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fandomgirlz01 · 4 months

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By Your Side

(CSI: NY) Reed Garrett X Reader

Imagine on my fandom Instagram?: No

Prompt or Request or Requested Prompt?: No

Style of Writing: Fic (Potential Future Series)

Edited: Yes

Word count: 5,204

Ko-fi

Masterlist

Warnings here

Listen to the story be read out loud here {coming soon}.

Post Date & Time: May 20th 2024 at 11:14 PM

Summary: When Reed accidentally gets involved in something his friend died for the reader (his girlfriend) comes home to a very scary situation. Later they each help each other through forms of grief.

Authors Note: There will be a lot of time skips and it mostly follows Reed’s story line in the show with just a few minor (very minor) changes to it. This will be part of a future Reed series, for now though please just enjoy this part as a little sneak peek to the future series.

Reed’s Pov:

“Did you talk to Mac like you wanted to, babe?” Y/n, my girlfriend, asks as I talk with her on the phone while walking up to our campus dorm room building.

“Yeah, I did. Told him everything I knew,” I answer her and she sighs, making me imagine her frowning.

“Reed, baby. Are you sure you should be getting involved with this?” she queries in worry as I open the door to the building.

“I’ll be fine, babe. It’s for Brian. You know he’d do the same for us,” I beg her to understand and she sighs.

“I just don’t want you getting hurt,” she tells me in a sad tone and I stop walking up the stairs for a moment.

“Babe. Mac won’t let me get hurt. I’ll be okay,” I calmly inform her in hopes of calming her anxiety.

“How’d you even get into the lab, isn’t it hard to get into?” she asks and I smirk as I start walking up the flight of stairs again.

“I told them I was family and they let me in,” I inform her and she giggles.

“And they let you in?” she parrots in disbelief and I smile even more as I let out a chuckle.

“That they did,” I reply to her in a smug tone and she laughs as I imagine her shaking her head in disbelief.

“That’s crazy. It’s the top forensics building in New York and they just let you in if you say you’re family? Shouldn’t their security be a little better than that?” she asks in an amused tone that makes me chuckle and shake my head.

“You would think that, wouldn’t you?” I ask and we both laugh.

“Now I’m second guessing my future line of work…” she jokes and I shake my head.

“Awe, don’t do that, sweetheart. It’s all you’ve wanted growing up. I’m sure not much actually happens where they need hard core security there anyway,” I comfort to the best of my ability and she laughs.

“Oh. Okay… I guess I won’t drop out of class,” she jokes and I chuckle, shaking my head at our playfulness.

“Anyways… When will you be home?” I ask her and she hums.

“I’ll be home in about a half hour, tops, honey. I promise,” she swears to me and I smile, shaking my head as I continue my walk up the stairs to our dorm room.

“It’s okay, babe. I know work is demanding sometimes. We’ve talked about this. All I care about is that you come home safe,” I inform her and she giggles, making me smile.

“Ok. Well, I’ll see you in half an hour babe. I love you,” she tells me and my grin grows as I unlock the front door.

“I love you too, sweetheart,” I respond and before I know it, she’s hanging up.

I chuckle, shaking my head as I pocket my phone and finish unlocking the door before going into our room. I walk in and pull my bag over my head as I close the door, but I’m immediately in defense mode as the room feels off. I look over at my computer and find a sticky note stuck to it.

At first I’m relieved, thinking y/n had just left me a cute note like she always does, but when I get closer it’s clear my laptop screen has been broken and as I read the note my stomach drops: keep your story quiet.

I walk up a little closer as fear now courses through me and next thing I know, I feel a presence behind me. I quickly turn to look at what it is, but as soon as I do I’m punched, making me fall back to the floor. The person keeps kicking and punching me, but I can’t make out who it is because they wear a solid white mask.

I try my hardest to fight back, but after a few hits to the head everything becomes blurry so I try to curl into myself and hide away. The person keeps kicking and I keep trying to move away, but to no avail. Soon before I know it, the person stops and I look up at them as black spots slowly fill my vision. The last thing I see is the person leaving the dorm room before finally my eyes close.

Reader’s Pov:

I smile as I walk up to our dorm room building, glad that my manager let me go home earlier than I was supposed to. I tiredly but happily drag myself up the stairs to surprise my boyfriend. Once I get closer, my smile falls as I see the door is cracked open. I immediately start to worry, seeing as Reed never leaves it open and I carefully push it the rest of the way open.

“Reed,” I gasp out when I see him crumpled up on the floor.

“Reed. Baby?” I call him again as I drop my bag aside before getting down onto my knees next to him.

I shake him and he doesn’t respond so I turn him over. I gasp as I see his face clearly beaten and bruised up. Immediately I stand back up and at first I feel a little dizzy, but I push it off to walk over to the desk. Quickly I search for the card I know Reed has. It takes a few minutes, but I find it and hold it up. I quickly dial the number and it rings for a few minutes.

“Hello? How can I help you?” A voice asks through the phone and I pause.

“Hello?” The voice asks again and I blink.

“H-h-hi, is this Mac Taylor?” I stutter out into the phone and he pauses for a moment.

“Yes. This is he. May I ask who you are?” he asks and I look over at Reed.

“I’m Reed’s girlfriend. He, uhh… said this morning that if anything happened to call you,” I quickly explain in a panicked tone.

“Is Reed okay? Are you?” he asks me and I pause as I look down at Reed, now getting choked up.

“I’m okay. I came home to our door open and him on the floor,” I explain as I hold my tears back so he can understand me.

“Okay, listen to me. I’ll be there as quickly as I can and I’ll bring some others with me. Is he unconscious?” he asks me and I hold back another sob.

“He is. I tried calling out to him and even shaking him, yet no response,” I inform him as I bite my lip, staring down at Reed with tears constantly welling up in my eyes.

“Ok. Just stay with him. Me and a couple officers will be there in a few minutes, okay?” he calmly tells me and I continue to stare at Reed, not responding.

“Can you do that?” Mac asks me again and I quickly straighten my back.

“Y…yeah. Please get here quickly,” I reply as I now get onto the floor next to Reed.

“Of course. I’ll be there as soon as I can,” he quickly promises before we both hang up.

I sit against the side of our bed and lightly pick Reed’s head up to lay it in my lap. I hug his head close before leaving a light kiss on his forehead as I finally let the tears fall.

“Reed. Come on, baby,” I gently coo to him in hopes he’ll start to stir awake.

“Come on Reed. Please open your eyes for me,” I gently plead with him as I rub his hair back from his forehead.

I sit with him for a few more minutes before suddenly he lets out a low groan. I perk up and gently shush him as I continue to rub his hair back.

“It’s okay, baby. I’m here. You’re okay,” I coo softly to him as he slowly comes to.

It takes him a bit, but finally he fully comes to and when his eyes are fully open, he starts to squirm in my arms. He freaks out for a minute, but calms when I hold his head so he can see it’s only me.

“Shh. It’s only me, babe. You’re okay… you’re safe. I’m right here,” I calmly murmur to him as I rock us back and forth lightly.

“No. You can’t be here. Th- they might come back…” he fights me again and I shake my head.

“No one is coming back, Reed. You're okay and I’m okay. Mac’s on his way,” I inform him as I continue to play with his hair and he immediately calms again.

“I’m sorry you came home to me like this, babe,” he groans out and I shake my head.

“It’s okay, honey. I’m with you through anything, you know that,” I promise him and he smiles sadly up at me.

“Reed,” a voice calls out, making me look up to see a man standing at our door.

“Hi, Mac,” Reed replies with a sheepish smile.

“He’s in here, guys,” Mac calls down the hall before walking into the room.

“Hi. I’m Mac,” introduces himself to me and I smile lightly at him.

“I’m y/n. It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you from Reed,” I explain and Mac smiles.

“It’s nice to meet you too, although I wish it was over lunch or breakfast instead of this,” Mac comments and Reed laughs lightly.

“Yeah, that’s my fault,” Reed comments with a sheepish smile that also seems to be full of pain.

“Do you wanna get up?” I ask Reed and he gives me a light nod.

“Ok. Come on,” I nod back before standing by myself and getting ready to help him up.

I help him until he stands with Mac helping from Reed’s other side. Once he’s standing, he staggers ever so slightly and I hold onto him tighter before he moves to sit on the bed. One of the paramedics that came with Mac walks over. Once Reed sits, the dizzy feeling starts to creep up again and now I stagger a bit.

“Whoa. Babe, sit,” Reed tells me as he holds onto my hand.

“Hold that thought,” I reply before rushing to the bathroom on the other side of our room.

“Babe?” Reed questions as he gets up and rushes in after me.

I drop down onto my knees in front of the toilet and my stomach releases the dinner I had before work. Reed quickly rushes to hold my hair back and rubs my back soothingly. It takes a few minutes, but soon I finish and sit back against Reed.

“Babe. Are you doing okay?” he asks me with a furrowed brow.

“I’m fine, honey. I think I’m just in shock mode. You know me. Let’s go back out,” I tell him as I wipe at my lips before standing and cupping some water into my mouth.

“Are you sure?” he asks me and I nod.

“Let’s go,” I reply before pulling him back out to the bed.

“Babe. Sit,” Reed commands as he pulls me down next to him.

“Okay. Let’s take a look at the injuries,” the paramedic comments as he pulls out a few things from his bag.

The paramedic quickly looks him over, checking his eyes and has him follow the light. Then he checks Reed’s ribs for any that may be broken. Soon the paramedic packs his stuff back up and stands.

“Okay, son. I think you are okay. Nothing major, just a few bruises, a concussion, and a few broken ribs. All should heal within the next month,” the paramedic informs Reed who nods and sniffles.

“Make sure to put something cold on that forehead bruise and maybe that eye,” the paramedic finishes off before nodding to Mac.

“Wait…” Reed calls out before the paramedic can leave.

“Yes?” The paramedic questions as he turns back to Reed.

“Can you please look over my girlfriend? She’s been having throw up episodes and dizzy spells,” Reed explains and I quickly try to hide the widening of my eyes by looking towards the fridge.

“Reed, baby. I’m okay. I told you it’s just the shock, it’ll wear off. Really, I’m fine,” I tell him before turning around with a soda.

“Are you sure, ma’am? I don’t mind giving you a look,” the paramedic butts in and I fight the huff I want to let out.

“Oh. Thank you, sir, but really, I’m fine,” I deflect and the paramedic seems to get the clue.

“Ok. Have a good rest of your night then,” the paramedic bids his goodbye, leaving before Reed can say anything.

“Here, babe, put this on your face,” I tell Reed as I hand him a can and he gives me a look of disbelief.

“What?” I ask when he doesn’t take the can.

“You should have gotten checked out,” he tells me and I sigh, shaking my head.

“Reed. How many times do I have to tell you? I’m okay. A little shaken from finding you unconscious on the floor? Hell yeah. Other than that, I’m fine. I have a doctor's appointment set up tomorrow, remember?” I tell him and he sighs, shaking his head.

“I just want you to be okay,” he whispers out and I smile softly as I sit down next to him.

“And I am. So let’s get you in the same boat, okay?” I ask him as I reach forward and squeeze his hand.

“Okay…” he agrees softly before pulling me into his side.

“Here, baby. Put this on your face,” I almost command as I put the soda into his other hand and he chuckles.

“Okay. Okay,” he agrees as he wraps his fingers around it and pulls the can up to his face.

“Are you two sure you're alright?” Mac asks and we both look up at him.

“Yeah. I think we are,” Reed tells him before putting the soda back on his face.

“Reed. I want you and this beautiful girl of yours to stay at your parents’ house tonight,” Mac tells him, pointing at him.

“Yeah. I’m keeping y/n safe,” Reed comments as he takes the can from his face and stands.

“This is my first Geraldo, you know. Beat up for a story. Making my girlfriend have a freak out when she just wanted to come home and sleep,” he explains as he looks at himself in the mirror next to our bed. He rubs at his face before I stand just a bit to smack his hand away from his face.

“What’s this about?” Mac asks him as he leans over the desk and uses tweezers to take the note off the broken screen.

“I have no idea. You know, I’m not even writing on the Kings and shadows. My piece is about students paying other students to take their exams for them,” Reed explains as he sits back down next to me and I cuddle into his side when he puts his arm around me.

“Brian Miller know this?” Mac asks as he closes up the yellow envelope he holds.

“I told him as soon as he told me what he was writing about,” Reed replies with a head nod and Mac pauses as he looks at our floor.

He soon moves and bends down to it. He uses the tweezers to pick up what looks like a crumb of some kind and lifts it up to his face.

“Let me see the bottom of both your shoes,” Mac tells us and Reed nods.

“Yeah… ow,” Reed winces as he lifts his leg and I rub his chest lightly before lifting my own.

“See, Brian and I, we were pretty competitive,” Reed explains and I scoff.

“Pretty, baby you were more than competitive, admit it. You know I’m right,” I jump in and Reed looks at me before laughing.

“I mean, she’s got a point… anyway, like I told him I wouldn’t mention him in my piece if he quit,” Reed goes on with his explanation again, wincing as he switches legs for Mac to look at.

“But he said he’d already agreed to take two more exams. Then he was out,” Reed ends his explanation as now both his feet are down again.

Mac looks over my first foot real quick, then I switch to the other and he looks at that one too before letting me put them back down.

“Eddie Williams and Thomas Brighton were Brian’s last two clients,” Mac starts and Reed puts his head down, letting out a low ‘Yeah,’ as he does.

“But only one of them had reason to want both stories killed,” Mac ominously comments as he stands up and puts the envelope in his pocket.

After Mac and the rest of the CSIs left our apartment, we quickly packed our bags before heading to Reed’s parents’ house. Now we lay on his childhood bed together and Reed rubs my back lightly.

“I’m thinking of going to Brian’s funeral…” he comments out loud and I move my head so I can look at him, letting my chin rest on his chest.

“If you want to go, baby, we’ll go. When is it?” I inform him and he smiles softly at me.

“How did I get so lucky?” he asks me as he rubs my arm ever so lightly and I smile.

“I think I’m the lucky one,” I inform him and he smiles again, shaking his head in disbelief.

“How about we’re both lucky?” he asks in a cheeky tone and I grin, giggling.

“Agreed. Now, when’s Brian’s funeral?” I ask him and he pauses.

“Tomorrow afternoon…” he admits, almost like it’s a bad thing.

“Why do you say that like it’s bad, babe?” I ask him and he shrugs.

“I mean… you have your appointment tomorrow, right?” he asks me and I perk up, sitting up fast.

“Babe? What’s wrong?” he asks me with confusion and worry written all over his face.

“I have something for you. I was going to give it to you tonight, but then everything happened,” I quickly explain as I dig around in my bag for the small gift I have for him and his face relaxes.

“Babe, you didn’t have to,” he denies, shaking his head as I finally pull the small gift bag out of my bag.

“Oh, but I did. Open it. I think you’ll be plenty surprised. I know I was,” I tell him as I sit on the bed with my legs curled up behind me and bite my lip.

He starts to open it and soon before I know it, he’s pulling the little onesie out. He pauses to read it before looking up at me. I smile a shy, worried smile as he looks at me in awe.

“Babe, is this real?” he asks and I giggle, nodding as tears well up in my eyes.

“I had the same reaction. I know we said we’d wait till after marriage, but I know you’re the only one for me and I’ve known that since 4th Grade,” I ramble as I play with a loose string on his blanket.

“Babe-” he starts, but I quickly cut him off.

“That’s what the appointment tomorrow is for. First scan…” I trail off before I let out a gasp as he uses his finger to guide my face up to look at him.

“Honey, I’m not mad. I’m elated, like you said I’ve seen us together since forever,” he tells me softly as he rubs my cheek ever so slightly and the tears start to fall.

“I love you Reed, so, so much,” I inform him softly as his eyes fill with tears too and he wipes at one that falls down my cheek.

“I love you too, so, so much pretty girl, always,” he replies, rubbing my cheek and I grin.

He sets the onsie and its bag aside before turning back to me. He pulls me back into the hug and kisses my forehead before slowly laying both of us back down onto the bed. He lightly rubs my arm that lays across his stomach along with my lower back. We lay there for a few minutes, both grinning ear to ear as he now rubs light circles on my stomach, making me laugh every few minutes when it tickles a little. Soon he leaves another kiss on my forehead as he moves back to just rubbing my arm.

“I was also thinking of asking Mac where mom was buried,” he mumbles out, breaking the serene silence as I draw shapes against his covered stomach.

“If you want to, honey. I think it’d be nice to know,” I agree with him and he sighs.

“It’s just… I wanted you to meet her just as bad as I did myself. It might… be the only way for me to introduce you and myself to her,” he explains and I shake my head.

“Reed, baby. That’s very sweet, but you don’t have to explain to me. I get it, I know you,” I softly tell him as I lay my chin on his chest to look at him again.

“And I’d love to meet her, although I’m very sure she’s looking down on you and watching over you,” I tell him softly as I reach up and caress his face.

He leans into it before kissing my palm and a tear falls from his eye. I quickly catch it and wipe it away. He shakes his head and I smile softly at him.

“What?” I ask him as he just stares at me like I hung the stars just for him.

“I think she sent me you, knowing I’d need you. So she sent your stubborn little self my way…” he tells me softly and I huff.

“I wasn’t that stubborn…” I fight back with a roll of my eyes.

“Oh yes, you were. Still are. I remember your little first grade self marching up next to me and little Hero Mckinley telling him he should laugh at someone who clearly needs help and pushing him,” he jokes with a smirk and I roll my eyes.

“Well he was making fun of you! I wasn’t just going to stand by and let my best friend get made fun of. Plus, he’s the one that egged me on,” I grunt as I cross my arms and Reed chuckles.

“And who the hell names their kid Hero then teaches him to be an absolute asshat? Like that’s just stupid. Heroes are supposed to be the one saving the day, not the villain. I mean it’s literally in the name,” I complain and Reed laughs, making me slap his shoulder.

“I mean, I can’t say I don’t agree with you, baby. He was the absolute worst,” he adds with a dramatic eye roll before shaking his head and I sigh.

“Really, he didn’t wanna be pushed, he shouldn't have been bullying you and other kids, let alone tell me to fight someone my own size,” I add on and Reed laughs again.

“Really, he shouldn’t have. You’ve always been good at taking down people half your size…” he agrees though his laughter and I shake my head.

“Damn right you are, baby. He should have known not to mess with you,” I tell him and he grins as his laugh dies off.

“See I told you, she must have sent you my way. Must have known that little me would be a sissy pants,” he jokes, wiggling his eyebrows and I sigh.

“Reed, you weren’t a sissy pants. You were an only child and you were seven years old,” I deadpan and he chuckles.

“So were you!” he fights back and I shake my head.

“Yeah… but I had two brothers… who still like to kick my butt when they see me. I literally had to learn to fight back,” I humorlessly tell him with a raised eyebrow and he pauses.

“Yeah, I guess that changes things a bit…” he comments and he chuckles when I smack him again.

“Ya think?!” I playfully ask him as if he’s stupid only making him laugh again.

“I really do think mom sent me you though,” he seriously informs me when he’s done laughing.

“Well, maybe she knew we were made for each other, then. I know myself that we are,” I tell him and he smiles.

“I love you, you know that?” he asks me and I smile softly.

“Yes, I know that, and I also happen to know that I love you just as much,” I reply to him and he smiles before stretching his neck just a little bit to kiss my nose.

I giggle and scrunch up my nose, but kiss him back when he kisses my lips next. He then lays back and I cuddle in a little closer.

“Sleep honey, sleep, we’ve had a very long day,” he informs me and I nod sleepily against his chest.

“Very, very long indeed. You sleep too, Reed,” I tell him in the most stern tone I can manage though my sleepiness and he chuckles.

“I promise, baby. I will,” he replies and it makes me grin before my eyes slowly close as sleep soon takes over.

I hold onto Reed’s arm as we walk out of the church behind the family and the pallbearers. He stops at the top of the stairs and puts his hands in his pockets as he lightly kicks the ground with the tip of his shoe. I squeeze his arm and he takes his opposite hand out of his pocket. He grabs my arm lightly and squeezes it back as I lean against him. I nuzzle into his side and turns to me, giving my forehead a kiss before leaning his cheek against of my head as I close my eyes.

I open my eyes again and see he’s tearing up again as he watches them put the coffin in the hearse. I rub his arms for a few minutes before he gives a small nod of his head.

“Mac’s over there,” he comments and I look up at where he nodded.

“You wanna go talk to him?” I ask and he nods solemnly.

Reed takes his hand out of his pocket and reaches down to mine, gripping it softly as we walk down the steps.

“Hey, Mac,” Reed greets his somewhat surrogate dad as we come to a stop.

Mac spares a look over at the casket as the pallbearers push it the rest of the way into the hearse. Reed chokes up again as he too watches and I start to choke up as well. I rub my cheek lightly against his shoulder while holding his hand a little closer for comfort. He pulls his hand away from mine so he can put his arm around my shoulder. I nuzzle into his neck as I try to hide my face and he squeezes my shoulder.

“I wanted you kids to know that we’re going to make an arrest,” Mac informs us and Reed lets out a long sigh.

“Good. I’m glad,” Reed comments, squeezing my side lightly as he lets more tears flow.

“Maybe I should have just turned Brian in for cheating, you know?” Reed adds on as he starts to cry even more and I squeeze his side with the arm I have wrapped around his stomach.

“He would have been kicked out of the university, but he never would have been in that hedge maze,” Reed finishes his thought with even more tears running down his face and I kiss his cheek lightly.

“You’re taking a lot of responsibility, Reed,” Mac comments and Reed shakes his head.

“It’s ‘cause I feel bad… I feel I shoulda stopped him. I feel like I shoulda done something, but…” Reed trails off as he looks down for a moment and I hug him a little tighter.

“I’m gonna miss him,” Reed comments and I finally let out a broken sob.

“Goodness, Reed. I’m gonna miss him too,” I add and Reed hugs me closer as I cry into his shoulder.

“I know, babe. I’m so sorry,” Reed tells me as he rubs my lower back and I shake my head.

“Don’t you dare say that. It’s not you who should be sorry. It’s whoever killed Brian who needs to be sorry,” I sternly tell him, hoping it’ll change the way he’s thinking.

“I’d listen to your girlfriend. She speaks the truth,” Mac tells Reed and he lazily points at me.

“She always does… look, we gotta go,” Reed tells him. “We’re gonna head over to the cemetery before y/n’s doctor's appointment,” Reed informs him and he nods solemnly.

“Reed, if there’s anything I can do for you two…” Mac sympathetically promises us, Reed looks at me for a moment and I nod at him. He looks down for a second, thinking it over before looking up.

“I’d like to know where my mom’s buried,” Reed finally asks and Mac looks away, sighing for a moment.

“She wasn’t…” Mac somberly states and Reed sighs before turning to me to lean his forehead against me.

“Her body was never found. No trace at all…” Mac explains in a tone of melancholy before pausing.

“But they’re…” he tries to continue, but stops to sigh. “We’re still looking,” he finishes, looking away as his own grief hits him.

Reed sighs before letting go of me and taking a few steps forward. He reaches out and pulls Mac into a hug. It takes Mac a second before he hugs back and squeezes him a bit with both hands. Reed sniffles as he and Mac hold each other in the hug for a few minutes before hesitantly parting. Reed steps back and puts his arm back around my waist, pulling me into his side.

“Thanks for everything,” Reed gives Mac his appreciation and Mac nods.

“Ok. Then we gotta get going. Ready, babe?” Reed comments as he turns to me and I raise an eyebrow at him.

“Oh! Can we, ahh, do lunch or breakfast tomorrow?” Reed asks and Mac smiles softly.

“Yeah. Of course. Just text me the time and place,” Mac agrees with a smile and Reed nods happily.

“Ok then, we’ll see you tomorrow, Mac,” Reed promises with a smile and Mac nods.

“See you tomorrow, kids,” Mac replies and Reed gives him one last nod before starting to walk away.

After leaving Mac we quickly head to the subway and get on. We ride it all the way to the street my doctor’s office is on before getting off.

“Are you excited, babe?” I ask Reed, who squeezes my hand.

“Of course I am. What kind of question is that?” he jokingly asks and I playfully roll my eyes.

“Oh of course, I’m so sorry,” I reply with a grin as he opens the door and holds it open for me.

“Let’s go see our baby,” he tells me with his own grin as I walk through the door.

The end…

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thinkingaboutbetterdays · 3 months

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the long game. ( mac taylor x reader )

gif belongs to me

The name left his lips as if he had said it a million times. He had, but not with the sentiment preceding it. The first time it happened, Peyton had brushed it off, joking that she was not his 'work wife'. Mac had spent the rest of the night and several days thereafter restless, mulling over the meaning behind his slip-up.

The second time it happened, Peyton was walking away after Mac let go of her hand when you and Stella were entering the morgue, and he could see the hurt in her eyes as she revealed her findings. The worst part? You were unaware of the turmoil within the couple and flashed Peyton a smile as you praised her for her work.

Stella, however, wasn't so oblivious and glanced at Mac over her shoulder as she left with you.

"Peyton..."

"I have a lot of work to do here." She said in dismissal.

"I'm sorry." Mac walked out of the morgue and saw you walking with Stella, typing on your cell phone. Seeing how preoccupied you were, Stella moved you out of the way before you could walk into a door that was opening.

"You really need to take a technical class or something." Stella shook her head with a smile.

"Why would you put someone through such horrendous torture?"

"It won't be that bad."

"Not me. The teacher." You nudged her gently, both laughing as you stepped into the elevator.

The third and last time it happened, the case was over, and he went down to the morgue to speak to Peyton. When she explained how hurt she felt, he reached for her and closed his eyes when your name left his lips.

"I'm sorry." Mac walked out of the morgue and headed back to the lab. Stella was leaving her office for the night when they crossed paths.

"Hey, any plans for tonight? That new diner opened a few blocks from here. You could take Peyton for dinner. Or breakfast." She corrected after checking her watch.

"Actually...we broke up."

Her eyes widened, "What? When? Why?"

Mac kept his voice low as he explained the multiple slip-ups where he called her by your name, and Stella listened, nodding with a frown.

"How long have you felt this way about her?"

Mac lightly shrugged his shoulders, a sigh leaving his lips.

"You should tell her."

"What if she doesn't feel the same way? I am the boss. And I don't want to make it awkward and disrupt the team." Mac replied.

"You'll never know if you don't ask." She reasoned, placing a hand on his arm before heading to the elevator.

Mac sighed as she left, walking away to his office. He packed his briefcase, and twenty minutes later, he was leaving the lab when he saw you looking around your office, tidying up your desk in the hopes of finding something.

Mac observed for a moment before deciding he had nothing to lose. He knocked on your door, lingering in the doorway as you met his gaze. A smile formed on your lips that almost made him forget why he was here.

"Hey, Mac! Heading out?"

He cleared his throat, nodding. "Uh, yeah. Did you lose something?"

"My glasses." You paused when his lips twitched in amusement. "What?"

Mac pointed to his head, and you reached up, finding your glasses on top of your head. You closed your eyes, blushing in embarrassment as you placed your glasses in your handbag.

"Do you want to grab breakfast?" He asked. "There's a new diner open on fifth."

You nodded, "I'd love to." A smile formed on your lips as you picked up your briefcase and placed your handbag over your shoulder, following him to the elevator.

In the early hours of the morning, you went to the diner on fifth, and Mac brought up the case over breakfast in an attempt to return to common ground, both relieved it was over. He didn't want to ask too many questions about your personal life. But you broke down the wall between boss and subordinate with ease, flashing him a smile and asking, "So what does the great Mac Taylor do when he isn't solving cases?"

Mac quickly grew comfortable, relaxing so much he even undid the buttons of his blazer - as most relaxed you'd ever seen him. A sight you decided you would like to see more often as he held the door open for you on the way home, a smile on his lips.

It became a regular occurrence after cases. You and Mac would celebrate with breakfast or dinner depending on when you left the lab after finishing paperwork, sometimes ordering takeout while working side by side as you worked to complete the reports. You always respected his rank out in the field, but in the lab when you were alone, you both let down your guard.

Weeks had gone by but Mac was still uncertain about entering a relationship with you, his only concern being the team if things didn't work out. Yet he couldn't imagine why, because you were a brilliantly beautiful CSI and he had fallen in love with you without even realizing it. So he decided to play the long game, taking the time to let the lines blur on their own, learning more about you, and spending more time with you outside of working hours in the hopes that it would lead to a long successful relationship.

After a shootout downtown, you took three shots to the vest and Mac forgot all of his hesitations as he walked by where you were being checked over by a paramedic, checking you over for injuries as he headed towards a detective.

"What in God's name were you thinking?"

You looked at him in surprise, as did many others who turned towards the scene as Mac confronted the detective for putting two of his CSIs in harm's way.

You knew Mac was protective of his team, but the look in his eyes told you it was more than that. After sending you and Danny to the lab, he stayed with the others to sweep the scene for evidence.

Mac didn't return until several hours later and you looked at the door when he knocked. "Are you okay?"

You nodded, "The vest took all of it. Some bruising, but hey, I did get shot." You shrugged off, attempting to lighten the mood with a smile.

Mac sighed as he entered your office, closing the door, and you saw how weary he looked.

"Are you okay?"

"You got shot, and you're worried about me?"

"I always worry about you." You placed your pen down and took off your glasses as you turned your chair to give him your full attention.

His gaze fell to the floor as he swallowed his nerves and met your gaze when he summoned the strength to admit, "I always worry about you."

You walked towards him and placed your hands on his biceps, "I'm fine. I can't deny I'm a little more motivated than usual." You squeezed his arms gently, "But I'm fine. Promise."

Mac nodded slowly, covering your left hand with his right hand. "When I got the call, all I could think was - I don't think I could survive it. Losing you."

Your eyes became teary from his confession and you kissed his cheek, wrapping your arms around him.

"I'm not going anywhere." You whispered.

Mac held you closer as you rested your head on his shoulder. When you pulled away moments later he noticed your gaze flicker to his lips briefly before quickly meeting his gaze. It was all Mac needed as he placed a hand on your cheek and kissed you tenderly.

Your eyelashes fluttered as you closed your eyes, leaning into him as you cupped his neck. You pulled away and his hands held your waist as you both took a moment to catch your breath.

"I have a confession to make." You whispered.

Mac held his breath until you continued.

"I've wanted to do that for a while."

He exhaled, a smile forming on his lips as he said, "Yeah? Me too."

You left the lab earlier that night, deciding to take the paperwork to Mac's apartment, picking up takeout on the way. And as he looked at your head resting on his shoulder as you both read the files on your laps, your suit pants and blouse were forgotten on the bedroom floor, wearing one of his shirts while he wore striped pajama pants and plain white t-shirt, Mac did not know how he survived playing the long game, but being here, living this moment with you, it was all worth it.

#mac taylor #mac taylor x reader #csi new york

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