"It's funny the things we choose not to see."

Mac stared out of his office window; watching the lab go by. Jo's words were swirling around in his head, and he couldn't help but see the implication that was clear in her eyes. He wasn't stupid; he knew exactly who she was talking about. All these years, so much progress had been made, then Jo comes along and suddenly it all goes away. Mac understood; the new girl came in and it shook everyone up. Suddenly, nobody was sure where they stood. Jo had experience, albeit away from New York. People like Danny, and even Lindsay knew their position was safe. Adam was different. The younger man was becoming more withdrawn; afraid to come to Mac with his confusing evidence or, sometimes hard to believe, theories. Standing abruptly; unable to just sit anymore, Mac walked around his office. A soft knock to his door caused Mac to turn and see Adam standing there, looking timidly at him.

"Hey boss," Adam spoke quietly. "You busy?" Mac smiled softly and shook his head. Adam stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

"Everything ok?" Mac asked as Adam fidgeted before him. Adam nodded jerkily, not looking at Mac.

"I'm sorry," Adam eventually mumbled. Mac was confused.

"For what?" He asked gently.

"Earlier, during the case…" Adam stopped for a second, scratching his neck. "I was explaining how the suspect accessed the teacher's computer to Danny and I, uh…" Adam swallowed convulsively. To his surprise, Mac laughed.

"Adam its ok. I know you accessed my computer." Adam's head shot up to see a smiling Mac. "You forgot to close down the port." Adam blushed at this, and Mac knew it was more due to his lax cleanup skills that being caught.

"Actually, I was hoping to talk to you," Adam looked scared again, and Mac had to smile.

"Something wrong?"

"Yes," Mac sighed, quickly continuing at the look in Adam's eyes. "But that's my fault." Adam looked confused, and Mac couldn't stop himself stepping close to the lab tech.
"Go out with me," Mac whispered simply. "For a drink; just the two of us."

"You mean," Adam swallowed. "Like a date?"

"That's exactly what I mean," Mac smiled a little. "I know I should've done this sooner; before Stella left and everything changed. I was just scared."

"Scared? You?" There was a small amount of wonder in Adam's eyes as he said this. Mac laughed softly.

"It happens," He offered before growing serious. "So what do you say?" Adam looked at Mac for a moment, assessing his boss in a way Mac wasn't sure what to do with. Eventually, he broke into a wide smile.

"Hell yes," He whispered before leaning in and placing a chaste kiss on Mac's lips. It was so brief that Mac didn't have time to react, and then Adam was off down the steps and back to his work station. Mac smiled to himself at he watched Adam go; his fingers running over his lips. This was going to be interesting.

The End.