I Hate Being Sick
"No."
"Yes."
"No." Her jaw set stubbornly in a familiar show of defiance.
"You'll contaminate evidence," he reasoned.
"I'll be careful."
"Stella, as your supervisor, I am ordering you to go home."
"You're ordering me?" her voice was incredulous. She couldn't believe he was getting superior on her. "Mac, I can't believe you're pulling rank on me!"
"Deal with it." He tried unsuccessfully to hold back a smile.
"You're laughing at me.
"No I'm not."
"You sure as hell are."
"Fine, I am. Happy?"
"No."
"You're stalling."
"So what if I am?"
"Stella Bonasera, if I don't see you in your car driving home in five minutes, I will personally drag your butt home myself."
"Very funny."
"I'm dead serious."
"You're kidding me."
"No."
"Yes you are."
"Quit stalling, Stel."
"I'm not."
"Yes you are."
"Mac!" she groaned in frustration. Her hands flew in the air. "I am FINE."
"No you're not."
It was true. She was as white as a sheet.
She spun on one heel to leave, and fainted dead away on the floor.
"Oh, Stel," he said with a sigh, and lifted her limp body into his arms.
"Mmph." Stella tried to move under the heavy comforter on top of her. "How did I get here?"
The last thing she remembered was yelling at Mac.
"Uh-oh. That can't be good."
She sat up. Damn, her head hurt. Ignoring the pounding, she slid out of bed and wandered into the kitchen, wrapping the quilt around herself to keep warm. A white piece of paper on the coffee table caught her attention, and she picked it up. "Be right back –Mac." She read aloud, and glanced at the clock. "Uh, okay. If you said you'd leave me alone, Taylor, this isn't it," she muttered.
She collapsed on the couch and turned on the tv, flipping through the channels. "Finally!" she exclaimed, tossing away the remote after landing on Everwood.
Mac opened the door quietly, grocery bag in hand, wondering if she was awake yet. He stifled a laugh when he stepped inside and saw her lying down on the couch, swathed in a blanket and watching Everwood. "I didn't know you were into soap operas," he teased.
She didn't look up. "Me either."
He laughed. "I brought you soup." He pushed the door closed behind him.
"Oh." Her eyes were glued to the television. She fell into a coughing fit. "Why are you here?"
"I'm sorry things were so awkward earlier," he offered, trying to make peace. "I'm here as your friend, Stella, if that's what you want."
"That's what I want," she told him, and coughed some more. "Ugh. I hate being sick."
"Okay." Mac acted casual, but inside his heart was shattered into a million pieces.