Chapter 19: Red Light, Green Light
. . .
When they passed Columbus it was already after noon and Mac knew very well that soon Jo would start to complain that she was hungry. Before it happened, he suggested that they take the next exit and leave the freeway in order to find some nice place to eat in one of the towns they were passing by. Jo of course agreed instantly. So they left the freeway and drove slowly through some small town, looking for a restaurant.
''This one looks nice.'' Jo said suddenly and pointed to her left.
''Mhm.'' Mac agreed with a murmur. She pulled over and they got out of the car. ''Go inside and choose a table. I'm just going to grab a newspaper from the stand across the street.'' He told Jo and she smiled at him.
''OK.'' She nodded.
''I'll be right back.'' He added and walked away.
Jo entered the restaurant and looked around.
''Hello.'' The waitress greeted her.
''Hello.'' Jo answered.
''Table for one?''
''For two.'' She answered. She spotted a nice table in the corner. It looked quite cozy and private, with a view of the street. ''Could it be this one?'' She asked, pointing at the table she had chosen.
''Of course.'' The waitress agreed and Jo walked towards it. She took off her jacket and hung it on the back of the chair. In no time the waitress came back with two menus and gave one to Jo.
Jo looked out through the window, looking for Mac, but she couldn't see him anywhere. She sighed and opened the menu. Almost everything looked good and she knew instantly that it would take her ages to decide what she wanted.
She was going through the desserts when she heard a squeal of tires, a loud thud and then the sound of shattering glass. She turned around and looked out at the street. All the people had stopped and they were looking in one direction. She put the menu down and rushed outside. She scanned the opposite side of the road for Mac, but she couldn't see him anywhere. She quickly walked towards the pedestrian crossing where the small crowd had already gathered. As she did, she caught random up snatches of conversations.
''The car didn't stop at the red light...''
''Yeah, it was green for pedestrians...''
''A man got hit by a car...''
Suddenly, she felt like everything around her was moving in slow motion. She felt a tight knot forming in her stomach and her heart picked up a frantic pace. She tried to make her way through the crowd, quietly murmuring 'excuse me' over and over again. Finally she caught a glimpse of the man lying motionless on the ground, face down. His limbs were twisted unnaturally and there was a pool of blood gathering around his head.
''Oh no...'' Jo whispered in terror, lifting her hand to cover her mouth. Golden dots started to dance in front of her eyes. She knew she needed to check on the man, to help him, but she couldn't. She blinked a few times, as suddenly everything went blurry. Even though the din around her was getting louder and louder, all she could hear was the thudding of her own heart. She felt dizzy and close to fainting. Finally, she took a shaky breath and forced herself to take a small step forward. But before she got a chance to get a better look, someone caught her arm and pulled her back.
''Jo, what are you doing?'' A familiar low voice rang in her ears and she turned around to face Mac.
He wanted to make some silly comment on her behavior, but when he saw her face his smile instantly disappeared.
''Oh dear God...'' She whispered in shock, looking at him as if he was a ghost. She brought her hand to his face, like she wanted to check if he was real. ''I thought...'' She stumbled over her words and he pulled her closer to himself as he immediately understood what it was all about. She threw her arms around him and clung on to him.
''Hey, it's OK.'' Mac told her soothingly as he could feel how badly she was shaking and how her heart was thumping in her chest. ''I'm OK. I didn't even cross the street as I saw the news stand on this side.'' He explained. ''Jo... darling... calm down.'' He added and placed his hand on the back of her head. He slightly turned them around and glanced at the crowd, trying to see if anyone had called 911. As he did, he heard the siren of an ambulance which screeched to a halt in the middle of the street only seconds later.
Jo pulled away and Mac looked down at her.
''Are you alright?'' He asked tenderly.
''Yeah... I am.'' Jo nodded and moved away from him, leaving him no choice, but to let go of her. She took a deep breath and wiped away a single tear that was rolling down her cheek. Then she wrapped her arms around herself in a poor attempt at stopping herself from shaking. He couldn't fight the impression that she looked like a little girl, terrified and really shaken up. He barely kept himself from pulling her back into his arms.
''Where is your jacket?'' He asked instead.
''I left it in the restaurant.'' She answered after a long pause.
''So lets go there. We'll eat something, hmm?'' He offered and put his arm around her shoulders, guiding her through the crowd. They started to walk slowly towards the restaurant, but Jo stopped suddenly.
''To be honest, I'm not hungry anymore.'' She said. ''Can we just keep driving?''
''Are you sure?'' Mac asked, being really surprised.
''Yeah.'' She nodded.
''OK.'' He agreed, studying her. ''I'll pick up your jacket.'' He said and went inside the restaurant. He was back in a flash. He handed Jo her jacket. As she was taking it, he noticed how badly her hands were still shaking. ''Do you want me to drive?'' He asked.
''If you don't mind?'' She answered instantly, looking at him pleadingly.
''Not at all.'' He said and held the door open for her. Then he got in the car. Only then she noticed his smile. ''What?'' She asked slightly virulently. ''It's not funny, you know.'' She mumbled as she turned around to grab the seat belt.
''I know.'' Mac agreed. ''But at least I know you like me... a little bit.'' He told her softly with a slight hint of shyness.
''Yeah... a little bit.'' Jo murmured without looking at him.
During the last two hours of the ride Jo was unusually quiet. Every now and then Mac tried to make conversation, dropping some remarks or silly comments, but she replied only in monosyllables. Then she leaned against the window and closed her eyes, although Mac got the feeling she wasn't really sleeping.
She needed a quiet moment alone, as what had happened brought terrifying memories of the night when Mac got shot. She had never felt so hopeless in her life. And she had truly hated the feeling. She had been going out of her mind during those long hours when the doctor fought for his life. She wanted to do something. Anything. But there was nothing she could do and it made her feel like banging her head against the wall.
That night she had realized that Mac was really important to her and it would hit her hard if she lost him. Much harder than losing one of her friends. But she had also been aware that she had no right to feel like this. Not about the man who had belonged to another woman. That was the reason why she had left the hospital after she found out that the surgery was successful and that Mac's life was no longer in danger. It was Christine's place beside his bed, not hers.
But now everything had changed. Everything was different. Mac was no longer with Christine. She could have dreamed about him once more. It would be so natural – spending days and nights together, every day. Getting to know each other even better. Getting accustomed to each other to the point when she felt almost physical pain when he was away. It would be so easy. Normally. But in this case, during that dreadful night at the hospital, she had killed all those dreams, because she knew they could bring her only pain. And now she wasn't at all sure if it was possible to bring them back to life. She felt like she was stuck in the middle of nowhere, even though she knew where she was heading and she knew her way there. But there was still some force that kept her back, didn't allow her to enjoy the journey and, at the end, didn't allow her to reach her goal as well.
. . .
Slightly after 2 p.m. Mac pulled over in front of the hotel where Sheldon and Camille's wedding was going to take place and where they were supposed to spend the night.
Jo got up from the car and opened the trunk, but before she could pull her bag out, Mac stopped her.
''I'll take it.'' He said and she nodded. He took their bags and two garment bags and Jo held the door of the hotel for him. There was a lady at the reception desk, talking to the receptionist, so they stood behind her and waited.
''I'll go to the bathroom.'' Jo told Mac and without waiting for his answer she walked away.
Fortunately the lady in front of Mac didn't take long.
''Hello. We're here for Sheldon Hawkes and Camille Jonrdanson's wedding.'' He told the receptionist. She smiled and checked some papers.
''Mr and Mrs Taylor?'' She asked. ''You're the last ones.'' She added and smiled again.
''Umm...'' Mac made a sound. His first impulse was to correct her, but then he realized how much time had passed since anyone used this expression while addressing him. He had to admit that he missed those times when there had been a 'Mrs Taylor' by his side. Even though Claire had decided to still use her maiden name after getting married, she didn't mind being called 'Mrs Taylor'. Jo, on the other hand... He wasn't sure if she would find it amusing. ''It's Mac Taylor and Jo Danville.'' He corrected.
''I'm terribly sorry. It was the bride who gave us the list of all the guests.'' The receptionist explained.
''It's OK.'' Mac murmured, being glad that Jo wasn't able to hear it.
''So... Those are the keys for your suite. 26C, on the second floor.'' She said and gave Mac two key cards.
''Erm... one suite?'' Mac asked.
''Well... yes.'' The receptionist confirmed. Then she looked at Jo, who had just showed up by Mac's side.
''Is something wrong?'' Jo asked.
''We got one room.'' Mac explained to her.
''A suite.'' The receptionist corrected, but Mac ignored her.
''Apparently Camille assumed that... it would be right for us.'' He said and Jo rolled her eyes.
''We really should make it clear that we're not together.'' She sighed and glanced at the receptionist, who had an expression of complete bafflement written all over her face. ''Anyway, could you please change it for two single rooms?'' She asked.
''Umm, yes, with pleasure... But the problem is that we're fully booked and you arrived as the last ones, so...'' The receptionist said and spread her arms hopelessly.
''No worries. We'll be OK.'' Mac assured her and took the key cards. He turned around and almost bumped into Jo, who hadn't moved even an inch. ''Or... we won't?'' He asked with sudden hesitation. She didn't say anything, only sighed, took one of the key cards and headed for the elevators.
''We sleep in the same room anyway.'' He noted when he caught up with Jo and she sent him a look.
''You really should talk to Sheldon and Camille and explain to them that we're not a couple.'' Jo said.
''Why me?'' Mac asked.
''Because you're the boss.''
''But it's you who is bothered by them thinking so.'' Mac observed.
''And you aren't?'' Jo retorted.
''Well... I can ask Sid and Adam to switch with us.'' He offered, but Jo only looked at him, amused. ''Unless Adam came with one of his girlfriends...'' He added.
''He did. With Michelle.'' Jo told him, getting into the elevator.
''Oh... So maybe Flack and Lavato?'' Mac said and Jo chuckled.
''Yeah, switching one suite for another.'' She commented and moved closer to the mirror.
''Huh? You mean... They're together?'' Mac asked with a frown.
''Mac, pleeeaseee.'' Jo moaned. ''Haven't you seen how they look at each other?'' She asked, glancing at Mac through the mirror. '' They have been dating for 4 months now.'' She added.
''That's interesting...'' Mac murmured. He watched how Jo placed her hand below her eye and studied her dark circles.
''God, I look like a zombie...'' She sighed. He wasn't sure how to respond to it, as it was obvious it was one of those remarks that shouldn't be confirmed. But then, expressing a different opinion than a woman was always a risky thing to do. So he just decided to keep quiet until they reached the second floor. They quickly found their suite and Jo used her key card to open the door.
''Actually it's not that bad.'' She said. He looked around and saw a spacious sitting room, with a comfy couch.
''I can take the couch.'' He said.
''Don't be silly!'' Jo told him from the bedroom. ''The bed is hu-u-umongous, as Ellie would say.'' She said, coming back to the sitting room. ''Also, I don't plan on getting much sleep tonight. I want to have fun.'' She added.
''Oh.'' Mac said and smirked.
''At the reception.'' Jo specified. ''Don't get any ideas.'' She added and playfully poked Mac's side at the same time. He looked at her and smiled, seeing that she had regained her good mood.
''Do you maybe want to eat something quick?'' He asked.
''Umm...'' Jo hesitated as she checked her watch. ''To be honest I was planning on relaxing myself at the hotel SPA. Have my hair done... Stuff like that.''
''OK.'' Mac nodded.
''So... We'll meet at the ceremony?'' Jo asked, walking towards the door.
''I guess.'' Mac answered, forcing a smile.
''OK, so see you there.'' Jo told him and left the suite. Only then Mac slid onto the couch. He rubbed his eyes and for a moment he considered taking a short nap. But then, he wasn't really that tired.
He decided to head for the hotel restaurant, which turned out to be a brilliant idea as he easily found Don and Danny there.
''We thought you weren't gonna make it, boss!'' Danny greeted him.
''We almost didn't.'' Mac told him, sitting down at their table.
''So what did you do to force Jo to get up so early?'' Don asked in a joking tone. ''By the way, where is she? I can't believe she's missing the opportunity to eat.'' He added and the three of them laughed.
''She went to the SPA.'' Mac explained.
''All women are the same.'' Danny sighed. ''Lindsay got stuck in there for half of the day.''
''And how is Jamie doing, Don?'' Mac asked innocently, reaching for the menu.
Danny and Don exchanged the looks and Don cleared his throat.
''You know about... me and Jamie?'' He asked and Mac raised his eyebrow at him.
''I bet Jo told him.'' Danny said to Don, loud enough for Mac to hear it.
''Are you OK with it?'' Don asked, looking at Mac hesitantly.
''And if I'm not?'' Mac asked in a serious tone.
''Well... I guess...'' Don stumbled over his words.
''Relax. I'm totally fine with it.'' Mac told him and smiled lightly.
''Geeez, you got me there for a moment.'' Don laughed nervously. ''I thought that you'd give me a lecture about how bad is it to mix a job with a private life, or something like this.''
''Me?'' Mac asked and made a face. ''If anybody should do that, it would be Danny.'' He said and they all laughed again.
''But seriously, Mac. You know how it is.'' Danny started. ''Our job is as it is and I don't think it's possible for someone who isn't into it to understand how important it is for us.''
''I agree.'' Flack nodded.
''That's true.'' Mac confirmed.
When the waitress showed up, Mac ordered some pasta for himself while the guys ordered one each beer for themselves.
''So, since we're talking about relationships...'' Danny started. ''Are you and Jo... together?'' He asked. Mac placed his fork down and looked at Danny, raising his eyebrow at him. ''I mean... there are some rumors in the lab and we all know that you live together...'' He threw a glance at Don, who understood in a flash and decided to help him.
''Not to mention that Jo is really attractive. And she's so much fun to hang out with.'' Don added. ''Mac, you have to admit – she's one hell of a woman.''
''She is.'' Mac agreed and he saw how the guys froze in anticipation of finding out that their two bosses are actually a couple. ''But no, we're not together.'' He said. ''By the way, you can also tell this to Sheldon and Camille. As it seems they're convinced that we are.'' He added. Before either Danny or Don managed to make any comment on that, Adam showed up at the table.
''Hi, buddies! Sorry I'm late, but Michelle just couldn't get enough...'' He suddenly broke off as he noticed Mac. ''Oh, hi there, boss...'' He added in a quiet voice. ''So... What's going on?'' He asked as he sat down.
''We just talked about Mac and Jo.'' Danny told him.
''Whaaat? I can't believe that our boss finally decided to come clean and reveal the hot romance he's been having with his second in command!'' He exclaimed happily. ''Good for you, M.T.'' He added and patted Mac's back. ''What?'' He asked, utterly confused, as Mac didn't say anything, only gave him the look that had always scared the hell out of him. At the same time Danny placed his hand flat across his face.
''You're so freaking dead... buddy.'' Don chuckled.
. . .
Half past 4 p.m. Mac got back to his suite. He thought Jo would be there already, getting ready, but the suite was empty. He went to the bathroom and took a shower. Then he put his tux on and in less than 15 minutes he was ready to go. When he entered the sitting room he saw Jo in front of the big mirror, fussing with her silver necklace.
''Hey.'' He said to her and she visibly shuddered.
''Gosh, you scared me.'' She admitted, turning around and still fighting with the clasp. ''I didn't know you were here.''
''Need some help?'' He asked.
''Yeah... I want it to be shorter, but I can't unclasp it.'' She admitted.
''Here, let me help you.'' Mac said and moved closer to her. Despite what she had said earlier, her hair was tied up into a bun, showing off her neck and shoulders. He moved closer to her and stood behind her. He carefully took the clasp in his hand and opened it. ''How long do you want it to be?'' He asked, looking at the necklace in the mirror.
''A little higher...'' Jo said. She felt how his fingers gently brushed against the back of her neck and she closed her eyes for a brief moment. She could feel all those little hairs on the back of her neck standing up and she briefly wondered if Mac was able to notice it.
''Like this?'' Mac asked, bringing her back to reality.
''Yes, that's perfect.'' She said and he clasped it. ''Thank you.'' She added as she turned around and looked directly at him.
''You look beautiful.'' He said softly.
''You look pretty good yourself, too.'' She responded and stretched her hand in order to straighten his bow tie, even though it wasn't crooked.
''Are you ready to go?'' He asked.
''Almost. I need to put on my shoes.'' She said and picked up the pair of silver sandals from the floor. She quickly put on the right one, but the left one was a bigger challenge as it was much harder to fasten the small shoe strap with her left hand. She leaned against the wall and lifted her leg, trying to reach it. But standing only on her one leg only made it worse and she wobbled slightly.
''Easy there.'' Mac warned her and put his hands on her waist in order to steady her. She offered him a small smile in response. Then she wanted to make another attempt, but before she could reach the strap, Mac suddenly crouched down in front of her. She placed her hand on his shoulder, as he took her completely off guard and she didn't want to lose her balance completely. He looked up at her and put his hand on Jo's ankle. She swallowed hard and unconsciously held her breath. After a few seconds he looked down and slowly fastened the shoe strap. He noticed that her toe nails were painted with navy nail polish with some sparkles and that there was a little silver star on her second toe nail. He couldn't help but smile at it. Then he stood up and looked her in the eyes.
''Thank you.'' Jo whispered.
''Are we going now?'' He asked.
''Just give me a second.'' Jo told him and slowly went to the bathroom. She closed the door behind herself and leaned over the sink, looking down. For the second time today she felt like fainting, although this time it was for a completely different reason. She took a few deep breaths and after a moment she looked up at her own reflection in the mirror. There was a deep red flush in her cheeks and her neck.
''Sweet heavens...'' She murmured to herself. ''Either it's a menopause, or...''.
. . .
A/N So guess what? A new chapter, yeah :) As I said, I decided to change the concept of this story, but nevertheless I decided to use some of the scenes I had already written, so that's the main reason for posting it so quickly.
Not to mentioned that I got really encouraged by all your nice comments – thank you for them! Gosh, I missed it :D
So, enjoy and don't forget to let me know what you think.
edit: Proodread by UrbanMuse after posting. Thanks a lot! :)