Will/Mackenzie. (post-episode) Set after Blackout Part II.

Hello all! This is my FIRST FANFIC. I'm ever so slightly terrified to find out what you think, but the lack of will/mac fanfic out there has made me swallow my fears and write this.

Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine, all belong to the mighty Mr Sorkin, who is a genius.

I have not yet seen episodes 8 or 9 because I live in the UK and we are 3 weeks behind the States, so everything here goes off one clip that I have seen on YouTube, and then my own imagination.

Not sure I actually like it, but I hope you enjoy. Please let me know what you think!

The ACN jingle rung through her ears, as the dumbness started to spread through her limbs. Mackenzie knew they would pay for this in ratings and in Leona's displeasure, but at that particular moment she did not care. Will had said Charlie told him she was "Physically and mentally exhausted"; well right now she felt it. All she wanted was to go home and have a long hot bath before curling up under the covers and going to sleep. It was shame that she was the boss. That wasn't going to happen.

"Well done, everyone." She forced herself to say as she turned, smiling, to her crew. They all looked pleased with themselves, and everyone exchanged handshakes, and claps on the back.

She was proud of the team that she and Will had cultivated this past year. It couldn't have worked out better: she had grown a team who were invested in the idealistic version of a news broadcast that she had pitched them, and this week had proved that they were loyal to it. Even Don!

Wearily she gathered her notebook and headed back to her office.

The end-of-the-day feeling seemed to have kicked in, as her staff joked and made plans to go to the karaoke bar and have their well-deserved drink.

"Mac!" She spun towards Charlie's voice and saw him walking, beaming towards her. She couldn't help but return the smile as he warmly embraced her and then held her at arm's length. "Great show tonight kiddo. You did us proud."

"Us, maybe. I guess we'll have to wait and see what Leona thought, although I have some ideas already." Charlie waved his hand, a frown crossing his features.

"We'll deal with her when we deal with her. For now, we're all going for a drink. And you're coming too!"

"Charlie –"

"I'll hear no excuses. We're all tired but we'll be tired as a team, so come and enjoy your vodka, or gin or – well, whatever it is that you young people drink these days. I'll be having a -"

"Scotch." Mack finished for him, smiling ruefully. Charlie's attitude was infectious. Yes, she was tired, but this was her family and he was right. They deserved a break. Even if it was only for a couple of hours until they had to do it all again tomorrow.

It was as though the older man could read her thoughts. He gave her shoulder a squeeze and she looked up to meet his gaze. "Hey, you did good kid."

"It was Will, actually." She informed him, "Will was the one who threw out the rundown. Managed to do it all by himself."

"As long as he knows you're watching him, he's doing nothing by himself." Charlie had a twinkle in his eye that she had seen there before. She opened her mouth to respond but froze when she heard familiar footsteps from behind. Charlie winked at her.

"I was just saying to Mackenzie, good show tonight Will."

"yes it was." Will replied, shaking his boss hand. He put a hand on Mac's shoulder. "Could I have a word?"

Mac looked questioningly at him, "Yeah, sure. What's up?"

"In my office?" He nodded to Charlie and turned to head back to his office. With an apologetic look to Charlie she turned to follow him.

"We'll see you downstairs."

"I'd better!" Charlie called after her.

Enjoying the luxury of twenty seconds where she didn't have to think Mac made her way to Will's office on auto-pilot.

He was coming out of his bathroom in jeans and pulling a sweater over his polo shirt. He smiled. She cautiously returned it, all of a sudden aware that she had no idea what he was wanting to talk about. There was an awkward silence as he sat on the edge of his desk, twisting his hands in his lap.

"Mac, look. I – I want to apologise."

Brian. She had forgotten he was even here in the rush of being back to Newsroom 174.0. The pleasant feeling that had been growing tentatively inside her since her conversation with Charlie instantly turned once more to acid in her stomach. The guilt had returned.

As much as she felt she owed Will, and would spend as long as she had to making it up to him, she had to admit to herself that this one had really got to her. It was a punch to the gut, low and hard. And though she felt she deserved it, she was angry at Will for taking the past months of cooperation and – dare she say – friendship and chucking it out the window by inviting Brian here. She'd been so sure that they'd been making progress, and then all of a sudden he pulls this stunt and she falls flat on her face. If he hadn't felt they'd moved forward too, then why had he acted like it? She felt confused. Very confused.

"For what?" She replied in a controlled voice, trying not to let these emotions come through. Will didn't buy it. He tilted his head, and sighed exasperatedly.

"you know what."

"Oh, you mean Brian?" It came out slightly tetchy. She couldn't help herself.

"Yes, of course I mean Brian." Will shot back. They stared at each other for a moment, a tension which had never existed until 14 months ago once more filling the room. Will broke it first, looking down at his hands, "It was a low move, and I shouldn't have done it. You don't deserve it."

She was taken aback. And if anything, was more confused. "I'm not so certain about that, but you said why you did it earlier. When you were having difficulty with your pants."

A smile crept onto Will's face as he met her gaze once more. She was looking calmly back at him. Why was she making him feel better, when she was annoyed at him? She didn't know. Habit, maybe. Making him feel better was instinctual.

"I brought him here to hurt you, even though I know you don't deserve it." He continued, sobering up. "You have taken everything I've thrown at you. You've been remorseful, apologetic, loyal, and the best partner in this show I could wish for. So I shouldn't have done it."

Mac's throat was suddenly very dry, stuck together; she couldn't speak to respond if she tried. She was simply gazing at him like there was a length of string holding her eyes to his. Was this going somewhere, or was it just an apology?

Suddenly her words to Brian floated across her mind,

"Did he come back?"

"Not yet."

She hadn't even realised what she had been saying. Didn't even process what it meant. That she did want to repair what she'd done. She wanted to be with him again. It was something she hadn't admitted to herself until today. She didn't want to. Because if it didn't happen, she knew it would be painful for her. Losing him once (by her own fault) had been bad enough, but allowing herself to hope, and then losing him again would be…well, not worth thinking about. So she didn't. She cleared her throat and forced a small smile onto her face.

"Thank you. I appreciate that." The smile returned briefly to his face. "It was a good show tonight. You going to join us for a drink?"

"Yes." He replied after a moment, nodding to himself as he made his decision. It was a Will-ism and it made Mac's smile widen. She wanted to this to work out because now that she could be around him, and enjoy his little "moments" again, she really did not want to give it up. She knew she would do anything to make sure that News Night continued.

"Okay." She nodded, "We're leaving in five."

"I'll grab my stuff."

"Okay."

And with that she pushed the door open behind her and headed back into the newsroom. The group was gathered around Neal's desk laughing heartily at a story Charlie was telling them. She wasn't fast enough to avoid being spotted, however. Jim caught sight of her as she made her way across the room, drawing everyone else's attention to her as well.

"We ready to go boss? Drinks downstairs are ordered!" A few 'woops' went up at this and she smiled back.

"Just grabbing my bag. You guys can start to head down if you like, we'll meet you there."

The moved off like a herd to a watering hole she thought, amused, as her staff made for the elevators.

I'd appreciate any feedback! Hope you enjoyed

I've started a chapter 2 if anyone wants me to continue. Actually, I may just post it regardless simply because there is not enough fic out there about these two!