Part IV

Healing

Chapter Nine

Six Months Later

Mac Taylor walked into the brownstone and tossed his work bag down. It had been a long hard day and he was the only one working. Danny and Don were off today and he had no idea where they were, but the place felt empty without them. The men were now all on different shifts. Much as he disliked it, things were best that way. There had been a few close calls when one man had defended the other on instinct and could have put the rest of the team in danger. They all realized that they needed a little space from each other at work, for the sake of the job.

Plus, the urge to have sex at work was almost overwhelming and after a very close call in the elevator when their need overcame common sense, all three men had decided that they couldn't continue to work the same shifts all the time. There had been a few questions, especially from Stella, but they'd deflected them and she seemed satisfied. For now.

Mac had never imagined the changes that had taken over his life. Gone was his quiet one-bedroom apartment. He'd taken the "blood money" from Claire's death and had bought a smallish brownstone that suited the three men. Even though Mac had vowed not to spend it, he knew Claire would approve. He had never seen or felt her again, but Mac knew she was a constant presence in his life. Every so often, she made sure he was aware that she was watching. He, Danny, and Don had come to expect the radio to turn on at odd moments, her favorite song playing through the house.

Mac stowed his bag and sat on the couch, glancing at the big-screen TV before opting to leaf through a forensic journal on the coffee table. He wasn't even shocked when the radio went on and Savage Garden's "Truly, Madly, Deeply" began playing.

The phone rang and he reached for it, smiling when the music automatically went lower. As he glanced at the Caller ID, he frowned a little. It was Claire's parents, were everything okay?

"Hello?"

"Mac, was hoping we'd catch you at home. It's Grace," she said, as if Mac would forget his mother-in-law's voice.

"Everything's okay," he affirmed, looking at the calebdar and realizing why they'd called. "How are you?"

"Mike has vacation soon and Brad is coming into town next week and Bill is enjoying retirement. I just wanted to check with you and see how you were coping today…." Her voice trailed off.

He and Claire had gotten married fifteen years ago today. This was the first time he hadn't completely buried himself in work. This was the first anniversary he'd felt as if he was healing.

"I'm doing okay," he said after a pause. "I guess I'm starting to heal. Claire will always be a huge part of my life but I'm finally starting to live again."

Grace let out a relived sigh at that. "You're seeing anyone?"

"I am," Mac allowed, hoping Grace wouldn't be upset.

"Good. From the sound of your voice, I think she'd approve. Claire always wanted your happiness, Mac."

"I know," he said, looking up as the door opened and Don and Danny walked in. He arched a brow, patting the couch and shaking his head as Danny moved to turn the music off. Don stood behind Mac, rubbing the tension out of his neck and shoulders while Danny flopped down beside him on the couch, playing with his fingers.

"Do you have any plans tonight?" Grace asked gently.

"Maybe a meal out with some good friends. They never got to know her, but I'd like to tell them about her." Danny cocked his head, glancing over Mac's shoulder and nodding, Don's only reply a gentle squeeze to his neck.

"That sounds wonderful, Mac. I know this isn't the path you wanted to walk. Your true path in life diverged on 9/11, but you need to make the best of this. For yourself and for Claire's memory. We all just want you happy."

Mac took a breath and the music swelled. "I think this divergence is where I was meant to be."