Their walk was quiet. Danny didn't push Mac to speak, and Mac was looking around as if in a daze. The fresh air and warm sun felt good on his healing skin, and having Danny next to him was a comfort, even if he wasn't quite sure why. They walked the shortest route around the park before returning to the car they'd arrived in.

By the time they arrived back at the lab, Stella was back from the field. She smiled as soon as she saw Mac, and wasted no time in stepping towards him.

"Hey, you're back," she smiled. "Adam told me you'd stepped out for some air."

"Hey Stella," Danny spoke up, partially to let Mac know who he was talking to, and also to give him a second to think. "We took a spin around the Park."

"Lucky it's been a quiet day," Stella replied with a wink. "I've just finished cataloguing. Who wants coffee?"

"Thanks, Stella," Mac spoke next. "Coffee would be great. Can you bring it up to my office?"

"Sure," Stella practically beamed as she spoke.

"Danny," Mac turned to the other man. "Would you mind giving us a while?"

Danny regarded Mac for a moment, as if judging whether the older man was safe to be left alone, and eventually smiled. "Sure. I've got some paperwork to catch up on. Stella, I'll help you with the coffee first. Mac, come get me when you're ready to go home?"

"Sure." Mac nodded.

"Let's go," Stella smiled and led Danny towards the break room. Mac watched them go for a moment before retreating to his office.

(~*~)

"So how is he?" Stella asked as soon as they were out of earshot. Danny offered a timid smile before answering.

"He's good. I think. He's remembering things, but not really in order. I don't know how these things work, but he seems to be in good spirits at least. Physically the doctor says he'll be fine in a month. Mentally… well it might take a while."

"That's good, that he's remembering. From what I've read, the faster he begins to remember the better it is." Stella went about making coffee while Danny hung back.

"I think it'll be good for him to talk to you. You've known him longer than me, and he's probably a little sick of me by now."

"He could never be sick of you, Danny," Stella replied with a smile. "But a different perspective might help."

"The doctor said not to push. If we tell him what he should be remembering, it could cause problems. If he asks questions you can answer, though. I checked on that."

"Good research, Mr Messer," Stella teased. Danny smiled and took the coffee she offered him.

(~*~)

Mac was sitting on the sofa in his office when Stella arrived with coffee. She handed his cup over and sat down next to him.

"Am I in love with Danny?"

The question made Stella choke on her coffee, and she looked over to see Mac trying to hide a smile.

"I… Yeah," Stella sighed. "You are. You have been for… well, it's been a while."

"Does he know?" Mac pressed for information. "I keep getting these flashes; images of kissing him, or… and I can't tell if it's desire or reality, and I don't know if he's staying quiet to protect me or if I'm just a moron who hasn't told him how I feel."

"I wouldn't say 'moron' exactly," Stella answered his question with a sympathetic smile. "It's a complicated situation. He's your employee, and… y'know, I'm not going to parrot all the excuses you've given me back to you. Right now you need to focus on getting better."

"As long as I know I'm not going crazy," Mac offered a smile. "Every time he gets close to me, I…"

Mac trailed off just as Stella began to laugh. "Believe me, Mac. I know."

(~*~)

The ride back to Mac's apartment was quiet, and Danny didn't press for conversation. Mac had been pensive ever since his talk with Stella. He didn't seem unhappy, from what Danny could tell, just reserved.

They made it to Mac's place without incident, and Danny took his cues from Mac when they were inside. They sat together in silence for a moment, before Mac turned towards Danny. The younger man mirrored his boss' movements, and looked into his eyes with curiosity.

"Everything ok, Mac?"

"I, uh…" Mac looked at Danny and faltered. The younger man's expression was entirely open, and there was nothing Mac could think of to explain himself. With a sigh, he muttered "Forgive me," before leaning forward and kissing a startled Danny.

The flash was immediate; memories tumbling over themselves as Mac lost himself in the feel of Danny's lips against him. It had taken Danny a second to catch up, but now that he was getting the idea he kissed back with fervour. Mac pulled away, panting, and looked at Danny with surprise and joy.

"I remember," he sighed. "Everything. All of it… no, wait… no that's not right. Not all. There are little bits, but I remember you and Stella, I remember the team and…" Mac looked up at Danny with a grin. "And I remember wanting to do that for a couple of years."

"You never said," Danny replied, a similar grin on his own face. "I, uh, I don't need to forgive you, by the way."

"Good," Mac was still smiling. He was sure he hadn't felt this happy in a long time. "Because we've got a lot of time to make up."

Danny couldn't stop laughing as Mac took his hand and hurried him back towards the bedrooms. His questions about Mac's sudden 'grabbiness', and suggestions that he might still be brain damaged to want Danny, were met with more kisses and a fond request to stop talking.

The End.

A/N. Ok, so the end is a little abrupt, and that whole 'one kiss to break the spell' thing is a little cliche. Still, I wanted a happy ending. I hope you enjoyed it at least a little. This is almost definitely going to be my last CSI:NY story.

With any luck it won't be my last story, full stop though.