New York (episode 1)
They were in Eve's bed. It was 3.30am when Annalise woke up with a start, wondering for a moment where she was. Then she saw the floor to ceiling glass windows and remembered she was in Eve's penthouse.
Eve was sleeping peacefully. Annalise smiled and reached out and tucked a stray strand behind Eve's ear. She used to love watching Eve sleep. She realises she still does. Eve stirred at the touch of Annalise's finger on her cheek. She slowly opened her eyes and saw Annalise starring at her.
"Hey you", Eve said softly and smiled.
"Hey", replied Annalise. She was now stroking Eve's cheek
"You couldn't sleep?"
"No, nothing like that."
Eve frowned. "What's wrong then?"
Silence.
Eve turned serious and took Annalise's hand. "You're worried about Nate, aren't you?"
More silence.
"Look…If it means that much to you that I take his case..." Before Eve could finish her sentence, Annalise interrupted her – a little too quickly, "it would mean a lot to me."
Eve stared at her for a moment. Annalise must love Nate. Was Annalise using her? Again? But Annalise was in her bed, her face only a few inches away. Eve couldn't help but feel a little hurt although her face remained passive. She pushed all those questions out of her head and told herself not to think about it. She found herself saying to Annalise. "Ok. I'll do it … Can you please try to get some sleep now?"
Annalise knew that perhaps she wasn't being fair. She was asking Eve a big, big favour. A favour she did not know if she could ever repay. But Eve always had a big heart and a soft spot for Annalise.
Annalise hoped she wasn't making use of Eve. This thing with Eve was new but oh so familiar at the same time and she was conflicted about how she felt about their reconnection. There was just so much going on in her life right now that she didn't actually want to confront her own feelings about Eve. That was the irony. Eve was so good for her. She was the one who could make Annalise laugh. She was the one who never judged Annalise, who had always been honest with her. When they were law students, Eve was the one who challenged her for academia's top honours. Eve - who was brilliant and popular with both the guys and the girls - Annalise didn't believe she deserved her. Ever.
She did not know what Eve expected of this turn in their relationship and the last thing she wanted to do was to destroy Eve all over again but getting Nate off the hook was the more pressing present problem. She told herself she would deal with "the other stuff" later.
"Earth to Annalise" teased Eve.
Annalise bit her lip. It was all she could do to stop the tears that were threatening to fall. She whispered, "Thank you for taking on his case."
"You can thank me when I win his case."
Annalise moved forward to give Eve a kiss. Eve kissed her back. She didn't know what to make of their situation either. She didn't particularly like the idea of defending her ex-girlfriend's boyfriend. But it had been 20 years. She would put her own feelings aside and try to enjoy the fact that Annalise was in her arms. She would take things as they come and not put too many expectations on Annalise or herself. At least this was what she tried to convince herself to do.
-