Soooo... since you guys could wait for the next chapter I'll post it today! (Mondsay) I am pretty excited about that chapter, since I promised another surpise, so... hope you will like this chapter :)

A/N: Some of you might have noticed that I created a new poll... I'd really appreciate it, if you guys would vote! For me it's very important that you vote this one, because it's about a new story I've been thinking about quite a long time now, but I'm not sure you'll want me to do it. I know a story like that has been done a thousand times already, but still I want to try my own way... I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP! THANKS!

Chapter twenty five: Welcome Back

The next time I opened my eyes the day had already started. The first nurse of the day came into the room and checked on Mac. I looked out of the window to see the big, grey clouds hanging on the sky and the rain tapping against the window, a sight that created a sad feeling inside of me. I shook my head to get rid of that feeling and started to watch the nurse, who now finished her task. She turned to me and smiled warmly.

"Looks much better today. Fever's nearly gone, only a little high temperature, which will remain for a bit, but otherwise he's fine. Shouldn't take too long for him to wake up." She said.

"I hope he hears that." I stated, looking at his peaceful expression.

"His condition is stable, fever nearly gone… nothing indicates that something could be wrong. Let's be optimistic."

"Oh I am optimistic, but I know him… he's… never mind." I bit my tongue not to say something which actually was non of her business.

"Oh… didn't mean to offend you."

"You didn't. I'm sorry if it sounded like that." I smiled lightly.

"Gotta run now. I'll come and check on him later." She said with a shy smile and then left the room.

Now I was all alone with Mac again. I turned my gaze back to him. Somehow he looked much more relaxed and peaceful than he did yesterday, but maybe I was just imagining it? Imagining that he looked like that when he sleeps made me smile. Mac and sleep… but he looked really handsome. Stella! You can think about that, when he woke up… the stricter part of my brain told me, but I just shook my head and ignored it. I've been sad, depressed, angry and scared for almost 2 days and now I just needed that small smile, that happy thought, that somehow seemed forbidden. Was I allowed to think that way about my best friend and boss?

"Ah, stop it Stella… you're not two…" I whispered to myself. He wanted to take that next step when we were alone and if he was able to do it, so why wouldn't I be allowed to think that way about my best friend? And why not thinking like that about my boss? He didn't seem to care about protocol anymore so why should I?

I quickly shook my head, telling me that I should stop thinking about all that stupid things and just go for what I feel is the right thing; to go for the man I love.

Suddenly I noticed a change of expressions on his face. The peaceful expression had gone and his face looked a bit tense now. A frown appeared on my face, but then, slowly he opened his eyes and then blinked a few times, before he started to slowly look around and obviously tried to figure out where he actually was. After what felt like an eternity his gaze turned to me, his blue eyes locked with mine. Instantly my lips curled into a soft smile. Seeing his warm, blue eyes looking into mine the first time in two days just felt good and relieving.

"Hey…" I said softly. "Welcome back."

"Hey…" he tried and then stopped with a cough.

"Shh… Want some water?" I asked him and he nodded and tried to smile thankful, but he didn't really succeed. I got up and grabbed the cup with water and the straw that the nurse had left earlier and walked back to Mac. The head side of the bed was lifted a bit, so that he was able to drink. As I stood next to him and held the cup for him to drink he, of course, wanted to do it alone, but I just shook my head and placed my free hand on his.

"Let me help you, Mac and just accept it, okay?" I said warmly, but firm.

After he finished drinking I put the cup back onto the table near his bed and walked back to him, sitting down on the edge of his bed and just locked eyes with him.

"Ste…" he started but then stopped, trying to hide the pain he obviously felt while he spoke.

"Shh…" I wanted to continue, but a soft knock stopped me. The door opened and Dr. Hendricks appeared, smiling as he saw his patient had woken up. He walked up to us and then quickly checked the notes the nurses made before he turned to Mac with a warm smile.

"Mr. Taylor, I'm Dr. Jesse Hendricks, the one who takes care of your medical well being." He introduced himself and Mac only nodded.

"He just woke up…" I said as he looked at me.

"Good, very good. Can I ask you some questions, Mr. Taylor?"

"Sure." He croaked.

"Okay. If not necessary, don't speak, okay?" Dr. Hendricks said and Mac nodded in agreement.

"Do you remember what happened to you?" Mac nodded his head, yes.

"Very good. How do you feel now?"

"A bit dizzy, tired. Light headache."

"Yeah, that's normal after what you've been through. Any other pain?"

"Speaking hurts. Normal I guess."

"Yes, but it'll subside, soon. Just drink enough and don't speak too much and it'll be gone in a few hours. You have a sore throat?" Dr. Hendricks then asked.

"A bit."

"I'll get a nurse to bring you some chamomile tea. It'll help against the sore throat and tastes better than water."

"True."

"So, Mr. Taylor… you'll have to stay here for at least a week… The rest depends on the progress of healing. And till that fever is completely gone and you're recovered completely you'll have to stay in bed. You'll only be allowed to get up when somebody's with you. A nurse or another person you trust, but it's better for your recovery if you won't get up too much. Think you can do that?" Dr. Hendricks instructed and Mac nodded.

"Good. I think you're in good hands with Ms. Bonasera so I can leave and take care of my other patients, too." He smiled before he left.

"Did you…?" Mac started and then stopped again.

"I never left your side, Mac." I said.

"But…"

"No but, Mac. Just couldn't leave you. And it was the safest place to be."

"Thank you Stella."

"For what?" I asked a bit surprised.

"For saving my life… and staying at my side." He said and tried another smile, this time a bit more successful.

"You would have done the same… and by the way… actually you saved my life…"

"I was shot…"

"Yeah, with the bullet that actually was supposed to kill me… So you saved my life, too. And somehow I feel bad that you're here instead…" I was stopped by him, grabbing my hand and looking at me with a serious expression.

"First of all… it's not your fault, but the shooter's. Second… it was my job to protect you and I did. We're both… alive, that's all… that matters." He said.

"I know… sorry."

"You know… I heard my mother talking to me while I was… unconscious." Mac thankfully changed the topic.

"She was here, Mac. And I think I know what she would tell you now." I said after he tried to hide a yawn.

"What?"

"The same I'm telling you know. Close your eyes and sleep. You need to rest." I said softly, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.

"And what about you?"

"I'll stay here, right at your side and make sure you rest."

"But…" he started but I raised my hand and stopped him. Gently I place my hand on his cheek, causing him to close his eyes to the feeling of my skin on his.

"Close your eyes." I said after he looked at me again. "Close your eyes, and rest. I'll be going anywhere, except for the time Don calls me and tells me they got Dimitri Patos' brother."

"So my…"

"It looks like your idea was the right one, yes. And I'll tell you before I leave and now rest, will you?" I asked him and Mac just closed his eyes and soon fell asleep again.

Okay guys... what do you want me to say? Looks like I can't count, huh? Tell me, how did you like this chapter? Did my surprise work?

PLEASE let me know! And please don't forget to check out my new poll and VOTE!

Love you guys!

blackrose538