Disclaimer: I don't own CSI NY or the song "First Time" by Lifehouse
Feeling Alive All Over Again
He watched her walk toward his office. The gentle sway of her hips was mesmerizing. Her eyes were bright with mirth, probably from a joke that Danny told her. She would probably tell him too. It was a rare moment when he pushed aside his thoughts and duties just to observe her. There was something so viciously alive about her and that vivacity brought him to life again.
When Claire had been killed in the Towers, something in him had died. He felt as though his heart had been ripped out of his chest. Stella had breathed a little life back into him with her friendship. In the short time after that, he was physically alive, but his heart still seemed dead. It grew easier to go through the motions of his daily activities and when she said it was time to take a chance again, he believed her, because she knew him.
He tried a few times, and with Peyton, he really thought that there was a chance at happiness. That hadn't lasted, but it was mutual and he finally had hope that there would be someone else, another opportunity to love. When he had followed Stella to Greece, he realized that she had always been his opportunity. She made him feel like more than just being alive. She was like having the sky under his skin and the thrill of a first love all over again.
Just then she walked in and sat down on the edge of his desk. She started telling him something, but he was so absorbed by her movements and the way she smiled, that he wasn't paying attention to what she said.
"Mac, are you listening to me?" Her voice brought him out of his musings.
"No, I was watching you. Sorry." He answered truthfully.
"Watching me? Why?"
"You're beautiful." She smiled at him, giving him instant forgiveness.
"Well since you said so." She was still smiling at him.
"Stella."
"Yeah?"
"I love you" She absorbed his words. Shock, followed by bright joy registered on her face.
"I love you too, Mac." She leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. She started to pull away, but he pulled her back to him and continued the kiss. When they broke apart for air, she continued to smile at him.
"Like being in love for the first time." He nodded. They parted ways a moment later, to do their jobs, but they'd taken the first step, and it felt so right.
Feeling alive all over again
As deep as the sky under my skin
Like being in love, she says, for the first time
Maybe I'm wrong, I'm feeling right
Where I belong tonight
Like being in love to feel for the first time
