Title: Beauty & The Beast
Chapter 4 – A Second Chance at a First Impression

A/N: A special THANK YOU to everyone so far for the amazing reviews. It's the fuel that keeps Alice wanting to write faster and more for this story that we are enjoying writing for you all. A special thank you to 'J' as well. Sorry I wasn't able to answer you personally as you don't have an account. But hope you all like this update and thanks again! :D


With his head still pounding and his core on fire, Mac slowly opens his slightly blurry eyes. At first he sees the small face of a dark haired boy; thinking it's himself he rapidly blinks his eyes, thinking that the small image will eventually fade – but it doesn't.

He slowly turns his head and then tries to fix his gaze upon the second face looking at him; that of a concerned woman. A woman who…looks like…oh it can't be…the woman who I met two nights ago? It is and you are so screwed! Damn it!

"Oh my god," Mac whispers.

"Oh my god," Stella utters just as softly, both of them locking eyes for a few heated seconds.

Mac tries to quickly to sit up, watches his world starting to rapidly turn and black spots form before his eyes; not protesting when a firm but loving hand slowly pushes him back down to a sitting position.

"Just rest now young man, you took quite the hit to the head."

"Where…am I?"

"In my home," Stella's firm voice replies; forcing his watery blue gaze to look up and fix on her rather stunned emerald one.

"Oh," is all Mac adds as he gently pushes Sid's hand away and tries again to sit up. "I'll um…leave."

As much as she wants to throw out a snide remark about him making a call but she not having a phone; she just offers Sid a weak frown but bites her tongue. It was hard to see him in such a condition and turn him away; he didn't deserve it – no matter what.

"You stay," Sid says to Mac. "Bed time kids," Sid he then says as he stands up. But both children remain fixed in place, not wanting to leave the stranger in their home.

"I know him mummy," Isaac states firmly.

"Pardon?" Stella looks at her son in wonder and then at Sid.

"Yeah he uh…"

"He what?" Stella urges.

"Well he kinda saved Isaac's life today."

That was him! Stella's mind screams at her. This handsome and somewhat distraught man was the one that saved your son?

"It was nothing," Mac says quietly.

"He saved me. He's my friend," Isaac states proudly, causing both Mac and Stella's heart to break at the same time. "Can he stay mummy?"

"No sweetie he has to go home."

"Where's that?"

"Where's that mummy?" Isabella chimes in.

"Up the road," Stella offers quickly, drawing a perplexed glance from Sid.

"What's your name?" Isaac asks loudly.

"It's uh…Mac."

"And he's going home."

"No mummy, he stays," Isaac protests.

"I'm leaving," Mac groans as he finally makes it to a sitting position. His hand extends to behind his head, his fingers gingerly touching the bump that was caused mostly by his own doing.

"Yeah it's quite the bump you have there. You don't plan to drive do you?" Sid queries.

"No I uh…walked," he answers, unable to look upward at Stella; guilt eating away at him for his mean actions to her when she was in trouble.

"Well Stella is going to make you a cup of coffee before you go," Sid volunteers, drawing a surprised look from Stella and a warning gaze with her eyes that she was going to get him back for this.

"I what?"

"It's okay," Mac says in haste. "I don't need anything…really."

"Can I help mummy?" Isaac asks as he goes and sits down beside Mac on the small bed, studying him intently.

Mac feels his anxiety starting to skyrocket the longer the small boy keeps examining him with very curious eyes. He gives the child a small smile and Isaac's face lights up; his anxiety starting to lessen. It was an odd bond he was forming with the small boy before him, one he told himself not to put too much stock in; a woman like this was surely married; and he wasn't a home wrecker at all. This delightful little boy surely had a great and loving father.

"I saw you outside," Isaac tells Mac.

"What were you doing at our house anyways?" Stella wonders.

"I didn't know it was your house. I remember building this house and…well the gate needed to be fixed and…"

"Didn't you see my note that said to use the back door and not to touch the front?"

"No sorry didn't see a sign," Mac sighs as he tries to stand up. But he does too quickly once again and folds back down to a sitting position.

"Oh just rest as long as you need," Stella says in a kind tone, her heart wanting to tug at his slightly disheveled appearance. "Bed time kids."

"I want to stay with Mac," Isaac insists; forcing Mac's brow to furrow deeply.

"Bed time Isaac."

But Isaac just shakes his head in defiance, causing Stella to just shake hers in frustration.

"I'll take them," Sid volunteers, ushering Isabella out but having to pick up Isaac and carry him past Mac.

"No, I want to stay!" Isaac insists as he tries to struggle free.

"Isaac, I'll not say it again. Now say bye to Mac and off to bed," Stella says in a tone that tells him it's her last warning and he had better listen.

"Bye Mac," Isaac whispers sadly.

"Bye Isaac," Mac answers before he looks back up at Stella. "I won't stay," Mac tries once more, only to have Stella's hand come to rest on his shoulder and push him back to a seated position.

"I'll make some coffee," Stella insists. "Just rest until then."

She turns to leave but then turns back to look at the man still seated on her small bed. He lifts his face to look at her and she curses herself for her heart instantly skipping a beat. His handsome face was smooth, no grisly overgrowth, no fierce expression. His once haunted sapphires now held a surprising warmth and a bit of sparkle. His once harsh demeanor and hurtful words were replaced with soft words and a meek attitude. And his reaction to Isaac almost scared her. He was so kind...so tender.

He was in effect a different person. Was this the same man that I met the other night? The beastly man that refused me even a simple phone call? The longer their eyes remain locked, the faster Stella feels her own core starting to heat and quickly takes her leave; the feeling inside was unlike that any other man had ever produced. Oh snap out of it Stella. Why? Her brain smiles. He's handsome and needs help. What better way to make a first impression.

Mac watches her go and immediately feels his fists tighten. That's the beautiful woman you were mean to days earlier. Way to go! You turned her away and yet here she is helping you when you need it. I hope you feel ashamed of yourself! I do….very much. Mac curses himself once more, takes a deep breath and then slowly stands up; telling himself he'll just tell her he's okay and disappear, hoping she won't hold too much resentment against him.

But just before he can escape Sid appears in the doorway with a perplexed expression.

"I didn't mean to…"

"Just curious about earlier today," Sid wonders out loud; the kids upstairs in the bathroom but Stella hovering nearby outside, listening.

"Why I saved his life?"

"No why you didn't give me your name after you saved his life? Why did you say you were no one?"

"I am Mr…"

"Sid please."

"I am no one Sid; at least not anymore."

"Well from the few snippets I have heard Mac Taylor isn't no one."

"Well thank you but…but I should be leaving."

"Please stay for the coffee."

Stella hears the torment in his voice and suddenly feels a pain in her heart before she heads into the kitchen to make the coffee; something she was surprised her father offered. Sid hurries back upstairs and Stella assumes that Mac is waiting in the small bedroom. She goes about making the coffee, trying to erase Mac's face from her mind. She quickly shakes her head but offers an ethnic curse thinking that no one was listening.

"I guess that was directed at me," Mac's soft voice draws her gaze back to him once more.

"Maybe a little," she offers lightly and he just nods.

"Right, well I should go."

"I don't mind really," Stella gestures for him to sit in a nearby chair. "Please just have a seat."

"You and your family have been very kind and…look I want to apologize for the other night. I uh…you startled me and…" his voice dies out as her eyes plead with him for the real truth. "No more excuses, I'm sorry."

"I didn't mean to startle you that night."

"I know and I was out of line. I uh…well I have never turned anyone away," Mac's voice breaks; forcing Stella's heart to ache as she watches the torment starting to flare in the warm sapphire discs before her.

"Can I send you the bill for my car?" Stella teases.

"Sure. How much? I can…" Mac goes to pull out his wallet. However, Stella is at his side in seconds, her fingers on his skin, an instant connection being formed.

"I don't want your money but I will take your apology."

Mac looks up, his mind delighting in the feel of her skin touching his, their bodies only inches apart but the growing chemistry was undeniable. It was so strong that the longer they were connected the more panicked Mac became, telling himself she was taken and he was out of line. "I should go," Mac whispers as he hears Sid's voice upstairs. "Your husband will probably be home soon."

"Father."

"What?"

"My father already is home," Stella answers simply, slowly withdrawing her hand back to its side. "And he'll put the kids to bed, he has for several years now. I'm divorced."

"Okay," Mac frowns as he pulls back slightly, his nervousness starting to consume him. "I should go. I'm sure I've put you out enough."

"One cup of coffee won't break me Mac Taylor."

Mac slightly cocks his head and looks at her in wonder.

"Don Flack gave me even before you confessed your first name to my son. I just didn't know it was you," Stella confesses as she extends her hand. "Stella Bonasera."

Mac gently grasps her hand and squeezes, not sure how to react and then pulls back a few seconds later. "You can just tell me to get out you know, I would have deserved it."

"You're right you would have," Stella smirks, standing her ground before him. "But you did look a little out of sorts that night so I guess I must…"

"I was but that was no excuse. You needed help, it was late and stormy…"

"And I'm a woman who you sent back out into the night all alone. There were coyotes out there you know."

"Okay now I really feel guilty."

"I'm not that mad anymore. I got a ride into town and my car is in the shop."

Mac looks at her in surprise, studying the beautiful but intriguing woman before him with curiosity and then finally realizing he was staring and looks away. "What?" Stella asks in haste.

"Nothing."

"How do you like your coffee?"

One part of his brain tells him to just leave, that he had already worn out his welcome mat and that her hospitality was really undeserved. But the other part, the par that wins out, tells him that if she really wanted him gone, she was the kind of woman that would have made that happen and he would have been out on his ass long ago.

"Black," Mac answers simply as he slowly backs up and then eases himself down into the closest chair. He starts to study the home furnishings finally turning back to Stella who is watching him with an amused expression. "What is it?" Mac's turn to ask.

"Just wondering what you were looking at."

"Your décor. It's very…homey."

"Yours was very…white."

"Yeah about that…"

"Mac, it's okay. No one wants to talk about…well you so I figure that it's not my business to pry."

Mac's brow furrows in a heavy frown; this woman was breaking down barriers faster than he could build them and it was a little disconcerting. He looks past her to a picture of her and her two beautiful children on the fridge and feels his throat seize. A family. The one thing he had always wanted and still fears he'll be denied by his own doing.

"Here, just sip it slowly," Stella instructs as she slowly sits down at the table opposite him.

For the past few years she was able to read men's intentions right off the bat; dismissing most as either interested in only a one night stand or the fastest way to ship her children off to boarding school as soon as possible. Mac was indeed a mystery and the wall she had built around herself for the past few years was now in fear of breaking down. Isaac took to him instantly, something he had never done with another man since he came into the world. What was the odd bond they now shared? But before she can utter one more word, she hears small footsteps rushing toward her and looks up to see Isaac bounding down the stairs.

"Isaac," Stella tries to grasp as her son as he rushes by. But he darts out of her reach and hurries up to Mac, standing before the seated man and then handing him something.

"What is that?" Mac asks as he examines the small figure in his fingers; Stella watching in captive surprise. Never before had her son taken to a stranger so quickly, much less one she had personally wanted to dismiss the moment she had met him.

"It's the doctor; for your head," Isaac states matter of factly.

"What's his name?" Mac asks.

"His name is Mac and he's my friend."

"Well thank you. I feel better already," Mac praises, drawing a wide smile from Isaac.

"I'm five."

"I'm…happy to meet you," Mac smiles as he extends his hand.

"How old are you?" Isaac asks innocently, making Mac slighlty chuckle.

"I'm...older than you."

"Oh."

Isaac turns to his mother who offers a kind nod of approval in return and watches as Mac's large hand gently closes around her son's small hand and holds it for a few seconds before letting go.

"Okay its bedtime now Isaac. You take back…"

"Will you play with me tomorrow?"

Mac looks at the young child in surprise and feels his heart race faster; this time with morbid anxiety. How could this child have taken to him so quickly?

"Well you'd have to ask your mother, but I'm sure she'd say n…"

"Mummy can Mac come over and play tomorrow?"

"What?" Mac asks in haste; not really expecting the child to actually listen and obey his words. "No Isaac that's not a good idea," Mac quickly pulls the boys attention back to him.

"Don't you want to play with me?" Isaac asks sadly before his mother can interject. "My sister only wants to play dolls. I don't like dolls. I want to play with my men. Do you like them?" The over five year old child babbles on.

"I do but…" Mac stammers.

"Isaac I think Mac needs to rest now. He's taken quite a tumble today and needs his sleep," Stella mentions softly, as she gives her son a gentle tug in her direction. "How about we leave Mac in the capable hands of the doctor and say we'll see him another time."

"But…"

"Isaac it's bedtime, now," Stella tells him once more; her tone ending in a firm note and finally garnering her son's attention.

"Can Mac come for pancakes?" Isaac asks suddenly, forcing both adults to look at the other in shock.

"I uh…"

"Isaac I'm sure Mac is busy."

You're not ever busy, Mac's mind reminds him. However, he knows he's not about to take advantage of this kind woman's hospitality again. Besides, I doubt she wants me there; it wasn't her idea, it was her son's and children don't know any better. He likes you for some reason, his brain chides. And that worries me. Me too.

"Ok-ay," Isaac laments as he looks at Mac with a sad expression.

"Goodnight Isaac."

"Goodnight Mac," the small boy says before he scampers back up the stairs and all is quiet once more.

"Sorry if embarrassed you," Stella offers.

"He's very um…bold, just like his mother," Mac finishes with a small smile, hoping his facial expression lets her know he wasn't trying to insult her.

"It's just that we know a lot of little girls, so he doesn't have many friends his age."

"I see," Mac frowns as he looks back into his coffee and takes another sip. He places the small plastic figure down on the table and then offers a sheepish glance up and then looks back down.

"So how is it you just happened to be by this way this time of night?"

"My mother had some people over for dinner and I just needed to get some fresh air. I went for a walk, kept going and ended up in town. Just like this morning," Mac explains with a faint smile.

"What happened by the way?" Stella inquires.

"It was nothing."

"Sid told me that Isaac was nearly run over by two teens on bikes and a kind stranger came to his aid."

"I just didn't want to see him hurt."

"Well thank you," Stella offers warmly. "And tonight?"

"I saw the house and came to it and…well here I am."

"You built this house?"

"I did. Is there anything wrong with it?"

"Aside from the outdoor upkeep that the last tenants didn't maintain very well; this house is very solid. I was smitten as soon as I saw it."

"Love at first sight," Mac comments, making Stella look up at him in surprise. "The house…you loved the house right away."

"I…I did," Stella answers with a small smile of her own. He's so different from the grisly beast you met the other night. Kind, unsure, soft spoken. Are you sure you didn't just have a nightmare and imagine that whole meeting? Are you sure this is the same man you met? Yes. It's his eyes; they are the same.

"Have you always lived around here?"

"Moved down from Chicago about ten years ago. I built the house…" Mac pauses when Stella giggles. "What?"

"I live in a house Mac, you live in a mansion. And you built it?"

"Brick by brick," Mac answers with a broad smile. "I like to build, have most of my life."

"And before that?"

"Did a small stint in the marines until my father was diagnosed with cancer. Then I came home and…I should go. I didn't mean to take up this much time."

"Mac I'm sorry."

"No it's just that…well I'm not usually this at ease with…"

"Strange women?" Stella arches her brows, prompting Mac to smirk but nod. "I don't mind, I myself am a talker so enjoy a good conversation. And I wasn't meaning to pry."

"I know," Mac nods slowly. "Well that's when I left the Marines. Went back home to Chicago and carried on my father's business until I was…well successful enough to move out here with…well ten years ago. It's a big house," Mac finishes with a smirk, his heart racing and about to give way. Never known a woman that could affect you like this, his brain state in truth. I think you like her. I do not, Mac silently argues back. She's just being kind. Then leave now, his brain directs. However, try as he might, Mac knew he didn't want to leave just yet; seemingly captivated by the golden haired beauty before him.

"A big house means lots to clean," Stella sighs.

She had picked up on his use of the word with but never called him on it; figuring to give the poor guy a break as she didn't want him to feel the need to confess his entire life story. However, she would have to admit that his words did apply to her. She usually wasn't that at ease with strange men right off the bat talking about…well things in general. Most dates were already asking for the cheque and seeing where they could score the fastest. Mac was different. You like him, her brain smiles happily. I do not, I'm just showing him pity. Yeah right!

"And no I don't have servants if that is what you were going to ask next," Mac pipes up once more, breaking the few seconds of growing silence.

"Hence the sheets."

"Less to clean."

"So are you um…do you want more coffee?"

"All alone up there?"

"I'm sorry Mac, it wasn't my business to pry. I was just curious who occupied such a large…house," Stella gently stammers as she reaches for his nearly empty coffee cup.

"My mother sometimes stays with me when she's not home in Chicago and just recently a um…friend, Jessica Angell moved into the small guest house, temporarily. She just started at the hospital with Dr. Hawkes."

"Well at least you aren't there alone," Stella remarks in haste. A friend? A female friend is living there? I wasn't interested anyways, Stella ponders in her mind. Liar!

"Well I doubt she'll be there long. She came to be with…well to get to know Don Flack better."

See! Stella's brain scolds. You were jealous, even a little. I was not, Stella insists. "Right okay."

"Thank you again for the coffee. And I'm sorry. I do feel bad for my actions the other night."

"Well you should. There do you feel better?" Stella challenges, once again drawing a small smile to Mac's face.

"Almost," he confesses softly. "This is good coffee."

"It's Greek. There was a great deli on Staten Island where I used to get it. A lot of people find it too strong."

"I like it, thanks."

"How are you feeling?"

"Right, I guess I should…"

"No, that's not what I meant. It wasn't a line to get you to leave," Stella protests in haste. "You just offered a heavy frown so I wasn't sure if your head was still pounding or not."

"I think I just need some Tylenol and some sleep."

"Did you at least have some dinner?" Stella asks softly.

Mac looks at her in torment and then drops his gaze, staring sadly into the swirling black bottom of his coffee cup.

"I was just…"

"Why are you being so kind to me?" Mac inquires in a small, tormented tone.

"Can I ask you something honestly?"

"Sure."

"If I would have come back would you have let me use your phone?"

"Yes," Mac answers firmly.

"That's why. However, I had to get home to my children or trust me I wouldn't have left until I had made my call."

"I do believe that about you," Mac smirks. "But I am okay. I had dinner before I left on my walk."

"Well I would offer you a ride home but I don't have my car," Stella tells Mac in truth.

"Well you have already done more than I deserve so thank you. Can I um…repay you in some way?" Mac asks with some tension.

"You shaved before you came here so I'll take that as payment," Stella smiles, putting Mac's frame at ease once again.

"Well figured I wouldn't want to scare anyone in public," Mac replies, his anxiety settling once again. What is it about this woman that makes me nervous and puts me at ease at the same time?

"It's a nice change. Makes you look…younger," Stella says slowly and then stops. Busted, her brain laughs. You were going to say more handsome.

"Thanks," Mac accepts softly. "But it's late and your children are probably waiting for me to leave; certainly your father is."

"Well it's been a long day for everyone. They start school on Monday so it's been busy."

"Thank you again. I do hope that I can repay your kindness somehow."

"Just don't sue me if you trip and fall on your way home."

"I'll call a cab," Mac as he stands up, his hands going to his coat pocket. "Or I'll…walk."

"Hold on," Stella just shakes her head as she stands up and reaches for the phone. She calls for a cab and her and Mac slowly walk toward the front door. "Small town, they won't be that long. So you must have a very successful business."

"It um…it is. A lot of credit goes to my partner as of late, but we do do a lot of work down in New York itself. I'm sure you can tell that there isn't much large scale development around here."

"I was beginning to wonder. Course you could also be a Columbia drug lord," Stella teases and Mac's face relaxes.

"Could be."

Mac slowly pulls the door open, knowing he should take his leave but not wanting to; enjoying Stella's company more than he thought he would. The cab arrives a few minutes later and it's time for him to get back to his world and leaves her; at least for now.

"Well…goodnight, Stella."

"Goodnight Mac," Stella responds softly. She watches him walk down the walk, the cab told to come to the back. She watches as Mac turns and offers her a warm smile, her heart actually delighted when the handsome man turns to smile back. She slowly closes the door and turns to see Sid watching her with an expression of wonder.

"Haven't seen a smile like that in…well ever?" Sid comments. "Have a nice time?"

"He was hurt and I gave him coffee, nothing more," Stella tries to offer her father a small lie. "Are the kids asleep?"

"Isaac still asked if Mac was coming for breakfast."

"Hope you said it would never happen."

"Never?" Sid smirks. "Well he certainly was not the same man you told me about a few days ago."

"But he was the man you told me about a few hours ago. Why didn't you tell me more details?"

"I didn't get his name," Sid insists in his own defense. "And you never told me what he looked like, even unshaven, so in reality I had no frame of reference. But he certainly didn't seem like the man you told me turned you away."

"It's like…like he stepped out from another world or something," Stella frowns as they linger in the kitchen.

"Maybe he did," Sid ponders. "Did he at least apologize?"

"A few times," Stella answers warmly. "In any event I'm tired and…"

"Something tells me you want to see him again?"

"What? Hardly," Stella tries to protest. "Look he was mean to me the other night and I helped him tonight and he said sorry. I gave him coffee and he thanked me, I think we're even."

"We'll see."

"Trust me dad, I'm sure he's happy to be leaving. I saw the look on his face when he first came to."

"Yeah so did I, he was surprised but happy."

"Happy?" Stella asks with a nervous laugh. "You are tired."

"Stella…"

"How much do you want to bet that we haven't seen the last of Mac Taylor?"

"Stella it's a small town. You will see Mac again."

"Trust me, we won't see him again," Stella insists as she turns off the kitchen light and they both head into the hallway. "Goodnight dad."

"Goodnight Stella," Sid whispers as he kisses his daughter on the cheek and watches her head up the stairs, noting the first genuine smile he had seen on her face in years. She'll see him again. Course he had been watching and saw the look that Mac gave her when he turned back. He'll see her again also. With that thought fixed in his mind, Sid closes his bedroom door and turns off the light.

Stella slowly eases herself into her bed and frowns; her mind trying to erase Mac's face from her minds eye but her heart refusing to let him fade into nothing. I helped him one night and that was it. You want to see him again; you want to know his story. I do not, she tries to insist. However, as she turns off the light, Mac's face has trouble fading from her mind and her lips were still curled upward long after she fell asleep.

XXXXXXXX

Mac reaches home and lets himself into the back entrance; the house quiet and now devoid of life, except for two people; Jessica in the small guest house and Millie waiting for her son to return.

"That was a long walk, did you get lost?" Millie surprises Mac with a soft question as she walks up to him in the kitchen. She notices Mac pull out the bottle of Tylenol and frowns. "McCanna? What is it? What happened to you?"

"I uh…went for a walk and…fell. I hit my head and just have a bit of a headache."

"You were gone for a few hours. I was going to call but you left your phone here. You know I don't overly panic but this is your first outing in five years so you can't fault me right?"

"I'm okay, really."

"You smell like coffee. Where did you go?"

"I went into town. I went to a home I had built and tried to fix something and ended up hitting myself on the head and a kind family took me in. I got an icepack and a cup of coffee and that was it."

"And the smile?"

"Pardon?"

"You have that same small, mysterious smile you did last night. Was it the same woman?"

"Mother, I'm tired and…"

"Was it?"

"It was just an odd coincidence," Mac insists. "It was nothing and she was just being kind. Something that…that I didn't deserve."

"Why not?"

"It's…nothing really."

"Please tell me."

"It was a…a misunderstanding. But it's been cleared up and that is it."

"Well I think it's pretty amazing that this woman could have such an effect on you in such a short time."

"Mother it was one act of kindness and that was it. Now it's late and we should get some sleep."

"Goodnight my son," Millie whispers as she places her hand on his cheek and kisses it. "See you at breakfast."

"Night."

Millie watches him leave, noting the same smile on his face that Sid had noted on Stella's. She waits for him to get upstairs and then slowly follows him; thanking the woman for making her son offer the world the first bit of life in five years.

Mac heads into his bedroom and closes the door; his head still pounding, but his heart racing with new sensations. Oh it was nothing, Mac insists. And yet you can't stop thinking about her, his brain surmises correctly. But that was the truth. This woman had made an instant impact on him the night before; whereas he was sure if he had seen her again, she would have told him where to go and been justified in doing so. But when he was in need she took him in; allowed her to know some personal things about her, her children, her father and her life. She was kind, hospitable, and…

"Beautiful," Mac whispers to himself as he eases down into his small bed. For the first time in years, he realizes that the bed was too small and he missed his old room; however, with his head pounding, he turns off the life and closes his eyes. The smile still upon his face and his brain already formulating a plan to repay Stella Bonasera for her kind hospitality. With that thought he flips on the light and looks at the clock. It was only 10:00pm, still early enough to call a friend.

XXXXXXXX

Stella awakes early on Sunday morning with a bit more of a spring in her step. Much like the night before, Mac's face still forces its way into to the front of her mind and she can do little to push it away.

"Ah so you must have slept well," Sid greets her as he comes in the back door; just having completed his early morning walk.

"I did actually. And you?"

"Always. Where are you off to?"

"I want to get the car first thing and then come back to make breakfast and get ready for tomorrow."

"Stella it's…"

"It's already nine. The shop was open at eight," Stella interjects. "Be right back."

"See you soon."

Stella heads out back and gets into the waiting cab, her lips offering the cabbie the address to the mechanic shop but her mind now wondering how Mac Taylor spends his day. Oh get over him already, she sighs to herself. Why? He seems like a great guy. I'm sure you're just waiting for another opportunity to see him.

There will never be an opportunity so no I'm not, Stella insists as the cab stops in front of the mechanic's shop. She pays the cabbie and then heads for the office door.

"Morning Ms. Bonasera."

"Good morning. I'm glad you work on Sunday's."

"Small town, we cater to our neighbors. Plus with Monday being the first day of school we are closed then."

"Well I'm thankful."

"Here are your keys, and away you go. All fixed."

"Thank you, so how much do I owe you?"

"Nothing."

"Pardon? No my bill."

"Yeah, it's been paid for already, in full; even a few extra's as requested."

"But…in full? Extras? What extras?"

"We got a call last night from…well a friend. Kinda took me by surprise but he hasn't requested anything in so long I just had to honor it."

"I don't understand, who would pay for my car and request all this?"

"Mac Taylor."

Stella looks at the man in shock, her world once again coming to a complete halt. "Mac…Taylor?"


A/N: So will Stella track down Mac and thank him? Will they get their second opportunity to talk some more? And how will that one go? Did you like the growing bond between Mac and Issac? Hope you are still liking this story and please leave me a review before you go and thanks.

PS: 'Complicated' was also recently updated and hope you are all still liking that story. Thanks again SMACKIES! :D