Stella hated being out of the loop of Mac's condition, so she insisted that Don take her to the hospital. He finally agrees and takes her. In the hospital it all started…

They go up to the desk, "I would like to see Mac Taylor please."

"And who are you?"

"Detective Bonasera, and Don Flack."

"Oh I see," she gets out from her desk and takes them to a room. "So, who's going in, one visitor at a time."

"She'll go, it's extremely important to her," he patted her on the back and sat on the bench.

Stella goes into the room and kneels next to him on the right side.

"Mac, look what I've gotten you into. We are going to find out who did this to you and we will lock him up forever," a few tears fall from her face. "I can't risk losing you Mac."

Mac slowly opens his eyes and smiles.

"Thank God you're all right. What were you thinking jumping on a guy who was armed?" she laughs. "You are one of the toughest men I've ever met," she said holding on to his hand. "I can't ever imagine if he shot and killed you, I wouldn't know what to do with my life. Well I should be going…" she slowly gets up, and Mac tugs on her hand.

"Stella…" he said weakly.

"Mac, you can talk… what is it?"

"I never meant to… hurt you."

"I know you didn't, just get some rest," she stated and kissed his cheek. She slowly left the room. "So, what's going to happen to him?"

"They told me that he will wear a cast and have his arm in a sling for six weeks. so, they want us to handle him with care. Stella, are you going to be all right?"

She turned behind her and nods to Flack.

"I promise you we'll find who did this to him."

Stella nods and they head back to the lab. Lindsay who saw them come back ran up to Stella.

"He's going to live, isn't he?"

Stella nodded, "He's a strong little soldier."

"You're going to be all right, aren't you?"

"Yeah," she stated tearing up. Lindsay hugged Stella.

"Don't cry Stella, everything is going to be okay."

"I know that Linds…" she said letting go. "I'm just going to take the rest of the day off, okay?"

"Sure Stella, see you around later," Stella smiled and nodded. Stella goes and left the building. "I feel so bad for her…" she told Flack.

"Yeah, but she's a strong woman… she'll hold up."

Meanwhile outside Stella was walking some distance and ran into the guy who shot Mac.

"Bonasera, you might want your gun back."

"You shot Mac… I should strangle you, but I'm not getting shot like Mac."

"Good woman, but I got fired after my partner found out I shot Mac, and he told me not to."

Stella takes the gun, "I'm going to have you arrested for almost killing a cop," she takes out her handcuffs and called Flack. "Don, I found the man who almost killed Mac… yeah, we're right outside the building."

She held onto him as Flack came outside, "I'll be taking you in now," he smiled.

"Wait, I have to say something to her… Kolovos," he said as Flack pulled him away.

Great the time I want to go home I find out that Kolovos is behind this operation. Now I have to go to the hospital and tell Mac.

She calls a cab and goes to the hospital and ran to go see Mac.

"Mac… Kolovos was behind it the whole time."

"He is… how did you find out?"

"By a certain person who shot and probably could have killed you."

"The guy who shot me is in jail now?"

"Yeah Mac, we're safe for now. Until Kolovos gets a hold of us."

"Now you know why I had to break up with you."

"Yeah, but what I don't get is that you love me but couldn't fend for yourself about the situation. So you listened to what they said without dealing with the outcome yourself."

"You pretty much got it right," he frowned. Now she must really hate me.

"I can't hate you Mac, just understand that… I might be angry with you sometimes, but I still love you."

"You really mean that?" Stella nods.

The doctor came in, "Mac Taylor, you can be released now."

"Really?"

"Of course, just stay out of reach," he laughed.

"Okay doc, well I guess we can go now Stell," he said getting up from the bed. "Let's go back to work."

"Mac…" she gave him the 'you are going home' look.

"Okay Stella, your staying with me though, aren't you," he asked raising his eyebrow.

"Why wouldn't I? I'm already taking the rest of the day off," she smiles and they thank the doctor, and go outside to get a cab. Minutes later it pulled up to his apartment building. Stella held Mac close so he wouldn't injure himself, and they took the elevator up to his floor.

"Thanks for helping me Stell, I owe you one.

"I will be happy as long as you promise me that you won't act like a stupid jackass and get yourself killed."

"I promise you Stella, I don't want you hurt like that again."

"I know…" she got cut off as the phone rang. She quickly answered it. "Bonasera."

"You better watch every step you take because you do something wrong you will die," the man said nervously.

"Who is this?" the line went dead.

"What was that?"

"I don't know, but they want me to watch my steps."

"They know something is going on Stella, you should take a few days off."

"No, it was probably that one kid who shot you getting his one phone call. I'm not worried Mac, I am a big girl so I can be careful."

"Okay, but I don't want you risking your life."

"It's okay Mac, I'll handle it…"