Chapter 16: Shining a light

A/N: All right! After all this vacation and moving time, here it's the next chapter. Again a great thank you to all who reveiewed this fic so far, and to those who put it in fav or alert. And to all thanks for reading.

Summary: presumed loss, Mac has been found. But he now has to deal with the aftermath of memory loss and stress. Stella and the team steps up to help, while his nemesis are looking to get to him. Angsty Smacked...team friendship. CHAP 16 UP!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, besides the characters I created for this story. CSI NY belongs to CBS and Jerry Bruckeimer.

Her hand was gently nestled against his cheek, and he smiled shyly, lingering in her warmth. Without realizing it, his hand pressed over hers, and Stella offered him a warm smile.

"Mac," she began, her voice soft and low.

His eyes smiled to her. "You don't have to worry that much, Stell. And... And I know it's not easy for you to..." His voice trailed off, searching his words. He bit his lower lip. "... to deal with a stubborn guy like me... and..." He took a small breath.

Although he was tired, she could see how much energy he was trying to muster only to reassure her. But the way he was standing, his shoulders slowly slumped forward, leaning heavily on his left side, and the small tremors she could feel running beneath her fingers. All were signs that he was done for the day, and about to crumble at any moment. No, the only thing keeping him up and standing before her, was his will. And she knew how strong his will could be. But it wasn't for his own good after he had been so hurt and had spent the night fighting his terrible past and getting no rest at all.

Tenderly, her thumb stroked his cheek, and she smiled to him. "C'mon," she said as her hand slid the length of his arm and nestled in his cold hand.

The small light of the city piercing through the windows bathed their face of a soft orange gleamer, when Mac looked at her with a puzzled look. She headed to her room and pulled him with her. He blinked, not sure what to do, but as her hand tugged gently at his arm, he followed her. His heart skipped in his chest, echoing with his already beating headache. What was she doing?

He froze at the threshold of the room. "Stell?" his eyes widened, his legs like jelly, and finally making him conscious of the tremendous effort he had taken to remain up until now. He was drained and she probably knew it seeing the worry lingering behind her eyes.

She turned toward him a genuine smile. "You need to rest, Mac. And I didn't sleep either. Danny will call if there's something important we need to know." She glanced at the bed. "And right now, you and I are going to get some rest, so that tomorrow we will be able to kick some asses," she said with a broad grin.

Swallowing his tension, he gazed at her. "What...? I mean, I... I..." He quirked his brows.

Releasing his hand, she kicked off her shoes, and tossed her coat on a chair. With a gentle smile, she stepped back behind him and helped him to take his jacket off. His lips tight, he offered her a small frown as he hesitated.

She tossed his clothes over her coat and smiled. "You'll sleep better without your shoes on."

He nodded, and his left hand taking support on the wall, he kicked off his shoes and watched as Stella stepped to the curtains. Without a word, she closed them and the light from outside was shaded into a dim, gentle light. He mentally thanked her as his headache slowly dimmed. Still smiling, she stepped toward him and gently grabbed his hand.

As Stella noticed the look of uncertainty in Mac's eyes, she stopped again and frowned. "You prefer to sleep in the guest room?" She asked, doubts filling her heart now. She knew that resting wasn't easy when you had nightmares, and she had assumed he would be more comfortable with her, though she couldn't fight the private man in him; wanting to deal with his past alone.

He cringed at the option of being alone with his nightmares. He didn't want to sleep at all. Last time had been... He took a small breath. "I'm not tired," he lied. He could feel his body yelling at him for such a lie. But he didn't want to go back in this dark world, where everything was pain and torment.

Stella watched with pain, as Mac raised a pair of pleading eyes to her, hopelessness filling his gentle gaze. Her heart wrenched in her chest. "C'mon," she mouthed. Gently, she squeezed his hand, and, as he offered no resistance, she led him to the bed. She felt the pull as he stopped the moment she slipped under the covers. But when she offered him a warm smile, his hesitation disappeared and he slowly lay down beside her. She smiled as he lay on his back and stared at the ceiling, his eyes fully open with obvious no intention to rest.

Mac stared at the white ceiling before him, afraid of that sleep would take him into a place he could only remember pieces of, though it was enough to scare the hell out of him. But then, softly Stella snuggled against him. Her warm arms gently pulled him into her soft embrace. His cheeks blushed, and his heart skipped madly in his chest. He wondered why he felt constantly on edge with her. If they were close friends; the way she was hugging him shouldn't make him react this way. Not like that. Though, he had to admit, her warmth was very comforting right now.

Her chest pressed softly against his back. His muscles tensed at her touch and she smiled inwardly. That was so like her old friend, to be uneasy when all she was trying to do was to make him comfortable. She sighed; his barriers were back, but at least he let her get close to him, well very close in fact. And maybe that was why they hadn't really talked about their relationship. She sighed inwardly, as her arms ensnared him and she guided his head toward her shoulder. She smiled as he didn't resist, and followed her move. He was so tired that it could only explain why he had complied to her wishes so easily today.

"You can sleep now, Mac," she softly whispered, her breath gently caressing his short, brown hair.

He sighed heavily. "Don't want to," he admitted, his voice muffled against her chest and his headache throbbing madly beneath his temples.

"Just close your eyes, okay. I will be there if you need me."

"You need to rest too," he whispered tiredly, his body already betraying him and giving in to sleep.

She smiled and her face gently nestled against his cheek. Her hand came to rest over his forehead and lazily played with his hair. "I will, as soon as you rest. Now, close your eyes for me, okay?"

He took a small breath, lingering in the delicate stroke of her fingers in his hair. Slowly lulled by her soft caress, he closed his weary eyes. " 'kay," his soft voice muttered as sleep was already claiming him.

Her heart heavy, Stella continued to caress his face until she was sure he was deep asleep, his slow breathing and his limp body confirming her assumptions. Then, she tightened her hold around him, lingering in his warmth that had been so clearly missing the day she had found him, in that dark, freezing hole. As she deposited a warm kiss on his hairs, a silent tear escaped her eye, and welled down her cheek. Although they had fought again today, she knew she would never abandon him. And now that he was asleep in her arms, she had to be honest with herself. She had feelings more than friendship toward him, and she couldn't deny that as she was spending more time with him out of the Lab, the more she wanted to remain with him. The moment she had left the hospital alone had cruelly bit into her soul; she had missed him so much and it had only been a few minutes. But she could still remember that long wait to find him a few days back, and her heart couldn't bear to see him far from her now. She had no idea if her feelings were mutual, and now she was afraid to be the only one to feel this way. She sighed. And as long as his memory wouldn't be one hundred percent back, admitting her thoughts would be like using his distress to get to his heart. And she couldn't do that to him. Her lips tight, she swallowed back her anxiety. For the moment he was safe in her arms and that was all that matters. Even if was going to be hard, she would have to wait to tell him what lay inside her heart. The only question was just : for how long?

xxx

He smiled wickedly as he saw the cop hovering and limping into the snow to get to his car. Martin glanced at his watch. It was late in the afternoon, and seeing how furious the chick had run out of the hospital and the face Taylor had given to everyone as he was outside, he deduced they probably had a fight. He shook his head in content. Obviously, she was his weakness. And their strong bond wasn't without holes and bumps. Surely, he could prepare something to use this at his advantage. Anyway, the guy didn't deserve to be respected as he let himself to be treated this way by a chick. Damned that chick! If he could remain with her only five minutes, he would show her how a girl should behave with a man, and surely she would never forget it.

Still smiling broadly, he followed them to the chick's apartment. He grunted, knowing that there were small chances that they moved again. Like yesterday, she was probably going to try to keep him inside, which wasn't stupid and helped Taylor to heal. But gee! Taylor let that chick control his life so much that he was sick to just be observing them. He gave a pout at the rear mirror as a police car stationed right behind him. Damn it!

Taking a small breath, he looked as one of the cops exited the car and quickly walked to a small coffee shop. A few minutes later, the officer was outside, holding two steaming cups, and avoiding the chunks of frozen snow on the curb. He climbed back quickly in the car. Martin's fists tightened as he saw the cops sipping slowly at the hot beverage. Damn it! They hadn't just made a quick stop, he realized angrily. No, they were taking a stake out, and right behind him.

Suddenly, his phone went off, and he frowned at the ID. "Tommy?" he said, already annoyed by his older brother.

"Huh? Marty?" said his brother. "I'm tired of waiting here, and..."

Martin glanced at the cops in the mirror and clenched his hand around the wheel. If Tommy was calling, it meant his older brother was starting to get really bored and it was going to be hard to keep him in one place. But what could he do with him?

"Tommy, I don't have time for your whining," he finally said tiredly. "Just watch the damned TV, alright?"

"Yeah, yeah, I did. And I saw the boss speaking on TV too, but I want to be useful, Marty. I know I screwed up but..."

Martin frowned. "The boss on TV?"

"Yeah, was about the event in a few days," said Tommy.

Martin shook his head, of course, the event. The boss was probably getting nervous. By this day, Taylor should have been dead, and nobody should have been able to threaten him. He frowned, but if the boss was taking the risk to keep Taylor alive, it meant he was probably betting on his weak state and his trouble with his memory. Martin sighed. But knowing the guy as he had studied him for weeks, he knew it was risky. As soon as Taylor would try to work again, the boss would be in danger. He shook his head. But that was the boss' problem. If he wanted to take a risk with Taylor to get his revenge, well, he couldn't do a thing about it. Though sticking to the cop like that, was dangerous for him, and his initial contract was to kill Taylor, not stalking him. Damn it! He sighed remembering the huge possibility he had this afternoon. Alone with the cop, he could have taken his life, and their problem would be almost over.

"Marty?" called his brother.

"Just stay where you are, Tommy. If you follow my instructions, I promise you'll get your fun with the cop, okay?"

A long silence followed his words, and he wondered a second if his brother hadn't just hung up on him. "Promise?" said his brother.

"Yeah, I swear, you'll help the boss, and I won't stop you if you want to get some fun with Taylor. You'll be able to beat him, blow him off, or play with him. I'll make sure of that."

"Thanks, Marty." His brother hung up, and Martin sighed and looked at the phone. Time to call the boss for the daily update.

Frowning, he dialed the number and hoped that the news to kill Taylor would come quickly. But before that, he would probably have to leave his spot as the cops behind him seemed to glance too many times at his car. He sighed and turned on the engine. It was time to leave this spot and find another one more discreet this time.

xxx

She sighed as she read the last reports she had gathered. Lindsay looked up to see her husband hobbling toward her office and she cringed. He had that face that meant that things were worse than he had thought.

"What happened?" she started as soon as he entered their office. "I thought you were going to see Mac and Stella?"

He sighed. "I did." He slumped tiredly on the couch near the wall, and dropped his cane to the floor.

"Danny?" She raised her brows in worry and quickly went to sit beside him.

"I saw them, Linds. But..." He frowned. "Well, I processed Mac as Stella wanted to and you know it felt weird. I felt weird!" He let out a heavy sigh. "I mean..., Linds. He was covered in bruises! All his chest and back! Even his arms and hands, I mean that was... that was..." He stopped unable to say more.

Her lips tight, she put an arm around his shoulder and pulled him to her. "He's gonna be alright, Danny." Her hand gently caressed his blond hair and he gave her a weak smile.

"I hope you're right."

"Of course, I am, Danny." She grinned as he raised his brows in wonder. "That's why you married me, remember?"

He smiled lightly. "Yeah, what was I thinking?"

She smiled warmly and patted his shoulder.

Taking a deep breath, he sat upright, trying not to get submerged by his dark mood. "So what did you find so far?" His mind back to Mac's case, at least he could do that to help his friend.

"Well, with the help of Adam, Sheldon and I recreated the circumstances that happened in the building." She pouted seeing his bewildered face. With a serious face she stood up and grabbed her tablet. Then she sat back next to him and touching the screen, she showed a 3D replica of the building to Danny. "Well, only part of it," she admitted. "We still need Mac to tell us everything. But so far, we managed to find that they were at least two people with Mac."

On the screen appeared three people facing each other. "At one point, they cuffed him, and as Stella found him he freed one of his hands."

Danny watched bemused as one man had now his hands bound behind his back.

"What we know too," continued Lindsay. "Is that when the explosion occurred, the tub was on the fourth floor, so it's probable that Mac was there too. And from what I gathered in the tub, Mac went inside or was forced to as I found his DNA all over the place plus his footprints too." On the screen, the bound man was placed in a tub near a wall.

Danny frowned, his heart accelerating at the reconstition. His mind already playing the worst scenario that could have happened. And with only one question; why a tub? Was it the place they had planned to use to kill him. Easy to wash after. Oh God, his mind whispered in horror. He really came this close. He closed his eyes, feeling nausea invading his mouth.

"I can't tell precisely if he went freely or not," said Lindsay as she sighed with remorse. "I can't either explain why I only found Mac's DNA inside the tub, well apart from the black hair that was with the footprints." She frowned.

Danny nodded, giving her a stern look. "Knowing Mac, he probably gave them hell before they could tie him up. Doing so, he probably kicked one of the guys in the head. That's how the hair got on his shoes and inside the tub."

She shook her head. "Well, that hair doesn't belong to our John Doe in the morgue. And I didn't find anything in CODIS. But some of the blood on the side of the tub, and the saliva does. It belonged to him."

He nodded. "At least we have some pieces of the puzzle." He sighed and tiredly leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "I asked Sheldon to check if Medriano had friends." He looked straight at Lindsay, his mind back to his friends. "Mac remembers hearing men coming after him in the hole. And they weren't friendly," he said with dread.

"Men?"

He shook his head. "Yeah, there's a third one runnin' in the street and who wants to kill Mac too." He sighed. "And the explosives? What did you find?"

"Flack is on it. He said he found a link with a robbery a few months ago, and he'll call as soon as he will have details about that lead." She looked at Danny, her heart heavy. "We have to be strong, Danny. Mac and Stella need us."

He shook his head. "I know. I just wish Mac was back at the helm, ya know? He always knows what to do. I mean things are so simple when he's around. I never really saw all the things that he was doing to keep us together."

She smiled, her hand lingering softly around his neck. "Yep, but now it's our turn to take care of him. He has Stella, but when he'll be back, he will need us ready to go into action. And you, my dear husband," she said as her hands patted his shoulders. "You need to relax a bit to be able to help."

He smiled. "My dear husband? Ya talked to your mum lately?"

She smiled back. "No, I had to yours, and she seemed worried about you, just as much as I am."

He gently stroked her cheek. "I'm okay, Linds." He gave her a tired smile.

She raised her brows, obviously disaggreeing with him.

"What?" he asked.

"Well, Don was right. You do look like Mac lately." She gave him a warm smile.

"Must come with the office," he muttered as he pulled her in his arms.

She tightened her arms around him, and buried her face in his shoulder. "Just don't get hurt like Mac, okay?"

He tightened his hold. "Yeah, Montana. I'll be careful."

She smiled. It was getting dark outside, and she closed her eyes, lingering in the soft warmth of her husband's body. One more day had passed, and they were still unsure of the outcome and Mac's future. Soon, she hoped they would find the answers they needed, and they would then be able to stop those who wanted to harm their friend.

xxx

She blinked as the warm body pressed against her had shifted wearily. Opening her eyes, Stella realized it was late in the night, as only the lights from the city peered through the curtains. She glanced to her side at the alarm clock. 3:30AM, and smiled lightly at the nestled form in her arms. Mac hadn't moved until now, and she was glad that he had slept that long. Almost eight hours, that had to be a record, especially for him.

But her joy quickly faded as he groaned in his sleep and tensed against her. She looked back at the clock, a feeling of dread filling her mind: 3:33AM was now glowing, and Mac seemed to be thrashing even more. He let out a small yelp and then froze. She stared at his tensed features as his eyes slowly opened, a glassy veil covering them. She wondered if he had always woken up this way when the 333 stalker was after him, and her heart squeezed in pain. At the time, she had supported him and helped him to get through this as much as she could, and even when she had known about his restless night, she had never asked if he needed company to help. She swallowed back the feeling of guilt, remembering that at the time he was alone, Peyton having cowardly dumped him with a Dear John letter. With a deep sigh, she noticed his eyes fluttering as he tried to understand where he was. His head rose heavily from her shoulder.

"Stella?" his voice croaked faintly.

"Yes, Mac. I'm here." Softly, her fingers brushed his damp hairs to confirm that he wasn't dreaming and hoping it would help him to get back to sleep. His head lay down tiredly against her shoulder with a faint sigh. "It was just a nightmare," she added, knowing once again it was a lie. To wake up at that precise time, he had probably dreamed of Drew and reliving this time had obviously pulled him back down.

"It's not," he muffled against her, his tone soft, though she could feel his heart beating madly.

Her eyes widened at his words. He knew. And as to confirm her fears, his arms tightened around her even more. She watched him shutting his eyes firmly as to suppress another bad dream trying to take him away. His jaw clenched to muffle his pain, as now awake he was trying to hide his pain. "I'm here, Mac."

He sighed heavily, obviously sad that she had seen so easily through him. "I know," his muffled voice echoed, but his eyes remained close.

He was hurting all over. His muscles were stiff and aching every time he was moving, and he had to struggle not to moan and worry Stella more. He was glad she was there. But he knew too, that she wasn't seeing him in his best day, and it was a pain even worse clutching at his heart. He sighed and felt her arms gently tightening around him. He wondered for a moment if the way she was helping him hadn't passed the simple boundaries of friendship, but he quickly shaved the idea away. She couldn't love him. Or surely things would have progressed between them before he lost his memory. He sighed tiredly, his headache back with full force and his head writhed by a shooting pain. He squeezed his eyelids, trying to stop the headache, but it didn't work. And finally, he let out a long deep sigh.

The pain was unbearable and pierced his brain. He was about to let it go, when he felt her fingers gently caressing his left temple. The soft move slowly soothed the hammering beneath his skull, and he released the strong grip he hadn't realized he had around her. Confused and tired, he hoped his hold hadn't hurt her in anyway. But as she continued to gently stroke his temple, softly caressing his hair line, his mind slowly drifted away.

She smiled weakly as Mac finally relaxed against her. As soon as she had felt him tensed and involuntarily tightening his hold around her, she had gently stroked his face. His hold squeezing her, probably due to his current condition, hadn't been very powerful as if it was all he had left. And like a child comforted in his dreams, he had slowly slumbered back into a deep sleep. Through the darkness surrounding them, she gazed at his face shyly bathed by the city's light and watched his tensed features slowly relaxed under her caress. A weak smile grazed her lips, realizing that this time she had been able to help him fight his bad dream, and that she had been able to hold her promise, to be there for him.

Looking at the clock, she noted that only twenty minutes had passed and that, glady, he was asleep again. He needed rest, and maybe tomorrow things would start to get back to normal. She closed her eyes, hoping she was right and letting herself being taken by a well deserved sleep.

xxx

The next time she woke up, Stella realized that it was the morning, though still early as her clock indicated 7:12AM. But the next thing that struck her was the empty bed beside her. Where the hell was Mac? She looked around, but anywhere her sight rested, he wasn't there. But then, she heard the characteristic sound of dripping water and released her breath. He hadn't left. No, he was probably taking a shower. But if he had awaked before her, and was in the bathroom, she could bet he had a precise idea in mind. As to answer to her thoughts, she heard the bathroom door opening and muffled steps leaving the corridor, probably heading towards his room, she deduced. With a small frown creasing her face, she jumped off the bed to go after him.

Mac winced as he slipped in a fresh navy t-shirt and let out a small groan, when the same fabric grazed at his stitches not protected. His black pants already on, he glanced quickly at the raw wound on his side and gave a small pout. That wasn't pretty, but at least, it wasn't infected. A voice raked behind him, interrupting his thoughts, and he turned with a small smile.

Stella was standing on the threshold of his room as he had left the door open. Her arms crossed over her chest, she was observing him with a curious look.

He frowned lightly. "Ah, sorry if I woke you up, I tried not to..."

Stella smiled and walked toward him with a mischievous smile. "Need a hand with that?" She asked as her hands slowly lifted his t-shirt. She grinned inwardly as he hadn't fought her. No, instead he had let her hands grab his t-shirt without resistance.

His brows creased. "I..." He swallowed as his heart skipped in his chest at her near proximity. He tried to think quickly. What should he say that would not get her angry and...?

But before he had the time to react, she had lifted his t-shirt half way up and was looking at the unprotected wound with a frown. Then, her gentle emeralds locked with his eyes, and he just stared at her. His lips tight, he nodded slightly, agreeing at her silent question and was rewarded by her beautiful smile. What could he oppose to these amazing eyes?

"Just sit on the bed, I'll be right back," she said as she left the room.

Sighing, he sat down, wondering what would happen between them when his memory would be back and he would have healed. Would their lives be apart again? Back to the friendship she said they have? What had happened the last two nights was friendship, right? He wasn't so sure about that though. Somehow he had the feeling that he was getting too close of her. He frowned and was pondering how he was going to tell her his project for today, when she came back, a small medkit in hand. She smiled warmly, and he let go of his doubts, focusing on the way to tell her about his project.

Sitting beside him, Stella opened her small medkit and found the gauze she needed for his wounds. She could feel the heat coming from his close proximity and his warm breath tickling her neck as he was looking at her. She tightened her lips as his cologne invaded her senses, and if she hadn't known better she would have sworn Mac was back with her. Then, it would have been all right to tell him what she felt, right?

Slowly, she raised her eyes to him, and Mac wondered why she seemed so shy so suddenly. Was he making her uncomfortable? Thinking it was his fault, he avoided her gaze and shifted on the bed to let her access to his wound. Her soft fingers gently grazed his skin as she applied a new dressing, and he bit his lower lip, trying to keep his emotions under control. As soon as she was done, he put back his t-shirt, but her warm fingers around his stopped instantly his move. His heart jumped in his chest and their eyes connected.

"Let me see your shoulder now," she said softly, though her voice implied she wasn't ready to hear anything else than yes from him..

Swallowing back the slight blush he felt rising, he slightly nodded and turned to show her his back. His heart beat madly in his chest as he was suddenly blind to her moves. He knew he had nothing to fear from her, but feeling her warm breath tickling his naked skin was sending shivers along his spine, and awaking deep feelings inside, that he wasn't sure he should have. At least not with her. They were friends, his mind tried to convince his body. He shouldn't react that way. Her warm fingers gently applied another dressing over his shoulder, and he sighed in relieve as she broke the contact, not realizing he had let it go aloud.

"Mac, you okay?" Her worried voice came from behind him.

He bit his lower lip, and let his t-shirt down. "I am now. Thanks to you," he said, still avoiding her eyes.

She frowned and gently grabbed his arm as he was about to stand to leave the room. "Mac?"

He took a deep breath before he looked at her. "Sorry,... was just thinking about... different things," he rambled.

She nodded, waiting for him to continue.

He sighed, seeing that she wanted to know more, and wasn't about to let him go before he had told her what was in his mind. Okay, he wanted to wait for breakfast, but he guessed it was okay if he was telling her now. "I'm going to the Lab, today," he stated, making sure she would understand that he wasn't asking her permission. He was going, period.

She looked at him stunned. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.

He stood up and circled the bed, taking a step toward the large window of the room. He gazed at the towers still plunged in the darkness of an early, winter morning. Small lights sparkled here and there, but seemed to give away to the obscurity, as the gloomy shadows were bound to win every time. His hand rubbed at the back of his neck.

Stella watched, stunned, as he was taking his usual spot, facing a window, when he had something important to talk about. Inside, her heart skipped at the sign of her friend, coming back so vividly before her.

"I know what you're gonna say, Stell. But I can't stay here and do nothing any longer." His hand fell back against his side, and closed into a fist.

Back from her stupor, his arguments woke her up. "Mac, the doc hasn't cleared you yet," she said, knowing that arguing with him could provoke a new stressing episode. She tightened her lips, bracing from another outburst.

He turned to her, and she could see that his eyes were gleaming again as if he had found his strength back. But she knew it was only an illusion due to a good night sleep; it had always done that on her friend. One good night sleep was enough to charge his battery. But today was different. He was still wounded, and soon with the day, his forces would decline, giving any occasion to his nemesis to get to him even more easily, and hurt him. Her lips tightened, and she wasn't ready to let him out of her sight so soon. Not as long as he wasn't properly healed.

Rage burst inside his mind and chest and he took a long breath before he could speak again. He couldn't let go of his rising anger after all she had done. No, he had to keep it at bay as much as possible. His green, ocean eyes softened, trying to reassure her. "I need to go back to work and do something, Stell. I remember my job and I can work now. You and the team, you don't have to do all that for me. I can work too." His voice was soft and without any anger.

She bit her lower lip, knowing his stubborness. He was the most stubborn man she had ever met and his memory loss hadn't changed that. So arguing with him would not work. And she had to admit, she had managed to keep him out of work for three days, which in itself was a small miracle. So at one point she should have expected him to react like that. It was how her friend would have acted anyway, so maybe it was a good sign of his memory coming back. She sighed. At least, at the Lab, in the middle of other cops, nothing should happen to him. He should be safe, right?

"Alright, but as soon as you're getting tired or don't feel well, or that I decide that you're not fine, we go back home," she said. "And that's final, Mac," she added with a warm smile.

He chuckled lightly, feeling his rage slowly subsiding as she had agreed without much trouble. "Alright." He locked his eyes with her. "For today, I will listen to you."

She smiled. "Thank you. So you need a big breakfast this morning before we go, and this time you better eat as you haven't eaten anything yesterday beside a breakfast."

"So did you," he replied with a small grin.

She narrowed her eyes genuinely, realizing that his memory loss hadn't hindered his sense of observation. She winked playfully at him before she left his room.

He smiled, staring at her disappearing back. Sure, he was going to listen to her for today, but at least, he was going to do something, and he was going to make sure that he would activate his memory as much as he could. If he couldn't go to find answers at his apartment, and that she wasn't allowed to answer his questions as well, then, he should be able at least to find some clue at the Lab. And besides, he was really remembering things from his job, protocol and processing crime scenes. He shook his head. It was a bit confused when he was trying to think about it, a damned headache coming back as well. But he was sure that he was going to remember it, and not because of the pills that the doc had given him. He frowned. He still had to find why they wanted him to take those.

Leaving his room, he headed to the kitchen, refreshed and feeling way better than the day before; thanks to a good night sleep and a caring Stella. He shook his head, the smell of grilled bacon, and eggs being roasted, and the deep, intense odor of fresh brewed coffee invaded his lungs with delight. Stella was again cooking a meal for a football team. He smiled; he could really get used to this life, with her and her morning, giant breakfast. Yep, he could really fall for her, only would she for a guy as broken as he was?

xxx

Mac glanced at Stella as he leaned back in the lift. For once this morning had been smooth and none of them had uttered a sound too loud. Although he had carefully avoided taking his pills, he had eaten pretty much everything she had stuffed in his plate until his stomach had given up, full. He smiled. She too had eaten pretty well. And for a minute his gaze followed her beautiful curves, wondering how she was doing that and keeping a perfect body. He smirked as he remembered how much she had eaten. He had thought that her watch over him had taken its toll on her, but he had never imagined she had that kind of appetite. He smiled and saw that she was looking at him, meeting his enquiring stare over her body. He blushed slightly, and turned to avoid his uneasiness as he had been caught stealing candy.

She smiled back mischievously. "Still thinking about breakfast and the monster meal you gulped down," she teased lightly.

He chuckled lightly as he looked back. "I had no idea I could eat all that."

She smiled. "Well, me too, Mac. I think it's the first time I've seen you eat that much." She paused and looked at him. "I guess my cooking isn't so bad then?"

His eyes widened in surprise. "So bad? You kiddin' right? It was delicious, and... what?" He asked suddenly as she was staring at him her mouth half open.

"Delicious?" She replied, her brows rose in wonder.

He frowned. "Yes, why not? Nobody has ever told you that you're a good cook?" He watched as she bit her lower lip in a shy pout, and he smiled at her childish gaze.

"Well, I never really cooked for anyone until recently. I mean, besides myself," she confessed with a small voice.

Now, it was his turn to wonder what she meant by that. "I thought that maybe it was the traditional breakfast you served to your guests?" He said.

"Never had any guest for breakfast, Mac," she said, her voice filled with sadness.

"Never? Why?" He stared at her. "I mean, sorry if it's a bit too straight forward, but you're a beautiful woman, and I thought that you would have plenty of guys around you?"

Her lips tight, she looked down, not answering. Of course plenty of guys, but not the one she had really in mind. And to add to that, she couldn't say that her late boyfriend had been the best model in the world. And with her no-man policy, she had hindered any of them to get too close to even taste a breakfast at her place, especially since Frankie.

Mac felt her awkwardness, and realized that maybe he had gone too far in private territory. "Sorry, I shouldn't have talked about your private life. I didn't know that you don't really share that kind of things. Sorry."

She gave him a weak pout, and shook her head. "I do share private matters, Mac."

He nodded, understanding the underlining words of her short statement. "But not with me, I get it," he whispered, his heart now heavy.

He took a step close to the doors and bounced nervously on the sole of his feet, hoping for the doors to open quickly and deliver him from his miserable attempt to get to know her better. But then, her soft fingers nestled in his hand, and he looked at her in wonder.

"I usually share these things with my best friend," she stated as the doors opened.

Mac remained frozen on the spot. He? He was the guy she confided into? She smiled to him and he suddenly sprang into life again as the doors were about to close on them.

Both exited as they exchanged shy glances and their hands broke apart. He smiled back and then turned to the large, empty corridor. He frowned, trying to remember where his office was supposed to be. And then, certain of his way, he headed right in front of him.

Stella followed him, curiosity picking her as she had caught a sparkle in his eyes. She had seen his eyes gleaming with pride at her small confession. Somehow, she was starting to realize that she was discovering a new side of her partner. It was like he was allowing her to see the part of him that he had buried a long time ago, and what he was using right now to get back to his feet. Deep inside she had always thought this side was inside of him, but with Claire's death, he had buried part of his heart and his spontaneity toward life too. Even if it had been only a glimmer in his eyes that she had caught few seconds ago, it was still a part of him that he had let her see. And for that, she was happy to be with him and right now.

It was still early at the Lab, and the corridors were still deserted. The real busy life would not show up before at least twenty minutes, which gave them some time to walk quietly toward his office. But then, as he stopped near Danny's office, she joined him to look at what had attracted his sight.

She smiled and gently slipped a comforting arm around his as she used to do when they were sharing special moments. He glanced at her with a shy smile and then his eyes were back to what had stopped him. Stella gazed with pride at the couple nestled on the couch. Lindsay quietly nestled in her husband's arms and the both sound asleep.

"My team," she heard Mac whispering as he glanced at her with a warm smile, full of pride.

She nodded, glad he had said these words with such emotions.

The vision of Danny and Lindsay as he remembered her name now, made him realized how much his team had put in since he had been missing. He had been right to come back today. If all he had heard about them, and what he was witnessing was another proof of it, then, he had to get back to work too and help them. How could he stay aside when they were working so hard for him? What kind of boss would do that?

Stella's arm tightened around his, and it was so natural that he didn't even think about saying anything. No, he just lingered in the soft contact of her body pressed against his. With the last two nights, he had the deep feeling that his memory was getting better. And maybe, whispered his mind, maybe it wasn't due to the lack of pills, maybe it was just because of her; Stella. He gazed at her emeralds, and wondered if she had any idea of what was going on in his mind because of her? For just a moment, he reveled in her magnificent, green orbs, and felt his will and strength being back to their maximum. He smiled wearily.

Stella watched with wonder as Mac gazed at her, a small silence lingering in the deserted corridors of the Lab. The world shut around her, and a glimmer of hope brightened her stare as she noticed the way he was looking at her. She could feel her old friend, fighting his way back to surface behind his green pools. He was there. Mac was there, ready to come back. The light shining behind his eyes was so intense that she could almost feel it penetrating her core. Soon she would find her friend back. Soon, her mind repeated with expecting joy.

...TBC

A/N: Well, Hope you liked that. It's a new start for Mac as his memory is still messy but he's fighting hard to get it back. As always let me know what you thought of this part, and have all a great weekend.

Eternal Flame coming soon