So I like how as soon as I say "I won't be on here for a while" a story pops into my head and won't leave. So here ya go.

Still not mine.

XXX

The warmth of the light diffusing through her blinds rivaled the warmth of the hand splayed across her abdomen. Joining her hand with his she brought both up, entwined, to examine the more masculine one. Someone had once told her that everyone's hands were stained with blood, dirt, ink or a combination thereof. Drawing his hand to her lips she reflected that his were stained by all three.

Obviously her movements had awakened him as she found her face captured by that hand and turned towards his for a kiss.

"Good morning."

Turning her entire body to face him she smiled shyly. "Hi."

"What time is it?"

"Time for you to get ready for work. You know if you are late your boss'll rake you over coals. I don't want you to get in trouble on account of me."

"You're worth it. What about you? Don't you have to get ready yourself?"

"Yes. But we've gone over this before. My boss is much more understanding than yours. You shower first." She began to disentangle herself from the sheets.

He tugged on her arm, causing her to fall on top of him. "Sure you don't wanna join me?" He nuzzled her neck, his voice still having the early morning growl, eyes smoldering and not the only evidence of his desire for her.

"Tempting. Very tempting. But no. Now let me go."

"Mmm" He rolled over, pinning her beneath him, searing her neck and collarbones with kisses. "You sure? How about we play hooky?"

"No." She was unable to resist turning her head to give him better access to her neck. "I tell you what; the next time my boss takes a day off I'll play hooky."

The man above her fell to his side a look of exasperation on his face. "Not fair! You've said your boss is a workaholic who never takes a day off."

Shooting him a saucy grin she began again to get out of bed. "I know. But I'm working on that. Something tells me that he'll take a day off sooner than you think. Now go shower." She eluded his grasp as she stood and headed for the door.

Thirty minutes later she was getting her own shower when he stuck his head behind the curtain. Casting an appreciative glance at her figure, he waggled his brows at her. "Sure you don't wanna change your mind about skipping work?"

Laughing she flicked water at him. "Someone's horny this morning. How many times do I have to tell you no?! Now go! You're gonna be late!"

Sighing he kissed her thoroughly, soaking his head in the process. "I'll see you later."

"Have a good day."

Not long after she found herself leaving the apartment, a mug of coffee in her hand. It had been waiting for her when she came out of the bedroom. Taped to it had been a rather naughty note which caused her to giggle. Deciding to keep the note on her person for the day she slipped it into her bra; there was no danger of losing it from there. Plus, he'd find that a turn on when she told him what she had done with it.

Arriving at the lab she stuck her head into her boss' office, still grinning over the events of the morning. "Hi Mac."

"Morning Stella. You're late."

"Sorry about that." Her grin and tone of voice clearly indicated otherwise. "I got held up."

An eyebrow quirked in amusement at her mood. "Everything ok?"

"Most definitely. I'll be in my office if you need me."

The lab was quiet; Danny and Lindsay were on a case while Adam and Hawkes found themselves working evidence on another case. Stella went to her office after greeting them and got started on paperwork. She had not been busy long when her phone chirped announcing a text.

Grinning she read it: "I miss you." Then sent off a quick reply: "The feeling is mutual. Now let me work."

Eventually her paperwork was complete and she headed to the labs to see about helping Adam and Hawkes. They put her to work in trace.

From where he sat Mac could see her working. She was always a distraction but he especially loved watching her work. She was intent on what she was doing and so very graceful in her movements. He turned to his phone; he had a call to make. Continuing to watch Stella as he dialed, he noticed her grab her phone from her pocket and smile at it before answering. His own call was quick and not long after he hung up she did as well. Moments later his phone rang; they had a case.

Heading to the lab he noticed that Stella still had a grin on her face. Apparently her phone call had been good.

"So what's got you in such a good mood lately Stell? Is there something you need to tell us, that phone call good news?" Mac asked as he walked into trace.

Her grin sparkled at him as she said "That call was just dinner plans. And mind your own business Taylor. What's up?"

"We've got a case. Come on Stella, you're with me. Hawkes and Adam'll be ok on their own. By the way," Mac addressed the room in general, "Something's come up and I'm going to have to take the day off tomorrow. You guys'll have to get along with out me. Stella, meet me at the truck."

Unable to keep the excitement from her face Stella sent off a quick text before grabbing her kit and heading to meet Mac. "Hooky tomorrow. Told you I was working on him." She received one in response as she walked into the parking structure. "Lucky us. Can't wait. Love you."

The scene was a tragic one; two young boys, beaten to death and found in a dumpster, obviously tossed there like trash. Their hands were covered in blisters and cuts and their bodies were malnourished making an age approximation hard. The scene revealed very little in terms of actual evidence.

Mac reflected on the woman working stoically at his side. Cases involving children affected her more than they affected most of the team but she hid it well. Few would know that she was having a difficult time of it. But the signs were there; in the set of her shoulders, in the way she breathed through her nose in the way she looked at the victims as little as possible. He never gave her child-related cases if he could help it and with it was inevitable he made sure to arrange things so he'd be the one to work with her. He wanted to be there if she needed him.

Flack came by with the information from his canvass. His search had provided him with a witness who claimed to have seen a man dumping the bodies earlier that morning. He had even gotten a license plate number off the green van that the suspect had been driving.

It was almost too easy; the lack of evidence had not been a problem as the search for the vehicle had led them right to the suspect. But the bust had been unexpectedly horrific. Breaking into the apartment the team quickly realized that they were at the scene of a sweat shop where the workers were small children.

Back at the lab emotions were running high. They needed to go over the evidence before interrogating the suspect. Mac was clearly agitated and Stella was having trouble focusing. Even Flack, always ready with a snarky comment to lighten any mood snapped at Adam when he had stuttered out the information the detective had asked for. Finally, information in hand they headed to the precinct to see what the man had to say.

The perp was belligerent at first but when pressed finally admitted to running the sweat shop but defended himself, claiming that no one wanted the kids anyway and that he was at least giving them a job.

Stella snapped at that. "You bastard!" She made to attack the man at the table but found herself stayed by Mac's strong hands capturing her arms. "How do you know no one wanted them? Where did you get them anyway? Kidnap? Bought them from poor families? Then you make them work for hours, hardly feeding them, paying them next to nothing. Rot in hell!" She was struggling against Mac as he tried to calm her.

"Stella!" Mac raised his voice and gave her a rough shake. "Stella! Get control of yourself! If you can't you need to leave the room." She refused to stop her attempts to get to the man so Mac pushed her firmly, yet still gently out the door. As soon as she was out she ran off. Mac returned to the man in the room and quickly finished up. It did not take the man long to admit that the two boys had worked for him and when they had died of a "disciplinary" beating that he had just taken them to a dumpster and left them there. After seeing the man through the booking process Mac went in search of his partner only to be told that she had left, presumably for the day, obviously affected by the case. He tried calling her but she did not answer. He mentally kicked himself; he should have known not to have her in the room with him. He could have interrogated the man alone, or with Flack. But he also knew that had he suggested it she'd have refused his offer that she just observe from the other room. She liked to see things through.

Returning to his office he thought about his partner. Yes she was beautiful indeed but so much more than that. Her passion, her courage, her commitment to justice just added to the amazing person that was Stella Bonasera. Any man would be lucky to have her. How desperately he wished he were good at communicating his emotions. He wondered if there was ever a way he could communicate to her just how he felt about her.

Stella had gone to his place, she figured since they were meeting for dinner later she might as well. She was pretty certain she could convince him to stay in. Changing into one of his t-shirts she grabbed the blanket off the foot of his bed and curled up in the papisan chair in the front room. She rubbed her arms where Mac had gripped them earlier. He had not intended to leave marks on her but none the less they were there and would probably be so for a few days. She did not fault him really, she had lost all control and had Mac not intervened she'd surely have another complaint on her record, if not a death. Sighing she inhaled the scent of the apartment and of the man who resided there. It comforted her and soon she fell asleep.

She was awoken by a presence. Looking up she saw him standing above her, an indecipherable look on his face. It was clear he had been back for some time; he had changed and showered too by the look of his hair.

"I figured you'd want to eat in. I called for Thai, but it won't be here for another hour."

"Thanks. I do."

She shifted over and opened the blanket, inviting him to join her. He sat down, the gravitational centre of the chair pulling them together. He picked her up and placed her on his lap, drawing her to his chest, placing the blanket around them both. She could hear his heart beat and snuggled closer to him. They remained there for some time, just enjoying being close to the person they loved. His hand was running up and down her arm. Suddenly, at her shoulder, it stilled. He had lifted the sleeve and was looking at her arm in shock, eyes filling with tears.

"Stella, I…."

"Shhh." She put her hand to his lips. "It's ok. They'll fade. They don't hurt unless I press on them anyway."

He pulled back from her hand, unable to process the marks on her arms. The doorbell rang before either could say anything else. Placing one arm behind her knees and the other at her back he stood. Then headed to get the door but not before placing her gently back down and putting a soft kiss to her forehead. Soon he was back with the food, setting it out on the small table that was in the middle of the room. It was a simple meal; they ate directly out of the take out boxes and did not speak. Both were thinking: he was clearly distressed. Finally everything was cleared away and she beckoned for him to join her again. They resumed their positions of earlier, her head again at his heart.

She finally spoke, needing to reassure him.

"The case today. It really got to me. You know those with children usually do but this was different. They way he spoke about them; like they were worthless. I know the feeling of worthlessness. The feeling that no one wants you. That's probably how he got them to stay with him; by telling them over and over again that no one wanted them and that they were better off with him in that hell hole. That's why I lost it, because I knew how those children had to have felt. It's going to take them years to get over that sort of thing. I've never been tempted to feel sorry for myself; I know there are people out there who had, who have, worse experiences than I could ever dream. You were right to get me out of there Mac. I did not even realize what I was doing until you got me out of the room." Her arms reached up to encircle his neck.

"But Stella, I bruised you!" Heartbreak was in his voice. He was sick that he had done such a thing to her.

"Shhh…I've always bruised easily. They will fade Mac. I know you'd never hurt me on purpose and that you'd literally kill anyone who did. Please, I've been hurt on the job before, and this is not the last time it'll happen."

He closed his eyes and tilted his head back. After some moments he looked back at her and saw the complete trust in her eyes and on her face. Her face told him everything he needed to know and alleviated his guilt. He leaned in to kiss her mouth before moving to kiss her arms. She quickly pulled him back to her lips and soon their mouths were attempting to fuse together. Eventually she pulled away a grin on her face.

"By the way, did you hear that the impossible happened today? My boss took tomorrow off work."

"Really? He must have had a really good reason." He nipped at her collarbone causing her to purr and expose more of herself to him.

"I guess so. But I stand by my promise from this morning. I'll play hooky tomorrow. You can make things up to me then."

"I say I start now." His hand drifted up and stopped when he felt the crinkle at her chest. "What's this?" He asked in confusion.

"Oh, just a note I got this morning. Care to read it?"

The light in his eyes told her just how interested he was in reading it. Or at least in retrieving it.

XXX

I hope they wern't too OOC. I immagine that Mac and Stella'd keep things pretty professional at work but be unable to resist certain little "games" with each other as they went on their normal lives.