Chapter 2 – hospital

As soon as Christine arrives at the Emergency room she is taking in to further examination and Mac is left in the waiting room. Mac sits down and tries to read one of the old newspapers in the waiting room, but he can't focus on the articles, not even on the sports section. So Mac decides to go to and get a snack. He realizes he hasn't eaten much all they. While he is standing at the vending machine his mind start to wandering. He is an experienced detective. He has worked many kidnapping cases before but it never gets easier when it is one of his own that get injured. And today it just feels a lot harder. He has spent many hours in the waiting room with family to kidnap victims. More then he likes to count but it never gets easier. Even though Christine didn't seem to have been severely physically injured. From his professional observation skills, it seemed like she was a little disoriented from being low on food, sleep and a bit dehydrated. But he hadn't noticed any wounds and other kinds of life-threatening injuries, but he knows all too well that it can be hidden under her skin. Internal bleeding from repeated beatings… no, he doesn't want to go there. She is tough she is strong. She will be fine.

About an hour later Mac is still sitting in the waiting room. Jo walks by the waiting room and sees Mac is sitting there. She walks into him and takes a seat next to him. Mac notices the bag she has in her hand.

"Christine's clothing?" Mac asks without even looking at Jo. Jo takes Mac's hand.

"She is going to be fine Mac."

"Detective Danville." A young male nurse is standing in the doorway.

"Miss Whitney is ready to be processed now." Mac gets up from the chair before Jo can say anything. They follow the young nurse to the room where Christine is. Christine is behind a cover hanging from the ceiling. She is talking to a doctor.

"can… can I please see my boyfriend?" Christine asks as Mac and Jo walk into the room. It is the first time Mac hear Christine refer to him as her boyfriend.

"the police will be here in a minute to process you and then I'm sure they will inform your boyfriend.

"my boyfriend is a cop," Christine says insisting to the doctor.

Jo walks in behind the cover to where Christine and the doctor is. Mac is right behind Jo. Christine starts smiling when she sees Mac.

"this is the CSI…"

"it is alright Dr. Hunter," Mac says. The brunette doctor looks over at Mac and a big smile spreads on her face.

"Detective Taylor. Long time no sees." Dr. Hunter, Mac's friend from a few years ago says with a smile.

"yeah. Hey Christine." Mac says and looks over at Christine.

"You two know each other?" Christine asks.

"yes dr. hunter is an old friend of mine." Mac says and takes Christine's hand.

"I'll leave you guys to it. Let me know if you need anything, miss Withney." Dr. Hunter says as she leaves the room.

Mac and Christine are just looking into each other's eyes and is completely lost. Jo almost feels bad about interrupting them.

"Christine, I hate to interrupt, but…

"no, you don't," Mac says with a smile to her for the first time since Christine went missing has Mac sad something with a smile to Jo.

"yeah you are right I don't, but I need to." Jo says with a smile. "how are feeling?" Jo asks.

"okay. Tired, but relieved it is over." Jo nod in understanding. "of course. I'm glad that you are okay."

Christine leans her head against Mac's stomach.

"Christine I am going to have to process you," Jo explains.

"what does that mean?" Christine asks and looks at Mac.

"I'm no in duty så Jo will explain it to you." Mac just says.

"Mac Taylor turning of his duty %? How are you and what did you do to my Mac?" Christine jokes.

"I don't want to be a detective when it is your case, because."

"because of what?"

"I can't do this." He leans down and kisses her.

"Okay, you two lovebirds let me process Christine and I'll be out of your hair as soon as possible."

"Okay, Jo. What do I need to do?" Christine asks and sits up straight.

"I am going to comb your hair for any evidence and check your nails and I have already collected your clothing. I am also going to take some pictures of you any bruises you have sustained doing the captivity."

"okay," Christine says.

Jo is waiting for a moment for Mac to leave.

"Mac this is the hint for you to get your butt out of here," Jo says.

"you want me to leave?" Mac asks Christine. she is still holding his hand.

"yeah could you go get me a diet soda?" she asks.

"anything for you," Mac says and gives her kiss on her head and leaves. Jo is just looking at them.

"wow, you two are just adorable," Jo says.

"he is amazing," Christine says more to herself than to Jo.

After Mac has left the room Jo starts to process Christine for evidence.

About an hour later Mac comes back to Christine's hospital room. Christine is laying down in her bed looking out the window. Looking at the skyscrapers. She doesn't hear Mac returning. Mac walks over to her and gently places a kiss on her forehead. She gets a shock.

"oh my god Mac, don't do that to me."

"I'm sorry Christine. I thought you were asleep." Mac says feeling bad about spooking her. "I got you a diet soda and… he holds out a bag for her. She looks wondering at the bag and then at Mac. He hands her the bag and she opens it. "oh, Mac. My favorite takeout." Christine takes out the takeout box with chines food. "you really know how to treat a lady." They both start laughing. Mac takes a seat next to Christine's bed. They just sit in peach and Christine enjoy her food while Mac just enjoys the silence and just the sight of Christine being safely back with him. Christine notices that Mac is starring at her.

"Mac…" Christine snaps him out of his thoughts. "you are staring at me."

"you are so beautiful." Is all he responds. It makes Christine smile but also feel awfully aware of the bruises she has on her wrist and on her face. She doesn't feel very beautiful right now. Mac notices the change in Christine's face when she looks away from him and looks out the window. Mac takes her hand to get her to look over at him again. She looks at him and he notices she has tears in her eyes. He puts his coffee on the table and stands up. He leans down over her and rests his head right next to hers.

"I don't feel very beautiful right now, mac." She whispers and cries.

"it is okay. You will soon." He says.

He sits down on the side of her bed. his hand is gently touching her face and his thumb is brushing a tear away from her face.

"you will soon." He whispers to her and lean down and kisses her. They are interrupted by a knock on the door. Mac sits up straight to see who it is. It is detective Lovato.

"Sorry to interrupt." She says politely. "may I come in?" she asks.

"sure," Christine says and looks away from her to brush away a tear.

"how are you feeling Christine?" she asks as she stands by the end of her bed.

"I don't know." She says. "does that sound weird?" she asks the experienced detective?"

Lovato shakes her head. "no it doesn't." "miss Withney…" "please call me Christine.2 Christine interrupts. "sure. Christine I am going to take your statement about what about over the past few days. Would you prefer Detective Taylor to be here? If you do it is perfectly fine." Lovato explains. In the meantime, Mac has gotten a text. Christine can see on Mac facial expression that it is work related.

"Duty Calls?" Christine asks and looks up at Mac.

"there is some paperwork I need to sign back at the precinct."

"go do that, Mac," Christine says.

"if you want me to stay. I'll stay."

"no. go. Get out of here." Christine says determinedly. Mac smiles at her. It is nice to see her like that with a sense of humor again.

"okay. I'll go." Mac says with a smile. He leans down and kisses Christine. "I'll see ya later. Call me if you need anything." Mac says and then leaves the room.

Followed by the two last scenes with Flack and Jo and the precinct and then the scene with DB in Mac's office.