Thank you so much for your kind reviews! I hadn't expected that. Many thanks to Ballettmaus (I hope this will cheer you up as well), Niki, SM-FA-RaiNtrain, Catulicious, Timeforachange, csi-ncis, MARNIC, Taylor-mad21 for your kind words!

This is the second chapter, and I'm thinking of adding a third (I think the final one). Let me know what you think!

Love, Sis.

Stella had successfully managed to hide a grin as she "collected" part of the bet.

Before meeting with Mac, she had given Danny a sign, so he could spy through the glass walls of his boss's office what was happening inside, namely whether or not his curly haired colleague managed to steal a kiss from the First Grade Detective. Obviously the awaited kiss had not taken place, but Danny conceded that a swat on the butt (-It was definitely on the butt, Stella. - -Shouldn't I determine if it was on the butt or not?-) was pretty good, too, so he had graciously offered to swap tasks with Stella: -Once. -; -Come on, at least three times!-; -Fine, two. That's my last offer. -; whenever she felt like it.

They all thought she had been a bit crushed by Mac's reaction, or lack thereof; Stella had reinforced their impression by complaining about dressing up for nothing. She announced that she'd go out, probably to a bar, to see if she could still put her skirt to good use. She would have liked to confess the truth to Lindsay, though, but she was nowhere to be found. Oh well, she was out of that place. She had to freshen up for her date with Mac.

Date. Had he meant a date kind of date, or a we'll tease each other a bit but nothing serious will come out of it kind of date?

-A date, Lindsay. Stop over analyzing it. A date is… a date. -, Mac told his young employee sternly. She returned the gaze bravely, handing him half of the money from the bet.

-Mac, this date means a lot to Stella. I know. -, she replied, stressing the last part. The former Marine's eyes narrowed at her words.

-What do you mean?-, he asked cautiously. Sighing, Lindsay dropped on the chair in front of her boss's desk. The talk had turned serious, and she fully intended to make Mac realize how much he meant to her friend Stella.

-Do you like Stella? I mean, guy-checking-girl-out like. -, she bit back with a question of her own, looking the man square in the eye. Slowly, he nodded his head yes.

-I do, Lindsay, I truly do. -, he confessed sincerely. –I wouldn't have asked her out otherwise. -, he added with a ghost of a smile.

Lindsay couldn't believe she'd see the day when she'd say: -Be serious. -, to the stern looking Mac Taylor; -She would be crushed if it didn't mean the same as it does for her. -, she pleaded, catching her boss's curiosity.

-What do you think it means for her?-, he repeated slowly, trying to gauge his younger colleague's emotions from her face and bodily expression.

-I know for a fact that Stella cares for you a lot. She might even…-, she stopped, biting her lower lip, fearing she'd revealed too much, but Mac prompted her to go on.

-Say it. Please, Lindsay, I need to hear it. -, he demanded softly.

-She might even love you. -, she uttered, closing her eyes.

Mac arrived at Stella's apartment precisely at eight o'clock, just like he'd promised. As he waited for his long time friend to open the door after he had gently knocked, he couldn't help but straighten his shiny black tie in deference to his inner nervousness. Otherwise, he remained still.

-Coming!-, she shouted from the inside, causing the former Marine to smile. There was a definite chance that she might feel as nervous as him, and he guessed it was a first for Stella.

-Hey, Mac. -, she greeted the man upon seeing him. –Wow, don't you look handsome?-, she sassed. Better stick to humor until he made his intentions a bit clearer, but she had to concede that he indeed looked handsome in his black, spotless suit and charcoal dress shirt. He basically hadn't changed the style of the clothes he had been wearing all day, but those definitely looked fancier, and really good on him!

He grinned at her, but then his face fell. Oh, no, what's wrong? He's not regretting it, is he?, Stella thought with apprehension, but Mac quickly dissipated her doubts with his next remark.

-You changed, Stella. -, he observed with something akin to a pout, causing his friend to giggle, both for his expression and as a way to give went to her tension.

-Yes, well, I had worn that blouse all day long. I didn't feel comfortable in it. -, she explained, exhibiting herself in a small pirouette to show off her new garment, a black silk blouse.

-That's okay, you look gorgeous in everything you wear anyway. -, Mac complimented her nonchalantly, offering the woman his hand to lead her outside of the apartment. Taken aback by his unusual forwardness, Stella numbly closed the door behind her, desperately trying to come up with something to reply with as the warmth of Mac's hand upon hers started to mess with her senses.

-Even in sweatpants?-, she wondered lamely. Her boss tilted his head slightly, sensing a trap question in there. –Of course. -, he replied, smiling sincerely.

-Oh. –

He knew she'd let him open the car door for her only because she'd been stunned once she had realized where he'd taken her. And she had gripped his arm because, stunned as she was, she risked tripping, for sure. Not that there was anything near them that she could trip over, but still.

-Mac, are you sure… I mean, this place is pricy. Not to mention couple-y. -, she observed, glancing at her partner out from the corner of her eye. Her high heels made her as tall as him, so she needn't raise her head to meet his eyes, but, truth be told, she was kind of avoiding them. What would she find in them?

Mac chuckled, and placed his hand on the small of the woman's back, a place he'd always been fascinated with (that's as intimate as you can get at work!, his mind reminded him). –Don't worry, I won good money, and even if I didn't, why shouldn't I treat you?-, he smiled kindly at Stella, turning fully towards her. –Are you uncomfortable? After all, it is couple-y, as you said. -, he inquired, stopping them a few feet away from the entrance door.

-Are you?-, the woman bit back. Mac blinked.

-No, of course not. I wouldn't have suggested it otherwise. -, he replied. Why is everyone questioning my actions?

-Okay. -, Stella's voice still sounded a bit uncertain, betraying her words. –Let's go, then. –

Mac smirked to himself. Stella Bonasera was in control again.

Like the true gentleman he was at heart, Mac himself drew back the chair for Stella, beating the waiter to it. The woman smiled at the chivalrous gesture, then placed the napkin on her lap as the former Marine sat down opposite to her. A quick word with the waiter, and they were left with a couple of menus, the promise of chilled wine coming right away.

-So, Stella, tell me how they involved you in their bet. -, Mac started the conversation, unwilling to let an awkward silence to grow between the two of them. Stella, surprised as she was by this unusual turn of events, looked relieved nonetheless. Truth was, she was feeling a bit awkward.

-The usual. Drinks. It all started with a beer and a shot of vodka. -, she replied with a nervous laugh. Mac feigned indignation at her words.

-Not all bets start like that. I wasn't drunk when I decided to take part in the pool. -, he observed. This time Stella's laughter had a genuine ring to it, one which pleased the former Marine.; he inwardly rejoice every time he managed to put a smile on her beautiful face. Feeling bolder, he reached across the table to lightly grasp the woman's fingers.

-Speaking of which… I still owe you something. -, he whispered. Confused, Stella's eyebrows rose elegantly to form a arch over her sparkling green eyes, so Mac felt compelled to explain: -A kiss. I still owe you a kiss. –

The Greek woman's eyes widened. Surely he was joking?

-But… I already lost the bet. -, she pointed out, not particularly sagaciously in her opinion. Mac shrugged.

-Only because there was another going on, one more substantial. -, he replied, giving her a pointed look. Which she missed. Sighing, he further elaborated: -I would have loved to let you win the bet, Stella. A man who's been accorded the necessary trust to kiss you is a fool to refuse you without a valid reason. -, he explained.

-Oh. -, Stella's expression was still doubtful, then: -Oh!-, her mind seemed to register what the man had said all of a sudden. –You mean you would have…?-, she couldn't even finish the thought. Mac nodded solemnly, but before he could add something further, the waiter arrived to take their orders.

From then, dinner acquired a lighter tone to it, and a comfortable and intimate complicity set over the table. They had both been so engrossed in their conversation, that they had failed to study the menus, thus when the waiter had come, both had given the names of the first dishes which caught their eyes. Left to their own devices once again, they then had all the time in the world to realized the depth of their mistakes.

-Why ever did I order an entrée with eggs? I hate eggs!-, Stella was the first one to complain. Chuckling, Mac courteously offered to swap with her; he wasn't particularly fond of seafood crudités, a dish, he remembered, his companion loved particularly.

-Seems like we ordered for the other. -, the woman noted. –At least you've been sensible enough to ask for a salad. I forgot. -, she added gloomily.

-Don't worry, we'll share. –

After dinner, meaning several shared or swapped dishes later, they finally ventured outside. Stella was leaning lightly on Mac's side, her face almost completely hidden in the crook of his neck as she laughed at his impersonation of the maitre.

-Really, Mac, we should stick to hot-dogs. -, she commented with a laugh, the suddenly turned serious as she realized the implications of her words; turning down Mac's attentions was the farthest thing from her mind she could imagine in that moment. Luckily for her, the man caught her meaning.

-Next time we'll order pizza, how's that?-, he replied good-naturedly, adjusting the woman's position against his side.

-Perfect. -, she grinned. In that moment she realized that Mac was everything she'd always looked for in a man (not that there were many doubts before, but still… a girl needed reassurances from time to time): he knew her intimately, always looked out for her and everything he did he did with the best of intentions. He was honorable, dependable and trustworthy, but also affable, funny and, who would have guessed?, flirty. He wasn't perfect, but in Stella Bonasera's book, he came darn close to it. He had even given up to the only coffee they had ordered for her! That, by itself, spoke volumes about how much he cared for her, since he was as much a coffee addict as she herself was.

By mutual, and silent, decision, they strolled at a leisurely pace (Stella knew Mac was going extra slow since she was wearing high heels) along the city's streets, stopping in front of the shops windows from time to time to comment on some of the articles exhibited or just to share a joke.

-How about a sundae?-, Mac proposed as they passed by an ice-cream parlor. Stella looked at him quizzically.

-An ice-cream? Mac, what's gotten into you?-, she inquired with a raised eyebrow. The man rolled his eyes, faking annoyance.

-I can't suggest an ice-cream without people fearing the end of the world or something? I know you like them, and I wouldn't mind sharing…-, he explained, taking the woman by the elbow to draw her towards the entrance. Ashamed for her early words, especially since Mac seemed to have taken them personally, Stella ducked her gaze as he held the door open for her.

-Really, Mac, that's not necessary. You've already taken me out for dinner. -, she protested lightly, trying to cover up her mistake. He smiled condescendingly, taking firm hold of her hand as if afraid that she could run away from him.

-Stella, you worry too much. -, he murmured, brushing his lips against Stella's for the briefest of moments. Dumbstruck, she tamely let herself be dragged forward as Mac Taylor, THE Mac Taylor, draped an arm around her neck like a teenager with his first sweetheart.