Title: Each Day After Valentine's
Author: Radiorox
Summary: The day after Valentine's Mac begins to receive roses from a admirer.
Chapter 1 - White
It began on February 15th when a simple white rose appeared on her desk. The stem had been neatly cut and a few of the leaves remained along with the most perfect flower Mac had ever seen.
She stared at the rose for several long moments and finally plucked the bloom off her desk, instinctively bringing the flower to her nose. Mac took a sniff surprised at how fragrant it was although most of the petals were tightly closed.
Attached on a white string was a small, typewritten note etched across a card with no other discernible markings other than the words: 'White for hope and adoration.'
Mac turned the card over hoping to find a name, an initial, anything that would tell her who the flower was from but, there was none. She frowned and turned towards the bullpen hoping to find an answer. The morning hustle and bustle was in full swing, her eyes scanning for signs of a secret admirer only to come up empty.
She took a few steps towards her window, specifically the one which faced Harm's office. It was still dark and Mac felt her heart sink. "What are you thinking?" She admonished. It wouldn't be something he would do, especially not for her. With his good looks and charm, he certainly didn't need minute overtures of love to get a woman. Besides, they were friends, just friends although she longed for so much more.
She used a half empty bottle of water as a makeshift vase and placed it at the corner of her desk. Maybe this was a mistake delivered to her by accident? Valentine's Day had been the day prior and she's spent it with her two favorite men: Ben and Jerry. The holiday was stupid in her opinion, just a marketing ploy to sell flowers and greeting cards.
It wasn't until late morning when Harm passed by her office whistling some tune she wasn't familiar with. "Hey, do you have the McCabe file?" He noted the rose and motioned to it with his finger. "Decorating?"
"Secret admirer...I think." She said with a shrug and then handed him the file. "No idea who left it."
Harm leaned a hip against the corner of her desk and snatched the card she held out to him. "'White is for hope and adoration'...cute."
"Cute?"
"Yeah, cute. Any idea who your Don Juan is?" He motioned to the bullpen and scanned the area seemingly searching for the giver.
"Nope. Not a damn clue. Thoughts?"
He studied the card again and frowned. "No. But, I'll keep my ear to the ground for ya...Thanks, Mac...I'll get the file back to you by tomorrow." He placed the card at the corner of her desk and made a beeline for his own office.
Mac watched him leave. "Why can't it be you?" She whispered and then glanced back at the rose. Why indeed?