Night & Day Summary: In a whirlwind of friendship, love, and tradgedy, one summer can change everything. A/N: So after that first chapter, I really lost direction on this fic, but I'm gonna try. I'm house sitting this wknd in the boondocks and bored, so I might as well write, right? Dedication: Dana & Jenna - who will be over the moon about this, right guys? Disclaimer: I own nothing.
The sun was still low in the sky when the door clicked shut. Stella Bonasera woke up with a throbbing in her legs and limbs entangled in the scratchy green blanket. Removing the blanket, she climbed off the pull-out matress and meandered over to the window in time to see Mac Taylor jogging down the sidewalk. Stella yawned and stretched, she was still swimming in Mac's gray tee-shirt with USMC emblazoned across the front. Cold, she climbed back into the make-shift bed and covered up.
The pain in her legs was a dull throb as she tried to work through what had happened to her the previous night. She had gone on a walk to get away from Mac and Claire being disgusting at the restaurant -stupid idea, walking alone in a city she'd never been to. She'd been attacked; a man held a knife to her neck while threatening to do unthinkable things to her. Her best friends boyfriend had come to her rescue and beat up said bad guy while she had made her escape. Somewhere during all of that, she had landed on some old glass bottles in the alley and cut up her legs.
Logically, she understood that she had been attacked -the pain in her legs wouldn't let her forget it. Logically, she also knew that she was safe now. Her best friend was in the other room and her best friend's boyfriend was on a run, but would be back shortly. She could still feel him though; could still feel his grimey hands on her and his rancid breath against her ear.
"Stella?" The door opened again and Mac re-entered, "Did I wake you?"
"Oh." Stella took a deep breath to calm her racing heart, "No, I usually wake up early."
"Are you alright?" Mac sat down on the edge of the matress.
"Yes." Stella nodded, her pulse still racing, "No."
Mac reached up and smoothed the hair out of her face, "It's okay. No one is gonna hurt you here."
Stella closed her eyes and let Mac's warm touch calm her, "Thank-you."
Mac nodded, "You want something to eat? Then you can take some more tylenol."
"Sure." She nodded.
"Bacon and eggs?" Mac offered.
"Perfect."
Mac lead the way to the kitchen, Stella wrapped herself in the blanket and followed him. He pulled the necessary ingredients and equipment out and set about his tasks. Stella took a seat on the counter and watched him.
"Do you like coffee?" He asked.
"As much as I like air." Stella responded with a smile.
"I'll make some." Mac got the coffee out of the freezer and plugged in the machine.
"Do you want some help?" Stella offered.
"You're the guest." Was Mac's response.
"Okay." Stella relented and let him work.
They chatted about mundane things while he cooked. Favorite colors, films, subjects in school. In no time breakfast was ready; the aroma of coffee and bacon filled the apartment and the scent was enough to wake up Claire. She stumbled out of Mac's room in short-shorts and a tanktop.
"See, Stellabella, I told you that you'd like each other." Claire smiled and accepted a mug of coffee from Mac.
"You didn't think we would?" Mac asked her.
"I had no doubts." Claire kissed his chin, "Stella on the other hand.."
"Well pardon me," Stella chuckled, "He's not like a lot of the guys that you usually go out with."
"He's better than guys I usually go out with." Claire grinned up at Mac and Mac pecked her on her lips.
"As adorable as you two are, I'd like to eat before I completely lose my appetite." Stella slid off the counter and grabbed her plate, heading for the couch.
A/N: Sorry it's short, my writing has ADHD tonight. But hey, at least it's something :)
