A/N: Nope don't own them, just borrowing for now. Spoilers up to 6x1 "Epilogue" so don't say I didn't warn you. Hate it? Love it? Let me know by leaving me a review!
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Stella's mind raced as she walked away from Adam. She was glad that they had found a moment to talk and hopefully clear the air about what had happened between them; hoping it would be the last time anything regarding the incident was brought up. She really hadn't lied to him when she told him it had been great. He had been adoring and gentle with her; everything she would expect from Adam. The only thing lacking had been that intense passion she so desired, but she was sure there would be only one man that could ever make her feel like that. No, her night with Adam had definitely been a mistake made out of poor decisions; lowered inhibitions from one too many cocktails and a need to laugh had led her to his doorstep. There was something about his childlike nature that had drawn her in like the siren's song to the sailor; Stella just hoped the results of her actions wouldn't be quite so destructive.
As Stella made her way to the AV room, she saw Lindsay in the room, headphones on. A wave of guilt washed over her as she noticed the strained look on the young detective's face. Stella had been so caught up in dealing with her own frayed emotions; she had hardly spoken to Lindsay about what she was going through, let alone been there to help support her. She gave her a sad smile when she realized Lindsay was listening to the tape from the tip hotline. Stella remained silent as she listened to the woman's words. Stella's ears perked up when she heard the woman referring to Mac. She closed her eyes for a moment; remembering the look on his face as he walked into the bar, his eyes locking with hers. There had been something behind them, something in his gaze that had been asking for her, telling her that he needed her.
The sound of gunfire and shattering glass had severed that connection though and in the minutes following, after a glance at each other to make sure they were alright, training kicked in as they took control of the scene. In the weeks that followed Mac pored through every possible piece of trace evidence, every possible suspect. He had become obsessed with it, breaking his own rules of staying away if it became personal. Stella had tried to talk to him, to get him to leave the lab for longer than it took to grab some fresh clothes. She tried to communicate her need for his support but Mac was relentless in his pursuit to bring whoever was responsible to justice, unable to see past his own need for answers. Without her usual support system, Stella could feel herself falling, reaching out for a life line to grab on to. She had found one, in a very unlikely place though.
Shaking herself out of her spiraling thoughts, she moved on in search of Mac. It was unfair of her to place the responsibility of her actions on his shoulders. She had been the weak one. She could have been stronger, held out a little longer to talk to him, forcing her way in to his mind, shaking him out of his intense focus for a minute and redirecting it. She was the one that had betrayed him, that had left him alone. She could see him in his office, slowly packing up the mass of paperwork that had taken up residence in his office during his pursuit of justice. She watched him for a moment, mesmerized by his methodical movements as he carefully repacked the boxes.
Finally she moved to enter his office. Immediately she began her own task of packing up the boxes, her mind still processing her emotions. Would she tell him what happened between her and Adam? It was a question for which she had no answer at the moment. For now she focused on the man next to her. Her eyes lifted to glance over at him, blue meeting green. He had a grateful if not, almost mischievous look in his gaze, along with something else she couldn't put a name to. There would be time to analyze it later. For now she would just be thankful that she still had her friend here with her.