Chapter Four. I really hope some enjoy reading this story. No idea how long it will be though. I probably found my passion: writing :D. Read and review please!

Chapter Four: No Way…

They had finished up almost completely now. Stella and Lindsay worked for over 5 hours straight. With all the blood, everything could be evidence. So they bagged … everything. Both very relieved they were done, they put off their gloves and were ready to go.

In the car the girls talked about a lot of things, but both avoided the topic 'men'. Stella knew Lindsay has a crush on Danny and he definitely likes her too and she wanted to ask so many questions and maybe give her a hint or two. But she knew Lindsay would ask questions too, about her and Mac and that was the last thing she wanted right now. Her feelings for him were getting stronger every day but still she doesn't have the guts to tell him so she maybe loses his friendship. So she didn't ask Lindsay. Funnily, Lindsay thought the same things and so she also didn't say anything concerning 'men'. They talked about shopping, going out, hobbies, the past and so on.

At the lab, Hawkes en Danny helped them getting all the evidence out of the car and in the lab. Both men didn't have anything better to do so they also helped processing it. Danny and Lindsay were processing all the blood the women collected at the scene, Hawkes and Stella the clothes of the girl and some other evidence, when Flack came in. He didn't say anything at first what made 8 eyes staring at him.

Then he said, trying to hide his worried face: 'Wow, all on the same case, that has been a while ago. Anyway, have any of you seen Mac?'

'Only this morning, he found the kid and took him to the hospital to be looked at', Stella said. 'Why?'

'Oh, you see, he called me about 3 or even 4 hours ago from the hospital. He said he would come to the lab again with the kid, but haven't heard of him since.'

'Did you call him? Maybe he grabbed some food on the way in for the kid. You know Mac changes when he is around a kid.' Danny said while pushing his glasses closer to his eyes. Everybody knew he was talking about Sam, the kid of a case a while ago.

'Yeah I did, but he doesn't pick up his phone. He was planning to get food for the kid at the lab, so that's probably not it. Maybe you are right and there is an explanation. Just thought I let you know.' Flack said. The words from Danny didn't sound convincing enough for him though. Hawkes seemed to know that.

'You called the hospital? Maybe he is still there.' Sheldon said, knowing Flack already done that, but just wanted to make sure. Flack indeed, nodded.

'He'll be fine, he was a Marine after all. If he is in trouble, he will get out of it.' Said Lindsay, throwing her thoughts in the group too.

Everybody nodded in agreement. 'Well, I'll leave you all to your work then. I'm going home, my shift is over. You'll let me know if you hear anything from him.' Flack turned around and left. He left out a big sigh when nobody could hear him anymore. Mac, were are you, I'm not feeling good about this, he thought.

All four CSI's got back to your work, all with their own thoughts. Stella, Danny, Sheldon, Lindsay… all of them had a special and all a very different band with their boss. For Stella, Mac was her best friend and probably even more. Mac had given Danny the opportunity to let him see what he was worth: he had taken him in the team. Danny would never forget that but most of all, Mac was one of his closest friends and the man he trusted most. For Sheldon, Mac gave him the chance to get out of the morgue and into the field and give him his current best friends. He was the best boss someone can wish for. Lindsay was already fond of him from the first second she met him. A very good leader, he made sure she felt comfortable right away, never felt like she was the newbie. Mac is a very private man, but is always there to help you with whatever problem you have. Very strong, good at his job. The thought of him away made her shiver.

With every hour they heard nothing from Mac, they got more suspicious and worried. After 3 hours, Stella broke the silence.

'It doesn't feel right, why isn't he here yet or at least called someone? There must be a reason and I'm not sure if it is a good reason.' Everyone felt the tension of her words.

'I call Flack, maybe he heard something in the time between.' Danny said, taking off his lab coat and getting his phone out of his pocket. Then he saw he had a message: a new voicemail message. He dialed his voicemail and listened.

'Danny, it's Mac. Sorry for my late call. I took the kid to McDonalds and after that he was so exhausted, I took him home with me. I'll take some time off to look after him. You lead the case now and Stella will do the rest. Don't call me back okay, I have to figure this out. I'll call you. Bye'

Very strange. Why didn't he heard his phone? Why would Mac call him, while he has nothing to do with the case, at least as far as he knows. What does he have to figure out? What in the hell was going on?

Danny thought all of this only seconds after he ended the call. Something wasn't right.

'That was a voicemail from Mac. He said he took the kid home with him and want some time off to figure things out or something like that. He doesn't want to be called back and said that really sincere. I'll lead the case and Stella the other things.' The young detective told the others who were watching him carefully.

'That's odd. Did he sound differently to you?' His almost girlfriend asked him.

'No, I don't think so, only the content of the message was weird and so.. sudden. Something bothering him lately that you know?' He answered. All shook their heads.

'Do you believe him? Should we follow his orders and see what will become of it?' Stella said, who was just as surprised and confused as all the others.

'Well, yeah, I think so. If we don't, you all know what he is capable of. I'll call him tomorrow and if he doesn't respond then… I'll go by and see what's going on.' Danny said.

'Alright then, let's just go home then. We all had a rough, long day and we all need some sleep. Let's just think the best of it guys.' The dark CSI said who kept quiet till now. 'Danny, you call Flack?'

'Yeah sure.. you can all go home, I'll go too. See ya tomorrow.' Danny walked out of the room towards the elevator, leaving everybody behind.

On his way home, a creepy feeling was getting over him. Was it really Mac he heard on the phone? Did he really sound like there was nothing going on, just like he convinced his colleagues minutes ago? Something of this whole situation was smelling really nasty. Tomorrow he will find out. Tomorrow… But first… sleep.