Disclaimer: Shocking as this may be, I do not own, nor have ever owned, CSI:NY or any of the characters therein. Wish I did though because Mac and Stella would sooo be together by now!

Rating: everyone hehe

Category: SMacked UST and friendship

Spoilers: 'All Access', 'Hostage', 'Veritas' (season 5 premier)

Author: Traci

Summary: Filler/post-ep for Veritas. It finally hits Stella hard when she realizes how close she came to losing Mac for good.

Bad Day

It had been a long day for Mac Taylor. Being taken hostage then waking up inside a car emerged in the Hudson River tends to make for a bad day. He had finally agreed to go home for a few hours sleep only after his partner, Stella Bonasera, had threatened to sedate him herself if he didn't.

He stepped inside his dark apartment, careful to lock the door behind him, and turned on the lights. His head was pounding more than it had all day and he wanted nothing more than to take some aspirin and maybe concede to a short nap.

Half an hour later, Mac had showered and was settled on his couch after swallowing aspirin when there was a light knock at his door. Glancing at the clock, he smiled knowing exactly who would be stopping by at nearly one in the morning but his smile faded quickly when he opened the door.

"Stella? What's wrong?"

She stood before him, cheeks stained with tears, and her body shaking.

Taking her hand, Mac led her into the living room and closed the door once more. With his full attention on the woman before him, he soon found himself enveloped in her arms.

"Stel?"

Suddenly a bit ashamed, she let go of Mac and stepped back. "I… I'm sorry. It's just… you were missing. I swear I flew over the city at least twice if not more before you called. I was so worried." She took a deep breath and her eyes found his. "It wasn't until Lindsay realized he tried to shoot you and it was only by sheer luck that the bullet deflected that it finally sank in how close I came to losing you today. Even if he hadn't shot you, you could have drowned and…" Stella swallowed hard, fighting back more tears.

Mac understood. He had been there before with her. Breaking into her apartment after hearing a call on the police radio that shots had been fired at her address. Seeing Frankie lying dead in the middle of her floor. Finding her lying face down not far away and unresponsive. Mac understood all too well.

"I should go," she told him softly. "Do you need anything before I leave?"

He nodded and stepped closer to her.

"What?"

Pulling her close, he held her tight, relaxing a bit when he felt her arms wrap around him again. They stayed like that for several moments until he felt her try to stifle a yawn against his neck. Reluctantly letting her go, he noticed how tired she was.

"The spare room is available if you'd rather stay here," he offered.

Stella surprised them both by accepting his offer immediately. "That way I can keep an eye on you with that concussion," was her reasoning.

Mac smiled. "I think your night bag is still in the closet but if it's not let me know. I'm sure I have a shirt and sweatpants you can use."

"Thank you." She stepped up on her tip-toes to kiss his cheek but he turned to say something else and she kissed his lips instead. When she stepped back they both blushed but their eyes met and each saw a small sparkle in the other.

"I'm, um, going to turn in," Stella said and started towards the spare room.

"Stella?"

She stopped and turned back towards Mac.

"Thank you."

She smiled then disappeared into her room.

Mac watched her until he heard the door close and smiled himself. For a day that started out so badly, he certainly could not complain about how well it ended.

The End