CSI: New York – The College Years
Chapter 10 – Interrupted
...
Small beads of sweat had quickly begun to saturate his skin as Mac powered through the physically demanding football practice. It was only two days until another game day would be upon them and Coach Hammerback would settle for nothing less than a perfectly executed game plan. They had been running drills for the last two hours; most of their energy all but spent.
"Alright men, bring it in!" the Coach's voice called out after a final blow of his whistle. Helmets were quickly tossed aside and most of the team sprinted towards the sidelines, heading straight for the refreshment table.
"Mac, Don" Danny called out as he caught up to the two of them who were already heading for the locker room. "We doing the usual? Heading over to the diner for a bite?"
"No can do Dann-o" Don shrugged.
"Why not? Oh wait, let me guess... You can bring Jess along too ya know"
"It's not Jess; in fact she'll probably go anyway"
"So what are you doing tonight?"
"Have to go see Stella. She said she needs to talk to me about something" he shrugged once more and Mac felt his body tense slightly.
"What's that about?" Danny immediately wondered.
"Beats me. Maybe we'll catch up with you guys afterwards"
"Alright, alright. Mac, you in?"
"Um..." Mac began hesitantly.
"Never mind 'um' you're coming" Danny stated simply, landing a hand on Mac's shoulder. "Meet you there in an hour"
Mac wasn't given the chance to argue as Danny quickly disappeared into the shower room. He looked over to Don and began wondering how he was going to react when Stella told him the news. He knew how protective Don was over Stella; especially considering the sordid details of her strained childhood and he couldn't blame Don for looking out for her as he did. In fact, he was glad she had somebody like that in her life. Not that she needed anyone to fight her battles for her, but everyone needs a shoulder to lean on once and a while. He'd never dealt with a 'big brother' before; Claire was an only child and her father wasn't around much so the issue had never come up.
'Claire' his brain automatically laments. There was a name he hadn't thought of in a while. He still hadn't spoken to her since he arrived in New York, and the last time he attempted to contact her was nearly two weeks ago when he was feeling down on himself. Although he was having a great time getting to know Stella; he was certain she was out of his league and nothing would come of it anyway. She didn't answer the call and when the voicemail box kicked in Mac found himself not able to come up with any words to leave with her, so instead he let out a heavy sigh then hung up the phone.
However, that was all behind him now and he finally felt himself ready to move on with Stella. This was one girl he wasn't going to let get away; he told himself time and time again since the concert the other night.
...
"So, when's Don going to be here?" Jess asked, leaning up against the doorframe to Stella's bedroom.
"Soon I guess" she shrugged in return, looking over to the small clock on her bedside table.
"Nervous?"
"Should I be?"
"I'd like to say no, but you and I both know how Don is..."
"Gee thanks"
"I'm just kidding" Jess lightly laughed. "Besides, next to Frankie Mac is like something out of a fairy tale. Don should be throwing a party when he finds out"
"Maybe, but let's hold off on the streamers and party hats just yet" Stella smirked.
"So, you and Mac are like... official?"
"I think so" Stella nodded with a bright smile.
"So tell me what happened!" Jess quickly demanded as she took a seat next to Stella on the bed.
"Well, we were standing outside and I was being a total vulnerable mess, and I figured he would be darting into traffic at any given moment but instead he..."
"He what?!" Jess asked, intrigued to hear the rest of the story.
"He told me he lost his mind and then he kissed me" she grinned and Jess offered a sideways glance.
"What? Lost his mind? Well... that's a nice sentiment... Quite the charmer you've got yourself there..."
"No, wait, I'm telling the story all wrong" Stella laughed at herself. "It was much more romantic than that"
"Geez I hope so"
"It really was. It was all just in the moment, and the song and..."
"The song?"
"Yeah, you know 'if falling for you girl is crazy, then I'm going out of my mind'" Stella sang the particular line she was trying to get across earlier.
"Awwwww!" Jess gushed as she realized what Stella was talking about. "That is so cute!"
"It was adorable"
"Think you've got yourself a keeper?" Jess wondered and Stella grinned once more.
"I hope so"
They suddenly heard a soft knock at the door, and knowing it would be Don Stella took a deep breath, then nodded her head at Jessica to go and let him in.
Jess bounded over towards the door, barely able to contain her excitement. She swung the door open and quickly greeted Don by throwing her arms around his neck and planting a tender kiss on his lips.
"Good to see you too babe" Don smirked as she pulled herself off of him.
"Listen, I'm going to meet everyone down at the diner, but why don't you guys meet up with us after?"
"You're not going to tell me what this is about are you?"
"What makes you think I even know?"
"Please, I'm sure you guys were just in the bathroom gabbing about" Don offered in a mocked huff.
"Just go talk to Stella. I'll see you in a bit okay? And we're still on for tonight, right?"
"You bet" Don confirmed, pulling her in for one last kiss before she took her leave and left him standing in the doorway.
"Stell..." Don called out, making his way down the hallway to her bedroom.
"Yeah, come in"
"What's going on Stell? Is everything alright?" Don immediately wondered with hint of worry in his tone.
"Everything's fine" she smiled warmly. "Better than fine, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. Come and sit down" she mentioned, patting her hand down beside her on the mattress.
Don took of his jacket and draped it over a nearby chair before taking a seat on the edge of the bed and turning to face Stella. "So, what's up?"
Stella shifted in her seat and fidgeted nervously with her fingers, unsure of where to start and not knowing how Don would react to her confessing that she's now seeing one of his friends.
"Stella, what is it?" Don pressed further, noticing her anxiety.
"You want me to be happy, right?" she finally began, looking at Don with uncertainty.
"Of course Stella, what kind of question is that? What is this about?"
"Well, I'm sure you've noticed that ever since Frankie, I haven't had that much to be happy about" she stated glumly and Don felt his heart sink.
"Stella..."
"Just let me finish" she interrupted. "The point is, I'm done dwelling over the past; done with Frankie. I haven't seen or spoken to him since the party a couple weeks back so I think he's finally gotten the hint. And I know I'm ready to move on"
"That's great sis, really. I'm proud of you"
"Thanks Don" she smiled warmly. "You and Jess were really there for me through all of this and I can't thank you guys enough"
"Don't mention it" Don shrugged, smiling back as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze. "So, ready to move on, huh?" he smirked and she grinned back at him nervously.
"Yeah, I am..."
"Alright, so who is he?" Don immediately questioned with a soft sigh.
"What? Who?" she tried to sound innocent and Don just shook his head and laughed.
"Come on Stell, you're not fooling me. Is this why you wanted to talk to me, because you've started seeing someone else and you wanted to tell me?"
"Fine" she lightly huffed, letting out a sigh of defeat at the end.
"So, who is he? Do I know him?"
"You do..." she treaded lightly around the subject and he raised an eyebrow at her as his curiosity grew.
"Well, tell me who it is"
"Um... Mac?" not sure why she made it sound like a question, she crinkled her face slightly and raised an eyebrow as if she was waiting to hear a stern lecture from a parent or authority figure.
"Oh..." is all Don offered back as he took his gaze away from her and brought it back down to the floor.
"Don?..." she tried to get his attention but was rewarded with nothing but silence for a few short moments that to Stella seemed like an eternity.
"You know" he began softly. "I knew it was only a matter of time before you started dating my friends" he finished smugly with a slight smirk as he finally looked back at her and she nudged him in the side with her elbow.
"Technically, I knew him first" she countered and he looked at her in disbelief.
"What? No you didn't..."
"I met him the morning before your first official practice"
"And you didn't tell me?"
"Didn't think much of it at the time" she shrugged; a grin instantly forming as she remembered his cute and nervous actions on their first encounter. Not to mention her instant attraction to him that she decided to push to the back of her brain while still insisting to herself that no good could come from dating another football jock.
"So, what changed your mind all of a sudden?" Don wondered.
"Well, it wasn't exactly 'all of a sudden'..." she admitted sheepishly. "We've kind of spent every morning together since the day after the first party..."
"Perfectly innocent" she quickly explained as she felt the need to interject as she saw Don ready to respond. "We go running together every morning"
"So, why didn't Mac tell me?" Don had to know.
"Probably, like me, didn't think there was anything to tell"
"And when did that change?"
"The concert..." she sighed happily and Don just nodded.
"You know Stell, Mac is a really good guy as far as I can tell; and you certainly deserve the best. So, if you're happy, I'm happy"
"Really?"
"Really. Now, that being said, he knows what happens if he hurts you right?" he smirked and she rolled her eyes.
"He's been fore-warned, yes" she lightly laughed.
"Good. Just so long as he knows what he's getting into"
"Geez Don, don't go trying to scare him off" she laughed again and swatted his arm.
"That's my job" he smirked once more before pulling her against his shoulder offering a quick hug.
"Well, what do you say, you wanna get out of here and meet up with the guys, and uh... your guy..." Don asked and Stella smiled at his choice of words.
"Yeah, let's go" she nodded in agreement as she pushed herself up off the bed and they both grabbed for their jackets before heading out of the dorm.
...
As Don and Stella made their way into the diner the few others that were still left at the table had finished eating and were now just relaxing with a cup of coffee and chatting amongst themselves. Mac stared nervously at the pair as they made their way to the table; uncertain of whether or not Stella had actually told Don, and how he took to the news if she did. His eyes darted back and forth between them as if he was watching a heated tennis match and Stella couldn't help but smile at his nervousness.
Deciding not to torture him any further Stella nudged Don softly in his side then made a gesturing nod of her head towards Mac.
"Oh, right" Don began, clearing his throat before extending his hand to Mac. "Uh, congrats Mac. You take care of her, alright?"
Mac quickly accepted Don's handshake and nodded his head with a smile; inwardly sighing with relief that the situation didn't turn awkward.
"And don't hurt her" Don lightly warned, not yet letting go of the handshake that had gone on a little too long. "We can't afford to lose our quarterback" he smirked as he finally let go and Mac let out a hearty laugh; knowing, or at least hoping that Don was only joking.
Jess, who was sitting opposite from Mac pushed herself down the booth slightly so that Don could slip in next to her and Mac stood up and offered Stella to sit down first before he slid back in next to her and opposite from Don. Still a little weary of how to act with Stella in front of their friends; Mac kept his hands clenched together and resting on the table in front of him.
Much to Mac's delight, Jess quickly struck up a conversation about the upcoming weekend, diverting the attention away from him and Stella and as the others joined in Mac finally felt his tension beginning to ease. New relationships always have their awkward moments, he thought; especially ones that began between two mutual friends. Looking around the table though at the others he felt a sense of belonging; sure he had only known this already tight-knit group of friends for a few weeks but they had seamlessly accepted him as 'one of the gang' quite quickly, and truthfully it wasn't what he expected when he came to a big city school such as this one but he was more than happy now with his outlook on what the future had in store.
Finally feeling his nerves settle he leaned back in his seat and draped his arm across the bench behind Stella; and as she laughed about something Danny had said she leaned over, pressing herself against Mac's side and his lips automatically curled up into a smile upon the contact her body made with his. This, he thought, he could get used to.
With the sun now risking to set and most of the diner cleared out aside from the three couples; Jess looked at her watch before quickly tossing back the rest of her glass of water then motioning for Don to get up from the booth.
"We're going to miss the movie if we don't leave now" she reminded him as she lightly urged him out of the booth.
"Yes master" Don huffed teasingly as he slid out of the booth and held out his hand for her to take.
"See ya guys" Don offered to the rest of the table while Jess offered a simple smile and a wave before they took their leave from the diner.
"What do you say Montana? You ready to get out of here too?" Danny asked and Lindsay nodded hesitantly.
"I have so much homework" she mentioned while rolling her eyes.
"Well come on, we can have a study date" Danny smirked and she rolled her eyes again before letting out a small laugh.
"Something tells me studying will be the last thing on your mind" she teased while shaking her head and pushing him out of the booth.
"She knows me too well" Danny offers with a shrug towards Stella and Mac. Stella. Like Lindsay, Stella was quick to roll her eyes while Mac and Danny exchanged smirks.
"Goodnight you guys" Lindsay called out while giggling as Danny all but dragged her out of the diner by her hand.
"So..." Mac began, looking over to Stella.
"So..." she offered back, shifting nervously in her seat.
"Can I uh, walk you home?"
"I'd like that" she confessed with a warm smile.
Mac stood up from the table and offered his hand to Stella who graciously accepted. As she stood up from the booth he slipped his hand out of hers and wrapped it around her waist instead, keeping her close as they headed out into the cool autumn air and darkened streets.
Along the way back to her dorm Stella had filled Mac in on the few details about her conversation with Don before they changed the subject to lighter topics such as school and this weekend's upcoming football game.
Before they knew it, they were standing outside Stella's dorm room and Stella began nervously fidgeting with her key in her hands, not really wanting Mac to leave just yet.
"Well... goodnight" Mac offered weakly, finally bringing his gaze from his feet back up to her eyes.
"Goodnight" she smiled as they both stood still, fixed in time.
Finally letting out a nervous chuckle Mac leaned in and kissed Stella softly and briefly on her warm lips; but as he pulled back and noticed the expression in her eyes, begging him not to go he leaned into her once more, this time more forcefully as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed her into the door.
"Wait" Stella managed as she lightly pushed him away.
"Stella, I'm sorry, I..." Mac tried to apologize but Stella pushed a finger to his lips to silence him.
"I was just going to say we should take this inside" she smiled at him; and although her words allowed his anxiety to ease, it also caused his heart rate to sky rocket as she pushed the door open and led him inside.
Quickly tossing his jacket aside as his young desire began to take control over his brain, Mac wrapped his arm around Stella once more as he pulled her tightly against him and began hungrily kissing her, only to have her resist him once again. Stopping immediately he stared into her eyes, searching for answers.
"What is it?" he wondered.
"I just... I don't want you to think... We're not going to..." Stella began rambling nervously, looking down at the floor and unsure even to herself what she was trying to say.
"Stella" Mac spoke softly as he tilted her head up to look him in the eyes. "Say what you want to say" he encouraged her and she offered a small smile.
"I really like you Mac, but I'm not ready to... you know" she shrugged and he nodded in understanding.
"We don't have to" he assured her, and she looked at him with a slight frown.
"I just really like kissing you" she admitted sheepishly and he smiled. "And I know that it's not fair for me to just get you all worked up and then..."
"Stella" Mac interrupted before she could finish her thought. "Don't worry about me alright? Because the last thing I would want to do is hurt you or cause you to have any regrets. Okay?" he asked and she nodded.
"You set the pace" he began again, offering her a quick kiss. "You might just have to let me go have a cold shower though afterwards" he teased in a low tone as he rested his forehead against hers and she finally laughed.
"How did I get so lucky?" she asked, stroking his cheek.
"I'm the lucky one" He countered with a slight smirk. "Now, didn't you say you liked kissing me?" he mumbled against her lips before tasting them once more.
Never breaking contact with Mac, Stella began walking backwards, guiding them towards the couch. When they reached it Mac lowered her down gently and she lied down on her side with her back against the pillows of the couch and Mac climbed in next to her as their heated make-out session continued.
It wasn't easy for Mac to control his urges but the last thing he wanted to do was to make Stella uncomfortable so he kept his hands innocently on her waist and wouldn't dare to move them unless otherwise provoked by her to do so.
Stella had been pleasantly surprised by Mac's respect for her wishes, nothing like what it was like with Frankie, she thought to herself. He didn't seem to understand the meaning of the word 'slow'. Being wrapped in Mac's warm embrace had a comforting and safe feeling to it; she knew now she could trust him; and her trust wasn't exactly the easiest thing to gain. She of course knew that Mac was always the 'gentleman' type, but never thought a guy as perfect as him existed. She had finally felt she could let her guard down; Mac Taylor really was her Prince Charming, she surmised.
"Um... Mac..." Stella lightly giggled as Mac's phone began vibrating in his pocket.
"Sorry" Mac huffed, looking at her with an apologetic frown as he pushed himself away from her slightly to reach into his pocket.
Hoping to quickly dismiss the caller and get back to what he was doing, Mac didn't even bother to look at the display before he flipped the phone open.
"Hello?" he answered but heard nothing but silence in return.
"Hello?" he tried again, this time hearing just a short breath.
"Who is this?" he questioned, just about ready to hang up the phone.
"Mac?" the all too familiar voice finally answered and Mac's once rapidly beating heart nearly came to a dead stop as the voice echoed through his head.
"Claire?" he dared to ask in astonishment as he pushed himself up into a seated position, turning his back to Stella and planting his feet on the floor.
'Claire?' Stella's mind instinctively raced with wonder as she noticed Mac's frame immediately tense up.
...
**Well? Oh come on, you knew it was coming ;) lol. Hmmm, hopefully I justified the cliffy by giving you guys a little bit of SMaction before hand ;)
Let me know what you thought of this chapter by leaving a review! More to come soon!**