Finally! I told myself that I wouldn't post this until it was done, and guess what? It's done! XD I've been working on it for 2 weeks. This is my first real mulit. chap. in my opinion. My others were only 2 ch.'s. This one is slightly AU, but only because Stella never left and Jessica Angell never died. Hope you like it. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own CSI: NY.

End My Misery

Mac Taylor sits in his office wishing for some more excitement in his life. Any excitement, really. Mac frowns. I need a woman. His brain automatically turning to his best friend, and partner against crime. Stella. He quickly pushes the thought out of his mind. She probably doesn't even feel that way about me. Mac sighs.

He had known her for more than a decade now. She was the one person he could fully trust and tell anything to. Whenever he was having a bad day she was there to comfort him. Even if he just needed to vent about something; she had open ears.

He wanted more than a friendship with Stella. The problem was he had never told her how much she meant to him. Probably never will. Mac stretches, then finishes up his first file. It's getting late and he should go home, but he won't. His work is his life. There was nothing to go home to anyway.

Besides, home wasn't what it used to be. That's not just because he had moved a few weeks earlier. He had lost his wife, Claire, close to a decade ago. When she was alive he couldn't wait to get his work done so he could see his loving wife. She meant everything to him. On September 11th 2001 his zest for life died along with Claire. Claire, what do I do? You would want me to move on. Should I just tell her how I feel? Mac shakes his head. No, that's probably not a very good idea. He sighs and starts on another file not realizing a beautiful, curly haired woman walking towards his office.

He instinctually jumps as a file falls to his desk and makes a loud 'thud'. His eyes shoot up to look at the source of the noise.

"Oh, sorry. Did I scare you?" Stella says with a frown.

"Yeah, a little." Mac admits.

Stella stands there for a few moments staring into Mac's eyes. Mac stares back.

"Can I help you?" He says in amusement; a smile starting to creep onto his face.

Stella sighs and Mac's smile fades.

"Do you realize it's 9 o'clock?" She asks.

He shifts slightly in his chair. Where's she going with this? He wonders.

"I do now." A man of few words.

Stella crosses her arms and takes a deep breath. Here goes nothing, she thinks. "Some of us are going to the bar. You wanna come?"

Mac looks into her eyes and sees anticipation and something else. Sadness? His heart drops.

"I-"

She puts her hand up and he stops what he was going to say. "Mac, your paperwork will be here for you tomorrow. You need to get out and have some fun. When's the last time you went out with us?"

There was a slight pause.

"How did you know I was going to say I have paperwork to do?" He asks with a small smile.

"Because I can read your mind." With this, Stella shoots him her own smile.

Mac grunts as he looks down at the stack of papers on his desk.

"It'll be here tomorrow." Stella says.

Mac just sits there.

"Well?" Stella obviously waiting for an answer.

Mac surprises her. "Okay. Just let me grab my coat."

What? Really? Stella couldn't believe her ears. Did I hear him right?

Mac see's complete shock on his friend's face and chuckles.

"What? You didn't think I'd go?"

"Honestly? No."

"I thought you could read my mind?" He says with a wink.

All Stella could say was, "Funny." A smile growing on her face.

XXOXX

Mac grabs his coat and suspects his office. The neat-freak in him quickly straightens his papers. He's surprised to hear a laugh. He gives Stella a weird look.

"What?"

Stella just shakes her head.

"Does everything in your life have to be perfect?" Yes, you're perfect, Mac thought. Oh no, I didn't say that out loud did I?

Impatience was the only thing Mac saw in Stella's eyes, so he deducted that he didn't. Wheh, that would have been bad.

She stands there with a smile on her face as he puts his coat on. He looks over at her. "Ready?" Stella asks. He just nods, looks back at his mound of paperwork, and shuts his light off. It'll be here tomorrow, he tells himself.

They walk out towards the elevator and Mac puts his arm around her shoulder in a friendly manner. They both smile. This couldn't be more than just a friendly gesture, could it? Her smile becomes wider at the thought of Mac flirting with her. It's about time. Without thinking, his feelings get the better of him. He starts to gently rub her shoulder and in doing so, couldn't help but want more. There had been chemistry between them for years, but he was too afraid to act upon it. I can't do this. I can't lose her. Her friendship means so much to me.

With that he squeezes her shoulder and lets his arm fall to his side. When he does this Stella's smile fades into a small frown. Why'd he stop? Does he even have feelings for me? Am I just imagining it because I have feelings for him?

Mac saw her expression change, but before he could say anything Danny walks up.

"Hey, Mac, I didn't think she'd talk you into it." Danny says and winks. "Hawkes and Sid already left. Adam can't come; says he's got a hot date."

Stella and Danny laugh while Mac rolls his eyes.

Lindsay walks out and looks at Mac with amusement.

"Hey, Mac. I didn't think she'd talk you into it." Mac and Stella give each other a look and laugh. "What? What'd I say?" Lindsay completely oblivious to what's going on.

Mac says, "You're husband just said the same exact thing."

"He must be rubbing off on you." Stella winks.

"Oh." Lindsay says sheepishly.

Danny puts his arm around Lindsay's waist and kisses her cheek.

"That's my girl!" Danny says proud.

Lindsay just rolls her eyes. "You guys ready to go?" Mac and Stella both nod their heads.

So this chapter is much shorter than the others, but that's only because it's an introduction. Please review and continue reading. I worked very hard on this to get it done before I go to college. The next ch. is at the bar. :) Hope you like it so far. Don't give up yet if you didn't. Oh, and if you see any mistakes, please PM me about it or put it in a review. Sorry, I'm a perfectionist. ;D