Chapter 4

Waking up from a fitful sleep. Mac looked at the clock. "Four in the morning Mac? You've slept less then an hour." Getting up, he dressed and headed back into the office.

"Mac??? What are you doing back? Adam said you left."

"I did Sid. I can't sleep. So I thought I'd come in and recheck the files I finished up earlier."

"Hmm...You and Stella must be sharing the same ideas. She came back about ten minutes before you."

"Oh?? Where is she?"

"In the breakroom talking to Adam."

"Thanks Sid. I'll see her in a bit."

Walking towards his office, he wondered what was stopping Stella from sleep. Unlocking his office, he kept the light off and plopped down on the couch. Closing his eyes, he dozed off.

Leaving the breakroom Stella noticed Mac's door was ajar. Walking over she opened it and looked inside. Seeing the shadowed figure on the couch she walked in further. Looking down she seen Mac sleeping.

Bending down she softly woke him.

"Mac, wake up Mac."

"Hmm?? What's the matter Stel? What are you doing here so early?"

"I couldn't sleep. Why are back here?"

Rubbing his hands over his face he said....

"Same reason. How long have I been out?"

"I'm not sure. I was walking by and I seen your office door ajar."

"I must have forgot to shut it all the way. What time is it now?"

"Six thirty Mac. Maybe you should take the day off." She smiled.

"That's good Stel. Thanks. But the only thing I need right now is coffee. How about I buy you a cup?"

"Sounds good. Let me grab my coat from the lunchroom."

Heading out to the coffee shop they noticed the breeze had picked up.

"Jeez it's cold this morning."

Mac tried not to laugh. Poor Stella was chattering her teeth. Moving in closer he wrapped his arm around her.

"Warmer now?"

"A little. Thanks Mac."

Sitting down they ordered two coffees. Waiting for them to arrive at the table, Mac watched as she blew on her hands.

"Are you still cold?"

"Yeah. I can't seem to shake this chill."

"The body does that when it's tired Stella. Give me your hands."

Placing her palms up, he took her hands into his and began rubbing them. Oh how she could feel his heat burning through her blood.

"Better now?"

"Much." As she pulled her hands away.

He noticed her blush. He seen her cheeks redden, her eyes become dark.

"Here's your coffee. Enjoy."

"Thanks. We will."

Both were silent during their morning coffee. Neither knew what to say to the other.

"Listen Ma, Stell..."

Laughing because they had talked at the same time she said...

"You go first Mac."

"Thanks. I was going to say. How would you like to watch Gary Sinise Festival movies at my place tonight. They are showing three of his all time greats."

"Hmm..are they showing Of Mice and Men?"

"That's one of them. They are also showing Forrest Gump, and Imposter."

"Okay. Sounds great. I'll bring the drinks."

"Good. About seven. Now we should be heading back."

Helping her back on with her coat, Mac wondered what the hell possessed him to ask her out.

As the evening was drawing near Mac closed up his case files and decided to head home. He knew he needed to shower and change before tonights movie fest. Grabbing his coat, he locked his office and headed out.

"Hey Mac. You off?"

"Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow Danny."

"Night Mac."

Leaving out the door Stella seen him go.

"Hey Danny. Where did Mac go?"

"He said he was heading home for the night. Strange. he never leaves early. Must have something important to do if it pulls him away from work."

Stella smiled and patted Danny's face.

"Must be. I'll see you later Danny."

Once he arrived at home, he placed down his bags with the snacks and headed to the shower. turning in on he looked at himself in the mirror.

"Hmm..face looks okay. Just a little shadow. She'll like that, most women do, don't they??"

Mac laughed at himself in mirror.

"Christ Taylor, you're acting like a teenager. Stop talking to yourself, you can't be that lonely."

After showering, he dressed in black sweats with a white tee. Adding a splash of cologne, he headed out to the kitchen and placed the snacks in bowls.

Placing them on the table he heard the knock.

"Hey Mac. A little help please." She laughed.

"What did you do Stella? Buy out the store?"

"Close to it Mac. Do you have a blanket we can spread out on the floor."

Mac gave her a quizacle look.

"To put all our snacks on silly. You didn't think I meant....oh my...you didn't did you? She laughed.

"No. Of course not. That thought didn't even cross my mind."

"You're blushing Mac."

"Huh??"

Leaving him standing at the door with his mouth open, she carried the bags into the kitchen. Walking back out she seen the huge blanket on the back of the couch. Pulling it off, she spread it on the floor in front of the TV.

"Come on Mac. Let's grab the snacks. Mice and Men will be starting in a few minutes."

Once they had everything out on the floor like a picnic, Stella grabbed two pillows.

"This is going to be fun Mac. I feel like a kid on a sleepover."

Mac smirked. He had to admit this was different. The most he thought is that they would be sitting on the couch. He had no idea it would be a slumber movie fest.

Turning on the TV, Stella leaned back against the pillow and popped a M&M into her mouth distracting Mac from watching anything but her.

She was all spread out on his blanket, with her arm above her head, and her little belly button showing again. Leaving Mac lost in a world of fantasy.

Looking over, she seen him eyeing her like a feast. She had to admit that even though it made her nervous, she had to tease him.

"You okay Mac? You look flustered. Want some M&Ms?"

"No. Um..I'm fine thanks."

Oh yeah, she had flustered alright. How sweet he looked all tongue tied and shy. Who ever would have thought it. She could feel the sparks as much as he could. question was, who was going to make the first move.

tbc...