Chapter Title: The Well Being of All

Author: Merrianna

Story: Christmas Sorrows: 03 of 03

Series: SpeedBurn: 03

xxx

The crisp morning glow streamed in through curtains lighting on the spot where Mac lay under the covers. Red bleary eyes blinked open, only to be squeezed shut under the glare of the overcast sky which continued to snow lightly outside.

The dark haired man groaned as the pain roared in his head, in combination with sensitivity to light was noise, which could be heard just outside the apartment walls, the slamming of doors, the stomping of boots, the cries or laughter of children and the occasional rumble of a vehicle passing by. Turning over the detective swallowed convulsively trying to stave off the urge to throw up while re-hydrating his dry mouth. It was a dead giveaway that he was sporting a massive hangover.

Mac shivered as a cool draft seeped through a gap that had been created with his shifting the chill on his bare body had him cautiously opening red rimmed blue eyes once more. At his first inspection, he saw pretty purple flowers of the comforter which was partly covering him; quickly he noticed the fact that his boxers and pants were twisted around his lower legs and adding to his confusion a sticky sensation on his left hand and around his groin, followed by the unmistakable smell of stale sex.

"Okay, Taylor. What did you do?" Pressing his right hand to his temple, Mac struggled to think back to the last thing he could remember. The sight and sound of Stella laughing over some ridiculous movie, the sparkling Christmas tree's outside his partner's apartment window. He could also recall telling the curly haired woman about his and Claire's reason for moving to New York City. Through the liquored fuzz Mac could only recollect a few other images but nothing that could have left him in the state he was now in. He knew the alcoholic amnesia was due to the mixing of beer, wine and whiskey on a half empty stomach, even with Stella urging him to eat more, and going without sleep for weeks at a time.

The niggling sense, combined with what evidence he'd gathered Mac could surmise that he'd done something for which wasn't just embarrassing but would have long term consequences. Levering himself up, Mac carefully surveyed the area. His blue eyes adjusted to the only light coming from the windows he could barely make out his partner on the sofa across from the bed. Her curly hair was the only part of her that he could see with the large colorful afghan draped over her.

Sighing in relief, Mac was happy to know that part of his memory appeared to be incorrect. It was obvious that Stella had spent the remainder of the night on the couch, and not as his hung over mind perceived, that he might have had a wild bout of sex with his partner though calling her by his late wife's name. It had all been an alcohol induced dream that he'd physically played out.

Mac moved to climb out of the warmth of the covers his head throbbed from the shifting movement. He stifled a groan the small sound still reverberated ten times louder than it should have. Bare feet planted firmly on the cool wooden floor, Mac leaned forward in an effort to control the pain. Slowly, he took in his immediate surroundings in an attempt to find the rest of his clothes.

In the dim lighting he spotted his t-shirt hanging haphazardly from the arm of a chair opposite the bed. Awkwardly Mac stood pulling up underwear and trousers; he cautiously made his way towards the shirt. His movements were clumsy and uncoordinated; he more than once stubbed his toe. Mac stifled more than one curse by the time he reached the offending garment. He leaned on the back of the high back chair. His gaze fell once more on his sleeping partner and was relieved to see that he hadn't woken her with his stumbling about.

'Right, now you just need to make it to the bathroom there is no way that you'd make it to the precinct showers, in your present condition.' Mac would have preferred to have escaped Stella's apartment without chancing wake her. He was already extremely embarrassed and he knew that it would be less if they were to meet back at work and not in her home.

Mac taking a firmer hold of his pants and sling the black t-shirt over his shoulder so as to keep on hand free if needed. The fore thought was handy as the dark haired man staggered towards the bathroom. Not knowing, Stella's home as well as his own Mac stumbled and ran into a few more piece of tripped over and almost landed him into Stella's sleeping form on the couch. Mac caught the back and arm of the sturdy sofa. He cursed as his grip on his trousers loosed and they slide down. Making sure his balance was secure, Mac bent down and retrieved the fallen item and carefully arranged it back into place, all the while never taking his gaze off the woman who slept soundly on. Stella groaned and shifted settling back into sleep.

Mac let out a slow breathe that he'd been holding. He stepped away and as soundlessly as possible made it to the bathroom. Once there Mac quietly shut the door with a soft metallic click of the door. He just stood leaning, head thrown back and eyes closed against the door, reaching over he turned on the light.

Cautiously he opened blue eyes, straightening he tossed his t-shirt in the sink, and then removed his boxers and pants. Uncomfortably, Mac stood naked in his partner's bathroom examining his clothes and was relieved to note that only his underwear would need to be cleaned.

xxx

Stella awoke to the sound of a running shower; an inadvertent image of Mac Taylor with steamy water sliding down his nude body came into her mind. She growled angrily at herself that even with what had happened the night before she couldn't keep thoughts like those out of her head.

Grumbling to herself, Stella pulled the afghan about herself and stood. 'No use pretending to be asleep when he comes out.' Besides she was better off knowing sooner rather than later if Mac remembered anything from the other night, but she certainly wasn't going to be the one to bring it up.

Stella shuffled into the kitchen turning on the light she made her way over to the coffee maker. After putting enough coffee grounds for two in and water the brunette woman set the coffee to perk. She began making breakfast on autopilot while she waited for her partner.

Moving gracefully, Stella unconsciously went through the motion of making breakfast, boiling the water for oatmeal, putting bread into the toaster, retrieving butter, sugar and raisins for the toast and hot cereal. The shower being turned off brought Stella out of her fogged like state, she blinked just realizing what she'd done, "Nice going Stella you just made the man's favorite breakfast. Who are you trying to impress?" It was too late to toss it out, it smelt delicious and there wasn't any good reason to throw out perfectly good food. The brunette sighed finishing up buttering the toast, 'It's no big deal. I am sure Mac will just take it as another sign that I'm trying to comfort him.'

As the minutes passed and her partner had yet to materialize from the bathroom, Stella began to get nervous and impatient. She strode over to the door and hesitated only a second before knocking. "Are you alive in there Mac?"

"Yeah, Stella. I'll be right out."

"The reason I ask is that breakfast is ready." Stella stood arms crossed, close to the door so she didn't have to yell.

"Stella you didn't have too." Mac's muffled reply.

"Too late hurry up or it'll get cold." Stella said walking away.

The brunette was determined not to appear as if anything untoward had happened. She got her coffee and fixed her own breakfast the way she liked it and began eating waiting for Mac to appear.

Mac sighed as he bagged the wet boxers. He was thankful that he hadn't made a mess of his pants. Going commando wasn't something he preferred but what choice did he have, there was no way to get his underwear dry before going out to the patiently waiting Stella. What was one more embarrassment? Stella had at least been asleep when he'd stumbled into her bathroom so he'd at least been saved from that humiliation. Looking up into the mirror, Mac grimaced at the man stared back; he was hollowed eyed with hair a messy mass of curls and a couple days growth of beard. He couldn't recall ever looking so bad not even when he was a rebellious teenager. Disgusted, Mac left the safety of the bathroom.

At that point he could smell the scent of oatmeal and coffee. He smiled sadly over Stella care of him, keeping him company on one of worst days after losing his wife. Straightening, he pushed away the hurt and anger he wouldn't think of it. He would try for his partner to have a normal day.

xxx

"I called Johansen, told her that you'd be late getting into work." Stella said as she took the dishes away.

"I believe I remember you saying, 'I promise that you'll be able to make it in tomorrow without too much of a headache.'" Mac teased as he tied his shoes.

"Yeah well best intention and all that." Stella replied, having returned to the room. She stood with one hand braced against the wall watching the dark haired man.

Mac looked up into her wary green eyes; he put their expression down to the brown hair woman worrying that he would blame her for his drunken binge. "Look, Stella my getting drunk wasn't your fault. I promise that I don't blame you."

Stella smiled shaking her head curls bouncing at the man who didn't remember any of what happened the night before. She didn't know where to be sad or happy. It was way too early for the Chicagoan to move on especially given the deep devotion they'd had for each other. Stella really didn't know if he would ever be ready. "Thanks. I'm sure it was a one of type of thing."

"You know me to well. Yeah that won't happen again." Mac stood taking the few steps to stand in front of the pretty Greek woman. "Stella, I want to thank you for everything you did last night. I don't really know how I would have gotten through it."

He wrapped his arms around in a tight but brief hug. Stella relaxed and let the brief contact comfort pushing the pain of knowing that they were back to being friends and partners. Not that he knew that they had been more for a brief span of time. "It's not that big a deal. It's what partners do."

"Maybe, but I'm glad it was you." Mac stepped away, giving her arm a brief friend squeeze.

Mac's cell phone sounded in the quiet. He answer quickly and Stella moved away needing the space to get her emotions back under control.

"I'll be there in twenty, Johansen." Mac sighed, his blue bleak. "Even Christmas doesn't slow down the criminal element."

"Some people would call that job security." The green eyed woman joked. She handed Mac his jacket.

"It's a sad commentary on life when our job security is the intentional death of a loved one." He's voice was rough with bent up anger.

Stella couldn't help herself she walked over and kissed Mac on the cheek. "Peace on Earth good will toward man. All that has to start with one person showing another that there is always a better way. Unfortunately there are those who were born without conscious and are just plain evil and those are the ones that we are here to make sure don't bring the rest down with them."

He nodded. "Thanks. I got to get going. Have a Merry Christmas Stella." He made for the door, he looked back and gave the brunette woman a genuine smile though it still didn't reach his eyes before walking out.

Stella had been surprise and glad to see the small display it gave her hope that he was finally starting to really heal. She now had to forget what had happened it wouldn't be any good to dwell on it. She would continue to look out for him but no more having him at her apartment. Their relationship would have to stay at the office for the foreseeable future.

Fin

Continued in Story 04: Ailing Hearts (when written)