What if Mac had said yes to Jo's invatation for burgers in episode 7x06? Role reversal: what if Jo had said yes to Mac's proposal?
CHAPTER 9
-Damn you, Mac Taylor!-
Mac, standing beside his own desk, spun around to look at his boss questioningly. –I'm pretty sure I didn't do anything wrong during the case. You handled the scumbag lawyer so I didn't talk to him much. -, he said matter-of-factly, challenging Jo to contradict him. She shook her head. –I'm not talking about the case. Just look at your desk! It's immaculate!-, the woman lamented, pointing to the man's desk.
-Oh. Well, the Marines ingrained order and discipline in me, I guess. -, he replied, purposefully avoiding mentioning the mess on his superior's desk as said superior took a couple of steps inside the office. –You even decorated tastefully…-, she observed, brushing her fingers along a silver frame holding a picture of a younger Mac hugging a beautiful Afro-American woman. –That is Claire. She was a nurse. God, I can't remember how many times she patched me up, before and after we got married. -, he softly informed her, a bashful smile on his face.
-She seems lovely. -, Jo replied, equally softly. Mac chuckled. –She was lovely, alright, but feisty, too. She was… very opinionated. Ellie takes after her in that regard. I think I fell in love with her quick tongue first. -, he explained, coming to stand beside Jo, all the while looking intently at the woman smiling from the frame. –She was also perpetually hungry. -, he added as an afterthought. –Which reminds me, I'm taking Ellie out for a cheat meal. We're having sushi. Care to join us?-
Jo looked startled at the proposal. –Uh, I wouldn't want to intrude. -, she said. –You're not intruding if I invited you. Besides, Ellie's dying to meet you. -, the man retorted, shocking Jo further. –How come?-, she managed to choke out. –Well, she was very grateful that you gave me some time off after I was shot last month. -, Mac explained, causing the woman to roll her eyes exasperatedly. –It was just one day!-, she whined. Truth was, she had offered three days, but Mac had refused.
-Nevertheless, you're her new hero. Come with us, please. I have a feeling she'd like to talk about a guy she'd met at the Department. I'm rubbish with that kind of stuff. -, he admitted embarrassedly, causing the raven-haired woman to chuckle. –You think you'll need my profiling skills?-, she joked. He shrugged. –Dunno. They might come in handy. –
Jo sighed, won over. –Alright. But I need to finish some paperwork. -, she finally relented. –No worries, take your time. We were gonna do some work-out at Central Park anyway. You can text us the location when you're ready. -, he offered, at which Jo raised an eyebrow. –I trust your opinion on food in New York better than mine, or even Ellie's. See you later, Jo!-
***MJ***
Mac and Ellie were debating whether they were in the right place or not when Jo showed up. She was wearing jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt with a moderate V-neck under a black blazer. She'd debated for a long while on what to wear, finally figuring the best course of action would be not revolutionize her everyday attire. Mac had opted for jeans and a black T-shirt, and the woman cursed inwardly; how was she supposed not to stare at him now? Ellie was in comfy black yoga pants and a grey hoodie, busy scrolling her phone.
-Hey, Jo!-, Mac waved upon spotting her. Ellie turned to the newcomer, pocketing her phone. –Hi, Mac. You must be Ellie. Nice to meet you. -, Jo greeted both father and daughter, extending her right hand to the latter. Ellie smiled at her, shaking the proffered hand. –Nice to meet you, too, Jo. The place looks good, I was just checking the menu on their site. Shall we go in?-, the younger woman proposed, getting only nods in response.
Once seated, Mac and Ellie immediately put Jo at ease. The conversation flew easily, and it was almost like having three colleagues, not just two, sitting at the same table. Not only Mac, but Ellie as well, seemed to be well integrated in the team. –Are you sure you're not providing too much information to your daughter, Mac?-, Jo quipped, causing Ellie to roll her eyes. –Please! I need to know everything if I am to keep the house together. -, she retorted, placing a hosomaki into her mouth. –Wednesday night is Commander night, Friday night is board game or role-play game night, the weekend is laundry time… and any other time is workout time. Even the smallest deviation from the pattern could cause irreparable damage to the routine. -, she listed, causing Mac to look sheepishly at his superior.
-Speaking of which… we really need a lead in our role-play gaming nights. Adam and Sheldon are not efficient leaders, and Danny and Lindsay are not reliable in their presence. -, the young woman mused, looking speculatively at Jo. –Who, me? Please! I don't know the first thing about, err… role-play. -, Jo blushed prettily, shooting furtive glances to Mac. –You know, Ellie… you're absolutely right! It took you ages to complete what was supposed to be a one-shot. Sid's got the tendency to wander. -, the man mused, turning to Jo as well.
-Sid's in this as well?-, Jo gasped, surprised. Ellie burst out laughing. –Oh, yeah! And quite taken with it. He attends out Commander nights as well. -, she supplied readily. –Your place is a gambling house, Mac!-, Jo exclaimed, scandalized. Mac burst out laughing. –Not really. There's no money involved, mainly because I left Flack out of it. -, he quipped, causing Jo to grin. –Anyway, you can find out for yourself. Door's always open on Wednesday and Friday nights, starting from 8 p.m. A call would be appreciated, mainly because so we know how much food and drinks to provide. -, Mac concluded with a small smile.
Just then, Ellie's phone buzzed in her pocket. Upon checking the new message, she made a face. –Why can't he leave me alone?-, she moaned, causing her father to immediately snap to attention. –Who?-, he wondered. –Tim Porter. You know, the guy I told you about. He can't seem to decide whether we are friends or enemies. -, she explained with a sigh.
-Just friends?-, Jo butted in, eyebrow raised. Ellie rolled her eyes. –Who knows? I mean, most of the times I like the guy. He's chivalrous, funny and nerdy. Sometimes, though, it's like his brain short-circuits and he starts picking on me. It's grating on my nerves, really. I dropped the hint I'm single, but so far nothing's happened. -, she replied, summarizing the situation her father had seen evolving since her first days at NYU.
-Sometimes boys pick on girls to show them they're interested. -, Jo supplied. Ellie didn't look convinced. –I know that, but I have a funny feeling about him. Sometimes he's just too focused on… stuff. At any rate, I'm giving him until after Christmas. If nothing's happened by then, I'll start looking elsewhere. -, she replied with an air of finality about it.
-I checked his record, by the way. He doesn't have any, if that's any consolation. -, Mac piped up. His daughter snorted. –Of course he doesn't. Mr. Perfection has never broken a single rule in all his life. -, she commented sarcastically, while Jo shoved Mac's arm, indignantly crying his name.