CSI: New York – The College Years
Chapter 4: Time Heals All Wounds, or So They Say...
...
"Frankie, what are you doing man, the bus is waiting for us!" An offensive linemen for Cornell called out as he followed after Frankie who had slipped out the back door of the locker room.
"I'm staying" Frankie huffed as he turned to face his teammate.
"Coach is gonna be pissed Frankie, what do you want me to tell him?"
"The truth. Tell him I'm staying here for the weekend to be with my girl and I'll be there for practice on Monday"
"Frankie, he's not just gonna..." he started again, only to have Frankie quickly silence him by shoving him hard into the brick wall of the building.
"I'm staying!" he growled again before finally releasing his grasp.
"Alright, geez man take it easy!" his teammate huffed as he leaned off the wall, then stormed off to head back toward the waiting bus.
Frankie only grunted in response before reaching into the pocket on the inside of his jacket; pulling out a flask, he took a quick swig then continued to head in the opposite direction.
...
"Hey, you've reached Claire and I can't get to the phone so leave me a message!"
Mac sighed heavily as he heard the answering machine pick up yet again; he can hardly remember the last time he had actually spoken to her.
"Claire, it's me again... I guess you're probably really busy with everything going on there but I just wanted to see how you're doing, and let you know that we won our first game tonight. I wish you would've been here, I ... I miss you Claire Bear... Call me okay? Alright, good night"
Mac flipped his phone shut and buried his face in his hands; letting out a frustrated sigh as he sat on the bench next to his locker. The room was quiet and still and he had safely assumed he was alone, as it was nearly an hour since the game had ended and the rest of the team had showered and headed out to celebrate.
"You alright man?" A calming voice began from the doorway and Mac turned to notice Don coming towards him with a sympathetic frown.
"Yeah, of course" Mac assured him with a fake tight lipped smile, not sure what; if anything; Don had heard. "What are you still doing here?"
"I forgot my phone in my locker, had to come back for it; but I could ask you the same thing" Don answered as he sat down next to Mac on the bench.
"Don, I'm fine, really. I was just about to head out actually"
"Mac, come on. I heard you on the phone just now. Who's uh... Claire Bear, was it?"
Mac quickly frowned and turned away from Don, shaking his head.
"I don't want to talk about it" he gently warned in a barely audible whisper.
"Come on Mac, I'm not judging. You should have heard the ridiculous messages I left on my girlfriend's machine when I was at the camp this summer" Don lightly chuckled as he tried to ease the tension.
"I know I gotta be good to her, 'cause that's some prime blackmailing material" Don tried again, and Mac finally let out a small chuckle as he turned back to face Don.
"So, spill. Who is she?"
Mac began into just a few small details regarding Claire and their break-up while Don listened intently.
"I know she's right, it wouldn't work like this. I can see that now, I just... I just wish my heart would catch up with my head you know?" Mac finished with a soft sigh and Don offered a quick smile and comforting hand on his shoulder.
"What do you say we get out of here and head to the party? You could use some fun Mac, and you deserve it"
"Thanks Don" Mac replied, finally rewarding Don's efforts with a small smile as he pushed himself up off the bench and grabbed his new jacket and slid into it.
"Do you have the address?" Don asked as they were about to part ways in the parking lot.
"Yeah, Danny gave it to me. I'll see you in a few"
"Alright" Don nodded as he took his leave and headed for his car. He stopped before letting himself inside and pulled out his phone to type a quick text:
"Danny; I'm on my way, see you soon. PS – we need to find Mac a girl!"
He hit send and climbed into his car and headed towards the student housing district where the big party was being held.
...
Mac strolled over to his truck to find Adam waiting for him patiently.
"Sorry I took so long" Mac apologized with a slight frown. "You ready?"
"Yeah, yeah" Adam quickly replied but then gave Mac a questioning glance. "Wait, why? Do I not look ready? Should I change? This shirt is lame right? I knew it..."
Mac just arched a brow and lightly chuckled as he watched Adam as he continued rambling nervously.
"Adam, just relax" Mac lightly scolded, forcing Adam to finally silence his one-sided ranting.
"Sorry, I'm just nervous" Adam confessed with a sheepish grin.
"Gee, I never would've guessed. Look, Adam, don't be nervous, just be yourself and try to have a good time alright?"
"Be myself? But..." Adam tried, only to have Mac quickly interrupt.
"Yes Adam, yourself. The Adam Ross I've gotten to know over the past week. Look, you just need to have a little more confidence in yourself. You're a smart guy Adam, and you're funny, and this isn't your old high school alright? These people don't know you, so just go and show them who the real Adam is, okay?"
"Alright, alright" Adam finally caved as he opened the passenger side door and climbed inside. "But, seriously though, the shirt?" Adam questioned and Mac shook his head as he too climbed inside.
"Adam!"
"Right, never mind. Confidence; got it!"
They headed out of the parking lot and quickly made their way towards the party, Adam finally feeling at least somewhat at ease. He trusted Mac and was thankful to have him looking out for him.
...
By the time Mac and Adam had arrived, the party was in full swing and the guests had already began spilling out onto the front lawn of the house. They headed for the front door and Mac was greeted with congratulatory handshakes and pats on the back while Adam followed closely behind.
Once inside, they went in search through the crowded house for Danny and Don and eventually found them in the main living room of the house. Don was sitting in a large armchair with Jess snuggled in his lap and Danny was standing in front of a small sofa where Kendall sat on one side, along with another cheerleader on the other side. Danny was half way into his story about his touchdown catch as he noticed Mac and Adam approaching.
"Big Mac!" Danny exclaimed with a grin, then threw his arm around Mac's shoulder, giving it a hard shake. "Glad you could make it man"
"Hey, what's up? I'm Danny" he greeted Adam as he noticed him, then extended his hand.
"Adam... Adam Ross" Adam replied nervously as he accepted Danny's handshake.
"Well, any friend of Mac's man..." Danny smiled then focussed his attention back to the girls in front of him.
"Ladies, allow me to introduce you to the man of the hour; Captain Mac Taylor. Mac, this is Kendall and Stacey. Here, have a seat" Danny began as he started shuffling Mac closer to the sofa, eventually pushing him down in between the two girls.
"You know girls, my man Mac here isn't just a football god, he's a genius too. He's studying to be a rocket scientist, aint that right Mac?"
"Forensic scientist Danny" Mac corrected and Danny shrugged in response.
"Yeah, right, that's what I said... Come on Adam, let's go get us all a round" Danny quickly insisted, and before Mac had a chance to protest they were out of sight.
Mac; feeling slightly uncomfortable; quickly looked over to Don for some help, but he was too busy with Jess to notice him. Jess was pushing her fingers through his hair and Don pulled her closer to whisper in her ear, causing her to burst out in laughter and playfully swat him in the arm.
Mac folded his hands together in his lap and stared at the floor in front of him, unsure of what to say to either of the women surrounding him.
...
"Hey, there's the prettiest girl in New York City!" Danny greeted Stella as he walked into the kitchen and noticed her standing alone.
"Very cute Messer; what do you want?"
"What, can't a guy say hello?" he asked, but quickly gave in to Stella's suspicions as she raised an eyebrow in response. "Okay, okay. That girl you were sitting with at the game... who is she?"
"I knew you wanted something. She writes for the school paper, she wrote a piece on tonight's game actually"
"She's into sports? A girl after my own heart..." Danny exclaimed in a mocked dramatic tone as he put his hand over his chest.
"You gotta hook me up Stella, please!" Danny lightly begged, forcing Stella to shake her head in laughter.
"Okay Romeo, relax. You're in luck because she's coming here tonight as soon as she's done with her editor"
"And you'll introduce me?"
"Yes Danny, I will introduce you"
"You're the best Stell! Hey, Don and Jess are in the other room there if you wanna catch up with them. I'm just grabbing a few drinks"
"Thanks Danny" Stella smiled then headed toward the living room.
She rounded the corner and paused as she first noticed Jess and Don canoodling in the corner, then Mac on the sofa with Stacey leaning into him, her hand resting on his shoulder. She watched for only a split second before rolling her eyes and looking away, offering a heavy sigh.
Unsure as to why it bothered her at all, Stella frowned then headed into another direction. She entered the heavily crowded front foyer of the house and began moving her way down the hallway by sliding against the wall as a herd of party patrons stampeded by her in an effort to get to the keg in the kitchen. As she finally reached the end of the hall, she quickly headed up the stairs for some much needed breathing space.
Just as she had scurried up the stairs Frankie had entered the house and noticed her. He pushed through the crowd and began following after her.
...
"You were really great out there today" Stacey began as her fingers danced along Mac's shoulder.
"Thanks" Mac quickly responded as his body slightly shifted with discomfort.
"You got a girlfriend?" she asked in a low tone, almost whispering as she leaned closer towards his ear.
"Uh, yep, sorry" he replied in haste then pushed himself up as he noticed Danny and Adam heading back towards them.
"Hey Adam, do me a favour and keep my seat warm for me" he urged as he slumped an unsuspecting Adam down onto the couch before quickly taking his leave from the room.
"Hey, Mac, come on! Where are you..." Don began to call out but Mac was already out of earshot.
"What was that all about?" Danny asked, looking to Don for answers.
"Beats me..." Don shrugged.
...
Mac headed out into the busy front hallway, out of view from Don and Danny, and leaned against the wall. He ran his hands through his hair then rested them on the back of his neck and let out a heavy sigh. While he could appreciate what Danny was trying to do, he wasn't in the mood for it, neither was he ready. He knew in his heart that things were not going to work out with Claire; being on opposite sides of the country and all; but he couldn't force himself to move on sooner than he was ready to.
Although he felt slightly bad for leaving Adam to his own devices, he figured he wouldn't complain too much about being plunked down in between two cheerleaders, so quickly pushed the guilt to the back of his mind. More and more people continued flooding into the house, and every one of them stopped to offer some sort of greeting to Mac. After a few short minutes Mac was beginning to feel a little overwhelmed by it all and decided he needed a minute to just get away from everything so he headed for the stairs; as they seemed to be the most deserted place in the house.
...
Stella stood leaning against the window frame in the dimly lit study, located at the end of the upstairs hallway. She watched the party continuing on without her down below in the backyard; and it didn't seem to bother her as right now, she'd rather just be alone. She let out a soft sigh as her mind continued wandering in several different directions; why did she care that Stacey was fawning all over the man she had only met very briefly, and what was it about him that intrigued her? Why didn't she at least say hi to Jessica and Don, was she actually jealous that they're happy? And what was Frankie thinking earlier, did he actually believe his pathetic attempt at grovelling would have any effect?
She knew exactly what was causing her all this sudden grief and she hated herself for allowing Frankie to get under her skin again. She wanted nothing more than to put him behind her completely; unfortunately for her, he had other plans. It was at that moment that she noticed a familiar reflection in the window.
"Great party, but I was a little upset I didn't get a formal invite" he huffed and Stella quickly turned to face him and rolled her eyes.
"Frankie, what the hell are you doing here?"
"Still not happy to see me huh?"
"Ugh, just get out of here!"
He ignored her request and began to slink towards her instead.
"Frankie, I'm serious. Just go!" she huffed.
"Is that..." she began as he continued to move closer and the wafting scent of whisky started seeping into her senses. "Are you... Are you drunk?"
"What? No... Look, I may have had a couple of drinks but I can handle my own Stella" he tried reasoning, but as he took another step he stumbled slightly and grabbed onto a nearby table to steady himself.
"I can see that" she threw back at him, along with a glare. "I don't want to see you right now, especially not like this!"
"Come on babe, please? Why won't you just give me a chance to explain things?"
"Oh my god Frankie, can we please talk this TO DEATH some other time?"
"Like when?" His voice began calmly, then quickly escalated. "When you don't answer my phone calls, or when you don't reply to my e-mails! When Stella?" He snapped with a furious growl in his tone.
She took a step backwards and was now completely backed against the window. She put her hands down on the ledge of the windowsill behind her as he took a final step closer and was now starting to invade her personal space. Towering over her, he placed his hands flat against the window, one on each side of her, at the level of her shoulders. Refusing to meet his gaze, she quickly hung her head and looked to the floor instead.
"Please Frankie, just leave me alone" she lightly begged in a barely audible whisper.
"I'm not going to hurt you Stella" he began quietly, then took one hand off the window and used his finger to tilt her chin up. "You believe me don't you?"
"Don't touch me" she warned, and he frowned.
"Stella..." he snarled back, the anger returning to his tone once again.
"Excuse me, but I believe she asked you to leave" A strong male voice came from the doorway; much to the surprise of both Frankie and Stella as they both whipped their heads towards the door to see Mac slowly entering the room.
"Hey, why don't you mind your own business? This doesn't concern you!" Frankie snapped.
"Look, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way. The easy way is you get to leave the house right now, and walk out of here with at least some of your dignity still intact. The hard way; you refuse to leave, and I give you an even more humiliating beating than I gave you on the field earlier today. Your choice"
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**Okay readers, now it's YOUR choice! Should Mac show him out, or throw him out? You decide, hit that review button and share your thoughts :) And as always, stay tuned for more!**