"Diane, you're going to need someone while I'm gone. You can't run this place on your own, it'll kill you." Will said following her into her office and closing the door behind him.
"We're not talking about this." Diane remarked defiantly, throwing her notebook onto her desk and turning to lean back against it. Folding her arms pointedly, she met his gaze.
"Yes, we are." He replied adamantly, crossing his arms too and matching her stance.
"Will," She growled, rolling her eyes and throwing her hands into the air; exasperated. "I'll be fine! Sure, it's a little extra work but I'm-"
I have a friend from law school," Will cut her off quickly, stepping closer, his gaze strong and steady. "He's a good man, smart, hell of a lawyer." He continued pulling out one of her visitor's chairs and flopping down into it. Diane stood in front of him, pressing the heels of her palms into the glass table as she leant against it. "I've asked him to step in while I'm away."
"What?" She shrieked going wide as her mouth fell open.
"Look-"
"You replaced yourself without asking me?" She demanded incredulously, her expression thunderous.
"Diane," Will began, his voice calm as he met her piecing gaze. "You know it's not like that!"
"The hell it isn't! You went behind my back, didn't even ask me... " She began to rant pushing up from her desk again and beginning to pace, her hands gesticulating wildly as she raged
"Well I knew you'd say no..." Will offered without thinking and Diane's eyes almost fell from her head. She stopped her pacing, her hands dropping to her hips as she looked at him disbelievingly, her anger palpable
"Damn right I'm saying no! I'm not letting some stranger come in and run our firm!" She hissed.
"He's not gonna run the firm! He's just gonna help out, take some of my cases, make things easier." Will reasoned. "And he's not a stranger!"
"You understand how crazy this sounds, right?" Diane asked, moving to stand in front of him again, her eyes scanning his face intently, certain he was having a stroke. "I mean you are actually hearing yourself?-"
"It's only for a few months!" Will shot back talking over her, his voice slightly more raised than before, and much gruffer. He was getting annoyed now, all he wanted to do was help her! Why did she have to make it so Goddamn difficult?
"-because it is, it is crazy Will! I don't want a new partner!" She continued her rant, shaking her head, her features almost pained as she met his green eyes; imploring him to understand.
"It wouldn't be like that! He's not looking to take my seat." Will replied earnestly. Diane glared at him incredulously, folding her arms again as she pouted.
"Really?" She smirked.
"Yes, really." Will said testily. "He isn't like that."
"Is he a lawyer?" She queried with a quirked eyebrow.
"What?" Wills brow scrunched as his eyes thinned. "Yes of course he's a lawyer!"
"Well, then he's like that." She shot back smartly.
"Diane!" Will grumbled moving to stand, pacing as he threw his arms into the air. "He's not like that, look, just give him a chance okay?" He carried on, walking up to her. His hands skated down her arms until they reached hers, gripping her dainty fingers; he squeezed them gently. "Please,"
"Will," She whined with a heavy frown.
"Please, just do it for me, okay? Just meet with him?" His eyes were wide as he begged her. "Please Diane, just let me do this, let me help you."
Diane met his eyes, her own softening at his tone. She knew what he was doing, playing on her heartstrings; the sad puppy-eyes and toddler-pout smeared heavily across his features just for her. She knew he was trying to guilt her into this, but there was something else too, a crack in his voice, or a stutter in his sentence; he was genuinely worried. The suspension was going to be hard on everyone, but especially for Will, not only was he unable to practice, but he was also essentially stepping down as name partner. He wouldn't be there for her and this was his solution, a replacement Will.
"Okay," She sighed after a long moment, closing her eyes in defeat. Will dropped her hands jumping up with boyish enthusiasm. "I must be losing my mind, but okay." Diane continued, pinching the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger as she tried to ward off a headache.
"Yes! Thank you! Will said, curling his hands around her waist he lifted her slightly, spinning them; his grin wide. "You're going to love him! I just know it! And he'll fit in so easily." Diane shook her head, giggling with dizziness as he set her down again.
"I only agreed to meet with him, I'm not saying yes." She warned darkly, cocking her head to the side meaningfully. Will chuckled, nodding in agreement.
"He's actually trying a case at the moment, I'll give him a call and maybe we could pop in to see him in action and give you two a chance to meet!" Will remarked cheerily as he walked backwards toward her door, his grin wide and bright. "You're gonna love him!"
Diane pursed her lips, shaking her head as she watched her partner dance across the area connecting their offices; stopping to chat to his secretary.
"I am so going to regret this!" She muttered to herself, releasing a sigh.
Diane climbed the courthouse steps side by side with Will, his excitement palpable. She shook her head, biting her lip trying to supress a laugh. He was like a kid on Halloween.
Reaching the top of the stairs, Will's hand suddenly shot out and grabbed her wrist. He tugged her back until she spun so she faced him. Diane cocked her head to the side with a curious smile as he ran his fingers up and down her bare arm lovingly.
"Unfortunately, this is where I leave you," Will shrugged with a glum smile and Diane's mouth opened slightly, her expression mournful.
"I keep forgetting you're on the bench," She sighed, dusting an imaginary line off his shoulder, her expression sombre.
"Was that a sports metaphor?" He laughed back as her hand left his suit and fell back to her side. Diane chuckled lowly, her grin wide.
"I've been waiting to use it all day." She flirted, stepping down one stair to wrap her arms around him. "It's gonna be okay," She murmured into his ear, feeling his hands slip around her waist to pull her further into the hug. The pair stood like that for a long moment, both giving and taking comfort.
"Yeah," He agreed, pulling back to smile at her, his hands still around her waist. "Okay, so it's Courtroom 12, Judge Reiner." He told her more seriously and Diane rolled her eyes stepping out of his embrace. "Hey," Will warned as he met her unenthusiastic features. "You promised you'd give him a shot!"
Diane huffed out a sigh, flashing the biggest, goofiest grin over her shoulder, placating him as she turned to walk away.
"Be nice, Diane!" Will called after her shoving his hands into pockets, and rocking from his heel to the balls of his feet.
"Stop looking at my ass, Will!" She yelled in response without looking back. Will laughed lowly, shaking his head as he turned crossing the street to a diner, might as well have lunch while he waited.
Diane strolled into the courthouse with a grin on her face, moving quickly through the security line, she greeted the guard with a friendly nod as she hopped onto the elevator; hitting the button for the second floor. Taking a deep breath, she pulled her phone out; scrolling through a few emails.
Shaking her head as she read a snarky text from Will, she stepped off the lift, sneaking her way into the court quietly.
Diane shuffled into a seat in the back, her eyes immediately drawn to the lawyer questioning a witness. The room was silent save for that lawyer; who looked to be about Will's age. Diane smiled as she raked her eyes over him; tall, blonde, with a jawline that made her think of the most sinful things, huh, if only she was a few years younger. Rolling her eyes at her silly musings, she redirected her focus to on her potential new partner.
The lawyer was quick with his questioning; smart, witty and infinitely charming. He had the jury eating out of his hand but she wasn't convinced as yet. Her eyes followed the movements of his skilfully tailored suit, silently judging the man.
He was quite attractive and she could tell by his smug grin that he knew it, was even using it to his advantage – not necessarily a bad thing, both she and Will used the same tactic. From what she could see he knew the case well, was obviously well prepared and very respectful. He was methodical in a way she appreciated and used big words like magnanimous and scrupulous; all multi-syllabic and all winning her over. Will was right, much as she hated to admit it, he could be a good fit.
Diane watched for a few more minutes before she moved to gather her bag and coat. She was just about to leave the room, confident she'd seen enough to convince her, when suddenly the opposing lawyer stood.
He was clearly an older man, his hair greying slightly and his stance; though slightly shorter than his counterpart, but still formidable. Her eyes were instantly drawn to his outfit, thinning as she took him in. Despite what others may think, she wasn't a snob when it came to clothing. Sure, all her suits were designer and cut within an inch of her life, but that didn't mean she looked down on those who couldn't afford such luxuries. However, this lawyer was something else. She surveyed him closely, suddenly intrigued. He was wearing dark jeans and, were those cowboy boots? Matched with a suit jacket that went out of style in the late 70s, Diane was thoroughly taken aback. He looked more suited to a rodeo than a courtroom.
Stifling a chuckle, she bit her bottom lip deciding to stay a little longer, she just had to see this. The cowboy sauntered over to the witness, greeting her with a gruff voice and a southern drawl. Of course, he's from the South, Diane thought as she rolled her eyes.
The lawyer spoke directly to the woman, not making eye contact or indeed turning toward the jury at all, his focus locked solely on his questioning. A mistake in Diane's book. Usually it was best to involve the jury, get them invested in both you and your case.
"Mrs. Richards," The cowboy drawled lowly and Diane had to admit his voice was quite sexy, seductive even. He hadn't turned yet, and she couldn't be sure what he looked like, but already her mind had conjured up a Clint Eastwood type man. "Do you have a driver's license?"
"I, um, no." The elderly witness replied in a soft voice, hanging her head shyly as her cheeks flush. Diane smirked. Boy, had he played that wrong, you didn't win over juries by embarrassing little old ladies.
"And why is that?" He continued.
"My son drives me," The woman responded, perking up slightly.
"That's very kind of him," The cowboy noted and Diane nodded, that was better. "Is there a reason you don't drive though?" The woman on the stand hesitated, clearly uncomfortable as her eyes danced between the jury and the opposing council.
"Objection!" Lawyer-Ken suddenly barked, standing quickly. The Judge thinned her eyes, her brow frowning.
"I don't know why you're objecting, I haven't heard anything yet." She snarked and Diane had to bite her lip to contain a giggle. Will's friend really was reaching. "Overruled."
"Mrs. Richards?" The other man prompted, and the lady frowned; shifting in her seat.
"I'm not allowed to drive anymore." She admitted with a pitiful look. Diane's eyes thinned, her lips curved into a smirk – well played Cowboy.
"And why is that?" He pushed, still disregarding the 12 members of the jury completely.
"I failed my eye test." The older woman responded bravely, and Diane hummed; impressed.
"I see, and so isn't it fair to say that you can't actually be sure who you saw on the night of September 24th?" The poorly dressed man continued.
"I know who I saw."
"Your house is about twenty feet from the crime scene correct?"
"I guess?" Mrs. Richards replied with a confused frown.
"Right so, that's about-" The cowboy spun round on his boot looking directly at her. Diane's eyes widened, he was attractive. He was very attractive and much more age appropriate that his blonde adversary. "Excuse me Ma'am," He said with a smile and Diane looked around, lifting her hand to her chest in a silent confirmation that he was talking to her. "Yes, the blonde in the red dress," He continued with a slight nod, his eyes sparkling and making her heart beat faster. "Would you please stand and hold up a few fingers?"
"Objection! Your honour, are these theatrics really necessary?" His opposition called out once again standing.
"I'll allow it." The Judge snapped.
The tall blonde fell defeatedly back into his seat as the older man grinned beneath his moustache.
"Ma'am, if you'd be so kind?" He asked his eyes locked on hers. With a bemused smirk, Diane rose from her seat, lifting her hand into the air and hold up two fingers. "Mrs. Richards, can you tell me how many fingers the woman in red is holding up?" The man queried, turning back to the witness. The grey-haired woman, squinted but eventually gave up, shaking her head almost sadly. The lawyer nodded
"It was late at night, rainy and the crime scene was more than twice the distance between you and this woman. Now can you tell me in all honestly that you saw my client?" The courtroom was silent everyone holding their breath as they waited for the inevitable answer.
"No," Mrs. Richards sighed, tears pooling in her old brown eyes.
"Thank you, Mrs. Richards," The cowboy drawled, reaching out his hand to squeeze the old woman's. "You did the right thing." He comforted in a softer voice and Diane found herself smiling at the gesture. Turning his gaze back to Diane, he shot her a winning smile that left her slightly breathless. "Thank you, Ma'am" He acknowledged with a wink before turning back to the Judge.
"No further questions."
"Over here!" Will signalled from across the diner as Diane pushed through the door. Striding over to him, she grinned as she noted a chocolate milkshake in front of her seat.
"You shouldn't have," She chastised only half meaning it as she shrugged off her coat and moved to sit.
"It's purely selfish, I know you won't drink it all and this way the waitress won't judge me for ordering a second." Will admitted with a winning smile and a small shrug.
"Well, thank you." She acknowledged, opening her straw and taking a long drag of the delicious treat.
"They're the best in Chicago," Will agreed, relaxing back into his seat, his arm casually strung across the back of the chair beside him. "So," He drawled with poorly concealed excitement. Diane chuckled softly, shaking her head.
"I hate to say it, but he's good." She nodded, and Will thrust a fist into the air in victory.
"Yes!" He exclaimed and Diane rolled her eyes. "I told you!" He boasted, and Diane took another sip of her drink.
"You did. He's intelligent, quick, clearly educated well." She listed off as Will nodded along, his grin almost blinding. "He stumbled a bit with a witness today, but she was old and quite frankly a plant from the opposition."
"So, you liked him?" Will confirmed as Diane's fingers snuck across the table to steal a chip from his nearly empty plate. Chewing thoughtfully, she nodded.
"He's good, a bit cocky," She said with a pointed look. "But then again so are you," She teased with a shrug, sneaking another chip.
"Told you he'd fit right in!" Her partner snarked, tapping her hand away from his food with a dark look. Diane matched his thinned eyes as she pulled his plate toward her in a challenge. Will rolled his eyes knowing he was defeated and surrendered the remainder of his lunch to her.
"He's no you though," Diane said reaching over to cover his hand with hers, squeezing it meaningfully as her blue eyes met his green.
"Is that your way of saying you'll miss me?" Will teased, and Diane threw her head back in a throaty chuckle.
"Desperately!" She sighed animatedly. Will leant forward onto the table, crossing his arms with a naughty smirk.
"And when do you think you'll miss me the most?" He flirted, and Diane matched his wicked grin.
"Oh, definitely the nights!" She replied flirtatiously making her partner laugh. "Seriously though," She said after a moment, meeting his gaze.
"I know," He agreed in the same tone. "But he'll help, you and the firm." Diane nodded sombrely.
"Okay,"
"So, we're agreed?" He confirmed, and Diane let out a heavy breath.
"We're agreed, the eye-candy can stand in for you." She replied with a smile, moving back to her shake.
"Eye-candy? Really?" Will smirked with a raised eyebrow. "Didn't know that was your type." He laughed with a smug expression.
"Tall, dark and handsome is everybody's type, Will." She countered with a smirk of her own. Will raised his hands in surrender.
"I didn't say a thing!" He offered, and Diane rolled her eyes. Will moved slightly to glance behind her, lifting his arm in a wave. "Well, here we go, Mr. Tall, dark and Handsome just walked in!" He joked with a sly look that had Diane snorting out a low laugh. Shifting in her seat, she dabbed her mouth with a serviette, awaiting their company.
"Kurt!" Will greeted, standing to shake the mans hand. Diane tucked her hair behind her ears when she suddenly froze.
"Will," The other man greeted, and her blood ran cold, she knew that voice. Turning, her eyes practically fell out of her head, her mouth falling open in shock.
"It's so good to see you!" Will continued merrily clearly oblivious to his partner's horror. "And this is Diane, my partner," He introduced proudly, gesturing to her.
"Oh," Kurt responded in surprise, his smile kind as he met her gaze. "The woman in red," He acknowledged in a low voice. Diane felt her cheeks heat slightly, slowly rising from her chair and offering her hand in an effort not to be rude.
"Diane," She said as his large, rough hand curled around her dainty fingers, shaking it firmly.
"It's lovely to meet you Diane," He acknowledged, and Diane nodded unable to say anything more. Her heartrate suddenly skyrocketing.
"Take a seat," Will interrupted their pseudo-staring contest and Kurt released her hand, her skin burning where he'd touched her. "Can we get you something?"
"Oh, no," Kurt shook his head as they all took their seats, Diane folding her hands neatly into her lap as she stared openly at the man across from her. "I've only got a couple minutes, Reiner is a warden when it comes to being late." He said with a low rumbling chuckle. Diane gulped, finding the sound oddly appealing.
"Okay," Will said cheerfully. "Straight to business then," He looked to Diane, nodding at her with a confused smile.
"Yes, Will told me about my audition," Kurt supplied with an easy grin, meeting her eyes. "So, how'd I do?"
Diane giggled nervously, glancing down at her hands.
"Well," She said after a moment. 'You get an A+ for audience participation" She offered as Will frowned at her.
"Oh, you liked that, did you?" Kurt shot back lowly, and Diane felt her stomach flutter at his tone.
"A bit theatrical for my liking but it seemed to work." She replied with a pointed look. Kurt shook his head in a slow chuckle and Will frowned at her. "He made me stand and discredit the sight of an elderly woman," She commented for Will's benefit.
"Ah," Her partner nodded. "I see,"
Kurt glanced at his watch, his eyes widening slightly.
"Look, Diane," He began, meeting her gaze with a more serious expression "I'm sorry to be blunt but I've got to run. Will tells me you need help, covering his cases, keeping the firm afloat and such. He also tells me you're worried after the six months I'm going to want his seat." Diane blushed slightly at that, shooting a glare in Will's direction and chastising him with her eyes. "I'm a straightforward guy Diane, Will's a good friend and I'm willing to help. I can handle his cases and anything else that comes along, and I can assure you I am in no way interested in stealing his seat. I mostly do freelance stuff now and so I can step in and back out easily and I'm a damn good lawyer to boot. At the end of the day, it's obviously up to you two and there'll be no hard feelings either way, but I'm happy to help."
Diane smiled as he finished his speech, her eyes locked on his sincere expression as he stood.
"It was wonderful to meet you," He acknowledged with a sparkling smile that left Diane slightly weak in the knees. "Will, I'll see you around," He added gruffly, not waiting for a reply before sauntering in the direction of the exit.
"Well?" Will questioned eagerly, his eyes following his friend out of the diner. "What do you think?"
"Who the hell was that?" Diane asked aghast, her mouth hanging open.
"What do you mean? That was Kurt?" Will frowned.
"That's your guy?" She gaped.
"Yeah?"
"He's so much older than you?" She continued, and Will's eyes thinned.
"Yeah?" He replied cautiously.
"You said you went to law school with him!" She hissed with wide eyes.
"No, I said I knew him from school, he was a student teacher." Will corrected her slowly, still unsure of what was happening.
"Jesus Will!" She groaned, wiping her hands across her face.
"What?"
"I didn't know it was him!" She said with a roll of her eyes.
"What do you mean?" Will glared at her suspiciously.
"I thought it was the other guy," She offered resting her elbow on the table and dropping her head into her palm.
"The other guy…" Will repeated slowly. "Oh my God, you thought it was the opposing council?" He chuckled out in delight, watching as his partner groaned.
"I thought he was in your class, the other lawyer-" She tried to explain and Will only laughed harder.
"Oh man," He cackled, throwing his head back. "This is just brilliant."
"I feel like an idiot." She snapped, moving back to her milkshake with a deep frown.
"It's my fault Diane," Will said, still grinning ridiculously. "I should have been clearer!"
"Damn right!" Diane replied with a dark look, her eyes thinned. "I thought I was getting Roger Moore when, in reality, I was getting the Malboro man!" Will broke out into another fit of giggles at that, wiping his eyes to starve off tears of amusement.
"Oh, come on," He said. "He's not the Malboro man."
"He dresses like him," Diane snarked back with a roll of her eyes. Will frowned at her tone.
"Does this change things?" He questioned suddenly serious. Diane looked up and met his gaze with pursed lips.
"I don't know." She offered honestly. Will hummed thoughtfully.
"Is it because he's no longer Mr. Tall, dark and handsome?" He asked with a tilt of his head and Diane let out a burst of a giggle, rolling her eyes.
"No," She replied meaningfully, her mind already reeling with the thought that he was better. "I just, I thought I was getting another you, and he's not, he's just-"
"Different." Will finished for her.
"Yes," Her partner nodded solemnly, thinking for a few moments.
"He isn't me, and that's why he's a good fit." He finally offered, looking to Diane. "He's better than me-"
"-Will," She cut him off with a shake of her head.
"No listen," He said lowly and Diane's eye widened at his gruff tone. "A me is going to want my seat, he's going to worm his way into our business, take clients – he's going to be there for him and only him." Diane's shoulders deflated slightly, knowing he was right. "Kurt's not like that, yeah he's a little…" He thought for a moment. "…old fashioned," He finished making Diane smile. "But he's a good man, and an even better lawyer, and until I get back he's what's best for our firm."
Diane stared at Will, her expression nervous as she pressed her lips together glumly.
"Six months with a Cowboy?" She confirmed, and Will grinned knowing he had her.
"Just six months," He agreed, and Diane blew out a heavy breath.
"Okay, let's do it." She said shaking her head with a soft laugh. Will smiled back at her, reaching across the table to take her hands in his.
"Thank you," He said, and Diane felt her heart ache. He was thanking her for more than just allowing Kurt to step in, he was thanking her for keeping his seat, for supporting him through this and mostly for allowing him to help her in his own way.
"I suppose you better send little Johnny down to the tavern to let him know," She smirked out teasingly and Will rolled his eyes.
"I'll give him a call." He replied, releasing her hands. "Now, are you going to finish that or?" He questioned eyeing her milkshake.
"Go ahead," She conceded feeling oddly lighter knowing she had help over the next six months, even if said help came with boots and spurs.
"I love you!" He said with a wink, pulling the shake toward him and taking a long gulp. Diane relaxed back into her chair, folding her arms across her chest.
"So, he'll start Monday,"
"Yes,"
"Okay then, I'll get on the phone about our name change, I won't bother with the signage but we're going to have to change it for legal purposes."
Will's eyes widened as she searched through her bag for her phone.
"I'll email Sally right now and let her know, it'll be Lockhart-" She glanced up phone in hand, meeting the sheepish gaze of her partner. Her eyebrows bounced up expectantly as she waited for him to provide her with Kurt's surname. There was a long moment of silence as the pair merely looked at each other.
"Lockhart/McVeigh." Will finally confirmed, watching as Diane's mouth fell open; her eyes bulging incredulously.
"WHAT?"
-0-0-0-
I hope you all enjoyed, my heart is broken over the course McHart seems to be going and I needed something to distract me.
Thanks,
