Title: Opposites Attract
Chapter 11 - The Truth Might set you Free?
A/N: Thanks for the great reviews. So because of them I was able to write this chappy and have it up before the weekend is over as promised. Okay so I hope they still aren't too OOC and that the insight into their thoughts and feelings is welcome and you still like it. Enjoy! Remember more reviews = faster writing.
Mac looks up into my green eyes and offers a faint smile. "Told you I have a hard head," he tells me slowly.
I only frown at him in return. "If you didn't want me to go out tonight, you could have just told me. I mean you didn't have to try so hard to keep me here," I offer him with a warm smile.
I see him start to protest and I lightly cover his mouth with my fingers; stopping him from making a rash statement. He looks up at me in wonder. "You were going to agree right? Tell me yes because you know I'm right and we won't have to end the night in an argument." He offers only a light frown but nods his head yes and I remove my fingers.
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As much I actually hate to leave, I must and save myself further frustration. Lying in her arms was almost too comfortable and I wonder what it would be like to wake up in them. Mac! That bump on your head is now playing silly games with you. That's not going to happen! So I offer a small huff and try to push myself up. Sadly I can't do it without her help.
"I'd tell you to take it easy, but I know you won't listen," she throws at me. "But you said you were only going to lock up? You were actually coming back to work right?"
"Stella," I start in protest.
"What was the whole honesty speech yesterday? A rouse right? Something you tell others to make yourself sound good, but you have no intention of listening to yourself? You are stubborn!" She states in mild anger.
"I don't want to fight but I don't answer to you," I tell her firmly. "You have a date and I have, I noth, it doesn't matter what I have," I frown as I slowly push myself to my feet.
"If you are staying then I am," she argues in return.
I look at her and just shake my head. "Okay, what can I ask or say that you will just agree with?" I resign in exasperation. Why am I trying so hard to please this woman! I don't care what she thinks. Right?
"The truth," she answers softly.
I expected a witty comeback but I am surprised by her answer and her tone. Now I'm stuck again. Just when I think I'll be able to get some kind of upper hand, she hands me my future on a plate. "I don't sleep and I'm not going home," I huff.
"Mac, in the past two days you were attacked twice and fell down a laundry shoot with me on top," she frowns. "What would you tell me if that happened to me and I refused to take care of myself?"
"I'd say you're crazy."
"Okay, you're crazy," she tells me, to which I can only offer a small smile.
"But this guy was here all day. Where? I have to find out."
"Tomorrow," she tells me. "I have already called security and they are going to stay inside here all night. Officer Barrows and his partner are going to inspect every inch of this place and let us know tomorrow what they find."
I look at her in surprise.
"What? You're not the only one to wants to stay here and pull an all-nighter," she smiles at me. "I would too but why not let these officers share some of the excitement."
"You really like to keep me guessing," I tell her.
"All in a days work," she smiles at me to which I only offer a cryptic smile in return, which I'm sure will make her just want to ring my neck.
In truth my head hurts but for some reason dont want to leave. Science guy wants to stay and hang with her a bit longer with sorority girl; but I guess I must get some kind of rest. "Okay, I promise I will go home." She looks at me with a skeptical eye and now I feel bad that she thinks I could be lying. Great now she thinks I'm lying! "Do you want to drive me home?" I sigh.
"No," she smiles. "I believe you."
"You do?" I utter in shock, to which she only nods her head. "Okay so wait here and I'll just lock the back door and I'll be right back, I promise."
I turn and slowly walk toward the back staircase, my head is pounding, but I refuse to show any weakness to her. But I'm sure as I disappear from view she can hear my heavy sigh.
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Why won't he act like a regular guy? Of course he's hurt, I moan inside. Why won't he show weakness? Is it a marine thing? A guy thing? A Taylor thing? I find him very frustrating but part of me is actually sorry that I'm leaving his side. I watch him come back and offer only a slight frown. He is stubborn, to a fault. But I wonder what kind of woman he would open up to? What would she have to do? Stella! Why do you care? Not sure, but I think I do.
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We finally make it outside and suddenly the cold air forces my body to feel the pain of the day's events. "Goodnight," I offer her softly and then turn to leave. She owes me nothing and I don't want to make her feel obligated if we are only working together. I keep telling myself that when this is over, she'll go back to her world and her boyfriend and I to mine-alone. Why complicate things? I like it simple; just like me. I hear her offer a soft goodnight and then she's back in her truck and I'm on the road.
I try to push her comments out of my head but now I'm worried about this attacker. I didn't tell her what was said as I dont think it's anything she needs to worry about. Like she'd worry if I was in trouble. Mac! She has another man to worry about, not you! Right. I know Paula is helping to make Ed comfortable at home and I'm tempted to drop by but know they need their privacy and their peace, the last thing they want is me hanging around. I've never been open to being a third wheel and I'm not about to start.
So I head for home; my mind now a mix of worry and wonder. Who is my attacker? And what will tomorrow hold? I reach home and look at the dress sitting on my table.
"Bonasera's dress! I need to get that cleaned and out of my sight," I mutter as I take the dress and hurry back outside. Thankfully there is a dry cleaners close by and I am once again back on the road with a mission. Her faint scent starts to fill the truck and I find myself smiling; my drifting back to the night of the party. You were just hit on the head stupid, why are you smiling? Just am.
My blackberry rings and I answer with a smile, not seeing the number as I am driving; thinking it might be her.
"Mac?"
"Andrea," I reply with a frown. My smile is gone.
"Hope it's not to late, but I was wondering if you are free for dinner tonight?"
I offer a sigh and know I'll strangle Paula for this. "Andrea, I am flattered but I'm, uh, seeing someone else. Sorry. Just sort of happened after the party. This isn't going to work." I want to scream at this woman. I'm not interested! You don't do it for me. Bonasera does, oh wait did I just think that? What she does is drive me crazy. Yeah that's why I like her. I don't like her! She's taken! Oh my head hurts.
I hear her offer a small apology and for a split second I feel a bit of remorse for lying to the poor girl. Oh wait, I'm not sorry. She hangs up and I feel relieved. If I am feeling that then I know I made the right choice.
I glance at the dress on the seat beside me. I wonder if I'll ever get to see her in that again? Yeah right! I'm not that lucky. I reach the one-hour dry cleaners drop the dress of and then walk next door to get a quick bite of dinner. I need a drink. Maybe two?
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Part of me now worries that he'll be okay. Funny, I smile to myself. Yesterday I was amused by him but not enough to care if Taylor vanished from the globe. Today, after seeing him attacked for the second time I am concerned that I might not see him again? Stella, what is wrong with you? Don't know, maybe I'm tired.
I guess working with him and seeing he's not the harsh dictator I thought he was has changed my perception a bit. But he's stubborn and sometimes pig-headed. Aren't all men? I inwardly sigh. Not Doug, he's an open book; doesn't have the depth or layers that Taylor has. Taylor is a lot of work! Doug is simple. But I don't like simple. I like science guy.
"Why am I even having this debate?" I scold myself as I near home. "Who cares about Mac Taylor!" I try to convince myself firmly. But as I remember the look on his handsome face when I held him in my arms I realize that I do care. And that is worrisome. When this is over he'll be back in his corner and I in mine. Why complicate things right now?
"Oh this case can't end soon enough," I moan. I pass by my work building to see Doug waving at me. I did agree to this. Why? So with a heavy sigh I stop and get out. I offer a weak smile, but it's not backed with genuine emotion. I should end it now.
"Hey babe," he smiles at me.
He gives me a hug but it's odd; his arms don't feel nearly as good as Taylor's did when he held me for only a few seconds. I hug him back and sigh. And why doesn't he feel as good in my arms as Taylor does? I'm tired, that's all.
"Okay so I know you had a long day but I won't take no for an answer and the pub is right around the corner," Doug tells me.
In truth I need to eat and so let him con me into buying dinner. We walk inside and of course it's packed with people. We pick a quiet booth behind another booth of four women. Doug orders his drink and then tells me he needs to chat to a friend about something important. I don't seem to mind him gone. What does that tell me? I need sleep. Right. Sleep.
Why am I here, I keep asking myself. But as I listen to the conversation behind me, I'm a little surprised at the topic, Mac Taylor. What!
"I just talked to him. Seriously like a half hour ago."
"So Mac Taylor stood you up again? How long have you liked him?"
"Too long," Andrea moans.
"What was his excuse this time Andrea? Work again? Gosh Paula says he pulls an all nighter all the time. Why would you want that anyways? If he does that, he's probably really lousy at sex."
"Julie went out with him only once and said the sex was great! He said he seeing someone else," Andrea states in sorrow.
Sex is great? Really? Stella, snap out of it! Seeing someone else? Who? Am I jealous? No! A little? Maybe! Stella, no you're not!
"Said he met her after the party."
Met someone? After the party? What is going on with him? Did he mean? Nice try Stella, you'd like it to be you. I would? No I wouldn't. Oh wait I would. Oh I need sleep.
"That's why he left early," Andrea pouts. "But Paula swore to me that he's single."
"Well they don't call them dark and brooding for nothing. At least you got to see him half naked."
What? My mind perks up? Half naked? When? Okay now I'm a little jealous! Rats!
"Yeah and you'd never know it to look at him by his clothes but his body is hard. Damn it!" Andrea curses.
"Who needs dark and brooding anyways. He probably only cares for himself!"
I need dark and brooding, I lament inside as I look at Doug. And Mac's shown attention to me. But does he care for me? Stella, you wish! I miss science guy. What am I doing here? Doug walks back and I offer a faint smile. But something in Doug's eyes doesn't captivate me like Mac's do. Mac? Wait, why didn't I refer to him as Taylor? Oh I need to sleep. I make small talk with Doug and then I need to leave. It's only been just under and hour but I am tired; this day had too many surprises. As I leave I let my mind wander to yesterday and the whole hotel fiasco and the guy who said he could tell there were sparks between us. It was childish banter, I tried to convince myself. That's all. There is nothing between me and Mac! Oh and the handcuff incident? It was nothing. Oh really? Yes really! Yeah right!
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I finish my meal and as I'm waiting for the bill I think back to the annoying concierge. He was right, there were sparks between us. But much like the tussle the night of the party and the bed fiasco yesterday, it was nothing more than simple flirting. You mean the foreplay right? Mac, give your head a shake! It wasn't that. Stella was just being. Wait? Did I refer to her as Stella? I did. Oh I'm tired. Time to get that dress and get home.
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I slowly push my truck into traffic and then stop at the light and look around. My eyes must be playing tricks on me because I see Mac coming out of a restaurant. Is he alone? That woman Andrea said he was. Maybe he blew her off for another woman. For some odd reason, I pull over to watch. Damn, how this man fascinates me. I stare in shock as he exits alone and then walks next door to the dry cleaners. What on earth? It's my green dress. I honestly thought he'd just send it back without paying, or something childish like that. But instead I see him pay for the dress, gently put it over his arm and slowly head back outside to his truck-alone.
Why is it that everything I have assumed about this man, he is shooting to pieces? Doesn't he know I don't want to like him? But the thought that he turned down another woman just to have dinner alone and have my dress dry-cleaned is driving me crazy; and in a good way. I watch him pull away and for some reason a feeling of sorrow starts to cover me. I'm just tired, I tell myself as I pull away. There is nothing more to this. Are you sure? No. I have to call Doug.
"Hey babe, whats up?" He asks. "You changed your mind? You want to stay over now?"
"No, this, us isn't going to work," I start. "I am,"
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I put the dress carefully in the closet, I just had it cleaned and dont want to crumple it. I laugh at that last thought. Why do I care? It's a dress she wore for another man. Oh Taylor, go to sleep already. And I do just that. The falls, the hit and the mental strain of being around her take their toll and my eyes close before I even hit the pillow.
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I wake up early but am a bit sore from yesterday. My mind was a mix of emotions from the attack and the hotel fiasco the day before. Stella's flirty comments and her integrity to her job have forced her to become the only woman occupying my mind. Yeah like another woman could even come close to her I inwardly groan. Oh I'm in trouble.
I know it's early but Paula won't mind if I call.
"Mac? Everything okay?"
"Any chatter about Harvey wanting to get even?"
"Nothing I've heard of but I'll do some discreet snooping and get back to you. Harvey is a powerful man to make mad. I'm with Ed today but back in the field tomorrow. What happened yesterday?"
"Another attack and he too knew my name. Back on campus. Has to be Jack!"
"Did you tell Stella the attack was personal?"
"No," I huff.
"She is working with you now, you owe her that Mac and you know it," she councils. "If some one is gunning for you and they hurt her in the crossfire how would you feel?"
"Responsible," I half whisper. "See this is why this arrangement is stupid. I haven't had to worry about someone else before."
"Maybe it's time you start," Paula tells me. "Tell her. She's strong enough to take the heat. Are you?"
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As I head into work my heart is starting to beat a bit faster. Mac will once again be working in the office beside me and I might once again be a bit distracted as I was yesterday. I try to tell myself that it will be business as usual but I cannot deny the growing attraction or what he makes me feel inside. I remember the look on his face each time Doug came into the picture which makes me think maybe he too feels something more than a professional interest. But I also remember what I felt when I saw him alone and I was with Doug. I am glad I told Doug the truth that I dont want to see him anymore, but what if Mac doesn't like me? What then? Oh I wish life was simpler!
"Morning," I tell him in a warm tone as I walk up to the spare office. I can't help but smile; he looks like he's always belonged there; sitting at that desk behind the glass walls; right beside me. Oh Stella, wake up! It's just one case and then he'll be gone. He is not your partner and will never co-run anything with you! But as I watch how his chest flexes under his dark burgundy dress shirt I can't help but feel my core start to warm.
"Morning," he offers with a slight smile.
"You're in early," I tell him. "Anything new?"
"Well I just talked to Cyrus and he's going to join us, Sheldon and Sid downstairs and we are going to compare body notes."
"You arranged all that?" I ask him weakly. But I notice his face and he assumes I'm mad.
"I just," I hear him start in a frantic tone.
"Mac I'm not mad," I smile. "Thanks."
"Right," he frowns, not sure how to read me yet. "Be right back."
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I watch her leave and tell my heart to slow down a bit. Being in this office; this close, just feels right? How odd. When I first walked in by myself this morning, I felt nervous, but now with her being here, is surprisingly welcome. Like I have always belonged in this office. Her partner? Get real. This is temporary at best! But once again, she has captivated me with her smile, her presence and even the body hugging outfit she has chosen. And why green again? Damn my favorite color! Course the purple she wore yesterday was just as amazing.
"Any problems with my staff and you entering forbidden territory alone?" She asks me; forcing my eyes once again to look at her.
"A few told me to leave," I reply with a frown. "But thankfully Danny came to my rescue. Said it was bribe for me to put in a good word with Lindsay," I tell her and she smiles. "But don't worry, I won't personalize this space. When I leave you won't know I've been here."
"Right," she tells me in a strained tone. Is she mad that I'll be leaving? Or is it that it's not soon enough? Man, I wish I knew how to read women. I'll just assume she'll be sad when I leave but I'm not that lucky. More like glad I'll be out of her hair.
"Ready?" I ask her as I push myself up. Walking beside her through the lab as she points out where everything else is just feels natural. We finally get downstairs and I feel my nervous tension starting to rise again as Sheldon and Sid both eye me in suspicion. I'm sure it's because they dont know me that well. Either that or they do and dont like me. Oh Mac, stop thinking everyone has a hidden agenda. Don't they?
"Morning," I offer as I am greeted with polite smiles and hellos. Sid gives me this remote for the conferencing unit and I dial my team.
"Sidney."
"Wallace."
"Cyrus."
"Mac."
"Stella."
"Sheldon."
"Okay so now that all the fun stuff is out of the way," I start quickly. "What do we have?"
"Oh Sidney you do the honors," Wallace Lanstaff my ME tells the group. "My voice sounds very cranky over this bloody thing."
"Very well Wallace," Sid smiles. "Okay so nothing really remarkable on these four bodies. We were able to confirm that they all died about two thirty am yesterday morning. You figured out the blood splatter and knife marks so it suggests he lined them up in a row; side by side. They were administered a sedative which is why there are no defensive wounds and nothing to suggest they were restrained."
"One of the blades, which we havent recovered is smooth" Cyrus tells us.
"And the other is only jagged on one end," Sheldon finishes. "Also not found. Still working on the stomach contents for all. Should have that shortly."
"We found no prints on their bodies but we did find some hand indentations," Danny starts as he and Lindsay enter the room. I eye them with a frown but allow Bonasera's man to finish. I thought I told her to work with Cyrus? Hmm that is odd. Did Stella arrange that? "So this suggests whoever did this was wearing gloves."
"The prints we recovered in the room belong to various campus staff, housekeeping and other students," Lindsay informs the group. "Don and Paula are looking into anyone that has no credible alibi and compiling a list of suspects; especially those with a grudge against the family."
"The tooth fairy did not murder these kids," I tell the group in a gruff voice. "Someone was in there with these boys in that room, gained their trust enough to sedate them and then carved them up. What are we missing?"
"A solid motive," Stella adds softly. She looks me but I offer a smile that urges her to continue. Much like myself she prides herself in her work. How could I deny her that? "Clayton Davis, our only viable suspect is still missing but so far nothing on him would lead anyone to suspicion. I got an email from Flack this morning that said that none of their families has received any kind of threat from his. At least none enough serious to murder," she tells the group.
"Well someone had a big grudge," Danny frowns.
"Big enough to take on a powerful enemy," Lindsay adds.
"Have we found anything on Clayton Davis?" Sheldon asks.
"As a matter of fact I have him in person," Flack joins us. "Paula has personal business to attend to today so I got lucky," he says looking at me. "But we picked him up very late last night trying to catch a plane right back home to Denver."
"I think we need to talk to him," I suggest, looking at Stella to make sure I used the word 'we' in the correct context.
"Lindsay and I are going to go back and search the campus for the knives," Danny pipes up, making me look at Stella in surprise. But once again she offers an okay and I'm stuck. I can't argue, but that's my staff. What is going on with her?
"Make sure you actually work," Cyrus quips.
"Cyrus," I warn my CSI and he stops. "Sheldon, we need to know that that sedative is. Cyrus, Paula said yesterday that only certain people have complete access to that room. She can't talk to them today, so that's your job. Sheldon when you finish check and see if Cyrus needs help, please assist. Flack we need the name of the caterer and anyone else who was involved with that party."
"Well Detective Angell has already talked to the strippers," Flack explains to us. "But they were only there for two hours and when they left all four boys were last to leave but they were alive. They didn't see the caterer however. Must have been gone before they arrived."
"Thanks."
I turn and follow Flack and Stella out the room and hear the rest just start to talk amongst them, as if working as a large team is the most natural thing in the world. I actually smile at the thought that our once two houses that were are at war are now making headways for peace. As I near the interrogation room, I can't help but wonder what this round will be like. Stella and I argued before we went into the hotel the other day but right now we are assured that our potential suspect will be here. Oh Mac, I groan. Only the third day, and already your life is upside down. Thankfully Flack beats us to it.
"So did you guys learn to play nice or do I have to start things off?" Flack asks us.
I look at Stella and she looks back in amusement, to which I just frown. "This is your house," I tell him, Stella looks at me in shock. "What? Flack can get him warmed up for me." To which she then rolls her eyes.
The three of us head into the small interrogation room but for some reason my anxiety isn't as high as I thought it would be. There are only two chairs and I let Flack and Stella have them so I can stand. I always like to study the person before me and looking down and observing their body actions gives me a better idea of who I'm up against. I lean against the wall and let Flack start.
The kid is nervous but tells us that he was invited by Joshua Bryce to attend a once a year party but then got a better offer from a girl he met on the plane and spent his time with her. And for the next half hour or so that's all we get. Round in circles, the same story.
"Can anyone verify that?" Stella finally asks.
I watch this kid and know something isn't right. I watch this kid's eyes and actions and know he's lying. Stella looks back at me and frowns. In a few minutes the three of us are outside and looking at the nervous kid in the interrogation room.
"I know that look," Stella tells me; making Flack look at me. "You're not buying this right?"
"I don't have a look," I frown. How does she know me so well in such a short time! This is frustrating! "Can I have a few?"
"Taylor, what is about him that tells you otherwise? I mean he's a college guy who could hang with his buddies anytime. He meets a hot chick and would rather get some below the belt action than trade boring school stories," Flack surmises.
"Trust me he's lying," I shoot back.
"Mac?"
"Just a few minutes," I request. "You can join me if you'd like."
"He's all yours," Flack smiles at me.
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I watch Mac go into the interrogation room and want to follow. But maybe he'll open up with just him here. And why am I so fascinated by trying to see what makes this man tick.
"Boy I'll bet even Doug doesn't garner a look like that from you," Flack throws at me.
"I'm merely interested in seeing what he uncovers," I offer in my rapidly declining defense.
"Stella, you can be very transparent at times," Flack smiles but says nothing more. I only huff and then turn back to Mac to watch the scene unfold.
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"Clayton," I start as I slowly sit down in front of the young man before me. "How long were you with this girl?"
"A week."
"This girl you met on the plane. Where is she from?"
"California," he answers in a small voice.
"Really? Where in California?"
"LA."
"And which hotel did you stay at?"
"The Sheraton."
"And where did you eat?"
"Uh some restaurant. We mostly stayed inside though."
"And what is her favorite color?"
"What does"
"Just answer the question," I huff. "After a week you must have found out some personal details."
-
"Where is Mac, going with this?" I ask Flack.
"No idea. Who knows how this guys mind works," he huffs at me.
-
"Blue I guess?"
"And when did she leave?"
"This morning?"
"And your boyfriends name is?"
"James."
-
"WHAT!" I practically yell at Flack. "How the hell"
"Damn he's good," Flack praises to which I can only smile. Mac is good.
-
"I uh didn't mean that," Clayton stutters.
I sit back in my chair and frown. "Yes you did. So do you care to tell me the truth? Because so far you are really wasting my time, and my patience, the little that I do have is wearing thin. Who were you really with?"
"I can't tell you," he looks up at me with a sad face.
"If you don't I'm going to let that officer you have been eyeing for the past half hour come back in here and slap the cuffs on you. And I promise you won't enjoy it as much as you think you might. Where the hell were you?" I demand in anger.
"I was with Senator Ames," he finally whispers.
-
I look at Flack and then at the kid and even out here in the hallway I can feel the silence start to build. Mac is amazing, I praise inside. Wow! He's good. You said that already. Well it's true!
-
"A few times a year I come up here to visit Josh. He's always known about me but never said a thing. I knew about the party but that night I was, detained."
"So you pay for the room to throw suspicion off and let me guess, Lou, the guy at the hotel also either gets a part of the action or the money. We found the restraint marks on the bed."
"Money," Clayton offers. "I heard about the murders this morning and I was sick but didn't know what to do. I have an alibi that I'd rather not share."
"I will check on that just to be sure," I frown, my anger slowly calming. "Did Josh ever mention anyone wanting to hurt them?"
"No. Man they never pissed anyone off. Well maybe a couple of girl's who he or his brother didn't like, but not enough to do this," he tells me in a panicked voice. "Am I going to be arrested or charged with anything?"
"Not yet. But we do need a written statement," I answer. "You can't leave town until this is over."
"Are you going to tell on me?" He manages.
"That's not my place. I guess in this case the truth won't set you free," I quip as I stand up to leave. I tap on the glass and Flack walks in, the look on his face alone was worth my time. I head into the hallway and greet a smiling Stella.
"Mac, how did you know?" She asks as Flack hands Davis to another officer to take an official statement and then joins us.
"No offence Flack but when a man would rather look at you or me than Stella I know there is something wrong," I tell him to which I see she blushes. I did good right? She was impressed? You are just doing your job. Stop showing off! But she was impressed right?
-
If he's trying not to stay on my good side; he's failing, I sigh. My admiration for Mac Taylor is growing by the second.
-
"None taken," Flack smiles. "Okay I'm going to place a very discreet call to Senator Ames and then we'll talk later. I'll call Paula and let her know. Have fun you two," he throws out as he leaves.
"However, we are back at square one," I tell Stella as we walk a few feet. "I highly doubt Ames would have taken out the mayor's godson's just to have his on the side action. That would be more than political suicide."
"Well I for one am still amazed at how you figured that out. I never would have even thought to play that angle."
"Trust me Stella, it wasn't one I would have wanted to play up either," I frown. "But now we need to find another person to target. I'm sure this guys alibi will check out as I know about Ames sexual tastes. Or lack thereof. An old case."
"So where does that leave us?" She asks me. And just when I think I have finally made my headway, that loser Doug approaches. Damn that guy!
"Here comes your boyfriend," I tell her with a slight growl. Mac! She's taken and just back off and stop trying to bully people, I moan inwardly.
"He's not my b," she starts as Doug approaches us with a smile.
And suddenly I feel like I'm back in high school; as if science guy, just showed off for sorority girl that he likes but her jock boyfriend trumped him again! I step back a bit, trying not to sound like I want the details but cursing myself for not being able to hear anything. Mac! Grow up.
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"Hey Stella," he says loudly and I notice Mac's body instantly tense. I roll my eyes and then turn to Doug with a tense expression.
"Let me handle this," I tell Mac who only offers a sad shrug and turns to leave.
"Doug," I start in a low tone. "I thought we talked about this," I tell him. As much as I'd like to think there is something developing between myself and Mac I can't presume that. Do I want that? I do. But when he's gone, what then? However, in my defense, I really am not that interested in Doug Bilson. Mac Taylor is a tough act to follow; in my mind there is just no other man. Damn it! Why can't Doug take my hint from the night before, I'm just not interested. But I better be discreet when I tell him off!
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I watch her lean in close and whisper in his ear and my fists tighten. I have no claim to this woman and while I'd like to think that maybe, just maybe something might develop, I tell myself I am not that lucky. Do I want that even? Something more with Stella? Sad thing is I don't know if I could go back to being with another woman other than her. Stella Bonasera has burned herself into my soul and I think I'm forever damned.
She turns back to me with a smile and Doug simply walks away. I know she'll torment me with her silence about what she told him and that just drives me crazy even further.
"Do you have to go?" I ask with a hint of frustration.
"No, do you?" She counters.
"Well it's getting close to dinner time and I was wondering," I stop with a nervous frown.
"Yes?" She urges.
What if she says no? What if she asks to bring her boyfriend? Just ask already, and put yourself out of your damn misery!
"Stella, did you want to get something to eat?"
"Dinner? With you?"
"Yes."
"I'd love to."
"Really?" I ask and she smiles.
"Think you can handle me?" She lightly dares.
"I think I'd like to try to find out," I offer.
"Well then lead the way."
I look at her with a growing smile. Don't over analyze Mac, I tell myself. Just go and enjoy. And tonight, I'm going to do just that. I am not hoping for anything more than getting to know her as a friend. But a guy can hope right? And this seems like a good place to start.
A/N: okay so kinda sappy but I thought I'd give them a break so they can get to know each other before I give them some more action!