Title: Playing for Keeps
Chapter 2 - One small step toward tomorrow?
A/N: so if you had read chapter 1 previously (aka old version), I have revised and reloaded (this version) so the premise of them getting married is the same but the method is a bit less shady (more in character). Hopefully you still enjoy. Lots more to come. I like to update on a regular basis so the more reviews = faster writing and more updates! Thanks again.
I glace over at Mac as we head back to the office. He just saved my life by making a huge personal sacrifice. How do I ever repay that? By killing Dario Fastido thats how, I lightly grimace. What do I even say? Thanks? Seems so inadequate. Mac is my best friend and the one man I care more about than any other. Sure I have dated others in the past but when he asked me out the other week I was more than excited to be finally taking things to the next level with him. I had at one time hoped I would marry my best friend, but this way? Forced? No ceremony? No nothing? Just a stuffy official in a less than private room; forced to wear a band of gold because of a mobster? Not exactly the dream I had as a small girl.
I look out the window; a permanent frown now plastered on my face. Do I have to live with him? If so, what will living with him on a daily basis be like? How about living with me? Where will we live? What will the team say? Danny was there, he saw me being arrested? Knew the charges? They know we aren't married? Will they go along with this? And what happens when something does develop? How can we go back? And what about a divorce? Oh my brain hurts thinking about this.
I look over at Mac again and he finally locks eyes with me an offers only a slight frown. "Nervous?"
"For some reason yes," I answer in a timid voice. "Still trying to wrap my head around how he was able to just have my entire life history wiped out over night?"
"Well I don't believe it was overnight, but I'm sure the man behind this is Reno Carlito," Mac answers.
"Fastido's right hand," I grimace.
"If anyone could have pulled this off, I'm sure it's him."
"But this would take," I start.
"A lot of money and a few favors," he replies slowly. "Fastido had nothing to lose. He knew if he had you deported he walks away free. You can't buy that kind of false contentment."
"False?"
"Stella, there is no way I'm going to just hand free reign of his city back to him!" He tells me in anger. "This was a setup; I'll prove that and send his sorry ass back to jail. No matter what."
"And if it gets you killed this time around?"
"At least you'll be alive," he offers weakly.
"You are my life," I admit in truth; making him look back at me and me offering a smile. "But that means we are back at square one?"
"For now," Mac huffs as he looks down at his wedding finger. He looks back at me with a nervous glance. "We haven't even had a second date yet and already we are married."
"Should have moved to Vegas," I smile. "At least we could have blamed a drunken dare. Or a nearby Elvis church."
"I know that you'll probably," he starts.
"Mac, before you say something you know you'll spend the rest of the day regretting, stop. Thank you doesn't even cover what you did for me today."
"How are you feeling?"
"Besides frustrated, okay," I offer weakly. I know he doesn't believe me but right now, but if I fall apart he'll just have more regrets than I'm sure he already has. Married? To Mac? Is this possible? I glance down again and stare at the ring on my finger. "What do you think the team will say?"
"I told Danny not to tell anyone outside the core team," Mac replies in haste. "But you know office gossip."
"Do we have to live, I mean," I start and then stop.
"Live together?" Mac dares to ask. "I don't think so. Stella, I'm sure that you can just keep your own place under your new name," he tries to assure me. "This isn't a normal situation so I'm sure that," he tries again. "Why don't we wait until the documents arrive today before we make any rash decisions? And I am not going to waste my breath by suggesting that you go home and rest or leave early but if you need even a quick break to yell, scream, swear, or whatever, you promise me you'll take one. I know this can't be easy."
"One hour at a time right?" I offer in a small but firm voice.
XXXXXXXX
I look at Stella and can only agree. This morning I thought the only plans I'd be making for after work would be what shirt I'd be wearing for the dinner I'd be taking her to, to thank her for helping me put Dario behind bars. Thanks to my stupid arrogance; thinking I could challenge a mob boss and just walk away scot free, has changed my plans entirely. Tonight I could possibly be going home with my wife. My wife? My wife! Stella is my wife, wow. My heart starts to beat a bit faster as we near the lab. I look over at Stella in a panic. Even now, her face is calm and she looks ready for another challenge. I'm a nervous wreck. How on earth will I survive the rest of the day? As we near the building, I quickly call Danny and tell him to gather up the team and meet in the small office room.
"Here we go," I mention softly as the cab comes a halt out front. Thanks to Immigration we were forced to meet our vehicle here. "Ready?"
"You know if Fastido thinks he can just screw me over and walk away laughing, he has another thing coming."
"That's my girl," I smile warmly and am rewarded with a warm smile in return. However, as we both get out and head into the elevator my nervous tension once again starts to build. How on earth can I explain what I did?
"Just tell the team you found a technical loop hole. Dont mention any more than you have to," Stella reminds me.
Right, I can do that. Can't I? We both exit the elevator and hurry for the small boardroom where multiple sets of eyes greet us in eager expectation; including Adam and Sid.
"Stella?" Lindsay is the first to pipe up. "What happened?"
"Let me start from the top," I interrupt quickly. "I'm sure Danny told you that Stella was arrested this morning. Seems I pissed off the wrong man and he tried to get even. Fastido, I believe, somehow managed to get Stella's citizenship revoked; including her birth certificate deemed false, which would lead to deportation."
"What?" Sheldon asks in shock. "How can he,"
"He has a lot of money and powerful friends," I huff. "However, I was able to find a small technical loophole and have prevented her from being deported. I have managed to buy some time so that she can stay here, with us and work on getting this sorted out and clear her good name."
"What was the loophole?" Lindsay asks, eyeing my hand. Obviously those small things are not lost on women; even younger ones like Monroe. That still amazes me.
"We got married," I frown.
"What?" All ask at once.
"Mac, how is this possible?" Flack questions.
"Immigration just allowed us to go to city hall and get it done. I don't have time to explain all the details, but as of right now, Stella and I are married. I'm an American Citizen and Fastido won't be able to challenge that. By her being married to an American Citizen allows her to avoid deportation."
"But why Stella?" Lindsay wonders.
"Because with her labeled an illegal immigrant, any information she worked on; which was the bulk of the deal is now deemed inadmissible," I offer with a heavy sigh.
"So he walks?" Flack asks in anger. "Damn it!"
"He's a smart man who had the ACE the whole time," I frown. "Now outside of this room no one knows the particulars. If gossip spreads about us being married let it. There was no other way without having her deported and I wasn't about to allow that to happen. The mafia does not dictate the future of any member of my team. That's my job."
"And if I'm gone then Fastido would be able to track me down in Greece," Stella finally pipes up, her eyes starting to lightly water. "Game over."
"Bastard!" Danny curses. "So what do we do now?"
"As far as case load, nothing changes," I direct. "We'll have to start all over with regards to Fastido but if we do find anything, we'll do it with Danny as the co-lead. Your heritage also is without question," I finish in a soft tone. "We got this guy once and we'll do it again."
"Stella, are you okay?" Lindsay finally asks.
"Besides being really angry, I'm fine," she replies quickly.
"What do we call you?" Adam pipes up.
"Stella Taylor," I interject. "The only way to beat Fastido at this is to make him and whoever he has watching or listening believe that Stella and I are married." I finish and listen as a dead calm starts to encompass the entire room.
"Wow," is all Sid can finally offer.
"Sorry to shock you all with this, but we are both going to take this day by day," I frown. "Support and understanding is what is needed now. This team has survived other personal mishaps and always stood by each other so I have no doubt we'll do that again until this is all cleared up."
"What do we tell people?" Lindsay wonders.
"Tell them the truth. We are married; simple ceremony and that's it. Anyone wants details they can talk to me or Stella," I huff; my heart racing at top speed. A few more minutes of silence and the room finally starts to break up. Lindsay walks over to Stella and offers a hug, looking at the ring with a happy smile.
"Do I want to know the details?" Flack asks me in a low tone. So much for being a mystery to others, I mentally berate myself.
"It's done Flack," I answer, tight lipped. "It wasn't something we planned or expected but it was legal and has to stand. At least for now."
"Chief know?"
"He was there," I frown.
"And the Feds?"
"Not yet," I huff. "Oh I'm sure once they do there will be hell to pay I won't have very many friends over there."
"I have your back Mac, you know that, and Stella's. However, if there will be backlash over this,"
"Then I'll have other things to worry about. This was my call Don. The Feds can direct their anger at me not you," I look at him directly.
He looks at me square on. "Okay." And with a final heavy sigh turns and quietly takes his leave out of the room.
"Okay so if no one has any other questions of a relevant nature, we have work to do," I tell the team with a heavy sigh.
XXXXXXXX
I finish talking to Lindsay and then look up at Mac with a weak smile. I can tell he's trying so hard to keep his composure, but I'm sure like myself, both of us inside are massive wrecks! How can we not be? Both our lives and our futures were changed in the blink of an eye; re-written for us without our input.
"Well despite the circumstances, I think I'm happy for you," Lindsay whispers as she turns to leave. "I always thought Mac liked you."
"What?" I ask in a quiet hush. So much for us keeping things quiet.
"I'm a woman Stella. Did you not suspect Danny and I right from the start?"
"I did," I lightly frown.
"But if you uh need help with anything, I don't know what I can do but I'm here okay?"
"Thanks."
I watch her leave and can only offer a tight smile as I turn and look at Mac.
"How are you holding up?" He asks in concern.
"Just wondering what the rest of the lab is going to say?" I can't help but ask.
"The last thing I thought about was gossip," he frowns. "Trust me Stella," he starts only to have me quickly cut him off.
"Mac, I'm not mad. I just can't help but wonder," I smile at him. "So where do we start? If we start investigating anything on Fastido the Feds,"
"I know will be pissed as I am sure they already are. Sinclair was going to try to get a hold of Agent Dan Grier, the one in charge of this whole thing but he might not be able to right away. But we need to be smart about this. Fastido has already shown he's ready to play a very daring game of hardball. We push too hard and one of the team could end up six feet under. I know neither of us are willing to take that risk."
"So we are back at square one?"
"For the time being, but Fastido will mess up. We only need one thing, one thing that we can connect to him and we can start the ball rolling again. In the meantime, we need to find out what happened to your files. Trust me if there is a needle in the haystack to find then I'll find it. I won't lose you Stella, not like that. If you are going to walk out of my life, it will be on terms we both understand, not ones dictated to us by a coward!"
"Well I hope we never have to walk away from each other on any terms," I offer softly and his tone instantly calms.
"I'll get Adam started on the computer stuff. If anyone can find a good hacker it's," he starts.
"Stella Taylor?" The man asks Mac. Mac looks at me with an amused face and signs for the documents.
"I see Judge Porter wasted no time with this," Mac huffs as he takes the documents and then opens them. He looks at them with growing concern.
"What? Is it bad? Has everything been overturned?" I ask in haste; thinking that even this avenue is now road blocked.
"No, it's just," Mac starts and then looks up at me. "There are employment restrictions and a meeting schedule."
"Restrictions? You're kidding right?" I squeak.
"No, sorry."
"And a meeting for what?" I wonder.
"Green card."
"Pardon?"
"They want to schedule a meeting with the Taylor family," he tells me softly.
"I guess that takes care of the living arrangements," I frown.
"Stella, I have an extra bedroom," he mentions quickly.
"Like a sleepover?"
"Of sorts," he replies. "This is temporary at best. Trust me I'll get this back to normal for you as fast as I can."
"What the law requires right?" I ask in quiet anger.
"Look just get done what you need to right now and then head home and get a few things and, and we'll take it from there. I wish I knew what else to do," he finishes as he hands me the paperwork.
"You have already done so much," I tell him. "We'll make this work. He won't beat us, I promise," I assure him and he offers a slight frown. "Trust me."
I look at his face and smile. I know he's worried inside that this won't work, and I'd be stupid if I said I one hundred percent believed it would myself. But inside, I'm just as uncertain as him. I love him; at least I know I do inside. I haven't said that to him but if I say it now, will he just think I'm saying instead of thanks? How can I let my true feelings play out now without him thinking it's because I owe him something more? Damn you Fastido! Oh I want to ring his neck!
I watch Mac leave the room and frown. However, what I failed to mention to him was that in a few days I would have to reprise my undercover role to help bring down Chloe Walker, a girl I shared a foster home with at one time and who was now working to exploit young girls. I had to help her; but what I failed to tell Mac, was that I agreed to the assignment without telling him. I just haven't time with all the Fastido stuff going on.
Now with us forced into living together; as man and wife, what will he think when he finds out? Maybe it will happen without incident? Yeah right! This is going to be bad. But if I have to stay with Chloe then maybe that will give Mac and I some breathing space? Oh Stella, what have you done?
XXXXXXXX
I leave Stella and quickly head for Adam.
"So boss can I give you a high five?" Adam asks me and I just look at him in surprise.
"What I need is a way to find out what happened to Stella's documents. I don't know the extent of your hacking skills but I need a place to start."
"This might take some time," Adam offers sheepishly.
"I don't expect you to uncover this in the next few hours but I need you to put this as your top priority for the next few hours."
"You got it boss," he lightly frowns. "Congrats by the way," he says in a low tone. "And if you need any, you know personal pointers," he starts and I look at him quickly. "Right, no pointers. Okay so where was I?"
I offer a slight shake of my head and then turn to leave; heading back to my office.
I ease into my chair and offer a heavy sigh. The Fastido case had taken up so much of our time in the past few weeks that I realize why I was also looking forward to tonight's meal. I hadn't had much to time to just talk to Stella or spend time with her on a personal level. Tonight was going to afford me that opportunity; now that was moot. She had told me in passing she was working on a special project but damn myself for not pressing for further details a few weeks back. I'm sure I'll find out sooner or later. I'm sure it will be no big deal or she would have mentioned it already.
"I'll get you Dario," I offer in quiet anger. "If it's the last thing I do, I swear I'll bring you down."
XXXXXXXX
I head back to Danny to try to occupy my brain with the case from this morning, but as I round the corner and my eyes spy the evidence that I gathered, I'm hit with sudden pangs of doubt and remorse. Those items might now also be inadmissible. I can't work this case until I know what's going on with those employment restrictions. Still clutching the folder in my hands, I turn on my heel and head for my office. I close the door and settle down for a read.
"What the hell," is all I can offer as I come to the end of the employment restrictions about an hour later. I look up and see Mac standing in the doorway with a perplexed expression. I look up in a panic. A week? What about my undercover sting? Oh I'm screwed! I can't blow this on a technicality. Not after all the hard work I've put into this.
"What's wrong?" He asks.
"I am being forced desk duty for at least one week, maybe longer," I tell him as he slowly walks up to my office. "It says I can't carry a gun, I can't handle money or drugs, or," my voice rattles off in a panic. "Or be around a member of a known mob." I finish with an ethnic curse and Mac just offers a brief smile.
"Desk duty," Mac huffs as he sits down before me and takes the paper. "Doesn't seem too bad," he mentions softly.
I look at him in surprise. "It's like with the blink of an eye my life is just taken away; everything I've worked so hard to build has been stripped from me by a madman. Do I not matter to the system?"
"Fastido has made you a," Mac starts and then quickly stops.
"You can say it, a victim of the system?" I ask crossly.
"Stella, I didn't mean it like that," he rushes in haste.
"Well this is stupid! I am damn good at my job and, I don't have to listen to this, do I?"
"What do you expect me to say? We aren't above the law and can't break it you know that. Those laws exist to protect us and,"
"Protect it from me?" I offer in anger.
"Stella, Fastido screwed the system. The government doesn't know that," he huffs and I try to calm down a bit.
"So much for our highly touted moral guidance," I frown and he just smiles. A strange silence starts to develop and the room is suddenly too quiet for my liking. "Are you nervous?" I ask quietly.
"About being married to you? A little," he admits in truth. "Wondering what you'll think of me up close and that personal so quickly," he frowns. "I wish we had gotten more time to get to know each other, you know on a more, uh, intimate level before,"
"You have the spare bedroom right? It'll be like roommates or something," I tell him quickly.
XXXXXXXX
Roommates? Shesh she makes it sound easy. I look at her with a lighlt frown. Sadly what I didn't tell her was that the spare bedroom wasn't clean, ready and basically had nothing in it that human being would find useful. Great not even a husband for twenty-four hours and already I'm at a loss to do things right. I guess I'll take the couch? Oh grief! But I hear the small spark of optimism in her voice and tell myself that we'll get through this like any other problem. This will either cement our friendship, or drive us both to suicide. Either way, we'll be together right?
I look at my watch and then up at Stella. "It's almost dinner. Why dont you head over to your place, pack a few things and then I'll come and get you? I just need to finish a few things first."
"I'm almost afraid that if I leave here, I might walk in tomorrow and be told that I dont belong; everything has been overturned and that I'm being shipped someplace far far away."
"Well since you and I will be walking in together tomorrow, I dont think that's going to happen," I tell her in truth. "Besides I just got you back; I'll be damned if I let anything happen to you again. Please? For me?" I lightly beg.
"Okay already," she replies with a smile. "But don't be long, I don't know if I can go back to my place and pack up my life, alone."
"I give you my word, an hour at the most. I need finish up a few things here. I already have Adam started on the computer, trying to at least find some kind of trail that Fastido left with regards to your paperwork."
"Think Adam will find something?" She asks with a frown.
"I think it's a bit of a long shot but other than calling up Dario and asking what he did, this is the next best thing," I tell her as I stand up to leave.
XXXXXXXX
I watch Mac go and am about to leave myself when my phone rings. I look at the number and frown and then look up to make sure Mac is out of earshot.
"Agent Carter," I answer in a low tone.
"Stella," I can her him say with a smile.
"Everything okay?"
"Just wanting to cement plans for the drop. Chloe has agreed to a buy and we have word the buyers are already in place. Are you good to go?"
"Sure," I manage weakly.
"We might have to move things up a few days, will that be a problem?" He asks.
It is if I can't leave this damn office, I tell myself. "Whose name will be on that arrest report?"
"Do you want your name on there?"
"You know I'm thinking maybe not. Is that okay? Just in case she can track it back or something?"
"What's wrong? Has something happened?"
"I guess it hasn't reached your desk yet, well it will tomorrow," I huff.
"What happened?" He wonders.
"Just give me your word. I help, but my name isn't on those forms in an official capacity."
"Stella, I trust you and I give you my word. You help us and your name wont show up on any form." I listen to a few more details and then hang up.
Oh Mac is going to kill me, I moan inside. But if I tell him now, he'll be furious. I listen to the rest of the details and then quietly hang up the phone. I just stare numbly at my computer; my heart is racing. Right now I have to go home and pack a suitcase because tonight I'll be staying at Mac's. Tonight? I'll be there until all this is over. My panic starts to build as I slowly push myself up and reach for my coat and put it on. I numbly walk out the door and into the elevator. Finally pushing myself into a cab and heading for home.
I dont have secrets from Mac. But if I tell him about Chloe now, what will he say? Will he let me? How can he stop me? Will he support me? He has so much to deal with right now, I'm sure it'll be no big deal. In fact I'm sure it'll be a few hours and then that'll be it and I'll be back home. Home? Where is home now? Mac's? I close my eyes as they start to slightly water.
Mac cares for justice more than any man I know so I know he'll back me on this case. But Agent Carter told me I wasnt allowed to share details with anyone. Mac is my husband. Well technically only. Stella! Are you now justifying your secretive actions? And as I think on that morbid thought my eyes water again.
I finally reach home and slowly push the door open. My home. The only one I have known for so long. So much has happened here and now I have to just up and leave it all behind. Everything I have worked so hard to build is now being torn down each minute by a jealous human being. A monster!
"Damn you Fastido!" I offer in anger as I close the door behind me. But as I look around at the home I have built; as I listen as the silence starts to consume me; the only thing I can do is slowly sag to the floor, bring my knees to my chest, bury my face and cry.
XXXXXXXX
However, on the other side of town, a man who should be happy is being given some bad news.
"What the hell do you mean she never got on that damn ship?" Fastido shouts at one of his goons from behind his prison wall. "What the hell happened?"
"Sorry boss, I was told there was some kind of screw up and, and she's still here in New York," he mentions in a low tone.
"What kind of screw up? The plan was foolproof you idiot!" The large mob boss hisses.
"She got married."
"What? Who the hell did she marry?"
"Mac Taylor."
"Damn that bastard!" Fastido curses; offering other ones too vial to mention. "Where the hell is Reno? Get his sorry ass in here NOW! This is far from over! If Mac Taylor wants to play hardball, then game on! He'll rue the day he ever heard my name or decided to breath the same air!"
XXXXXXXX
The ride over to Stella's is one of nervous anticipation. I have been to her apartment on other occasions but none quite like this. When I leave she'll be coming with me. To my apartment; to stay with me as my wife. For how long? That depends on how much we can rush the system. I stop out front but linger for a few more minutes, trying to get my heart rate to slow. And as I slowly walk inside I can't help but wonder what she must be thinking. She had told me at one time that all she wanted was a secure home where she would be loved, wanted and needed. She had worked so hard to build up a normal and descent life for herself and now; in the blink of an eye it was being taken away from her.
But Fastido's words about him having an ACE now ring loud and clear. From the first piece of evidence I should have known he'd never go down without a fight and I was right. But I just didn't realize the stakes would ever be this high. And I know when he finds out; the stakes will be set even higher. A life even? Possibly mine?
I gently knock on the door and hear her offer a word and I just wait. She quickly pulls the door open and I know she's been crying.
"Stella, I'm sorry I took longer than expected," I offer as I gently pull her into my arms and hold her close. "I should have made you wait for me."
"I don't know if I can do this, just up and walk away from everything I have worked so hard to build," she stammers in a sad tone.
"I know this is hard, I can't imagine what you're feeling or thinking or anything," I tell her. "But I am here and I know that I well I'm not that much of an emotional," I try, making her look back at me. "I just want you to know that I will always be here for you and do what I can to support you."
"I know you will," she smiles warmly at me. I take her in my arms and just hold her once again. "How do I just walk away?" She asks me.
"Stella"
"I CAN'T DO THIS!" She shouts. She looks at my face and quickly calms down. "Mac I'm, sorry."
"Stella, it's me, your life has been torn away from you. Why are you saying sorry? If yelling makes you feel better than yell," I tell softly.
"But I'm not mad at you, why am I yelling at you?"
"Because I am the only one here," I smile.
"I," she starts and then stops. "I know it won't all fit in your place so I guess I can get rid of it."
"I am not going to let you do that."
"But how can I, it's like my whole life up until now never mattered to anyone but me," she lightly moans.
"It matters to me," I tell her warmly. "When you hurt so do I. Trust me it's hard to see you like this and not feel bad. I wish I could make it all go away right now but I can't and I'm sorry."
"Mac you don't have to be sorry, it's Fastido!" She snaps; finishing her sentence with an ethnic curse, making me smile.
"I like it when you talk dirty," I offer, lightening her mood.
"But I can't impose on you for,"
"Tell you what, you can still pay for, oh I guess you can't," I frown. "We need to live together now. If Immigration suspects that our marriage isn't real they might revoke the license before we get this all worked out. And the last thing I want is something to be stalled because we are afraid to share a living space."
"Mac you have already done so much, I don't want to seem ungrateful. I'll just bring what I can now and then, put the rest in storage?"
"That sounds good," I assure her. I watch her head back to her bedroom and her hand lingers on the small suitcase. "I know this hurts but you don't have to pretend with me," I tell her quickly.
"I'm not," she starts.
"Stella, it's me. I have always admired your strength. Your ability to see the light in dark places; to stare evil in the face and basically laugh and kick its ass. But at times, well you show your weaker side and, and you don't have to pretend with me. Please?"
"I've always prided myself on being able to survive the worst. I have been bounced around from place to place and, and I've had to always fend for myself, but I have always landed on my feet and ensure that in the end I always came out on top. Now,"
"And this feels like you don't have a home again?" I ask in agony. "That wasn't my intent. I didn't want to cause you more pain. I wish there was another way, I wish I could, " I stop as she comes and stands before me once again.
"I am not mad at you Mac, at Fastido yes, but this just, it's hard and I'm not a weak person,"
"Wasn't it you who always said it are a sign of strength to show your weaknesses to those that care about you? That's why I did this."
"I did say that didn't I?" She recalls in a soft voice. "You care? I thought you did this because you had to."
"This was part of it," I tell her in truth. "Stella you are my best friend, I couldn't imagine a day without you by my side. But I would be lying if I didn't tell you that part of me wanted to marry you, granted not in this way or this soon; and I'm sorry if that is too soon to tell you or if it freaks you out. I was going to not tell you but," I ramble on, only to have her plant a soft kiss on my nervous lips; immediately stopping my angry self-directed tirade. "Thank you, let's go home."
"Why does that sound so inviting when you say it?" She asks with a smile.
"Because home implies that we'll never be alone again. Now we are a family," I mention softly. "For better or worse right?"
"Right. I'm sorry."
"Stella, what on earth are you sorry for? This is my doing," I insist. "I dared to take on a notorious man and he showed me what he's capable of. Don't think of this as permanent. If it makes you feel better, think of this as a small detour."
"My life Mac. Everything that is me is here and now," her voice trails off in misery. "Now I have to just up and walk away. It's like Stella Bonasera didn't exist; much less matter to anyone."
"You matter to me," I tell her in truth. "Please look at me?" I ask and she finally listens. But as she looks back at me, my heart breaks. "I know this is hard so let's not think about giving any of this up tonight. Let's get that bag and get to my apa,"
"You mean home?" She dares to ask.
"Only when you're ready to call it that," I answer in haste. "Let's not make any rash decisions tonight. With any luck, I'll be able to push through your paperwork and then you'll have your old life back."
"And if you can't do any 'legal' pushing?" She asks. "Because you know I won't let you do anything illegal on this."
"Im not going to break the law but I promise I'll make this up to you in any way I can Stella," I lightly beg.
"Mac, if anyone has anything to make up it's me. You risked a lot more than I did to keep me,"
"In my life? I would do anything to keep you in my life," I offer with a soft smile as I pull her close once more. "Are you okay?"
"I think I will be."
"So, are you ready to go, Mrs. Taylor?" I ask lightly.
"Let's go home, Mr. Taylor."
A/N: okay so want to know how the first night will be? Settling in? trying to make it work? What about the undercover sting? What will happen when Mac finds out? More tension? Without escape? Eek! Please let me know if this story needs to continue? Thanks again for the feedback in advance.