Long time, huh? I'll try not to let that happen again. Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to update this, especially lily moonlight, who has asked on a regular basis--and so nicely, too--for the last two months.

Random, but how could I not remember A.J. Buckley being on a season 2 episode of 'Bones?' :D

Enjoy!

VVVVV

Stella's hand slid from the door, and she shuffled to the bed, haphazardly tossing her things onto it as she flopped down ungracefully. She swiped at the few tears that managed to fall, simultaneously feeling everything and nothing. She huffed wryly, remembering the case a few years ago where cryptic messages were hidden within t-shirt designs, and that phrase--everything and nothing--symbolized the number zero. Yeah, zero basically described her mood at the moment.

She glanced toward the door as the floorboards on the other side of it creaked, indicating that Mac had moved away, probably toward their bedroom. And even though spending the night in separate rooms--she didn't refer to it as "sleeping" since she knew neither of them would do much of that--was her idea, a new wave of emotions flooded her. They'd never been home together and not slept in the same bed.

"I'm not giving up, Stella. On you. On us," his whispered words echoed in her mind.

She knew he was telling the truth, and that's what made loving him so difficult. She'd typically fought her own battles and wasn't used to people fighting for her. And though she knew she should be happy, she couldn't help feeling like her world was about to be ripped to shreds.

VVVVV

"I'm not giving up, Stella. On you. On us," Mac uttered as he stared at the closed door. He wanted nothing more than to follow her inside, pull her into his arms, and tell her everything would be okay. But the truth was that his world had been turned upside down, and though he hated to admit it, Stella was right in saying they needed some time alone to gather their thoughts. He stood frozen in place a few moments longer, hand still against the door. He sighed heavily as his eyes slipped shut and his chin dropped to his chest. Then, numbly, he stepped away from the door, the floorboards creaking loudly in the otherwise silent apartment.

Minutes later, hot water beat down on his tired body. He felt like he'd aged years in just a day. Twenty-four hours ago, he and Stella had held each other and talked about the future. He could still hear her voice, soft and relaxed. He could smell the perfume she'd put on before dinner, even though they'd stayed home. But most of all, he could still feel her skin on his…

"Are you awake, Mac?" Stella whispered as she slowly caressed his bare chest.

"Yeah."

"You're awfully quiet. What are you thinking about?"

"You. Me. Us."

Her hand stilled.

"What is it, Stel?"

"I'm just trying to figure out what I did to deserve you."

"I think you got that backwards. I know I'm the lucky one," he told her, his fingers trailing up her arm. "Have I told you that I love you?"

"Mmm, not today," she grinned against his chest.

"Because I do, you know."

"Yeah, I know. And I love you, too."

He sighed.

"What?" she asked.

"Do you want children?"

"Woah! Where did that come from?" she asked as she tried to wriggle from his grasp.

"Don't move, Stel, please. I didn't mean to upset you, it's just that we've never talked about it."

She obliged, settling back against him. "I don't know, Mac."

"You never saw yourself with kids?"

"I'd require a man who would be a father to the children." She chuckled wryly. "For years I couldn't even see myself with a man."

"And now?"

"Now? Now I just enjoy spending every moment with you."

"So you don't want kids?"

"It's not that I don't want any, I just need time to think about it. Why? Do you want kids?"

He shifted, rolling them so that she was on her back gazing up at him. Even in the dimly lit room, he could see her eyes sparkling.

"I want…you," he breathed as his lips brushed against her.

"You know this is how babies are made," she sighed happily as his lips trailed down her neck…

The hot water continued to beat on his back as he reached for his shampoo, and he couldn't help but notice how his products had intermingled with hers, how right it was. He quickly finished his shower, then dried off and donned a pair of pajama pants. He brushed his teeth and padded back into their bedroom, pausing and staring at the bed.

Decision made, he crossed the room and turned off the light before making his way down the hall to the living room. If Stella wouldn't sleep in their bed, then neither would he.

VVVVV

Thanks for reading!