Title: Time's Up
Chapter 3 - Show me What's Inside

A/N: Thanks again for all the great reviews and hopefully you'll like this chapter as much as the other two.

The stranger who attacked Stella left her in the dark room, locked the door and then hurried to wait for Mac, assuming that since they came together he would just have to wait until he came back for her and he'd have them both out of the way. However, what he didn't realize is that Mac was already in the building and about to be rescued by his partner who was now coming to.

Stella's body starts to finally stir awake and she slowly opens her eyes only to find herself surrounded in darkness. Thankfully she is able to move and that is a plus, but as her brain replays why she is there her heart starts to beat faster. She squints into the darkness before her, trying to be as quiet as possible so as not to alert anyone that she's awake. She finally spies some light coming from the crack under the door and decides to make her way toward it. She quickly sits up and although dark, she feels the room starting to lightly spin and so just sits still for a few more minutes; but if she is in danger she thinks Mac might be also and knows she must push aside health for their safety.

When she finally hears nothing, Stella pulls out the new phone's Mac managed to snag, since theirs were damaged in the blast and dials Mac. "Come on...pick up...where are you..." she states in a panic when he doesn't answer. "Mac?"

XXXXXXXX

"I need to leave..." Mac tries as he tries to push Stella1 away. She easily pushes his arm back down and leans in close once more; her mouth once again inches for his; her perfect lips tempting his with desire, his body going hard. "I have take..." he whispers as she lightly tastes his lips; silencing him with a soft warm kiss, her hands once again moving lower.

"You need to take me," she whispers with a smile, her fingers now dancing around his groin.

"Stella I...I should...go," he offers in torment. A part of his brain yelling at him to leave before it is too late, the other part telling him to shut up and enjoy as it probably will never happen again.

"No way," Stella1 smiles as she pushes him back against the wall and traps his right wrist. "That was easy."

"What!"

"I guess women really aren't the weaker sex."

Mac looks at his trapped wrists and then up at her with an angry glare; cursing himself as she laughs at his helpless predicament.

"Damn it," he curses as he finally hears his phone ringing; snapping himself back to reality. Mac tries to move his trapped wrists for his phone but she's too fast. Stella1 grabs his phone and holds it in her hand; holding it up to face him, taunting his helplessness. But since he can't see the number he's not sure if it's Stella or someone else. But who else would have the number?

"Important?" She goads looking at the strange number, Stella's name thankfully not being displayed.

"Yes."

"Really?"

"I have to take that..." he tries, his brain fuzzy but his heart now racing with wonder if the person calling is his partner and if she's okay.

"Nice try. I guess you really are here for the day. Thanks for dressing up a bit for me," she winks. "More to slowly take off."

"Stella, the game is over," Mac finally tries in a firm tone as the phone keeps ringing.

"Game is just starting Mac," she winks as she leans in and teases him with another warm hungry kiss. He curses his body for wanting more; his desire for her growing by each passing second. As much as he tries to tell himself he needs to get free, he finds himself leaning into her, his body betraying itself to her. In fact as she slowly pulls away he knows he has betrayed himself to her by begging for more.

"Ah you do have it in you," Stella1 purrs as she starts to lightly kiss his neck.

"What?" He moans.

"Desire for me" she teases.

"Stella...I...do," he finally resigns.

XXXXXXXX

"Pick up...where are you?" Stella asks in concern. She moves toward the door of the basement room she's in and tries the handle locked. She fears to pound the door in case her captor is waiting someplace outside. She quickly calls her super; surely another man would scare him away. And it would work this time.

"I locked myself inside the storage room...please help me," she pleads. She waits for what seems like an eternity before she hears footsteps heading her way. Her attacker, however, does see the large man heading for the locked room and knows he has to leave; he can't afford to get anyone else involved.

"Stella?" The superintendent calls out; finally scaring her attacker away.

"Lou! I'm in here," she breathes in relief as she pounds on the door. The super opens the door and looks at her with a frown. "I'm so sorry."

"For my favourite tenant?" He smiles. "Anything."

"Right," she smiles as she quickly moves passed and rushes for the stairs, the same stairs Mac used earlier. Stella reaches her floor and tries Mac's new number once more; but as she listens to the stillness of the area around her, she can hear his phone ringingand it is coming from her apartment. But why isn't he answering, she wonders? Did something happen to him? Was he attacked? She has to get to her apartment. He would answer if he could.

"Boy, are they persistent," Stella1 states.

"Stella..." Mac starts in a more calm tone. "Please listen to me."

"You know I like it when you beg me," she winks. "Please continue."

Stella nears the open door and stops and listens; finally hearing the reason why Mac couldn't get to the phone.

"Stella you need to let me go," she hears Mac say. Let him go? What is going on in there? Who is he with?

"I am in charge Mac, remember?" Stella1 tells him. "But I like this assertive side of you...very different from your usual self."

"Usual?"

"You are usually so shy...unsure around well everyone but especially me."

"Unsure? You obviously don't know the real me," Mac tries.

"Oh really?" Stella1 counters. "Sorry but I think I do know the real you."

Stella stops and feels her world pause. It was hershe was listening to her own voice talking to Mac but she wasn't. Snap out of it Mac, she thinks. Just leave already.

"I am needed..." Mac tries, pulling against the cuffs.

"Right here with me...to amuse little Stella," she taunts.

"But..."

"If you can free yourself of those you can go," Stella1 mocks. "The key is over there...can you get it?"

Free himself, Stella thought? What's he in? Damn it Mac, what have you gotten yourself into?

Mac looks down at his wrists and studies them. There was no release lever. He looks back up at her in frustration and offers an angry scowl.

"If you are looking for the release you won't find it," she smiles. "Those are custom. You are mine."

"Stella..."

"Maybe you need another kind of release?" Stella1 dares. "What do you keep hidden beneath those suits all day?" She teases as she presses herself up against him. "Ah, your body is very firm. Do I feel good pressed up against you?"

Yes his brain offers. Damn it! He scolds himself.

Stella hears the question and knows she has to get Mac out of there before he does something he'll surely regret and she is found by her other self. Part of her wished she was in there instead of her counterpart, teasing Mac and tempting him with those words. Oh give your head a shake, she orders herself. Just help the poor man already! But how? If I call her out and she sees me then I'll be in trouble. She laughs at herself as she always remembered from the movies not to confront yourself in another dimension. Boy I really am losing it now, she chides!

Stella knows she needs a distraction to get her other self out of the picture. But what? Think Stella think! A mask! But out of what? I got it! She races back downstairs to the laundry room, charges inside and finally finds a small pillowcase. She quickly rips two holes for her eyes and then rushes back upstairs.

"I..." Mac tries again as a knock was heard at the door.

"Be right back, don't go anywhere," Stella1 teases forcing Mac to just offer a scowl.

Mac uses the distraction to try to pull himself free, but the cuffs won't budge and soon his wrists are aching from his useless pulling. He tries for the small box, reaching his arm but isn't able to grasp it and so slumps back in angry defeat, at least able to zip up his pants. How the hell did I get myself into this, he curses inside. How do I get myself out of this? He leans against the wall in defeat; his body temperature on fire and his heart racing. I'm a professional, I should beyeah right I'm putty in her hands, he moans inside. But my Stella is in trouble and I need to get free.

Stella waits for her other self to reach the door and when she opens it wide and looks outside. Stella1 looks the other direction allowing Stella to rush for her and wrap her arm around her neck, trying to render her unconscious without doing too much damage. But her counterpart is strong and won't give up that easily. Stella1 slams her into the back wall, making Stella offer a small cry. But when she hears Mac's voice calling for her, she knows she can't just give up.

"Stella?" Mac asks in worry when he hears the soft cry. He tries once more to pull himself free but it won't work, he is trapped and could do nothing more than wait for help, pulling on his captive wrists and cursing the 'guy' part of his brain for allowing himself to be caught so easily. "Damn it!" He curses in anger, straining to get free but is once again unable.

Stella punches her still struggling counterpart in the lower back, making her cry out and momentarily stop and gasp for air. Stella finally feels her starting to give up as she is quickly fading into unconsciousness in her grasp. When she is finally rendered unconscious, Stella drags the other version of her inside and then pulls the pillow case off her head and puts it over the head of the other. She leans against the wall for a few seconds to catch her breath before going for Mac.

"Stella, I really need..." Mac tries as he continues to pull himself free in vain.

"Coming!" Stella calls out. She rounds the corner and sees Mac trapped to the wall; trying in vain to pull himself free and half undressed.

"What on earth?" She stops and offers only a wide grin. "What happened to you?"

"Don't ask!"

"Would like to know Mac."

"Wipe the smile off your face and get me out of this," Mac sighs as he gazes upon the woman he knows to be his Stella. "Get the key," he tells her in haste. "Please?"

"You mean little Stella?" She teases.

"Not funny," he deadpans.

"Quite the..." she stops and slowly looks around her place.

"You two share anything else I should know about?" Mac questions.

She turns back to Mac who now has an amused smile on his face. "This is not me."

"Just bring the damn key already and hurry," he tells her.

"Who is this woman? And wipe that smile off your face," she orders not looking back at him.

"You're the boss," he teases as she turns to him with a frown. "Try the small black box."

Stella finally finds the small key and hurries back to him, hesitating before she actually frees him.

"How is it that you can take down an Irish Mob and convicted murderers but you get yourself trapped in the Love Shack? By an unarmed woman no less?" She asks as she undoes one wrist and then looks up at him with an amused smile.

"Stella this isn't the ti..." he stammers.

"You place...you like this," she starts in a low tone. "You have lipstick on your face."

"Stella..." he whispers; feeling his body temperature starting to rise as she moves in closer.

"Is this what it takes to get you to listen?" She smiles.

"I listen," he stammers. "I just...was distracted," he frowns. "Please? The other wrist?" He asks, feeling his body temperature starting to rise once again as she stands before him. In truth, he wants her, his Stella, the woman he knows he's in love with, to be this attracted to him, to be turned on by him enough to be this playful, but he would never suggest anything. What if she said no?

"How is it possible you allowed yourself to get captured so easily?" She asks again.

"None of them were as beautiful as you," he finally admits, making her smile. "Now please, before she wakes up. So I still have some dignity left."

"Dignity? Mac this isn't about dignity," Stella informs him.

"What's this about?" He asks with a frown.

"Desire," she counters, turning his insides to mush once again. But inside she has to admit, having him at her mercy was giving her a rush and it was more than control, it was pure sexual desire, and that was dangerous.

"I...please just get me out of this," Mac lightly pleads.

As much as she regrets it, Stella finally undoes the other cuff and lets Mac do up his shirt as she looks around for something to keep her other self bound with. She finishes and then hurries back to Mac.

"I can't shower here, if you linger any longer you'll be a permanent resident."

"Stella, I am a trained professional," Mac insists with a frown. "I'll be fine."

"Oh you are so lying," she laughs. "You are weak around this place."

"Why were you late? I called but there was no answer," Mac tells her, trying to ignore her comment.

"I was attacked," she admits.

"What?" He asks in immediate concern, making her stop and look at him. "Are you okay? Why didn't you say anything just now?"

"Well I guess...I was..."

"What?" He presses.

"Distracted," she smiles. Yeah like I'm going to tell him I was turned on when I first found him; trapped and half undressed, she sighs inwardly. "Yes. I was drugged downstairs and then came to. It was a light drug and I don't think he wanted to hurt me as I heard him whisper 'sorry' before I went out."

"Are you okay?"

"Mac, I'm fine, really," she smiles. "Thank you for caring."

"I do care," he admits with a soft smile. "I need your clothes," he says quickly. "I mean after you change," he rushes, his face flushing again.

"I think you like this Stella," she smiles.

"I like you...I mean as a..."

"I think she makes you think and feel things that you keep locked inside," she dares.

"She has um...interesting taste," Mac quips.

"Yeah I saw those boots," Stella smiles. "You like those don't you?" She teases.

He didn't have to answer, she knew she was right, it was on his face.

"Just hurry and let's leave this place already," he moans.

Stella rushes back to the closet, grabs a small bag and then pulls a few clean clothes and some toiletries and follows Mac out of the apartment, passing her unconscious other self and into the hallway with Mac; locking the door behind them.

"Where are we going?"

"We need to get your clothes back to the lab and get his prints off of it and find out who attacked you. Then we need to go and find Jacob Prince."

"We need to lure you away...well the other you out of the lab."

"You mean Timid Taylor?" Mac huffs as they slowly walk to the elevator. "I don't get it..."

"Mac?"

"I'm not weak Stella," Mac insists.

She stops him from walking and looks at his worried expression. "Are you worried that I might think these people are the real us? Mac, trust me you are not Timid or wimpy or weak," she tries to assure him.

"Are you like that?" He wonders.

"What do you think?" She counters, not giving him an answer.

"We need to find Prince," Mac states, not wanting to continue this line of thought, knowing it'll take them down a road he feels they aren't ready to travel.

They get into the cab and ride to a small hotel in silence. Does he believe me, Stella wonders. Of course he was aroused by the other me, he's a man. But is he attracted to the real me? If he is, he sure keeps it locked away.

Mac looks sideways at Stella and frowns. Is she mad at me? Doesn't she know I'm attracted to her? Maybe I am timidI am around her. But she doesn't know the affect she has on me, he laments.

"What?" Mac finally asks.

"Just you...when I found you, the look on your face," she mentions lightly.

"You are really enjoying this aren't you?" He asks as they get out of the cab and walk toward the small hotel.

"Yes," she smiles.

"I didn't even know that stuff existed," he sighs.

"Really?" She asks in shock. "Or are you just..."

"Can't you see I'm drowning here," he moans, making her smile. "Give me a break will you."

"Was it really that bad?"

"Stella you were attacked," Mac states in sorrow as he turns her toward him and makes her stop, trying to change the topic. "Are you okay? Or are you just telling me that so I won't worry more than I am right now."

"Mac I'm fine," she smiles. "He didn't hurt me. In fact he put me on a small blanket so I wouldn't get hurt. So please stop worrying."

"Can't help it," he sighs. "I do worry," he softly admits, taking her hand and holding it.

"Means a lot to hear you say that," she adds warmly. "Seriously, up there, the other me..."

"No, it wasn't really that bad," he huffs. "Just frustrating."

"Ah I knew it," she states in triumph and he just shakes his head.

They check into the small room and Mac lets Stella use the shower while he tries to do a phone search for Jacob Prince. When he is done he turns his gaze to the bathroom and hears the water stop. He has tried to occupy his mind with anything other than her naked body standing under the warm water and then being wrapped in the skimpy towel but it won't work. He gives his head a quick shake but as he hears her softly humming he wonders what it would be like to spend some intimate time with her. The real herhis Stella, the one who drives him crazy without even trying.

Stella hurries to get changed and lets her mind drift back to her apartment to when she found Mac trapped against the wall, his shirt open and his face flushed. She allows that naughty thought to force a smile to her weary lips as she finally heads back into the main room to Mac.

"What did you find?"

"Prince is unlisted," Mac informs her. "Unless..."

"What?"

"What happened to our attacker in the warehouse?"

"You think he came with us?" Stella asks in surprise.

"Possibility," Mac states.

"But if our attacker in the warehouse was the same as mine and it is Jacob Prince then why..."

"Why didn't he kill you?" Mac finishes. "I don't think he wanted to kill us in the warehouse. If your attacker wasn't Prince then I think Prince hired him to destroy that stuff and we got in the way."

"Mac what if that stuff is destroyed in this...reality. What if we are stuck here?"

"Sucks to be us," he dead pans.

"Not funny."

"I'm not laughing," he frowns.

"Okay so what first."

"I just made a call to well myself," he shakes his head. "We need to meet him and keep him on ice until we process your clothes," Mac tells her. "I told him I was a source on an important case and could only talk to him, alone, behind the building."

Mac stands up and takes a step just as Stella makes a move for him, causing them to come within inches of each other and stop, their bodies starting to warm from the nearness of the other.

"I guess we should go."

"What are you afraid of?" Stella asks softly.

Mac looks into her eyes and finds himself lost.

"What?" She asks again. "Me?"

"When I look at you...into your eyes I see myself as both strong and weak," he half whispers. "But I can't afford to be weak."

"Mac you are anything but weak," Stella counters.

"I am around you," he admits. "You asked why I was caught by...well you so easily? That's why, any other woman I would have easily walked away. But with her...looking like you...like that...talking like that to me, I was weak," he huffs. "And this is hard to admit so we should just get going."

"Mac, talk to me. I know that moment with Jenkins bothered you. But there is nothing to worry about. What is really wrong?"

"I'm scared," he finally confesses. "We have worked very hard to build and amazing friendship; a bond closer than most people share. I value that bond as I know you do. And I just worry that something else might...well might ruin it."

"That would only happen if it was one sided," she admits and he looks at her in wonder. "I worry about the same things as you but if you want more then I do as well."

"Are you saying that to make me feel better?"

"Well I dont think I'm."

"Stella, you are the most amazing, beautiful woman I know," he offers with a smile. "I'm worried...this is hard."

"Mac, I'm just as scared as you," she says taking his hand and stopping him from leaving. "But you are so distant that I just assumed...I won't hurt you, I promise."

"I don't want to hurt you either," he sighs. "Stella, you and I run the lab and work very closely," he starts. "I would be screwed if this didn't work and...we should go," he stops. But just before he turns to leave he takes her hand and squeezes it warmly. "I'm glad you're okay."

"Me too." She could tell by the look on his face it wasn't the time or place to press the discussion further; but that time would come this subject was far from being over. They finally get into the cab and head for work; questions dancing around in their heads, begging to be answered.

"When you weren't there..." Mac starts once again. "Well I mean when I could finally get my brain to focus...what I am trying to say is..."

"You wanted more from the other me?" She smiles.

"Why is it both of you like to torment me?" He lightly moans, making her laugh.

"Because it's fun."

"I was worried," he frowns. "I think I would be lost if you and I weren't together, in this lame reality. If I were here alone..."

"If it was just you here alone, well at least we'd know where to find you. Trapped in Love Shack," she counters.

"I am not going to win this am I?"

"Not by a long shot," she answers firmly.

"Great," he huffs. He looks at her smiling face and finds himself smiling in spite of his trying to be determined not to show his emotions until they were safe. "I did like the boots."

"Ah knew it," she starts. "I'll have to remember that," she flirts.

"Yeah you can wear them to my funeral. I think if I ever saw you...well the real you dressed like that, I'd have a heart attack," his voice trails off.

Stella just lightly laughs, but when she turns back to him she notices his face is angry rather than amused.

"Mac I am sorry for whatever I said before to make you mad."

"Mad?"

"Your look is anger and your knuckles are almost white."

"It's not you this time," he sighs. "It's me, the other me. What did he tell you earlier today? When you came back to the bakery with the file your face was well sad. What did he say to you?"

"He said you and I are forced to work together, that's why we aren't and I guess never were even and probably will never be friends. The way he acted...treated me, was just disappointing. Odd because it's not us and I like us."

"I like us too. How come in my alter world I'm not like Rambo or something?" He asks lightly.

"I guess because inside you aren't the aggressive warrior you try to show everyone else."

"Ah so it is what's inside us that is making these counterparts," he counters, trapping her. "You also?"

"Oh you are so gonna pay for that Taylor," she smiles and he just smirks.

The cab stops behind their building as directed and they get out of the backseat and walk to a shadowy part in the alley and stop. Mac gently grabs her hand, forcing her back to him. "I guess when it comes to you...either of you I am timid. But not weak; please don't..." he starts in a panic only to have her plant a small kiss on his lips to stop him.

"I would never think you weak," she smiles. "Not physically."

"But I am around you. That's what's so hard to admit. I was goo in her hands; stupid right?"

"That's only normal."

"So you are saying there is no hope for me?" He asks weakly.

"None," she lightly teases in return. "Come on before you really get into trouble."

"Right," Mac says pulling out his cell. He dials his office number and gives his other self the instructions to meet them in the alley.

Mac and Stella hide themselves until the other Mac1 has emerged. Stella steps from the shadows to ensure her Mac could take out the man before her.

"Stella," Mac1 growls. "What the hell is this? I thought you were sick today?"

"I need help."

"I dont have time for you."

"Please?"

"Get lost already; I have a real job to do!"

"Mac!"

"I don't care what you need and I'm sure I'm the last person who woul..." he starts only to have Mac put a choke hold on him and drag him into the shadows.

"Where can we put him?" Mac asks.

"There," Stella gestures as she notices a small storage room that is open. They dump him inside and lock the door; making sure no one saw their actions.

Mac looks at Stella who had gone quiet.

"Stella?" He gently asks as he turns her to face him, realizing in an instant that the other Mac's actions and words have affected her.

"I'm fine Mac."

"It's what I said earlier right? About what's inside us that is driving these alter egos? Stella, you know that I would never turn you away ever if you needed help. You know that right?"

"I do."

"Are you okay?"

"Fine. Just somehow hurts to look into his face and hear him treat me so badly."

"Stella that guy isn't me. He only looks like me. This is me, and I would help you, if it meant my life," he insists. "Please believe me."

Stella looks into his worried face and knows if they did get out of this, things would be different between them. But for the better? Or for the worse?

"Please believe me?" He asks in a dead whisper.

"I do," she finally offers, gently touching his cheek and forcing a small smile to tug at the corners of his mouth.

"Thanks for caring enough to tell me that," she whispers.

"Thanks for never giving up on me."

"Never," she smiles.

"Come on," he said taking her hand. "We have a mad scientist to track and a world to get back to."

A/N: hope you are still liking this story and wanting to see what they find. What happens when their other selves come to? And what showdown awaits them inside the lab?

PS: If you haven't yet, please check out my latest SMACKED one-shot "12 Ice Cubes" thanks!