So I finally found the muse again! YAY! Well, I am totally into this story right now and I finished quite a few more chapter by now and decided to post the update today... I got too much time and after I am done with school and am waiting for a reply from the university it's kinda boring around here :) So much time for SMacked! :)

Well, I hope you like this chapter also and I am getting as much lovely reviews and supporting words from you as I did the last time! I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone again! You guy ROCK! I am so glad that I found this place to share my work with you, people from all over the world! And I was really flattered by (?) your lovely words!

Chapter Twelve: Enjoying the sun

A few minutes later we were already arriving at Central Park. It was about midday and the sun was mild and warm. The sky was blue and sometimes a few fluffy clouds were seen. It was perfect summer day. Neither of us took a jacket with us and neither of us was wearing a shirt with long sleeves. Mac and I decided to walk down Terrace Drive and then stop at The Mall in Central Park which is directly at the smaller lake called 'The Lake' and has a big fountain on the place near the water known as Bethesda Fountain. While I enjoyed the time we spent together and enjoyed that we both had the weekend off Mac seemed a bit uncomfortable about that fact. He never had a full weekend off before, but every time is the first time, right? All I wanted for now was just that he relaxed and enjoyed the time he wasn't spending at work. As much as I loved working I also appreciated every time that I could stay at home and relax. I sometimes thought Mac forgot the fact that he was still human and I made it to my mission to remind him of that fact, whatever it'll take. First thing was the walk in Central Park I had suggested. It would bring me and Mac in a public setting but it would be the first thing to help me make him relax and enjoy. So I hoped. As we reached the area of the fountain we stepped close to the water and stood there for a while watching the people who where on the water and those who where standing or walking around the place.

"You like places like this, don't you?" he asked me after a few minutes of silence.

"Occasionally. It depends on the weather. How about you? Do you like places like this?"

"That depends on the company I have. Sometimes I go to places like that when I'm alone but I would choose a place with less people it's more relaxing." Mac said and smiled slightly.

"I like silent places, too. From time to time I just need a place like that."

"Hard to imagine for a person like you."

"Why is that?"

"Thought you're more the social kinda person. A bit more social than I am."

"I am a very social kinda person, but even I need some time to relax from time to time. But I would also visit other places with the right person at my site." I stated.

"I would even go to the beach with the right person to join me." Mac said and again he had that special smile.

"Hard to believe you would do that and hard to imagine that someone actually exist."

"She does. I already know her."

Fine… Aubrey? Come one Stella it can't be you… I thought in panic.

"Really?" I dared to ask. He looked at me smiled and then just shook his head.

"What?"

"You think it's Aubrey or Peyton, don't you?" he asked making my heart skip a beat as I hear those names.

"They're not?"

"Neither of them."

"Who could it be if not any of them? Did I miss something?"

"No, you didn't but you're forgetting someone very important in my life."

He doesn't really mean me? Does he? I dare to think.

HE DOES, blind girl! My brain shouts at me.

"Really? Wonder who that would be."

"Come on, Stella, you can't be serious…"

"I'm always serious, Mac."

"You never make it easy on me, you know that?" he sighted.

"Never said I'm easy. Besides… you're not an easy person either." I started to tease him a bit.

"One more thing that we have in common. Just like that important person in my life."

"Come on, who is it?"

"Guess who."

"Mac…" I tried, but he just looked at me with an expecting expression.

"You can't mean me…" I dared to say only to have him looking at me with an arched brow.

"I can't? Why would that be? Stella, you've been my best friend for more than 10 years and helped me with and through a lot in the past how can't you be important for me?" he asked me and somehow I had the feeling that he was a bit disappointed. I looked down to my feet thinking about what to say now.

"I'm sorry, Mac." I finally managed to say.

"For what?"

"For disappointing you? Or for… hurting you or… your feelings…"

I looked at him and he just looked back. In his bright blue eyes I could see that he was searching mine for an answer to a question neither of us dared to ask. After what felt like an eternity he simply wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close to him. Automatically I returned his actions. He placed a soft kiss on my cheek.

"Don't be." He whispered into my ear before he pulled away. "Maybe I'm just having thoughts I shouldn't."

I looked at him in wonder but he turned away, looking back at the lake in front of us. I stepped closer to him and placed my hand on his shoulder.

"No, Mac." I said. "You haven't thoughts you shouldn't." That simple statement forced him to look at me in surprise. I just gave him a slight smile.

"What do you mean?"

You should tell him… my brain tells me, but I wasn't sure about what I should say right now. Oh Stella, what have you done? You can't tell him right now, it's ridiculous. What do I say now? I asked myself. I look up at him and he looked at me waiting for an answer and his eyes are begging me for telling him the right thing. But I just couldn't convince myself of my own feelings.

"I mean you're human. Humans have thoughts like that even I have." I finally answer. He nodded lightly and then rewarded me with a small smile.

We decided to stay a bit longer just standing next to each other and watching the people on the boats in comfortable silence. After what felt like a few hours but actually were only twenty minutes we decided to leave and walk back to Mac's home. The way back to his apartment was spend either in silence or with chatting about things that came to our minds.

So what do you think? Please let me know in a short review! (or a longer one if you like) Still interested in what I've come up with? Still wanting to see how I come to my Smacked? Let me know!

A/N: I am also trying to update my other story "Tragedy And Joy", but as I said earlier, I am totally into this one, so it's a bit difficult to do that. But am still trying. I am also a bit disappointed with how this story is going around here, but this had nothing to do with that story, so... just wanted to say that I am going to post a new chapter for that one also and I am also thinking about a little oneshot story, if you like and I am willing to write it.

Anyways, I am hoping you still like this story and want to see what I've come up with and what is going to happen. THANKS FOR READING!

blackrose538