Thanks for all the feedback and support for all my fic, but especially for "Lucy Goosey." And now at the other end of the spectrum… :D

As for a minor fail on my part, I've been rereading some of my fic and noticed some grammar errors. My fic is unbetaed, basically because I'm utterly impatient, and though I go over the 'final' copy multiple times, more errors than I would've liked have slipped through. If you happen to notice any, please point them out, as it's one of my pet peeves, especially in my own work. Thanks!

Enjoy!

VVVVV

Unable and unwilling to sleep, Mac sat hunched forward on the sofa, the weight of the previous day's--by the clock, at least--events seemingly pushing him further into the cushions. The small lamp in the corner of the room cast off a dim glow that barely reached him, yet he'd stared at the small piece of paper--the one on which Claire had written her number--for what seemed like hours. His eyes burned and his back ached from his unfavorable positioning, and he sighed heavily, his eyes finally slipping closed, as he leaned back against the sofa.

"How long are you going to stand there?" he asked, his voice sounding rough in the quiet stillness of the apartment.

A slight gasp escaped through Stella's lips as she pushed away from where she'd been leaning against the wall, arms crossed over her chest, watching him. "How'd you know I was here?"

"I always know where you are, Stella," he told her simply and honestly.

"I got a tracking device embedded in me somewhere?" she said as she passed in front of him. "That's a little creepy," she finished as she sat on the opposite end of the sofa.

He peeked at her through half-closed lids, the look indicating that he was not in the mood for banter.

She sat forward, elbows resting on her knees, and rubbed her hands together apprehensively, trying to decide what to say to him. She took a deep breath and stared at him for a long moment before she spoke.

"What are you doing on the couch?"

"Couldn't stay in there."

"Mac…"

"As long as you're in the guest room, I'm on the sofa. End of story."

"Aren't you being a bit unreasonable?"

"Couldn't I ask you the same thing?" he fired back, eyes popping open as he sat up and turned to face her.

Stella's eyes flashed to his. "What the hell do you want me to do, Mac? Pretend like everything is just fine, that Claire didn't show up at our door? Well, I'm sorry, but I can't do that!"

"You told me earlier that we'd get through this together, Stella. We can't do that if we're in different rooms. I know you said that we needed to gather our thoughts separately, and I agreed at first, but I'm confused by this whole thing, and you're the person I go to when I need to sort things out."

"I understand that, Mac, but I think it would be inappropriate to be sleeping with you when we've just found out that your wife is still alive." She glanced down at her hands, her voice lowering as she continued, "I know you said you wouldn't give up on us--"

"You heard that?" Mac asked, somewhat surprised.

"Yeah," she said nodding. "I'm flattered by that, really, Mac, but I don't want you to rule out a relationship with Claire. She is your wife. Therefore, I think it's best for both of us if I stay in the guest room for now. I don't want it to be any harder than it already is if you decide that you want to be with Claire."

"Is that what you think I'm going to do, Stella?" Mac asked, surprise and pain evident in his voice. "That I'm going to walk away from you, from what we have?"

"I don't want to influence your decision," she said softly, not answering his question.

"Really? Because it sounds like you're pushing me away, or pulling yourself away, rather."

She tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear and wiped the tears from her eyes before they could fall. "I'm saying that I love you so much that I'm willing to give up everything so you can be happy." He started to interrupt her, but she held up her hand. "I know you love me, Mac. I'm not denying that. But I also know that you love Claire. I know how you grieved. I remember every time you talked to me, all the times we cried together. I could see how much you missed her, Mac. And now that she's back, I think it's necessary that you consider the possibility of having a future with Claire."

"Stella…" his voice broke.

"I won't hold it against you if you choose her," Stella told him with a weak smile. "Yeah, it'll hurt like a son-of-a-bitch, but I'm a big girl. I'll respect any decision you make." She glanced at the piece of paper he clutched in his hand, then locked her eyes with his. "You should call her, Mac."

They gazed at each other a moment longer, then Stella reached forward and picked up the remote from the table and turned on the TV.

"What are you doing?" Mac asked.

"If you won't sleep in a bed, then neither will I," she replied, leaning back against the sofa.

"I'd sleep in the bed if you'd come with me."

"You're stubborn, you know that?"

"Takes one to know one."

She couldn't argue with that, and they fell silent as the canned laughter exploded as the result of the antics on the black-and-white comedy.

VVVVV

Thanks for reading!