A/N: This is the first story I have written in a very long time so I apologize as I am a bit rusty. I couldn't sleep and this little idea popped into my head. As always, I don't own CSI:NY or any of the characters.
Rest
It was one of those rare events, like the passing of Haley's Comet or a lunar eclipse. But unlike those events that could be visible by millions of people, she was the only one privy to the scene before her. Mac Taylor was in a deep sleep.
On these rare occasions, she loved to lay beside him and watch him sleep-watching the rise and fall of his chest, listening to his even breathing, and observing the calm, peaceful look on his face. There were times when Stella hated that her job required her to be observant and remember the minutest detail but this was a moment she was truly grateful that she had the ability to etch these details in her brain.
He had told her a few hours earlier that he was going home-too drained from the week to be productive. She had been taken aback that he had voluntarily surrendered to his exhaustion, as she was usually the one to force him to leave. Shortly after, she decided to take a few cases files home and take advantage of the fact that she and Mac might be able to enjoy a few quiet hours together before dispatch called them to another scene.
She had given up on reading through the case files as soon as she found Mac asleep in bed. She suppressed a laugh as she thought of taking photos of his sleeping frame to prove to those in the lab that Mac did in fact sleep. Or she could draw on his face with a permanent marker. She always thought Mac would look good with cat whiskers. Either action would earn her a verbal reprimand or worse-revenge the next time she fell asleep.
She leaned back against the headboard, still watching Mac intently, hoping her gaze would not somehow wake him. He rolled on his side, now facing her, his lips slightly parted and his face flushed. Mac had always seemed his most vulnerable to her when he was at rest, his normally steel exterior replaced with an almost childlike innocence. And the occasional cat-face Stella imagined.
He stirred again and this time his eyes slowly opened.
"You really need to find a new hobby," he mumbled.
"Watching you sleep isn't a good one?"
"No."
"Hmmm…well I think I may have found a new one anyway."
"What's that?" Mac asked.
"Drawing," Stella replied with a smile.
Hope you liked this quick little one shot. Please read and review.