Title: Time's Up
Chapter 8 - Back to Reality?
After what seems like a small eternity has passed, Mac's painful reality starts to flood back, forcing his senses to fully awaken. He opens his eyes and looks around in the dark, smoky room. His body is sore; but aside from a bump on his head he oddly feels okay; certainly not like he felt before the machines exploded. He lies still for a few more seconds and allows his dizziness to pass for moving further. He forgets about his 'supposed' injuries; the only thought on his mind is to find his partner and ensure she is okay.
"Stel..." he manages weakly, as he coughs from the dry air, now constricting his throat. When he doesn't hear her return his call, his mind races with the thought that she has died during the ordeal, or worse, wasn't sent back with him.
"Stella!" He half shouts as he pushes himself up to his knees and quickly scans the room for her; his heart and mind in a panic. He knows he has no time to waste in getting her to the closest hospital, remembering her gunshot wound was life threatening and she's already lost a lot of blood.
"STELLA!" He shouts in a panic.
"Mac..." he hears her soft voice calling his name.
Mac eyes finally rest on a dark figure a few feet in the dimly lit area and he quickly hurries to her side. "I got you...don't die on me...please," he half begs.
"Mac I'm..." Stella starts with a slow voice, lightly coughing also from the heavy air weighing her down. Her body too, is sore from the impact from the fall to the floor and her head is slightly pounding but she doesn't feel the same way she did when she was last held in Mac's arms; when she was shot and thought she was a heart beat away from death's door.
Mac finally starts to realize that there are some lights as his eyes fully adjust and he looks for an exit door. "Can you make it?"
"Help me up," she gently asks.
Mac gathers her up into his arms and then slowly pushes himself upright and starts for the exit door; his heart racing at the thought that Stella could still die in his arms. Mac kicks the exit door open and emerges into the early New York night; Stella offering a slight groan as her body jolts in Mac's arms.
"Don't die'''" Mac whispers as he starts for the truck, his heart racing at top speed.
"I'm not going to die Mac, I just hit my head," Stella tells him.
"What?" Mac asks in shock.
"I promise, that's all," she manages with a weak smile.
"But you..." Mac starts; looking down at her with a frown. Prince's jacket was gone and there was no blood on her. "But I..." he says carefully setting her down and then looking at her stomach.
"If you wanted a closer look you could have just asked," she teases, making him look at her with a frown.
"You're not shot?"
"Mac, take off your jacket," she instructs. "And neither are you..." she notes, looking at his dress shirt with no gunshot in the arm from where Flack shot him.
"Are we..." Mac starts.
"Did we..." Stella starts at the same time.
After helping her up, Mac races back for the warehouse, with Stella in tow. He flips on the lights and stares at the room before him. The tanks were expended and there was no sign of Jacob Prince or Gavin Seven.
"Damn it both are gone!" Mac curses.
"Call Flack and see if he still has Prince."
"But we...are we back to our real time? Or did we ever leave?" Mac questions with an annoyed tone.
"Mac, look at the time," Stella instructs.
Mac looks at his watch and frowns before turning back to her with a shocked expression. It was only a few hours after they entered the warehouse before their whole ordeal began; two days earlier. The exact amount of time it would take for them to wake up after they had been knocked out by the blast; safe on the floor where they first landed. He looks at her in disbelief.
"Did I just imagine..."
"Mac, I remember being shot. Kinda odd for us both to have the exact same dream?"
"But you were...you nearly died in my arms," he manages.
"Can you blame me? If I were to die there is no other place I'd rather be," she smiles warmly and his face softens. She looks at the bump on his head and frowns. "Are you okay?"
"Yes...I think...do you remember, all the details?"
"Some of that was hard forget," she admits slowly.
"It was real right? I mean I didn't just dream up all that stuff with Flack?"
"Flack? What about Flack?" She teases.
"You forgot the showdown with Flack?" He queries in disbelief.
"It'll come back to me Mac."
"What about the other me? And what about your counterpart? What she was like? What about finding me in your other apartment? Do you remember any of that?"
"Some details are fuzzy," she lies, playing with his mind. "Remind me? What exactly happened?"
"Stella are you serious?"
"Mac, tell me. What did you want me to remember?" She ernestly begs.
"It was...you know never mind," he says with a firm smile. "It wasn't important."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. We need to find Gavin Seven."
"But he..."
"Stella, I swear he's behind this. He killed that female professor and framed Prince. We need..."
"Where are you going?"
"I think I know where he might be. The one place we didn't look before, his abandoned home," he tells her, referring to the place he and Stella had been trapped in only hours earlier. He hurries back for the truck with Stella getting in beside him. He looks at the building in wonder.
"What? The time travel stuff again?" She asked.
"When you said you'd never forget, what did you mean?" He wonders.
"That you and I were going to the little shop of horrors" she lightly teases.
"But..." he starts.
"Was there something else you wanted to remember?" She smiles knowingly. Come on Mac, tell me that you remembered what you said about us.
"I guess not," his dismal reply crushes her hopes inside. Is he still afraid?
"We are scientists remember?" Stella asks. "Let's go after the real evidence."
"Too rash for...yeah let's go," Mac states as he starts up the truck and heads for the one place he hopes Seven might be hiding out, calling Flack on the way. "Don, do you still have Jacob Prince in custody?"
"We were just about to book him, is Stella with you? I tried calling you two for the past two hours but..."
"She's here and we're fine. I have a lead on Gavin Seven, I think he's behind this."
"Seven? But he..."
"Trust me Don, Prince is innocent. Can you hold him for a bit longer but don't book him just yet?"
"Sure thing," Flack said as he hangs up. "Tell me where you are."
"Stella will text you the address. If we made it, then he did too...he was out but..." Mac's voice trails off.
"Mac?"
"Don, just meet us there."
"Where are we going Mac?" Stella asks when Mac hangs up.
"His abandoned house, the one place we didn't check earlier because we bought his lies."
"What house?"
Mac looks at her sideways and frowns.
"What?" Stella asks quickly.
"Well I end up with a bump on my head and you don't remember anything?"
"Okay so my brain is fuzzy and there were bits and pieces...I remember Sheldon with a fro and..." she tells him; only being able to last for so long. "I remember you coached girls Ballet..."
"That is not funny," Mac huffs, slowly shaking his head and offering only a sideways smile. "So there was this other you, do you remember her?"
"No, did she do ballet?" Stella questions with a fake smile.
"Uh no," Mac replies.
"Was she like me?" Stella goads.
"She was..." Mac starts and then stops. "You seriously don't remember her?"
"Was she special?"
"She was...different. So we're almost there," he says weakly, making her smile.
Stella looks at him in wonder, not sure if he just doesn't want to talk about the effect the other her had on his emotional state or if he'd rather forget everything he confessed in the warehouse. However, the longer her mind dwells on his encouter with her other self, the more a plan starts to formulate in hier brain. Her heart races in anticipation at seeing the look on his handsome face later when he realizes she did remember everything. Everything about her old self; what she did to Mac and what part he liked the most.
XXXXXXXX
They near Gavin's place and Mac turn off the lights.
"This place is even creepier than the last time we were here," Stella notes.
"Oh so you remember this?"
"Kinda hard to forget falling down that hole and thinking you were dead Mac. And then watching as you were attacked by those guys. Maybe I don't remember me, because it's, well me."
"Right."
"Do you remember you?"
"Yes and I wish I didn't."
"Don't worry about it Mac, I'm fine."
"Well maybe you should just wait here," Mac suggests.
"But..."
"Stella you and I just survived that explosion and..."
"Mac, I'm coming with you."
"He's probably not there."
"What if he's waiting for you?"
"Then you can say I told you so. Please Stella, just wait here and rest. You have been through a lot and you hit your head."
"So did you," she gently argues.
"Please? Just wait here. If he knows we are coming for him, chances are he won't even be here."
"Famous last words."
"Stella?"
"Mac, I'll give you five minutes. End of argument!"
Mac offers a heavy sigh but knows he won't win the argument and so quickly pushes himself out of the truck. He had noticed her slightly faltering behind him earlier but wasn't about to say something; knowing inside she'd just push through as she always did.
Stella watches him leave the truck and then waits exactly five minutes before getting out of the truck and going after him; knowing inside she isn't about to let him face Gavin alone. Especially if there is the possibility that Gavin is waiting for them.
Mac nears the first building, remembering how his leg went through the rotten stairs in the other world and decides to go around; not wanting to injure himself further or cause a commotion and perhaps ruin a surprise attack. But as he nears the side, Gavin surprises him from behind.
"Drop your gun Detective Taylor," Gavin demands, as he sticks his gun in Mac's back. "Slowly."
"You're under arrest."
"Took you long enough!" Gavin hisses in anger.
Mac goes to reach for his gun and tries to counter but Gavin sidesteps his attack and cocks the trigger as he pushes the gun into Mac's cheek, making Mac instantly stop.
"Yeah I learned a few things from that other world; like how to deal with you."
"I knew you survived," Mac states angrily.
"Well glad we are both geniuses! Hands up genius...move!" Gavin shouts angrily.
Mac slowly raises his arms but just as Gavin tries to get him to turn around Mac counters on his left foot and tries to punch at Gavin, but Gavin swings the gun at Mac's head and catches him in the fresh wound, forcing his body to falter to the side. But it's all the opportunity Gavin needs to get Mac, as pounces quickly and wraps an arm around Mac's neck; once again pushing the gun into his cheek.
"You're pissing me off Detective!"
"Yeah I feel real bad about that," Mac winces, his head wound stinging.
"Move!" Gavin demands in anger.
"Where are we going?"
"Landfill. Figured since you liked it so much there last time you can try it again," Gavin states harshly in Mac's ear. "And don't worry...I paid the contractors real well this time; better than last."
Stella watches as Gavin, who has captured Mac, starts to drag him toward the back of the house. She waits in the shadows before rushing toward them; not about to leave her partner at the mercy of a man who has already tried to kill them once and nearly succeeded.
"Think you'll like the feeling of being buried alive?" Gavin sneers.
"You won't get away with this," Mac states as he takes his time; struggling in Gavin's grasp, waiting to make his move. Having been here before, he knows the landscape and the small slope up ahead is just the diversion he needs.
"Don't you guys have any new lines to offer?" Gavin snaps.
"Do you like the color orange?"
"Whatever. It'll be a cold day in hell before I see the inside of a real prison cell."
"Hell is about to freeze over."
"Maybe for you. By the way, where's your little girlfriend?" Gavin queries.
"Right here," Stella growls, before she hits Gavin in the side of the head with her gun. "That's for making me fall down that hole!"
Gavin's body momentarily falters which allows Mac to free himself and turn on his heel, punching Gavin in the gut and grabbing his gun and pointing it at Gavin.
"Told you hell was about to freeze over. Gavin Seven you are under arrest."
"Told you so?"
"Right," Mac frowns and she just offers a small smile.
"How's your head?"
"Hard as always. Watch him," Mac tells Stella as he goes to cuff him. He hauls Gavin up just as Flack's police cruiser and two other NYPD marked cars pull up in the front of the run down dwelling. Flack gets out and rushes to them; veteran Detective John Sullivan in tow.
"You two okay?" Flack asks in concern.
"We are now," Mac admits, handing Gavin to Flack. "Arrest him."
"Got a bump on your head Mac, better get that checked out," Flack nods in concern.
Mac looks up at him with a smile.
"Okay that's weird, why are you smiling at me?" Flack asks quickly.
"It's just good to be back," Mac says looking at Stella.
"More than you know," she agrees, before looking back up at Flack.
"Back from where?" Flack wonders.
"The future," Mac quips and Flack just shakes his head.
"Right," Flack frowns as he looks at his men. "Well get this guy out of here and Sullivan, lets shut this place down."
"I'll take care of Prince," Mac mentions to Flack.
"I'll call Jess and tell her to get have him out of lockup by the time you get there."
"Thanks Don," Stella smiles.
"See you back at the fort," Flack calls out as he follows after Sullivan, Gavin in tow.
"So you can say it," Stella says as they walk back to the truck.
"Say what?" Mac wonders.
"I told you so...you can say it to me now. You were right...I didn't believe you about Prince, but..."
"It's not about that Stella. The evidence was..."
"Wrong?" She asks.
"Mis-read," he corrects. "Gavin was a smart guy, he just...I would never say I told you so," he interjects.
"Oh you so would," she teases him.
Flack listens to them and shakes his head. "Good to be back? From where? They never left," he frowns as he looks at Sullivan. "What was that all about?"
"Science geeks, why you askin' me?" Sullivan frowns. "I never know what they are sayin' half the time anyways."
XXXXXXXX
"How are you feeling?" Mac asks in concern as they got into the truck.
"My side hurts a bit but otherwise, I'm okay. I know you aren't going to a hospital to get your head looked at so I won't suggest it," she states softly; not wanting to cause an argument.
"I need to get to Prince first," Mac tells her in haste. "When he's out of the system then I'll rest."
"And speaking of rest, when did you sleep last?" Stella asks in concern.
"I don't," Mac starts and then stops; offering a large sigh. "I am not having this discussion."
"Any other discussions you'd like to have?" She asks him directly.
"Uh no...should I?" Mac replies with a slight frown.
The confession in the warehouse, she wants to remind him. However, once again if he was playing it safe with his emotions she had to respect that, for now.
"It's a sign of strength to show someone who cares about you your own failings or weaknesses," Stella mentions, gently touching his hand.
"Just haven't had to...just that...well no one has cared for a long time enough to ask," he confesses in a small tone.
"Maybe it's about time you let someone," she states, taking his hand and offering it a loving squeeze.
"You?"
"Yes me Mac."
Mac feels the warmth from their hands but offers nothing further in reply; just keeps his contented gaze fixed on the road ahead. They finally reach the police lockup and Mac head for Jacob Prince.
Jessica had just released Prince and was already working on booking Gavin Seven; Flack writing up his new report.
"Detective Taylor?" Prince manages in a weak tone. "Officer Angell said I was being let go."
"We found Seven," Mac informs him. "We know it was him that killed Professor Laiety and framed you. You are free to go."
"You never gave up on me...thanks," he smiles warmly, as he takes Mac's hand and shakes it firmly. "Thank you, both of you."
"Well you helped us also," Stella states warmly.
"But how did you know it was Seven?" Prince asks, forcing Mac's gaze back to him.
"You could say I got some inside help, from a man that...well that you would be very proud of," Mac smiles.
"Thanks," Prince mumbles as he turns to leave. "You know, never quite figured it..."
"What's that?" Mac queries.
"Hockey Coach...no idea where that angle came from. Tried to fix it each time but...oh well back to the drawing board. See you around, whenever," he winks as he turns to exit; leaving Mac and Stella staring after him with shocked expressions.
"But he..." Mac starts.
"We left him..." Stella starts.
Mac looks at her and lightly frowns while she just laughs. "I really need to sleep."
"That makes two of us," Stella adds.
Stella follows after him as they head into their own area of the building; taking the elevator to the floor with their lab on it. But when the doors open they were both hit with a sickening deja vu.
"What on earth?" Mac asks as he stares ahead in wonder.
"When did we redecorate?" Stella asks weakly. They looks at Sheldon who walks up to them with a fro and then at each other in horror.
"But we..." Mac starts in haste. "We are back right?"
"Mac..." Stella stammers.
"Why aren't you guys dressed?" Sheldon asks quickly. "The party is about to start."
"Party? In my lab?" Mac frowns.
"Yeah right, we'd be dead," Sheldon laughs. "We are taking these with us," Sheldon informs them. "See all on cardboard...going next door...remember? It's just window dressing, trust me it comes down in a few hours," Sheldon says as Danny and Lindsay walked up join them; looking like the happy couple they should be; arm in arm and both thankfully looking normal. "You guys got the invite, remember? Where have you two been?"
"I guess I've been busy," Mac huffs and Sheldon just shakes his head.
"Nice fro," Danny teases. "Does that come down in a few hours too?"
"Hope so," Sheldon frowns. "It itches like crazy."
"Why aren't you two dressed? You got the memo," Lindsay asks quickly. "Seventies, disco..."
"We uh...I can't stay," Mac tells them in haste as he spies Chris Jenkins walking toward them.
"Stella!" Chris calls out with a broad smile.
Mac looks at him with a heavy frown, trying to erase the memory of when he kissed Stella in the other reality. Oh why couldn't this have changed!
"Your loss," Sheldon shrugs as he turns and walks to join another group.
Mac watches as the three of them pick up a few more of the decorations and head for the elevator; finally seeing his lab start to emerge and realizes it isn't permanent. But Jenkins voice quickly brings him back to reality.
"Stella," Jenkins greets with a happy smile. "Glad you could make it! Where is your costume?" He asks in wonder.
"I uh...I'm not going with..." Stella starts with a frown as she watches Mac turn and walk away. "Mac?"
"Goodnight Stella, see you tomorrow," he calls out, his back to her.
"Oh well if he can't stay, you are, right Stella?" Jenkins questions.
Stella looks at Jenkins with a questioning glance. "Did we..."
"I sent you that email invitation, but you never answered so I thought I'd...no?" Jenkins questioned.
"I'm sorry Chris, I can't," she rushes.
XXXXXXXX
Mac, however, just wants to leave. His day hasn't improved, in fact he feels worse than he did before. He hurries for the back stairs and then pushes his way outside; wanting more than anything to call this day over. His head just needs some fresh air and his body some much needed rest; certain with all the excitement of the past few hours, he'd have no trouble sleeping tonight. She had said no earlier; that she wasn't dating Jenkins, but he figures she had just said it to make him feel better at that time. She had pressed him about the warehouse confession, now he knows he did the right thing in holding it back.
Stella reaches Mac's office and then races over to the window, just in time to see him get into a cab and finally taken from her view.
"Nice try Taylor," she glares down at the yellow car with a knowing smile. "You are not getting away from me that easily. Not a second time."
"Stella?" Jenkins calls out.
"I have a date Chris. Bye," she calls out, not turning around to face him. Stella heads for the stairs and hails a cab; giving it her address. On the way there, she makes one stop; buying something special for Mac, something she hopes he'll like. She pushes her way into her apartment and then hurries to dress; her heart now racing in anticipation and her mind wondering what facial expression he'll offer. She finishes dressing in her special outfit and then looks at herself in the mirror and smiles. "This is going to be fun."
Mac, however, reaches home in a sad frame of mind. He listens to the stillness that is offered him and sighs heavily. "I miss her already," he whispers to himself. He takes off his jacket and walks into the kitchen, gazing miserably at the picture of the two of them standing side by side at a company function and smiling.
"Like I ever thought any of that was real," he laments. "She must have remembered...and if she did and she just wants to forget it all...I guess that's a good excuse," he grumbles as he starts to unbutton his shirt; pouring himself a small drink.
"She's made her mind and I guess I should respect that," he sighs as he heads back into the living room and slumps down into his favourite chair. But as much as he tries to tell himself to just back off and give Stella her life, inside he is more than miserable at the thought that she is still not within his reach; so close and it just slipped through his fingers once again.
"I should have just asked her out earlier," he confesses to himself.
With another heavy sigh, he takes a second small sip from the drink and then knows it is time to get some rest. His head had thankfully stopped pounding but he knows needs a shower and then sleep. He unbuttons his dress shirt all way and puts his glass down on the table as he heads for his bedroom. But just as he reaches the doorway, he hears a soft knock at his front door.
"What on earth..." he mumbles softly as he hurries back to the door. He pulls it open and offers only a small gasp.
"What...Stella, what are you doing here?" Mac he finally manages.
Stella stood before him wearing a long dark trench coat and what he thought were black boots. But his mind had been playing tricks on him all day so he pushes that thought aside; I'm not that lucky, he laments inwardly.
"I came to see you," Stella smiles warmly.
Mac looks around with a frown. "Where's Jenkins?"
"Didn't know you were into threesome's," she teases.
"I uh..." Mac starts and then stops. "Funny. But seriously, if you came here to torment me about...I'm not going to the party. Just have fun with...whatever..."
"Mac, that was just a strange coincidence. I am not with Chris. I'm not dating him nor do I have any plans to date him," Stella confirms.
"Are you saying this to make me feel better?" He asks nervously.
"No, it's the truth," she tells him. "Did you mean what you confessed to me in the warehouse?"
"So you remembered all that?"
"All of it Mac, every last word. Was it the truth?"
"Yes," he sighs. "I held back earlier in the truck because I wasn't sure if that's what you really wanted or..."
"Do you really want that? Us? Us to take our friendship to the next level and not waste any more time when we both know we want to?"
"I really do want to try but..."
"But what?"
"Nervous I guess...and a little scared."
"I'm just as scared Mac. I guess we'll just have to do it together. And together I know we can make it work."
"Actually I think I like the sound of that."
"Good, so are you going to let me in?"
"Could never turn you away Stella."
"Excellent," she nods firmly. "Besides I have something for you," she winks.
"And that would be?" Mac wonders.
"These are for us."
Mac looks at the items in her hand and then back at her in surprise. "Stella?"
"Surprise Mac. I'm a geek too remember?" She smiles and he slightly blushes.
"But you didn't have to..." he starts, looking at the passes to the Science Expo.
"I know, I wanted to," she replies. "Now just try to relax..."
"I am not nervous."
"Oh you are so lying," she tells him. "But if you are too nervous, I can just g..." she says as she starts to pull away.
"Yeah right, like I could see you like this and just let you go," he counters as he gently but firmly hold her close. "I never want to let go."
"But you said you were nervous," she mentions softly.
"But not nervous enough to show you how much I appreciate this," he whispers, taking her hand and pulling her back into his arms. "Or how much I love and appreciate you."
"Really?" She arches a brow. "So you really love me then?"
"With all my heart."
THE END!
A/N: hope you all enjoyed this campy little adventure. Please a review in closing and thanks again...more SMACKED adventures on the way!