I wake up, and the first thing I remember is the argument that Mac and I had last night. Will I ever be able to fix it? He didn't even give me a chance to talk. If he had ... we would have probably woken up together this morning, which would have been the most amazing thing ever. He might not even let me talk to him. No, I'm not going to think like that, I'll make him listen ... somehow. I'll try as soon as I get into work.
When I walk into work, the first thing I notice is that Mac isn't here. He's never late, never has been. So that means that ... oh no. He hasn't has he? He can't have...
"Hey, Stella? Where's Mac?"
"Oh, hey Danny. I honestly don't know. He phoned in this morning and said that he was taking a couple of days off for personal reasons."
Fuck. It's because of me. I'm the 'personal reason'. We need to sort this ... and fast. He's a detective, isn't it his job to study people and know how they're feeling? I know it's not as if I've ever told him, but I haven't exactly been covering up the fact that I'm bisexual, or that I'm in love with him."Oh ... ok. Can I go and see him in my lunch hour? I'll be as quick as I can."
"Yeah, sure. In the meantime, though, we have a break-in down the road. The owner of the apartment has been killed. Sheldon's meeting us there."
"OK. Listen, Stell, I know that I've only just got in, but ... I'm really worried about Mac, I ..." How am I meant to explain all of this to her? So much happened last night, I can barely remember what started it.
She cuts me off. "Danny, I know. I know that you're in love with him. Take the day off, go and see him, do whatever you have to do. Just make sure that you're both back at work tomorrow and are able to work together, yeah? I'll take Lindsay to the crime scene. I'm guessing you two clashed somehow last night. Just sort it, Danny. I'm close friends with both you and Mac, and I really don't want to have to choose between you if things turn sour." She takes one look at my face, and somehow knows what I'm thinking. "Don't worry, I haven't told anyone else. They've probably figured it out anyway, with the way you look at each other."
I look at her in disbelief. "Stella ... you knew ... and you knew that it was mutual ... and ... you didn't mention it? Why?"
"I didn't think that you'd want me to interfere. Look, Danny, I don't have any problem with the two of you being in love. In fact, I think the two of you in a relationship is pretty damn adorable. Now ... go get him!"
I sigh in complete relief. Not only does she know about my love for him, but she accepts it! "Thanks, Stell. I'll sort it, I promise. See ya!" Without waiting for her reply, I run out of the CSI building toward my car, getting several strange looks as I pass by. In my haste, I trip over a chair leg. This sends me skidding across the floor and I end up bashing my knee. WHY can't things go smoothly, just for once? Some of the lab techs are even laughing and taking pictures. Yup, that's me, fuck-up of the lab. I eventually manage to regain my composure and limp out of the lab, leaving them sniggering behind me.
The first place I go to is Mac's apartment. I bang on the door for about ten minutes, but no-one answers.
I start calling through the letterbox, desperate for him to listen to me before he destroys himself. "Mac ... if you're there, please just open up. Let me talk to you. I promise you that I'll leave straight after, but you have to listen to me first."
After a few minutes, the door creaks and opens, but I'm not prepared for what I see ...