Title: Fallen
By: alucardskitten
Pairing: Danny/Mac
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Warnings: Hurt comfort
Summary: Danny notices that Mac has fallen...

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He noticed a lot of things, usually things to do with his case, or things that had to do with him personally. He tried to keep his observations to himself, about himself or work, so, when he started noticing Mac he felt like he had violated some sacred code he had set up for himself. He, at first, noticed how bright his smile was and how sincere it was. How he was always laughing at some joke Stella had made... and how he would talk fliratatiously on the phone with his wife when he thought no one was listening. He noticed everything about him, the way he walked, how he carried himself and tons of other things he shouldn't have been noticing... especially not about his married and very male co-worker. But he kept those feelings and thoughts to himself, he knew enough to keep his silence. It wasn't easy to get Mac's friendship... so, he didn't want to say anything to upset the man and lose that friendship.

He was so pleased when he got a little bit of praise and he loved how Mac's face would light up as he solved the puzzle. But so much had changed, he began to notice different things. He noticed how even when Mac smiled, the smile didn't reach his eyes anymore. His entire life was a litany of monotony. Day in and day out, it was always the same thing. He would laugh, a bitter chuckle and a sadistic shadow of the beautiful baritone laugh he used to have. Danny watched him become enclosed, noticed how the spark died from his eyes, how he always looked tired. And Danny noticed that he still wore his wedding ring. And that there was still a picture of Claire on his desk. And he noticed that Mac had fallen.

And Danny wondered if it was his fault. Mac had fallen off a pedestal that Danny had put him on, fallen from the grace of God... now forced to live a tortured half-life. Danny kept wondering if that was his fault. He would sit down at night with a cup of tea and a book (or magazine) and sometimes, he couldn't concentrate at all because all he could see was Mac looking as though he was about to cry... and Mac looking like he had fallen from the grace of the supernatural... and a biting pang of guilt would sit deep within his heart and soul. When the doorbell rang, Danny was roused out of his inner thoughts and he stood to get the door, wondering who would come calling at half past 1 in the morning. He glanced out the peephole and threw the door open, a tear streaked Mac Taylor standing there looking lost and forlorn. Danny stepped aside, let the older man in, and offered him a cup of tea.

Danny noticed everything... everything about Mac. So when the older man collapsed on the couch, his body wracked with sobs, left hand clutching a picture of his wife... Danny knew what Mac wanted. With a soft touch, he ran his hands down Mac's back, trying to soothe him through gentle touches. He wrapped Mac up in his arms... and hoped that he could help pick Mac up again...

~FIN~

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