator. He pushed himself away from the metallic wall, giving up his relaxed stance to come near her. Very carefully, he placed a hand on the small of the woman's back, looking for any sign of discomfort from her part. Jo barely managed to suppress a shiver.

-I'm fine. It's just this case… I can't imagine a son planning to murder his parents, do you?-, she retorted, shooting a glance in the man's direction. His expression seemed to darken at her words. –No, I don't. -, he grunted, and Jo felt his fingers stiffen on her back. The elevator came to a stop, a soft DING! signaling the doors opening.

Upon hearing the two of them approaching, Sid Hammerback raised his head from the body he was working on. Jo realized he had caught Mac's hand retreating from the small of her back by something flashing in his eyes, and internally winced, preparing for the storm.

-Good morning, Jo. -, Sid said softly. -Ah, the infamous Mac Taylor. -, he then commented, turning to the other male. Mac stopped dead in his tracks. –Infamous? Have I done something wrong, doctor?-, he retorted cautiously, trying to gauge the older man's reaction. So far, Dr. Hammerback looked impassive. –A little bird told me you organize some mean Commander nights at your place…-, he started, causing a huge grin to spread on Mac's face, much to Jo's puzzlement.

-You want in, Doc?-, he chuckled. –Sure thing!-, Sid replied enthusiastically, patting the male Detective on the back. Frustrated, Jo cleared her throat. –Gentlemen? If we could please go back to our case?-, she asked brusquely, swatting Sid's chest with her portfolio. The two males grinned to each other before snapping to attention.

After Sid had related his findings, the two Detectives left together. Once again alone with Mac in the elevator, Jo gave vent to her curiosity. –What exactly am I missing here? I swear I didn't understand a thing you and Sid talked about. -, she confessed, causing Mac to chuckle. –You remember the case about the female musician?-, he asked, at which Jo nodded. –Yeah, Sass Dumonde. What about it?-

-I invited Adam over after the case. -, Mac started, only to be interrupted abruptly. –You mean after I chewed his head off?-, Jo snorted. –Hey, he deserved it. Anyway, I was worried about him, so I had him come over to my place. -, Mac continued, Jo's interest piqued. –He met Ellie, we started talking… and it turns out he plays Magic. –

-Magic?-, Jo wondered. –Yeah, Magic the Gathering. It's only the biggest, oldest collectible card game there is. -, he explained patiently. He was half expecting such a reaction from his boss, but he felt disgruntled and a bit stupid nonetheless. –We played a game, had fun. I made sure he was sober when he went home. -, he finished lamely, shrugging his shoulders.

-So, you didn't convince him to apologize to me?-, the female Detective inquired, narrowing her eyes at her partner. –I might have mentioned what he did was unfair to you, but… no, what he did, he decided for himself. -, Mac replied sincerely. Jo kept her gaze fixed on him, the man's gaze never wavering.

-You're a good man, Mac Taylor. -, Jo sentenced finally. –Hey, I don't know about New York, but where I come from, partners take care of each other. -, he replied easily, giving his superior a small smile.

***MJ***

-Ellie, I'm home!-, Mac announced, shrugging off his jacked and placing the keys on the small table in the living room. After a few seconds, his daughter emerged from her room, rubbing her eyes. –Still studying?-, her father wondered, dropping a kiss on her curls. –Listen, why don't we go to Central Park and run some kilometers? It's still warm outside. -, he proposed. That immediately caught the girl's attention.

-Sure thing. I'm gonna change. -, she replied, marching back to her room. Something in her father's tone convinced Ellie that something was had happened at the Lab. Knowing her father, she knew he would only talk after a good run, and she was only too glad to comply.

-I love you, El. –