Starting From Scratch
Written by: HoshiHikari
Disclaimer: I do not own CSI NY
Summary: On a stormy winter's night, Mac boards a flight heading back to New York. Due to the weather conditions, the plane crashes and although Mac makes it out alive, he is struck with amnesia. Stella takes on the task of helping Mac cope with his memory loss while trying her best to make him remember everything that was lost—mainly how the two of them turned from co-workers to best friends to a married couple with an 8 year old daughter.
Parings: Mac and Stella
Chapter 1
Stella fidgeted nervously from foot to foot. Once in a while she would glance anxiously at the clock and then out the window into the raging storm that interrupted what would have been a peaceful night. Her fingers that were clutching tightly around her Blackberry had turned white.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
Stella nearly dropped her phone as she tried to answer the call.
"Mac?" She said anxiously, holding her phone close to her ear as she waited for him to speak. She frowned when no one replied after she called his name again.
"Stella, that was the doorbell." Lindsey spoke up, gently pulling the phone away from her ear, as Danny answered the front door. "Mac will be here soon."
"He better be, it's only three hours before…"
"Merry Christmas everyone!" Hawkes announced to everyone present as he, Adam, Don and Sid stepped into the Messer's home. Stella and Lindsey watched as Lucy Messer and Jennifer Taylor dashed across the room and into the awaiting arms of their uncles. The four men at the doorway gave each of the girls a hug and then handed them their presents.
"Mom, can I open my present now?" Jennifer, the 8 year old blue eyes, golden curly locks girl asked as she dashed over to her mom. "Please, please please?"
"Put it with the rest of your presents sweetie." Stella said with a smile tugging at her lips. "Christmas is in two hours. You can wait until then."
"But mom!" Jennifer complained.
"It's tradition. Presents are opened on Christmas day."
"I'll wait until 12:01AM and not a minute longer." Jennifer said, giving her mom a look that said she wasn't going to back down on that.
"Very well, 12:01AM and not a minute earlier."
Jennifer gave her mom a nod and then hurried back to Lucy who was waiting for her so that they could continue playing Scrabble.
"You've got one stubborn kid there." Adam commented as he and the other adults joined Stella and Lindsey on the couch. "Who do you think she inherited that from?"
"Definitely Mac." Stella replied without thinking. "Told him to cancel his damn flight but of course he wouldn't listen. Says he wants to be here to spend Christmas with Jennifer. Says its important that…"
"Well Mac is right. Christmas is an important time to spend with family." Danny interrupted. "You're not a dad, you wouldn't understand just how special and important being around his daughter is at time like this."
"Messer!" Stella yelled harshly. "Look outside the window. There's a storm out there, a freaking storm out there and Mac still wants to fly back to New York. So what if it's Christmas? Christmas isn't a big deal, at least not enough to…"
"Stella, calm down." Don instructed. "You're just still upset about the fight you had with Mac right before he had to fly to Las Vegas for that conference."
"Risk his life for!" Stella shouted loud enough to cover Don's voice, but not loud enough to draw the children's attention onto her. "There's always next year. With that freaking storm outside, its not worth flying back to be here just to be back for Christmas. I rather have him stay at some hotel in Vegas and enjoy himself instead of having him fly and then making me worry about his plane crashing and…."
"Oh Stella." Lindsey wrapped her arms around the older women. "Mac will be here in no time. You said his flight arrives in an hour, so he should be here by 11:30, 12 at the most."
"I swear I'm going to kill him when he arrives."
"That's allowed only if you and Mac participate in a round of passionate love making afterwards." Sid said. "Nothing like the proclamation of love to heal a…"
"Sidney Hammerback!" Lindsey scolded.
"What?" Sid ask innocently.
"Not in front of the children."
The group of adults glanced nervously at Lucy and Jennifer and then gave a collected sigh of relief when neither girl appeared to have heard what was going on in he other side of the living room.
"Well it did its job." Sid said. "It made Stella blush and smile for the first time in days."
"Sid…"
"Stella…" Sid mimicked back. "You know I'm right and you know that's exactly what you need right now. Heck I'll be so nice as to offer babysitting service, that is if Mac allows me to take off work on Christmas day."
"Well with that incentive, the boss would agree to anything." Adam chipped in.
"No wonder Mac's dying to get home. Definitely worth risking his life and limb to…"
"Flack, not now." Lindsey interrupted. "This is not the time."
"Sorry Stella, I…" Don spoke up, only to have Lucy interrupt him, bounding up to Danny and then began tugging at his sleeve.
"Dad, can we please open our presents now?" Lucy asked. "There's only ten more minutes till Christmas arrives."
"Ten minutes?" Stella echoed, quickly glancing at the clock. Sure enough the clock read 11:50PM. "He should have been here by now. He should have landed 50 minutes ago. He would have called directly afterwards. If not call then he would have texted. He would have done something…"
"Dad?" Lucy begged. "Please?"
Danny, more concerned about Stella, carelessly waived at his daughter. Lucy taking the hand movement as an okay, launched herself at the presents underneath the Christmas tree. Jennifer, seeing that Lucy was allowed to open presents, quickly removed herself from the scrabble board and joined Lucy by the tree.
"Stella, calm down." Don said, watching Stella fumble with her Blackberry. They watched in silence as Stella tried in vain to call Mac.
"Something's wrong." Stella said, jumping to her feet and rushing to the window to stare out into the storm, hoping to spot Mac walking up towards the house. "Something happened to Mac. I just know it. He wouldn't not call on arrival. So what if we had a fight. He would have known better then to use that as an excuse to not…"
"Maybe the plane got delayed?" Danny suggested.
"No, he texted me right before the plane took off."
"Then maybe the plane's making circles above the city. It's dangerous to land right now." Hawkes added.
"Dangerous," Stella echoed. "Oh gods…"
Thinking the worst, Stella bolted towards the Messer's front door and began hastily putting on her UGGs.
"Mom?" Jennifer asked, suddenly aware of what her mother was doing. "Where are you going?"
"To the airport." Stella replied automatically.
"Is dad there?"
"I'm going to wait for him at the airport. I…"
"That's not a good idea Stella. There's a blizzard outside and…"Adam spoke up.
"I don't care. I'm going to the airport. No one's going to stop me."
"I want to come with you." Jennifer stated. "I haven't seen dad in days. I miss him."
"Sorry sweetie, I'm going alone. Who knows how long this storm will last? I don't want to pull you away from unraveling presents just to have you sit at the airport and wait for dad." Stella left no room for argument. "When I get back, you can show Mac and I all the wonderful presents your uncles and aunt have spoiled you with this year."
"Alright." Jennifer agreed. "But I'm not staying up too late to wait for you to come back with dad."
"Fair enough." Stella replied. She opened the door, only to have Don call out after her.
"I'm driving Stella." He hurried after her, slipping easily into his pair of sneakers. "Don't argue."
"Wasn't going to."
"Good, because you wouldn't have won." Don agreed. He then turned to the girls. "If there are still any unopened presents by the time we get back, then those belong to me."
"Hey!" Lucy protested.
"Well hurry up and open them. We'll be back in no time. As I said, any unopened presents are mine."
"Except for Uncle Mac's of course." Lucy reasoned.
"Yeah, because it wouldn't be fair since you'll be seeing dad before we do." Jennifer agreed.
"Alright, except for those then. Anything else left over is mine."
"Never knew you like playing with princesses and fairies, Flack." Danny commented.
"Oh, is that what little 8 and 10 year old girls are into these days?" Don questioned. "Last I checked, I believe they were into…"
"Oh get going Don before Stella leaves you behind." Adam interrupted. "She's already out the door."
"Huh?" Don blinked. "Oh, yes of course. I'll see you all later."
He hurried after Stella, catching up to her just as she reached her car.
"La Guardia," Stella said, throwing Flack her keys. Flack caught the keys and then slid himself into the driver's seat.
"I'll drop you off at the domestic terminal. Call me when you're ready." Flack said, as he started the car.
"Not going to use your badge?"
"No use. The airports are crazy this time of year. I pull my badge, the next thing you know, I'll be swamp with angry, frustrated, people who found themselves stuck in an airport on Christmas."
"Good point. You do that, and we'll never make it out alive." Stella agreed.
The ride to the airport passed in silence with Stella worried about Mac and Don not knowing quite how to reassure her friend that Mac was alright.
"Uh oh, this doesn't look good." Stella commented, when they finally arrived at the airport. The journey taking twice as long because of traffic and road blocks. "Told you something wasn't right, Don. What if…"
"Stella, stop that thought right now." Don growled out as he pulled the car to a stop in front of the yellow "Do not cross" line that blocked off the domestic terminal to vehicles.
"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to turn around. The airport is closed." A police office that neither Don nor Stella recognized, approached the drivers window.
"Detective Flack and Detective Taylor." Flack pulled out his badge and showed it to the officer. "What's going on?"
"A plane crashed landed…."
"Oh my God." Stella cried out. She was immediately out of the passenger seat and in no time standing right before the officer.
"Which one? Which plane crashed?" Stella demanded. "Tell me. Gods, tell me it wasn't…"
The officer glanced back at Don, who too was now standing right behind Stella.
"Delta, from Vegas to New York."
"Mac!" Stella yelled out. In an instant, she felt her world crumble around her. "Mac!"
"Are you sure?" Don demanded. His arms were already tightly wrapped around Stella, holding her up as she collapsed from shock right there in between the two men.
"Yes."
"Mac!" Stella yelled out again and again as Don struggled to keep her still.
"I take it that…" the officer glanced between Stella and Don. Don gave a mute nod. "I'm sorry."
"Were there any survivors?" Don asked, noticing that Stella stilled in his arms when he asked that question.
"I don't know Detective. I'm only responsible for directing traffic and the media out of the here."
"Is there someone who would know?"
"Ask inside. Find…" Before the officer had finished, Stella was already out of Don's arms and running into the airport. Don hastily thanked the officer before sprinting after Stella. He easily caught up to her as she was staring out a window, looking straight at the remains of the Delta airplane.
"Stella, come here." Don instructed. He stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her in a tight embrace as the two stared silently out at the people who were milling around the wreck. "Stella.."
"Flack! Taylor! What in the world are you two doing here?" Chief Sinclair's scream, caused Don to hastily let go as the two turned to see the chief storming up to them.
"What are you two…"
"Mac was on that plane." Don interrupted.
"Mac was on that…" Sinclair repeated, only to stop half way when he realized what Don had just said.
"He was returning from the conference in Vegas." Don said softly.
"Oh Stella," Sinclair's voice soften, as he took enormous strides towards them. "Stella…"
"Why didn't you call me Chief? Were you just going to let me find out on the morning news?" Stella demanded, turning to face the chief with angry, tear stricken eyes.
"Of course not Stella. I wouldn't do that to you. I didn't know. I just arrived 10 minutes before the two of you did. I'm still getting updates. I just know that it was a Delta flight from Vegas to New York. It never hit me that…"
"Are there survivors?" Don cut in.
"I can find out." Sinclair said.
"Please do." Don said. "We'll wait here."
Sinclair gave them a nod and then slowly walked away from them.
"Why Mac? Why now? It's Christmas for gods sake. It's…" Stella allowed Don to hold her as she asked questions that she knew wouldn't be answered.
"Mac's a survivor. He'll…"
"What if he didn't? Did you see that wreck Don? It's a mess…"
"Stella…"
"Go to hell."
"What?" Don asked, surprised by Stella's choice of words.
"That was the last thing I said to Mac." Stella clarified. "I can't even remember what we were fighting about. It must have been bad though because I remember telling him to…"
"All couples fight Stella. And when fights happen, people tend to say and do things that they don't mean to. You didn't mean it Stella. You know that. I know that. Mac knows that."
"Still doesn't excuse the fact that I said it. I shouldn't have…"
"Stella…"
"I never got a chance to say goodbye Flack! He was just taken." Stella flung her arms in the air. "Just taken."
"To the ER." Sinclair said as he walked up to the two of them. "Apparently he was one of the lucky few who still had a pulse when the paramedics came to take all survivors to the hospital. Only 17 of 759 passengers and crew survived that crash."
"Still had a pulse?" Stella said weakly.
"A very weak one. Mac was in critical condition when he left the airport. The two of you better get out of here."
"Which hospital?" Don asked, as Stella bolted towards the car. The Chief gave him the address.
"You're driving Flack?" Sinclair asked towards Don's retreating back.
"Yeah Chief, I'm driving." He called back.
"Good. Stay with Stella and make sure you get her anything she needs." The chief hesitated. "Keep me posted Flack. In the event that the worst does happen, make sure Stella doesn't do anything stupid."
Lindsey had just joined the other adults in the living room after tucking the girls in bed when the home phone rang.
"I'll get it." She said, picking up the phone. "Hello? Messer residence."
"Lindsey?"
"Hi Don. Mac just arrived? You can just drop them off at home and make good use of Sid's word. Jennifer can stay here overnight."
"Mac's plane crashed on landing." Don said quietly over the line.
Lindsey dropped the phone, immediately catching everyone's attention.
"Linds?" Danny asked with concern. Lindsey waived her husband off, slowly picking up the phone again.
"Hello?" Don was saying.
"Sorry Don. I dropped the phone. Is Mac…"
"He's in the ER, in critical condition. Stella and I are heading over to the hospital now."
"Give me the address. We'll head over there right now." Lindsey said.
Don gave Lindsey the address of the hospital.
"Alright, we'll meet you there Don. Take care of Stella, make sure she doesn't…"
"Don't have to tell me Lindsey. I know what to do."
"Good. We'll see you there." Lindsey hung up the phone.
"What is it?" Danny asked, knowing something was wrong by the look of shock on his wife's face.
"Mac's plane crashed on landing." Lindsey said, barely above a whisper. "He's in the ER, in critical condition. Don and Stella are heading to the hospital right now. We'll meet them there."
"I'll wake the girls. Be ready to head out in five minutes." Danny said, leaving the adults in the living room as he headed towards Lucy's bedroom to wake up the girls.
"Why don't Sid and I head out first?" Hawkes suggested, knowing that it could take awhile before the girls would be ready to leave the house. "I'm sure Stella would want some of our input if she needs to make any medical decisions."
"Yeah, great idea." Adam nodded. "I'll wait for Danny and the girls. Lindsey, you need to be there for Stella right now."
"We're here to see Detective Mac Taylor." Don said to the clerk working behind the receptionist desk at the ER. "Where is he?"
"And you are?"
"His wife." Stella cut in, pulling out her badge, hoping that it would get her somewhere. "I was told that my husband was admitted to the ER at this hospital after his plane crash landed in La Guardia."
"Records show that Detective Taylor was in critical condition on arrival. He's currently undergoing surgery. Feel free to wait here in the waiting room until the surgery's over."
"He's still alive?" Stella asked.
"Yes, he's still alive." The clerk confirmed.
"Thank you." Don said, leading Stella away and into an empty chair.
"Don't worry Stella, Mac will make it through the surgery. He has so much to come home to. In a few hours the doctor's going to come out and give you the good news."
"I hope so."
"I know so." Don corrected. "Believe me. Believe him. He's fighting for his life right now, you've got to do anything you can to support him even if you're not physically next to him."
"Thank you Don." Stella offered a strained smile. "It's just hard to do so, when the last words I told him was go to hell. I mean that doesn't really sound supportive…"
"Stella!"
Before Stella could react, Lindsey had flung herself at her friend, giving her a tight hug.
"We've got here as soon as we could." Lindsey said, pulling away from Stella so that the older women could breath.
"How's Mac?" Hawkes asked, looking at Don.
"In surgery."
"Did you ask for details."
"Critical condition." Don replied.
"Ask for details with your badge?" Hawkes pressed.
"The clerk didn't give any. All we can do now is wait."
"I hate waiting." Stella mumbled. "If Mac had listen to me and canceled his flight then…"
"Oh Stella, what's happened has happen. Just be glad he's alive."
"For how long Lindsey? For how long? What if he dies in surgery?"
"He won't. He's not going to leave you and Jennifer."
"I won't ever forgive him if he does." Stella said. "If he dies…"
"Where's Danny and Adam and the girls?" Don interrupted loudly, not wanting Stella to finish off that sentence.
"They're coming. I just tucked the girls in. It might take a while before they get here. Don't worry, they'll be here before Mac comes out of surgery."
"Drive faster Adam," Danny complained. "Put on the siren. This is an emergency."
"I'm trying Messer. A siren isn't going to make this blizzard stop."
Danny let out a huff in the passenger seat.
"Besides, we're almost there. Two more blocks to go."
"I'll kill you if we don't make it to the hospital in time."
"Watch the language Danny. This isn't the time to joke around."
"No I suppose not." Danny said somberly, just as Adam pulled the car into a complete stop. Quickly the group got out and walked swiftly into the ER.
"Danny! There you guys are. What took you so long?" Lindsey asked.
"Ross here was driving like a snail." Danny jerked his head at Ross.
"Hey! I didn't think a second accident was going to make the situation any better. Better a little late then…"
"Mommy." Jennifer said, rushing over to her mother and collapsing onto her. Stella looked up at Danny and Danny gave a nod, indicating that he had told the girls the truth.
"Oh Jennifer." Stella wrapped her arms tightly around her daughter.
"Is daddy going to be okay? Uncle Danny said that daddy had an accident."
"He will be fine. These doctors here are going to make sure that he's all better." Stella tried to reassure her child.
"Detective Taylor?" A man in scrubs walked quickly towards the group.
"Yes?" Stella asked, standing up.
"I'm Dr. Gordon. I'm your husband's lead surgeon." He raised his hand and Stella shook it.
"How is Mac?' Stella asked anxiously.
"The surgery was a success. He's currently resting in a private ward."
"Oh thank you doctor. Thank you." Stella let out a sigh of relief. "Can we see him?"
"Normally I wouldn't agree since he needs his rest. But he did ask for his wife and I don't think he'll rest until he sees you. Five minutes only Detective."
"Thank you Doctor."
"Follow me."
"Can I come mommy?" Jennifer asked.
"Maybe next time, sweetie." Stella said. "I'm just going tuck daddy in and then I'll be right back. Just wait right here with the rest of your Uncles and Aunt."
"Oh, okay." Jennifer said.
Stella followed the surgeon as he led them to Mac's room.
"When will he be discharged from the hospital?" Stella asked, trying to make conversation.
"We will discus that after Mr. Taylor wakes up from his much needed rest. We'll run a few test tomorrow and then we'll go from there."
"That bad?"
"Considering what he's just gone through, I'll say he isn't bad at all. He's very alert and his body seems to be adjusting rapidly to the new changes."
"Comes with being a Marine." Stella said softly. "Automatic responses for survival."
"Ah, that must be it." The doctor replied, stopping in front of a room which door was closed. He knocked, opened the door and stepped in with Stella following closely behind him.
"Mac! I'm so glad you're alive. You have no idea how scared I was when I heard that…" Stella ran up to her husband. Ignoring all the equipment that was attached to him, she bent down and gave him a kiss. She frowned when he twisted his head away.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Mac questioned, his eyes displaying shock.
"Mac?" Stella questioned, confused.
"Doctor," Mac ignored Stella, instead addressing Dr. Gordon.
"Yes Mr. Taylor?"
"I asked you to bring me my wife, not my co-worker."
"Mac, it's me, Stella. I am…"
"Where's Claire?" Mac demanded, ignoring Stella. "Where's my wife?"
So here is the start of another Smacked fic. Feel free to tell me what you think. Like it? Hate it? Hopefully it wasn't too depressing. Remember to Review!
