Hello again

this time it might work better.  Hope you enjoy it.
Mon


Title: Absence makes the heart…
Author: Mon
Disclaimer:  I don’t own stingers blah blah…..
Note:  Well it’s only taken a couple of months for me to write and
type this 
but FINALLY it’s done, hope you enjoy it.


“Okay guys listen up.”	It was Monday morning and Mac was trying to
control 
Oscar, Danni, Church and Angie who were all chatting about what they
did on 
the weekend.
“Would you all shut up!” Mac yelled at them after a minute of not
getting 
any attention.	All of them turned and faced Mac stunned; they had
ever 
heard her yell like that before.
“Thank you… now can I begin?” She asked them challengingly.
“Sure.”  Oscar replied.
“Go ahead Mac sorry.” Danni put in.
“Good…. Now that I have your permission, we have a new case…
Operation 
Hotrod.”  Mac said turning towards the board,
“Meet Joel Bourke… he has a bad habit of knocking of cars and their
parts 
from the shipping docks.  He takes the cars apart and sells them to
some 
knowing and unknowing buyers.  This here is our informant, Dean
Black.” Mac 
said pointing a photo on the board.
“He owns a garage in Fitzroy and was not to impressed when he found
out the 
parts he was buying were stolen… Church you’ll be meeting with Dean
this 
afternoon and tomorrow start work at the docks.”
“Righto.” Church replied.
“Any questions?” Mac asked in a demanding manner.
“No…” All four replied hesitantly.
“Good” She replied strongly, “Get to it.”

Mac left the room abruptly leaving her four colleages sitting in
their 
chairs,
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but that was a pretty poor briefing.” Angie
said.
“I agree.”  Oscar stated,  “What’s wrong with her?”  He asked looking
at 
Church.
“Why are you looking at me?”
“You guys are close.”
“Why does everyone think that?	I haven’t spoken to Mac in months; I
have no 
idea what is happening in her life… I know more about yours.”  Church 
finished looking over at Danni.
“Go and talk to her Church there’s something wrong with her.”  Angie
said to 
him.  Church sat there for a few minutes, he hadn’t really noticed
anything 
different about Mac until today, but the other seemed quite concerned
about 
her.
“Fine!” Church said standing.
“I’ll talk to her.”  He said as he walked up to Mac’s door and
entered.

“Haven’t you heard of knocking?”  Mac asked without looking up.
“No, not lately.”  Church answered.
“What is this about Church I’m busy!”
“Too busy to give a proper briefing?”
“Excuse me?”  Mac said finally looking up from her computer.
“You heard me… that briefing you just gave out there was pathetic.”
“Are you finished?”  Mac asked bluntly.
“Probably” Church replied.
“How dare you come in here and accuse me of not giving a proper
briefing… I 
gave you all the facts of the case and no one had any questions,”
“That’s because there were too many, we didn’t know where to begin…
you 
didn’t even tell me what job I’ll be doing at the docks.”  Mac just
sat 
there realising that she didn’t give a thorough briefing, but
truthfully 
work has been the last thing on her mind lately.
“Mac…”
“Yeah Church I heard you, I’m just a bit preoccupied at the moment
sorry… 
here take the file.” Mac said handing the file over.
“What’s wrong with you Mac?  You haven’t been yourself for weeks”
Church 
said on behalf of the others.
“It’s nothing, I don’t want to bore you with my life… I’ll be right.”
 Mac 
said those last three words slowly, knowing that she could not fool
Church 
into thinking that she was fine.
“Fine” Church said standing and walking towards the door.
“Pete” Mac said suddenly, “If you’re not doing anything tonight can I
come 
over?”  Church just stood there looking at her; this was very 
uncharacteristic of her he thought.
“Sure Mac, come for dinner, you can bring the wine.”  Church said
leaving 
Mac’s office confused by what had just happened.  It had been over
two and a 
half years since they broke up and over that time they had grown
apart, and 
whilst they remained friends they had not spoken privately in about a
years. 
  To Church Mac seemed happy enough not consoling in him anymore.

“So what’s up?”  Danni asked as Church entered the kitchen where they
were 
all standing.
“Don’t know.” Church answered reaching for the coffee.
“Oh come on, you were in there for long enough.’
“Yeah I know that’s how hard I was trying… I don’t know.”

Church was finishing up with dinner when Mac arrived, looking a
little worse 
for where.
“You okay?” Church asked as he opened the door to her.
‘Yeah!” Mac replied putting on a smile.
“Your mascara’s running.”  Church told her and went back to the
kitchen 
letting Mac wipe her eyes.  She could always count on Church to be
subtle.

“So, what’s this all about Mac?”  Church asked, as they were half way 
through dinner.
“What? can’t friends have dinner?”
“No… we haven’t done this in months, probably about a year actually,
there’s 
something going on with you, are you going to tell me?”  Church knew
he 
probably pressure Mac into spilling her guts but she had arrived at
his 
house an hour ago after having being crying, and had said no more
than two 
words, Church was getting quite concerned about her.
“Come on Mac, why are you here if not too talk?”
“Okay Peter that’s enough with the pressure… gees I thought I could
come 
here so I would have to deal with my problems but I see that isn’t
so.”  Mac 
finished, standing from the table and going to get her bag.
“Mac…” church said standing form the table, “look at you, you’re a
mess and 
I’m worried about you… don’t tell me if you don’t want to but you’re
not 
leaving until I know that you are okay.”  Church said, sitting on the
couch
“Okay” Mac said slowly wiping a tear from her eye before taking a
seat on 
the couch next to him.  The two of them sat there in silence for ages 
watching whatever was on TV.
“I’ve missed this” Mac said after an hour of silence.
“Missed what?”  Church asked.
“This… being company for one another… we haven’t done it in a long
time.”
“Kind of thought that that’s the way you wanted it.”
“Why would you think that?” Mac asked confused by Church’s behaviour,
but 
Church just shrugged her off.
“No Pete tell me” Mac persisted.
“Don’t know… this is the first time in about a year that we have done
this 
and I just thought that was the way you wanted it.”
“Well you were wrong” Mac said quietly, so that Church had to strain
to hear 
her.
“Then why haven’t we done it?” Church questioned, but this time Mac 
shrugged.
“No way Mac you’ve been pretty distant over the last year and I want
to know 
why.”
“I don’t know what you mean Pete.” But Mac knew exactly what he
meant; she 
just wasn’t about to admit it.
“I think you do, you can tell me you know.  Why have you been so
distant?”  
Church asked again persisting.  “Come on tell me Mac”
“Because I was married.” Mac blurted out then quickly put her hand
over her 
mouth as she realised what she’d just said.  Church just sat there
facing 
her, “You were married… Mac” But Mac wasn’t game to look at him as
she felt 
herself becoming emotional.
“I’m sorry,” She said standing, “I’ve got to go.”
“No way Mac, you are staying right here and we are not moving until
we have 
talked.”  Church said making Mac sit back down on the couch.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”  Church questioned.
“I don’t know, protection I guess.”  Mac replied quietly.  It was
obvious to 
Church that Mac wasn’t going to openly tell him the story so it was
up to 
him to push for answers.
“How long has this been going on for Mac?’  Mac sat there not
shifting her 
gaze from the picture hanging on Church’s wall, “nine months” she
said with 
no expression and still not shifting her gaze.
“What! You’ve been married for nine months and you didn’t tell me?” 
Church 
said firing up.
“I couldn’t.”  Mac replied firing up herself.  “For my protection and 
Sean’s.”
“Sean?”  Church asked her.  “You didn’t?  Mac please tell me you
didn’t.”
“Pete… please I don’t need to be judged”
“Mac you married an informant, I’m just trying to comprehend that.”
“I knew him well before he became an informant.”  Mac shot back at
him.
“Yeah but Mac he knows that you’re in undercover.”  Church said in a
calmer 
tone than his previous statements.
“I know” Mac said in a soft and slow tone, this indicated to Church
that 
something was wrong.
“What’s happened Mac?”	Mac sat on the couch with her legs crossed as
she 
took a deep breath.
“It’s turned ugly, and I’m afraid of what he’ll do.”
“What do you mean?”  Church asked getting worried as to where this
was going 
to lead.
“He wanted kids” Mac started slowly, “… and I as you know don’t… it
got too 
much and I left.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“He wants me back and I won’t go, we cannot live together it’s
impossible… 
but he’s threatened me…”  Mac paused before finishing “…he’ll print a 
damaging story about the unit if I don’t go back.”  With this Mac
broke 
down, crying into the cushion that she had been hugging.  Church just
sat 
there trying to take in what Mac had told him. ‘How much of our lives
did 
she tell Sean?’ Church thought to himself ‘This can’t be a good
thing.’  He 
thought as Mac reached out her hand to him, Church took it and moved
next to 
her on the couch letting her fall into his shoulder.

After a few minutes Mac pulled away and looked at Church, “what have
I done 
Pete?”
“Shh… it’ll be alright, we’ll work something out.”  He replied as Mac
fell 
into his shoulder again.

Church awoke later that night to the sound of the shower.  He and Mac
had 
fallen asleep on the couch hours ago.
“Mac?”  Church asked as he entered the bathroom.
“Yeah, what is it?”  She asked.
“Just wandering what you are doing, it’s one in the morning.”
“Yeah I know I wasn’t feeling well and I thought a shower might help…
I 
didn’t wake you did I?”
“I wish you had of’ Church said concerned, he was worried about Mac,
but he 
knew it would be a while before things would return to the way they
once 
were, if at all.
“Sorry.”  Mac replied, ‘You just looked too peaceful, and besides
there was 
nothing you could do!”
“Well can I do anything now?”
“Yeah you can pass me a towel.”  Mac said poking her head out of the
shower 
door with a smile on her face.	Church started laughing as he passed
Mac a 
towel.
“What?” She asked.
“Nothing.” Church replied leaving the bathroom.

Mac left the bathroom about five minutes later with a towel wrapped
around 
her, she could her Church in the kitchen cooking something, as she
made her 
way down the hallway to his bedroom to find something to wear.	Mac
opened 
church’s top drawer and started searching for a t-shirt, she stopped 
suddenly as she came across something familiar; it was her favourite
polo 
shirt with something inside it.  She sat on the edge of the bed as
she 
unwrapped a photo frame, inside was a photo of herself and Church
taken in 
one of those passport photo machines. Mac sighed as she tried to make
sense 
of this.  She had questioned Pete regarding this shirt and he swore
that he 
hadn’t seen it, and now it she finds it in his drawer with a photo of
them 
inside it. “Oh Pete” she said softly as she put her hand on the photo
gently 
brushing his face.
“Mac?”	Church yelled as he made his way down the hallway to find
her.  He 
walked into his bedroom and found Mac sitting on his bed in a towel,
he 
stopped in the doorway as he realised what she had in her hand.
“Mac?” he said softly.	As Mac turned to him he saw the tears
streaming down 
her face,
“I found my shirt.”  She said looking back down at the photo.
“So I see.” Church said as he sat down beside her.  “Are you okay?”
Mac placed her hand on top of Church’s and squeezed it lightly.
“Is that a yes?”  But Mac didn’t answer, her eyes still full of tears
and 
focused on the photo that she still held.  She knew she should leave
but she 
couldn’t, unfamiliar feelings getting the better of her and she
couldn’t 
move.
“This was my favourite shirt.’  Mac said finally breaking her silence.
“Yeah I know… why do you think I kept it?”  Church replied looking at
her 
and smiling.
“But Pete…”
“You broke my heart Mac.” Church said suddenly.  He had never said
that 
before, not even to himself, but he knew it was true.  Mac did break
his 
heart.
“That’s why I kept your shirt.”
“Oh Pete” Mac said compassionately, moving her hand from his and
placing it 
on his cheek.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because it wouldn’t have made any difference.”  Mac knew he was
right, she 
was given an ultimatum, and she made a decision to stay in
undercover, she 
had no idea that their break-up had affected Church so much.
“You still could have said something.”  Mac continued.
“Yeah well it didn’t seem to affect you at all so I acted like it
didn’t 
affect me either.
“Pete… it did affect me.”  Mac said softly
“Yeah… well not enough to stop you from marrying an informant.” 
Church said 
firmly before standing and leaving the room.
‘What was that?’ Mac asked herself, ‘He just snapped.’

Mac quickly found something to wear before going to find Pete, the
photo 
still in her hand.
“Pete…”  He was in the kitchen heating up whatever he was cooking
before, 
and didn’t answer her.  “Come on Pete, talk to me.”
“About what Mac?  So I still have your t-shirt, we broke up two years
ago 
I’m okay about it… really.”
“What about the photo you had wrapped in it?”  Mac asked, for some
reason 
she liked the fact that Pete still thought about her.  Church turned
to her 
as she handed him the photo.
“I had forgotten about that.”  Church said looking deeply into the
photo of 
himself and Mac.  He remembered that day like it was yesterday.  It
was a 
Sunday and they had decided to go shopping, he spotted the photo
machine and 
had to drag Mac into it.  The photo was of Pete sitting on the chair
and Mac 
sitting across his lap, both of them were in hysterics when the
picture was 
taken.
“Pete if you think our break-up didn’t affect me then you were wrong…
it 
took me a long time to get over you, but you have to understand, I
acted the 
way I did for both our sakes.  Bernie would have transferred either
of us if 
we acted the way we felt, and I couldn’t do that… not been able to
see you 
every day would have torn me apart,” Church didn’t react as he went
to the 
microwave and pulled out two bowls of pasta and put them on the bench
where 
Mac was sitting.
“Really?”  He finally said as he sat opposite her.
“Yes really… you were my best friend…”
“Were?” Church questioned.
“Yeah, well you yourself said that we haven’t spoken in ages… we just 
drifted apart… it happens you know.”  Mac said with a mouthful of
pasta.

The two of them sat in silence while they both ate, neither realising
that 
it was 2am and that they had to both be at work by 7am.
“So what are you going to do about Sean?”  Church asked as he put
their 
bowls in the sink.
“I don’t know, he doesn’t seem like the type who’d print something
like he 
says he is going to.  I think I just shocked him when I left, he’ll
be right 
in a week or so.  I have to go and see him tomorrow, or should I say
today.”
“What for?” Church inquired.
“Divorce papers… that should be pretty.” She said sarcastically.
“Do you want me to come?” Church asked.  Mac sat there thinking about
how 
she could use the support, but answered, “Thank’s Pete, but I think I
should 
see him by myself… I’ll be fine.” She said smiling, “But only if I
can get 
some sleep.”
“Yeah, righto… you can have my bed, I’ll take the couch,” Church said.
“Thanks Pete.”	Mac said slowly, getting up and heading down the
hallway to 
Church’s bedroom, picking up the photo from the bench and taking it
with 
her.

Both Mac and Church lay in their beds about an hour later, neither
being 
able to get to sleep.
‘This is crazy’ Church thought to himself as he got up to go to the 
bathroom, frustrated by his insomnia. He stopped suddenly on his way
back, 
certain he heard a noise coming from his bedroom.  He stood on the
other 
side of the door until he heard it again.  Church opened the door
slowly and 
walked in.
“Mac?” He whispered.  Mac’s only reply was a sniffle.
“Mac?  Are you okay?”  Church said going and sitting next to Mac on
the bed. 
  Mac sat up and looked up at Church, ‘No’ she mouthed, before losing 
control of her tears.
“Shh… Mac…come here.”  He said moving closer to her and letting her
cry into 
his chest.
“I don’t want to be alone.”  Mac sobbed.
“You will never be alone Mac… you are a bright, beautiful woman… I’m
here 
for you whenever and whatever you need, you know that.”  Mac looked
up at 
him and smiled at this, “Thank you.”  She said softly.

‘Pete still is my best friend’ Mac thought to herself.	‘How many
other guys 
are like this?’ Mac thought for a second before realising that she
had never 
known a guy that she could be so open with, as a matter of fact she
had 
never been this open with anyone before.  Mac lay across Pete’s
chest, 
feeling secure as he wrapped his arms around her.
“Thanks for being there for me today...”
“You’re welcome” Pete replied running his hand down her arm.  Mac
could feel 
her heart sink as Church touched her; he knew it was what relaxed her
after 
she’d had a tough day.	Mac placed her hand on Pete’s chest as she
put her 
head into his neck, both of them eventually falling asleep.


“Do you know what you’re doing Church?”  Angie asked, as Church was
about to 
leave to start work on the docks.
“Yeah something to do with inventory… last guy left a month ago and
they 
haven’t been able to replace him.”
“Right” Mac said entering the main area of the factory.
“Oscar Angie are you two set in the com-v?”
“Yeah Mac all set.”  Oscar replied.
“Peter you know what you’re doing?”
“Yep… whole dodgy character thing right?”
“That’s it, we’ll have to play it by ear, and subtlety will be the
key okay 
Church?”  Mac said looking him in the eye.
“That’s my best feature.”  He said smiling at Mac, who kept his gaze
before 
saying, “You, yeah right.  Danni, where are you?”
“Over here Mac.”  Danni yelled across the factory.
“You’ll be following Bourke if he makes a move, we need to know where
he 
takes the parts and if anyone else is involved.”
“Got it.”


“So did you go and see Sean?”  Church asked as he followed Mac into
her 
office.
“Shouldn’t you be going Peter?”
“Stop avoiding the question” Church replied sternly
“I’m going when you guys leave,” Mac answered back with as much
sternness in 
her voice as Church had.
“Okay?” She questioned.
“No need to get angry Mac, I just wanted to wish you luck, it’ll be
fine you 
know.”
“I hope you’re right… for all our sakes.” Church was going to push
further 
and ask just how much Sean knew but thought it best if he left it for
now.
“You’d better get going Pete.”  Mac said interrupting his thought.
“Yeah see ya later.”

Church, Danni, Oscar and Angie spent all day down at the South
Melbourne 
docks.	This case was going to take some time, Bourke was not just
going to 
come out and tell Church what he was doing, and Church had to be
careful not 
to push for information.
“How long is this going to take guys?”
“Danni we’ve only been here half a day.”  Angie replied.
“Half a day too long.”
“Well hopefully you can follow Bourke to wherever he takes the cars
and then 
we’ll have him.”  Oscar said.
“Then why is Church in there?  He might stop if he realises or
suspects 
Church’s intentions or why he’s been hired.”
“You know she’s right.”  Oscar said to Angie, who nodded.
“Guys?”  Danni said over the air.
“Yeah Danni, I don’t know why Church is in there, just hang tight and
be 
patient.” Angie told her.
“What do you reckon’s wrong with Mac Oscar?”  Angie asked
“I don’t know, but her mind isn’t on work, hasn’t been for a few
weeks now…”
“Do you think she’s seeing someone?”
“Doubt it… no reason to be acting the way she is.”
“Well maybe they’ve broken up or something?”
“Yeah maybe, I don’t know Ange…. I’m sure she’s fine.”

“How’d you guys go?”  Mac inquired as Danni, Oscar and Angie got out
the 
their vehicles.
“Nothing Mac.”  Angie replied.
“What about Church?”
“Seems to be fine, he and Bourke are getting along like old mates…
hey Mac 
why is he in their, I mean can’t we just tail Bourke and get him that
way?”  
Danni asked still curious.
“Just for back-up Danni.”  Mac said quickly before retreating to her
office.

Church arrived back at the factory about an hour later.
“Where’s Mac?”  He asked Angie as he got out of his car.
“In her office.”
“What type of mood is she in?”	Church thought he had better check
the water 
before he entered.
“Don’t really knee, kind of hard to say lately, seemed okay when we
arrived 
back.”
“Righto ta.”  Church said as he headed towards Mac’s office.
Church knocked twice on Mac’s door and on getting no reply walked in.
“Mac?”	He said cautiously as he spotted Mac seated at her desk
writing.
“How’d it go?”	He said taking a seat opposite her.  Mac looked up at
him 
with an attempted smile on her face, “It didn’t” she replied quickly.
‘What do you mean it didn’t.” Church said pressing for information.
“Mac?  Would you stop what you’re doing and talk to me… what are you
doing?”
‘Writing a letter of resignation.”  Mac replied to this question as
if it 
were nothing at all.
“What!  Mac what happened.?”  Church yelled furiously.
“It didn’t go well… and I think that it is in everyone’s best
interests that 
I leave.”
“Mac I won’t ask again, what happened.’
“He knows too much about us.”  She whispered whilst still looking at
the 
letter before her.
“What the unit?”
“Yeah sort of… I never divulged case details, but he knows how we
work.”
“Mac lots of people know how we work, I think you’re over reacting
here.”
“I don’t think that is what the commissioner will say when they find
out I 
married an informant.”
“Why do they have to find out?”
“Because I’m going to tell him.”  Mac said strongly.
“Mac…” Church said confused as to why this was happening  “why would
you do 
that?”
“Well I thought that they should hear it from me rather than seeing
it 
splashed all over the Herald!”  Mac shot back angrily.
“Do you really think he would do that?”  Church asked in a quieter
tone as 
to not raise outside suspicions.
“I’m not going to take that chance Pete.”
“So you’re just going to leave” Church said this last statement
quickly and 
didn’t imply it to be a question.
Mac looked down at her letter, “Better than been fired.”  With this
Church 
stood and walked to the door, he took one look back at her, opened
the door 
and slammed it shut, so hard Mac jumped in fright.
‘Shit!’ she thought to herself, ‘this is all I need.’
“Hey Church what’s up with you?”  Angie asked as Church stormed
across the 
factory.
“Nothing’s wrong with me.”  He said as he continued to walk past her.
“Yeah whatever” she replied under her breath, she knew it would come
up 
sooner or later.

Church left the factory early that day so he could try and think
things 
through clearly.  Ever since Mac had told him that she was married he
hadn’t 
quite felt right.  They were best friends and yet she couldn’t share
this 
with him, Church admitted to himself that he was more than relieved
when she 
told him she was filing for divorce… but why?  He asked himself.
‘Why don’t I want her to be happy?’ Church thought to himself, but
soon 
ceased that thought as he pulled into his driveway to see Mac sitting
there.
“What are you doing here?”  He asked her bluntly, so bluntly in fact
that 
Mac responded to that more than the question.
“I can see your attitude has not changed since this afternoon so
don’t worry 
about it.”  Mac said walking to her car.
“Mac hang about, look I’m sorry okay… I don’t want you to go.”
“I don’t have a choice Peter… I know you know that.”
Church didn’t answer as he opened his door and they both went inside.
“So what are you going to do?”  Church finally asked.
“Well the Commissioner was surprisingly, um … I don’t think nice is
the 
word, he certainly wasn’t okay with the whole situation, but he
didn’t throw 
me out on my arse”
“Wait I thought you resigned.”
“I did but he wouldn’t accept it.”
“What do you mean?”  Church asked trying to comprehend everything she
was 
saying.
“He told me that I was too valuable to the force… even after this
little 
hiccup.”  Mac said trying to add some humour, but Church wasn’t
biting.
“Come on what did he say.”  Church urged.
“Well we spoke for some time after he denied my resignation, and we
came up 
with a, deal, I guess you could call it.”
“Well?  Am I going to have to guess.”?  Church said getting edgy.
“Gee’s you’re impatient Church… he offered me or should I say we
agreed upon 
a transfer to special op’s with no demotion”
“That’s okay though.” Church said cutting Mac off.
“No Pete let me finish… the transfer is… it’s in Perth.”  Mac looked
up at 
Church just in time to see his face draw a blank, “Perth?”  He
managed to 
say slowly, Mac looked at him and nodded.
“When?”
“Monday week.”  Mac said as the tears started streaming down her face.
“I should go.”	She said standing from the couch, getting her bag,
and 
heading towards the door.
“I’m sorry Pete, but I didn’t have a choice in this.”  She said
between 
tears, but Church didn’t respond as he continued to sit on the couch,
just 
letting her leave.
“You had a choice Mac and you made a bad one.”	Church said out loud
before 
picking up a glass and throwing it against the wall.

“Listen up everyone, I want you all here for a meeting in 15
minutes.”  Mac 
yelled from the top of the stairs to her office.
“What do you reckon?”  Danni asked.
“Don’t know, but her and Church haven’t been on friendly terms
lately, so 
has to be important… probably a good thing he isn’t here.”  Angie
replied.
“Mac’s been keeping her distance from everyone though over the past
few 
days, there’s something wrong.”  Oscar added, sipping his coffee.

“Okay listen up” Mac yelled across the factory gaining everyone’s
attention.
“I have some news to share with all of you…”  Mac took a deep breath
before 
continuing.
“Next Friday will be my last day here, I’ve been repositioned
effective the 
Monday after, it’s been great knowing you all, you are a credit to
the 
force… dismissed.”  Mac said quickly before retreating to her office
leaving 
everyone in the factory standing around shocked.
“Did anyone else just witness that?”  Danni asked.
“Unfortunately.”  Angie replied making her way up the stairs to Mac’s 
office.

“Mac what’s going on?”	Angie demanded as she walked into Mac’s
office, 
Oscar and Danni closely behind her.
‘Sorry guys, I’ve been reassigned, there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“But why?”  Angie asked
“It happens and I guess I just lucked out, don’t worry I’ll still you
all… 
just not every day.”  Mac said, it wasn’t a total lie, but there was
no way 
she was going to tell them the story.
“What does Church think about all of this?”  Oscar queried.  Mac let
out a 
small smile before answering, “He’s not here is he.”

“There is something more to this.”  Danni said as they left Mac’s
office.
“I’ve never heard of the commission just transferring people for the
sake of 
it.”
Angie and Oscar knew she was right, and wandered what was really
going on, 
Mac’s behaviour was odd and why did that affect Church, Angie thought.
“Where is Church?”  Stone asked, it was one o’clock and he hadn’t
shown his 
face all day.
“Probably down at the docks which is where we should be guys.”	Angie
said, 
as they started gathering their gear and heading to the docks for
another 
uneventful day.

“What’s up with you mate?”  Bourke asked Church.
“Ha?”  Church responded looking up from his paperwork.
“Ahh, women trouble hey?”
“Yeah… something like that.”  Church said, not wanting to discuss it.
Angie turned to Oscar and raised her eyebrows, “Women trouble he
reckons.”
“So, what happened?”  Bourke asked pushing the conversation, but
Church 
retaliated knowing that he was wired and who was listening.
“Ahhh, nothing mate don’t worry about it.”
Bourke nodded and moved onto another conversation, “Where you able to
get 
those parts out for me?”
“Yeah they’re on the bench over there.”  Church said waving his hand
in the 
general direction of the bench.
“You guys getting this?”  Danni inquired.
“Copy that Danni, stand by.”  Angie said as she picked up her mobile
to call 
Mac.
“Mac we might have some action here.”
“Okay Ange, I’ll have back up standing by.”
“Copy that.’ Ange said hanging up the phone.
“Back up’s on stand by Danni, keep a loose tail on them.”
“Thanks Ange.”
“So who’s this guy we’re meeting?”  Church asked. Trying to gather as
much 
information as possible.
“Ahh, names Phil, one of the regulars… you right to start loading?”
“Yeah mate.”  Church and Bourke took half an hour to load the truck
up with 
the stolen car parts from around the docks, during that time all
Church 
could do was think about Mac, and how much he needed to talk to her.

“Mac, it’s Stone, they’re heading for to 115 Whitman Parade Essendon.”
“Thanks Stone, I’ll meet you there with the local boys.”
The sting went down without a hitch, as the local boys took control
of the 
arrest, with Mac keeping her distance in the background.

“Where’s Mac?”  Stone asked when they arrived back at the factory.
“Don’t know, she disappeared after the sting.”  Danni commented.
“So Church, why’s she leaving?”
“She told you?”
“Yeah.”  Angie said. “Earlier today… why’s she going?”
“I don’t know.” Church said lying.
“Give us a break Church, we know you know.”
“Sorry guys all I know is that she’s leaving and that Perth is a long
way 
away.”  He said walking away.
“Hold it!”  Angie said suddenly.
“Perth?  She never told us that.”
‘Shit!’  Church thought to himself.
“She’s moving to Perth? Why?”
“Sorry guys I thought she would’ve mentioned that, I don’t know why 
something to do with the commission I think” Church put his foot in
it once; 
he wasn’t going to do it again.
“We’ll never see her again.” Ange whispered as silence filled the
group.

Church left the factory soon after that and drove around for a while
until 
he came to a familiar place.  It was a spot by the river that he and
Mac 
used to visit together.  Church pulled his car into an available car
space 
and noticed the familiar car he had parked next to.  He got out and
looked 
around for Mac, whom he found sitting on a bench with another man,
Church 
made him out to be Sean.  He watched them for 10 minutes after which
time 
Sean got up and left.  Church waited until he drove away before
approaching 
Mac.
“Are you okay?”  He asked taking a seat beside her.
Mac didn’t answer, she just continued to gaze steadily at the river
in front 
of her.
“Mac?  What did Sean want?”  Mac turned to him slowly, finally
acknowledging 
he was there.
“He… wanted to apologise for his behaviour… and tell me that he
wouldn’t 
have really done anything.”
“You’re not serious?”  Church said strongly.
Mac nodded.
“I told him how he has now ruined my life because of his stupid
threats and 
then I told him to leave and get out of my house so that I can try to
sell 
it before I leave.”  Church put his arm slowly around her shoulders,
testing 
the water before he gripped her shoulder supportively.
“I was hoping that you would find me here.”  She said leaning back
into 
Church’s arm.
“Well I was worried about you… and I wanted to say sorry.”  With this
last 
statement she lifted her head to look at him.
“For what?”
“Last night, I should have been more supportive.”
“That’s fine… apology accepted.”
“One other thing.”  Church said slowly.
‘Oh god.’  Mac thought, ‘What has he done.’
“I let it slip that you were going to Perth to the others.”
“Oh, what did they say?”
“They weren’t happy… sorry.”
“No I should’ve told them, don’t worry about it.”

They both sat in silence not knowing what to say to one another but
knowing 
that there was too say.
“I’m scared Pete.” Mac finally said, Church looked at her somewhat
shocked, 
he had never heard her talk like that before.
“I’ll never see you guys again.”
“That, Ellen Mackenzie will never happen.”
“Yeah how can you be so sure?  I moved here and lost contact with my
friends 
in Sydney what’s the difference?”
Church could see that she was getting upset, he put his other arm
around her 
to make sure she felt safe, as he continued, “Because Mac I never let
anyone 
I love get away that easily.”
It took a while for Church to realise what he had just admitted, and
when he 
did he didn’t quite know what to do.  Mac pulled away from his
grasped, 
“I’ve got to go.”  She said standing quickly.
“Mac…”
“No Pete, I need some time.”  She said strongly before leaving
quickly.

‘Shit!’  Church thought to himself, ‘what did I just say?’
‘What a mess this whole situation has been.’  Church headed back to
the 
factory after sitting by the river for another half an hour, he
needed to 
think and always did it easily at the factory; so did Mac apparently
as he 
spotted her car.
“Hey Church!” Stone said from his desk as Church got out of his car.
“Hey Stonie.”  Church replied walking over to him.
“Hey what’s up with Mac?  She came back from wherever she’s been
crying.”
“Don’t know mate… I’ll check on her later.”  He replied taking a seat
at his 
desk, thinking about the events that happened less than an hour ago.
‘I cannot believe I just told Mac that I loved her, why would I do
that?”	
He already knew the answer to that question; his head might have told
him to 
stop loving her but his heart could not escape it.
‘What good is it going to do now though, she’s moving in a week, and
long 
distant relationships don’t work.”  He ceased this thought as the
door to 
Mac’s office opened, he watched her walk down the stairs and into the 
kitchen, oblivious to Church’s whereabouts; She could not escape him
when 
she came out though, locking eyes briefly as she quickly made her way
back 
to her office.	Church was at a loss of what to do, ‘how can I let
her go 
again?’  He thought to himself.  Church felt a sinking feeling in his 
stomach as he got up from his desk and head towards Mac’s office;
with no 
idea what he was going to say.
“Mac?”
“What is it Church?”  She said acting as though this afternoon never 
happened.
“We need to talk!”  He said entering her office fully.
“About what?”
“Com on Mac, you just left this avo.”
“Did you expect me to stay?”  Mac said looking up from her laptop.
“No, but I think we need to talk, we cannot just avoid each other.”
“Church just drop it, I’m leaving in a week I cannot deal with this… 
please.”
“Fine!”  Church said standing, “I want you to know I mean it.”
‘Oh man’ Mac thought to herself, ‘this is all I need… I don’t want to
leave 
things like this, but what good can come from this?’  Mac finished
this 
thought before gathering her bag and leaving, Church still sitting at
his 
desk, neither of them looked at each other.

Mac sat alone in her house that evening, Sean had already moved most
of his 
belongings out and was staying elsewhere; Mac didn’t know or care
where.	
She was in the middle of cooking herself dinner when her doorbell
rang, her 
stomach sank as she thought about who it could be, however only name
came 
into her head.  Mac took a deep breath as she answered the door,
“Angie!”  She said shocked.
“You sound almost relieved… you were expecting someone else?”
“No, No” Mac said trying to cover her relief.
“Church right?”  Angie said making her way through Mac’s house,
“What! No I just wasn’t expecting anyone.”
“Probably a good thing you’re leaving undercover Mac… you used to be
a much 
better liar.”
“You’ve spoken to him.”  Mac said as she occupied herself with her
dinner.
“Yep, I came back to the factory and found him sitting at his desk
staring 
into space… he told me what he said to you this afternoon, you didn’t
react 
to well did you?”  Mac turned around from the stove where she was
cooking 
and faced Angie.
“Not really… would you have, I’m leaving in a week… what would you
do?”
“You have to talk to him Mac, you cannot leave things the way they
are, it 
will do no good for either of you.” Angie said in a stern voice,
she’d 
spoken to Church and knew about their history together, and wanted
nothing 
more for them to sort things out before Mac left.  Mac didn’t respond
to 
Angie’s plea instead turning her attention back towards her dinner.
“You love him don’t you?”  Angie said suddenly, picking up on Mac’s
silence, 
Mac’s only reaction however was to stop stirring.
‘Is she right? Do I love him?’
“Mac?”	Angie asked carefully, knowing that a million things would be
going 
through her head.  Mac turned around slowly and Angie could see the
tears 
she was holding back, “Oh Mac.”  She said walking over to her and
hugging 
her tightly.  Mac let the tears flow freely as Angie tried to comfort
her.
“Go and talk to him Mac.”  Angie urged.
“What am I supposed to say?”  Mac said pulling away from Angie’s
shoulder, 
“I love you but I can’t be with you?”
“Mac these things have a way of working out you’ll see.”  Mac nodded
at this 
but knew nothing good could come from it, she was moving to Perth,
and 
Church was in Melbourne, giving up her career was not an option she
would 
even consider.

Mac turned up at Church’s house later that night after Angie spent
time 
convincing her to sort things out.  She finally thought that it was a
good 
idea, that was until she got to the door.
‘What the hell am I supposed to say?’  She said to herself, all of a
sudden 
scared; she had no idea what she was doing and the uncertainty of the 
outcome scared her.  She took a deep breath as she knocked on
Church’s door;
“What are you doing here?”  He asked, the tone in his voice not as
friendly 
as Mac would have liked.
“I think we need to talk.”  She replied in a strong voice.
“I thought you made things pretty clear this afternoon.”  He said as
he let 
Mac inside.
“Not really no” Mac said going over to the couch and sitting down.
“I want you to understand…”  Mac started as Church took a seat
opposite her, 
“…I’m still going to Perth.”
“I never doubted that you wouldn’t go Mac.”  Mac had to question
herself as 
to why Church would tell her that he loved her if he new nothing
could 
eventuate from her.
“Then why?”  She asked.  Church looked over at her,
“Just came out I guess… I’m sorry.”
“No don’t be.”  Mac said standing and going over to where Church was 
sitting.
“I liked you saying it.”  She said taking Church’s hand in hers. 
Church 
looked at her with a confused look on her face;
“I don’t know what’s going to happen with this Pete… but at the
moment I 
don’t care… I love you and that’s all I care about.”  Church could
not 
believe what she was saying, he quickly broke into a smile as he
moved his 
hands to Mac’s face and kissed her with more passion than he knew he
had for 
anyone.  Both of them knew that this could only end in heartbreak but
they 
were together and at this stage that was all they cared about.

“Mac?”	Church whispered into her ear softly.  Mac was lying across
Pete’s 
chest with her head resting against his chin.
“Mmm?”  She responded wearily.
“Are you awake?”
“Mmm” she said half asleep.
“Don’t go… stay here.”  If Mac wasn’t awake before she was now.
‘Shit!’  She thought to herself, ‘this is exactly what I didn’t want
to 
happen.’  Mac lifted her head so that she was looking at Pete,
“Please don’t ask me that … it’s not going to do either of us any
good… I 
have to go.”
“It’s only a job, you can always get another one you know.”
“Peter I’m thanking my luck that I wasn’t kicked off the force, I
cannot 
throw that in the Commissioner’s face… can’t we just enjoy the time
we have 
left… please?”
“I don’t want to lose you again Mac.”
“Yeah...”  Mac said moving her head up to meet Church’s, “…I know” 
she said 
kissing him passionately.
“Hang on!”  She said pulling away suddenly, “why do I have to give up
my 
job?”
“What?”  Church said sitting up, “I never said that.”
“Maybe not word for word but you certainly implied it… what’s wrong
with you 
moving?”
“Mac”
“No Church tell me why won’t you move for me?”
“This is my home… I have a job here”
“Yeah but it’s much easier for me to give up my life for you?”
“Don’t you dare turn this onto me.”  Church said standing,
“you made your own choices on this one.”  He said pulling on a shirt
and 
leaving the room.
“Shit!”  Mac said out loud, “Nice job Ellen.”  Mac got out of bed,
pulled on 
a robe and headed towards the living area where Church was.

She found him on the couch and went and took a seat next to him,
picking up 
his hand.
“Do you think that we’ll ever be able to have a conversation without
it 
turning into a fight?”  She asked.
“I’d like to hope so.”	He replied after a brief silence, but he knew
that 
that was slim, in a few days Mac would be gone and he would not have
been 
able to convince her to stay.  Church quickly ceased that thought and
cast 
his mind back to Mac’s question, ‘why don’t I move with her?’  He
thought to 
himself, it had never crossed his mind and he had to admit didn’t
sound like 
something he wanted to do.
“What are you thinking about?”	Mac asked all of a sudden, breaking
the 
silence.
“Nothing.”  He replied quickly, moving Mac so that she lay across his
lap, 
her head resting on his shoulder.
“You’re awfully quiet.”
“Yeah.”  He replied, still thinking about Mac’s question, and why he
felt he 
couldn’t leave his job for her.  The truth was Church was scared of 
committing himself so fast, he wanted to take things slowly,
especially with 
Mac, but this was not an option if she was moving, their relationship
would 
be based on phone calls and sporadic trips.

They sat in silence on the couch just content being with one another,
Church 
holding Mac close, and Mac with her head nestled into Church’s
shoulder with 
her forehead rested on his cheek.

Mac broke the silence after she too considered their options,
“I cannot stay,” she began,
“… and I don’t want you to give up your job for me either… I think we
were 
being selfish in asking for that.”  Church didn’t move, he just took
in this 
information.
“So what’s going to happen to us?”  He finally asked.
“I don’t know Pete… we could commute” Church cut her off before she
could 
finish,
“Yeah twice a month turns into once a month turns into”
“Don’t get angry.”  Mac said strongly, “I’m only offering
suggestions” she 
finished getting frustrated by his mood swings.
“I know, I’m sorry.”  He said kissing her forehead, “it’s just…”
“I know” Mac cut him off; she knew what he was going to say.
‘This perhaps was not the best thing to do.’  Mac started thinking,
however 
she also knew that she could not have left before telling Pete how
she felt.
“What are we going to do about this Pete?”  She asked quietly.
“It doesn’t seem as though we have much of a choice… it just cannot
work…”	
Mac could feel her heartbreaking as Church said the inevitable:
“It’s geography Mac.”
“It’s not geography, it’s us!”	She said abruptly before standing and
wiping 
her eyes.
“Mac!”  Church said standing and moving to her.
“Maybe we’re just never meant to be together… there is something
always 
tearing us apart.”  She sobbed walking into Church’s open arms
“I know.”  He said not wanting to let her go.

Mac arrived at the factory early the following Friday, her last day,
and she 
had a lot to organise before she left.	Angie was the first to
arrive, she 
promptly found Mac sitting in her office clearing out her belongings.
“So… last day ha!”  Mac looked up from one of the boxes with a false
smile,
“Yep.”
“How are you and Church?”  Mac stopped what she was doing and looked
over at 
Ange.
“We are fine… friends,” she said quietly.
‘God!’	Ange thought to herself, ‘How can she keep everything locked
up like 
she does?’
They both sat in silence for a long time Angie trying to make small
talk.
“Any word on your replacement?”
“No, I’m not sure, probably find out today.”
“Hope they’re nice” Mac looked up smiling; knowing how hard Ange was
trying 
to strike up a conversation.
“Do you want some help?”  Mac really wanted to be alone, but this was
the 
last time that she would be spending time with Ange, so she thought
that she 
should make an effort.

Pretty soon they were joined by Oscar and Danni, and eventually
Church.  All 
five of them were squashed in Mac’s office helping her organise and
tidy 
everything.
“When do you leave?”  Danni asked.
“My flight’s at 5pm tomorrow.”	Mac replied with a breaking voice
looking at 
Church who was sitting on her couch looking through old files, Angie
could 
feel the tension between them was tight.
“So Mac, does this mean you are no longer Ellen Mackenzie since
that’s your 
undercover name and you’re no longer undercover?”  Danni asked.
“I haven’t really decided… I have to make up my mind by 2pm so the
necessary 
paperwork can be changed back my original name.”  Mac took a second
to think 
about this, she hadn’t been Kristine Callum for a long time, being
called it 
seems strange, then again for security reasons getting rid of Ellen 
Mackenzie would be sensible; people could know she worked in
undercover, 
that was fine, but knowing her name could cause problems.
‘That’s it then’ Mac thought to herself,   ‘Looks like I’m Kristine
Callum 
once again!’

Mac awoke the next morning at about 8.30am.  The previous night was
fun but 
hard.  They had all gone out to dinner and then to a near by pub, it
was 
good to spend one last night with everyone, but saying goodbye was
hard, Mac 
didn’t know if she was ever going to see them again. The removalists
were 
arriving at 9.30am so Mac quickly got out of bed and began finalising 
everything.

The removalists came and were gone in 2 hours, leaving Mac in her
empty 
house, which bore a for sale sign.  She sighed as she looked through
the 
empty rooms, never had she felt alone.	It was only twelve o’clock
she had 
about four hours to kill and no idea what to do with them; she still
had her 
car, which didn’t need to be dropped off until after three, it was
been sent 
to Perth by train.  Mac picked up her bags, took one more looked
around her 
house before closing the door one final time.

After she dropped the key off at the real estate agents Mac planned
to visit 
her favourite paces before leaving.  Her first stop was St Kilda
beach.	Mac 
found a secluded beach and sat down with her thoughts.	A million
rushed 
through her head whilst she sat on that bench, she tried to focus on
the 
good things that reminded her of Melbourne, but there was always one
thought 
that couldn’t escape her mind – Peter!	Mac knew she should have gone
and 
said goodbye properly, but she also knew she could not face him.
‘Best just to let it go.’  She thought to herself.

Mac arrived at the airport about an hour before her flight was due to
leave. 
  She pulled out her book and started reading it by her gate.

Church stopped as he looked around the busy airport for any sign of
Mac’s 
whereabouts.  He quickly spotted her by gate nine; she had her back
to him 
reading her book.  Church took a deep breath, he didn’t really know
what 
made him go and find her, well he did, but he didn’t know what it was
going 
to achieve.
“You were going to leave without saying goodbye?”  He said taking a
seat 
next to Mac, who jumped in shock.
“Peter, what are you doing here?”
“I came to say goodbye… which is something I thought you would’ve
done.”
“I thought I did.”  Mac knew that she didn’t say goodbye to church
properly, 
but she figured that if she didn’t say goodbye then it wouldn’t be
goodbye.
“I’m sorry.”  She said.  “I didn’t want to say goodbye.”  Church
looked at 
her confused.  Mac sighed before saying:
“If I didn’t say goodbye then it wouldn’t be goodbye.”  Church smiled 
picking up her hand with both of his and kissing it tenderly, “ I
know.”

They sat together in silence not really knowing what to say to one
another.
“Don’t think I’m not going to come and visit Mac.”  Church said
trying to 
lighten the mood.
“You’d better.”  Mac replied hitting him on the chest, and leaving
her hand 
to rest there.
“However, you might not be able to call me Mac.”
“Oh right… well then Ms Callum, what do I call you?”
“Kristine” Mac said simply, “… and please not Krissy, Kristy or Kris.”
“Right… how about I just call you Mac?”  Mac turned and smiled at
him, she 
knew he would never stop calling her Mac, there was no real problem,
she 
thought, ‘it’s a common enough nickname.’
“I think I’d like that.”

Their last half an hour together seemed like no time at all, and Mac
felt 
her stomach sink as she heard the inevitable:
“This is the first call for passengers on QANTAS flight 431 to
Perth…”  She 
just sat there looking at Church who was trying his best to look
happy, but 
was struggling.  They both stood together and hugged tightly; Mac
tried hard 
not to let the tears escape but couldn’t control them as they flowed
fast.
“Shhh, Mac, you’ll be right.”  Church said trying to comfrot her,
struggling 
with his own tears.
“This is the final call for passengers on QF 431 to Perth, please
proceed to 
gate nine…”
Church took hold of Mac’s hand’s, which were wrapped securely around
his 
neck and eased her off him, his shoulder soaked from her tears.
“Sorry.”  She said putting her hand over it, Church smiled at her
indicating 
that he didn’t care one bit.
“You’d better go.”  He said slowly.
“I know.”  She didn’t need to be told, she was just prolonging it.
“I’m going to miss you so much.”
“Yeah me too…” he said putting a hand to her check, “…I’m only a
phone call 
away… any time you hear?”
“Thank’s Pete.”  Mac said moving closely to him, they looked deep
into one 
another’s eyes before letting there lips meet.	Mac pulled away
knowing that 
she should be boarding; she looked into Pete’s eyes one last time, “I
love 
you.” She said with more emotions than she knew she had.
“I love you too.”  Church replied running his hand down her check
where a 
single tear was falling.  Mac took a step back, picking up her bag,
“Goodbye Peter.”
“Goodbye Ellen.”  Mac let a small smile come to her lips, before
pulling 
down her sunglasses and turning towards the gate.




A week later Mac was settling into her new position comfortably, and
was 
again getting used to been called Kristine Callum.  She tried not to
think 
too much about her life in Melbourne, she missed it so much, but knew
she 
had to move on.

Meanwhile Angie, Danni, Church and Stonie were trying to cope with
their new 
boss and life without their old one.  They all knew it would take
time, for 
Church especially.

“Spoken to Mac since she moved Church?”  Angie asked at the end of
their 
first week with her.
“No.”  He said passing her.
“We thought that some time should pass before phoning… too hard
otherwise.”  
Angie smiled and took a seat next to him on the bench in the locker
rook, 
putting her arm around his shoulder.
“I miss her though you know.”
“Yeah Church, me too… maybe not in the same way though.”  Church let
out a 
small laugh before standing.
“Have a good weekend.”
“Yeah you too Church.”

Mac sat alone in her house.  She had moved in a month ago and still
had a 
lot of unpacking to do; she just couldn’t be bothered to do it. 
After she 
had finished her dinner Mac sat on her couch, which was surrounded by
boxes. 
  She let out a sigh as she looked at the blank white walls, she knew
she 
told Church not to call for a while but she longed to hear his voice,
and 
something from her past, although it was only a month ago, for Mac it
seemed 
a lot longer.

Church sat at his table that night starring at the paper in front of
him, he 
tried hard not to think about Mac but found it hard when there was no
other 
distraction; he too felt like it had been a lot longer than a month
since 
she left, but was going to leave it up to her to call.

As she lay in bed that night Mac was finding it hard not to think
about 
Church.
‘It’s been a month, surely that’s long enough.’  She thought to
herself.  
She knew Church was going to wait for her to make the first move, he
didn’t 
want to push her, and Mac also knew he was leaving the decision of
their 
relationship up to her, she knew how he felt and it was up to her
depending 
on how she felt as to whether they had a relationship or not.  Mac
lay in 
bed for over an hour before she leant over and picked up the phone.



“You’re joking.”  Church said as his phone rang at 3am.
“Yep?”  He answered in a very informal and sleepy manner.
“Pete?”  The familiar voice said on the other end said.
“Mac?”  He said sitting up, “What’s wrong?”
“Ahhh nothing why?”
“Well it’s 3am”
“Oh shit I forgot the time difference, only 11pm here…sorry I’ll call
back 
later.”
“No, no.”  Church said quickly before she hung up the phone, “We can
talk.”
“I just wanted to hear your voice.”  Mac said softly.
“How are you settling in?”
“It’s alright, I miss you all though.”
“Yeah we miss you too… new boss’s a pain.”
“What he makes you work does he?”  Church laughed at this, he was
glad to 
hear that she was doing all right.
“Something like that… much happening in special op’s?”
“You’re usual, not too much really, it’s hard responding to Detective
Callum 
though.”
“Yeah I guess it would be.”  Church and Mac made small talk for the
next 10 
minutes or so but never really established a conversation.
“Mac?”  Church said suddenly.
“Yeah?”
“Why did you really call?”
“Do I need a reason?”  She said a little taken back.
“No, not at all, but you seem pretty distant.  Is there anything you 
specifically wanted to talk about?”  Mac knew she would not be able
to have 
a simple conversation with Pete without him asking that.  Mac sighed
as she 
prepared to answer him:
“I miss you, that’s all… I feel alone here Pete.”
“Mac…”	Church said with compassion, “Give it time, it’s only been a
month.”
“Yeah I know, but it feels like forever.”
“Tell me about it… I miss you too you know.”
“Yeah?”  Mac said wanting to hear it again.
“Yeah Mac, I love you.”
“Mmm, I love you too Pete… Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, sweet dreams.”  Mac said as she hung up the phone with a
plan.

After getting off the phone from Mac, Church could not get back to
sleep, he 
missed her so much and after hearing her voice he just wanted to hold
her in 
his arms once again.  A thought came into his head at that point; he
knew he 
had to see her, and what better way than too surprise her.

Church sat at the airport for two hours before he could get on a
plane to 
Perth, but he didn’t care, he was going to see Mac and that was all
he cared 
about.

Mac Arrived at Tullamarine airport at ten o’clock on Saturday morning 
feeling good about been back in Melbourne.  She collected her
overnight bag 
and proceeded to the taxi rank.

Church finally got on a plane at 9.45am, hoping now that he was doing
the 
right thing.  He knew Mac wanted some space before they spoke, but he 
figured she phoned him so it must be all right, ‘and besides’ he
thought to 
himself ‘she’ll love the surprise.’

Church arrived at Mac’s house later that day only to find that she
wasn’t 
there.	He sat on the doorstep for half an hour before Mac’s
neighbour 
approached him.
“You a friend of Kristine’s are you?”  The lady of about fifty said.
“Yeah.”  Church replied.  “Do you know where she is?”
“I saw her leave this morning, she had an overnight bag with her.”
“You’re joking?”  Church replied in disbelief.
“No, sorry, were you supposed to be meeting her?”
“Well not exactly… do you know if she took her car?”
“Yes, the blue sedan.”	Church couldn’t help but laugh to himself as
he made 
his way back to the airport.  He hoped that if Mac did go to
Melbourne that 
she would come straight back when she realised that he wasn’t there.

“This is just great!”  Mac said to herself as she sat outside
Church’s 
house.
‘Why on the weekend that I come and visit does he decide not to be
home?’	
She sat outside Church’s house for two hours before leaving and
booking 
herself into a hotel.  She thought about going to see Oscar, Angie
and 
Danni, but she wasn’t in the mood anymore, she felt foolish that she
had 
flown four hours only to find that the thing she flew for wasn’t home.

Church had been sitting at the airport for about an hour when he
realised 
that Mac probably wasn’t going to come back tonight.  He had found
her car 
in the carpark and had sat on the bonnet waiting for her.  He sighed
as he 
made his way to a hotel to spend the night.  There was no way he was
going 
back to Melbourne without seeing her.

Mac sighed as she knocked on Church’s front door and got no reply. 
It was a 
Sunday morning she thought, ‘where on earth is he?’  Mac walked back
to her 
taxi and headed to the airport.
‘Serves me right for doing something spontaneously.’  She mumbled to 
herself.  Mac knew that long distance relationships didn’t work but
she felt 
excited by one and her heart longed for Pete so much when they were
so far 
apart.  She didn’t know how this was going to turn out, ‘probably 
heartbreak.’  She thought to herself. ‘They always do.’  Mac knew it
was 
inevitable and that for their relationship to work one of them was
going to 
have to compromise their job, and at this stage neither of them was
willing 
to do that.  Mac couldn’t get her mind off the situation for the
entire 
flight back to Perth.

Mac headed straight back to her car after she landed back in Perth. 
She 
stopped dead in her tracks as she saw a figure sitting on the bonnet
of her 
car; he was facing the other direction.  Mac continued to walk closer
and 
let out a small laugh as she realised whom the figure was.  She
stopped 
about five metres from the car and pressed the alarm button.  Church
quickly 
jumped off the car in shock as the alarm sounded.  He quickly turned
around 
to see Mac standing behind him.
“We need to work on our communication.”  She said as she moved closer
to the 
car.
“Maybe we should just can it with the whole surprise act.”  Mac
smiled as 
she walked up to Pete.
“So…” she started, “What do you think of Perth?”
“It’s growing on me.”  He said as Mac moved straight into his arms
and 
kissed him passionately.
“I don’t think I can live without you.”  She said pulling away.
“Then don’t.”  Church said putting a hand to her check and rubbing
his thumb 
under her eye.
“What do you mean?  I cannot come back to Melbourne.”
“Yeah, I know… I put in for a transfer.”
“You what?”  Mac said shocked, pulling out of his grasp.
“You’re getting transferred?”  Church nodded his head.
“For me?” he nodded again.
“I hated you not been around.”  He said.
“Yeah … I know.”  Mac said moving back into his arms.
“I love you.’  She whispered lightly into his ear.  Church took her
face in 
his hands and kissed her lightly on the check.
“I love you.” He replied.  “I would do anything for you, you know
that 
right?”  Mac looked deep into his eyes and nodded, “Yeah I know…
thank you.”
“For what?’  Church asked.
“For loving me so much.”
“Thanks for letting me.”  They smiled at each other before pulling
close 
together and never letting go!!!

****THE END****