AN: Sorry to have left everyone hanging for so long but when I went to publish a new chapter I learned that I already had a chapter twleve ready to go so here it is please enjoy. You get a bonus today two chapters for the price of one. Anyway something I wanted to inquire about: how does everyone feel about the way I end my chapters? I try to bring something from the end of the scene into the title of the chapter itself. I don't know if anyone has noticed or not. Please let me know your thoughts on this now that you know in case you hadn't noticed but by all means please don't read the end first unless your like me and have to find out how it ends before you read the middle. ;-) Don't forget to vote! (see next chapter to find out how.)

God Speed! VaniDot

CSINY *** CSINY *** CSINY *** CSINY

Chapter Twelve: So Much More

Stella was tired after a long week. They had finally caught the private school killer with the help of an undercover police woman posing as a student. Everything had returned to normal, at least as normal as everything got around a crime lab.

Sid had taken a few days off to go see his family in New Jersey. He was also having some work done on his house while he was away. Stella couldn't say she wasn't disappointed. However the last case had hit pretty close to home for the M.E. so she understood perfectly. She didn't blame him for wanting to spend a few days alone with his wife and daughter.

By the time Sunday rolled around Stella was ready for a day off of her own. After the success of their first double date, Don, Angel, and Sheldon agreed to spend their day off together for another one. It was the most fun she'd had in a long time. They didn't have anything planned except to hit a concert at the park and see where it went from there. She even splurged on buying lunch for everyone at the Boathouse.

It amazed Stella how little she had actually seen of Central Park even though she lived just a stone's throw from it for much of her adult life. She couldn't count the number of times she'd been there at the scene of a crime but that was the first time she'd been just for pleasure. She talked everyone into taking a pedicab tour of the park and though they laughed at first they seemed to enjoy it as much as she did.

Still feeling a bit adventurous after the ride was over she convinced her companions to take one of the many tour buses around town. The one the happened upon took them to see where all the famous people lived. It was one of those red double-decker types and while Don and Angel were content to neck in the back seat, Stella took pictures with the digital camera she had thought to bring. Even Sheldon found entertainment in chatting someone up rather than actually listening to the tour guide.

Though they had already missed the first leg of the trip they were just in time to hear about all the famous people who had lived, currently lived, or sometimes stayed in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. It was nice to be able to shoot photos of something other than a gruesome murder. The second floor of the bus offered perfect views of the architectural details one often missed walking at street level.

Just as they were driving passed a one-way street that so and so lived on, Stella thought she saw Mac Taylor coming out of a town house. She used the zoom feature of her camera to get a better view but still couldn't be sure. She looked around to see if her other travelers noticed but they weren't even looking. She turned back to find the person she thought was Mac only to find he had disappeared.

Almost everyone at the lab swore Mac never took a day off in his life though he had as much right to one as everyone else. She wondered what might have brought him to this side of town but beside a crime scene she couldn't think of anything. He had been carrying a case though it wasn't shiny like their metal investigative cases were. She didn't have much time to think about it though as the tour was drawing to a close and it headed back to the park.

The four of them decided to part ways upon their return. Don and Angel wanted to spend the rest of their day off alone while Sheldon had to report to duty. Even though he wasn't a doctor every now and then he still volunteered with the Central Park Medical Unit. Since he was already there he decided to start his shift a bit early. Stella was left to make her way back to her apartment on her own.

It was getting late but it was still early enough the criminal types who preyed on the park patrons weren't out yet. They were usually nocturnal animals and it was a few hours before sunset. She cut through the park heading west still thinking about Mac and what he was doing in one of the city's most influential neighborhoods. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't see then man until she was almost on top of him. He was there!

Stella looked around for a hiding spot and quickly jumped behind the nearest tree. She was certain he hadn't seen her but she stayed there for several minutes until her heart and breathing where once again within her control. What was he doing there? It looked as though he had been helping to set up for a concert but she couldn't figure out why unless he had volunteered to work as security for the event.

Policemen often used their off hours to safeguard such events which helped to supplement their small income. Unlike the shows on television depicted, being a real life policeman –or policewoman for that matter – wasn't a lucrative job. You had to want to be a cop and to help people enough to settle for low wages and little reward.

Despite what Hollywood wanted you to think, a HumV was not dolled out with every detective's badge. Stella drove a pacific blue Kia Sorrento which she had bought herself and Mac drove a navy Chevy Suburban. She knew Sid owned a green Subaru Forester but most everyone either took the subway or drove a government vehicle on assignment. Either that or they bummed a rid with Mac, her, or Flack.

They also were not assigned to every scene of a crime either unless a homicide or decomposing body was involved. It wasn't until a possible suicide is ruled a murder by the medical examiner did they venture forth to process the scene. Most of their work was done in the lab pouring over countless tests and keeping meticulous notes so the chain of evidence wasn't disrupted. None of them especially the detectives handing them a case wanted a judge to be able to throw something out because that chain was broken of the evidence tampered with.

Volunteer work of his own was the only conclusion Stella could come up with as to Mac's presence in the park as he was dressed in casual clothes for a change. He sported a black, short sleeved t-shirt and a pair of relaxed fit jeans though she told herself she wasn't spying as she peeked around the tree to get a look at him. He apparently hadn't seen her as he was still working. It was just a coincidence that they happened to be in the same place at the same time… wasn't it?

Stella slapped mental handcuffs on herself; the charge was spying with suspicion of stalking. She wondered if she could plead insanity though she knew the prosecutor would never convict on a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. She also berated herself for feeling guilty when she wasn't hadn't committed a crime. After taking a deep breath she stepped out from behind the tree ready to act surprised to see him only he had disappeared. She shrugged her shoulders but couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed.

She continued her journey but only got as far as the front of the stage. Unlike the concert she'd been to earlier that morning, this one was smaller and dedicated to disabled soldiers and their families. The musicians were warming up and she looked around for Mac thinking he needed help with crowd control. She still didn't see him until, just by chance, she glanced up.

Stella got the shock of her life when she saw Mac on stage playing a bass guitar. She stared at him in disbelief for a few seconds before looking around for means of escape. It was too late however as, when she looked up at him again, he was staring straight at her. He also appeared shocked to see her as he immediately stopped playing and lifted the strap over his shoulders.

He jumped off the stage and headed right for her with determined steps. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she suddenly felt nervous. While they had worked together on the case they hadn't talked about that kiss. She wasn't exactly ready for it now either. He stopped a few feet away and opened his mouth to say something but she beat him to the punch.

"I wasn't spying on you honest!" She exclaimed a little too hastily. He quirked his eye brows at her in that annoyingly attractive way of his but a smile played out over his face.

"Just happen to be in the neighborhood then I guess." He stated with a chuckle.

"Actually I was on my way home." She replied. His eyes widened in response.

"Do you always cut through the park on your way home?" He asked curiously.

"How do you know I was cutting through the park?" She wondered then shook her head what else would she be doing in the park if she was on her way home. "Stupid question sorry, yes I'm cutting through the park. The only way to get to my apartment by taxi this time of day is by the 66th Street Transverse and I live closer to Terrace so I chose to walk. No, I don't make a habit of it." She told him before he could ask. He actually had the audacity to smile at her.

"If you don't mind sticking around 'til after the concert, I'll drive you home." He offered. She looked at him in surprise but nodded her head.

"I can't believe you play," She commented.

"Yeah…." He replied. "I've got to get back, you gonna stay?" He wanted to know.

"Sure, I'm in no hurry." She replied intrigued by the thought of hearing him play. He returned to the stage and joined in the practice session. He was quite excellent. She noticed for the first time how relaxed and calm he looked while playing. He was so different up on stage than he was at work. She didn't think her day could get more enjoyable than that afternoon with her other co-workers.

Even though she didn't know much about the instrument he played he sounded good enough to be a professional. She wondered why he chose to become a criminal investigator instead of being a full time musician. She quite enjoyed his small concert better than she had the better known band that played earlier.

It was dark by the time the music stopped and all the equipment was packed up. Mac introduced her to his fellow musician and found that he played with them on a regular basis. Another unexpected fact about the man, which made her wonder what other surprises he had up his sleeve.

Mac and Stella said their good-byes and he led the way to his car. It wasn't until they reached the black SUV that she realized it was parked in the opposite direction of where she was headed. She looked back the way they had come but it was so dark she wasn't sure which direction was which any more.

"Uhh Mac, I live on the west side. I don't recognize any of the landmarks." She spoke up.

"That's probably because I'm parked in the east section. I said I'd take you home, so come on." He told her opening the door for her. She raised a brow at his apparent show of chivalry. "I've been told I'm a traditionalist." He gave as his plea for the defense. She smiled and shook her head but climbed into the vehicle anyway. He closed the door before heading around to his side and drove off.

Neither of them spoke for several minutes. Mac concentrated on driving while Stella fought for something to say that wouldn't lead to the kiss they shared. It had returned to the forefront of her mind when she found herself in such close quarters to the man.

"I'm hungry!" He startled her with his sudden exclamation. "Are you hungry?" he asked curiously. She looked over at him in surprise and saw him glance at her expectantly.

"I could eat," She determined without analysis.

"Great! Wanna grab a bite?" Mac inquired.

"Are you buying?" She gave into her curiosity.

"Sure if you'll let me go home to shower and change first." He haggled.

"Then it's a deal." She replied. Instead of staying on the main road he turned down a side street heading further east. "I thought you lived out by the lab." She frowned.

"I'm staying with a friend." He explained why he wasn't headed south. Stella shrugged her shoulders and sat back content with his reasoning. She rarely had the opportunity to see that part of town. She had to admit the view was much different from that level than the upper deck of the bus, it was much more agreeable.

Before long they stopped in front of the same brownstone she had seen him come out of earlier, confirming her suspicions. She opened the car door before he put the Suburban into park; it was his turn to quirk an eyebrow. She gave him a smirk as she hopped out of the vehicle onto the curb and closed the door. He wasn't far behind gathering his guitar case out of the back seat and headed up a flight of stairs to the house. When he unlocked the door and pushed it open he gave her an expectant look.

"Thank you, kind sir." She grinned and entered first as he had silently requested. It was nice being treated by a lady for once.

"You're welcome, M'lady." He gave a bow before following her inside and locked the door behind him. There was a small space before another set of doors which led into the rest of the home. Mac went further in and laid his cell phone in a jack on a console table close to the inner door. "Make yourself at home I won't be long." He gestured to the space before disappearing upstairs case in hand.

Stella felt like an intruder but did as she was told noting there was an office just beyond the console and matching mirror to the left of the main hall. On the right almost directly opposite was a formal sitting room she expected to find in such an old house. The parlor, as it had been called up until the twentieth century, was richly decorated in textured upholstery and silken drapes. They didn't look terribly comfortable though the décor spoke of a feminine hand. There didn't appear to be anything else on the first floor except for a pair of closed pocket doors at the end of the hall past the stairs which was directly behind the parlor.

She decided to have a peek before heading up to the second floor in search of the main part of the house. As she slid the doors back into the wall she was elated to find what she had been looking for but was rather unexpected. The living room was everything she imagined Mac would own. There were antiques mixed with modern amenities, scientific apparatus next to sports paraphernalia, and movies on the same shelves as technical manuals.

It wasn't until she remembered that he was staying with a friend that she felt somewhat dismayed. The furnishings and decorations both seemed to fit Mac perfectly but whoever owned the place had good tastes. She knew Sid's house was being renovated but she had to wonder who the friend was as that part of the house seemed completely masculine compared to the front room.

Stella admired the turn of the century fire place which was nestled between matching bookshelves. She ran her hand along the back of a wing back chair imagining being curled up in one of the twin pieces of furniture with a good book. Looking at the little nook, she might never have guess that across the room was a wide screen television surrounded by a large leather couch and matching recliner. Craftsmen era furnishings met more modern traditional furniture in a mix of eclectic comfort but somehow it all seemed to fit rather than feel out of place.

The dining room also spoke of craftsman touches as it was just behind the living room separated by an open arched colonnade with glassed in shelves to either side. The fireplace was mimicked by a similar cabinet that was used to serve food on and house all the essentials for dining. Stella could almost see herself in a twenties style dress in that room and smiled at the image. She peeked around the corner of the archway to spot a kitchen to the right of the dining room but didn't go any further as though expecting to get yelled at.

She retreated to the more modern leather sofa and sat down to wait for Mac. She heard the water go on and knew it would be a few minutes more. Stella tucked her legs up under her and leaned her head back against the plush cushion noticing the coffered ceiling above before her eyes closed involuntarily. She thought she would let them stay closed for only a few seconds but that was the last thing she remembered thinking.

Her next conscious thought was how delicious something smelled and her stomach furiously reminded her she hadn't eaten since lunch. She had to know where that smell was coming from her instincts demanded. The only thing she could do was obey the call to arms so she opened her eyes. She moved her arms to find they had been covered – like the rest of her body – with a quilt. She stifled a yawn as she stretched which alerted the other house guest.

"You get your nap out?" Mac asked, peeking his head around the corner; only this time he was coming from the kitchen. He was drying his hands with a kitchen towel which he slung over his shoulder when he was finished.

"Did I what?" She asked groggily.

"Get your nap out! When I was in the marines, a subordinate of mine used to say that all the time. I think it's southern for: 'did you have a nice nap?'" Mac explained with a chuckle. At that moment he was very much different then than Mac Taylor her boss. She could almost picture him as Mac Taylor the family man with kids running around the house. Stella sat a little straighter at the thought and shook her head to clear her mind.

"In that case yes I did thanks. What time is it? How long did I sleep?" She wondered unfurling her legs which had stiffened up a little.

"Oh not more than an hour tops. It takes twenty minutes for the Chinese place to fix everything and deliver it. I also took longer than I meant to. You want to eat in the dining room or the kitchen?" He inquired.

"Kitchen is fine," She told him. "First thing first though…" She added as he turned away. He cast an inquisitive glance back over his shoulder. "Where's your bathroom?" She had to know. He smiled and pointed towards the hall.

"First door on the left across from the stairs." He instructed then went back into the kitchen. Stella made her way to the room she'd taken for a closet upon her arrival and made use of the facilities. Her internal organs thanked her profusely as she finished up. After washing her hands she dried them on the towel provided for her use then went to join Mac in the kitchen.

The kitchen matched the rest of the homes décor with bead board covered walls plus farmhouse sink though the gas stove along with the refrigerator were new. She was surprised by the fact that there was a gourmet stove and large cooler as Mac didn't seem the type to cook but maybe his friend was a chef. Mac had all the food laid out on a tray and was setting a small round table nestled into a corner of the room.

"Can I help?" She asked causing him to look up at her. He smiled and pointed to some glasses by the refrigerator.

"Grab those and what ever you want to drink. I'll take a ginger ale." He said as he came back to the island for the tray.

While the island was large there was no place to sit down signifying its sole purpose was for prepping and serving the food. Stella hated bars at the kitchen island as well happy to see one without for a change. Another she liked about the kitchen is that it wasn't cluttered with papers and business paraphernalia.

A kitchen in her mind was for cooking and eating nothing else. There was office space a plenty for paying bills and leaving yourself notes in. If that was her place she'd probably be sticking post em's on the hall mirror she thought with a laugh.

Stella got the drinks from the fridge before bringing the requested items to the table. She started to sit down but Mac pulled the chair out for her. Feeling more like a queen than a feminist she gratefully took a seat which he then scooted closer to the table. Mac joined her at the table pouring himself a glass of ginger ale while she did the same. The ginger flavored beverage always complemented Asian food in her mind and was less overshadowing than alcohol.

"Wow! How much did you spend?" She noticed for the first time how much food there actually was.

"I wasn't sure what you liked so I ordered extras. There are always leftovers for lunch." He grinned at her.

"I think you're a glutton for punishment. By the end of the week you'll be so sick of Chinese food you won't be able to stand it… or your co-workers won't be able to stand you." She told him with a placid expression. He gave her that classic Mac look which made her break from her poker face with a laugh.

"Who said I'll be the only one eating leftovers?" He asked with a smirk.

"Hmm we'll all suffer together is what you're thinking right?" She rightly guessed. He chuckled and shook his head.

"Sid's coming back tomorrow so he and the girls will be staying here until the house is finished. With Mary's allergies I didn't think it was good for them to do the repairs themselves." He offered an explanation. Her stomach twisted at the thought of meeting Sid's family.

"What ever happened to going out to eat?" She wondered changing the subject.

"When I came down from upstairs you were sleeping so peacefully I didn't want to wake you. That's when I decided to get something delivered." He responded once he finished chewing his food.

As with everything else, Mac's table manners were impeccable though she did know him to talk with his mouth full on occasion. The thought made her smile when she pictured him as a kid trying to remember his manners. It was hard to imagine Mac as a little kid though but an image of that curly haired youth who'd saved her popped into her head again.

"So… when does Peyton head home?" She posed a question she thought might distract her from her thoughts. Stella had the sudden fear that Peyton might walk in on the innocent scene and think the worst which didn't help her already unraveling nerves.

"Her flight left this afternoon I presume she was on the plane." He dispassionately made known.

"You didn't drive your girlfriend to the airport? Shame on you, Mac. I can't believe your chivalrous side let you get away with that. You'll have to make it up to her the next time she's in town." Stella observed.

"Peyton and I are no longer seeing each other." He admitted.

"What? Why?" Stella asked curiously. "Sorry it's not any place to ask." She quickly withdrew the question.

"No it's alright," He assured her. "We… just realized we were going in opposite directions." He added.

"Is it because she lives in London?" She wanted to know.

"Partly I guess, mainly it was about my wife." Mac revealed unexpectedly.

"She must have been someone special if you still care about her." Stella commented.

"Very special but I didn't deserve her." he replied sadly.

"Mac, you can't blame yourself. Nobody expected such a tragedy to happen, there's no way for you to have known about it either. I might have never met her but I bet you she'd say the same if she was here. I know if I was up in heaven looking down I wouldn't want my loved ones blaming themselves for how I died. I'm certain she would want you to be happy, Mac Taylor." Stella adamantly proclaimed. He looked up at her with a sad smile causing her heart to lurch. Why did that man drive her to distraction? Stella buried her head in chest trying to appear more interested in her food than she actually was. He was also silent for a long time though she dare not look at him to see what he was thinking.

"Sid told me you grew up in St. Basil's," He mentioned the name of the orphanage where she grew up. She frowned thinking it was a strange question but she found no cause to deny the man an answer. Especially not after revealing so much of himself so she sighed and nodded her head.

"My mom died when I was six but I never knew my father. We left Greece when I was two years old and mom never talked about him." She informed him.

"How did she die?" He wanted to know.

"We were driving back to New York City from Montreal but got very lost after having to take a detour. The car either slid off the road on a patch of ice or was hit by someone who didn't stick around to find out the damage they'd done. The local Leo's told me it was likely a hit and run but they weren't certain." She relayed the facts as she knew them.

"You didn't have any family back in Greece?" He questioned.

"Mama's father died in WWII and Grandma died when I was just a baby. As far as I know Mama was an only child and I couldn't find any aunts or uncles when I went back for a visit." She answered the best she could. "What about your parents?" She wondered.

"I guess I'm an orphan as well as my parents died when I was eighteen. I was lucky though as I joined the marines shortly after their funeral. My fellow soldiers became my family though I always had Sid waiting for me at home. Dad's parents died before I was born but Mom's parents didn't die until I was much older. Gramps died from lung cancer the year I turned nine and Gran died when I was twelve. She was the typical eccentric old cat lady, but she went in her sleep like she's always wanted." He explained. "Sheldon told me about your mysterious past did you ever find the answers you were looking for?" He changed the subject. Sid had begged to be the one to tell Mac, though she didn't know why he needed to be notified at all.

"I think I've found most of them." She replied giving away as little as possible. She got up and put her empty plate in the sink feeling a bit too stuffed.

"Just leave those, I'll wash them tomorrow." He told her as he did the same. She helped him put everything away before seeing how late it had gotten when she looked at the clock.

"I should really get home." She spoke up.

"Do you have to?" He asked making her look up at him. "I mean it's late and I have a spare room you could use." Mac offered.

"I think I'll just go." She replied unable to trust herself alone with him any longer.

"Well I did promise to drive you home." He said going to get his keys.

"That's okay Mac I'll just hail a cab." She exclaimed as he tried stifling a yawn.

"It's impossible to find a taxi around here this late at night. If you won't let me drive you then at least take my car." He insisted handing the keys out to her.

"Thanks," She accepted his offer taking the keys from his hand. As his skin brushed against hers she felt a bolt of electricity shoot right through her. She quickly pulled her hand away but she could still feel the warmth of his hand on hers. She turned and started walking towards the door but he grabbed her wrist. He held onto her though not painfully.

"Stay, please Stella." He pleaded softly.

"I can't," She responded in kind. He held her wrist a second longer before letting her arm fall back to her side. She didn't turn to look back at him as she made her way towards the exit. The further away from him she got the more she felt that if she walked out the door nothing would ever happen between them. "See here's the thing," She said stopping and turning to look at him. He'd already turned his back to her but at the sound of her voice he looked back over his shoulder at her. "We've never talked about that kiss so I don't know if it was just me…" She began but never got the chance to finish. In less than four steps he closed the gap and kissed her firmly yet tenderly.

One hand gravitated towards her curls while his other one went to the small of her back and gripped the fabric of her shirt. He pulled her closer answering all of her questions with that one exquisite kiss. She sighed leaning into him wishing the kiss would never end. For a brief moment she gave herself over to the emotions putting her arms around his neck until he pulled away.

"Did that spell it out for you enough?" He asked after catching his breath. She nodded still trying to do the same. "I lied." He confessed.

"About what?" She asked curiously looking into his eyes.

"The conversation I had with Peyton." He admitted. "I told her that I had fallen for someone else." He revealed.

"Who?" She wondered. He gave her that lopsided smile of his and kissed her again.

"Do I have to spell it out for you?" He asked punctuating it with another kiss. "She actually worked it out for herself. I've known it was over since she wrote me a 'Dear Mac' letter several months ago." He explained.

"I think someone forgot to tell her that." She laughed making him frown. "I was down in the morgue looking for Sid when I ran into her. She told me the two of you had been seeing each other for years. I guess she smelled a possible threat to her territory." She answered his unspoken question.

"Is that right?" He inquired.

"Women are sensitive to these kinds of things." She let them in on a little secret.

"So are men." He informed her tightening his grip on her shirt.

"I haven't been with anyone in over five years, Mac. Who do you have to be jealous of?" She asked curiously.

"Flack and Hawkes, every time they get close to you I want to commit murder." He admitted. She couldn't help but laugh but he frowned down at her.

"Don and I dated all of two weeks almost three years ago. As far as Sheldon is concerned…" She began but the furrows on his brow deepened. "Dr. Hawkes has never meant anything more to me than as a brother, Mac." She insisted.

"Does he know that?" He demanded.

"Of course," She laughed, "Beside he's already had several girlfriends since I knew him in college. I don't know if he's seeing anyone at the moment but I think he has his eye on a girl where he volunteers." She assured him. He let go of her before walking away leaving her to watch.

"One last thing, are you sure my being twelve years older than you doesn't bother you?" he wanted to know.

"No more than Flack had my being five years older than him." She proclaimed. There was that frown again. "Don's seeing Jess Angel, Mac, there's no need to be jealous." She told him.

"Is it serious?" He inquired.

"I'd say it's pretty serious seeing how he showed me his mother's ring." She tried to alleviate his misery.

"Why would he show you a ring?" He questioned still doubtful.

"He wanted a woman's opinion, Mac, as a friend nothing more. If my calculations are right he's already popped the question to Angel." She informed him. He sighed in relief which made her smile. He took her in his arms again though she met him half way. He kissed her again more intense than the first to which she got carried away again. Everything was going great until those memories slammed back on her and she pulled away unable to breathe.

"Stella?" Mac asked seeing her in panic mode.

"I'm sorry, I just…" She began unsure how to tell him what she was feeling.

"You're not ready." He told her guessing what her dilemma was.

"I'm so sorry Mac." She apologized.

"Stella I can't imagine what you went through with your former boyfriend but I do understand. I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here when you're ready for a deeper relationship." He assured her giving her one last kiss, much more chaste. "I'd offer to drive you home but if you'll forgive I need a cold shower." He smiled apologetically. Stella smiled and shook her head patting his cheek.

She headed out to the car after promising to leave the keys on his desk in the morning. He stayed at the door watching her until she got in the car and locked the doors. She waved at him then headed back to her apartment thinking of all the ways she could confront her fear of intimacy.

She had seen a counselor after the incident but hadn't continued the therapy sessions. The emotions had been too raw at the time so she had never faced the memories rather buried them deep inside. Now that she had someone she wanted to be with she was willing to try facing them again. It wouldn't be easy but she was no longer willing to let one man's insanity stand in the way of her future. She had something worth fighting for: the love of a good man which promised so much more.