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Israel - Chapter Ten

Mac walked along the sidewalk to the small bar he was becoming ever more familiar with. He still had a lot playing on his mind but right at that moment he felt rather contented and excited about the following day; his wedding day. Nothing had been heard from Andrew Bedford in the last month and Mac was beginning to relax and hope that the escapee had simply decided to get as far away from New York and America as possible, rather than seek out any vengeance. He still hadn't told Don about Sinclair's warning or about the fact that he'd told Sinclair he was giving up his job. He hadn't actually handed in a formal resignation yet; he wanted to stay on until Bedford was found but then after that he felt happy at the prospect of finally retiring and doing something more satisfying with his life.

Mac entered McTiers and glanced around, smiling at the decorations that were already up in the main bar. Lindsay and Jo had done a marvellous job of making the Irish bar look slightly more suitable to hold a wedding reception in and he exhaled in amusement as he thought of the argument Jo had had with Don, trying to convince him to change his mind on the venue. The lanky detective had not conceded. Mac was there to speak with the owner, Derry McTier, one last time and check everything was sorted before the wedding tomorrow. Don would have come but he'd been on the night shift and would only have just come off duty, most likely heading home to rest before the big day. Mac had naturally promised to work right up until the wedding day but only had to work a half day which meant he'd see Don later on, and he couldn't wait.

"Hello, Mac," welcomed the barman who was drying glasses behind the bar.

"Ralph. I've come to speak with Derry," Mac replied.

"He's out back," Ralph nodded.

"Thanks," Mac smiled and he entered through a doorway that led to a hallway housing the cellar, Derry's office, a private back room and a staffroom.

Lindsay relaxed back into the chair she was sat in, trying to make herself more comfortable in the late morning sun. She was eight months pregnant now and had got to the stage where she was simply looking forward to it being over and motherhood beginning for the second time. It was too ideal for words to have first a girl and now a boy and she smiled happily at the thought of welcoming the newest member of their family in only a month. Danny was more than excited about the prospect of having a son and Lindsay felt so happy that she was the one who had made his dreams come true. She was truly a lucky woman. She smiled as her companion came towards her carrying a tray of two steaming hot beverages and two pastries.

"Here we are," smiled Adam as he set the tray down on the table and began sorting the items. "Decaff tea and cinnamon whirl for you, coffee and apple danish for me."

"You never change," Lindsay laughed as she watched him look excitedly at his pastry.

"Why change when you already know what is best?" Adam smiled, tucking into the apple danish. "So how's maternity leave?" he asked.

"Relaxing," Lindsay sighed though she still looked a tiny bit sad.

"Sorry," Adam mumbled awkwardly.

"No, it's fine. I'm doing the right thing for my family. I'm just gonna miss you guys all so much. Has Mac found a replacement for me yet?"

Adam nodded in confirmation. "Yeah, her name is Kate Lucas, a New Yorker. She started two days ago."

"What's she like?" Lindsay asked as she sipped her tea.

"Kinda like Flack but female and a ton cleverer."

Lindsay giggled loudly. "You can't say that, Adam!"

"Kinda just did, Linds," Adam smiled, then suddenly his face went serious. "Umm, he's not behind me is he?"

"No!" laughed Lindsay.

"Oh, cos that did happen to me this one time. I was talking about Mac and then he came up behind me and..." Adam trailed off as he realised Lindsay had probably heard the story.

"Danny told me," she nodded.

"Right," Adam said nervously.

He liked Lindsay a lot, she was his best friend in the lab and he was sad to see her go, even if he understood her reasons. She'd been gone an entire week now and it had felt like the longest week he'd ever worked there and definitely not as much fun. He sighed and looked around them. They were sat outside a cafe they went to often and the bright sun shone down warming them. The hustle and bustle of the street passed them by on the other side of the few planters that made a wall between the sidewalk and the cafe but they barely heard them. It was a lovely morning, a relaxing morning and Adam was pleased that Lindsay seemed okay.

"Have you decided on a name yet?" he asked.

"No. We're going to decide when the baby comes. Sometimes it kinda just pops into you head the moment you see their face."

"But you get the final say," Adam grinned knowingly.

"Of course" Lindsay confirmed. "Danny wanted all these terrible Italian names; I had to put my foot down there."

"Yeah, he told me you conned him into believing you wanted to call the baby Sheldon."

Lindsay laughed her head off in glee. "He really believed me!"

"You know it took his parents six weeks to come up with that name."

Lindsay shook her head. "Poor Hawkes."

"What about Mac? I mean he is Lucy's godfather, and like a Dad to Danny," Adam mused.

"Yeah, but he might want to use his name if he has his own kids. Anyway, Flack is going to be this baby's godfather."

"Oh, you asked him did you?" Adam smiled.

"Yeah, Danny did. Their like brother so it just felt right. Especially with him and Mac getting married," Lindsay replied as she cut up her swirl and then chose a piece to eat. "You think they will have kids?"

"I dunno," Adam shrugged. "I guess Mac is a bit old. But Flack told me once he'd love to be a dad."

"Really?" Lindsay asked interestedly. "You never told me that!"

"Sorry," Adam mumbled. "It was a long time ago, back when he was with Jess. We used to play a lot of playstation together. He said he'd like to have a son."

"Guess he thought his life would turn out differently back then."

"Think we all did," Adam mused. "I mean, did you ever really see yourself marrying Danny Messer when you first met him?"

Lindsay smiled and tilted her head to one side as she thought about the very first time she had met her husband. "He was cute," she reminisced. "But I kinda wanted to slap him," she laughed.

Adam chuckled at her.

"What about you?" she asked him.

"I never in a million years thought a woman as beautiful as Michelle would fall for me. I know how lucky I am," he said, smiling shyly.

"Is that wedding bells I hear?" Lindsay suggested.

Adam laughed nervously. "Not yet I don't think. We have to get through Mac and Flack's first."

"I still can't believe that's tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to it," Lindsay sighed. "It'll be nice to see everyone, even if it has only been a week."

"You'll get used to it," Adam said softly, gently patting her arm across the table.

"Thanks, Adam," she murmured. "Oh...the baby's kicking!" she gasped, holding her stomach.

"Wow, can I feel?" Adam asked, then he suddenly blushed. "Actually, don't worry. I think I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Lindsay said, laughing at his embarrassment.

"No, yeah, I'm sure," Adam mumbled.

Lindsay chuckled at him. His timid manner always made her laugh so much. "I think I'm just going to pop to the toilet, that tea went straight through me," she said getting up carefully.

"Way too much info, Linds," Adam muttered as he watched her make her way between the tables with difficulty and laughed.

Mac strolled down the hallway of McTiers when the sound of someone tickling the ivories came to him and he paused for a moment, letting the dream-like music swirl around him, warming his soul and letting him have a very rare moment of true peace. He vaguely recognised the piece; it was so beautiful, so melodious and Mac couldn't help but feel that happiness inside him leap about and start dancing. Yes, he did recognise it, 'Comptine d'un Autre Été' he thought it was called, from that French film he'd seen a little over a month after Claire passed. He hadn't meant to, he'd been wandering the streets of New York as if he'd been a lost tourist. No plans, nowhere to go, just wandering, wandering and watching. He'd come across a tiny theatre in a part of the city he'd not been to before, in a street he no longer remembered the name of. They'd been showing it, Amelie. Yes, the film was Amelie, a love story. Claire would have liked it; he remembered thinking that at the time. He'd forgotten about that whole experience until now, hearing the music. Perhaps that's why he felt so inspired? Mac smiled as he thought of Claire. She'd be happy he was happy, that inside he was dancing with joy at the prospect of being married again. The piece finally ended, it wasn't long; only two minutes, and Mac shook his head, bringing himself out of his thoughts. He walked on towards the room the music had come from and just as he reached out for the door handle it started up again and Mac felt himself melt all over again. He wished Don was there with him too to enjoy it, even if he had said he disliked Classical music, he liked the ballet and that was similar. Mac opened the door and walked in. He nearly died a death right there and then.

Don was playing the piano. His hands moved effortlessly over the keys with the complete ease of a professional. The fluidity of the movement intoxicating and Mac watched in awe for a moment. Don hadn't seen him, so concentrated on the music as he was. Mac smiled and approached quietly, entranced by the grace of his lover's posture and absorption in his playing. Mac didn't want to startle the younger man, he didn't want to ruin the piece but he longed to reach out and touch him. He waited patiently, smiling and swaying gently to the tune. Don finally came to the end and paused, his fingers still lingering on the keys. He sighed and then released them, sitting back on the stool and blinking. Slowly, Mac reached out and gently touched Don's shoulder. He didn't even jump. Mac's smile widened and he leant down, wrapping his arms around the younger man and kissing the top of his head.

"That was beautiful."

Don leant back into his embrace.

"How long were you there?"

"A while."

Don turned on the stool and placed a brief kiss to Mac's lips.

"Why did I never know about this?" Mac asked.

Don shrugged and stretched out his arms, cracking his knuckles, trying to be casual about being caught by Mac.

"It's not really who I am."

Mac watched the younger man in interest. He'd known Don Flack for many years now. He knew how he loved being a cop, that his life's aim was to make detective and prove to everyone he could hold his own. It was in his blood to fight for justice and bring the criminals of the city to trial. He also loved sports, it didn't even matter if it wasn't one he followed or he didn't know the rules. Mac had watched Don sit through an entire match of cricket, not really understanding what was happening but enjoying it all the same...and cricket went on for days. That had been a long week indeed, Mac smirked. Don also liked playing sports, hanging out with his mates, drinking in bars with them, playing xbox and even going to see a rare movie when he had time. Mac had never known Don to be particularly cultured until the revelation that he liked reading Classic novels and enjoyed the ballet. But still, apart from those two things Don never seemed interested in history or arts, theatre or music. In fact, the only creative thing Mac had ever known Don to actually physically do was to sing in the shower, and Mac had a sneaky suspicion that the younger detective loved to sing. Mac thought he knew everything about his fiancé but never, not even for a moment, had he ever entertained the idea that Don could play the piano, let alone as beautifully and enchantingly as he just had.

"I think it's exactly who you are," Mac smiled.

Don rubbed his hands over his thighs awkwardly and then looked up at Mac's smiling face. He seemed anxious.

"What do you mean?"

Mac took hold of one of Don's hands to stop him fidgeting with them as he so often did.

"I think you just love to play the tough detective. Witty, sarcastic, often charming but hard as nails. I think that anything creative or remotely beautiful like this you try to hide from everyone so you don't ruin that image."

Don blushed and looked down at his hand held in Mac's.

"It's not true. I haven't played in years."

"It is true. And I love this about you," Mac smiled.

"I'm not very good," Don shrugged.

"On the contrary, you're excellent. When did you learn?"

Don looked back up at him sadly. "My brother taught me."

Mac's smile faded somewhat and he watched his partner with interest. Don never spoke of his brother.

"Your brother taught you to play piano?"

Don nodded in confirmation. "While we were at school. I was terrible at music class. He helped me out so I wouldn't get bad grades."

Mac narrowed his eyes as he watched his lover in concern.

"You play beautifully, Don."

Don shrugged again. "It's not really me."

Mac sighed and wrapped his arms around the younger detective, standing between his legs and holding his head to his body.

"I love every part of you, Don. Even the parts you don't like. And I love that you can play the piano. And I love it's now our little secret. One of the things I know about you that no-one else does."

Don hugged him back and sighed in what Mac deemed as a happy tone.

"You won't tell anyone?"

Mac chuckled. "Not if you don't want me to. And only if you promise to play for me sometimes."

Don stood up and kissed Mac gently. "I promise."

"Good. Now where's Derry?"

Don smiled. "I've already spoken to him. Everything's sorted."

"Mmm," Mac sighed happily and hugged Don closer.

Don yawned tiredly and rested himself against Mac's strong body.

"You need to go home and get some sleep," Mac murmured.

"Don't want to move," Don mumbled.

Mac smiled and pushed Don off him and they made their way back out to the street, nodding to the barman as they left. Mac hailed a cab to take Don back to their apartment, concerned that the detective was too tired to take the subway.

"I need to get back to work, check everything is sorted before tomorrow," Mac commented still hesitant to leave.

"I'll see you later then," Don replied and leant down to kiss Mac, his lips lingered on the older man's and he felt Mac once more pulling him close. The kiss deepened, both men feeling something akin to love surge through their veins.

"I'm so excited about tomorrow," Mac murmured as they reluctantly broke apart and stared at each other. "I love you so much, Don."

"Me too," Don replied as he opened the cab door. "I can't wait to be your husband, Mac Taylor."

Mac smiled as he watched Don get into the cab and the vehicle pull away from he curb, taking his lover home. How he hoped the next twenty-four hours would speed by.

"So, Mr Messer, are you scared?" Jo asked, smiling knowingly at Danny from across her desk.

Danny frowned as he looked up from his computer. "Scared? What about?"

"A second child," Jo laughed. "And a boy."

Danny frowned even more, completely not understanding what she meant.

"Should I be?"

"Well I would be," Jo teased. "I mean, I thought Tyler was hard but then when I got Ellie, boy did that blow it all out of the water. Having two kids is difficult."

"This isn't working," Danny said shaking his head in amusement.

"And well I guess compared to Tyler, Ellie was pretty simple in some ways. I mean, Tyler was a boy and, Dear Lord, if boys aren't ten times worse than girls!" Jo grinned.

"Still not working," Danny sung as he went back to his work, typing on the keyboard.

"And when you put both together in one; a second child and a boy, well then you're sure in for some trouble."

Danny sighed and looked back over at Jo who had a huge smiled across her face.

"Doesn't matter," he shrugged. "Doesn't matter how difficult this kid might be cos he's a boy or cos he's the second one cos I got something you never had, my secret weapon."

"Oh," Jo asked. "And what might that be?"

"My wife," Danny grinned as his phone started ringing. "Excuse me."

He answered it as Mac appeared in the doorway.

"Mac, how was your lunch date?" Jo asked conversationally.

"Perfect," Mac smiled in memory.

Jo arched an eyebrow at him, he seemed different.

"Mac Taylor, what's got a hold of you today then?" she laughed.

"Wouldn't you like to know," he replied mysteriously.

"I think I could hazard a guess," Jo said knowingly. "How is Don?"

Mac looked slightly embarrassed and Jo chuckled to herself.

"Don's fine. Looking forward to tomorrow."

"As we all are, most of all you I'd imagine."

Danny grinned at them as he hung up his phone. "Why Mac, is that a little blush I see there?" he teased.

"Danny," Mac said sternly.

"And that's a yes," laughed Jo.

"If you two are finished," Mac said exasperatedly while the other two CSIs chuckled.

"Yeah. I gotta get going anyway. That was Lovato, got a scene over in the park."

"Oh the joys," Jo sighed.

"My thoughts exactly," Danny agreed. "I'll catch you guys later."

"See you," Jo smiled as he left the room with his kit.

"Take care, Danny," Mac nodded at him as he passed him by.

"Always do," chuckled the younger CSI.

"He seems happy," Jo remarked as they watched him go.

"I think he and Lindsay are finally starting to get used to all the changes in their lives and looking forward to this new baby," Mac replied as he came into the office and sat down in Danny's vacated seat.

"I do hope so," Jo said in concern.

"They'll be okay, and they have all of us around them if they need us," Mac said sincerely.

Jo nodded in agreement and then turned her head to look at him. "And what's up with you, Mac Taylor?"

"What do you mean?" Mac frowned.

"Your wedding," Jo smiled. "Tomorrow?"

"Oh," Mac laughed. "Can't wait."

"And have you told him yet?" Jo asked seriously.

Mac watched her for a moment. "I haven't found the right time."

Jo tutted at him. "Mac Taylor, you tell that boy what Sinclair said or I will. He deserves to know."

"I know," Mac sighed. "I just want to wait until after tomorrow. It'll ruin the day if I say anything now and we certainly don't need anything else fighting against us."

Jo smiled at him sympathetically. "And you're happy, Mac? Because that's all that matters when it comes down to it in this life."

Mac smiled at her. "I never felt so happy in my entire life, and that's the honest truth."

Jo nodded her head and felt pleased that her two friends were finally taking this step on with their lives. "I'm glad to hear that."

"It was always so simple, Jo. And I have no idea how it ended up being one of the most complicated, up and down relationships I have ever experienced. I love him. Plain and simple. And always have," Mac said quietly.

"Then you take tomorrow by the horns and you make sure it's the best god damn day of your life," Jo said excitedly. "And I'll make sure it's some shindig that you won't ever forget."

"Oh dear," Mac muttered quietly as he watched her bouncing in her seat enthusiastically.

Adam finished off his danish and then drained the last of his coffee. He loved it when he had a day off and he had tomorrow off as well for the wedding, although that did mean he'd have to work the day after it, possibly with a slight hangover. The others had all been sensible enough to book off the day of the wedding and the day after to get round that but he'd been too slow and had found he'd have to work by the time he realised. Still, it was nice having coffee with Lindsay and he appreciated the nice weather for once. He sighed as he stared at her cut up swirl and then turned round towards the entrance to the cafe's interior. Lindsay had been gone a long time, though he supposed pregnant women did take longer in the bathroom.

"Excuse me, can I get the bill," he asked a passing waiter who nodded and then disappeared inside.

Adam hummed as he waited patiently in the warm sum. Lindsay had been right, he and Michelle were getting serious and he had considered what their future might be together. He was nowhere near proposing, but the idea had briefly passed through his mind a few times. He thought of Lindsay and Danny, of the happy family they had and he knew he wanted that, just not quite yet, perhaps in a few years.

"Your bill, Sir," the waiter said, interrupting his thoughts as he placed it down on the table.

"Oh," Adam squeaked. "Do you accept cards?"

"Yes, we do but I'll need you to come inside to use the machine," the waited replied politely.

"Sure," Adam nodded as he got up and followed the waiter into the cafe.

It was difficult to get through the people and tables crowded inside and he tried his best to keep up with the waiter squashing past everyone.

"I don't know, I've been waiting to go for ten minutes. Come on, we can use the ones at work," he heard a female next to him say to her friend and then they started to push their way out of the cafe.

Adam frowned in confusion and then looked round at the toilets. He was suddenly aware that the people crowding inside were in some sort of panic. Something had happened and he could hear the faintest sounds of a siren approaching. All of a sudden he started to get a terrible feeling in the pit of his stomach and began to push his way over to the toilets.

"Sir, if you could just stand back," yelled a concerned looking man at him who Adam was certain was the manager.

"But I'm looking for my fri..." Adam trailed off and stared in horror as the door to the toilet was pushed open by another member of staff exiting in a panic and he saw a figure collapsed on the floor.

"Lindsay!" Adam screamed as he pushed his way past the manager and rushed to the fallen woman's side.

She lay unconscious on the floor of the toilet surrounded by a pool of dark red blood that seemed to be ever growing.

"Lindsay!" Adam screamed again as he pressed his fingers to her neck, only finding the faintest of pulses. He looked round desperately trying to find the source of all the blood.

"Lindsay please!"

Mac hummed happily as he filed his last piece of paperwork away and switched off his computer. The day had gone well with no new cases cropping up apart from Danny's but Mac new the spiky haired CSI could handle it perfectly well with Jo's supervision and that he wasn't going to be needed for the next week. Not that he and Don had any plans for after their wedding, they'd decided against any type of typical honeymoon in favour of saving their money to buy their own place together. However they'd both still booked a week off work to simply spend some time with each other that didn't involve dead bodies or psychopathic criminals. Mac was very much looking forward to this time with Don as they had never spent a week off together in the whole time they'd known each other and as a surprise he'd bought tickets to see Romeo and Juliet by the New York City Ballet. He hoped that the mix of Shakespeare and ballet would be a wonderful present to Don to begin their married life with.

"You off, Mac?" Jo called to him as he made his way to the elevators.

"I certainly am," Mac smiled.

"Well good luck for tomorrow then and you tell that boy of yours good luck from me too," she laughed.

"I will, and thank you, Jo," Mac nodded. He stepped into the elevator as it arrived and waved her goodbye. As he exited on the ground level he saw the sun shining in from outside and made his way out of the building and into its warmth.

"Oh, Mac!" someone shouted behind him and he turned to see Sid quickly making his way over to him.

"Sid," Mac said in amusement at the older M.E. running.

"I just wanted to wish you all the best for tomorrow in case I don't see you beforehand," Sid said excitedly.

"That's kind, Sid. I appreciate that," Mac nodded.

"I'll see you tomorrow then," Sid said, looking pleased that he'd managed to catch Mac before he left.

"See you then," Mac replied and then he turned from the doctor and made his way up the street.

He sighed as he felt the sun's warm rays on his face and took out his sunglasses to protect his eyes. He was suddenly aware of a black car drawing up beside him and was immediately on guard.

"Mac!"

Mac turned to see Hawkes leaning out of the window.

"Hawkes," Mac frowned.

"I just saw you as I was going past. Tell Flack good luck from me," Hawkes shouted.

"I certainly will," Mac chuckled.

"And good luck to you too, I'm looking forward to it," Hawkes laughed.

"So am I," Mac shouted and then he turned back to the street and went on his way.

Once more his feelings of contentment and excitement from earlier in the day returned to him and he let out a sigh. It was true, he absolutely could not wait for the next day to come, the day when he would finally get to marry Don, to tell the world that the handsome young man was his and his alone and he was proud of that. Everything was ready, everything was set up and all he had to do was turn up with Don at City Hall at 11am the next day and within twenty minutes they would be married. Both he and Don had had their bachelor parties the week before, though Don had looked much more the worse for wear afterwards than he had himself. He could only imagine the type of things Danny and the others had got Don into when they'd taken him out. His own one had been a slightly more sedate affair, although Danny had still tried to force him into a lap dancing club. Mac chuckled at the younger man's antics. He loved Danny, he really did and he was so excited for him to become a father for the second time. He let his thoughts drift back to Don as he thought of the one person he did truly and utterly love. He smiled as he thought what Don would be getting up to now. He'd have got home after being at McTiers and showered and changed, Don hated going to bed still covered in the grime and sweat from the day and was obsessed with stinking of corpses if he'd been at a scene. Mac thought that was funny. Then Don would have slept for a few hours, he might even still be asleep right at that moment but Mac decided to give him a call anyway. He turned into a quiet park that he liked to stroll through if he was walking home as he pressed one on his speedial and held the phone to his ear smiling and waiting for Don's sleepy voice. The sickening crack of the back of his head as something large and heavy struck against it had him stumbling forward onto the ground.

"Noooo..." he gasped in a panic as he grappled uselessly, trying to right himself.

He felt another blow to his head, heard the sickening crunch of his skull as the hard material struck it and he fell flat.

"No, please..." he pleaded, desperation gnawing at his soul. This couldn't happen now, not today, not when he was less than twenty-four hours away from marrying Don.

His vision started to blur as he shifted his eyes skyward and saw a dark shape loom over him.

Then the world went black.

A/N – No flashbacks :(