I own nothing.
Half inspired by Yellowcard - Empty Apartment (Acoustic Version)
In hindsight, part of her had always known. Charlie had never told her of course, but she just knew. She'd always wondered how he would react, seeing it happen, seeing her face, hearing her voice. Maybe if he'd read her emails everything would have been different. Will had always had a knack of predicting the outcome of a story before it had even unfolded. Maybe that was what had surprised Mac the most. It wasn't what she had expected.
Two hours earlier
Jim came barging into Will's office, chest heaving and eyes wide.
"Erm… Will, hi," he stammered quickly at the man sat behind the desk before turning his attention to the source his panic. "Mac, I need to see you outside."
"Jim, is everything alright?" Mac asked hesitantly, shooting a confused glance in Will's direction before edging closer to her senior producer.
"Mac, please." Jim gave her pleading eyes before holding the door open and signalling toward the safety of her own office.
"Okay, okay." Mac sighed, holding the door open with her foot. "Will, gather the team, we'll start our meeting in five."
She should have known that Will wouldn't have let the matter drop. He didn't like being left out of anything, more so when it concern Jim and herself heading purposely towards the sound proof confines of her office.
Once Mac and Jim hastily entered the meeting room Will was straight on their case.
"I've been sat here for ten minutes, there better be a serious story ready for broadcast."
Mac rolled her eyes and crossed her arms protectively across her chest.
"It's nothing for you to worry about, Will." Mac protested, before smiling at the rest of the group. "Right, let's get down to it. I thought it'd be a good idea to start wi-"
"It must have been important for you to have been cooped up in your office for so long."
"Will," Mac glared at him. "Now is not the time to talk about anything that has nothing to do with the show! Right, as I was saying… Oh, my. Charlie, can't you see I'm-"
"Mac, I'm really sorry," Charlie interjected quickly, eyes scanning the room. "I just, it's about…" Charlie stopped and rubbed his hand across his face. "It's TMI."
Mac turned desperately to Jim, her mouth forming the perfect 'o' shape as panic started to overtake her body.
"What about them?" Will asked confused, his mind working overtime to try and connect the dots.
Charlie gave Mac a sympathetic look before turning his attention to the anchor at the back of the room.
"They've got hold of the footage."
"What footage?" Will pushed on, his hands running through his hair as he leaned back in his chair.
"Islamabad."