Detective Mac Taylor took a deep breath before taking off his badge. He handed it to Detective Flack, who gave him a reassuring smile.

"You ready for this?" He asked; concern gleaming in his eyes as he looked at the older man.

"As I'll ever be," Mac replied quietly. Flack nodded shortly and handed Mac a blank brown file.

"This is your story. The contacts have already been set up. They'll be expecting you tonight." Mac nodded slowly. He turned to walk away, but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
"Be careful, Mac," The detective smiled at the worry radiating off his friend.

"I always am Don." Satisfied with the reply, Flack let Mac go and the shorter man walked away; file still in hand.

Twelve years. That's how long it had been since his last undercover assignment. He'd sworn when he got married that he wasn't going to put himself in this position again. But, when Mac's wife Claire had died, everything changed. He tried to fool himself. To say he was doing this for all the good that came of it. That he was trying to make a difference. The truth was, he just wanted the feeling back. He wanted to disappear into the character he was playing. He didn't want to be Mac Taylor anymore. Opening the file, Mac let out an exasperated laugh as he read the front page.

Cover Name: Mac

Cover Story: Make it up.

Target: Sonny Sassone.

Good Luck – Donnie.

(~*~)

Danny sighed heavily as he looked at himself in the mirror. The makeup Sonny's sister had given him was doing a good job; he could barely see the bruises from the night before. Why she had decided he should wear eyeliner was beyond him; but she was so sure and he'd been too tired to argue. Looking at the clock, Danny let out another soft sigh before pushing himself up from the table and turning towards the door. He'd heard Sonny talking about a deal that was happening tonight, and that left him with a sinking feeling; more bad guys to entertain, and a lowered chance that he'd survive the night.