I have to send out huge thanks to Rosanna, Sammie and Kukrae for attempting to kick start El Muso with violence heehee
I spent ALL yesterday trying to upload this damn thing, and was telling me, albeit politely, to basically eff off. And now it works. I hate technology.
"Hi, I'm looking for a Mac Taylor? I believe he works here," the man announced to Stacy at the front desk.
It took her a moment to find her voice, the intense stare from his green eyes was, well, intense. "He does work here, but he's on leave at the moment. I could direct you to Detective Bonasera though, she can relay a message."
"That'd be great, thanks." His smile was an even better feature, Stacy noted.
She pushed her small dainty glasses back up her nose and asked him to follow her. Now from the behind the desk, she could take in his impressive form with (hidden) pleasure. He was a giant, easily standing 6'2" to her 5'5". He was well defined, she could tell through her form-fitting black tee and jeans. If he had come into any place other than the NYPD building, his broken arm and plastered head would have been note-worthy.
Stacy guided the tall, blonde and handsome stranger to Stella's office and announced his arrival before returning to her post.
"Hi, Stella Bonasera, how can I help?" she smiled making her way around the desk and shaking his good hand.
"Wow," were his first words, quickly followed by an embarrassed shake of the head and smirk. "You heard that, right? Sometimes I think my brain and mouth aren't even connected."
Stella chuckled, flattered at the attention.
"I'm looking for Mac Taylor, I was told you could help?"
"He's on leave at the moment, not due back for a couple of weeks," she gestured for him to take a seat, while she returned to her own side of the desk. "What is it about? Maybe I can help."
"Oh, I doubt that. I need to thank him, he saved my life."
The proverbial light shone in Stella's mind, "You're not Stankevich, are you?"
"...yeah," he said, confused but amused.
"I've heard a lot about you. I should really be thanking you, you brought Mac back to us."
"I'm not sure nearly getting yourself and yourCommanding Officerkilled is something to be thanked for," he smiled sheepishly.
"Mac isn't one to bear a grudge and certainly not one like that. And you and everyone out there are definitely to be thanked."
"Well, bless you, Miss."
"Stella, please."
"Stella. Well, do you know how I might get in touch with him?"
"How long are you in town for?" she had an idea.
"I fly back to Ohio next week."
"Good. I'm getting our colleagues together tonight to welcome Mac back to society. Why don't you come? I know he'd like to see you. That is, if you don't mind being subjected to a barrage of questions about Mac as a Marine."
"I think I could handle that."
Xx
Getting Mac out of the house that night wasn't as hard as she'd anticipated. Driving back from the labs, she'd cooked up many an excuse to entice him to the bar, but he was practically ready and waiting when she had returned.
Stella was due back in work full-time the day after, and had only gone in for a few hours to spread the word of the party to Danny and the team. With Carl Stankevich's attendance, it might just be what Mac was looking for. If he could see that Stankevich is alive, thanks to Mac, and see all his friends around him, maybe he wouldn't see himself as 'broken' any more…
For a couple of hours that afternoon, she'd raced around the city getting things set up for her being back at work: clearing her desk at work, telling the team about the party and getting changed at her place before returning to Mac's.
Now she was en route to Sullivan's with Mac in the passenger seat, trying desperately to hide his nerves. He had nothing to be nervous about, and he knew it, but still they rattled through his body.
When they pulled into a space, and finally entered the bar, Danny was the first to welcome him back to business. He shook his hand and offered to buy him a 'proper' drink, seeing as how he couldn't before Mac left, but once again he was refused due to pain killers this time.
Stella gave a quick look around the room for Stankevich but didn't see him.
Xx
The table in the corner, that less than a week ago housed a day-dreaming Stella, now sat the old and new members of NY CSI.
Well, Aiden had challenged Danny to a game of pool, so they were flirting over cues and chalk at the other end of the room, and Flack was getting the drinks in, but the table was their station.
Mac was semi-interrogating a slightly worried Connor, while Stella looked on in amusement, and Natalie looked like she was dreading her turn with the Prodigal Boss. She was chatting to Hawkes, but stealing glances to the men when she could.
The door to the establishment swung open. Stankevich tottered up to the bar and seemed to ask Flack something, who nodded and gestured the group behind him. Carl thanked him and followed, carrying a beer with him.
It was then that Stella spotted him and smiled, nudging to Mac. "Hey, leave the poor guy alone and help with the drinks."
Mac was about to defend his actions when Stankevich came into his eye-line. He didn't move at first, just looked in amazement, before snapping himself out of it and squeezing past Stella.
Carl stood to attention before him. This caught the group's attention, even Danny and Aiden wandered back intrigued.
"Stand down, Sergeant," Mac said, appreciative for the respect, even when they were home. "We're not over there anymore, Carl."
"Yes sir," he said, shaking Mac's hand instead.
"It's good to see you."
"You too."
"You're okay? Healing?"
Mac ignored the whispers around them, all finally realising who the stranger was. Stella looked on with a grin.
"I am. Not as fast as I could hope though. You?" Carl asked, gesturing to Mac's bandages.
"Same. When did they release you?"
"Coupla days ago. You're my first port of call. I was hoping you'd let me buy you a drink? As a thank you for rescuing me out there."
"That was my job, Carl, you don't need to thank me."
"Yes I do," he chuckled. How could he downplay saving a life so much?
"What don't you join us, buy me one on the next round then?"
"Thank you, sir." He moved to follow Mac back to his seat.
"Don't call me 'sir'," Mac said while Stella stifled a giggle.
She watched as Mac introduced the table, seeing a slight difference in his demeanour. Relief? Gratitude? Peace?
Xx
Drinks and laughs had been a-plenty for the bar. Scores of police officers and workers were celebrating the end of shift with their friends, so the atmosphere was loud and very New York.
Mac had moved on to informally interviewing Natalie, leaving Connor to relax and chat sports with Hawkes and Flack. Stella was chiming in occasionally playing Devil's advocate to see how loud Flack would go when defending the Mets. Apparently, very loud.
She was chuckling when she walked to the bar, buying another drink.
Stankevich joined her, leaving Aiden to console Danny after another beating at pool (he was such a poor loser).
Stella gave her order to Joe and stood back, smiling at a friend.
"That Aiden's quite a girl," Carl announced, leaning a hip against the bar.
"Yeah…Danny thinks so too," she told him pointedly.
"Oh, no no, I didn't mean it like that."
She chuckled. How she loved to men flustered! "Girlfriend?"
"No, I was just planning on asking you for dinner instead."
"Now it's my turn to say 'wow'. Listen, Carl, I'm flattered, but-"
"You're going to say no? It doesn't have to be a date then, thin of it as a sight-seeing tour. I'm new to New York, so I'd like to go a nice restaurant, y'know? Of course, I'd prefer it if it were a date…"
Stella looked around, seeing Mac at the table chatting to Nat. She was kidding herself that Mac was 'over' Claire, or anywhere near ready to date. Let alone date her. And here was Carl. Definitely cute, slightly naïve maybe, but a sweet guy. 30, maybe 35? But would it be weird to date someone Mac served with? Well, whatever it was, it wouldn't be for all that long, he was off to Ohio soon after all.
"Okay, sure. I'll go to dinner."
A/N: Huge thanks to Kukrae for ironing out my Marine mishaps ;) :)