Mac got out of the hospital after a few days. He was walking with a cane, but he would be okay. Sid would be okay too, although he would not get out for a day or two more. His injury had been so close to his heart, he could not have any strenuous activity or any excitement.

Stella picked Mac up at the hospital and took him home. Mac stopped and looked at the apartment when he walked in. It was their own private home again. He was sorry that it had to end like that for Peyton, but she had to be stopped. Stella hugged Mac. "I am so glad you're home," she said.

"Me too," Mac said. He lifted her chin and kissed her. "We're going on vacation again after I get over this, and we're going to have a good time."

Stella smiled. "I'll be looking forward to it."

Mac made his way over to his chair and sat down. He grimaced. "I must say, I have never been sore like this before."

"I am going to fix you a home-cooked meal, and we are going to enjoy it at our own table," Stella said. "And we won't be worrying over any cases."

Mac smiled. "Sounds good to me."

Stella smiled and went into the kitchen. Then someone knocked on the door. Mac started to get up, but Stella came back. "I'll get it," she said.

Stella opened the door. It was their friends. They all came in with a cake. Mac smiled. "You guys always think I need a cake," he said.

"We have to keep you sweetened up," Danny said.

Lindsey kissed Mac on the cheek. "We're so glad you're home," she said.

"Thanks," Mac said.

Danny held out his hand. "I would kiss you, but I'd rather just shake hands."

Mac rolled his eyes. "Thanks."

Sheldon came over to Mac next. He had a folder with a stack of papers in it. "You still have to sign reports," he said.

"Thanks."

"Is that all you can say?" Stella asked.

"What do you want me to say?" Mac asked. "Get out?"

They all laughed. "I was just about to cook dinner," Stella said. "You can all stay, if you want."

"No," Lindsey said. "I'm sure you two need some time alone. We just wanted to let you know that we're glad you're back."

Mac nodded. "Thanks. I'll get these papers signed as soon as I can."

"Let me know when they're done," Sheldon said. "I'll pick them up."

Adam came over to Mac. "I'm glad you're okay," he said. "I don't think anybody else could put up with me."

"Probably not," Mac said.

They all left. Stella locked the door back and smiled at Mac. "We have great friends," she said.

Mac nodded. "We do," he agreed.

Stella went back to the kitchen. Mac opened the folder Sheldon had brought. He couldn't believe all this went on during those five days he was in the hospital. He had gone to some therapy while he was there. He had not been able to stand at all at first. He still had a hard time with certain things. It was like a deep cramping some of the time in his abdomen. The bullet had nicked the top of his prostate gland, but it had not been bad enough to remove it. He knew what Peyton had been trying to do. She almost succeeded too. He thought he had moved a little to the right when that first bullet hit him in the leg. He figured that move was what kept her from succeeding. He remembered shooting her and seeing the blood on her chest. He didn't remember what happened after that, except he heard Stella scream his name. She had been scared. He had woken up in a hospital room. He had been in a coma for three days, but he didn't know it. He supposed he got some rest while he lay there in a coma. He had woken up into pain though. He remembered that part. It had been so bad at the start that he thought he couldn't stay awake.

Stella had been there. She had known he was in pain without his saying a word. He was glad all that nightmare was over now. He and Stella could enjoy their new marriage now. They had not been able to do that so far, even on their trip to Australia. He leaned back in his chair and looked out the window. All he could see was the building next door. He wanted to go somewhere where he could see for miles with nothing in view. They would go on vacation out west somewhere. He wanted to watch the sun come up over the mountains and see the mist in the trees of the valley. They would go to a Dude Ranch. Mac smiled at the thought of Stella on a ranch. She had lived in the city all her life. He thought she would enjoy the country though.

Mac felt like he had been neglecting his job. He thought they better wait a while before they went running off again, although they had cut their trip to Australia short. They had only stayed one week, when they were scheduled to stay two. It had been beautiful in Australia. Mac thought maybe they would go back someday when it was summer there. He thought he would just lie on the beach until people thought he was a decoration.

Mac fell asleep thinking of all this. When Stella came out of the kitchen, she found him sleeping. She walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek. He opened his eyes and looked at her. "Are you ready to eat?" she asked.

Mac nodded, with his eyelids drooping. He felt so relaxed, he almost fell asleep again. Stella stomped her foot. "Wake up, Darling," she said.

"I'm awake," Mac said, not sounding very convincing.

"Come on. We'll eat and then we'll go to bed."

Mac nodded. He stood up and almost fell back down, but Stella steadied him. He grimaced. "I think I sat there too long," he said.

"Did you get any of the papers done?"

Mac shook his head. "No. I fell asleep thinking."

"About what."

Mac got his cane. "I'll tell you while we eat."

They went into the kitchen. Stella already had the table fixed, along with their plates. "Looks good," Mac said, and smelled the steak.

"Dig in," Stella said. "The doctor says beef is good for blood building."

Mac took a bite. "Delicious," he said. "Tender." He smiled at Stella. "Woman of many talents."

Stella smiled. "When you get well, I'm going to show you some more of my talents."

"I'm ready to see it." Mac took another bite. "When I get well, we're going on another vacation. We didn't get to enjoy that vacation to Australia. I want to go out to the country, a Dude Ranch."

"A Dude Ranch?"

"Yeah. We can ride horses and enjoy ranch life."

Stella smiled. "Sounds great."

"It will be quiet there and we can watch the sunrise come over the mountains."

Stella's smile brightened. "You're giving me goosebumps."

Mac smiled. "I'm gonna give you plenty of those when I get well too."

"What are you going to do?"

"You'll see."

"I'll just be glad when we can enjoy making love again."

"We will soon."

Stella looked into Mac's green eyes. She could see his love and tenderness toward her. "I love you, Mac Taylor," she said.

"I love you too, Stella Taylor."

They both smiled. "You know, I haven't even had time to get my name changed on everything," Stella said. "It's like we've been up in a whirlwind and couldn't come down to the ground."

"I know." Mac took another bite of his food. "I'm just glad to get to sit down here and eat with you."

"Me too."

When they were done eating, they went into the bedroom. Mac yawned as he sat down on the bed. "You're not going to wake me up tomorrow are you?" he asked.

"Of course not," Stella said. She pulled his shirt off and checked his back wound. She put the ointment on it and put a new bandage.

"Oh, that is sore," Mac said.

"I'm sorry."

"No. You didn't hurt it, it's just sore."

"It looks better."

Mac had to take his pants off for Stella to look at his other wounds. She smiled at him. "It's a good thing I'm your wife now," she said.

Mac lay down on the bed. "Don't excite me too much," he said.

Stella laughed. "Shut up."

"Make sure you don't touch anything but the wound."

"Mac!"

Mac laughed. Stella was glad he was so cheerful. "Why don't you just relax?" she asked.

"How can I?" Mac asked.

"Stop thinking."

Stella finally finished with the wounds. Mac sat up. "I'm glad I excite you so much," Stella said.

"You'll never know," Mac said, as he looked into her eyes. He kissed her.

"That's enough of that." Stella went to get him some pajamas.

"I think I'm going to sleep like this," Mac said.

"You'll get cold. You always do. Then you freeze me trying to get warm."

"Come on."

Stella threw a pair of pajamas at Mac. "Put those on, iceburg," she said.

Mac smiled. "Okay, fireball."

Stella laughed, as she went into the bathroom. Mac got into his pajamas and got into bed. He closed his eyes and relaxed. He was glad he was home and didn't have to worry about any stalkers.

By the time Stella came out of the bathroom, Mac was sleeping peacefully. She crawled into bed and watched him sleep. She would sleep good tonight too with her arms around her darling.