A/N - Here's a little 8 part story for you - a kind of Valentine's treat for you... Basically, each chapter will be a scene from each Valentine's Day since W&M met - from 2006 - 2013 - one chapter for each year!

I wasn't going to post this until nearer the 14th but as it's Amy's birthday I thought I'd let you have Chapter 1 now...

For Amy - Happy Birthday!

FEBRUARY 14th 2006

Will McAvoy tried to swallow the ever growing lump that seemed to be appearing in his throat throughout the whole of the last segment… Why it was there he had no idea… Sure it was Valentines Day and yes he had a date that was due to start in about thirty minutes time but it wasn't as if he was fifteen years old anymore – he was in his forties and had been dating the beautiful Mackenzie McHale for nearly two months. Two wonderful months that had easily been the happiest of his entire life so why the hell was he nervous at the thought of taking her to dinner?

Maybe because he knew this was the real deal – he knew she was the one for him and he knew that tonight had to be perfect – infact better than perfect if that was even possible….

"Great show everyone." He heard Mackenzie say to the control room… "Now go…. Go have some Valentines fun all of you!"

Will sighed. There it was. That voice - the voice that lit up his life these days... That voice that belonged to his closest friend, Executive Producer and now girlfriend – although girlfriend didn't quite seem enough to explain the vast amount of feelings he was holding for her.

The friendship had started pretty much the day they met – there was just that special something – call it chemistry – between them, since the very first time they'd shook hands on that Summer afternoon six months ago. It sounded stupid to most but Will had honestly felt something change inside of him that day… He'd never been one for "Office Romances" so he had worked hard to convince himself it was just a close friendship between two work colleagues but inside he knew it was something so much more.

If he was totally honest, Will had most definitely had his concerns about a female Executive Producer but Charlie had convinced him that she was good, one of the best up and coming EP's in the business he had said over a bourbon one night, and most definitely worth taking a chance on. Will had read her resume, done his research on the daughter of the British Ambassador but still he was dubious if it could actually work with a woman running his show every night.

But it wasn't long at all until he very quickly realised on that day - the day she'd marched so confidently into his office that this would more than work – that this woman would be the answers to all his prayers – both professionally and personally. They'd chatted, debated and generally enjoyed each other's company straight away and twenty minutes after he'd first met her and she'd left his office and made her way into her own, he realised that he was missing her already. By the time they'd finished their first show together that night, and he'd poured himself a very large scotch before bed, he knew he had completely and utterly fallen for her.

Even with the ever growing 'thing' between them it had taken Will over four months to even get the courage up to ask her for a date, but the office Christmas party seven weeks ago had provided them with some relaxation time and a chance for him to ask her out for a casual dinner the following evening. He could hardly believe his luck when she seemed as keen as he did for a date and as she took his hand that night at the party, and asked him for a dance, he knew at that very moment his life was changing forever. He had never in his life had feelings like this for another human being and yes, he had been terrified of those feelings, but he was also more excited for a dinner date than he'd ever been in his life.

Dinner the following night had done nothing but confirm it all for Will – he had briefly wondered, whether outside of work, there would still be that great conversation between the two of them but he needn't have worried – if anything it had been even better than he had ever expected… The conversation had flowed all evening and they had hardly even bought up the subject of Television News by the time he walked her home that night.

He thanked his lucky stars that night as he said goodnight with a gentle, tender kiss to her lips – she was charming, confident, intelligent, funny – everything Will had ever wished for in a woman and there she was – on a date with him! On top of all that – boy was she beautiful and sexy but - No – Will wouldn't let his mind go there yet – there was plenty of time for that in the weeks and months to come!… He knew that he had been the envy of other men that night - there had been many a gentleman's eye wandering across her as she reached for his hand and led him towards their table. Will felt like shouting from the hills – telling everyone she was with him – surely all his dreams had come true at last.

But back to tonight – February the 14th 2006… He pulled his earpiece out and gathered his notes together before heading towards his office. The excited, happy smile she threw him as she waved and hurried to her office to change did nothing to dull the small fire that had started to burn inside of him halfway through the broadcast. At times he was shameless with his thoughts when he let himself fall under her spell – even in the middle of a broadcast like he had tonight – he could ignore most things whilst talking to that red light but the sound of her voice, so sensual at times when she spoke into his ear, would knock down every professional barrier he'd built up over the years.

He browsed through his emails and poured himself a scotch for Dutch courage and waited. Over a wonderful Christmas weekend together they had decided to take it slow, Mackenzie had just come out of bad relationship and had admitted she was nervous about a serious long term relationship with another man. That didn't worry Will though – he had already realised this was something special - Will was more than prepared to be the perfect Gentleman and wait until she was comfortable until they took their relationship to the next level. But, even he had to admit, it was becoming more and more difficult to stick to his chivalrous promise – especially during the evening's they spent together after their broadcasts and the long winter weekends they'd spend cuddled together on his sofa watching old movies and putting the world to rights…

"Hey gorgeous…"

He looked up to his office door and saw an absolute vision of beauty standing before him. She always dressed so simply and Will had often wondered how she always managed to look so stunningly beautiful with her plain, simple attire. Tonight she had her hair pinned up, which always attracted Will's eyes to her long, very kissable neck and she was wearing a spectacular black cocktail dress that was strapless and finished just above her knees…. For a moment, definitely an un-chivalrous moment, Will allowed himself imagine those incredibly sexy long legs wrapped around his waist later as he (hopefully) carried her towards his bedroom.

"You ready?" Mackenzie whispered from the door… She looked as nervous as he felt and for some reason this melted him a little more than usual….

"Come here…" Will replied as he stood up and quickly downed the rest of his scotch watching her make her way across his office.

She placed her wrap on the sofa and coyly smiled… Once she was by his side she automatically reached for his hand and wrapped her fingers around his… "Good show tonight..." She whispered but Will could tell she was just making small talk - he could see her insecurity about the dress shining through….

"You look absolutely amazing Mackenzie – how did I get to be the luckiest man in New York tonight?"

She giggled and he could see her visibly relax….. "Well, you don't look too bad yourself" she joked as she let his hand drop and fiddled with the end of his tie nervously. Will leant down slightly and placed the softest of kisses onto her lips and marvelled yet again how the simple gesture of brushing his lips against hers could make the whole of his insides perform some kind of gymnastic routine - his heart jumped into his throat and down to his toes in one swift movement and then all the way back again before he'd even had the chance to think about kissing her more. He pulled away a moment later and looked her up and down with a cheeky, questioning look on his face…

"You know – I think this beautiful, sexy outfit is just missing a little something though…"

Mac actually looked stunned as it dawned on her what he'd said - she really had no idea whether he was kidding her or being serious. In her opinion, she thought she'd managed to perform a minor miracle with her outfit considering he'd given her about twenty minutes to turn from professional TV Executive Producer to gorgeous, sexy girlfriend ready for a late night Valentine's Day date.

"Maybe, this will help." Will added, a mischievous grin appearing on his face as he reached down to his desk to retrieve the black velvet box that was sitting there waiting for her…

Mackenzie gasped out loud as he opened the box a moment later to reveal a stunning silver Tiffany's necklace with a thick silver heart shaped pendant hanging from the chain….

"Be My Valentine?" Will asked, his face erupting in a massive smile as he took in her reaction to the necklace….

"Oh Billy." Mac whispered a moment later, a single tear escaping her eye and trickling down to her cheek….

Will sighed as he watched her slowly run her finger across the silver heart… 'Billy' – he swore he hadn't been called that since he was ten years old…. He really didn't like being called anything but 'Will' but coming from her mouth it seemed to melt him a little more inside…. Yes - he could definitely get used to being called that!

She gazed up into his eyes and slowly took a step towards him… "I don't know what to say…"

Will chuckled… "Well, there's a first for you Ms McHale!". He picked up the chain from the box and walked around until he was standing behind her, his fingers trailing tantalisingly up her arm and sending shivers down her spine… "Hopefully you'll say yes…" he whispered as he fixed the chain behind her neck and placed a lingering kiss on her bare right shoulder…

"You like it?" Will asked, his hands running down her arms again until they reached her hands….

Mac swung herself around and automatically her hand lifted to feel the pendant hanging around her neck again…. "I love it… Thank you Will – it's beautiful…" she said sincerely and instantly pulled him into her arms. As she hugged him tightly he closed his eyes and breathed in her smell – he loved to hold her against him like this – he felt so safe and so loved even though they hadn't actually said the words 'I Love You' yet….. He felt it though and was certain she felt the same way too – a feeling this special this could surely not be so one sided.

"So Mr… Are you taking me somewhere gorgeous for dinner, dancing and champagne?" She muttered, still clinging to him and letting her fingers play with the hair at the nape of his neck – a gesture he would never tire off….

"Mmmm – Champagne?" Will questioned, pulling back slightly and arching his eyebrows….

"Yeah – We're celebrating aren't we?" Mac whispered as she gently cupped his cheeks in her hands…

"Sounds good to me darling but what are we celebrating?"

"hmmmm – I don't know yet." Mackenzie muttered as she pressed the softest of kisses to the corner of his mouth… "But I'll be sure to think of something by the time you take me back to your apartment tonight…"

He knew she was flirting with him but he also realised from her words and the look on her face it was also her way of saying that tonight was the night – tonight was the night she wanted him to make love to her. They'd both known for a few days now that this next step was coming - it had almost happened at the weekend but Will had slowed them both down and whispered that he wanted the night to be special. That's when he had kissed her with as much passion as he could and asked her out for a special dinner on Valentine's night… She had nodded and squeezed him tightly at the time – she had realised what he meant and agreed instantly.

"Our tables waiting…." Will whispered as he leaned in for another soft kiss….

When they separated a moment later, Will smiled and retrieved her wrap from where she had placed it on the sofa. He took her by the hand but Mackenzie stopped and once again cupped his cheek in her hand…

"Happy Valentine's Day, Billy."

The words were whispered so quietly and as always so simply from Mackenzie but he could tell from the look in her eyes that she truly meant it…. He was certain she loved him just as much as he loved her and tonight they'd finally be able to show each other just how much.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Mackenzie."