A/N: Here we go again. Finals week is breathing down my neck so I'll be taking a break for a while. But I will TRY to update as much as I can. Maybe after all my exams, it'll be full speed ahead again. I'll be leaving you with a cliffhanger.

Btw, I have decided to make this a happy ending since majority of y'all want that. And honestly, me too. Angst in the beginning of the story is enough. I'll make both of them smile in the end. And possibly kiss and make up. For the meantime, here's the next installment. ENJOY!

But deep inside you'll never see
This feeling of emptiness
It makes me feel sad

As hard as it is, I have accepted that it was all we could be. Friends. Maybe it's a sign that it's finally okay for me to find my own romance. Sometimes I fall into the conclusion that I couldn't get a decent man because I want that guy to be like Mac Taylor. I get stuck in the illusion that every man is like him – gentle, understanding, caring, professional and believe it or not…funny. Not to mention, smart.

I didn't grow up with a father or any brothers. In fact, I haven't had a man in my life until my first boyfriend back in high school. Awkwardness and immaturity combined equals disaster. I never really knew how to act around the opposite sex my entire life. To me, they're like untouchable alien life forms that I cannot understand. Every time I venture into a relationship, I end up getting hurt and bloody. The last one I had – take 'hurt and bloody' literally.

But enough talk about my love life for it is currently non-existent. Back at work, everything is back to normal. Danny's in is bouts of whining and intelligent loudness with Flack ready to calm him down. Sheldon is piling up the solved cases under his name and nudging for a promotion. Lindsey and I are spending more female co-worker bonding time together lately. As for Mac and Peyton, I think they're ready to make it public. She has been spending more time in the lab, delivering results and staying for an hour or so; bringing tea and scones during break time. Lindsey said it's like warming up to your boyfriend's parents. Come to think of it, she's right. Peyton's making a move to get closer to the team… except to me.

I thought it would be hard to face Mac after everything that has happened. But I was wrong. I felt lighter and actually more comfortable around him now that I have decided that we're just friends. Even at the thought of those words don't hurt so much anymore. Sure there's that pang in my heart at the loss of all the 'could've been' scenarios but I think this is for the best. We laugh more, joke almost all the time.

It was an unspoken rule around that lab that if we see them together, we keep our mouths shut. Don't ask, don't tell.

One time, Peyton and I were alone in the ladies room. She didn't even acknowledge me when I picked the sink beside hers. Clearly, she was a bit hostile towards me … like I was with her before. So I made the first move, "Hey Dr. Driscoll."

"Oh Peyton's fine," she said in her English accent. "Good day to you, Stella." She went over to the tissue dispenser and grabbed a fistful. A discomfited silence wrapped around us. The tension was so thick that you can cut it with a knife.

I walked over to her hoping to spark a friendly conversation or anything even resembling that. "So how are you liking working with us so far? I hope we're not causing you headaches. Some of us can be demanding at times," I say with a little chuckle. She wasn't responding. Instead, she was shredding the paper towel in her hands. Her lower lip was trembling. "Peyton, are you alright? Do you want me to call Mac?" I was about to get my phone out when…

Smack!

mj0621 – well, alam mo naman ang Pinas… pagkatapos ng isang bagyo, may susunod agad. Kung baga, naghihintay na lang kami nung kasunod. Hahahahah!

ChocoBetty – I've seen screencaps of the S3 episodes so far and well, I'm getting the vibe that Stella and Peyton are just being polite for the sake of Mac. But hey, it's just me. Lol!

nc – saan ka nagdodownload? E-mail mo na lang sa akin. Thanks! Btw, your E-mail address doesn't work.