A/N: This is a very big variation of a scene from the Season 1 episode "Hybristophilia". If Alicia seems OOC or very weird in this, it's intended! =) Thanks for reading and reviews are very much appreciated!

It was a celebration of sorts. Finally, after all of this time, Alicia had been named Junior Partner, and what better way to celebrate than drinks with Kalinda? However, one drink had turned into another, and then another, and now the room was starting to sway. She felt Kalinda's hand on her arm, attempting to steady her. The thought made her laugh; Kalinda was just as drunk if not more so. But the effort was appreciated.

Her cell phone rang then, the tone blaring louder than it should have, and Alicia winced at the sound. Damn… Why had she had so many drinks? She'd lost count after six… at least she thought it was six. Could have been seven. Or eight.

She picked up the phone and glanced at the tiny screen, squinting at the swimming letters and numbers. She could barely make out what they said, but miraculously they came to a halt, long enough for her to read them;

W-I-L-L

Damn…

"I-I need to get this." She said, surprised at how different her voice sounded. And the effort of trying to find the button on the phone proved to be difficult.

She felt Kalinda's hand on her arm. "Are you sure you're going to be okay?"

"I-I don't know. But I've gotta… I've gotta take this."

"All right. Just… Be careful, okay?"

Alicia waved absently as she attempted to turn away from the bar. "K. Bye Kalinda!"

Oblivious to the stares she was receiving from people around her, she staggered foreword and somehow made it past a sea of people to a secluded corner and then pressed the phone to her ear.

"Hello?"

"Hi, it's me."

Normally she would have been happy to hear his warm, familiar voice. But now the idea of talking to him was downright irritating and her answer reflected that.

"Yes, I know. Your name is on m-my phone. I can read you know!"

There was a slight pause and then; "Good. Listen, the reason I'm calling is…. Um, how are you doing?"

"Good. Um, actually… well, nearly good. Celebrating."

"I'm glad. You deserve it. Congratulations."

His kind words softened her mood and she felt even more relaxed than before. "H-how are you?"

"Dealing with layoffs."

She winced. "Damn… Oh God, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. It has to be done. Alicia, I-."

"Yes?"

"I… um…"

"Will, what is it? Just say it!"

"I got a call from a client who needs help but I can't get away right now. And I was wondering if you-."

Her head was pounding and she pressed her hand against the wall for support. "Oh… Um… Yeah. Of course. Which client?"

"Collin Sweeny."

She froze, shuddering at the thought of that disturbing man. "I-I don't…"

"What?"

The restaurant began to sway and suddenly she felt queasy. When she took a few steps forward, she stumbled, barely regaining her balance. "Oh God…"

"Alicia, what's wrong? What is it? Are you all right?" His voice was frantic, full of concern. And she knew that she couldn't lie to him.

"N-no actually. I'm not okay. I'm-."

"What is it?"

"I want to help. I-I have to. I'm Junior Partner now. You're my boss and it's my duty to help out, but-."

"But what?"

Inexplicable tears began to stream down her cheeks and she sniffled. "I don't think I can do this by myself, Will!"

"Alicia what's wrong? Where are you?"

She began to cry even more. "I-I don't… Can you come and get me? Please? I'm scared, Will! I'm really scared!"

"I'll be right there." He replied without hesitation. "Where are you?"

She looked around at the unfamiliar scenery. "I-I don't know. I can't remember. Um… Hang on." She took a few steps forward until she could just make out the bar.

"KALINDA!" She yelled, attracting the attention of nearly everyone in the restaurant. She kept walking, hearing Will's tinny voice coming out of the phone. But when she finally made it back to the bar, Kalinda's seat was occupied by someone else.

Oh God…