Wow...so I'm sorry for the long wait for another update. I had choir rehearsals all of last week and this week's been really hectic, so I couldn't really write out anything...:( But, I promise to get back into the writing groove and hopefully update my other stories. For now, it's only this one...

Enjoy!

A few hours had passed since I had met my new partner Mac Taylor but it felt like + was avoiding him more than collaborating with him to get something accomplished. Throughout the day, I'd often find myself just staring at him, from far away distances and short, close-up shots, too. I just felt outright awkward around him, I mean, I just barely met the guy and all, but I felt that I had to put in some initiative; get to know him , on the other hand, was perfect. Right on the dot with everything. He asked the right questions, came to reasonable conclusions, worked well with his employees and there I am, trying to actually DO my job instead of staring at him all day. I felt like a high school low-life spying on the quarterback of the varsity football team. God, why'd he have to be so perfect?

I finally came to terms with my awkwardness today at the lab. It was weird, I'm never awkward. People know me as focused, independent, often stubborn at times, but never awkward. Distracted was another action added to my daily tasks as well. I knew when to draw the line. I don't know what happened along the way, but it was just a weird feeling. One time, I was looking into the microscope, comparing a plant sample to the one obtained at the scene when I looked up and saw Mac. He and Hawkes were discussing, quite casually, I must say. He had that quality, that soft, husky, romantic voice that any girl's heart would melt for.

Although he was smoking hot, I couldn't help but feel slightly disturbed at the way I thought about him.

Stella, stop thinking like this! He's your partner for heaven sake! I thought.

"What are you thinking about, Stel?" I heard.

It was Lindsay, I had forgotten she was in the lab with me. Oops.

"Oh..um...nothing! I was just zoning out...and.." I tried to explain.

"Oh, please. You never zone out," she argued. She turned towards the direction I was looking at and said,

"Who are we checking out, this time?"

"No one..." I said softly, trying to focus on my work.

"Oh, that cute lab tech over there? Sorry Stel, he's married." Lindsay said.

"Linds, I wasn't looking at anyone, OK?" I said trying to get her to stop talking.

I love Lindsay. But sometimes, she becomes the typical, trying-to-find-someone-to-hook-up-with-you girlfriend, if you know what I'm saying.

Oh, it's that kid! Oh...ew...he's too young..."she said while squinting her eyes.

I let her ramble on...eventually she'll stop.

"Oh, no..." she said, while coming to an abrupt stop.

"What?"

"Please don't tell me you're oogling over Hawkes, I mean it's just..." she started to say.

"Oh god, no! Of course not! I can never do that in the workplace! It's unprofessional!" I whispered loudly, trying to distract her from talking. I hope she wouldn't get to Mac.

"Oh, OK, so who are we looking at then...hmm...oh I know! The guy we got that transferred from Jersey to work in ballistics!" Lindsay said, with a huge smile of delight slapped on her face.

"Sure! He's pretty cute... " I said, with biting sarcasm.

Ha! She fell for it!

"OK, then...whatever you say goes." Lindsay said. "Why don't you take him out for a coffee?" Lindsay suggested.

"Evidence, Lindsay...must be analyzed...right now..." I said in a sing-song voice.

"Whatever, Stel, just promise me, you'll ask?"

I looked her straight in the eye and said, "I'll ask Mr. Ballistics dude from Jersey, I promise."

I felt bad about lying, but someday, I'll tell Lindsay the truth.

I remembered that I needed something from my locker, so I went down to the lockerroom to get it. It's quite a busy place, with people walking in and out, dumping their stuff, beeping in their combinations, tired workers just taking a breather and such. Eventually I got used to it and didn't mind whoever was behind me or entering.

I checked my purse and took out my wallet. It also got a little hot so I folded my sweater and stuck it inside neatly.

I wish I had paid attention sooner.

Well, I didn't hear footsteps, so I assumed I was alone.

Boy was I wrong.

As soon as I closed my locker, I turned right and bumped into Mac. Bumped, as in, total body contact. .'.

"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!" was all that could come out,

"It's OK," he said with that perfect smile.

You see, my natural reflex when I bump into someone is that I often place my hands on their chest. As of I'm stopping furthur, "contact" if I must say. It usually sends off as a joke and it's quick, but in this situation, well, I kind of kept my hands there for too long.

"Are you OK?" I asked while giggling subtlely.

He kept reassuring that he was fine, I kept apologizing, sooner or later at least a minute had past.

My hands still on his chest.

I realized it quite too late.

"Oh, god, I'm sorry..." I said abruptively, immediately taking my hands off his shirt while tucking my hair behind my ears.

Way to keep it awkward, Stella... I scoled myself in my head.

And he just stood there, perfect and handsome as always, just smiling and giggling.

"Anyways," he said while clearing his throat, "I was thinking, since we are going to be partners, why don't we get to know each other a little better, you know go out for a cup of coffee or something?"

"I was thinking the same thing as well, sure! I'd love, too!" I said with a smile on my face, "I'm going on my break in 15, I just gotta clean up something at the lab, so I can meet you in your office and we'll go together?"

"Sounds Perfect." he said.

I smiled. "OK," I replied.

I started to walk out when he tapped my shoulder.

I turned;

"Stella?" he said

"Yeah?" I replied, my head turned while my body faced forward,

"Exit's that way," he said.

"Right." I said with defeat. And humiliation. Boy, was that embaressing, I smiled at him as I turned and walked out the door.

Awkward encounter? I must say?