Title: Opposites Attract
Chapter 9 - Your Place or Mine?

A/N: I like to update on a frequent basis so hopefully you'll review just as often to keep my enthusiam strong! And I write long chapters so I hope that everyone at least appreciates the hard work that's going into this story. Enjoy some more SMACKED fun and flirting!

"Taylor!" I growl as I gently pull on my trapped wrist. I hear someone approaching and my heart starts to race faster. How dare he leave me like this in here! With all these people around! Oh I'll get him for this! Lindsay rounds the corner and I offer a small sigh of relief. Thankfully its not Flack or Danny; that I'd never live down.

"Stella?" She asks quickly with a deep frown. "What on earth? How did this happen?" She rushes up to me in concern.

"Mac did this," I growl at her.

"What? Why?"

"Because he's a control freak, please I need your help," I beg in desperation. "You have to let me go."

"Mac will kill me," she half whispers.

"I'll do that for him if you don't help me," I utter weakly.

"I'll help you on one condition," she starts.

"What?" I ask in shock. "Are you serious?"

"Yes," Lindsay smiles.

"Fine, what?"

"Put in a good word about me with Danny," she smiles.

"Trust me you're doing that all on your own," I smile at the younger woman before me. "But if you help me, I'll make sure you two work together for the rest of this case." It was a deal with the devil but to get back at Taylor I'd take that risk. Besides it was a woman thing; Taylor could not trump that. "But if I do that, you better promise this stays between us!"

"Deal. Where is the key?"

"I have a universal handcuff key in my kit right there, hurry," I tell her as I hear Mac finishing his call. I had worked a case where I found myself in this very situation and then happened upon this very invaluable tool by a rather indiscretionary individual. That's why I never leave home without it.

She rushes back to me and I quickly undo the cuff and race after her out the door. We both lean against the wall and offer each other a smile and a small high five.

"You know it's nice to have another woman CSI around," Lindsay tells me warmly.

"Likewise," I reply with a smile. She hurries off and I quickly put the key into my pocket. From now on that little thing is going to be on a chain around my neck. Damn this man!

Boy I wish I could see the look on his face when he rounds the corner and only the handcuff is waiting for him. I hurry for the nearest officer I can find. Anything to give me an excuse to be busy; but my heart is racing. How can I get him back? I am going to ship him off to Brazil! Oh Stella, why do you like to flirt with him like this? This is not flirting, it's revenge, I tell myself! Same thing.

I love how he thinks he can get one over me. But as I offer a heavy sigh I'm sure I'll be in for some sweet revenge. I'll just have to watch my back. Oh Stella, why are you actually enjoying the anticipation of his comeback? Because I need to get a life!

XXXXXXXX

My nervous tension starts to build as I go in search of Stella. I reach my cuffs and curse as I start to undo them. I hear her voice and hurry out the door to see her standing and talking to one of the officers. She looks at me and smiles before turning and heading my way.

"Oh, looking for me?" She smiles sweetly.

"How the hell," I start in anger to which she just grabs my arm and drags me into the room we came out of.

"Why are you cursing at me?" She demands. I look at her face which appears angry. Is she seriously mad? Or is this another game? AH! I can't win.

"I'm, no, I'm not," I offer in exasperation as I yank my arm free. "Why on earth are you mad at me? You got out! I'm mad at you!"

"You did it in the first place!" She snaps back; a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"Fine, how did you get out?" I resign.

"You think you're the only one you can get out of a tight spot?" She counters as she finally offers me a smile.

Mac, she's got you again. She won't let me know her secret and so begging is out of the question. I don't beg for anything! So with a loud sigh I turn my back and start back for my kit.

"Not going to ask me how I got out?" She wonders.

"Would you tell me if I asked?" I counter.

"No," she replies and I just throw up my hands.

"Can I ask you something?" I ask, only to once again turn too fast and bump right into her. Once again we are standing face to face and my highly education brain is failing to send words to my mouth.

"Anything," she lightly whispers.

"If I paid you a lot of money would you ever let me get and actually keep the upper hand?"

"I might be able to be bribed," she offers.

Mac, stupid she did it again to you! Left you wanting more. And you do want more right? No! Yes you do.

"I'll find you another partner," I tell her in haste.

"You really don't like me do you?" She frowns. "Am I really that terrible to work with?"

I look at her face and feel mine starting to soften. "No, you're not. It's just been a long day and I didn't expect us to,"

"Get along so well?" She finishes my sentence once again with a smile.

But instead of being upset I offer a slight smile in return. "Frankly yes."

"Happy to disappoint," she tells me.

"Fine, I won't get you kicked off this case," I tell her lightly and thankfully she can tell I'm not being too serious.

"What is it about me that you dont like then?"

Oh Mac, loaded question. I like everything about her, but I can't tell her that. "I don't like you getting the upper hand on me all the time!" I state firmly. But she'll always have the upper hand my overworked brain reminds me. She's a woman! You are no match in that department. "So what can I bribe you with?" I ask quickly but firmly.

"Hmm you sure you want to put yourself out there like that?" She challenges.

"I, uh okay, I guess not," I frown. "You know bad idea. Never mind."

"Yeah nice try Taylor. I'm not letting you back out of this one so easily," she smiles. "I'll let you know," she says turning to leave as Flack walks into the room.

"You two agree on anything yet?" Flack asks us.

"Yes that I drive him crazy," Stella smiles to which I just frown.

"Well we have the Dean ready to talk to you guys."

"Thanks," I frown as I take the small note from Flack and head for the door. I glance back at Stella who is talking to Flack and I just leave the room. I have given up trying to figure out this woman. That in itself is a full time job and I already have a full time job! But it is driving me crazy how she got out of those cuffs. Damn it Mac! That's what she wants.

I head outside and then just look at the building and start to study the area while I wait. I need to keep my mind on anything other than her. Are you sure? Yes!

XXXXXXXX

"So are you seriously getting along or was that a rouse?" Flack asks me.

"Oh it's not as bad as I thought it would be," I reply. Can he hear my heart racing? Can he tell there's more to my answer? He's a guy, of course he can't!

"Good to hear it," Flack smiles. "Paula tells me he's the best at what he does."

"So am I," I snap in return.

"Yeah Paula, also said you two will get along just fine," Flack tells me.

"What did you want?" I ask him; trying to once again deflect the conversation away from my personal life and my growing attraction to Mac Taylor.

I get what I need from Flack and then head for the outside. My mind is still laughing at the look on Taylor's face when he asked what he could do to find out my secret. Nothing. Like I'm going to tell him my secrets! He'd never tell me. Besides, I'm still working on what I can be bribed with. I push the door open and see him standing outside looking around. Obviously examining the surrounding area. Does his mind ever rest? I doubt it. And why does that fascinate me once again? Don't know, but all of him fascinates me. All of him? Yes!

But just as I am about to approach him, I see Doug heading our way. Damn it! Bad timing Stella, I curse inside. Oh why now. Why after the fun time I've had with Taylor and why when I think I'm making some small head way with him does Doug show up. But for some reason when Doug comes near, my heart doesn't beat as fast. What does that mean?

"Stella," Doug calls to me with a broad smile as he pushes past Mac and heads straight for me. I notice Taylor offer a frown but assume it's about the case rather than my personal life. At the same time, I was hoping he was a little jealous. Oh grief Stella, he is not!

"Hi Doug, are you on this case also?"

"Just here to help with the scene containment. Detective Watford said that this place needs to be sealed before night fall. How are you?"

"This case is tiring," I answer in truth with a small frown. I look over at Mac who looks back at me with an impatient glare. "I have to go."

"I am taking you to dinner tonight and won't take no for an answer."

"I might not finish in time," I tell him in truth.

"I'll wait," he smiles as I finally hear my name being called. "Stella?" Doug presses. "Just drop by the precinct after you're done. Please?" He begs, as he plants a small kiss on my cheek. "Or I'll find you."

"I'll see," I offer with a small smile. I watch him leave and then look at Mac. I owe him nothing right? Right? Why do I feel guilty?

"Sorry had to," I start.

"Oblige your boyfriend?" He asks in mild annoyance. Is he jealous? Not that lucky.

"And you can't take personal calls at work? You did at the hotel," I throw at him. He's about to say something more and I really want to make another comment but refrain. "He's just a friend. Just asking about this case," I frown.

"Sure," he answers, not looking at me. Is he angry? Do I care if he's angry? Yes! Rats! What is wrong with me?

"So who are we going to see?" I ask in haste, trying to shift attention back to the case.

"Dean Casey Winters," he tells me as we near the building.

XXXXXXXX

I am really trying to focus on what I am going to say to Dean Winters, but my mind is now occupied with the Neanderthal boyfriend that always seems to just show up after I think we've made a connection. And when I saw him kiss her I felt my fists tighten. She doesn't owe me anything and he was in her life long before I came, I assume, and he'll be there long after I am gone. Just let it go Mac, I sigh inwardly. Just let it go. I want to, really, but for some reason just can't. Oh you like her, just admit it already. I like her. Damn it, its only the first day. But that kiss will keep me at bay, in second place, where I belong.

We head inside and head up to the Dean's office.

"She's expecting you Detective Taylor," the secretary tells me.

"She?" I ask in surprise.

XXXXXXXX

She? I wonder the same time as Mac. I watch a very well polished woman come out of her office and walk up to us with a smile; her eyes mostly trained on Mac. He has that effect on women, I sigh. It's his commanding presence. Am I bothered by her attention? No that would mean I am jealous! And I'm not. Are you sure? Yes I have Doug. Right. I. Have. Doug. So? So why am I bothered by this woman. Because you like him, my mind reminds me. What?

"Dean Winters?" He asks.

"Please call me Casey," she smiles warmly at him. Of course she's going to stare, I do, he's a handsome man. Who wouldn't stare? Stella! Concentrate on the case.

"Ms. Winters," I hear him try, much to her dismay.

"I like a man that doesn't do what a woman tells him," she winks. Then you'll love him, I sigh inwardly. He never listens! I only offer a sweet smile as we follow her into her office.

"What can you tell us about last night's party?" I ask.

"It's very unfortunate," she replies; looking only at Mac. Oh brother, I just roll my eyes. I asked the question! He's not even talking.

"Where were you last night?" He asks her directly. She takes a few steps closer to him and I once again see him start to fuss. So he didn't do that when he was with his date at the party the other night so I know it's not women in general. Is it me? Can't be. I have been closer to him; much further into his personal space and he didn't try to escape me. What does that mean? It means he likes you. Does he? Really? Why am I smiling? He doesn't even know this woman and already she's coming on to him. Does it bother me? No. Well maybe a little.

"I was in bed. Do you want to come over and inspect it?" She asks in a low tone. I see him take a step back and offer a look of annoyance.

"Actually not interested," he tells her in a firm tone. "I am interested in knowing why a party of four young men turned into my crime scene and you are not in the least bit concerned?" He demands.

"Well of course I'm sad but," she tries, moving closer to him once again.

"I would ask you to come and make a statement but by the smell of your breath and the way you are acting I'll save you the trip. What are you high from?"

What! How did he see that one? Oh this man just fascinates me!

"Detective Taylor I resent that accusation," she lightly stammers.

"And I resent being lied to!" He snaps in anger. "Now where the hell were you?"

She looks at him and crosses her arms. But after a few minutes she finally caves. "Club 39," she resigns.

"And were you there alone?" I ask.

"No," she glares at me in anger.

"Who were you there with?" I try again, my own annoyance for this woman deepening.

"Blair Conner," she huffs. "We were there all night until early this morning."

"Which is why the drugs still smell fresh and your behavior is less than professional," Mac states.

"Want to spank me Detective for being a bad girl?" She counters to which my jaw just hits the floor. Not really, but inside I'm floored. The pull this man has over women is astounding. But this woman is high right?

Mac looks at me to which I throw him an amused look. But his eyes are begging me for help and I just can't leave him at the mercy of this woman. He should be at my mercy! Stella! Snap out of it.

"Ms. Winters," I start in a firm tone. "You'll need to come with us and give at least some kind of statement," I say as I move in.

"She's no fun. Next time come back alone," Ms. Winters winks at Mac. I gently take her arm and lead her from her office; obviously we'll not be getting anything useful from her right now. I hand her off to another officer and then turn back to Mac with a smile.

"Don't start," he growls.

"As I said, a real way with people," I toss at him. "At least with women."

"You enjoyed that didn't you?" He sighs.

"Oh like you don't know," I reply as we head back out of the Dean's building.

XXXXXXXX

I feel Stella beside me but as we head back outside I just can't offer a look. Why is it, that two women have come on to me with her right there to witness it. This never happens to me and now, today of all days! And why am I bothered by what she'll think?

"Yeah well the little scene earlier with Mr. Universe was almost as charming," I tell her. Why did that sound jealous? I'm not! "Can we get back to the case now?" I ask.

"Are you sure you dont want to check out her place? Maybe you can oblige her?" She lightly laughs at me.

"You really enjoy seeing me in a tight spot don't you?" I throw at her.

"Very much," she gives me.

"And why is that?" I ask in anger. "Think that when I can't do something and I fail you can say I told you so!" I finally snap.

She takes my arm and forces me to stop and look at her. "Do you want to see me fail like that so you can say I told you so?" She asks me in sincerity.

"What? No, not professionally."

"Only personally?" She counters.

Damn it Mac! You did it to yourself again.

"No, that's not what I meant. Damn your circular logic! You know I can't beat that," I sigh heavily. "I don't ever want to see anyone fail if they have worked their best and are honest in all they do."

"So honesty is a big quality for you?" She asks me in a lighter tone.

"Very important," I tell her in truth as I pull myself away and then continue back to our scene.

"And you're always honest?" She asks me, my back still to her.

"Are you?" I counter and she stops. "See two can play your game. I'm just not as fast as you yet."

"You'll get there," she winks at me.

"All I need is practice right?" I frown.

"What kind of practice?" She teases me.

I look at her and say nothing. "Whatever I say you are going to twist around on me right?"

"Do you always take yourself so seriously?" She lightly asks as we near our primary crime scene.

"When its work related, yes," I offer in truth. "And work is the first priority in my life. Hence why I'm so serious."

"Well I guess we have at least one thing in common," she tells me.

"You, serious?"

"Mac, you haven't gotten to know me that well. This is day one, and the hotel thing was just asking for some fun time, but trust me, wait until later today or tomorrow, then you'll be sorry."

I look at her in surprise. Why is it this woman is making me want to know her more and more? I see her with her boyfriend and tell myself that I dont want to pay her any heed. Why is it she's forcing me to take notice! And why do I keep pursing whatever she says?

"Two," I tell her as we reach the main door.

"Two what?"

"We have two things in common."

"What's the second?" She inquires.

"We both hate to be caught by the other," I send her way. And for once she has no reply. I finally did it! I zinged her and there was no comeback. But why did she look upset when I just said I didn't want to be caught by her? I dont mind really. Oh now I'm sorry I said that. But I once again spoke too soon.

"Well that's one thing you have in common with yourself Taylor," she throws at me. "You still haven't caught me yet! The phone call earlier technically doesn't count."

"Is that a dare?" I wonder.

"Maybe."

AH! This woman infuriates me even more. Was that a dare? A dare for her to be caught? By me? No, stupid, she's just playing you. Ah I have one.

"That job is already taken by Mr. Universe," I shoot back at her. "Guess he beat me to it! Back to one."

XXXXXXXX

AH! Mac just zinged me. I have no come back. I can't really run down Doug but at the same time is he upset that he's not the one? He sounds disappointed? No, he's just really good at faking his emotions.

I offer only a sigh and then a frown. "I'll check in on my team and see what's left."

"Sure," he tells me. Why has he gone quiet all of a sudden? He can't be upset over Doug. Can he? No, he's too practical. He's also a guy, my brain reminds me. He could be jealous! Oh if only that were true. Wait! What did I say? Stella, shake your head again, it needs readjustment!

"Meet you back here when we're done?"

"Sounds like a plan," he replies with his back to me, his mood sour.

Yep, he's jealous! And why the heck am I smiling?

XXXXXXXX

I walk over to Lindsay who is still finishing a few things up but know I need to be in the lab now to start to work on the evidence. I need to be away from this place and away from her for a while and give my brain a rest. I give a few simple instructions to my team and then go in search of Bonasera once again. I need to get back to my own lab.

"I'm going back to the lab to," I start.

"Your place or mine?" She smiles.

"Mine," I reply with a frown.

"Mine is closer," she reminds me.

"That's enemy territory, I might step on a landmine or something that you've planted for me," I offer.

"The only thing I have waiting for you is a trap door to the dungeon. Which is where you belong," she smiles. Is she flirting with me again? Think so. Man I need to read a book on women or something! Since I know whatever I tell her she'll twist on me I take the easy way out.

"Okay I'll see you tomorrow?" I try again. Mac, don't fall for it. Leave now!

"Mac, seriously, I don't mind, in fact I have a spare office you can use," she tells me. I look into her eyes and finally see the truth. "Trust me, besides the bodies, your team will be at my lab."

"Okay," I resign as I turn to leave. My heart is racing at the thought that I'll now be in her space, watching her command her team in action. That in itself has me in anticipation. I follow her out the back and soon we are on the road and heading for her lab. I am told it's quite the place to see so I am actually looking forward to seeing an office with glass walls. To me it seems a tad unnerving that everyone could see what you're doing all the time, but I am going to reserve judgment until I actually see it for myself. I pull into a stall beside hers and then head around to the back and collect my evidence bin and follow after her. She's casually chatting about what to expect and for some reason I feel my nervous tension starting to lessen. Oh that's odd. But as the doors finally open and I'm in the busy hallway my nervous tension is once again on high alert.

The elevator doors open and I stare in fascination at the area before me. "Glass walls," I mention in a low tone.

"Nothing is private here Mac," she tells me.

"Too bad," I offer. But when I see her look at me quickly I know I've touched a nerve. "I meant that, well it was, okay so where is that spare office?" I ask with a slight frown and she just laughs.

"Right beside mine," she answers.

I walk past her office and stare inside in wonder. "Nice," I tell her.

"So make yourself at home," she instructs.

"Don't worry I won't be here that long," I tell her quickly. "Something I don't overstay is my welcome in enemy territory."

She looks at me with a wondering stare before turning away and heading for her own office. Did I offend her? No, couldn't have. It was just something to say. Let it go, I instruct myself. I need to listen to myself more.

I drop my coat and suit jacket on the desk and then take my bin and head into the lab. With my team still in the field I notice strange eyes starting to stare at me I find myself feeling lost and alone. It's odd because the room looks similar to ours and the equipment is the same; but the faces are not welcoming and no one seems friendly. This is very unnerving. Why did I agree to this? Do they know I'm the enemy? Am I still? Yes! Well at least one person welcomes me.

"Mac Taylor? Adam Ross. If you need anything I'm your man," the young man offers his hand with a broad smile.

"Thanks," I reply slowly as I head for a workstation that looks empty. A few minutes later I have my items spread before me and start to work. Thankfully Stella arrives and my tension is once again at ease. Amazing how just after a few hours of working with her, do I find myself at ease. When I first saw her this morning I told myself I would hate this and it would make this case harder. And while our tension hasn't lessened my work hasn't suffered from having her with me. If anything it's made me want to take my game up a level. To impress her? No. Are you sure? No.

"You're still alive?" She asks with a smile.

"For now," I answer with a slight frown. "But I am very hesitant to drink the coffee around here."

"Would it make you feel better if I got you a cup?"

"No. I'd probably wake up on the other side of town in a strange hotel with a note that says: careful what you ask for," I tell her in a light tone. Is that flirting? No, it's just, okay it's flirting. Can't help myself! Mac! I know. Stop already.

"Oh I'll have to remember that," she winks.

"Right," is all I can offer as I turn back to the items before me.

And before long Stella and I are working together; talking about the case; and starting to piece together this very interesting puzzle. She would start to explain something and I would just watch in amazement as something I merely put aside as useless she would find its use and then explain it to me. But her brain also has me intrigued. Haven't yet met a woman this beautiful and this smart! I think I'm just hypnotized by the sound of her voice; could be those perfect lips that I would once again like to kiss. What? Mac, get your head back to the case!

XXXXXXXX

Working with Mac for past few hours has been much to my surprise, very enjoyable. I love watching his brief interactions with my staff and seeing how his mind works when I think I have hit a roadblock. He'd take a piece hold it in his hands and then show me what I was missing. And his attitude was one of sharing not one of triumph; my own attitude I also thankfully kept in check. But he would tell me something and I would once again be halted, captured by his voice and held in time until he was finished. Sometimes he'd throw me a zinger and I'd want to just wipe the proud smile off his face. A kiss would do that! Oh Stella, grow up and get back to the case.

I watch Taylor finally reach for the crime scene photos and look at them with a deep stare, his blue eyes locked onto something. He looks at one and offers a grimace and then quickly puts it down.

"Old memories?" I ask him in a soft tone as I come up and stand beside him. It's odd, even now, even in a tense work moment I can feel the effects his nearness has on me. I have stood in this very spot with other men before, even Doug; but none of them have fascinated me as much as this man.

"Ones I'd rather forget," he replies slowly as he picks up another picture. "None of these markings are in any kind of pattern," he states.

"Was it a case here or in DC?" I ask casually as I pick up one of the pictures and start to examine them.

"Both. A few cases where young men were knifed to death," he informs me with a sour tone.

"Did they ever get the guy?" I wonder, as I take another picture and examine it.

"Yeah."

"You don't sound convinced," I tell him.

He looks at me sideways and I offer a slight smile. "It's your tone," I tell him.

"It was too easy," he huffs as he looks back at the photo in his hands.

"Some cases are easy," I remind him.

"Not mine," he answers.

I look at him in wonder. I just can't figure this man out. And that's a good thing right? Yes Stella it is, I tell myself. But as I place the photo in my hands beside the one in Taylor's I notice something.

"Mac, look, we thought the cuts didn't make sense but that's because the bodies were moved from their original position when we found them."

"You're right," he states, looking at me with a slight smile. "Not bad for a girl."

"Oh you'd be surprised at what I'm capable of," I wink at him. Stella, stop flirting! Oh I just can't help myself.

"Actually no I don't think I'd be surprised," he smiles at me. "I think you're capable of just about anything. And I mean that in a good way."

I beam under his praise and then work to place the pictures in the correct order. After about half hour we finally have all the pictures in the order we think.

"That's why it seems odd that one body has a long cut and another had a short one," Taylor explains. "The killer lined up the bodies, and then used one knife to make the horizontal cuts and used the other knife to just stab."

"Obviously a crime of some kind of passion," I tell him. "These wounds are too many to be just a simple slice and dice."

"This guy took his time in moving them very carefully," he frowns. "He's dangerous, evil and very clever. And while I'd like to think that Clayton Davis could have done all this, I'm just not convinced a college student could or would want to to his friends. But I am not sure."

"So I guess we are in it for the long haul?" I ask.

"Well I don't think we'll wrap this up tomorrow," he answers me.

"Well Taylor, I guess you really are stuck with me for at least a few days more," I smile warmly at him.

"I don't know if I'll survive," he replies in a soft tone.

"You know what?" I ask as I lean in closely, my eyes locking with his once again. I just can't help myself.

"What?" He asks in anticipation.

"Not only will you survive it, but I think you might even enjoy it!" I tell him with a smile.

However, little do I know that right now, the man standing before me; the man I know I am attracted to; the man I think could fall for, is going to be taken away from me by a monster and face one of the most terrifying situations of his life, that will test both of us to the emotional limit.

A/N: So love it still? Hate it? Want me to continue? Stop? Feedback please and let me know. Thanks as always!