Chapter 10: Suspension

"If I remember correctly, you told me there was nothing between you and Mac yesterday," the director starts, leaning against the front of his desk while she sits in a chair opposite him.

"So what if I did," she answers with no emotion in her voice.

"I made it perfectly clear to all six of you last night that it is against protocol to have a relationship with a co-worker."

"Yes, you did," Stella says, still blank.

"You see, Stella, I knew there was something more than friendship in your relationship with Mac when I heard the last part of your conversation before knocking on the door last night. If I hadn't heard what I did, I would have believed your lie. And you two kissing just now," the director says, pacing around his office.

"You can't break us up; we were together before you made up that stupid rule," she says, satisfied with herself.

"I don't care," he stops behind her, hands on her shoulders. "You have one week on suspension to break it off with him."

"You've got to be kidding," she mutters. "This is blackmail. You can't have me, so you don't want anyone to."

"No, you have one week," he whispers in her ear, hands moving down her arms. "And you know what else you have to do in order to keep your job."

"I'm not going to sleep with you," she says stubbornly.

"We'll see about that." The director moves in front of her, crouching down to her level, hands on her legs.

"I'm reporting you to IAB for blackmail and assault, for your information. You'll be fired before I have to sleep with you," Stella glares at him angrily.

"Like they'd believe you. You've got three marks from suspects on your record; I've got nothing. Who do you seriously think they'll believe?" he laughs, hands sliding up to her waist.

"But they'll investigate it."

"You've got no witnesses and no evidence. I'll be cleared immediately. Besides, CSI has nothing on the whereabouts of the guy who raped you. I'll bet this guy has killed you by tomorrow," the director smirks, hands going under the hem of her sweater.

"No, he won't. Mac won't let me walk out of here by myself."

"Oh, I forgot how protective he is of you. Too bad he isn't watching now. And he won't be when the killer kidnaps you, rapes you again, and finishes you off after letting his friend have you," he smiles evilly at her.

"Oh my God, you're involved in this. The other women were just… a cover. I'm the one he's really after," Stella says as the tears shine in her eyes.

"You can't prove it," he whispers in her ear, too close for a boss. "I'll see you sometime soon, I suspect."

Stella gets up and leaves his office in a hurry, trying to hold back the tears. She bursts into Mac's office as she breaks down.

"Stella, what happened?" he asks, taking her in his arms.

It takes a few minutes for her to answer. "He's after me, Mac. He's involved with the rapist all because I won't sleep with him."

"What? Stella, I need to know everything. We'll stop him before he hurts you," Mac assures her, kissing her forehead.

A/N: I typed this Thursday and was too lazy to post it. Then I was at States for band yesterday. It was so cold I could barely play and the spit was freezing in my instrument. I got up at like noon today. So sorry for the wait. Next week with Stella getting stalked looks good. I can't wait.