Thanks so much for the reviews, favorites and follows. Knowing that people are reading and enjoying my writing is really, really appreciated. I know I wouldn't be writing at all without such a supportive community. So thanks for sharing in my obsession!

A Warning Note: I like character rather than plot-driven stories, so if that isn't your cup of tea, well, you've been warned...

Many thanks of course to Rob Thomas and crew who inspire with such wonderful characters. I wouldn't be able to do what I do without him and give full credit for his brain babies.

xoxoxoxxoXOXOxoxo

Chapter 3 -

"Explain to me again how this is supposed to work?" Mac had agreed to meet Dick before her morning shift at the labs and was now sitting across from Dick at her favorite coffee spot as she stared at him with a dubious expression on her face.

"Ugh, Ghostworld. How many times do I have to explain this to you?" Dick rolled his eyes at Mac, but the way he was twisting his coffee cup nervously between his hands made her think his words were compensation for how nervous he actually was. Deciding to ignore the tell, Mac returned his eyeroll with a glare of her own, and wondered again if any amount of money would be worth spending time with Dick? She snapped back to attention as Dick began to explain his plan.

"So we meet Big Dick. You pretend you're all, like, in love with me. We tell him you're all 'preggo.' Going to wait to get married cuz until after you have the kid because you want your figure back for the wedding." Dick smirked and Mac glared again. "Daddy Dear checks himself into 'Club Fed.' I write you a check for 10 large. The end."

Mac did her own eye-rolling this time, frustration evident on her face. "Yeah, Dick, I got the general outline of the plan the first time, but isn't your father going to be a little suspicious and maybe want some proof that I'm…" Mac made a face like she was gagging, "pregnant?"

"See Mackers, that's where you're mad hacking skills come into play and you show me why you're worth the big bucks—you just need to come up with one teensy-little faked pregnancy lab test-ie thing-a-jigs. Wham, bam, thank you m'am. We're done. That won't be a problem, right?" Dick leaned back confidently in his seat as if he had somehow solved world peace.

Mac sighed and shook her head, not wanting to admit so readily that that sort of test would be a slam dunk for her to fake. At the same time, she had to admit to herself that she was maybe a little flattered that he was so confident in her computer skills. Not that she would ever admit it.

"You never told me I would have to use any 'mad-hacking skills', Dick, but if that's what you think we'll need to get this done, then yeah, I can probably come up with a faked lab test."

"Swee—" Mac cut Dick off before he could finish.

"But Dick, how are we supposed to convince people that we are…" she curled her lip and furrowed her eyebrows as she spit out her last words in disgust, "…in love?"

Dick gave Mac a look of disbelief and smirked at her, "Come on Mac—just look at me, and let's be real…look at you."

Mac raised her eyebrows and gave Dick her best 'side-eye', "What are you trying to say, Dick?"

"I mean who wouldn't believe that you would fall for me? It's a story as old as time—they even made a show about it. What was it called, 'Beauty and the Geek?"

Realizing what he was implying, Mac stood up and slammed her laptop closed, "You know what, Dick, screw you. Find someone else to help you out."

"Whoa, whoa, whoah, there Ghostworld. You don't need to be all sensitive. I didn't mean you were unattractive or anything." Mac just glared at Dick and kept packing up her stuff, trying to ignore Dick's attempt to dig himself out of the hole he had dug himself as he rushed on, "don't get your panties in a twist. Everyone knows that geeky hacker chick vibe is totally hot."

"Word to the wise, Dick. Never tell a woman not to 'get her panties in a twist.'

"Noted, Mac…I'm sorry." Running his hands through his hair, Dick went on in what she assumed would be a futile attempt to win her over. "Look, I meant we're like Yin and Yang…opposites attract and all that." Dick grabbed Mac's hand to stop her motion as she was zipping up her computer bag, drawing her eyes first to his hand and then up to his bright blue eyes as he went on, apparently serious now. "I'm the fun one, you're the smart one. The 'cool' one."

Dick looked away and rushed on, "you already know that's how I feel about you…you can just pretend about liking me." Dick caught Mac's eyes again, and smirked. "We'll tell people 'we complete each other' and all that crap. People love that shit." Dick looked away again and a more serious expression came across his face. "Besides," he continued darkly, "if anyone is to blame for what happened to Cassidy, it's my Dad, and don't you want to see him suffer a little for basically ruining him?"

Mac wished that she could say she was a better person and that she didn't wish bad things for Mr. Casablancas, but she felt herself crumbling at his words and body language. There was just something about the way Dick sat there, almost small and defeated that tugged at some weak part of her.

Hesitating, Mac shook her head and looked down at Dick, who was now looking back at her with a somewhat pleading look on his face, reminiscent of the looks Veronica loved to give when she was asking for a favor. For some reason that look coming from troubled blondes seemed to work like magic on her, but she drew out the moment a beat before answering, just to make Dick squirm a little, "I don't know Dick. This isn't gonna work if you act like a complete jackass to me. I'm not sure if I can fake starry-eyed love when you act like a…"

"Douchebag?" Dick helpfully supplied.

Mac sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "Basically."

"I promise, I'll be on my best behavior, Scout's honor. No douche-baggery around you…I got it. I'll be the best pretend baby-daddy ever."

Mac just sighed in defeat. "Okay, Dick, I'll do it—just…, oh god, never mind. Just call or text me when you want to start. I've got to go to work."

Dick smiled up at Mac. "Awesome, Ghostworld. I'll text you tomorrow about phase one and your check. This will be the easiest money you ever made."

Mac looked at Dick's triumphant expression and rolled her eyes. "I doubt that Dick," she muttered before she stomped off without a backward glance.

xoxoxoxXXXOOOxoxox