A/N. This is set in Season 3, Episode 21 ('Past Imperfect) after Mac shouts at Adam for no good reason. Season 3, Episode 15 ('Some Buried Bones') showed Adam telling Stella and Danny about his father.

Adam scrubbed at his face roughly. He was determined to stay calm; now wasn't the time or the place. As soon as Stella had left, Adam walked as quickly as he dared to the locker rooms. He understood that Mac was under serious pressure, but it didn't stop the sick feeling in the pit of Adam's stomach. Closing his eyes tightly, Adam rested his head against the nearest locker. He was so busy trying to force his hands to stop shaking, he didn't hear the locker room door open and shut. With a deep sigh, Adam slowly pushed himself away from the locker, stopping short when he saw Mac standing in front of him. A look of panic darted briefly across his face before he lowered his head.

"Hey Mac," He said quietly. "I was just taking a quick break. I'm getting back to work, right now." Adam was about to walk past Mac, when the older man reached out a hand. Adam instinctively flinched away from it. Mac sighed softly and pulled his hand away.

"Adam," He said quietly. "Are you alright? Is something wrong?" Adam took in a shallow breath before looking up at Mac.

"I'm sorry, Mac," He whispered. "I just… people shouting, it kinda makes me jumpy. I'm fine, really." Mac sighed lightly.

"I'm sorry, Adam. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that."

"No," Adam replied immediately. "It's fine. You were right. I should've…"

"Stella talked to me," Mac cut in. Adam stopped talking, letting his head fall again.
"Listen, Adam," Mac continued. "I overreacted, I know that. Stella, Danny, Flack; they've all learned to just brush off what I say when I get like that, I guess I've just come to assume that everyone else can do the same."

"Well, see, I didn't know that," Adam replied, a small smile coming back to his lips.

"Maybe you should get Danny to teach you," Mac smiled. "He's had more experience than most." Adam laughed lightly and nodded. Mac began to turn away when Adam took a small step forward.

"Mac." Mac turned back.

"Thanks," Adam smiled. Mac smiled back before leaving the locker room, leaving Adam in much higher spirits.

THE END