Going Home

Set after Season One.

Will was on the telephone, leaning back in his chair, with his feet propped on his desk when Mackenzie came in, in a rush. She quickly grabbed the remote on his desk and changed one of the channels.

"I'll call you back," Will said getting off the phone.

"What am I looking at, Mac?

"There are massive storms that have produced several tornadoes in Lincoln, Nebraska. Communications are very strained and there seem to be sections of the city that are completely destroyed," she explained.

Will grabbed his blackberry and scrolled until he found the number he was searching for and dialed. He was pacing around his office, and extremely worried from the look on his face. Mackenzie didn't know how to help him. "Kate, it's Will. Call me when you get this message. If you can't get me, call Mackenzie McHale, her number is 646.234.2332. She will know where I am at all times. I love you."

The message was repeated twice more, once for his other sister, Jane and for his brother Michael. They all lived in Lincoln. After his last call he leaned against his desk and Mackenzie came to stand next to him. "Can I do anything," she asked.

He looked lost and for a moment she wasn't sure he heard her and then he was in her arms, his head buried against her shoulder.

Charlie walked in and said, "Do we know anything new?"

"Nothing," she said.

"Will, are you all right to go on tonight?"

When he pulled away from her shoulder Charlie could see the worry in his eyes. "Yes, I'll be fine."

"You can tell me no, but I want to send you and Mac to Lincoln and broadcast from there for the next few days. You'll put a human face to this tragedy."

"Will you come with me," Will asked Mac. He was asking a more personal question than Charlie.

"For as long as you want," she said.

"After tonight's broadcast both of you go pack and I'll have a corporate jet ready to take you out. You'll need to take a cameraman with you and we'll run graphics from here. I'll find you a satellite truck. Mac can produce and be with you every step. Lonny will have to go with you."

"Okay."

"And if you need anything, and I do mean anything, you will call me, William, do I make myself clear?"

"Thanks," he said.

"Okay, I'll let you get ready for the show. As I know more, I'll let you know."

Mac was sure Will could handle doing the broadcast, as he was a pro. Seeing all the damage in Lincoln she wasn't so sure. "Are you sure you're okay to remotely broadcast from Lincoln?"

"No, but it's something I have to do. And as long as you're going to be there, I'll get through it, Mac."

Somehow they made it through the show. The tornadoes and the damage they had caused were the stories of the hour. Will was a consummate professional and explained as he signed off that they would be broadcasting from Lincoln tomorrow night and that they'd be there for the next few days. After he threw to Terry Smith, he quickly left the studio and headed straight for his office.

Mac was still in the control room with her team. "As all of you heard Will is going to be on the air from Lincoln tomorrow. I will be on the ground with him. Graphics will be run from here and Jim will be producing. Does anyone have any questions?"

There weren't questions, and Mac knew that Jim could handle the assignment and that he would make things run smoothly for her and Will.

"Jim, a word," Mac said as she left the control room. He followed her as she went into her office and began gathering both things she would need for tonight and the next few days. "Are you okay with this arrangement?"

"You can count on me," Jim said.

"I know I can," Mac said, touching his arm. "I may have to have Sloan vamp some for Will. Prep her as much as you can and if you need anything, call Charlie. I don't know if cell phones will be working, they aren't currently."

"Isn't Will from Nebraska?"

"Outside Lincoln."

"Let us know if there is anything you need," he said, leaving her office.

After Mac packed she walked over to Will's office. He was staring at his Blackberry. "Good show," she said as she entered his office. "Heard anything?"

He shook his head and looked up at her. He was hurting and she wasn't able to fix this for him. She walked around his desk and leaned against it, next to him. "Do you have everything from here packed?"

He nodded. "Why won't anybody call, Mac?"

"I'm sure the storm did damage to the cell towers. They may not be able to, Billy."

"I know," he said, sounding defeated.

"Have Lonny take you home and get packed. Charlie has a car taking me to my apartment and once I'm packed I'll meet you at your apartment." All she wanted to do was to take him into her arms and keep him safe from possibly the worst news to come out of Lincoln. They had been hearing about the death tolls rising and the lack of communication was making everyone nervous.

"You'll be by soon," he asked.

"Promise. I just need to pack some clothes and supplies. Do you have a sleeping bag?"

"Yes, should I bring it?"

"I would, just in case. I've talked with Jim, he's ready with anything we need. Charlie is arranging for a cameraman to meet us at the airport."

"What kind of clothes should I pack?"

"No suits but bring a few ties, just in case. Business casual."

"Okay, go get packed and I'll see you soon."

She stood and kissed the top of his head as she left.