Title: Opposites Attract
Chapter 21 - A door to the Past! A key to the Future?
"Do you care about me?" She presses once more.
Can't this woman see I'm drowning here? I look at her and frown. Of course I care. "See if I were to ask you if you care about me, I'm sure you'd tell me yes because you know it's what I want to hear. Wait I meant..." I try in frustration, to which she just smiles. She lightly presses her hand on my chest, daring me to take the next move.
"Look me in the eye and tell me that nothing more is going to develop," she dares. "I mean we'd both have to be either blind or well blind not to acknowledge that something has been growing since we met? The times we spent in each other's apartment might have been brief but there was a connection. And last night? That had to be more than just something two people do to pass the time! Can we deny what we feel for each other? Is something growing between us?"
Sadly when I say nothing she presses on and my mental sanity is on the decline once again.
"As much as I want to tell myself to not care about you, I just can't. As much as I tell myself to just throw up my hands, give up on you and walk away, I just can't. You make it very easy for a woman to get frustrated and give up. That's your history right? How you protect yourself? Or keep yourself alone? To keep yourself safe from hurt and pain? You put up these walls and every other woman has just given up!"
"You're not married either," I throw back. It sounded kind of childish but in truth this woman is rapidly wearing me down and I can't afford to have the walls I have spent years building to be torn down so fast; especially after what just happened.
"I asked you a question. Is something more going to develop?" She presses.
"I can be your friend," I offer her.
"Mac we bonded last night! Now I hate to pull this card right now, but damn it I am!"
"Last night was special," I tell her in sorrow.
"Do we just part ways right now then?" She challenges.
"You keep stuff from me about your past. That's right I know you were lying about it but I didn't press; family details that you won't share. It's not my business. Trust me you're better off without me around." My mind is racing with panic. I know I want more; I care for her, I do. But with this maniac on the loose; showing me how easy he can just take what he wants I am afraid. What if I woke up and Stella was gone? Or worse, dead? How would I get past that? And if this guy used her death or pain to get back at me, how would I cope with that? I can't, I lament inside.
XXXXXXXX
I look at him in frustration. Why is he going around in circles? But if I push for more, will he open up or just lock himself away into a deeper hole? Why am I pushing for more? Stella, you are tired. Give up already. But if he is resisting so much then maybe I am wasting my time? Talk to me Mac, I beg inside. What are you really afraid of? Me? Or love in general?
"Okay fine, friends it is," I finally resign. Maybe if I play his game, I'll actually win. Really Stella? No, but I just can't play the desperate female begging for a relationship.
"Sorry."
"And after last night you can just be friends?" I ask in with veiled sorrow. He looks at me with a blank stare before offering a small nod.
"Thanks for turning me into a one night stand," I throw at him and he frowns. "After all that? After all you told me about us not becoming a one night stand thanks a lot."
"Stella, I didn't mean..." he starts.
"Whatever Mac. I guess the only person you are really honest with is yourself. I get it. No big deal," I tell him, swallowing my sorrow once again. "I'm a big girl, I can take it."
XXXXXXXX
I look at her and her green eyes once again hold me captive. A one night stand! It was me who spouted off on that whole stupid speech and not wanting us to be just a one night stand. Damn it!
"But..." I start just as Cyrus arrives. I quickly look sideways and offer a small curse.
"Saved by the bell," she whispers as I quickly pull apart and then open the door. With the jacket still around the cuffs it could afford me another opportunity to take her hand. But I just can't. I heard the frustration in her voice earlier and saw the disappointment in her eyes and know it's my doing. I have a man who wants to kill me and I need to stay sharp. Getting involved right now would be the wrong thing to do. I need to keep her safe and this seems the only way.
"Mac," Cyrus calls to us.
"Bring cutters Cyrus," I call to him. "And no comments," I warn Cyrus as I hold up our cuffed wrists.
But as Cyrus gazes at us he frowns. "Your head is bruised Mac, what happened to you guys?"
"Ambushed," I tell him as he finally cuts us free. "I think whoever is after me is our killer. I'm heading back to our lab to work on this stuff and then find our missing truck," I finally turn and tell Stella.
"I'll work with Sheldon on Donald Amor," she states in a complete business tone.
"Right. Cyrus, arrange for this body to be taken back to our lab and get Wally started on it right away. I want you and John to process this area and I'll join Lindsay in your place at the lab. Look for a sound console and then take the basement of the haunted house. That's where we were attacked."
"You got it," Cyrus replies as he heads back to John Berg and the ME's van.
"So let me know what you find on Amor," I tell her with an anguished expression.
"Okay," she replies in a cool tone.
I know she's mad as I turn and walk away but I just can't do it. I'm not that guy. Not any more; I just proved that today.
XXXXXXXX
I watch Mac walk away and just cross my arms and offer a curse.
"Don't worry, he gets like that," Cyrus tells me, forcing me to look at him sideways.
"Like what?"
"Angry and withdrawn," Cyrus lightly frowns. "If he can't figure it out yet, he's mad at himself; especially if he's personally threatened."
"How long does it last?" I wonder.
"Depends on the reason," Cyrus tells me.
"Carla?" I ask lightly.
Cyrus looks at me in shock. "Oh ah...ask Paula. She knows the whole story. I ain't even going there. I'll talk about killers and psychos but not his past; no way."
"Yeah thanks," I offer with a strained expression as I head for one of the police cruisers. I get inside and dial Flack.
"I heard Jack Harvey is dead," I start.
"Its a political mess. Everyone is having a field day and Paula is trying to stem the flood," Flack huffs over the phone. He sounds tired and I wonder just how many of us will actually survive to solve this case. "How are you guys?"
"Trying to find out who attacked us. Seems like Mac has an uninvited friend who we believe is also our killer," I tell him. "He attacked us but we're both fine, but both our suspects are dead. This just isn't adding up. What do you have?"
"Sadly little more than you guys," Flack answers. "Paula is finishing up a few things with Harvey but she'll be back on this case shortly and hopefully able to get past the red tape that I wasn't."
"Okay I'm heading back to our lab to work on our latest vic, talk to you later." I hang up with Flack and then get into the front of the cruiser. Mac has taken one of the CSI trucks, leaving one for his team that will stay behind. He once again frustrates me. But maybe he's right; maybe he's not worth the effort. And with that sad thought, Mac Taylor finally fades to the back of my mind; at least for now. Now it's time for work.
XXXXXXXX
I try to focus my mind on my attacker as I drive back to the lab, but I can't seem to get Stella's tormented expression out of my mind. I tried to tell her. I want to be friends. That's the truth. But why am I afraid of more? I know; I just can't bring myself to openly acknowledge it to her. Well I tried, I can't lose her to this madman only to have to blame myself for her death. How could I live with that?
I reach the lab in a cloud of gloom, but as soon as I walk into my lab its time for work and my brain tries to push the past few hours to the back so that this case can surface. I quickly pull out the bag, with the wallet and picture and get to work. About half hour later, the only print is my own and the blood is mine and I am back at square one. Where did he get my blood? The cut on my head? Must be! The handcuffs to were a dead end and I even dusted my shirt and arm and came up empty.
"What the hell is going on?" I curse in anger as I realize I have once again reached a dead end. I get a call from Flack that they have finally recovered my GMC, along with my jacket, our coats, guns and other personal items. I order them back here for Lindsay to get started on but I doubt I'll find anything on them either. An hour later I am back at square one once again and head for Lindsay.
"You were right," she tells me. "Only prints on them are yours and Stella's. I can see a few smudge marks and some latex residue so I know someone wearing gloves handled them."
"Someone knows how we work," I tell her. "This guy knows us. Adam Ross is going to send me pass cases that were unsolved murders of young men. I want you to go back and look at cases, either solved or unsolved that involve members of a forensic nature. No matter how much of a long shot you might think it, we need this. Target ones that I was involved in first."
"You got it," Lindsay agrees as I turn to leave and head for the basement. "Wally, anything?" I ask our ME.
"Besides the fact that this guy has terrible eating habits; evidenced by his rather portly appearance," Wallace tells me. "There is nothing on him that I can use. His prints have confirmed its Tyler Redmond but I found nothing else on him. I have sent the bullet to ballistics, but good luck with that one."
"Thanks," I reply as I head back to my office and slump down in anger. This guy is playing us and I hate that he has the upper hand. I dial Stella's number and wait, my anxiety growing a bit and it's unnerving.
"Mac, we have probably the same as you. Donald Amor's body had one slug in it. A .45 and there is no DNA trace of any kind. Whoever killed him, knew what they were doing."
"I think this guy might have forensic training," I tell her; my voice tired. "Lindsay is going to check out past cases and I doubt Cyrus and John will find anything that will shed light on this murder."
"Danny and Sheldon are back at the original scene, canvassing whoever they forgot. Flack says the mayor wants an update."
"I know I just got a message from Chavez. Great! We have nothing. So much for your tax dollars at work," I tell her; my annoyance over this case not the fact I'm talking to her.
"Did you get that stuff from Adam?" She asks me.
"Working on that now. Got our stuff back and the truck is clean. You can come and claim your items whenever you want; but then you should go home and rest," I tell her with a small sigh.
"I just might do that," she tells me.
No witty come back? Maybe I have driven her away for good. And for the first time since I can remember, I feel sorrow that she's not concerned or trying to force her way into my mind and heart; knowing that it's my fault for this deepening hollow that is now starting to grow. I told myself I should be alone to keep her alive; but why does it hurt so much to actually experience it?
"Right, bye," I tell her as I hang up.
XXXXXXXX
I hear the frustration in his voice and look at my computer. I do a search for a Carla Taylor and the file comes up locked. Has to be his wife, I sigh in sorrow. But I just can't let it rest. I need to know and although the timing couldn't be worse with this case, I just have to find the truth about his connection to her. I care for his man; and as much as I tell myself that after what he told me I won't try to care about Mac Taylor, that I want to remain just friends, and that he isn't worth more than a passing thought to me; I know I'm wrong. And so I press on. I pick up the phone, knowing there is only one person right now who can help me.
"Paula? It's Stella; do you have a few minutes? Can I meet you?"
"Is something wrong?" She asks in concern.
"Yeah with me," I huff.
"Mac, finally pushed you over the edge?" She asks lightly.
"Who's Carla?" I wonder.
Silence and then a heavy sigh. "I'll be there in a few minutes. I'm right around the corner from your lab. This needs to be said in person."
XXXXXXXX
I look at the information from Adam and sigh. My head is pounding from the fall and I need a Tylenol. I can't erase Stella's face from my mind as I reach into my top drawer and pull out a small picture of Carla and me. I remember the look on Stella's face when she asked about Carla and I didn't give an answer. Anger? Jealousy? Wonder? I can't read women that well and Stella is very good at keeping me guessing. But I owe her the truth; the problem is it just hurts too much to talk about a life that I helped destroy.
"I need your help," I whisper to a small picture of Carla on my desk. And at that moment, I know just what to do. I have to go and see her. "Be there shortly."
"Mac!" Lindsay calls to me.
"I'll be back," I tell her. "Just need to pay someone a visit."
"At this hour?" Lindsay questions.
"Trust me, she won't mind," I offer and she only nods. "I just need some fresh air and to clear my head without distractions."
I grab my coat and head for the door. The case will wait; I'll be back in no time. No distractions where I'm going. I just need to clear my head and get off my chest this heavy emotional burden. Carla won't mind; she never has.
XXXXXXXX
"You must have backed him into an emotional corner. Brave woman," Paula tells me as we sit at a small table inside the quiet cafeteria.
"I guess I did, but it wasn't on purpose. Oh maybe a little," I huff.
"Well it's obvious you care," Paula smiles. "And the day he met you, I knew he was smitten."
"What? But he acts like he wants to back off all the time," I offer with a sad stare.
"Did you two, you know connect?" She asks warmly.
"We did and it was amazing," I smile. "But today after the attack he was another person. Angry, withdrawn and telling me things contrary to the night before. I don't know what to believe from him anymore. I was hoping you could help me."
"This attacker today, did he also threaten you?"
"Yes," I admit to Paula. "Why?"
"He's trying to protect you," she offers in a soft tone.
"From what?"
"Danger, harm, death even."
"But I want him to understand that I am strong enough to stand beside him and fight this guy," I try in protest. "But he's so closed off he won't even allow me that privilege."
"He's also trying to protect himself."
"From what?" I ask her.
"From Mac Taylor," she tells me.
"I don't get it," I tell her in confusion.
"Mac thinks of himself as the wounded soldier. Oh he'll never admit it openly to anyone and spends most of his breathing time trying to fight that stigma. The trouble is, he's created that for himself and never met a woman strong enough or who cared enough to want to break down that shell and force him to see that love is worth taking a risk for. Or one that cared enough to push back and force him out."
"Was Carla Taylor his wife?"
"Older half sister. Same father, different mothers," Paula explains.
"Oh," is all I can seem to manage. Sister? I was so off on the wife part that I'm almost afraid to hear more. I had misjudged Mac as having lost a wife but a half sister is different. Maybe there is some hope for us after all?
"You want to hear the rest, because it is a painful story?" She asks softly and I can only nod my head yes.
"Mac first met her when he was in his teens and although it was strained at first they soon became fast friends; when the world turned against either one of them, they only turned to each other for help and support and they survived. They were inseparable for a few years until Mac talked about joining the marines and she told him not to; that she was afraid of her life going to hell in a hand basket but he said she was being melodramatic and enlisted. What she failed to tell him was the guy she was seeing was a dealer and her life was already heading that way. In any event he wrote her almost every week and his mother would check her mailbox and get his letters untouched and unopened; keeping them in a box for her. But Carla was gone, she never got them. He thought that when he was injured in Beirut that it would draw her out, but it didn't and he returned home only to find a note that read, 'Mac, I'm sorry, but when you were gone I made a choice. Dont hate me. Love Carla.'"
"What happened to her?"
"Diego Grace happened to her. He was her dealer and one of the most vial men I have ever met; the things he did to her make me want to throw up at times. She dropped off the face of the earth until one day a few years back; just after we started working together. There was a case Mac worked and he rescued a woman who was on drugs and just about one breath away from death's door; but for some odd reason he refused to give up on her. I didn't understand then but I think now he knew there was a connection. DNA results came back with a familial match. It was Carla; he finally found her after all those years. So he took her back to his place and despite the fact she was a drug addict, helped her get back on her feet."
My heart is racing and my eyes water as I try to picture Mac's handsome face when he found his half sister the way he did and I can't even imagine the horror's either of them experienced as they tried to help each other get back on track.
"It was a huge shock at first for him. But after he accepted the truth, Mac made it his mission to help her in any way he could and find the monster that got her hooked on drugs and messed up her life. I have never in my life seen him so worried about another person before; but when he was told she was dying from AIDS, I have never seen Mac turn inward to such a degree. I even worried that he would never pull himself back out. One day in the hospital as he watched her getting her last treatment, he turned to me and said: 'Paula, as long as I live, I'll never care for another human. She is this way because of me and I'll never allow myself to become the cause of another person's suffering. If I have to be alone forever, I swear I will be. It's what I deserve for this.' And with that he took her in his arms; carried her out of that hospital bed and took her home. He watched her slowly die until one day he gets a call from a man."
"Diego?" I ask; brushing away a tear.
"The devil had come back," Paula frowned as her eyes slightly watered. "He told Mac it was his fault that Carla was suffering that her death would be on his head. He threatened Mac; came over a few times and engaged him in numerous fights and quarrels, a few Ed had to break up; telling Mac that if he hadn't left, Carla wouldn't be what she is now."
I see her eyes water once more and I feel instant remorse; the last thing I wanted to cause this woman was any further pain and I almost feel guilty in wanting her to finish.
"Before she died, Carla had told me that she was already seeing Diego before Mac left for the marines but he refused to believe me; said I was making it up to make him feel better; that her choice was his fault and he was to blame. That's why he can't allow himself happiness. That's why he won't talk about it either; he doesn't want anyone to convince him that it wasn't his fault. He never forgave himself for her suffering and demise, and part of me wonders if he ever will," she finishes with fresh tears.
"I'm sorry," I tell her, wiping away my own tears of sorrow and anger. "I didn't want to upset you."
"Why do you want to know? Do you really want something more the two of you, or are you just after leverage over his emotional state?"
"At first I wanted to know because I was curious and yes I wanted to get inside his thick head," I offer, making her lightly smile. "But try as I might to push him out of my mind and heart, I just can't. I do care. But I need to know what I'm up against. I need to know what I am competing with for his affection. Can he care about anyone again?"
"Besides Carla, he hasn't cared for another human since in an emotional or romantic capacity. Oh there have been women coming and going; none lasting and certainly none wanting to call me to figure him out. Most women don't want a man that has some emotional baggage and so he's become a master of hiding himself away from those that want to help. He figures if he comes across as gruff in an emotionally charged situation that most women will just tire and not try to dig deeper. So far he's been right. He calls himself simple and boring but Mac Taylor is anything but."
"I don't want him to become something he doesn't want to but I think it's worth my time and effort to at least see if he cares," I tell her in a soft voice. "At least about me."
"Oh he does care about you; he's told me that and from the moment he denied it the first time I saw you two look at each other; I knew the connection was there and I was happy for him. But I'm sure he's now worried about losing you to another person who is taunting him like Diego Grace did before he came for Carla. That's why he wants to push you away suddenly; to protect you. His reason will be that as long as you are alive; even if he's alone, then he's saved you and there will be no more pain. He won't allow himself to be the cause of your pain or suffering."
"But I can't let him do that. I'm not afraid to help him fight this monster. I don't want to lose him either," I state firmly. "What do I have to do to show him that?"
"Well he sometimes needs to be hit on the head a few times before something actually sinks in; before he actually allows himself to believe a woman of quality is in for the long haul. Trust me; with all the women I've set him up with, he's wanted none to last longer than one night. But you're here and when he looks at you I know he wants more than one night. He just doesn't know how to take it to the next step without thinking he'll lose you to another mistake of his doing."
"Got a bat?" I offer with a smile; making her smile also.
"Like I said on the phone this morning, you got a good man there Stella. Just hope you're strong enough to make him see that a future together is worth fighting for."
"How do I show him that? Please help me?"
She looks at me with a slight frown and then slowly nods her head. "Okay."
Armed with new information from Paula I call Lindsay just to see if Mac is there before I drop by; the excuse to collect my things. But Lindsay tells me that he grabbed his coat and is gone; gone to see her. Paula told me to stop by the one place he might be visiting Carla. If he used her name then that was probably the best bet. I push the truck in the direction of the Lincoln Cemetery; my mind wondering what will happen when he sees me there.
XXXXXXXX
I head for Carla's gravestone; my heart heavy and my mind worried. But as I near, I can almost hear her voice whispering in my ear.
'Mac, you have already saved me. Go and find a good woman, please let me die in peace.'
'No, I can't let go. If I let go, I'll always be alone.'
'Find your soul mate Mac, for me?'
'Loving someone hurts to much Carla. I'll never love again.'
'Yes you will. One day you will find that someone. Hold on to her and never let go.'
'I can't. I'll lock myself away.'
'A strong woman will unlock your heart. I promise.'
'No, I'll never love. It's too painful.'
'Yes you will. And the moment you first see her you'll remember what I said.'
'But this is my fault.'
'Mac, it was never your fault.'
"Yes it was. I love you Carla," I whisper as my eyes water. However, I am unaware that I have an audience. "You once told me to find a good woman. Well I did, but I don't know what to do next. Help me?"
"Are you sure you want that?" Stella asks me; forcing me to turn around and see I'm not alone.
"Stella?" I ask in shock, quickly swallowing my sorrow. "What are you doing here?"
"Paula told me where to find you," she tells me softly as she steps out of the shadows.
"She died in my arms."
"I know. The man who infected her came back and murdered her," Stella tells me with an anguished expression. "I'm sorry."
"Is there anything sacred in my life?" I huff as I try to step away. Stella blocks my path and I'm once again in agitation. "Why are you here?" I ask again.
"I have a baseball bat in the truck and I have been told that the only way to your heart is to beat some sense into your thick head. So if you have a minute I'd like to try," she tells me with a slight smile. "I know you lock yourself away but it's not what you want, right?"
"But..." I start.
"Carla's death wasn't your fault," she tells me in a concerned tone.
"If I had stayed," I try again.
"Paula said she was already seeing the man who killed her before you left. Mac you weren't to blame. Carla would have wanted you to understand that."
"Go back..." I start only to have her tenderly stop my words with a soft kiss. I pull back and offer only a sigh. "Will I ever be able to win with you?"
"Do you want to? This personal battle will keep you alone. But I'll make you a promise. You tell me right now that you don't care about me; want nothing more from me and turn and walk away from me right now and you'll never have to see me again. I'll leave the case, and if I have to, I'll leave town. But it's your call," she dares.
"Damn your stubborn!" I offer lightly.
"Well I guess you are rubbing off on me more than you might think," she counters my remark. "I won't let you wallow but I won't let you take a backseat either and let me do all the work. So what do you care about? What does Mac Taylor want?"
I look into her eyes and finally offer a small smile. I know what I want; it's right in front of me.
"I care about you, I want you, part of me always did, I just didn't know you existed. Then when I found you and we connected I at first didn't believe my good luck. This past week has been more than I could have hoped for. But today; today showed me that I have a lot to lose and I can't take that chance with your life. I won't lose you to some mistake that I made; to have some madman from my past who obviously is out to settle a score against me take you from me. I do care; more than I can ever tell you," I whisper as I gently wrap my hand around the back of her head and pull her lips once again to mine.
And unlike the time we were handcuffed together, this time I am able to wrap both arms around her and hold her close. My heart begins to beat faster as the intensity of our kissing deepens. Stella's body pushes mine up against the tree; demanding whatever I can offer at this present moment; and while it might not have been the ideal location to express emotion, it was the only place that was offered and we took advantage of it.
I slightly pull back and once again mind myself drowning in the green pools before me. "When I look into your eyes I see myself strong and weak. I think I did the first time we met. But I can't afford to be weak."
"Mac, you are anything but weak," she tells me placing a hand on my warm cheek. "I know you want to protect those around you from harm, but you don't have to worry. You won't lose me like that. I'm strong enough to stand by your side and fight whatever battle you need me to."
"Stella," I try again.
"Mac, I'm not going to just run away. What can I prove to you that I want to stay by your side?"
"Your childhood? Family? What secret are you keeping from me?" I lightly pry.
She looks at me and frowns. "I was an orphan, a child of the system."
I look at her and hear her voice and my heart sinks. "Stella...I... I'm sorry, I..."
"Much like yourself I guess, I have built walls that I don't want people to break down. And until I met you I never found a man with the same walls as me; walls I wanted to break down in hopes he'd do the same for me."
"I'm sorry I asked, I didn't want to cause you any more pain," I start.
"I'm okay now," she relies slowly. "I have come to terms with it and I won't allow myself to wallow in the misery of past mistakes, even if they weren't my own. I don't know why my mother abandoned me; but I know I can't change that and I have to live with it and not let it keep me from happiness. You can too."
"You make it sound easy," I huff.
"Trust me, it's anything but. But you are not alone in this fight Mac. I am here and want to help you."
"Is that what you want? Are you sure?" I ask in uncertainty.
"To want to help you? To stand by your side in your darkest hour? Yes. Because I know you'll do the same for me and to be honest I don't think I'd want another man to do that for me, only you," she answers warmly, again kissing my lips.
I look at her and smile. In truth I want her at my side; I can't let her walk out of my life, not now, not ever, it would devastate me. But I'm also afraid. "Stella, there is someone out there gunning for me," I half whisper. "If something were to happen to you because of me, it would kill me. That's why I pushed back today. It's all I know."
"And how do you think I would feel if something happened to you? I heard his words, his threats. Would it make you feel better to know that I would be hurt if you died?" She asks me softly. "I would be just as devastated."
"I can't take that chance. What if he something did to you?" I ask again.
"Then let's make sure nothing does. Let's get this guy before he can do any more harm," she tells me firmly.
I look at her in amazement. "You know you could make a man believe just about anything," I tell her warmly.
"Then believe I care about you and that's a good start," she smiles at me as I gently wrap my arm around her and pull her to me and we head back to the truck. I am thankful that I took a cab and can therefore ride back with her.
"You know you would have liked Carla," I tell her. "When she was clean she had fire in her eyes; not exactly the same as you, but it was there. After her death I closed myself off, telling myself it would be too painful for anyone else to get close in case I lost them. Even now," I stop, taking her hand and kissing it. "I still worry that something will happen; that you'll just walk away or be taken away by something I did. That's why in the past I have done everything I can to push people away. Most women just left and that frustrated me even more. Thanks for wanting to push back."
"Well you are a lot of work," she smiles at me; squeezing my hand; to which I feel the need to just pull her close again and kiss her on the lips.
"Keep that bat close by," I tell her.
"Oh don't worry it is."
"So your place or mine?" I ask casually. She stops walking and looks at me in surprise.
"I uh hadn't thought about it but," she starts.
"Oh sorry," I rush. "I meant which lab."
"Right," she smiles; my face flush, my heart calming. "Your's has my stuff right?" She asks me.
We head back to the truck and I spy two men heading toward us. I think nothing of it until I see them purposely change direction to intercept us. I gently push Stella behind me, my hand still holding hers; but my body now in front to protect her. This place always has unsavory people at night and I was hoping to avoid a fight.
"Hey buddy, have a light?" One of them asks.
"No," I answer firmly.
"How about your wallet?" The other asks as he pulls a small knife.
"Bad idea guys," I reply with a frown.
"Yeah you a big shot?" One of them snides.
"No, I'm a man with a short fuse," I growl. "Care to test it?"
I drop Stella's hand as I watch one fake to leave but then turns to lunge at me with the knife. I easily side step his advance, grab his wrist, twist his arm and then jerk it painfully up. He yells in pain as the other charges at me. I still have the first man by the wrist but the second lands a blow to my side and my grip loosens. Thankfully Stella uses her fist to punch the guy in the eye, making him stumble to the ground in pain. I kick the man still in my grasp in the stomach and he falls to his knee. But I watch in horror as the other man lunges at Stella, taking her to the ground. When I hear her scream, my adrenaline surges and I lunge at the man; slamming my body into his and forcing him off her.
I punch him in the side of the head a few times and he's finally down. The second charges at me and tries to wrap himself around me; pinning my arms at my sides. But before I can react, Stella kicks his legs from behind him and his grip loosens; enabling me to turn around and punch him hard in the gut. The guy is finally down and I rush to Stella and offer my hand. This woman more than impresses me by the second. Other women probably would have just stood by and done nothing more than be a hindrance, but this amazing person stood by my side, fighting with me. Maybe she's right; with her fighting at my side, anything is possible.
"Have I ever told you how amazing you are," I offer lightly as we start once again for the truck.
"Like I said, I'm not someone who is going to break in pieces every time you face a problem. And you seem to attract those in spades," she smiles warmly.
"Worth the effort?" I ask.
"Worth the effort," she smiles and I can't help but kiss her once again.
We head back for the lab talking about the details of the case so far. "It could just be random," Stella tells me.
"I thought about that," I huff. "Just seems too convenient and too personal. If you were in the wrong place at the wrong time and witnessed a murder or happened upon a scene with four carved up bodies wouldn't you tell someone? The police at least? But this guy hung around, attacked me and was just there. Has to be a connection. And the voice at the park? I can't even think on that one. How did he know about the Taylor oath? I think back on the cases where I have used the term and no one threatening comes to mind. How did he know about my combat missions? The other stuff. That's why I'm so angry; no one besides Jack comes to mind or would have anything to gain."
We arrive back at the lab and I let Stella go and get her stuff from Lindsay and head to my office to see what Lindsay and Adam Ross sent me. A smile tugs at my lips as I think back on the day's events. This woman has once again pushed her way into my mind and is now firmly my heart. And for some reason she's not scared by what she's seen or heard and actually wants to hang around for the long haul. How did I ever get so lucky? And she cares about me. No other woman even wanted to know Paula's name, much less call her and ask what makes me tick and how to get into my heart. However, it's still hard to believe that out of all the men in the world, she picked me.
But I need to solve this so I can at least have some semblance of normalcy in my life so I turn my mind back to the case. Another half hour and I see Danny and Lindsay walk up to my door. They tell me they are going to check on one more lead and then get some dinner. "Am I gaining or losing a staff member?" I ask them.
"I guess I could ask you and Stella that also," Danny winks and I just look at them in surprise.
"Ready to send out a search party?" Stella asks with a smile as she finally reappears.
"Almost," I reply with a smile. But the smile quickly turns to a frown when I look up just as a strange man walks into my office a box. I look at her with a frown and then at him.
"Stella Bonasera?" The man asks.
"I'll take that," she tells the man, opening her wallet. "Dinner," she tells me as she pays the man and then places the box on my desk.
"Why is it that every time I think I have you figured out, I'm thrown another surprise?" I lightly sigh.
"Gotta keep you interested," she winks.
"Oh you had me at hello a few days back," I offer lightly and she smiles.
"Besides you never have food in the fridge, much less cook a great deal or even eat for that matter. And when I was at your place last night I saw that for myself and figured tonight you'd probably go home and just have a flat beer for supper. And I knew we'd be working late tonight on this new development so, unless my next crime scene is going to find the body of Mac Taylor dead from starvation, this is the next best thing. And since you can't win this argument we are having dinner right here; right now."
"I'd like to pummel the idiot who coined the phrase that women are the weaker sex," I huff and she smiles as she places the small take dishes on my desk and hands me a plate.
I watch her dish out some food to me and I feel an odd sense of calm starting to cover me; like this woman is supposed to be at my side looking after me. That no matter what storm I face, she'll be right there at my side, helping me whether it. That no matter what side of me I show she wants to love and accept all of me. How on earth could I just turn her away now? I can't. Even I'm not that strong.
I know that in the back of my mind, my insecurity is still there, telling me at any time this bubble can burst. But thankfully for tonight at least, I tell that voice to shut up and I sit back and enjoy my time with her. It's worth every second.
But on the other side of town I never would have guessed who the evil man is plotting my demise; setting a devious trap for me that would push every boundary to the limit, push my very life to the edge and testing to the extreme the bond that Stella and I were finally forming.
And as I sit enjoying my meal I get another message from a man bent on my destruction.
Taylor, 'Since Jack forced me to speed up my schedule here is your next clue. See you soon.'
A/N: okay so hopefully that wasn't too morbid but I threw the bit in about the AIDS part as I personally know the pain of slowing watching someone die and the despair and helplessness you feel when you know you can do nothing and thought it would be a different angle than Mac losing a wife. But things are about to get more tense as the kidnapper's threats increase so please review and tell me what you think. Thanks!