Title: Do I know you?

Author: Wezyjugz

Rating: T

Pairing: Mac/Stella

Disclaimer: Don't own anything. I'm just borrowing so I can have some fun.

Summary: Stella confronts a mysterious man who knows a little too much about her which unnerves the usually strong and level headed woman.

Chapter One

Stella Bonasera sat in the bar across the street from the precinct waiting for Mac to join her. 'Late as usual' she thought. He was probably finishing the paperwork on their last case which he said would wait until tomorrow, but that's Mac, he just hates loose ends.

She didn't feel comfortable sat there in this bar at the moment, she couldn't explain it, she just felt odd. It's not that she wasn't uncomfortable sitting alone in the bar waiting for Mac, she was used to having to wait for him, but today something was wrong and she just couldn't put her finger on it. It was just her intuition.

They had first come here after the case at the dockyard where Stella had saved Mac's life and his way of gratitude was to buy her a couple of beers. Now it had become a regular event, usually at the weekends as a way to unwind. Mac was loosening up more and more and it was a real pleasure to be in his company, just like the old days before he lost Claire.

The change in him was gradual but she had noticed it all the same. He was smiling more and getting out of the office more (with the exception of tonight) and just recently after she had been prying he had taken his wedding ring off declaring he was ready to move on.

She new that he had been on a date with Rose, the lady from the coffee shop shooting but he didn't really mention her again after that so she presumed that it must have just been that one night. It was good that he was just getting out and living again. He was finally moving on.

She glanced down at her watch again, 'thirty minutes late Mac, that's even late for you.' Right that's it she was going to call him

"Taylor" he answered gruffly after a couple of rings.

"Mac where the hell are you, you're now over thirty minutes late and I'm getting a little antsy waiting here for you all by myself"

"Shit, Stella, I'll be right over. I'm sorry I just got carried away, you know how it is."

"Well I'll wait outside for you then, is that alright"

"Yeah ten minutes Stell. Bye" He hung up chuckling. He couldn't help it he just loved it when she tried to be mad at him. He looked at the clock and realised she had a point though and started to clear things away.

Stella drained the rest of her bear and grabbed her purse ready to go and wait outside for Mac.

"You off then Stella" the bartender enquired "I hope he hasn't stood you up"

"No, he's just running late but I need some fresh air, see you in a few minutes Joe."

As Stella walked out the door she didn't notice the piercing blue eyes filled with hate following her out the door.

Stella wasn't outside long thankfully when she spotted a grinning Mac Taylor crossing the street to where she stood. She instantly relaxed.

"Ok so what are looking so giddy about then Mac Taylor?"

"This is not giddy Stell I am just nervous because I have pissed you off and now you look like you are going to rip me apart piece by piece. And anyway you look cute with that mock annoyed look you reserve just for me," he replied jokingly.

"This is not mock," she tried to continue but he just kept making funny faces at her and they both collapsed into a fit of giggles until she realised what else he had said, "what do you mean cute?"

"Well you do. If you don't like it you'll have to stop getting mad at me," he countered.

"You'll have to stop doing things that get me mad then won't you"

"Why would I want to stop doing that, I wouldn't get that cute look then would I?"

He replied teasingly. Her lips curled up but he could tell she was trying desperately not to laugh. "Ok Stella I realise now that making you mad all the time is quite a selfish way to make you look cute. I prefer it when you are trying not to laugh at me, now that look is even cuter."

She slapped him lightly on the arm, "Mac, you're forgiven now get in there and buy us both a beer." She had turned a deep shade of red and could not believe that Mac Taylor had made her blush. He opened the door for her and they both approached the bar still giggling a little.

"Two bears please Joe," asked Mac.

"I thought you had stood her up earlier you know. I'm glad you seem to have made up though. Here you go Mac" he said handing over the beers.

"I got held up doing some paperwork and time just got away from me. I don't think I'll get away with again though," he said as he turned to smile at Stella. "Where do you want to sit then?"

She scanned the room feeling uneasy again when she locked onto the coldest bluest eyes she had ever seen which sent a shiver down her spine. The man looked like he needed a bath and change of clothes and then he smiled at her leeringly. His teeth, the few he had left, she could tell from this distance hadn't been cleaned for a long time as they were all yellow and brown.

Macs hand on the small of her back made her flinch but also broke her eye contact with the strange looking man.

"Hey are you alright," he asked a little concerned.

"Yeah,"she replied unconvincingly, "yeah I'm fine let's sit over there by the window" she continued a little too brightly. Stella wasn't one to get unnerved but there was something odd about the guy. She decided she wasn't going to let it ruin the evening for her and Mac who just happened to be in an exceptionally good mood.

When they had taken there seats Mac asked, "So what was that all about. It's not like you to get all spooked out, it wasn't somebody you know was it?"

"I don't think I know him. I felt really unnerved earlier waiting for you as if somebody was just staring at the back of my head. That's why I got so antsy and called you. I can't explain it Mac, it's probably nothing but my gut instinct is telling me that something is wrong, something about that guy is wrong," and she shuddered again.

He reached out and placed his own hand on hers and squeezed, "I can't have him arrested just because of your instincts you know but if you like I will go over there and ask him to staring at you, politely of course."

She turned around and sure enough he was still staring at her, 'right that's enough' she thought to herself and marched right up to him. "Excuse me, do I know you?"

"Well I don't know, do you? I know you though; Stella Bonasera and I also know your ever protective partner over there; Mac Taylor. He can't watch you all the time though can he." He smiled again showing those rotting teeth and this time she got a whiff of his putrid breath making her draw back slightly.

"You need to watch your mouth. I'll have you arrested if you don't leave this place right now, we're not the only police officers in here you know."

"Oh I'm aware of that, see you around Stella," and he got up ready to leave.

"Do you know how many times I have been threatened, it goes with the job. You don't scare me I've heard it all before," she said

He had reached the door when he turned and replied sneeringly, "yeah, but I bet all the others didn't know you the way I do," and with that he simply opened the door and casually walked down the street glancing back over his shoulder at a stunned Stella Bonasera.

Mac had been watching the whole thing from where he sat looking a little concerned but he new better than to get involved. He hadn't heard what had been said but he new something was wrong with Stella. He knew her better than anybody and he could tell that she was very uneasy around this character. The normally confident strong willed woman he admired so much was nearly backing away from this mysterious man in fear. He had wanted to stride on over there but then the man got up and walked toward the door so he relaxed a little. It was the look on Stella's face in response to the mans parting words that finally got Mac on his feet and now he came to stand beside her.

"Hey Stell, are you ok?" He asked worriedly, "come on let's sit back down" and he guided her back to her seat. He wasn't sure but he thought he had felt her trembling a little. "What did he say to get you all upset like this Stell?"

"He knows who I am Mac; he even knew your name. He says he knows all about me" she answered shakily.

"It's just some weirdo who is trying to spook you out. Come on Stell don't let it get to you." When she didn't reply he asked, "Do you want to go home? I'll come home with you just to check things out if you like"

"Yeah sure, I'd like that thanks. Let's finish our beers though", she replied. "I don't want that jerk ruining our night out though. We were supposed to meet up to unwind to get away from work not creating more. We might as well carry it on at my place I have a few beers in the fridge. How does that sound?"

"That sounds a very tempting offer that I just can't refuse" he answered

"Well actually it's an offer that you're not allowed to refuse Mac Taylor."

"Oh and did I ever tell you that when you're being all bossy and forceful you also look cute"

"Cute! There it is again Mac that word! I don't look cute!" She exclaimed. 'Cute' what sort of a word was that anyway, it is just too soft and coming from Mac it just didn't sound right. He was in a funny mood tonight though, really upbeat and happy and yes he certainly was giddy. That was why she couldn't let this strange dirty looking man who claims to know so much about her ruin her evening.

"Well, if you don't like cute, how about sexy?" The look of astonishment on her face made him crease up and they both burst into laughter again.

"What's gotten into you tonight, Mac? No, it's not just tonight though is it; you've been like this awhile now." She continued to giggle, "But come on Mac, 'sexy', 'cute', where does that come from?" She asked a little more seriously.

"Stella, it's called getting my life back in order and having a good time and simply being honest about the way you look, to me," and he looked away from her nervously.

"Hey come on Mac; let's finish this back at my place." She replied smirking "let's go get a cab."

As Mac was climbing into the cab Stella exclaimed "Mm nice ass Mac, very cute."

Mac just laughed and pulled her in after him and they hugged each other both giggling like children.

As the cab pulled away a pair of cold intense blue eyes watched them leave with spittle forming at the corner of his mouth.

TBC