Disclaimer: I am not connected in any way with the creators of any of the CSI shows. (I wish I was though, so Danny and Lindsay would get together already.) These are just my mind's version of the events that transpire on the show.

By the way, in this universe, Peyton Driscoll does NOT exist, not that I have anything against her. It's just that I think Mac and Stella will get together eventually and she is a complication that will probably get killed off or fired or will move away eventually.

On Christmas Eve, Mac stood outside the chain link fence that kept outsiders away from the charred remains that was all that were left of the World Trade Center.

He closed his eyes briefly and let memories of his wife overtake him. The first time they met, the first time they kissed, walking down the hall on their wedding day, waking up next to her in the mornings… There were so many memories. Sometimes at the oddest moments, a particular sight, a scent, a sound would take him back to a moment with her and pain rushed over him.

But lately, he noticed that the pain that he felt had changed from a sharp, stabbing sensation that threatened to rip him apart, to a dull, aching throb that was fading day by day. When it first happened, memories of Claire had left Mac in anguish, tightly keeping his emotions in check so none of the pain he felt would ever show.

In the past few months though, every time he thought of Claire, there was often less bitterness over the fact that she was no longer with him.

Since he had met Reed Garrett, he felt more fortunate that even though Claire was gone, he had the chance to spend time with her, to laugh with her, to love her and to be loved by her. That was more than Reed ever got. That knowledge filled Mac with gratitude.

Mac had always been a reflective man, and he knew that Stella Bonasera was a huge part of the reason why he now wanted to move on. After Claire had died, Stella had been his quiet beacon of strength. She had been good friends with Claire, and she had grieved with him after 9/11. She was always there, silently encouraging him to go through each day at a time, offering support and compassion with a simple touch or look.

Stella had taken care of him, made sure he had not closed himself off to the world. Her persistence in making sure that he went out with the team every once in a while had always been her way of making sure that he didn't lock himself away. Yes, Stella had been good to him.

He had been able to return the favor after that unfortunate incident with Frankie. He had offered unwavering support and gave her the reassurance and safety she had needed at that time. He held her the same way she held him when he had been too overcome with pain to even shed tears.

He wasn't sure when it changed from seeing her as a trusted friend and colleague. When Aiden had died, she came to him in his office, just before the team met in the bar. They had held each other once again, just like they did when Claire had died. They shared their grief and pain, and helped each other get through the rest of the day.

He would always love Claire. She had been a big part of his life and he knew that until the day he died, a part of him would always love her for the person that she had been. But Claire had been a warm, generous, giving person. He knew deep inside that Claire wouldn't want him to grieve forever. She would want him to be happy, and he knew where he would find that happiness.

Now, as he stood in the place where she had last been, he talked to her. In a quiet voice that only he and the wind heard, Mac spoke to his wife.

"I love you, Claire Conrad Taylor. I always have and I always will. It's been so lonely without you." He paused for a moment, a wave of renewed grief washing over him, then settling into a dull throb around his heart.

"You know why I'm here don't you?" he asked quietly. He let out a gentle chuckle. "I'm sure you know why. You've always known me better than I knew myself."

He inhaled deeply. "I know this is what you would want me to do, because this is what I would have wanted you to do if it had been me in there on that day."

He smiled briefly as he looked up into the night sky then turned around.

He halted immediately when he saw who was behind him.

"Stella," he said with surprise evident in his voice. "What are you doing here?"

Stella was standing behind him, bundled up in her winter coat, her unruly curls tucked underneath a knit hat. She flashed the smallest of smiles and then shrugged. "I don't really know."

"Aren't you supposed to be at the orphanage?" he asked. He knew that since she didn't have any family to spend Christmas with, she visited the orphanage and spent Christmas there with the kids.

Stella took a deep breath and stuck her hands deeper into the pockets of her coat as she answered, "Yeah. But for some reason, I felt like taking a walk. I don't even know how I got here." She smiled ruefully, tipping her head slightly to indicate the dark area behind the fence.

Mac paused, a new warmth settling into his heart. Thank you, sweetheart. Now, more than ever, his decision to move on was reinforced and he held his hand out to Stella.

"Would you like to get a cup of coffee?"

Stella was obviously startled. Then she cleared her throat and smiled brightly at him, putting her gloved hand in his. "Only if you're buying, Taylor."

Mac let out a soft but hearty laugh as he and Stella made their way, hand in hand, down the street.

Danny and Lindsay drove in companionable silence back to their apartment. Danny had Lindsay's hand firmly intertwined with his as he steered the car with his other hand.

After a while, he broke the silence. He glanced at her and said, "So, what do you think?"

Lindsay turned to smile at him. "What do I think about what?"

Danny answered, "My family."

Lindsay grinned and said, "They're great, Danny. Especially your dad. I like them." She scooted across the bench seat of the car to sit close to him, resting her head on his shoulder as he slid his arm around her.

Danny smiled, pleased that she had a good time. He asked teasingly, "Did you like the food?"

Lindsay chuckled and said, "Oh, there are definitely advantages to having an Italian guy for a boyfriend."

Danny laughed along with her, pretending to be hurt. "So you're only with me cause my mom's a great cook?"

Lindsay looked up at him and teased him, "Would you blame me if I said yes?"

Danny considered that for a moment, then had to concede that she had a point. He shrugged, "Can't really blame ya." He grinned at her.

Snuggled into his arms, Lindsay thought aloud, "I wonder if you'll like my family."

Danny pressed a kiss on her temple as he maneuvered the car into their parking space. "If they're anything like you, Montana, I'm sure I'll love them too."

They walked up to their apartment where Danny unlocked the door. As he always insisted on doing, he entered first to make sure that the place was clear before he let her in. At first it bugged Lindsay that he did that, but she had gotten used to it. In fact, she liked the fact that he was being so protective of her, not that she needed protecting.

When she asked him about it, Danny had explained, "Don't get me wrong, Montana. I know you're perfectly capable of taking care of yourself." He had shrugged casually, "It's just that I grew up learning that it was better safe than sorry. Something my dad taught me. Plus, do you remember that conversation we had about me not getting hurt on the job?"

When she nodded, he continued, "I feel the same way about you getting hurt because of where I came from. My family's not exactly the Brady Bunch, and I don't want you getting caught in the middle of anything."

Since then, she had never questioned his need to protect her. She understood very well how much he wanted to keep her safe.

Tonight, Danny flicked on the lights and checked his watch. He grinned at her, "We got about half an hour before Christmas, Montana. What do you say? We wait for it?"

Lindsay grinned back at him, "Sounds good to me. Want a beer?"

Danny answered, "You know it, Montana." He moved to stand next to the window that gave them a modest view of the snow-covered city. After a minute, Lindsay stood next to him, holding a cold beer out, which he accepted with a wide smile.

They stood there in silence, just enjoying the peaceful moment. Danny reached out to draw Lindsay closer to him. She stepped into his embrace and relaxed against him, her back pressed to his front.

When the clock struck twelve, Danny whispered softly into her hair, "Merry Christmas, Montana."

Danny smiled in contentment as the woman he loved turned around in his arms to give him a lingering kiss, "Merry Christmas, Danny."

Of course, I can't let a chapter pass without a little D/L. Hopefully, by January, we get more interaction.

This chapter is for the MacStella fans. They'll be taking it nice and slow. I really don't see Mac as the type to rush into anything. But them getting together in the end will be worth it. :D

This chapter was a bit short, but I hope you liked it. Let me know what you think. :D Reviews are really appreciated:D