Hi guys! This is my first CSI:NY story, so reviews and criticism would be greatly appreciated. If you like this, I was planning on continueing and having each chapter be a specific Stella/Mac moment. I'm mainly an Eleventh Hour writer, but I wanted to try something new and love this relationship, but certainly let me know if I should stick with my area of expertise. Any suggestions for Mac/Stella moments would be welcomed as well. Thank you! Please R&R!

BTW: I don't own these characters, though I really wish I did, I'd get on with it and have them take a step togethur already! Sadly, I've already used my three wishes in a bottle...*sighs*


Mac Taylor's well built frame stepped off the elevator and onto the floor of the lab. He was greeted with a few head nods and 'hey boss's. But he didn't stop walking, Stella Bonasera being at the front of his mind, obscuring all other items that may be in need of attention. His speed increased as he passed both of their offices with no sign of her. He stopped in his office just long enough to shed his blazer before he headed to the roof, still in search of her. Instead, he found another shaken woman there.

"Lindsay, you okay?" He asked softly, seeing the huddled young CSI on the bench.

"Yeah Mac, it was just…I can't believe people could do something like that…I mean to children, they were almost babies." She rubbed her belly absently, no doubt thinking of her own baby. They hadn't told Mac yet, but he knew. He had seen the dashes for the bathroom and Danny's overprotective side come into play many times recently. He was happy for them, they would certainly have their fair share of bumps along the way, but they would make wonderful parents.

"Why don't you take off for the rest of the day Linds, I'm sure Hawkes would be glad to cover for you. Go get some rest okay?" He knew it must have hit extra hard this time with Lindsay being pregnant. Child abuse cases were never easy, but certain factors drove it to the brink.

Lindsay nodded slowly and offered him a grateful smile, but made no move to get up. He patted her shoulder reassuringly before making his exit towards the stairs. His mind shifting through all the places Stella could be, and whether or not she would want him to find her after such a case. He knew her too well, and therefore knew she would be somewhere, trying desperately to hold back tears, not to show weakness. She wouldn't have gone to her apartment; he knew it didn't really feel like home to her. He couldn't really blame her, being attacked and then having the apartment set on fire under accidental, but tragic circumstances would make anyone feel a little displaced, and that was still when you had yet to factor in her upbringing, no home to rely on then either. Head out of the clouds, Marine. You need to find her. He reprimanded himself sternly. With the locker room being his next best bet he strode in stiff silence. As he stepped into the blue tiled communal locker, showers and bathrooms the sound of running water greeted his ears, melodied with the sound of quiet sobbing. Stella.

The sound propelled him to the side of the shower stall instantly.

Knock,knock. "Stell?" He asked quietly. Her response was an incoherent moan and he knew she was trying to stop the crying, only resulting in gasping breaths. Upon hearing this; his mind suddenly mutinied him and he let his heart command the ship. Without fully comprehending his actions his hand reached for the handle of the stall door. Opening it wide he stepped into the fog filled shower. It took him no less than a moment to spot her huddled, with her knees to her chest in the corner, letting the water hit her right side as she tried to control her grief. His mind suddenly caught up, Oh God, Stella, naked, shower, crying. Shit marine, you're in uncharted territory. Of course he had seen Stella in various states of undress: after Frankie attacked her it had been a hospital gown, the lockers were communal so an occasional jeans and bra sighting wasn't rare. He always tried to be gentlemanly and avert his eyes as quickly as possible to award her some privacy. But he knew now he had come too far for privacy, the least he could do was level the playing field. It took an instant longer before all weapons were go, She's your friend Mac, she needs you, even if she hates you tomorrow, she needs you right now. It's what we do. It's why you love her. With that, he swiftly rid himself of his dress shirt, shoes and socks, leaving his trousers and white undershirt soaked with water and clinging to him.

She suddenly raised her head to look at him, her eyes glassy green with the haunting torment of a day of terrible work and a life of terrible circumstances. But also in the green orbs was forever a questioning curiosity, at the moment directed at him. He gazed back carefully at first, looking for any signs of fear or withdrawal, but saw none.

He slid his body down the wall beside her, his arms coming to wrap around her, as her naked form pressed against his barely clothed chest, he fought off the arousal and tried to focus on soothing her.

"Oh God Mac those kids…" She whimpered into his side, her fists claiming the fabric of his shirt near his neck. His heart shattered at her voice, so full of pain, not the kind of pain he had heard in Lindsay's voice. Her pain was that of imaging the scenarios, Stella's pain was of knowing full well the circumstances of how those kids were treated, and for that Mac Taylor, strong marine, choked on tears and held her closer.


Press the green button and review and suggest new moments please!!