A/N: Thanks for the awesome reviews!

Cannonballs, Clowns, and Cotton Candy... chapter 2

"Stel," Mac shook his companion's shoulder gently. "Wake up, we're here." He didn't need to wait half a millisecond before her eyes flew open.

"Where are we?" she sat up excitedly.

He laughed. "Follow me." Getting out of the car, he waited for her to do so as well, locked the door, and let her look around.

"The Circus?" she whispered in disbelief. "You took me to the Circus?"

Nodding, he had a moment of panic, wondering suddenly if he had done something terribly wrong.

In an unexpected move, she turned to face him and threw her arms around his neck in an awkward hug. He embraced her warmly; curious to see what had brought this on. She drew back seriously, studying him. "I've never been to the circus," she admitted.

He grinned. "Well, what are you waiting for?" Grabbing her hand, he led her to the ticket booth and bought them day passes, and they went inside. Just as they walked into the tent, a cannon went off on the other side, shooting someone out of the end through an opening in the canvas.

Stella wrinkled her nose. "How do they do that?" she asked him, blue eyes filled with childlike wonder. "Wouldn't he land and break his neck or something?"

"It's our day off, remember?" he hissed in her ear teasingly, and became quiet. "Actually, I don't know."

"Hmm. I'm gonna find out one day," she mused thoughtfully, looking around, and appearing not to notice that he was still holding her hand.

"Where do you want to sit?"

"In the very front," she replied immediately. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Is that okay?"

"Whatever you want." They picked a spot off to the side, but in the front row, no less, and within minutes a clown approached them. It had a completely blue face; lips and everything. Even its suit was blue.

Stella giggled. "I think he's choking on something."

Mac snorted in a very un-Mac-like fashion. "Maybe he wants to give you a balloon."

Sure enough, the clown produced a large red balloon from its 'hiding place' behind his back, and he handed it to her without saying a word.

"What no blue one?" she teased.

The clown's eyes widened.

"I'm just kidding," she laughed. Mac shook his head disgustedly.

"Be nice to the poor clown," he scolded with a smile. She hung her head.

"I'm sorry."

Just then, something akin to an orchestra began playing, and two trapeze artists could be seen flying smoothly through the air.

Thoroughly captivated, Stella leaned forward and watched intently and did not take her gaze from the stage until the intermission. Her hand came up to her mouth in a gasp when she realized she had completely ignored her escort the whole time. "I'm sorry, Mac."

He chuckled. "I'm glad you're having fun." A young teenager stepped in front of them with a basket full of popcorn, cotton candy, peanuts, and water bottles. Mac bought two waters, popcorn, and a bag of cotton candy, making a face and handing the sticky confection to Stella. "Thanks," he nodded to the boy.

"Mac, this means a lot to me." Stella's curly brown hair swished around her shoulders as she twisted in her seat to squeeze his hand. "Thank you."

A smile appeared on his face. "I'm glad you're having fun," he repeated. "That was my goal."

Her expression was worth it, he concluded as the second half of the show started, and the lights flashed and the music played. Completely and entirely worth it.

A/N: Please review!