Disclaimer - I do not own CSI New York or any of the characters!
Chapter Five
Madeline walked through to Mac's office; everyone she passed either stared or took a double glance, depending on whether or not they'd witnessed the scene in the lobby.
Mac opened up the door to his office, and held it open as Madeline and Stella walked in. Stella stood next to Mac's desk; Madeline hovered awkwardly by the door.
"Sit." Mac ordered, making them both jump.
Madeline's eyes flickered towards Stella, who simply shrugged her shoulders and gestured towards the chair. She dumped her bag on the floor and sat down in the chair, a little harder than necessary. Stella leant against the filing cabinet, holding her head up with her hand.
"Was that really the best way to start off, young lady?" Mac said sternly as he sat down in his own chair.
"No." Madeline muttered, staring down at the floor.
"I understand that you're upset but you cannot speak to people like that, especially not your mother, who has only ever had your best interest at heart." Mac spoke, gesturing in Stella's direction.
"You can't tell me what to do. Neither of you can. It's not like you're my parents!" Madeline shouted.
That comment stung Stella; she walked away from the filing cabinet and stood by the window. She didn't dare turn around to look at her daughter. She was right of course. Stella hadn't been a parent, not really, but deep down she knew that what she had done was the right thing. Madeline had a much better life in England than she ever would have done staying with Stella.
"No, you're right. We're not your parents. But I am your mother. And despite what you think I care very much about you. When you said you'd been going round the city on your own, I panicked! Every single day we have to deal with murderers and rapists, and the victims of their crimes, often young girls just like you. I love you too much to risk anything like that happen to you!" Stella shouted through her tears.
"If you loved me you would have been there for me, instead of just sending cards and letters! If you loved me you would've stayed with me, instead of acting like I didn't even exist!" Madeline shouted back, jumping out of her seat.
"I can't do this Mac." Stella shouted and she stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
"Stella!" Mac called after. He jumped up out of his chair and ran towards the door.
He was too late though, she had already marched into the bathroom.
"Lindsay!" Mac shouted down the hallway.
Lindsay popped her head round the lab door.
"What's up Mac?" She asked, although she could almost guess.
"Stella. She's gone into the ladies room. Can you go check on her?"
"Absolutely" Lindsay nodded as she walked towards the bathroom
When Lindsay passed Mac's office, she looked in to see Mac and the young girl sitting at Mac's desk. Mac looked angry; he was talking to the girl. She couldn't quite work out what he was saying.
Lindsay knocked on the door; she could hear the faint sound of Stella crying in the bathroom.
"Stella?"
Lindsay pushed open the door. Stella was sitting on the edge of one of the sinks, leaning against the mirrors. This was the first time Lindsay had ever seen Stella cry, and she was really crying. She sounded breathless like the tears were hurting her.
"Oh, Stella." Lindsay sighed with her voice filled with concern.
"She is absolutely right, everything she said is right. I'm horrible person. I should've been there, Lindsay! But I wasn't, I was never there! I have no right to act like her mother now." Stella yelled. She breathed in deeply and pulled her knees into her chest.
Lindsay hoisted herself up onto the counter and sat next to Stella. She stretched her arm round her friend's shoulder and pulled her into a hug. Lindsay could feel Stella's hold body shaking with the effort of crying. It was distressing to see her in such a state.
"Stella, she can't see it now but one day she will. She will see that what you did for her was the hardest thing you've ever done and she will see that it was all in her best interest." Lindsay said, trying her best to comfort her friend. Lindsay held Stella
Back in Mac's office, Madeline sat staring at her lap. She felt awful. She really hadn't meant to make Stella cry like that. She was just feeling angry and confused.
"I'm sorry." Madeline whispered.
"It's not me you need to be apologising too." Mac replied. "I've known your mom for a long, long time and I never seen her react like that to anyone or anything. It's her you need to apologise to."