So was it the angst that made the last chapter not-so-popular? :) If so, this chapter isn't going to do much to win back those of you who are anti-angst. I've never written much angst--heck, I've never read much angst--so I have no idea where this is coming from. All I'm asking is that you bear with me as I make these stops in angst-land. Oh, and I wasn't totally happy with chapter 3, so I made some minor changes that, I hope, better the flow of the overall story. Enjoy!

VVVVV

The trip home was one of the longest ones they'd experienced--or so it seemed. Emotionally and physically exhausted, no words were spoken. Mac held the door to their apartment open for Stella like he always did, and she passed in front of him and turned to face him.

"So…" Stella began, twisting her fingers anxiously as they stood in the hallway.

"So…" Mac repeated, facing her after securing the locks on the door.

Knowing their stalling tactics wouldn't work much longer, Mac sighed. "This is crazy, Stella. There shouldn't be any weirdness between us."

"You're right. There shouldn't be…but there is, Mac. Supposed deceased spouses popping up unexpectedly tend to put a damper on current relationships." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Look, it's late, we're exhausted. Why don't we try to get some sleep and deal with this in the morning?"

"Sleep's not going to be coming anytime soon," Mac admitted.

Green eyes opened slowly, finding his equally tired blue ones. "I know," Stella replied, voice whisper-soft as she turned and trudged down the hall toward their bedroom.

He followed her moments later, surprised when he met her coming back out of the room, pajamas in hand.

"What are you doing?" Mac asked confused.

"I think it's best that I sleep in the guest room tonight, Mac," she said, her hand resting lightly on his chest.

"Stella, no," Mac pleaded, grasping her hand as she tried to pull away. "It's our room."

She offered him a sad smile, and her hand slid out of his. "I meant what I said about working through this together, but we need to get our thoughts in order first. Separately."

His eyes clouded over as he watched her sidestep him and go into the guest room, shutting the door behind her. He was in front of the door in only two steps and could have followed her inside, but he respected her and knew she needed time to think. He wasn't happy about it, but he would honor her decision.

He laid his open palm against the cool, wooden door. "I'm not giving up, Stella. On you. On us," he whispered.

Stella--whose own hand was on the door in a mirror image of Mac's--let out a small gasp upon hearing his words, and suddenly, the emotions she'd hidden all day burst to the surface as hot tears sprang to her eyes, immediately threatening to fall.

Why does loving Mac Taylor hurt so damn much?

VVVVV

Thanks for reading. Sorry this chapter is so short; it just seemed like the right place to stop…to me, anyway. :D