A few days later McGee had gone back to Australia with mixed feelings.

He was still angry and dissapointed because of what Link did to him. He had hoped this would be a nice vacation with one of his best friends. He hadn't talked to anyone about this for the whole trip and he wasn't sure what to do. Would he leave his girlfriend? Is it considered cheating if another man kisses you without your consent? Thoughts like that wouldn't stop buzzing in McGee's head

Meanwhile Link is working on stuff for university, writing reports and researching like a maniac, just so he would finally be able to stop thinking about McGee. He was feeling awful about the whole incident and didn't sleep most nights, unless he was so exhausted that he would sleep at his desk, just so he could go back to work once he woke up. He had lost a bit of weight and his social life was going down the drain too. His friends were worried about him, telling him he should go out with them for Meet-ups, but he would always decline and stay home just so he could beat himself up again, over what he did to his best friend.

A few weeks had gone by but McGee still couldn't stop thinking about what happened in France. He felt relly guilty and had avoided his girlfriend more and more. He thought "I can't keep this up anymore" and called her.

*dooot dooot dooot dooot*

*click*

"Hey baby! FINALLY you are calling me. you never picked up your calls when I tried to get through to you.. did something happen?"

"Ah.. Avery.. uh no I'm fine, thanks. Listen.. *sigh* I can't do this over the phone. Let's meet up. Right now."

"Huh? is something the matter?"

"I'll pick you up in twenty minutes. See ya."

*piip*

*doot doot doot*

"HAAAAAAHHH..." another big sigh escaped McGee's lips as he hung up on his soon-to-be ex girlfriend.

Like he said, twenty minutes later a small green car pulled up in front of Avery's apartment, McGee inside.

Avery ran down the stairs after putting a last bit of perfume and some high heels. It had been some time since she saw her boyfriend and she hoped that they could "celebrate" their reunion, since she couldn't go to the trip due to work.

"HONNEYYY" she squealed as soon as she was out the door, and opened the cars door to sit shotgun.

"How have you been? I missed you so much!" she said with a big grin on her face, leaning in to kiss McGee.

He simply turned his head and started driving to escape the kiss. He felt like the biggest asshole right now.

"huh? where are we going?" Avery asked hesitantly.

"Your favorite place" McGee regretted that location choice as soon as it had slipped his lips. He would make her favorite place, her most hated place.

"WHAA YAAAY" Avery clung to McGee's arm and squealed again. She couldn't wait to spend a romantic evening by the cliff with her boyfriend.

McGee only had to drive about ten minutes, after he left the town's center to get to the cliff where the two had met. That gave him much too little time to think about what he would say to her, unfortunately.

He parked the car near to the edge and opened the door for Avery after getting out himself.

"Thanks" she said with a smile as she got out of the car and went straight to the railing to look at the view.

"Fuaaaaaaaa" Avery took a deep breath and threw her hands into the air. "isn't this GREAAAAT" she shouted the last part to create an echo. It was a wonderful view. You could see all the way down to the floor of the canyon that was a few hundred meters underneath them. This cliff had been a popular dating spot in the past, but thanks to the city being expanded and more entertainment possibilites people soon forgot about this place.

Three years ago McGee had met Avery here when he was taking a hike. She had done the same thing she is doing now. Holding her arms over her head and shouting words to create an echo. Back then the last thng she shouted was "Let me find LOOOOOOVEEEE" with an especially long love. McGee of course asked her what it meant and she told him that she always came here when she had troubles and that she would shout her troubles or wishes into the canyon to feel better.

After that they had talked till late into the naight, became friends and eventually they started dating. McGee had fallen in love iwth the back he was looking at back then on that evening. But now? He didn't feel the same. He did feel nostalgic and he flet a kind of love, but it wasn't a romantic love. it's the kind of love you have for a view from your childhood. That was it. He loved the view, not the person. He never knew he would be able to fall out of love with this amazing girl. When they started dating he thought she was THE one but.. Now that feeling was gone.

After a few minutes of reminiscing and staring at Avery in front of the sunset she finally turned around. Dread welled up in McGee's chest. He knew there is no going back now. Now that he had more reason than "I cheated" now that he knew he didn't love her anymore, he had to end this.

Avery stepped towards McGee and hugged him. McGee was caught off guard but then hugged her back. He figured this would be the last time. He could smell her perfume. She never really liked it that much but he loved it a lot when she first tried it so she kept on wearing it. Her hair that was bound up into a pony tail slightly tickled his nose as he pushed his face into her head and kissed it lightly. he whispered "I'm sorry" without a sound and broke the embrace.

He looked down to his feet, took all his courage and started.

"Avery, listen.. This is not easy for me but.. I think we should end this. I want to end this."

"What?" Avery was dumbstruck, the loving smile on her face turned into an expression that made McGee's heart churn. It really hurt him, but he knew it hurt way more for her.

"Are you.. b-breaking up with me?" Avery almost couldn't bring herself to say it. She could feel her throat go dry and her eyes and nose becoming hot.

"I'm sorry..." McGee looked down to his feet, ashamed of himself.

"Why?" Big tears were now rolling down her face. Avery had never felt so much pain in her life. This hurt her more than any physical injury ever could. She was so in love with the brunette man standing a few feet away from her, so why would this have to happen?

"It's complicated" McGee responded quietly without looking up.

"Don't you love me anymore?"

"I do love you! it's just.. not the same as it used to be." That's all McGee could bring out before breaking into tears himself.

"What do you mean?" Avery's voice was weak and full of disbelief.

"I mean that.. I love you.. but just not.. in a romantic way. I loved you like that all this time, but.. not anymore.. I'm sorry. I really am." Sobs cut off McGee's voice again and again while he said the worst thing he would, probably ever say to the woman he loved.

"I don't .. understand. Why so suddenly.. is there.. somone else?" Avery experienced the same thing, as she couldn't hold her tears back, her make up running down her cheeks and her voice breaking.

McGee's pupils widened and his eyes sprung open. His jaw almost dropped. Was he in love with him? His heart started beating even faster than it already did, which he didn't know was possible.

He coudln't be in love with him. No. He was still mad. It was just the fact that she was so on the spot with her question that made him feel nervous and guilty.

"No.. I'm sorry.. I just don't want to hurt you any more than I already am." He said after finally regaining a bit of his composure.

"... Ok" Avery said after being quiet for a long time. "Alright. If that is what you want." Her face was twisted with pain and anger.

She took a few steps towards McGee, raised her hand, and let it fall to her side. "I.. Can't do that." She said her eyes shut while looking down.

She went to McGee's car, and decided to let her anger out that way. "I'm taking the car.. I'll get my stuff from your place and go home by foot." And with that she jumped in and drove off.

McGee stared into the sunset. "That's it, huh?" He said and slowly turned to walk down the road, back to the city.