I am SOO sorry it's taking me so long to get this going. It's been a crazy couple of weeks and I've neglected all of my writing. I know this story is almost done - another chapter or 2 and I will finish the other pieces I have! :)

They stayed in bed for the longest time. Drifting in and out of consciousness. Mackenzie's heavy limbs felt comfortable and numb when they were mixed in with Will's body.

The morning had been exhausting for her. Mackenzie knew that it would take some time to fully relax around him, but then again, she knew she never not trusted him.

She had to find a way to get the situation with Brian under control. Did she want to go to the police? She had evidence of abuse, but the rape was too old. Unless she subjected herself to it one more time... She let that thought hang in her head for a while. There was no way in hell that Will would let her go through with that. Brian had already raped her 10 times since the negotiation became relevant. Then there was always Reese. He didn't know how far Brian was taking it. Mackenzie was willing to bet that if he knew (and believed) what was happening that he would take legal action. But that was just the problem, he wouldn't believe her. She didn't think Reese would just shut down the team like this. There was a reason Reese was pushing for this. Brian must have something on him or was threatening too...

That was it.

Reese was being blackmailed.

"Holy shit." Mackenzie scrambled out of bed, waking Will in the process.

"What's wrong?" He asked quickly and full of sleep.

"I figured it out. I have to call Charlie!"

"Figured what out?"

"Nothing. Well it's not nothing - but you can go back to sleep. For now." She kissed his cheek surprising both of them.

Will shook his head in the pillow, letting the sleep fall back over him. It didn't surprise him when he woke a few hours later, at a normal hour of 10am, to find Mackenzie passed out on the couch holding her cell phone and a cup of tea. He set off to shower and make breakfast before he had to wake her up.

He wanted to do something for her - not necessarily some big grand gesture, but something to prove that he loved her. She had been put through the ringer and treated badly with Brian. Mackenzie was an amazing person. It disgusted Will to think anyone would treat her poorly.

He thought back on how poorly he had treated her when he brought Brian into the newsroom, when he paraded around with other girls, with Nina. He hated himself for what he did - he knew that those actions really hurt her. He couldn't understand how or why she still hung around, why she gravitated towards him.

Whatever he did, it had to be perfect.

Going back to work was harder for Mackenzie than she thought. Everyone had questions. Some of her bruises still slightly visible, even though she tried to cover it up under makeup and clothing.

She was going to go home with Will that night, so she didn't mind.

Mackenzie was waiting in her office, checking any final emails while Will was changing in his own office. They had dinner plans at her favorite restaurant. She was nervous. She couldn't explain why - this was Will and her favorite restaurant. Nothing out of the ordinary.

"Mackenzie." A voice said from the doorway. That was a voice to put nervousness in her for different reasons.

"What are you doing here, Brian?"

"You left. For almost an entire week."

"Yes," Mackenzie swallowed. She was sitting at her desk, already backed into a corner.

Brian walked closer, placing his hands on the desk and leaning forward. "What did you leave?"

"Story." She spit out too quickly. "I was covering a story."

"Oh really?" He laughed. "Why do you lie to me?"

"I'm not." She tried to sound convincing, but the fear slipped out.

"Do you know what happens when you lie?"

"I-I didn't lie..." She said hurriedly just before he grabbed her and pulled her around the desk.

"Bad things happen to liars." He swung at her. She fell to her knees, both hands holding the side of her face that had been hit.

"Please," she started crying. Will was next door. She could scream - he would come help her. If she screamed, Brian would hurt her even more.

"Not a chance." Brian kicked her once in the stomach. When she fell, he kicked her again. And again. And again. Until she was coughing and gasping for air. She was curled in a ball on the floor. Brian pulled at her, trowing her onto her back, and pulling up on her skirt.

"This is the last time you'll lie to me." And he slammed into her. Harder each time. This seemed to go on for hours.

The pain was unbearable at this point. She was crying - the hot tears kept rolling down her cheeks. She was trying to fight him, but his hold on her hands were much stronger than she could be. She knew that this would be over fairly soon. How long could he go for?

"Oh good!" Brian laughed. "You're just in time for the ending."

Mackenzie was confused until he grabbed her chin and forced her to look at the door to her office. Will stood there, ready to leave for dinner, shocked at what he saw happening before him.

"Will..." She reached for him as best she could, tried to scramble more against Brian.

"I told you to stop!" Brian screamed in her face.

"Stop this right now, Brian." Will calmly started to walk towards him. He had already placed an emergency call to Lonny. He would be here in a matter of seconds.

"Or what?!" Brian spat back.

"Stop." Mackenzie whimpered out again.

Brian gave a few more forceful thrusts into her before pulling out and pulling up his pants.

"You were never that great of a fuck anyway." He made his way towards the door where Will was still standing.

"I swear to God-" Will muttered pulling back to throw a punch.

"Everyone stop!" Lonny entered the room with his gun drawn.

"Lonny, please get him out of here." Will angrily spoke in the direction of Brian. "Call the police. I'd like to report an assault."

"Whatever man." Brian laughed. "She consented."

"Doesn't look like it crime where I stand." Lonny grabbed Brian and pushed him out of the room.

Will went to Mackenzie's side immediately. He pulled he into his arms and held her close.

"I'm here now... Shhh... You're okay..." He tried to whisper to her. His own tears slipped out. She was frantic in getting as close as she could. She pulled on the sleeves of his shirt, to get into a sitting position.

"I want to go home," she cried to him.

"Not yet sweetheart," he tried to cradle her the best he could without hurting her more. "You have to go to the hospital."

"I'm fine," she said into his neck. "Please Billy?"

"I know," he hated when she begged him like this. Especially now. It broke his heart to she her hurting physically and emotionally and he couldn't fix it.