Title: Opposites Attract
Chapter 2 … Opposite ends of the same Spectrum – Part II

Meeting Stella Bonasera

"Ohhh already?" I groan as I roll over in my warm bed and look at the clock. "Not even six." I hit the snooze button but know I'll just curse myself if I'm late. I'm never late. As head of my lab I have to set an example for my team and if I take liberties, I can't get mad if any of them did the same.

I look at my badge and smile. I like my name, Stella Bonasera, it sounds strong and captivating. I slightly laugh at that last description but feel its fitting. I have been told it's a smooth sounding name and when pronounced correctly is very intriguing. But I do sometimes wonder if my name would have any special meaning to anyone other than myself? I smile at the thought that one day maybe, perhaps a special someone will know my name for something more than a professional contact and ally.

I take pride in my work and know there is no other place that I'd rather fight crime than New York. I have been called many things, from bulldog to headstrong to just downright stubborn, but science geek is one I take with affection. It was my love for figuring things out down to the molecular level that made me take this post as head of the crime lab a few years back. In reality it was an opening for two and I took one spot, another partner hasn't been found yet. Mostly because I'm too picky, I tell myself. If I was to share my lab with someone they would have to live up to pretty high standards.

I am very independent; not sharing the management responsibilities with anyone has given me a streak of stubborn will and a realization that I don't have to answer to anyone other than myself. I do take more liberties than most women should, but then again at the end of the day I have no one that tells me I should take it easy and they'll do the dirty stuff for once. Flack tells me that I drive men away because they are usually scared off by my personality. I tell him it just weeds out all the bad ones until a man of substance forces his way into my life. He finally concedes and says that one day a man will knock me on my ass and I'll know he's the one. I know that that man doesn't exist on this planet, much less in my small corner of the globe.

Danny tells me to throw away the mental list I have made myself for my perfect match. At the top is best friend. To me that's one of the most important things a man would have to become. I don't have one and in all truth I am miss have a trusting confidant. Kind, caring, considerate and strong. Protective of course and a little jealous, that always keeps a man interested. But not to the point of wanting to kill someone, I quickly remind myself. And handsome.

"Of course," I smile as I look up at the ceiling. "And the sex would have to be great." I blush at that last thought. My favourite body part on a man is his arms. They would have to be strong enough to fight for me when I am in trouble and yet gentle enough to hold me when I am weak. Playful when I wanted them and submissive when I needed.

"Weak?" I chide. I hate that word and hope I never have to use that word and my name in the same sentence. I would never show myself as weak to a man, which is another reason Flack tells me I'll end up alone. He always reminds me that to show your weaknesses to someone you care for or who cares for you is a show of trust, love and strength. This person doesn't exist outside my own imagination. "Besides," I huff. "Sounds like a lot of work."

"I need to get up," tell myself once more; this time finally believing it.

I slowly push myself out of bed, my hair a tangled mess of curls from not caring the night before. I flip on the TV and turn to the weather station. "Warm," I smile. I love New York in the fall. The air is still warm but not that hot sticky humidity of the summer months that makes your clothes stick in all the wrong places. I take pride in my appearance and know the disdain a sweat mark makes at the most in opportune moment. I head for my kitchen and start the coffee. I'm not much of a breakfaster but will take the time to savor a quick snack with my morning pick me up. I head into the bathroom and reach for the bottle that will save cousin IT perched on my head.

I start to rub some of the detangler through my hair and then head back into the living room. I turn to my second favourite channel and listen for the day's top stories.

'This is Wendy Hanson outside Mayor Carlson's office. We have word that Detective Mac Taylor delivered the final blow last night that will send Jack Harvey away for life.'

"Taylor!" I hiss as I rush back to the TV with interest and turn up the volume a few notches.

'Sources tell me that the evidence against Mr. Harvey is reliable and that the DA has pressed for a speedy prosecution against Mr. Harvey. Harvey is a political member on Mayor Carlson's audit team. However, to avoid another mayoral scandal, Detective Taylor has shown that Harvey was hired be…'

"Damn that guy! There goes my funding," I growl as I head back into the bathroom. It was no surprise among the two competing teams that the team that made the most impact to the mayor would secure the funding they needed that month. There were other small forensic houses in the state, but our two are the biggest and have the most resources. Ask anyone on the outside and it was a debate as to which team was the best. But in my mind there was no debate, my team is labelled the best and that was all there is too it. Taylor can choke on it!

I haven't personally met Mac Taylor but his reputation always precedes him when I go into the mayor's office. Strong, determined, dedicated to a fault, sometimes a pain in the ass and very charismatic are some of the terms that I hear people toss around when his name is brought up. If I didn't have to compete against him I'd be very impressed by that resume. Carlson's secretary has a crush on him I suspect, but can't figure out why. He was in the Marines. Must only be his commanding presence. Besides I have yet to meet one that can carry on an intelligent conversation beyond 'I'll die for my President.'

Danny is always trying to set me up with some poor friend or guy he and Flack met at a bar the night before. I always tell them I'm not interested but they still keep at it. I have always been attracted to the dark brooding guys but I can't seem to find any worth fighting for. "Plus none can ever seem to keep up."

I choose a dark pantsuit and then walk back into the kitchen. I like to dress up for work, as when I do go out after work I would rather relax and just be comfortable. But every now and again, I like to get dressed up and go dancing or out someplace fancy, just telling myself I still have it in me and like to enjoy the finer things this city has to offer. Which unfortunately isn't as often as I'd want.

I hear the news conference on the Mayor's office once again on the TV and let my mind wander to Mac Taylor. I have never seen a picture of him but can picture him in my mind. "Probably a lot like Hitler," I grimace. I am in a sour mood now thanks to him and would usually never slap that title on anyone; much less a professional colleague, but if anyone could unknowingly get under my skin it's that man. I suspect he is probably used to getting his own way and I doubt if he'd be very pleasant to work with. "Intolerable," is the word I use for Mac Taylor out loud.

And what kind of name is Mac, I scoff. Probably short for something preppy like Mackenzie to which he was forced to change when he joined the Marines or get his ass kicked for having a pansy name. But Mac? "Probably stands for miserable and controlling." I know it's an army stereotype but I couldn't help but wonder if he made his family salute him when he got home from work at the end of the day. Probably very demanding to live with I surmise.

I quickly put up my hair, the detangler not taking effect in time and apply some makeup. Another gulp of the my coffee and I am out the door and into the busy early New York morning. I don't know if I could live anywhere else. Except maybe Greece. I would love to go there someday. My past is something I don't talk about and would rather forget, but it's made me the strong determined woman I am today and for that I will be forever thankful. Most men get annoyed with such a strong will and independent spirit; but I just laugh and tell them it's their loss. I wish one day someone of substance would counter that, just to show me where I belong; at their side as an equal.

I walk into the office with the same enthusiasm I do every day. Facing death sometimes keep my nerves a tad on edge, but I like being right in the middle of things; getting my hands dirty with my team; it keeps me real and ever vigilant to prove myself every day. I think if I was forced to be at a desk I would hang myself with the short career rope. I do use creative ways to get the job done and have been criticized by my working group that one day these kinds of actions will get myself killed.

I head for my office and see my team already hard at work. Danny Messer hurries in my direction and I frown. His youthful enthusiasm sometimes is wearing but his skills are solid and his street sense is second to none. He grew up in the city and knew how its politics worked from the start, but had developed his own way of dealing with things. And while it sometimes gets him into trouble, I wouldn't trade him for another CSI.

"Morning," I smile at Danny as I head for my office.

"I saw the news," Danny mentioned, breaking my thoughts. "Taylor again huh…damn that guy took our funding. Harvey was in the Mayor's office. Tough to beat that."

"I know," I huff. "How did he get to Harvey before we did?"

"Paula Watford," Detective Don Flack says walking up to me. Most of the women around him turned their heads when the handsome detective walked by but he was involved with his partner Jessica Angell. I sometimes wonder how two people can work together so closely and then carry on a romantic relationship without killing each other or just get sick of seeing each other on a regular daily basis. Jessica always told me it was because I hadn't found the right one. I guess that's true.

"Ah Taylor's right hand," I state with a sour note. "The younger Tina Turner," I mention, mostly to myself.

"Well she is one of the best," Flack mentions with professional pride. And although I know that Flack and Watford have butted heads on a working level, he always tells me that in fight to the death without asking he'd take a bullet to keep her alive. "But she used to work in that political arena so I'm sure she had some inside help that would keep us at bay. Sorry."

"Yeah me too," I frown. "I hate to lose to Taylor. Danny, are we finished with the Marlin case?"

"Sheldon is just running that stray print right now and then we'll go and check it out. Call you later."

I watch Sheldon Hawkes approach and offer a pensive smile. Sheldon was brilliant. A child genius I liked to tease. He had been a doctor and was now in the field; still working with patients but now they were dead and it was to help put away those who did terrible things and stop others from doing the same to those still alive.

"Once they are back we can wrap this up," I tell Flack as he follows me into my office. "So much for our fifteen seconds of fame yesterday," I huff and curse Mac Taylor's name once again. "What's he like?" I ask, not really interested but just curious.

"How is it that you two have been working the same city for the past two years and you don't know each other? Never attended the same parties?"

"I doubt he goes to parties," I frown, not looking at Flack.

"Seriously?" Flack pushes.

I look up at him with my look that says back off. "Just lucky I guess," I offer and he knows this conversation is over.

Mac Taylor has only been this close a working proximity to me for about two years. He and his other CSI Cyrus Chan were transferred from Washington. Just like Mac, I too was given strict guidelines about which turf was mine and when not to cross the boundaries on a personal mission of justice. That and running this lab has ensured that I don't meet him in person. But sometimes I do get a call on neutral ground. There haven't been many as some of the smaller teams are usually called in but there was one time I'll never forget. I look at a small note card that he sent me right after I arrived late and lightly smile. 'Stella, do you need a map?' Mac. But I kept it as a reminder that he would never have the upper hand on me again. I wondered if we ever would meet in person what would happen? I'd probably never hear the end for putting him on his ass, I inwardly laugh until Flack forces me back to reality.

"Right," Flack frowns at me. "Well I have Miles Darwin in lockup."

"Keep him there until we have a name from the fingerprint," I direct.

"Done," Flack said as he leaves, Sheldon offering a hello as then handing me a readout.

"It was Darwin's room mate," he tells me. "We finally got Brian and now Marc."

"Let's go," I tell him. "If he confesses then we can get Darwin out of my hair."

"Speaking of hair," I see Sheldon frown.

I offer a look that says to go there would mean death and Sheldon declines his next comment. "Shall we?" He asks weakly.

I give him a firm nod and then reach for my piece. In a few minutes I am off my chair and back into the busy hallway, searching for Sheldon. He finally joins me and we are headed for the truck. I like to drive, again part of my independent streak. I don't see why a woman always has to be the passenger. Besides, with me behind the wheel we usually get their faster.

Sheldon reads the rest of the background history on the man we are going to see. Miles Darwin is a small loan shark that sliced up his girlfriend, Denise Marlin the sister of Adam Graves. Marc Griffen was a grubby man that scares even me, and I'm not scared that easily by men. I have seen them all, and much to their annoyance can usually pick out their weak traits and flaws even before they finish their first sentence. Another reason I think I'm still single.

"Why can't these guys ever live in nice places," I hear Sheldon moan as I pull to a stop in front of a small home.

"Because crime doesn't really pay," I offer, to which I see Sheldon just roll his eyes. With a flash of my trademark smile I take my evidence and lead the way to the front door.

"GRIFFEN!" I shout as I bang loudly on the door. Even with another man at my side, I am used to being the one to lead the rush so I just naturally assume that it's my job to get this thing started.

We hear shuffling and I look at Sheldon with an arched brow. "NYPD!" I try again. This time we hear crashing and Sheldon wastes no time in using his arm to push the unlocked door open. I follow after him with my gun drawn and ready. Sheldon takes the room to the right and I hurry after the shadow I see dancing in the room ahead of me.

"Hold it Griffen!" I order.

But instead of listening to me, I watch as he charges. I try to sidestep but his arm catches my mid-section and he takes me to the floor. I waste no time in twisting out of his grasp and kicking his side. Growing up in less than ideal home situations has made me a fierce fighter. Griffen is temporarily winded and I waste no time in pushing myself to my knees and cocking the trigger in his face.

"I gave you an order!" I bark angrily, upset also that he ruined one of my favourite outfits. Damn it!

Sheldon rushes into the room and covers me while I help Griffen stand up and then cuff his wrists behind his back.

"I was going to ask if you had anything to say b…" I start only to be cut off.

"Go to hell bitch!" He curses at me. "It wasn't me. It was Brian…"

"You can try to blame who you want," I snap. "We found your fingerprint on the murder weapon," I tell him. I love the look of shock in his eyes. This is another reason I love to do my job. These guys think they are untouchable, but when I hand them their sentence it's more than reward for all my hours of dedication. "You know the one you tried to hide under Brian's," I smile.

"Okay…" he starts in a frantic huff. "Brian paid me to kill Adams sister, Shelby. Said the heat was coming to me and that taking out Miles was the only way I could save my ass. There was no other way."

"There is always another way," I remind him. "Brian might have set you up but we know it was you that killed Shelby Miller. You missed Darwin and took out her. Darwin kills Denise Marlin and you think you can pin both on him. Nice try. The evidence isn't wrong."

"Can I cut a deal?" He begs me.

"We'll see," I offer as I look at Sheldon with a frown.

Sheldon, who already called Flack, takes Griffen from me and marches him out of the house, while I look around for anything that will help me also bring down Brian Mercer. I quickly scan the small room before me. I have sharp vision and rarely miss what's hidden. My eyes finally rest on what I need and I pick up the card that has a bloody fingerprint on it; the card that Marc must have dropped when he charged me.

"If this is Mercers, we get three for one today," I smile in triumph. My mind replays the images of the young girl that was caught up in this and I cringe. "Why do women always pick the bad boys?" I sigh to myself as I bag the card and then head out to talk to Sheldon and now Flack.

I dated a bad boy once, and while the sex was fun, there wasn't much more to him than a Harley and a constant stream of one night stands. I tired of him pretty fast.

I walk out to see Flack putting Griffen in the car and smile. Seeing those guys being locked up is another sense of accomplishment that I take pleasure in.

"Sheldon I think we might have found something else to bring down Mercer. Anyone up for a threesome," I inform them.

"Well if it gets Larry, Moe and Curly here off the streets then I'm game," Flack tells me with a playful wink.

"We have Griffen for killing Shelby Miller and now we have Brian Mercer for taking out Guy Web," I rattle off. "Maybe today will end on a positive note. We just need to prove that Darwin killed Denise Marlin and we are home free."

Sheldon and I get back into the truck and head back for the lab. Flack has his hands full now with Darwin and Griffen and I just need the piece that will put Mercer at the scene and this is all wrapped up. Thankfully this was a tough week with this case.

Flack joins me as I am wrapping up my tests on the card.

"Both are starting to sing like there are auditioning for American Idol," he quips.

"Well I might have another contestant for you," I tell him as I look at Sheldon.

"Give me about ten minutes," Sheldon informs me.

"Done," I agree as I head back to my office, Flack in tow.

"Okay so when do you want to talk to these guys?" He asks.

"Give me about an hour or so," I tell him as I finally sit down and open my email. "Another one of these…doesn't this man have anything better to do than throw another party," I moan as I delete the invitation to another Mayoral reception. Just another reason for my team to try yet again in vain to fix me up with another hapless twit. They just didn't get it; I wasn't interested and didn't need help.

But Flack heard before he left and annoyingly calls me on it. "You know my friend Doug Bilson is going but has no date…"

I look up at Flack and frown. "How old?" I question.

"Old enough to make it worth your while," Flack tells me. He and Jess were always trying to set me up and unlike Danny's friends, Flack's were always members of the NYPD. But after shop talk it was always sports; nothing of substance.

"No thanks," I reply firmly.

"Actually he's not as bad as the last one," Flack adds in a sheepish tone.

"So then he knows words that have more than two syllables?" I shoot back.

"But…" he tries again in protest, but I won't let him. I don't have time for this game and let him know.

"Now don't you have work to do?"

"Yes ma'am," he mocks me as he finally closes my door and is gone.

I get a page from Sid and am thankful for the distraction. I look through the glass windows that are the walls to my office and smile. I like my lab, it's busy and probably a lot nicer than the hole Taylor has. I hurry down to Sid's auditorium as he likes to call it and push the doors open.

"Afternoon," I smile to Sid. Sid was always warm and friendly. I find it odd as he works around dead bodies all day long, cutting and carving into them and yes he's always so upbeat and chipper, and today I need that. But when I need sound advice he is always available.

"Saw the news this morning," he starts, not looking up at me.

"I hate the news," I reply sourly.

"So I've heard," I retort. But the last thing I want is another discussion about Mac Taylor and so I give him a look that says just don't go there. "What's up?"

"Denise Marlin…I found something else," Sid says handing me a small baggie with a red object in it.

I take the object and start to look at it in interest. This wasn't a case that would garner me favors with the powers that be, but it would help bring an innocent girls killer to justice and so I pushed on with the same zeal I have for every case.

"I have seen this," I tell him. "End of the stick pin. This proves that Miles Darwin was there. The other half of his stick pin is still with us. And the only way…" I quickly stop. "Thanks Sid," I call as I rush back upstairs to the lab. I start my examination and before I know it my results are displayed and I'm once again in a better frame of mind.

I call Sheldon and go over what we found.

"So we have the pin that places Darwin at the scene of Marlin's murder. We have the card that proves Mercer took out Web and we have the print that puts Griffen on the body of Shelby Miller."

"The card is a bit of a long shot," Sheldon reminds me.

"I know but I want all three of them off the street," I argue in return.

"Three for three," Sheldon notes.

"If we can play one off the other then I'm sure this will all play out like we want," I state firmly. "I won't give up now. I made a promise to myself. Shelby would be here…"

"Stella, don't be so hard on yourself," Sheldon tells me. "You couldn't have known. I bought their story's. We all did."

"You wanted to believe," I mention with a hint of sorrow. "I didn't."

"You don't trust men at all do you," Sheldon adds in a gentler tone.

"Haven't found one that has surprised me yet," I reply.

Sheldon looks at me in suspect but knows better than to offer a reply and so just hands me the file and leaves. I think he and Danny do sometimes tire of my constant need to show my independence but then I don't have anyone else here that I need to check with or rely on and it shows. In truth I don't care, it's who I am.

I get a page from Flack and know he needs me now or they might walk.

"Show time," I mumble to myself as I get up. "Let's put this scum away."

I take the file and file and then head for the NYPD part of the building. Much like Taylor's lab, mine also shares with an NYPD station house. His is 24 and mine is 63.

I walk through the station house on my way to the interrogation room where Flack is already waiting for me. I notice Doug Bilson look up when I walk past and he winks. Does he wonder why he's alone, I lament. But as I try to walk past he is up off his feet and hurrying in my direction. I don't have time for this, I frown. Doug is attractive for women who are interested in the blond body-building type. All he needs is a surf board and he'd be the perfect man for a Hawaiian Tropic TV Commercial.

But as he approaches, I offer a smile. I am flattered by his attention and can't help but smile when I notice the other female officers look at me with a bit of disdain. But if he was to ask out another I wouldn't be mad. I wonder if I would ever meet a man I would be jealous over? They don't exist, I remind myself quickly as I try to hurry past Doug. Flack is waiting.

"Stella," Doug smiles to me, blocking my escape.

"Doug," I offer politely.

"Can I ask you something?"

"I am needed in interrogation," I try. But he doesn't take my no for an answer. In truth I am turned on by a forward man; a man who takes what he wants when he sees it. But I also find it a bit annoying when a man is too forceful and won't let me take the lead at least once.

Doug gently takes my elbow and guides me away from two listening officers. "Are you free for a drink after work today?" He asks.

I look at him and huff. I really don't have time nor do I want to go out with another meathead, but he didn't have as bad a reputation as the others and so I just nodded a yes and agreed to whatever time he mentioned and then carried on my way. I push my way into the interrogation room and sit down next to Flack who has already started his angry tirade.

"We know you were there Darwin," I start, taking my cue from Flack, who has finally managed to calm down. Flack was first on the scene and even though I know he's a strong cop, to see a woman's soft body hacked up to pieces made him sick.

"It was Brian," the man before me insists. I hate spineless men. At least own up to it, I want to shout.

"Brian said it was you that killed Guy Web," I look at Brian.

"Yeah and Griffen killed Shelby," Flack adds. "What are we missing boys? The motive? That you might want to clarify," he growls at them in anger.

"Okay fine," Darwin caves.

Brian lunges for Darwin, but Flack is off his chair and lunging at Brian. I pull back Darwin and Griffen just sits in his chair with a horrified look on his face.

Just under an hour later we are putting the final touches on all the paperwork and the three stooges have been booked and charged. I walk back to my office with a smile on my face.

"All in a days work," I mutter to myself as I sit down in my chair.

"Seven," I frown as I look at the clock. I had wanted an early night but know that's not going to happen. I already promised Doug and I hate to reneg on my word. My word is something I take very seriously and so know I must do what I told him. In truth I have no one to go home to and like to be around people; even if it is mindless drabble.

Flack stands in the door with a frown. "You didn't have to say yes," he tells me. "Doug just said you agreed to the reception?"

"I felt sorry for him," I concede.

"Really? That's a first," he smiles. "Did you want to have dinner with me and Jess tonight," he tells me.

"Thanks," I smile. "But I'll be okay."

"One of these days Stella," Flack says as he turns to leave.

"What?" I wonder.

"One of these days, you are going to meet a guy who gets not only impresses you like no other but will get under your skin so much that you can't do anything else but hold on."

"Right," I scoff as I give an eye roll and he takes his leave.

"I'd probably kill him," I mention softly as Flack is out of earshot. But inside something tells me that I am not that fortunate to find that kind of man. "Right now I have to settle for Doug."

Cursing myself once again for accepting that drink offer from Doug, I realize that I can't back out now and head back into the other part of the building to find him.

We make small talk as we walk to a nearby pub and I wonder if these guys know anything outside their small realm. Most of them have never travelled; had an interesting hobby or read anything outside of Sports Illustrated. I offer a polite smile but inside my mind I am already plotting my next take down of Mac Taylor so I can get my funding for the new equipment I need. But Doug asks me a question and I quickly pull myself back to my date and try to make the most of this situation.

Finally it was time to call it a night and I am more than thankful to be heading home. I know Doug was hoping for some midnight action but I just can't see myself having a one night stand with this man. Just not my thing, I confess. No substance in a one night stand and certainly nothing really to brag about. I slowly let myself inside and look at the time and groan.

"Great Stella," I scold. "Another late night."

I put my coat away and then for the bathroom and turn the shower on; letting the bathroom fill up with steam and finally starting to feel myself relax. I look at my reflection in the mirror and frown. "I need an early night one of these days," I tell myself. I quickly shed my clothes and then step under the hot water. I know I'll have another morning battle with cousin IT but I need to wash my hair and at least give it a fighting chance.

I dry off and then wander into the bedroom and pull on my long nightshirt and then climb into bed. I am still a bit wound up but know I need sleep so I force my eyes closed and never realizing that the events of tomorrow would force me down a path that would change my life forever.

A/N: so here we meet Stella. What do you think? She might seem a bit OOC but this is AU and doesn't have Mac in her life 'yet' to keep her balanced. They'll see each other next and hopefully you guys want that. Please review and tell me if it's okay so far. Thanks!!