INT. FLORRICK/AGOS CHRISTMAS PARTY. NIGHT.
Eli's drink spurts out of his mouth in hysteria. Veronica and Marilyn are taken back by his indiscretion, but stand their ground.
MARILYN: Eli, you just spit on me and the baby!
Eli gasps for air. Eyes bulging and lungs heaving. He is certain that this is what a panic attack feels like. The lumps of regret well up in his throat. He swallows quickly and harshly in attempt to push the words out.
ELI: The baby?! You mean the one that you are calling PETER?!
MARILYN: Yes. And exactly what is your tone suggesting?!
ELI: You must be fucking crazy! I can't believe you-
Veronica is frozen in shock. Eli and Marilyn become louder and others start to notice the pair of obvious anomalies to the overall Christmas spirit in the room.
Veronica's eyes switch to Alicia, who is heavily engaged in conversation with Peter and Donna Brazile across the room. She realizes something must be said in Alicia's defense, as Alicia wouldn't dream of saying anything herself.
VERONICA: What did you say?
Marilyn's body jerks around towards Veronica, alarmed by the awareness in her voice. Eli's lips sputter maneuvering themselves to formulate words but coming up short.
ELI: Exactly!
Veronica eyes glare as she steps within inches of Marilyn's face. Her protruding belly being the only partition. Marilyn's hands shift to her stomach, grasping it as the shallow words float away from Veronica's mouth.
VERONICA: Is that what you are saying? That this baby belongs to Peter, my daughter's husband?
ELI: Wait. Don't you dare answer that. Where is Peter?!
VERONICA: No Eli. Let her answer. It's time to settle this.
Alicia nods in accordance, vaguely listening to Peter's words. She smirks as she recalls the song playing, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus by The Ronnettes.
Donna gazes steadily ahead, becoming increasing baffled at what looks like Eli having a heart attack.
DONNA: Peter…
PETER: All I want, is to be a great governor. I want to carry on the legacy our President has left for the state of Illinois. Then, maybe then, 2016 will be up for discussion. Its-
DONNA: ELI?! Peter, something's wrong with Eli.
Donna points slowly. Alicia and Peter both rotate their attention across the room where Eli's pants encircle his ankles as he points his bare ass towards Marilyn.
Their mouths drop. The three of them begin moving their feet involuntarily across the floor. Alicia struggles to pull her mouth closed.
Other guests begin to crowd in at the spectacle. Jackie Florrick grimaces in disgrace towards Eli. She always knew he would be Peter's downfall. Her hands cover the eyes of little Gracie. Her eyes dart over to Zach, chastising him for the smirk on his face.
Lemond Bishop whispers to his associate as they both lean in to see the show.
LEMOND: Check this shit out…
ELI: Kiss it! Kiss it now, because you are done!
MARILYN: Eli, you are causing a scene. This is totally inappropriate and I-
ELI: Inappropriate?!
Eli stands to re-cover his naked skin. He buckles his belt and adjusts his waistline.
ELI: I'll tell you what's inappropriate, YOUR BABY! I knew we should have fired you. You're insane. Ethics-
PETER: Eli, what the hell is going on?! He hisses.
MARILYN: There is nothing wrong with me naming my baby after his father. Right Peter?
Eyes shift to Peter. Peter stands frozen and confused, while Veronica's arm swiftly hooks Alicia's and carries her away from the crowd.
PETER: Would somebody tell me what this is about?
Marilyn's lips turn pouty, as she purses them to speak.
ELI: That baby belongs to Peter over my dead Jewish body! That's what. Somebody get security!
PETER: Wait, what?!
MARILYN: I was sharing with Eli, the name we had picked for our son, and he went absolutely ballistic.
Peter's eyebrows dive, hovering over his startled eyes like gray clouds full of sadness and anger. Guests begin to murmur, and a flash of a camera glimmers across his face.
DONNA: Peter, is this true?
PETER: Marilyn, I 'm not sure what's going on. If you've been drinking, you are being very irresponsible to your fetus.
MARIYN: Fetus? I have not had anything but water tonight. Obviously, you haven't engaged in full disclosure with everyone. I-
ELI: Tell her, Peter. Just say it loud enough for everyone to here so we can leave.
CUT TO:
ALICIA: What do you mean?
VERONICA: You have been set free! Don't you get it?
Veronica searches for understanding in Alicia's eyes. But Alicia shows nothing but confusion.
VERONICA: Look, I love you, you're my daughter, but if I have to spell it out for you- Marilyn is having Peter's baby!
Alicia laughs with disbelief.
ALICIA: Mom, (snickering) I invited you, don't make me disinvite you. That is not Peter's baby.
VERONICA: Oh no, then why did she say it was?! And why is she naming the baby Peter?! And why is Peter motioning for those security guards. He's doing what he does best, covering up-
Alicia pushes past her mother. Her eyes intent on finding the truth.
VERONICA: And don't you believe a word he says. Alicia? Alicia?!
Alicia steps boldly through the crowd of sardine packed bodies. Her eyes set on Peter, then on Marilyn as she is carried through the door very calmly. Marilyn motions to Peter, blowing him a kiss. Alicia's eyebrows raise in speculation… Innocent until proven…
LEMOND: No matter what, you need to keep the governor on your team. Otherwise, I walk.
He holds her arm firmly and mouths this into her ear. Alicia yanks to free herself from his grip, gleaming with authority, capital A.
ALICIA: Mr. Bishop, you're welcome to come by my office so we can review strategies. But my personal life is not the slightest of your concern.
She pushes her way through and Peter instantly grabs her hand. She shudders at this eternal handshake. It seems as if he has been holding her hand ever since that day. The day she couldn't bear to smile let alone apply makeup. Still, he had grabbed her hand like a lost sheep and led her to the podium. Led her to the vulnerability of humiliation, the exposure of so many camera's flashing. He had led her all these years. Led her to believe that life wouldn't be better without him, that he would give her everything in exchange for her loyalty, her discretion. He had led her to believe that all of this was over, no more dishonor, no more public embarrassment. The blinding light of a flashing camera bounced against her corneas. The light, a heat that felt too familiar, fleeting but ever so permanent, that light jarred her to a wince.
And Alicia decides then to claim her own fate. She stopped short planting her feet so firmly that Peter's body reared back from its pace. He turned towards her.
PETER: Come on.
Alicia's dead stare spelled it out for him. She wasn't coming with him. She had one question and he had better know the answer.
PETER: I can't discuss this now, this not the time or the place. Just come with me.
ALICIA: I can't leave my firm's party.
PETER: I have to escort Donna back to her hotel. We'll talk afterwards.
He leans in to kiss her cheek, and then turns to leave with Eli and Donna.
Alicia's face is softened by this kiss. How could he be so calm, if it was true, she thought.
GRACE: Mom?
ALICIA: Grace, you and Zach go with dad.
Zach and Grace stand still waiting for the first tear.
ZACH: But mom,-
ALICIA: This is just a misunderstanding. Now go, catch up with dad ride with him in the limo.
Zach grabs Grace's hand and they run swiftly to the exit.
Alicia eyes lift to the worrisome sight of yet another heated debate between Jackie and Veronica.
JACKIE: You don't know that. Besides why would she listen to you, the only relationships you've been in involve-
VERONICA: Involve what?! Love instead of a blind loyalty you spend your life perfecting, while you grow old next to some bozo sticking it to every other thing that moves?
Jackie's eyes widen with ferocity, but she quickly buries her expression tucking it in the back of her mind and readying it for a later resurgence.
JACKIE: Now you listen to me! And that goes for everyone else here, including you Alicia.
Alicia nears.
JACKIE: The Governor, my son, had to make a run. He is regretful that he could not stay longer. Alicia, this holiday party was truly magnificent. It was so wonderful, that not even the confusion and silly accusations of one poor, and psychologically challenged women, really, can put a damper on our holiday spirit. And I am sure this open bar didn't help either. She giggles…
Jackie flashes her sarcasm at Veronica.
VERONICA: Oh please…
JACKIE: None the less, have a drink, be merry, and enjoy yourselves as we wrap up the festivities here at the new Florrick, Agos & Associates!
Jackie raises her hands to clap, showing everyone how it's done.
The applause of the guests is sporadic and half-hearted as people begin to make their way towards the coat check and exit.
Alicia anxiously hugs her mom.
ALICIA: Thanks for coming, mom. Thank you Jackie…
She says releasing her mom and quickly embracing Jackie.
Jackie's hold on Alicia lingers. She whispers…
JACKIE: Alicia, remember, he's a Florrick man. Forgiveness is the only way to treat them.
Alicia eyes squint in disgust. She turns towards the bar, now absent of a bartender. She grabs a bottle of Tequila and gulps down a swig.
She huffs. Where the hell is Cary, she thought.
EXT. PARKED CAR-STREET. NIGHT.
A black sedan parked at the side of the curb. It is relatively quiet and dark aside from the flashing sign of a distant convenience store hidden between the industrial buildings lining the street. The car's windows are steamed to a cloudy perfection.
We hear pleasure moans coming from inside as the car sways gently.
INT. CAR'S INTERIOR. SAME NIGHT.
Robyn slams her naked body down over Cary's. The two sigh contentedly. Cary glances up at the ceiling then pushes Robyn's hair aside just enough to kiss her forehead.
CARY: (Chuckles) You're all red.
ROBYN: Trust me, that's a good sign.
CARY: That was… fucking awesome.
ROBYN: Yeah? I always thought I was bad at it, but maybe it was just the guys that were bad. But not you, I guess because this turned out okay. Shit, did you see Bishop and Pete-?
Cary's finger slides to the center of her lips.
CARY: Sshhh.
He gazes up at her, adjusting his lips.
ROBYN: What, you wanna go again?
She manages, struggling to part her lips under the pressure of his finger.
Cary sighs, blowing his frustration and desire over her lips and nostrils animal like lion ready to pounce. She feels a stiffening against her pelvic bone.
Their faces inch closer silently. Their lips explode onto each other pressing hotly and violently against each other.
Cary laughs out of sheer excitement, giddy from his new found liberty. Happy that he managed to escape with Robyn just as Peter and Lemond Bishop shook hands. Thankful that he fought hard for the open bar at the party, and that Robyn was such a lightweight. Impressed with how round her ass looked- SLAP! Cary's hand smacks hard against it!
Robyn squeals with pain and enjoyment as the two of them make pretzels with their naked limbs.