THESE CHARACTERS BELONG TO SORKIN.

This story starts during the first month of Will dating Nina Howard. Will is trying to move on with his life and prove to himself that he can have a future with and love someone besides MacKenzie. MacKenzie is doing her best to stay focused on being the best EP in the business, but after hearing Newsroom gossip that Will may be asking Nina to move in with him soon she is losing hope that Will is going to ever forgive her and give Will and Mac 2.0 a chance.

CHAPTER 1

The day started like any other, Mac was the first person to arrive at the office. With coffee in hand, she began going through her overnight emails. The last email she reads was written just a few minutes ago, by one of the Marines she was embedded with in 2006. The sender is a man named Major Mike Murphy, he was the Operations Officer for 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines (3/4) an infantry unit based out of Twentynine Palms, California.

In June 2006, when MacKenzie had reached out to CNN for an overseas correspondent position she was assigned to 3/4, they deployed to Iraq in September 2006 to the Al Qaim region in the Euphrates River Valley of Iraq, in the Western Al Anbar Province. Thank God for Major Mike Murphy, he ensured that MacKenzie was provided total access to his Marines and ensured that she went out on every mission where there might be a potential story.

MacKenzie quickly realized that her security detail included some of the best Marines in the Battalion. They treated her as an equal, and courageously protected her even at the worst of times. What she had not realized at the time was Major Mike's influence as the Battalion Operations Officer. When 3/4 re-deployed she was assigned to another unit where she did not receive the same attention or security. MacKenzie continued on with her mission to deliver the news, but she learned the hard way that she no longer had the same protection and access that she enjoyed with 3/4.

Major Mike continued to stay in touch through the years. After he re-deployed with 3/4, she knew he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and a year later that he was selected to command 2d, Battalion, 5th Marines. They emailed each other at least once a month. Mike was married to the Marine Corps and as he said "she was married to the news." Mike had told her during an especially dangerous firefight, that if they both made it to their 40th birthdays and had not married another person then he was going to propose to her. At the time she blew it off as a joke, she had confided in Mike many times about her heartbreak over losing Will, and he of all people knew she was not over her first love and probably would never be.

She opened the email with her typical excitement of what news Mike had to report.

Mackenzie,

I know this is short notice, but I will be in New York City from Thursday through Sunday of this week for a few job interviews. I would love to see you and catch up if you can fit me into your busy schedule. This will be my first visit to the Big Apple, sure would love a liberty buddy to show me the city.

Major Mike

Mackenzie knew instantly that seeing Mike was exactly what she needed. A familiar face and a damn good friend. She loved her team in the Newsroom, but they were staff and she could not share things with them the way she could with Mike. During their deployment, they had confided in each other quite often. Mike enjoyed having someone that was not a Marine to vent to, and she, well, she just enjoyed having a friend that cared about her and would let her vent about her shattered love life.

It was Wednesday already and MacKenzie did not want to waste time, she quickly emailed Mike back.

Major Mike,

I know you are a Colonel, but you will always be Major Mike to me. YES! I would love to see you this week. As you know, during the week my schedule is packed but I can meet you for lunch and or dinner on Thursday and Friday. What time does your flight arrive Thursday? Where are you staying? Saturday and Sunday I am all yours, I am delighted to be your tour guide. New York City is amazing you are going to love it.

MacKenzie

The day was starting to look a whole lot better. Who knew what punishments Will would assign today, but with the hope of seeing Mike and spending some quality time with a really great friend, MacKenzie had a smile on her face and was ready to attack the day.