Title: Time's Up
Chapter 6 -- Out of Time?
A/N: Thanks so much for all the reviews and continued support for this short action adventure. It's going to wrap up in a few chapters so stay tuned. Also please note any reference to my OC, veteran Detective John Sullivan, comes from my first CSI:NY story, Liquid Death and factors in a few of my stories as a side OC. Thanks again and enjoy!
Mac and Stella near the address for Jacob Prince and Mac makes the cabbie stop about a block away; trying to ensure they aren't seen as they approach, in case someone is waiting for them, like they were at the other location.
"Mac you think Gavin will be here waiting for us?" Stella is quick to question as they slowly get out of the cab.
"I hope not, I really want this to be over. If he's hurt or disposed of Prince already we might be stuck here."
Stella offers Mac a sideways frown, her heart now starting to beat faster as she contemplates the truth behind his words. Stuck here?
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At the same time, Flack1, who was still mad about his public entanglement with Mac, got another nasty message from his Taylor. Mac1 had finally managed to get himself back out of the small storage shed and already had his showdown with his Stella1 who was more than livid for the attack on her, that her neighbour had to undo. The two of them had their argument and then went their separate ways as normal.
"Sullivan who did this? Who locked up Ricky Martins!" Flack1 demands, his temper flaring. It wasn't bad enough that Mac had shown him up in front of those he demanded fear from, it was worse that Mac1 had thrown one of his most trusted insiders into jail on a small charge.
"Who do you think? His name is on the evidence file. But with Martins out of the picture then we have no in. Flack we need Martins back on the street," Sullivan grumbles, also enjoying the paybacks he was receiving at helping Flack1 do his dirty work.
"Damn it Taylor! I am sick of this!" Flack growls at Sullivan and another crooked Detective. "Time to pay Timid Taylor a visit," he curses, opening his phone and dialling Danny. "Hey four eyes, find me Taylor and stat!"
The Mac1 that Flack was looking for had been called to the mayor's office and so had his phone turned off; not wanting to be disturbed while his budget was under review.
However the real Mac still had his phone on and since he had used it to call for a cab Danny was able to track where he and Stella had been picked up. Flack checked with the cabbie and hung up after getting their location.
"He's going after Prince?" Flack frowns. "I thought he had...never mind, it's time for some payback. Sullivan! Richards! You two are with me."
"You got it boss."
And with that he turns and heads for his unmarked police issue cruiser with two other officers in tow and head off in search of Mac for a little NYPD retribution, Don Flack style.
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Mac and Stella wait until the cabbie finally pulls out of sight, before rushing toward the slightly run down but darkened house of Jacob Prince, each hoping the eccentric scientist is there to be found.
"Why can't these guys live in normal places?" Stella questions as she nervously glances around, wondering if there are any surprises waiting for them, like at the place Gavin was waiting.
"That would take all the fun out of this," Mac replies dryly as they near the front sidewalk. Mac draws his gun and gently pushes Stella behind him; protecting her in case they are surprised. They near the front door, Mac's heart beating faster and both watch some shadows moving around inside.
"We need to take this guy alive," Mac whispers. "But as much as I'd like you to cover the back, we need..."
"Mac I can..." Stella insists.
"No way," Mac counters. "We stay together. That's an order."
"Order?" She arches a brow and Mac's face softens. "Mac you know I am more than capable of..."
"Stella, I wasn't even questioning that. I just worry that something might be there and that you might..." his voice trails off in concern. "Please just stay with me."
"Well since you asked so nicely," she lightly teases and he rewards her with a small smile.
They near the front of the house and Mac once again stops to listen. "Let's go around," Mac he changes his mind.
"Mac?" Stella looks at him in question.
"Just want to check something."
Mac rounds the corner and stops, looking around to make sure it's safe; no surprises waiting for them.
"Okay you take the bac..." Mac starts.
"You are changing things now?" She wonders in surprise.
"We can't afford to lose him," Mac answers in haste. "It looks safe and...and I just wanted to be sure."
"My protector," she whispers, making him smile.
"Always," he assures her. "Give me a few minutes and then come in the back door."
"Be careful."
"You too."
Mac hurries around to the front of the house, hoping to draw Prince to him while Stella comes in the back, trapping their elusive scientist. He tries the door and finds it unlocked. Pausing for a few seconds to see if something else will happen, he slowly pushes it open, his gun ready just in case. He enters the front hallway and spies Prince, his back to Mac.
"Hold it Prince," Mac states firmly, aiming his gun.
"Taylor!" Prince gasps in shock as he tries to rush out of his home, heading for the back. Mac was about to run after him when he watches Prince come back into the room with his arms up; Stella pushing him back toward Mac.
"What do you two want?" Prince wonders in a nervous tone.
"We want to talk about your damn machines!"
Prince looks at him with a frown, before taking a few steps toward Mac, looking at him intently. He takes a few more feet; stopping in front of Mac and just staring.
"What?" Mac asks quickly, not liking the odd man staring him down; a strange feeling of paranoia starting to cover him.
"It's true...you two came through the machine," Prince smiles. "It worked!"
"Yes and my partner Stella and I are trapped here along with another Gavin Seven," Mac informs him. "How the hell do we get back?"
"Damn it!" Prince curses with a heavy frown, pushing his small circular glasses further up his nose.
"And you need to help us go back," Stella adds
"You believe me?" Prince asks Mac in surprise.
"I believe that Stella and I don't belong here," Mac quips. "What do we have to do to get back?"
"My machines are under lock and key on the south side..." Prince starts to tell them. "If you could get us in then...they need some tweaking but...I could go there and get..."
"No, we are going with you," Mac states firmly.
"You can't!"
"Or you don't go at all and I'll have you arrested for pissing me off!"
"Okay fine," Prince huffs. "I need my laptop," he tells Mac. "It's in the kitchen."
"We also need a first aid kit," Stella mentions. "With all the trouble you get into," she winks at Mac who just purses his lips and shakes his head.
"Fine but you might need it too," Mac insists and Stella just smiles.
"Where is it Jacob?" Stella questions.
"It's in the small closet," Prince instructs Stella. He reaches for the laptop bag and Stella stuffs the first aid kit into it, plus a few other items they might need.
But just as Mac reaches the kitchen to head out the back with Prince and Stella, he hears Flack's cruiser come to a stop just outside the house. Mac heads for the window and then looks back at Stella in panic.
"Who is it?" She wonders.
"It's Flack and two of his men. I recognize Sullivan. If he finds all of us here...you and Prince hide."
"Mac, what if he's mad from..."
"Stella, I'm sure he just wants to vent...maybe take a few jabs...I can take it. Just hurry and hide."
"Mac I won't let you fight the three of them..." Stella starts in worry.
"He'd never buy us working together and we can't afford to have Prince caught. This is our one chance to escape this hell and we have to take it. Please!"
"Mac...you can't face him alone."
"You helping me is going go get us both arrested for suspicion or something else."
"Flack is strong and..."
"Stella, I'll be okay," he insists. "Please just go."
"Do you have a basement or a small crawl space?" Stella asks Jacob in frustration as they hear the footsteps coming up the front wooden steps.
Prince takes Stella by the arm and shows her the small hidden door to the basement and she has it opened just as Mac opens the front door to greet Flack.
"Don?" Mac questions, trying to act surprised to see him.
"Why the hell are you here Taylor?" Flack growls.
"I don't answer to you," Mac states firmly.
"Everyone answers to me!"
Stella quietly closes the door but leaves it open a crack so she could hear what Mac is up to. Please let him be okay, she begs inside. I can't lose him now. Not here!
"Check this place."
"What is this about Don?" Mac questions as Flack pushes his way, standing inches from Mac.
"I don't answer to you Taylor!"
"I am alone," Mac insists.
"Sullivan will tell me for sure. Got into a bit of a scrape did you," Flack mentions, noting the bloody bruise on Mac's forehead.
"This place is empty," Sullivan informs him as he walks back into the room.
"Sullivan, take his gun," Flack directs.
"I don't..." Mac starts only to be hit in the back by the other man; falling to his knees.
Stella hears Mac cry out in pain and wanted more than anything to go and help. But with three armed men against them she could only wait for them to leave, knowing she needs to keep Prince safe so they can end this nightmare they are currently trapped in.
"I told you...I let you win this morning and now it's my turn," Flack sneers, walking up to Mac and kicking him in the gut, making him double forward.
Mac gasps for air as his body crumples forward in pain.
"Stand him back up," Flack directs, making Stella cringe at his harsh words.
Mac's pain wracked body is forced upright by the two men, each holding an arm painfully behind his back.
"Let's have a little more fun, shall we," Flack taunts, as he walks behind Mac. He whips out his cuffs and traps Mac's wrists behind his back, rendering him helpless before a man that wants retributions.
"This has all been a big misunderstanding!" Mac insists, his panic starting to rise. But inside he also knows that Stella cannot be found and so has to endure whatever this tormented reality has in store for him.
"So Mr. I want to be a Marine when I grow up," Flack mocks as he circles back in front of Mac. "Can you fight with your hands cuffed? Want to show me what a big man you really are?" Flack continues as he punches Mac again. "Yeah you look pretty sad right now Taylor. I needed MARTINS! Why the hell did you arrest him?"
"I'll back off," Mac lightly gasps, knowing inside he couldn't alter too many things in this strange world.
"He's my man, NOT YOURS!"
"Fine, I give. Just leave me the hell alone!"
"Ah that's more like the Timid Taylor I know," Flack laughs. "Wimp!"
Stella hears Flack's cutting words and feels her fists ball in anger. She was about to reveal herself when she feels Prince gently squeeze her arm, stopping her. She looks at his crushed expression, but inside knows he is right; the only way to help Mac is to wait for the appropriate moment. But when would that come? And would it be in time?
"What do you want?" Mac manages, almost out of breath as he is hauled back up.
"I want to make sure you understand whose boss around here. The more of my men you shut down the angrier I get," Flack reminds him. "And for that I need to teach you a little lesson. Bring him!"
"You can't..."
"What, do this?" Flack laughs. "Hell yes I can. Who is going to stop me? You? Yeah right! You have no friends Taylor, certainly none that will cross me for your sorry ass!"
"Flack, don't do this!" Mac struggles against the two men holding him captive. "I said I was sorry, damn it!"
"I said..."
"Flack!"
"Hold on a second," Flack grumbles, as he turns around and glares at Mac in anger. He hurries past the two men holding Mac in their grasp; into the kitchen grabs what he needs and then walks back into the main living area.
"Let me explain..." Mac starts.
"I'm tired of hearing your whiny lies," Flack grumbles as he stuffs the tea towel between Mac's lips and ties it tightly behind his head; gagging Mac effectively. "There now you can't tell me not to," he states lightly slapping his cheek. "Sorry couldn't the duct tape."
"Let's go."
Mac struggles in vain, his heart now racing at the fact that he and Stella would be once again separated, further delaying their return to their own world. And if Flack was taking him somewhere, what would happen if Stella was caught.
XXXXXXXX
Stella waits until the front door closed before rushing for the window and peeking outside. "Mac..." she whispers in horror as she watches him, cuffed and now gagged in the grasp of the two men; struggling to free himself of their hold. She lets out a small gasp as she watches them shove Mac into the trunk and the lid slammed shut; sealing him away from her.
"We have to help him," she tells Prince in a panic. "Do you have a car?"
"Motorcycle," Prince frowns, as he has now left the hiding spot and joined her in the living room.
"We have to hurry," she says, taking his arm and dragging him out the back door. Jacob clutches his bag and rushes ahead of Stella, leading her to the small motorcycle. They climb on aboard and are out onto the street in no time. There was only one road into his place but she feared that when they got onto the main roads they would lose them.
"Hold on Mac..." Stella whispers as she hangs onto Jacob Prince, her heart now racing.
Prince's motorcycle reaches the main highway and just as Stella feared she didn't know which car was Flack's; his speed working against her. She instructs Prince to pull over and quickly pulls out her phone. She wasn't sure if her other self would still be there but asks for Sheldon.
"Man you just left, what is it?" Sheldon huffs in annoyance.
"Taylor owes me and I need to know where the hell he is!" She snaps; trying to sound like her other self would, cringing inside at talking so harsh about the man she knows she loves; the man who needs her now more than ever. "I need a trace on his blackberry."
"Thought this was coming...hold on." Sheldon dials Mac's blackberry; which of course Mac is unable to answer, but since it did connect and was live, Sheldon was able to trace where Mac was heading.
"Exit 56 heading for the pier. Dock 39 and...hey isn't that..."
"Thanks," she rushes, cutting him off. "I think I know where he's going. We have to hurry," she tells Prince. After giving him directions they are once again on the road and in pursuit of Mac. Hold on Mac, I pray I find you in time.
XXXXXXXX
Mac continues to try in vain to get himself free, but with the trunk space being too small, he is unable to bring his cuffed wrists up over his feet to at least have them in front. He grunts into the gag and slumps back in defeat. Mac hears his phone ringing and knows it is probably Stella wondering where he is going. He hopes she'll be able to track his movements but wasn't sure anyone at the lab would be able to help; especially If her other self was there. He tries to kick the trunk open but is unable; offering only a muffled curse as he once again slumps back down in angry defeat. She'll find a way, his mind reminds him. She'll never let you down; she hasn't yet.
After about fifteen minutes, the car finally comes to a complete stop and Flack gets out and heads to the trunk; pulling it open with a sneer. "Time to go big man," Flack mocks as he directs his two men to bring Mac. Mac feels the four hands roughly haul him out of the trunk and once outside, looks around in a panic.
"There is no around that's going to help you," Flack snides. "Just like always...no one wants to help you Taylor," Flack states angrily, his face inches from Mac's. "GET THAT THROUGH YOUR THICK HEAD!"
Mac only glares at him in defiant anger. I'll not show myself weak to his twisted version of a friend.
"I am sick and tired of you quietly trying to undermine me!" Flack shouts in anger once more.
Mac tries to kick at Flack, mostly just to buy time for Stella to arrive and help. Sadly he only receives another hard punch to the gut and falls to his knees, breathing hard into the tight gag.
"Bring him," Flack directs his men.
XXXXXXXX
Stella arrives just in time to see Mac being dragged away from the car and toward a warehouse. She makes Prince stop the bike as she jumps off. "Please, I don't want to cuff you or anything, but I do need you to just wait..."
"I can meet you..."
"Please, just wait?" Stella lightly begs. "We really need your help. Mac he believes in you, he knows you're innocent. Please wait while I help him? We can't just leave him here alone and unable to defend himself against them."
"What can we do against them?" Prince questions.
"Trust me, we'll find a way to get Mac. Please?"
Prince looks at her face and knows he can't say no; so he simply nods yes and watches her turn and head for Mac. He gets off the bike and pushes it into the shadows so he won't be seen and then hides himself until needed. In truth he did want to help; Mac Taylor had gone out of his way to believe him...he couldn't just abandon them now.
XXXXXXXX
Mac watches as he is dragged into the abandoned warehouse and feels his heart starting to beat faster as he wonders what was in store; what he'd have to endure. Will he really kill me? He wonders; that question thankfully answered a few seconds later.
"Now as much as I'd like to kill you, I know I can't without my ass coming under attack," Flack states, almost in regret, making them stop and turning to face Mac with an angry frown. "But you are starting to become a cause of real irritation to my business."
Mac tries to utter a plea through his gagged lips but Flack only offers a sideways smile.
"Beg all you want Taylor. I ain't listening," Flack says pulling out his gun.
Mac eyes the gun in panic as he tries to pull himself out of the arms of the two men. What the hell?
"Yeah nice try marine," Flack mocks as he holds up his gun.
Stella finally reaches the building and looks inside from a small window and offers a quick prayer as she see Mac struggling in the grasp and Flack's gun raised. Flack fires off a shot but only purposely grazes Mac's upper arm; forcing Stella to close her eyes in horror and stifle a scream as Mac yells into the gag.
"That was a small warning," Flack growls. "Piss me off further...piss of any of my partners, lock them away...arrest them...and this," he warns, waving his gun in Mac's face. "Will do a lot more damage. UNDERSTAND!"
Mac glares at him in anger, his arm burning and his heart racing. Sadly he can do is only nod his head in silent agreement and pray this will end soon.
"Take him to the hole."
Stella watches in silent misery as Mac is dragged to another part of the warehouse, away from her view. She hears another shot and stifles another cry; her eyes automatically watering as the two men come back alone, no Mac in their grasp.
Mac no! She whispers in torment, shaking her head, refusing to believe he is now dead. He can't be...he can't be dead! MAC!
"Let's go," Flack directs. "We'll be back tomorrow. Let him stew for the night. Stan, stay behind just in case someone comes snooping."
Stella ducks back into the dark shadows, her heart racing and her mind in a panic over Mac's supposed either death or injury. She hears the three men approach the entrance and then walk past her; keeping herself hidden until they are gone. However, she didn't see the one that stayed behind to guard Mac.
XXXXXXXX
Mac, however, could only struggle uselessly as the men dragged him into another small room. He gazed upon a trap door in the floor and then started to struggle as the lock was shot off by one of Flack's men. He watched in horror as the door was pulled open and then he was pushed inside; then the heavy door closed over him, sealing him in the dark dungeon below.
Mac lands on his side in a few inches of dirty water and curses angrily. He was still cuffed and gagged and wondered how he would get out if Stella wasn't on the way; at least he assumes she was on the way. As there was no light he could do little more than push himself to his knees and pray for her to arrive quickly, not knowing what else was in the dark dungeon around him.
Stella watches Flack's unmarked cruiser finally pull away and disappear altogether before pushing herself up to her feet and running for the warehouse.
"Mac!" Stella calls out as she races for the small room she thought he was taken. She quickly looks around, doesn't see him and turns to leave. But as she does she notices the trap door in the floor, in the corner and races for it.
"Mac! If you can hear me I'm coming."
Mac hears Stella's voice and offers a huge sigh of relief. She was coming...she found him.
Stella strains to pull the door open and offers a small gasp as she feels the pain in her side from the fall into the trap only hours earlier, reminding her that she wouldn't be able to do it alone. "Mac, hold on...I need some help!"
Stella rushes for the entrance and yells for Prince to come and help. Jacob leaves his hiding spot and races for the woman calling his name. With Prince's help Stella struggles to pull the heavy door open, gazing down at her beloved partner in panic.
"Mac," she gasps in horror as he looks up at her, still on his knees in the dirty water.
"How do we get him up? His hands are behind his back?" Prince wonders.
Stella looks around and knows he is right. "Have any goodies in that bag of yours?"
"Like what?"
"A small screwdriver or something similar? Like for a computer?"
"I do. Be right back," he says, rushing away.
Stella looks down at Mac in anguish. "I saw the shot in your arm...just hold on. I'm sorry," she laments with soft words. "Mac, I'm so sorry. You know our Flack wouldn't do that right?"
Mac looks up at her with a defeated expression before slowly nodding his head yes.
"I know you are hurting right now but I will get you out of there...just hol..." she starts as she hears another noise and looks up in fear.
"Jacob?" She asks slowly, in a low tone.
Mac hears the fear in Stella's voice and curses his bonds.
"I uh...Mac I'll be..." she starts.
Mac tries to mumble into the gag but she was already gone. So pushing past the pain in his shot arm and not caring if he'd get wetter and dirtier he lowers himself back onto his side and tries to get his cuffed wrists over his feet. He yells into the gag as his shot arm rips open even further. But he can't do it and so slumps back in angry defeat, until he hears Stella rushing back.
But just as her footsteps near the opening, Mac hears her scream and then watches as one of Flack's men drags her back to the opening, holding her struggling body in his strong grasp as he looks down at Mac with an evil smile.
"I guess I won't be alone tonight!"
Mac yells into the gag but Stan just laughs.
"Thought she'd come to your rescue?" Stan taunts. "Maybe she can..." he starts once more just as Prince hits the Detective on the head with something hard, causing him to fall at Stella's side. "Thanks!" She breathes, looking at the timid scientist with a grateful expression.
"Hold on Mac," she tells him. "I'm coming down with a rope. Jacob hurry."
Jacob ties one end to a metal post and Stella takes the other and the small screw driver and slowly climbs down to help free Mac.
"I've got you," she says warmly, as she helps him up to his feet. She gently unties the gag and lets him breathe on his own before using the small instrument to help get the cuffs off, before wrapping her arms around him and hugging him close. "Mac, I thought I lost you for good this time," she whispers in sorrow, planting a warm kiss on his now dry cheek.
"Never let go," he whispers, holding her close.
"Never," she affirms. "But how do you manage to do these things to yourself?" She asks in worry.
"Just lucky, I guess," he retorts with a wince. "At least I have you to take care of me."
"I always will," she smiles. "How are you?" She asks in concern.
"Sore, but we need to get out of here," he mentions. He heads for the rope, once again pushing aside his pain for her sake. Stella gently touches his uninjured arm, made him stop. "Mac...are you okay?"
"Nothing a hot shower and week of sleeping won't fix," he grimaces as he looks at his arm "It was just a graze," he says looking back at her. "We really need that first aid kit."
Stella waits while Mac climbs up and then it was her turn. Mac offers his strong uninjured arm and pulls her out, once again into his waiting embrace, holding her close for a few seconds before letting her go and looking at Prince with a sheepish smile.
"Thank you," Mac praises. "You helped save my life."
"You always believed I was innocent," Prince confesses. "It was the least I could do."
"We have to get out of here," Mac says quickly. "We need to get to those tanks and get home. If Flack comes back and we are gone, there will be hell to pay and this city won't be safe; for any of us."
"My bike won't take all of us," Prince frowns. Stella quickly calls for a cab as they walk back to his bike; Prince get the bag with the laptop and first aid kit and then head for the road. Stella looks at Mac's arm and then up at his face; knowing he is putting on a brave face but inside is still hurting from the short and his run-in with Flack.
"Mac, why so quiet?"
"Nothing."
"You know Flack would never treat you like that. You know that right?"
"I know," Mac replies in misery. "I just..." he says looking at Prince. "So how does it work? What is this world?"
"It's another reality. I always wanted to know what would happen if I was to bend certain folds of the..." he starts and then stops, looking at their amused expressions. "You'd never believe me if I told you."
"Well then how come certain parts of us are the same...well we are so different?" Stella asks in wonder.
"I don't know...this science is just brand new...cutting edge. I don't have all the answers, I am..."
"What about the other you in our reality?" Mac queries. "Are you the same as him?"
"Well I am the creator of this so there is no other me. I made sure certain things would stay the same. Like the world situation and most things around me. I can't bend everything, only certain events."
"I never played hockey, much less coached it," Mac informs him.
"And I don't know where I got my...well...lifestyle from," Stella huffs. "But this woman isn't me!"
"There are so many theories...like certain parts of you inside make up a different person in a different reality. How you react in your world your counterpart might do something different."
"Yeah different all right," Stella retorts as the cab finally arrives.
"I was a Marine...I have never been..."
"I'm sorry....you guys are searching for rational explanations, I don't have them," Prince explains as he gets into the front seat and lets Mac and Stella take the back. "Its science and its brand new. I don't know..."
"Well we want to go home. I don't care the reasoning behind it," Mac states firmly. "Can you make that happen?"
"I'm going to try," he assures. "Do you remember anything specific from the time you came through?"
"Yeah each tank was hit once by a single gunshot," Mac sighs.
"By Gavin," Stella adds. "Does that matter?"
"On the pressure settings. Could explain why you didn't go further or..."
"The dials were tampered with," Mac also adds.
Prince pulls out his small tablet-like laptop and starts to work, leaving Mac and Stella to talk to each other; Stella helping to patch Mac up.
Stella takes the first aid kit in her hands and then looks at Mac's face in loving concern. "Your head is bleeding again," she notes softly as she takes out a small cloth with some disinfectant and starts to clean, making him lightly wince. "Sorry," she frowns.
Mac takes her hands and holds them in his. "Thank you for caring," he half whispers.
"I do care, a lot more than just a friend," she smiles, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. "I hope you believe me."
"I'm starting to."
She finishes cleaning the wound on his head and then helps him take off his jacket. "Mac, that looks bad. We need to get you to a..."
"Stella, I'm not going to a hospital. Please just do what you can," he reminds her. "No more detours, or stops, or distractions, we need to get home."
"But you need..."
"A nurse? Want to play...oh never mind," he quickly stops, realizing he was heading for deep water once again; his face turning an automatic shade of red. She did that to him, made his mind think naughty thoughts no matter how bleak their situation.
"You want me to play nurse?" She teases.
"I uh..." he stammers nervously.
"Okay get a room back there you two," the cab driver moans, making them both exchanged less than amused expressions. Mac rolls up his dress shirt and allows Stella to clean the wound, choking back the pain from the cool disinfectant as it meets the chewed up skin and allowing her to bandage it up.
"Better than the doctor," he praises.
Stella quickly puts the rest of the kit away and then stuffs it back into Jacob's bag as Mac puts his uninjured arm around Stella and pulls her close, planting a warm kiss on the top of her head.
"I smell like the sewer," he moans.
Stella offers a small laugh as she leans on his shoulder, her nose and lips teasing his neck. "But right here you smell like you," she whispers, tickling his neck with her lips; making him smile. "And I like the smell of you."
The cab driver finally brings them to a stop outside the warehouse where Jacob's machines were waiting for them; hopefully to deliver them back to their own reality before anything further happened to them.
However, what they didn't see was their invisible assailant who was still tracking them. Gavin watched them get out of the cab and then stand before the gate to go in; discussing their next plan of action to getting back home.
He pulls out his gun and lines up Stella in his sights. "And then...there...were...two!"
BANG!
~TO BE CONTINUED~
A/N: and cue dramatic cliff-hanger music! Please leave a review if you liked this action filled chapter and stay tuned for a bit more!
PS: Also I have just uploaded chapter two to my new SMACKED AU story "Target Specific!" so check it out and enjoy!