Chap 8: Heat up

A/N: Aright, this chapter arrives a bit sooner but since I'll be on the road this weekend I tried to get this one done quickly, so I hope it works out.

To coolknight, and MacStellForever, thanks for your great review, I couldn't reply to you personally since you weren't logged, sorry, so here it is.

As for everyone who continuously reviews, again thanks a lot you all made my days more than once.

This story hasn't been beta-ed, so all mistakes are mine.

Summary: Sequel to JBH. Mac and Stella start to take things toward a common future while a deadly killer piles up body in NYC. Whole team whump, deadly game between killer the city and the team...

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, besides the characters I created for this story. CSI NY belongs to CBS and Jerry Bruckeimer.


"Detective Fincher is the lead, Sir," Mac heard Grant said. He stared bluntly at the guy in brown suit before him, who turned as if he was discovering that the whole crime scene was there.

Then, Fincher stopped his laugh, and turned toward Mac with a frown. "Something's wrong?" he asked the most natural way.

Something's wrong? Those small words rang inside Mac's head like a loud shotgun, and were enough to set him off. "Wrong?" He started, raising his voice. "You're Fincher! The lead on this case?" Mac asked in controlled anger, and not able to believe what he was just seeing. That guy? A lead detective? That had to be a joke. What the hell that guy was thinking?

Fincher grinned at the two cops beside him, and looked back at Mac with a smug face as if he was suddenly the best main attraction of the area, and was proud of it. "Yes, I am indeed the lead. Can I help you with something, Sir?" he said, trying to sound nice, though all Mac could see in his eyes were despicable pride, and arrogance.

Mac's face slowly turned crimson from anger, at the vision of the guy who thought that he had been crowned king. "Sure, you could help!" he yelled in controlled anger, his jaw clenched as he glared at Fincher. "By doing your damned job first! Instead of gossiping like a three year old!" His voice rose higher. From the corner of his eyes, Mac noticed that every cop presents at the scene had frozen at his tone, and was now watching them with interest. But he didn't care. That guy; Fincher, was a damned jerk! This was his crime scene! Damn it! And if there was a thing he couldn't bear, it was people not doing their job. And most of all, vomiting their stenchy poisonous words on women not even there to defend themselves. Gee, where was he? In kindergarten or what? Since when cops started to let the tyrotake the lead while they were bragging around like peacock?

"Who do you think you..." started Fincher, before being cut off by Mac cold voice. Fincher's face reddened, and his fists clenched at his side, assuming he was talking to a regular cop with a big, hero complex.

"You shut the hell up, Detective!" voiced Mac, almost sick of using a word that he cared with so much respect for a man like him. His blazing glare froze Fincher on the spot as the man clenched his jaw, realizing that maybe the guy in front of him was more than just a regular cop.

Fincher quickly glanced from the corner of his eyes, and noticed that every cop was looking at them, but none were surprised by the showdown of the man before him. Which meant that they probably knew the guy, and if none had moved to help him, he could deduce that he was probably facing some high brass. He swallowed and stared at the man that continued to voice before him. He didn't care who the guy was. He would get his ass if he had to; he had the strings for it. He stared back with an angry glare to Mac.

But Mac ignored the dark glare, and continued, his green, ocean eyes piercing furious darts of fire toward the man who pretended to be a cop, insulting the same way women and the badge he was wearing. "Now, since you're the lead..." Mac said, narrowing his eyes in threat, and his anger smoldering beneath each of his words. "You better get your ass moving, and do your damn job, or I swear I'll get you out of that case! Is that understood?" he finished, his blazing eyes not leaving that piece of jerk he had in front of him.

At Mac's words a small murmur traveled through the staring cops, a lot of them cringing, praying to never be in Fincher's position, and have to face the wrath of the Head of the Crime Lab.

Mac watched as Fincher's fists tightened at his sides, but the guy swallowed back his words and clenched his jaw in rage. His face was crimson from the rising anger obviously boiling inside, but Mac didn't care. He had never been nice to anyone when they were making conscious mistakes, and this guy obviously had no respect whatsoever for his job and the badge he was wearing. Badge, which had seen good cops die for it. And Mac wasn't ready to let go, for their sake, and out of respect for the cops who have given their life for it.

Mac turned toward the cops who were still watching them. "A human being is dead!" he voiced loudly, his anger still surfacing beneath his words. "And I expect some respect from any of you who are working on this case. Those who don't, will have to answer to me!" He threatened and turned back his gaze toward Fincher as several cops had nodded vigorously to signal him that they totally agreed with him.

Mac sighed inwardly. At one point, he had almost feared that the band here, was on the same wavelength than Fincher, but obviously, some real cops were still here doing their work.

"Why are you still waiting here, Detective third grade Fincher?" spoke Mac, his voice loud but not yelling this time. His blazing ocean eyes glared at Fincher not moving. "Do you need me to teach you how to handle a witness?" He quipped, but his words didn't make him laugh. He was pissed off by this guy, who pretended to be a cop.

Fincher's fists untied and clenched slowly as if he was about to jump at Mac's throat. But Mac knew the guy had no nerve for that. He was a coward; he had made him the minute his wimpy sight had crossed his. This guy was a pretender; arrogant and bragging about a lot of things. Sure, he would stab you in the back if he could, but not face to face. That guy wouldn't stand one minute in boot camp, his mind added. Mac kept staring at Fincher as a second passed, then another one and his anger soared. But then, Fincher, probably realizing that he would never have the upper hand with Mac, finally stepped aside and nodded slowly toward Mac.

"I'm on it." He glared angry knives at Mac, and made a sign at the two cops with him to come with him.

With a deep sigh, Mac stared at their backs as they passed the yellow tapes and headed to the coffee shop, where should be waiting their main witness. As he turned toward a stunned Grant, he didn't notice the deadly looks that Fincher continued to send him.

"So what about that suit, Detective Grant?" he asked, his voice low and softened toward the young cop, who had managed to do the work of a lead without the knowledge, or even the title attached to it. And that too, was making Mac sick. That guy, Fincher, was even using his colleagues to do his job. Damn it! He'd better do as he had asked, or for sure he would have his badge. His sight wandered around him, and he noticed that every cop had returned to their normal job giving him a slight nod as he crossed their looks, most of them acknowledging his behavior toward their colleague.

"Huh?" answered Grant, still perplexed and wondering why he was taking no heat at all. But then, seeing that Mac wasn't angry after him, the young cop pulled himself together. "It's in the truck, Sir," he said with a small smile tugging at his lips, and his hand pointing to a truck parked near the yellow tape.

xxx

Fincher glanced at Mac as the detective was heading toward a truck to change. Fincher turned toward his friends. "Who's this guy?"

"Are you out of your mind, Finch!" replied one of the cops. "It's the hard ass Mac Taylor. He's the Head of the Crime Lab!"

Fincher glared at his friend. "So you think I'm scared of him, Carl?"

"No, no, Finch, but you better do what he ordered you. He's not one you wanna mess with," warned Carl.

"Yeah, well, he doesn't know me. And I can tell you he's gonna regret to have talked to me like that!" spit Fincher in dark anger.

"Just saying, Finch. Even the Chief of Detectives goes lightly to talk to him. Everybody knows he's not one to mess with."

"Then we will see," quipped Fincher. "I'm starting to get fed up of these scientists that think they could do a man's job."

"Well in this case Finch you should know that Taylor was a marine. I tell ya man, don't mess with him."

"You prefer to mess with me?" replied Fincher angrily as he coldly glared at Carl.

Carl frowned and shook his head in denial, before he glanced at the other cop with them. "You know I'll be with you man. Just be careful with this guy. You can't play him like the others."

"Yeah," continued the second cop. "This one is tough. You can't take him un a fair play."

"Who said I'll play fair?" huffed Fincher as he narrowed his eyes, and glanced back at the owner of the restaurant standing a few feet from him. Yes he would be careful with this Taylor guy; and when he would make his move, he wouldn't let him the time to defend himself. One way or another, he would get him on his knees for what he had just done today. Surely, he would have some good use of his father for that.

xxx

Shuffling his feet on the tiles of the 35th floor, Danny looked around in hopes of finding his wife. It was due past lunch time and since he was done with Derek Hackles, he had thought that he could get a small break with her. Of course, he had already kept Mac in the loop. His boss' hypothesis had been right, again. He smiled, well as always with Mac. As the doctor had examined Derek, he had concluded that his recent loss of hair couldn't be natural, and that the kid needed to remain in observation, at least until they knew exactly what he had. Though they had confirmed that his state was close to a poisoning by thallium sulfate, but they still needed the tests result to be sure.

Danny's lips tightened. The kid's face had turned white as a sheet when he had realized that Mac was right, and he had shaken Danny's hand, thanking him and Mac for taking care of him this way. He had been so happy that he had even sworn that he would drop his gambling, and would make his life right. It was fate he had said. A sign from God that he had to change his life, that he had a second chance. Danny shook his head. He wasn't sure it was really God's work, but he was sure that the kid's would have died in pain if Mac hadn't noticed the symptoms. He sighed, his thoughts bringing him back to their previous talk about fate, and Mac's last date. But before he could think more about it, a warm voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Hey Messer! What are you doing here?" teased the warm voice.

He grinned. "Looking for my wife? Is she ready to get a lunch outside?" He smiled at Lindsay.

"Ah Danny, I wanted to get lunch with Stella, she seems a bit out since this morning, and..." Lindsay replied, her eyes worried.

"Don't talk anymore, Montana. I can cheer up Stella as well." His smile lighted his face.

"You don't mind?" said Lindsay, her brows rose in content.

"Of course, I don't. Where is she?"

"She's already at Manny's. She said she had something to check."

Danny smiled, and snaked an arm around her waist as they headed toward the lift. "How was your mornin'?"

"Well, we got some information, but wasn't much." Lindsay gently leaned against her husband. "Fincher didn't find a lot of witnesses."

Danny quirked his brows. "Fincher?"

"Yeah, he's the lead detective on this case," replied Lindsay with a small pout. "Though he doesn't seem really competent. Until now we only got few reports from him." She sighed.

"Ah, you don't like him," he said as the lift took them downstairs.

She offered Danny a small smile as she pressed her face against his strong chest since they were alone in the lift. "Is that obvious?"

He smiled and she frowned lightly. "Well, he kinda pissed off Stella, and I don't really like the way he glared at her."

"Who are you?" asked Danny, bewildered. "What did you do to my wife?"

"What?" she exclaimed with a small grin. "No, Danny, it's not funny. There's a thing I can't stand with this guy. He's arrogant, bragging and well, just the opposite of you," she concluded with a sheepish smile.

"Ah, I see. I understand now why you don't like him. Though I don't want you to like any other men than me. Even if they look a bit like me." He faked a small frown, but then his face turned into a mischievous smile.

She smirked lightly. "You mean, besides our friends of course," she finished with a warm smile.

He smiled gently. "Yeah, of course."

As they arrived downstairs, they quickly crossed the busy, crowded street, and entered Manny's restaurant. A lots of people were pressing at the counter to get their orders to go, but for once the CSI team had decided to settle in for a while. After passing the counter, they quickly spotted Stella in a small booth, staring at her cell phone, a grim look painted on her face.

The minute her friends' voices entered her brain, Stella put her phone back in her pocket, and she faked a gentle smile though the heart wasn't really there. Waiting for Lindsay, she had re-read Mac's previous message, with the feeling that there was really something trying to keep them apart. She sighed thinking at Mac's words.

really sorry Stell

can't make it

would amend tonight

love you

Mac

Now she could really imagine what he had felt the previous day, when she had herself canceled their dinner. A feeling of gloom had slowly swallowed her, and taking a deep breath, she had tried to focus her mind on his older messages, even re-reading them to keep her strong and feel less alone than when he was absent like that. The job was the job, right? And until then, as friend they had always found time to talk, and have dinner, or lunch together, and this week shouldn't have been different, but it was. It seemed they had less time for each other during the day. Of course, it could be only a rushing week, but deep down, she couldn't help but wonder if it was going to last to bug them and their new relationship. She sighed, though this way they could show to anyone if needed that they had put their job first, and not their relationship, considering the few minutes they were able to find for each other. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Though she couldn't deny that spending her evenings with him was quite rewarding after the day they were spending alone. And they obviously spent more time this way than their previous friendship. So maybe it was only her; she wanted more time with Mac too soon.

Her lips tight, Stella finally looked at Lindsay, and noticed Danny behind her. Danny? Her mind reacted immediately. If Danny was here, then, it meant that Mac had returned too. Her hopes went up when her friends sat across her, and her eyes shaved quickly through the crowd hoping to see Mac following them. But when Danny and Lindsay started to talk, and she didn't see the loving face of her partner showing up, she realized that once again, their plans had crashed. She sighed, and offered a quick smile at her friends as the waitress came to take their orders and left.

"How was your day, Danny?" she asked, hoping this way he would give her some news about Mac.

"Ah, ya know, we're still chasing a ghost who poisoned our vic, and we got no real lead for the moment. So Mac's not in his better day with this case, and this morning, one of our suspects turned out to be poisoned too." He sighed and shook his head. "Thanks to Mac, he's now at the hospital for a full checkup."

Stella nodded. Yep, their case seemed pretty hard. "And you came back right away after the medics took care of your guy?" Maybe Danny would tell her where was Mac, then.

He grinned. "No, Mac dropped me off at the hospital with the kid, so I had to take the subway to come back here." He shook his head. "Seems the cases are piling up this week, and he got a new one on his back."

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well, Mac was called to Brooklyn for a DOA," he replied playing with his napkin. He sighed. "Yeah, just when we were about to leave. And I can tell by the look in his eyes that he wasn't happy about it."

"What you mean Danny?" asked now Lindsay intrigued.

He smiled mischievously. "Well, ya know, I think Mac had other plans. I saw him texting, and all, and I'm pretty sure it was to his weekend date seeing his face smiling."

"His weekend date?" enquired Stella, her eyebrows rose in wonder. Was it how the team was calling them? Weekend date?

"Yeah, he said he met her at a barbecue some time ago, and then bumped into her at the exit of a subway." Danny grinned as he glanced at Lindsay. "He seemed pretty into her, if ya wanna know. I mean he admitted he had noticed her at that barbecue but never went forward for different reasons." Danny chuckled." But ya know Mac had probably a lot of work that day or another emergency." He smiled at the two women. "Though if ya wanna my point of view, I think our Mac is in love." Danny grinned, and suddenly his face turned blue feeling the harsh kick his wife had given him in the shin. He frowned, and looked at her, stunned. His eyes glared at her a silent: what was that for?

"In love," repeated Stella, trying to hide her emotions flooding her being.

A sheepish smile tugged at her lips. She remembered a barbecue like that. But it was almost ten years ago, and she had thought that he had barely noticed her at the time. As her eyes had crossed his path that day, she had felt her heart skipped in her chest, mesmerized by his handsome face and his shining eyes changing from green to blue as to hypnotize her. From afar, she had wondered who he was. She had worked for two years for the NYPD and had never noticed him before, although she had to admit that New York was a big city, but she had enough relation skills to know a lot of people in this city, and Mac wasn't one of them. So at the time she had deduced that he had just arrived, and in fact she was right. But as both had been there for their mutual friends, she had just remained away when she had learned that he was married.

Her eyes lost her focus as she remembered what had happened a few months later, and instantly a mischievous smile spread over her lips. They had literally bumped into each other in front of One Police Plaza, and she could even say that bump had been the beginning of their friendship. His first words to her had been 'sorry' and he had given her his famous, charming smile with an apologetic look. Gee, if she hadn't known better she would have melted right in front of him, but it wasn't in her character and she had smiled back warmly, saying that she was accustomed to male awkward bump. She smiled, which had valued her Mac's inquiring and worrying stare immediately. She shook her head. Thirty seconds with her and he had already been worried about her. She sighed deeply. Nope, she wasn't going to change that side of him, always worrying for the other, and not concerned about himself.

She smiled inwardly. So, he had noticed her at the same time she had? How unexpected was that. She had never really forgotten that day for it was the first time she had seen him, and well she must admit had fallen for him at the first second too. But she had never thought he would remember it too, nor that he had engraved the memory of their first look among the crowded house at that barbecue. Inside, she felt her heart warming at the thought. As he had confessed at the Falls, he had really felt something for her since the end of time. She sighed inwardly, wanting more than ever to see him right now, to wrap her arms around his warm neck, and... Oh c'mon, Stell, it's harder if you think like that, pleaded her mind. Yep, but it was so much what she wanted right now; to feel his strong arms around her, that she could rest her face against his chest, and rest in his warm embrace. Quietly, she lingered in these thoughts as her friends looked at her with concern.

"Good job," whispered Lindsay to Danny, seeing how Stella seemed out of reach once again. "I thought you said you'd cheer her up? Not depress her!"

Danny gave her a sheepish look, and mouthed a small sorry as they orders arrived and the three started eating in a growing silence. The young couple exchanged knowing glances as Stella remained quiet part of the lunch, her thoughts obviously very far from the restaurant, even when Danny started in the latest joke about Lucy, which usually garnered him at least a smile from the people around. So by the end of the meal, the couple was convinced of one thing: whoever was occupying her mind was pretty damn important to keep her so away from them.

xxx

Mac took a small breath as he climbed down the improvised ladder leading to the rumbling waters below him. He was glad they were in the middle of July as the East River was a bit warmer this way. He clenched his jaw as his body sank slowly into the dark, and cold, stenchy waters, and froze instantly. Well maybe not so warm after all, his mind corrected, as the cold liquid slowly seeped inside his diving suit. Suppressing a shiver, his left hand clung firmly at the last bar of the ladder, preventing his body to be thrust with force against the wall a few feet from the grid. But the waters were rolling with force, and after ten seconds in the water, his head had been submerged twice. He sighed, spilling the cold liquid that tried to invade his mouth. His left hand supporting his weight, and helping him to remain at the surface of the moving waters, Mac peered at the grid that the divers had started to unlock. He could see where the hinges had been cut by the cops, making it easy now to open. He shook his head, at least, they hadn't touched at the body. Attached by a rope around his waist, he glared at the pieces of garbage floating around him and swam toward the grid wrinkling his nose. He huffed lightly, thankful for the suit protecting his body, though he knew that he wasn't protected against the microscopic life living in this kind of waters; the nasty waters having already invaded the inside of his suit to keep him warm. He cringed inwardly at the stench invading his nose, and sighed.

The stream was strong, and after few minutes of efforts, he regretted to have to plunge his head under the water to keep going; the rumbling flow constantly thrusting him from one side to another, and dangerously pulling him far from the bank. Though, when he resurfaced quickly, it was with the nasty impression that his hairs and body, would require at least a week of body wash to get cleaned up again. He pouted and finally made it to the entrance of the sewer, his hands clinging firmly at the grid not to be crushed against it by the the strong, rolling waves.

He climbed up at the rope attached against the grid. Then, tightening his legs around the rope, he stared at his vic below. This way he could see that the corpse still inside the sewer, was tangled up into some kind of net, and was pushed back and forth by the waves against the grid. Part of the clothing of his vic was torn, leaving exposed the white, bluish flesh beneath it. At first glance his vic was a guy, and he seemed he had remained in the water for few days already. But Sid would give him more details. Pressing on the tip of his penlight, Mac lighted the deep shadow of the mouth of the dark sewer to see what was behind the corpse. Something was floating with his vic. Some kind of bag and it seemed attached to his vic by one foot, but he would have to get closer to be really sure that both were tied together. He frowned, looking more closely at the wall of the sewer, and he noticed scraps on the mushy, green sludge covering the walls, and fragments of what appeared to be pieces of his vic's clothing as well. He shook his head. He had been right to get wet for that. These were pieces of evidence that could be useful, and would have been lost if the grid had been opened too soon. Damn that Fincher guy, his mind growled. He hoped that jerk was going to do the work he had asked, otherwise he would have no trouble to get him out of his case.

Carefully, he opened the grid and trudged inside the sewer. His stomach quickly heaved as the full stench was awful there. Instinctively, he brought his wet hand to his mouth, trying to suppress his growing disgust. Then, he started to wade to his vic, his slow arm movements pushing away all the nasty things floating, and lingering between the black waters, and around his chest. Hopefully, the level of the water here would remain to his chest's level, and he wouldn't have to worry to swim through this disgusting liquid. He pouted, though, having that nasty, filthy garbage floating over his elbows wasn't much better but at least it avoided his neck and face and he was glad for that.

Approaching his vic, and taking his waterproof camera hanging to his right shoulder, Mac started to process the crime scene. Which to his mind was only the finale place his vic had ended. The odds that his vic had been murdered somewhere, and then dumped here, being more probable, than dying right here on the spot. He sighed and glanced at his waterproof watch as he raised his wrist over the nasty waters. Past noon. For a second, his mind wondered how Stella was doing. He hoped she had the time to take a decent lunch, and she hadn't skipped it because of him. His lips tight in remorse, he made a mental note to check on her later that she wasn't taking his bad habits, and then he took another shot of his vic.

Mac sighed again sadly. Seeing the scene and the constant move of the waves thrustingthe body against the grid, he was going to spend some time here. Hopefully, Hawkes would show up soon. He had called him a few minutes ago, and two to work was always better and helped to be thorough. He glanced at the entrance of the sewer from where he had come. The East River was reflecting the sad grey atmosphere of this day, and the fact he was standing in a pool of stenchy, gruesome garbage, and had missed a nice lunch with Stella, wasn't really helping to improve his mood. Adding to that a pain in the ass like Fincher, and he was wanting more than anything for this day to end. At least, he was sure that tonight he would have some time off with Stella, and that, among the chaos surrounding him, was his only anchor for peace today.

xxx

Her eyes glued to the screen, she sighed. Two hours of footage wasn't easy to go through, and checked every ID. Stella cursed, wondering why that hotel had taped his customers entering, and had never spent the extra money to have a time code on their damned old tapes. Though that thing wouldn't have really helped her as Stella had to check every face, and print them in any case they had witnessed anything.

She shook her head. Sid had been able to determine Parker's TOD and from there, and judging by the blood loss, they had come up with a short time frame when the killer had probably come. She sighed, although, as the guy could have been waiting for Parker, she still had a lot of hours to check just in case he had waited for sometime, hidden in a dark corner before doing his dark deed. She tightened her lips, wondering what Mac was up to with his new case. As if only one wasn't enough to keep him busy and far from her already. She sighed and glanced through the glass panel towards his office. At least, if he showed up, she would have a good view of his office, and wouldn't miss him this time. She smiled. She had chosen her lab to be sure not to miss him, and well, it wasn't against the rule to get a small break once in a while in case he shows up, right?

As another face appeared in the hall of Parker's building, she froze the image and printed it. Until now, no guy wearing a baseball caphad showed up.

"Hey, Stella. How does it go?" called Lindsay as she entered the small lab, and looked at the screen before Stella.

Stella sighed, and Lindsay smiled warmly. "Nothing kiddo. I hope you'll have better luck with the glass."

Her friend nodded. "I was on my way to analyze the samples we got." Lindsay tightened her lips, thinking. Seeing how Stella was tensed and sighing, something more than just boring tapes was bugging her. "You got news from your date?" she tried with a mischievous grin.

Stella shook her head. She wasn't expecting her friend to be as enquiring as that. She sighed. "You know there's always a time for everything, and right now it's the job, Linds." She let out a weak sigh, and stared gently at Lindsay. "Sorry, Linds, but I don't want to talk about it," she finally said softly. No her new relationship with Mac was just too new and somehow complicated and, she only wanted to see Mac right now.

Mac wasn't there, and having no news from him was somehow making her nervous, knowing his ability to walk where even angels fear to tread. Though, deep inside, she knew he was okay. Call it gut instinct, but she just knew it. And after all, Sheldon had gone to join him when they were at lunch, which meant he wasn't alone. She tightened her lips. As long as Flack wasn't calling her like the other day, to tell her that he was being rushed to the ER, then everything should be fine. She glanced at Lindsay with a small pout. Gently, Lindsay patted her shoulder, before she left with a tight smile.

Stella sighed. She had really felt her heart break that day when Flack had called, saying that Mac had fallen from several stories, and was barely conscious when he was taken by the ambulance. Her eyes closed a second letting her old fears passed through her, and her anxiety to subside. But he was okay now, though he still had a tough time with his stitches from his other showdown defending her, but she intended to make sure that he would be okay for a longer time than just a few weeks this time.

Her hand stopped again the pictures, freezing the image. There on the screen, appeared a man wearing a long black jacket, and a baseball hat. She knew that with the hat, he could be their killer, and with his long jacket it was even more suspicious considering the heat the city had been in the last week; and a coat like that could help hide any weapons. She frowned as she tried to magnify the image but only come up with more pixels, and a partial side of his face, the rest hidden by his baseball hat.

She cursed and printed the image she had before she continued her search. She had to be sure that no other man with a baseball hat had entered that building, and like a small kick to her assumptions, two entries later another man appeared on the screen with a baseball hat too. Though this time, she could see a part of his face, and she had a pretty good image. But this one was just wearing a small green t-shirt, and a pair of jeans. She shook her head as she printed his pictures too. She had hoped to find their suspects quickly, and now was ending up with two. Hopefully, those were good leads.

Quickly, she glanced at Mac's office to note with gloom that it was still empty. Her sight went back to the screen, her face grim and hoping he would be back soon.

xxx

He shuffled his feet as he exited the lift, and quickly glanced toward Stella's office. Mac sighed as it was desert again. It was becoming regular for them to check on each other, and never find them. His shoulders sagged wearily as he made his way toward his office, hoping not to be disturbed. Tiredly, he hanged his jacket, and checked his messages on his computer. Among all his messages; two were from Sinclair about his last reports and three were from various labs requiring his signature for new tools or to agree with a new process. He let out a frustrated sigh. He was tired, and to add to his screwed up day, he was still smelling the awful stench from the sewer. Pissed off, he exited his office in the intent of getting a real shower to take that stench off his skin, his last crime scene nowhere equipped to get one.

"Hey Boss?" called Adam as soon as he was out of his office.

Mac closed his eyes as he stopped in the middle of the corridor. "Yes, Adam," answered tiredly Mac, as he turned a weary sight toward the young lab tech. His hands wearily came to rest on his hips, hoping Adam would be fast, but again his young friend got easily distracted and was taking his time to express himself.

"Wow Boss," exclaimed Adam,. "You look beat."

"Thanks, Adam," replied Mac with irony. "Anything else I should know?"

Adam raised his brows and bit his lower lip. "Huh? Yes, the hospital called to confirm that your suspect, Derek Hackles, was poisoned by thallium sulfate like your vic." Adam gave a sheepish look at Mac.

Mac nodded. "Thanks," he said, and then turned to get back to his previous destination, but stopped with a sigh when Adam called him again. Gee, what again? "What else, Adam?" This time he was running out of patience.

Adam wrinkled his nose, looking at Mac with an amused expression. "Wow, you smell that? That's awful! It's like baby's poop mixed with rotting corpse or... Really..." But Adam's voice died out when he crossed Mac's impatient glare.

Mac took a deep breath. "Adam!" He uttered a bit loudly, trying to make him understand that if he had something important to tell, he should now, because he was running out of patience.

Adam took a serious look as he realized the smell was coming from right in front of him, from his boss actually. "Huh, I... I..." He frowned, and when he saw Mac's sighing again, he came to the conclusion that he was right about the smell. "I got the results back from the note that you found in Marlyn's wallet." He looked at the small note he was holding. "The phone number belongs to a rented cell phone. I'm still looking for a name, sorry, Boss." He showed the pad to Mac, which nodded. "The paper is very common, though I found some strange traces on the paper, but for the moment I haven't really found out what it was. It's some kind of chemical I haven't seen before, but I still have to search through our database."

"Home made," added Mac mostly for himself.

'Huh? Yeah, could be. Why you…" asked Adam, trying to understand his boss.

Mac nodded, ignoring Adam's question. He would answer later. "Leave that on my desk, Adam. Is that all?" he asked trying to sound less impatient than he was, and hoping to escape for a well deserved shower without being stopped again. Though it wasn't Adam's fault if Mac was that pissed off. He ground his teeth. No, that guy Fincher, had definitely concurred to screw up his day. Out of the water and his vic en route for Sid's morgue, it was Grant who had come to tell him that Fincher had gone to the precinct to finish his reports, and that he would give his report ASAP to Mac. Mac shook his head that guy had made his way out of his crime scene without giving him the elements seen by the witness or the neighbor and that too wasn't part of the process. But deep inside, Mac knew the guy had probably done it in purpose to piss him off, which he had to admit was working. His hand rubbed lazily at his messy damp hair, and he gave a tired look to Adam.

"Huh, yeah, Boss." Adam bit his lower lip. "Is that smell coming from you, Boss?" asked candidly Adam. His eyes widened as Mac rolled his eyes. "Huh, I don't imply that you stink boss, I wouldn't dare to say something like that, even if you..." his voice trailed off as he closed his mouth, and watched Mac leaving with a small shake of his head and a shrug. Adam pouted, and his sight lingered down to the tiles before, he decided to head to his lab, and buried himself there for the rest of the day; or at least far enough not to be found by Mac. Because he had the feeling that right now, his boss was in controlled anger mode, and honestly he didn't want to be on the other side when Mac would really snap.

xxx

Stella sighed heavily as her neck was aching after watching all these tapes, sending a small headache piercing up her temples. Right now, she would have liked to feel strong, warm hands to unwind her shoulders. Well, strong hands belonging to Mac, of course, she smiled, and glanced back towards his office. Empty again, her mind voiced sadly. She was about to close the computer, her work done when she looked back something having attracted her sight. She frowned, and stared at the hangerwhere she could see Mac's jacket. She raised her brows in disbelief. If his jacket was there it meant... Oh no, he was there and had left. She gave a small Greek curse, and exited the small lab, quickly heading toward Mac's office, and looking more closely inside. Empty! Damn it! Mac where are you? Her eyes quickly shaved the corridors, and she spotted Adam talking with another technician. Then, the man left, and she ambled toward Adam, hoping that maybe he had seen her elusive partner.

"Adam?" she called.

The young lab tech smiled as he saw Stella heading his way. "What's up, Stella?" he smiled, but quickly lost his composure when he noticed her frown. "Something's wrong?"

"You can say it like that. I'm looking for Mac for my case, and he seems he has vanished," she said with a deep sigh.

"Ah not vanish, Stella. I saw the boss few minutes ago. He was heading to the locker room." He grinned like a kid. "I think it had to do with the smell."

Her eyes widened. "The smell?"

"Ha, just..." his voice trailed off. He bit his lower lip. "Mac didn't say a lot, but I think his last case happened in a sewer. I got Hawkes on a phone a minute ago, and he was with Sid and their vic. He said something, like him, taking a shower other there, and that Mac was probably glad too to be back too for that same reason. So I guess Mac and he, being at the same place..."

"Okay, thanks Adam. I guess I'll have to wait then," she said a bit frustrated.

Adam smiled. "Sorry, Stella."

"Ah, it can wait a couple more minutes anyway," she said. No it can't, her mind whined in a silent plea to see her partner.

Stella watched with a tight smile as Adam turned at the corner, and disappeared. At least, he had confirmed her assumptions: Mac was back. She smiled mischievously as an idea formed in her mind. Her eyes gleaming with a renewed strength, she strode with a grin toward her destination, knowing that this time, if fate was keeping them apart well, she would make sure it wasn't for long.

xxx

He sighed, delighting at the warm water sliding, and dripping lazily on his tensed body. For a moment Mac wished he was home. He smiled, realizing that thinking about home his mind had instinctively pictured Stella's apartment for an unknown reason. Tiredly, he rubbed his face, closing his eyes, and focusing his mind on Stella's sleeping face he had printed in his mind this morning. If he had been home, he would sure have enjoyed the warm waters, knowing that she wasn't far away; but she wasn't. His lips tight, his mind drifted back to the harsh reality, and he decided to get out as quickly as possible. Maybe this way, he would have the chance to cross her path today, and apologize for the missed lunch.

Proceeding to wash his body with a much needed soap, he tried to work fast since he still had a lot of work to do too, and tonight he wanted to be sure that their plans would work. For a second, he let his senses breathe the soft smell of the soap, slowly replacing the disgusting stench of the sewer that had stuck to his skin even after he had slipped off his diving suit. Unfortunately for him, his crime scene hadn't been equipped for a quick shower, well none were anyway. He sighed. And with diving suits, water always poured into it to allow the suit to really protect its bearer from the cold environment. But this time, he had to admit he had really regretted that, considering the thick, stinking, gruesome things that floated there. His stomach heaved at the memory, and although he had kept a straight face there with Sheldon, it didn't mean that he had liked wadding in these thick, nasty waters. He closed his eyes, and plunged his hairs covered in white foam under the warm flow. Slowly, he felt his muscles trying to relax as he let the warm flow coursing through his hairs and face. It felt good and with his crazy day, for once he appreciated the small peace given. Though his only regret was that he hadn't seen Stella yet. He pouted, and knowing his amount of work, he didn't linger too long, and quickly stepped out of the water. Wrapping his white towel over his hips, he headed to his locker. His body still wet dripped water as his bare feet hit on the light, blue tiles of the locker room.

"Wow, I knew my patience would be rewarded," quipped Stella's smiling voice behind him.

Mac turned, surprised as he noticed his partner leaned against the wall, her arms crossed before her and a broad grin creasing her face. His cheeks reddened at the unconventional state he was before her. Although he had a towel to cover the lower parts of his body, his chest was bare, and he couldn't suppress his face from blushing, even though she had seen his bare chest these last days. But yet, he had to get used to it.

"Stella," his warm voice answered, a smile instantly grazing his lips, and his mouth delighting in the feeling of her name when he was uttering it aloud. Finally this crazy day was lighted by the most beautiful woman in the world.

"Hey, Handsome," she teased as she stepped away from the wall and walked toward him. Her eyes slowly went up and down, caressing his firm, and glistening body. Her core warming at his well-built body offered only to her pryingeyes.

Mac swallowed his nervousness, his heart skipping in his chest. He quickly glanced behind him to check if there was anyone but them. It wasn't that he was afraid of being surprised, after all, Stella and he had changed in the locker room a lot of time, but it was just that, considering their new relationship, he wanted to be sure that he would be able to act with her without being confined to a professional behavior; especially after this tough day. No, right now he wanted more than anything to wrap his arms around her, and well, even doing more than just that. He smiled inwardly.

Stella smiled at Mac's anxiety, which she had to admit was turning her on even more. "Relax, Mac," she answered quickly, reading his silent question and wanting to put him at ease. "I locked the door, and left the signal from the cleaning crew outside." Her eyes rose with a mischievous smile.

His smile widened at her words and his brows rose mischievously. "Sorry for lunch," he said as she stopped right before him, and he offered her a pout of remorse.

Her mischievous smile grew over her lips, and her hand gently cupped his left, wet cheek. Their eyes locked, both sparkling from their shared love. "Oh I'm sure I can find something to make you amend for that," she teased gently as her fingers caressed his cheek, and gently slid behind his damp neck. With a warm smile, her face closed the distance to his, pulling him down.

A growing smile grazed his face as her lips tenderly brushed his before their warmth breath mixed together, and their lips crushed for a much needed kiss.

Slowly, her arms snaked around his naked, wet chest, her fingers delighting in the soft caress of his humid skin under her touch, and the exhilarating perfume of his fresh shampoo.

He moaned weakly the moment her gentle caresses, brushing his sides, sent sparkles of electricity through his body. Pulling her against him, Mac wrapped his arms around her, delighting in the comforting presence of her warm body. As they finally broke the long kiss, his face rubbed softly at her cheek, and leaned tiredly in the crook of her neck, his arms still wrapped around her.

"I've missed you today," he whispered to her ear, as he closed his eyes tiredly, and let his senses lingering in her sweet, floral perfume.

Stella smiled, feeling his tensed shoulders relaxing in her arms, and his body leaning to hers. With delight, she gently stroke his back, smiling at each new shiver she felt running under her fingers. "I love you, Mac," she replied tenderly.

He let out a small sigh of content, and tightened his hold around her. "I'm glad you found me," he muttered before he broke their embrace to lock his green, ocean pools into her sparkling emeralds.

Her smile widened. "I would find you even if you were on another planet, Mac," she stated with love as her hand softly brushed his hair back, her thumb lingering over his hairline.

His eyes gleamed mischievously at her words, and he leaned to her face. Smiling broadly, his lips teased hers, softly brushing them, and then, he slowly crushed them. Deepening the kiss, he played with her tongue, and was rewarded by her low moans, and her arms gently tightening around his chest. His heart was beating fast, and he let his hands wandered down her back, feeling his own core burning now. He delighted in the soft curves of her body, and heard her with delight muttering his name through moans of delight. Fire increased in his core as his desire grew stronger, and his breath become short. Gently, caressing her sides, he felt her arched in his arms as she whispered his name, and she tightened her hold around him with more strength. His mind was slowly falling into a delightful blur of desire and, he had to take a long breath to get his senses back. Mac smiled warmly, and finally broke the contact of their burning bodies, knowing that they were heating up too fast, and especially not in the place he wanted for a first time with her.

With a hint of regret, Stella felt his arms leaving her body as he stepped back, out of breath. She smiled seeing his flushed face, and the shy look lingering between his turquoises' eyes. His warm hand covered tenderly her cheek while his thumb gently stroked her skin. His lips tightened in remorse. She could see worries behind Mac's eyes. She nodded slowly, silently telling him that she understood why he had stopped, and that she was fine. He was right, the lab wasn't the best place for this kind of moment, especially in working hours, and for a first time. She was glad at Mac's considerations for her. She could see, and feel that he was more than turned on, and was struggling inside not to act on his impulse. Any other of her ex would have acted no matter what, and then, they would have said how sorry they were afterwards. But not Mac. Even if she regretted his brain coming in the way sometimes, she knew that this kind of consideration came from his heart, and his love for her.

She took a small step back, and her hand softly nestled against his cheek. With content, she saw his face leaning against her fingers, his eyes lighted by a warm smile reserved only for her. "Need a nurse?" She asked with a warm smile.

Mac raised his brows, as her words slowly sank into his tired brain. He followed her gaze as she was looking down at his stitches, and smiled. "I might need a helping hand," he replied warmly.

She smiled back. "Don't move." Her hand softly lingered over his scar, and then went down to the crook of his naked chest. Gracing him of a mischievous grin, she left to go to her locker. She pulled out a small medkit from it and winked playfully.

He frowned. "When did you get that?" He wondered with an amused smile. It was unusual to keep a medkit in a locker, especially if you weren't a doctor.

She smiled as she sat on the bench before his locker, and patted the place beside hers. With a smile, she saw Mac complied, and striding the bench, sitting in a way to give her complete access to his chest, and hiding anything that needed to be with his towel.

"I thought it would come in handy with my new boyfriend," she quipped as she opened the small bag, and Mac grinned at her comment. Quickly, she pulled out a tube of healing ointment and grabbed the disinfectant. Biting her lower lip, she stared at his stitches, which had started to heal in a better way this time. Gently, she spread the disinfectant on it.

"I heard you had a rough day," she said, breaking the silence lingering between them as her eyes were sadly glued to his wounds.

He sighed for the first time in her presence. "Just had to take a bath in a non-so-clean water." Stella raised a worried gaze to him. He gently gazed at her emeralds before he answered her silent question. "My vic was floating at the exit of a sewer."

"A sewer? Mac?" She swallowed, feeling her worries rising up again. If he had been in such a biohazard place, he shouldn't just take a shower. His wounds were still opened, and could easily get infected. "I..." She frowned, and bit her lower lip. "Mac, I put disinfectant, but maybe you should see Shen. He could give you something in case of infection. I mean, you're not healed, and the things in this kind of water are pretty nasty and very aggressive most of the time, you..."

Mac smiled warmly, and gently cupped her hands in his, which made her words died in her throat as she locked her eyes with his intense dazzling stare. "I'm okay Stell. I took a shower, and with your help, I know I'll be fine. I can't be in better hands," he quipped, offering her his charming smile, and gently squeezing her hands.

Her lips tight, she nodded. " 'kay," she let out. She knew how stubborn he was, and creating an argument right now, when he looked so tired, and needed her help, wouldn't have helped him to get better. She sighed softly.

Mac was happy Stella was there with him right now. But he didn't want her to worry for so little than his scratches. He would heal properly, and all of this would soon become a bad memory. He watched, as she carefully put some healing ointment over his wounds, her fingers slowly rubbing the raw skin around the black stitches. He bit his lower lip, trying to control his burning desire soaring every time she was gently touching him like that, or when her warm breath caressing his bare skin was sending chills along his spine. After a minute, she was done, and he was wearing a fine, white, clean dressing around the bottom of his chest.

"Thanks," he muttered as she was stuffing everything back in the bag. He stared at her with tenderness as she stood up, and put the bag in her locker.

She smiled warmly, and cupped his cheek with deep affection. "Anytime, Mac. Anytime." She could see that he was still tired just by the way his shoulders sagged forward, but his charming smile was back, and he looked better than few days ago. She smiled inwardly, enjoying for a few more seconds, his glistening body offered to her eyes.

He grinned at her words, feeling already his happy mood returning. And when, her hands slowly patted his naked shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze, he knew he would never forget this day. As it would be one more day that they have shared together.

Gracing him with a loving smile, Stella deposited a warm kiss over his temple and left the locker room. Silence echoed in the room, as Mac was finally alone, a broad smile of content gracing his lips, his eyes gleaming and shining from the magical moment they had shared. No, he would definitely not forget this day, his mind whispered in content.

TBC


A/N: Well, finally they're together in the middle of this crazy day. So hope you liked that part and that it worked well. As usual feel free to let me know what you thought of this, and have a great weekend.