Hey guys! So I have a few possible endings planned for this story, but it all depends on you! A couple of the idea's would end the story completely, another would allow me to write a sequel. What do you all think? Would you be interested in a sequel? Please let me know!

Becky x

Disclaimer: I do not own CSI or any of it's characters.

Chapter Six

Stella's breathing had steadied and the tears had stopped. She dropped down off of the counter and looked in the mirror. Her eyes were puffy and red, and there was mascara running all down her face.

"Here, you look a mess." Lindsay laughed, passing Stella some tissue.

Stella turned on the tap and splashed the cold water on her face; she used the tissue to wipe away the entire make-up residue.

"She looks a lot like you, you know. She's beautiful." Lindsay said.

"Thank you." Stella wiped away more of the make-up and laughed. "She's the single greatest thing I've ever done in my life and I barely even know her. Lindsay, I did the right thing, didn't I?"

"Stella, if I've learnt anything about you, it's that your judgements are never wrong." Lindsay rested her hand on Stella's shoulder.

"Thanks Lindsay, for everything." Stella replied, holding on to Lindsay's hand. Stella really appreciated the support from her friend; it almost made her want to cry again.

Just then there was a light knock on the door and it was pushed open. Madeline poked her pretty little face round the door. Lindsay smiled and winked at Stella, she gave her a hug. Madeline slid round the side of the door as Lindsay pulled it open for her, she gave her a little smile and let the door shut.

Madeline and Stella looked at each other.

"I'm really, really sorry." Madeline said quietly.

Stella sighed "It's okay. I know I have a lot of explaining to do, and I know I have a lot to make up to you. I'm sorry Madeline."

"No, you don't need to make anything up to me. I was just angry, you've got this great life here in New York City with a fancy apartment and a cool job and I live in a small suburb in England. Whenever people ask about my mum, I never know what to say! "

"It's complicated, I know it is. But I...how did you know where I live?"

"Oh, mum gave me the..." Madeline's voice trailed off after she realised she just called someone else 'mom' in front of her actual mother.

"Madeline, it's okay, I guess she is your mother. Just call me whatever you feel comfortable with. I won't be offended if you call me Stella. I promise." She said, giving her daughter a hug.

"So, you were saying?"

"Anyway, I got the address and I took a taxi there and gave my suitcase to the doorman there. He said you can get it later. Then I came here." Madeline's lip started to tremble. "And then I was a horrible person and made you cry!"

Madeline burst into tears again. Seeing her daughter so upset made Stella want to cry again, but she didn't, she needed to be the adult here.

"Hey, come on, don't start that again." Stella comforted, pulling Madeline into another hug. She ran her fingers through her curls and kissed her on the top of her head.
"Now, I may not have been there when you needed me, but I'm here now. And I promise that I will be there from here on in."

Stella kissed her daughter again on her forehead.

"I do love you. I'm going to take the rest of the day off work, and I'm going to take you out. But first we are going home, and you are going to change." Stella grinned, dropping her arms and looking at her daughter.

"Why do I need to change?" Madeline asked, looking confused.

"Those shorts are way too short. And I can see right through your shirt. C'mon, I want to introduce you to everyone before we go." Stella laughed as she pulled open the bathroom door and guided her daughter out.

Stella and Madeline walked through the office with their arms linked. She was introduced to everyone. As they stood in one of the labs talking to Danny and Lindsay, Stella glanced over her shoulder and saw Mac standing in his office. He caught her eye and gestured for her to come into his office.

"Uh...Danny, I just need to talk to Mac, keep her busy will you?" Stella smiled, winking at her daughter.

As she walked out the door, Stella could hear Danny start talking about music or something. Stella looked at Mac, he looked disappointed. She pushed open his office door, her stomach sinking a little as he looked up at her.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He said, staring deep into her eyes.

It took her by surprise. Stella struggled to look at him.

"I didn't want anyone to know Mac. Talking about her makes me miss her and if I think about her too much I won't be able to stay away. That was the deal. I had to keep my distance, I promised I would, otherwise her life would have been so much more complicated than it needed to be."

"I could've been there for you Stell, I could've helped you." He smiled, walking over to her.

"I know that, I do. I am sorry that it all came out like this Mac. I would've told you, it's just Madeline and I's relationship is so rocky, and I didn't want you to think badly of me for not being there."

"Stella, I would never, ever do anything like that." Mac said, he placed his hand on Stella's shoulder.

Stella smiled and hugged Mac.

"Thank you. Now, if it's okay with you, I'm going to take my daughter out!"

"Go ahead. I'll call you if we really need you."

"Thanks Mac." Stella smiled and hugged Mac again.

Stella walked out of Mac's office and went back to collect Madeline. She walked in half way through Danny and Madeline's conversation.

"Yeah, and his fingers were just crunched into little stubs. It was gross." Danny looked up and saw Stella standing there frowning, "And your mom took one of the fingers home in a jar, as a souvenir you know." Danny winked at Stella and laughed.

"Okay Danny, have you traumatised my daughter enough for one day?" Stella asked. Her arms were folded and her left eyebrow was raised.

Madeline, who was leaning on one of the tables, turned around. She looked slightly pale and her mouth was hanging open.

"Did you really keep a finger?" Madeline asked, completely shocked.

Stella tapped Danny on the back of the head.

"C'mon, let's go before he gives you any crazy ideas."

"Bye, Danny." Madeline smiled, as she followed her mother out the room.

They walked together into the lobby.

"You ready to go kiddo?"

"Yeah, let's go. Stella, is Mac your boyfriend?"

"Oh no, definitely not. He's a very dear friend, and my boss! Right, let's go back to mine so you can change."

Madeline linked her arm round Stella's. It was a small action, but it made Stella's heart swell with love.

"So," said Stella. "Fill me in on everything."

Madeline grinned "Where do I start?"