New Orleans [Mac]

"ok." I force myself to smile and take your arm

I let the silence grow between us as I lead you to my apartment. On the one hand glad you didn't just leave my life for good on the other hand feeling bad that I didn't tell you sooner. My mind even pictures my mother kicking my butt, well deserved.

we walk in silence to your apartment. When we got into the elevator I take my sunglasses off and wipe away some mascara from under my eyes. Crying in front of him.. how do you mean being weak... I hate that and it doesn't happen very often

I watch her when we were in elevator. I know she hates crying in front of anyone else, even in front of me, probably thinking she was weak, as I would, but I wouldn't think that of her. Never. She still was the strongest woman I've ever met and she'll always be.
So I walk her to my apartment and let her enter before I go inside, closing the door behind us.
"Just to say it... I don't think you're weak." I say quietly. "Besides you're the only woman that can really kick my ass."

when I hear the doors open I quickly put on my sunglasses again. I slowly walk to Mac's apartment and keep looking down. I'm still not sure if it was a good idea to come here.

We enter his apartment and he speaks up saying that he doesn't think i'm weak. and something about me being the only one who can kick his ass. well trust me if we weren't on the street i sure would have done that! he's very lucky at that point. I just smile at him and sit down on the couch

I shet my coat and follow her into the living room and am not sure if I should sit down next to her or not, so I decide to do it differently.
"Want something?"

"no I'm fine thanks" I tell him and slowly take off my coat

"Right." I say and decide to take a seat on my favorite arm chair beside the couch and just look at her, not sure what to do now. Part of me just wants to hold her close and the other part is afraid to do that.

I look through the window, not wanting to look at him... I take of my sunglasses and put them down on the coffee table

"So... what now?" I dare to ask after the silence starts to kill me.

"I don't know you tell me..." I say quietly

"You know... a part of me just wants to hold you close, make you feel better..." I say and look up.

"and the other part?" I ask. I get up and walk over to where you are sitting, I sit myself down on your lap and hug you

"Has to be silent now." I say quietly and hold you close.

"Ok" I say and close my eyes while I hold you tight

And I make your head rest on my shoulder and close my eyes, too.

"Thanks for taking me to your place" I whisper

"Would have never survived letting you go home." I whisper back. "Thanks for coming with me."

"sure you would have survived Mac" I whisper

"Maybe. But I still would feel bad." I admit, fighting a single tear.

"sorry for that" I say quietly

"No need to be sorry, Stella." I say quietly, swallowing my tear back down and keep quiet.

I hear you swallow and look up "I'm sorry I make you cry" I say and wipe away a tear I see on your cheek

"My own fault." I say and look away. I hate crying in front of someone else.

"It is" I smile and lay my hand on your cheek "but that doesn't mean it can't be fixed"