Thanks so much to y'all again, you're spoiling me! But muchly appreciated ;)

Special thanks to Sammie and Rosanna for the giggles annd squees xMwahx

Danny Messer was worried. And he didn't worry easily.

Danny Messer was also certain he never wanted to be promoted to Supervisor. Not if it meant getting that office, at least.

He'd noticed recently just how much that office was, well, cursed. He'd gone through the evidence, and it was definitely cursed.

First? Mac Taylor was promoted, given that shiny new office, all was well. He was happy and he was married.

Then, tragedy strikes. Mac falls into the pits of despair and depression. Barely leaves the office, keeps a change of clothes in his locker and is all about the work.

Next? Stella Bonasera. Promoted, new office, all relatively good. Tragedy. Despair. Depression. Lives in that office, spare clothes in her locker and only swings by her place for her mail.

Yep, Danny Messer is never going to be Supervisor.

Xx

"Stella?" Natalie asked, peeking her head around the door.

"Hey, what's up?" she asked, barely lifting her head from the paperwork she was busying herself with.

"Noth-okay, something is…" she began, taking a seat across from Stella. "Can I ask you a question? I know we've only known each other a couple of months but-"

"Sure," Stella chuckled, putting a stop to the ramble Natalie seemed to spout when she was uncomfortable. Luckily, she doesn't seem to be uncomfortable when with suspects. "Fire away."

She cast another worried glance over Stella's features; hergreen eyes no longer sparkled like they once had, but were underlined with multiple dark brooding circles. They reminded Natalie of emphasising a word in a letter by scribbling lines underneath, making sure attention was brought to it. Were Stella's eyes' natures way of bringing attention to her inner conflict? Either way, Natalie was worried. "When was the last time you slept? And I mean in a bed, not on that couch." She cast a thumb to the small sofa against the wall.

"I-" a bittersweet smile flashed across her sombre features, remembering the amount of times she'd asked Mac the exact same question. Of course, when Stella asked, Mac wasn't cut off by more ramblings…

"I know. You cant sleep, so you work. But not only is that not healthy, I'm pretty sure it isn't what Mac would want. Why don't you take a few days off? Catch up on some sleep, watch some TV, shred some paperwork…"

Stella had to admit, that sounded good. Even the shredding was appealing, although she would never do it. That was definitely one thing she'd gladly give Mac back when he returned, although he might just have to fight her for the office. "I'll sleep, and vacation, when I know he's okay."

"How long has it been now?"

"5 weeks, tomorrow."

"That's nothing, you know that, right? My friend's husband was gone for three months without so much as a postcard. She thought the worst, naturally, until he came bounding through the door… and into her fist. She broke his nose, she has a bit of a temper, but he knew he deserved it," Natalie gave a chuckle at the memory of her friends frantic phone call from the emergency room: "Tommy's back! And I broke his nose…but he's fine and he's back!"

Stella appreciated the talk, another one, but there was still that heaviness to her heart, telling her something was wrong. "It's long enough, though."

Natalie knew when she was defeated. "You sure I cant convince you to go home?"

"I'm fine, Nat, I promise. But thanks." She smiled.

"Okay," she sighed, standing up as the desk phone began to ring "But don't say I didn't try." She scrunched her nose up while Stella picked up the receiver.

"Bonasera?" she said, a chuckle to her voice.

"Stella Bonasera?"

"Yes?"

"I'm Officer Tyman with the US Marine Corps. I have a 'Stella Bonasera' listed as next-of-kin for Major Mac Taylor?"

Stella's mind raced, yet not a word came to mind as a response. Natalie sat back down, seeing the instant fear and dread cascade over her already worried features.

"Ma'am?"

"Yes, sorry. Yes, I'm the next of kin for Mac Taylor."

"We've been trying to find you, Ms Bonasera. You've proven quite elusive."

"What is this about?"

"Oh, sorry. There was an incident involving Major Taylor's division approximately 48 hours ago. A Field Officer was injured in a raid, and left unprotected in a dangerous zone. Major Taylor left his post and shielded the officer from subsequent explosions."

"Is he…?"

"Oh no, Ma'am, I apologise. Major Taylor is alive. He's been in the infirmary since the incident, with his injuries. None are life threatening, but he is unable to continue with his tour. He asked that you be informed of his return to New York City at approximately Thirteen-Hundred-Hours tomorrow."

Did she drop the phone? She could have sworn she'd dropped the phone. Her whole body felt limp, so she must have dropped the phone.

"Stella?" Natalie asked

"He's coming home."