A/N: I just did a pair of these for my other favorite fandom Bones while blowing off the Geometry quizzes I'm supposed to be grading, and was instantly inspired to write a couple for Mac and Stella, too. So you know I haven't forgotten about my favorite show, and because I've missed you all! Never fear, I am still planning the third Maddie/Danny installment, but for now enjoy this and its companion piece "Five Ways He Shows His Love For Her" :-)


Five ways Mac shows his love for Stella.

1. Assigns her different cases. He enjoys working with her more than anyone else in the lab, and he knows she likes to work with him. They play off each other perfectly, too, almost thinking each others' thoughts as an investigation progresses. But he also knows that when they partner up, she ends up playing second fiddle to him and she deserves better than that. So, even though many days the only time they spend together is at work, he repeatedly chooses a case for her and a different one for himself, allowing her the professional space she needs to shine. And she never disappoints him.

2. Lets her talk him into things. When he says no to someone, he means no. But when he says no to her, it usually means "unless you can change my mind", and she very often does. He's not sure why he even says no to her in the first place. Perhaps because he wants to be really sure that she's thought her decision through. Or maybe because his inferiority complex is whispering in his ear that her offer of dinner or a movie or whatever is being made out of pity. It might be because he knows that he can trust her with anything, including his life, so if she wants something it's probably a good idea anyway. Deep down, though, he knows he always struggles then gives in because he wants to make her happy, and she's always happy when someone else acknowledges that she's right.

3. Touches her. It might seem like a simple thing, but when he thinks about it he realizes that he doesn't really touch anybody else. There's the rare occasion when one of his CSIs needs comfort beyond that of regular boss, but outside of that he keeps his hands to himself. Except when it comes to her. His hand often finds a home in the small of her back, and he's been known to squeeze her shoulder in a way that he never squeezes Danny's or Lindsay's. And she always smiles this little knowing smile when he does, because she understands the significance of his actions better than he does himself.

4. Talks about Claire. It seems strange to think that talking about your dead wife is a way of showing how much you care about someone, but that's precisely what it is for him. She's the only one he shares that piece of himself with, because he knows he can trust her with his memories and feelings, and by extension, his heart. He knows that she will handle them with care, but that she won't baby him or make a fuss, because that isn't what he wants. And he knows that it makes her feel special to be a part of something that was so special to him.

5. Smiles. Another simple thing he doesn't do very much. Except when he's working a case with her. Or eating dinner with her. Or arguing with her. Or standing in the same room with her. Or thinking about her. Then a twinkle brightens his blue eyes and the accompanying smile tugs happily at his lips. And if she's near him, he always sees the same expression reflected back to him on her features. It might not be a big, grand overture, but for the two of them, it's enough.