Don took Stella out to breakfast as Jo and the gang surprised her. They knew she was coming and wanted Mac to be surprised later. Stella was glad to meet Jo and she chatted with the team again.

"So how is Lucy?" Stella asked Lindsay.

"Good, she's getting bigger. She finally said 'boom'," Lindsay said as she looked towards Danny.

"What?" Danny asked confused as everyone laughed.

"Well, I don't mean to run out on you guys but I'm going home. Thank you for breakfast and I wanted to get to meet you, Stella."

"Thank you for coming, and I'm glad to have gotten to meet you," Stella said with a smile as Jo got up.

"See you all tonight," Jo said as she left. Jo wanted to let her team get a chance to talk to Stella since they hadn't seen her for a year.

They went to Don's house to watch the ceremonies, knowing Mac and Reed would be there. While they watched, Stella thought about Mac during the aftermath of the attacks.

[Flashback September 15, 2001 7am-]

Stella went to a diner to meet Mac for breakfast but after waiting for twenty minutes, she called him since she got worried. When he didn't answer his cell she went to his apartment. She knocked first but didn't hear anything, so she unlocked the door and walked in. "Mac, are you okay?" She found him sitting on the couch, with his head leaning on the back of the couch and she shook him, "Mac. Mac."

"What? What time is it? Oh, it's 7:30am." He rubbed his eyes then continued, "Sorry, Stella, I guess I was just really tired. Manny told me that he wanted me to take some time off and took my gun. I'm fine, really."

"Mac, you have been working non-stop and I know you're hurting." Stella sat next to him as she noticed his eyes were a bit red.

"When I was watching TV, I saw President Bush at the site. I loved it when the rescuers told him they couldn't hear him. Then he told them that he hears them and those who knocked the buildings down, would be hearing from all of us soon. I really want to go over to Afghanistan and find bin Laden and kill him. I've been seeing Claire everywhere and I've even been watching 'I Love Lucy' reruns and 'The Andy Griffith Show'."

"You have?" Stella smiled.

"Yeah, laughing at Lucy and her antics and I think it is more fun then watching 'The Andy Griffith Show.'"

"Lucy is pretty funny but 'The Andy Griffith Show just doesn't seem funny."

"Well, the marathon for Lucy is on tonight, wanna come?"

"I'll be happy to," Stella said as she noticed Mac smiled a little but she wanted to be there for him.

Over the next few weeks she had checked in on him, or if he didn't call her back at a certain time, she went to find him.

[October 3, 2001 in an office]

Mac and Stella were at the desk looking over reports.

"Stell, I've been meaning to tell you this and just don't know how to."

"Oh?" Stella asked as she knew what Mac was going to say.

"Yeah, after the attacks. I uh... well you see, I...,"

"Mac, I know this was very tough for you and it will be tough but that is what friends are for. You already thanked me."

"I did?"

"Yeah, a few days after the attacks at your apartment."

Mac smiled.

[End Flashback]

September 11th 2011 8:45am-

They watched the ceremonies as wreaths were laid at the site of the attack on the Pentagon; in Shanksville, Pennsylvania where Flight 93 went down; and at the site of the towers. Family and friends of those who died stated loved ones' name. After awhile Mac and Reed stated Claire's name at the same time, "Claire Conrad Taylor." They walked out the area since most people left after they said their loved one's name. It was a very somber day.

4:45pm-

Mac was getting ready for the band when the doorbell rang and he went to get it.

"Hi, Mac. You ready?" Reed asked.

"Yeah." Mac got his coat and his guitar.

"Good."

They both walked to the car to get to the Cozy jazz club.

A few minutes after the band started to set up, the gang from the crime lab arrived with Stella, but Mac had not noticed. Reed also sat with them, next to Stella. They started playing patriotic songs and started with "America", sung by Neil Diamond. While Mac played the bass, a member of his band sang, while some in the crowd joined in during 'America the Beautiful'. He noticed Don walk in a bit late then the band played their next song.

[Pete Seeger- This Land is Your Land]

"As I went walking that ribbon of highway.

I saw above me that endless skyway.

I saw below me that golden valley.

This land was made for you and me.

Mac noticed Stella seated next to Reed as he smiled a bit but felt a bit nervous. The band continued,

"This land is your land. This land is my land.

From California to the New York Island.

From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters.

This land was made for you and me.

I roamed and I rambled and I followed my footsteps.

To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts.

While around me a voice was sounding.

This land was made for you and me.

This land is your land. This land is my land.

From California to the New York Island.

From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters.

This land was made for you and me.

When the sun came shining, and I was strolling.

And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling.

As the fog was lifting,A voice was chanting

This land was made for you and me.

This land is your land, this land is my land.

From California to the New York Island.

From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters.

This land was made for you and me."

This land is your land. This land is my land.

From California to the New York Island.

From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters.

This land was made for you and me.

"I bet Mac is really surprised we all are here," Sid said.

"He looks surprised and happy."

After a few minutes Mac noticed a man and a woman walk in and the woman resembled Claire. He caught his breath as the team noticed his actions.

"Something's wrong," Sheldon said.

Stella thought to herself, I wonder if he's thinking about Claire. Then she saw the woman who looked like her and said, "Oh my God!"

Mac snapped out of his daydream and took a deep breath.

"It's okay, Stella, it's okay." He smiled.

[Lee Greenwood- God Bless U.S.A.]

"If tomorrow all the things were gone

I'd work for all my life.

And I had to start again, just my children and my wife.

I'd thank my lucky stars, to be livin' here today.

'Cause the flag still stands for freedom,

and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American

where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died

who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up

next to you and defend her still today.

'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,

God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,

to the hills of Tennessee.

Across the plains of Texas,

from sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,

and New York to L.A.

Well there's pride in every American heart

and it's time we stand and say.

And I'm proud to be an American,

where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up

next to you and defend her still today.

'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,

God bless the USA.

And I'm proud to be and American,

where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up, next to you and defend her her still today.

'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land.

God Bless the USA."

Everyone cheered as Mac looked around and took a drink of water.

"So, last song coming up," Lindsay said as they noticed Mac huddling with his band.

"What's he doing?" Jo asked as they broke huddle and one of the members walked up to the microphone.

"Before I begin, this song that we will sing, 'Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?' gets some of us a bit more emotional, just makes us sad. Since it has been requested, I will sing it. So here we go."

Mac cleared his throat then sat on the stool and played his guitar.

After the song was sung, they got a standing ovation as Mac cleared his throat a few times then the manager of the club asked Mac and the band to sing 'God Bless America'.

"You okay, Reed?" Stella whispered to him.

"Yeah, I just hate that song," Reed said as he cleared his throat.

"Okay, we got one last song. 'God Bless America'," Mac said with a smile as he felt better and looked towards his team.

"Why is he looking at me?" Adam asked nervously.

"You know, while I was at the crime lab, I noticed one of my employees singing."

"Oh God no, Mac. Please don't," Adam looked scared.

"Adam Ross, come on up, I want you to sing with me," Mac said.

Adam looked at him then got up and stood next to Mac.

"You ready, Adam?"

"Yeah," Adam said, though his voice cracked as they started to sing.

"God Bless America. Land that I love. Stand beside her, and guide her. Through the night, with the light from above. From the mountains, to the prairies, from the oceans, white with Foam! God bless America, my home sweet home!"

The crowd cheered as Adam smiled.

"Good job, Adam," Mac smiled then once Adam went back to his seat, Mac and the band took their bows.

He walked over to his employees and gave Stella a big hug.

"What a surprise, Stella," Mac said as he whispered in her ear and smiled.

"Yeah, Mac. I wanted to surprise you."

"So, what are we all eating?" Mac asked as he found a chair that was just abandoned and sat next to Stella as they chatted and ate.