Peace… Peace was wonderful, Alicia thought as the door closed on the last of her guests for the evening. A long and strained day had ended in a few hours of spirited debate and diabolical planning. The very idea of making the partners quiver in their Manolo Blahniks was exhilarating, but the easy quiet she was currently sharing was much needed after so much activity.
Cary stood there in her entryway, looking decidedly Rebel With a Cause in a fitted black tee and classic leather bomber. He looked like he'd stepped out of an Urban Outfitters catalogue, or some 50s film about motorcycle hoodlums. And that dangerous eyebrow of his screamed mischief even as it pleaded to be smoothed over with the gentle brush of a fingertip.
When he spoke, his voice was warm and insistent and brimming with that trademark Cary confidence. "We should do it, Alicia. We should start our own firm." The blue plastic container of leftovers she was insisting he take with him hung momentarily forgotten in her hand. She had been irked to learn of his takeout diet, especially since he routinely refused her invitations to come over for dinner. Although she was not his mother, she found it difficult not to lavish a little maternal affection on him when she could. Ever since her literal cover-up of his "basketball" injury, she'd sought excuses to throw extra attention his way; at the moment, sending him off with a decent home-cooked meal was the least she could do... and the most he'd accept.
"If you brought Bishop and I brought ChumHum, we'd be the eighth largest firm in Chicago. Say yes tonight, next week we're the eighth largest firm, and you're the wife of the Governor." His subtle emphasis was having an erosive impact on her resolve to think things over. "Governor, huh? And you think Peter is just gonna give up his seat?" His gaze flicked to the ground for a second before meeting hers again, and she found herself wondering what that thought had been. Tamping down a question she knew would go unanswered, she switched tack and asked, "What about the financial aspect? We'd need money to do it."
"What did you have to borrow to get your capital contribution together?" he queried, taking a step closer into her sphere. She did not back away, instead letting him close the gap between them before he continued. "A few hundred thousand, right?" She gave a noncommittal nod. "Same here. We put it together, that's a million dollars between us. And that is start-up money."
"Look, I'm sick of having other people control our fates too, but it's no better on our own, Cary. We're still controlled by people: the landlord, the clients. Look at Will & Diane. Do you think they're free?" "They're still freer than us, Alicia." He leaned in and placed a hand on her upper arm, gently squeezing just below her shoulder. "Come on. Do you really want to wait around for the next four years to see if we have to kiss more partnership ass? I don't want to do it. And I'm not even kidding; we could totally pull this off. Say yes… to Florrick, Agos & Associates." She broke in with a small giggle. Cary's face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning at the sound. "Look at that. I just gave you first billing." The hand that was still perched on her arm gave a gentle rub as he pierced her with a very sincere look. "It's not as though you wouldn't deserve it."
"Oh I don't know. Couldn't we just be Cary Alicia at Law?" His quiet answering smile prompted her to joke, "I guess you're right; it sounds better with my name first…" Suddenly needing to break the visual thread between them, she tossed her head back and looked at the ceiling for a moment. Her gaze dropped a second too late to catch him tracing the line of her throat with his eyes.
Extending the leftovers towards him in an odd semblance of a handshake, she promised to think about it. He was taking a step back towards the door when he turned and pinned her with an earnest look. The simple statement, "We could change the world," urged her one step closer to him. "Do you really think we could?" Here he turned full to face her and his hand came off the doorknob. "I know we could."
Reaching up a hand with curled fingers, she shyly grazed her first knuckles in a short sweep from his cheek to his jaw. "Well we've certainly changed enough about our world. Why not everything else?" They smiled briefly at each other, then he captured her retreating hand with his and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Night, Alicia." She squeezed back. "Good night, Cary." With that, he turned and walked out the door.
Author's Note: So that's chapter 1. There is more on the way. Cary was just... too cute this turn; I had to play with him. But this is not going to be a romance piece. They're just friends.
Whether you liked it or not, please review. They're appreciated.