A/N: Don't own them except on DVD. I'm just borrowing them. Be kind, rewind. Thanks to Lisa for the help and the prompt!

Mac sighed as he dialed a number in his phone. Being away from the lab for any reason never sat well with him. It wasn't that he didn't trust the others to handle things while he was gone, his team was the best, but there was still that little sliver of worry in the back of his mind.

He listened as the phone rang, knowing that even though it would be late in New York, the person on the other end of the line would still be working.

"Flack."

"Hey Don, just wanted to check in to see how things were going at the lab."

Flack's eyes locked with the person sitting across from him as he mouthed Mac to Jess. She watched in amusement as a smirk grew on his face. "Oh you know, the usual. Adam held a paper airplane building contest today. The two lovebirds decided to run off to Vegas. Sid and Sheldon were playing dress-up in the morgue. The usual."

Mac couldn't help the laugh that escaped. "Very funny Don."

"Nah, everything's good out here. Messer's really stepped it up. How's the conference going? You and Stella done with your geek talks yet?"

"Last one's tomorrow; Stella's giving a lecture on bloodstain pattern analysis."

"Like I said, geek talks. But I mean, you guys are in California, can't be all bad right? Sun, sand, surfer girls. What's not to like?"

"It's January Don, and contrary to popular belief, it does rain in California. Actually in southern California they have more of a Mediterranean type climate with rainy winters and dry summers."

"So I'm guessing the beach is a no go then. Well look at it this way, couple more days and you'll be back here freezin' your backsides off. Hopefully you and Stell will find something to do so you don't go stir crazy out there. Lemme know if you want me to pick you guys up from the airport Sunday." Don waited for a minute, not getting a reply from the other man. "Mac? You still there?"

Mac shook his head, trying to rid himself of the glazed look he was sure must be on his face. Stella had just walked out of their hotel bathroom in a black two-piece bathing suit. Even if the weather wasn't cooperating, the hotel had an indoor pool and spa they were planning on enjoying. She watched in amusement as he eyed her appreciatively. Stella walked over and took the phone from his hand. She could hear Don on the other end, trying to get Mac to answer him.

"Hey Don, I'm stealing Mac now. We're going to go check the degradation of chlorine in the hotel's pool. We'll call you on Sunday, let you know when we're arriving." With that, she hung up the phone.

"Ready to go Detective Taylor," Stella asked, her eyes taking their own appreciative perusal of Mac in his swimming trunks.

"Yes Ma'am," he replied as he stood up and led her out the door of their room, his hand splayed on her bare back. He grinned to himself, speaking at these conferences were pretty boring, but they could also have some definite up-sides.

Don chuckled as he hung up the phone.

"You look happy about something. What's up?"

Don stood up, shrugging on his heavy winter coat. "Messer's gonna owe me $50."

Jess laughed as she put on her own coat as the walked toward the exit. "So does that mean you're buying dinner tonight?"