A/N: Here's chapter 2, and probly chapter 3, since i have a bunch of them finished already. I hope you're all enjoying it... Mandy, thanks so much for that review, it was awesome! I hope you keep enjoying the story!

If any of you want to review, feel free... just, again, please be nice! Constructive criticism is just fine, but no flames please!

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Chapter 2: Already?

Stella made sure to keep her back stiff and her chin up until she had entered the stairwell, aware that the guys were watching. Once the door clanged shut behind her, she allowed herself to slump down against the wall facing it and cover her face. After the adrenaline rush of the day, hugging Mac had been an incredible comfort. But then she'd heard the fast clicks of a running woman, had felt Mac's attention shift even as he started pulling away.

She'd let go as soon as she'd felt the shift in his attention, but it had cost her most of her reserve strength. She'd turned, and even managed a smile as she watched Peyton vault into Mac's arms. She honestly was glad that he was happy, but… there was a small part of her that wished it was her who had put the smile back on his face. Now he was gone.

She didn't know exactly when he was leaving for London, but she was betting it was soon. Peyton wouldn't have wanted to give him a chance to change his mind. At the outside, he'd be gone in a day – just enough time to ask for the time off. Now that the lab was out of commission – due to his pipe bomb, she thought bitterly – it was unlikely that he needed even that. They wouldn't be allowed to help with processing the scene of the bomb, or the entire lab, due to their proximity to the events, and that would likely take several days. They could be called back in to help with the vault door, and to help re-catalogue the remaining evidence from their open cases; they might be allowed to help re-process the warehouse, but given that it was two of their team members, that was uncertain. Even though he was head of the lab, she was just under him and more then capable of handling the cleanup. She imagined he'd already faxed over the paperwork handing her the reins for the time that he'd be gone.

Leaning her head back against the wall, she wrapped her arms around herself. She didn't even want to think about the mess in front of her. Feeling herself begin to tense up even further, she pushed all thoughts involving the cleanup to the back of her mind. Danny and Adam needed her attention right now. It was unlikely that she and the rest of the team would be allowed back into the lab until tomorrow, at the very earliest, and then probably just to give their statements. At least this time, she thought, I might be able to go home first.

She was distracted from her thoughts when her cell phone began to beep an incoming call. Stella grabbed it, and with a good idea of who it was, answered without checking the ID.

"Bonasera…. Already? … Ok, for how long? … Right, thanks." She snapped the phone closed, barely resisting the urge to throw it down the flight of stairs next to her. He didn't even call me himself, she thought incredulously. Their chief had. Mac had faxed the paperwork from JFK. He was probably already in the air, maybe receiving his beverage service by now somewhere over the Atlantic.

Reminding herself that he deserved this break, she ignored the voice inside of her that insisted she did too. Glancing at the time on the phone she was clutching, she swore. "Shit. I gotta get a move-on," she said aloud to the empty stairwell. She sighed, rubbed her eyes one more time, then started up the stairs in search of dry clothing.

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Arriving at the Emergency Room, Stella found the front desk, flashed her badge, and asked about Danny and Adam. Danny, she was told, had just been taken into surgery to set his hand and Adam was in a room, having been admitted for observation. Stella briefly explained the situation and requested that the two men have rooms near each other if at all possible. The nurse checked, and changed Danny's room assignment to be just down the hall from Adam's. Stella thanked her profusely (after all, the switch would make it easier on her as well) and after inquiring how long Danny's surgery was likely to last, made her way to the elevator.

On her way up to the eighth floor, Stella's cell beeped again. Glancing at the ID this time, she answered with a smile.

"Hey, Sheldon, what's up?"

"Hey, Stel. Any news?"

Quickly, Stella filled him in about Danny's surgery and Adam's being admitted for observation. "They think Danny's surgery will be about two hours and they just took him in. I'm gonna go see Adam in the mean time."

"Great. Do you need anything?"

She hesitated. "Well… I couldn't find any dry clothes at all, so…" She trailed off.

"You need some," Hawkes finished for her. "Is there a way for me to get into your apartment?"

"No…" She said uncertainly.

"No problem." He answered without hesitation. "I'll grab you at least an old T of mine. Sweats ok with you?"

"Absolutely, Sheldon. Thank you so much," Stella said, relief evident in her voice.

"No worries, Stella. Flack's on his way to pick me up, so we should be there in just a few."

Hanging up, Stella walked to Adam's room. Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and knocked. Receiving a muffled "Come" from inside, she pushed open the door. Peaking her head around the door, she smiled at the man in the bed.

"Hey, Adam," She said softly. "Can I come in?"