Disclaimer: No, not mine. No matter how much I beg and plead.

Rating: K+

Category: Post-ep, Mac/Peyton implied Mac/Stella

Spoilers: “…Come Around” 3x23 – post-ep.

Author: Traci

Summary: Peyton and Mac have a talk after the events of his hearing.

Author Note: Title comes from Billy Joel’s song “And So It Goes” – just seemed to fit.

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And So It Goes

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Peyton and Mac sat at what had become ‘their’ table at Mac’s favorite diner once again. Mac had been cleared and life was good… almost.

Watching Mac as he stared off into space, she sighed and touched his hand. “We need to talk.”

His eyes met hers and he smiled. “Okay.”

But Peyton did not return the smile. “I know the last few weeks have been hell for you. And I understand that you needed to work things out on your own but… Remember when we had lunch here and I told you to confront him?”

Mac nodded.

“Was it really me you wanted to be talking it all over with?”

He took her hand in his. “Of course. Why would you even ask that?”

She sighed again. He was not going to make this easy. “When you’re confused or need to talk things out who is the first person you want to call?”

Mac opened his mouth but stopped.

It was then that Peyton smiled – albeit sadly. “Exactly. While you were mentioning things to me about your hearing, you never were able to fully open up to me. You never have been. Which I’ve been perfectly fine with but… it’s not fair to you and it’s not fair to me.”

“What are you saying?”

“Mac, I see how you are with Stella. You are relaxed. You open up to her. Your body language changes completely. You let your guard down. I knew that going in, yes, but… I love you, Mac and I want you to be happy. And it’s obviously not me who will make you happy like you deserve to be.” She wiped away a tear.

“Peyton, I… You’re wrong. You have made me happier than I have been in years. Stella and I are close and she knows what it’s like to be a cop but we don’t share the same things that you and I do.”

With a chuckle, Peyton said, “I don’t mean for this to sound crude but the only thing you and Stella don’t share is a bed.”

His eyes went wide but in his heart… in his heart she knew he was right and it was the first time it had been so clearly spelled out for him. “What now?”

“We stay friends, if that’s okay. We work together. We move on.” Peyton reached over and gently rested her hand on his cheek. “Mac, I regret nothing. What we had was great. It was wonderful but I need more. We both need more.” Slowly her hand slid from his face and rested once again on his on the table.

“I really wanted this to work,” he whispered.

“I know you did. I did too.” Peyton stood up and walked over to him, bending down to give him a chaste good-bye kiss. “It just wasn’t meant to be. Don’t wait too long.” And with that, she was gone.

For a brief moment, Mac continued to stare at the seat vacated by Peyton. A moment later he picked up his cell phone and pressed the only number in his speed dial.

His eyes lit up when she answered. “Hey, do you have plans for tonight?”

The End