Title: Beauty & The Beast
Chapter 7 – Uncharted Territory

A/N: Am a little worried about this but do hope you all like it and thanks again.

"Welcome Ms. Bonasera," Principal Brigham Sinclair greets as she enters his office and sits down before him. "How is it going so far?"

"So far so good, just got my children into Ms. Burn's class and then came here. So I understand there will be a sub today and I'll just shadow?"

"Takes a bit of pressure off the first day," Sinclair tells her in truth. "Don't want my teachers calling in sick on their second."

"Trust me I don't tuck tail and run at the first sight of trouble," Stella informs him in truth.

"I think I believe that," Sinclair replies with a smile. "Okay so let me show you around and get you settled a bit. Your class as you know is an elective so you'll have only serious students to deal with."

"That is what I am hoping for.

Sinclair shows Stella where the teachers area is, where her personal locker was located and then it was on to a tour of the building and then finally her classroom. As suspected the room was small; the normal capacity of students was well below as it was an advanced course and you had better know your stuff when you were at this level, the next stop was University.

"We've had some generous donations over the years, mostly from a few local businesses. Have you had a chance yet to get to know some in the surrounding area?" Sinclair inquires as they head away from her classroom and continue the tour.

"I met Lindsay Messer and Mac Taylor and…"

"Mac Taylor?" Sinclair asks as he stops mid-stride and turns to Stella with a surprised expression. "You met him? In passing?"

"No in person. Well we talked for a bit," Stella answers with a small shrug, wanting to make it seem as if it were nothing right now. She didn't know Mac that well yet, but from what she's seen she knows he's private and probably wouldn't appreciate being the center of gossip.

"His company is one of our biggest supporters," Sinclair tells Stella as they continue on their walk. "So when you met him…how did he seem?"

"Quiet at first," Stella retorts in truth. "I know there is a lot of hushed talk about him but I'm not about the gossip Mr…"

"Please call me Rick. My father called me Brigham but my mother always liked Rick over Bob," Sinclair smiles.

"Rick…right. Well he seems very down to earth."

"I'm just amazed that he talked to you is all. But in a good way," Sinclair mentions. "Okay so here we have…"

Stella listens to her boss talk to her about a few more public amenities but her mind was once again focused on Mac. All it took was the mere mention of his name and his handsome face would pop into her mind and her thoughts were instantly distracted. If that was Mac, I wonder what he's doing? She had been told that he wasn't out at all in five years; if he did venture out again today she couldn't help but wonder if she had something to do with it. But as they near the children's classroom she remembers something the mechanic told her about an accident.

The accident. What accident? What secret was Mac Taylor hiding?

XXXXXXXX

Mac had parked his SUV a few blocks from the school and just waited for his heart rate to come back down to normal. The boy saw you, his brain reminds him.

"Damn it!" Mac lightly curses as he hits the steering wheel in frustration. The last thing he wanted was Stella to think he was stalking her or something. But he didn't want to stay home all alone; his mother gone to Chicago and Jessica starting her first day on the job. So he decided he'd finally venture out and check out his place of business and see how Danny was faring.

But curiosity got the best of him and he found himself outside the school, watching Stella and her children intently, a smile on his face the entire time, his brain wondering what it would be like to send his own children off on the first day of school. It was a happy thought. That is until Isaac caught his gaze and he fled like a coward. But watching her there with her children, fixing their backpacks and giving them a reassuring smile before they entered the building were the scenes his mind now wanted to replay over and over again.

You have to tell her about Claire, his mind dares to whisper.

That was the truth; however, Mac wasn't sure Stella even would care or wanted to know so told himself that this coming weekend would be the telling point and he'd then gauge how things would progress and how much he wanted to confess. By the time he looks to the right, Mac's luxury SUV is at the roadway entrance to his office; T&M Developments and his heart races once again.

But he had already faced and overcome so many inner demons that he slowly directs his SUV toward his still reserved parking stall and stops the truck, pausing for a few seconds before he gets out and heads for the front door.

"I'll be right with yo…you...oh my god Mr. Taylor," their receptionist looks up in shock as Mac gives her a small nod and heads for Danny's office.

"Yeah I'll be right with yo…oh my god Mac," Danny exclaims, forcing Mac's lips to offer a small nervous chuckle.

"I seem to get that a lot around here," Mac replies as he heads for a chair opposite Danny's desk and slowly eases himself down into it, his eyes darting around to all the completed project pictures on the wall; projects him and Danny had successfully seen to completion in the past.

"The good old days," Mac comments slowly.

Danny looks at Mac in happy surprise, wanting more than anything to ask what it was that finally motivated him to get out of the house. But he sharply reminds himself that the last thing he wants is his close friend and business partner to have any doubts about this outing and so forces himself to talk to Mac as if was business as usual.

"You know I have a message her from Rinaldi and Sons," Danny waves a small message note. "You call them and I know they'll leave Mala in a second."

"Danny…"

"Come on Mac, you know Mark. He's the last guy that's gonna bust your…well you know what for being MIA this long," Danny sighs as he leans back in his large leather chair, pushing his glasses back up his nose. "It's good to see you out you know."

"Yeah it feels good to be out," Mac agrees with a small frown. "I uh…well used to like the silence but now…"

"Now it's missing something right?"

"It is," Mac answers softly. "Danny I'm not here to…well take over."

"Take over what?" Danny asks with a small laugh. "Mac you are still President; this is your company. You are the T in T&M remember? I never changed that and am not about to. I knew you'd come back. Course you took a bit longer than I had expected but better late than never right."

"How do I just forget the past five years and start over with something like this?" Mac asks with a small hint of frustration.

"You start by…" Danny leans forward and shoves the message slip into Mac's open hand, "calling a friend about a new project."

"A fresh start?"

"You've earned it," Danny tells him warmly.

Mac looks at the note in his fingers and frowns. He didn't really want to come into the middle of all Danny's current projects and just take over like his hard work didn't mean anything for the past five years. Danny was lead on them and would continue that way. Does this mean you're back? His mind ponders.

"I guess I could do that," Mac utters in an almost dead whisper. And who can you thank for this sudden rebirth? But he didn't have to wonder as to the name of the person who with only a few small words and a loving smile, managed to affect his life for the better and change things so drastically so quickly.

Stella. He has only to ponder her name for a few seconds and suddenly her beautiful face would appear and his heart would instantly settle.

"Mac?"

"I should call Mark," Mac comments with a firm tone as he looks up at Danny.

"What are you afraid of?" Danny asks gently.

"Of making another major mistake," Mac huffs his confession.

"It's a shopping mall," Danny quips; causing Mac to just shake his head and offer a small smirk. "The phone here works and so does your computer, all brand new thanks to you."

"Ah. At least I know that while I was away my money was sell spent," Mac nods as he slowly stands up and heads for the door.

"Mac."

"Yeah?" He stops and turns back to Danny.

"Welcome back partner."

"It's good to be back," Mac tells him in truth, garnering a firm nod from Danny before his phone rings and Mac takes his leave. He heads into his office which was now devoid of anything personal; any pictures of him and Claire had been removed by Danny as per Mac's request right after the funeral. Mac starts up his computer and then looks at the message in his hands. He dials Mark's number and waits.

"Mark Rinaldi."

"Mark, it's uh…Mac Taylor."

"Mac? How the hell are you?"

"Actually…better. How can I help you?"

"You just did," his old friend answers with a small laugh as they start to talk about the savvy business man's needs.

"Yes!" Danny's utters mostly to himself in the next room, looking up as their receptionist, Mrs. Smith enters.

"Is he back for good Mr. Messer?"

"Yeah Bonnie, he is."

"About time," she states and gets an agreement nod from Danny. Danny listens to Mac talking to Mark and just shakes his head. Don had told him that Jessica said Mac had met a woman that had had an amazing effect on him right from the start.

"Well whoever she is, I hope she's here to stay."

XXXXXXXX

Stella had missed the first recess for her kids because she was still in her classroom getting some feedback from the substitute teacher and Principal Sinclair. But when lunch time came, she joins Lindsay in the hallway and both head for the kindergarten class to get their kids and send them on their way home; they would still be there for another hour at least.

"So how was it so far?"

"Actually not to bad," Stella answers. "It's like the last school I taught at on Staten Island only smaller so I like that. I met my students for the semester and see some real potential's and am excited for what's in store. You?"

"Oh I always like my chemistry whiz's," Lindsay refers to her own advanced Chemistry 12 glass. They reach the classroom where Aiden was waiting for them; always waiting with the children until they were picked up by a parent or trusted guardian.

"How was today?"

"It was great," Isabella states eagerly.

"It was okay," Isaac answers with a small frown.

"You didn't like your first day?"

"A boy asked him where his daddy is and…"

"Shut up Belle!"

"Hey none of that. Now Isaac what happened?"

"Nothing, can we go now?"

"Isaac?"

"Nothing," Isaac insists with a frustrated whine.

"Okay let's go see if grandpa is outside."

"Bye Isaac, bye Belle!" Lucy calls out, getting only a small nod from Isaac but a hearty wave from his twin sister.

"Kids thought it was cool we were twins," Isabella states proudly. "Lucy and I get to share a locker. And I met Kara."

"Who's Kara?"

"Lucy's friend," Isabella shrugs, referring to Kara Hawkes, the parents whom Stella would meet on the weekend, Kara's father being Sheldon Hawkes who Jessica works for. "She's got dark skin."

"Ah okay. Is she nice?" Stella inquires.

"Very," Isabella nods with a big smile. "I like her."

"That's great sweetie, and who do you share with Isaac?" Stella asks, now walking her children; one on each hand out to meet Sid.

"Fred."

"Fred?" Stella arches her brows and Isaac just nods.

"Freddie," Isabella laughs as she races for her grandfather.

She lets Isabella rush into the open arms of her father before she bends down to her son. "Isaac what did they say about your daddy?"

"They just laughed when I said I didn't have one," he laments sadly, his large hazel eyes threatening to spill with tears.

"I'm sorry sweetie."

"Where is daddy?"

"He's uh…he's not here," Stella answers in a sad tone as she picks up her son and carries him toward Sid.

"But mummy…"

"Let's talk about this later when I get home okay?" Stella asks, getting a whispered agreement in return.

"Is he okay?" Sid asks in concern.

"They laughed because he said he didn't have a daddy," Stella sighs as she tries to fix some of her son's unruly waves. "You know mummy and grandpa love you very much right?" Stella asks tenderly, and Isaac just nods his head yes. "Okay you go with grandpa and maybe if you're good you can both have an after school treat; but just one."

"Ok-ay," Isaac sighs before he gives her a firm hug and then is transferred into the back of the car.

"I won't be too long today."

"And then you'll tell me all about your day," Sid smiles before he turns to leave.

"He's sharing with Fred."

"Fred?" Sid arches his brows. "Poor kid."

"Why grampa?" Isaac inquires.

Stella waves bye to her children and then heads back inside with a heavy heart. They would be facing more grown up stuff like that now and children were merciless; especially if they found out something bothered someone they wanted to pick on. But this was all new for her; all new for them. They would just have to get through it like they did everything else; as a close family and one day at a time. Uncharted territory was right.

Before she goes to meet Lindsay in the teachers lounge she heads for Aiden's class to have a talk with the kindergarten teacher.

"Yeah I know those boys, they are older and not in my class," Aiden huffs. "I try to keep those brats in line but I'm not always around and the recess supervisor isn't always told because no kid wants to be a tattle tale. Is Isaac okay?"

"Just sad. I'm sure I'm not the only single parent in this school?"

"Gosh no," Aiden smirks. "We got em all around here. Singles, couples, live-in's, two moms, two dads, two whatever's," she smirks. "I paired him with Freddie."

"Fred," Stella sighs. "Poor kid."

"Yeah it's an older name," Aiden agrees. "But I think they got along quite well and seem suited to each other. Isaac is going to be fine. But tomorrow is a longer day so I'll keep an eye out for them."

"Thanks."

Stella takes her leave and heads for the lounge. They all had some first day of the year paperwork to fill out; class schedules and such so when Stella enters she notices a few of the other teachers doing the same as she was about to.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah just some first day jitters. Who takes Lucy for you?"

"Danny's mom and sometimes June Hawkes when she's available. My parents live in Montana. And you?"

"I live with my adoptive father, my birth mother…she uh died when I was young."

"Oh sorry," Lindsay lightly frowns. "Well Lucy told me about her new friends. She's quite taken with the fact they are twins although I don't think she gets it all," Lindsay laughs. "But she'll see them again on the weekend so that is nice."

"Right about that…"

"Oh Stella you can't back out now."

"I just don't want to get…you know never mind," Stella offers a nervous chuckle as she looks back down at her forms and continues filling them out. She only stops and looks up when Lindsay's fingers rest on hers.

"I understand the concern. Being a mother I too worry about my child first and foremost. But I know that Mac isn't a player by any means. I'm not saying anything will happen for certain but I don't think you have to worry about Mac just playing around. If there was an offer he was serious."

"Part of that also worries me a little," Stella confesses softly. "It's been a long time for me as well."

"So it'll be new ground for both of you, that's kinda better actually," Lindsay ponders as she too gets back to her forms. "But I promise that Saturday will be a low key event."

"Lindsay, I…oh damn I know I should ask Mac about it but…"

"You mean about what happened?" Lindsay asks quietly, garnering a nod from Stella in agreement. "Well you're right you should hear about it from Mac, but I just don't know how open he is right now to talking about it. He might feel it'll scare you away or something."

"He said that?"

"No but trust me I know him. Mac was married and there was an accident."

It's nice to hear from him after so long…you know with the accident and all, the voice of the mechanic now rings in her head.

"His wife…"

"Claire, she was killed."

"Oh I'm sorry," Stella mentions sadly; picturing Mac's handsome face filled with sorrow and anguish. "Where they um happy?"

"For the most part yes. Why?"

But the longer she dwells on that image, her stomach starts to tighten and her mind race. Her ex was an ass, a man she never wanted to compare another man to because every other man would be better than what she had. But what about Claire? Was she an amazing woman that Mac would now be forever comparing any other woman to? Would she even be able to measure up? Is that why he hasn't done anything in five years?

"Stella?"

"Sorry lost in thought, I guess we should…"

"I didn't tell you to scare you away," Lindsay assures her.

"Hard to compete with a dead wife and…gosh compete okay…right," Stella lightly stammers, drawing a warm smile to her friends face. "I think we'll be out of town on Saturday," she mentions in haste.

"But…"

"Thanks Lindsay but its okay. I don't really need the gardening stuff."

Lindsay just offers Stella blank stare before watching her new friend quickly pack her things and head for the lockers.

Stella hands the filled out form to Principal Sinclair's secretary and then heads for her personal locker, grabbing her coat; giving her head a good shake. I can't compete with a dead wife. Who says you are? Once again you are over analyzing things. Ignoring the voice in her mind Stella hurries for her own car in the parking lot, getting inside and taking a deep breath. Why was she all of a sudden panicking? Because you have feelings for Mac that won't go away.

And that was the truth, she did have feelings for him and they were now tearing her up inside. The drive home was spent in silence as she thought about the day's events and then the weekend really only a few short days ahead. By the time she reaches home it's not long before Sid is quick to ask what happened.

"I guess it's just new for all of us and…well it was the first day."

"Stella you've faced other obstacles before what is really going on?"

"Mac."

"Mac Taylor? What about him?"

"I can't see him again."

"But Stella…" Sid calls after her as he watches her disappear into the living room.

"Ever," Stella calls out and Sid just leans against the counter flabbergasted. "What on earth happened today?" Sid asks as he hurries after her.

XXXXXXXX

Mac finishes up a few more things and then heads toward Danny's office. A few hours had passed and he spent most of them just trying to get himself organized; used to his new computer and then catching up on all the projects that Danny was working on or that Frankie had stolen from him.

"Calling it a night?"

"Dinner time right Danny?"

"Well I have a few more things to get done here first," Danny mentions as he leans back in his chair. "How was today?"

"It was okay. But you will be leaving soon right?"

"Mac with only me here I can't just work 9-5. Lindsay understands."

"Damn it," Mac softly curses.

"Don't be mad."

"It's a wonder your wife doesn't resent me further."

"Lindsay never resented you Mac."

"You having to work late is my fault."

"You always worked late," Danny smirks. "I guess I learned from the best. So how does it feel to have stolen Rinaldi back away from Mala?"

"Actually better than expected. I'm sure I'll be getting a call from Frankie tomorrow," Mac huffs.

"He's a pompous ass. I'm glad he spends most of his time developing upstate," Danny growls in contempt. "Too bad he couldn't be the foundation cornerstone of his next project," Danny just shakes his head, making Mac smile as his junior partner. "I would love to give him a cement kimono."

"Goodnight Danny."

"So Mac…will I see you tomorrow?"

"Yes, you will."

Mac takes his leave, offering a goodnight to Mrs. Bonnie Smith, their long time receptionist and heads for his SUV, his body tired but his mind actually alleviated from inner turmoil. This was another first step for him but one that he did have to agree was long overdue. As he drives by the school, his lips automatically curl upward as he pictures Stella's smiling face as she looks down at her two adoring children. He did envy that part of what she had; a family to love and cherish.

As he pulls up to his large darkened estate he feels that remorse starting to consume him. Would he ever have that? Would his dream of having a family of his own ever be realized? He notices Jessica's light on but decides not to bother her if she just wanted a quiet night on her own. But as he enters his home; silence seizes him and he almost wants to turn back around and head to the office, anywhere there is a friendly voice to fill the void. But just before sorrow can consume him a friendly voice is heard and he literally exhales heavily with relief.

"Mac?"

"Hey Jessica," Mac greets her with a small smile.

"Don is here for supper, yeah it'll be more than one night this week," she tells him with her own large smile. "Did you um…want to join us?"

"Actually…"

"Right, its okay and…."

"I'd love to."

"Really?" Jessica asks in shock.

"Sure if it's okay. Just give me a few minutes?"

"Take your time. Don is going to barbeque a few steaks and we have an extra one. And no don't worry you mother didn't call me," she smirks when she sensed some hesitation.

Mac gives her a nod and a small smile and then watches her go. In the past he would have dreaded being in a room with her as he always told himself that she blamed him for Claire's untimely demise. But she was showing that she too was moving on with her life and with Don Flack here, he know they won't spend their time grilling him. He hangs up his coat and then heads into the kitchen before slowly heading for the back door.

"Hey Mac," Detective Don Flack greets him with a warm smile and a pat on the back. "Glad you could join us. You see that way if I burn down the house at least we'll both be witnesses that it wasn't arson," Flack jokes.

"I'm sure you'll do fine. How was the first day Jessica?"

"Exhausting. Sheldon runs a tight ship," she answers with a small smile. "But he's a brilliant doctor and I think I'll like working with him and his team. Dr. Adams says hello and says that we have to put something into your food that you are allergic to to force a visit to his hospital."

"I'll drop by tomorrow," Mac assures her. "I would like to see Ben anyways, it's been a long time. But am glad you had a good first day."

"And yeah now before you go freakin' out, Danny did call me earlier today," Flack tells Mac; prompting Mac to just arch his brows in wonder.

"Really? He's worse than Lindsay sometimes," Mac smirks.

"He was happy Mac and well to be honest he just wanted to share the good news. I don't want you to you know…not show up tomorrow because if that happens Danny will kill me," Flack chuckles.

"I'm done hiding from the world," Mac mentions softly, garnering two kind smiles in return for his confession.

"We are happy for that," Jessica's hand pats his. "And you'll have some company on the weekend."

"Who told you?"

"This time it was your mother," Jessica counters. "Is that okay?"

"Sure," Mac shrugs. "I don't mind if she tells you."

"No I meant about this woman, Stella and her children coming here on Saturday. Is that still okay?"

Mac looks at Jessica and feels his heart rate starting to increase slightly. Stella was coming to his home. On Saturday. Willingly.

"Should be fine," Mac comments; not knowing that right now Stella was actually having second thoughts about their third meeting and there was a possiblity that now it might not happen.

"Really? That's great Mac. So how was the rest of today?"

"Well..."

A/N: Okay so hope you are still enjoying the story. Gotta toss in some children angst as well as I think it would be something they would deal with and hope it was okay and at least a bit realistic. So think Stella's fears are well founded? Think her and the kids Saturday with Mac will actually happen? Please leave me a review before you go and thanks again smackies!