'Till Death Do We Part

A/N: Once again, thanks to all reviewers. You rock my world. Here's the new one.

Chapter 4: Dangerous Discoveries

This was going to be disastrous. Lisbon could tell.

Upon realizing that she only had ten minutes until Mac was supposed to pick her up, she'd hurriedly run into the shower, careful not to get her hair wet. After, she had applied the bare minimum of makeup that would conceal the dark bags under her eyes. Which, unfortunately, was a lot.

She'd then hurriedly thrown on a nicer pair of jeans and a lightly used T-shirt, hoping to whatever all-powerful being that was look down on her (and laughing) that Mac wasn't a five star restaurant kind of guy.

Now, Lisbon found herself wishing he'd just show up already so they could get it over with. People in Lisbon's position just weren't set up for lives outside the workplace. Maybe that was why Rigsby hadn't given most women a second glance before Van Pelt.

The sudden ringing of the doorbell knocked Lisbon out of her thoughts. Here we go, she thought wearily.

Lisbon had to force herself to get off the couch and walk over to the front door. It took even more effort to glance through the peephole and confirm that it was indeed Mac. Her stomach dropped to her feet.

Finally, she mustered up enough courage to plaster a smile on her face and open the door.

Mac was standing there, hands in his pockets, eyes on the ground, dressed in a similar ensemble: jeans and a dark T-shirt. He looked up as Lisbon opened the door.

"Hi," he greeted, looking a bit shy. "Uh... You look nice."

She tried to smile (and probably failed). "Thanks. You too."

"So, uh... Ready to go?" Mac asked.

Every cell in her body screamed, No! Don't do it! Even if it kills you! Don't! She was tempted to agree.

"Sure," Lisbon said weakly.

Mac smiled. "Great. My car's waiting in the parking lot. I've just got to drop my daughter at her babysitter's. Hope that's okay."

She had to spend more time with him? "Sure. That's fine."

Mac's smile grew. "Good. Come on."

Groaning inwardly, Lisbon turned to grab her bag.

If the mystical being in the sky hadn't been laughing before, it was now on the floor, tears streaming down its face and clutching its stomach.

The sound of a phone ringing broke the silence of the SUV as Don and Megan drove to find a hotel. It was too late to head back to LA, and they still had to question Mac Brownfield.

Don fumbled for a moment before flipping his phone open and answering it. "Eppes."

"Hey Don, it's me."

"Oh, hey David. Hang on a second, let me put you on speaker." He hit a button and then handed the phone to Megan, freeing up his hands so he could drive better.

"You and Colby get anything more from the girlfriend?" he asked.

"Yeah," David responded. "She didn't seem to know much, but I got the impression that she didn't like your guy much."

"Mac Brownfield?" Don asked.

"Yeah," the other agent replied. "She said he and the vic were having issues, fighting a lot."

Don nodded. "You guys get anything else?"

"No," David answered. "You?"

"Brownfield wasn't at home," Don said. "We're gonna grab a hotel room and check out where he works tomorrow, then head back to his place. We're not coming back 'till we find him."

"Right, Don."

"'Kay, talk to you later David." He nodded to Megan, who shut the phone.

They wandered around for a little longer before finally finding a hotel with vacancy. Don wondered what it was that had everyone in town tonight. Finally, though, he parked, and the two of them climbed out.

Grabbing their bags, the they headed inside. Don left his bag with Megan and went up to the front desk.

"Hi," he said. "I need a room, one night only. Two beds, if you can."

The man behind the counter winced. "Sorry," he said apologetically. "You're the third person who's asked about two beds. We've got one room left, and it's only got one bed."

Don let out a frustrated breath and glanced back at Megan. She raised an eyebrow. He sighed and turned back around.

"That's fine," he said. He could always sleep in a chair, or on the floor.

"Okay." The man hit a few buttons on the keyboard of the computer, and then handed Don the room key. "Have a nice stay."

"Thanks," Don said. He stalked back over to Megan.

She raised an eyebrow. "What'd he say?" she asked.

Don sighed. "The only room they have left only has one bed."

Megan rolled her eyes.

"What?" Don asked, frowning.

Megan shook her head. "Nothing. Nothing. Don't worry. Come on."

After they had dropped off the little girl at her babysitter's house, Lisbon's dread only grew. They drove for a while.

"Hope you're okay with burgers," Mac said finally.

"That's fine," Lisbon said, trying not to sound too bored.

"Good."

It was silent for a while after that, until Mac cursed. Lisbon looked away from the road.

"What?" she asked.

"Gotta get gas," Mac said. "Sorry."

"No it's okay," Lisbon said. "Don't worry about it."

Mac shrugged, but didn't say anything, just turned into a gas station.

Lisbon stayed in the car as Mac climbed out and grabbed a pump. As she stared at her hands laying limply in her lap, she noticed something white sticking out from underneath the seat.

Frowning, Lisbon tried to ignore it, but it was too distracting. She finally reached down and picked it up. Photo paper. Curiosity getting the better of her, she turned it over...

And froze.

Suddenly the door clicked open and Mac climbed in. Lisbon shoved the photo into her bag.

"Something wrong?" Mac asked, frowning.

Lisbon swallowed hard. "No. I'm fine."

Not.

A/N: Oooh, cliffhanger. Bet you can't guess what was in the picture. Anyone who does gets a virtual Mac voodoo doll. Hate him as much as you want! :) Review!

OH! Did anyone see Friday's episode of Numb3rs?!?!? DOOOON!!!

Off to take over the world,

Crazy Girl