Okay, so here it is ! I hope you will like it. I tried to relive the tension in this chap and add some funny scenes, let me know if I did it right. I tried my best to capture their personalities and I'd like to know if I got them right.

One last thing : forgive the grammar mistakes, I have no better reader and English isn't my first language. This was written 2 years ago and I improved since then. Hope u don't mind.

Chapter one

October 23rd, Boston.

Someday we'll be together

Oh, say it, say it, say it, say it again

Someday we'll be together

Oh, yes we will, yes we will

You're far away, baby

From me my love, ooh yeah……

BANG ! Ally reluctantly opened one eye to look at the alarm clock lying on the floor. "Great, I'll have to buy another one…once more. The radio stations should choose happy songs in the morning. Not that "we'll be together" crap !" Ally sat on the edge of her bed and yawned. "If only Renee was here. I would run to her bedroom and she'd tell me everything will be fine." But Ally was alone. After Renee's precipitate departure, she hadn't found the courage to look for another roommate. So she decided to stay alone in the apartment until Renee would come back. From the last news, it wouldn't be until mid-January.

It had been three days since Ally got back from Detroit and still no words from Larry. "Maybe I didn't make the right decision : leaving a note…" She got lost in thoughts and inevitably, she was late for work. Richard gave her a day-off after her return, so it was her first day back at the firm. It was past ten when she got there and the meeting had reached its end. Everyone was coming out of the conference room, and what was her surprise to find out that John was there, back from his vacation.

"Hey, John ! I didn't know you had planned to shorten  your vacation ?" and she hugged him.

"Well, I did travel for a month, Ally."

"What, really ? Oh, it's just that I've been really busy for the last few weeks and…"

"I know." he cut in, sympathetically.

"You-you know ?"

"Richard told us about you and Larry." he explained.

"He did ? There's going to be some ass-kicking." Richard had 'the gift of the gab' like her mother would say.

"In fact, Raymond did," he clarified " but Richard was the one to ask."

"Okay, I assume you have lots of things to do right now. We can talk later, I'll be in my office." she suggested with a smile .

"Sure. By the way I also have some things to tell you and I'll stop by."

"Alright." Finally this could be a good day, John was back and Ally was dying to hear of his vacation with Nelle. Unfortunately -for him- Raymond made the mistake to pass in front of her. Ally took advantage of that and hit him hard on the arm : "You !! You could have stayed quiet about me and Larry ! It's private, you know !"

"Come on, Ally…nothing really happened. The two of you made it clear, end of story. That's what you told me."

"Maybe, but Richard should have asked ME. I'm the concerned one in this story. I esteem I have the right to-" Ally was talking faster and faster, remembering that Raymond only knew the half of it. He cut her off :

"Listen, I'm sorry but Richard insisted. I had no choice. By the way, I didn't tell them about Saturday night. " he smirked. "You should be thankful for that."

"Wh-what about Saturday ? Trying to have the most innocent tone, Ally was in fact way beyond nervous. She was panicked.

"Do you really think I'm stupid ? I met Larry in the hall of the hotel. He was looking for your room. I suppose he didn't spend the night on your doorstep…Am I wrong ?"

Ally flushed at the remembrance of that night. "Naughty, Ally. Naughty." Shaking her head, she denied : " I-I don't know what you're talking about, Raymond." She grabbed her stomach. " Oh, cramps…" and run into her office.

******************

That afternoon, John came into her office. She told him –almost- everything about what happened in Detroit. When it came to Nelle, John took a deep breath :

"She has changed, Ally. I didn't even recognized her for the first week. She totally let herself out, something she had never done before. And well, I'm happy. I know it's only been two months, but we're growing strong.

"Wow," she replied, chewing her pencil "that's an improvement. It-it's great !! I'm glad you finally met your perfect one. Come here !" she hugged him and this time, she added in a murmur :" I always knew it would happen for you, John."

"Thank you, it really means a lot. I couldn't be entirely happy if your weren't." He motioned to leave, but turned back to face her :" You know, he'll be back."

"I hope, John. I hope."

"Don't hope, be sure."

"Yeah." But she still looked unsure.

"Say it."

"I'm sure…he'll be back."

"That's better. Oh, Nelle and I are going to the restaurant. Wanna join us ?"

"No, thanks. I'm tired and I don't want to disturb."

"Ally……"

"That's okay, go and enjoy yourself." She watched him leave to join his other half and soon her thoughts were once more occupied by Larry. She kept staring at her desk, rubbing her temps. Hearing a noise, she raised her head and almost fell of her chair.

"Aaaaaaahh !" Glenn was sitting in front of her. "What-what the…?"

"Sorry if I startled you, but you seemed to be pensive. I didn't want to bother you."

"Glenn ! How long have you been here ?"

He looked at his watch : "For about half an hour."

"Half…? Oh, I kind of lost track of time." Replacing her messy hair and clearing her throat, she continued : " Did you have something to tell me ?"

"I thought you would tell me."

Puzzled, she asked :"About what ?"

"Detroit. How did it go with Larry ?" He still hadn't tell her about his feelings and the tension between them was more than visible.

"Um, I, uh we've put thing things on hold." Ally didn't want to tell his the full story. For some reason, Glenn's request made her feel quite uncomfortable. There was something behind it but couldn't bring herself to admit it.

"Meaning ?"

"Nothing's changed. We explained some litigious points but nothing's changed."

"Oh." Ally couldn't read his expression. He looked… relieved. Yes, he was reassured.

"Anything else you wanna know ? 'Cause I've got to buy something and the store's closing in less than twenty minutes."

"No, if you say everything's fine I'm okay with that. In fact, I was afraid of you being hurt again." He got up and, not knowing what to do, he awkwardly kissed her on the cheek and headed back to his office. "See ya."

Ally was now sure of it, there was something going on with Glenn. His behavior was unfamiliar, it was like he feared being alone with her.

*************************************************************************************

"Buddy, you know why I'm doing this?"

"You don't want to be away from her anymore. I got that." Larry and Sam were having a father-to-son talk and Ally was the main subject.

"It doesn't mean that I'd love you less. This time it will work, I'll come to Detroit whenever you need me."

"I want you to stay with me. We're happy like that."

"Come here, Sam." Larry took his son in his arms. " You're a big boy now, you're eight. I assume you can understand that your mother and I are not going back together."

"Yeah."

"I won't be happy if you're not."

"So, you sort of need my agreement on  his ?"

"Exactly."

"You'll come often ?"

"Promise."

"And I will be able to visit you ?"

"Anytime you want ."

"You'll take me to Disneyworld?"

"Don't push it !" he raised a warning finger but couldn't hide a smile. "Of course, I'll take you there. I'll do anything to make it easier for you."

"Okay then."

"It's okay ?"

"Yes, you can go."

"How did I get to have a kid that is so smart ? I love you Sammy." They hugged tightly. The last person holding him back in Detroit had given him a pass to happiness.

*************************************************************************************

"I am not going, Elaine. That's all !"

"Please, I promise it will be fun !" she pleaded.

For an hour, Elaine had been trying to talk Ally into going to the Martini Bar that night. Lenny Kravitz  was performing and Elaine wanted to drag her there. To prove her determination, she had followed her from one room to another.

"Fun ? I don't even like Lenny Kravitz. His music is nothing but" she stopped, searching  the right word "…noise."

"Come on, it's not like you had something better to do."

A small narrowing appeared on Ally's face, Elaine knew she'd crossed the line. Her statement reminded Ally of Larry's absence. It's been more than a week… Larry remained silent. Hoping she would have news from him by the end of the week, she was clinging to John's last words : be sure.

"I'm sorry, Ally. Just come with us and have a good time. It kills me to see you that way. I want to see that happy face again.

"And I want Larry." She whined. Then ,s she seemed to think about it for a minute and added : "Funny how things turned out ? Last year I was the one cheering you up. And today I am the one seeking comfort."

"Is that your way to tell me it's okay ?"

"I'll probably regret it but yeah, I'm coming."

"Excellent !" she exclaimed, as if she'd won a battle. " 9p.m. And don't be late."

"I won't ." And despite her sadness, she smiled. It was sweet to see Elaine excited like a kid. Raymond brought the best out of her. Maybe she had met The one ? Well, we'll wait and see.

******************

"So, is everything ready for tonight ?"

"Yeas, she'll be there. 9p.m."

"How did you manage to make her come with you ? As I recall, she's not very fond of him."

"Sometimes, I'm very persuasive."

"I never underestimated your capacities, Elaine. Look, I've been called for boarding. I'll call you back later.

"Okay, trust me on this : she'll be flabbergasted."

"We'll see. Oh, one last thing : I want it to be a surprise."

" I understood that."

"I mean, no words to Ally."

"I'll stay mute about this."

"I have to hang up or the plane's going to leave without me. See you tonight."

"Good luck."

"Yeah, I'll need a lot…"

******************

You got to

Got to got to got to yeah

Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

Let love rule…

The song was ending and everyone was clapping. Lenny took the microphone and announced he'd be back in a few minutes. After that, he left and the stage went dark. The whole firm came too see Lenny Kravitz : Richard and Jane, Coretta and Jackson, John and Nelle, Elaine and Raymond……Ally was surrounded with happy couples. She wasn't really alone : Glenn came to keep her company. Jenny, of course, was there but Ally had chosen to ignore her. It was already ten and Ally couldn't restrain a  yawn. Elaine noticed it and sighed : she was afraid He wasn't going to make it in time.

"Ally, the evening is young ! Smile for me, please." She did so and made her best fake smile. "Okay, let's make a deal : three more songs and you can go."

"Elaine, I'm grateful for what you did, that's why I'm not gonna leave…now."

"Glenn chimed in : "Ally, you're not gonna leave without dancing with me ?!" He made that disappointed little boy look Ally couldn't resist.

Laughing, she replied : "Okay, you won. I'm staying a little longer." She turned around to talk to Elaine but she wasn't there anymore . "Raymond, where's Elaine ?"

"No idea."

Suddenly, a piano intro could be heard and the room went silent. A red spot was lighting the end of the piano, so that nobody in the audience could see the musician. Glenn hold out his hand to Ally. Since a slow seemed to be more appropriate, he didn't want to miss that opportunity to be close to her. He led her to the dance floor…

There were times I wasn't kind

But it turned out that they didn't dance for long .

And there were times I wasn't even round

That voice…..Ally could have recognized it from a million others. She took a few steps back and stared at the stage. Slowly, the lights went on…and Ally gasped : he was there. Larry was there, singing to her.

And there were times I made you cry

So many times I had to say goodbye

She was paralyzed : the lyrics gradually made sense to her : Larry was giving her a message. An answer to her letter.

When you wanna talk

I'm on the phone

But now baby I am here for you alone

For the first time, Larry raised his head from the keyboard and looked at her. Their connection was instantaneous and it took him a huge amount of self control not to run to her. He smiled instead, that smile that made her melt…

I'm gonna stand by my woman now

I'm gonna stand by my woman now

 Cause I can't live my life alone

Without a home

Ally was now crying, she couldn't express her joy in another way. The words he was singing to her, that was all she was expecting from him.

There were times I didn't understand

And there were times I wouldn't hold your hand.

But baby now I'm here for you

Cause baby…

Larry looked at her right in the eyes and said those words that made her cry even more.

…I am so in love with you

He repeated the chorus until the end, still not breaking the gaze between them. And, almost whispering, he sang the last lines.

Cause I can't live my life alone

Without a home

Without a home

He was a few chords away from Ally. Here, the last one. He could hear the applause but soon it became some background noise : all that mattered was her. He stood up and walked over her. She was wiping away her tears and smiling to him.

"Why is that  when I see you you always end up crying ?"

Ally laughed through her tears : "What can I say, you kind of have that effect on me. But now it's a good thing."

"Does that mean that I'm welcome back,  Miss McBeal ?" He was trying to hide his smile but couldn't anyway.

"Forever ?"

"And more." Ally let herself fall into his embrace and he eagerly kissed her ? When they broke off, they realized people were clapping them and Richard was whistling. Ally saw Elaine sitting next to Raymond, raising her thumb. She for sure had taken part in this set up. Almost immediately, Lenny went back on stage and introduced another meaningful song : "That one is for the two of you." He pointed at Ally and Larry. "Catchy them song, don't you think ?"

Here we are still together

We are one

So much time wasted

Playing games with love

"Wanna dance ?" Larry took her hand and they began dancing, both rocked by the lyrics.

So many tears I've cried

So much pain inside

But baby It ain't over 'til it's over

So many years we've tried

To keep our love alive

But baby it ain't over 'til it's over

How many times

Did we give up

But we always worked things out

And all my doubts and fears

Kept me wondering, yeah

If I'd always, always be in love..

Once again, the applause pulled them out of their world. Ally whispered something in his ear and they left the dance floor. Clutching Ally's had, Larry all of a sudden felt nervous. He wasn't prepared to face the Cage & Fish gang. Feeling his anxiety, she reassured him : "I just have to take my coat, we won't stay long."

Coretta got up and hugged him : "Larry ! God, I missed you !"

By pure courtesy, the others greeted him, but he knew they didn't mean half of what they said. He would have to prove them he had changed.

"Larry, I have to introduce to someone……where's Glenn ?"

Jenny replied roughly : "He left, wonder why."

But Ally didn't mind : Larry was back and that was  all that mattered at the moment. "Okay, um, I think it's time for us to leave, but before… where did Elaine go this time ?"

John pointed the stage behind her : "Turn around and you'll see her." Elaine was there, next to Lenny. She was dancing.

American woman

You're no good for me

And I'm no good for you

American woman

I'm looking at you right in the eye

And tell you what I'm gonna do

American woman…

She was truly gifted, moving along the rhythm. Raymond also was impressed. Larry squeezed Ally's hand to remind her of his presence. They quickly exited the bar.

Once outside, Ally kissed him. Once, twice, she doesn't know but by the end of it, both were breathless.

"Ally, it's only been one week !" he exclaimed

"It's already too long." She kissed him another time. "And by the way, it's been more than a week. We're the 31st : ten whole days without you."

"Well," Larry grabbed her by the waist, they weren't separated by more than two inches "I can't pretend like it was easy…but it was worth the wait."

"So…you want to sleep at my place tonight ?" she proposed nonchalantly.

"Uh, I was expecting you to suggest that since I'm quite homeless."

"What ?"

"Not literally, I'm staying at an hotel but……I was hoping to move in." Ally gazed deeply in his eyes and finally took his hand, leading the way. "Where are we going ? Ally ?"

"To your hotel. We have to stop by and take your stuff."

"Wait, you're okay with it ? I don't want to rush you ."

"Larry, now that you're here, I'm not going to let you out of my sight. Not even for a single minute. And by the way, I missed you as a roommate…"

"Oh, " Larry faked to be disappointed "So I'll have to sleep on the couch ?"

"We'll see." And with that, she gave him the most loving smile.

*************************************************************************************

"Ally, breakfast is ready. Honey, wake up." She was still asleep, or at least she seemed to. Seeing that sweet talking wasn't working, he decided to try it another way. Her arm was hanging out of the sheets and he slowly placed kisses from her hand up to her shoulder. The last one on her neck made her giggle. "I knew it ! You were awake."

Her eyes still closed, Ally begged him : "Pinch me, please. Cause I'm afraid I'm dreaming."

"Okay."

"Heyyyy !! That hurts ! " This time, she was fully awake.

"I made you breakfast."

"Oh, that's so sweet ! Thank you." She kissed him ,wrapping her arms around his neck. Larry, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, lost balance and both fell on the floor in a burst of laughter.

"Ally, I think there's orange juice spread all over your sheets."

"I don't care, I'll clean it later." She had landed on top of him and kissing him teasingly, she added : "No, I wanna make love to the man I love."

"Aren't you satiated ?" he feigned being surprised. " We've done a lot in that department last night…"

"It looks like I could never get enough of you, Mr. Larry."

"Then, I'm going to work on that immediately."

And they made love right there on the floor. They didn't care about the comfort. All they needed was to be one. Again.

*************************************************************************************

The next day, Ally was in her office, reading some paperwork. She was totally immersed in her work and when someone knock on the door, she distractively said "Come in." When she looked up at her visitor, she was 'face to face' with a giant bouquet of roses which Larry was holding out to her.

"What is…Larry ?"

"Hi, sweetie. I left early this morning so I thought I'd say hi and in the same time walk you home."

"But the roses ?"

"There's one rose for each day we spent apart.

"Larry, you didn't to."

"I wanted to. So, ready to go ?"

"I have to give John some papers. It will only take a minute. Wait for me here."

"Wait." He put a quick kiss on her lips and let her go.

In the end, it took more than a minute to fill in the papers with John. An hour later, when Ally headed back to her office she heard Larry talking with someone. Instead of rushing in, she stayed behind the door and listened. It was Elaine. "Eavesdropping, I never thought it would come to that."

"I always knew you would succeed. You only had to make the first step."

"I never said that I got the role, Larry. I've already told you that on the phone. I'm confident, not sure."

"I never got a chance to thank you for Wednesday night, how did you do it ?"

"Well. First, you're welcome. Second, I met a guy –before Raymond- who knew Lenny Kravitz. I've always been a fan."

"I don't understand : why did you tell me about Broadway. Ally doesn't even know about it ."

"Because you're the first who ever believed in me. You told me once I had to want more. I took your advice. And I didn't tell the others because I didn't to be pointed at if I failed the audition. I wouldn't be able to stand it."

This is when Ally chose to enter.

"That's not fair ! How could you…? I would never make fun of you, Elaine. Never."

"Ally," Larry was amused " Were you spying on us ?"

"Um, no, I-I……this is my office ! I don't even have the right t-"

Larry took her in his arms and kissed her on the forehead. "Calm down, sweetheart. I was only kidding. We don't have anything to hide, Elaine ?"

"Ally, I wanted to tell you about the audition."

"And ?"

"It's for a Musical : A Chorus Line. I auditioned for the main part and I made a good impression."

"That's fantastic !" Ally had forgotten her anger. "But wait a minute, Larry you got Elaine on the phone before coming back to Boston ? You didn't even call me ?"

"I called you, Ally…at work. Since Elaine's your secretary, she answered the phone. You were in court that day so she suggested me to make you a surprise. That's all."

"Oh," Ally felt stupid "I'm sorry if I reacted that way. The two should have told me about that Musical. I hate to be left out." she pouted.

Willing to change the subject, Larry reminded her of the purpose of his visit. "We were on our way home, remember ?"

"I'm ready….but don't think I'll forget about that little secret you made." She was trying her best to look angry but didn't succeed. She could never stay mad at him for long and he knew it.

"Okay, " he helped her putting her coat on. "I deserve to be punished." There was no need to argue with Ally. At this moment, he was more likely to laugh than to argue over that.

They left the building hand in hand, not noticing the pained expression on Glenn's face.

*************************************************************************************

"We always think that when everything's fine something, somewhere, in someway is going to happen."

And there's no exception from that. Not even at Cage & Fish. Mid-November, Ally and Glenn were working on a case together. Coming back from the courthouse, Ally headed directly for the unisex because she had stained her blouse on the way. Elaine hailed her :

"Ally, I've got to tell you that Lar-"

"Later Elaine."

She should have listened to Elaine. Things may have turned out differently. Seconds later in the unisex, Ally was trying to clean her blouse, something that was getting all her attention.

"Ally ?"

She looked up in the mirror and saw Glenn standing behind her. She let out a scream and took some time to catch her breath. "Glenn, you scared me ! Are you trying to give a heart attack ?"

He laughed "Of course not ! " his anxiety took over : "Look Ally, I've got to tell you something."

"Oh, oh…I don't like where this is going." She had totally forgotten about her stained blouse. Taking a few steps back, she warned him : "Glenn, I really don't think now is the time."

"I know, but I have to say it anyway. Now that Larry's back I have nothing to lose. Ally, there's more than a close friendship between us."

"Glenn, stop it !"uneasy, she already knew what he wanted to say.

" I want more, because…" he took her hand in his.

"No, Glenn." She put a finger on his mouth to prevent from going on.

"…I'm in love with you."

Ally was crestfallen. In a second, a friendship she cherished had fallen into pieces. But it wasn't enough, the sound of a flush could be heard in the background and someone got of a stall. Ally was frozen.

"La-Larry ?"

"What the hell is this all about ?" His Ally was standing there with Glenn holding her hand and he had just told her he loved her. Totally out of place, Glenn tried to explain.

"Um, Larry I-"

"I don't even wanna listen to you !! " he turned back to Ally and stared at her in disbelief. His expression was a mix of anger and deception. "Ally, I can't believe…" He was at a loss for words. His look went back on Glenn. "Know what, I'd better go."

He quickly walked out and stepped into the elevator. When Ally became conscious of the situation, she ran out in search of him but it was too late, Larry had disappeared.

******************

That evening, Larry didn't came back home. It was 10p.m. and Larry hadn't show up yet. Pacing back and forth, Ally imagined all sorts of things and fearing the worst, she broke down and cried. "It can't be over…oh God, where is he ?" After her fifth cup of coffee and a lot of thinking, she finally fell asleep on the couch.

"Ally, honey…what are you doing here ?" Opening one eye, she recognized Larry. He was softly  whispering to her, kneeling down by the couch.

"Larry ?" She looked at the clock in the kitchen : 2a.m. "Where have you been ? I thought you had left me again !" Tears were now rolling down her cheeks.

Larry could see the anxiety spread all over her face and felt all the more guilty because he knew he was the cause of it. He tenderly took her in his arms and brushed away a lock of her hair, he explained the reasons of his short disappearance.

"I needed to be alone for a while. I've thought about what I overheard earlier today , and it hit me."

Drying her tears, she asked : "What hit you ?"

"Me being a fool. Glenn's in love with you. So what ? I trust you , Ally but for a second I thought that Glenn was going to take you away from me. I really did. That's why I reacted that way. I was terrified at the idea of losing you.

"Larry, you have nothing to worry about. You're it and nothing will ever change that. And knowing that you trust me, that's what makes me the most happy."

Larry breathed out a heavy sigh of relief. He sat down on the couch next to her and they fell asleep that way with Ally cuddled up in his arms. That night, they'd made a step forward in they relationship and he knew that : for once, he faced things instead of running away.

That night, he had taken a decision. The decision that would change everything…

End of Chapter One