A/N: After two months, here it is. The closing chapter of "I'm Going Home".
It has been a long ride. I'm very proud of this piece and very thankful that so many of you read, commented, reviewed, and added this fic to your list. It's an honor for me to share this with you.
Apologies that it took so long. It's ironic that my muses dried up when I was writing this last chapter. Maybe they didn't want me to end it, ei? LOL. Anyway, I did my best and here it is.
For the final time for "I'm Going Home", read on and enjoy. Thanks!
CSINYCSINYCSINYCSINY
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old.
I said these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
Even with his eyes closed, Mac Taylor knew that the room was bright. Give or take, mid-morning. The air around him was comfortable – not too warm, not too chilly – even in his present state of undress.
Mac felt the other half of the bed move. He tightened his arms around the other person he was sharing the bed with. He wasn't surprised that the person beside him was equally naked. He pressed his face against the thick curls in front of him and took a healthy whiff smelling of coconut.
The woman stirred and snuggled deeper into Mac's arms. He kissed her shoulder softly.
"Good morning, Mac," the woman mumbled against the pillow. She turned to face him and kissed the center of his chest.
"Good morning, Stella," he said softly, stroking her face and hugging her tighter. The sheets were tangled on their legs, a pillow or two thrown haphazardly on the floor, clothes strewn around the room… signs of what they did last night.
They stayed that way for long moments, just stroking each other's skin, kissing softly. There were no phone calls to interrupt them. The New York that they had to take care of was miles away from where they were.
"Hmm… did you have fun meeting my mother?" Stella said sleepily. She lifted one of her thighs and draped it over Mac's legs. "She likes you."
He chuckled and in response, he stroked the firm thigh. "Does she really? Gee, I must be really special then," he said, kissing her lips soundly.
They were in a quaint hotel in Greece – Stella's motherland. They took out another ten days out of their allotted vacation leaves to get away and spend time with each other. They were halfway through those ten days… and yesterday…
"Well, we got there, didn't we?" she smiled with a slight blush.
"Stella, we're still there," Mac replied, stroking and rubbing a little higher on her thigh and hip. She moaned softly and snuggled closer, pressing her breasts to his chest.
Things were getting more and more interesting until they heard a knock on the door and, "Room service. Breakfast."
Stella pushed Mac off her and asked, "Did you hang the 'do not disturb' sign there last night?" She gathered the sheets around her.
Mac pulled on a robe. "I know I did…" Or did I? he thought. Stella went to the bathroom while Mac attended to the room service. Their hotel reservation included a complimentary breakfast cart. He gave the guy a nice tip and wheeled the cart into the room.
He found Stella washing her face in the bathroom. He sidled behind her and wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Hmm… good morning again," she chuckled with a little shimmy. "Aren't you so glad to see me…"
"Breakfast's ready," he murmured. They exited the bathroom with their hands all over each other.
They took their breakfast cart to the balcony. The beautiful Greek morning provided a relaxing backdrop for the two. Stella was curled up beside Mac on a chaise lounge, both of them in robes. He fed her pieces of fruit while she shared a mug of hot chocolate with him. They exchanged sweet kisses in between bites.
"I'm worried about the lab," Mac said, breaking the silence.
Stella chuckled and sat up. "Ah don't worry, Mac," she said. "Danny's a big boy. He's responsible enough to take care of the lab. If not, we would've heard bad news by now." Mac didn't look convinced. "Aw, come on. Just five more days. And we'll be home."
"I'm already home," he whispered, kissing her softly. "It's where the heart is, am I right?" She shot him a puzzled look. "My heart is with you, Stella… always has been."
"I love you," she said softly, stroking his cheek. She buried her face against his neck and sighed contentedly.
They stayed that way until noon, getting up to finally take a bath and plan the rest of the day. Stella had been showing Mac around Athens and they were having the time of their lives. She surprised him with this trip after they wrapped up a rather controversial case back in New York. Secretly, Stella settled the vacation with their bosses, put Danny in command while they were gone, and booked the trip.
When Stella broke the news to Mac, they were to leave the next day. Mac looked at her sternly, "I have a feeling that I have been through this before…" It was true; Peyton did a similar thing some time ago. "And look at where that ended up."
She pouted and put her hands on her hips. "You don't adore me?" Mac showed Stella how much he adored her that night.
"Is this adoration enough for you, Stella?" Mac asked after catching his breath. She could only nod and kiss his shoulder in reply.
At the airport the next day, Flack and Danny offered to see them off. The others wanted to tag along but they had on-going cases. As Mac and Stella approached the gate, Flack called out, "Are we expecting three people to come back?"
Mac looked puzzled and Stella immediately blushed. Danny was smirking beside the taller detective. "Oh come on, Flack. Don't embarrass them," the CSI said to Flack with a mock punch. "Bye now. Before you miss your flight."
Stella half-dragged Mac towards the gate before the younger detectives could say anything else. But Mac finally realized what Flack meant. He stopped mid-step and his face heated up. "Mac?" Stella asked, confused.
He looked at her and smiled sheepishly. They could hear Flack and Danny laughing behind them.
"Just kidding, Mac!" Flack said. Danny was laughing hysterically. "Have fun, you two."
Sitting in the plane, waiting for it to take off, Mac was silent. Stella was equally quiet, fidgeting with the buckle of her seatbelt. "Are you okay, Mac?" she finally asked, placing her hand on his.
He faced her and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "I'm good," he chuckled. "Took me a while there." Stella put her head on his shoulder and sighed happily.
"What? Are you bothered that they have an idea what activities we are going to have in Greece?" Stella joked once the seatbelt sign turned off.
He laughed, startling the man sitting in front of him. Apologizing to the man, he turned to Stella, "A little bit. I mean," he chuckled, "it's embarrassing. Forget it."
"Aww… Mac. Messes with your 'I am the boss' image, doesn't it?" They laughed softly. Stella snuggled closer to him and added, "You're going to love Greece. I promise you that."
And he sure did. For the first five days, Stella took him to all the important places to see, foods to eat, sounds to hear. They enjoyed every minute of it. But most of all, he enjoyed spending time alone with Stella. No crime scenes, no call-outs, no late nights in a cold laboratory… just Mac and Stella.
On the fifth night, they made love with the fireworks of a party outside as their backdrop. The hotel was used as a venue for a wedding party, complete with music and fireworks. Mac and Stella were more than happy to just stay inside and enjoy each other.
I'm going home.
When they flew back to New York, the lab was still in one piece, big cases were solved, and, "It's just Mac and I, Don," Stella said before the homicide detective could open his mouth.
They managed to separate work from romance quite successfully – even getting into heated arguments from time to time. Of course, they do share special touches, eye contact, and smiles here and there. Nothing inappropriate.
The relationship was accepted very well around the lab and their friends. Everybody respected their space, admired the two for their professionalism. Mac and Stella were very grateful for that. Even though they do share a romantic bond that never interfered with their work.
"I guess it's because we've been working together for such a long time," Stella said fondly to Lindsey when the younger CSI asked her about it, "that we fall naturally into it. I can read Mac so well and him, me… it's not like anything changed between us."
Mac said something similar to Sheldon. "With Stella and I, it's different. Our relationship is built on so many things – our friendship, work, our respect and understanding for each other… it takes a whole damn lot to bring it down."
"The weird thing is," Stella chuckled, "Mac still makes me laugh with the smallest, simplest things. Who knew, after all these years, after all we've been through…"
"I guess that is what love is, you know," Mac said with a slight smile on his face. "It's when you look at the person you love, everyday, and she still surprises you."
Before going home after shift, Mac collected Stella into a warm hug and kissed her softly. She just sighed and sank deeper into his arms.
"This never gets old," Stella whispered, kissing Mac's chin.
"Yeah, it doesn't," he agreed, taking her hand and leading her home.
03/26/2008
CSINYCSINYCSINYCSINY
ImSoMMAD – hey! Thank you very much for the kind words. It keeps me going. :) I'm glad you liked this fic.
Mandi – LOL, I don't think I've written a fic with Stella ripping Mac's shirt off before hahahaha… I'll think about it.
A hugethank you to everyone!