Title: New York (Come Back)
Fandom: CSI: NY
Pairing: Mac Taylor/Stella Bonasera
Rating: G
Length: 457 words
Content notes: Canon typical violence. Mentions of past shootings.
Author notes: Would take place right after season 7, but is not canon compliant. I used the word iktsuarpok for this one. Title is inspired by Come Back…Be Here by Taylor Swift.
Summary: A visit with Stella brings some clarity to Mac.



“You got everything?”

Mac nodded as he and Stella walked towards his gate.

“I guess this is me,” he said.

After his near death experience on that roof, Mac had finally taken some of the vacation he’d saved up and gone to see Stella in New Orleans. They’d spent a few days together. Stella had shown him her favourite parts of the city and Mac had felt better than he had in over a year.

”Relaxing once in awhile can do wonders,” Stella had joked with him earlier.

He looked at Stella and saw tears forming in her eyes. Then, she pulled him into a fierce hug.

“I missed you so much,” she whispered.

Suddenly, all the pieces began to click into place. It hadn’t been the change of scenery or the lack of crime scenes to process. It had been her. Something had been missing since Stella had left New York. He’d felt it once before when she’d taken off to Greece. He’d been too afraid to admit what his heart knew was true. Angell’s death and the shooting soon after had distracted him.

But now, as he held on to Stella, Mac knew he had to try.

“Come back with me,” he said.

She pulled away from him, a confused expression on her face.

“What?”

Trying not to lose his nerve, Mac gently culled the side of her face.

“I need you,” he admitted.

Then tentatively, he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers.

“You have the worst timing,” she laughed after he pulled away. He saw a glimmer in her eyes though that gave him hope.

“I’m sorry,” he replied.

“It’s okay,” she assured him, giving him a kiss of her own.

——

The airport was bustling with people and Mac was anxiously looking for a head full of curls. Suddenly he felt a tap on his shoulder

“Miss me?” he heard from behind him.

Mac turned to see a smiling Stella Bonasera. He pulled her into an embrace.

“That is the understatement of the year,” he murmured.

He finally released his grip on her. The two walked out of the airport to where Max had parked the Avalanche.

“Everyone’s excited to see you,” Mac told her as they got into the car.

“I know,” she replied, “Lindsay called me right after you told everyone. Apparently Jo is very interested in meeting me.”

Mac grinned, not believing how things had worked out. It had taken a few months and a lot of pulling of strings, but Stella was back at the lab.

He started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. As they drove back into Manhattan, Mac placed a hand over Stella’s on the centre console.

They were finally home.