Title: Playing for Keeps
Chapter 1 A Criminal Mind?
Summary: Just as they get involved; Mac is forced to marry Stella to keep her in the country. What strain will their new bond face? Will they survive marriage? Each other? Who is gunning for them? Romance and action and newlywed tension! Est D/L
Disclaimer: This is a piece of fan fiction. It is written for pleasure and not for profit. The characters of CSI New York and any other regular cast and supporting cast members all belong to CBS, Paramount & Jerry Bruckheimer and Anthony Zuiker. All other characters are my own. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental.
"Mac Taylor, do you take Stella Bonasera,"
I look at Stella with a deep frown. She offers a timid smile before I take a deep breath. "I,
XXXXXXXX
24 HOURS EARLIER
"Mac!" Stella exclaims as she rushes to my side and gives me a hug. My body is sore from the beating I sustained thanks to one of Dario Fastido's goons but once again my guardian angel, Stella, has saved my ass just in time.
"Did we get it?" I ask with a weary frown.
"Yes we got what we need. I just finished all the evidence and it's air-tight. There is no way Fastido can back out of this one, we got him Mac."
"Thanks to you," I tell her warmly. "Thanks for never giving up."
"On you? Never," she smiles as we slowly head back to the truck. "How are you feeling? You look terrible," she notes softly.
"We need to get to the drop scene."
"Mac why aren't you going to the hospital?"
"I need to see this through to the end. Fastido thought he could play me and I want to show him he's wrong."
"Maybe not a good idea to push him right now," Stella warns me. Looking back I probably should have listened.
"Just take me there. The Feds will be there to make the arrest but I swore to him I would be also."
"Mac," she starts.
"Stella, please?" I lightly beg. "I'm fine really. I have sustained worse before."
"Okay fine," she huffs as we slowly pull away from the latest crime scene. I look back and frown. My capture by Fastido's men actually worked in our favor as it urged Fastido to move up his timetable and get the deal done. But I would be damned if he wouldn't see the smile on my face when I was there to watch him being taken away. That's one of the most satisfying parts of my job, I remind myself. I offer a slight groan as I slowly take off my suit jacket and put on a bullet proof vest. Stella looks over at me and only frowns.
"Well I did sustain a few hits," I tell her.
"Yeah well you look like hell," she offers in concern.
"What is the line you always hand me? Oh yeah, he didn't hurt what won't heal?" I lightly grimace. "Trust me there is no way he can walk away on us this time."
The ride to the drop scene was once again spent in quiet reflection. Over the past few weeks, the whole team had been busy working on a way to bring down Dario Fastido, one of New York's most notorious crime lords. Stella, however, had put in just as many hours as me and her name was on every evidence report and log. In fact, I couldn't have done anything without her. As I glance over at her I wonder if I'll ever be able to show her how much having her in my life means to me on a daily basis. We had finally had our first date the other week and while we both talked about taking it slow, but sometimes it's hard for me to be this close and remain focused.
How can I make this up to her? Something really special? I finally come up with the perfect setting as we pull up to the location the Feds gave us.
"Now we wait?" Stella asks in a slight whisper.
"I'm going in," I tell her firmly. "I am not going to wait on the sidelines and miss all the action."
"Mac," she groans.
"Just wait here for me," I urge with a frown. I push myself out of the truck and hurry to where I am told to wait. The next hour passes by with agonizing slowness and so it's once again time for reflection. We had stumbled upon a case involving a young boy who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I had found the link and with Stella's help presented a case to the Feds to finally offer a warrant on Dario Fastido. Going up against the mob I know is personal and sometimes professional suicide but I figured with the details of this deal I just couldn't lose. Boy would I be proved wrong on all accounts.
The big moment arrived and despite the fact that I had just sustained a beating, my body was on edge and my veins surging with adrenaline. I glance over at Stella, still waiting for me in the truck and I offer a timid smile. Without her there I doubt I'd have the strength even now to get this done. The activity starts and soon enough the trap is set and Fastido is caught!
I finally emerge from all the carnage and slowly walk up to a group of undercover officers who are working to finally subdue the large and angry mob king pin. He is finally pulled to his feet and stands facing me with an angry scowl, offering curses that would make a trucker blush.
"Taylor!" He hisses in anger as he's finally cuffed. "Think you've won today?"
"So long Dario," I reply with a tight smile. "Told you I'd be here when they'd put you away."
He leans in close and curses. "You took from me and now I'm going to take from you; the one thing you care about most. Did you remember my promise?"
He pulls back and I just frown. "Can't do much in prison Dario. Oh and if you think you'll be able to pay your way out of this? Think again."
"Remember what I told you Taylor?" He smiles and my brain quickly replays the taunt a few weeks back. 'Taylor, I have an ACE that you'll never defeat. If you force my hand you'll be sorry.'
"You'll never," I start.
He just looks at me and smiles and for the first time I feel my nervousness starting to grow. "You know Taylor," he starts in a low tone. "The funny thing about me. I'm like a bad penny, when you least expect it, I'll turn up."
"Idle threats," I huff.
"Oh I know that taking your life won't accomplish much, Mr. Big Time Hero. But I'm not thinking about you. Hope you sleep well. Try not to worry about tomorrow."
"You can't hurt those people any more Dario. Get him out of here," I snap; my patience finally starting to wear thin with my nemesis. I watch as he's finally loaded into the dark SUV and taken away from my view before I slowly turn and head back for Stella.
I get into the truck and just lean back in the seat and offer a heavy sigh before I look over at her with a weary smile. "Can't believe we finally got him."
"I think it's about time you went home and got some sleep," she tells me in a warm tone.
I offer a look of hurt and she's quick to pick up on it. "I was going to take you for dinner to express my thanks and appreciation for all your hard work on this. I couldn't have helped bring him down without you."
"We always have tomorrow," she reminds me warmly. And while my body does feel like hell I just dont want to part. However, she's right and I need to get some much needed rest. The ride back to the lab we spend talking about the case and what the next few weeks will hold for us and Fastido. We know there will be backlash but that's out of our hands now. We did our part and now the Feds can do the rest. Stella drops me off at home and I offer her a warm kiss; regretting that I am parting so quickly but reminding myself that I'll need to make this up to her tomorrow.
I head inside and finally start to feel the effects of the last twenty-four hours wearing off. My mouth displays a smile as I think about the dinner I'll have with Stella tomorrow; hopefully working to further cement our growing affection.
To be honest it did take me a bit by surprise that she would be interested in me in a personal way; especially since she knows me so well, which is very unnerving. But I tell myself that a secure relationship should have a solid foundation based on true friendship. Stella is my best friend; the woman I would give my life for. How did I not realize this sooner? In truth, after Claire had died I did lock myself away; telling myself I wouldnt find much less want another. Peyton wasn't what I wanted in truth so that bond didn't last. But each day; little by little Stella would slowly chip away at the hard shell I created for myself. And in truth there is no other woman on this planet that I would want in my heart other than her. That happy thought played upon my brain as I finally succumbed to darkness.
I awoke the next morning with a slight headache from the beating the day before. I'll have to remind myself to be kidnapped by a person with a lighter fist next time. I tell myself that as soon as I get into work I'll make the dinner arrangements for tonight. The lab of course is busy getting back to normal and filing away all traces of Dario Fastido.
"Sheldon, where is Stella?" I ask in wonder as I approach her now empty office.
"New case with Danny," he informs me. "A kid down by the pier early this morning."
"Thanks," I note as I just offer a slight shake. Once again her dedication to justice and the job have me impressed. Another thing we have in common. I head back into my office and stare at the morning's newspaper headline: 'Mob Boss Vows Revenge on NYPD and FBI'.
"Choke on it Dario," I huff as I put the paper aside and start my day. But an hour into it and I get one of the most disturbing calls of my life.
"Danny, calm down, what's going on? Where is Stella?"
"Mac, she's been arrested!" Danny's excited voice explains.
"What?" I offer in shock. "What the hell," I try.
"We were down her on Pier 94 on a new case. We were minding our own damn business when suddenly these four large guys come and arrest Stella. Mac I'm still here at the pier, they won't let me see her. What the hell is going on?"
"I'll be right there," I state in a panic as I grab my keys and rush for the door. I race down to the truck; dialing Stella along the way. "Pick up, pick up," I urge as I am only rewarded with empty rings. I finally reach the pier and see Danny being talked to by two large men in black. "What the hell is going on here?" I demand in anger. "Where is Stella Bonasera?"
"She's been arrested, who are you?"
"I'm her partner, Detective Mac Taylor. Where is she?"
"Immigration holding cell," one of the man informs me.
"Pardon? Why Immigration?" I manage as my world starts to shrink. I look at the two men before me and feel my fists starting to tighten. "Why is she there? And I better get more than a few smart words!"
"She's had her citizenship revoked. Seems like Ms. Bonasera has been living and working here as an illegal immigrant and the law finally caught up with her!"
"Mac?" Danny questions.
I can only offer a dumbfounded look as my world continues to crumble around me. "She's, uh, this is not possible. On whose authority?"
"The state of New York sir," the man informs me. "It seems her birth certificate was forged; her parents aren't American and she never applied for the appropriate citizenship. She's being deported."
"WHAT?" I half yell. "Okay there has to be something," I try again. "Can I at least see her?"
The man looks at me and then at his partner and finally nods. "Danny, head back to the lab. I'm going to get to the bottom of this. This has to be a mis-understanding."
I quickly follow after the large man and get into the dark SUV. The ride over to the Immigration cell is short but pain filled. Did Dario do this? Could he actually have pulled something like this off? Would he stoop this low? YES! My brain screams at me on all accounts. What the hell have I done? The SUV stops and I dont wait for the man to direct me as I push myself out of the backseat and race for the two orange doors. I hurry inside and up to a small desk with a rather angry looking man waiting for me.
"Stella Bonasera?" I lightly ask. He quickly calls for her to be brought forward and my heart breaks. She's dressed an orange prison outfit and has no personal effects I can tell she's been crying.
"Mac I tried to call," she offers in remorse.
"Can I have a minute?" I manage.
"You have twenty-four hours and then she's gone," the man informs me.
"Gone? Where?"
"Greece."
I look at her with a blank stare as I have no words to offer. Finally after talking to the Immigration Judge for what seemed like forever, I head for Stella, I take her by the hand and lead her over to a small bench. "Mac, what's going on?"
"Your um, citizenship has been revoked."
"What?"
"They told me that your birth certificate is a fake and that," I start in a low tone.
"Mac, I might be an orphan but I know I'm American. I was born on US soil just like you!" She insists in sorrow.
"I think Fastido did this. His last call before I was kidnapped was to tell me had an ACE and that it would suck the life out of me if I forced his hand. He knew if he just killed you, I'd come after him. He knew if he had you arrested I'd find a way to counter the evidence. But this," my voice trails off.
"Mac, if I'm deported, I might never be allowed back into the country. If Fastido can do this then,"
"Hell find a way to block your re-entry. I know. I just can't," I tell her looking up into her watery green eyes with anguish.
"Mac, I'm at a loss. If he has had everything over turned then," she starts.
"And with your name now declared illegal that means any evidence that you submitted,"
"Will also be inadmissible and he walks. Damn it! All my hard work down the drain."
"He walks free," I manage. "I swear to you we will get him for this."
"Mac, this can't be the end," she tells me as she takes my hand. "He can't have won like this!"
I look at her in sorrow. "You are not leaving this country, I promise you that. Obviously Fastido has paid off the right people but I will get to the bottom of this."
"How long do I have?"
"Twenty four hours and then they deport you."
"Mac,"
"I know. I need something. Something to fix this and fast. I am so sorry," I tell her with a frown. "I just need," I say; leaning back as I notice the female guard heading our way. "I am out of time. But I will be back, I promise."
"Bonasera!" The female guard stated firmly.
"Now I am being treated like a common criminal," Stella moans. "Hurry back."
"As soon as I can, I promise."
"Let's go now," the guard urges. I can only squeeze her hand once more as she's taken from me; her morbid expression burned into my soul.
I offer an angry curse as I head for the exit doors. But just as I pass by the Immigration receiving desk, a conversation catches my attention and I am forced to stop and listen.
"Here is the Marriage License. We get married and she gets to stay right?"
"Yes," Judge Porter replied. "She gets to stay and apply for American Citizenship. Here are the details. Those two men will escort you to city hall where a marriage will be performed right now to ensure this isn't an escape tactic. Here is the rest,"
I look at the Judge and then at the couple and then an idea starts to formulate in my tired brain. I will marry Stella to keep her in the country. It was the only way. I am an America Citizen; Fastido would be stupid to challenge that. But there is no other way and I can't lose her to a technicality and there is no way I am going to break the law to fix this; she'd kill me. The fact that I care for Stella makes this a bit easier but it's still a rash act. Am I doing the right thing? Do I have another choice? Am I running out of time? Yes! It will just be of a technical nature to keep her here. I won't actually expect her to be my wife, how could I? But aside from a jail break right now, what other option do I have?
I slowly pace the front of the waiting area; making sure I am doing the right thing. There was no other option. I try to think of another option but can't. But this was the law. And in the eyes of the law she was now being treated as one who broke the law. I am not above the law and the integrity of this country and its systems is something I'd die for; could I turn my back on it now? Just to save a friend? No. I have to play by its rules. I pull out my phone and call the one man I hope will back this rash decision. "Chief Sinclair?"
"What if Judge Reinhold doesnt allow this?" He asks after I have explained what I can.
"I think Reinhold is someone on Fastido's payroll."
"And if he won't allow it?"
"Judge Porter will. He's the Immigration judge today and I over heard him tell another couple this very thing and he told me I could do the same. By the time Reinhold is back this will have been done today," I frown. "This is only way. I can't let her be deported!"
"There has to be another way," Chief Sinclair tells me.
"For the past half hour I have tried to come up with every other option. There is no other way and I won't break the law to get even. This has to work. Can you see a way around this?"
"Actually, I can't," he huffs. "Mac,"
"Sir, we are running out of time. If I let her go back, I know Fastido will send his men, kill her and then send her body back to me to show he's won."
"But all her hard work on this case. If her name is on any of those documents,"
"I know, he walks," I sigh. "What else can I do? Either way he has us over a barrel with her life as the trump card. What else does she have?"
"Nothing."
"Meet me at the courthouse. I need a witness."
Under and hour later, Rick arrives and I can only greet him with a deep frown.
"Mac, are you sure about this?" He asks me. "I know you two are close friends, but this is a big step."
"I know," I reply slowly. "But, there is no other way. This will keep Stella in the country and at least buy me time to get to the bottom of this and either get it reversed or her citizenship status reinstated. She'd do it for me if the situation was in reverse."
"You sure?"
"Can you think of a better legal option? Trust me I thought of a jail break or calling in whatever favour I can think of. Nothing will work. This is the only way."
"You're right," Rick tells me. "Let's do this then."
"What do I tell the team?" I ask as we head into the courthouse.
"The truth. They all know where Stella is right now and why. A sudden marriage might seem, well suspicious. So just tell them the truth and deal with the heat. Trust me they'll forget about it sooner than you might think."
"Right," I reply with a flat smile. "And what about you? Will you allow two Taylor's at the helm?"
"Under these circumstances? Do I have a choice?"
"Always," I frown.
"Let me worry about running my crime lab. You have a wedding to get ready for."
"Right," I huff. "Thanks for the support."
"This day is far from over Mac. Trust me you'll need support from tomorrow on if you are going up against Fastido again."
"And the Feds?"
"Will probably not want to play with you anymore," he replies and I grimace.
"All that hard work. Damn it!"
"We'll get him again Mac, count on it."
"Oh I won't rest until that is a fact."
Finally after arguing for what seemed like forever, I finally head into City Hall to obtain a Marriage License and then speed back to the Immigration holding center. My heart is racing at the thought of what I was about to do but I know there is no other way. She is more a part of my life than she will ever know; I am not about to just walk away on her now. Besides, I know inside that she would do the same for me. She is always there when I need her; always found me when I was in trouble. In her darkest hour, can I really let her down?
I head back inside and my heart is racing so fast that I think I'll have a heart attack before I even say her name once more. But I already lost one woman I care for to a terrorist and I am not about to lose this one.
I hear them call her name and watch as she slowly walks toward me; still dressed in her prison orange outfit. My heart breaks as I can tell she's trying to be brave but I'm sure has probably broke down at least once for a good cry; if for anything else to curse Fastido's existence.
"Mac?" She asks with a frown; obviously able to read the expression on my face.
"You are being released," I tell her quickly. "I found a loophole of my own."
"How did yo, " she starts.
"Stella Bonasera!" Judge Porter calls out.
"Mac?"
"It's going to be okay," I try to reassure her; not really believing it myself. "Trust me."
I watch her numbly walk over to the Judge and sign the forms. "What is this? We are,"
"We are getting married," I tell her as she looks at me in shock.
"What?" She asks in surprise, keeping her voice quiet. "Are you serious?"
"Not quite the reaction I was hoping for," I state dryly.
"No it's not that, I'm just, surprised," she utters in a calmer tone. "Mac you can't,"
"By you marrying an American Citizen you'll be able to stay here while you apply for Citizenship once again or until I figure out what the hell Fastido did with your real Citizenship information and how to have it all reinstated. This was the only way, Stella I can't,"
"Mac, I can't let you marry me out of pity," she tells me with a frown.
"I can't let you be deported either," I counter. "Stella I know you are scared, in truth so am I, but you are my best friend and, best friends to things to help each other and, I can't lose you like that," I tell her with some uncertainty. "It would kill me. And I refuse to let Fastido win or lose you."
"But he,"
"With you by my side we'll get him again. I promise he will pay for this. But we have to go now. This License has restrictions and,"
"Mac if I'm, that form said I would have to do,"
"Yes you'll have to go through the Citizenship process but it buys us time to figure this out. Trust me I have thought of breaking you out of here or bending the rules to keep you but you know I can't and,"
"And I wouldn't let you. Not to save me."
"This is the only way. Dont think of it as pity. Trust me Stella, I dont expect anything other from you today other then to sign this form and continue to work with me to help me bring down Fastido. We have no other option."
She looks at me with a tight smile. "Let's do this."
"Are you sure?"
"Mac, do I have any other choice?"
"I wish you did, trust me, I didnt want us to be, well forced together like this. But I can't see another way that works in this situation. Time is against us we are out of viable options. There are other choices but this is legal and seems to make sense right now."
She looks at me and then finally nods her head. "Okay."
"Okay?"
"I will marry you. Let's make this work."
"Okay be right back."
I slowly walk over to the Judge and filled out my part of the paperwork while Stella hurries back to the small change room to change and get her personal items back. She returns and stands beside me; her hands are lightly shaking as she signs the last release form and then looks at me with a tight smile.
I can tell by the look on her face that she is just as nervous about this as I am. Will she want a divorce? I should mention it, I dont want her to think she's trapped to me forever, are we really doing this? Yes. Is there another way? No.
"Ready?" I ask softly, extending my hand and taking hers.
"Ready," she answers. We follow the two Immigration escorts who would take us to City Hall, witness the marriage, ensuring that I wasn't trying to release her so she could escape someplace else in the country and elude the officials.
The ride the in SUV was done in silence as we sit side by side, holding hands. There would be immigration meetings, employment sanctions and a few other new roadblocks that we will have to face because of this rash act. But it would buy us time to find out what kind of deal Fastido made to have this all happen in such short time and then work to get it all put back to where it belongs.
"I wish I was wearing something nicer," Stella mentions softly as we walked into City Hall.
"You always look beautiful to me," I reply in a low tone.
She looks up at me and smile. "Thank you, I know it was a big step, I know you gave up a lot for me but,"
"Stella, I care for you and you are my best friend. I will not let some madman ruin our, friendship," I carefully choose. "It's a sacrifice I had to make."
We nervously wait our turn to be married and then finally stand before the Court Appointed Minister. He starts into his standard speech but we just once again stand in silence; holding each other's hands and wondering what the future has in store for each of us. I can't imagine what she's thinking right now. Probably the same as me. What the hell am I doing?
"Do you Mack Taylor take," the minister starts.
I look at Stella, offer a light frown follow by a smile and then take a deep breath and answer. "I do."
"And do you Stella Bonasera take,"
Stella looks at me and smiled warmly before answering, "I do."
The appointed Minister hands us rings and I look at her with some hesitation. She offers a slight nod and I carefully place the simple gold band on her lightly trembling finger. She does the same for me and I am wondering when my heart attack will actually happen. He pronounces us husband and wife and I offer her a brief kiss on the cheek. He announces us Mr. and Mrs. Taylor and then we are then ushered into another office to fill out more paperwork.
"Can we go?" I numbly ask the court official after another half hour.
"Yes," he answers. "The rest of the documents will be sent by courier."
We slowly walk outside and stop at the top of the steps to city hall. Chief Sinclair has already gone back; his job as witness to the situation just added further testimony to the fact that my intentions were legal and justified.
"Thank you," Stella whispers.
"What?"
"I was so caught up in all this that I forgot to say thank you," she tells me.
"You are more than welcome," I offer quickly.
"Mac I," Stella starts, looking at him in a small panic. "I promise I will make this up to you in some way, whatever way I can. We will get to the bottom of this."
"I am not fooling myself into thinking this won't be a challenge," I tell her in a kind tone. "But people get married for far less noble reasons."
"Are you trying to make me feel better?" She questions.
"Is it working?" I counter.
"A little."
"Good," I huff. "Because the easy part is over; the hard part is yet to come. So now it's time to go and face the firing squad. Ready?"
"Ready."
We slowly head down the stairs and hail a cab that will take us back to the lab.
A million questions now race through my head; the same I'm sure Stella's wondering about. What just happened? Did I do the right thing? Was there any other way around this? How do we explain this to the team? What will they say? Who else will be affected by this? Any ex's that will try to undo what I've done? What will Fastido do when he finds out what I've done? Where will we live? What will we discover about each other now that we are forced to be intimate? Or around each other all the time? Will she kill me? How will we cope? How about our regular routines? Do we just give that all up?
But the biggest question for both of us has to be will this actually work?
A/N: okay so hopefully this garners at least a bit of interest. Please let me know what you think, either good or back. Feedback, if it's constructive is always helpful!