Wow, you guys were so awesome in your reviews I decided to do as asked and write a second chapter. This does take place the next day so it's more fluff than usual, hopefully not too OOC for them. It was actually going to be another one shot but I tweaked it to fit this story. Hope I don't disappoint.

Also: I'm an aunt! My sister-in-law just had a baby boy: Simon Paul. I can't wait to meet him. Sadly I have to wait a month to see him. Oh well, there's always facebook pictures right?

XXX

White walls. White noise, punctuated by bursts of cacophony. White faces full of anticipation, full of uncertainty, full of fear. Full of death.

Stella hated hospitals. But then, who didn't really? Seldom were hospital visits joyous occasions. Closing her eyes she recalled the events that brought her here.

---

Something wet trailing along the back of her neck caused Stella to open her eyes. Occasionally the wetness would be replaced by a nipping or a sucking sensation. Moaning she rolled onto her back and the sensations trailed along her shoulders and collar bones, moving down once they got to her throat.

"Is there ever a morning that you don't wake up horny?" She asked the dark-haired man who was now in the vicinity of her navel.

Stopping to meet her eyes and give her a salacious look he answered "The ones when you're not in my bed." He then resumed what he was doing, adding his hands as he continued to move lower. It was not long before her "I-just-woke-up." moans turned into a moan of a very different sort.

It was noon before they decided to leave the bedroom for other pursuits. Their activities of the morning left them hungry for more than each other so after a quick shower, which had only served to heighten all forms of carnal appetite, they went in search of lunch.

Venturing out into the warm rain, armed with only a single umbrella, they chose a little café near Mac's place. They lingered over lunch, each enjoying the company of the other in a way they seldom were able to. Rare indeed was the occasion in which they had unpressured time together, away from the lab.

"What now?" Stella asked as they gathered their things to leave.

"How about a walk?"

"In the rain?" Her voice told him how appealing she found the idea. Or, rather, didn't.

"Sure. You won't melt." The look in his eyes gave his thoughts away.

"You just want to see me wet." She reached for the umbrella they had shared on the way over.

He placed the object behind his back and tightened his grip on the thing. His eyes were dark with desire as he looked at her white t-shirt-clad torso.

"Cmon Mac!" She wheedled.

"Mmmm…." He looked at her as if making a decision. "\Nope."

"Fine!" Two could play at this game. He was in a dark t-shirt. She well remembered what he had looked like with his shirt plastered to his chest that day the IRA had come to steal back their coke. Part of their plan had involved setting off the sprinkler system and as soon as the water had started Mac had removed his dress shirt. "Fair is fair. You can't use the umbrella either."

"What do you take me for? Besides, I'd look like some kind of boor walking down the street holding an umbrella while the beautiful woman beside me got drenched."

She rolled her eyes and pushed him out the door. "Let's get this over with."

Thankfully the rain was warm; a product of hot, over-moist air and thus their discomfort was kept to a minimum.

They headed to a near by park and as they walked a passing taxi splashed a large amount of water onto Mac's pants.

Laughing at his displeasure Stella asked "You do realize that was bound to happen sooner or later right?"

Fixing a steely gaze on her an evil light came into his eyes.

"Don't. You. Dare."

Grinning wickedly he kicked at the large puddle of water near his feet sending most of it her direction. A war ensued and by the time their laughter caused them to stop, there was not a dry spot to be found on either of the detectives.

"Pax?" He asked.

"For now." She agreed "You know Mac, I'm glad the lab doesn't know about us."

"Why?" His face was still flushed from laughter.

"Because number one: they'd never stop pumping me for information about what you are like when not in the lab. And two: if I were to tell them that their taciturn boss was horny every morning and like to splash in the rain no one would believe me."

They had started walking again during her declaration, his arm around her waste, tucking her into him.

"Plus, I kinda like being a secret. Makes it more exiting." She pulled him down for a kiss.

"I give you all the credit Stella. No one knows more than you how I was after Claire's death. You were the only thing that kept me sane. Over time your love of life brought me back to life. I honestly think I'd not be here if it weren't for you. I'm glad you waited for me."

"I was about to give up honestly. That night I came to your place to tell you how I felt I was actually so depressed over the fact that I thought you did not feel the same I had actually called Horatio Caine down in Miami to see if he needed any help in his lab. I would not have been able to stay had you rejected me."

Mac smiled knowingly. "I know. He called me after you got off the phone with him. He asked if I was sure that I wanted to give you up. Of course he meant in a work sense but I took it another way. Of course the thought of you leaving took me by surprise but I told him that you and I still had some things to discuss. Then and there I decided to take you to dinner the next day and tell you how I felt, but you showed up at my door before I was even able to call and ask. I knew what you wanted as soon as I saw you."

"And you made me tell you anyway? I was so nervous! Mac! That was mean!"

"I'm sorry, but you were so damn cute standing there, playing with your hands the way you do, standing on one foot. I couldn't stop you."

They were at the park now sitting on the swings, holding hands, shoes off, toes squishing in the mud.

She leaned over to kiss him. "No matter now. We're together. Finally. I don't know about you but I think the wait was worth it."

"Oh definitely. And I'm pretty sure I got the better end of this deal." Mac relinquished her hand, stood up and started pushing Stella in her swing.

They weren't at the park long before Stella decided that she was done being wet and indicated that she wanted to go home. It had only taken a kiss and a hand sliding up the inside of his shirt to convince Mac that he too had enough of being wet.

They were about to round the corner that would take them to the street where Mac's building was when a taxi, hydroplaning on the slippery pavement came careening toward them. Mac had barely had time to push Stella out of the way before he was hit.

"MAC!!!" Stella screamed.

---

A voice broke into her thoughts. "Miss Bonasera? You can see him now."

She walked into the room; he lay on the bed, eyes closed, face pale, a few bruises and scratches on his face.

The nurse came in behind her. "He'll be fine. Just a mild concussion and a broken arm. No lifting for six weeks. He also can't sleep for the next twenty-four hours. Does he have someone to stay with him?"

"I will. And the no sleeping thing won't be an issue; he rarely sleeps as it is."

Her last comment caused him to open his eyes and look at her. "I've been sleeping better for the last three months. Give yourself some credit." He cracked a grin. "So can I go home now?"

"Yes. Lets just get the paperwork taken care of and I'll have Miss Bonasera get you home."

Arriving at Mac's place they settled in with a movie on television and pizza on the way, Mac's good arm was wrapped around Stella.

"I'm glad you're ok." She kissed the scrapes on his forehead and cheek.

"Me too. I'm not interested in wasting any more time with you. I like this idea of not sleeping for twenty-four hours." His eyebrows waggled at her. "Any ideas as to how you're going to keep me up?" His lips found their favourite place on her collarbone.

"I'm sure I can think of something. Are you going to pay attention to the movie? Pizza'll be here soon."

"What movie? And I think I'd rather eat something else thank you." His good hand started working at the buttons on her shirt, only to be interrupted by the doorbell. "Damn. Just as things were starting to get interesting." Being the only properly clad one he got up and took care of the food but came back empty handed.

"You need help?"

"Nope." He returned to his actions of earlier. "I'm not hungry yet."

"And how are we going to do this and not hurt you even more?"

"Simple. Since you have to take care of me so you can have full control." He lay back, pulling her on top of him, careful to avoid hitting his arm in the process.

"In that case bring it on. Or rather: take it off. I have nursing duties to attend to." She slid her body down his, stopping to pull his shirt up to allow her access to kiss his navel as her hands traveled to his belt.

XXX

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