*Author's Note. So I do not like how this chapter came out. I hope you enjoy it more than I do. Review please!*
"Stella, what is going on?" Mac asked, barging into the apartment, face red with anger.
"What are you talking about Mac?"
"Like you don't know. You're leaving and you weren't going to tell me. Well that plan backfired. After I left the lab tonight after shift, I realized I left a file I needed in my office so I went back. Only I didn't expect the extra file on my desk saying you quit! What is going on Stella?" Mac yelled, hands shaking with adrenaline.
"I didn't want to tell you because I knew you would blow up like this. I really don't have time for this, I need to finish packing." Stella threw back, trying to keep her anger in check.
Stella turned her back on Mac and started toward the kitchen. Mac took a deep, calming breath before calling after her.
"Stella. I'm sorry. Come here, please."
Reluctantly, Stella went back to the entry way.
"At least let me take you out for one last dinner before you leave." Mac asked hopefully, praying she would just say yes.
"Fine, but not too long, I have a long day tomorrow."
"Ok."
They leave her apartment and down the street to Stella's favorite Italian restaurant. They ate their meals in relative silence, Stella's head reeling and Mac not wanting to ruin this last chance. As the meal came to an end, Mac paid and they got up to leave. On the short walk to Stella's apartment Mac tried to pry information out of Stella.
"So, where are you going to work? There has to be a reason you're quitting."
"New Orleans. They need a new head of their crime lab." Stella replied, keeping her response short and factual.
The rest of the walk was silent. The next thing Mac knows they are in front of Stella's apartment.
"Thanks for dinner. Bye Mac."
Reaching for her doorknob she just unlocked, Mac grabbed her arm, spun her around and kissed her with all his being.
"I wanted to do that all night." Mac said, breathless.
Stella opened her door, pulled Mac into her apartment, and started kissing him like she had been wanting to since she first started working with him. Walking him to the bedroom, they both had a night full of passion and love neither of them could ever forget.
Finished with reliving her one magical night, she is now floating, waiting in limbo. She was just another one of the millions of people waiting to wake up from surgery. Right now she isn't Stella Bonasera; she is just another soul, waiting to return to its body.
Mac is still sitting next to the hospital bed when he hears a light knock at the door and the whole team, including Sid, walk in carrying flowers and stuffed bears saying "Get Well Soon" and "Feel Better" on them.
"She's still asleep. But the doctors say that is a good sign and she is healing." Mac says before anyone can ask.
"Ok. Well that's good news." Jo says, everyone else still stunned by the sight of their 2 bosses, one former, one current. Mac's hair was sticking every which way, his clothes usually crisp and clean, crumpled and dirty; Stella with cuts on her face and lying in a hospital bed. They all just wanted Stella to get better, but no one could ever want it, no, need it more than Mac. When they broke out of their trance the team starts making small talk to distract Mac, sensing he needs some time away mentally for awhile.