Title: Messing with Mac Taylor By: ForensicsFreak1988

A/N: This goes out to Quille who a)totally just left me an essay as a review, and b) made me go through with posting it because I was feeling like it was too sMACked.

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Mac Taylor woke up to pure heaven, a feeling he hadn't felt in five years. His arms around the warm body in his bed, his face in her curls, he decided this was where he wanted to be. Remembering the situation that had brought her to his door, and how obviously it had taken its toll on her, he gently pulled her a little closer. She closed the remaining gap between them, burying her face in his shoulder.

"Good morning gorgeous," he muttered, deciding that there wasn't a point to hiding his feelings anymore.

"Mmm…how about we stay in bed all day?" She muttered, her voice husky with sleep. He smiled.

"Sounds good to me, but knowing you, you'll get extremely hungry. Not to mention bored."

"Good point," she admitted, smiling. Reaching up, she gave him a quick kiss. "Why don't you take a shower or something while I make us some breakfast," she said, starting to get up. But he had other plans.

"Are you trying to tell me I smell, Bonasera?" She smiled, biting her lip, pretending to consider it.

"What if I am?" she asked, his playful mood proving contagious.

It took all his strength to appear serious as he asked, "Do I really Stel?"

"You are kidding me, right?" Unable to help it, he grinned.

"Yes." She gave him a mock glare.

"Keep it up. See if I don't make you eat bran flakes for breakfast."

"Don't have any," he said, smugly.

"Then it's a good thing my non-perishables never got inside last night, don't you think?" His smug grin disappeared, and despite herself, she burst into a fit of giggles. "Yes, I was teasing you." He threw a pillow at her escaping form, getting up to follow her. She squealed as he threatened, "I'm gonna get you for that Bonasera. I'll teach you a thing or two about messing with Mac Taylor…" Instantly, she froze, bracing herself against the doorframe. In a flash, Mac was by her side, muttering his apologies. But then, he couldn't have known that her mind would instantly replace his voice with that of her late ex-boyfriend. Realizing that he was blaming himself for something he'd done completely unintentionally, Stella reached up, and stroked his cheek.

"Hey. It's not your fault, you couldn't have known. You know that, right?" He nodded, but it was obvious he was still blaming himself. Stella sighed, reassuring him with a kiss.

"God this sucks. I can't even joke around with my best friend. I've waited years to hear you tell me what you told me last night, and I… I can't do anything about it because I'm afraid we'll end like Frankie and I. That… that would kill me Mac. It's just so freaking frustrating…" She trailed off, tears in her eyes. He did the only thing he could do. He pulled her into his arms, and kissed the top of her head. He cupped her chin, forcing her to look him in the eyes.

"Look at me. Do I look like Frankie to you? Don't feel like you have to push yourself into this Stel. I wouldn't want you to do something you're not ready for. Take your time, okay?" She reached up, capturing his lips with hers, feeling guilty as he hungrily deepened the kiss.

"I love you Mac," she muttered, breaking the kiss, which she had intended to be a simple reassurance. He smiled.

"I know that now," he assured her, kissing her forehead. "Now how about some breakfast?" he asked, trailing his hand down her upper arm. She sighed, forcing a smile.

"Any idea how guilty I'm feeling right now?" she asked, rhetorically. His smile disappeared.

"Hey. There's no reason for you to feel guilty, Stel. I wouldn't want you if you weren't ready anyway, okay?" She nodded, but she only felt guiltier.

"Come on. Let's get breakfast," she said, her way of saying 'let's not talk about it'. As they walked into the kitchen, and they started gathering materials to make some pancakes, Mac's phone rang.

"Taylor," he answered, unaware of the shock that awaited him on the other end.

"Is she a good kisser?" His eyes widened as he turned to face Stella in open shock. His shock turned to fear as the caller continued. "Just know this. The bitch killed my brother, and I'm not afraid to go through you to pay her back."

"Who is this?" Mac demanded of the dial tone. If he'd been thinking logically, he'd have realized he'd been given the answer. Tears filled his eyes as he realized Stella's ordeal was far from over. Hitting speed dial, he silently apologized for not taking the time to answer the questions in the grey-green eyes that watched him in fear. "Dispatch, this is Detective Mac Taylor. I need a complete protective team at my place of residence ASAP." He motioned her over to him, pulling her into a protective hug as he gave the dispatch operator the details.

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Stella Bonasera sank back into Mac's solid form as she saw what remained of her trashed apartment.

"Now we know how he knew I wasn't home, but the question is, how'd he know where I was?"

"The same way I knew you weren't home," Mac answered, pointing to where her cell phone lay discarded on the hallway floor. Without thinking, Stella reached to pick it up. Luckily, Mac stopped her.

"Fingerprints Stel, you know that."

She just stood there, willing her tears to stay put. She'd already cried enough in the past 14 hours. "Hey. It's gonna be okay. I won't let him get to you, I promise. Nobody's going to touch you."

"I just want it to be over…" she muttered. He sighed, his heart breaking for the amazing woman in his arms.

"I know Stel, I know," he murmured, willing his rage not to show. Silently though, he promised himself that, since Stella had been forced to take care of Frank, Frankie's brother would pay for what he was doing to Stella. "Come on. Let's get you some food while I clean up." In the aftermath of the call, they'd left the pancake ingredients on the counter. Then, Stella had realized she'd left her phone at home, or maybe she'd just wanted to go home. So, they'd never gotten breakfast. He walked her to the kitchen, squeezing her shoulder. "I gotta go get my kit," he explained, turning to go. She grabbed his hand, stopping him. He turned, surprised to find pleading in her eyes. "Hey. There's two cops outside your apartment door, one downstairs in the lobby, and one across the street from both entrances to the building. You're gonna be just fine Stel." She sighed.

"I know. It's just…"

"I'll be right back Stel," he assured her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Here, " he said taking his St. Catherine's medal. "She'll keep you safe until it's all over," he said, clasping the necklace on Stella's neck, leaning in to seal it with a kiss. "Now, I really need to get that evidence Stel." She nodded. Mac sighed as he closed the door. This whole situation was taking a definite toll on Stella. She had just practically begged him to stay with her, something he had never thought he'd ever see her do, under any situation. He needed to find a way to end this in the worst possible way.

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