Here's another short multi. chap. from me. I kind of got a little writers block while writing my other NY 10 chap. so I wrote this one. Hope you enjoy it. Sorry, Stella's the damsel in distress. It just seemed to fit. Besides, these things write themselves. Please enjoy! :D

Disclaimer: I do not own CSI: NY, though wish I did. :)

Jealous Much?

As Mac is stepping out of the elevator to go into the lab, Stella is stepping into it. He does a double take as he sees the man next to her. Right next to her. They all three stop.

"Hi Mac. I'd like you to meet my new boyfriend Steven Hillsdale. We were just going out to lunch."

"Nice to meet you Mac. I've heard a lot about you." Steven says extending his hand. There's something in his eyes that makes Mac not trust him.

"Funny, I've heard nothing about you." Mac taking a shot at the man; both verbally and by not shaking his hand. Steven just shakes it off and unextends his arm.

"Mac!" Stella sneers.

"It's okay Toots. Well, it was nice to finally meet you. Maybe I'll see you around."

Mac just grunts in frustration.

The couple head towards the elevator, but Stella gives Mac a quick look over her shoulder. Great. She's pissed off. What the hell is wrong with me? Why'd I do that?

Hawkes answers his own internal question. He didn't even realize he was standing next to him until Sheldon hands him a file.

"Jealous much?" Hawkes makes a snide remark. Mac shoots him a very nasty look. He just puts his hands up defensively. "You know it's true. Don't shoot the messenger."

The entire way to his office Mac's body screams 'leave me alone!' Everyone had better stay clear, or they'll feel the wrath of Mac Taylor.

He almost slams the door for effect, but stops. Bad idea. Instead he closes it gently. All that would have done is fuel the fire. Like I need everyone else mad at me for being unhappy for Stella. I already heard it from Hawkes.

He grabs his laptop and does something he knows will come back to bite him; a full background on one Steven Hillsdale. What he sees on the screen shocks him. Attempted robbery at gunpoint? Aggravated assault? Did Stella even look into this guy?

If he runs after her to tell her what he found out, she'll probably get even more ticked off. Yeah, she'll probably shoot me.

Mac decides that as soon as Stella comes in he'll confront her about it. Yeah, like that will help. Then she'll really be pissed, and not at him; at me. Mac just sighs. I guess I don't care. I'd rather her be mad at me and safe, than happy and in danger.

"Maybe I'll just send her a message saying we need to talk. I'm sure she'll be real happy about that." He says to himself in anger.

XXOXX

I can't believe him! Here I am all happy and excited to go to lunch with my new boyfriend, and he steps all over me! Argh! Sometimes I just want to get out my handgun and- Her thoughts are stopped as Steven brings her back into reality.

"I don't think your friend likes me very well." Steven says.

"He doesn't like anyone I date. Don't feel bad. Mac doesn't trust anyone. He thinks he's protecting me somehow. Just ignore him." She exhales deeply. I wish I could ignore him.

Steven laughs. What Stella doesn't see is the glint in his eye. Something was lurking in his mind, and it wasn't good. Mac was right to be protective. Stella just didn't know it yet.

"What are you laughing at? What's so funny?" Stella asks confused.

"Nothing," He says while still chuckling, "Just reminds me of someone from my past. You don't know how many guys have reacted that same way to me. I guess they don't trust me. Maybe they're just jealous."

Stella finds his words odd, but doesn't say anything. She doesn't know a lot about his past, but doesn't have any reason not to trust him.

They had met in a cafe. He had bought her coffee and they had talked before they exchanged numbers. That was three weeks ago. They had been going out ever since. For some reason Stella didn't want to tell Mac she was seeing someone, and she couldn't figure out why exactly. Probably because I knew he'd react this way. She thinks this, but deep inside her mind, she knows that isn't why. There's another reason she can't quite put her finger on.

When they walk into the restaurant Stella is stunned. Did I completely space out? I don't even remember getting here. I have to stop thinking about Mac; it's going to get me into trouble.

The new couple sits down and tries to eat a peaceful meal. A couple minutes in Stella's phone goes off. When she checks the screen it says it's from Mac. Still being mad, she decides not to answer it. Let him sit there and sulk.

Another apology is made to Steven, and he says not to worry about it. They get back to their meal. Mostly they interchange small talk and a few hearty laughs. For the most part they have fun and enjoy themselves. Steven is great, but Stella's mind keeps going back to Mac.

XXOXX

"Damn it Stella, what if this was an emergency?" She still hasn't answered his text message. Mac slams his phone on his desk childishly. He doesn't care. He's still mad at Stella for acting immature herself.

He's about to check on Adam when the blunt of all his problems walks in. Mac is pleased to see her 'boyfriend' is gone. The term 'boyfriend' when it came to Stella made his skin crawl. Hawkes's words came into his mind. Jealous much?

His happiness is short lived. Her face looks like a lioness that's about to pounce on its prey.

"What did you want?" Stella asks with needles in her voice.

"Do you know that Steven was arrested for armed robbery and assault?" Mac asks with arrogance.

"Yes, I did a background check on him. I always do." Agitation and anger coming through.

"You knew about this?" Mac's voice booms.

"Of course I knew! Do you think I'm stupid?" Stella's words push back with the same force.

"No." There's still tension in his voice.

"He was seventeen years old. He was just a kid." Justifying her new man.

"Once a crook always a crook." Mac states.

"Once an ass always an ass." Stella shoots back. Mac's blood boils.

"You know what? Fine! Be that way. I'm just trying to protect you. See if I ever try to help you again." Mac sounds completely childish, but he doesn't care.

"I don't need protection! I don't need you!" The air is sucked out of Mac's lungs.

"Fine! I don't need you either! Get out!" He retorts with as much force. Now it's Stella's turn to feel defeated.

"What?"

"Get out!" He repeats.

"Fine!"

Stella turns to leave. She pulls the door open with so much force it almost breaks off its hinges. She storms out, her heels clicking against the tile.

Mac can feel curious eyes staring into him. He shuts the door but the feeling remains. She doesn't need me? Am I an idiot? Of course I need her, but she doesn't need me? Is she telling the truth?

XXOXX

Warm tears well up in Stella's eyes. Her head is bowed in shame and embarrassment. Everyone's eyes seem to be on her as she walks toward the elevator. Of course I didn't mean that. I do need him. I was just pissed off. What else could I say? Does he really think I'm that stupid after what happened with Frankie? Does he really not need me as much as I need him?

All of a sudden Steven calls her.

"Hi Steve."

"Hi Stella. I know we just got back from lunch, but I can't stop thinking about you."
"That's sweet." She smiles.

"Do you want to have dinner tonight? I know a great Indian place."

"Sure. Pick me up at my place at six?"

"It's a date." His words make her smile. At least today won't be a total failure.

They say their goodbyes and hang up. Stella wants to just go home, but she can't. Because of the team, she'll stay. They shouldn't have to suffer because of Mac.

The rest of the afternoon goes smoothly, but that's only because Mac and Stella avoid each other completely. No one needs them to get into a fist fight. The case they are working on is bad enough as it was. No leads, no suspects, and to top it all off, no body. Well, they did have a head.

Lindsay and Danny work on ballistics; Stella and Adam on the victim's enemy list, which was extremely long; Hawkes was with Flack talking to the victims few friends; and Mac sits in his office working on whatever he can. He isn't in the mood to be around people.

XXOXX

It is around five o'clock when Mac's cell goes off. Surprise hits Mac in the face. It's a text from Stella. Mac, you can leave your office now, I'm leaving. Have a date with my BOYFRIEND. Mac's fists ball up in anger. It's exactly what Stella wanted him to do and Mac knows it, but he can't help it.

"Damn it Stella. How do you do this to me?" He says to himself trying to figure out the answer.

There's still paperwork to do, so Mac gets back to work. Maybe I can drown my sorrows in paper and ink.

He only works on it for about an hour when he receives a phone call. Yet again he's surprised to see it's from Stella. She probably just wants to gloat. He thinks this, but in the back of his mind he senses something wrong.

"Stella?" Mac asks a little scared she'll bite his head off, but that quickly fades. He's now scared in a completely different way.

"Mac!" Stella barely gets out as she sobs.

"Stella! Where are you? Are you okay?"

"I'm at my apartment."

"I'm on my way. Are you alright?" His heart is beating a mile a minute. He can barely hear her next words.

"No, I'm bleeding. I'm scared, Mac. I'm scared." Stella is sobbing uncontrollably on the other line. Mac's heart shatters into a million pieces.

"Do you want me to call an ambulance?"

"No."

"Okay, I'm coming. Stella?"

There's no answer.

"Stella?"

Well? Is Stella dead? Did Mac lose the love of his life? Please review this story. If you do I'll be forever grateful. Please continue. :)