A.N.: Hi guys, I'm sorry for not posting any sooner, but I just found the time. Everything is so hectic around here! Anyway, here's a new chapter. Next chapter will be the last one. Feel free to let me know what you think!
Chapter four
Stella started to stir when she heard noise in the background. She opened her eyes and saw that it was already morning. She closed her eyes again and snuggled back in Mac's arms. She couldn't help but smile at the thought of being in Mac's arms, again.
The smell of pancakes made her decide to get up. She quietly got of the couch and placed the blanket around Mac. When she walked into the kitchen she saw Alyssa dancing around, singing to some song that was playing on the radio, while baking pancakes.
'Good morning.' The young woman said as she turned to Stella. 'Good morning to you too.' Stella replied as she sat down at the table. 'I hope you don't mind me using your kitchen?' Alyssa asked Stella. 'No of course not, unless you're not sharing your breakfast.' Stella replied laughing. 'Don't worry,' Alyssa said 'I made plenty, even the hunky CSI on the couch will be able to taste my delicious pancakes.' Stella turned around and looked at Mac who was still asleep on the couch.
'So, you're just friends?' Alyssa asked as she and Stella were eating. 'Yeah, best friends.' Stella replied. 'That's all?' 'That's all!'
They were silent for a while until Alyssa said, 'You should tell him how you feel!' Stella looked at the girl with a look of total shock on her face. 'What are you… how did you know?' she asked. 'The way you look at each other, and how you act around each other.' 'I can't tell him!' Stella said before standing up and walking over to the sink. She kept her back to the young woman at the table. 'Why not?' 'Because…because he's my boss, and he doesn't feel the same way. He's still in love with his former wife.' 'That doesn't mean he doesn't feel the same about you.' 'I…I just know he doesn't.' Stella replied before turning around.
Mac wasn't one to eavesdrop on people, but when he heard where this conversation was going he couldn't help himself. He had heard the whole conversation, from the 'just friends question' till the 'I know he doesn't' part. It was true. He still loved Claire very much, but that didn't mean he couldn't love anyone else. He knew that he loved Stella, he had for some while now, but he was afraid that she didn't feel the same way.
'It's time to tell her how I feel,' he thought. 'But not now, tonight, I'll tell her tonight.'
He stretched and got up from the couch. He walked into the kitchen and greeted the two women. 'Good morning ladies.' 'Morning Mac' Stella replied. 'Coffee?' she asked. He only nodded. 'Good morning detective. Would you like some breakfast?' Alyssa asked. 'Yeah sure.' Mac replied as he sat down at the table. Alyssa gave him a plate. 'Here you go, best pancakes you'll ever eat in your entire life.' Mac laughed and said, 'I really have to try them then, don't I?'
'Hey Stella, you mind if I use your shower?' Alyssa asked as Mac was finishing his breakfast. 'No, of course not.' Stella replied. 'You sure it's ok to leave the two of you alone?' The young woman asked, looking from Mac to Stella. Stella gave her an angry glare, but Mac laughed out loud. 'All right then,' Alyssa said before starting for the bedroom. When she passed Stella she said, 'Tell him!'
'Tell me what?' Mac asked as he cleared the table. He saw that Stella was getting nervous and decided to drop the subject until Stella replied, 'what a great friend you are and that I'm lucky to have you in my life.' Mac was about to reply when his cell phone rang. He went into the living room and answered it. 'All right, I'm on my way.' He said and hung up. He turned to Stella who had walked in. 'We've got him!'
After getting a confession from the guy they had arrested they went to talk to Alyssa. 'He said what? I never flirted with him, he's a creep!' The young woman said when she had heard the story. 'Well, we got him for murder and attempted murder so you don't have to worry about him anymore.' Mac said. The young woman nodded her head. She turned to Stella, 'as soon as Scott's here I'll get my stuff and you can have your apartment back.' Stella laughed at that. 'There's no rush. Come on, I'll buy you lunch.' She said standing up. 'You coming Mac?' 'Uhm, no, I've still got some work to do.' 'Oh ok, see you later then.' Stella replied as she and Alyssa started walking towards the elevators.
When Stella got back from lunch she went straight into Mac's office. Mac smiled at her as she entered and sat down on his couch. 'How was lunch?' he asked. 'Good.' 'Stella?' 'Yeah Mac?'
'Ok, why is he getting nervous?' Stella thought.
'Uhm, I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me?' He asked, nervously waiting for her reply. 'Of course Mac, we do this a lot of times. Your place or mine.' She asked. 'Well, I … I meant going out for dinner.' 'You mean like a date?' Stella couldn't help but tease him.
'Ok Here goes!' Mac thought.
'Yes. Would you like to go out on a date with me?' Stella's eyes grew wide and her mouth opened and closed a few times but nothing came out. When Mac was about to say something she finally replied, 'Yes Mac, I would like to go out on a date with you.' 'Ok, well it's a date then. I'll pick you up at eight.' Mac said as he walked to the door of his office. Stella stood up from the couch and followed him. 'I have to go now, but I'll see you tonight ok.' 'Yeah, see you tonight.' Stella replied.
Mac opened his office door but stopped half way and took a step closer to Stella. He leaned close to her and whispered in her ear, 'I do feel the same way about you!' Then he softly kissed her on the lips. She put her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. When they pulled back they both smiled. In the background they heard someone say, 'It's pay day Danny!' 'Oh man, that's not fair.'
