The next Saturday, Mac was going back to work. He could talk now, but not too much. He was very hoarse, and could lose his voice easily. However, he was tired of lying around his apartment doing nothing. Of course, he had been doing little things at the lab, but not going out to crime scenes. That had been forbidden until his doctor gave the okay.

Mac had asked Stella out for tonight. She had said yes, of course. Tonight, he had asked her to go to eat pizza. He thought it would be fun to just go out and not be so formal. He was taking her to a pizza parlor with arcade games, pool tables, bowling alley, skating rink. He had skated when he was a kid, but he didn't think he could do it now. It had been a long time. Mac figured just about everybody in Chicago could skate in some kind of way, either on ice or some other form. It was a way to get around in a big, crowded city, and pass the cold winter. Mac didn't know if Stella knew how to skate or not. He knew she liked dancing.

Mac sat at his desk all morning. He couldn't believe there were no crime scenes to run out to. He thought everybody must think it was too cold to murder somebody. It would soon be spring though. Everybody would come out of their caves then. He was looking forward to spring himself. He was tired of the cold, and he was tired of wearing a coat.

They had no calls that day, so that night, Mac got dressed in his blue jeans and t-shirt and sweater, and headed over to Stella's apartment. He rang the doorbell. He still felt a little nervous. He had gone this whole week without his wedding band though, so he thought he was making progress.

Stella opened the door. She was dressed in jeans and a light pink sweater. She smiled at Mac. "Hi," she said. "Let me get my coat."

Mac waited. He thought Stella looked beautiful in light pink. It seemed to make her face look even more radiant. Stella came out the door. "You look beautiful," Mac said. His voice still sounded hoarse, and he couldn't talk much above a whisper.

"Thank you," Stella said. "You don't look so bad yourself." Actually, she thought he looked gorgeous, but she didn't want to be too bold yet.

They went to the pizza parlor. Mac smiled as they came in the door. It was very loud inside with all the arcade games and other things going on. Stella smiled. "You think we'll be able to talk in here?" she asked, trying to talk above the noise.

"We can try," Mac answered, but Stella could barely make it out.

"I guess we'll have to sit close together."

Mac nodded. Stella knew she wouldn't like anything better. She felt warm beside him. They found a table in the dining area. The sounds from the arcade didn't seem to be as loud here. Stella sat on the same side of the booth with Mac. "I don't want you to have to strain your voice to talk to me," she said, thinking of an excuse to be close to him.

Mac smiled. "I like having you close to me," he said. "Even when I can talk."

Stella smiled. "Does your throat still hurt?" she asked.

"Sometimes."

"How is therapy going?"

"Pretty good. They say I might be able to talk pretty normal again in about two weeks."

"Great."

Mac looked around the building. "You like arcade games?" he asked.

"I don't mind playing once in a while. Why? You think you can beat me?"

Mac smiled. "I might."

"Are we taking any bets?"

"No. I think I'll have to spend all my money on the pizza and the games."

Stella shook her head. "You just know I'll win."

"I wouldn't be too sure of that. How are you at bowling?"

Stella gave him a haughty look. "I can bowl a three-hundred if I concentrate."

"Oh, come on. It's hard to bowl that good."

"I'm good."

Mac shook his head. "You would lose that bet. How long has it been since you bowled?"

"I don't know. I don't have a bowling night."

"Me neither, but I do like to give it a try sometimes."

"What about pool?"

Mac smiled. "I'm pretty good at that."

"Okay. After we eat, lets have a game of pool."

"What's your idea?"

"If I win…" Stella thought a moment. "If I win, you have to let me coordinate our next date."

"What do you have in mind?"

"We'll dine by candlelight at my place…I'll have something special."

Mac considered that a moment. "At your place?"

"Yes."

"And what if I win?"

"We'll do what you want."

"Okay."

Soon, their pizza came, which was a large with pepperoni, onions and black olives on one side for Mac, and sausage, mushrooms and green peppers on the other for Stella. "No two people like the same pizza," Stella said. She smiled at Mac. "I guess that's one thing we'll never agree on."

Mac smiled. "Probably." He pulled a slice of pizza out. The cheese stretched. "Wow, I think they gave us extra cheese," he said.

"Makes it even better," Stella said.

Mac took a bite of the pizza. "Very good."

Stella had always liked pizza. She thought she would rather eat it than a gourmet dinner. Pizza was fun, and no one expected it to be neat; if you get a little sauce on you, big deal.

Mac looked at Stella after she took a bite. He smiled. He got a napkin and wiped her chin. Stella laughed. "You're a messy eater," Mac said.

"You haven't seen anything yet," Stella said. "I like to let loose and just get a little wild."

Mac raised his eyebrows. "Wild?"

Stella laughed at Mac's expression. "Yes, you've got a tiger by the tail now."

"I'm not sure I'm wild."

"That's okay, I'll just pull you along."

Mac had to smile at that. "So if I don't come willingly, you're going to drag me?"

"Maybe." Stella put her arm around his neck. "I think you'll want to come along though."

Mac looked into Stella's eyes. "I'm sure I will."

Stella saw that serious look come over Mac's face. Then he leaned toward her, although they were practically face to face. Stella almost dropped her slice of pizza when their lips met. He had kissed 'her' this time. She hoped this meant he was getting more used to the idea of their being together. Stella thought she would melt through the seat if that were possible. It was such a soft, gentle kiss, but yet full of passion.

Mac looked at her. "I've wanted to kiss you again since that day in the coffee shop," he said. "I guess I'm still a little nervous about this."

"It's okay," Stella said. She thought she could wait forever for him. "I don't want you to feel rushed about anything. I understand."

"I'm glad." Mac kissed her again. He found himself enjoying it, and not wanting it to end. He had been lonely too long.

They finally went back to eating their pizza. Stella didn't know quite what to say now. She felt like maybe her life was taking a right turn for a change. If Mac had not asked her out, she would have gone out with that guy from her art class, Frankie. He was charming, a sculptor. If he had asked her out first, Mac would have been too late, because she was sure she would have said yes. She figured Mac might have gone out with Peyton then.

When they were done with the pizza, they went over to the pool room. Mac smiled at Stella. "I think I might be pretty good at this game," he said.

Stella put chalk on the end of her cue. "We'll see," she said.

"Are you breaking, or am I?"

"Be my guest."

Mac smiled. Stella liked seeing him smile. He didn't smile very often. She knew he carried a heavy burden in his heart, and it stole the smile from his face. She wanted to help him with that burden, and she would if he would let her.

Mac bent over the pool table and aimed his cue. "Watch closely now," he said. "You might learn something."

Stella was standing slightly behind him. "I think I am," she said, as she noticed how good he looked in his jeans.

Mac looked around at her. "I didn't mean that," he said.

"You can't blame a girl for staring."

"You're gonna be over here next."

Stella put her hands on her hips. "Are you saying you're going to check me out too?"

"You can't blame a guy for staring."

Mac smiled and looked back at what he was doing. He broke the triangle. Then he straightened up to see how many he sank. He smiled at Stella. "I think we'll go out for burgers next time," he said, playfully. "I can always go for a good burger."

Stella folded her arms. "Are you saying that you've already won just by doing one shot?" she asked.

"I have a pretty good chance." Mac smiled as he moved around to the other side of the table. He put chalk on the end of his cue, and then blew the dust off.

"You always go for the dramatic, don't you?" Stella asked.

"I like a little flare."

"I think I'm seeing a whole new side of you. Where do you keep this Mac Taylor hidden?"

Mac looked at her. "I don't know."

"I've seen him before, but it's been a while."

"He sneaks up on me once in a while."

Mac bent over the table again. "The two ball in the corner pocket," he said, with a devilish grin.

Stella was glad she was on this date. She was getting to see a side of Mac that 'never' showed. Who would have thought he could come down here and have this much fun?

Stella watched as Mac sunk every ball on the table. She stared at him a moment. "I assume there's some story behind this," she said.

Mac smiled. "I played a lot in the Marines," he said.

"Cheater."

Mac laughed. "Hey, you might clear the next one." Mac coughed a little. His throat still tickled sometimes.

"You okay?" Stella asked.

"Yes. I just get a little tickle sometimes."

"Don't be trying to distract me."

Mac smiled. Stella set up her game. She looked at Mac. "We'll just see if you're as good as you think you are," she said.

Mac moved around so he would be behind Stella when she bent over the table. She noticed it. "You get back over there," she said.

"Hey, I can stand where I want," Mac said. "I'm more comfortable here. I have a better view of the game."

Stella's mouth dropped open just a moment. "You are a real casanova, aren't you?"

"I don't know about that, but I know a good thing when I see it."

"Flirt."

Stella turned toward the table. She had to smile. She had definitely never heard Mac talk like that. She figured that meant he saw her as a lot more than just a friend.

"Don't hit it too hard now," Mac said.

Stella turned and gave him a warning look. "You just watch and learn," she said.

"Teach me."

Stella thought she couldn't concentrate on this game if he kept talking to her like that. Then she stood up straight. She turned around and looked at Mac. "You are just trying to distract me," she said.

Mac chuckled. "All's fair in love and war," he said.

"You devil."

Mac laughed. Stella couldn't help but smile. "You just keep your mouth shut," she said. "I do not need your coaching."

"Why would I coach you? I want to win."

Stella shook her head and leaned over the table. This time she took her shot. She watched until everything stopped. Then she looked at Mac. "I believe I got more in than you did on the first shot," she said.

"Yeah, but how many more will you get?" Mac asked.

"You'll see."

Stella got two more, but then she missed the third. Mac grinned, as Stella looked at him with a mean look. "My turn," he said. "I'll just help you clean up this mess you made."

"You are terrible," Stella said.

"I try to be."

When they were done with their games, they went out to the car. Mac smiled as he cranked the car. "You didn't have a chance," he said.

"How do you know I didn't let you win?" Stella asked.

Mac chuckled. "You're kidding, right?"

"OH, you are so annoying!"

Mac pulled out of the parking lot and headed for Stella's apartment. "I had a good time," Mac said.

Stella smiled. "So did I," she said. "I don't know when I've ever had a better time." She moved to the middle of the seat and leaned on Mac's shoulder. "Even if you did beat me at pool."

"I might let you win next time."

"Show off."

"Hey, a man likes to show off in front of his…" Mac started to say 'woman', but he wasn't sure Stella would want to be called that.

Stella looked at him. "His what?"

"His…girlfriend."

"Oh, so you were just trying to impress me?"

"Yeah, something like that."

"I'm supposed to be impressed because you beat me at pool?"

Mac smiled and bit his lip. "Okay, well, I was having fun teasing you. I like that little wrinkle you get in your nose when you're teased."

Stella stared at him a moment. "Wrinkle?"

Mac looked at her. "Well, not 'that' kind of wrinkle. I mean that little way you do your eyes that makes that little…well, it's cute."

Stella smiled. "Okay. I'm glad you're paying so much attention. I like that little shy look you get when you're teased. You bite your lip."

Mac smiled. "Okay."

They arrived at Stella's apartment. Mac walked her to the door. "I had a lot of fun, Mac," she said.

"Me too," Mac said. "I couldn't tell you the last time I had that much fun."

"You want to come in for a few minutes?"

Mac looked at her a moment. "Sure."

Stella unlocked the door and they went in. They hung their coats on the coat rack. "I hope it doesn't snow tonight," Stella said.

"I don't think there was any in the forecast," Mac said.

"Lets sit down."

They sat down on the couch. "Why don't we watch that forecast?" Stella asked, and turned the TV on. She moved closer to Mac. They looked into each other's eyes. "I really did have a good time, Mac."

Mac swallowed. He leaned in for a kiss, but then his phone beeped. Mac jumped. "I'm sorry," he said. He looked at his phone, then at Stella. "A body."

Stella put her arms around his neck. "We have a little time," she whispered.

Mac slipped his arms around her as their lips met. He let himself be more intense this time. He had not felt this way since…since before Claire died.

Stella felt Mac tense up, but he didn't exactly pull away from the kiss. She thought he must still have those feelings buried inside. She wanted to love them away.

Mac finally pulled away from the kiss. "I better get going," he said. He would definitely have something to think about now.

"I'll see you in the morning, if I don't get called," Stella said, and just then, her phone rang.

"Well, I guess we can go together."

"I suppose."

They got their coats and headed out to Mac's car. Stella smiled as they walked out together. She could get used to this.