Chapter Ten
Well here we are the very final chapter of my debut into the CSI:NY genre- I really hope that you have enjoyed this, and please take the time to leave one final review for this!
Chapter Ten
Mac sighed as he finally eased his way down into his favourite armchair, it seemed like it had been forever since he was able to sit in his most comfortable piece of furniture overlooking the neighbouring apartments. He took a sip from the bottle of water he held in his left hand, he would have preferred a beer, however the rest of the team had well and truly ganged up on him on that topic and so water had to suffice. He would put up with it, since he was finally home, after ten days in hospital and he was so glad- exhausted, but glad.
"Happy to be home?" Stella asked softly, handed her boss the steaming mug of black coffee that she carried towards him.
"Thanks" he replied with a smile, "and yes extremely" he finished.
"It's decaff, but it's better than nothing" she told him as she cradled her own mug, sitting opposite her long-time friend. "It's good to have you back Mac" she told him seriously.
"It's good to be back" he replied, his tone equally as serious.
"You know we are going to make sure you take the doctor's advice, there is no way you are stepping through the doors of that lab for at least two weeks" she told him. Mac rolled his eyes and sighed dramatically.
"I knew you were going to say that" he replied with a wry grin.
CSI-CSI-CSI-CSI-CSI-CSI-CSI
"Have you had to tie him down yet?" Flack asked Stella with a chuckle as she stepped from the elevator.
"No he has been surprisingly good natured about it, not even argued a little" she replied, confused by her friend's behaviour.
"Hmm, that either means one of two things" Flack replied thoughtfully.
"Either he feels worse than he admits or he is up to something" Stella replied. Flack nodded with a smile in reply, shaking his head softly at how mischievous the boss could sometimes be, particularly where his own health was concerned.
"I am sure that he will do as he is told" Don stated, and his tone proved that even he didn't believe his words.
CSI-CSI-CSI-CSI-CSI-CSI-CSI
Stella stifled a yawn as she let herself into Mac's building, Sheldon had spent most of the afternoon with him, but she was still exhausted from balancing visiting at the hospital and running the lab in Mac's absence. As she stepped through the door into his apartment she was surprised by the dim lighting.
"Mac?" she called out in concern.
"Two seconds, I'll be right out" he called back softly. She looked around quizzically.
"You all right?" she questioned softly.
"I'll fine" a voice whispered from behind her, almost making her jump.
"Mac, what is going on?" she asked him softly.
"Come this way" he told her guiding her towards the dining table, that she saw was set for dinner complete with candles.
"Mac? What's all this?" she asked him softly, taken aback by the obvious effort he had gone to.
"Sit down" he told her softly, and she did as he asked. He poured her a glass of wine, filling his own glass with water as he headed back to the kitchen, bringing in two steaming bowls, and placing one in front of her.
"Fasolada?" she asked him in surprise.
"Yeah, I hope you like it" he replied with a sheepish smile. She took a small spoonful, blowing it gently to prevent it burning before putting it in her mouth and closing her eyes to savour the taste.
"Mac, this is delicious" she told him. "How on earth did you make this when you can barely stay on your feet?" she asked him squeezing his hand.
"I had a bit of help" he replied with a twinkle in his eye.
"Well however you managed it this is amazing thank you" she told him softly. He grinned at her, taking a spoonful of his own soup, and carefully making his way through half of the bowl, his efforts were not unnoticed by his friend who smiled at him trying so hard to regain his strength. After a few moments, as she had finished he cleared the dishes and returned a few moments later with a plate each. His housed a miniscule portion, but she didn't comment- she merely inhaled the aroma of the traditional Greek pie presented to her. "Kefalonian Kreatopita is one of my favourites" she told him, tucking in.
"I know" he replied softly, taken a small mouthful of his own meal, knowing that he wouldn't manage much more.
"I am stuffed" Stella exclaimed as she cleared her plate, enjoying this rare relaxing time with her friend.
"Ah too stuffed for dessert?" he asked her with a grin.
"Never too stuffed for dessert" she replied with a matching smile.
"Good I'll go and get it" he told her getting to his feet, and ignoring the slight sway as he did so. Stella got to her feet and cleared the table, intent on making sure that Mac got some rest. She met him in the kitchen where he was dishing up a rather large slice of Apple pie that was clearly for her.
"I hope you are planning on sharing that with me" she told him with a grin. He chuckled lightly before getting two spoons and following her back to the table. The two detectives sat opposite each other with the bowl between them. Mac managed just one spoonful before he knew his stomach would rebel if even one more morsel went into it. "I think I might explode" Stella commented lightly, leaning back with her glass in her hand. "Thanks Mac, it's been a long time since I had a traditional Greek feast, and that was amazing" she told him with a relaxed smile.
"It's the least I could do" he told her softly, almost shyly.
"Ah Mac, you don't owe me anything" she told him gently squeezing his hand.
"I owe you everything" he replied, his voice barely a whisper as his words carried across to her. "I owe you an apology, a thank you and probably my life" he told her.
"Just a promise that you will never do anything like that again will do" she replied, her eyes locked on his and just as heavy with emotion.
"I promise I'll try not to" he told her, and for her that was good enough.
End Chapter Ten
The End
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