Whispers under the Blue Moon.

A new Series of short stories, by MacsLovlyAngl.

I do not own the characters, just the story and ideas that play in my mind.

What happens when the team is left on their own, to face the everyday cases that weigh on their minds without the help of their guide and best friend. Then again... what happens to the man who concidered himself broken and alone in the world? Feeling like all he had in this life had disappeared the day his wife died. Leaving nothing but pain, not only for him. But for the woman who had secretly loved him, for years.

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Chapter #1

He had had enough of the bullshit. For the last five and a half years of his life, he had put up with the crap that had been dished onto his plate. He knew in his heart his team was going to hate him. He knew they would be angry that he had left them all behind.

Packing up the last of his things, he headed downstairs to the gargage. Looking at his watch, he seen it was 4am. Turning the key into the ignition, he pulled out into the street. Thinking back to his final blow-up with the Chief.

Pulling into his driveway, he carried his boxes into his place. Placing them on the floor, he grabbed up his dufflebag, locked the door and headed to the Airport.

He had planned this for weeks. He could remember looking at the tourist guide for secluded getaways. From the moment he seen Rock Bottom Cabin in North Carolina, he knew he had found his place for peace and tranquility.

When he arrived at the Airport, he placed his suitcase down and waited for the flight call.

"Flight 107 to North Carolina now boarding at Gate 2."

Carrying his small dufflebag. He stuffed it into the little compartment. Then sitting down, he looked out the window and thought of his team. He knew they would be arriving at the lab anytime and that is when they would find his note. His note saying goodbye.

"Excuse me, sir. Would you like anything after take off?"

"No. Thank you for the offer."

Hearing the pilot make the call for take off. Mac closed his eyes and allowed the engine to take his thoughts away from his team.

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Meanwhile...

Stella had met Danny and Don on the way in.

"Hey boys, how was your night?" asked Stella

"Great, winked Don. Just ask Angell."

"Mhm... I think I'll pass. How bout you Danny?"

"Quiet. Lindsay's been really restless. She keeps telling me it's almost time. I just hope t'hell it isn't during a call out." said Danny.

Laughing, they noticed Mac's office was in darkness.

"Whoa... this has gotta be a first. We actually beat Mac here." said Danny.

Stella noticed the door was slightly ajar. Pushing on it, she turned on the light. Her only expression she wore on her face was one of pure shock. Looking towards the boys, she noticed they had the same look.

Walking over to his desk, Stella picked up the note.

"To my team, I'm sorry to be saying goodbye in a letter. This is the best way for me to seperate myself from you all. If I had of done this in person, I know you all would have talked me out of it. Please try and understand that I need this. For the last five years I've had to live with the higher power chewing my ass off. Things have changed, honoring the badge is no longer what we do. So many politics, so much deception within the departments.

Then there is Claire. My wife. The only woman that I had ever loved. Stolen from me on 9/11. Taken from our lives, before they had even began. So much unjustice in the world. It's just to many hurtful memories in New York. Memories I'd like to leave behind. I'm sure it won't take you all long to become adjusted to a new leader. I thank you all for the last five years. You were all I could have asked for and more."

Live life, take care,

Mac.

Stella put down the letter and picked up the envelope. Looking inside, she seen Mac's badge and gun.

"Say this is a dream, Stella. Tell me that this isn't really happening." said Don with shock.

"I can't Don. I'm sorry. This letter is as real as the badge and gun I'm holding in my hands," replied Stella.

"I don't get it, said Danny. This isn't Mac. He's not the type to run out on anything."

"I don't know about that, Danny. It's been a tough five years for all of us. Especially for Mac. He's been through a hell of alot. Not only with the team, but with Sinclair and Gerrard." said Stella.

"Don't forget Peyton. That had to be one hell of a blow for Mac. Especially done in a letter. I never realized what a coward Peyton was till that day she sent the letter." said Don.

"Danny... you going to be okay?" asked Stella as she caressed his arm.

"Um... yeah. Listen, I'm going to meet Lindsay for our appointment. I'll see ya later," said Danny.

"This is going to be tough on him, Stel. It's going to be tough on all of us." said Don.

Leaving the office, Don left Stella alone with her thoughts.

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North Carolina.

When the plane landed, Mac rented a four by four and headed up to his cabin. Inhaling the clean fresh air, he could feel a quiet serenity fill his soul. Leaving him to forget all that had happened over the years. Pulling into the little driveway, he seen the small cabin right near the lake.

Getting out, he grabbed his bag and headed inside. Looking around, his first thought was stunning. The cabin was freshly cleaned, and fully furnished. The windows sparkled, the floors hardwood shinned from the fresh polish.

Feeling the tiredness hit him. He dropped his bag on the floor and walked into the room. Opening the bedroom door, he smiled. The bed could sleep four comfortably. It was large with wood posters. Slipping off his shoes, he flopped onto the bed and fell into sleep.

It must have been six hours that came to pass, before Mac woke feeling refreshed. Heading into the little kitchen, he made himself a pot of coffee. Seeing the darkness, he looked up and noticed the moon. Admiring it, he could have sworn it was blue.

Taking his coffee, he walked out and headed down to the lake. Sitting along the dock, he just enjoyed the sound of the crickets. Thinking deep within his thoughts, he wondered what his team would be up too.

Smiling, he had a feeling Lindsay would be driving Danny crazy by now. She was close to her birth when he left. Then there was Stella. Knowing her, she was at the bar having a few drinks. Like she did every friday. Don and Angell? Well... let's just say they were playing house.

Getting up, Mac walked back towards his cabin. Taking one last look at the moon, he closed his door. Reaching for a book, he sat down to read.

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Back in New York, Stella was sitting in the bar nursing her wine. All her thoughts were on one man, Mac. She understood his need for being alone, with nothing but solitude around him. But what bothered her, was the fact he couldn't have told her his plans.

Thinking back on the years, Stella knew they had become closer. Not only sharing secrets, but entrusting each other with their hurt and pain. So much suffering they both had been through. Yet still, Mac felt no need to say goodbye.

Thinking to herself, she realized how selfish he was being. How inconciderate and rude. Feeling someone touch her shoulder. She turned and seen Sheldon.

"Hi Stella. I had a feeling you'd be here. How you doing, with Mac gone?" Asked Sheldon with concern.

Shrugging her shoulders, she said nothing. Sheldon knew she had feelings for Mac. He could see the two of them grow closer. There wasn't a day that didn't go by, when they would make excuses just to run into each other. Leaving Sheldon to wonder, if Stella even realized she was in love with Mac.

"Stella, you could always go find him you know. You are a detective," said Sheldon.

Smiling at Sheldon, she said... "that wouldn't be right, Sheldon. Mac wants his privacy. I wouldn't feel right intruding on it."

"Do you love him, Stella? Has he been the one you've visioned in your mind. The one you can see yourself bonded to for the rest of your lives?" asked Sheldon.

Stella really wished Sheldon would shut the hell up for a while. He was confusing her, with his psycho babble.

"Listen Sheldon, I'm going to head home. I'll see you tomorrow," said Stella.

"Sure. Hey Stella? Have you given any thought to taking over Mac's job? You'd make a wonderful lead," said Sheldon with a smile.

Smiling again, she walked out of the bar. Arriving at her apartment, she unlocked the door, tossed her keys on the table and seen the travel magazines. Picking up the one marked Seclusions, she read the little private getaways.

"God Stella, what the hell are you doing? Mac doesn't want you, you need to stop this. If he wanted you with him, he would have invited you."

Stella sighed. She really wished her little conscience would just, bug off.

Locking her door, she headed into bed. Feeling emotionally drained, she dropped her clothes as she crawled under the covers, hoping to leave all her thoughts of Mac behind.

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Later that night, Stella couldn't sleep. She had moved herself all the way down, to the end of her bed. Oh, she knew she was tired, but she also knew closing her eyes meant more dreams of Mac. Hearing her cell, she would have to thank whoever it was, for interrupting her from her thoughts.

"Bonasera."

"Stel... it's Danny. We need you down at the 21 Club and beware, Sinclair is here sniffing for more information on Mac."

"Okay Danny. I'll be right there," said Stella.

When Stella arrived, Sinclair was right on her.

"Stella... what is going on with Mac? Why would he go on vacation without notice?" asked Sinclair.

"Listen Sinclair. I'm really not up for your bullshit tonight. I'm sure given some time, Mac will come back. He needed a break, he's been through nothing but hell. So calm down, or get the hell out of my crime scene," said Stella with anger.

"He has two weeks, Stella. I don't care if you have to drag him back. You just be sure he knows that the two week policy goes for everyone, even him. Understand? Two weeks, Stella. Don't forget," bellowed Sinclair.

"Stel... how the hell are you going to find Mac? You don't even know where he is," said Danny.

"I know, Danny. Let's just get this crime scene finished. Then we will work on finding, Mac."

"Why can't Sinclair understand that Mac quit?"asked Danny.

"Maybe because he doesn't know. Maybe because I hid the letter. Think about it Danny. When have you ever known Mac, to quit anything. He needed it a break. Which is why I hid it and told Don not to say anything. I need time to find him and bring him home," said Stella

"You couldn't let me in on it, Stel?whined Danny.

"I just did Danny. When I first arrived on scene, I ran into Don first."

"Sorry bout that. I kinda jumped to conclusions," said Danny.

"It's okay. Now let's get finished. I need to get out of here," said Stella.

Once they had everything they needed from the scene, Stella headed home to check the tourist magazines. For some reason she felt one of those books, were the key to where Mac was headed.

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Back at the Cabin, Mac had fallen asleep with his book. Hearing the sound of rain, he woke and looked out the window. Seeing the flash of lightening, followed by the clap of thunder he opened the door and stood on the porch.

Smiling as the cool mist sprayed his face. He seen a deer. Just standing between the trees, looking at him.

"Hello there. Have you come to visit?"Mac said to the deer.

Hearing the sound of his voice, the deer scattered back into the woods. Smiling, Mac looked towards the sky and realized the blue moon had disappeared with the storm.

"Claire... I know you are watching me right now. I only hope you can understand why I left my job. This is what I needed Claire. So much hurt, and pain from your death still haunts me. So many moments of our lives taken away that day. You know what I keep thinking though, Claire? The beautiful children we could have made together. Taylor children, that would be as beautiful and warm like their mother. But with my temperment of course. Anyway... Reed is doing good. I've actually spent some time with him. He had endless questions about you. Mostly I think he needed to understand why you gave him up. I explained that you were very young. That you wanted him to have a chance at a wonderful life. I'd like to think that he understands.

Looking towards the sky, he felt one lone raindrop fall into his eye. Knowing it was his wife's tear, he said...

"Please don't cry, Claire. I miss you too, love. Always. Always I will love you. Talk to you again soon. Night."said Mac.

Heading back into the cabin, Mac crawled into the bed, with his wife's tear still on his cheek.

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When Stella arrived home for a second time, she took off her coat and sat down with the books.

"Okay Taylor, time to find you and bring you home." she whispered.

Searching through the one marked secluded getaways, she couldn't find anything that stood out. Placing the book down, she closed her eyes and that's when she felt the rush of cool air. Opening her eyes, she seen the tourist book blow the pages to the one marked, Rock Bottom Cabins, North Carolina.

"So that's where you are hiding, Mac."said Stella.

Closing the book, she booked a flight to North Carolina, before calling Don. After telling him to inform the team, he told her to have a safe trip, and not to come home without Mac. Heading into her room, she packed her dufflebag and headed to the Airport.

She knew the next few days were going to be a trial for her and Mac. Especially if he didn't want to return home to New York. But Stella was strong. She knew she would be able to bring him home with her. But what she didn't know or count on, was the two of them finally realizing they were in love.

tbc...