A/N: So… I am not good at writing dates. I am probably worse at going on them, but this is the part you guys get to see. Enjoy.

Stella stood in front of the bathroom mirror, watching the rise and fall of her chest as she took deep breaths. It was just Mac. She knew this man better than she knew herself. Come to think of it, she barely knew him. She sighed and shook her head. She was being ridiculous.

There was a knock on the door and she looked in the mirror one last time, adjusted her necklace, crossed the room and opened the door.

And there he stood. He looked good and he smelled good and he had that smile that made her have that feeling in her stomach that put that weakness in her knees. She smiled back at him, and for a second, they just stood there.

"Hi," he said finally.

"Hi."

"Ready?"

"Yeah."

She took his arm and he locked the door behind her and they headed for the elevator. They didn't speak, just stole glances at each other. She knew it was going to be a little strange at first, but she didn't expect the silence. She desperately wanted to reach over and grab his hand, but she wasn't sure if she should. It was the first date she had ever been on that she was at a complete loss to her next move. The idea of totally faceplanting on a date had never been a concern before. If she did, she did. But this, with Mac, this was a whole different story. Wreck this, and they could wreck everything. She took a deep breath and ran her tongue across her lips as the reality of that hit her.

"Stell?"

"Hmm?"

His voice broke into her thoughts and she looked at him, knowing that his mind was running along the same track. He was holding the car door open for her, and she smiled before sliding in. He closed the door once she was settled, then walked around the front of the car to his side. She watched him take a deep breath before opening the door, and his nervousness made her feel better.

"So where are we going?" she asked, more to break the silence than to get an answer.

"Can't tell you," he answered.

"Please?"

"You'll see when we get there."

She sighed and gave him a look, which he grinned at, giving her hand a squeeze.

"Stella, you're supposed to be on your not date," Lindsay greeted as she answered the phone.

"I know. I… kind of escaped to the bathroom."

"Why?"

"Everything is awkward, Lindsay. We haven't talked about anything but work, we keep bumping feet under the table, and I don't feel right flirting with him."

"You're trying too hard. You guys talk about work because that's a big part of you. Turn the foot bumping into footsie, or keep your feet under your chair. And you've been flirting with him for as long as I've known you, so don't even worry about it."

"Are you sure?"

"Do you honestly think I would try to sabotage this?"

"Well no, but you might not be that smart."

"Then why the heck did you call me, Stella?"

"I don't know. I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. I just…"

"You're scared. I know."

"I don't want to be. I just don't know if this is right or if it's time or where it's going to end up. I like a plan."

"Stell you need to breathe, because you sound like you're about to cry."

She took a deep breath and leaned against the counter, pressing the phone to her ear.

"Lindsay, what if I mess up?"

"You're not going to."

"But what if I do?"

"Remember that time you quit? That huge fight you guys had and how horrible that was? You recovered from that quite nicely, correct?"

"Yes."

"A bad date doesn't hold a candle to you throwing your shield at him."

"I didn't throw it."

"Whatever. All I'm saying is that you've overcome more than bumping feet under the table. You're going to be fine. Quit thinking about what could go wrong and just enjoy what could go right."

"When did you get to be the relationship Yoda?"

"When no one was looking. Now you need to put on your big girl pants and go back out there."

"Okay. I think I'm ready."

"I love you Stella, and you're going to be fine, okay?"

"Thanks, Linds."

"Anytime. Except not tonight because I'm going to bed."

"I'll talk to you in the morning then."

"Night, Stella. Good luck."

"Night, Linds."

She turned her cell phone off and shoved it back into her purse. She took a deep breath and pulled the door open. No going back now.