Alternate Endings – Chapter 2: 5x08 "Making the Most..."

**The following is an alternate ending to episode 5x08 "My Name Is Mac Taylor" Just a really quick one-shot. SMacked!

Also, please note that although this is technically "chapter 2" they are all just a collection of one-shots and one chapter has nothing to do with the other, lol.**

All of Stella's emotional and physical energy was for the most part spent after the event she had just faced; trying to talk an emotionally shattered man from taking his own life. She tried reasoning, begging, and pleading with the heartbroken young man that was knelt down just a few feet away from her at a memorial he had made for his girlfriend. Her heart felt for him as she watched the gasoline slowly drip from his hair and face down to the grass; inches away from the memoriam of candles surrounding him. Whatever words she could think of to say to him didn't seem to be enough and her anxiety grew further with every second that passed by.

Everything seemed to be a blur; she remembered yelling for someone to call for the paramedics then focussing her attention on talking to David, but in a matter of moments the situation quickly escalated as the young man lowered his body down to the candles and flames instantly engulfed his entire body, leaving Stella and the few accompanying officers no choice but stand back and watch until further help arrived.

...

The horrifying scent of burning flesh and echoes of his tormented screams still lingered in her senses as she made her way back to the lab to close the case file. This night couldn't end fast enough.

...

"What a week" she thought to herself as she finally pushed herself up from her desk and grabbed for her jacket. It had started with a fear of Mac's life being threatened, and ended with an up-close and personal viewing of an attempted suicide. She desperately tried pushing the dark thoughts out of her mind before she went home for the evening, but could come up with nothing substantial enough to occupy her tired and tormented brain.

She shuffled down the long hallway of the lab and let out a heavy sigh as she passed Mac's office, noticing the lights were out and he was most likely either still out on a case or gone home for the evening. She gave her head a quick shake and continued down the hallway to the elevator when suddenly her phone rang...

"Bonasera"

"Hey, it's me" Mac's soothing voice replied on the other end, causing a tight smile to form on Stella's lips.

How did he always seem to know when she needed him?

"Hey Mac"

"I heard about David Oka... How's he doing?"

"He's in critical condition. I don't know if he's going to make it..." she began with her voice trailing.

"Stella?"

"...I know it doesn't justify what he did but, he really loved her"

"Yeah, it makes you think" Mac began with a heavy sigh. "You should make the most of the moments you share with the people you care about..."

"Absolutely. I...I gotta go Mac. I'll see ya tomorrow" she quickly responded with her voice slightly trembling. Vulnerability was not a usual trait of hers, and certainly not one she often let herself succumb to; she took a quick breath and assured herself inwardly that she would be fine.

"Alright" he replied hesitantly and she quickly hung up the phone.

Mac let out a soft sigh then returned his phone to his pocket and began to head out of the precinct, unaware Stella was still right next door in the lab. As he reached the steps outside, he noticed his newest colleague, Deputy Inspector Gillian Whitford heading for the building.

"Deputy Inspector" he greeted her with a smile. "You're working late..."

"Yeah, well, new to the team and all. Listen, I know we didn't exactly get off on the right foot the other morning, what do you say we have a re-do on that cup of coffee?" she asked with a hopeful smile that quickly faded as she noticed him glance to his watch. "Unless... You have somewhere you need to be?"

"Actually... yeah, I think I do" he replied with a curious grin forming.

"Oh... well, another time then. Goodnight"

"Goodnight"

She watched him as he walked past her and made his way down the sidewalk towards the parking lot and she couldn't help but wonder to herself if there was much more to this man than she had originally thought during their brief encounter earlier that week. Why the sudden sparkle in his eye and bounce in his step? She quickly shook it off and continued to make her way up the steps to the precinct.

...

Stella entered the dimly parking lot heading towards her truck, but when she tilted her head down to pull out her keys, she noticed a shadow following closely behind her with hurried steps. She reached her truck in moments but the shadow came closer still and she instinctively put her hand on the holster on her hip as she quickly spun around.

"Hey, don't shoot!" Mac teased with his hands raised in the air as she turned to face him.

"Mac... don't sneak up on me like that" she lightly scolded him after letting out a quick gasp, then rolled her eyes, giving a sigh of relief that it was only him behind her.

"Sorry. I just thought... Well I haven't eaten yet, and I'm sure you haven't either. What d'you say? I mean, unless you're not up to it... I'd understand"

"No, Mac, that sounds great. My choice?" she responded with her warm smile finally returning for the first time all day.

"Sure, but under one condition"

"What's that?" she asked with an arched brow.

"You promise not to shoot me" he replied with a chuckle and she followed his glance down to her nervous fingers still clenched onto her holstered gun.

"Right, sorry" she smiled as she released her grip.

"Come on, I'll drive" he told her with a warm smile and they began making their way to Mac's truck.

**I know, it's short, but still in my opinion a better ending then Mac going for coffee with Gillian and Stella hanging out with Adam ;)**