The next day, Mac was up early. He had to change his bandage, and their flight left at 9. Mac was nervous. He hoped this trip would be good for Stella and him. He didn't want her to think he was too forward. How did he know she didn't want him to be forward? She certainly didn't back down when he kissed her. He didn't know what would have happened the other night if his phone had not rung. He supposed he wouldn't be here packing this suitcase with only one hand. He sighed. How could he have a good time with Stella down there in Florida with his wound? He would just have to keep it covered.

Stella was making sure she had everything. She was nervous too. She wondered what Mac's purpose was for inviting her to Florida. She had not been to Florida but twice in her life. She couldn't wait to feel some warmth. It was April, and even though it was still cold here in New York, it was warm in Florida. Stella looked in the mirror and blew out a breath. She supposed this trip would decide how their relationship was going. She supposed that was what Mac wanted: to figure out what to do next. She knew what she wanted to do next, but she would not rush him.

At 7:30, Stella's doorbell rang. She opened the door. Mac was there with shades on, and a leather jacket, with a green t-shirt and black jeans. She just stared at him a moment. "Are you ready?" he asked, looking over his shades at her.

Stella loved the way his eyebrows looked over his shades. "Yes, I'm ready," she said. "Let me get my luggage." Stella went back into her apartment. Well, what did she expect him to wear, a suit? She fanned her face with her hand. She didn't expect him to look that good. She got her suitcases and went back to the door.

Mac smiled. "I knew you would have more than one," he said.

Stella gave him a withering look. "Of course," she said. "And I have one more."

"Okay, just so long as you leave the kitchen sink."

"Oh, you…" Stella walked away, while Mac laughed. She smiled. She had not heard Mac laugh since…

When Stella got back to the door, Mac had one of the other two suitcases in hand. He looked at her. "I'm a wounded man," he said. I can't carry everything."

"I just have to lock up," Stella said. She locked her apartment and slung her carry-on bag over her shoulder and got her other suitcase. "Okay, ready."

They went out to the cab and put Stella's luggage in the back. She stared at Mac. "You only have 'one' suitcase?" she asked.

Mac looked at her. "It doesn't take that much for me," he said, with a devilish grin.

Stella closed the trunk lid. "This is going to be some trip," she said.

Mac pulled her to him and kissed her. "I hope so," he said.

Stella was surprised at him. "Lets go."

They got into the cab and headed for the airport. "I think while we're there, we'll rent a car and drive out to Key West," Mac said.

"Sounds beautiful," Stella said.

"You ever been there?"

"Not to Key West, but I have been to Florida."

"I went to Key West a long time ago. It's great. You're surrounded by ocean breeze, and you're not far from the ocean no matter where you are there."

Stella smiled. "I can't wait." She put her shades on. "At least it is sunny here today. The snow has nearly all melted."

"Spring is coming."

It took them a while to get to the airport, and a while to get through security, then they were in the waiting area. "So what are we doing down there in Florida?" Stella asked. "Are we going to lie on the beach?"

"Probably," Mac said. "Hopefully it won't rain."

"What else? Are we going to take in some Miami nightlife?"

Mac smiled. "Are you wanting to get 'wild'?"

"Maybe."

"I'm sure there are plenty of places there to get wild."

"Well, I don't want to get 'that' wild. I just want to have fun."

"I think I want to stroll on the beach while the moon is out and…" Mac looked at Stella.

"And what?" she asked.

"We'll see."

Stella saw that intense look in his eyes, but also that tender passion he had for her. "Are you getting fresh with me, Taylor?" she asked.

A sly grin came to Mac's face. "Maybe I am, Bonasera," he said.

Stella smiled and leaned on his shoulder. Mac kissed the top of her head. Stella felt so safe in his arms. She just relaxed against him. She felt like she just fit perfectly into his embrace. Mac closed his eyes. He loved feeling Stella's warmth beside him. He wanted to get as close to her as he could.

Soon, their flight was announced. They got in line. "Is all of life plagued by lines?" Stella asked.

"I think so," Mac said. He hung his shades on the neck of his t-shirt. "I don't intend to wear this jacket on the plane."

"Neither do I," Stella agreed.

They found their seats on the plane, and Stella put her carry-on bag in the compartment. She was beside the window, and Mac was in the middle. He hoped no one had that isle seat, but it wasn't long until a woman came and sat down beside him. Mac didn't think anything about it until he smelled her perfume. He thought she must have taken a bath in it. He sneezed and then coughed. After he sneezed twice more, Stella asked him if he was okay.

"I guess," Mac said, then sneezed again. He leaned his head back on the seat. Why did something always have to happen when he got on a flight?

Suddenly, the woman leaned over trying to get her dress in place, and bumped Mac's sore shoulder. "Ow!" he said, not able to contain his discomfort.

"I'm sorry," the woman said, as she noticed Mac's arm was in a sling. The woman had light blonde hair and big blue eyes. She smiled at Mac with perfect white teeth. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"My arm is sore," Mac said.

"What happened? If you don't mind my asking."

"I'm a detective and I was shot in the line of duty."

The woman's mouth dropped open. "Wow, you must be strong and courageous."

"I just do my job."

Stella folded her arms. Was this woman going to talk to him the whole way? Couldn't she mind her own business? Mac seemed to be enjoying talking to her. Wasn't he supposed to be talking to 'her'? Stella stared out the window. She knew she couldn't be jealous of Mac like that. People just naturally liked him and if she was going to have a relationship with him, she would just have to get used to it. She looked at the woman. "So, where are you from?" Stella asked.

"Right here in New York," the woman said. "I'm heading to Atlanta."

"Yeah, we have to stop there on our way to Miami," Mac said.

"I've been to Miami. It's a good place for a photo shoot."

Stella wanted to roll her eyes. That woman was a model. Stella was sure she had help in all the right areas. Mac looked at Stella. She tried to smile. Mac gave her that knowing look. He knew she had been jealous again. How could he see right through her? She supposed that was what made him a good detective. She hoped he couldn't sense what she was thinking 'all' the time. Then again, if he could, he had invited her on this vacation. Maybe he wasn't afraid anymore.

Stella was just a little annoyed. She thought Mac liked it when she was jealous. Did he do that just to tease her? "What?" she asked.

Mac smiled. "You're beautiful when you're jealous," he whispered in her ear.

Stella couldn't stand feeling his breath on her neck. It gave her goosebumps all over. She thought he probably knew that too, especially from that grin he had on his face. "Will you just stop that?" she asked.

"Stop what?" Mac asked, trying to look innocent.

The stewardess got on the intercom and told everyone to buckle their seatbelts. Mac already had his seatbelt on. Stella fastened hers. She had the fleeting thought that she wondered what would happen if she wasn't wearing it during takeoff. They were pressed against the back of the seat. Would she really fall out of here seat? She noticed Mac looked at little nervous. "Something wrong?" she asked.

"I hate takeoffs," Mac said. "I get motion sickness when we're taking off."

Stella got an air sickness bag out of the slot in front of them and handed it to Mac. She smiled sweetly. "That's what these are for," she said.

Mac stared at her a moment. "I'm glad you think it's funny."

Stella laughed. "You big strong Marine. You mean you get motion sickness?"

"I can't help it. It was my worst problem in the Marines." Mac shook his head. "I got sick every time I shipped out. Can you imagine rocking and rolling over those huge waves in the ocean, and your head feels like you're spinning on a merry-go-round? I thought I would die."

"Poor thing."

Mac looked at her. "It's not funny."

"I'm not laughing."

"But you want to."

Stella couldn't help but smile. "What did you do?"

"I stayed in the head a lot, and I took a lot of Dramamine. Then I was sleepy all the time. I don't know how much good I was until we got on land again."

"You were brave."

"I was something. Maybe determined."

Stella kissed his cheek. "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks."

The plane started moving then. They would soon be taking off to Florida and whatever it held for them. Mac hoped he could get past his fears and let Stella into his heart. Stella hoped the same thing, but she was glad to be alone with him, whatever happened.