Mac looked over at Adam as they drove to the club. The younger man was sporting the same satisfied smirk he'd been wearing since Mac first rested a hand on his downy head and gave in.

"You ready for this?" Mac eventually managed to say. Adam's cocky expression quickly faded and he gave a short nod. Making sure it was safe first; Mac took one hand off the wheel and placed it on Adam's knee. "You'll be ok, Adam. Just make sure you remember what we talked about."

"Keep my eyes open, alert you to anyone suspicious, keep my knife close at hand," Adam repeated and Mac smiled in approval. Moments passed in tense silence and all too soon they were pulling up in front of the club.

Mac helped Adam out of the car, and took a moment to look around. He spotted Danny and Don in an unmarked car, but only because he was looking. Giving them a short nod, he led Adam towards the doors.

"How are we keeping up communication?" Adam asked timidly.

"Inside is too loud to get a good read," Mac explained, leaning into Adam's ear to cover the real purpose of their conversation. "They'll be monitoring the outside of the building. If they hear anything suspicious, they'll come. Inside we're on our own."

Adam swallowed and nodded. Mac pulled away and entered the club for what Adam hoped would be the last time.

(~*~)

Adam couldn't make his muscles relax as he sat on his heels at Mac's feet. Every new face he saw put him on edge. It didn't take long for him to realise that nobody was approaching them, as they had before. If anything people were giving them a wide berth. Risking a look up, Adam understood why. Mac looked about ready to tear the head off anyone who so much as looked at Adam. The younger man understood: the situation was made all the more serious for Mac given their newfound relationship, but it wasn't helping their case. Taking a deep breath, Adam pulled himself up and straddled Mac, who looked up at him in surprise.

"Do you trust me?" Adam asked in Mac's ear.

"Of course," came Mac's immediate reply.

"Everyone can feel how much you want to protect me," Adam smiled. "As loved as that makes me feel, it's not helping us catch the bad guys."

Mac looked over Adam's shoulder and saw half the bar's patrons trying to be subtle as they watched the couple. "What do you propose?"

"I want you to do something for me," Adam waited until Mac nodded. "Just react. Don't think twice, and don't try to change your mind once you've made a move. Promise?"

Mac again nodded, and Adam awarded him another smile before leaning in to kiss him. Mac kissed back with fervour, feeling Adam's hands run up his chest to rest either side of his head. In return Mac settled one hand in Adam's hair and the other on his hip. Mac had no doubt the entire bar would be looking by this point. What he hadn't expected was the sudden stab of sharp teeth at his lip. Mac's instinct was to jerk away, and in the sudden movement, Adam ended up on the floor. He looked up at Mac with pleading eyes, and Mac understood what was happening. If the killer was here, they would think Mac was rejecting Adam. Standing up quickly, not giving himself a chance to back out, Mac stepped past Adam and walked out of the club. He didn't look back. He knew if he did, he would want to return and take Adam with him.

Adam watched Mac leave, schooling his features to look forlorn and rejected. He didn't move from his position on the floor for several moments. When he was as sure as he could be that Mac was out of the club, Adam got to his feet and headed towards the bar.

(~*~)

Danny and Flack shared a look when they saw Mac leave the club alone. After a quick glance around for anyone watching, he crossed over to the car and got in.

"What's going on, Mac?" Danny asked as Mac sat down.

"We weren't getting anywhere. Adam had an idea."

"One that involves him being alone?" Don asked, concern evident in his voice.

Mac was silent for a long moment, before giving a quiet answer. "He knows what he's doing. I trust his play."

"Alright," Danny said after watching Mac's expression. The three men turned their attention back to the club.

(~*~)

Adam sipped on his cherry coke and watched the bar from the corner of his eyes. It had only been five minutes, and already he could feel eyes on him. It took only a moment more before someone stepped into his space. Remembering to keep the sad look on his face, Adam looked up at the newcomer.

"He's an idiot."

"Excuse me?" Adam took in everything he could about the man before him. Over six feet tall, with dirty blond hair, broad shoulders, and murky eyes that Adam couldn't quite call blue.

"Your Dom, or I suppose it's ex-Dom now. Anyone who'd throw something as precious as you away is an idiot."

Adam fought the urge to defend Mac, instead choosing to smile timidly. "Thank you."

"If you don't mind my asking; what happened between you two?" the man's voice was light, and he seemed genuine in his concern.

"We, uh…" Adam paused, for both dramatic effect and to give himself a moment to concoct a story. "We haven't been… close, lately. I kept trying, but he didn't… I guess he just didn't want me anymore." Adam looked away, feigning embarrassment. He jumped at the hand resting on his hip, and when he looked back the man was smirking at him. "I'm sorry; I didn't get your name."

"And I didn't get yours," the man countered. "Why don't we leave it like that for a while?"

Adam's brow creased, but he knew he couldn't send the man away. This wasn't a personal encounter, after all. "I'm not sure," he said instead. The man picked up on the opening.

"Hey, I know you're on the rebound, and I'm not looking for anything serious, ok? You just look like you could use a little release. That's all I'm offering."

Adam offered a small smile, and the man grinned in return. The hand on Adam's hip tightened, and the man leaned in closer.

"Let's get outta here."