Title: Playing for Keeps
Chapter 10 - Snakes & Ladders

I slowly awake a few hours later only to find my whole body and mind at peace for the first time since I can remember. The room is gently bathed in light from the outside coming in from the hallway but I don't need to see Stella as I feel her naked, warm body pressed up against mine. I hear her softly breathing and a smile starts to form on my lips in the dark. Stella and I made love a few hours ago; my wife and I. How odd and yet reassuring at the same time those words sound to me. This amazing creature beside me, actually gave herself willingly; all she had, with no regrets, no remorse and nothing was fake. Am I really this fortunate? And while part of my stupid brain wants to say this will never last, I am finally able to silence it - at least for now!

I feel her body shift beside mine, snuggle closer and offer a small contented sigh and I can't help but feel my entire being finally at peace. All the emotional struggles of the past week have all but subsided and while I know that Dario remains a constant threat to our future happiness, I made a promise to myself before I closed my eyes last night that he would never take Stella from me again. Part of me selfishly hopes she'll never get her paperwork and then she'll be mine forever; but the other part says to play my cards right and when the right time is offered I'll be able to propose in a proper manner and she'll actually want to say yes.

"Mac?" She finally whispers and I curse myself for thinking I awoke her.

"Sorry, did I wake you?"

"Why aren't you asleep?" She wonders in a soft tone.

"Afraid to close my eyes. I might wake up and find out that I'm alone and last night never really happened."

"Let me ask you this," she offers. "Do you normally sleep naked?" And I can't help but lightly laugh.

"No," I simply state.

"Then we had sex," she answers I my grin widens. I feel her wrap her arms around my bare chest and plant a soft kiss on my heart. "I love you," I can't help but offer.

"I love you Mac," she whispers. "With all my heart," she whispers and my grin widens. "And when you wake up, I'll still be right here. Now get some sleep."

She pokes me in the side and I offer a small laugh, but know she's right. And so with the thought of her still being in my arms when I wake up I finally force my eyes closed once more and plunge myself into dreams of Stella and I making love. That one thought alone carries me through till morning.

XXXXXXXX

I slowly open my eyes and I'm still lying on Mac's smooth chest. I let my eyes wander a bit further to the bruise on his side and frown; I know he was in pain last night but he didn't say a word to ruin the moment. Our union was beautiful and more than I honestly expected. He gave all he had and allowed me to offer whatever I could in return. It wasn't selfish or demanding it was beautiful and passionate all in one. I look up at his sleeping face and smile. When I first met Mac he was very firm and rigid in his stance on most things. I was almost afraid to challenge him on anything I felt was wrong much less feel that I wanted to open up to him. I never thought when I first met him that I would ever grow this close; much less have a sexual relationship with him or even allow myself fall in love with him. But over time his demeanor toward me has softened; and while he's tough on those that seek injustice, when he's alone with me, in private, he's a different man. Tender, warm, caring, loving; selfless, just a few of the words that I will now think of when someone mentions his name.

My husband, I smile once again as I slightly move my head and adjust myself. My hair starts to tickle him and he finally stirs awake; offering me a lazy smile. "Did you actually sleep?"

"Yes," he replies simply. I twist myself around so that I am now on my belly, my bare chest on his; looking up into the deep blue pools before me. I am still careful of the bruises as I don't want my careless actions to ruin the moment but once again he doesn't seem to mind.

"You are very warm," I tell him.

"It's all your fault," he offers with a slight frown and then a smile.

"How are you feeling?" I ask in concern.

"Does Nurse Stella want to give me a complete physical?" He lightly teases.

"Oh I might be persuaded to do that," I smile. "What's it worth to you?" I tease in return.

"My wife likes to blackmail, does she?" He challenges.

"Is my husband game?"

"Depends on what I have to do," he replies and I feel his heart start to pick up the pace a little. Oh the power I have over this man is sometimes astounding. Stella! I scold myself; give him a break.

"Now I'll have to come up with something good," I tell him.

"And that would be?"

"I'm not going to tell you right now," I state firmly. However, before I can react he grabs my arms and pulls me up to face him. And just when I think he's going to kiss me, one hand holds my wrist and the other starts to poke my naked side; making me laugh.

"N-not fair," I laugh as I try in vain to pull away. His grip tightens but not enough to do any damage; although I know he's more than capable of that. With my one free hand, I return the favor, lightly grabbing the inside of his thigh and his hand immediately let's go.

"Not fair," he pouts. "That's my.." he starts.

"Weak spot?" I smile as I lean in close.

"You are my weak spot," he tells me and I smile.

"Come on Mr. Taylor," I tell him as I plant a warm kiss on his lips before pushing myself out of the bed, standing naked before him. "Time to get ready for the day."

XXXXXXXX

"It's not good to tempt a man like me," I frown as I push myself out of the warm bed and hurry after her into the bathroom. She finishes putting up her hair when I round the corner and the hot water is already steaming up the small room.

"I almost had to wait," she teases as I pull her close and kiss her neck.

"You smell good," I murmur.

"And when I'm done with you, you'll smell like oranges," she goads.

"What? No way," I frown. "Then I'll be getting the wrong kind of attention."

"I think Gus might like that about you," she winks, referring to a person in our office with different sexual taste than my own. I like women; can't understand why he doesn't. I follow Stella into the shower and reach for my own soap. "Seriously, nice try," I tell her as she raises her weapon. "And after this, I'll need a cold shower."

She looks at the bruises on my chest and then at the cut on my head and frowns.

"I'm fine, really," I tell her in haste. I take the soap from her hands and look at her with a smile. "Do you mind?"

"Can I return the favor?"

"Not with this you can't," I tease as I offer her my bar. She offers a pout but finally takes the bar. Our hands are warm and soapy and just can't seem to cover the naked flesh fast enough. I pull her close; my heart being faster and my body betraying itself to her. "If I don't get out now, I'm going to take you right here," I tell her in a husky tone.

"What are you waiting for?" She teases as she pulls me back into the steamy cell and pushes me up against the tiled wall. I try to offer a word but her wet lips quickly silence me. Her aggressive nature toward me just further cements in my mind and heart that there will never be another woman that will come close to what she means to me or how she makes me feel. And as we start into our quick morning make out session, I can't help but know inside that I will never love another woman again as long as I live.

XXXXXXXX

I can't help but feel completely alive as I finally finish putting my hair up and offering one more smile in the mirror before I join Mac in the kitchen. I dont know why Mac would even worry one second about Rick Jacobs. Rick is not even close to half the man Mac is; never will be. And the shower aside, when Mac looks at me I feel more than just love, I feel his desire, need and wanting me to be in his life. I know that insecurity still tugs at his brain that when my paperwork is over, he thinks I might just up and leave. But how could I? Each hour my love for him grows; and it's not just when he makes love to me. It's even the small things he does to make me feel a part of something special.

"We need groceries," he moans as he hands me my travel cup full of hot coffee. "We are out of staples."

"Beer and coffee aren't staples," I remind him and he smiles. "But you are right. Plus I think we should turn that small bedroom into an office of sorts. The kitchen table needs," I start and I notice him looking at me with an odd expression. "What?" I ask quickly.

"Nothing, just hearing you talk about stuff like that," he offers with a slight frown. "Makes me think you might want to hang around here a bit longer."

"Do you want me to?"

"Stella, when you leave..." he starts with a heavy sigh. But I quickly put my fingers to his lips and he stops.

"Remember? Only positive thoughts. You want this to work as much as I do," I remind him. "Take my suggestion for what it is. Your wife telling you what this place needs."

"I think we need a new place," he suddenly blurts out.

"What?" I ask in shock. "Okay now I know you didn't get enough sleep."

"A place of our own," he offers in a timid voice. "This place is mine, well it used to be, I guess a fresh start. Oh never mind," he huffs.

"Well I like the idea of a place that's just us," I tell him and he finally smiles. "Let's talk about that later okay?"

"Maybe I should have cashed that damn check from Dario," he starts as we leave the apartment and head downstairs. "Then I could have actually bought us a home."

I just playfully slap his arm and he smiles.

"Speaking of Dario, how's Agent Grier?" I dare to ask.

"I thought about going to see him in the hospital, but am told I'm not welcome and that he's fine," Mac tells me with a heavy sigh. "But we might have bigger problems than Grier's anger toward me."

"Do I dare ask what?" I ask as we get into the truck and head for the office.

"Well I'm still waiting on confirmation from Adam, but it seems there might be someone inside the FBI field office here in New York that is on Fastido's payroll."

"Not surprised," I huff in anger.

"And that someone probably helped with your paperwork," Mac finishes.

"Okay now I'm mad," I state firmly.

"But it's only conjecture right now," he reminds me.

"Who do we trust?" I wonder out loud; my gaze fixed out the window.

"Well that's what we now need to work on," he tells me. "If there is a Fastido plant inside the FBI office then we'll have a lot more problems than your missing paperwork to deal with. Like he'll have access to all the identities of every undercover FBI agent looking at his organization. Before this is over we might have more fallen agents than just Grier to work on."

"Mac, you can't keep this to yourself," I remind him. "Who can we trust?"

"Until this is over? And outside the team? Probably no one."

"Do you think he'll put someone inside our office?" I dare to ask.

"You mean if he hasn't already?" Mac counters.

"Great," I frown.

XXXXXXXX

"Now that's the look of a contented man," Dario Fastido mentions to Reno Carlito as he walks into his office that same morning. "You either got laid last night or we have another deal."

"Both," Reno replies with a grin. "Want to know who I got lucky with?"

"That bimbo inside Taylor's office?"

"You know you really are a bright man," Reno replies. "And with her help, I'll soon be able to know Taylor's every move."

"Which Taylor?" Dario counters.

"Take your pick," Reno offers. "However, I am wanting to have a quiet moment with Mr. Taylor," Reno says with a frown. "I like the cat and mouse game. If I can keep him busy wondering what I am up to by targeting him..."

"That leaves me free to do my business," Dario smiles. "But I want his blood and I don't want to wait forever."

"Oh you won't have to. I give you my word."

"You know you are worth your keep."

"Oh, I'm a simple man really," Reno says as he leans back in his chair and pulls out a picture of Mac and glares at it in anger. "I have simple tastes. I like carnage, bloodshed and the power of knowing I can inflict as much pain as I can on whomever I want. I like a challenge and Mac Taylor is that. At least while he's still alive."

XXXXXXXX

"So I have a meeting with an Immigration Employment official tomorrow," Stella tells me as we slowly head for my office.

"What about?"

"They want to see me in action," she lightly frowns. "This is stupid. I'm being quizzed on how to do my job."

"Stella, they don't know you can do it. It's just protocol but after it's over it's one less hurdle to worry about," I tell her as Adam walks up to us with a frown. "Anything from Bill Gates?" I ask, making Stella look at me in surprise. "Don't ask."

"Actually, we were able to find one name, Agent Cliff Ryder," he tells us in a hushed tone. "So far his name is only on file markers. I haven't found any documentation that states that he is joined to the Fastido organization or what happened with Stella's, uh, stuff."

"Okay so we need a profile on Ryder. Can you get that without setting off any radar?" I ask quickly.

"Sure thing boss. I'll get Billy," he starts. "Ah pet name. I'll let you know what I come up with."

"Bill Gates?" Stella asks weakly.

"Adam's friend at the FBI."

"So you think this Ryder might be involved in some way?" She asks me in a low tone as we enter my office.

"That's what I want to know. If there is even a chance he has crossed Dario's path in some way then we'll know for certain. But Dario has enough money to buy any man whatever he wants; that's a powerful motive no matter how high up in the department you are. But..." I start only to have a courier knock on the door.

"Mac Taylor? This is for you," he says handing me a package and then walking away.

"Letter bomb?" Stella mentions. As I look at the return address.

"Disneyland?" I wonder in surprise.

"Who the hell would send you something from Disneyland?" Stella wonders as I go to pull it open. "Mac you should have that checked," she reminds me and I offer a huff.

"I hate having my actions dictated by anyone," I state in anger before I turn and head for the lab with Stella in tow. I quickly run it under a scanner and thankfully it's clean.

"Shall we?" I ask as we step back into my office for some privacy.

I pull out the small envelope and frown. I notice a picture inside and quickly pull out a glove and extract the picture and turn it over.

"What on earth?" Stella exclaims as we look at the picture of a grave marker. "So much for the happiest place on earth!"

'Mac Taylor, died trying in vain to be a hero on ________. To busy doing his job he forgot to actually do his job. RC

"Damn that bastard!" I curse as I place the item on my desk. "Reno!"

"This isn't funny Mac," Stella tells me in a huff.

"I am not laughing," I state in anger. "I'd suggest we dust for prints but he's already given us his initials."

"He sends a threat and then expects us not to react?" Stella questions.

"Well he knows I can't issue an arrest warrant based on initials. And I doubt we'll find his prints so that means he could simply claim that a million people have those initials and that I am paranoid. And he'd be correct," I huff as I take the items and put them into a folder, labeled, Dario and then back on my desk.

"Dario is getting ready to do another deal," Stella pipes up.

"If he hasn't already," I huff as I slowly look around my office.

"What?" She asks.

"That guy waltzed in here pretty easy," I frown.

"You think that he," she starts.

"I think we need to be very careful what we say around here," I offer. I pick up a piece of paper and write, 'I'm starting to think this place has ears.' And put my pen down.

"Right," she agrees taking the paper from my hands. 'Where do we go that's safe?'

"I'll get housekeeping," I start, writing down 'a sweeper team', "to ensure we have what we need," 'a private room for the team to discuss Dario and the FBI and you.

"So I guess I need to get started on Sheldon's case load," I offer with a wry smile and thankfully she takes the hint.

"Sounds like a plan," she tells me. "Talk to you later."

"Right," I agree as I watch her leave. First I need to have my office checked so I go in search of help. "Vickers," I call to one of our internal security people who I hope is not the plant I am in search of. "I need a favor." I quickly give him the details and get him started on finding whatever bugs Dario has planted. To remove a few but leave others and clear a room so that team can meet in private to discuss our next move. "Get Adam Ross a new computer first."

I stand outside my office and frown. How the hell did it ever get his far? I'm now afraid to walk into my own office? And I can't help but wonder which person that passes me in the hall is looking at me with evil intent; their mind now being fed the lies that Dario wants them to digest. I pull out my phone and call Sinclair; thankfully as it's on me all the time I hopefully can trust it's clean.

"Are you sure?"

"Vickers is going to start looking now," I frown; still standing in the hallway. "But I'm sure the love note from Reno is just a way to ensure I know he's watching. I never stopped thinking that he wasn't however."

"But Mac, to think someone in Director Boyles team is involved is a serious charge," Sinclair reminds me.

"And that's why when you go to them, I promise you'll have hard evidence. How's Grier?" I can't help but wonder.

"Broken arm, broken nose, multiple bruises, but he's going home today," Sinclair huffs. "Sadly they don't tell me much anymore either."

"Sorry," is all I can seem to offer as Danny heads in my direction. "I have to go."

"Mac, keep me informed on this. And watch your ass."

"Right. Danny, what's up?"

"Finally got a lead on Annabelle Womack. Remember she was the friend of Maria Gattan? The woman we found down in the low part of town."

"Where is she?"

"Flack ID'd her body just now," Danny tells me in remorse and I just offer a small curse.

"Let's go," I huff as I turn and follow him. Just as I turn to leave, my path is blocked by a smiling face with a file.

"Signature please," she tells me in an eager tone. However, everyone that I dont know to at least some degree is now a suspect in my mind and I hate the feeling that I have to second guess everyone in this lab. I glance at Stella down the hall and offer a nervous smile before disappearing from view.

XXXXXXXX

I watch the woman smiling at Mac and frown. Just a harmless crush or the plant? A crush I might be able to tolerate as I can't help but laugh when he didn't give her the time of day and I know Mac isn't the cheating type; however a plant would be a little more serious and that I can't ignore. Now I look at everyone like a suspect and I hate this feeling; wondering who I'll pass in the hallway is looking back at me with an evil thought in their head.

However, as I head toward the lab, I cant help but wonder if my office is also bugged. I had talked to Edward Vickers in the hallway and he told me Mac's plan, to which of course I agreed. But who would agree to turn against us? Sadly it's a question of money; and Fastido's supply is endless so in truth it could be anyone with something they either want or have to hide. I walk past a desk and grimace as I read today's headline: 'City feels grip of mob boss's hand. NYPD and FBI powerless!' I hope Mac didn't see the paper I huff as I head for Sheldon's desk; or his mood tonight will be even sourer than I'm sure it is right now.

"Need some help?" I offer weakly. He looks up at me with a frown.

"You okay?"

"Just tired of sitting on my ass doing nothing all day," I huff.

"How much longer?"

"I meet with them tomorrow," I inform him. "I just need do to something. What are you not working on yet?"

"Well if you want you can go and get the bullet from Sid and get started on that," he mentions in a soft tone.

"I'm on my way," I smile as I turn and head for the ME's lair.

"To what do I owe the honor, Mrs. Taylor?" Sid greets me with a smile. "Has a nice ring to it; Stella Taylor. Are you used to it yet?"

"Actually, I think I am," I frown. "What does that mean?"

"I think it means you like being married," he quips. "Do you?"

"Not as bad when you know the person really well," I offer.

"I guess after ten years that's true. Anything you learned in private about our fearless leader that took you by surprise?" He lightly pries and I can't help but feel my cheeks flush; not lost on him sadly. "I wasn't expecting any sexual details you know," he adds and I just look at him in shock.

"Pardon?" I arch a brow in wonder.

"Stella, your face went red," he smiles. "Mac isn't a hard guy to figure out here at work. I guess in private he's different?"

"In a good way," I praise.

"Well I for one am happy for you two," Sid smiles. "Temporary or not, it suits both of you; just what the other needed."

"Thanks. So what have you got?" I ask. But inside I can't help but beam under his words. It does suit me, being married to Mac. I love him. And with that happy thought, I collect the bullet and head for the ballistics lab; not even aware that for the first time in a long time, I am actually humming.

XXXXXXXX

We finally reach the scene and I can't help but curse as I gaze upon Annabelle's dead body; single gun shot to the forehead mob signature slaying. I have no doubt that Fastido or even Carlito are behind this and I curse myself again for not getting to this young girl earlier as I know I could have kept her alive. I bend down to examine her body, hoping to find another piece of cufflink; the same piece that was on her friend Maria Gatten. However, her body has nothing on it and I curse my dead end.

"Mac?" Danny asks in a low tone.

"Just such a waste," I offer in a sour tone. "I was hoping to find her alive so that she could lead us to Fastido."

"But the more bodies we find, he'll have to slip up, right?" Danny offers.

"Well that's what we need to prevent," I frown as I look at the marks on her wrist. I quickly put out my tools and start to dust for prints. "Maybe these can tell us what happened to her besides the obvious mob slaying."

"And if it is related to Fastido? Do we have to turn this over to the FBI?" Danny questions with an angry expression.

"Let's see what we have first," I reply in haste. "I am not going to tip my hand until I can get a solid lead."

XXXXXXXX

"Stella, here is what you needed," Lindsay tells me as I head into the busy hallway once again.

"Thanks," I reply, taking the file and heading into my office. I slowly sit down in my chair and watch people walking past. Anyone of them could be a Fastido plant. Who do we trust? I hate questioning integrity and loyalty but with all that's happened and all that Fastido is forcing upon us we have to question those things of the people around us. Thankful Mac's integrity is without question; but I can't help but worry at what cost it will come to both of us.

I start into my paperwork for my Immigration meeting tomorrow and offer an angry curse; the mere fact that I have to prove my worth to someone is just angering me. However, as Mac had reminded me, they dont know me and only want to see if I know what I say I know before the send in something official.

I give it one more thought before turning back to the work that Sheldon needs help with. I open the file and then start at the information that is before me. A few minutes later a frown crosses my brow as I stare at the paper in my hands.

I quickly pick up the phone and call Sheldon. "Are you sure? This material is only found at that one address?"

"Looks to be that way. Should I call Flack?"

"He's with Mac," I huff. "And since I'm stuck here."

"Right, Lindsay and I'll do it. See you soon."

"This is for us Mac," I whisper into my office. "If this works then Dario could be going back to jail a lot sooner than any of us expected. Then everything will be back to normal."

And with that sentence I turn and look out the window. "And if my paperwork goes through in the next little bit, and all this is cleared up and I'm free, how do I just walk away from Mac? Back to my old life? Can I really do that?"

XXXXXXXX

We finish up with the body and then head back to the office; my mood is still down. I was hoping to find Annabelle alive and that she'd be able to point us in the direction of Fastido or at least give us something tangible that we could use to start putting the pressure on him. It was a long shot but right now I'll take anything I can to bring him down.

We head into the lab and Danny follows the body down to Sid and I walk up to Stella with a smile. "So what can I bribe my wife with to put a rush on this?" I ask in a low tone. Sadly it's not lost on Adam who simply turns around and winks. I just shake my head and then look back at Stella.

"I'll surprise you tonight," she whispers in my ear and my core instantly warms.

"Deal," I offer as I hand her the box. But she looks at me and frowns. "I know that look? What is it?"

"I was hoping to find her alive," I tell her in a firm tone. "I just want Dario back where he belongs."

"Well Sheldon was able to isolate a specific compound on that cufflink. He went there but it seems to be a safe house of some kind," Stella tells me quickly. "Empty right now but there are indications to us that it might be still used. Especially if Maria was just there and her body moved."

"So then if we can catch him in a deal," I start in a firm tone.

"When we can send his murdering ass back to jail," Stella replies and I just smile.

"I love it when you talk dirty," I tell her with a smile. "However, we still need to find who murdered Maria and Annabelle. We need anything that would put her and Maria in the same room at the same time," I direct.

"Mac, what are you thinking?" She asks in concern. "A Fastido hit man, lured them, met them and then killed them? Reno? Seems small for him."

"Not sure yet but depends on how big a threat they really were to Dario," I huff as Danny walks into the room. "That's what we need."

"Sid recovered this bullet from Annabelle's temple," he frowns.

"Mob hit," I utter.

"Looks to be. I'll check it against the bullet that killed Maria," Lindsay offers, taking the item from Danny. "But do we really think it'll lead us where we want it to?"

"Not sure," I frown. "But it's worth a shot."

I greet Edward Vickers in the hallway and he tells me to follow him into another small room.

"This room is clean Mac," he informs me. "I changed out Adam's computer first and then started with your office and then Stella's," he says, showing me a list.

"Damn it!" I curse as I see that both our offices were bugged. "Did you leave a few?"

"I left one in your office like you told me to. The rest I left as dead beacons. Meaning they'll only transmit white noise but nothing discernable. But why do you want them to know anything?"

"Because this way I can control what they hear," I huff. "Thanks," I tell him as I take the list and head back into my office. I slowly look around, one bug is still in the room and even though I know it's there I can't help but hit my desk in anger. Thankfully Vickers was able to take the one out of my computer and so I am able to at least get a bit of work done, including sending emails to Flack and Sinclair about our 'bug' problem.

Finally I head back to find the team. "Stella," I call her to me and hand her the report and she just looks up in anger.

"Do we know who planted them?"

"Vickers is going to be going through the security tapes now," I tell her. "Until then, we need to hold any team meeting with regards to anything on Fastido in a clean room only. When we need to make him think anything else we'll do it in my office."

"Great, even now he's dictating what we do," she huffs in anger. "This is stupid."

"I agree, but in order to win this game we need to start to play it his way so we can figure out how to gain the upper hand and beat him."

"I wonder what he's up to right now?" She dares to ask.

"Probably setting up his next deal," I offer in quiet anger.

"Have they found someone else to replace Grier?" She wonders.

"Whoever it is better have life insurance," I frown.

XXXXXXXX

"What the hell do you mean you have to step out? We have a deal remember?" Fastido demands of Carlito as he watches him load a small needle. "And who the hell is that for?"

"My new BFF," Carlito smiles. "Look the deal goes down in eight hours. I have plenty of play time until then."

"Taylor," Fastido smiles. "Which one?"

"The stubborn one," Carlito retorts. "Just a quickie. I'll be back before you know it."

A/N: Okay so hopefully once again this chapter had balance and sorry for the cliffy but had to keep you wondering hehe! please leave a review as it = faster writing! Thanks again AiP