Disclaimer: I don't own CSI:NY – I'm just borrowing them for a little while and will put them back when I am finished playing. I do own Kelli Taylor and the other characters that you don't recognize – please ask before borrowing. And any errors or typos are all my fault – as I don't have a Beta yet. Also anything in Italics means that my character or someone else is using American Sign Language.
a/n: I just realized that I had left off the proper ending to the previous chapter – so the beginning of this chapter is a continuation.
Chapter 7 – Sullivan's
"Sounds like a plan. Shall I meet you in your office?"
Mac nodded, giving Kelli a quick hug – before standing up, putting the chair back in its original position before leaving her office.
Just before quitting time, Max – Kelli's boss came into her office with an envelope which was addressed to her and passing it to her.
"What's this?" asked Kelli, opening the envelope and finding an invitation to the "Orphans of 9/11 Ball" a fundraiser. "Oh, are we expected to attend?"
"We are, the mayor expects all city employees to attend unless they are scheduled to be on duty. And you are permitted to bring a guest," explained Max.
""Well, it looks like I will be going shopping for a formal gown."
"See you Monday."
"Have a good weekend," replied Kelli.
Danny, Don, Lindsay, Sheldon and Stella were all sitting at a table in the back of Sullivan's – unwinding from the busy week.
"Does anyone know if Mac is going to join us tonight?" asked Sheldon. "Or is he busy with paperwork again."
"Kelli and Mac plan on joining us later, they decided to get something to eat first," replied Stella.
"The food here not good enough for them," said Danny – waving his hand towards the bowls of peanuts and pretzels sitting on the table.
"I do believe I require a healthier diet, then beer and peanuts," smirked Kelli, as her and Mac walked up to the others.
"How did you know what I said? You weren't here," sputtered Danny in shock.
"You forget my lip-reading skills," laughed Kelli, then leaned down – whispering in his ear. "I also happen to know some secrets of yours and Montana's – something about a pool table, thanks to glass walls."
Danny choked over his beer, as Kelli sat down with the rest of the team.
"I'm going to the bar for our drinks, the usual for you?" Mac touched Kelli's shoulder.
"Thanks Mac," Kelli smiled up at Mac.
"We were beginning to think that you and Mac weren't coming," Lindsay commented.
"You know traffic," Kelli shrugged.
"Yeah we know," replied Don. "So Kelli, what were you whispering in Danny's ear?"
"Oh, I was talking about glass walls," smiled Kelli.
"What's this about glass walls?" asked Mac as he set their drinks down on the table before sitting beside Kelli.
"You know, we were talking about them earlier," replied Kelli, taking a sip of her diet soda.
"Oh right," Mac remembered.
"So, is everyone attending the ball at the end of the month?" Kelli asked, looking around at everyone at the table.
"We are strongly encouraged to attend, unless we happen to be working," replied Stella. "Did you get your invitation?"
"Yes, Max hand delivered it to me this afternoon," Kelli frowned. "I've never gone to a formal event like this. I have nothing suitable to wear."
"Well, then ladies – we need to have a shopping day," said Stella with a grin. "So how about it Lindsay, Kelli?"
"Any excuse to go shopping, eh Stella," teased Sheldon.
"Oh hush," Stella frowned at Sheldon.
"I'm in," announced Kelli.
"So am I," agreed Lindsay.
"Okay ladies it's a date, a week from tomorrow," stated Stella. "And Mac, you will not call us for a crime scene."
"I won't?" teased Mac. "I don't know about that."
"Play nice or I will buy you a shot of tequila," threatened Stella.
"Okay, I won't call you, unless it is absolutely necessary," agreed Mac – frowning at Stella and Don, who were both snickering.
Kelli looked at Mac, signing. "Would she really do that?"
"Oh yes," replied Mac.
"That's not fair you two," Lindsay protested. "We don't know sign language." And the others agreed with Lindsay.
"Okay, we won't do it anymore – at least not in front of you," grinned Kelli.
They all laughed and chitchatted with each other until finally Sheldon looked at his watch and said. "I'm going to take off; I have the early shift tomorrow."
"Wait and I'll walk to the subway with you," said Stella.
"Come on Kelli, I'll give you a ride home," said Mac – standing up.
"Thanks Mac," Kelli said, standing up as well.
Don, Danny and Lindsay all decided to leave as well.
At the apartment building, Mac escorted Kelli to her door and waited until she unlocked her door.
"Are you on call tomorrow"
"I am," nodded Mac. "What are your plans for tomorrow?"
"Grocery shopping, washing clothes and meeting some friends. You know, the usual," smiled Kelli. "Do you have Sunday off?"
"Yes I do, why?"
"Would you like to come down after lunch for awhile, I'll have your bread baked and I also plan on making some cinnamon rolls."
"Stop, you are making me hungry," Mac groaned, his mouth watering.
"Well, good night Mac," Kelli hugged Mac.
"Good night, sweet dreams," replied Mac, returning Kelli's hug. Looking down at her face, he leaned down and kissed her gently.
Kelli was shocked at first then kissed him back, allowing his tongue to have access. Suddenly he pulled back - whispering. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to take advantage..."
"Shhh..," Kelli placed a finger across his lips. "Don't apologize. I've been wanting you to do that since that night at Cozy's."
"You have?" Mac smiled.
"I have."
"Kelli, may I escort you to the ball?"
"Yes, you may." Kelli smiled. "I will be the envy of all the women there, when I walk in with a handsome gentleman on my arm."
"It'll be the other way around," disagreed Mac.
"Well goodnight, you probably have to get up early."
"Good night," Mac quickly kissed Kelli again.
"Be safe at work," Kelli signed before entering her apartment and closing the door. Mac stood there for a moment smiling, before heading for the stairs to go up to his apartment - one floor up.
Sunday afternoon Mac rang Kelli's doorbell, and while he was waiting for her to open the door, he heard fiddle music and strange tapping sounds.
"Hi Mac," Kelli opened her door and the fiddle music became louder. "Come on in."
Mac walked inside, shutting the door behind him. "What are you listening to?" He asked, nodding towards the sound system.
"Oh that, that's a CD of songs performed by the Lunenburg County Fiddlers," Kellie walked over to the sound system, turning the music off. "I tend to play my music loud."
Mac heard Kelli's shoes making a metallic clicking noises. "Are you wearing tap shoes?"
""These are my 'clogging' shoes," Kelli grinned, removing them and stepping into a pair of slippers.
"Clogging shoes - what are those?"
"They are similar to tap shoes except the taps are called clickers - two pieces of metal which click together," explained Kelli as she showed Mac her shoes.
"And clogging is what?"
"Old time dancing - which is also a form of square dancing," Kelli looked at the clock. "My dance group is getting together to do a show at the Bellevue Senior Citizen's Home in an hour. Do you want to come and watch us perform, then come back here for dinner? I've got beef stew in the slow cooker, homemade bread and cinnamon rolls."
"Is that what smells so good in here?" Mac said, taking a deep breath, smelling the delicious aromas in her apartment. "Sure, I would like that."
"Okay, make yourself at home while I change into my dance outfit," Kelli dashed back the short hallway to her bedroom.
Mac looked around the apartment admiring the handmade furniture, which he knew that Kelli's father had made. And looking at the framed pictures on the bookcase and on the walls. He was looking at a picture of a building in a rural area that was framed along with a newspaper article.
"Last fall, Alex and I went on a bus tour in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and our group had lunch at an Amish couple's house, which was next door to an Amish school in Nickel Mines. The following week, after we returned to Canada, we saw the news reports about the hostage taking and the shooting of the Amish school girls. So I decided to frame that photo and one of the newspaper reports - as my own personal tribute to the Amish girls and their families," explained Kelli.
"You have such a tender heart," said Mac - hugging Kelli. "I love that about you."
"Thank you," Kelli replied, returning his hug before stepping back, turning around to gather up her purse, shoes and a bottle of apple juice - dumping it all into a tote bag. Mac stood by the door, watching as Kelli darted around the apartment in her dance outfit which consisted of black slacks, white blouse and a purple sequined vest, checking the slow cooker, covering the fresh baked bread and rolls.
"Do I need to change out of these jeans and t-shirt into a suit," Mac frowned, looking down at his clothes.
"Oh no, you look fine," Kelli replied. "Most of the residents will either be in PJs or sweat suits, even the administrators very rarely wear suits."
Afterwards, back at Kelli's apartment, Kelli quickly changed out of her outfit and into jeans and a sweatshirt, before putting the finishing touches on dinner.
"What can I do to help?"
"You can set the table and fill the water glasses. Sorry I have gotten out of the habit of keeping wine in the apartment. I stopped after I was diagnosed with diabetics - because alcohol and diabetics do not go together," explained Kelli.
"That's no problem."
They started eating and after a couple of bites of stew, Mac tasted the homemade bread - moaning with pleasure. "It's been so long since I've tasted your cooking."
"Thank you, it's a pleasure to cook for someone who appreciates my cooking. I enjoy cooking, but it can be boring cooking for one person."
"I know and it can be easy to get into the habit of getting takeout meals all the time."
"Well, whenever you don't feel like cooking, I will be more than happy to have you join me at mealtimes," grinned Kelli. "Now, are you ready for some coffee and a cinnamon roll?"
"Yes, please. But I will clear the table for you and put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher."
"Thank you."
Soon they were sitting in the living room enjoying their dessert. Mac with his cinnamon roll and coffee, Kelli with a fruit salad.
"Why did you make the rolls if you can't eat them?"
"Because I wanted to make them to take into work for everyone to enjoy. You all have been so good to me since I started working there."
"You are going to spoil everyone - one taste of these rolls and they will be demanding them on a regular basis," chuckled Mac.
The two of them enjoyed a quiet evening talking and discussing a documentary on T.V. about the 'Young Offender's Act in Canada' comparing it with the American counterpart. Kelli looked at the time - noting that it was 10 pm and turned to Mac. "The other day Sheldon mentioned that I should teach you how to help me test my glucose levels in case he is not around when I need help."
"I remember."
"Do you want to learn how?"
"Of course," Mac answered promptly. Kelli retrieved the monitor from her purse, sitting on the couch beside Mac, Kelli talked Mac thru preparing the monitor, sterilizing one of her fingers, pricking and squeezing her finger until a drop of blood appeared and finally applying it to the test strip.
"6.5," Mac read, when the monitor beeped. "Is that good?"
"Yes, for me. Glucose levels should read between 4.0 to 7.0 which are considered the normal range."
"What if you are sleeping and your levels goes too low?"
"I start feeling hot, sweating really bad and it always wakes me up out of a sound sleep because I can't sleep if I'm too hot. And during the day when it starts dropping, my hands will start shaking, I start sweating and I may also be a little confused. But I always need to test because the symptoms can also be the same for high blood sugar."
"It sounds complicated," frowned Mac. "How long have you been a diabetic?"
"Ten years now."
"Have you been insulin dependant all along?"
"No, I've only been on insulin since January. Before it was controlled with diet and pills," explained Kelli. "I have to take an insulin injection now, is this going to bother you if I take it in front of you? I normally don't do it in front of anybody, but I think that someone other then me should know how to do it - in case of an emergency."
"I would feel more comfortable if I know how to help you in an emergency," reassured Mac - gazing into her eyes with a steady look. Kelli prepared her insulin injection, telling Mac the dosages required, where the syringes and insulin were stored, who watched calmly as she injected herself in her abdomen.
