Title: Right Next Door
Chapter 12 - A New Beginning
A/N: okay here it is! The final chapter! A special thanks to the following people who reviewed almost every chapter and kept me going with amazing words and feedback, reviews, alerts and favorites.
"Mac, don't even try to argue but I am making dinner and you are just going to relax."
"Actually, I don't think I'd mind that after everything today," Mac states with a frown, his back to her as he faces into the small bedroom that has so far been his new home. Stella walks up to him and wraps her arms around his waist and Mac closes his eyes for a few seconds, enjoying the feeling of her soft body pressed up against his.
"You are so tense Mac and you smell like bikers and smoke," Stella notes and Mac just smirks. "You do need a shower but let me see those hands," she instructs, leading him to the bathroom. She gently cuts the dirty bandages away from his palms and looks at them with a frown.
"Actually they don't...
"Mac, they look terrible," she frowns, looking up at him in sorrow.
"Stella, I need a shower and I know it will hurt but..."
"Mac, you can't just wash these like..."
"After all I have been through today, trust me a few stings will feel like a walk in the park?"
"Oh really?" She arches a brow.
"I will be fine, but..."
"But what?"
Mac pulls her into his arms and plants a warm kiss on her cheek. "I might need some nursing afterward."
"Just have your shower and I'll tend to those after."
Mac offers one more kiss and then gathers a few things and heads for the bathroom to have his shower. Once inside he looks down at his hands and his mind is instantly in reflective mode. He thinks back about a week to when his life made some sort of sense, he had his regular routine and went about everyday with the same monotonous schedule he was accustomed to.
He wants to feel anger toward all the lives that Monty Jamison forever ruined, but at the same time, if it wasn't for Monty, he wouldnt have realized how short time is and how precious life is to be spent wasting away on mundane arguments and petty affairs that don't mean anything. How much shorter time really is when it comes to spending quality time with someone you love.
His bond with Stella has been forever changed; for the better and as much as he forever thought that when his father died, he'd never have another man he'd even want to fill that void, Ian Davidson had stepped up and assumed that role. Funny he has known Ian for many years but until late he was never so happy to have him as a guiding figure; someone with experience he can turn to for help and comfort.
He finally starts up the water and then looks down at his hands and frowns. Some of the blisters have broken and he knows they will sting with the soap and water but the rest don't look that bad and tells himself to push through and Stella will make it all better. And as he finally pushes himself under the hot water, his mind drifts toward his best friend.
Despite the fact that the day of the fire he yelled at her and basically discounted her investigative skills; she was there for him in his darkest hour, no questions asked. He had drunken himself into a stupor and then left that stupid note, something so small that might have caused a huge problem. And yet through all his mis-guided notions, she was there, the one constant he could rely on; the one person in his life he could depend on.
"How do I ever thank her?" He asks in tormented wonder; knowing inside he could probably never repay the kindness and love that she has shown him these past few weeks. His hands sting and he offers a soft curse as the soap starts to eat the sensitive flesh but pushes through, knowing loving attention is waiting for him. Finally finishing his shower, drying off and carefully getting dressed, he heads back outside to see his partner.
Stella slowly heads to the TV and flips on the local news; watching the same highlight reel as the rest of the city. A sad epitaph all that was left for troubled Monty Jamison and an even sadder ending to Gus Myer. And while the city did come to know Monty's name; Stella knows inside that if given the chance to do over, Monty Jamison would have relived his life a totally different way.
"At least I think so," she mumbles to herself as Mac rounds the corner.
"Think what?" He questions with a tired tone.
"Come here," she whispers, and as he nears, she pulls him into her arms and holds him close. "Just thinking that if Monty could redo his life I'm sure he would. You know if he was given a good chance right from the start with normal parents."
"It was a real waste," Mac lightly frowns as Stella pulls back. "He's at peace now. And as odd as this might sound, I'm glad he's no longer in torment."
"Me too." She gently takes his hands and looks at them. "Mac, they look sore."
"They are," he replies in haste, offering a soft intake of air as she gently puts some clean gauze over them. "Just not to tight."
"Well if you sleep carefully, I'll leave the heavy bandages off tonight," she promises.
"I'll try," Mac answers as he looks over at the table. "Stella you really didn't hav..." he starts only to have her gently take his arm and lead him to the table, both finally sitting down.
"I know we are both hungry," she tells him, looking at the slight bruise on his jaw. She tenderly touches his face and he offers a slight wince. "Sorry."
"Scott Thurber will be sorry when he's demoted to parking duty," Mac huffs in heated anger.
"Who made the call?"
"Clyde Richardson," Mac answers with a smile. "Plus Don and Jessica, myself and the Chief."
"Have a lot of friends looking out for you," Stella whispers, gently squeezing his arm.
"That has been the only thing helping me get through all this," Mac sighs, staring down at his plate.
"What else is bothering you?"
"Well you know I need my own place right?"
"Mac, as much as I did love having you play roommate, I can't fault you for not wanting to get out of that tiny box," Stella offers with a warm smile, but his frown doesn't disappear. "But...don't you think it's a bit soon to move in together?"
"A bit. I was actually thinking of the apartment for rent next door."
"Right next door?" Stella asks weakly.
"A bit too close...right," Mac huffs with a heavy frown. "Well then..." he starts only to have Stella gently cup his chin and bring his lips to hers and plant a warm kiss on them.
"I think right next door would be perfect," she smiles.
"You sure you wouldn't get sick of seeing me on such a regular basis?"
"So I take it you never want to move in together?" She counters.
"Good point."
"Mac, once again you are putting too much pressure on yourself and supposing things that haven't even happened yet. Firstly I will never tire of seeing you on a regular basis. I love you," she offers warmly, finally seeing his face relax. "And secondly we both know we aren't ready yet to take that next step as much as I think we both think we are."
"How is it you know me so well?" Mac asks with a warm smile.
"Because I love you. And trust me the time will come when we are both ready to take that step."
"I can live with that," he replies as they finally start into their meal; talking about the bizarre case they just wrapped up and what implications and fall out this will mean for anyone else involved. Finally after supper Mac helps Stella put the dishes away and then slowly wanders into his bedroom, wanting to put a few things away before he just relaxes with Stella. However, as he slowly sits down on the bed, he feels fatigue starting to cover him and tells himself he'll just close his eyes for a few minutes.
Stella finally finishes putting everything away in her bedroom and goes in search of Mac.
"I..." she starts as she rounds the corner into the bedroom and sees him asleep on the bed, his handsome face finally at peace. She offers a warm smile as she very carefully covers him with the blanket and then bends in low, planting a warm kiss on his cheek.
"Goodnight Mac," she whispers.
"Love...you..." he murmurs but doesn't fully awaken.
"I love you too," she answers warmly, turning off the light and closing the door a bit so he can finally get some much needed rest after the hellish day he's had to endure. She makes one quick phone call and then sets about having her shower and then slowly climbing into bed; however, her mind is too restless to actually sleep, so she finds herself just staring up at the ceiling in thought.
She lets her mind wander to Mac taking the apartment next door. One of the things she always hated was the fact they used to live on opposite sides of the city; never close enough to just drop by when she was too tired to drive or just needed to see his face for whatever reason her brain could offer. She knew that Sinclair had at first frowned upon Danny and Lindsay hooking up and tried to make it clear that it wasn't a good idea for staff members to work and live together. However, it's hard to stop people from following their hearts and she knows Sinclair has softened his stance as both Danny and Lindsay keep their professional behavior at work in first place.
She thinks about Ian Davidson and that affect his brief interaction with Mac has made such an impact on her best friend's life. Mac has always been a private man and she had often wanted him to find someone older that he could just trust enough to open up to; now Ian has somehow managed to fill that void in a few short days and the best part is Mac doesn't seem to mind.
Stella's mind wanders back to the first day; when Mac's apartment was burned down by accident, his neighbor the target. She remembers that day; they argued, he lost everything and then she rescued him from his own personal hell. That day was a turning point for both and although so many other terrible things have happened because of that one incident, she wouldnt trade her and Mac getting this close for anything.
She hears him muttering angry curses in his sleep and frowns. "Goodnight Mac," she whispers in sorrow. "I pray that tomorrow we can start fresh and rebuild."
Mac slowly opens his eyes and for the first time in days, is waking up with the sun. He offers a tired smile as he rolls over and looks at the clock.
"Must have been really tired," he lightly comments as he looks down at his hands. Thankfully, being so tired also helped him not to thrash about so much and his hands actually fared better than he expected. He gazes at the blanket and knows it was Stella that has once again taken care of him.
He softly curses himself; feeling he's putting too much burden on her but then he also knows if the situation had been reversed for all this, he wouldn't have felt she was a burden on him.
"Morning," Stella makes her presence known and Mac quickly looks up with a smile.
"Morning," he replies warmly as she slowly wanders over to him and eases herself into his waiting embrace.
"You must have slept well; I didn't hear you at all."
"I guess with yesterday's excitement, how could I not," he lightly frowns. "Now it's just the aftermath to deal with and get back to our regular routines."
"Regular routines...thought we were doing that?"
"To a degree," Mac states as his blackberry buzzes to life. Stella reaches for it and holds it in her palm as both gaze at the incoming email.
"Insurance," Mac lightly groans.
"Did you call about the apartment next door?"
"I will," Mac replies in haste.
"When?"
"Hopefully today."
"Well you move in anytime," Stella informs him.
"What? How did you..." Mac's voice trails off as he looks up at her in wonder.
"Ah I have my ways," she smiles as he pokes her side, making her laugh. "You were tired last night and I just didn't want you to miss the opportunity. One less thing to stress out about."
"I don't deserve you, you know that right?"
"I do," she teases as she twists herself around and plants a warm kiss on his inviting lips. "But I love you so I think that makes up for it."
Mac offers a smirk as the alarm clock finally buzzes and it's time to get up and get the day started. Stella takes her leave to get dressed and then finally joins Mac after he's dressed in the kitchen, just in time to wrap his hands before they head out.
"Those bandages should come off in a few days for good," Stella tells him as they head into traffic.
"Then I can stop looking like I have leprosy or something," he grimaces and she smiles. "Well since we both know I can't cook worth I damn I would like to..."
"Mac, you know I don't mind cooking, however, you are not taking me out for dinner but I am going to give you a simple cooking lesson so that you'll actually have something to do in your new kitchen besides wonder what it's for."
Mac offers a small laugh but knows inside he can't say no. "Sounds good to me."
They finally head into the busy lab and are greeted with Flack and Danny.
"Well Scott Thurber and Marty Gomez are both under review, not only for their taking a bribe and making a false arrest; but also on their harsh treatment of prisoners, including you," Flack smiles.
"Yeah you were a bad one Mac," Danny adds.
"Funny," Mac says dryly.
"Actually the Mayor has put the whole house under review so good old what's his name; their crooked Captain is either going to be unemployed or spending some quality time in attitude rehab."
"Sid confirmed via dental records that the two bodies in that fire were in fact Monty Jamison and Gus Myer," Danny adds, handing Mac the file.
"Case closed?"
"Well on your end," Flack sighs. "Now it's just working with Ian's team to wrap up a few loose ends and then some of Myer's contacts."
"Good news," Mac slightly frowns.
"Got your place yet Mac?" Danny asks in haste.
"I pick up the keys tonight."
"Where?"
Mac gives them the address and both Flack and Danny exchange amused expressions.
"Close to work," Danny notes.
"Is there a problem with that?" Mac wonders.
"No problem at all," Flack grins. "I hear you might have some rowdy neighbors though."
"Oh I think I can handle myself," Mac smiles and Stella just shakes her head as she finally takes her leave, Danny in tow.
"Stella."
"Danny did you get the guitar?"
"Lindsay and I will duck out later today and pick it up. Looks just like his old one. See if you can get a spare key from Mac so that we can put that and a few other things we bought with the donation money inside for a surprise."
"I think I can arrange that."
"How are your hands today Mac?" Ian asks over the phone, still resting in his hospital bed.
"With the proper medical attention, they are getting better."
"And that would be Stella right?"
Mac smiles to himself as he looks down at his carefully bandaged hands. "That it would be."
"Sinclair find out yet?"
"Think it's just a matter of time. What do I do? I can't let either of us be fired and I don't want her to have to transfer or..." Mac's voice trails off in a heated panic, forcing Ian to offer a small laugh over the phone. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"When the time comes Mac, you'll talk to him like a mature adult and make sure he understands that just like others in your area, you'll both be the professional adults he knows you to be right now, instead of two love sick teenagers he might assume you'll become."
"Love sick?" Mac scoffs.
"Mac, I've seen the way you look at her; more than just a friend."
"Just not good at this sort of thing."
"Love?"
"Life."
"Trust me Mac, Janice and I have been together for about forty years and even I'm still learning about life."
"So there is no hope for me?" Mac frowns and Ian chuckles once more.
"Sorry young man, no what so ever."
"Thanks," Mac smiles.
"Well Janice and I would love to have the two of you over for dinner in the coming weeks, if you are both okay with that."
"Somehow I think we'd like that."
"Take care young man, stop by anytime."
"I will."
"Careful with a that Danny," Lindsay lightly scolds as they walk out of the music store, Mac's brand new guitar in it's case, a red ribbon wrapped around it.
"Did you get the other stuff?" Danny asks.
"Once Stella gets the key, we'll be able to put it all inside. Okay so where to next?"
Mac finally finishes up his field notes on Monty Jamison and Gus Myer and then leans back in his chair with a frown on his face as Stella approaches his office, a look of concern on hers. He watches her enter and immediately offers a warm smile, his tension starting to ease.
"All done for the day?" She wonders as she slowly sits down before him.
"For now I guess," he sighs as he closes the file on Monty's case. "Got a note from Trent's Ex. She's taking the kids and moving to Kansas to be with her family."
"Can't really blame her for wanting to start fresh after all this. Anything else on Gus Myer?"
"A few more perps have come forward and copped to his drug route and gambling debts but with him dead, they'll only implicate each other."
They sit for a few more minutes in silence before Mac looks up at Stella with a cryptic smile.
"What?" She asks softly.
"Ian called. He's being released tomorrow and he and Janice would like to have us for dinner in a few weeks, if we'd like."
"And what did you say?"
"I thought we'd like that," he offers and she looks at him in surprise. "No? What? Was I wrong to assume..."
"Mac," Stella starts and his nervous ramble subsides. "I'm not mad but rather pleasantly surprised that you'd want to take that step."
"It was a maybe," he quickly reminds her. "Just thought it would be nice to be around those that can actually put aside our status and just be around us without politics coming to the fore."
"You like Ian don't you."
"Strange right?"
"A little for you, but not unwelcome or anything. Actually kinda refreshing," Stella smiles. "As will seeing you cook tonight."
"What?" Mac asks with a slight frown. "You were serious about that?"
"Yes now get your ass out of that chair and let's go," she teases and he's quick to comply.
"One quick stop before we reach your apartment."
"And where are we going?"
"Mine."
They drive to Mac's new apartment, right next door to Stella's and Stella patiently waits for Mac to sign the rental agreement, take his keys, write a deposit check and do a few other things. Thankfully when Mac's distracted she takes the spare key and carefully folds it away in her pocket; having to offer it to Lindsay tomorrow so that her and Danny can arrange to put all the things inside the team collected and purchased for Mac, including his brand new guitar.
"Time for supper."
"Okay so what do I do now?" Mac asks as he hovers around Stella in her modest kitchen, his hands ready for work. Stella starts to explain a few instructions and Mac is quick to comply, wrapping his arms around her, holding her close as she shows him what to do.
"Like this?" His warm, husky voice whispers in her ear before planting a kiss on it.
"Just like that," she whispers in return, her hands still on his. Finally a few minutes later, the meal is close to being finished and it's time to enjoy. Mac takes the first few bites, offering a look of wonder and skepticism.
"Well?" Stella wonders.
"I made this?" Mac questions and she just laughs.
"Best part is you'll still be alive in the morning."
"You sure about that?" He frowns. "Actually not bad."
"Mac, it's great. Think you'll be able to do that on your own?"
"Sure, of course," he swallows hard.
"Mac."
"Just used to being...yes of course," he replies with a firm smile.
"Mac..."
"Stella, it's going to be fine."
"And why do I get the feeling you are lying to me?"
"Ask me tomorrow," he smiles and she just shakes her head.
Stella tells Mac a bit more about the area he'll be moving into and what other things he'll buy with his insurance; she making sure always keep the topic neutral, not wanting to give away hints at what the team has already bought for him. After dinner they finally wander over to the couch to just relax. Mac wraps his arm around her, pulling her close, kissing the top of her head as they listen to the light rain beating against the window sill.
"Trust me, you are going to be next door. You'll probably be here more than you might think."
"Oh I know I will be," he smiles warmly, kissing her again. "Just won't be the same."
"Change never is."
"Used to be afraid of change; and I mean before Claire died. I think the Marines forces you to accept change but never really makes you like it. But somehow I am not that afraid this time; just uncertain."
"The future is always uncertain Mac."
"We'll both make sure we work hard to make it a success?" He asks with a bit of uncertainty.
"We will. Our love will make sure of that."
"Morning," Flack greets them the next morning. "Hey guess who gave us another chance?"
"Ronald Cressley?" Mac asks in shock. "The guy from before the fire."
"Don't you just love these losers?"
"What did he do?" Stella questions as Lindsay approaches.
"Same as before, killed a young girl and left..." Flack's voice dies out. "Who wants to do the honors?"
"Mac will," Stella offers in haste.
"Stella?" Mac questions.
"I have another case to help with, one I started yesterday," she replies in haste; looking at Lindsay with a knowing glance.
Mac offers a frown, wondering if she's afraid he's still mad from the last time they dealt with Ronald Cressley. "I'll be right there Don, Stella a word?"
"Lindsay, I'll find you in the lab," Stella tells the junior CSI as she follows Mac into his office. "What is it?"
"Are you mad about this?" Mac asks in haste.
"Mac, I do actually have something else to work on and...well I guess last time..."
"Stella, I won't judge you on..."
"Mac, I let him walk last time, remember?"
"Hard to forget," he huffs. "I just didn't want him to think that you weren't capable of, well you know what I mean."
Stella looks at him with a slight frown. "I think I'll survive him thinking less of me," she tosses and Mac finally offers a soft smile.
"Will I survive what you think of me?" He has to wonder.
"Well I think you are the most amazing, caring, tender man I have known and I love you. Did you survive that?"
"Right. I'll see you later."
Stella watches him go and then heads to find Lindsay; Mac's spare apartment key in hand.
"Are you two actually going to do some work today?"
"Yes. This is work," Lindsay smiles as she takes the key. She grabs Danny by the arm and both hurry away as Sheldon walks up to her with a new case file in hand.
"They get everything on the list?"
"What list?" Stella wonders.
"We all made a list oh sorry forgot to include you," he frowns.
"Don't worry, I'm sure whatever you guys came up with, Mac will be okay with. What do you have?" Stella asks. And by the time she's finished with the new case, the sun has started to set and she goes in search of Mac. She waits for him to be off the phone and then enters, noticing his frown.
"Was it Ronald Cressley," she wonders.
"Yes, we actually were able to get a firm conviction this time," he mentions not looking up. When he finally realizes what he said he looks up in horror. "Stella, I didn't mean"
"Mac, I lost the conviction for us last time, what are you worried about?"
"You being mad at me?"
"Well I might punish you, but I somehow get the feeling you'd like it," she teases and notices he finally relaxes.
"I suppose you are right. How did yours go?"
"The butler did it," she smiles, handing him the file. "Who was the call from?"
"The Chief. Wanted to know if I had found a place yet. I told him I did."
"And?"
"And he said it was for the best, for now."
"For now? What on earth does that mean?"
"It means this place has eyes and ears."
"Mac?"
"Stella, I'm not going to go run and hide from all this if that's what you are worried about," he lightly frowns. "I want this and know there might be some bumps along the way but want to make it work. Besides if we do have to cross that bridge with Sinclair, I'll just tell him that neither of us are going to quit or transfer and we'll act the professionals he knows today instead of love sick teenagers."
"Love sick?" She asks with a smile.
"Ian's words."
"Ah. Ready to leave?"
"I really want to take you out for dinner."
"Okay but first I want to stop by your apartment."
"Why?"
"Just do."
"Stella?"
"Come on Mac, just for a few minutes."
"Okay, but why do I get the feeling you are planning something?"
"You really need to just let go and trust me more. Just be happy I'm not blindfolding you here."
"Here?"
"Let's go!"
Mac offers a small smile as they slowly take their leave, heading for his apartment and then out for a quiet dinner, the weekend just a few hours away.
"So what..." Mac starts only to have Stella pull out the spare key and reach for the lock.
"Close your eyes Mac."
"What?"
"Just close your eyes, I don't have a real blindfold with me."
"Stella, I don't..."
"Damn it Mac, just listen," she teases, planting a warm kiss on his lips and then places her hand over his eyes and he finally listens. She pushes the door open and gently guides him into his empty apartment. "Don't peek."
"I'm not," Mac groans.
"Okay open them."
Mac looks at the guitar in his empty apartment and the few boxes of items that will help him rebuild and actually feels his eyes start to water as he looks at Stella with a slight frown.
"What is all...when did..."
"From the team Mac, from all of us."
"I don't know what to say," he mumbles, looking back at the essential items for his kitchen, living room, music collection and a few other areas for his new apartment. He stands in silence and then looks at Stella in wonder.
"Mac?"
"Just almost too overwhelmed with everything everyone has done to help me rebuild."
"They care about you Mac. We all do."
"But how did...I mean when did..."
"Don't analyze Mac, just enjoy."
"A new guitar?" He asks weakly.
Stella wraps her arms around him and holds him close, kissing his lips and offering a warm smile. "I am the first to hear you play that."
"Just name the time. And thank you doesn't seem enough for all this. So you want to help me furniture shop?"
"You sure you want that?" Stella wonders.
"Well who other than you is going to use any of it on a regular basis?"
"Good point," she smiles as Mac's arms firmly wrap around her, his lips crushing hers once again. "I love you Mac."
"I love you too."
"What about dinner?"
"Sounds great."
THE END!
A/N: okay so hopefully you enjoyed chapter and this short adventure. It was a fluffy ending but after the tense nature of the story some real fluff was in order. Please review and let me know.