Chapter Text
After talking with someone who had worked with Jack before, and only had good things to say about him, Mac finally let the smile fall from his face. Hearing everyone’s stories of Jack was nice, but he didn’t know how much longer he could keep nodding at everyone’s stories and smiling when he just didn’t feel like it.
As he scanned the room, he saw everyone talking and laughing as they swapped stories of Jack, just like the man would’ve wanted.
Everyone, that was, except for Riley.
Mac’s eyes locked onto her.
In the lively chatter of the room, she was silent, frozen in her own world.
And though she was putting on a relatively good act, Mac could tell she was falling apart on the inside, where apparently no one could see.
Except for him.
He knew what that feeling was like.
He started to walk over to her when she all but fled outside, the crowd seeming to finally be too much for her.
Looking around, no one's attention seemed to be on him right now, so he followed Riley out. Besides, his patience was starting to wear thin with everyone coming to offer their condolences. Obviously everyone meant well and they genuinely meant what they were saying, but it was starting to irritate him and, like Riley, he needed a break from it all.
Loosening his tie as he stepped out the front door, he didn't see her but suddenly realised where she’d probably be.
There were stairs to the backyard on the side of the house, which honestly, they very rarely used. It was sheltered by the house on one side and tall trees on the other, and there were flowering plants on either side which his grandfather had planted a long time ago which, somehow, still seemed to be doing just fine.
Sometimes, whenever Jack was in his reflective moods, he’d sit there, in the shade that the trees provided, smelling the flowers, and pondering whatever he had going on in his mind.
Surely enough, he turned the corner of the house, and Riley was sitting there, her back to him.
She must’ve heard his steps because, not turning around, she said, “I just want to be alone.”
“Do you even know who it is?”
Back still to him, she said in a weary voice, “I do now, and no offense Mac, I don’t want to talk to anyone, even you.”
There was no anger in her voice, just sorrow and defeat, and it only added to his pain. There was no way that he was leaving her alone, not only for her benefit, but he needed this as well right how.
Sitting next to her on the step, he said, “well then, I guess I won’t talk.”
She didn’t reply, but after a while, with her gaze still ahead, said, “shouldn’t you be inside tending to everyone? It’s your house after all.”
Mac let out a small laugh, and turning to her, asked, “you trying to get rid of me Riles?”
When she just shrugged, he sombered slightly and turned back ahead, replying, “Bozer’s got it covered.”
She nodded and they sat in silence for a few moments before Mac broke it in a quiet voice.
“You don’t have to say anything, but here's the deal. We’re all here for each other, and I’m here for you okay?”
She didn’t say anything, but he knew she was listening so continued.
“We’re a package deal remember? And although you want to be alone right now, I’m afraid I’m not going to let that happen. But after this slightly cheesy speech, I promise I’ll shut up and we can sit in comfortable silence.”
Riley let out a small, reluctant smile, and he grinned as well, happy to get the reaction he wanted. He had been slightly worried that she really hadn’t wanted him there, but that smile put his worries to rest.
She didn’t reply, but with her gaze still ahead, she slipped her hand into his and he tightly held on to it.
They sat like that, silent and lost in their thoughts but holding hands, for maybe an hour or longer until Bozer came to tell them everyone was leaving.
They stood up and finally let go of each other, Riley giving him a faint smile, thanking him, and he returned it, no words needing to be exchanged.