A Romantic Detour

I'M BAAAAAAAAAACK! As if you thought I wouldn't be! Mwah! xxxxxxx

"He must have bled out." Stella inspected the body closely. "Puncture wound just above the jugular, and another," she lifted the victim's shirt, "in his belly button. Our killer must have very small knowledge of anatomy." Mac gave a humourless laugh as he shone his torch on the blood spatter against the wall. Something dropped beside him. He quickly looked down to his feet where a fresh drop of blood was shivering. He turned and looked upwards, straining to see a shape among the rusty railings and walkways in the roof of the abandoned garage. Stella stood up, following some footprints in the dust, Mac walked in the other direction towards the back of garage to see if there was another exit. There was a bang behind him and Stella cried out, "Mac!". He spun round immediately to see a tall man hurtling towards Stella who was reaching for her gun. The man caught Stella in the midriff as Mac started to run. Her gun flew out her hand and hit the opposite wall. Vainly she tried to grab hold of the man who was struggling to get up, he leaned over and was about to strike her in the face when Mac grabbed his wrist and twisted it behind him, pulling the suspect off Stella in one swift movement. Mac got the suspect in handcuffs as Don came running in. Stella stood up gingerly.

"Stella," she looked up and met Mac's eyes. " You ok?" she nodded.

"Yes, Mac I'm fine, just a little winded." As Mac handed the man over to Don he gave the handcuffs an extra wrench so the metal scraped against the culprit's wrists, then let him go, with a grim smile of satisfaction.

*********

Later that day Danny walked in on Sheldon inspecting Stella with her top half-off.

"Woah! Guys, get a room!" Danny flailed his hands in front of his face unsure whether to leave or stay and watch. (A/N: jokes! You wish) Sheldon gave him a withering glance.

"Sheldon's making sure I don't have internal bleeding or broken ribs Danny." Stella sighed.

"Oh," Danny uncovered his face and sat down. "Why, what happened?"

"Just another runner, " she pulled down her top, "he ran headfirst into me." Danny pulled an 'oooo' face.

"You're ok," Sheldon said. "you're just going to be badly bruised." Stella sighed again. Don popped his head around the door.

"Hey guys, you all right Stel?"

"Yeah I'll be fine." She stood up, wincing a little as she did so. "Is Mac in his office?"

"Yep"

"Ok then," Stella patted Sheldon's cheek, "thanks Sheldon." She left the room as Don properly entered it.

"So," Danny glanced up, Don had that mischievous look on his face.

"What you grinning about?" he asked.

"Don't ask," Sheldon groaned. Don slid onto the sofa next to Sheldon.

"Danny can ask if he wants." Don stretched his long limbs out, draping one leg over Sheldon's. Sheldon pushed him off roughly. "Hey! That's no way to treat your boyfriend."

"BOYFRIEND????" Danny coughed and spluttered.

"Calm down, Danny he's joking."

"God Messer can't you tell when I'm joking?" Don grinned at the scowl on Danny's face. "You should have seen your face." Don was laughing, Sheldon was smiling but Danny couldn't, as he tried to forget the sudden flame of jealousy that had flared up inside him. "I did kiss him though." Don remarked casually. There it was again, that burning feeling in the pit of his stomach. Danny tried to keep his voice normal.

"You what???"

"He dared me to so I did. " Don swung his legs off the sofa. "Best kiss he's ever had." Sheldon laughed outright.

"You wish!" he joked.

"I do," Don said morosely.

************

Meanwhile Stella was in Mac's office, waiting for him to finish a phone call.

"Ok, I will." Mac put the phone down. "Sorry…"

"It's fine," Stella waved her hand at him, "since when has talking on the phone been a crime?" Mac smiled.

"What did you want to say? He asked.

"I just, " Stella twisted her fingers, "wanted to say thank you." Mac raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"For this morning?" Stella nodded. Now Mac frowned, then spoke slowly. "I've lost count of how many times I've done that for you, and how many times you've done that for me, but I know you've never said thank you in this way before." He paused "What's different?"

Stella sighed and shrugged. "I don't know Mac, I just…" she took a deep breath, "we're partners right? We're good friends and I like that, I love that…but do you ever wonder…." She looked at her feet. "Sometimes I think…." She met his eyes "Life's too short, and every time that happens to one of us the same thought goes through my mind and I'm scared that one day we'll miss out altogether…"

"Stella…" she couldn't stop now, no matter what Mac said. She moved towards him.

"I've known you for so long, "she began, " I know what you're thinking and I know, you know, what I'm thinking, " there was a silence where they both gazed into each other's eyes. "We're not getting any younger…" Mac laughed and Stella joined in.

"No," he agreed, "we're not, and you seem to be getting less comprehensible!"

"Mac-"

"Stella," he took her hands in his. "I know what you're saying…." Stella breathed a sigh of relief. "how about Mark's tonight, about 8?" Stella gave that little sideways head move that she does when surprised.

"ooo, I'll have to ask my boss if that's ok," Mac smiled.

"I'll ask him," he said, "boss says yes!" Stella laughed, then put her hand on Mac's cheek before turning to go.

"Mark's then," she said. She pointed her finger threateningly at Mac, "You better not stand me up Mac Taylor."

"I wouldn't dream of it Stella Bonasera!"

mwah!!! love you all!!!!xxxxx