Well here it is guys, the last chapter of my story. Again I'd like to apologise for the delays with chapters, my muse deserted me for quite a while when I was writing this but thankfully it's back now and I've managed to finish it. Thank-you to all of you who have stayed with this story and reviewed, you've brightened my days when I read what you all think. Without you guys this story would have died long ago!

A big thank-you must go to my beta lollylovesangua, because she has been amazing! She's read every chapter and picked up on my terrible spelling and grammar xD and without her there to annoy me about chapters, and to read through all this then I wouldn't have posted it.

So yes, those are my thank-yous for this story and I'm grateful to everyone who has read, reviewed and helped with this story. Please do let me know what you think of this last chapter and thanks again for being great readers!

After another week or so Mac was finally released from hospital and to say that he hurried out of that place would be an understatement. As soon as the doctor told him he could go home the next day he packed his bags as quickly as possible, and was ready to leave by eight o'clock the next morning. As he reached the reception area he found both Stella and Don sat in two of those horribly, uncomfortable plastic chairs waiting for him. A small smile appeared on his lips as he saw them and the moment they spotted him up and about they stood and hurried forwards. Stella was the first to reach him and flung her arms around his neck, obviously happy that he was still here right in front of her.

Once she let go it was Flack's turn to greet him, but Mac wasn't prepared for the younger male to copy his female companion and hug him. After a few seconds of shock he returned the hug, and as they moved apart Don looked slightly embarrassed. Mac knew he probably hadn't meant to do that but no doubt seeing him healthy and ready to go home was too much. He was well aware that the moment he'd seen Don walk into his room under his own steam he'd been grinning from ear to ear. This had taken a hell of a lot out of them all, and it was about time that it was all over.

"We're packed just outside." Don moved off, taking his bag out of his hands and carrying it off through the automatic doors and out into the front car park. Stella stayed with him, walking at a comfortable, steady pace and smiling. As they left the hospital Mac found it strange to believe that this had been his 'home' for at least the last month and finally he was able to leave. He relished in the concrete beneath his feet and the wind in his hair, he couldn't wait to go jogging through the city once more. However, at that thought he felt a weight drop in his stomach, there was a family out there whose son or brother had been killed because of him. If he hadn't been jogging that night then that kid might not be dead now, he might be at home with his family and friends enjoying his life.

"Mac?" Stella's voice cut through the dark thoughts in his mind, and he realised that they'd reached the car. He glanced towards her and saw that her eyes were full of concern; he shot her a quick smile hoping that this would dispel any worries she had about him before he pulled open the car door and sat in the back seat. She'd done enough worrying about him for the time being; now all he wanted to do was get home.

Once they were all seated Don turned the car around and headed out onto the road, soon they were moving through the relatively sparse traffic towards his apartment. Mac gazed out of the window as they moved, taking in all the buildings and people walking along the streets. Due to the amount of people who lived in this one city crime shouldn't be a surprise and yet when it happened to you…it was all the more real. He dealt with murders, thefts, beatings every day and yet it had all taken a whole new look this time. He knew he'd made enemies over the years but he wasn't sure if he could cope with the knowledge that his friends would get hurt as well. His decisions affected them and if something happened to any of them, he wasn't sure what he'd do.

Before he'd even had time to think through all the things that had happened recently they were pulling up in front of his apartment block, he opened the car door and stared up at the windows of his home. It was going to be difficult going back to where all this violence had started, but he knew that he had to conquer his demons now otherwise they would haunt him for eternity.

As a group they moved up the steps and into the building, they got into the lift and were soon on their way to his floor. There was silence for a while; before both Stella and Don began to make nervous small talk no doubt they were trying to take his mind off the fact this whole affair. He was well aware that attacks that happened in your own home were the worst, because that was where you felt safest and that security was destroyed but he'd been through worse. He wasn't about to let something like this drive him from his home, he was strong and he'd get through this.

Finally the lift pinged and the doors slid open to reveal the familiar corridor to his apartment, he got out and headed towards number 69 noting that police tape had recently been removed as bits of yellow still remained around the doorframe. He stared at the door for a few seconds before he reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys, they bashed together in his hand as he tried to find his the right one in amongst his car keys and other sets. Once he'd located it he slid it into the lock and turned, the door clicked and he pushed it open to reveal his apartment looking tidier than it had in a while. Obviously the clear-up squad had been hard at work to make his place look presentable once again.

The second he crossed the threshold he was greeted with images of the attack, striking out at his attackers and being forced to the floor. A knife being thrust into him before the sound of a gunshot threatened to tear his world to pieces. He remembered seeing Claire's picture on the mantelpiece and praying that she'd give him strength to fight off these attackers. She hadn't done that, but she had helped him realise that he was needed here.

Tearing himself from the past he glanced at the counter where a small pile of post had been placed, he needed something mundane to do, something to take his mind off it.

"Hey, Mac, do you want me to make a cup of coffee?" Stella's voice sounded from behind him and he nodded absentmindedly, not bothering to point to the kettle as she'd been here often enough to know his apartment off by heart. He heard her asking Flack if he wanted anything, before she moved off to the kitchen and began to boil the water.

Casually he flicked through the letters, noting that most of them were bills that he'd need to pay relatively quickly, however, one caught his attention. He picked it out of the pile, placed the rest down, and stared at it. The handwriting was small, his address was nearly impossible to read and he felt his curiosity peak. Carefully he opened it and pulled out the piece of paper within, as he began to read he felt his heart stop.

Detective Taylor,

Pity I didn't manage to finish the job this time, but don't think you've won just yet. You're team are fun to play with, maybe I'll try for that Stella soon after all she was a good looking little thing.

Happy homecoming,

I'll be seeing you soon.

Do I really need to sign this?

The letter almost fell from his hands but he managed to save it before it hit the floor, thankfully neither Flack nor Stella had noticed. He shoved the letter in his pocket, not wanting them to notice anything out of the ordinary. He'd deal with this his own way, and he wasn't going to allow them to be hurt. Not this time.

He continued to open his mail, trying to appear normal until Stella approached with a steaming cup of coffee. He took it with a forced smile, taking a sip and trying to get the tension to ease out of his body. Suddenly Flack appeared on his other side and the three of them stood with their cups staring at one another, before the younger detective spoke,

"To all this being over and done with next week." Flack raised his cup into the middle of the group, and Stella soon placed hers next to it. Mac hesitated for a second before he too joined in the toast, but he knew this was far from being over. He wouldn't let them get involved this time, they had to remain separate because he couldn't cope if anything happened to one of them, they were too important. It wasn't finished just yet.