You like? Yes, I will be continuing this story since you guys like it. I might get around to updating Into the Blaze this week, I'm sorry for the delay. And I might post a new story about the CSIs going to Chicago and seeing a NASCAR race--I won tickets and saw the Bush race on Friday. It was awesome! :) So I promise to get around to updating and I hope you enjoy a very short chapter of Come Home. And review!

Chapter Two: Meeting Peyton

It has been a while since Mac had gone to England. Two months to be exact. But now, it's Peyton's turn to come and visit the city of New York. God, did I hate finding out that news. And Mac made me come with to pick up Peyton at the airport. He said it would be a good idea if we had met, and after he had mentioned my name to Peyton, I agreed to meet her. I wondered how much he had said about me, and maybe he did care for me while he was gone with Peyton. Now, what he had said about me, I would like to know…

We pulled up to John F. Kennedy Airport and hurried inside. As we waited for Peyton to arrive—either she got lost in the airport or her flight had been delayed (I'm wishing for that to be true)—Mac and I chatted about work, the cases we were solving, the usual talk. But as soon as she arrived, I immediately stopped talking. How could I talk to the love of my life when the person I absolutely despise was standing in the same room as me?

Mac greeted Peyton with a hug and a kiss—I shook my at that, thank God Peyton or Mac didn't see me. He then introduced me to her ("This is Detective Stella Bonasera; she works at the crime lab with me.").

"It's nice to meet you, Stella," she says with a quick shake of my hand.

I forced myself to smile, but I didn't bother say anything. I was sure Mac would have wanted me to say something, but I wouldn't, not even for him. Besides, he didn't say much to me on the way back to the crime lab. Maybe they had forgotten I was even there. I was half tempted on the way to the crime lab to say, "Hello, does anyone want to talk to Stella?" but I kind of liked the idea of no one talking to me, that way I could listen to Mac's and Peyton's conversation. And yes, I had to sit in the backseat of the car. Of course, where else would I have to sit? On the roof of the car, yeah, I don't think so…

I'm glad to see the New York Crime Lab come into view. I don't think I can stand hearing Peyton's voice anymore, but Mac makes me stay with him while he introduces Peyton to the rest of the CSI investigators. Everyone seems so cheerful when they talk to her, they must be glad to see Mac happy with another woman after Claire's death seven years ago. I feel happy for him too, I just wish he could love me.

As everyone starts to go their separate ways—Peyton is now working at the crime lab as a medical examiner—I stand alone in the hallway, watching Mac leave with Peyton. But I'm not alone for long; Lindsay comes to stand next to me. She clearly sees something is wrong.

"Stella," she says quietly. "Are you all right?"

I nod.

She doesn't believe my answer, because she continues on. But I'm surprised at what she says. And I believe her. "I think you two would be better together."

"I want him to see that," I say. "But I don't think he notices that I like him."

"He'll see," Lindsay reassures me. She then walks away, leaving me to be alone again.

He'll see. Will he really? Will he notice that I love him? Or will I soon lose my best friend? But with the weeks that come—Peyton will be here for two months—I start to think Lindsay's judgment is wrong.

Just to clear things up, this is Peyton's first time going to the crime lab and meeting the CSIs. And in the previous chapter, it had been Mac's first time to London. I'll explain how the two met in later chapters.