Chapter Two

Ella felt like her insides were being squeezed tightly. She couldn't breathe. Who was that woman hugging her Mac? They came out of their embrace and the woman saw her. She smiled.

"Hello, Ella. I'm Detective Bonasera from the Crime Lab. I work with Mac. How are you feeling?" she asked.

"I-I'm fine. Just a little shaky." What was I thinking? I can't compete with her. She's too beautiful and intelligent! Mac would never like me now. Ella tried to smile at her but it felt more like a grimace.

"Well, I have to leave now. Have a safe night, both of you," said Stella. She hugged Mac once more and whispered something in his ear. He smiled.

Ella couldn't take it anymore. So she was Mac's type of woman? I could be like that, Ella thought as she examined Stella leave. Then Mac would love me.

When Stella's elevator closed, Mac finally tore his gaze from her. Stella was such a sweet friend, coming down all the way to the hospital just to see if he was alright. Then he remembered Ella. She had a lot to explain. Mac turned his eyes on her and saw her blush a bit.

"Do you want to go home?" he asked.

"No. Can we take a walk at the park near my apartment? Please, detective?"

Mac was taken off guard when she called him "detective." He was tired and wanted so badly to just crash in his bed but instead he said, "Why not?"

They left the hospital together and came out into the cold night.

After ten minutes, they were at the little park near Ella's apartment. They walked in silence for a while. Then Mac asked, "Why did you do that?"

Ella looked up at him and said, "I really wanted to end my life earlier. I called you because I wanted to say goodbye. To hear your voice for the last time. But you came. You rescued me."

Mac looked at her beadily. He knew that Ella had some feelings for him. And he shouldn't encourage it. But how would he do it tactfully? He couldn't possibly reject her openly when she was in this state. That would've made it much worse for her. But then, he couldn't encourage her to continue feeling this way either.

When Mac Taylor didn't speak, Ella blurted out, "Why did you come? Why didn't you just let me die? I could handle it."

"You think I'd let someone die when I knew that they were dying right there under my nose? I don't think so."

"But you don't love me," whispered the girl. Mac pretended that he didn't hear what she had said. No, he didn't love her. He still loved Claire, his late wife. And he was still missing Peyton Driscoll, his ex-girlfriend.

"Well, I still think that you should take Dr. Barnes's advice. Go talk to someone. If you don't want a psychologist to help you, you could talk to a friend or another relative. That would help you heal more easily, Ella." Mac looked away and thought deeply. He could ask Stella to talk to her. Or maybe Lindsay. His CSIs had never failed him before. If they couldn't do it, maybe Angell would be willing to.

Not that he was avoiding her. If she didn't have romantic feelings for him and would not misunderstand his kindness, he would've talked to her. She didn't need this right now. Ella needed someone who could be her friend. Someone who would always be there when she needed them. Preferably someone from the same sex.

"Mac...is something wrong?" Ella asked cautiously. He had been silent for a few minutes now. Had she said something to offend him? No, not now. Not when he had made her so happy by just showing up to take her to the hospital.

"Nothing's wrong, Ella. We should go home now. It's nearly four o'clock. I'll get you back to your apartment."

Ella, resentful at the sudden preoccupation that Mac had taken, reluctantly let herself be dragged back to her personal prison. When they had reached her doorstep, Mac said, "Please don't do that anymore. You made people who care about you worry. Tomorrow, when you have had enough rest, go see a psychologist or a friend. Talk to them. Don't worry about being alone anymore. You still have us, your friends, who care about you. Good night, Ella."

She nodded and felt the sudden rush to go to her bed and fall asleep. "Thank you for your kindness, Mac. I really appreciate it. Go home. Good night. See you." Ella closed the door and went straight to her bedroom. She had a lot to think about tonight.

How in the world will she make Mac Taylor fall in love with her?