This is the sequel to the story "Trapped" that I posted a week or so ago. So many people wanted a sequel, that I decided I had better write one. I asked the Webbies to tell me how they would like for Webb and Mac's relationship to go and the story below is the result of the majority of the votes.

Title: "Not A Date"
Author: Carol
Email: [email protected] 
Rating: PG
Classification: R
Disclaimer: Same old stuff, don't own them, don't make any money off of them, and so on.

Summary: After being trapped together in a destroyed building, Webb and Mac agreed upon a steak dinner after they recuperated. But, during the evening at Mac's both are confused by their feelings.


"Not a Date"

It had been several weeks since Mac had been trapped in that building with Clayton Webb. They had made a date for a steak dinner as soon as both had recovered from their injuries and tonight was that night.

Mac had not seen Clay since that day of the explosion. She had talked to him a couple of times on the phone, but as soon as he was able to return to work, he had been sent to Hawaii to oversee the investigation of a possible intelligence leak. His secretary had called Mac to confirm the dinner for Clay. He was due back in town today.

She heard the doorbell. Right on time, her internal clock told her. She looked in the mirror she was in front of.
Checking her hair and makeup, she chuckled to herself, "Come on MacKenzie, why are you acting like this, it's just Webb."
Mac had been like a nun since her husband Chris had been killed several months ago, having sworn off men for a while. This is
not a date, she kept telling herself. She was just repaying Clay for everything he had done while they had been trapped in that building. That's what she had told Harm, anyway. No, this is not a date.

Mac opened the door. There stood Clayton Webb, a very handsome Clayton Webb in his usual black three-piece suit. But, something was different about him. she thought to herself.
"Hi Clay, please come in."

Webb couldn't believe how beautiful Mac looked. She was dressed in just a simple skirt and blouse, but she had such a natural beauty to her. Webb gave his head a shake bringing him back to reality. he
thought to himself.
"Good evening. How are you?" he asked.

"Just fine. I think I've fully recovered from my injuries. How about you?" she asked, noticing that he still limped a little.

"Me, too. I feel great," he said.

"Well, you should after spending all that time on a mission in Hawaii. It looks like you got lots of sun," Mac said.

"I decided that I was not going to spend all my time in the hotel. I was going to enjoy myself a little this time."

"Good for you. Why don't you come in the kitchen with me and I'll start the steaks." Mac noticed he was carrying a box and what looked like a bottle of wine.

Webb followed her into the kitchen.
"Oh here, I brought something to drink," he said, holding up the bottle and putting the box on the counter.

Mac gave him a puzzled look. "Clay, I can't drink that."

"No, it's not wine, it tea," he said, showing her the label.

"How sweet," she thought, as she put the steaks on.

"I'll put it in the freezer to get it cold quicker," he said, heading for the refrigerator. "Is there anything I can help
with?"

"You can set the table, the plates are over there."

"Consider it done." He got the dishes and headed for the dining room. He returned twice to get the glasses, silverware, and napkins.

Mac watched Webb through the doorway, he acted different tonight. It was though he had let his guard down, relaxing.
She had never seen Webb relaxed. His eyes were softer and he was smiling. Mac laughed to herself, who would have thought Webb could smile that much and his face not break. As he turned around, he caught Mac staring at him. She quickly turned her attention back to the steaks. She could feel her face glow red from embarassment. Why did she feel this way? This is not a date, she reminded herself.

Webb came into the kitchen. "Anything else?"

"No, the steaks are almost ready. Why don't you wait in the other room. I'll let you know when dinner is ready," Mac said.

Webb went into the living room and sat on the couch. He picked up an issue of Time magazine and thumbed through it looking for an interesting article. But, he just couldn't concentrate, he was thinking about Mac. He had caught her looking at him and she seemed embarassed when he saw her. He hated to admit it, but he had thought alot about Mac since their time together in that building. He was very grateful to her for keeping him awake with his concussion for as long as she did. But, he feared that his feelings were going beyond gratitude. Clayton Webb had rarely gotten close to anyone, it just wasn't wise for someone in his occupation to do that.

"The steaks are ready," Mac walked in and announced. "Clay?"

"I'm sorry, I was somewhere else, I guess," he said, snapping back to the present. He got up and followed her to the dining room table and held her chair for her to sit.

"I hope your steak is cooked the way you like it. You did say medium well, as I recall," she said.

Clay smiled as he cut into his steak. "It's perfect."

Dinner conversation was over a variety of topics, everything from politics to traveling. But, the one thing they never discussed was their personal lives, their interests. Both were afraid of getting to close.

"That dinner was wonderful, that was the best steak I've had in a while," Webb said.

"I'm glad you liked it. Living alone, I don't get the chance to fix a whole meal like this," she said.

"Come on, you mean you don't cook like this for Rabb?" he asked.

"If we're working on a case, he might come over to do some work, but it's usually just sandwiches or ordering a pizza," she said.

"You two aren't seeing each other?" Webb asked, then immediately wished he hadn't.

"No, what ever gave you that idea?" she asked.

Webb fumbled for words. "I..... always thought that maybe you two were really seeing each other, just not telling anyone."

Mac was becoming uncomfortable with this conversation. She did have feelings for Harm, but lately she hadn't thought about it much. "Let me clear these dishes away," she said, changing the subject.

"Let me help," he said, getting up. Both carried the dishes to the kitchen. Mac filled the sink with hot soapy water and
started washing. Webb grabbed a towel to dry.
"Mac, I apologize for suggesting anything between you and Rabb."

Mac continued doing the dishes, but not making any eye contact with Webb.
"I suppose when a man and a women work as closely as Harm and I do, it might appear that there's more to our relationship than there is. Apology accepted," she said.

When they finished the dishes, Webb noticed the box he had brought with him and had forgotten to give to Mac. He walked over to the box.
"I forgot, I brought you something from Hawaii. I believe it is customary to bring flowers to the hostess," he said, bringing the box over to Mac.
He set the box on the kitchen counter and stood in front of Mac. He opened it and brought out the most beautiful Hawaiian lei that Mac had ever seen. Webb raised the lei over her head and brought it down around her neck. Their faces just inches away. Webb moved forward kissing Mac on the lips.

DING DONG. Someone was at the door. The sound startled both of them.
"I better get that," Mac said, heading for the door. Webb let out a deep breath and went into the living room.

Mac opened the door and found herself face to face with Harm.
"Hi Mac, busy?" he asked, peering around her, he saw Clayton Webb looking through her CD collection.

"Yes, I am busy," she said, walking out into the hallway and closing the door behind her.

"What's Webb doing here? This is your date with him, isn't it?" he asked.

"This is not a date," she said, firmly.

"Nice lei, Webb give it to you?" he said, touching the lei. His jealousy was showing.

"What did you come here for, Harm?"

"I was bored and thought you might want to go out for some coffee, guess I was wrong. I should have called first, I'm sorry. Have a nice evening, Mac," he said, with some disappointment in his voice. He turned and left.

Mac was very confused. It had been months since she let any man close to her, now she had two of them. She went back in and
found Webb waiting for her. He had put a John Tesh CD in the stereo and was listening to the piano music. "What did Rabb want?" he asked.

"Just something about a case," she said, then changed the subject. "I didn't thank you for this, it's just beautiful."

"You're welcome. I thought of you the moment I saw it. I've had a long day today, I think I'd better head home," Webb said, he was starting to head for the door, but hesitated. "Mac, I would like to see you again, if you think that's possible."

Emotions ran through Mac's mind quickly. It seemed that ever man she becomes involved with dies. Webb worked in a dangerous profession, she didn't know if she could handle that or not. Them there was their working relationship. It wouldn't be against regs to date him, but it could be a problem. On the
other hand, there was no doubt in her mind that there's more to her feelings for Webb than friendship. When he had kissed her, she had a warm feeing that radiated from her chest outward.

"Mac?" Webb said.

"I'm sorry. Yes, I would like to see you again, too. But, we're going to have to go slow with this, okay?"

"Sure. How about next Saturday night? Dinner and a play?" he suggested.

"That would be great."

Webb kissed her lightly on the cheek. "It's a date, then," he said, and went out the door.

"Yes, I guess it is a date," Mac said, to herself.

THE END

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