Sorry this took awhile. First my computer had a virus and I had to get that fixed. Then I had trouble finishing this chapter...hope this is worth the wait.

I own nothing.

Let Me Start Over

The drive to the centre was taking much longer then expected. The silence inside the car…now that was a different matter altogether. Mackenzie and Helen were avoiding the other's gaze like a plague.

Mackenzie wasn't at all upset about the kiss – she loved every bit of it. That's what was troubling Mack – the fact she enjoyed kissing a married woman. That's not it and you know it! Why don't you just admit it!

Truth be told, it wasn't about kissing a married woman – not that she made it a habit. It was the woman she had kissed that made it so satisfying. Something about the fiery Scot brought out this intense emotion that she didn't know she had. She loved kissing Helen and she wanted to do it again. Keep dreaming pal! It ain't gonna happen again…

Mack secretly glanced at Helen who had been staring out the window since that kiss. Mack wanted to apologize again but it was made difficult by the way Helen held herself. Turning back to the road, Mack just wallowed in her thoughts.

For Helen, she wasn't too upset for kissing another woman. She knew in time she'd have to move on eventually – she just didn't realize it would be so soon. That's not true Helen…. She doubted that she would have had the same response to another woman. It was Mackenzie herself. Something about Mack unlocked a fierce passion in Helen that was just under the surface. It was a feeling she never had with Nikki…and she felt guilty for feeling that way.

In her defence, Helen found Mackenzie undeniably attractive. Even the small things made Helen's heart beat faster - the way Mack's hair would fall into her eyes, the way she walked with a small swagger, the way her eyes could make you feel so safe and the way her crooked smile made her weak in the knees.

When Helen had held Mackenzie back at the station, she felt the muscles under hands. Mack wasn't bulging with them…they were perfectly the right shape and in the right spots. She loved how they flexed because of her touch and she itched to do it again. And when Mack had her hands around her…Helen melted. Yes, she wanted nothing more then to crawl into her strong arms and stay there forever.

Then an image of the scars on Mackenzie's back popped into her head. She had never seen anything like it. A wave of protectiveness fell over her and she almost reached out to Mackenzie in a protective way.

She sadly glanced at Mack. Helen quietly wished that she were a different person in a different time. Maybe then she'd risk falling in love with the strong and quiet detective.

Helen didn't know how long she had been staring because the next thing she knew, she was staring into soft brown eyes.

"Helen, we're here," Mack said softly. Helen noticed that Mackenzie's hands were still on the steering wheel holding on for dear life. Helen just nodded and turned to open the door. Helen heard Mack get out and saw her reach for the passenger door.

"Thank you." Helen cautiously avoided brushing against Mack as she got out. Mack also stood as far as could.

"I'll get your briefcase…." Helen stood to the side and waited. Mack then led the way into Tender Hugs Centre being careful not to touch Helen.

"We take in the kids that foster care has no place for. We also take the ones that keep getting sent back to homes that brought them to us first place. Sometimes child services just don't know what to do with certain kids…" Mack trailed off and shrugged.

Helen nodded as she listened. "I thought I was going to be dealing with female ex-cons?"

"You are. I just thought I'd give you a tour of the place where it all started. Come on…you'll get to meet a familiar face…or two." Mack winked and gave Helen a crooked smile.

Helen lost her footing on the first step when she saw that smile. Mack quickly caught her and helped her up before she could do any damage.

"Are you alright Helen?" Mackenzie had one arm gently around Helen's shoulders while the other went to her waist to steady her. Helen had placed a hand in between the two of them to keep her from crashing into Mack's chest and she felt the muscles in Mack's abdomen tighten. Their faces were just inches apart and they stayed that way for a moment neither one of them wanting to move.

A force more powerful then there own was drawing them closer…just a few more inches…

"You two mind getting a room!"

Mack and Helen broke apart quickly. Both were flushed with desire and both were bright red with embarrassment at being caught.

Mackenzie cleared her throat and turned to Brady, who had a small smile on her face. With cheeks turning a darker shade of red, Mack tried to slow down her heart.

"Uh…hi…" Mack reached up and began to rub her neck. Brady took pity and engulfed her in a bear hug.

"Morning sweetie. How's your morning so far?" Brady stepped back but kept an arm around Mack. Shoving her hands into her pockets she shrugged.

"Ok. I guess. Why? Did the Captain call?"

"No. Not that I'm aware of. Should I be worried?" Brady leaned back and looked up into the eyes of the young Benson. Brady instinctively knew that Mack was hiding something. Mack was beginning to squirm under Brady's stare.

Gesturing over to Helen, Mack tried to divert Brady's attention to why they were both here and moved to stand by Helen. "Uh…Brady, you've met Helen this morning. I just brought her…"

Brady glanced at Helen and smiled. "Hello again." She turned to Mackenzie, "dare I hope this is a social call?" Brady said with a smirk. Mackenzie blushed even more and felt Helen inch her way behind her.

"Uh…no…that's not…it's not like that…" Mackenzie stammered. Brady's smile only widened. And she put up a hand to stop the flow of words.

"I'm only kidding honey." Brady reached up and kissed Mack's forehead. Then turning to Helen, she apologized. "I'm sorry. It's just so very rare that Mackenzie brings a woman over that when she does, I feel it's my obligation to tease her relentlessly. Please don't be offended."

Helen looked up at Mack whose face was now bright red and who was looking very uncomfortable. Helen liked Brady already. She looked back at Brady and gave her a small smile.

"No offence taken Mrs. Benson." Brady looked utter pleased by being called Mrs. Benson. She would never tire of hearing that. Brady motioned for the both of them to follow her.

Turning to Helen, Brady asked, "What brings you to New York?"

"I'm actually here to set up a program for female youths who are being released from prison…"

"Wait! Stewart-Wade?"

"Uh…yes that's me. Although I just go by Stewart now."

Brady, who was now in between the two of them, turned to Mack and gave her a good smack in the arm, "OW! What was that for?" Mack whined as she rubbed her arm. Brady just rolled her eyes at her.

"Oh please. All that muscle in that arm – you barely felt a thing. All you need is a cape and you'd be Superman's twin. "

"But it still hurt…" Mack mumbled as they stepped into Brady's office. "Batwoman…" Mackenzie mumbled. Helen and Brady just stared in confusion. "Superman sucks…"

Helen giggled at the look Brady was giving Mackenzie. Mack just winked at Helen. As they all sat down in there seats, Brady got down to the matter at hand.

"I had the pleasure of speaking to your wife a few months ago about the project. I'm glad that it was finally approved. I'm just curious though; I was under the impression that Mrs. Wade was going to be here…" Brady trailed off as she saw the sadness in Helen's eyes.

Brady was silent as she studied Helen. Brady gave Helen a comforting smile. Helen turned slightly away to wipe away the tears that were about to fall.

Brady turned to Mack who sat slightly forward with a gently hand on Helen's back. Mack looked up at Brady with a questioning look in her eyes but Brady just shook her head.

"Uh…Mack, you may want to take her over to Olivia's place and show her around that facility a bit later." Mack nodded. She was still confused about what happened between the two of them. She made a mental note to ask Brady about it before they left.

Helen cleared her throat. "I'd like to get a brief tour if you don't mind. Mackenzie mentioned this is where it 'all started.'"

Brady again gave Helen a bright smile. "No problem. Technically, everything started with this centre. But I got the idea from Mack actually…" she glanced at Mack when she heard her take in a sharp breath. Helen glanced from Mack to Brady then back to Mack.

"Um…well, I got the name from Mack. She always said that I gave such tender hugs. This is a place were the younger children can call home and actually feel like they are home." Brady smiled. "Well then…let's get this tour started, shall we?"

Helen had a suspicion that both Brady and Mack were keeping something from her. Particularly Mackenzie. She didn't like being kept in the dark about things especially when she was going to be working closely with Mack.

Seeing no choice, Helen got up and followed both women into the hallway. Brady fell into step beside Helen while she explained what went on at the centre and the types of activities it involved. Obviously, Brady had left out certain details because of the looks she gave Mack who was walking a few feet ahead of both them.

It was also clear to Helen that Mack had been here many times before. But to what extent, Helen wasn't so sure. "My eldest volunteer's here as well. She helps out with the cooking…"

"Is that what they're calling it?" Hands on her hips stood Charlie. Helen recognized her from this morning. She had a smirk on her face as well as what appeared to be flour. Brady rolled her eyes as Mack grabbed her niece and spun her around. Letting go, Mack noticed she had flour all over her shirt.

"Can't you ever clean after yourself? You're such a mess!" She said jokingly. Charlie shoved her aunt and stuck her tongue out at her.

"Someone's feeling better…" the teen replied with a laugh. Mack just wrinkled her nose and ruffled the girl's hair. Charlie stood there mortified, "Oh my God! Oh. My .GOD! You didn't just do that?"

Mackenzie laughed harder. Ripping off her apron, Charlie took off for Mack who sprinted down the hall. "You're so gonna get it now!" The young girl yelled with a laugh.

Brady just shook her head. "Who needs anymore kids when I have those two?" Helen smiled at that.

Helen glanced at Mack who was laughing as she was put into a headlock. She couldn't help but laugh at the sight of the tough detective getting mauled by her niece. She wasn't sure what to make of this playful side. Mack had always been so serious around her and so gentle with Alex that this was a huge change.

"Girls! That's enough!" Brady said sternly but had a twinkle in her eye.

"You should see her with our youngest. Absolute push over. Just don't let her scowl scare you. She's a big 'ol teddy bear." Brady whispered as they neared the two. Both Mack and Charlie we're out of breath but had huge smiles on.

Helen stood next to Mackenzie who also now had flour in her hair as well on her face. Before she realized what she was doing, Helen reached up and gently wiped away the flour on Mack's face. Mack leaned in closer as to give Helen easier access. Both Charlie and Brady looked at each other with a look on their faces.

"Um…I'd better get beck to the kitchen. The place falls apart without me…" Charlie said as she began to walk backwards to the kitchen still watching Mack and this new woman Helen.

"You ready for Friday night?"

"Hell yeah. The question is, are you?" Mack replied as she tried her best to brush the flour stuck in her hair. Again, Helen reached up to help. Brady noticed how relaxed Mackenzie was with Helen. The way she moved around her spoke volumes.

Winking at her mom, Charlie quickly disappeared into the kitchen. Turning back to the two, Brady motioned for them to continue with the tour.

Mack once again was in front of the two women. As they passed various rooms, Helen noticed that a few were converted into classrooms while others were more activity-based rooms.

As they walked by one room with music blaring, Mack leaned against the metal doorframe and watched with a proud smile. Helen stood next to her and was impressed by what she saw.

A young boy around 11 or 12 years old was playing an electric guitar as if it were second nature to him. A young girl, maybe 8 or 9 years old was dancing along. And there was Alex, sitting on one of the desks watching the two in awe.

Moving quietly, Mack went farther into the room and cleared her throat. All 3 children turned at the sound. Eyes widened as they realized who their visitor was.

"MAMA!" Jumping down from his seat Alex came rushing down the short isle. Bending down Mack easily caught him and tossed him into the air. The other two kids came running forward and wrapped themselves around Mack's waist speaking all at once.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Slow down guys! Easy!" Mack was laughing as all three were chattering at full volume. Helen and Brady laughed at how silly Mackenzie looked with Alex and the two other children hanging off her.

Looking at Helen, Mack smiled. "You wouldn't be laughing if this were you!" But there were no malice in her words. In fact Mackenzie looked as if she were having a ball.

"Ok you guys. Settle down." Listening to Brady, the two children let go but stayed close to their aunt. Brady and Helen wandered into the room. Stopping to stand in between the two children, Brady smiled brightly.

"These little rug rats are Sol and Briana. You've already met Charlie…"

"Charlie?" Helen wasn't sure if she heard that right.

Smiling, Mack answered first. "Charlotte is her real name. My sister gave her the nickname. As in Charlie Chaplin…she's the real clown in the family." Mack then turned to her son and kissed his head. "And this here is Alex…"

"Mom…she's already met me, 'member?"

Looking genuinely surprised Mack turned to Helen, "he's met you already?" Helen laughed and played along.

"Hmmm…I don't recall. Must be my old age acting up again…" Helen scratched her chin and looked thoughtful.

Alex looked horrified. He looked from his mama then to Helen then back to his mama. He could hear Sol and Ana giggling.

"Mackenzie…" Brady said warningly. Mack gave in when she saw the look of sadness in her son's eyes. She smiled gently at him and hugged Alex tight.

"Of course Helen remembers you. You're not just a regular young man, you know… " Mack looked desperately at Helen.

"You're mummy's right. You're my charming young man. I could never forget that!" She held her hands out and Alex climbed in. Helen held him gently and walked over to one of the chairs and sat down.

"I believe your mummy was trying to make a joke. Looks like it didn't work."

Squatting down to meet her son's gaze, Mack quietly nodded in agreement. "Mama made a real bad stinker, didn't she?" Alex nodded. He sucked in his bottom lip and that small motion tore at both Helen and Mackenzie.

"Tell you what…Helen and I need to go and see Livie for a couple hours. When we're done, did you want to have…" Mack looked down at her watch and realized she had spent most of the lunch hour here at the centre, " a late lunch with us?"

Alex seemed to consider this. Helen and Mackenzie smiled at his little face as he scrunched up his nose in thought. "It's s'ok mama. We already ate today…" the boy trailed off as he saw disappointment in his mama's eyes, "but I never had dessert yet. Can we stop by the ice cream store?"

Smiling a little and feeling a bit better, Mack nodded. Clearing her throat and giving her head a small jerk, Mack looked at her son expectantly. Catching on, Alex turned to Helen and smiled. He wrapped his small arms around her neck, "You wanna come too, Mrs. Stewart?"

Looking back from Mack to Alex, Helen knew exactly what was going on. So they're going to play that way, eh? "Think you can play that game, yeah?" She said while laughing.

Knowing full well that they have been caught, Alex just shrugged. He glanced at his mama who just winked in return.

"Oy! I saw that! And I have to say…this is not fair. Two against one!" Helen had the cutest smile on her face – her tongue was hidden behind her teeth as she smiled and her eyes sparkled. Mackenzie felt like she had been kicked in gut - the air seemed to rush out from her.

She felt a hand on her shoulder. Mack turned and saw that both her son and Helen were looking at her strangely. Taking a deep breath, Mack smiled and held out her hands to Alex. With a speed that broke all boundaries, Alex jumped into his mama's waiting arms.

Kissing his cheek, Mack gave him a squeeze then set him down. "It's a date then. We will see you here in a couple of hours ok Bud?" Nodding instantly Alex hugged his mama then turned and gave Helen a hug and a kiss, which surprised both women.

Watching him run out of the room, Helen and Mack realized they were both alone. Sometime during the conversation, Brady and the kids had slipped out to give them some privacy. All that was left now was awkwardness.

Clearing her throat, Mackenzie scratched the back of her neck. "So…you, uh…do you want to finish up here? Or did you want to go straight over to Olivia's?"

Not looking directly at her, Helen nodded. "Uh…yeah. That be really nice…" Nodding as well, Mack stuck her hands in her pockets. The silence that hung between them was thick and the intensity from the kiss was still there.

"Um…ok…well we better go then…" Turning with out waiting for a reply, Mack headed out of the room. Helen silently followed Mack into the hallway.

"So you guys are off?" They turned around to see Brady heading for them.

"Yeah…figured I'd caused enough trouble here." Mack smiled as she went and hugged the woman that was the closest thing to a mother to her.

"Ok honey…I've already called Liv to let her know you two will be there. By the way, you're sister is wanting to talk to you…"

Oh shit…Cragen must have called her…damn…sighing in defeat, Mack avoided Brady's stare. "I take it she's pissed?"

Brady watched closely. She had a feeling something wasn't right with Mackenzie. "You can say that. It would help if I knew…"

Shaking her head, Mackenzie just slipped on her jacket. "Better that you didn't know. Ok…we're off. I'll see you in a couple of hours…we're going to pick up Alex and have some ice cream when we're done. Mind if I take him home a bit early?"

"Not at all. It's about time you finally cut back on work. I've seen Alex more then you have…" Brady stopped as she saw Mack's lips form a thin line. This was a very touchy subject with Mack.

Brady and Olivia knew that Mack hated not having as much time as she used to with Alex. But Mack worked like a mad woman. It was as if she were trying to drive out whatever monster it was inside of her. But Mackenzie would never miss out on any part of Alex's life even if it meant sacrificing sleep. And to a cop, sleep was a must.

Hugging the young Benson, Brady just sighed and watched as Mack and Helen made their way to Mackenzie's car. Brady would always worry about Mack but this time was different. She was more then worried…she was afraid. Mack had been grazing the edge for some time now since returning from her undercover stint.

3 years and Mackenzie still wouldn't talk about it. 3 years for whatever demon that was inside her to eat every last bit of her soul. Brady was afraid that the little girl she once knew would be gone forever. She felt tears starting to form and wiping them away Brady raised her eyes up to the sky.

Please…help her find her way back to us. Please God; please…feeling as if there was nothing else she could do, Brady went back inside to make her daily rounds.

The sun had gotten brighter and the trees around the center began to sway even though there wasn't a breeze that morning. Little did Brady know, her quiet prayer was heard.

The drive to A PLACE CALLED HOME centre was short. They were not even two steps into the building when Mack found Olivia already waiting outside her office. Forget pissed…she's livid.

Olivia had her hands in her pockets. She glanced at Helen and nodded a hello and gave her a smile. Then Liv swung her gaze over to Mackenzie who felt like a kid caught with a hand in the cookie jar. If only it were that simple.

Mack mentally prepared for the battle that was ahead. Helen seemed to sense this because she rested a hand on Mackenzie's back.

"So…" Mackenzie began but was interrupted by Helen.

"Hello again. Your wife mentioned that I would be working with you on this project…" As Helen spoke, she had taken a step in front of Mack as if to shield her from what was coming. It didn't go un-noticed by both Benson's but neither said anything.

Years of training had taught Liv when to fight and when to step back. Now was the time to do just that…step back – she knew first hand what a pissed off Scottish woman could do. The thought of her wife mad made Olivia smile a little.

Sliding her hands out of her pockets Liv quickly smooth out the growing tension. "Yeah, she called me about 40 minutes ago. Glad to meet you…again." Olivia held out her hand.

Liv glanced at Mack. She gave her baby sister a look that said 'talk later'. Nodding dejectedly, Mack followed the two women into the office.

Helen laid out what she and her wife planned out and the programs that would be needed and if necessary another facility altogether. Olivia had changed since her time on the force. If you had told her about something like this, she would have laughed in your face and would have told you that there was no chance in hell something like this would work.

Now as she sat listening to the ideas, Olivia found it rewarding. She saw it in the teens she worked with and how much they yearned to be loved and accepted. It was plain and simple but most foster parents never get it – hell…most parents missed it completely.

She looked over at her sister and saw that she too was listening intently. There was something else too…interest maybe? Was it because of what was being said or for who was saying it? Hmmm…I'll bet my life it's the 'who'…Olivia thought with a smirk.

Quickly turning back to the matter at hand, Olivia agreed to show Mrs. Stewart around and to show her what programs are set up at the centre.

As the three of them walked down the hall, Olivia explained what activities/programs were going on and what were available. "At the moment we have a course for the older teens to help them get ready for college or get them ready for the work force. Helping them with the whole process – resumes, dressing the part…interviewing skills. That sort of thing…"

"That will defiantly help with the parolees. How do you get the older kids accustomed to the outside world?"

"How do you mean?" Mackenzie, who had been quiet, finally spoke up.

"Well…I mean, how do you socialize the children who've been in the system for the entire lives. I'm not saying that all the children will have problems fitting in but for the ones who do…what sort of steps do you take?" If it were anyone else asking, Mack would have taken offence. But Helen seemed to be genuinely concerned about the welfare of the children and for the female parolees who will be under her care.

Mackenzie and Olivia thought for a moment. Liv was the first to speak up.

"First of all, we treat every one of these kids as unique. Second, we treat them as if they were our own – well…I do anyways. As for the behavioural problems…we deal with it as it comes. No child is the same so their problems aren't either. You have to get down to the crust of the problem before doing anything – once we're there; it's a bit easier to assess the whole picture. It may take awhile, but they're better for it in the long run."

Helen seemed to like the answer to that. Again, she noticed that Mack seemed comfortable here around the younger teens as well as a select few older ones. They stopped several times to chat or say hello to the kids. Many of them were very fond of Mackenzie.

"Hey 5-0!" yelled out a Hispanic boy maybe 15 years old. As he came sauntering by Mack nodded a hello.

"Montoya! How's it going? Staying out of trouble?" Mack had changed her demeanour instantly when she saw the boy coming. Gone was the tough detective only to be replaced by a more relaxed friendlier Mackenzie.

Helen eyed Mack as she and Montoya spoke. Catching Helen staring, Mack cocked her head to the side and smiled. Helen blushed furiously and quickly looked away. Olivia's eyes darted from Mack to Helen. Maybe there really is something there…

Snapping out of her musings, Liv heard Mack introduce the young man to Helen.

"This here is Miguel Montoya. Straight A student in all his classes and Special Effects make up artist extraordinaire. This kid is amazing…" Mack spoke with much pride. Miguel came from a tough home life only to be thrown unto the mean streets where, in order to survive, he had to turn to a life of petty crime.

But Mackenzie saw in him a good kid in a messed up situation. She offered him a way out from that life. It took a bit of convincing but Miguel eventually came around. 2 years later he was a straight A student in his school.

Blushing slightly, Miguel just smiled shyly at the statement. "Naw man…I just like grossing people out." The four of them laughed. Mack just patted Miguel's shoulder and rolled her eyes.

"Hello." Helen said gently. She smiled at the young man who was obviously one of Mack's favourite people. She held out her hand and Miguel obediently shook it.

"Miguel Montoya, ma'am…"

"Please…call me Helen." She smiled even brightly as she spoke.

Nodding Miguel turned to Mackenzie once more. "How's the bambino?" Miguel asked. He and Alex had become close…like brothers. Mack had a feeling that Alex was a good influence on Miguel and vice versa.

"He's good…getting bigger. You know you could always visit him. He's been asking about you…"

Shaking his head Miguel spoke sadly," Naw man…I'm not such a good guy to hang out with, ya know?" Mack sighed. She knew it would be awhile before Miguel saw differently.

Nodding Mack put an arm around him and whispered, "He looks up to you, man…that means something good."

Miguel was quiet for a moment. Then shutting his eyes tight to stop the tears from slipping out, the young boy shrugged. "Um…I gotta go finish up some stuff…" Before anyone could say a word, Miguel was on his way down the hall hands stuffed in his pockets.

Looking at Olivia, Mack just stared at her. "He had a bit of a run in with some of his old 'friends' he used to hang with…"

"And you didn't bother telling me?" Mack was a little upset. Helen who was watching the whole thing was by now was somewhat lost.

"Um…"

Both Liv and Mack turned to Helen. Realizing that she had been left out, Mackenzie looked bashful.

"I'm sorry…um…I…" looking slightly embarrassed, Mack leaned forward and whispered in Helen's ear. "I'll tell you on the way to get Alex." Helen shivered but nodded anyways.

Mackenzie looked at her watch. She hated to cut this short but if she and Helen were going to have lunch and get Alex before it got dark, they were going to have to leave soon.

"Uh…Liv, I hate to do this but…" she stopped as her sister held up a hand.

"No problem. Swing by tomorrow and we'll finish up then. It's a pleasure to meet you…again," Olivia smiled at Helen. Shifting over to Mack, Liv engulfed her in a bear hug.

"We're gonna talk later on, got it?" She mumbled in her sister's ear. Feeling Mack nod, Liv let go.

"Good…now get lost. Both of you!" Olivia said playfully as she shoved her sister towards the door. Mack turned and made a face at her sister that won her whack to the head.

Rubbing the back of her head while she laughed Mack mumbled teasingly, "I'm telling!"

Helen, Olivia and Mack all laughed. Waving goodbye, Helen and Mackenzie made their way across the street to the diner.

Olivia watched them as they went. Brady's right…they're just right for each other…Wandering back into the centre and into the office, Liv opened up the files that were sent over.

Might as well get a head start on the whole thing…she thought. Looking down at her watch, Olivia anxiously counted the minutes before she got to go home to her wife.

"Where are you taking me?" Helen and Mack fell into step as they made their way through the busy streets of New York. Helen would have fallen over a few times if it weren't for Mack always there to catch her.

Mack was close to shoving those around Helen. Use your damn eyes, people! Mackenzie wrapped an arm around Helen and kept her close. Helen didn't seem to mind at all. In fact, Helen had wrapped her own arm around Mack's waist as the walked on.

It was odd but it felt so very natural to be this close to each other. Helen found herself enjoying the feel of Mack's warmth around her. By the time they reached the small diner, both women were pressed closely to each other's sides. To the rest of the world, they looked like a couple in love but in reality, they just didn't want to get knocked over.

At some point their hands found each other.

"Here we are…" Mack said quietly as she ushered Helen in. Once inside, Helen didn't seem too much in a rush to let go of Mackenzie's hand. Both women absentmindedly began playing with the other's fingers as they waited to be seated.

"You eat her often?" Helen asked. Mack was about to answer when a booming voice came from the back of the diner.

"MACKIE! LONG TIME NO SEE!" Helen turned to a small man coming towards them with arms open wide and with a bright big smile.

"I guess I have my answer…" Helen said quietly. Mack smiled at her then turned to face the old man.

"Mr. Russo! How are you?" Mackenzie reached out with her free arm and engulfed the friendly man but not really wanting to let go of Helen's hand. Mr. Russo held Mackenzie at arm's length and examined her from top to bottom.

"Look at you! So big! Why you no come and visit?" He then reached up and grabbed Mack's cheeks and pinched them. Mack glanced at Helen who had to look away but was laughing hard.

"Who is your lady friend?"

"Mr. Russo, this is Helen Stewart. She just flew in from England yesterday…" Mack said as she rubbed her sore cheeks.

Turning slightly to his left, Mr. Russo studied Helen. He noticed their hands still intertwined. I have a good feeling about this one…he thought.

With a warm welcoming smile, Mr. Russo held out his arms to Helen. She was slightly taken by surprise but soon enough had an arm around the small man.

Pulling back, Mr. Russo shook Helen's hand. "Hello…Mr. Russo…" Helen said nervously.

"Please, call me Sal. Everybody does. Please…come have a seat…" He led them to a cozy little table. "Ok ladies…what will it be?" Sal asked as he whipped out a note pad and pencil.

"The regular, please. Helen?" Mack watched as Helen mulled over the menu. Damn…she is adorable…

"Hmmm…everything looks so good…I think I'll have the regular as well," Helen said with her toothy smile.

Sal's smile could not have gotten any wider. "For you bella, anything," he said with a wink. Heading for the kitchen, Sal said in his big voice, "MARIA! I NEED TWO REGULARS!"

Their meal had arrived. And both ate in silence. Wiping off some remnants of ketchup off her face, Helen leaned back with a satisfied smile.

"This is absolutely ace! I almost forgot what a good old fashioned burger tasted like…"

"I take it you like it?" Mackenzie said as she finished off her last piece of fries. Wiping off her mouth, Mack sat back as she watched Helen. "Think you'll be ready for dessert?"

Playfully wincing, Helen moaned quietly, "give me a few years and I'll be ready…"

Mackenzie laughed quietly. She waited for their table to be cleared before quietly speaking. "Uh…Helen…I think we need to talk…"

"Uh-oh…this sounds serious…"

This was harder then Mack thought. Sighing, she rubbed the back of her neck. Helen looked concerned.

"Is this about what happened this morning?" Nodding, Mack was somewhat relived that Helen had said it first.

"I don't make it a habit of kissing or getting involved with married women…I just don't want it to get awkward between us…

"You think I'm in the practice of kissing strange women, myself?"

"No! That's not what I meant! I just didn't want you to think that I was…look; I just want us to get along, if nothing else. And by that I don't mean…"

"I know what you mean. That's very…noble of you. And as if I recall, it was I that kissed you. I should be the one apologizing…" Helen stopped the flow of words when she saw Mackenzie raise her hand.

"Forget about it. So…let's just start over, shall we?" Mack looked utterly adorable sitting across from Helen. She looked so hopeful. Unable to resist, Helen smiled and nodded.

"I like that idea." Holding out her hand, she smiled. "Helen Stewart."

Mack caught on and grinned. Gently grasping Helen's outstretched hand, Mackenzie shook it.

"Mackenzie Benson." There hands stayed clasped for a moment and they both smiled.

Helen had a cheeky smile on her face, "so…you come here often?" Mackenzie laughed out loud and Helen felt ridiculously proud of herself.

"Come on…let's go get Alex before I end up getting into deeper trouble." They stood and waved a goodbye to Sal and stepped out into the mayhem that was New York City.

Mackenzie offered her arm and Helen gladly accepted it with a smile. They began the trek across the street.

"You know it's a bit odd…" Helen said as they neared the other end of the street.

"What is?"

"Most people would have asked to have been friends. You didn't…why?" They finally reached Mack's car. They stood beside the passenger side of the door. Helen turned to face Mackenzie as she leaned against the car. Mack sighed and put her hands into her pockets.

Mack was thoughtful for moment. "Like everything in this world, it needs to be earned. A lot of people…they think deserve everything on a silver platter, including friendship. And that's not the case…"

"So you're saying you'd want to earn my friendship?" Seeing Mack nod, Helen was genuinely curious. "Why?"

Helen saw a slight blush creep up on Mack and she wondered why.

"Well…if I don't earn it, then it won't mean much in the end. Friendship isn't something you can just buy or take from someone unwillingly. You need to earn the person's trust and respect first. Then once you have that, then you can ask if you can have their friendship as well…"

"And if they refuse?"

"Then you just pick yourself up and keep on going. That individual has their reasons for turning down your friendship. You can't force them to want you as a friend. When there ready, they'll find you and if they don't then it's there loss..."

Nodding in understanding, Helen smiled gently. "That was very eloquent, Mackenzie. But I'm sure you won't have a problem with earning my friendship…"

Mack shrugged and joked, "I wouldn't speak so soon, Mrs. Stewart. I have a bad reputation of being a lousy friend…." Although she was smiling, Mack's eyes told a different story. She opened the door for Helen and stepped aside and waited.

Helen didn't move. She stood and stared at the woman before her. She reached up and tenderly placed a hand on Mackenzie's cheek and spoke softly. "From what I've seen so far, you're doing an admirable job."

Feeling as though she were being exposed, Mack looked away. She wasn't used to this kind of attention from anyone. "Um…we'd better get going…" Helen knew that she had put Mackenzie on the spot and although she meant what she said, Helen felt guilty for making the other woman uncomfortable.

Getting in quietly, Helen buckled up and watched as Mack climbed into the driver's side. With out another word Mackenzie started the car.

As they drove the short distance back to Tender Hugs, Helen leaned back in her seat and reached out and laced her fingers with Mack's free hand. She felt Mackenzie tense up slightly then relaxed.

Mack's voice kept playing in Helen's mind…Friendship isn't something you can just buy or take from someone unwillingly…Helen glanced over at Mackenzie who was concentrating on the road. Friendship…maybe that's what we both need…