Title: Opposites Attract
Chapter 35 - Taylor and Bonasera Together at last!

"You're quiet," Stella tells me as we head for the address that Paula directed.

"Paula told me yesterday that she had a surprise for me today," I frown. "And while I was sort of distracted by the end of the day..." I pause and she smiles. "I can't figure out what it might be."

"Maybe it's her new office?" Stella offers and I shrug.

"That's a good guess," I frown. "Just hope she's not being transferred out of town or something."

"She might be."

"Damn it!"

"Mac, just calm down...we are just guessing right now."

We offer a few more guesses until we pull up in front of the large glass building and stop. "It's nothing specific," I tell Stella as I look around for any sign of what's going on.

"I see Paula," she tells me and my eyes follow hers and rest on the other woman in my life who drives me crazy. "Let's not keep her waiting."

We exit the truck and head toward Paula, my anxiety is growing by each passing second.

"Morning you two," she smiles, giving Stella a hug and then myself one as well.

"Paula?" I ask quickly. "What's going on?"

"Told you yesterday that I had a surprise for you Mac," she tells us as she motions with her arm for us to enter the building.

"This is your new office?" Stella asks quickly.

"Well it's a new office all right," she answers, but neither of us move. "But not for me."

"Paula, what is going on?" I ask in slight annoyance.

"Mac, will you get your ass in the building already," she huffs in exasperation. "Is he always this stubborn?" She asks Stella.

"Yes."

"I knew you two becoming friends was going to be the death of me."

"Honey you never stood a chance," Paula winks.

Without a word Stella and I follow after Paula into the large building before us and then head into the elevator and the doors close. I look at her with a frown and she just smiles.

"I know its killing you Mac and that's why I'm not telling you anything just yet," she throws at me.

"Like I said before, you two are going to be the death of me," I frown. "Maybe it's a good thing it's the 35th floor. That way if you push me off, I won't feel anything," I huff and Paula just smiles. "And why the 35th floor?" I direct to Stella.

"Don't include me in this plan," Stella looks at Paula. "I have no idea either."

We get off on the floor that Paula directs us to and we both stand and look at the area before us in wonder.

"What on earth?" Stella asks in a soft whisper looking at Paula in shock. "This is just like..."

"How did you..." I start in surprise, my eyes also turning to look at Paula in surprise.

"Follow me," she says as we start down a hallway with glass walls, offering safety to rooms that are filled with state of the art equipment, but no people. She walks a bit further and I stop and just stare in wonder.

"Detective's Taylor and Bonasera," she says looking at us with a growing smile. "Welcome to your new offices."

We both exchange shocked glances and then I look at Paula in shock.

"Pardon?"

"What?"

"How did you pull this off?" I ask in wonder.

"Is this possible?" Stella questions.

"Paula? Is this a joke or for real?"

"For real Mac. This is yours to co-run if you both want. If not, then we all turn and walk back out that door and you two can go back to your own separate worlds."

I look at Stella once more, neither of us able to hide our smiles.

"If we want?" I question.

"Well I guess that's a yes," Paula tells us.

"That's a big yes," Stella offers eagerly.

"Paula, how did you do this?" I ask again.

"She had some help," Chief Sinclair mentions, walking up to join us.

"Chief Sinclair?" Stella asks.

"Actually it's something that has been in the works for some time. We had wanted to build one big forensic team instead of two smaller ones; it just made good financial sense, instead of having you both competing for the same money. However, with Jack Harvey's arrest and then the murder of his godsons', Mayor Carlson had pushed it aside. But I didn't. So those times that I let Flack handle the case while I worked with the mayor stuff was just prepping him for my role and allowing me to work to cement this," Paula explains. "Besides, you both mentioned you wanted to work together as partners and so here we are."

"What do you say Taylor, think you could handle taking orders from me?" Sinclair asks, offering his hand to me.

"I'm a fast learner sir," I tell him, taking his hand and shaking it firmly.

"I guess it's a good thing I'm such a good friend of the Mayor," Paula tells us with a wink. "And trust me I had thought of trumping Rick here but I think I'll stick with my desk job."

"Desk job?" Stella asks.

"Deputy Commissioner of Law Enforcement," she smiles and I stare in shock.

"Congratulations," Stella offers with a firm smile.

"Mac?"

"Never a doubt," I praise. "What about my staff?"

"Which ones?" Sinclair questions. "You have a large space here Taylor; think you'll have trouble filling it?"

"No trouble at all," I assure him quickly, my brain still trying to wrap around the fact that Stella and will be partners after all; on a daily basis, just as we both wanted. Sinclair gives a few more instructions to Paula and then takes his leave.

She looks at us and smiles. "I can tell you're both still in shock, you haven't even headed into your new offices to check them out."

"Afraid the bubble will burst."

"It's real Mac and I think you both earned this day."

"This place is amazing," Stella mentions.

"You could have asked us," I tell Paula.

"Please Mac I know you would have given me the third degree or tried to..."

"Okay I get it already," I huff and she smiles.

"Well I know you liked Stella's place but with your two teams combining, there wasn't room for everyone. And since I know how much you like surprises; this just seemed the perfect arrangement and timing."

"I am afraid to ask about my new Detective," I tell Paula as the elevator door's open and four people get out.

"Here he comes, at least one of them," Paula mentions.

"One of them?" Stella wonders.

"Yeah you have a whole team now."

"Paula?" Flack asks with a frown. "Hey Mac, Stella...what is going on here?"

"You didn't tell them either?" I ask in shock.

"Nope."

"Guys, what is this about?" Flack wonders.

"Flack asked me who was going to take my place now that I am stepping up in the world," Paula starts. "Surprise Don, it's you."

"What?" Flack gasps. "I'm lead detective for this place?"

"Yes you are."

"You said one," I remind her.

"Well since his partner is Jessica Angell, we couldn't leave her behind. And since you need at least two more lead Detective's for a place like this, Detective John Sullivan swears he's the best man for the job and so his partner Jason Street had to come along."

"Well Mac, thought you could just get rid of us?" Flack smiles.

"I guess not."

"Trust me Mac, I'll give him lessons on how to keep you in line," Paula smiles and Flack laughs while I frown.

"Any more surprises?" Stella dares to ask.

"You mean besides the fact that you'll now have four First Grade CSI's; two junior CSI's, two top lab techs and two ME's? Yes a lot more," Paula continues as the elevator opens and the rest of the team slowly files out.

"Mac?" Cyrus asks with a frown. "We were all told to come here instead of going to our building."

"Yeah Stella what's going on?" Danny questions.

"This is our new home," I tell the team. "Stella and I are going to co-run this."

"What about us?" Sheldon asks.

"All of ours," Stella smiles. "You all too."

"Really?" Adam asks eagerly. "Us too?"

"All of us?" Lindsay wonders.

"All of us," Stella tells them and I just offer a nod of agreement.

"Man that's awesome!" Danny gushes as he gives Lindsay a quick hug.

"Hey they have glass walls you guys gotta get a room now," Cyrus moans and Sheldon hits his arm.

"You're just as bad. I saw you and Theresa in the lunch room the other day," Sheldon tells Cyrus.

"What? She said yes to you?" Lindsay goads.

"You saw?" Cyrus asks Sheldon, and I just look at Stella and shake my head.

"Way to go C-man!" Ralph high fives and Adam laughs.

"Sounds back to normal," I offer her and she agrees.

"Everything personal from your two labs is being transferred here today," Paula tells the group. "So settle in and enjoy your new home."

I watch Stella head for her new office and then turn to Paula with a frown.

"You can say it," she smiles warmly at me.

"You're amazing," I tell her. "How the hell did you pull all this off?"

"Trust me, I'd like to say it was for you, but in truth it was in the works for a while. Bonasera's office already had the funding in place for a co-lead but her space just wasn't big enough. This place was a duplicate model but with double the space. So instead of offering you both funding for separate jobs, we decided it best to pool the money and combine things," she continues.

"You're amazing."

"I know."

"Thank you for all this," I offer with a smile.

"You earned it."

"So did Stella. Are you going to stay around awhile?"

"Well as much as I'd like to stay and enjoy this house warming, I have a new job to get to. Oh and Mac," she stops and turns to me just before she leaves. "I am off at four from now on; part of my contract deal, so you might be getting voice mail a lot more."

"You've earned it," I tell her as I give her one last warm hug as Stella walks up to join us.

"Thank you for all this. We really wanted this," Stella echoes with her own smile as she gives Paula another hug.

"Well I wanted it for you both also."

"I'll call you."

"Coffee?" Paula counters.

"Deal," Stella smiles.

"Should I be worried?" I ask with a frown and both women nod their heads.

XXXXXXXX

We both watch Paula leave and then I turn to Mac with a smile. "How did she do all this?"

"I still have no idea," he offers with a slight frown; looking past me to his empty office, right beside mine.

"Mac?"

"Almost afraid to believe this is actually happening?" He tells me lightly.

"Well my name is etched on that glass, so it seems permanent," I assure him as we slowly walk down the hall toward our new offices. Both of us watch as our teams start to move around their new space, laughing and talking and starting to look at and play with their new toys.

"So Mac think you can handle me as your partner on a daily basis? As co-lead?" I ask him in a quiet tone.

"Stella, you have just as much worry about giving up that total authority as I do," he answers.

"And?"

"And I think I'm just as happy about this as you are," he offers as he both walk into his new office. He picks up a small card and smiles.

"What did she write?" I ask Mac.

'Mac, why are you trying to analyze how I did this? I'm a woman; you've already lost the battle. Enjoy your new home and try to keep up to your new partner.' Paula.
PS: 'Stella, there is a brand new bat in your bottom drawer.'

He finishes reading, puts down the card and looks up at me with a grin. "Think we can make this work?" He asks with some hesitation.

"Well it could be complicated," I offer with a smile.

"And that scares you?" He asks quickly.

"Not for a second," I assure him. "And you?"

"Not as much as I thought it would," he replies and I smile. "However, these walls are glass," he frowns.

"I guess we'll have to make sure we pull the blinds from time to time," I wink and he slightly blushes.

"Kinda like the sound of that."

"Yeah thought you would," I smile.

"Can you blame me?"

"Not in the least. Well Detective Taylor?"

"Well Detective Bonasera," he retorts. "I guess we should get started."

"The criminals don't take a day off..." I start.

"And neither do we," he finishes as the phone rings. "And here we go," Mac says as he answers the phone. "Taylor."

I wait in anticipation while I try to calm my rapidly beating heart. Mac is going to be my partner; co-lead of this amazing new lab. I can't help but feel my smile grow. I know it's going to be a bit of an adjustment to have us all working together under one roof; two growing relationships; one love that is bonding and numerous developing friendships.

However, I don't think it could have worked out any other way; any better. This is how it was meant to be; like it was written already for us and we just needed to catch up to what destiny had in mind. No more being alone; no more worrying about Mac doing something crazy on his own; no me coming home to my own voice; no more stressing out about petty competition and no more wondering what tomorrow might bring.

With Mac Taylor at my side, I say to the future 'bring it on'; I'm ready for anything. And while I don't expect a smooth road every day, I know that with the two of us working together as one; there is nothing we can't accomplish together.

He hangs up the phone and offers his trademark smile. "Ready to get this day started?"

"Thought you'd never ask," I smile.

XXXXXXXX

I listen to the clerk give me the details of the two new cases and although I'm trying to listen to everything that's being said my mind is still trying to wrap itself around the fact that Stella is going to be my partner after all; on a daily basis, as it was meant to be. No more obsessing about her taking dangerous calls alone; no more worrying about her trying to take something from me in a professional capacity and no more misery about not having her at my side when I need her most. And while I don't expect perfect happiness every day, the fact that she's here with me now, is a sure sign that no matter what we face, we'll be able to help each other through it. The future? She is my future; and I don't need anything else.

I give her the details and lead her into the hallway and back to see the team. "Well if you all thought that today was going to be a fluff day, think again."

"Mac, are you serious?" Danny questions. "We have to work today?" He asks and the rest of the team starts to laugh.

"For that I'm assigning you with Cyrus," I retort and he just rolls his eyes as Flack and Jessica finally join us.

"Yeah right Mac," Lindsay pipes up and I know it's a losing battle.

"Sullivan you want the love birds or the hardy boys?"

Sullivan looks at me and frowns. "Do I get a choice Mac?"

"Not really. Sorry," I answer. "Want to keep the love birds in line?"

"Sure why not?" Sullivan smiles and Danny groans.

"Central park?" Flack questions. "Just got the call."

"Stella and I will take that. Danny and Lindsay you two are going to join Sullivan and Street in Stan's Bar," I tell them handing them the slip. "Sheldon and Cyrus we'll meet you in the park. This one has two bodies and a lot of ground to cover. Flack, we'll meet you and Angell there."

I watch them quickly disperse, their laugher subsides, their kits in hand and all have pasted on their work faces and are ready to get the day started; just like the working professionals we have trained and expect. I grab my kit and then follow after Stella toward the elevator.

"So when I ask my place or yours," she starts.

"I guess it's now ours," I reply with a smile.

"Ours," she echoes as the door closes us from everyone's view. She grabs my collar and pulls me close, planting a kiss on my cheek and whispering in my ear, "I could get used to ours in a few more things."

I offer only a smile as the door opens and we head back outside to our truck. "Ours," I smile as I get into the truck and look at her with a slight grin. "I could get used to that also. Are we ready for that?"

"I think I am. Are you?"

"I think so too."

"Let's talk more about this after work. Now it's time to have some fun at our crime scene."

"I love it when a woman talks dirty."

"Gutter mind."

"I love you Stella Bonasera, I think I always have."

"I love you Mac Taylor, I know I always will."

XXXXXXXX

I watch them pull away from the curb and I offer only a smile of approval; knowing inside that this would come; it was written long ago for these two and they had many working years ahead of them both; but it would be together; as it should have been from long ago. Their future relationship was now secure, and while it would hold out under the obvious growing pains as two people grow together in love; I know in my heart that with the two of them side by side there isn't anything they can't overcome together.

"Taylor and Bonasera," I smile to myself. "Like it was meant to be."

I take my leave; the city around me now buzzing to life like it does every day; the future is filled with hope and promise. And tomorrow? Oh tomorrow would come; for these two it was as certain as the day I arranged for them to meet. After all you can't leave everything to chance; destiny has a voice that was now finally heard!

THE END!

A/N: Well what did you think? Who do you think was watching in the end? Should I do a sequel? Final thoughts and comments? Thanks again for all the amazing reviews, comments, suggestions and advice! You guys are awesome and I thank you for your time!