When Mac woke up, someone was leaning over him. "Hey," the man said. "What are you doing in my cabin?"

Mac was startled. He tried to sit up, but pain shoved him back down. "Hey, take it easy," the man said.

Mac moaned with pain. "I'm sorry," he said. "I was injured and my friend had to go get help. She left me here."

The man looked at Mac's wound. "Can I know your name?" the man asked. "I'm Walter Brown."

"Mac Taylor."

"Well, Mister Taylor, your wound looks a little infected. Where did your friend go to try and find help?"

"She didn't know where to go. She wanted to find someone with a phone."

"Well, there's a gas station not to far from here. Maybe she will find it."

Mac felt so sleepy, he couldn't stay awake. Walter looked at Mac. He knew he needed help alright. He couldn't just get over this without help.

Anita had found the gas station. She borrowed the phone and called one of the numbers Mac gave her…

Adam was sitting at the computer when the phone rang. "New York Crime Lab. Adam Ross speaking," he answered.

"My name is Anita Warren. I'm calling about Mac Taylor."

Adam stopped what he was doing. "What about him?"

Anita explained the situation to Adam. Adam was shocked as he listened. "I'll get help there as soon as possible," he said.

"Please hurry."

"I will." Adam hung up the phone. He had to think a moment. He called in the situation first and then called Danny and told him.

Anita made her way back to the cabin. She was surprised to see a four-wheeler outside. She was terrified. She had left Mac alone and now there was an unknown person in there. She picked up a sturdy limb from a tree and went around the cabin to the front door. She gripped the knob and shoved the door open. Instead of a scene of horror, she saw a man sitting beside Mac dabbing his face with the cold rag.

"Howdy," the man said. "I'm Walter Brown. This here is my cabin. You must be his friend he told me about." He looked at Mac. "I think he has fever." He looked at the piece of wood in Anita's hand. "You must care a lot for him."

"I do," Anita said. "My name is Anita." She walked over to the cot.

Walter stood up. Anita still had her weapon ready. "Hey, I'm a friend," Walter said.

Anita looked at Mac. His breathing seemed to be labored. She sat down beside him and touched his face. He felt very warm. "Mac," she said.

Mac opened his eyes slightly. "You're back," he said.

"Yes," Anita answered.

"I'm thirsty."

"Help is coming." Anita opened a bottle of water.

Walter helped her set Mac up so she could give him the water. He drank half the bottle. Then they laid him back down. Mac stared out the window. Anita wiped his face. Mac looked at her. "Where are we?" he asked.

"You know, the cashier at the gas station looked at me like I was crazy when I asked her that," Anita said.

Mac smiled. "Did she tell you?"

"After I explained the situation to her. We are in the edge of the Harriman State Park. The place we were being held at was an old Asylum. That's why it was so isolated."

"You're a good woman to have around in a pinch."

Anita smiled. "I don't want to be in anymore pinches…" Her smile brightened. "…unless you're doing the pinching."

Mac almost laughed. "Don't make me laugh, it hurts."

"I'm sorry."

Mac wondered what would happen when they got out of here. What would happen with Stella? If he hurt her again, she would never forgive him. He wanted to know more about Anita though. He couldn't help himself.

Anita smiled. "What are you thinking about?" she asked.

"I'm thinking I want to get to know you better," Mac said.

"Same here."

"I'll be glad when this is over."

"Me too."

Soon, help arrived. They got Mac to a hospital. The doctor had to operate and clean his wound thoroughly and make sure everything was okay.

Stella was still in the hospital herself. She wanted to go and see Mac, but she could not walk down the hall yet. "He's going to be fine," Sheldon assured her. He didn't bother mentioning that Mac had other company.

"Tell him I'll see him when I can," Stella said.

"I will."

Sheldon left Stella's room and went to Mac's room…

Anita was there with Mac. She had just gotten back in the room. "I guess I need to go and let my boss know where I've been," she said.

"If you have any trouble, just let me know," Mac said.

"Okay."

Anita leaned over and kissed Mac. She lingered longer than before. Mac touched her hair and pulled her into a deeper kiss.

Just then, someone knocked on the door. Mac jumped. "I guess I'll go," Anita said.

Mac watched her go to the door. He blew out a breath and waited to see who was coming in. Sheldon came in. "Hi, Mac," he said.

"Hi," Mac replied.

"How you feeling?"

"Sore."

"I just saw Stella. She said she would be down to see you when she could."

Mac nodded. He didn't know what to do with this situation. "Okay."

Sheldon stared at Mac a moment. "So, is that woman kinda special?" he asked.

Mac looked at Sheldon. "What do you mean?" Mac asked.

"This Anita. You two went through a lot together."

Mac nodded. "Yes we did."

"I guess it kinda brings people together."

Mac looked at him. "That's between me and her, Sheldon."

"What about Stella?"

"I'm not discussing this with you."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry."

"Just tell the others I'm okay."

Sheldon nodded. "See you later."

Mac got out of the hospital after three days. Stella got out the same day. Anita came to pick Mac up. He was glad no one saw, especially Stella. He thought she would have to stay in her apartment a few days, so maybe she wouldn't see Anita.

Anita drove Mac home and brought his suitcase in for him. "This is the first time I've actually been inside your apartment," she said.

Mac smiled. "Well, I'm sure it won't be the last," he said.

Anita smiled. She walked over to him. "I hope it won't."

Mac slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. "I'm positive."

They shared a long, passionate kiss. Then they just looked at each other a moment. "I guess I better get back to work," Anita said.

Mac kissed her again. "I'll see you Saturday night, if not before," he said.

"It's a date. But I'll come to check on you this evening."

"Okay."

Mac watched Anita leave. He went into his bedroom. What was he doing? Didn't he pledge his love to Stella? He didn't know. He 'did' love Stella, but maybe it was a different way, he thought. He wanted to explore this relationship with Anita. It had been a long time since he felt this way about anyone. He would just not let Stella know.

Mac lay down on his bed. What was he doing? Was he going to be a two-timer? Mac rubbed his face. He needed to go and see Dr. Johnson again. He got his phone and called her. She could see him today at 2:00.

Mac hung up the phone That was not too long away. He went into the bathroom and took a shower. He got dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. Mac sat down on the couch and looked at the picture of Aubrey he had. Her funeral would be tomorrow. He had to go. She could not be buried until the case was solved.

Mac wondered what their relationship would have been. It was one he enjoyed. Aubrey had been closer to his age than Anita was. He didn't want another frivolous relationship. He did not think it would be frivolous though. Maybe it would be something that would last. But what about Stella? He wished he had not said anything to her. But he just let the words 'I love you' slide out of his mouth. He couldn't believe he did that.

Mac's phone rang, startling him out of his thoughts. He wished he could stop being so nervous. He got the phone. "Stella Calling", it said.

Mac sighed. He didn't know if he wanted to talk to her right now, but he had to. "Hello," he said.

"Mac, I was beginning to think you weren't going to answer," Stella said.

"Sorry."

"How are you feeling today?"

"Better. Not as sore. What about you?"

"Not as sore either, but not well yet."

"I'm sorry you got caught up in all that."

"It wasn't your fault, Mac. He was a maniac."

"I know."

"I wanted to talk to you about something. I think you know what."

Mac knew this was coming. "I think we need to take our time," he said. "We were in a bad situation."

"That's not what I was going to say, Mac. You don't think you love me?"

Mac swallowed. "I do, but I'm not sure if it's that kind of love."

"You were talking different before all this happened."

"I know. I'm so stressed out right now…don't pay any attention to what I say. I don't even know which end is up right now. I guess you know I'm going to therapy."

"No, I didn't know."

"I started it after my accident. I'm afraid of the water."

"Mac, why didn't you tell me?"

"I was embarrassed. Me? Afraid of the water? I feel stupid."

"You're not. That must have been horrible, almost drowning."

"It was more than that. I can't even get in the water. I don't know how I shower."

"I'm sorry, Mac. I wish you had told me."

"I'm going back to therapy today."

"Good." Stella paused a moment. "You can come over this evening if you like. We can have dinner together."

Mac swallowed. He knew Anita was coming over this evening. "I can't tonight. I'll be busy."

"Okay. Maybe tomorrow."

"Maybe. I have to get going. I want to get some lunch before I go to therapy."

"Okay."

Mac ended the call. He felt like he was so full of stress. What was he going to do? He had to figure all this out. He headed out the door to go to lunch. Maybe Dr. Johnson could help him figure this out.