Title: Opposites Attract
Chapter 1 … Opposite ends of the same Spectrum – Part I

Summary: A/U Mac and Stella head different CSI labs in different parts of the city. Both are headstrong and out to prove they are the best. What happens when they meet for the first time? Then are "forced" to join together to solve a high profile serial killing? What will happen when one of them falls into the killer's trap? Can the other save them in time? WIll more than bullets fly between the two?

Disclaimer: This is a piece of fan fiction. It is written for pleasure and not for profit. The characters of CSI New York and any other regular cast and supporting cast members all belong to CBS, Paramount & Jerry Bruckheimer and Anthony Zuiker. All other characters are my own. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental.

A/N: I always wanted to write a story where Mac and Stella meet on different terms, weren't exactly the close friends we see and love and see what happens if they were "forced" to work together. In this story Stella has the gang with her except Lindsay. Mac has his own team, which Lindsay is a part of, but he was never married and never lost a wife. But you all know my writng so as they slowly draw closer together expect action, lots of Mac in trouble, but also Mac to the rescue, romance, danger and much more.

There will be some D/L as well just for fun. But this again is a SMACKED story. Please give it a chance and enjoy!

Meeting Mac Taylor

I love New York. I like things busy, always have, not a fan of quiet or docile. I love action and want to always be right in the heart of the battle. There are millions of people crammed into a smallish Metropolitan area and when you have that many people, doing what they want then things are going to get out of hand. I make my living by trying to keep good people safe and putting the bad people away. If I didn't have such a penchant for science I would have stayed on the force and had the same satisfaction. And if I wasn't tired of always moving around, I would have stayed in the Marines. I used to head the office in DC, but when an opening came up for a lab manager here in New York, I just had to take it.

I look at the name on my badge and frown, Mac Taylor. Simple name really, I sigh. I sometimes wonder if anyone would be able to look at my name and smile; glad that I was a part of their life and that at the end of the day I was needed and belonged to something special. But as I move around my lonely apartment I realize that that dream won't happen.

I have had my fair share of passing attractions but nothing of note; no one to really look back on and tell myself, 'that was the one that got away'. No I'm not that fortunate. Cyrus, one of my CSI's is always trying to set me up. He and Lindsay, his troublesome partner are always on my case to find me a 'better half'. I say she doesn't exist and they finally stop nagging. I sometimes believe that that special someone is out there, waiting, for me? Is it possible? I doubt it!

"Give your head a shake Mac," I tell myself as I stumble out of bed; always up before the sun, and walk over to my coffee maker and push the start button. I have never slept well; too many nights in the past of being up wondering if I would survive the next few hours in battle; and that is probably another reason I'll end up alone – too restless. I flip on the TV and listen to the headlines. New York is a big city and so there are other teams that help to fight crime in a Forensic capacity. My team is the best in my opinion and I would dare anyone to challenge my right to hold that title. But in this city there are only two large teams that vie for the right kind of attention. The second, well she will be mentioned shortly.

I am in the middle of pouring myself my first cup of dark coffee when a tagline gets my attention.

'This Ann Sheridan, reporting outside the Manhattan Courthouse. Yesterday it was the testimony of Forensic Detective Stella Bonasera that helped to put away notorious cop killer Stan L…'

"Her again," I offer in disdain. "I have yet to see a picture of this woman," I mutter bitterly as I head into the bathroom to shave and shower. The one trouble with a city this is big is that there is only one Mayoral office and so funding is always spread thin. The team that helps the mayor with anything of note is the department that always gets the 'bonus' of the month as I like to call them. I curse as I realize that with Bonasera's name in the headlines this morning that my funding is going to be short this month.

Much like myself she has a reputation for not taking no for an answer and taking whatever liberties where necessary to get the job done. "Probably hell to live with," I assume.

I offer a bitter frown and then reach for my razor. I have only heard things about this Stella. Much like myself, she runs her lab and has a very good team; I think mine is better but that's internal pride. I have never met her personally but by her reputation I am assuming she'd probably look like a bulldog. "Probably married to a cop," I sigh as I start my shave. She has a good professional reputation and if I didn't have to compete against her, I'm sure I would have offered her a job long ago. But thankfully I haven't had to work with her yet, that I'm sure would be quite a nuisance. This city is big enough for both teams, I tell myself as I turn on the hot water. She has her corner and I have mine; and never the two shall meet; which is fine by me.

I finally finish my shower, and head into my bedroom. Cyrus is a sharp dresser but sometimes he's a bit too GAP for my taste. I like simple yet classic. Dark suits, dress shirts and shoes. No ties, I hate them. I always feel like I am going to a funeral and have been to too many of those in my lifetime to ever look with affection upon another tie again. I have a pin from the Marines that I never leave home without. My team sometimes jokes about it being my better half but without it, I think I would be lost. Like a safety blanket. Silly sentimentality, but it's all I have to I'll hold onto it until something else garners my affection. Our lab techs dress casual, but then they don't have to face the public like I do. When we are being hailed, it's my face; sadly the opposite I also true, when my team is being chastised it's my ass on the line.

I choose a dark suit, blue shirt and in expert fashion, am dressed and am off into the busy street and heading into work in no time at all. As I pull into the underground parking lot I am already anticipating what the case ahead will bring for me and my team. As long as it keeps me away from 'her' team that suits me perfectly. I have been eyeing some new equipment and I don't want her stealing away all my funding. But quickly pushing Stella Bonasera from my mind, I head into my lab, eager to get the day started.

I really do enjoy my job…not just facing death and feeling like I am part of the battle again but working to find that one elusive clue to help solve a really tricky case. It is the satisfaction I garner when I hand the final piece of evidence to a smug SOB who thinks he's upped me one and gotten away with the perfect crime. They usually offer a small curse as I walk out of the room but in the end I always win. I have yet to meet someone who can best me. I like to call it intelligence, but Paula reminds me that without my stubborn gene, it wouldn't happen as often as it did.

Detective Lindsay Monroe looks up from her station with a frown. "Can you tell Cyrus that he missed another piece of the puzzle," she said holding up an oddly shaped piece of paper. I just acquired her one year ago from Montana. I laughed when she first approached me about my opening. "We don't have any cow snatching cases here," I remember telling her. But she quickly proved me wrong on her first case by cracking it in record time. Thus she earned her keep as a valuable staff member. Her youthful vigour and knowledge of 'this generation' always sheds new light on something that I never would have imagined. Cyrus is more her age and even he has trouble keeping up.

"What is that from? The refractor case? I thought we finished that yesterday?" I ask gruffly.

"We did but Monroe here lost the main piece," CSI Detective Cyrus Chan says as he walks up to her desk and stands beside it. Cyrus used to work with the Intercity Foreign Relations Department with me in DC but since my team covers a lot of cases in Chinatown, his skills and language are an aide I can't do without. But much like Lindsay, sometimes their youthful enthusiasm is all my nerves can handle at the end of a long day.

"Did you all see the news?" I ask impatiently.

"And if we did?" A female voice behind me asks.

"Then you know that the other CSI team just took this months funding," I shoot back in anger.

"Bonasera again, huh," NYPD Detective Paula Watford states as she walks up to me.

"We need the Harvey case guys, there still might be hope," I remind them. "What have you got?"

"There is hope, I have the missing piece," she tells me, holding up a small baggie for my team to look upon.

"Which one of you lost this?" Lindsay and Cyrus just point to each other and I roll my eyes. "Sometimes I wonder why I bother."

I head into my office with Paula in tow. "How's Ed?"

"Getting better," she smiles at me. "You know, you need to take me up on that dinner offer one of these times."

"Always feels like a set up," I grimace. I know Paula is always looking out for my best interests but sometimes I wish she too would take the hint that I just want to live my life in peace and quiet. Although I'm sure she suspects that's the last thing I really do want. How do women know what we men are about? I have known her for sometime and yet have no idea what makes her tick. That unnerves me to no end. But as much as she nags me about finding "the one", I would never admit to her that at times I do evny Ed for having a woman like her at his side.

Paula has been working with my team for the past few years; but before that we crossed paths on many occasions when she would come to DC to consult on high profile cases. She is married with two small girls and her husband Ed, was shot a day ago in the line of duty. A veteran cop who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Another reason I am thankful that I am not involved with another NYPD member; I worry enough about my team as it is. She worked for the Mayor's office as security detail before joining PD full time and is a veteran Detective with skills that surprise me on a daily basis. But she's my ACE with the mayor's office so I always treat her better than most.

"What do we have?"

"Well I have a new clue on this case," she tells me handing me a photo. "Does this look familiar?"

I look at the photo of a large man and young woman in a compromising situation and up at my Detective in wonder. "Jack Harvey," I frown. "How did you…do I even want to know you got this?" I ask in wonder. Sometimes I am simply amazed at how women are able to get things from us poor saps.

"Nope," she retorts. "But if we find that last piece, and with this photo, you can give Bonasera a run for her funding dollars."

"What's she really like?" I asked, not really looking up, but just making small talk. I'm not really interested in personal details but sometimes my curiosity gets the best of me when this woman's name comes up. And it does on a very frequent and annoying basis.

"Kinda like you, headstrong, a workaholic, a bit of a temper and stubborn. How is it that you two have never met yet?" Paula asks me.

Simple question but one that now makes me stop and think. "Just lucky I guess," I offer.

"Mac…" Paula lightly scolds me; hating when I offer only a vague response.

"I don't get out much," is my final answer and she knows to drop it.

"I'll take Lindsay with me and we'll get this wrapped up for you."

"Thanks," I reply, my eyes still scanning the file before me. Jack Harvey is a man on one of Mayor Carlson's audit teams. To bring down a dirty guy from the inside could really save my hide and I need the money. I won't give it to Bonasera just yet.

And yes it's true, I haven't personally met Stella Bonasera but as I pull out a small note card I can't help but lightly smile. 'Mac, second day on the job?' Stella. The Commissioner does his best to keep us working in our respected parts of the City, but sometimes there was neutral ground and the team that got there first – claimed the rights to it and I have lost only to her once so far. I arrived just to see the yellow tape go up and her team walk into the building. I didn't know which one was her but I got the card a few hours later and cursed her name for the rest of the day. I did only inherit this lab two years ago, Stella having hers for longer, but from the day I started here I wanted to prove that this was my turf and I was the best. That is another part of the reason I haven't officially met her yet – timing. I quickly pull myself away from my morbid stupor; time to get the day going.

"Cyrus," I call to my lone CSI. "Did you get the final results from Wally?" An affectionate name for our seasoned ME. Wallace Langstaff is one of the best; although he'd always tell you he has more he could learn from anyone willing to teach him. He is British, tall, gangly and has red hair, dotted with grey and these round spectacles that make the younger staff call him Icabod Crane. But without him I wouldn't have solved half the cases I have today and so I stay away from the childish names.

"Got them here," Cyrus said walking up to me. "You think Jack is…" Cyrus asks as I hold up the photo. "Right…" he says taking the photo and looking at me with a wondering expression. "How did…"

"Paula, and don't ask how she got it," I warn. "She won't even tell me. But as soon as the girls get back I want this file completed and in my hands so that I can go and make a visit. But right now you and I need to go and talk to Ms. Kelly. Be back here in five."

"Right away boss," he says as he quickly rushes away, muttering to himself in some Asian dialect that is still lost on me. I did a stint in Asia but I swear what Cyrus says is something completely new. A part of me thinks he's making it up just to prove he has the upper hand.

I flip on my computer and quickly scan my email. "A reception for the Mayor," I read with disinterest. I have never attended one and I don't intend to start. Just one more reason for me to explain to my team why I don't want to escort the latest 'floozy' they have set me up with. For once I would like to meet a woman with substance. "They don't exist," I sigh and file the email away; for some reason just unable to delete it altogether.

Cyrus rushes back for me and once I again I am out of the office and on the busy New York streets. This is case is finally starting to close and I just need her word that it's her in the picture and then I can go and see Jack. I always feel a certain sense of apprehension when I go either alone or with another male detective or officer to see an unarmed woman. I try not to come off as foreboding but have been told that I sometimes take my job too seriously and that scares people. So as we approach her small apartment I try to remember that I need her to put Jack away and to take it easy.

She's paid to do this sort of thing, I quickly remind myself as I knock.

"Ms. Moira?" I lightly call out, looking at Cyrus with a nervous glance.

"Ms. Kelly!" Cyrus tries again, knocking a bit harder.

"And people say I'm tough," I lightly scold and he pulls back.

We hear some shuffling and pretty soon she pulls the door open and faces us with her trademark smile.

"Welcome back Detective Taylor," she purrs as she slowly takes a few steps toward me. Normally a woman coming this close, acting this way would unnerve even me, but as I am quickly reminded about her profession I know it's how she treats all men who come knocking on her door.

"Hello Moira," I reply with a polite smile. I watch as she moves closer, her hand resting on my chest and her eyes daring me to make a move. I know Cyrus is more than amused by my predicament as I feel my body temperature starting to rise. I mean what man in his sane mind wouldn't be aroused by a half naked woman with a body you'd want to do naughty things on? But I'm a professional and gently remove her hand just as it reaches my belt buckle.

"I just need you to ID this man," I say as I pull out the photo that Paula has given me, lightly gulping back my obvious male arousal.

"It's Jack," she purrs as she turns and walks back into her little play den. I have no choice but to follow as I need a complete name and ID.

"Oh after you," Cyrus smiles; always enjoying my discomfort and ignorance around women. I could command an army of men, leading a charge against the devil himself; but place me before a woman armed only with her charm and body and I'm completely lost. You are sad Taylor, I scold myself as I enter the second room.

"Wanna play Mac?" She winks, picking up a small toy that I'm almost embarrassed to admit I know what it's used for.

"No," I quickly offer, shooting a menacing glance at Cyrus who is smiling.

"How about you Detective Chan? Up for a little Japanese rope bondage?" She asks my partner.

I just roll my eyes and then show her the photo, not giving Cyrus a chance to answer her. "Moira? Please…who is this man?"

"Jack Harvey," she finally gives me the answer I need. "Do you want to know what we did?"

"I'd settle for the time," I counter.

"Friday at 7pm. I have a fantastic memory," she smiles once more, walking back up to me with some feather looking device in her hand. "Are you sure I can't interest you in any further details?" She whispers, tickling my right ear with her toy.

I feel the shivers down my spine but know I must take my leave before the "guy" part of my brain decides I need to stay a while. "And the date?" I finally manage. I have a well educated brain that for some reason just refuses to take an order to work when I need it most!

Cyrus loves this. And once again it will give him gossip that he and Lindsay and probably Ralph, our lab tech will laugh over for the next few days. As if I don't already give them enough to talk about.

"Friday, September 8, at 7pm," she finally tells me all I need to know.

"As always thank you," I politely smile and go to take my leave.

"Do you have to get back so soon?" She purrs in my ear once more. "Are you tempted?"

Of course I'm tempted, I'm a man and I'm human. But casual sex with a paid professional isn't my idea of a good time or romantic interlude so I pass and then quickly take my leave. I walk out the door and shoot Cyrus a sideways glance.

"If you tell Lindsay…" I warn.

"Maybe you can take her to the Mayor's party," he smiles at me as we get back into the truck.

"You have a date?" I ask, trying to get one up on him.

"Yes," he replies in triumph, relishing in my obvious misery once again. "Don't you?"

"You know good help is hard to find," I sigh as we head back to the lab. Upon arriving back, it's once again a busy hive of anxious workers. This case is going to be big and I'm anxiously waiting for Paula to return so I can personally deliver Jack his sentence. I have know about Jack Harvey's indiscretions for some time, but no one yet has had the guts to come forward and stand up to him. I guess that's what I admired about Moira Kelly. Although she was a mistress of the night, I couldn't fault her profession as she found the courage inside to help me bring this monster to his knees. Paula too had been handcuffed when it came to getting anything on Jack because she never knew about it until after it happened. This time we knew before and we were able to manoeuvre things as we wanted. Part of me wondered if Moira would be a discredited witness when she took the stand but then Jack would be the one to finger what she was and since we had solid evidence he couldn't back out.

I dump my coat as Cyrus goes in search of the other pieces of evidence for this case that I will take with me to see Jack.

I look at my writing tablet and know I have work to do. With a heavy sigh I push myself out the door and slowly walk out into the hallway and down toward the lab. I finish my task and by the time I look up from my work, Paula and Lindsay have returned and both are smiling. "Took some doing Mac, but we got it."

"That's my girls," I smile as I take the information from them.

"It's all here," Paula tells me. "This piece, the evidence, Moira's testimony and that picture will put Jack Harvey away for life."

"Thanks," I offer simply. I'm not the kind of guy who gushes praise or is emotional in any way to my staff or those I see outside of work; which again is almost never. I like to keep myself in check; telling myself that it will protect me in the long run. Paula always tells me it will keep me alone but I don't mind; I've gotten use to that by now.

"Let's do this," Paula tells me. I reach for my coat and hurry after her, anxious to get to Harvey's office and deliver the good news. Another scum bag off the streets is something I live for in this line of work. Personal satisfaction I always tell everyone who asks why stay in a job that garners no real glory.

We drive in silence, my head still trying to formulate what to say before I go off half cocked in front of Jack.

"Damn it!" I suddenly curse, making Paula look at me sideways.

"What?" She asks me.

"Just wish this was two days earlier," I frown. "I gave my word to Lola," I huff.

"Her death wasn't your fault," Paula reminds me. "It was Jacks'."

"I know," I replied sourly. "I just can't get her dying words out of my head."

"That's because you need a good woman to help with that," she tells me.

"Paula," I start.

"Just saying it," she smiles.

We finally reach Jack's office and I feel a bit of nervous apprehension starting to play with my brain as I push my way into the front doors of his office and then hurry for the elevator. Paula has the arrest warrant in hand but I won't need it. If he resists, I know I'd very happily take him out. But that's the marine part of my brain still plaguing me from time to time. I'm in a civilized role now, I remind myself.

I walk past Jack's wondering secretary and into his office and spy him on the phone.

"Taylor!" He hisses at me in contempt; slamming down the phone as I enter.

"Party's over jack," I tell him in an angry voice. "You'll never prey on these streets again," I warn as I near his desk and start to round the corner. I hear Paula's voice warning me in the background but choose to ignore it; driven on by contempt for the man before me.

"What? Like the jury is going to take the word of some paid ho?" He laughs as I near him.

"Give me a reason Jack," I goad. "One reason…"

"Mac…" Paula's voice is in my ears again.

Jack looks at me with nervously, his smile quickly fading as I pull out the pictures. I only need the one that will put him away but I take them all out for affect. This is the part I relish in the most, the part I know I have them and they can't get away.

"You butchered those girls!" I hiss in anger.

"You son of a bitch," he tells me in a gruff voice as he tries to push past.

Although he's bigger, I have the fighting advantage with my past knowledge of combat moves and battle experience. He puts a hand on my chest and I'm tempted to break his hand with a swift move. But with Paula watching my back, I know I have to keep myself in check. After all the hard work of my team, I don't want to lose it all now because of a high school street fight.

I calmly back away and offer a firm smile. "It gives me personal pleasure to see to your arrest Jack," I tell him as Paula nears. "Detective Watford, please place Jack Harvey under arrest," I direct.

Paula moves in and while she cuffs Jack, his eyes are locked with mine. I see hatred and fear in the dark pools before me and I can't help but offer a small smile of triumph.

"I'll bring you down Taylor! I PROMISE!" He yells as he's dragged from the room by Paula and handed over to two waiting NYPD officers.

"Anyone ever tell you that you have a real way with people?" Paula snides.

"You tell me that all the time," I shoot back as I quickly stuff the photo's back into their envelope. Paula hands me the rest of the evidence and I'm armed and ready to talk to Jack's boss about his arrest.

I tell Paula I'll see her tomorrow and then head back into the street and hail a cab. In no time I'm nearing the mayor's office. As I enter, I see Detective Don Flack talking to another NYPD officer and simply nod a polite hello as I walk past. I know he works with Bonasera's team but in a battle of wits, I know he's no match for Paula.

I head for Carlson's office with my information in hand. This will stick it to the other team, I tell myself. Ha Bonasera!

"Hello Amanda," I offer the younger woman before me. She smiles and makes a flirty comment. Lindsay would tell me to go for it, but I would be laughed out of my peer group. And in truth, she wasn't my type and I wasn't interested in a woman this young. No substance beyond a day at the mall.

I take my seat and then look around while I'm waiting. This is more Paula's arena I sigh, but when it comes to proving the worth of the team and asking for money, that's my job. Plus it was personal between Jack and I.

"Mac," Mayor Henry Carlson smiles as he pulls his door open.

"Evening Sir," I smile as I stand up. I walk into his office and start into my information that will bring down Jack Harvey.

"Who is it this time Mac?" He asks me nervously.

"Jack Harvey," I tell him as I hand him the information that will bring down another of his aides.

He thanks me with a stiff frown but I know he's pissed. "That's two now Mac, when will you stop looking at my office?"

"When I weed out all your weak points Sir," I offer kindly.

"You know I'm pleased but this once again puts my office in a bad light," he tells me.

"Actually this time it's not on your head," I reply quickly as I pull out another piece of paper. "He was in office before you were elected. You have your predecessor to thank for this piece of garbage. This will be sent to the press and your office will be in the clear," I inform him.

He looks at me and I hear the audible sigh of relief.

"I owe you Taylor," he smiles as he goes back to his desk.

"Just doing my job sir," I tell him as I turn to leave. I walk out of his office and for the first time today really take in a deep breath and let myself slowly exhale. It's finally over and I helped bring down Jack Harvey, the promise of this months funding coming to me; happy that I have trumped Bonasera one more time.

I finally reach home; only the dust and shadows offering a small hello as I walk through the door. I shed my coat and slowly walk to the fridge and pull open the door.

"Typical," I sigh. Paula is always after me about keeping anything other than her stale leftovers and beer in the fridge. But not being much of a gourmet cook, I make do with what I have. I make a simple meal and then head for the TV; turning it on to watch the Rangers lose again.

I sometimes wonder what it would be like to actually come home to another human being after a hard days work. Not even hard work…just a working day. A woman who would be interested in my day and what I had to contend with; myself returning the interest. Of course a regular sexual romp wouldn't hurt either. I offer a small laugh and remind myself that women like that don't exist. And so with a huff, I take a swig of my beer and then turn up the TV volume.

And that is a typical day for me. I close my eyes and try to rest, probably catching a few hours of sleep on the couch as I normally do; not realizing that the events of the coming days would start me a course that was going to change my life forever.

A/N: okay so in this chapter we meet Mac…want to meet Stella? What to know what happens when they meet for the first time?
What do you think? Want this story to continue? Or does it suck? Please review and let me know. Thanks!