Chapter 9: Tears

"When you look me in the eyes

And tell me that you love me

Everything's alright

When you're right here by my side"

Stella turns on the shower, the water on freezing. She undresses slowly, then slips under the icy water. The tears pour out as she sits under its path.

Would Mac still want her if she couldn't have kids? Would any man for that matter want her?

She cries until there aren't any tears left in her. Slowly she turns the water off and dries off. Then she quickly puts on some pajamas before flopping down on the bed. Within minutes, she is sleeping.

Meanwhile, Mac sits in his car, parked outside her building. He feels that he should be there for her but is afraid she'll tear him apart; she had told him to leave her alone after all. Deciding that her being furious at him is better than her being sad, he opens his door and heads inside.

Outside her door, he chooses to use the key she gave him instead of knocking. He could just slip in and check on her, possibly without her knowing, then leave if she was okay.

The lights are all off when he opens the door. Blocking out the thought that she probably isn't here and he should go, Mac walks quietly inside. The bedroom seems like the most likely place for her to be so he begins there.

Unable to see anything, he turns on a lamp, relieved to find her in the bed. She is sound asleep, not even stirring when he touches her cheek. Even though he knew she was safe, he can't bring himself to leave her. Silently he slips his shoes off, then his jacket, and climbs slowly in beside her. Carefully he wraps his arm around her waist, and he is able to feel her tense. She turns in his arms and buries her face in his chest.

"Everything will be fine, Stel. Just go back to sleep," he whispers, rubbing her back.

Her body soon stops shaking with sobs and remains motionless as she settles down, falling back into the deep sleep.

Mac kisses the top of her head. "I love you."

Here

Stella's eyes jolt open at the sound of her alarm going off. She reaches over to turn it off, yawning. As she rolls over to get out of bed, her eyes widen. "What are you doing here?"

Mac stretches, "I came to check on you last night."

"So what are you still doing here?"

"I didn't think you should be alone so I… stayed. You woke up when I laid down next to you."

"And did I… totally lose it and break down?" she asks, cheeks reddening slightly.

"Kind of. But I couldn't see your face at all; you had buried it in my shoulder."

"Oh."

He stands up and slides his shoes on. "I should let you get ready for work." She doesn't move. "I'm sorry I invaded your space; I know you don't allow men in your apartment."

"It's okay, Mac. You came as a friend to comfort me, no ulterior motive. And… thank you for helping."

"It's what we do," he smiles.

"Can we talk?"

"Now's not exactly the best time. We have to go to work."

"Lunch? I'll pay," she offers.

"It's a date."

"See you later."

"Bye, Stel."

A/N: Not the most exciting chapter... I think the next chapter's kind of boring too... they're just talking I think. Actually I think it's kind of boring for a few chapters... I don't remember... Anyway, I just finished another story. It's very sad though... So now I have two more ready for when this one is finally over. I had an idea for using three songs but now I can't remember what the third song was... I know what the first one was and the second but I can't remember the third. Maybe I was going to use that Rise song they sang last season... Who knows... I don't stand at the bus stop anymore... that was where I always came up with ideas, then by the end of the day I forgot them. Actually I'll never stand at the bus stop again... bussing got cut for the high school because of the levy. Well... I guess that's all. I'm going to go read... I finally finished the third Bones book and now I got the new CSI book. And my computer needs charged... I'll update maybe Tuesday or Wednesday. Please review.