A/N: OK so this is me officially joining our beautifully amazing TGW fanfic writers. I have been reading and reviewing for quite a long time around here but this is my first attempt at an actual TGW fanfic. So here it is and any reviews are completely appreciated! :)

Oh and my sincere thanks go to marysunshine81, my first friend here who is also an amazing writer and who so nicely pre-read this story for me :)

Disclaimer: I obviously don't own The Good Wife, or I wouldn't be sitting in front of my computer typing this. TGW and all the characters belong to the Kings and all the other TGW writers.

Chapter 1

"Tomorrow, we tell the partners."

After sorting out the details of her new firm with Cary, Alicia felt her fatigue returning. She had been up all night the day before, and now, as she looked at her watch, she realized it was once again, well past midnight. Cary had suggested that they continue their discussion in a restaurant, after Alicia's kids came home and went to sleep. So Alicia had snuck out of her apartment minutes before the clock struck midnight. She remembered the last time she'd done that and realized with a start that it was during the time of her affair with Will. But this time, she had held her head high, resolved to sever all ties with Will Gardner, and forced herself to believe that Florrick, Agos, and Associates would help her do just that.

"Cary, you tell Will, I'll tell Diane." Alicia said now, determined she was making the right choice. She watched Cary's reaction and it was blatant he was confused, as he was obviously about to propose just the opposite.

"You…you sure, Alicia?" Cary hesitated a second before voicing his uncertainty, while also raising an eyebrow at the woman who sat opposite from him, his new business partner.

"Yes, Cary. You know this won't be pretty and I guess if I don't talk to Will, we can avoid the situation becoming," Alicia thought for a second and then finished her thought, "absolutely disastrous."

Cary paused, allowing Alicia to elaborate, but her eyes pleaded him to not question her lack of explanation. So out of respect for his business partner's personal life, he left it at that.

"Fine, I guess what you're saying is right. So tomorrow we bring all the resignation letters, including the other fourth-years and Robyn's, I don't want them to need to go through this. We bring it to them, tell them we're leaving, and we get out before they can start shouting. And later when they've calmed down, we can talk to them, but that's only if they want." Cary looked up, clearly looking for Alicia's agreement.

Alicia nodded slowly and then added, "Oh, also, I think we should tell them the clients we're," she hesitated on the word "stealing" and decided to restart her sentence, "We tell them which clients are coming with us."

At Cary's questioning gaze, Alicia forced herself to continue, "They deserve at least that, Cary. And we should have the decency to tell them, or at least hand them a list."

A short silence hung in the air as Alicia stared at the almost empty glass of wine in front of her. She wondered what Cary was thinking. He must feel some guilt in leaving Lockhart/Gardner. It was the very place he grew up, the place he strived to become as good a lawyer as he is now. But then again, Alicia reasoned with herself, it was understandable that Cary wanted to leave so badly. He was most definitely mistreated, being offered the partnership and then immediately having it taken away from him. When Alicia thought about it, she realized that all the other fourth-years who were leaving with him had a reasonable incentive. But her, what she was doing now was just a betrayal. Nothing else. Her partnership had been given back to her, and though it was only because of Peter's campaign, she was still grateful.

Her gaze wandered to the empty seats around her and for the millionth time this evening, her thoughts returned to Will Gardner. What would he think of her leaving? Would he ever talk to her again? Would she even bear to look at him if he did, knowing what she'd done to him? God forbid, what if he forgave her?

"So, I'll see you tomorrow, Alicia?" Cary's voice penetrated Alicia's thoughts and forced her to return to the present.

Alicia willed herself to push the thoughts of Will out of her head. After all, that was what she was aiming to do when she agreed to Florrick, Agos, and Associates. Cary may not know it but the main reason behind Alicia's sudden change of mind was her need to sever all ties with their boss.

When Alicia looked up, she saw Cary standing up and looking at her with genuine concern.

"Are you OK, Alicia? Alicia, you know that if you still want to back out, you can. But right now's your last chance." Cary placed his hands on the table and reassured her, but anyone could see that Cary needed Alicia in his firm.

Alicia stood up, smoothed out her skirt and shook her head. "No, Cary, this is the right thing to do." She stared at him, knowing that this reassurance was not at all directed at Cary, but at herself.

They walked out the restaurant together but once out, they headed in opposite directions and Alicia was left to her own uncertain thoughts. She had just watched her last opportunity to reconsider her decision go down the drain and now, it was settled.

Alicia was to join her friend, competitor, and former enemy Cary Agos in his new firm. She was to become a name partner and although she put up a straight and determined face for Cary and the whole world, behind her façade, she was as insecure and scared as she could ever be.

A/N: I am most likely going to write more to this so when I do, I promise I'll update. Once again, any reviews are appreciated (whether you liked it or not, loved it or hated it, any of that).