Chapter 13: Make-ups

"When I hold you in my arms

I know that it's forever

I just have to let you know

I never want to let you go"

"How are you doing?" Sheldon approaches the table after putting on his lab coat and latex gloves.

"Fine," she hands him the evidence bags containing the victim's clothes. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I was just wondering. You haven't quite been the same since… you know."

"I lost the baby almost two months ago, Hawkes."

"I'm aware of that. I was just saying that you don't seem… as bright and happy."

Stella glances up at him. "It takes time."

"It wasn't your fault. He shot you and it caught you just right to make it hard to carry a baby."

"Mac's told me that plenty of times."

"How are things going with him?"

"Sheldon, you know that's really none of your business."

"I'm just making sure you're doing okay."

She shakes her head, "Sometimes I don't know whether to shoot you guys or hug you. It's nice to know you all care, but I'm sick of it now."

"Sorry, it's just… habit," he grins.

Rolling her eyes, she smiles back. "Mac and I are… good I guess. We took about ten steps back. I think he's afraid that I'll fall apart if he touches me."

"He's just worried, much more than rest of us."

"We were so happy together, and I really liked that. And now… we're engaged, but I just don't feel it anymore. I love him, and I know he loves me; it's just different somehow."

"Tell him, Stel. Let him know how you feel," Hawkes encourages.

She nods, "You're right."

"Aren't I always?"

Here

"I want to talk to you, Mac," Stella enters his office timidly.

"Go ahead," he motions for her to sit.

"Things aren't the same as they were."

"How so?"

"You seem to think I'm going to break into a millions pieces at any moment. I'm not that fragile. I appreciate that you kept your space and understood after it happened; it helped me a lot. But I'm past it now, and you still stay away."

Mac takes a deep breath. "The truth is I am scared that you will come undone if I do anything. And I can't lose you, Stel; you're my world."

"I can handle a relationship, especially with someone as caring as you. We just can't go right back to where we were before I got pregnant. For one of the few times in my life, I was truly happy. I want that feeling back," she confides in him.

He stands and moves to sit beside her, gently taking her hand. "This a little better?"

Nodding, she leans her head against his shoulder. "I love you."

"I know. You haven't taken your ring off."

"I do when I shower. And when Danny made me search the dumpster last week."

"Didn't want the rats to know you're taken?" he teases, kissing the top of her head. "I love you."

Suddenly she gets up, tugging on his arm. "Come on."

"Where?"

"You'll see," she flashes him a mischievous smile.

Reluctantly he follows her, not liking his lack of knowledge of where she was taking him. They climb a few flights of stairs, and she pushes open a door. "Why are we up here?" he follows her to the edge of the roof as they watch over their city.

"It's our spot."

"Our spot."

She hits him in the chest for forgetting, "Where we first kissed."

"You were distracting me from our surroundings," he explains.

"Shut up," she hits him again, then wraps her arms around his neck.

He puts his arms around her waist, lips softly pressing against hers. When they pull apart, he asks, "Better than the first?"

She smiles, "Pretty close."

"Stella, I'm really sorry for this. I didn't realize I was actually hurting you."

A/N: Hi... I got bored and decided to update again. Only two more chapters left, guys. I'm thinking I'll post the next chapter Saturday evening or Sunday and the last one of Tuesday. It's snowing... I hope we have a snow day. Probably not, but if it does this all night we might. I probably won't be driving again tomorrow... sad... And my mom probably won't come pick me up because she has to help at my brother's social after school and won't want to go up there twice. NY... pretty good... if they would have ended it with Mac and Stella on the phone. Or even with Adam and Stella talking. I don't like the new lady... don't really have a reason other than she and Mac are dating now. I knew there was only going to be one Stella... I was hoping for a Mac/Stella scene after the phone conversation but I kind of knew there wouldn't be... they can't have three couples between the main characters at one time. Although... well, I see why Danny and Lindsay can date and Flack and Angel but I'd think there'd be something where Mac and this new lady cant' date since she's his boss. And even Stella and Mac can't date since he's her boss. Anyway... I probably need to go shower and do my English homework. Maybe I'll put my pajamas on inside out and backwards so we can get a snow day. Please review some more.