A/N: thanks again for the kind reviews. What has finally helped me is that I've actually got a chapter-by-chapter lay-out of what I'm going to write in regards to the story. In the mean time, enjoy!

Chapter 29

Mac stared at the cases on his desk and mentally started swearing all over again. He had at least four on-going cases on his desk, all stupid, petty crimes, nothing major, but ones that had to be processed netherless. He'd clear one out of his docket and two more would land on his desk. Right now he was down to the four cases and was not placing any bets that things would slow down any time soon. As a result, it had been nearly two weeks since he'd even laid eyes on Randi. They'd been playing phone tag a lot lately and it was as if the Universe was conspiring to keep the couple apart and their timing lousy. Mac was beginning to get frustrated, to say the least.

"Hey sweetie, it's me. Sorry I missed you. I was in another one of those stupid meetings with the Bankcroft Association. You know what they're like. In the mean time, hope you're doing well and catching your bad guys. I swear, once things settle down again, it's you, me, and the nearest damn hot-tub."

"Hey sweetheart, it's Mac calling back. Suspect was driving me up the wall during interrogation. Mind you, I thought Don was going to strangle the guy, but we busted him and that's all that matters. Your hot-tub idea sounds like a really good idea, if I wasn't so afraid of accidentally falling asleep in the tub. As for things settling down, this is New York, remember? Catch you soon."

"Okay, who are you attempting to not strangle this time? I may be reasonably wealthy, my love, but last time I checked, judges don't look too kindly on cops doing manslaughter or even attempted murder, which means your bail, provided the judge even decides to grant one, might be a bit out of my reach. As for falling asleep in the tub, don't worry; I'll make sure you don't drown. Ah, jeeze, not again. Candy, I thought we took care of that? -background noise- Bloody hell. Sorry, love, another one of my clients attempting to be a bit difficult, even after I thought everything was squared away. By the way, I think Fabio misses you. Catch you soon."

"If you do attempt to murder your client, at least let me know so I know to stay away from that particular crime scene, or at least help you stage it so that you don't get busted for murder. Glad to know Fabio misses me, but I'm not so sure the squad room misses him -chuckling-. I miss you too, by the way. Work's just gotten so crazy lately that it feels like I haven't even had time to shower, never mind sleep. Some times it's all I can do just to drag myself home. Feel's like every jackass in New York has decided to up the general level of stupidity. Even Stella's noticed it. And I thought it was just me."

"No, sweetie, it's not just you. I can't tell you how many times I've dearly wanted to thump a few of my clients for one thing or another. And the strain is apparently getting to both Candy and Angel as well. I'm starting to wonder if someone tampered with the water supply and added something that makes the plain stupid expand to even stupider proportions. And I miss you to. Hopefully we'll catch each other at a time when neither of us are quite so busy. Talking to your message service is getting kinda boring and I'd rather have the real thing -chuckling softly-"

Randi sat at her desk, staring at her phone in disgust. She'd just left the latest message on Mac's cell and she had to admit she was missing him badly. She was sick of hearing his stupid cell phone message but knew, from his messages, that it wasn't really his fault. Mac was a cop first and foremost and his duty was to the city. And besides, she was busy as heck as well, what with her business sky-rocketing to the point that she and Angel were seriously considering hiring another antiques evaluator just to keep up with the number of requests they've had as of late. Just like she had an obligation to her job, Mac had an obligation to his and she knew she wouldn't have it any other way.

But he's also a man, and more importantly, he's my man and damnit, I want my man back! she thought bitterly.

But what to do? Going to the NYPD crime lab was a waste of time since she never knew when he'd be there and besides, that was his workplace and what she wanted to do to him would be considered indecent by many people. And calling him, well, with the way their luck was running, she'd probably get his answering service again. She was beginning to wonder if she was going to have to book an appointment just to even talk to him.

Wadaminute… that's not such a bad idea, she realized, a light bulb snapping on in her head. And she didn't have to go through Mac to get it as she could always get ahold of Stella and get her to help.

It might just work…. She reached for the phone.

"Bonasera," came Stella's crisp voice.

"Hi Stella, it's Randi. How are you?"

"Hey, Randi! It's good to hear from you! We're going absolutely crazy here. Seems the idiots of New York are trying to set a new record for the number of stupid stunts in one week, never mind one day," Stella groused.

Randi chuckled. "Sounds like we need a girl's nite out again. Listen, the reason I'm calling is because I kinda sorta need a bit of a favor and I'm hoping you can help."

"Do what I can. Does this involve Mac?"

"What makes you say that?" she asked, not sure how much Mac had told his co-workers about their relationship.

"Because Mac normally gets grumpy when we get landed with a heap-load of cases but this time he's ready to give the next asshole a serious enema with a wire brush."

"Um, ouch."

"Yeah."

"Well, what if what I'm asking has great potential to put Mac in a better mood, at least for a while?"

"In that case you have my full support and probably the backing of the entire lab and I will go out of my way to help you. Start talking," Stella said, a grin in her voice.

"Okay, this is what I'm thinking…."