Hey! So here is the update, sorry it was later than the others, I hope it's worth the wait lol. Enjoy! :D


Stella tugged the handbrake up as the car came to a standstill. She looked to her right where Mac was sitting, frowning at the irritation of not being able to drive. Stella had insisted she drove him home and after a lot of objections, she had finally persuaded (well forced) him to let her.

Now they sat in silence outside of Mac's building, Mac not wanting to leave her but Stella not wanting to invite herself in. After a moment they looked at each other with shy expressions and finally, Mac lent over to kiss her briefly on the lips.

'Goodnight Stella.' He whispered before opening his door awkwardly.

'Night Mac.' Stella replied, instantly feeling the sadness that his absence always brought to her. She went to start the car again when she heard a tap on the window. She looked up and saw Mac smiling. Her window lowered and he lent towards her.

'Do you fancy coming up for a drink or have you got to get somewhere?' He asked, his eyes turning to the floor. Stella had never seen him so nervous.

'No I'm free. Sure.' She smiled and opened her own door, the window winding upwards. She stood next to him after locking her car and he placed his uninjured arm around her waist and led her to his door.

Stella walked into his living room and noticed quickly how tidy it was. Much too tidy for a man's apartment. It didn't look lived in. She shook her head sadly as Mac took her coat.

'What?' He asked at her reaction. He sounded worried.

'Nothing it's just, Mac, how much of your time is spent here?' She asked whilst turning to face him. He looked up sheepishly like a child about to be told of by a parent.

'Not long. I don't like how quiet it is, it's much nicer at the office.' He commented quietly before walking towards the kitchen. 'Can I get you anything?' He asked.

'No I'm okay thanks Mac.' She replied, sitting down on the sofa. It upset her to see how alone he had been. She hadn't really noticed but now they were even closer than before, he was letting her see more than he used to.

She felt Mac sit next to her and she leaned into him, sighing. He wrapped his left arm around her shoulder and they stayed like that for a few moments in silence, content with each others presence.

'It's nice to have someone here.' Mac said quietly after a while. 'It's been a while…' He trailed off and Stella looked up at him curiously. He connected his eyes with hers and sighed. 'Since I've had anyone I care enough about to invite around here. Well besides…' He trailed off again and Stella stiffened. Besides Abigail was what he was going to say.

This was wrong.

She was here in the place of the woman she had killed being held by the man who had held her heart. This was so wrong. How had Stella not realised this?

She pulled away from Mac and sat up, her hands now fidgeting on her lap.

'I don't think this is such a good idea.' She said in a quiet voice that was almost inaudible to Mac's ears.

'What?' He asked in confusion.

'This. I think I have to go.' She continued, getting to her feet. As she walked to the door, she felt a hand on her arm pulling her round.

'Hey, don't go.' Mac pleaded. 'What's wrong?' He asked, rubbing his hands gently up and down Stella's arms.

'This is wrong Mac. Abigail was here just yesterday and now I'm here with you acting like nothing has happened. She loved you Mac and I, I… This just doesn't feel right.' She couldn't say what she had done. It still wouldn't come out. She went to turn again but Mac held on to her firmly.

'Abigail dragged me here; I didn't want to be here with her but I do want to be here with you.' He said, his voice trying to sooth her.

'But Mac, she wanted to be here with you and I got you out of it just so you could come and kiss me. That in itself is wrong but then, then… Oh Mac.' She began to cry and fell into his arms, being careful not to crush his arm. Her tears stained his shirt and he held her tightly as her emotions were let out from the prison she had been holding them in.

'Stella Bonasera, this is not your fault. If anything, I let myself get in too deep and none of this should ever have happened but we can't blame ourselves forever. How long have we waited for this?' He asked quietly, his hand stroking her hair.

'I know but now we have got what we want at the expense of someone else's life! I don't know if I can do this.' She muttered into his chest.

'We don't have to do anything yet Stella. I'm not rushing you. We can take this one step at a time. I've waited this long, I can wait a little longer.' He told her. Stella could feel her tears drying up, Mac's voice and hands were calming her down. She looked up at him and his eyes were genuine.

'Really? You'd wait for me?' She asked.

'If that's what you need. I love you Stella and I'll wait for when you're ready.' He replied and she smiled gratefully up at him.

'Thanks Mac.'

'Anytime.'

She leaned up and kissed him gently. His arm moved to her waist again and tightened around her. She locked her own around his neck and ran her fingers through his hair. They broke apart after a moment, their hold on each other not breaking.

'I love you too Mac. I'm sorry that I –' She tried to say.

'Don't apologise' He interrupted before taking her by the hand. 'Now, it's too late for you to be driving home so you can stay in my room tonight and I'll take the couch.' He said, pulling her towards his bedroom gently. Stella was too tired to object and the thought of being away from Mac was not one Stella liked.

After she had changed into one of Mac's shirts and jogging pants (while Mac waited outside), she climbed into his bed and his scent filled her head. She smiled and tugged the duvet closer to her. She began to relax and then heard Mac knock on the door.

'Come in.' She called in a less than loud voice. He walked in, a small smile on his face.

'Just came in to say goodnight.' He whispered across the room.

'Then come over here and say it.' She replied. His smile grew at her comment and he moved towards the bed. He lent down to kiss her and when he moved away, Stella took his hand in hers.

'Can you stay?' She asked quietly. Mac raised his eyebrow in confusion. 'I mean, if I'm being unfair just say and I'll shut up.' She mumbled.

'No, no. I'd love to.' He replied before climbing into the other side of the bed. Stella turned to face away from him and smiled in contentment as she felt one arm wrap around her. His right arm. She looked back at him and saw that the sling lay on the bed side table. She shook her head at him but felt too comfortable to say anything. She felt him place a gentle kiss on her neck and she shivered slightly at his touch.

'Goodnight Stella.' He whispered.

'Goodnight Mac.' She replied before drifting off to sleep.


Well, I hope you liked it. I didn't want them to rush into anything because I didn't think that Stella would get over what happened so quickly. Let me know what you think!!

Oh and I am going away next week but I think the place I'm going to has internet. If not though, if you don't get review replys or updates for a while, then you know why. It should do though and I will try my best to update as fast as I can but just giving you a heads up.

Hope you liked Chapter Eight! :D

Your Reviews make me smile, as always :D