A/N: Jeez ladies, you make me feel like the wicked witch of the west! But ain't cliffies a great way to get reviews without actually asking for them? )

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And then Lindsay Monroe turned around.

Danny's self began playing tug-o-war. His gentlemanly side wanted to run to her and throw his tux jacket to cover her. His libido was gleefully dancing: "She's naked underneath that dress! There's no fucking way she is wearing anything underneath that! Yee-ha! Party time!" Libido won, hands down, and Danny was VERY glad that he hadn't taken his tux jacket off in the first place. To say the trousers of his tux were beginning to feel a tad too tight across the groin was an understatement.

Realizing he wasn't the only red-blooded male in the room, he quickly strode to her side, staking his territory.

"Well, hello Ms. Monroe, you REALLY do clean up nice." He greeted her, and lowering a bit to whisper on her ear, "More than nice, actually."

Lindsay shivered upon feeling his voice so close to her ear. And she wondered for the millionth time if Danny Messer knew the impact he had on her. The sound of his voice, the smell of his hair after he'd taken a shower, the glint in his eyes when he smiled, the feel of his muscles flexing under her hands, the taste of his sweat when she grazed his forehead with her lips after he had, once more, taken an unnecessary risk... he aroused each and every one of her senses separately, and put together, Daniel Messer was virtually impossible to resist.

She turned to look at him, and their eyes met and held. So many things were said without saying one single word, the fire in their gaze apparent to all of those around them. "If those two don't get a room soon, we'll find ourselves with a case of human spontaneous combustion" muttered Sheldon Hawkes to nobody in particular, after having witnessed the smoldering exchange. Luckily for themselves, Danny decided right then to escort Lindsay to their table. Everyone else watching had to content themselves watching how Danny's protective arm surrounded Lindsay, and how she allowed herself to be pampered and adored by him. Half the party goers that night wished they were either him or her...

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The rest were discreetly following Stella Bonasera and her beau as they made their way through the room towards Mac Taylor... and Emma Lou Stevens.

Stella hugged Mac and kissed him familiarly on the cheek, masterfully sidestepping Emma Lou, before turning and addressing her office nemesis.

"Oh, hi Emma Lou. Didn't see you there. Nice dress you're wearing. Channel, right? From two seasons ago, if I remember correctly. Lovely, really. Must have cost you a fortune. But you look divine. Really."

"Stella. I've got to admire your keen eye for fashion, dear. And what is it you're wearing? A Roberto Cavalli? One has to admire how you can manage such things on your salary..."

"You think it's a Cavalli? How gracious of you! This is a present form a designer friend. He just KNOWS how to bring out the best in me. Don't you love that from tailored for you clothing? It's something that you just can't get form off the rack clothes... no matter how fancy the rack, don't you think?"

Stella smiled sweetly, and then went in for the kill.

"Oh, but silly me. Where I my manners? I believe you two haven't met yet. Emma Lou Stevens, this is..."

The man standing next to her was quick to cut the introduction short by giving Emma Lou a perfunctory handshake. "Yeah, I know who she is. She's one of the nice ladies in accounting that make sure we get our paychecks on time." Turning to Stella, he said: "Come on, babe, let's grab something to eat. I plan on dancing with you all night long and can't do that on an empty stomach..."

"Mac, ma'am" he added, before whisking Stella away.

Emma Lou was trembling with rage. How dare Stella Bonsera insult her like that! But she kept her temper under wraps, realizing that, as long as Stella had her boy toy, SHE got to keep Mac Taylor to herself. She turned to him, regaling him with the brightest smile she could fake under the circumstances.

"Well!", she said, "that was... hmm... peculiar."

"You think so?"

"Well, yes. Don't you? I mean, a woman like Stella..." Emma Lou allowed the phrase to hang unfinished, waiting for Mac to comment on the fact that the older detective was behaving unbecomingly.

"Yes. You're right. A woman like Stella is a rare find. Not only is she a beautiful woman inside and out, but she's also caring, nurturing, compassionate, committed to her job. I consider myself lucky to call her my partner and friend, and any other guy would be a lucky son of a bitch to have her as a lover. And HIM," Mac motioned towards the couple who was behaving sickeningly in love, with him feeding her grapes whilst she rested her head in his shoulder, acknowledging each bite with a feather-like kiss on his lips, "HE has been in love with her since forever and I'm very glad he finally decided to do something about it. They both deserve it, don't you think?"

Emma Lou felt Mac Taylor's eyes piercing her and she could barely prevent herself from squirming. "Bad choice of strategy" she chided herself, "but the situation is still salvageable".

"Oh yes, Mac. I couldn't agree with you more. They make such a charming couple. And I am SO happy for them." Emma Lou placed her hand on Mac's arm and regaled him with a seductive smile. "What do you say if we grab a couple of seats in Sgt. Barrett's table and have dinner together?"

Mac shifted positions, wondering how he was going to turn her down, when a petite figure worked her way between his arms and, standing on tip-toe, briefly kissed him on the lips.

"I'm so sorry, darling, I know how you hate it when I'm late, but Sid couldn't find the copy of the autopsy report we had to turn in tonight and we had to do it all over again..."

Emma Lou stood still, with a shocked expression in her face. "This CAN'T be happening. How couldn't I see this coming? Who the fuck is this bitch...?"

The dark haired "bitch" turned towards Emma Lou with the most innocent of smiles on her face. "Thank you so much for keeping my boyfriend company while I arrived! Oh, sorry, I don't think we've met. I'm Dr. Peyton Driscoll, from the ME? Mac, Sheldon and the guys are waiting for us to start the meal. We better hurry. A pleasure to meet you, ma'am."

Mac held Peyton's hand and turned to Emma Lou. "Hope it can be said WE won't be seeing you around, Emma Lou. Have a nice evening."

If Emma Lou Stevens had any doubt on the meaning conveyed by his words, the cold glint in Mac's eyes carried the message loud and clear. The man was, after all, a marine.

And everyone knew that, when it came to them, if you messed with one, you messed with them all.

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A/N: I almost felt sorry for Emma Lou. Did you?