Chapter 1: Timing

Alicia was nervous, she's always been nervous when it comes to first impressions. Her first official Georgetown party was here, no way out now. She really didn't know anyone, but this was her chance to finally work the crowd, meet new people, and make friends. Yeah, Alicia wasn't nervous at all.

She had never been the party type, she was very "subdued." That's what her brother, Owen used to say to their mother all the time. "Alicia is too subdued…. she won't end up pregnant in college, she'll more likely become a nun." Oh how she loved his sense of humor. Lovely Owen. Alicia called her brother earlier that day to tell him that she was going to the celebration, she gloated a bit; it was nice to have him speechless for once. She didn't realize that that was Owen's plan all along, to have his sister rebel against the very words he spoke about her, to finally live a little. He was proud of his older sister, for once she was doing what college kids should be doing!

Alicia dressed in casual clothes; she didn't want to look too fancy for such an event. Her wavy locks were flowing down her back, her white blouse contrasted beautifully against her dark hair. Dark jeans and red flats completed the look of "wholesome, yet fun." She looked more than the "girl-next-door," she was relaxed magnificence.

She was always a people watcher; she was fascinated by everyone at the party, but one guy in particular. "CANONBALL!" a fellow Georgetowner yelled, definitely a Frat boy in his day. She saw the guy; short brown hair, red Hawaiian shorts and a contagious smile running through the crowd to finally jump into the pool. He came out of the water, all smiles, talking to his buddies. He was drying himself off with a towel his friend handed him; all she could do was stare at his chiseled chest. He must have been an athlete. She wanted to go up to him, introduce herself, she felt a sort of attraction, magnetism towards him; but she just couldn't.

Will was the life of the party, he always was. He liked talking to people, drinking a few beers, having fun. He made any excuse to just jump into a pool, or run naked down sorority lane, or have an all guys' weekend in Vegas. All in the name of fun. He was always a charismatic guy; girls fawned over him with his charming personality, good looks and compelling smile. He just had it, and he damn well knew it. That night he didn't know what to do though. He came out of the pool he just jumped in to and saw an amazingly gorgeous girl with beautiful dark, voluminous curls. She was beautiful, and for once, he was nervous. He had to go up to her, at least get her name.

He finally walks up to her.

"Hey I saw you from across the room and I just had to say Hi. I'm Will, Will Gardner." She was shocked, she didn't know how to react. One) He was shirtless and two) would she be a rambling idiot, or a complete natural? What is she doing? She needed to talk!

Will had walked up to her unaware that he didn't have a shirt. He didn't notice until he saw that her eyes reverted to his chest. Crap. He must have looked like an idiot.

"Hi, I'm Alicia, Alicia Cavanaugh. I liked your cannonball." She gave a nervous chuckle. Wow, she was never so jumpy with a guy before.

"Hold that thought, and hold that stunning smile." Will ran to get a worn T-shirt. It was fitted, luckily she could still see the outlines of his athletic body.

He liked her smile. They spent the next hour talking about their undergraduate, their classes at Georgetown, and come to find out, they had a few classes together. It didn't feel like they had just met, it felt like they knew each other for ages. It was oddly natural. She was having an amazing time with him, she didn't want time to just keep passing by. She needed it to just stop, stop where he beamed his crooked smile and where she raised her eyebrow, he found that strangely sexy. He wanted to get out of the party atmosphere; he wanted to actually talk to her. So after that, he asked if she would just take a walk with him.

"I'd love to," she said with a smile ear to ear. They strolled leisurely onto the Georgetown campus during a strikingly alluring night. The Washington DC air smelled pure, the stars were enlightening, the trees were like shadows waiting to capture the night. It was a perfect night, for perfect timing.

All he could think about was how gorgeous she was. Her hazel eyes illuminated like the spectacular moon. Her porcelain skin was flawless, with blushing red cheeks. He liked that he could make her blush. Her eyelashes were long, he never really noticed eyelashes on a girl before, but all he could do was stare at her beauty. She was the perfect height for him, just under his chin so she could lean her head on his chest while he rest his chin on top of her head. Will never thought like this before, he never was this fascinated. What was wrong with him?

She was gorgeous, a different Georgetown girl, hopefully his Georgetown girl. She was what was wrong with him. Man, he was already falling for her.

Will and Alicia walked that night for hours, chatting about life, school, Will's love for sports and surprisingly about politics. Though some subjects were pointless, they continued to talk; they craved to just hear each other's voices. It was all enjoyment and banter. Spontaneous eye contact and then complete silences should have been awkward, but it was romantic, it was innocent. Smiles were constant between the two, their cheeks grew weary as laughter was abundant. He loved making her laugh, he made goofy faces mocking past presidents and she even did a Nixon impersonation. Terrible impression, but completely adorable. She was just exquisite.

Her feet started killing her, Will could tell. He piggybacked her back to her apartment; she didn't live too far from the campus. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Mmmmm, you smell nice." Alicia was embarrassed that those lame words came out of her mouth.

"You know I wouldn't do this just for any girl." Will teasingly joked.

"Oh really Mr. Gardner?"

"Yup, you're my exception." They both smiled. She liked that she was the exception, his exception. For the first time that night Will thought about the party he had just left, he was with a girl he had just met. He couldn't believe time flew by so fast, he didn't want it to.

Alicia never imagined so early she could find a great guy. Maybe she was being too optimistic, maybe he was too good? Well whatever she was feeling she was happy, and she felt safe. He asked her that night for drinks the next evening; she couldn't help but hide her excitement when she said yes.

That night didn't end in a kiss. Not yet at least. He wanted to wait. He liked her, he wanted to see her again, he wanted to move slower. There was always time.

*I hope you enjoyed! Stay tuned for their first official date, progression of their "relationship," rooming, Peter, Helena (Tammy's sister), the mock trial, and more!

This is my interpretation of the Georgetown years, but I want it to stay as true to what The Good Wife writers have given us thus far.*