The Truth
by Jennie
Pairing: Mac/Victor
Rated: T (for one or two naughty words) Pre-slash.
Summary:"It was just one tiny little fib."
Disclaimer: Not my characters, no money made.
Author's Notes: Peja hit me with another challenge I couldn't resist. Blame her. Blame my Mac muse. Hell, blame the drugs. Just don't blame me. I had to write something while not writing the various stories I owe here and there...
Beta: Not beta'd. Silly in the extreme. 09-26-03
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What Is A Lie?
"It was just one tiny little fib."
"A fib? You call that a *fib*?"
"Okay, okay, it was a lie."
"That's putting it mildly, don't you think?"
"Fine, it was a big fat lie, but ....."
"But *what*, Mac?"
"I was just trying to help you, Vic."
"Help me? By telling her that I'm *gay*?"
"Well, *you're* the one who's been whining about how the woman just won't back off."
"Great. Just fucking wonderful. I found *this* outside of my door this morning."
"She lent you a book, so what?"
"Listen closely while I read the title, asswipe, 'Coming Out Straight Understanding and Healing Homosexuality'."
"Uhmmm." *Cough* "Honest,Vic, I was only trying to-"
"Help. Yeah, Mac, I remember."
*Knock, knock*
*Sigh* "Go let her in, Mac."
"Her?" *Groan* "Oh no. Not *her*."
"Yes, Ramsey. *Her*."
"Can't we just pretend no one's home, Vic? Please?"
"Not a chance, Ace. You started this. Now, answer. The. Door."
*Footsteps*
*Door opens*
"Hi, Wanda."
"Hey, Mac. Great to see you again. I just stopped to see if- Vic! Did you get the book?"
"Sure did. Where are your manners, babe? Invite our guest inside."
"Babe?"
"Don't get all shy on me *now*, Mac. We agreed, remember?"
"I... agreed?"
"To tell Wanda the truth."
*Cough* "Tr- " *Cough, cough* "Truth?"
*Door closes*
*More footsteps*
*Gasp* "Vic? Why are you...?"
"Why am I holding Mac's hand?"
"Er, yeah?"
"Well, Wanda, the thing is... we discussed this earlier and... Mac, maybe *you* should tell Wanda what's going on."
*Squeak* "I-I-I."
"Don't mind Mac, Wanda. He gets a little shy sometimes. I'm sure you understand."
"I... yeah. Sure. I guess."
*Chuckle* "Sorry, neighbor. Let me explain." *Deep breath* "Even though you just moved in last month, I - we - feel that... We can confide in you, right?"
"I... "
"What am I saying? Of *course* we can! I know you've been worried about me, Wanda. That I'm all alone. That I haven't been able to find a partner. That I might have better luck if I were straight. Well... you see, Mac and I have been together for quite some time now."
"Y-you have? Together as in... as in *together*, together?"
"Exactly! I knew you'd understand."
"Oh! I, um... Oooh!"
"Yes. And, you see, the thing is... our employers are kind of funny about the whole issue of homosexuality, so we try to keep it quiet. Not because we're ashamed. I mean, how could we be? But, neither of us can afford to lose our jobs - I'm sure you know how *that* is."
"Y-yeah, Vic. I do. Of c-course I d-do."
"There! See Mac? I *told* you she only gave me the book because she was worried about me. Wanda's not a homophobe."
"Er... right. Not a homophobe."
"Why don't you go on in and get that book we bought for her, babe?"
"Book?"
*Chuckle* "Yes, Mac. The book. You left it on the bed. Your side, on the pillow, remember?"
"Bed. My side. Right. Getting it. I'll, um, be right back."
"You got me a book, Vic?"
"Actually, *we* got you a book. We thought it might help you. Help all of us. It's called, 'Between Gay and Straight Understanding Friendship Across Sexual Orientation'."
"I... see."
"I just thought that you probably haven't known too many gay men and... We *are* friends. Friends and neighbors. So... Ah. Here it is. Mac? Don't just stand there, give her the book."
"Oookay. Here, Wanda."
"I hope it helps. Why don't you go on and get started reading, okay?"
"Y-yeah. I'll, um, I'll just g-go back to my apartment and... r-read. Yeah. Read. Thanks, Vic... and you too, Mac."
"Great! Feel free to call us if you have any questions."
"Call. Yeah. I'll, um, do that."
"Okay. Night, Wanda."
"Night."
*Footsteps*
*Door opens*
*Door Closes*
*Pause*
"Vic?"
"Yes, Mac?"
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but... That was you bitching about my lies earlier, wasn't it?"
"Yep."
"And that *was* you telling Wanda all about us being gay."
"Sure was."
"So... you *compounded* my lie."
"In a manner of speaking."
"Huh?"
"Not everything I told her was a lie, Mac."
*Pause*
"Not everything?"
*Smirk*
"Vic?"
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"And, after all, what is a lie?
'Tis but the truth in masquerade."
-Byron -Don Juan
The Truth 2: Some Cupids
"Vic?"
...
"Vic!"
...
"Hey, where are you going?"
"To the kitchen, Mac."
"Huh?"
"The kitchen. You know, that room with the shiny appliances? The room you keep the refrigerator in? That thing that keeps your beer cold."
"Ha ha. Smart-assed bastard."
"Smart-assed *hungry* bastard."
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"Well, don't just stand there. If you plan to stick around, you can get in here and help."
"Help? Like, help you *cook*?"
*snort* "Touch my stove and you die, asshole. You can make a salad while *I* cook pasta and heat up the sauce."
"Salad... Riiight."
*sigh* "Even you can manage to chop up some vegetables for a salad, Mac." ~~~~~~
"So, Victor... "
"Mmmhmm?"
"Exactly which part of what you told Wanda was the truth?"
"Oh, this-n-that."
"Such as...?"
*shrug* "I'm not exactly what you'd call straight, for one thing."
CRASH
"Hey, careful with that bowl, Mac."
"Sorry." *ahem* "So, you, um-"
"Fuck men?"
choke "That's not how I'd have put it, but... yeah."
"Sure I do." ...
"Mac? You're looking a little pale there. You okay?"
"Yeah. Sure. Fine. Never been better. What's in this sauce, anyway?" ~~~~~~
"Vic?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you... do that? A lot?"
"Do what? Fuck men?"
*cough* "Uh huh."
"No. Not these days."
"Oh. Um... why?"
"Too much hassle, too little time. Get dressed in my leathers, find a bar, find a guy that appeals, convince him to leave with me, seduce him - and be at work the next day. I'm not even gonna go into the hazards of the Director finding out."
"And women?"
"Even more work."
"Oh. So don't you ever get laid?"
"I have a rich and satisfying fantasy life, Mac."
gulp
"Dinner's ready. You set the table while I carry in the food."
"Dinner?"
sigh "Yes, Mac, dinner." "But... Damn, Vic, how can you think about food now."
"Easily. I haven't eaten since lunchtime. I'm hungry, Mac. Set the table so we can eat!" ~~~~~~
"You're not eating, Mac. Lose your appetite?"
"No. I mean yes. I mean... What *else* did you not lie about?"
"Well, we have been together for quite a while."
"Yeah... as partners - at work. You insinuated that we were, um-"
"In love." shrug "That was half true, Mac. I am in love with you."
"WHAT?"
"I'm in love with you. Have been for a while now."
gurgle
"Close your mouth, Mac."
"But I... But you... Vic?"
"Hmmm?"
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Mac. Just fine."
"Have you been drinking?"
"Not a drop."
"Taken any mind-altering drugs lately?"
"Nope."
"B-b-but... "
"Calm down, Mac. I'm sober. Just tired of lying about who I am."
"Um, what you said about being in lo- about... that thing you said...?"
"Don't worry. Your virtue is safe with me. I'm not planning on ravishing you now that you know how I feel."
"Vic?"
"Yes, Mac?"
"What if I said that I didn't want my virtue to be safe?" ...
"Vic?"
"Huh?"
"You're staring."
*sigh* "And enjoying a wonderful fantasy, too."
"So...?"
"Finish your dinner and then we'll talk more about what we'd want from each other. And how we'd handle things. Because, Mac, I am not in the market for a one night stand."
"And then? After we talk?"
"We'll see, Mac. We'll see."
If it be so, then loving goes by haps;
some Cupids kill with arrows, some with traps.
--W. Shakespeare, -Much Ado About Nothing
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