The Real Don Quixote Ch. 3 Part III: A guy walks into a bar...
They bickered good-naturedly all the way to the bar and found most of the News Night crew – Jim had brought Lisa along, and even Don and Maggie had decided to stick around for a bit – were gathered around their usual perch. Neal was sitting with his girlfriend laughing at his craziness in punching the computer screen, whilst she held his hand in hers. There were cheers as Will and Charlie joined them, but Will had to look around for Mac.
Charlie discreetly nudged his elbow, and he turned to see her hunched over a cocktail chatting to Sloan at the other end of the bar. He quickly greeted the others, before – and fully aware of the many pairs of eyes that must be watching him – heading over to where Mac an Sloan were and gently squeezing Mac's shoulder.
She turned around in surprise. "Hey! I didn't think you were coming."
He shrugged his jacket off his shoulders, shooting a smile at Sloan, who returned it, watching their conversation with interest.
"Charlie dragged me out." He smiled, going slightly red. To his confusion she became very interested with the stem of her cocktail glass.
"Me too." She said quietly, shooting shy smile back at him. The only sign either of them recognised to show that Sloan was quietly slipping away to re-join the group was the light squeeze she gave Mackenzie's elbow. Will didn't notice, however, and called the barmaid over.
"I'll have a scotch on the rocks," he sized up what remained of Mac's cocktail, "And she'll have another."
Taking the bar stool next to her, he turned and caught a glimpse of hesitancy in her eyes. He put his hands up as a sign of truce. "We said we'd go for a drink, remember?" He paused wondering if he should really go down this road tonight. "And since Wade's not here to interrupt this time…"
Ouch. She turned back to her drink sharply and picking it up, downed the remained in one gulp, replacing it wearily on the table.
Shaking his head, he wondered if he would ever stop putting his foot in it. Tentatively, he reached for her wrist, gently placing his hand over it, "Jesus, Mac, I'm sorry. You know how I say things and then –"
To his surprise she covered his hand with her own, and smiled weakly back at him, her eyes watery. "S'okay. I should have guessed Charlie would have told you."
Their drinks arrived, and he smiled half-heartedly back at her. He could see she was upset over Wade – which hurt. A lot.
"He didn't deserve you." Will said quietly, squeezing her hand gently.
"You didn't deserve me." She said it so quietly that he almost didn't hear it. He knew she didn't meant it in the usual sense, as it sounded. He didn't quite know what to say to that! Half of his insides shouted that he loved her still and that she was talking bullshit, and the other half was heartily agreeing with her. He opted to be neutral.
Pushing her glass towards her, he raised his glass and looked expectantly at her. "I'm sorry that Wade gave you such a shitty Valentine's day, but Mackenzie McHale you have made mine, so thank you."
He said all of this very fast, and was slightly worried that he was sending mixed signals – maybe he was – but he looked beseechingly at Mackenzie, wanting to just be normal and have a good time as friends, just for one night. She seemed to get the message, and smiled at what he said. She raised her own glass and chinked it gently against his.
"Well I'm glad I managed to do one thing right." He looked down at the hand which was still covering his, which was resting on her arm, and pulled her away.
"Come on. Let's go and be sociable."
Mackenzie nearly choked. "Wow! Will McAvoy is telling me I need to be more sociable. Times really must be bad!"
She grinned as he bumped her shoulder playfully as they took their jackets and drinks and walked over to the rest of the group.
Once more they had managed to overcome their strange, awkward relationship. Maybe just taking tiny steps was the way to do things. If there was one thing that had come out of tonight, it was hope.