[Disclaimer: I do not own CSI: NY or the character they belong to Anthony Zuiker, Jerry Bruckheimer, and CBS. I do not gain any profit from these stories.

Author’s Note: This is a one-shot where Mac reflects on his life. The lyrics in italics are to the song “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. I was inspired to write this fic while listening to the song for like the thousandth time the other day, to me it fits Mac perfectly.]

Simple Man

I was sitting alone in my office one day after a tough case had just closed and was reflecting on my life so far.

“My mama told me when I was young
Said sit beside me my only son
And listen closely to what I say
And if you do this it'll help you some sunny day
Oh, yeah it will

As I’m my mother’s only child one day she had some important things to discuss with me and asked me to sit with her so we could talk. She said if I would listen to her advice it would help in the future. She was right.

Oh, take your time, don't live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
You'll find a woman and you'll find love
And don't forget that there is a someone up above

I was sixteen years old when my mother decided to have this life changing talk with me. I was always doing everything I could to be first in everything. Academics, sports, girls. I always had to be the best and first. My mother told me to slow down and not to live too fast. She said life would throw obstacles my way but just to remain strong and let them pass, to not let them bring me down. She also said that while there were several girls who liked me and wanted my affections that the perfect one was out there and one day I would find her and she would love me for everything I was as I would do her in return. Then she said when I felt lost or confused to remember God would always be with me and I could rely on him for anything.

And be a simple kind of man
And be something you'll love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can?
Then you can

She told me to always love myself for who I am because I’m a great person and will a wonderful man who makes some very deserving woman very happy one day. She said to be a simple man and to not complicate things life would do that for me. So I try in every part of life to honor my mothers’ words and do as she suggested.

Don't get your lust from the rich man's gold
All that you need now is in your soul
And you can do this, oh baby if you try
All that I want from you my son is to be satisfied

She told me not lust over money and wealth but to follow my heart and that will get me all of the satisfaction I need.

And be a simple kind of man
And be something you'll love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can?
If you can

If I can I do everything to be a simple man to not be too complicated and make life harder than it is. However sometimes in life it is inevitable. I always strive to honor my mothers’ words though and the man she wanted me to be. A Simple Man.

Oh, don't you worry, you'll find yourself
Follow your heart and nothing else
And you can do this, oh baby if you try
All that I want from you my son is to be satisfied

She said don’t worry if I follow my heart and nothing more than one day I will find myself and everything else will fall in place. My mother was a very wise woman because I did just that and everything has turned out alright.

And be a simple kind of man
Be something you'll love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can?
So baby be a simple, be a simple man
Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can?”

I’m a simple man who loves himself for who he is inside. I’m not a wealthy millionaire or playboy but I am a successful man with a life that he loves. I watch my beautiful partner and fiancé approach my office and can’t help but smile widely as she enters. Stella Bonasera walks into Mac’s office and sits across from him at his desk.
    “Hey, babe what are you up too?”
    “I came to see if my handsome fiancé wanted to go out for lunch and take a break from work to spend some time with his fiancé?”
    “Sure it’s a much needed distraction. Where should we go?”
    “You get to pick handsome I picked last time. Lead the way.”
Mac and Stella walked out of the lab and headed to a cozy diner to get something to eat. Thanks to the words from Mac’s mother many years ago this was all made possible and Mac Taylor is at peace with himself and life.

THE END