CHAPTER FIVE

Mac was the first to enter and to see, what seemed lifeless bodies. He tried to prevent Aiden from going in the bloody, smelly apartment but he failed. They both just stood there for a minute until they heard a quiet groan. Danny slowly regained conscientiousness . Aiden kneeled down next to Danny and helped him sit up straight. "You're okay" she said while tears were running down her soft cheeks. Mac let out a sigh of relief as well. He looked at his two colleagues then turned around to smile at Flack. "He's okay." Flack nodded "He's the only one". Steven didn't move or made any kind of noise and well his body was covered in blood.

"Let's get you to a hospital." Mac told his younger, eager colleague. Danny nodded, slowly got un his feet and walked through the door with Aiden's help. Although he wasn't hurt that bad it would do him good to get checked out. His lip was still bleeding and he probably needed some stitches elsewhere. Once in the ambulance, he let his guard down and let his head rest on Aiden's shoulder, who was still trying not to cry too much.

Back at the lab, Stella was waiting impatiently for more news. She was relieved to see a happy Mac. "He's okay?" She asked, he smiled at her and responded. "He's okay." Now both of them couldn't help but to smile at each other. "Hmm Stella…" Mac started and as usual he waited a minute before he continued. "I was wondering… maybe if you want to grab a bite?"

"I'd love that." She grabbed Mac's arm and let him lead the way.

At the hospital the nurse was still stitching Danny up. She even flirted with him, something Aiden didn't really appreciate so Aiden kept putting up her angry face. "I'll leave you two, to it then." The nurse smiled and left as quickly as she could.

"So.." "So.." Both didn't really knew what to say now. Danny had been through an emotional rollercoaster the last few days and Aiden well, she felt like she had let him down. So she didn't know whether he would appreciate her company or wouldn't. She wanted to tell him so badly that she loved him and how scared she was when the gunshot fell and she didn't know whether he was okay or hurt. She decided to take a chance and asked if wanted to grab dinner. "I'd love that."

Not so far from the hospital Stella and Mac were enjoying their meal. Enjoying… Mac seemed to be a bit quiet. So just as usual Stella asked him what was on his mind but for the first time Mac opened up to her from the first time. And she was happy he did. "It's just, cases like this, when it concerns one of your own, a colleague a friend.. It makes you realize how short life is and how you should spend as much time as possible with the person that means the world to you." Mac slowly moved his hand & let it rest on hers.

Stella felt her cheeks turn into bright red, yes she was blushing. She waited so long for this moment, after playing it in her head so many times before she still didn't quite know how to react. Just as she wanted to say something nice back, he silenced her with a long expected kiss.

"You sure you don't mind if I take a shower first." "No, that's okay" Danny smiled. "You know there's something I want to tell you." She took a few steps closer, so now she was only a few inches away from Danny who was curious what she wanted to tell him that couldn't wait.

"I just want to apologize for the past days." "Apologize, Aiden, if there's one who should apologize it's me. I'm the one who…" "sh" She placed her finger on his mouth and looked deep into his eyes. Danny's ringing cell phone broke their contact. He smiled uncomfortable and immediately turned his phone off. "Sorry about that." Again they stared at one an other but this time he leaned in and kissed her passionately.

Aiden was the first to break the kiss. "Danny.. I -.. I need to get a shower." She left Danny standing in her living room and left for the bathroom where she turned the water on. Before she went in the bathroom she turned around and looked invitingly at Danny. 'Does she want me to follow her.' He thought to himself. 'God, help me. I should follow, what's the worst that could happen. Well she could laugh in my face, hmm I'll take my chances.' He smiled and entered the bathroom as quiet as he could.

He started to kiss her wet shoulder which she enjoyed a lot. Then she turned around and kissed his neck, cheek and his lips. Danny slowly let his hands slide on her back. Danny broke the kiss, put a stroke of hair behind her ear and asked if she was sure. Aiden smiled, kissed him again an started to unbutton his shirt…

THE END