Adam looked at himself in the mirror. He was due at Mac's place in half an hour. He had to help Mac get dressed; the older man had no idea what he was doing when it came to a place like Club Paradise. Adam took a deep breath, checking his eyeliner but not really looking. His mind was racing. It had been so long since Adam had stepped foot inside the Club and the memories that surfaced of the last time weren't happy ones. Pushing himself away from the sink, Adam left the room quickly. He couldn't let himself think about it. This was just work. Mac wasn't really his Dom and they weren't going out to mingle. If they happened to meet anyone Adam knew, he'd stick to the cover story. Mac was leading this operation but Adam had just as big a part to play. It was his job to make Mac look good with the other members and he was determined to do just that.

Adjusting the black leather collar around his neck, Adam looked down at the tight clothes that covered his body. He allowed himself a small smile when he thought about the looks he'd receive in this. His entire look screamed submission and Adam knew how much of a draw that gave him. Covering up his outfit with a long, high-collared coat, Adam left his apartment for Mac's.

(~*~)

Mac opened the door to a nervous Adam. With a reassuring smile he beckoned the younger man in. Adam closed the door behind him and slipped off his coat. Mac's eyes widened at the sight before him. Adam's clothes were clinging to him in all the right places, but Mac couldn't take his eyes off the collar around his neck. The leather was an inch wide with small silver rivets all along. It fit snugly against Adam's neck; the colour contrasting with his pale complexion. Adam stood still for Mac's appraisal. The submissive side he thought he'd buried suddenly flared up, leaving him desperate for Mac's approval.

"I feel underdressed," Mac spoke eventually, his voice unnaturally rough. Adam smiled softly at this.

"You look good," He replied, looking at Mac. His boss was wearing a pair of dark slacks and a loose fitting navy blue dress shirt. The top two buttons were undone, inviting curiosity but showing nothing. Adam forced himself not to gulp as he fell gracefully to his knees at Mac's feet. The older man looked down at him, clearly confused.

"This is how I'll be at the club," Adam spoke softly, his eyes fixed on the floor. "And we can't afford for you to have that look on your face when I am." Mac wanted to laugh but the tightness in his chest wouldn't allow it. Slowly, he started to circle Adam; getting used to the sight of him like this.

"Do you have to be looking at the floor?" Mac asked when he was back in front of Adam.

"I don't have to," Adam's voice again was soft and demure. "If it is your wish that I look at you, that's what I'll do."

"I want you to look at me when we're talking," Mac said firmly. Adam looked up and Mac could see something swimming in his eyes.

"You'll have to explain that if you're asked," He offered. Mac nodded his understanding. Adam continued. "Do you prefer Sir, or Master?"

"I prefer Mac." Adam laughed softly at this.

"You'll have a lot of explaining to do if someone asks about us."

"I'll manage." Adam nodded before taking a deep breath. Now came the hard part.

"You have to touch me," Adam spoke quickly, and Mac wasn't sure he heard right. Adam explained. "As long as I'm wearing this collar, I'm your property. There can't be any hesitation in the way you handle me." Mac understood, but he wasn't sure where to start. "Would this be easier if I was standing?" Adam asked, and Mac nodded. The same grace with which he fell pushed Adam to his feet, and he offered Mac a small smile. Mac tried his best to smile back, his hands clenching and releasing at his sides. Slowly, so Mac could see what he was doing, Adam took the other man's hands in his, linking their fingers.

"Relax, Mac," Adam spoke softly, coaxing Mac to participate. "This doesn't have to be hard. We know each other pretty well, and it's not like you'll have to grope me." Mac couldn't help smiling at this and he gently squeezed Adam's hands in his. Adam nodded his approval, and Mac released his hands. Adam stood perfectly still as Mac considered his options. Slowly, with some hesitation, Mac reached out. The touch was timid at first; Mac rested one hand on Adam's shoulder whilst his other hovered over the younger man's waist. Taking a deep breath Mac made the final move and gripped Adam's hip. Adam was looking into Mac's eyes, trying to reassure his boss. Stepping forward, Mac let his hand on Adam's shoulder slip to his neck, thumb rubbing softly over the skin there. Adam swallowed reflexively and forced himself not to close his eyes.

"Is this ok?" Mac asked quietly. Adam's voice failed him so he simply nodded. Mac was too busy trying to focus to notice the lack of a vocal response. Moving his hands simultaneously, Mac rubbed Adam's arms gently. The movement seemed to calm Adam a little and he regained the rest of his mind.

"Are you ready?" Adam asked softly. Mac looked up, his blue eyes turning steel, and nodded. Adam nodded back before stepping aside and letting Mac open the door and following his boss out.

(~*~)

The ride to the club was silent, as Adam kept up an internal litany to calm himself. Mac was driving but out of the corner of his eye Adam saw the older man glancing at him every few minutes. What was worrying Adam the most was that none of this felt weird. The lab tech figured it should feel strange; trailing behind Mac in a show of respect and readying his body to fall at any second. Somehow, being in this with Mac made it so much easier. Adam knew that if this were Danny or Flack he'd be freaking out right now, and so would they. Mac pulled the car up outside the nondescript club entrance and got out of the car. Adam didn't follow and it took Mac a few seconds to realise why. Rounding the car, Mac opened the door for Adam who smiled encouragingly at him. It had somehow been silently agreed that there would be no leash. Adam figured it made sense not to let any suspect have something to grab him by, and he'd never much cared for them anyway. Mac stopped them before the entrance, making sure to look Adam directly in the eye. Adam looked back, projecting all the confidence he didn't feel into the look. It seemed to be enough for Mac, who smiled before turning on his heel. Adam kept the appropriate distance behind Mac and followed his boss into the Club.