Vengeance Mine

Legal Stuff: - Unfortunately Stella, Mac etc are not mine but have been temporarily appropriated from TPTB who own CSI NY (if they where believe me Smacked would be happily married and on baby number 3 at least by now!)

A/N:A direct sequel to 'Kissing Stella Bonasera' (although reading the first story will help it's not mandatory) Joseph Bonasera is back and up to no good as usual so in best panto fashion altogether now "He's behind you!"

The tantalizing aroma of eggs and bacon wafted into the bedroom causing the slumbering man to wake stretching out he found the left side of his bed unexpectedly empty which usually would fill him with dismay. Today though a smile found its way onto his lips anyway; he could hear Stella singing to herself in Greek a low sweet traditional love song she was near by and happy so he was blissfully happy too. In the past month since they had finally consummated their relationship they had made love every day since and Mac had become accustomed to waking to find Stella tucked safely in his arms each morning; there had been such a dull ache in his heart on the only occasion they had decided to spend a night apart that he'd ended up on her doorstop at three in the AM unable to settle without feeling her warm body close to his. It had turned out that she was just as miserable being without him so they had given up trying to stay apart completely and spent their nights alternating between apartments. Truth was he couldn't get enough of Stella each day they spent together he wanted her more, wanted to be with her to have her by his side sharing his life and those feelings grew stronger each day that passed..

Slipping out of bed Mac padded out of his bedroom and down the hallway to his kitchen where he found her back to him busily preparing breakfast for them both. He couldn't help but stop and stare at her for a moment she was wearing his old navy blue bath robe her hair all mussed from the previous evening's somewhat strenuous activities but as far as Mac was concerned she was the loveliest thing he'd ever seen a perfect work of art. Silently tiptoeing up behind her Mac snuck his arms around her waste and gently nuzzled her neck "Good morning gorgeous" He greeted Stella cheerfully

"Hey no fair …." She pouted turning to face him "You've spoiled my birthday surprise" She berated.

"Believe me Stella I have the only thing I want for my birthday right here in my arms" He assured her leaning in to kiss away her chagrin.

"Is that so?" She mumbled her lips duelling with his for supremacy forever sealing their kiss "In that case you're forgiven."

They ate breakfast happily together side by side funny Mac mused he couldn't remember the last time his kitchen had seen so much laughter but Stella's presence seemed to fill the whole place with pure joy. They discussed everything and anything from last night's TV to the annual Lab picnic in a month's time "So do you ….. I mean would you be my date? A real date not just friends….." Mac asked shyly "….It's ok if you don't want to I mean it does matter …I know this isn't really making sense" He took a huge gulp of air and said "What I'm trying to tell you is I want people to officially know about us and then there is Sinclair to think about" He winced "…..But if it's too soon I understand….." He fidgeted nervously.

Stella smiled then with her fingertips she tenderly caressed his left cheek her touch instantly easing his worries it amazed him how she did that no-one else had ever had such an effect on him not even Claire. "Mac I would love to be your date and no it's not to soon you can shout Stella Bonasera loves Mac Taylor from the Lab roof if you want I don't particularly care who knows even Sinclair I think everyone knows on the QT anyway."

Hearing her warm voice made any lingering feelings Mac had of anxiety melt away to nothing like snow in the midmorning sun "Good because Mac Taylor loves Stella Bonasera too and he intends to tell her that every day for the rest of his life" He said bringing her hand to his lips and kissing each finger one by one "Even if she does steal my stuff" He teased indicating the robe.

Grinning Stella stood "Well then Detective Taylor as an Officer serving in the NYPD you have only one course of action left open to you don't you?" She teased undoing the robe's belt to reveal she was wearing absolutely nothing underneath "You must do you duty to serve and protect but if you want this robe back your gonna have to catch me first" She shot off into the bedroom.

"Stella Bonasera you will be the death of me" Mac yelled at the top of his lungs then chased after her "But what a way to go!"

They arrived for work two hours later a full thirty minutes late to be greeted by Danny Messer a knowing grin plastered all over his face "Good morning Guys ….herds of wild wildebeests stampeding on the FDR was there? Oh I know Elvis was holding a comeback gig in Central park" He smirked.

"If you really must know Danny we got so carried away making mad passionate love we lost track of time …once a day just isn't enough for us" Mac deadpanned.

Danny's jaw dropped to the floor and bounced back again at least twice "Your kidding right Mac?" He asked cautiously.

"Am I Stel?" Mac remained stoney faced.

"Kitchen floor, then the hall then we finally made it to the bedroom" She nodded innocently counting off on her fingers.

"Don't forget the shower twice" Mac pointed out.

"Of course not how could I ever forget that….My Mac's a regular sex god on the side aren't you tiger?" She smiled sweetly patting his butt affectionately.

"Ok far, far to much detail guys" Danny turned bright red and made a gagging sound "I'm sure Lindsay needs me for something vitally important" With that he dashed off towards DNA.

Mac stared at Stella and she stared back unable to stand it any longer they burst into fits of laughter grabbing a hold of each other they howled "You Stella Bonasera are a mean, mean woman" Mac wiped tears away from his eyes.

"You are meaner tiger" She waggled a finger at him.

"Oh so now it's tiger is it" He teased pulling him to her so her lips almost met his hers.

"Maybe that should be tigger" She whispered into the kiss.

"Only if you will be my Pooh bear" He breathed back savouring the taste of her lips.

"Sheesh not again" Flack sounded grumpy as he approached then "What is it with you two? I keep telling you just get a room" He sighed in mock exasperation.

"We already did" Mac retorted kissing Stella's forehead as they pulled apart."

"What can we do for you Flack" Stella asked the Detective.

"It's more what I can do for you Sinclair is in Mac's office wants to see the three of us and Hawkes. Plus Adam says to tell you that some Lawyer lady was nosing about looking for Stella so he put her in the break room" He explained "Last but not least just to satisfy my curiosity what exactly did you two do to Messer anyway?"

They found Hawkes already in Mac's office when they arrived and Sinclair safely ensconced in Mac's chair "Problem?" Sinclair asked noticing Mac's double take.

"No Sir…not at all my chair is your chair" He assured his boss taking a seat next to Hawkes on the sofa Stella and Flack following suite.

"I'll get straight to the point" Sinclair began "I had a conversation this morning with my opposite number in the Italian Police force he wanted me to warn you that Joseph Bonasera has been released from custody all charges against him have been dropped due to lack of evidence."

"The original Teflon man" Flack grunted.

"Exactly Detective Flack" Sinclair agreed wearily.

"Have they completely lost their minds?" Mac raged "The man is utterly immoral we helped the Italian CSO's go through Villa Rosa with a fine tooth comb not to mention every property he owns and his business dealings both sets of books we found enough to convict Bonasera industries for everything from murder for hire to tax evasion for god sake Marco made sure of that and they can't hold him?"

"Bonasera industries not Joseph himself" Sinclair pointed out "Everything traced back to his father the late Michael Bonasera so Joseph is in the clear you can't hold a man accountable for crimes his father committed."

"What about Stella's abduction" Flack interjected "Surely we can get him on that….."

"It's just my word against his in an unlit tunnel and I never saw his face even when we fought " Mac shook his head morosely "Stella was out cold and we found nothing else to connect him to her disappearance it wouldn't stand up in court."

"Where is he now?" Hawkes asked quietly "The Italian Police don't know he's vanished into thin air" Sinclair replied.

"This just gets better and better doesn't it" Flack groused.

"I think we can safely assume that I'm top of his to do list" Stella spoke up fearfully.

"No…" Mac said resolutely "He isn't getting near you not this time….." He slipped his arm protectively around her shoulders drawing her near "I'll kill him first."

Sinclair's announcement had left Stella's head spinning; the whole Bonasera family nightmare had been over and done with now the truth behind her mother's death had been exposed and those responsible brought to justice Grazia Bonasera was currently occupying a cell in one of Italy's most secure women's prisons awaiting trial for the murders of Michael and Marco Bonasera not to mention the American authorities were doing their damnest to extradite her in regards to the murder of Sofia Bonasera on US soil. Joseph should be facing a lengthy spell behind bars too it was so unfair she and Mac had begun making plans for their future together and now he was back to haunt them. It wasn't the threat to her own life that worried Stella the most but to Mac she knew Joseph would never leave them alone and she couldn't bear the thought of Mac being hurt or worse because of her. Miserably Stella headed for the break room all she really wanted was to have Mac hold her near making everything better but Sinclair had wanted to speak to him alone and she had this Lawyer person to deal with. Entering the break room she found a middle-aged woman with greying hair around her temples drinking coffee whilst tapping away at a lap top.

"Hello I'm Stella Bonasera" Stella stretched her hand out to the woman.

"Sarah Morgan of Morgan, Morgan and Wormwood associates" She shook Stella's hand firmly.

"What can I do for you Ms Morgan?" Stella asked "I'm afraid I'm not able to discuss any cases currently under investigation with you."

"This is nothing to do with you professionally Detective Bonasera but a personal matter….. the Italian Law firm representing the late Marco Bonasera's estate have engaged us to represent them here in the US I'm here to tell you that Mr Bonasera left you a sizeable bequest in his will you are now a very wealthy young woman you and your sister" She reported.

Stella flopped down on the nearest chair in shock all the stuffing knocked out of her the Bonasera clan had done it to her yet again "Sister?" She managed to choke out hoarsely "What Sister?"

"You're sleeping with Bonasera aren't you" Sinclair's words weren't so much a question but a statement of fact; Once the other three had left Mac's office Sinclair had gone straight in for the kill.

"Yes" Mac replied truthfully "Stella and I are romantically involved."

"Is this something you envisage as long term or merely a fling" Sinclair questioned him.

"May I ask what business it is of yours either way" Mac demanded to know.

"Don't kid a kidder Mac you know departmental rules perfectly well…no fraternization between Supervisors and their subordinates period it's a blatant conflict of interest not to mention exposing the NYPD to serious charges of sexual harassment so I need to know do you intend to pursue a long term relationship with Detective Bonasera or not?" He asked again.

"I care about her and she by some miracle cares for me so the answer is yes for as long as she will have me I intend to pursue a relationship with Stella Bonasera …I love her" He declared unbowed "And I always will."

"In that case we have a situation here" Sinclair growled "I can't allow you to be both her lover and boss … the Supervisor of the Albany lab is moving on to pastures new meaning her job is vacant I strongly advise that one of you ask for a transfer it doesn't matter which one particularly. Understand I went out on a limb for you over the whole Lab threatening to quit over the Bonasera kidnap but you have used your last get out of jail free card Mac if you won't end it then one of you must go."

Stella was sitting at her desk her head resting on her hands in a thoughtful pose completely oblivious to everything and everyone around her when Mac caught up with her.

"Stel….." He gently touched her shoulder jolting her out of her reverie "Stella is every thing alright?" He worried "Stupid question…of course everything's not alright is it?" He crouched down so he could be on level with her face.

"I have a sister all these years I never knew but I have a sister Mac" She blurted out "That's why the Lawyer wanted to see me before he died Marco had been trying to find her he left everything he had between the two of us ….look" She passed him a copy of a birth certificate.

"Grace Bonasera born April 25th 1977 New York State Women's Hospital, Mother: Sofia Bonasera, Father: unknown" Mac read out loud astonished as Stella "She was born two months before your Mother was killed."

"Sofia must have been pregnant when Professor P brought us here" She agreed.

"That could mean …." His voice trailed off uncertainly.

"That Michael may well be her father the thought had crossed my mind" She sighed "Oh Mac everything is such a mess…growing up I longed for a sister someone I could share everything with and now I find that one of my dearest wishes has been granted but maybe not out of love but out of hatred in the most vile of circumstances."

Tears spilled down her face wordlessly Mac pulled her into his embrace her head resting on her should "We haven't really talked about this since we got back home have we?" He tried to comfort her "I'm sorry we should have …but I thought you needed time to come to terms with everything that happened out there and that when you were ready you would come to me ….. I'm here for you every step of the way you do know that Stel don't you? I'll catch you if you fall" Screw Sinclair he added silently neither he nor Joseph Bonasera were going to come between them Mac refused point blank to let them "I promise you Stella I will never leave you alone again."

"I know it sounds stupid but I miss Marco" She confessed "I know all the things he did over the years, the people he must have hurt but the man I knew was kind, warm and loving do you think it is possible to be a good man yet be involved in such things?"

"I think anything is possible but the Marco you knew was the loving father not Marco the Mafioso I think you should bear that in mind" Mac tucked a stray piece of hair behind her left ear "You're grieving for your father twice over Stel having lost both Marco and Professor P in such a short space of time I can only imagine what that feels like losing my dad once was tough enough."

"I want both of them to be my father Mac I know it's silly but I don't want to choose between them" She nodded.

"Which is why you have been putting off having a DNA test" He realized suddenly a whole lot of things making sense.

"It's not just about me anymore though is it? Regardless of the act that created her I have a sister and that changes everything" Stella shook her head "It's no longer me but us….. Joseph knows about her Ms Mason told me he was given a copy of Marco's will" She filled him in "So odds on he's going to go after her if nothing else but to hurt me."

"Then we find her first we get the entire team on it everything else except emergency's can wait till she's found" Mac was adamant "Did Marco have anymore details about what happened to her?"

"No only a newspaper clipping from the day after my Mother died about two little girls found abandoned in St Michaels church on the upper east side one approximately 2 years old the other two months old or there about" Stella showed him the yellowing scrap of paper.

"Well it's a start Stella" He smiled "A shot in the dark is better then nothing."

"What did Sinclair want?" She asked suddenly remembering Mac's meeting with their boss.

"Oh nothing important just staffing issues" Mac lied not wanting to cause her anymore heartache than she already was going through "Nothing you need to be concerned about."

"I'm so glad you're here Mac" She snuggled closer to him.

"Me too" He murmured "Say it again Stel please?" He begged.

"Say what?" She pretended not to know.

"You know perfectly well what….." He began but was silenced by a long slender finger on his lips.

"Shush…."She ordered the ex-marine "I love you Taylor."

He responded by pressing her lips against his own "I love you too" He breathed out.

…..

A/N: So what do you think? All feedback gratefully received as always.