A True City Girl

Livejournal

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:32:52 GMT

Yes, I migrated to Myspace. And that's where I've been because, quite frankly, I don't have the attention span to have two journals, and most of my friends are over there. Guys, feel free to friend over there!

I'm currently back not to blog much, but for a community that looks oddly appealing. I apologize. I'll be blogging (some hundred times a day) on Myspace, but if anyone really wants to read my inane ramblings over here, ask and I'll be posting.

So, uh, what's been happening? I've been a bum and have been watching movies. Constantly. My only interests appear to be pre-1960s movies, bomb tests, and Bernard Herrmann. I am a complete and utter loser. I haven't watched TV in the past few weeks. I didn't watch the CSI: NY finale (or episodes leading up to it), and oddly... I don't have much of an interest to. Huh.

ETA: Well, I came back because the community looked appealing. I have been reject00rz or something like that, so... um. Well, back to Myspace. Seriously, folks, catch me there. Otherwise, email me. It's on my profile. =)

Yo

Sat, 17 Mar 2007 19:52:10 GMT

Catch me, y'all.

AFK

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 22:21:12 GMT

Won't be online for a while. My computer completely bummed out, and I think it's the system board or something. >.< Fuck. I hope it'll be fine. Damn piece of shit. Does that every January.

Sadly... WEPD had the chapter done, but I can't post it because it's on that computer. >.

Poems

Sat, 27 Jan 2007 00:38:47 GMT

Did I ever mention I started writing poetry? Yeah, I did. Pretty shitty, but amusing.

Nothing really happened today. There was a pep rally that SUCKED ASS BIG TIME I HATE PEP RALLIES. Homecoming is tonight, but none of my friends are going, so screw it.

Wait, wait. TJ is coming. Stupid TJ. *waves to TJ just in case he's around*

Also... about Wednesday's CSI: NY episode... is it fair when a man makes a more beautiful woman than I do?

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 04:19:02 GMT

SNOW.

Yes, so it snowed today. A few inches. I was honestly amazed - I haven't seen snow like that since I was eight. I had a snowball fight with Dad and made a snowman and made a snow angel. *beams*

Also... I bought "Bloody Murder", the CSI: NY comic, that I wanted. And I read it in one sitting. WONDERFUL art. Seriously.

Also subscribed to American Science Mind. Now I have three magazine subscriptions. WOOT.

Yesterday, I was in Hermosillo, Mexico all day, and today I was in Tucson at the Air Force Museum Thingy. Pretty amusing, though I repeat - I hate children.

Lastly, I'm writing poetry. Pretty awesome, huh? I've never written poetry before. It's pretty crappy, but it's FUN!

*hopes for a snow day tomorrow because I'm a lazy bum* Seriously, I saw five people skid outside my house within half an hour. No one here knows how to drive in the snow.

ETA: OMFG. LOOK AT THIS. AND THIS. (Pretty awesome spoilers for future CSI: NY episodes.)

She lifted a momument/ In her monumental arms/ She was the mother superior with her carry-on luggage

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 00:18:15 GMT

Who here thinks Sid should get laid in tonight's episode?

Anywho... boring day again. At least we managed to get my history teacher to admit he gave us the WRONG test at the WRONG time (and that he cannot function without his wife. Teehee.)

... Well. I'm off to watch TV, slack off, and do nothing until 9 tonight. If Sid or Reed are in tonight's episode, I'll die of happiness. (And if Shane gets out of prison and joins the team FOREVER, I'll die, too.) Something interesting BETTER happen. Sorry, but I'm not interested in watching Danny and Lindsay 'flirt'. BLEH. SUCK IT BITCHES.

Tue, 16 Jan 2007 23:57:53 GMT

Respond to this post and I will....
1. Tell you why I friended you
2. Associate you with a movie/song
3. Tell a random fact about you
4. Tell a first memory about you
5. Associate an animal/fruit with you
6. Ask something I have always wanted to know about you
7. In response you MUST spread this disease on LJ

My name is Lucille/ And I know how you feel/ I live downstairs

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 05:06:48 GMT

Title: With Each Passing Day, Part 12/?
Author: Chris
Fandom: CSI: NY
Pairing: Mac/Claire, Stella
Rating: PG to PG-13

( Mister and Missus, Ma'am )

Miss Mary Ann kept her man in porcupine gloves/ And on that day as scheduled, they made porcupine lo

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 04:32:15 GMT

My fingers and blue from cleaning transparencies. I got several reactions about that, including: did you finger a smurf, do you have frost bite, and the ever-favorite WTF happened to you?

Anywho... I was reading an article about how pretty people get paid more. Seriously, would anyone argue that? "Jenny's getting paid more because I'm ugly!" Hehe.

Yes, and... today sucked. I even wore my lovely cleavage shirt, but that didn't help.

Lastly... you know who needs to get on CSI: NY? Edward Furlong. I can't watch any of his movies or wear my Edoc shirt without thinking of him. BREAK OUT OF PRISON, DARLING. PLEASE. And let little Reed return. He's adorable. Damn. He is.

And you know who else?

Sexy dead FBI chick who was totally banging Mac.

Damn, I wanna write fanfic about her. *does so*

She's take a sick day and rot at the core...

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 08:37:23 GMT

Goal: Be amazing this year. Which means, yes, I'll be wearing my ADORABLE SUPER LOW CUT shirt (with something underneath, pervs) and I'm going to be... well... amazing. =D And my hair is SO CUTE, I decided.

Yes, that's it. WATCH ME, BITCHES.

Anywho... It's been a boring day. I watched the SciFi channel half the day and spent the rest writing, doing homework, and cooking. XD I made amazing brownies. From scratch. BEAT THAT. Homework isn't going well, though. It takes SO LONG. I already wrote two pages about the Turks and Western Africans. DON'T EXPECT MORE FROM ME. Besides, Mac and Claire were calling me. Claire's too cute, you know.

Poloparadise - I hafta agree with you. If she's not French, I'll cry. XD What is it with him and beautiful, model-like, European women? Seriously. Good taste, Mac. ~~We totally share a taste in women.~~

Plans for Today

Fri, 05 Jan 2007 20:32:04 GMT

To-Do List for January 5, 2007...
~~1. Take a long, long, long bath. Not because I want to, but because the water is TOO HOT for a normal shower.~~
2. Play with make-up because I know I'll be bored.
3. Play with my new, ugly hair cut because it looks terrible.
4. Finally put away my clothes. Possibly model my new shirts. =D
5. Finish reading Siddartha, which I'm hating.
6. Do Major Developments.
7. Finish writing essay response.
8. Write fanfic.
~~9. Play with hair again.~~
10. Stuff my bra because I've always wondered what that would be like. Looks like fun.

Ah, I love break.

Meme and Lyrics

Fri, 05 Jan 2007 06:25:25 GMT

MEME!
Comment with the name of a character from one of my fandoms. I will tell you three things that character received in his or her Christmas stocking, and three of that character's New Year's resolutions.

Next up... I've been having fun with Regina Spektor songs. =D Like usual. I LOVE her lyrics.

Apres Moi - seriously, if you ever hear this song... listen for the beginning of the instrumental near the end. I just hold my headphones tight because it's so strong. Fevrale dostat chernil i plakat,/ Pisat O Fevrale navsnryd...
Baby Jesus - Regina only plays this at concerts, so I've never heard it, but I agree with every word of the lyrics. All the believers, they were smiling/ and winking at each other/ I could honestly say I was scared for my life
Baobabs - One of my personal favorites because I love The Little Prince. I wouldn't raise my child in this city anyway/ They grow up too savvy and they grow up too fast/ And they know about buying shit and they know about sex.
Braille - Who doesn't love the King? She hadn't been a virgin, and she hadn't been a god/ So she named the baby Elvis/ To make up for the royalty he lacked.
Buildings - My personal favorite. I quoted it as the chapter title for chapter 10 of With Each Passing Day. He'd go to work and she'd take a sick day, rotting at the core/ And by the time he came home, she'd scrubbed the bathroom and made it smell like pine.
Consequence of Sounds - The song that made me SURE I was in love with Regina. And the grave digger's still getting caught in the machine/ Even though it's a whole other daydream/ It's another town, it's another world/ Where the kids are asleep and the loans are paid.
Devil Come to Bethlehem - 'Cause she's hilarious. Mary and Joseph are so bad/ Kissing in the park/ He practices dentistry without a liscense/ But it's alright 'cause Mary reads the books and she's got his back.
Düsseldorf - A current favorite.
Happy Hooker - How can you not like the title?
Hotel Song - Nothing needs to be said about this one.
Human of the Year Award
Long Brown Hair - If you can guess why I like this one, you win. =D
Love, You're a Whore - ... Just look at the title. You're a whore/ Love, love, love, love/ 'Cause we bruised you and abused you/ But time after time/ He kisses back, kisses hard on the mouth
Mermaid - Based on the ORIGINAL Little Mermaid.
Mockingbird - I never liked the original. This one's better.
Pavlov's Daughter - This one actually gave me nightmares. If I hear another song about angels/ If I see another feather on the dumb box/ I'm gonna head down to Babylon and get me some whiskey.
Ne Me Quitte Pas - I love how she overexaggerates her words.
Reginasaurus - Again, the title says it all.
Samson - The first I ever heard.
Silly Eye-Color Generalizations - Such cute lyrics.
Summer in the City - Regina makes a better man than most men.
Twenty Years of Snow - The background music = love. His daughter's twenty years of snow/ She's twenty years of strangers looking into each other's eyes.

BLUUURGH

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 21:27:47 GMT

"Hmm." She repositioned herself, trying to tuck her head under his chin. "Fine. In a minute. What did you do today?"

"I got the mail."

She grinned. "Busy day, I suppose. No wonder you're so tired. What was there?"

From chapter 1 of With Each Passing Day. That pretty much describes my day. I went to sleep at four in the morning, woke at nine, daydreamed for an hour (like usual), got on the computer, organized chapters for the above story, got the mail, ate a sandwich, and got on here.

Amazingly enough, I'm one of the new teenagers in this world who GOT DRESSED TODAY. And I'm wearing my new Edoc shirt. =D Why? Because Hung Out to Dry is on tonight! YAY EDWARD! =D

Also... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARYX_!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cae - sorry I missed you! I'll try to get my review posted today. If I get booted off, I promise I'll hand deliver it to you. XD

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:55:08 GMT

Sorry for the weird spacing. XD I'll fix it later, really! Here's my little fantasy sketch out of boredom.

An old picture of my friends and I. Myself, Edna, and Cristal. Aka: Foxy, Kitty, and Panda.

A gag sketch I did while watching episode 3.03 of CSI: NY. Peyton and Stella. Yes, it's crappy, but I did it in a few minutes while staring at Gary. I hope it's obvious who's up on top. Hawkes, Flack, Danny, Lindsay, Mac, Claire.

My real-life doodle of Happy Lady and Gloomy Lad. Done on the plane to NY.

Done while watching Of Mice and Men in English last year. It's crappy, yes. Forgive moi.

Doodle at the airport.

Doodle in the car.

Doodle of a friend.

Doodle of a guy I saw in the airport.

Doodle for TJ and Jake.

105 Things You DON'T need to know.

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:41:26 GMT

105 Facts About Me You'd Never Think To Ask ::

1. EVER BEEN GIVEN AN ENGAGEMENT Ring?
LOLZ. I WISHHH.

2. LONGEST RELATIONSHIP?
*sniffles* Define relationship, plz. I've known my parents for nearly 15 years, though!

3. LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED
A fic for the Xmas in the Lab community. =D In real life, a watch and necklace.

4. EVER DROPPED A CELL PHONE?
... *has never held one, besides a few times on my mom's*

5. WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU WORKED OUT?
Went running this morning.

6. THING(S) YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON?
CDs, movies, clothes. =D

7. LAST FOOD YOU ATE?
Um.... a pastry thing. Kinda good. Yum.

8. FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Hair, eyes, and jawlines.

9. ONE FAVORITE SONG?
Oooh, lots. "Apres Moi" by Regina Spektor and anything by Interpol.

10. WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
Arizona, sadly.

11. HIGH SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED:
The one in Southern Arizona. There's only, like, two.

12. CELL PHONE SERVICE PROVIDER:
... UGH.

13. FAVORITE MALL STORE:
Oooh, hard choice. Zia, anything with clothes, and... Borders.

14. LONGEST JOB YOU HAD:
LOLZ.

15. DO YOU OWN A PAIR OF DICE?
HECK YES D&D BITCHEZ.

16. DO YOU PRANK CALL PEOPLE?:
LOLZ. No.

17. LAST WEDDING YOU ATTENDED:
My second cousin's on Mom's side.

18. FIRST FRIEND YOU'D CALL IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY:
ALYSSA. *calls*

19. LAST TIME YOU SAW YOUR BEST FRIEND:
Which one is my best friend? Some I've never seen (Cae *cough*), I can't remember with Alyssa (=(), and I saw Edna and Jake and them Friday before last.

20. FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT:
*shudders* Gross. I'd say Chipotle, though.

21. BIGGEST LIE YOU HAVE EVER HEARD:
LOLZ. TOM CRUISE HAVING A KID.

23. WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT WITH FRIENDS?
... Um... Erm. That good sandwich place on Fourth.

24. CAN YOU COOK?
HELLZ YES.

25. WHAT CAR DO YOU DRIVE?:
... A beat up Pinto? LOLZ.

26. BEST KISSES:
*snogs* You're good.

27. LAST TIME YOU CRIED?:
Um. New Years night because I was sad that I was stuck changing kiddies' poopie bags instead of getting me some lovin'.

28. MOST DISLIKED FOODS:
HAM.

29. THING YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF:
My lips. Or my eyes. Or my calves. And my HUMORZZZZ.

30. THING YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF:
I'm a bitch! =D And I'm moody as hell!

32. LONGEST SHIFT YOU HAVE WORKED AT A JOB?:
... Um.

33. FAVORITE MOVIE?
DON'T ASK ME THAT. PLEASE SAVE YOURSELVES.

34. Can you sing?
HECK YES.

35. LAST CONCERT ATTENDED?
Um. Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I am in LOVE with their guitarist.

36. LAST KISS?
*snogs*

37. LAST MOVIE RENTED:
Two discs of CSI: NY, Season 2, as well as "The Good Girl".

38.ONE THING YOU NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT:
MY KEYS.

39. FAVORITE VACATION SPOT:
ANYWHERE, PLEASE. Lessee... cities, mainly. Chicago or New York.

40. WHERE ARE QUESTIONS 40-42?
They went to the MOON to pray to the Martians.

43. LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER?
Laptops, bitch! (Pssst, I have one like the one I once saw a picture of Gary using. Eh, eh, eh? *winks*)

44. FAVORITE COMEDIAN?:
PATTON OSWALT, WILL YOU MARRY ME?

45. DO YOU SMOKE?
NO WAY. I'm with the gorilla. (Only a few people from Arizona'll get that, I bet.)

46. SLEEP WITH OR WITHOUT CLOTHES?
lol. I sleep in the nudies. Okay, I usually wear a shirt and pant-underwear things.

47. WHO SLEEPS WITH YOU EVERY NIGHT?:
I sleep with Patton Oswalt.

48. DO LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS WORK?:
Sometimes, but it'd be hard!

49. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE?
Never. Not with ME driving, at least.

50. PANCAKES OR FRENCH TOAST?
Love both, but the toast wins.

51. DO YOU LIKE COFFEE?:
GROSS.

52 HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS?
Lots of ways. Scrambled most of the time.

53. DO YOU BELIEVE IN ASTROLOGY?
Not really. I look into it for fun, though.

54. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?:
Cristal.

55. LAST PERSON ON YOUR MISSED CALL LIST?:
Cristal.

56. WHAT WAS THE LAST TEXT MESSAGE YOU RECIEVED?:
... Aww.

57 isn't here right now. please leave a message after the beep.
You need a life, 57. Go masterbate or something.

58. NUMBER OF PILLOWS?:
One I sleep on, one I cover for decoration, and one that used to belong to my puppy.

59. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING RIGHT NOW?:
My striped sweater and panda pants.

60. PICK A LYRIC, ANY LYRIC:
Hmm. "I've got to get me out of here, this place is full of dirty old men and the navigators with their mappy-maps and moldy heads and pissing on sugar cubes."

61. WHAT KIND OF JELLY DO YOU LIKE ON YOUR PB & J?:
ANY KIND. YUM.

62. CAN YOU PLAY POOL?:
Hell yes. I challenge YOU.

63. CAN YOU SWIM?
Duh. I'm part fish.

64. FAVORITE ICE CREAM?:
Cookie Dough or chocolate.

65. DO YOU LIKE MAPS?
Yeah!

66. TELL ME A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF:
I watch the dashboard when other people drive. I associate a friend's liscense plate with Nazis.

67. WHAT UNDERWEAR ARE YOU WEARING?:
*looks* Hot pink boxer-y things. *beams*

68. EVER ATTEND A THEME PARTY?:
YUP!

69. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON
Fall, I think. Or winter.

70. LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED AT SOMETHING STUPID?
On New Years, I started laughing when that annoying chick almost drowned in Mel Gibson's piece of shit, "Apocolypto" or whatever the hell. Mel Gibson should burn in hell and STOP MAKING SHITTY MOVIES.

71. WHAT TIME DID YOU WAKE UP THIS MORNING ?
Seven.

72. BEST THING ABOUT WINTER?:
... The cold? The HOPE of snow?

73. LAST TIME A COP GAVE YOU A TICKET?:
Nevah.

75. NAME OF YOUR FIRST PET?:
Tigger and Frusty were my first two.

76. DO YOU THINK PIRATES ARE COOL OR OVERRATED?:
Overrated by FAR.

77. WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WEEKEND??
Homework.

78. BIRTHDATE
July 14, 1992 at 1:15 PM

79. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE:
A medical examiner. Or a cartoonist. =D

85. ARE YOU ON A LAPTOP?:
HELL YES. *is running low on battery*

87. ARE YOU SMILING?:
Sorta. My face is in a perpetual half-smile.

89. DO YOU MISS SOMEONE RIGHT NOW
Yar.

90. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD YOU GO?
The Bahamas.

92. ARE YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL?:
Yar.

93. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?
YAR.

94. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NAME?
Boy: Jake (=D), Thomas, Nathan
Girl: Claire, Adeline, Mackenzie (YES, I know that's a boy's name, but I think it's cute on girls.)

95. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHING SUIT?:
Dark blue and green.

96. DOES YOUR SCHOOL START IN AUGUST?:
Yeah. Around the fifth to eighth.

97. DID YOU GO ON VACATION LAST MONTH?:
Yar!

98. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A CRUISE?:.
Yeah.

99. DO YOU HAVE A SISTER
Yup!

100. ARE YOU UPSTAIRS?:
Nope! BUT SOMEONE IS CALLING ME FROM THE UPSTAIRS PHONE ZOMG.

101. ARE YOU IN LOVE?:
Depends. XD

102. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL?
Never.

103. DO YOU WISH YOU COULD SEE ANYONE PARTICULAR RIGHT NOW?
Lots of people. A few in particular.

104. WHAT JEWELRY ARE YOU WEARING
None.

105. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO AFTER THIS SURVEY?
Continue looking around the web and writing with my friend. =D

New Years

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 19:00:11 GMT

So, had a crappy New Years. Had to go up to Phoenix to spend it with the whore's godawful annoying family. >.< GROSS. They have two babies, and OF COURSE, I had to babysit them while everyone went to some stupid party. UGH. I HATE NEW YEARS.

This year isn't going too good. So, I'm making WONDERFUL resolutions.

1. Start a little art 'business'.
2. Be PERFECT.

Anywho... about Christmas. >.< Well, of course, I celebrate Hanukkah. We didn't do Christmas because... well, Jo and I drove down here from Tucson where we celebrated, and OF COURSE, Dad was with the whore's family. >.< UGHGHGHG. So we headed back up and I got to stay with Mom for a week. =D That was the good part!

I have some comics and drawings to post. Photobucket is a piece of shit, though, so it ain't uploading for me.

With Each Passing Day, Part 9!

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 18:50:05 GMT

New Years sucks ass. So does Christmas. That's why I don't celebrate either.

Title: With Each Passing Day, Part 9/?
Author: Moi
Fandom: CSI: NY
Characters: Mac/Claire, Stella, OCs
Summary: The holidays really do suck.

WITH EACH PASSING DAY, Part 9

Also... I got fic. =D

And another!!!

Mon, 25 Dec 2006 20:04:16 GMT

For Goddess_Loki!!!

Jingle Bells

(Three Ways Mac and Stella Didn't Spend Their Christmas and One Way They Did)

1. Apart

Snow settled over half of America, leaving it under a frosty blanket. The streets were filled with last-minute shoppers bundled in their heavy coats. Grimy footprints and tire treads littered the white wonderland, the smog collecting in the air as it always did. The few snowflakes still falling in the afternoon were a relief from the dirt.

Mac closed the door to his apartment after him and took off his coat. He couldn't help but shiver, and made a note to turn up the heater. He brushed a hand through his short hair, trying to free himself of the last snowflakes clinging onto him. They melted in his hand, and he shivered.

The red button on the answering machine blinked at him. Mac watched it uncomfortably, curious as to whether he should start hoping now. Stella hadn't called him yet, and the fact made him nervous and angry. After a moment, he walked over to it and pressed the play button.

"Hey Mac," came a recorded voice, and Mac left out a breath when he noticed it wasn't Stella's. Lindsay continued to talk. "Sorry for calling on Christmas. Just needed to tell you we got approval to reopen the Halverson case. I'll see you later, then. Bye! Merry Christmas!"

He clenched his jaw before deleting the message. He'd meet up with Lindsay when he got back to the lab. There was no point to ruining her Christmas now.

Mac sat down and pulled his cell phone off of his belt. He fingered the buttons for a moment, then dialed the number to Stella's hotel.

She had been sent to a conference in California two days ago. No one from the lab had heard from her since she left, and Mac hadn't been able to speak to her for several days before she left. Their cases together seemed to be further and further apart. He knew that she would be back a few days after the New Year, when the airport wasn't quite as crowded as it would be on a usual day of the holiday season.

The phone rang several times, then a voice answered. Mac shifted in his seat, draping himself over the arm of the couch. "Could you connect me to room…" He tried to remember the number. "Forty-seven. Stella Bonasera."

He heard a clicking from the other side of the phone as the numbers were exchanged over. The phone rang again, this time for longer. After a while, the voice came back. "Would you like me to take a message for Ms. Bonasera?"

Mac sighed. "Could you?" He listened to the shuffling of paper from the other end. He waited for it to end.

"Could I have your name, sir?"

"Mac Taylor. She should know my number." Mac hesitated. "Tell her I said Merry Christmas and that I hope she's doing well."

He heard scribbling. "Thank you, sir."

Mac thanked the man and hung up the phone. He held it in his hands as he leaned further into the couch, wanting to melt right into it. Not a word from Stella, and he couldn't help but feel a little offended at it.

Near his feet, on the end table, sat a wrapped present. Mac looked at the name on it for a while, seeing his own messy scrawl yell "Stella". It's for you, Stella, the present said over and over again. Just come home and get it.

Mac sighed and tilted his head back to watch the ceiling. He didn't usually celebrate Christmas. It was just another day off.

He turned off his phone and placed it on the table beside her present, then leaned back and shut his eyes. He couldn't help but notice the gentle vibration from his phone, and cursed himself for only turning it to vibrate. He could barely remember how to turn it off after all this time.

"Taylor," he answered shortly. It hadn't been Stella's number of the caller ID.

"Mac." It was Lindsay again. "We're going to need you. Now."

The rest of the country remained in the limbo of perpetual cold and the dry heat. The desert remained untouched by frost and dew, but the winds pulled into the area, scratching at unprotected faces and making raw hands. Cars continued to drive just as well as usual, their heaters on only halfway, their owners complaining when the metal door handle got too cold to handle.

Stella leaned against the wall. She couldn't believe how long that man could talk, especially on Christmas. It seemed indecent to schedule a conference now of all times. The meeting has only ended a few minutes before, and she could feel her stomach growl. Maybe there was time to grab a quick lunch before he kept talking.

She pulled her cell phone from her belt and looked through the missed calls. One from Sheldon. Stella smiled and made a note to try to return the call, though she couldn't think when.

The meeting had been like a mental break for her. It felt as though she was being rebuilt, not having to go to work and see bodies everyday. She didn't particularly enjoy the feeling, but it did relax her. By the time she got out of the meeting each day and remembered to check her calls, it was already late as hell in New York.

Stella looked around the hall and sighed. She wanted to ditch the rest of the meeting. Maybe if she was quiet enough….

She slipped through the crowd into the main lobby of the hotel, then smiled in triumph. Freedom. She scrolled through her missed calls again and couldn't help but feel some disappointment. Mac should have called by now.

The elevator door was closed, but they opened instantly when Stella pressed the button. She stepped inside and tapped at her floor number several times. The faster she was away, the better. Someone would notice sometime. If they came, she decided, she'd say she got sick during the presentation.

Once she opened the room to her room, she looked at the phone and was relieved to see the message waiting light flash at her. Stella grinned and slammed the door before racing for the phone. She dialed down to the front lobby.

The man from the lobby answered, and Stella quickly said, "Could I have my messages for room forty-seven?"

She heard the sound of him flipping through papers. "You missed a call from Mac Taylor, ma'am."

Stella sighed in relief.

"He said Merry Christmas, and he hopes you're doing well. Would you like the paper?"

"No thanks. Thank you for the message."

"You're welcome."

Stella hung up and couldn't stop the grin from spreading on her face. She picked up the phone again and dialed Mac's number.

The phone rang, but there was no answer.

Stella hung up again, frowning. It wasn't like Mac to not answer his phone. She picked up the phone another time, calling again to his house phone.

It rang once more before she heard his recorded voice. "You've reached Mac Taylor. Please leave a message."

She had never heard his answering machine before. It seemed so typical of him to have such a bland message, but it relieved her to hear his voice.

"Hey." She hesitated for a moment. Her heart dropped to her stomach when he didn't answer after that. "It's Stella." As though he couldn't recognize your voice. "I hope your Christmas is going well. Will you call me? I'm starting to miss you." She forced a laugh and hoped it didn't sound too false. "This conference is boring the hell out of me. I'll see you later, alright? Maybe I'll meet you at the airport if you're up to the traffic."

When Stella returned to New York, she was greeted by crowds. She smiled gratefully. Her city was back to her. Home.

Stella browsed the airport for a moment, trying to find a sign of Mac. He would know when to get her. They had gone over the time a dozen times before she left. One in the afternoon, January third.

She searched until most of the passengers from the plane were gone, trying to find their luggage. Still no sign of Mac. Stella walked slowly to the luggage drop-off, her steps heavy and dragging.

A familiar face met her there, grinning widely. Stella couldn't help but give a weak smile back as Sheldon handed her the bag she had brought.

"Glad to see you, Stella."

"Hey." Stella pulled him into a one-armed hug, still clutching the strap of her bag tightly. "Have you spoken to Mac?"

He fell silent for a while. Stella felt her mouth go dry. "He and Lindsay were on a case, and it didn't go quite as expected…" He spoke quietly, his words like mountains to Stella. She felt hot tears behind her eyes.Don't be dead.

"I'll take you down to Presbyterian," Hawkes whispered, putting an arm around her, and Stella sighed in relief. Not dead. Just injured.

Merry fucking Christmas indeed.2. At Home

Stella still hated the feeling of her apartment. It had too many bad memories in there, and she knew that Christmas wouldn't survive in a bright spirit in there. There was still the perpetual dust pattern from where that goddamn statue had been, no matter how many times she wiped it down.

Mac's apartment seemed more welcoming. It wasn't often that she had the chance to go over there. Mac invited very few people over, and it was almost as rare that Stella dropped in suddenly. They did live far away, but Stella always liked to call unless she couldn't.

Their long-standing Christmas plans were put to good use there.

Stella knocked on the door, then felt out of doorknob. It was loose, and Stella smiled when she realized he had left it unlocked just for her. It was too common for him to greet her with the sound of him unbolting the door slowly. He always treasured safety.

"Hey." Mac looked around the corner of the wall. "Right on time."

"Good." Stella stepped forward to follow him. "Looks like you had fun."

His apartment had always been sharp edges and contrasts. It wasn't unwelcoming, but it had a strict cleanliness to it, an organization that said don't touch. Now, though, it seemed more like an actual home. She couldn't help but smile at the miniature Christmas tree.

"Merry Christmas," Mac said as he watched Stella's wonderment. "Not as though I'm not allowed to have fun on holidays."

Stella grinned and fell in close to his side. He gave her a one-armed hug, which she gladly returned. "Merry Christmas, Mac." She leaned to her side and pressed a kiss against his warm cheek. Mac smiled.

"What're we doing?" she asked, still surveying the room with interest. "New York is given life on Christmas."

"Not going anywhere." Mac turned to her, and his smile widened. "I learned how to cook just for you, so don't even think about going anywhere."

"That's a scary thought." Stella peered around Mac. "If you say you made hamburgers, I'll laugh."

"Don't be mean." Mac stepped toward the kitchen, and Stella followed.

"Then if you say cookies, I'll laugh twice as hard."

Mac laughed. "Alright, what wouldn't you laugh at?"

Stella opened her mouth to answer, then paused. She only registered the candle on the table and the small vase with several roses peeking out of it.

"I didn't hear any laughter."

"You didn't make cookies."

"Or hamburgers."

"Or that."

Stella folded her arms on the table. She leaned forward, getting the slightest hint of the roses in the air. They smelled wet and cool. She could only bring herself to smile at Mac, a pathetic attempt to thank him.

"Merry Christmas," Mac said again, and Stella noticed that he still hadn't stopped smiling and neither had she.

"Merry Christmas." She bent her feet so that her toes hit the ground nervously. There were no more words to say. "Mac…"

He raised his eyebrows.

Stella hesitated. "How come we only do this at Christmas?"

Mac looked down and chewed on the inside of his cheek. "It's a time of giving?" he offered with a shrug.

"We should do this more often." Stella leaned back with a smile. "And I promise I won't insult your cooking."

"Was it really that bad?"

"Not at all."

"Good." Mac mimed her movements, leaning back in his chair and grinning. "Never thought I'd read a cookbook."

"You could have made up the strangest garbage in the world, and I would have still loved it." Stella gently tapped his leg with her foot. "Love you, Mac."

Mac froze for just an instant, then seemed to regain his composure. Stella watched him with interest. They were words she never thought would slip so easily from her mouth, but Mac was quick on his feet - he could deal with anything she threw at him.

What surprised her, though, was how difficult it seemed for him to deal with this situation. He smiled it off, though, and slowly replied, "Love you too, Stella."

The ever-crackling Yule Log served as a white noise in the background as they sat on the couch. Stella leaned against Mac again, her head resting against his shoulder and neck. The light of the fire glowed in his eyes, making them a lighter green than usual.

"Did you see the tree over at Rockefeller?" Stella asked.

Mac nodded. "It's hard to miss."

"Good point." Stella grinned. "I saw it at the perfect time earlier. It was snowing, and the sun was just starting to go down. Looked really nice."

"Sounds like it did." Mac tilted his head to rest on top of hers. "Want to go over and see it?"

"Not right now." She rubbed her hand down his arm and smiled. "You said we weren't going anywhere, remember?"

"I was talking about dinner." Mac continued to watch the burning log as though he was speaking to it. "New York is… what did you say again?"

"Given life on Christmas."

"That's right. Anything you want to do."

Stella bit her lip as she thought. "Know where I haven't been in a long time?" She waited for Mac to make a curious sound. "F. A. O. Schwartz."

Mac grinned. "A toy store? You want to go to a toy store?"

"It's a special toy store, isn't it?" Stella looked up and smiled. "Besides, it's New York. You can get away with anything here. Haven't you figured that out?"

Mac's grin didn't fade. "Alright. To the toy store. Nice choice, Stella."

"Thanks." She sat up, giving the televised log one last glance as she picked up her coat and put it on. Mac grabbed his keys off the coffee table and pocketed them before turning off the television and leading her to the door.Merry ChristmasStella took a deep breath before moving her head off her pillow. She felt dizzy and could already tell it was a hang over. What the hell was going on last night? She searched her memory, failing to bring up any images.

The blankets beside her were wrinkled and thrown about. The pillow still had the impression of a head in it, and Stella smiled to herself. He'd already be out of bed now, making coffee or running down to the bakery. She sat up slowly, careful to avoid the thin beams of light coming in from between the blinds. The floor was cold, and she made a note to herself to turn on the heater.

The door into the apartment opened, and Stella tried to see out into the living room. She already knew who it was by the fall of his steps and the way he closed the door, but it comforted her to see him.

Don smiled at her as he put down a bag. He dug out two smaller, white packages. "Got you a bagel," he said. "Feelin' alright?"

Stella nodded. Don crossed over to her and leaned down to kiss her. "Yeah," she answered. "How much did I drink?"

"Most of the bottle. I swear, I only got one glass." He grinned as he sat down beside her with the package and took off his shoes. "Don't worry, though. It's a holiday."

"Does that make me innocent?" she joked.

Don paused and shrugged. "No. It's just that you're not expected in at work today."

"Not unless there's a mass murder in Rockafeller." Stella grinned at the look on Don's face. "Alright, not really, but I'm still on call."

"Don't see why." He handed her one of the wrapped bagels. "You like poppy, right?"

Stella nodded as she unwrapped it. It was still warm. "Where on earth do you find somewhere open on Christmas?"

Don shrugged. "Sometimes you get lucky and they're run by a Jew or a Chinese guy or just someone who feels like working on Christmas." He leaned in and winked. "I just happen to know the bakers within a ten mile radius."

Stella laughed and shook her head. "I suppose that comes in handy, then." She bit into the bagel. Extra cream cheese.

He nodded. "Usually, yeah." He ate his bagel quickly as he looked out the window. "If you're not too hung over, you wanna find something to do today?"

"Sure." Stella took another bite, chewing slowly. Her headache was already starting to die down with some food. "What do you have in mind?"

"So far, just a quick trip around, see if there's anything interesting going on."

"I know you." Stella playfully hit his shoulder with a smile. "We're going to walk right into some crime, and you're going to spend half the day arresting the guy."

"I promise to behave."

"Pfft." Stella laughed again, this time quietly. "Alright, just because you promised."

Peyton toyed with the decorations on the small tree. One of the red ornaments, traditional in every sense of the holiday, spun on the gold hook. It came to a stop after a moment and began to spin back the opposite way.

"Came out nicely," she said, touching another ornament.

Mac nodded as he sat down. Peyton glanced up and moved to sit next to him. She sat close to him, her arm touching his chest. Mac put an arm around her shoulders.

"Merry Christmas," he said quietly, and Peyton nodded. She turned, wrapped her arms around his shoulders and brought him into a slow kiss. Mac hesitated for a moment before holding her by the waist. She ignored his hesitation.

"I have your present." Peyton quickly moved away from him, reaching by the tree for the wrapped box. She grinned as she handed it to him.

Mac smiled as he looked at it. She watched him expectantly. His mouth was curved up into a small smile, and he looked down at the bow and reindeer wrapping paper. Peyton loved his face like that and couldn't bring herself to look away.

"Open it," she prompted.

He looked up at her, still smiling. "Maybe I should give you yours first."

Peyton raised her eyebrows, but did not object. "Alright," she said slowly. Mac leaned past her, picking up the other box by the tree. He handed it to her.

Still smiling, Peyton gently shook it and laughed. Mac's smile widened slightly, and she pulled open the wrapping paper. She looked at the white box, then looked up at Mac. He looked down at his hands, the small smile barely present on his lips. Peyton frowned at him, confused, as she pulled open the box.

She ignored the necklace inside as she pulled at a small slip of paper inside the box. As she read it over once, twice, three times, she dropped the box and necklace and looked at Mac.

"What?" she asked.

Mac leaned forward again, kissing her forehead. He could see his own handwriting on the note and hated himself for it. He hated himself for standing then, for picking up his coat and walking outside.

He hated the cold air and snow on his cheeks as he stood outside the apartment, his hands deep in his pockets. He forced himself to walk forward, though, out into the street and down the opposite sidewalk back home.

"Merry Christmas, Peyton," he sighed to himself, trying to keep his steps and breathing even.One Way They Did

Stella tilted her chair back and put her feet on the table between herself and Mac. Mac glanced at her feet as though in a warning, but she didn't move them. The break room was empty, as was most of the lab.

"We should run out and get coffees," Stella said after a moment of silence.

Mac crossed his arms and leaned forward. "No."

She let her chair fall back as she took her feet off the table. "You know, we're never going to get a call today."

"What makes you say that?"

"People are too busy celebrating to kill each other."

Mac smiled. "There's coffee right behind you."

"I mean real coffee, not watery shit."

"It's not that watery."

Stella sighed as she mimed Mac's position, leaned in close to his face. "It won't hurt to leave for five minutes. It's just like a lunch break."

Mac glanced at the clock. "It's nine."

"A long lunch break."

Mac laughed as he looked through the glass walls of the break room. "Fine," he answered after a moment. "I'll get you some coffee." He stood up, looking at Stella. "As long as you don't put your feet on the table again."

"Not like it's your house." Stella stood up, smiling, as she buttoned her coat. "I'll make sure to lock the lab once we get out."

"Why?"

"So that you can't get back in." She grinned at Mac's look. "Just kidding. I promise we'll be back working within three hours."

Mac gave her a warning look, but Stella purposely tried to look distracted so as not to see him. "Stella…"

"Just kidding, Mac!" She laughed again. "It's Christmas, and we're working. Why?" When Mac didn't answer, she continued. "There aren't any cases right now. It's fine to go and celebrate the holiday for a few hours, isn't it?"

Mac opened the door out of the break room for her. Stella exited. "Just a few hours," he said as he closed the door.

"Great!" Stella clapped her hands together. "What're we doing?"

"Hmm? We?"

Stella nodded. "Yeah. I mean, if you want to stay in the lab, I'm guessing you have no plans."

Mac raised his eyebrows. "You really assumed that?"

"Yeah." Stella tilted her head as they walked down the hall to the front doors. "Did you have plans for today? Other than sitting around the lab?"

Mac didn't look at her. "Maybe."

"And they would be…?"

Mac didn't answer, but smiled as he opened the front doors for Stella. She walked out into the snow. "Let's get you that coffee."

"Cheers," Stella laughed. "I guess you were planning something embarrassing, like watching a school play version of The Nutcracker."

Mac smiled. "Not quite."

"Oh?"

"I was almost tempted to see a good version of it, though."

"Is Mac actually interested in the ballet?" Stella asked jokingly as they walked into the parking lot.

"Are you?"

Stella paused next to Mac's car, looking at him curiously. He raised his eyebrows as he climbed into the driver's seat, and Stella quickly followed him into the car. "A little," she answered.

"Perfect." Mac smiled as he opened the glove compartment. "I think I hid the tickets in there."

Stella laughed as she looked inside. She was surprised when she saw two purple and gold tickets sitting inside. "Mac?"

"Merry Christmas, Stella."

Mon, 25 Dec 2006 20:02:39 GMT

For Chastegardener!

Underneath the Mistletoe

The twenty-second of December rolled in as quietly as the snow had that morning. The lab was already bustling with its usual commotion as people ran papers and evidence bags to each other.

Mac looked through a microscope at the leaves they had found at the crime scene the night before inside a man's coat. The man had been found dead near the river - not drowned or even wet, but obviously a dump job. The leaves had a fine residue, though, almost clear. Aiden stood beside Mac, picking fibers off of the clothes. She already had several evidence bags set to the side, each with different color fibers in them.

"Can't figure this out," she muttered, picking up a third red fiber and looking at it. "Either our killer was wearing a rainbow shirt, or a coupla people handled his body."

"Unless it was already there." Mac looked over at the shirt. "Anything significant about the fibers?"

"They're thick." Aiden moved one of the bags closer to him, letting him look through the clear film. "Wool, maybe?"

Mac nodded. "Run it. See if there's anything else to it. Are you finding anything but fibers?"

"Not yet." Aiden looked over the shirt, her hands on the table to support her leaning. She sighed, then froze suddenly. "Unless…" Aiden grabbed her tweezers and pulled at a part by the neckline. She grinned as she showed her finding to Mac. "Either this is a hard, clear fiber or…"

"Fingernail." Mac smiled and patted Aiden's shoulder. "Good job."

Aiden beamed and started to leave the lab when the door opened. Danny entered and reached for a lab coat.

"Got an ID," he said as he wrestled when the sleeves. "Morgan Brown." He fixed his collar before joining them at the table. "Average guy, early-thirties, no wife. Sounds like he's got a live-in girlfriend, though. Can't get a hold of her yet. They're trying to find her."

Mac looked at the clothes and tried to imagine the man who had been wearing them. "Anyone try his house? See if there was a break-in?"

"They're sending someone over. Flack said he'll tell us if there's anything." Danny moved next to Aiden, leaning over the clothes. "Find much yet?"

"Fibers." Aiden waved the packages at him. "And a fingernail. I'm sending them over now."

Danny nodded and watched Aiden as she started to leave again. "Hey, Aiden."

She turned and raised her eyebrows.

"You cooking this Christmas again?"

A wide grin unfurled on her face. "Always do. And, yeah, you're invited." As Danny grinned, Aiden turned to Mac. He could see that her face was flushed with amusement. "You're invited, too, you know."

Mac smiled and shook his head. "I'd love to, but I have plans."

Aiden raised her eyebrows. "Hangin' out with family or something?"

"Not quite." Mac moved the microscope back over the leaves as he started to notice small red drops on one of them. He pulled out a swab and tried to get some of the blood off. "Think you could run this down to DNA as well?"

Aiden took the swab and smiled at Mac as though they shared a secret. "If it's not family, who is it?"

Mac looked at her, amused. "Would it matter?"

Aiden made a sound that was half-amused, half-unbelieving.

Danny smirked. "Aiden, don't pressure it out of him." He grinned at Mac. "Anyone we know?"

"Danny." Aiden looked at him disapprovingly, though she still grinned. "Don't be a hypocrite. Get these to trace for me."

"Hey -"

Aiden gave him a playful shove. "C'mon, messenger boy. I'm goin' with you." She gave him another shove until he walked out of the lab in front of her.

Mac smiled to himself as he looked sideways at the clothes. He couldn't concentrate on them and found himself looking past them. A smile pulled at his lips, and he couldn't stop it. It wasn't at all laughable that he had plans. They were good plans, and well-thought out.

He took a moment to imagine Danny and Aiden together on Christmas, then smiled as he returned to the leaves.

(Underneath the Mistletoe)

Aiden finished setting the table before standing back to admire it. She hated using good plates, or even plates in general sometimes. Any meals she ate out of the lab were usually quick, and usually out of take-out cartons.

Danny knocked on the door just as a timer went off, and Aiden looked between the two to pick which to attend to first. She compromised. "The door's always open," she shouted out to Danny as she entered the kitchen.

The door opened, and Aiden heard Danny say sarcastically, "Thanks."

"At least I didn't let this burn, right?" Aiden grinned as she walked back to the table with a cooked chicken in a pot. She tried to move it close to Danny to let him smell it, but she could tell he was trying not to.

"I have something to tell you."

Aiden raised her eyebrows. "Huh?"

"Remember how Mac said he had plans?"

"Yeah." Aiden looked at Danny, noticing that he wasn't taking off his heavy coat. "Don't tell me you've been stalkin' him."

"No, but I happened to see him."

Aiden looked at him quickly, her eyebrows raised. "Danny -"

Danny smiled and looked up at the ceiling. "If you're really curious, I could tell you what his plans were…"

She sighed. "It's his own business."

"I'll just say this…" Danny smiled. "We both know the person he's with."

Aiden bit her tongue to keep from commenting. After she realized that Danny wasn't going to speak unless she asked, she gave in. "Who?"

"For that… you have to come with me." Danny grinned as he pulled her coat off the back of the door. Aiden tried to stop him by telling him that she had finished cooking, but he was already opening the door. Aiden threw a quick look back at the table, then followed him out.

(Under the Mistletoe)

Mac shivered as he waited. He could see down the balcony to the ice skaters in Rockafeller Center and see across the street to a television broadcasting building. It wasn't snowing yet, thankfully, and he figured that a few more minutes wouldn't be too bad.

As though she read his mind, Stella appeared from around the corner. She stopped, looking around for him, then grinned as she walked forward.

"Glad you didn't leave," Stella said, standing close to Mac as though to share body warmth. "It's cold out."

"Almost did." Mac smiled. "Just don't tell me you want to go ice skating or something."

Stella gave him a long, thoughtful look, and Mac wince. "Stella -"

"Just kidding." She put her hand in his. "Let's hurry up and get inside somewhere."

As they started looking, Mac looked over his shoulder to see the ice skaters under them. "I can't understand them at all."

"That's why we're going inside." Stella looked around the intersection. "Where to?"

"California."

Stella laughed. "Only if you pay for the taxi."

Mac smiled an dug his free hand into his pocket to keep it warm. "Alright. How about we go north a little and find a restaurant there."

"What's open on Christmas?"

"Plenty." He looked at Stella, seeing her reddened cheeks. The wind stung at their faces almost painfully, and neither wanted to stay outside for much longer. "I'll even let you pick."

(Underneath the Mistletoe)

The two sat at a table near the back of the restaurant. There weren't many people there, and the music could drift around the room. It felt calm in there with the old paintings on the walls and the cold windows that let them see the trees.

"I like it here," Stella said, peeling off her coat. "It's warm."

Mac nodded as he looked down at the colorful decoration of the menus. "It is nice. How'd you find it?"

Stella shrugged. "Just search around sometimes, you know?" She watched him with a smile. "Besides, I thought I would start planning this Christmas a bit early."

Looking up, Mac returned her smile. "What else do you have in mind?"

"You'll have to wait." Stella playfully kicked his foot under the table. "Faster you eat, the faster you get it."

Mac shook his head and laughed quietly. "Guess the waiter'll need to hurry up."

"Exactly." She cocked her head to the side, watching him as he looked down at the menu. It was obvious that he wasn't reading it as his eyes didn't move.

As if he could feel her eyes boring into him, Mac looked up. He paused on her face, smiling, then looked up at the ceiling, there a small coil of mistletoe and ribbon hung. Neither of them said a word, but Mac leaned forward across the small table. Stella leaned into him, kissing him slowly.

(Underneath the Mistletoe)

Aiden shivered, but grinned. Her scarf was wrapped tightly around her neck to stop the cold. "I can't believe we drove this far."

Danny looked away from the window. "You have to admit, it was worth it."

"We see Mac and Stella at work every day."

"Not that Mac and Stella." Danny raised his eyebrows. "Kinda exciting, huh?"

Aiden laughed. "I bet we could have seen that if we waited after work long enough."

Danny looked back to the window, smiling. "I'm not sure 'bout that."

Still laughing, Aiden leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "Come on. Let's get back to my place. You already ruined dinner."

"Why not stay here then?" Danny grinned as he motioned at the window.

Aiden looked in and saw Mac and Stella as they started talking. "As cute as they are, I wouldn't want to intrude." She elbowed the air in the direction of the car. "Hurry up."

Danny looked in the window again, shaking his head in disbelief and laughing. "Fine, fine." He started walking, leaving damp footprints in the dewy grass.

Aiden looked back at the couple with a smile. She didn't expect to ever see it, even if there was always that hint of some sort of love between the two. She knew she wasn't supposed to see it or to even be there, but now that her suspicions were confirmed, she was glad to have been there.

Mon, 25 Dec 2006 16:19:18 GMT

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!! =)

I'll try to get up a few more of my Xmas stories and a cute video I made. =D

To Cae!!!!

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 00:28:44 GMT

So, starting my Christmas presents. =D I only have, like, three done. Sorry, sorry!

To darling cae_prince

"Who were they?"

Stella sat cross-legged in the warm armchair, her head tilted as she watched Mac pace across the room. They were in his apartment, letting the afternoon pass by as they spoke.

Mac didn't listen to Stella. He was still thinking over what Remus had told him the night before. "We're both pushing them away to save someone." He still felt his cell phone in his hand as he tried to call Stella, and he felt like an idiot because of it. Mac didn't know whether it was for not calling her or for even trying in in the first place.

"Hmm?" he asked, looking sideways at her.

"Who do you think they were?"

"Just people visiting New York."

She nodded, and Mac paused behind another chair. It felt like a stupid time, but when would he find a better one?

"Stella?"

She raised her eyebrows. "Huh?"

Mac looked out the window, seeing the shadows that the noon sun barely cast on the buildings. "How would you respond if I said I have something important to tell you?"

"Wha-" Stella stared at him, confused. "What kind of important? Something about a case?"

Mac rubbed the back of his neck. "Not quite." He looked her straight in the eye, then looked down slightly to stare at her nose. That was easier.

"What's going on?"

Mac circled around the chair and sat down. He was facing Stella there, but still a few feet away. "After you left, I was finishing up on the case…"

"I thought you said this wasn't -"

He silenced her by raising his hand a few inches. Stella watched him curiously.

"I met up with Remus after a little while, and we spoke about a few things." He looked at his hands. "I thought for a little while after, and I wanted to tell you something…"

Stella sat there, motionless, patient. Mac silently thanked her for not reacting yet, and he stood up to kneel in front of where she sat.

"I love you, Mac," she said quickly.

Mac took one of her hands, playing with her fingers. "Love you too, Stella."

Stella smiled, then started laughing. Mac looked up quickly, not sure whether to laugh with her or be offended.

"What?" he asked.

"I'm sorry." Stella tried to stop laughing, but her words were still choked. "It's just… I can't believe it took you talking to him to realize that."

He noticed that she was half-laughing, half-crying now, but she still looked amused.

"I noticed that a hell of a long time ago, and it took…" Stella started laughing harder, and she kissed Mac's cheek once, twice. "That's why I love you."

(gs)

Mac stood outside the hotel he had been working in earlier. He didn't want to go inside, as tempting as it was to find Remus, but some part of him hoped Remus would find him first.

As he started to turn away, he found himself standing next to Remus. Remus smiled. "Detective," he greeted, nodding.

"Mac," Mac corrected again.

"Mac." Remus looked up to the top of the building. "How're you?"

"I took your advice." Mac watched Remus' profile and noticed that the man smiled.

"Really?" Remus raised his eyebrows as he turned back to Mac. "How'd that work out?"

Mac thought it over. "You know that feeling you get when you've worked up the courage to do something, and it ended up being the wrong thing?"

Remus looked away, and Mac could see that he was actually thinking it over. "Yes."

"That's how it went."

"What happened, if you don't mind my asking."

"I was about to… well, I don't know what I was about to do. But she told me she loved them, then started laughing and crying."

Remus smiled. "Sometimes we need to revert to our teenage selves in adulthood."

Mac sighed. "I could never understand female when I was a teenager, and apparently I haven't learned. She's never done that before. Hell, Claire never did that before."

"Just look at it from her point of view. Someone she's known for over a decade is about to say they love you, and you've loved them the whole time."

Mac started to nod, then paused. "How do you know how long I've known her?"

Remus looked sharply at Mac, then shrugged as he seemed to calm down. "You just act like you've known her for a long time."

"Mm." Mac didn't look away from Remus, but he let the matter go. "I just feel like I did something wrong, though."

"Not unless she started slapping you." Remus smiled, and Mac had to join him. "Give her a little bit of time."

"I just don't understand why she's acting like this now. We've…" He trailed off.

Remus seemed to understand. "You've technically been together for a while, haven't you?"

Mac nodded.

Remus smiled again as he looked back up the top of the building, then back to Mac. "Come with me." He started to walk down the sidewalk, and Mac joined him.

"It's completely different to…" Remus motioned vaguely. "Kiss or… have sex with -"

Mac coughed quickly. Remus grinned.

"Well, it's completely different to be with a person and to actually be in love with them." He looked at Mac quickly. "I'm not saying you two didn't love each other. I'm not judging anyone. However -"

"There's that difference between telling them you love them and really being with them," Mac finished.

"Exactly." Remus stepped over a crack in the sidewalk as he started to smile.

Mac sighed. "You were right."

"About what?"

"Everything." Mac smiled and pushed his hands into his pockets. "I've loved her for years. Known her almost as long."

"She reminds me a bit of Tonks." Remus looked across the street. "It's hard to know her without loving her, isn't it?"

Mac nodded. He wanted to say something more, but it seemed to summarize everything for him. His phone rang.

"Sorry," Mac said quickly, pulling out his cell phone.

"Work?"

"Yeah." Mac hit a button. "Taylor."

Remus watched Mac as he stopped walking, listening intently to the other voice. Mac nodded a few times, responding shortly. He repeated back an address and hung up.

"I'm sorry," Mac said as he put the phone back in his pocket. "There's a -"

"Need to go?"

Mac nodded apologetically.

Remus smiled and nodded back. "Go ahead." He looked at his watch. "I need to head back soon, anyway. Tonks and I need to get back to Europe soon. You know what they say about the English being away from their home country too long."

Mac tilted his head. "What?"

Remus shrugged. "No clue. It just seems Americans have a saying for everything."

Mac laughed. "Well, Remus, thank you again -"

"No need."

Mac looked down at the ground with a small smile. "I just wish I could thank you someway."

Remus looked thoughtful for a moment, then smiled. "After you finish with this case, I want you to take Stella out, do something nice with her. That'll be repayment."

"Alright." Mac grinned. "Sure."

"And I had nothing to do with this." Remus winked and put out his hand.

Mac shook it. "It was nice meeting you, Remus."

"You too. We'll manage to find each other again, I think."

"Maybe on your turf next time."

"Alright." Remus smiled. "Until then."

(fd)

"You amaze me." Tonks turned away from her unpacking to kiss Remus and held him tight. "You actually manage to tell those Muggles that much and never once mention anything about the Wizarding World?"

"I have a gift for it."

"I know." Tonks kissed his chin and grinned. "You'll have to show me how you do that sometime. I barely trusted myself in that city."

"I could tell. You were drunk half the time."

Tonks looked offended. "Not that long."

"Pretty long, any way you look at it."

"Fine, fine." Tonks smiled again as she turned back to her closet. "Tell yourself that if you have to." She picked up a shirt and gave him a curious look. "You actually managed to get them together?"

"Not quite." Remus handed her a second shirt. "They already were, actually."

"Still." Tonks laughed quietly as she folded the shirts. "Ignore me for so long, and hook up couples the entire room."

"I'm sorry." Remus leaned forward and kissed her still-long hair. "Forgive me?"

"Only because they make a cute couple," she answered.

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 23:44:18 GMT

...

INTERNETS. FINALLY.

Update me, plz.

Tue, 12 Dec 2006 22:33:35 GMT

No internet again. I'm on Dad's computer. Ugh. Damn internet.

New York was... alright. Maybe I'll talk about it when I manage to find another time to get on. >.<

News of the week: My math teacher (the Gary Sinise/David Thewlis look-a-like) is gay. Wow. I'm amazed. And today I got to help shed my teacher's snake. Don't even ask. It was fun. I want to pet snake.

I'm sorry, but I may not be able to finish the holiday stories. =( I'll finish them sometime (like, by July!), but they may not all be out in time for Xmas.

Which reminds me... the whore jesused up the damn place. UGGGH. Freakin' crosses and nativity thingies everywhere. >.< UGGGH GROSSSSSSS. *is not at all religious*

I'm feeling miserable today. Please excuse moi. The highlight of my day was speaking French in History.

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 05:15:51 GMT

THANK YOU.

I haven't had internet in a WEEK. I was starting to go into deprived-coke-addict stage. OH GOD THANK YOU FOR THE INTERNET I MISSED IT SO MUCH.

So, in case you thought I died, yes, I did.

Ps: THANK YOU!!!! to miss_andromache for my Christmas card. *beams* SO CUTE.

PPS: THANK GOD FOR THE INTERNET.

PPPS: NEW YORK TOMORROW, BITCH.

PPPPS: I'm stressing. And I have to write fic. I started a new one. I'M GETTING ADD WITHOUT INTERNETS.

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 04:10:37 GMT

Mac and Stella are in time out. I don't know why, but they've been rather bad. They're refusing to cooperate, and I don't have the heart to deal with them tonight.

Therefore, I've been happily writing some Claire today. =D YAY CLAIRE!