Doctor Taylor

By that evening, Stella's fever had shot up to 102.4. Mac took the thermometer out of her mouth and frowned at it. "That's not good," he muttered. "Oh, Stel, maybe I should take you to the hospital."

He observed her, concern etching his features, while she slept on the couch. "How did you get so sick?" As an afterthought, he added under his breath, "I hope it's not my fault, or I'll feel so damn bad for the rest of my life."

Stella kept her eyes closed; hoping the pounding in her head would leave. "Not your fault." She ground out. "Water, please."

Mac, surprised that she was awake, jumped to his feet and rushed to comply. He came back and lifted the glass to her lips. Her tongue snaked out and she gulped the cool liquid down greedily. Mac forced his gaze to meet her eyes instead of letting himself be teased by the simple gesture. She's sick, you moron! What's wrong with you? He almost chuckled at the thought. I'm in love.

He snapped back to attention.

With a woman who doesn't love me back.

"Done?" At Stella's nod, he pulled the glass back and set it on the coffee table. "Anything else I can get for you?" She nodded again.

"I want to go to my own bed." She hated it that the request sounded so whiny.

He smiled. "Okay." Ever so gently, he tucked one arm under her knees and the other behind her back and carried her to the queen-size bed. He set her down, pulled back the comforter and lifted them back over her. "Go to sleep now, Stel."

Mac was almost at the door when he heard her voice again. "Mac?" her voice was tiny. "Can you-"

Stella stopped, frustrated. I'm going to regret this… "Will you come- stay with me?"

He froze.

"Please?"

Augh, that voice is going to be the death of me, Mac thought as he lay down on the comforter beside her, but not too close. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Goodnight, Stella."

"Night." After a pause, she added, "Doctor Taylor."

"Doctor Taylor, huh? That sounds nice. I did actually go through medical school for a while."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"I never thought of you as the doctor type."

"Me either, if I think about it now."

Stella laughed. "Don't go changing jobs on me, Mac Taylor. I might just have to hurt you for leaving me." She kept her comment light, but both CSI's detected a hidden undertone in her words.

"Don't worry, I'm not leaving anytime soon," he reassured, deciding not to expand off the remark for fear of driving her away further.

"That's good." Stella felt her eyes drifting closed.

"Sweet dreams, Stel."

Far too tired to say anything other than "Mmhmm," Stella relaxed and fell asleep immediately.

Mac, on the other hand, lay awake for a long time.

A/N: there! TWO chapters for you! is it still good! remember, reviews make me write faster! -shay