A/N: Sorry for the short Chapter 13. I didn't notice it was THAT short. Anyway, this is slightly longer than that but still short. I'm really cramming with my school research and I couldn't update as much as I want. But I hope you all are still there – enjoying this.

Thank you!

That same day, Peyton went over to the lab with some cookies from the corner bakeshop. And she went over to apologize.

"Mac, I thought about what Stella said," she started. Hmm… 'Stella' – she called her by her first name. "And I realized that I was overacting. I mean, I'm sure everyone here knows about us more or less. And deep in my heart, I know and I can feel that you're proud of us and what we have."

"Peyton, where are you getting at?" I sigh. From the corner of my eye, I can see Stella looking at us then she looked away and went on with her work. Though, I didn't miss the look on her face… something I can't put my finger on.

"What I'm trying to say is, Mac… I'm sorry for what I said this afternoon," she said, taking my hands in hers. "I wasn't thinking. And I was a bit irritated before you came in." Wait, before I came in, she was working on Stella's case. What happened this time?

Peyton kept on explaining herself and yes, what happened between her and Bonasera (we're back to that again) this afternoon. It was nothing serious, just an exchange of words in different contexts. But somehow, it got hard for me to be believe that she did nothing wrong, that Stella was the wrong one.

Ever since our car ride to the lab, I couldn't shake Stella away from my mind. Her working in the lab in front of my office isn't helping either. It's funny how a series of events brought our friendship to the brink of falling apart. The distance between us now is lessened to an arm's reach and yet, everything about her remains an enigma. What does that look mean? What is she holding back from me? Does she have anything to say to me? What's beneath that tone she had a while ago?

One thing is for sure, we are friends again. Maybe not best friends but I'll take that over days and weeks of not talking. In a way, I missed her. We do see each other everyday but it wasn't the same as hanging out after shift or talking out a problem or a case. I can't just disregard what happened in the locker room some weeks ago. Sure, I apologized – but the damage is already done. Still, I hope things could have some semblance of the way we used to be.

"So you see, Mac," Peyton continued on, "I want this – us – to work. I'm willing to do whatever you want me to do, I want you to be happy with me. Because you deserve it, Mac."

Because you deserve it.

That's something like what Stella would say. She would smile ear-to-ear and say that while holding my hand. Maybe, I do deserve it; but to what expense? Stella pulled me back to my feet after all that's happened – she deserves happiness as much as I do.

But why are you thinking about Stella when your girlfriend is near kneeling in front of you?

"Peyton, I…" actually, I don't know what to say. Or what I want. Who I want. "Me, too. I want this to work between us." Her face lit up and she smiled. "Let's give this one more shot, should we? No more secrets, no more hiding." I stood up and then she hugged me tight. I hugged back.

It's true that I'm happy where I am. Someone who loves me, someone I love. This is what Claire would've wanted.

This is what Stella wanted me to have.

Well, to compensate for the length, I gave more drama to it. A bit OOC on Mac's part though.

mj0621 – waaah, I heard. Stella read something then Mac caught the end of it and he responded. Oooh, screw it! I'm going back there! As for all the crap, I have until Monday to sort things out.

Volonta Forte – Awwwwww…that's so sweet. It's great that it's all good between you two again. Lol, I'm having Double Dutch ice-crème as I type this, thanks!

Everyone – thanks for the reviews! I'm waiting for my season2 original dvds so when I receive that, my Smacked meter will be full again.