A/N: I don't own them or make money off of them. I'm just borrowing them, I promise to put them back. Thanks to Lisa for the help.

Stella shut off the light to her office as she grabbed her coat, intent on finally leaving the lab. After working on her case for two days straight, Stella was ready to go home and spend her day off sleeping. As she headed toward the elevator, she caught sight of Mac sitting in his chair, staring out at the lights of the city. Even from where she was standing, she could see the tenseness in his shoulders. She knew that between Peyton breaking things off and his stalker; he wasn't sleeping much if any.

She moved into his office, coming to stand behind him. He continued to look out at the night skyline as he let out a sigh. Stella caught Mac's eye in the reflection of the window. A look of understanding passed between them. Words were no longer needed after all the years they'd worked together. She placed her hands on his shoulders, feeling the muscles tense for a moment at the contact. She waited until he relaxed a little, knowing it still took Mac a minute to get used to someone touching him. Slowly she started kneading the muscles, trying to ease some of the tension he had been holding in for too long. She watched in the mirror as he slowly closed his eyes as he started to loosen up. Moving her hand to the back of his neck, she tried to lessen some of the tightness she was sure was the cause of another headache.

Methodically she continued to knead the muscles, slowly feeling him relax under her fingers. She knew by tomorrow the tension would be back, but if she could help him feel better for a short time, it'd be worth it. Finally she pulled away having done all she could for the moment. He opened his eyes at the loss of contact. Already he looked better, the lines on his face had softened just a bit. He stood, stretching the last remaining kink out of his back as he turned to face her.

"Thanks," his eyes warm as they focused on her.

"C'mon Mac, it's what we do remember? We take care of each other."

He smiled as he dropped his head. "Yeah, you always do, don't you." He waited for a moment before looking back up at her. "Feel like grabbing something to eat? Then I can take you home if you'd like."

Stella nodded in response, her eyes twinkling. "Sounds great."

With that, Mac grabbed his suit coat off the hook as they headed toward the elevator, his hand resting on the small of her back.