Chapter 8: Acknowledge Love

"Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say"

Stella eventually pulls back. "Mac…" she whispers, torn between her emotions.

"I'm sorry," he turns his head away. "It's just really hard not to… since I love you and you say you love me."

"I do, Mac. It's just that I'm scared."

"Don't be. I'm not going to hurt you," he tucks a strand of curls behind her ear.

"I can't lose you."

"You won't," he takes her hand in his. "It can work."

"No, I'll ruin it. Just like every other relationship I've ever had."

"Stel, Frankie was the crazy one who took advantage of what he had with you. You didn't do anything wrong. You did what you needed to. And Drew… never really loved you. He was just using you to get to me. And… well, I don't really know any others."

"Mac…" she wraps her arm tightly around him. "You deserve someone better."

He puts his arms around her cautiously, "But you're the only one I want."

She stays there, not paying attention to his words. She is torn between the thought of spending the rest of her life with him and losing him forever. Ella's words echo in her head.

"Stella," Mac says gently. She doesn't move. "Stel… you're kind of hurting me."

"Oh, I… sorry," she pulls away, breaking contact with him. "Mac… once we make the decision, we can't go back to being just friends. After… this, I don't know if I can be just your friend."

"So be more."

She hesitates, "I… I love you, Mac."

He takes this as a yes and kisses her again. Slowly he backs her up until she is pressed against the wall. His hands rest on her waist, gradually inching under the hem of her sweater to feel her soft skin. Her good hand is on the back of his head, tangled in his short hair. His lips leave hers and trail to her ear before heading down her neck.

There is a knock on the door, making both of them freeze. They look at each other. "I'll be right back," Mac kisses her cheek one last time before going to answer the door. It is the delivery man with their food. He pays the guy and puts the food in the kitchen.

Stella wanders into the kitchen after him. "Mac?"

"Yeah?" he turns to face her, worried that she's going to tell him that she's changed her mind. His hand goes to her neck, where a bite mark is visible. "Sorry," he whispers.

"It's okay. I can cover it tomorrow."

"So what did you want to say?"

"Are we…" she thinks for a moment, "… allowed to be together?"

"I… I haven't read anything forbidding it. But marriage isn't allowed."

"But Danny and Lindsay are married," she frowns.

"I guess I should have been specific. Marriage between two people of different ranks isn't allowed."

"Oh."

"If you want to change your mind, go ahead. I won't be mad at you."

"No, it's okay, Mac. I can live with not being able to get married."

"Well, we can't exactly have kids either."

"That's okay; neither of us wants to give up our job."

"You're sure this doesn't bother you?"

She kisses him, "It's fine, Mac. I never pictured my life being like this, but I'm with the man I love."

"So how long exactly are we… limited?" he gestures toward her sling.

"I go back in a week and a half and will hopefully not have to wear this thing anymore. You… get your stitches out in two weeks, but you aren't supposed to participate in physical activity for a month and a half. Why?" she looks at him curiously.

"I just wanted to know how long we have to wait before we can…"

"Mac, I think we need to take things slowly. I know you love me and I love you, but this is a big step."

"Okay, I'll try to be patient," he smiles at her.

"If you weren't injured, I would so hit you right now."

"Stel, I didn't mean it. We'll go as slowly as we need to," he kisses her cheek softly.

"It's hard to believe that this all happened because you were being stalked," she says quietly.

"I should have told you years ago when I first knew I loved you."

She kisses his lips lovingly, "I know now, and that's all that matters."

A/N: Happy ending after all. I hope that wasn't the last time we see Ella on the show; she can't not try to get him to love her. And Stella has to be able to say I told you so... I liked their deep conversation though. And when the eye fell in her coffee, no matter how gross it was. The case was kind of boring, but it was a decent episode. So next we have the Danny/Lindsay wedding... and Adam and the bomb I think. And then the Greek people are back in the following week... I think. And some guy returns as a bad guy. I don't remember him. So... what do I have for you next... a cute little Mac and Stella story that involves a furry friend. And then one where they think Stella killed this woman because she thinks that the woman killed her daughter and her blood is found at the crime scene. And then... I don't know. I want to write something about Diakos and I have three songs I could use... but I don't really want to use the one that fits best right now. If you guys have any ideas for stories... please let me know. Thanks for reading and reviewing. Please tell me your final thoughts.