Title: Complicated
Chapter 9 – Complications
A/N: Well I wasn't sure anyone would be reading for the next few days but wanted to update this for you all and hope that's okay.
Mac hears Sid's voice and immediately starts to lightly thrash about, his fingers frantically reaching for the safety release so that he can let himself out of his captive predicament before he literally dies of shame.
"Did I wake up Levi?" Sid's voice is heard again; Levi's frustrated cries calling out to Stella once more.
"Uh no. Sorry Mac is…"
"I just brought a few things for Levi," Sid stammers. "But I can come back…"
"You didn't have to bring all that Sid," Stella smiles, her heart racing at the thought of Mac handcuffed to their bed and the small chance that Sid might walk in on him.
"Well my grandson has since grown out of these things so I don't mind giving them to Reed and Mira to keep. And Alice insisted," Sid offers warmly. "But I can come back."
"Hold on a sec it might be Reed, we are expecting his call," Stella mentions as the phone rings.
But as luck would have it, the phone rings and Stella hurries to answer it, losing sight of Sid as he wanders down the hall toward the baby's room. Figuring that Mac was probably in the bathroom, Sid tells himself that if Stella was up Mac would be also. He comes to the two closed doors just as Levi takes a crying breather and so is at a conundrum on which to open.
But when he hears soft thrashing to his right, he slowly pushes the door open and then stops in shock; staring at the naked and handcuffed body of his boss, struggling to get free on the large bed.
Mac looks up and sees Sid appear in the doorway and feels his world crash to a complete halt. His naked body tenses and his fingers freeze on place, unable to find the quick release switch in his nervous condition.
"Oh god…" Mac groans in horror.
"Mac."
"Sid," Mac mostly whispers, his face the color of a red ruby.
"Safety release is usually under the furry tab."
"Right thanks," Mac frowns, thankful when Sid leaves, closing the door behind him and turning to gaze at a mortified Stella.
"You know I can come another day when you aren't experimenting," he chuckles as he heads for the door.
"Sid…" Stella tries in protest, Sid turning to her with a small smile; her heart about to give way.
"Mrs. Taylor there is no need to justify a sexual expression; especially to me. I think it's great and please assure our…well captive leader," he smirks, "that his secret is safe with me; it goes no further. However, also tell him that Kama Sutra book is on its way."
"Right thanks," Stella offers weakly.
"Personally I think it's about time you two had some real fun," he winks as he finally takes his leave; a happy smile adorning his experienced face as he heads for the elevator.
Stella locks the door and turns back to face the closed door to their bedroom and knows that her life might be forfeit for what just happened. She slowly heads toward the bedroom, her heart racing that Mac was going to be more than a little upset for allowing him to be so exposed or humiliated as he was.
Thankfully Levi had finally settled down, allowing her to slowly push the door open and gaze at Mac, still in the same place she left him; cuffs in tact.
"Mac I'm so sorry," she laments with a heavy frown as she hurries toward him, grabbing the key as she nears him.
"You know if had been anyone other than Sid, I would have feared the worst. I know he'll keep this to himself and not gossip out of respect."
"Y-you're not mad?" Stella stammers in shock.
"Well my heart is still racing and I might pass out. You know he actually told me where the quick release button was."
"And?"
"And I had to laugh," Mac smirks.
"Figures he would know," Stella just shakes her head. "And you. Do you want to stop?"
"No, I was having too much fun like this and am sorry if you thought that I would be mad."
"Mac I would never do anything on purpose to humiliate or embarrass you. You know that right?"
"I know that," he answers warmly. "I love you Stella."
"I love you too Mac," she whispers as she places the key on the bedside table, quickly discards her robe and gets back to where she was before they were interrupted. With Levi's crib now free of falling objects, the phone not going to be answered and the door closed, both of them can get back to what really matters – pleasing the other.
"Mmm love that," Mac groans as Stella's body starts to tease his once again.
"I agree," she pants softly their bodies now moving together as one as best they could with Mac still trapped beneath her. Her fingers gently claw into his sides, drawing the same soft bout of laughter that Levi's actions had produced earlier, bringing another smile to her lips.
"Seriously Mac, I love hearing you laugh."
Mac's face beams with the praise as they continue to make love; neither caring that they were now on overdraft when it came to the amount of energy consumption. They finally near the end, each calling the others name in one final gasp before they are still, Mac's arms finally freed, closing around Stella. But due to the tiring days and evenings events, it doesn't take long before both of them close their eyes and are asleep, thankful that tonight Reed wasn't going to call and that they would finally get the rest they both needed.
"Okay trust me I do miss our showering together," Stella mentions the next morning, coming into Levi's room to see Mac and the baby, "but your plan for us to shower at different times is less rushed."
"Morning," Mac smiles as she kneels down to him; Levi on a blanket on the floor playing with something. "You smell good."
"Morning," Stella replies, kissing him in return and smiling warmly. "You smell good too."
"Good morning Levi," Stella turns her attention back to the baby who manages to roll over and look up at her with an adoring smile, once again waving his arms for some loving motherly attention. Her fingers start to press down on his small belly and then make a walking motion up to his chin before softly pushing down on his tiny nose and starting again.
Mac takes in the absolute look of motherly love on Stella's face and feels his heart start to slow to a dull thud. It was hard to dampen her love for the child by being the constant reminder that Levi wasn't their son and would be going back to his parents. But he would also be lying if he said that the baby's presence wasn't affecting him in a paternal way as well; tugging at his own biological clock; a son that would carry the Taylor name after they were gone, a fine legacy to be proud of as his own father was.
"Mac? You have a faraway look," Stella notes softly
"Just like to see you happy," he mentions in haste.
"Nice try," she chides, not wanting to call him a liar in front of Levi; even in jest it wasn't right. "You can tell me."
"Just having him here," Mac pauses as he reaches out his hand for Levi to take. The baby eagerly grabs his finger and starts to gum it with his mouth as predicted. "Makes you think things that…"
"That are better left for your own mind to ponder?" Stella finishes.
"Something like that," Mac admits as he offers Levi a wide smile in return. But when he hears silence he looks up at Stella who is looking at him intently. "I guess it's something that we just put aside for now right?"
"Mac…" Stella starts, her voice laced with a hint of frustration.
"Stella I'm not wanting to rush you into such a serious discussion," he interrupts in haste. "That is not my intent at all. I guess I was just…thinking."
"I have been thinking as well Mac. I mean having him here with us…like this; us acting as parents, its hard not to be caught up in all this loving baby stuff and starting thinking about our own lives…"
"And what it would be like to have a child of our own," Mac sighs as he slowly rolls onto his back, looking up at the ceiling. "Stella, Reed got us into this situation. I mean we have almost put on hold getting to know each other better in favor of being substitute parents."
"And that has forced us to speed things up?"
"Or just put aside things we might normally have talked about without being…forced…" Mac's words slow as Levi crawls up to him and starts to explore the human obstacle in his way. "To think about this right now," Mac finishes with a frown. "I don't know what to do Stella."
"I don't either Mac," she admits with a soft tone as she picks up Levi and carefully places him on Mac's strong chest. Having left the camera on the change table, she reaches for it and then takes a picture of Levi with a wide grin looking down at Mac.
"But when he's like this," she pauses as her fingers gently fondle Levi's soft hair. "It's also hard not to think about it."
"Stella…"
"Just thinking Mac. I guess we should get ready for the day."
"We should," he echoes softly as she looks at him, locks eyes and smiles. But behind her emerald veneer he could see the battle constantly raging. She was falling in love with Levi but did that mean she wanted a child of her own? Or was she merely lamenting the fact that she never had loving past the age of two? He could assume but tells himself that when they have a quiet evening he'll sit down and ask her; wanting to know her future expectations for them before too much time passes or too much emotional investment is spent.
They finally get up off the floor, Mac taking Levi to change him for his outing, allowing Stella to get ready for the day. As he undresses Levi's slightly struggling body, his mind wanders to the suggestion of a baby shower. Part of him didn't want to put Stella through any more emotional turmoil but the other part reminds him that he can't be selfish as it would help out Reed and Mira.
"I need to talk to your daddy," Mac sighs as he finishes dressing Levi in a bob the builder onsie and then carries him into the bedroom where Stella is nearly dressed. He gazes lovingly upon her half naked frame, drawing her eyes to his and forcing a smile to form on her beautiful face. "I will never get tired of seeing you like this."
"Mm you wanting more of what you got last night?"
"I am wanting a bit of a role reversal," Mac grins as he plunks Levi down on the bed and then looks back up at Stella. "My turn to use those cuffs."
"Like the sound of…Mac!" Stella exclaims as she glances over at Levi who had managed to scamper to the other side of the bed, teetering on the edge.
"Trouble maker," Mac huffs as he grabs Levi by the foot and gently drags him back. Levi starts to fuss at first but when Mac lets go of his leg and he starts to crawl away and Mac grabs it again and drags him back, he soon discovers he likes it and starts to laugh; breaking the growing tension.
"If only life were as easy as grab the foot," Mac chuckles when he finally grasps Levi's giggling frame and hands him to Stella so that he can get ready.
"Come on squirt time for breakfast."
But when Stella goes to take Levi out of the room, the baby twists himself around and looks at Mac with a sad face before he starts to whimper. "He's really attached to you Mac."
"Yeah we bonded last night," Mac answers wryly as he walks up to them. "Levi, I have to get ready for work now. You go and have breakfast."
"I swear it's the warm tone of your voice," Stella praises as she kisses him on the lips. "Love that voice; always makes me do whatever you want."
"I'll have to remember that," he mildly flirts.
"Please do."
Stella finally manages to get Levi out of the bedroom so that Mac can dress, carrying him into the kitchen so he can have his liquid breakfast and they can have theirs; also mostly liquid. The routine was mostly the same, bundle Levi into his travelling chair, head into work, side detour at the day-care and then feel guilty until they had left and were no longer able to hear his cries.
"Seriously Mac I doubt I could have a child and just leave it like that," she mentions offhandedly.
"Could always be a stay at home mom," Mac adds.
"Gone are those days for most of us Mac, especially living in this part of the city."
"Supposed that's true but Danny and Lindsay make it work."
"They have in-laws."
"You d…right," Mac stops; however unlike the morning before he was so distracted in their conversation that he forgets to remove his telltale band of gold.
"Besides I think I would go postal."
"Well that is more like it," Mac smirks. "Oh I sent Reed an email and said we'd like to talk to them tonight if possible," Mac tells Stella as they get off the elevator on their floor.
"Will be nice for them to see Levi over the webcam and for him to hear their voices," Stella adds. "Okay I have to finish up with Sheldon. See you at lunch if possible."
"Okay."
Mac watches her go, noticing the brave smile she was offering but feeling a small gnawing in the pit of his stomach; a feeling that is refusing to subside. He checks his voicemail and after writing down a few case details, listens to the last one with his boss asking him to join him for a special case briefing and quickly leaves.
Mac softly knocks on Sinclair's door and is called in; entering the room and giving a nod to his boss and a polite hello to another man in the room.
"Mac this is Duncan Ramos. Doctor Ramos this is my lead investigator Mac Taylor."
"Pleased to meet you Detective."
"What's going on Sir?"
"Well I know how much you like handouts but Doctor Ramos has some funding that he would like to donate to the lab in the way of equipment."
"It's a cash overrun and I cannot donate just outright money; so thought that if you needed new equipment I might be able to lend a hand."
"Well that would be very much appreciated Doctor," Mac replies with a warm smile as he extends his hand to shake. "Not to sound ungrateful but…"
"Right of course the amount," Ramos smiles. "Does your wife like this quiet assertive side of you?"
"My wife?"
"His wife?"
Mac and Sinclair ask at the same time.
"I'm not married," Mac offers.
"Mac's wife died in 9/11..." Sinclair starts.
"Oh I'm sorry, I saw the ring and…I didn't mean to be rude or forward," Ramos stammers, forcing Mac's face to enflame and his mind to give him a quick mental ass-kicking at being too distracted to remove his ring when he got off the elevator. Sinclair quickly looks at Mac, who quickly tugs the ring off, not caring about bruising the knuckle and quickly shoving the band of gold into his pocket.
"Right well I'm sure Mac will get you that list before the day is over."
"I will indeed Sir and thank you again."
"My pleasure detective, it was your team that helped solve my…well my son's murder and I have wanted to repay you but since I cannot just offer what appears to be a payoff, I figured a donation would suffice."
"Anything you want to donate in the way of new equipment will be most appreciated."
"Doctor Ramos thank you again," Sinclair mentions in haste, not allowing Mac the opportunity to leave his office without an explanation. "Hold it Taylor," Sinclair orders just before Mac can escape.
"Sir?"
"What is going on Mac? The past few days you have been tired, sluggish, a bit off your game and now you come in wearing your wedding ring? Your not about to do something rash are you?"
"No Sir," Mac answers, his heart about to fail because of the high rate it's beating at.
"Then what is it? Mid-life crisis?"
"I had put it on last night and…and I guess I forgot to take it off. Now if you need nothing furth…"
"Are you seeing someone new?" Sinclair continues to press.
"Sir that is my business and…"
"Not when it affects your work performance it's not," Sinclair counters. "The lives in the field ultimately are my responsibility and I take that charge very seriously."
"So do I. I swear it was a mistake," Mac stammers, his mind now feeling heavy with guilt for not admitting the truth. But it was just a blip right now and he hoped that very soon things would return to normal.
"Okay then. Now I'll expect that equipment list on my desk in an hour."
"You'll have it."
Mac quickly takes his leave, heading for his office with an angry countenance, mostly at himself. If he had remembered to take off his ring earlier then he wouldn't have been forced into a situation where he had to purport his lie; something that goes against every fiber in his being. He also felt guilty for using the word mistake, as if he were including Stella in his apology for some reason.
"Sinclair in a good mood?" Stella's voice breaks the thick tension, forcing him to look up from the form on his desk.
"No, thanks to me," Mac answers sullenly as he looks back down.
"What happened?"
"He caught me wearing my ring and I…damn it Stella I had to lie," Mac huffs as his pen falls from his fingers and he looks at her in agitation.
"We can come clean with him and hope for the best," Stella suggests. "Would nip any further gossip in the bud as it were."
"Sinclair isn't exactly known as an understanding man."
"This is to save the life of a child Mac," Stella insists.
"And after?"
"What?"
"Nothing," Mac corrects in haste as he looks back down. But the mere gesture of Stella brushing his fingers with hers, forcing his eyes upward once more.
"What are you afraid of Mac?"
"I…" he starts, his eyes shifting nervously back and forth before Stella's expectant expression. "I think I'm almost sorry that…" he pauses just as Adam appears in the doorway. They quickly pull apart, their hands retreating and both of them inwardly laughing at Adam's look of embarrassment.
"I uh…I can come back," Adam stammers nervously.
"Not at all what did you need."
"Just have those results for um Stella…but…"
"No Sheldon and I need those results to close this case," Stella tells him with a firm nod. "I'll be right there."
"Okay right so I'll uh…be over…there."
Both of them once again exchange amused expressions as Adam takes his leave.
"Mac we need to talk about this later."
"Stella it's nothing. Sinclair made me panic a bit but I'll be more diligent from now on, I promise."
"Mac I forgot my ring this morning also," she admits with a small sheepish tone. "But I think it's this whole arrangement has you a bit spooked right?"
"A bit," he sighs.
"Right well I am going to remedy that this Friday on our date night."
"Date night?" Mac asks with a growing smile. "And who will…"
"Lindsay, it's all arranged. Besides, out of anyone, maybe except Sid, her and Danny do have babysitting experience. Okay I'll talk to you later."
Mac watches her leave and feels his heart starting to settle. However, he also feels a part of him giving him a mental scolding for even making the tension remain in the first place. After all he was sure that she was just as scared and uncertain as he about their romantic future when all this would be over. Things changed now – for good, and there was no going back.
Mac finishes writing the new inventory list they need, a few modest items on the page with their relative cost and then goes in search of Sinclair; thankful that this time he wasn't put through the emotional wringer. But on the way back to his office, he's met with another potential relationship hurdle.
"Hey Mac," Aubrey greets with a warm smile, eyeing the handsome man walking toward her with a small but hungry gaze.
"Aubrey," he gives her a small nod, his mind now racing that more gossip will ensue. "Was there something you needed?"
"Yes, actually, to see you," she answers pointedly. "I uh…can we talk in private?"
Never wanting to allow a personal confrontation to take any kind of professional center stage, he reluctantly gives in.
"So what is going on?" Mac asks seriously.
"I am really going out on a limb here and am going to tell you that I miss us."
"Pardon?" Mac looks at her in shock. "Y-you do?"
"I do," she smiles at him, still holding back as she notices Mac keeping his distance. "I thought the few months that we were together was…"
"Aubrey that was a few months ago and…"
"Are you dating anyone?" She asks pointedly.
Mac hears the question and feels his world starting to shrink around him once more. He can't lie, because in his heart he knows he loves Stella and isn't about to lead another woman on for no real reason. However, he's also not about to tell the truth when he hasn't even hinted about it to his superior.
"Mac?"
"I am seeing someone," Mac answers softly.
"I see," Aubrey replies with a downcast expression. Aubrey quickly closes the distance, reaching out and grabbing his hand before he can say a word. But as his luck was about to run out, Stella appears in the doorway and then stops, forcing Aubrey to quickly drop Mac's hand and Mac to look at her with a pleading expression.
"Sorry I uh…"
"Hello Stella," Aubrey offers somewhat stiffly.
"Dr. Hunter," Stella answers amicably, giving her a professional smile before looking at Mac. She notes his discomfort but also knows that Aubrey certainly wasn't to be trusted with gossip and so knows to take her leave. "I'll come back in a bit."
"Stel…" Mac tries, giving himself a quiet inward curse when she takes her leave, flashing him a sideways glance that said he was in trouble. He then turns back to Aubrey with a heavy sigh. "Sorry I need those case results."
"Right of course. I'll uh…see you later."
"Aubrey."
"Mac, I know you are busy," she assures him with a smile.
"I just want us to be clear."
"Sure," she tells him; her mind however, still now more curious than ever to start poking around to see who is keeping his attention away from her. "Bye for now," she offers and then turns and leaves before he can utter another protest.
"Damn it!" Mac curses before he turns and goes in search of Stella. He checks the lab, her office, the break room but to no avail – she's gone. Then he heads downstairs; it being almost the end of the day.
"Ready to go?" Stella asks casually.
Mac strides up to her and gently pushes her locker closed, causing her to look at him with a frown. "I'm sorry you're upset."
"What did she want?"
"She wanted to get back together and I told her I was seeing someone," Mac admits the truth.
"Really?"
"There are certain things that I won't tell her ab…" Mac starts only to have Stella lean in and kiss him on the lips.
"You told her the truth Mac, that's all I wanted to hear," she pulls back with a smile.
Mac's hand gently cups her face before he leans in and returns the favor, planting a soft kiss on her perfect mouth. "I might be a bit uncertain about specific future events, but I have no doubt about who I'll be sharing them with."
"Do you really mean that?" Stella wonders in happy surprise.
"I do Stella," Mac answers. "I love you," he finally confesses, his words thick with heartfelt emotion. "I love you more than anything. And while I might be scared and worried about the outcome that Levi's leaving will have on us, I love you and want you to know that I want you in my future no matter what."
"I love you too Mac, I just had to be sure you felt the same way," she confesses with a smile as she leans in and crushes his lips with renewed passion, pressing her body against his but quickly pulling back when they both hear a noise. "No matter what Mac, we are in this together. I want to be with you, child or not."
"I just don't want you to think that I uh…"
"Mac, we can worry about those future details when they come."
"I agree. Shall we go get Levi?"
"Yes lets."
Stella allows Mac to help her with her coat, her heart racing over his loving confession and her mind spinning at the fact that she was finally able to confess to him how she was feeling. She had worried that Aubrey showing up might have made him step back, even a little. But to know that he wasn't even affected by her sudden presence tells her that she has nothing to worry about.
They head for the elevator, talking about their day; Mac confessing that yes Sid did manage a private tease.
"What did he say?" Stella asks as they enter the daycare.
'Well I can't be sure Mac, but I think these marks were made from handcuffs. And not the fuzzy kind either. Care to give me your expert opinion,' Sid offered with a wink. Mac's face had gone red but when Sid didn't belabor the point, it was back to business as usual. He probably might never confess to Stella, but the fact that Sid was making jokes about his active sex life was in a way comforting. He once thought lonely future was gone, replaced with the happy one he had been longing for.
They reach Levi's crib only to find him asleep and ready to go, both looking down at the precious bundle with happy expressions.
"Amy wore him out a bit more today," Mrs. Brandt mentions with a kind smile as Mac and Stella carefully work at getting Levi ready for travel. "See you both tomorrow."
"Goodnight," Stella calls out as they head back out into the busy street and are quickly whisked away into a waiting cab, the doors closing just as Aubrey emerges from the coffee shop next door, missing them by mere seconds.
"I will find out the truth Mac," Aubrey's words hang in the air long after all of them had taken their leave.
"Well you know if anyone can get away with it, it's Sid," Stella chuckles as she rests her head on Mac's shoulder. Now that they had passed another emotional hurdle; confessing their love, the rest would be met with the same goal in mind. "I love you Mac," Stella whispers in his ear, pulling back with a warm smile. "I just wanted to say it."
"It's nice to hear," Mac answers as he kisses the top of her nose. "I love you too," he whispers in return.
They reach their apartment and with Levi still asleep take advantage of being able to change and start dinner with their attention focused on the task at hand. But once Levi is awake, things immediately change, one rushing to see if he's okay while the other continues with making dinner.
"Hi sweetie," Stella coos as she picks up Levi and starts to console his small trembling body. She carries him to the change table, lays him down at starts to shower him with warm kisses, her ears picking up the delightful sound of a happy baby. She starts to undress him from his daycare outfit, cleaning his tender pink skin, putting on a fresh diaper, putting on his sleeper and then carrying him into the kitchen to see Mac.
"Hey Levi," Mac's warm voice immediately draws Levi's gaze in his direction, garnering Mac a wide toothless grin of sorts. He dips his fingers into the soft mashed potatoes and then offers his finger for Levi to take. The baby latches onto the savory digit, gumming the tip and then sucking every last bit of the soft sludge away.
"Why not puree some of those carrots and we'll see if he holds it down," Stella suggests. Mac quickly complies and soon the they were at the table, wanting to see how Levi liked his first taste of real food.
"So far so…" Stella starts, only to have Levi's hand grasp the spoon of orange mush and send it flying to the floor. "I spoke too soon," she smirks as she hurries to get a washcloth.
"Hey at least he hasn't barfed it up yet."
"Is barfed a scientific term?" Stella playfully arches her brows.
"You want to challenge me on scientific terms. Ms. Gooey?" Mac retorts with his own playful expression.
"I think you like that word more than me," Stella chuckles as she tries one more spoonful with Levi; success! After dinner, and as promised the night before, Stella takes Levi into the living room to read to him as best she can, Mac finishing the cleaning in the kitchen and then joining them; tonight, however, his bass in hand.
Levi looks at the instrument in Mac's hand with vested fascination; his enthusiasm peaking as soon as Mac's skillful fingers started to slowly strum out a few chords. As Mac starts into a soft ballad, Levi's lips start to babble happily away, his hands almost trying to clap with the beat; offering both of them a happy display.
"He really likes the music Mac," Stella notes as Levi rests against her chest, his large hazel eyes still fixed on Mac's every movement.
"He really does," Mac agrees softly, smiling at Levi in Stella's loving grasp; a picture that he would cherish for a long time to come. "Do you like the music Levi?" Mac asks softly.
"Eeeeeebbbbbaaaaa…." Levi babbles away excitedly, leaning forward, almost out of Stella's grasp to get a touch of the wonderful instrument. However, not wanting it damaged, Mac pulls the bass guitar back and lets Levi look at it instead. "Sorry Levi, this isn't a toy," Mac explains in futility.
Stella gets Levi his nighttime bottle and starts slowly rocking him to sleep as Mac's classic tunes switch to some soft children's lullaby's; and soon Levi's tiny eyelids were struggling to stay open. The little bottle finally falls to the side and Stella looks up at Mac after planting a warm kiss on his soft forehead.
Mac packs up his guitar while Stella heads into Levi's room to carefully place him in the crib for sleeping, softly humming to him until he's under the blanket and the nightlight is back on; then she rejoins Mac in the living room. They had gotten an email from Reed earlier in the day, confirming his call. There was only about a six hour time difference so it wasn't bad for them but that meant it would be very early morning for Reed.
"You okay?" Mac asks as his fingers play with Stella's, the computer with webcam ready to go only a few feet away.
"You know I had put off the thought of having children with Frankie and then never really thought about it…well even when we started to draw closer it never came up because I wasn't sure how you'd react."
"It's a pretty big commitment and a life style changer," Mac acknowledges softly.
"And we'd both have to be in agreement but…but I honestly didn't expect to be forced to think about this."
"And you're not. You always get after me about putting undo pressure on myself. Time for me to say the same to you in return," Mac suggests gently, making her look at him with a kind smile and a small nod. "Reed's paperwork is routine and I can't foresee any other legal roadblocks so in a few weeks this should be all taken care of and we'll be able to just talk about this without any pressure. Plus I think that…" Mac starts only to be interrupted by the webcam finally cracking to life.
"Mac?"
"Reed, hi," Mac rushes to the webcam, him and Stella crowding closely together so that Reed can see them both. But on the other end they only see Reed. "Where is Mira?"
"I uh…" Reed nervously stammers.
"Reed what is it? What's happened?" Mac asks in haste, his panic starting to build.
"Well she's not here…okay it's like this…there might be a further complication."
"What?"
A/N: Alright guys don't hate me but this will be the last update for the year as there will be a special update next week. So hope you are all still liking the story and want to see the further complication from Reed and who next is going to pop up and create some trouble. So please review and stay tuned for more thanks in advance!
