Title: All I Need is You
Chapter 11 - A Devious Trap

A/N: The best part about stormy sunday afternoons is the time it affords for writing. Lots of updates this week! Hope it's okay you'll all have lots to read :)

Mac let out a small groan as Stella's hand inadvertently pressed down on his injured side as he went to roll over.

"Mac?" Her sleepy voice mumbled in the darkened room.

"Nothing to worry about, go back to sleep," Mac tried to assure her as he bit back the throbbing in his side. However, as the pregnancy progresses, his concern for the health of his wife and the wellbeing of his unborn child will only continue to grow. Ella showing up like she has only has served to heighten his fear of what might happen. What if I miscarry? Stella had mentioned one time. He had pushed it aside then as it if was nothing but inside knew that threat was still very real. Or worse. Stillborn?

He had read about birth complications that resulted from extreme stress or physical exertion and so tried to reason to himself that was why he was so paranoid about Stella taking it easy.

"Mac?" Stella soft voice broke his worried thoughts. "Why are you still up?"

"Can you see in the dark?" He asked with an unseen smile.

"When you're awake and beside me, yes," Stella commented. "What is wrong Mac? Talk to me."

"I um...was reading last night about birth complications from stress and such..."

"What?"

"You were asleep and I couldn't sleep and...and I guess in light of everything that's happened I can't help but be concerned."

"Mac, our baby is going to be fine."

"Stella..."

Stella turned on the light and looked at her husband with a slight frown, her heart instantly aching at his miserable expression.

"I have been trying those relaxation techniques, even at work and they are helping. Mac I'm fine."

"But Ella..."

"Mac, I refuse to let her win in any capacity, much less destory the family we worked so hard to build."

"I would be lost without you and I think I would...Stella if anything ever happened to you or our child I would..." he started only to be cut off by a warm kiss.

"A pregnant woman is pretty strong you know."

"I know. When you grabbed my arm the other day it left a mark."

"What?"

"That's not the point, and I know you are strong. Stella I would never think of you as anything less but...I'm a first time father so can you fault me for being a bit paranoid. That book was pretty explicit and you have had a recent scare."

"Okay so I'll admit that a woman showing up from your past, one obviously still very much attracted to you was a bit unsettling but I think going with you that night, seeing her in that alley; seeing how pathetic she really is forced me to feel more sorrow than anger for her. Flack said he's still trying to track down Carl, her elusive boyfriend who has I guess an unlisted number and I just hope that Carl can be there for her in some way. But otherwise Mac I'm fine. The stomach pains have disappeared."

"And you would tell me if anything was wrong, right?"

"I would," she smiled as she touched her husbands face before planting a warm kiss on his lips. "You worry too much."

"Only about things I can't control. You should know that by now."

"All too well," Stella smiled. "Now do I have to take extreme measures to get you to sleep?"

"Might like to know what those are," Mac grinned as he leaned in and kissed her once more before he finally turned off the light and then pulled his wife up against him, kissing her cheek. And as much as his mind still wanted to dwell on tormented images, he finally allowed his mind to dwell on a happy memory from their honeymoon and soon he whisked back into the darkness of sleep.

Stella felt their baby move inside her and was quick to open her eyes and offer a slight moan as she looked at the clock, wiping the sleep from her weary eyes. She turned her head and then frowned she saw her husband's side of the bed was empty. However, just as she was about to get up, Mac appeared in the doorway, a small smattering of fresh blood on his left side.

"You okay?"

"I think I stretched one too many times during the night," Mac answered, not wanting to tell her that it was her fingers that pushed down and caused the tender stitching to weep. "Did I wake you?"

"Baby did," Stella smiled as Mac eased onto his uninjured side and planted a warm kiss on her belly after he had lifted her nightshirt to reveal the smooth skin.

"Baby woke up mummy," Mac teased as he looked up at Stella who looked at him with a smile.

"Remember what today is?"

"Our first ultrasound, Stella I will be there."

"But the Carson case..."

"Trust me, I'll leave mid-sentencing if I have to," Mac stated firmly and Stella just smiled. Mac moved himself back up to her, his lips hovering inches above hers. "Morning mummy."

"Mmm daddy Mac," Stella teased as her hand reached behind his head and guided his lips to hers before she planted a warm kiss on them. "Do you want to know the sex?"

"You mean do I want to have sex? Are you serious?" Mac smiled.

"No, I mean of our baby, do you want to know the sex? Whether it's a boy or girl?"

Mac rolled onto his back, his head resting on the pillow once more before he looked up at her. "Do you?"

"Asked you first," she countered and he just shook his head.

"I thought I did but...but now I'm not so sure."

"Well I am going to do the same as you."

"Do you want to know?" Mac queried as Stella gently lifted his shirt to inspect the stitching. Her face displayed a small frown but his offered a slight smile when her warm fingers started to tickle his tender side.

"I um..." Stella paused to think. "I kinda like waiting until the last minute but then if we know before we can use a gender specific instead of always calling it, well it."

"Well we have two names picked out, one for each gender," Mac pondered. "Will Dr. Marsh be administering it?"

"No an Ultrasound technician will."

"Will it hurt?"

"No. Dr. Marsh said it might feel a bit odd but both of us will be fine. Will you?" Stella asked as her fingers lingered on Mac's warm cheek. Mac nodded his head as his blackberry buzzed to life.

"Already?" Mac groaned as he rolled over and reached for his phone, offering a small wince as his side pulled a little bit more than he wanted. "Yeah Flack, what have you got? Right. Yeah I'll meet you there in an hour. Right bye."

"Carson?"

"Hearing was just set for this afternoon. I'm going to meet Flack there at eight."

"Well then I guess it's time we got this day started. Just don't use yourself as a human shield today, I don't want to be a single parent," Stella mentioned in concern.

"You can't get rid of me that easily," Mac quipped as he kissed her before he pushed himself off the bed and then headed into the bathroom to get his day started. He turned on the hot water, wanting more than anything for his wife to be able to join him for an early morning, steamy make out session. But with her belly growing bigger everyday, love making was becoming more and more of an adventure; the shower now out of the question.

Stella lingered in bed, her mind showing tempting images of her naked husband standing under the hot water. She was more than tempted to join him but he always lamented the fact that when she was before him naked, his body had a mind of it's own an it was almost painful for him to be so aroused when he wasn't able to offer himself in the way he wanted. So showers for two had to be put on hold until her belly was back to normal.

'But when the baby comes, showers for one will actually save us more time,' Mac had told her, a memory that even now forces a warm smile to her soft lips. But as she pushed herself out of bed and then slowly headed into the kitchen to get his coffee ready to go, her mind couldn't help but dwell on what Ella McBride was up to. She hadn't called the night before. Maybe she's taken the hint, Stella thought to herself; never realizing that her words were the furthest from the truth.

With another angry curse to the noise on the street outside the window, Ella finally pulled herself from her light slumber, slightly coughing from the dusty bed she spent the night on. And while her body needed sleep her mind was far too active to get the eight hours of required sleep. The hours before she spent obsessing over what Mac would think of their new but humble apartment.

"I just need him to spend some time here," Ella surmised as she wandered into the bare kitchen. "But first I need to get him here."

She hurried to get dressed and then looked at the barren kitchen. "I guess I'll need something for us for dinner," she mumbled to herself as she walked over to her jacket and put it on. "Also need some coffee. I know Mac likes black coffee with two sugars."

With a happy smile on her face she headed out the door, stuffing the spare key into her pocket. The building for the most part was abandoned; a few remaining tenants that the city would kick out at the end of the month, so it provided the perfect cover for those that wanted to hide away from whatever trouble reality was forcing them to endure.

But in Ella's mind it was the perfect trap; the perfect place to hide Mac away from the rest of the world and the woman he loved; the woman she was more than jealous of.

"She doesn't deserve him," she chanted over and over again as she stood in line at the nearest coffee shop. Just as she took her leave her phone rang and Carl's name was displayed. A small smile did tug at her lips at his persistent attention, but her heart longed for another, a man who didn't care for her in any way.

"Hey baby, you okay?" Carl asked in concern.

"I'm sure by tonight I'll be all better."

"You're coming home tonight right?"

"I need a few more days Carl," Ella stated firmly.

"But.."

"Just a few more days and then I'll have everything I need," Ella stated with a smile.

"At least tell me where you are," Carl moaned into the phone.

"I think after being in that place for so long and then with you and...Carl I just need some space to myself right now. I just need to be on my own for a bit to see if I can make it."

"What about the interview?"

"Haven't heard so I doubt I got it. No big deal," Ella huffed, not wanting to tell him that she did hear and was turned down in favor of an applicant that had more experience. "But I'm going to keep looking. I brought a few things with me here so..."

"If you need anything will you let me know?"

"I'll call you, I will."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. Okay Carl I gotta go."

"Please be careful," Carl half begged, stated in concern.

"Okay bye," Ella offered with a small air of indifference as she walked toward the small grocery store to get a few things that she'd used to make her and Mac dinner. As she wandered the isles, her brain drifted to images of when she first surprised Mac at the grocery store by his home. The next time they met in the grocery store wasn't as pleasant as she remembered Mac saying he was buying dinner for him and his wife; that thought made her angry and so she quickly gave her head a shake to clear that memory and forced her mind back to the time when Mac took her for breakfast.

"He loved me then and he still loves me," she whispered as she put a few more things into the basket and then headed for the checkout, a large smile on her face as she paid.

"See you tonight Mac," she whistled as she hurried across the street and then into the quiet building, away from wondering eyes.

"You have to be someplace Mac?" Flack asked with a slight smile.

"Why?"

"Well unless time moves faster on your watch I'm pretty sure it's only five minutes after the last time you checked."

"First ultrasound appointment," Mac lightly grimaced as they both nervously paced the outside of the courthouse. "How much longer is this going to take?"

"What time is it?"

"Three. I'm going to meet Stella there."

"Don't worry Mac, you'll make it. You um excited to be father?"

"At first I was very nervous and worried," Mac started into his answer as he eased himself onto the bench beside his friend, his eyes kept straight ahead. "My father wasn't around as much as I wanted him when I was growing up but I guess I turned out okay," he ends with a small laugh.

"Yeah just okay," Flack retorted with a wry smile.

"I know I had only one course to choose, being a marine and I just want more options for our child, son or daughter than just one notion that I might have. As honorable as I think serving your country in the Marines is, I just can't stomach the thought of seeing my child die at enemy hands like I saw other sons and daughters die."

"A CSI then?" Flack queried.

"Well that is why I want them to choose. I love my job and so does Stella. Helping to keep the city free of people that want to do harm is noble but so is saving lives in the ER. So not sure."

"Boy or girl?"

"What?"

"Which do you prefer? I know every parent says it doesn't matter but..."

"It doesn't," Mac answered and Flack just rolled his eyes. "I think either will have their strengths and weaknesses and..." Mac's voice was interrupted by Flack's laughter. "What?"

"Stop being Mac Taylor CSI and start being my friend, regular joe Mac Taylor about to be a father."

"A son. What father doesn't want a son?" Mac answered with a smile. "But a little Stella running around..." his eyes crinkled into a happy stare as his mind flashed images of his daughter looking up at him with sparkly green eyes and a mass of golden curls, calling him 'daddy'. "I know Stella missed out on having a mother daughter relationship so she'd probably prefer a girl."

"That's cool."

"This might sound stupid, but as long as it's healthy," Mac finished with a heavy sigh. "I'll love it no matter what."

"I think you'll make a great dad."

"My kid will probably call me dictator by the time it's a teen," Mac grimaced.

"But it will keep them out of trouble right?"

"Right," Mac agreed as he turned and gazed out the front doors, his mind trying to focus on the case at hand.

"Well I'm happy for you guys," Flack mentioned, forcing Mac's eyes back to his and a small smile to form on his lips.

"I don't know what makes me more nervous, waiting on the Chief's recommendation or seeing a picture of my unborn child," Mac offered in truth and Flack just nodded his head in knowing agreement. And as nervous as he was, he couldn't imagine how Stella was faring.

XXXXXXXX

"You are particularly glowing today, Mrs. Taylor," Sid remarked to Stella as she headed down for their latest autopsy results. "Mr. Taylor found a new technique?"

"Hammerback you know I'm not giving you details about our sex life," Stella arched a brow and offered a wry smile.

"I think the smile on your face tells me more than your words," he countered with a slight chuckle. "But you know when my wife was pregnant with our first we found that if the woman..."

"Sid."

"Yeah?"

"The case?"

"Right. How are you feeling these days?"

"Tired and hungry," Stella admitted with a smile.

"Kinda normal."

"And worried."

"About being a good parent? That's all first time parents," Sid assured her with a kind smile. "I think the two of you will be amazing."

"Probably be one of those overly paranoid parents who won't even let their teen cross the street after dark unless they are with them."

"In your line of work? Kinda hard not to be paranoid about a few things. And justifiably so," Sid reminded her.

"Just don't want to be one of those mothers whose kid goes to school and won't meet them for like six blocks because they are ashamed to be related to them," Stella stated and Sid laughed.

"You two won't have that problem. Mac won't allow it."

"Dictator is another term I don't want used either," Stella shot back and Sid shrugged.

"You two have nothing to worry about...so about the sex life. Did you know that a pregnant woman is a lot more versatile than she thinks. For example there is the..."

"Okay can we talk about work?" Stella interrupted with a smile.

"Okay if you want to talk about something bor-ing," Sid remarked and it was Stella's turn to lightly laugh.

"First ultrasound appointment," Stella informed him.

"I remember mine. Will Mac be there?"

"He's surprised me in all this by being such a willing participant."

"Would love to see him in a lamas class," Sid mentioned as he looked to his right and gathered what he needed and handed it to Stella.

"That will be another first," Stella smirked as she took the file and headed for the door. "But I'll tell him you said that."

"Ask him if he needs some advice?" Sid called out, forcing Stella to just shake her head as she took her leave. She looked at her watch and then offered a slight frown. She knows how much Mac hates his court dates but also knows if he's called in for any reason then he'll have to miss their appointment. She could probably wait one or two days to reschedule but didn't want to leave it much longer.

She took the file and then headed back up to the lab to see Lindsay and Sheldon hovering around their latest piles of evidence.

"What time do you have to leave?" Lindsay asked.

"Two-thirty. We have time, what did you find?"

"Take a look at this," Sheldon directed her attention to the latest piece of evidence.

XXXXXXXX

"Taylor," Mac answered his phone, looking at Flack with an anxious expression. "Okay. Yeah can you send the address to my phone? Yeah I'll head there right now."

"Mac?" Flack asked as Mac hung up.

"New lead on the Jackson case, clerk just called. A young woman called with some specific details and it's not to far from here."

"Mac..."

"Don you finish up here. Call me if it's an emergency but otherwise, I'm going to check on this lead and then head over to the doctor's. See you tomorrow."

Mac headed for the door, his mind once again trying to focus on the case at hand but his heart wondering what the first image of his child was going to look like. He tried to image Stella face or his reaction, but since this was something entirely new, he has no point of reference. Not a disconcerting thought but one that still has him wondering what to expect.

XXXXXXXX

"Okay so that's a wrap guys, I gotta run," Stella mentioned in haste as she finished her last piece of evidence and the handed the rest of the tray to Adam. "Here kiddo run with this. Lindsay can you make sure..."

"Done," Lindsay answered with a smile. "Just go already. Will you bring in the picture so that I can at least see?"

"Isn't that bad luck or something?"

"That's only the bride before her wedding," Sheldon piped up, forcing Lindsay and Stella took at him in wonder. "So I heard," he added with a shrug before he looked back down at what he was doing.

"Right, okay see you guys tomorrow."

Stella took her leave and hurried back to her office to get her coat and purse. As she passed Mac's office, she was more than tempted to call him to see if he was on his way. Don't nag, of course he's on his way, her brain reminded her. He's not going to miss this.

"Mac won't miss this," Stella echoed as she gently eased herself into the back of the cab and gave the driver the address of the pre-natal clinic that Dr. Marsh had recommended. The hospital was backed up today so she was able to get an appointment with a friend and for that Stella was grateful.

I hope you're on time Mac, Stella thought as the cab drove further into traffic.

XXXXXXXX

As Mac neared the run down apartment his anxiety started to quicken. Heading into this part of the city he should have brought backup, but knew he would just make it brief and then head for the clinic where Stella was probably waiting for him.

He stopped the Avalanche and got out, checking his gun as he neared the front entrance and then finally heading inside. The musty smell of mold forces his lungs to instantly constrict and he found himself gently gasping for air as he neared the grubby tenant listing and looked for the name he needed.

"Annette Rider," he read in a low tone as he looked at the elevator that had a sign that read 'not working' that looked like it must have been there for about ten years. So he looked next at the stairs and decided to try them out, casually heading up to the fourth floor, not wanting anything to give way, hence trapping him or causing an injury and then missing the important appointment.

"Stella would kill me for sure," Mac groaned as he heard a noise and quickly turned to investigate, his fingers instantly on his sidearm. Seeing it was only a stray cat, he offered himself a small laugh and then continued to the fourth floor. Once on the fourth floor landing, he stopped and listened. Hearing nothing he slowly walked toward the apartment given and then lightly knocked on the door.

"Coming!" A happy female voice called out as he anxiously hovered outside.

But when the door opened, the face of Annette Rider was replaced with Ella McBride.

"Ella?" Mac asked in shock. "What the hell?"

"Hi Mac."

XXXXXXXX

Stella reached the clinic and slowly got out of the cab, her nervous anxiety now starting to take hold inside her stomach. Her hand automatically went to her belly and she started to gently rub, trying to get the nervous tension to subside.

"Mac, I wish you were here right now" her voice trailed off as she took a deep breath and then pushed her way into the clinic. Stella looked at the other pregnant woman waiting, some alone, some with children already hanging off their arms and some with their doting husbands right beside them. Mac will be here soon, she told herself as she headed for the front desk.

"Stella Taylor. I have an appointment at three."

"Hi Mrs. Taylor," the clerk greeted her. Stella signed her name, answered yes to the followed instructions and then took the pamphlet to read while she waited for Mac.

"My husband is coming, he'll be here for the exam," Stella assured them with a weak smile as she took the papers and then headed for an empty chair. She glanced around the room and smiled at the various children playing with a various toys beside their mothers. The case of the dead boy had forced her mind to picture a son, a mini Mac, a boy with chocolate brown hair and warm blue eyes like his father. But as her eyes lingered for a few more seconds on a small girl near her feet, she saw a miniature version of herself; golden curls and sparkly green eyes looking up at he in wonder.

"Amanda, its not nice to stare honey," the child's mother scolded.

"It's okay," Stella smiled.

"First?"

"Yes," Stella gently rubbed her belly.

"Our third," the woman smirked. "Second tri-mester right?"

"Early stages," Stella agreed. "Were you um...scared?"

"With my first. To death," the woman lightly laughed. "And don't kid yourself, go with the epidural. Natural child birth is wonderful, but hurts like hell," the woman gently warned.

"So I've heard," Stella gently grimaced.

"But then when you see your child placed in your arms, your pain is instantly forgotten," the woman smiled as she looked down at her daughter.

"That's what I'm hoping for," Stella remarked as she looked up as the door opened.

"Your husband on his way?"

"He better be," Stella stated firmly.

"He'll probably be late, but that's the beauty about these places, you can always trade with the next person waiting."

"Just hope it doesn't come to that," Stella commented as she looked at her watch. "Mac where are you?"

XXXXXXXX

"What the hell are you doing here?" Mac angrily demanded as he took a step closer toward the door. "Where is Annette?"

"Who?"

"The woman who owns this apartment," Mac stated with a huff as Ella looked at him in sadness before she turned and stormed back inside.

"I don't know."

Foolishly, Mac had to follow, needing to know if Ella had done anything to harm the female tenant of the apartment she was now in. He grabbed her arm and quickly turned her to face him.

"Where is she Ella?"

"Who?" Ella shot back with. "Aren't you happy to see me? This is our new home."

"Pardon? Where is Annette? Don't play games. Where is she?"

"The previous tenant moved out like a year ago they just never bothered to change the name. Mac, don't you recognize this place?"

Mac's eyes nervously darted around the small shabby apartment he was standing in before he looked at Ella with a frown. "This was your place?"

"That's right," she smiled as she walked up to him, a hidden object in her hand; powerful drugs to render him unconscious.

"Why did you lie about case details? That is an offense Ella."

"Mac, I just wanted to talk to you; alone."

"I have no secrets from my wife and when I see her later, I am going to tell her this."

"Mac..." Ella started as she moved in a bit closer, her face now trying to display a face sorrow filled but fake expression. "I'm sorry...I just...I was scared and..."

Mac looked at the weepy expression and instantly felt bad for raising his voice. Despite the fact that he reasoned inside that Ella McBride wasn't clinically sound, he had no reason to yell.

"I didn't mean to yell but I do have to go and if you have nothing to add to this case then..."

"Please stay with me, at least a little while. I have been so lonely and..."

"Ella, what about Carl?"

"What about Carl?" She snapped, her emotions displaying hot and cold in a matter of minutes.

"Doesn't he care about you?"

"Mac, you are the only man that has ever understood me or even wanted to help me. Carl just wants to use me for whatever he needs!" She stated with a frown.

"Ella I have to go," Mac insisted as he turned to leave. "I'm sorry but I can't stay here."

Ella however, wrapped her arms around him and held on tight. "Help me Mac," she whispered, the needle ready in her hand. "Please?"

"Ella, my wife is waiting for me."

"She doesn't deserve you," Ella hissed in anger.

"I have to go."

"No Mac...you are going to stay with me now," Ella told him firmly as she raised her hand and jabbed the needle full of drugs into the back of his neck.


A/N: sorry for the cliffe (hehe). How do you think Stella will react?

PS: Target Specific updated tomorrow