A/N Finally more of my SMACKED series... ENJOY!

"You ready to go?" Mac asked as he entered his wife's office and began gently kneading the muscles in her shoulders. Stella looked over her shoulder at him.

"I think this is a first," She laughed.

"That's not true, there are times I go home before you do," Mac protested. Stella breathed a light laugh. She cleared her desk and slowly stood from the chair. "How are you feeling?" Mac wondered.

"Oh, I'm good," She smiled as she set a hand on her barely protruding belly.

"Are you up for Elena's visit?" He asked.

"Well, I know for sure I'm excited about it," Stella half answered.

"Then we better get to the airport," Mac said leading her out of the room.

"I can't wait to meet the man she's bringing with her," Stella mused.

"Do you know anything about him?" Mac questioned a little concerned about having a stranger in his house for a few days.

"She said his name is Drew and that you would approve," She replied. Mac knotted his brow in confusion. "I don't know," she shrugged, sharing his misunderstanding. "I just hope he is a good guy, Lena deserves that," Stella added finally.

"She does," Mac agreed.

"Ok, so, she said to meet her at the baggage claim," Stella announced as they walked into LaGuardia. She surveyed the room looking for her best friend, after a few seconds her eyes landed on the brunette laughing while talking to a man Stella didn't recognize. "Mac, there they are," She pointed out to her husband. "At least I assume that's Drew," She shrugged.

"Stel!" Elena squealed as she ran in her friend's direction leaving the man she'd been talking with to follow slowly after. "Hi Mac," She said, hugging them both. "Oh and this is Drew," Elena finally introduced the man. Mac and Stella took a minute to take in the man in front of them. He had thick dark hair that fell just at his shoulders, blue eyes that could give Flack's eyes a run for their money, and a clean shaven square jaw. He was wearing a blue vintage style Coca Cola t-shirt and jeans with an oddly placed military patch on them and more holes than Swiss cheese. On his feet were a pair of worn out cowboy boots that appeared to had been once encrusted with rhinestones around the heels, but now only a few stones still stuck to the shoes. His body was tone and tan and he stood no taller than five foot ten.

"Mac Taylor," Mac said finally, reaching to shake his hand.

"Drew Strawn," the man returned with a firm handshake. "And you must be Stella" He said flashing her a smile. Stella smiled and nodded in return.

"I hope you guys are hungry, Mac is making steaks tonight," Stella mentioned as they gathered their bags.

"Ooh, I love it when Mac cooks," Elena said excitedly. "And I can't wait to see your house," she added.

"I'm warning you it's not all together quite yet," Stella stated.

"That's ok, I'm just excited you all bought a house and have a little one on the way," Elena replied. Stella blushed slightly.

After dinner Mac and Drew struck up a conversation in the living room.

"So Drew, what do you do for a living?" Mac asked just as Stella and Elena entered the room. Elena took a seat nearly on top of Drew on the couch. He smiled and slid an arm around her shoulders. Stella couldn't help but smile as she watched her friend and her new beau. Stella took a seat on the floor next to the chair Mac was in. He sent her a look of disapproval; she shrugged as if to say, I'm fine here.

"Well, for the past five years, I've been pursuing my dream of singing country music," Drew answered in a tone that made it seem like he was truly proud of his occupation. Mac turned his gaze towards his wife, sending her some nonverbal communication. Mac wasn't sure how he felt about Elena dating a musician. Elena was like a little sister to him and he knew the reputation of musicians. Elena had a rough enough life, she didn't need more problems.

She mouthed "be nice" in return. One thing that bugged Stella about Mac was his tendency to be initially untrusting of people. She couldn't really blame him because of the field they were in, but he didn't need to immediately veto this man Elena was so taken with.

"Have you been successful?" Stella wondered, having heard the music industry was not an easy thing to encounter.

"More or less, I do a lot of touring and am holding down a decent living. However, the thing that has been the most rewarding in the past few years has been when I play for the troops. I have been to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, and Germany," Drew stated. Stella glanced at Mac just in time to see his eyes light up at the mention of the armed forces. She smiled softly.

"You play for the troops?" Mac checked, almost not believing what he had heard.

"Yeah, more than a few times. They're basically in a living hell over there. It's the least I could do to give them some reminder of home. I've also done some work with Operation Troop Aid, for every CD I sell, I send one to a soldier as part of a care package. For me its not about if I agree with the war or what the government has planned, it's about supporting the soldiers no matter what. They're in the situation they really have no control over and the least I can do is show my gratitude," And with that statement, Drew won Mac over.

"I was a Marine, fought in Beirut," Mac admitted.

"Yes, Elena had mentioned that," Drew replied, shooting a small smile towards Elena.

"Were you ever in the armed forces?" Mac wondered.

"No, but my father was in the Army," Drew answered.

"My father was in the Army as well," Mac mentioned with a nod. As their conversation carried on, Stella sighed heavily and pushed herself up off the floor. She took of towards the kitchen. Mac broke his attention away from Drew. "Stel, hon, are you ok?" He called after her.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she returned. Mac knew by the tone of her voice that something was off. He quickly stood from his chair and went to find her. She sent him half a forced smile, but it didn't do a very good job of hiding the fact that she was on the verge of tears.

"What's wrong?" Mac asked, taking two steps closer and wrapping his arms around her.

"Your dads were in the Army. Elena and I don't even know our dads," Stella sobbed into his chest. Mac was confused; he had no idea where this was coming from. He ran a soothing hand up and down her back.

"I know honey, I'm sorry," Mac whispered, he knew it wasn't much help but it was all he could think of.

"I want our baby to know you," She said pulling back and meeting his eyes.

"They will, I promise, ok?" He replied. He now realized she was having a hormonal moment were the lines between rational and irrational blurred just a bit and anything set her off. He pulled her close once again and just held her.

"Is everything alright?" Elena asked tentatively as she entered the kitchen. Stella broke away from Mac and grinned at her friend.

"Yeah, just having a pregnant woman moment," She laughed wiping away what tears didn't make it onto Mac's shirt. Elena stared at her momentarily. She hadn't really taken the time to notice the changes in Stella's figure since she had been really caught up in introducing Drew and making sure he was accepted.

"Look at you, you even have a cute little belly," Elena gushed, setting a hand on Stella abdomen. Stella blushed.

"It won't be little for much longer," Stella laughed. She pulled her limbs into a deep stretch then settled her arms around Mac once more. Stella yawned and set her head on his shoulder.

"Tired?" Mac asked.

"Kinda," Stella shrugged.

"You all are so cute," Elena giggled. Mac and Stella both smiled at her.

"Am I allowed in here?" Drew finally stepped in from the living room.

"Yes, of course" Stella welcomed him. He approached Elena and gently wrapped his arms around her waist.

"It got kind of lonely in the living room," he mentioned.

"Sorry," Elena whispered. Drew smiled at her. She rested her head on his chest and let her eyes fall closed. Mac chuckled to himself.

"Drew, I'm thinking it's about bedtime for the girls," He said. Drew observed both Stella and Elena.

"I think you're right," Drew agreed.

"Mac, why don't you and Drew take their luggage to the guest room and we'll follow you up," Stella suggested. Mac nodded then exchanged a look with Drew. They both left the kitchen.

"So, what do you think?" Elena asked nervously when they were finally alone.

"First impression, I like him. He seems sweet and genuine. I know Mac was questionable at first, but I think Drew won him over. I am going to need more time for a full analysis though," Stella answered with a wink. Elena grinned from ear to ear. "Now, I love you doll, but I'm going to bed. I had a long shift today and the kid and I are tired," Stella finished.

"Goodnight Stel, I'm just going to grab a glass of water, " Elena replied as Stella headed for the stairs.

"Ok, and behave yourself Queen Elena," Stella called over her shoulder. Elena breathed a light laugh and rolled her eyes.

Mac was already in bed when Stella entered the room. He was partaking in his new favorite hobby of reading a baby book. It seemed Mac wanted to know everything there was to know about having a baby and taking care of it. Stella didn't really think he needed to read as much as he did, he appeared to be a natural around children.

"There you are," He smiled, looking over the top of his book.

"Yep, I didn't put my plans to run away into action yet," She joked. Mac scowled at her. Stella quickly changed into her Marine t-shirt and a pair of Mac's sweats and climbed into bed next to her husband. "Sorry about my little episode earlier" She said sheepishly. Mac closed his book and turned to face her.

"Don't be sorry sweetheart; it's a natural part of pregnancy. I think I'd be more concerned if you didn't have your moments. Speaking of which, how is the little one?" Mac responded, setting a hand on her abdomen. Stella couldn't help but smile.

"Fine, sleeping, so don't wake um up daddy", She giggled. Mac laughed lightly and reluctantly pulled his hand away. "So what are your thoughts on Drew, Taylor?" Stella was curious to find out exactly what he thought.

"I think he's a good guy. I'm not sure how I feel about him being a singer and being on tour. I've heard things about guys like that and I just don't want Elena getting hurt. I do think what he does for the troops is cool. I can say I'm not planning on kicking him out tomorrow; he has passed the initial evaluation," Mac answered completely. Stella let out a small laugh.

"I'm with you, I don't really think anything severely negative about him but I need to get to know him better. Elena really seems to like him and I hope that he is the right guy for her because honestly it's about time," Stella mentioned.

"And I think it's about time for bed," Mac segued lamely. Stella snuggled down into the bed, resting against him.

"Whatever you say," She grinned, shutting her eyes and succumbing to sleep. Mac smiled softly and dropped a kiss below her ear.