Mac hadn't seen Jet or Shannon in a while. He'd heard from his friend that they were settling in to married life.

Then Shannon had called.

As soon as they got back to her place, he realized Jet's mark was all over the place. This was going to be very interesting, in a what wouldn't kill him would make him stronger mindset.

She motioned him to the couch and left the room, returning with a couple of icy beers. He popped the top on the one, and arched an eyebrow to her. "What is this about, Shannon?"

"A lot of things have changed since New Year's, Mac. When you took over and ruined the holiday. You need to understand something. I'm not the stupid kid you think I am and I won't be the other woman in this relationship."

"What do you mean," Mac asked slowly. "I'm a friend. I'm not competition, Shannon." He didn't think for a minute that Jet had spilled their secret, but he had to know how she'd known all the details. "All we are is friends, Shannon. You're the only woman and not the other woman. Redhead, like Jet liked." At least his hair was darkening finally to regular brown instead of cinnamon. Jet had commented on his hair a lot.

He took a few swallows of beer. "Is this some weird come-on? Are you making some sort of crazy pass at me? We both know you're completely into Jet."

"I'm not making a pass at you; I'm not really your type anyway am I, Mac? Jethro gets this look when he's talking about you. I know when he's asleep, I mean really asleep, he calls your name. You were with him and those people wouldn't let me go see him when he was hurt. 'Cause I was underage. And then he went and met your parents."

Shannon picked at the label on her drink, still not having opened it. "But the other thing I know is that I'm the one he married, and we're gonna have a baby. And your mom and dad think we're family."

"Shannon, there is nothing between Jet and me, not any more, if there ever was. Don't worry, sweetheart. I won't trod on the sanctity of your marriage, especially not if a child is involved. I'm happy for you, really. You've loved him forever."

Mac downed his beer and looked at Shannon closely. "Things have changed and I can't pretend I like it, but it isn't my life. It is yours and Jethro's. There isn't a defined place for me as more, but I'll never stop being his friend. Like it or not, we're family. Does that make you happier?"