Hey everyone! Ok so I think there's only going to be like 3 more chapters or so until the end. Thank you to all the readers who have read this story since the beginning. I'm also trying a different format here, and I know this chapter looks extremely short, but it is actually longer than the previous chapters. R&R's please!

Chapter 14

It was late. Darkness poured through the windows of the quiet hospital, the night shift already on duty. Danny had been sent back to his own hospital room by a nurse who had been checking on Mac. Danny had argued, declaring he was fine and didn't need to rest, but Flack and Lindsay had finally convinced him to go back to his room. Danny was now asleep in his bed, his pain medication and lack of sleep the day before finally getting to him. Lindsay and Flack sat by his bedside, Lindsay sipping a coffee, Flack quietly chatting on his cell phone, updating Hawkes on Mac's and Danny's conditions.

In Mac's room, everything was quiet except for the continuous beeping of a hospital monitor and the soft humming of a respirator. Stella was sitting at Mac's bedside, clutching his hand as though she would never let go. One of the doctors had just finished examining Mac, confirming that there were no permanent effects of his coma. Mac had only been awake for about a minute before succumbing to the clutches of sleep, but to Stella, that minute was one she would remember for the rest of her life. Stella's mind began to drift back to past events where they had been there for each other. "That's what we do; we take care of each other." Stella's eyes grew heavy, finally closing as she fell asleep. The night continued on as Stella slept, still holding Mac's hand.

Stella woke with a start, wondering how long she had been asleep and what had woken her up. Stella, remembering the night's events, forced her eyes open to check on Mac. A pair of green eyes stared right back up at her. Stella gasped, surprise filled her eyes. "Mac Taylor! Do you have to scare me like that?" Stella nervously laughed, all of a sudden feeling self-conscious. Mac looked like he wanted to say something, but Stella quickly explained that he still had a tube in his throat helping him breath, and it would be impossible to talk. Mac nodded., squeezing her hand to show he understood. Stella sat there, chatting about nothing, just appreciating the fact that Mac was alive, he was there.

Bright rays of sunshine poured in through a window in Danny's room, waking him up. Danny yawned, chuckling as he noticed that Lindsay and Flack were both curled up in chairs, sound asleep, next to his bed. Danny quietly grabbed the crutches next to his bed, trying not to wake them. One of the crutches slipped from his grip and crashed to the ground. Danny froze, quickly glancing to see if he had woken them. They were still asleep. Danny grinned and picked up his crutch. He was going to see Mac, and they weren't going to stop him. Danny snuck into the hall, slowly working his way towards Mac's room.

Finally, he stood outside of Mac's room. He was winded. "Wow, I must be getting out of shape." Danny thought to himself. Danny opened the door with one hand and tried to get his body through on one crutch. It didn't work. Danny lost his balance, and with a crash, fell onto the ground. Stella looked up, wondering who or what had crashed through the door, only to see Danny struggling to get up from the ground. Mac was looking towards the door as well, curiosity in his eyes. Stella quickly got up and walked over to Danny, scolding him while helping him up. Danny got resituated with his crutches and sat down in a chair by Mac's bed. Mac looked at his leg, a quizzical look in his eyes. Danny explained what had happened when he had tried to rescue him. Mac just nodded. "Where's Lindsay and Flack?" Stella asked Danny after he had finished explaining his story to Mac. "They're asleep back in my room." Danny replied. "Actually, Messer, we're not." Flack said as he and Lindsay walked into the room. Hawkes walked in right behind them. They sat down next to Mac, saying their hellos. Mac nodded at them, wordlessly thanking them for being there. The team was finally back together.

In case you don't know, the quote from above is from Charge of This Post...