A/N: I don't own them or make money off of them. I'm just borrowing them, I promise to put them back. Thanks to Lisa for the help.

Stella groaned as she heard an insistent knock on her door. She had finally managed to make her way home after a long commute and all she wanted to do was sit in her favorite chair and enjoy a glass of wine. It had been a hectic day at work; apparently the low-life criminals in New York didn't care it was her birthday. She shouldn't complain though as it had been a good day. Each of the team, her family, had come up to her at some point to wish her happy birthday. Now she was content to just sit back and enjoy the evening, though it seemed the person at the door had other plans.

She sat still for a moment, hoping the person would go and leave her to be in peace. Just then the cell phone attached to her hip rang. She answered without looking at the caller ID.

"Bonasera."

"You going to answer your door? Or are you going to make me stand out here all night?"

Stella laughed, "You know Mac I did give you a key to my new apartment. Normal people use keys to unlock doors." And with that she hung up the phone, grinning to herself. She heard the telltale sound of the lock turning in the door before it opened to reveal a shy Mac Taylor holding a bouquet of flowers in his left hand. Stella stood up to greet him as he held the flowers out to her.

"Happy Birthday Stell."

"Mac they're gorgeous." She took the flowers from him, holding them up to her face as she inhaled the sweet fragrance. She set them down on the counter and turned back to pull Mac into a hug, her arms wrapping around his neck as his wrapped around her waist. It wasn't often she was lucky enough to experience a full-fledged Mac hug that wasn't born of some tragic incident. Stella was surprised at how right it felt in his embrace. Reluctantly, she pulled back, keeping her hand on his arm. "You know you didn't have to do that Mac, but I really do love them."

Mac shrugged. "I know I didn't have to, but I wanted to. It's your birthday and I wanted to do something nice for you. You're my partner Stell, it's what we do."

Stella's grin grew as he reiterated the words she had told him before.

"So have you eaten yet?"

"No, I was just going to order a pizza or something and relax, maybe watch some TV."

"I have a better idea. Let me take you out to dinner somewhere. Go get changed into something nice while I take care of the details."

Stella eyed Mac carefully. There was something different about him but she couldn't place what it was. Pulling herself out of her musings she walked into her bedroom to change.

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"So you're not going to tell me where we're going?" Stella asked as she watched the world go by out the window of the SUV. She glanced over to Mac, trying to get any hint of his plans.

"Patience is a virtue, especially in our line of work. Thought you would've mastered that by now," Mac replied in a teasing tone as he glanced over at her, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Stella shrugged in response, "What can I say, it's the Italian in me."

"Well we're here," Mac stated as he pulled up to the valet.

"Abboccato? Mac, this is one of the best restaurants in New York! You sure about this?"

"Stella, it's your birthday and I want to do something nice for you. Besides, I remember you telling me how much you loved the butternut squash ravioli they made here."

She smiled to herself as she let him lead her into the restaurant. She remembered when she told him about this place and her love for the dish. It was almost a year ago. She had been there on a date, a bad date, which ended with her calling him and spending the remainder of the evening at his apartment, drinking beers and making fun of the news reports and all the inaccuracies of their stories.

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Stella sat back as she set down her napkin. The food had been as wonderful as she remembered, and the company even better. Mac had come out of his shell and was regaling her with stories of his childhood in Chicago. Seemed her partner had been quite the handful as a child, using cats as target practice with his BB gun as he pretended to be a Marine fighting against the enemy.

Mac watched Stella during a lull in the conversation. The candlelight from the tables was flickering across her face and when she opened her eyes to rest her gaze on him, he thought he'd never seen her look more beautiful than she did right there, the light sparkling in her eyes. She closed her eyes as she got lost in the music. There was a band in the corner along with a dance floor that many couples had been making good use of. Taking a deep breath he stood up and walked around the table, holding out his hand.

"Dance with me."

She looked up at him, an unspoken question in her eyes, but like always, she put her trust in him and took his hand as he led her to the dance floor.

They made their way toward the middle of the floor as Mac pulled her to him, his hands resting lightly on her waist while hers made their way around his neck. They swayed to the slow music and for a moment Mac was transported to that first dance with Claire back in high school. Their freshman year in school; even then he knew there was something special about her. They had been friends throughout high school, then lost track of each other during college. It had been fate that they ran into each other at the coffee shop that was near their jobs, and he had felt that spark again. The same one he was feeling now as he held Stella in his arms.

The song came to a close but neither made a move to leave the comfort of the other, Stella's head still resting against Mac's shoulder, her breath warm on his neck. They continued to hold each other as another song started playing; another slow love song. She pulled back a little to look him in the eyes, no longer able to keep the question held inside. "Mac, I appreciate all this; the flowers, the dinner, the dancing and the wine. There's something different, you're different. I gotta know, what's going on?"

Mac chuckled as her words rushed out. He was surprised really; surprised she lasted this long without making him explain himself. She was always curious, wanting to understand everything that went on around her.

"Let's just say the old Mac Taylor has decided to resurface, with a few new upgrades, and hopefully one new, beautiful, amazing addition." He kept his gaze locked on her, letting her see everything that he was feeling that he couldn't put into words. He watched her process what he had said both with his words and his eyes. He waited for the look when she fully understood what it was he was offering, what he was hoping for.

Stella thought for a minute that her face might split from how big a smile she was sure was on her face. She could feel the moisture building in her eyes from the emotions that were bombarding her; surprise, happiness, a little fear, but most of all love. Love for the man that was standing in front of her. She opened her mouth, but for the life of her couldn't figure out what to say. Deciding to do the next best thing, she pulled his face to hers, brushing her lips across his in a kiss that spoke of her feelings far more than words could. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss. After a few minutes they pulled back, both breathing heavy. Stella laid her head back on Mac's shoulder, enjoying the feel of being in his arms. He turned his head to lay a kiss on her temple as he pulled her closer. "Happy Birthday Stella," he whispered in her ear.

"Yeah, it is," she replied quietly as she snuggled into his arms as they continued to sway to the music.