Title: The Necklace
Relationships: MS Friendship – DS Romance Yes it is a Smacker Slacker story…. Catchy no?
Disclaimer: Watch on CBS for the names of the masters who created the following. My wording, their stuff.
Summary: When a personal event rocks Stella's world, the one no one expects is there. Timeline – about a year since All Access – Some vague Spoilers
Rating: M – Only because I haven't finished and tend to get graphic at times… so it may be 'over-rated' … but better safe than sorry

A deep and dark bottomless pit of black. It stretched across the city skyline. It threatened to destroy anything it touched. It did not blow away. It did not drift on. Stagnant. It seemed as though it would never move away.

Detective Mac Taylor. He moved slowly. Staring at the faces. Worried. Scared.

Yes, he knew she was gone. He saw her body. He was numb with shock and his friend and co-worker followed closely on his heels.

Stella Bonasera finally worked up the nerve after about 5 blocks to grab Mac's arm and spin him toward her.

He stared her down, almost angry with her. How could she break into his thoughts? Disturb his concentration? Than he noticed the tears welling up in her eyes. Yes, Claire and Stella were best friends for years and she felt the pain of losing her almost as deep as he did. "Stel, I…"

She held her finger to her lips and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "Ssh. Mac, everything will be okay. I'm here… I'll take care of everything. I promise."

His body started to shake and he slid to the cool cement sidewalk, still clinging to her. Still holding onto the slightest hope that maybe Claire had made it through. He sobbed into Stella's shoulder, barely able to catch his breath. Coughing violently from the soot and the smoke, he finally leaned back. "I need to know for sure, Stella."

She nodded, wiping her own tears. "It was. I watched the whole thing, Mac. She was there and I was there. I caught her in my arms-" Her hands were bloody and her knees bruised. Claire's bracelet was around her wrist and her wedding ring was clutched tightly in Stella's fist. "I am so sorry, Mac. So sorry-" She trailed off as she handed the jewelry to her friend and embraced him again.

Slowly, they stood. Continuing on, side-by-side this time, they headed farther away from the disaster area.

…Thus ends September eleventh, two thousand and one.

Stella wasn't quite sure what was wrong, but something had been bothering Mac all day. She snuck around for most of the morning trying to figure out what was going on. Finally, she slipped into his office and placed her hands firmly on her hips. "What the hell, Mac?"

"No Greek?" He smirked ever so slightly as he looked her up and down. "I'm glad you're feeling better, Stella." His face slowly turned back to the pale, tired look that had greeted her when she got in.

"No Greek." She didn't move. Didn't blink.

He sighed. "I have something for you."

"For me?" She tried to hide her shock, but it showed on every feature. "What's the occasion?"

"I heard."

Stella stared at him, now knowing what he was talking about. "Mac, ummm…"

"Hey, don't mention it." He smiled slightly. "It's alright. You're my friend and I want what's best for you. He's a good guy." He slipped her a small box. It was faded and she could tell it was old. "Give it to your daughter."

Stella looked up just in time to see a wide grin spread across his face. She returned her gaze to the small box that now nestled her palm. She slid the lid off to see Claire's necklace. The one pulled off of her body.

"Mac…" She breathed, barely able to contain the emotions that were flowing through her. Her hands shook slightly as she pulled it out and held it up at eye level. "I didn't know you kept it." She opened up the locket piece to see two pictures. One of Mac. And one of herself and Claire, arms around each other in fits of laughter. The tears flowed and she crossed one arm gently over her stomach. She closed her eyes and felt Mac's arms entwine themselves around her.

"Hey. I wouldn't ever throw it out. Show me that smile again?" It was more a request than a statement and she tried her best.

"Take care of that baby."

"Mac!" She laughed softly through the now drying tears. "You act like I'm going away forever. It's just maternity leave."

"Yeah, well… you never know anymore what a new mother may be capable of thinking up." He hugged her again and led her out of the office and into the bright sunshine.

Stella paced nervously in circles. She knew that Lindsay was up to something mischievous, but she couldn't tell what. She had begged her not to throw a baby shower and Lindsay finally consented, but she knew that country girl. She may not be a liar, but she was good at slipping through cracks whenever a deal was made. She could get around it, no problem. Except, Stella wasn't just being modest. The last thing she needed was a baby shower. Especially since she nearly miscarried and wound up on bed rest for most of her 9 months. She only had three weeks to go and she fingered the necklace Mac had given her well over five months back.

He had been somewhat crushed by her new relationship, although he almost expected it. The younger man would be good for her… especially since getting her pregnant. But she knew it hurt him. They had come so close so many times. All he had to have done was touch her. A light brush against her hand or a soft smile during the right song and she would have been his. And she would have enjoyed it very much.

Don came out from the lab and motioned her in. "Okay, so, Monroe went ahead and decided to get a couple of people together in honor of you and the baby, but she's not calling it a baby shower. She's calling it a 'baby's coming party'." He grinned as he took his fiancé's arm and gently eased her into his embrace. "You look amazing pregnant, you know that?"

"You tell me all the time… "Donnie." She emphasized the added bit and watched him cringe.

She stepped through the lab doors where they all gathered.

Before anyone spoke, Lindsay stepped forward. "Flack said you've decided on a name."

Stella inhaled deeply before sighing. "I suppose we'll have to share that with you. Jordan Anne Flack."

"A girl!" Chad all but squealed from atop of one of the tables.

She smiled up at him and than made eye contact with every one of her friends. All but Mac. She looked up at Don and he shrugged.

"I'll go and find him." He whispered into her ear before disappearing through the doors.

It wasn't until nearly everyone had gone home and Stella was half passed out in a small lounge when Don and Mac came through the door. Lindsay and Danny left quickly, knowing Stella was upset he hadn't been there earlier.

She looked up at him from her reclined position on the couch as Don gracefully slipped out. "Mac… Are you doing alright?"

"I'm doing fine. Why?"

Now she was angry, because he didn't have an excuse. "Mac, you're slipping. And it's my fault isn't it?"

"Slipping?"

"Don't play me for an idiot. You were doing well… with Claire and all…"

"Yeah." He interrupted. Sitting down next to her, he placed a hand on her large stomach. "Stel, I feel like I missed my chance with you. Well, like I had an opportunity to … love you… and I blew it."

"No… you didn't 'blow it'." Her face softened and she put her hand on his. "Timing was bad. You chose to finish the investigation while Don was with me at the hospital, which I appreciate. You cleared me and helped me get through what happened. But meanwhile, Don and I… we grew close. And I got pregnant, leaving us with almost no options. Live for the moment, right? Let every day count for something? I had to do what was right. Right by Don… right by Jordan."

"Jordan? Stella, it's beautiful." The compliment caught her off guard and all she could do was smile. He squeezed her arm. "I may have missed my chance to be with you, but I intend to remain your best friend, second to Don, of course."

She nodded before kissing him on the cheek. "I best get going. I'm not supposed to be up and about until the baby's born anyways."

"Chance of losing her still that high?"

She hadn't expected him to ask her so bluntly and she simply nodded. "I was in the emergency room again last week. Don and I decided to keep it from everyone this time."

"What happened, Stel?"

"Thought my water broke. By the time we made it to the hospital, it turned to blood. They stopped the labor and all and told us the baby would be fine. Scared me though, you know?"

He knew. He knew she was scared and hurting. It was only weeks after Frankie's death she and Don had gotten pregnant. That in itself had hurt her. Than nearly losing the baby as many times as she had… It was painful to watch the fear grow inside her just as fast as the child was growing.

She winced slightly as she stood. "Still not good at the whole walking thing anyways." Mac hugged her gently as he walked her out to find Don and the young-uns.