Never Smart With Love

Nice to Meet You

Just don't fall recklessly, headlessly in love with me

Cause it's gonna be all heartbreak.

Blissfully, painful and insanity.

"I hate these things," Will turned to Charlie, shifting in his suit. He had some new found fame from his midday news show he shared with an already well known news anchor and by default got invited to parties that were filled with other news workers, from other networks, and all of them seemed to have this situation down a lot better than he did.

"You're not alone," was Charlie's quick reply, as he fiddled with his tie, "I think I'll change over to a bow tie."

"Mm." Will replied, before doing a double take, "A bow tie?" He raised his eyebrows at him. A brief smile flicked over his face, before he turned and looked over the crowd, a champagne glass was thrust into his hand by a waiter.

"I have the face for it according to McHale." He stated simply in reply, sipping his bourbon.

"Who?" Will turned to Charlie now.

"She's the EP for Anderson Cooper's hour during CNN's NewsNight. Mackenzie McHale. She's the best." He stated easily, "And beautiful."

"I remember the last EP you said was the best, it ended in an actual fire." The older man shrugged in reply. Pointing his glass over Will's shoulder. He turned to see what he was pointing at and spotted her out straight away. She was smiling, surrounded by some older men, he could hear her giggle over the sound of people and he turned back to Charlie, his eyes slightly wide.

"Yeah." Charlie answered the unasked question, there was a large pause before he continued, "I wanted her on my team."

"All you had to do is ask." A simple English accent spoke from behind Will. He turned and there she was, wide eyes, small smile, brown hair slightly curled at the ends just going past her shoulder, and legs that...well he always had a weakness for legs.

"It didn't seem right with the President of CNN right next to you," Charlie replied, and eye wrinkling smile gracing his face.

"Mr. McAvoy, you were great this afternoon," She stood far enough away to stick out her hand for him to shake, and as he took her hand shaking it gently, he'd happily admit that he kept it there a moment too long.

"Miss McHale... Charlie didn't tell me you were British," He smiled, it falling slightly when she frowned slightly.

"Well, that's because he doesn't tell lies." She paused, "Forgive the accent, but I'm just as American as either of you."

"I..." Will stopped looking confused, look briefly to Charlie for some sort of help.

"I was born here, my father was Margaret Thatcher's ambassador to the UN..." She trailed off before smiling at Will and turning to face Charlie, "But really, Charlie, there's a lot of potential in this man, if I could get my hands on him, he'll have his own primetime slot by the end of the year."

"I think we're at the beginning of something," Charlie replied, ignoring the look that Will was giving Mackenzie, a small smile on his face, "When are you free next?"

"Tomorrow? Say twelve, I'll come to you?" She replied.

"It's a date."

"I hope to see a bow tie," She smiled at him, before turning to Will. "Until next time, Mr. McAvoy." She placed her hand on his upper arm and gently squeezed before turning and walking towards a small crowd before she soon disappeared.

"Mackenzie McHale." Will stated, knocking back his glass of champagne.

"Yeah."

It was three days later that Will saw Mackenzie again. She was walking around the office, her hair straight, a pencil skirt, heels and a simple blouse and if possible, she looked better than at the party, and he sensed she was probably aware of this. She walked up to his small office, tapping on the door, before entering.

"Mr. McAvoy," She smiled, looking around the office.

"Will, and please sit." He pointed at the seat in front of his desk.

"Will... Great show again, you can definitely do better." She stated, and if he were told this by anyone else, he'd be insulted, instead he was intrigued.

"You've got plans?" He leant forward, elbows on his desk, she smirked at him.

"Of course," she paused slightly, "I hope you'll be a part of them, because now I've met you..." He coughed, slightly embarrassed. Before composing himself.

"What are your plans for tonight?" He asked, standing from his chair and moving around the desk, leaning in front of her.

"Oh, I'm a very busy woman, I've got a show to run and a balls to bust." She stood up, and made to leave, before stopping at his door, "I finish at 10, I hope that's not too late?"

As she left his office, Will was wondering if it was too soon to say he was in love.

Mackenzie made him smile. It was odd really, because she wasn't doing much to make it so. She was talking about work and if he were on a date with anyone else he'd probably have tried to change the topic to something else, but the way her eyes lit up when she spoke made him grin, and it was that easy. At the end of the night he took her home, walked her to her door, stayed close, not really wanting to leave.

"I've got two months left in my contract with CNN, then..." She paused as she noticed the look in Will's eyes, "I have a feeling you're not too interested in two months."

"You'd be right." He stated simply, taking a step closer to her, one hand on her arm, the other cupping her cheek.

"Oh, Mr. McAvoy, this is going to end badly." She whispered, allowing her eyes to drift from his, to his lips, and back again.

"That's not very optimistic," He leant forward, briefly capturing her lips in a kiss.

"Don't say I didn't warn you," She replied, kissing him back, it lasted longer this time, his hand moving to her hair, as his other moved around her body, he pulled away enough to whisper against her lips.

"How long will you give me to change your mind?" As he spoke, his lips brushed against hers.

"How does a year sound to you?" She replied, and smiled as he smiled.

"Like not enough time to be with you at all," He kissed her gently, before taking a step back, moving his hands from her body, "Let's just hope I can convince you."

"I think it may be working, already."

"I'll ring you, soon, Mac." He stepped away from her turning around and walking down the corridor, to the elevator.

A few moments passed as Mac leant against the door, smiling to herself, she couldn't help the little yelp as her phone started ringing, seeing the caller ID she couldn't help but smile wider.

"Hello, who is this?" She asked, teasingly.

"That's funny, really. Are you free tomorrow?" He asked after a beat.

"Yes. You've got plans?" She grinned into the phone.

"Of course." He paused, "Are you an early bird, Mackenzie?"

"In my job? What do you think?"

"Good, see you at eight." There was quiet for a moment before he murmured, "Goodnight."

"Night, Will." She hung up, turning her head to lean on the door, she frowned to herself, she almost always hated feeling happy.

A/N: I don't know much about American tv, but we can all pretend that Mac was an EP for Anderson Cooper because, why not? Plus, we know she worked with CNN post-ACN, so... I'll make an assumption she did so pre-ACN too. Part two (of three) will be up soon.