Chapter 3

As Mac walked down the corridor to Stella's room, with the doctor, a lot of thoughts went through his mind. One thing he couldn't get out of his head was the fact that Stella was hurt. He just wanted to see her get through this and not get hurt again. He had told himself, after the incident with Frankie, that he was gonna take care of her and not let her get hurt again.

Mac walked in silents and that worried the doctor. Hawkes had told the doctor that Mac hadn't taken this easy and that all information should be considered before giving it to Mac. Hawkes had also told the doctor that Mac probably blamed himself for what had happened.

On the way to Stella's room the doctor had to leave, because someone needed his help. All Mac could think of was that Stella needed his help too, to get better so she could leave soon.

"Before I go, I just want to warn you about Ms Bonasera. She doesn't look good, but she is getting better and that is a positive thing" the doctor spoke before leaving Mac to continue the way to Stella.

Mac walked slowly down the corridor and thought about what could had happened today. He was starting to get tears in his eyes and quickly push them away with his hands. I have to be strong for Stella Mac told himself. Not before long Mac was standing outside Stella's room.

Mac stopped to catch his breath. All the things he has been thinking about and his worrying has gotten to him. The whole time in the waiting room waiting on news about Stella was running through his mind. All the emotions he had had inside him the whole time was now coming to him. Mac looked through the window and saw Stella lying in the bed, sleeping. In that moment Mac broke down. He couldn't stop crying, just the thought of losing her made him cry even more. Why do I have to start crying now? I didn't do it in the waiting room, why now? It's because you are looking at her. Was all Mac's mind could tell him.

Back in the waiting room

The team turn around to go back to their seats after Mac had left. Hawkes was the first one to speak.

"The doctor told me that Stella will be fine. She doesn't look good right now, but she is alive and will make a full recovery"

"Ohhh that's great. I can't believe this happened to her" Lindsay said taking Danny's hand. Lindsay was glad Stella was gonna make it. She was so happy that her friend was alive.

"Yeah it's great. I hope Mac doesn't blame himself for what happened. It wasn't his fault, I just wish we could get it into his head" Danny said hugging Lindsay and looked at Hawkes and Flack.

"I know what you mean. Mac always blame himself for something like this, especially when Stella is involved. I don't understand why he hasn't told her about his feelings yet. Everyone knows he is in love with her. They are perfect for each other and they love each other. I don't get it" Flack said

"I just think he is afraid" came Lindsay's response

"Afraid of what?" Flack asked

"He is afraid of what Stella feels. He can't afford losing their friendship" Hawkes came in

"Why is he the only one that doesn't see that Stella is flirting with him. They have some kind of special bond. There must be something that tells him she might feel the same, because he is so flirting with her too." Flack said. He was beginning to get annoyed with his two friends for why they hadn't told each other about how they feel.

"Should we go check on Mac, it's been a long time now? Or should we leave them alone?" asked Danny after looking at the clock, which showed 30 min had passed by.

"I think we should go check, Mac told us he would get us after 15 min or so. He just wanted to see her first" replied Hawkes as he got up to leave. The others right behind him.

Back outside Stella's room

Mac didn't know how long he had sat on the floor crying, he didn't really care. He just couldn't go in and see Stella like this. After some time he felt a hand on his shoulder. Mac looked up to see who it was and found Flack's face and the rest of his team behind him.

"I... just... can't g..gggo in and see... her like this" Mac said in between sobs. Flack took a seat beside Mac and tried to comfort him. The others took a seat too. They knew if Mac had broken down it was really bad, because he would never break down in front of anyone.

Lindsay had never seen Mac like this. She didn't know that Mac could show emotions, normally Mac would just hold it back, but this time it was different, Lindsay could tell. Danny had told her, when she first came to NYC, that Mac had never shown emotions to anyone except Stella. He told her that Stella had been Mac's shoulder to cry on after Claire had died. So for Mac to show emotions now was big.

"Come on Mac, you have to go in and see her. She needs you just as much as you need her. You can't let your fear stand in your way. Just go in and see her" Flack told Mac. Flack was just as afraid to go see Stella as Mac was, but he couldn't let Mac see it. He had to be strong, for Mac and for Stella. They need each other.

"We will wait out here, and when you are ready just come and get us and we will see her" Danny added.

Mac slowly stood up and cleaned his face, removed the rest of the tears from his face before he entered Stella's room.

As Mac entered he saw how beautiful Stella looked even though she was looking tired. He closed the door after him and stood there for a second to take in the beautiful sight of her. He was so glad that she was alive. What would I have done if you had died? Mac asked himself as he steped closer to Stella's bed. As he took the last step up to her bed, she opened her eyes and looked straight at him. It was the first time since this whole incident happened that Mac could feel like breathing again. After seeing, with his own eyes, that she was alive he could finally begin to live again.

"Hey how are you feeling?" Mac asked

"I'm good, just tired. What happened?" Stella asked

"You we..were..." was all that was coming out if Mac's mouth. Just to tell her what happened was to much for him. He let a tear fall down his cheek as he was trying to think how to tell her what had happened. After some minutes Mac took a deep breath and started to tell her what had happened.

"You were push in the water by some guy at the crime scene. And when I couldn't see you I jump in after you.." Mac has to take another deep breath before he continues "when I got you out of the water you weren't breathing so I had to do CPR on you. You were brought to the hospital, but on the way we lost you for some time, I don't know for how long.." Mac had to stop for a few seconds to hold back his tears " I thought I had lost you... I was so afraid that you weren't coming back to me. They took you into surgery and when you were out I could see you" Mac told Stella the last things without looking at her. He had to look away for a few minutes so he could get himself together again.

When he looked up he saw her staring straight at him with sparkle in her eyes.

"I don't remember a lot, but the things I remember... I don't know if they are for real or if it was something I was dreaming" Stella told Mac

"What is it? Something about the guy or the case?" Mac asked

"All I remember is... you.. saying.. you.. love me" Stella gets out in between her breaths. As she says it she tries not to look at Mac.

"I.. I... I.." Mac tries to come up with an answer, but fails.

"I know.. it was something I was dreaming" Stella quickly replies. Her voice sounded disappointed.

Mac could see Stella was getting tears in her eyes and moved over to take her hand and hold I tight.

"It wasn't a dream... I have wanted to tell you for so long, but I just didn't know how. I guess the thought of losing you helped. I'm sorry I haven't told you before, but I love you Stella Bonasera" Mac replies.

"I have loved you for a long time too, but I didn't want to ruin our friendship so I didn't say anything." Stella said

"I didn't want it to ruin our friendship either" Mac said before he leans forward and kisses Stella on the mouth. At first it was gentle and sweet, but as she response to the kiss, the kiss becomes more passionately. As the lack of air approach they separate from each other.

The only thing Stella can get out of her is "I love you too Mac, and nothing can or will change that"

Hope you guys liked it. Sorry for taken so long, but I have been busy with school and other things.

Please review and tell me what you think.