Mac got out of the emergency room after about three hours. He went down to check on Don, who was being kept over night. The doctor wanted to make sure his nose would heal right. Mac was surprised that Don was away when he walked in. "How you feeling?" Mac asked.

"Don't ask," Don said. He noticed Mac's arm was in a sling. "What happened to you?"

"That guy got the jump on me again. Almost blew my head off with a three-fifty-seven Magnum."

"I guess he missed."

"Yeah. He just cut my shoulder open."

"At least he didn't smash your face in."

"I'm sorry about that."

"Hey, it wasn't your fault. He was hid behind the door."

"Jess said to tell you she's on the job."

Don almost smiled, but it hurt too much. "Rookie."

"I'll see you later. I got to get down there and get all those reports done and get home."

"See you soon."

"Alright."

Mac went out and got a cab to the office. Everyone was surprised when he came out of the elevator at the lab. "What on earth are you doing here?" Stella asked.

"I have reports to write," Mac said.

"I think they could wait."

"I think I don't want them to wait. I want to get them done so I can get my mind on something else." He gave Stella a sly grin.

Stella stared at him a moment. "What do you have in mind?"

"I'm taking some time off." Mac cleared his throat. "I thought maybe we could go down to Florida. It's always warm down there this time of year."

"We?"

"Yeah. You and me."

Stella was surprised. "You're asking me to go to Florida with you?"

Mac stared at her a moment. "You don't want to go?"

"That's not what I meant. I mean, I'm just surprised."

Mac nodded. "Well, do you want to go?"

"Of course."

"Great. We'll go down to Miami and might even see old Horatio."

Stella smiled. "I would rather keep you all to myself."

"That can be arranged."

"Where are we staying down there?"

"I was thinking of renting a beach house."

Stella wondered if that doctor gave Mac some kind of medication that affected his brain. "When are we leaving?" she asked.

"How about tomorrow?"

"Just like that?"

"Why not?"

"I'll be ready."

"I'm putting in our vacation time after I get these reports done, and then I'm going home to pack. I want out of here for a while."

"I understand."

Stella smiled as she turned around to go back to her office. She couldn't believe Mac was taking her on a vacation. She would bring some provocative clothes with her, and maybe even some skimpy lingerie. She would make sure he accidentally saw her in it. If he was going to take her off to Florida, she would make sure he knew how she felt about it.

Mac was sitting at his desk wondering what he had just gotten himself into. He wanted to get Stella off to himself though so he could explore his feelings about her without feeling like everyone was watching him. Down there in Florida, no one knew him. Mac frowned. He didn't know why he had to feel that way. He felt like he was still attached to Claire, but she was gone. He wanted happiness again. Mac rubbed his eyes. He swallowed the lump in his throat. He took a deep breath and blew it out. He had to get his report written.

When Mac got done with his reports, he put them away and put his and Stella's vacation time in. He hated to leave the lab unattended…well, not exactly unattended, but he felt like he was abandoning his duties. He deserved to have some time off. After all, he was injured, and couldn't go out working anyway. He might as well be enjoying himself.

Mac left his office and informed Danny and Aiden that he and Stella were taking vacation time, and that they would be responsible for the cases that came into this office for the next week or two. Danny looked surprised. "You're leaving it in our hands?" he asked.

"Yes," Mac said. "You'll answer to the Chief while I'm gone. I expect you to go by the book and leave no stone unturned, and don't disappoint me or endanger the integrity of this lab."

"You can count on me," Danny said.

"Me too," Aiden agreed. "I'll watch after the wild one here."

Danny looked at her. "Who's gonna watch after you?"

Mac raised his eyebrows. "I'm serious," he said.

Danny and Aiden looked at each other. Then they stood up straight and said, "Yes, Sir!"

Mac gave them a tolerant look. "Alright, you two clowns," he said. "I'm depending on you."

"Hey, just don't do anything I wouldn't do," Danny said.

Mac almost smiled. "I might not do some things that you 'would' do," he said.

Aiden laughed. "He got you," she said.

Danny shook his head. "Hey, that's alright."

Mac went to the elevator. "Wait for me!" Stella called, as she was hurrying toward the elevator.

They got into the elevator. Danny and Aiden stood watching them until the doors closed. Mac looked at Stella. "That's why I want to take you to Florida," he said. "We'll have privacy."

Stella smiled. "You want privacy?" she asked.

"Yeah, so I can…court you without an audience."

Stella had to laugh. "Okay, Mac."

When Mac got home, he began packing. It was a slow process with his left arm in a sling. He supposed he was doing pretty good though. He didn't want to forget anything important. He wanted this to be a memorable vacation, and he wanted it to be full of 'good' memories.

Stella was thrilled. She had a suitcase for her lingerie and one for her other clothes. She held a red, skimpy nightie in front of her as she looked in the mirror. "You better look out, Mac Taylor," she said.