Disclaimer: I own nothing...i'm so alone...


Stella walked into Mac's office, the glass door swinging shut behind her. She proceeded straight to the desk, leaning forward on her hands to tower over the ex-marine as he sat looking up at her in confusion.

"Give me your tie," she demanded, staring him dead in the eye, her tone predatory. When he continued to watch her in disbelieving shock she thrust one hand towards him, ordering, "Tie- now, Mac!"

Slowly he raised his hands, pulling at the knot to loosen his tie, lifting it over his head and placing it in her outstretched hand. Her fingers sealed over the material, taking it from him and holding it near her hip.

Stella stood up straighter, her posture confident as she placed the hand holding his tie on her hip, instructing without a flinch in her expression, "Take off your shirt."

Mac coughed, clearly surprised by her command, spluttering, "What? You're being a bit forward, aren't you?"

"I'm not kidding, Mac," she warned him, tilting her head slightly, maintaining eye contact with her boss. She made her way around the desk as he refused to strip in his office, becoming all too aware of people watching in amusement through the glass walls. He cursed the day he ever wished for a more modern lab.

Stella took hold of his wrist, forcefully dragging him to his feet. She made swift work of the buttons, slipping the shirt off his chest and holding it with his tie, leaving him effectively half naked in front of the entire shift of day workers.

He blushed, complaining quietly so no one could eavesdrop, "Stella, please give me back my shirt. I'm asking you nicely; I could turn nasty otherwise."

"You getting embarrassed, Mac?" Stella teased him, adding, "There's no need to feel shy in front of me; I've seen you in much less." She gave him a saucy wink, wandering back out of his office, leaving him standing there helplessly.

Danny entered only a moment later, his eyebrows raised, "Geez, Mac, some tech told me Stella was stripping you, I didn't actually believe it though."

"Shut up, Danny," Mac growled, unsure what to do- whether to continue to work as if nothing had happened, or whether to wait hopefully for Stella's return. He turned around, pretending to sort through some files behind him.

Danny broke out into a huge grin, sniggering as he read the black marker pen scrawl across Mac's lower back 'Property of Stella Bonasera'. "Maybe you shouldn't let people see that- you've been branded." He motioned to the marked area as Mac spun around, questioning what he had meant.

Mac twisted his neck, manipulating his spine so that he could read the writing. Danny was surprised to see a look of amusement form on his boss' face rather than the expected angry reaction he was anticipating. "That woman will be the end of me."

Stella stalked back into the room, a light blue t-shirt in her hand. She chucked it at Mac, telling him sternly, "We agreed- Friday is your casual day. If you think I'm cross now you're gonna see a whole new meaning to the word if you turn up in shirt and tie next week."

"Stella, do you ink every man you spend the night with?" Danny asked, feigning serious interest and struggling to keep a straight face.

"Just those I plan on keeping," Stella replied, not faltering for a second. She shared a smile with Mac as he shrugged his new shirt on, grateful for clothing again.

"Wait?" Danny looked between them, his focus constantly shifting. "You guys? Really? Like officially?" As they nodded in mutual confirmation Danny exclaimed, "I knew you were! Wait 'til the others hear about this!"


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