Author's Note: So here's my second attempt at a multi-chap fic. This is a different take on episode 4X16, Right Next Door. Everything before this episode is canon. General spoilers for the entire show.
Disclaimer: CSI: NY belongs to it's producers, writers, and creators. And I do not belong to any of those groups.
The sun was just setting as Detective Mac Taylor settled down in his office for another evening of paperwork. All the cases had been wrapped up, and the day shift was just clocking out. Suddenly cat-calls and whistles echoed down the hall before a familiar voice stopped them. "Keep walking Messer, before I put you on dumpster duty for the rest of your life. And don't worry Flack; I'm sure I can find something to do with you!" Two more familiar voices responded with "Ma'am yes ma'am!" before he heard footsteps heading towards his office.
Mac smirked as he heard his partner put the two detectives in their place. But as Stella walked into his office, he understood what all the commotion was about. She was wearing a dark green v-neck dress that ended just past her knees. And while she was facing him, her reflection in the glass wall of his office confirmed that the back was low as well. His eyes followed her as she leaned against one of the chairs in front of his desk. "Special date tonight?" He asked with a slight smile. Earlier in the day he had overheard her talking Lindsay about it. Apparently it was their third date, and reservations had been made at a rather upscale restaurant.
Stella smiled at her partner "That depends. Would you like to go to dinner with me?" She asked, watching as surprise and confusion flitted across his face.
"I thought you had plans tonight with Jason." When she had first mentioned having a date with the stockbroker, he had been a little skeptical. After Drew Bedford stalking both of them, and of course Frankie, it came as a surprise that she was taking another chance. But really he should have expected it. Regardless of whatever cards life dealt, he knew Stella wasn't going to let it stop her.
Her expression changed to a mixture of sadness and contempt. "Well, I did. But apparently something 'came up' at work." She explained, adding air quotes around came up.
Mac frowned slightly at her answer. "You don't believe him?" He asked, hoping she wasn't just upset that her date was unable to make it. After all, quite a few of his dates with Peyton had been interrupted by work. "That's not fair Stella, our jobs tend to interfere with real life on a regular basis."
"Mac, if anything like this happens here, we're gonna need to talk." She pulled out her phone before calling her voicemail. A computerized voice reported "one message" before a man's started speaking.
"Hey Stella. Listen, I'm afraid something has…come up at work *moan*. Yeah, I won't be able to make our date tonight…so just go without me. *moans and groans* I'm sure you can find someone else to take. *female giggle* Shh Jennifer…shit. I gotta go bye. *click*
With a soft sigh she placed her phone back into her purse. "So, would you like to go to dinner with me?" Stella asked again as if nothing had happened.
Deciding that the paperwork could wait until tomorrow, Mac nodded. He shut down his computer before moving out from behind his desk. Stella had walked over to his coat rack and grabbed one of the ties he kept there for special meetings. Chuckling he stood still so she could tie it around his neck. "I think we've got this backwards Stella. Weren't you the one who said I should loosen up a little?"
She glared at him while finishing the knot. "Yes I did, but I'm afraid it's mandatory this time." Taking a step back she admired her handy work before giving him another smile. "Ready to go?"
Holding out his arm he returned the smile. "Just waiting on you." With a playful slap she took it and allowed him to lead her to the elevators. As they neared the entrance however, Stella stopped. "Damnit! I'm sorry Mac, I left my purse in your office. I'll be right back." Before he could offer to retrieve it, she was already halfway to the door, heels clicking against the tile. Within a few moments she had returned, a sheepish smile on her face. "Sorry about that."
The cab ride to the restaurant quickly passed as the two shared the highlights of their day. Soon they were seated, with their order already on it's to the kitchen. Surveying his surroundings, Mac nodded "Now I understand why I have to wear the tie. This place is almost black tie only." He turned his attention to his companion and gently asked "Any idea what you're going to do about Jason?"
Letting out a wry chuckle, Stella shrugged "I've had a few ideas, but unfortunately most of them involve me being the next suspect you question." A short pause before she spoke again. "He called while I was in the shower, so I didn't get the message until I had gotten dressed. After a few moments I managed to calm down enough to send him a text saying we were over and never to call me again. Then I came down to your office and you know the rest." She explained, shaking her head. "Apparently I have horrible taste in men." Jason's message hadn't exactly hurt, more like pissed her off. Thankfully they hadn't done anything past a few kisses. She couldn't figure out what was wrong with her, but almost every guy she dated was a creep in some way.
Mac gave her a slight smile. "Don't worry Stella, you'll find the right guy. And I may be biased, but I don't think you have horrible taste in all men." He was rewarded with a light laugh from the woman across the table.
Their food arrived and the conversation turned back to everything that had happened in the past few weeks. Even after they arrested Drew, the two friends hadn't had a chance to sit down and actually talk to each other. All too soon however it was time for them to leave. As they said their good-byes on the sidewalk, Mac once again offered to share a cab. "For the last time Taylor, we live on opposite sides of town." Stella reminded him.
"I haven't forgotten Bonasera. That doesn't mean I won't stop offering though." He replied as the cab pulled up to the curb. She kissed him on the cheek before moving to get in the car. "Stella, call me when you get home please."
She paused at his unusual request, then nodded. Her last abrupt break up had ended with him and Flack breaking down her door after she shot Frankie. Neither of them wanted to relive that night, though Stella sometimes did in her dreams. Making sure she was inside Mac shut the door and watched as until the car disappeared into the late night traffic. Hailing himself a cab, he gave the driver directions before letting his mind wander over his dinner with Stella.
The voicemail left on her phone had made him angrier than it should have. How dare that man make plans with someone as amazing as her then chose some office tramp instead! Thankfully he had managed to control his anger before Stella could pick up on it. As they neared his apartment Mac directed the driver to pull over, paying him the full fare for his trouble. Getting out he started walking, hoping to calm himself down in order to get some sleep.
Despite the reason why, he was glad he'd gotten the chance to talk to Stella. Things had been off between them while he was dating Peyton, something he still felt bad about. It hadn't been intentional, merely a product of having a relationship. Or at least, that's what he told himself. Once he had returned from London with his stalker, he had been focused on nothing else but catching the guy. Then Peyton's letter had arrived, and while Stella had come to see him that night, their discussion had been more about him than her. After that the cases just kept piling up, leaving little personal time for any of the team.
He had just reached his front door when his phone rang. "Taylor"
"You know, some people might find it offensive that you answer your phone like that regardless of who's calling." Stella's voice scolded, though he could tell she was trying not to laugh. "There's this great new thing called caller I.D., you should try it sometime."
"I'm going to assume you called to let me know you got home safe rather than lecture me about phone etiquette." He replied, heading for his bedroom to change.
"No actually I was letting you know that I won't be at work tomorrow. There's some little green men hovering outside my window who want to take me and make me their queen. You know I can't say no to an offer like that." Her laugh was infectious, and soon he was chuckling too. "I made it to my apartment safely, the door and all the windows are locked, and there's no monster in my closet or under my bed. Now, I'm going to sleep and you should do the same. I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight Mac."
"Goodnight Stella." He waited for her to hang up before setting his phone down on the nightstand. After a few minutes he finally drifted off, grateful for whatever amount of sleep he could get.
Several hours later his phone rang, jarring him from sleep. Out of reflex he checked the clock beside his bed, before remembering he didn't have to. The screen read 'Don Flack' as he answered, already out of bed and getting dressed. If Flack was calling this early it was only because they had a new crime scene.
"Hey Mac, sorry to wake you but we've got a body and a problem. An apartment building downtown caught fire and first responders found a body in one of the rooms."
As the younger man gave him the address, Mac immediately recognized it. "Flack that's Stella's apartment building. Is she okay?"
There was a moment of silence before he sighed. "That's the problem Mac. I can't find her."
Hope you like it, and let me know if anything needs to be fixed.