Title: Deception
Chapter 2 - A Tangled Web
A/N: A HUGE shout of THANKS to all guys and am truly humbled by the response and thankful I wasn't stoned! Lol...am trying to keep my chin up despite all the bad spoilers floating around about the end of the season and just hope I did this second part some justice. I do hope that if there are some errors or it sucks that you'll go easy (the muse is really struggling right now). Thanks again!
2/3
Mac feels his nervous anxiety starting to grow the longer he waits; wondering if perhaps his uncharacteristic forward move was going to be rejected as he fears it might.
Claire's not coming...his mind trails off before he gives his head a much needed shake. She's not Claire! He commands himself once again as he sees her approach. After a few strained pleasantries are exchanged they slowly start into their evening; Mac's mind racing a million miles an hour. But as he slowly feels himself starting to relax a little, sitting across from Aubrey, there is only one question his mind seems to favor, 'what will Stella think?'
"How long do we stay here Sir?" James asks into the phone.
"Until they leave; which I'm guessing will be to their separate locations," Dunbrook replies over the phone.
"And the other um matter?"
"Being taken care of as we speak," Dunbrook states with some triumph.
XXXXXXXX
"Who's in charge here?"
"I am," Detective John Sullivan's firm voice replies to the man dressed as uniformed officer. "What's going on?"
"Derek Wentworth, I'm here to relieve Patrick Shae," he says handing Sully the official looking police document, his eyes darting around at the other officers watching him intently.
"Did Detective Taylor read you the riot act?" Sully asks as he tucks the paper into his pocket; not realizing that the real Derek Wentworth's body was already traveling down to the bottom of the East River; carefully weighted with cement blocks; a highly corrosive skin eating agent carefully tucked away inside the sealed container that contains the innocent man as it slolwy makes its way to the bottom of the murky riverbed. Robert Dunbrook once again proving that money can buy just about anything.
"He didn't have time, he was busy. I was just given that paper from Detective Taylor and told to show up here," he lies. "Said you would do the rest."
"Figures. Okay so here is what you need to know..." Sully starts.
Dunbrook had done his research; had found the weak links in Flack's security detail and exploited them to any means possible; already offering a rather large sum to a man already on the inside; one that wouldn't raise any suspicions when the real Derek Wentworth didn't show up. He had also managed to bribe one of the potential jurors and had another disappeared.
Derek offers a small nod to the other plant as his eyes rest on the man he's ordered to plant seeds of doubt into the mind of; wanting him to back out of his own volition; but having orders to take any necessary means if he doesn't.
"So..." Derek starts as he leans in closer to Todd Graham. "How you holdin' up?"
"I miss my girl."
"Yeah where she's at?"
"No clue. Can we get some somethin' to drink in here?" Graham complains.
"You know what I heard..."
XXXXXXXX
By the time Mac reaches home, his mind is a mix of wonder and curiosity. Tonight wasn't as bad as he supposed it might be; certainly nothing like the strained outing with Rose Whitley a few years back; but it didn't really leave him with the same feeling that an evening with his best friend always sent him home with. He tries to tell himself that it's just something new, but all that he and Stella had been working at building in the past few months was starting to tug at his heart once more and he once again wonders if this news will dampen their friendship.
Mac slowly wanders into his bedroom, unbuttoning his dress shirt and then looking at the picture of Claire with a slight frown.
"Her name is Aubrey and...well I guess I was expecting her to be like you and um...well she wasn't. It wasn't bad...it was just...I guess I was expecting something and...and I didn't get it..." his voice trails off as he hangs up his dress shirt and then reaches for a pair of sweat pants to sleep in.
"She asked if we'd see each other again...but I...well I wasn't sure. It was just so...so out of the blue," Mac ponders as he slowly eases himself onto his bed covers, his eyes glancing over at the clock. It wasn't late and he wonders if he should call Stella and just 'talk'; not really having anyone else he'd rather confide in. He dials her number but when he only gets back empty rings and then voice mail from her home and her cell phone, he hangs up with a certain feeling of dismay.
"I guess Stella went out," he slightly frowns as he slowly puts the phone back down on the table beside his bed. Did she go out with Flack? Or perhaps over to Danny and Lindsay's? Maybe she just went alone? To the bar? The thought about Stella going to the bar alone suddenly forces his heart to feel an ache starting to develop; his mind flashing images to the last time she went to the bar alone and then called him for some company, her beautiful face lighting up as soon as he had arrived. What if she's not alone? A date? He was on a date, but then why would the knowledge of her out with another man bother him so?
"I need sleep. Goodnight Stella," Mac mumbles with a glum tone as his fingers reach for the light and flips it off; hoping that nothing will be strained between them when they face the next day together. And unlike the night before, when his mind was awake for the better part in nervous wonder; tonight when he closes his eyes, his brain relives the days that followed after his initial meeting with his late wife, Claire.
XXXXXXXX
Todd Graham, however, lay awake that night in deep thought; the disparaging comments fed into his brain by officers Derek Wentworth and Riley Becker; not knowing that both were paid informants on the payroll of Robert Dunbrook, a man he was hiding from as he waited to testify against the media baron; his testimony sure to lend support to the many charges already laid against Dunbrook; and the last surviving witness.
'Yeah hope you got a good deal ahead of time'...
'Dunbrook found the last person that went into WITSEC...yeah it wasn't pretty.'
'Heard he offered one guy a million bucks and the guy is now living in Brazil...that's what I'd do. Take the money and run...who wants to be looking over your shoulder the rest of your life?'
That morning he lay in bed early; his mind now having doubts about his wanting to testify against the corrupt media mogul; wondering if the police would actually be able to put him someplace out of the long and obviously very extensive reach of Robert Dunbrook.
He looks over at the clock as his hands slowly reach for his cell phone and he starts to text his current girlfriend; although he's not told where she's being kept for safety sake, he needs at least something to ease his mind.
'Maggie...what r u doing? Stuck here with the NYPD. Having some 2nd thoughts. T.'
He puts his phone down and then offers a heavy sigh as he turns on his side and waits for her to text back; wanting some added insight into his seemingly now fatal decision.
XXXXXXXX
Stella slowly walks past Mac's office early the following morning; having spent most of the night at work, not wanting to home to an empty apartment with the knowledge that her partner and best friend was out on a date with a woman she was now very jealous over.
I can't tell Mac I'm jealous, she thinks to herself as she wanders into her office and sits back down in front of her computer. As much as she tells herself that his dating someone else wouldn't really bother her, she had done something that she never has before, called up the real estate agent at the open house and asked a few probing questions.
Much to her horror and emotional dismay she found out that Mac had sent the woman in the green coat a note but the Agent of course didn't open it to see what it said. Did he actually go to such great lengths to seek her out? Was he drawn to her that much? Or was it just the memory of his meeting Claire that drove him to want to know more? And the rest of the night was spent pondering Sid's words that everything happens for a reason. In the last number of years, nothing this significant had happened to him and then just out of the blue, a scene from his past has been recreated down to even the smallest detail.
'She was also looking for an apartment...'
"Stella?" Mac's warm voice breaks her thoughts; pulling her back to reality and forcing her well trained smile to play upon her lips in a matter of seconds.
"Sorry I was lost in thought. What's going on?"
"Well it's not green..." Mac starts as he slowly hands her a steaming cup of coffee.
"Thanks. How um...how did it go last night?"
"Tried to call you after to tell you but...well I guess you were out."
"I was for a bit and then came back here. Had a lot to catch up on," Stella answers in half truth; not wanting to tell him the real reason for locking herself away.
"Oh...why didn't you call me?"
"How did it go?"
"It was alright," Mac answers as he sits down in front of her desk, a slight frown upon his face. "Her name is Aubrey Hunter. We talked about just sort of things in general."
"That's nice," Stella tells him, her heart racing that at any second Mac will once again show another uncharacteristic side of himself and tell her he's smitten and her one last chance at future happiness will be over. But thankfully he doesn't; he only allows some awkward silence to build.
"Stella?"
"Yeah sorry Mac, just trying to finish this before..."
"Are you okay with this?"
"Why wouldn't I be? I mean it's your life and...yeah, sure fine..." she rambles off nervously; herself now showing him an emotional side; a momentary lapse.
"That doesn't sound very convincing."
"What do you need to hear from me Mac?"
"I'm not sure."
"Do you want this?"
"I'm not sure."
"I already said what I had to yesterday. I think that...well...we have work to do right?"
"Usually my line," Mac lightly frowns as he studies her face; knowing inside that she's keeping something else from him. Talk to me Stella...what are you not telling me? His mind begs in agony.
"Well I learned from the best."
"Right. How was the green beer?" Mac inquires as he stands up to leave.
"I had wine," Stella replies in haste. "Just wasn't the same without you," she adds; hoping her tone won't make her sound too pathetic. Oh please Mac...just talk about something else, her mind pleads. She studies his handsome face and feels her heart wanting to break; her mind sickening at the thought of even asking if he kissed her goodnight. There has to be an angle, Stella's brain forces her to consider. Just too good to be true.
"So how did it go?" Dunbrook inquires of his insider.
"Your two babysitters should have told you all the details," Aubrey snaps. "Now what? This guy isn't exactly eager."
"Then you need to surprise him at work."
"What? Is this another thing that his dead wife would have done?"
"Trust me this will work," Dunbrook tries to assure him. "We have Taylor right where we want him. Now here is what you do..."
"Stella?"
"Next time Mac."
"Sure," he finishes with a tense smile; once again allowing a few seconds of tense silence to start to build. However, just before either of them can continue to stab at a subject that neither want to openly address, Flack interrupts with something that both want to discuss, thankful for the distraction.
"Trouble in newsprint paradise," Flack starts with a heavy sigh.
"Graham?" Mac arches his brows in wonder.
"Is having second thoughts about testifying against Dunbrook."
"What?" Stella asks in shock. "Why?"
"Has anyone gotten to him?"
"No one but Sully and a few cops."
"The cops..." Stella starts.
"Where hand picked by Mac and myself because they never had any formal dealings with Dunbrook in the past," Flack explains. "He hasn't said for sure that he's not going to testify but it sure seems like he's leaning toward it."
"I'll go and talk to him," Mac looks at Stella with a perplexed expression. But when he gets no argument or even a request to join him, he offers them both a nod and then pushes past, out of her office and disappears from view.
"Did I interrupt something?"
"Your timing was perfect," Stella lightly moans as she heads back to her desk to finish her paperwork, sitting down and then looking up at Flack with an arched brow. "What?"
"Come on Stell, you are like my sister; heck I know you better than my own sister," Flack frowns. "What is it?"
"What do you think of the expression, too good to be true?"
"Mac asked you out?" Flack asks with a slight grin, which quickly fades when Stella's lips dont mirror the same expression. "Mac asked someone else out?"
"I really don't have time for this, I'm sorry Don, I have..."
"Tell me what happened?"
"Ask Mac, it's his story to tell, not mine."
"And yet something about that is eating away at you. What?"
"Something...that's it...just a gut feeling and nothing more."
"Jealous?" Flack asks in a tone that is merely suggesting but not wanting to invite an argument.
"Part of me is," she answers as her eyes slightly drop before looking back up. "Part of me is suspicious. Stupid right?"
"Stella you actually looked up Drew in AFIS...having this feeling seems to be second nature to you," Flack confesses.
"And Drew was too good to be true," she answers in a quiet tone.
"Okay so what was too good to be true?" Flack inquires. "You have to tell me now."
"Mac met her the exact same way he met Claire."
"Exact?"
"Down to the green coat; apartment hunting and date that night at the same place," Stella relates. "All on the day before and the day of St. Patrick's day in his favorite deli."
"Good thing it wasn't the same deli," Flack quips, causing Stella to shoot him an evil glance. "Sorry," he mutters in a low tone. "The luck of the Irish?"
"Right...well I gotta finish this up. Talk to you later?" Stella prompts.
"But you are still mad?"
"It's as if the past few months have meant nothing," Stella finally confesses. "All that we have worked so hard to build; this woman has managed to simply take away in just one night!" Stella finishes with a sharp edge to her voice; her face finally softening as she looks at her friend in remorse. "Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you."
"Obviously you needed to let it out. Have you told Mac how you feel?"
"I can't now. I don't want to force him to..."
"Make a choice? Maybe it's about time you did."
"I can't Don. There shouldn't have to be a choice."
"But if you never tell him, will he ever know?" Flack quickly interrupts before his phone goes off. "I have to take this, but think about what I said and tell me his reaction later."
Stella watches him go and then leans back in her chair; her mind now trying to picture Mac's expression as she forces him to realize that what she's feeling inside; what they have been hopefully building in the past few weeks has been something more than friendship. I love him, she finally confesses. But I can't tell him that. I like him? More than a friend? What would he do? Oh but I just can't lose him.
Stella finishes up her paperwork and then heads out to the lab, needing to tend to a few more things before she confers with Mac about Todd Graham and his sudden change of heart in testifying against Robert Dunbrook.
"The man can buy just about anything," Adam pipes up, his voice once again pulling her back to reality. "Stella?"
"Oh sorry...what?"
"Just a note on my friend Harry's blog...nothing more."
"What about Robert Dunbrook? What did he buy?" Stella asks in interest; as she sees Dunbrook's name on the screen.
"It was silly really but I mean he does have enough money to buy just about anything that he or anyone else could want."
"Right, such as?"
"He had recreated a scene from some newspaper movie for his wife's birthday," Adam tells her. "Because it was of that movie set that she was working on the day they met that...Stella?"
"Interesting. So he was able to recreate everything?"
"Right down to the outfit she was wearing on that day. He got her hairdo, the clothes, the lunch she had, heck even the color of her dress. Talk about an eye for detail."
"And he remembered all that?" Stella asks in shock.
"No he called in a few favors. Want to see the rest of the pictures...my friend..."
"No that's okay I just need what I came for."
"Okay so here are the results...for Stella? You okay?"
"I am. Thanks," she states absently as her fingers snatch the print out but her mind now wondering about what is the real story behind Aubrey Hunter's sudden appearance. Robert Dunbrook he could have...oh Stella get a grip! She scolds herself. Now that is way out in left field. Why would Robert Dunbrook care about how Mac and Claire met? Unless...
Stella looks at her watch, knowing that Mac should be back by now and wondering what is behind Todd Graham's sudden about face. She spies Mac standing in the hallway and makes her way toward him; stopping short when she sees a dark haired woman; neatly dressed, exit the elevator, large paper bag in hand and heading toward her partner with a growing smile.
"Mac?"
"Aubrey," her ears pick up and her world stops short. What? Her mind screams as she quickly makes a detour into her office; not wanting to see anymore than she has to. She leans against the wall, willing her heart to stop racing and cursing herself for giving in so quickly to childish emotions. She brought him lunch?
Mac's a grown man, he can take care of himself! But even still, she finds herself numbly walking toward her desk, sitting down and then pulling up whatever database is within mouse distance. "Aubrey..." she types the first few letters, followed by the remainder of the letters and then sits back and waits.
'She left me a note...sort of felt obligated to follow up on that...' she recalls his words from the day before; another sordid detail that her brain committed to memory. Everything happens for a reason...Dunbrook could buy just about anything he wants...recreated right down to the last detail...
"Dunbrook?" Stella ponders and then gives her head a shake. But with a few days before one of the biggest trials of the city and knowing that the last key witness is under lock and key; Dunbrook would have the means to stoop this low, wanting to keep the lead Detective distracted while he undermines in another way.
"What are you up to Dunbrook," Stella mumbles as her search finally completes. And as much as she wishes she had a listening device into Mac's office; her focus has now shifted, wondering if perhaps this woman was put in Mac's way as a distraction from a nemesis that told him to be ready for just about anything.
'If I go down, I'm going with both hands fighting...' Dunbrook had told Mac. "Well Robert Dunbrook...so am I."
XXXXXXXX
"You really didn't have to," Mac comments as he nervously watches Aubrey setting out a few lunch items on his desk, his eyes darting between her and the people outside, casting wondering glances in his direction as their fearless leader prepares for a surprise lunch date.
"Was in the neighborhood and wanted to," Aubrey replies. "So this is where you keep watch over the city right?"
"This is it."
"Anything really big on the radar right now?" She inquires.
"Always lots on the go...you know I can't spend too long..."
"Right, well you can always take home what we dont finish here."
Mac's apprehension starts to ease a little; that is until he watches Stella walk by. She simply offers him a glance that forces a fist to tighten before she quickly takes her leave; her head turning away in haste and his mind wondering as to her reaction at Aubrey just showing up and bringing him lunch.
"Mac?"
"Nothing," Mac lightly frowns as he pastes on a tight smile and then tries to get back to his meal. Was she upset? Why didn't she at least stop in and say hello? Would it be odd for me to introduce her to Stella? Would Stella even want that? Would I?
Mac settles back in his chair, his mind determined not to make things any more awkward between him and Stella than he fears this whole new situation is forcing to grow. Stella is my best friend, will this affect us? I can't lose her.
XXXXXXXX
"Stella this might take some time," Adam informs her.
"How long?"
"Maybe even a few hours, sorry."
"That's okay Adam, just make sure you are thorough and let me know as soon as you find...well anything."
"And the search string is Aubrey Hunter and Robert Dunbrook?"
"Just let me know what you find," Stella confirms as she turns and heads out of Adam's technical area, hoping that she has taken her leave and Mac is finally alone. True to her wish she approaches his office with some growing hesitation and sees him sitting alone; however, when he looks up his face is slightly tense and she wonders now if her wish that his lunch wasn't the happy affair she wanted came true. Of course I want Mac to be happy, she tries to convince herself. But not with some other woman.
"So how did it go with..."
"She just brought lunch. I wish you had stopped by so that you could have met her."
"Going steady already?" Stella teases with a slight twinge of envy.
"No nothing like that," Mac justifies in haste.
"I had a few things to take care of. I am glad to hear you had a nice time, but I was going to ask about Todd Graham."
"Oh right. Well somehow Dunbrook did get to him and...are we okay?" Mac inquires.
"Why wouldn't we be?"
"I mean I haven't had...well another woman in here and you are my best friend and..."
"Fine Mac," Stella lies with a tight smile. I can't tell him here; not in such a public setting. She looks at the small amount of torment in his warm sapphire eyes and feels her heart starting to sink. "It's just that...so Todd?"
"Talk to me Stella, you and I have always been able to talk to each other...even about private things."
"Most private things we keep locked away; even from each other. But I guess after the last few months...you know obviously it doesn't matter," she slightly gulps back her rising sorrow. "No big deal what I think right?"
"It matters to me," Mac insists.
"Are you happy?" Stella finally dares to ask.
"I um...well it's too soon to...to know anything."
"Right," Stella nods her head in agreement. "So Todd?" She insists.
"Todd," Mac frowns, as he continues to study her face. Stella, what are you not telling me? Please...talk to me. "Stella?"
"He said nothing?" She tries again.
"He..." Mac starts with a heavy sigh. "I mean we can't prove it and I don't know how but I think somehow Dunbrook has gotten through to him."
"Just like the rest," Stella mentions, her mind thinking back to the last two insiders that Dunbrook had managed to have disappeared within a week's time; each time ensuring the police were unsuspecting until it was too late.
"I won't let him win this time around."
"Well the trial starts in a few days," Stella ponders just as Flack hurries up to them.
"Don, what is going on?"
"Did you approve Derek Wentworth for duty last night?"
"No it was Craig Ferguson," Mac answers in haste. "Why, what is going on?"
"Well I just spoke with Sully who told me that Derek Wentworth and Riley Becker were on duty last night."
"So?"
"I checked Riley but Derek was never approved."
"And you are asking me why?" Mac wonders.
"Because you approved him to spend the night in that house."
"I did not," Mac insists as he takes the piece of paper Flack offers; looking down at the photocopy with growing anger. "Son of a bi..."
"Pretty good forgery right?" Flack counters. "I also heard that Todd Graham is waffling and when I checked with Derek's partner he said that he dropped him off at home yesterday afternoon with a sprained shoulder and wasn't considering duty last night. When I asked Sully to describe Wentworth he described an imposter."
"Dunbrook!" Stella hisses softly. "Damn he did it again."
"Derek Wentworth?" Flack counters. "What the hell is going on Mac?"
"Where is the real Derek Wentworth?"
"Missing," Flack states as his phone rings. "Okay I gotta take this. The guy who posed last night is also missing and Graham is about to recount. We need a miracle here Mac. A few days ago this was all going smoothly and...Flack...yeah I'm on my way."
"I'll go back and..." Mac starts.
"I got it Mac," Flack tells him in haste as he turns and heads out of the room, leaving Mac and Stella alone together.
"Damn it!" Mac curses as he looks at Stella with an angry frown.
"He did it. Dunbrook did this to us again."
"Stella?"
"Mac he got the last two insiders in less than a week also. This is his motto. He brings in what he needs...pays what he has to and gets them in record time. We are running out of witnesses and his body count is rising. The trial starts in a week!"
"Well he won't succeed. I have worked too long and hard to..."
"Did you get a call from anyone to..."
"To what? I got no call last night Stella and I certainly didn't sign any papers last night."
"You were...well you were busy last night."
"Never too busy for work and you know that."
"And you didn't get a call?" Stella asks again.
Mac pulls out his phone and starts to scroll, not realizing that he has underestimated his opponent. His eyes rest upon the one missed call from Flack's area and his heart stops short.
"Mac?"
"There is a missed call...Stella I swear the phone didn't ring," Mac insists not realizing that someone did initiate a call but it was set to not ring or notify, just to go in silent mode and be recorded at the time needed.
"What time last night?"
"It was um...could he have tampered with it?"
"You were distracted Mac."
"I am never..." Mac starts to argue, forcing Stella to raise her hands in defense. "I swear I am never that distracted and my phone is always on!"
"Can you explain that?"
"I'll get Adam to check it out."
"If it's true...if Dunbrook did have someone tamper with your phone how did..."
"As you said Dunbrook has a long reach. Damn what the hell did we miss?"
"Everything happens for a reason..." her voice trails off. "Maybe..."
"Pardon? You have a new angle?"
"I...it's nothing."
"Stella if you know something and are holding it back."
"Well don't you think it's kind of...you know what never mind. I have something I need to check on."
"Stella, what is it? This case could be one of the biggest in the state. If you have even the smallest amount of proof that..."
"Don't you think it's very much of an odd coincidence that just days before one of the biggest trials as you say of the state you are suddenly um distracted. I mean the other two insiders were taken out because the lead Detective's on those watches were dealt with."
"I remember, but I had nothing to do with this," Mac gently argues.
"You said that this girl coming into your life just out of the blue...the whole scene recreated right down to the last detail...the date, the color of the coat, the apartment listing."
"Are you serious?" Mac asks sharply. "You think Aubrey has something to do with this?"
"Did you ever leave your phone alone with her?"
"What? No. Stella."
"Mac, just hear me out...Adam was able to find evidence where Dunbrook recreated for his wife's birthday the exact day they met. The movie set she was on, the color of her dress, what she had for lunch, the people on set...Mac he was able to recreate right down to the most finite detail his wife's..."
"That is preposterous Stella and you know it. Where is the connection to Aubrey? So now I can't just go out on a date with a woman unless there is some sinister..."
"Dunbrook..."
"I want to nail him also but don't you think it's a bit of a stretch?"
"Fine Mac, you're right" Stella tries in her defense.
"If you don't like her..."
"Why are you defending her?"
"I am defending myself!" Mac snaps and then steps back, his face flush and heart racing. "Aren't I the one really on trial here between us?"
"Your integrity is beyond question Mac and once Flack figures out what has really happened, he'll back you," Stella counter argues in return.
"I didn't mean Flack, I meant us."
"There is no us!"
"Stella..."
"You always told me that we need to consider every angle and that is exactly what I am doing."
"And you've had her checked out?" Mac arches his brows.
"To a degree yes."
"So much for giving me some credit. Maybe she..."
"She doesn't deserve you!" Stella blurts out and steps back herself; looking at Mac in shock.
"What?"
"I...you know you're right...I was out of line. Sorry. I have had a long night, I didn't get much sleep and before you read me the emotional lack of sleep riot act let me save you the trouble."
"Care to qualify that?"
"Which part? Tell me Mac, which part should I qualify? She doesn't deserve you. That is how I feel. I am telling you that and maybe it's this case...maybe it's the past few weeks...months...maybe it's yes...your sudden foray back into the dating world! I don't know but she doesn't deserve you."
"Based on?"
"Fine," Stella replies with a grumble.
"You know I supported..."
"You know Mac, you are right."
"You don't know her."
"I don't care!"
"Stella..."
"I don't have to know her Mac to know she doesn't deserve my based friend!"
"Based on?"
"I know you and I care for you...more than a friend," Stella finally confesses in a small tone. "There I said it. I would ask you to make a choice right now...me or her...but I can't do that. I care too much and only want to see you happy."
"But," Mac tries as her pager goes off.
"I need to take this. Adam has some more...well maybe it'll be nothing and..." her voice trails off in a nervous ramble.
"Stella?" Mac asks in expectation as he takes a step closer, forcing her to pull back a bit more and him to stop in his tracks.
"I have to check on this."
"We need to talk."
"We need some time to cool down before further things are said that we don't mean."
"Did you mean what you just said?" Mac asks as Stella pauses in the doorway and then turns to look at him with a strained expression. "Stella tell me," Mac lightly demands as Stella marches back up to him, gently places both hands on his lapels and looks him right in the eye.
"I am falling in love with you, I mean that," she whispers before she silences his next words with a warm kiss, turns and rushes down the hall, making a quick detour into the woman's washroom, heading into a stall and closing the door so the rest of the world won't see her at a weak point. Oh why the hell did I tell him! She mentally scolds herself. Why the hell did I kiss him?
"I'm sorry Mac..." her voice dies out with a soft whimper. But remembering that she still has something to do, she quickly dries her eyes, allows a small eternity to pass for her flushed face to subside before she slowly exits the bathroom and goes in search of Adam.
"Hey Mac was just here looking for you," Adam informs her.
"I'll share what I found. What did you find?"
"Well I wasn't able to find too much but what I was able to find is this..." Adam's voice trails off as he hands Stella the printout.
"Oh my...Adam are you sure?" Stella asks, looking up in surprise.
"Yeah I was even able to verify the source. Took some...well some creative hacking," he slightly brags, his face reddening by the second. "But trust me...it's correct. That birth certificate isn't a fake and neither are those."
"Gambling debts...payments from Dunbrook to Aubrey...so that means..." Stella's voice dies out ass he turns to leave.
"And then this," Adam shows on the computer display. "Aubrey Hunter is the step daughter of Robert Dunbrook," Adam finishes.
"Oh no."
"Who is Aubrey Hunter?"
"A threat," Stella's replies with a frown.
"A threat? To who?"
"To all of us."
"But what does that really mean Stella?"
"It means that Mac has a real choice to make," she stats in misery, her heart racing with anxiety as she goes in search of her partner. And after having just barely survived one heated emotional showdown she wonders if either will survive the next?
A/N: So I only included the spoiler that has 'her' showing up at Mac's office (I guessed for lunch) as I am not sure how the rest of the eppy turns out so the rest is once again just the story. Hope you all liked this and would like the conclusion. Thanks again.
PS: Escape from Rikers updates next.