Title: All I Need is You
Chapter 12 - There can be only One!
"Mrs. Taylor?" One of the aides called to her.
Stella looked up and then down at her watch and frowned. Damn it Mac, where are you? She slowly pushed herself up and followed after the young aide who was going to take some measurements, her weight and a few other things.
"Are you almost ready?"
"My husband is um delayed in court," Stella answered. "Is it possible to switch with the next appointment? I was told you can do that."
"Three thirty?"
"Yes please," Stella answered.
"That will be just fine," the aide smiled.
Stella walked back to her seat and sat back down, looking at her watch and wondering where Mac was. She quickly pulled out her phone and dialed.
"Where are you Mac?"
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Mac looked at Ella in horror. "What the hell did you just..." Mac started as he immediately felt his body temperature starting to rise. "What did..."
"You're going to live with me now Mac," Ella smiled as she started to tug at his coat.
Mac started to shake his head no, further adding to the dark circles that were forming, his heart rate nearing critical as he tried to head for the door. His fingers tried to reach for his phone, but Ella snatched it away, sneered at Stella's name on the LCD display, turned it off and placed it on a nearby table as she started to drag him toward a back bedroom.
"Stop...this..." Mac started his body rapidly shutting down.
"Mac, I'm going to take care of you now. Just like you took care of me, I'm going to take care of you."
"I can't...stay...here..." Mac tried once more, his lungs now gasping for air and his head pounding, his vision starting to dim. "What did...you give...me..."
"A friend gave it to me," Ella smiled as she managed to get him to the doorway, his coat nearly off. "You'll feel better soon. I promise," Ella promised as she managed to get his coat all the way off and simply tossed it aside, Mac's body now sagging on the doorframe. "He said it won't last very long."
Panicked thoughts seized his brain at the thought that Stella's health would be seriously affected by his absence and worse if she found out that Ella was behind this. "Stella..." was the last word his lips uttered before the drugs finally took over and he went limp in Ella's arms, his weight taking them both to the ground.
"Poor Mac," Ella smiled as she kissed his cheek, his eyes now closed and his lips slightly parted. "I have to go out for a bit but you'll be safe here."
She offered a soft grunt as she dragged him over to the small bed and finally pushed him on top, removing his suit jacket and shoes; but taking the keys to the Avalanche and stuffing them into her pocket.
"I'll be right back," Ella whispered softly as she leaned in and kissed him on the lips; Mac of course unable to respond.
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"Mrs. Taylor?" Stella heard her name being called again.
"Mac, this is my third message, where are you?" Stella's tight voice huffed as she hung up her phone and walked over to the aide.
"Is he still not here?"
"Fraid not. I don't want to do this without him and I know he wants to be here."
"I push back one more but then we'll need to reschedule," the aide told her.
"One more appointment, please, he'll be here," Stella insisted as she looked at the aide in worry.
"No worries Mrs. Taylor," the aide said as she went to call the next appointment.
Stella tried Mac's number once more but again it went right to voicemail and so she tried Flack.
"Stella, he left here almost two hours ago."
"What?" Stella asked weakly.
"Have you tried..."
"A million times, it just goes through to voice mail. Do you think he got into a car accident?"
"It's possible, let me make a few calls and see if anyone officers were caught in anything. Are you able to reschedule the appointment just in case, Mac told me he didn't want to miss it."
"He told you that?" Stella asked with a weak smile.
"With a big smile on his face," Flack informed her in truth.
"Don I'll wait another half hour just in case then I'll need to reschedule. Let me know as soon as you can."
"I will. And Stella..."
"Yeah?"
"Try not to stress too much."
"Now you sound like Mac."
Her words brought a smile to her lips but as she allowed her mind to wander to the absence of her husband she couldn't help but wonder where he really was.
Oh Mac, where are you? I know you wouldn't miss this on purpose. I just pray you are okay!
XXXXXXXX
About half hour later, Mac's head swam with dizzying pain as he frantically tried to pull himself from his drugged stupor. His mind replayed the fact that he was following up a simple lead, arrived at the door only to have Ella McBride open, admitting the call was false. He turned to leave, remembering that Stella's ultra sound was in half hour and he had to be there. Ella hugged him and then stuck something in his neck which rendered him unconscious.
He slowly opened his weary eyes, squinting into the darkness that now engulfed him. Panic seized his being when he realized he couldn't move, at least not very well. His limbs for the most part were free, save for his right wrist cuffed to the bed frame overhead but the rest of his limbs just lay there, heavy and limp. Whatever Ella had given him was still seizing his body; his tongue thick in his mouth and his head pounding. Morphine! He knew part of the drugs were morphine but she must have also added a heavy muscle relaxant and a sedative because his eye lids were heavy and his lips felt numb. He tried to call out for help, but his lungs didn't seem to respond the way he wanted.
"Ste...lla..." he finally managed in a hoarse whisper.
He tried to tug on his captive wrist but again his body, with whatever Ella had pushed into his veins, was ensuring a disconnect between his brain and his body. He tried to move his legs; telling himself if he could just move the bed, even a little, perhaps someone would hear the odd sound and come to investigate. But his body once again refused and all he could do was lie in tormented stillness, wondering how on earth Stella would cope when he didn't show up. Damn you Ella, his mind cursed in torment.
STELLA HELP ME! His mind called out, his tongue once again thick and heavy and unable to make audible sounds come forth. He tried to lift his weary head, but when he was unable to see anything of use, slumped back in the darkness in angry defeat. The side with the stitching was starting to strain and his head still swam with dizzying pain from whatever drug Ella had forced him to ingest.
How could she do this! Mac's mind yelled in anger as his wrist once again tried to tug against the cuff that held him captive. Damn it! Stella...you have to find me! But then as he thought about Stella finding out about Ella, other panic about her having another harmful panic attack and jeopardizing the health of their baby, gripped him and he tried to yell once more.
"HELP..." Mac uttered only to hear his own voice come across as another futile whisper.
"Help!" Mac tried to yell once more, his throat burning, and small beads of sweat starting to slowly slide down his face. He lay his head back down onto the musty mattress in angry torment, his heart racing and head pounding. He tried to listen for anything, anything that he might use as his means of salvation. Nothing! He was trapped and alone; one woman bent on revenge on her way back and one woman counting on him to be there for their new family. But as he remembered how stressed Stella was when Ella confronted her, and her emergency appointment with Dr. Marsh, his brain now raced with horrible thoughts of them losing their baby. Damn it! Stella, I'm sorry.
Stella! I know you'll find me. I know you will.
XXXXXXXX
"Anything?" Stella asked Flack as he got out of his car and hurried up to her.
"Stella, I need you..."
"Don, just tell me. Where the hell is Mac? Is he okay?"
"I don't know, but he's not been in an accident," Flack assured her and Stella found herself breathing a large sigh of relief.
"However, no one seems to know where he is."
"What do you mean no one knows where he is? What exactly happened when he left?"
"We were at the court house when Mac got a call from the clerk about a witness with some details to a current case and since he said it was well I guess close by the clinic he would take the call and come straight here. That's the last I heard from him."
"Don call the clerk and get the address to that call," Stella instructed.
"But you..."
"I already rescheduled for a few days from now. There is no way I'm doing this without my husband present. Please we have to find him; what if..." her voice trailed off as she swallowed back her oncoming sorrow. Flack quickly offered her a warm hug before he looked down at her with a weak frown. "Please just call."
"I just don't want you to panic or put more stress..."
"I know what to do," Stella assured him as she leaned against the building and closed her eyes, willing her heart to stop racing and her breathing to shallow a little bit. Mac is okay, she kept chanting over and over again inside her head. Mac has to be okay, she commanded herself to believe as she quickly opened her eyes at Flack's words. My husband is okay.
"What do you mean you never called Detective Taylor? I was with him when he said you called."
I'm sorry Sir, I am the only call clerk on duty today. I can have Chief Sinclair come down right now and verify my phone records or if you'd rather I can get a tech to give you a log of all outgoing calls, but I give you my word, I never called Detective Taylor at any point today."
"Is it possible that anyone on your break might have?"
"All calls are logged Sir," the clerk insisted. "I am not sure what else I can tell you. Have you tried asking Detective Taylor to trace the number on his phone?"
"I will when I find him," Flack growled as he snapped his phone shut and looked at Stella with a weak expression. "The call didn't come from the clerk's office."
"What?" Stella asked in haste. "Don, tell me exactly what Mac said to you."
"We were standing there talking about the case when he got a call. Said it was about the Jackson case and a new witness had details and he was going to check on them."
"Was the clerk male or female?"
"Didn't say," Flack frowned as he remembered back to their brief conversation. "But he said the witness was a young woman."
"A what...what did you say?" Stella asked in horror.
"A young woman. Why, what does that mean?"
"Trouble," Stella looked at him in a panic before she uttered on horrible word, Ella.
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Mac lay in the dark room in heated anger. He tried to get his wrist to tug on the tight handcuff but all his arm could manage was a slight scraping sound that wouldnt draw much attention his predicament. He was starting to get a bit more feeling back into his leg and his lips and tongue didn't feel as heavy as they did when he first woke up. Drugs are starting to wear off, Mac's mind surmised. If I can just keep myself from getting more then I can overpower her and get the hell out of here. His throat was heavy to swallow and his head still pounded but finally his ears picked up faint shuffling and he tried to call out once more.
"HEL..." was all he managed until he heard the footsteps getting closer to the door and humming was discerned. It wasn't salvation; it was his jailer. When the door opened, his eyes narrowed as he gazed upon the last person he wanted to see.
"I'm back, did you miss me?" Ella smiled as she turned on a small bedside light, forcing Mac to squint as his eyes connected with the brightness and he had to look away. He quickly countered and narrowed his eyes in anger as Ella eased herself to her knees, looking at him with a hungry smile.
"Mac, are you sweating?" Ella noted as her fingers gently brushed away some small beads of sweat on his forehead.
"What did...you give me?"
"Doesn't it make you feel better?" Ella smiled.
"Why...the he..." he tried only to have Ella plant a quick kiss on his cheek and then pull back. "No swearing, okay Mac?"
Mac glared at her in anger as his right arm tried once more to yank himself free.
"Don't pull Mac, you'll hurt yourself," Ella encouraged, her fingers trying to get his wrist to stop pulling, hoping to lessen the cuts from the chaffing.
"Ella, what the hell..." Mac started only to have her lean in and gently touch his lips with her fingers before she pulled back and looked at him with a sweet smile.
"Please keep your voice down Mac."
"Ella what are you doing?" Mac asked in a calm tone, trying to keep his anger and cursing in check but thankful that his voice faculties had finally returned. "You need to uncuff me right now."
"I like you like this. Your arms feel really strong," she smiled as her hands started to run up and down his captive limb.
"Ella you need to..." he started only to quickly interupted.
"I'm going to take care of you now Mac."
"Take care of me? Ella you need to let me go right now."
"Mac, I will let you go but first you need to calm down a little."
"Okay but why am I cuffed to the bed Ella?"
"I didn't want you to leave," she stated with a gentle frown.
He looked at her in shock. He wanted to scream that of course I'd leave, I don't belong here. But he also knew from the look on her face that she wasn't completely there. Her mind had now pushed aside sense and reason and was now driven by some twisted fantasy that he was an unwilling participant in. The only way to gain her trust was to play her game; tell her whatever lies she needed to hear in hopes of getting free and overpowering her. Stella, forgive me for anything untrue I might utter.
"Mac?"
"If I give you my word that I will stay, will you at least uncuff my wrist?" Mac tried, once again trying to control his angry frustration.
"Maybe after supper okay?"
"Supper? Ella I can't stay here," Mac pleaded, his wrist once again straining against the bedframe that held him captive.
"Are you thirsty?"
"Ella I need..."
"I ASKED IF YOU WERE THIRSTY!" Ella yelled in anger before she quickly calmed. "Sorry Mac, I'm a bit tired. Are you thirsty?"
Mac looked at her and realized her obsession had never been dealt with; her need for having him in her life, all to herself never faded and her sanity was rapidly waning. It was now beyond obession, it was paranoia and that was more than dangerous; that was life threatening.
"I am thirsty," Mac confessed in truth.
"I only have Iced tea is that okay?"
"That'll be fine," Mac agreed with a heavy sigh.
"Okay be right back," Ella smiled as she kissed his cheek once more. "You smell good you know," she commented as her hands started to gently tug the dress shirt free of his dark dress pants.
"Ella?"
"It's okay Mac, I'm going to help you."
"Help me how?"
Ella smiled as her fingers started to move up his shirt, fondling his smooth chest under the tight fabric of his dark undershirt. But when her fingers rested on the rough stitches she quickly pulled her hand out and then lifted up his shirt to reveal the ugly dark stitching and she looked up at him with a frown.
"Mac, what happened?" Ella asked as she quickly undid the buttons on his shirt and then pulled the undershirt up even more.
"Just a knife wound. Can I have that drink now?" Mac insisted as he tried to push her hand away.
"Mac, please don't make me cuff the other wrist," Ella lightly warned and Mac's hand quickly retreated. With one wrist still cuffed she was holding all the cards; he had to swing the odds in his favor and that sadly meant going along with her twisted ideas. I have to get free, get the upper hand and call Stella. Gain her trust. I need to gain her trust.
"I'll just wait right here Ella. Please that drink?"
"Okay Mac," Ella smiled sweetly and Mac just looked at her as a sinking feeling started to develop. He watched her leave the room and then tried once more to pray for the rest of his body to get back its fighting strength so he could regain control. What he didn't realize was the added 'boost' she was now putting into his drink to keep him in a drugged stupor; one where she could easily control him. As long as he remained with her, his strength would never return.
"Damn it!" He cursed as he tried to find movement in the cuff; listening to Ella humming in the other room. "Stella...you have to find me. Please hurry."
XXXXXXXX
"Okay so no further details and no other witness came forward. Sorry Stella, we have no address to check," Flack informed her. "But I called Danny like you instructed and he's running a trace right now on the GPS for Mac's truck."
"And Ella McBride?" Stella inquired as Jessica pushed herself from another police cruiser and rushed up to them.
"You sure it's her?" Flack questioned.
"I'm sure," Stella replied with a slight gasp.
"Stella, you okay?"
"I will be when I have Mac back where he belongs. I think Ella McBride did something or has some part in his disappearance. What did you find?"
"I was able to track down her boyfriend Carl Franklin," Jessica informed them. "Works in a warehouse. For the most part he's a good worker, no trouble with this boss or the law. Was up to visit Ella on a regular basis. I tried his cell and got voice mail and was about to try again. Why do you think she's involved."
"She's obsessed with Mac. She has been since he helped her a number of months back. Mac was trying to be helpful, only neutral intentions but I think she saw it as something more; I think she thought he loved her or something," Stella stated with a frown. "I don't know for sure it was her but I have a feeling it was..."
"Enough to do him harm?" Jessica pondered.
"If she's become mentally and emotionally unstable, which I believe she has, then yes she can do him harm. Jessica, Mac...the father of our..."
"Stella, we'll find him. She won't kill him right away right?"
"Not unless he becomes a threat to her happiness. Such as he tries to leave," Stella sighed as she took a deep breath and then gave a nod to Jessica.
"Got it Danny, thanks. No we'll let you know as soon as we find something. Yeah she's fine, thanks. That was Danny, he's got a line on Mac's truck and is sending me the coordinates right now," Flack informed Stella and Jessica as he waited for the information from Danny.
"What are you thinking?" Jessica asked Stella in concern.
"I am trying to think that maybe she cornered him someplace and he's trying to talk her out of cutting herself or something and she won't let him leave. Jessica I have to believe that's all that's happened and she hasn't gone all fatal attraction on him and um...rendered him any bodily harm already."
"I'm sure Mac is fine Stella," Jessica tried to assure her.
"Got it," Flack stated loudly as he headed for his cruiser. "Let's go."
"Stella, I think you should wait here," Jessica advised.
"Trust me, it'll do me more harm than good just to wait here," Stella told her friend. "I'll just try to do some meditation along the way, but I am not staying here. Jessica I can't. I need to be there for my family."
Knowing it would do no good to argue with her friend, Jessica just nodded her head in agreement as both turned and hurried after Flack, Jessica getting into the front and Stella in the back.
Hold on Mac, I'm coming, Stella told herself as she leaned her head back on the seat, closed her eyes and tried to practice some calming techniques. But as her mind kept hearing Mac calling to her for help, she knew relaxation was the last thing on her mind.
Hold on Mac, just hold on.
Stella kept her eyes closed for what felt like an eternity until Flack's voice once again pulled her back to reality.
"Stella, we're here."
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Mac heard Ella softly whistling as she moved around the quiet apartment and cursed himself for falling for her trap. He tried to reason he didn't think she'd go to such extreme measures but now realized her obsession had taken over whatever small amount of sanity she had managed to hold onto when coming out of the institution.
"Stella..." Mac mumbled just as Ella walked into the room.
"She doesn't love you like I do Mac," Ella stated as she knelt down beside him, the glass of iced tea in her hand. He looked at the sweet sugary drink and instantly felt his stomach tighten.
"I think I might want water instead," Mac frowned.
"This is better," Ella insisted as she brought the glass to his lips and forced him to take a hearty gulp.
The sugary liquid stung his throat on the way down to his already upset stomach. However, Ella didn't allow him another protest as she forced another hearty swig down his open mouth.
"Does it taste good?"
"Tastes..." Mac stopped and looked at her in horror. "What else is in there?" He queried in dread.
"Just a little something to help you relax," she smiled as she forced him to take another gulp. Mac's free arm finally swung at the glass, spilling most of the contents but not the glass. If there were indeed more drugs, that was the last thing he needed if he was to gain control over her and the situation.
"Enough..." Mac gasped as his stomach constricted. "Hurts to drink...so much."
"Sorry Mac," Ella soothed as she put the glass down and looked at him in concern. "How are you feeling?"
"Ella, do you really want to make me happy?"
"I do Mac. Tell me anything and I'll do it," Ella promised eagerly.
"Ella I need to get to my wife and make sure she's okay..."
"Mac you are staying with me now. You took care of me, that showed me that you love me and..."
"Ella I was concerned and worried and so I wanted to get you help. But you misunderstood my intentions. Please if you are caught and arrested for kidnapping they'll..."
"I didn't kidnap you Mac, you are here to live with me so I can take care of you like you took care of me. What else can I do to help you?"
Mac looked at her and offered a heavy sigh; his words not getting through. "I said I appreciate your help. Can I at least call Stella to tell her not to worry?"
"No. And don't mention her name again!"
"She's my wife Ella!"
"Not any more!" Ella hissed as her hand bumped his side, spilling half the sugary drink down his chest, soaking the undershirt and causing her to look at him in anger. "Now look what you did."
"Ella, please listen to me," Mac begged as she turned and left the room. Mac offered an angry curse, his stomach now sick from the sugary liquid mixing with the drugs and nothing else to counter the stomach pains that came from skipping lunch. He heard her mumbling in the other room and felt his anger starting to surge.
Ella hurried back into the room with a tea towel and Mac looked at her in disbelief. "Mac you have to be more careful," Ella told him with a small smile and he looked at her in disbelief, realizing that her sanity was passing beyond the point of a normal human being.
"I'll do better next time. Please uncuff my wrist Ella, it hurts and I want to drink on my own."
"In a bit Mac, I like taking care of you."
"Ella, I'm not much good if I can't help you," Mac tried, hoping she'd believe the falsities he was handing her. "Please Ella I want to help you," he begged, once again praying his voice didn't come across sounding angry. But the longer he remained in her grasp and the faster the drugs started to take over unhindered he knew he'd never have the chance to overpower her and get away if he wasn't completely free.
"Okay Mac, but let me make us some dinner and then you can okay?"
"Okay," Mac agreed in haste, knowing all he had to do now was bide his time until both his arms were free.
"Then I'll show you just how much you mean to me Mac," Ella whispered as she leaned in and kissed his lips. Mac's mouth didn't respond but he knew if his body made a move to buckle her off, he'd probably lose out on getting his wrist free so had no choice but just lay there in misery as her hands continued to feel his chest before moving lower.
"I know I can make you happy Mac," Ella stated as she leaned in closer once more. But just as her lips were about to assault his once more a soft knock was heard at the door. Ella's head shot up and so did Mac's.
Stella! Mac's mind called in relief. She's here.
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They reached the empty lot and Stella's eyes rested on the lone black Avalanche parked by itself in the parking lot.
"I don't see anyone," Flack commented as he brought the car to a stop and looked around. However, Stella didn't wait to hear what Flack said next as she pushed herself out of the back seat and raced for the darkened vehicle before her, gun already drawn.
"Mac!" Stella called out as she neared the truck. Her heart was already racing but when she tried to door handle and found it unlocked her panic exploded.
"Mac!" Stella called out once more as Jessica raced to her side while Flack called for backup and then started to check the area. Stella leaned inside, careful not to touch anything in case they'd need to dust for prints or whatever trace might be found.
"Stella..."
"Yeah smells like woman's perfume."
"Mac is not having an affair," Jessica tried to assure her friend. "Even with this Ella McBride. Tell me you believe me."
"I trust Mac with my life Jess, I know he'd never be unfaithful. Just that..."
"What?"
"She came by the lab one time and told me and Mac did confirm that when we just moved in she showed up to our apartment in her underwear."
"What? Why didn't tell me that?"
"It caused me to have such stomach cramps that I tried to block it out of my head; the whole thing made me sick and now..."
"Now what?" Jessica asked with a frown.
"What if he was taken against his will? What if she called him to meet her here and then...then did something to him. I know he would never go with her willingly and..." Stella stopped as she choked back her rising sorrow. "Jess he'd never go willingly."
"Okay so we have to just tell ourselves right now that Mac is only drugged and missing."
"She kidnapped my husband!" Stella stated in contempt as Flack rushed back up to them.
"No signs of a struggle," Flack told him as he looked at both women before him with an anxious frown. "What?"
"We think that Ella McBride might have drugged and kidnapped Mac."
"Don, you know he'd never go willingly. She might have had help maybe this Carl."
"Okay I'm going to call Danny and get him started on Mac's phone log."
"And if that fails then we can try a remote turn on," Stella stated.
"Why not try that first?"
"Because we don't want her to know we're coming. If she sees my name or the lab she might hurt him," Stella frowned, trying to allow reason to push aside panic as she told herself she needed a calm head to find her missing and beloved husband. "We need the element of surprise to go in our favor as long as it can."
"Okay so while Danny finds us the number let's look inside a bit more. Keep our minds occupied," Jessica stated with a weak smile.
"Right," Stella agreed with some reluctance.
I'm coming Mac, I just pray you are okay.
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"Who's here Mac?" Ella asked sharply. "No one knows where we live!"
We? Mac's mind yelled. There is no we! But no matter who was at the door he needed her to answer in order for him to try to make himself heard.
"I don't know Ella, but you should answer it."
"But..." she tried as the knock was heard one more time. "Fine I'll be right back."
Mac watched her leave, closing the door half way but still enough for him to be able to attempt a call for help. He heard her open the door and then yelled for all he was worth.
"HELP ME! SOMEONE...HELP ME! HELP...ME!" Mac yelled until he had to cough from straining.
"What was that?" The lost visitor inquired of Ella.
"TV," she lightly hissed. "I like to watch it loud. Very few neighbors. Sorry I can't help you!" She offered as she slammed the door shut and turned and hurried for Mac.
Mac watched her with a flushed face and narrowed eyes.
"Why Mac?" Ella snapped as slumped down beside him. "Why did you do that?" She asked angrily her hand resting near his wounded side.
"Ella, I can't stay here like this. I need to be free at least," Mac tried with a hint of desperation.
"You nearly ruined it for us!" Ella snapped and Mac lightly shook his head. "Now I don't feel like making you dinner."
"Ella, I'm sorry," Mac tried with a heavy frown. "Please make me dinner? I'll eat whatever you make."
"I don't believe you!"
"I will, whatever you make. I said I was sorry. I was just um worried; that's all. Please? For me? For us?" Mac tried, wanting anything to get through to her muddled brain.
Ella looked at him with a cross expression before her face finally started to soften.
"I'll just rest here while you make us dinner. Okay?"
"Okay. And after dinner can we have sex?" Ella asked with a growing smile.
Mac looked at her and swallowed hard. "Uh sure...one condition."
"What is it?"
"I get to hold you."
"Mac..."
"Ella I promise, I just want to hold you. You want to trust me right?" He queried and she finally nodded her head. "I just want to hold you with both arms."
"I'd like to feel you holding me Mac."
"And you will, I promise."
"Okay I'll make us dinner. Be back soon my love," she smiled as pushed herself off the bed and hurried into the kitchen. Mac watched her go praying his actions would help stall for more time; time to allow Stella to figure out where he was. By now she had traced the GPS on the truck and would be here shortly, he tried to reason, not knowing that Ella had already moved the truck just in case.
Hurry Stella, please hurry, Mac groaned as he pulled on his captive wrist once more in anger before he slumped back in defeat, cursing the woman in the other room. However, if she kept true to her word and let him go after dinner, this nightmare would soon be over; for all of them.
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"Okay so Danny was able to trace the last number to call Mac's number, besides yours Stella, and it came from a payphone about twenty minutes from here."
"Any calls from Ella McBride?"
"A few, but they all correspond to the dates and times you told me about earlier."
"Get Danny to find the address for that payphone," Stella directed.
Flack offered a nod as he dialed Danny one more time and Stella turned back to the darkened cab of the Chevy Avalanche before her.
"Think he's okay?" Stella asked Jessica with a worried frown.
"I think Mac will be able to stall for time."
"By giving her what she wants?" Stella asked crossly. "Even if that means HIMSELF?"
"Stella..."
"Blame the hormones Jess. But you better find her first; I'm pregnant and armed," Stella replied with a slight grimace.
"How are you feeling?" Jessica asked in concern.
Stella offered her a weak expression before her eyes started to water. "I feel sick," she confessed in truth. Jessica wrapped her arms around her friend and offered a supportive hug. "I am worried about Mac, Jess. How could I not be?"
"We'll find him Stella."
"That might be sooner than you think, I have the address for that payphone," Flack informed them. "Now let's go get Mac."
Hold on Mac, I'm on my way.
A/N: Think Ella will be happy when Stella arrives. Okay so bad timing with this and Target, but no physical fight between them in this story and no twist to Ella! Just kinda worked out that way so don't hate me! eek Please let me know and thanks!