I know I usually update on a Monday, but it's going to be difficult tomorrow, so here you go!

Thanks to everyone for R&Ring last chapter! Can you believe we're onto ch19?

Connor was bent over a microscope when his beeper sounded. Danny and Natalie were changing into coveralls for a car search when there's collectively trilled. Mac and Stella were awaiting Trace and DNA results respectively when they were digitally summoned.

They all met up in the break room.

"You called?" Danny snarked as he entered, seeing Chief Highbourne waiting with his trademark scowl.

"Yes, thank you all for getting here so fast," he chose to ignore the incredulous looks saying 'as if we had a choice'. "I wanted to extend these invitations to you. The Mayor is holding a ball to commemorate the new state-of-the-art Epithelial Analysis station, the EpiTech. Presence is mandatory."

"I'm out of town that day," Danny announced. Connor sniggered at his side.

"I haven't told you the date yet, Messer."

"I've been working on my psychic abilities, Chief. Off the clock, of course."

As much as he was enjoying hearing the backchat, Mac felt a warning was in order, "Danny…"

"Sorry, boss."

"As I was saying," the Chief continued, "attendance is mandatory. All are plus-one. Dress is black tie."

A collective groan sounded. If there was anything worse than being the resident geeks at a Mayoral party, it was that they had to wear tuxedos and dresses. They didn't have time to play dress up!

"I'll look forward to seeing you all on Friday night, then," he flashed them a sardonic grin. "As you were…" he gestured back to the halls, but walked them himself instead.

"Mac, tell me you can pull some strings and get us out of this," Danny practically pleaded.

"Sorry, no can do. There's no back I can scratch to get us out of a Mayoral invitation."

Natalie had been silent, reading over the gold embossed card. "C'mon guys, as much as I hate to inflict this kind of pain on my significant other, we might as well make a night of it and get everyone out. Danny, you can bring Aiden; Connor, you can bring your latest conquest…"

"I take offence!" Connor said, clutching as his chest as if hurt.

"No, you don't," she chuckled. Connor shrugged, agreeing with her.

"Marly does look good all dressed-up-to-the-nines…" he said, pulling out his cell phone and scrolling to her number.

"There we go, that's the spirit. Danny, get Aiden on the phone and tell her to get herself a dress on you," Natalie commanded, determination in her eyes. "Mac, I trust you'll be bringing Stella?"

Mac couldn't help but be amused as both the other men were chattering away to their partners, all at the command of the 5-foot-7 woman next to him. "Naturally."

"Good, in that case…" she pulled one of Mac's lapels open and fished his wallet of the inside pocket, handing it over to Stella. She looked triumphantly around the room, before rubbing her hands together. "My work here is done. Danny, meet me at the garage in five."

Xx

Natalie and her husband Steven were the first to arrive to the ball. Her dark-blue Empire cut dress shimmered in the overhead lighting, giving her more of a glow than usual.

Steven seated her at a free table and scooted off to the bar, his dress shoes slipping across the over-shined dance floor.

Natalie was shaking her head to the quiet background music, silently wondering who the hell had given the 'DJ' the back catalogue to The Village People.

She looked to the doors again, hoping to see a familiar face, and someone to convince her that the night would get better. Thankfully, she saw Stella walking towards her clutching at her bag.

"Where's Mac?" She asked her, standing to hug her

"He's meeting me here. You look great," Stella grinned, looking at her colleague.

"Me? Look at you Miss Bonasera!" Nat smirked, holding Stella at arms length to take in her Emerald green dress, the perfect shade for her colouring. It was relatively tight-fitting, with a neck that boasted cleavage, but left enough for the imagination to have fun with. "How long did it take Mac to fall in love with you?"

Stella chuckled, "Well, he hadn't seen me in this dress, so it doesn't count."

"That's true," Nat giggled, nodding her head and taking her seat.

"No Danny or Connor?"

"Nope, just me and Steven," she replied as Steven himself came back to the table with a beer and orange juice. He doubled back on himself to get Stella a Sapphire Martini.

He just got back to the table with Stella's clear blue drink, when Danny, Aiden, Connor and Marly arrived. Danny announced that they'd shared a cab, while his arm was protectively around Aiden's waist. Her chocolate brown dress moulding to her figure, which Danny was simultaneously drooling over and making sure nobody else was doing the same.

Connor introduced Marly to the table. She smiled at the others, but made it clear she was only there for her man, and Connor was most definitely her man. Her stomach-length jet-black hair fell over her similarly black dress, the delicate gold butterflies up one side contradicting the look in her eyes. It was low and long, with a thigh-length slit showing dancers legs.

She took a seat next to Connor, while Danny and Aiden went to the bar, casting a wide-eyed glance to Stella directed at Marly. The cab ride over must have been hair-raising.

Stella was telling the table how she'd been teasing Mac all week, telling him how this was their first public outing as a couple, and how all eyes were going to be on them. "I told him that we had to be on our best behaviour," she said, with an almost-straight face.

"That's probably why he's late then! Scared him off," Nat smirked.

"Please, I've said worse."

Mac chose that moment to enter the party hall. The sight of him in his tuxedo made Stella's breath catch in her throat as he came for her. "Sorry I'm late."

"You're here now," Stella smiled, standing up and kissing him.

"Can I have a word?" he asked, pulling her to one side.

"Sure," she was saying, trotting along side him. When they got to a quiet spot near the door, she asked, "What's up?"

"I have to go."

"What? You just got here."

"I know. I'm sorry," Mac said, apologetically. "You look amazing, but I can't stay."

"Why? What's wrong?"

"I can't really explain, I've just gotta go. I'll call you later," he kissed her again, whispering another "You really do look amazing," and hurried out of the door.

Stella was rooted to the place for a beat, watching his retreating figure. She spun on her heel and stalked back to the table, grabbing her bag.

"Stel? What's going on? Where'd Mac go?" Connor asked, practically pushing Marly from his ear.

"I don't know. But I intend to find out."