Chapter 2

Diane couldn't remember the last time she was so passionate about a case. She gave the best opening and closing arguments, and she delivered them as if her life depended on them. During cross examination, every other word she said was interrupted by Ric Lansing's "objection". On occasion, she shot him a look but she was more focused on her case. She wanted to up one on him but she also wanted to demonstrate that she was just as badass in the courtroom as he was. The judge called for a recess and Ric approached Diane's bench.

"Having difficulty keeping up with me, counselor?" He asked her as he rested his hands on the defense desk.

"Oh, believe me, it's a walk in the park for me." She said as she sat back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Did you forget what you're up against?" Diane smirked at Ric.

They always brought out each others best in the courtroom. Diane would never admit it but Ric challenged her. Ric forced her to be on her game all of the time. And Ric knew the same about Diane. She was one of the best, if not the best attorneys he had ever faced. She was fierce and she was good.

"I could ask the very same question about you, Miss Miller." He smirked at her.

The judge soon called the court back into session and Ric took his place at the prosecution table.

The case was simple and Diane knew it was an easy win. She didn't want to seem over confident but she knew. And she enjoyed this case much more because she would have upped one on Ric Lansing. Diane took her wins very seriously but she savored them much more when she was up against Ric Lansing because wins against Ric Lansing were far from easy. She actually had to work for her wins against him.

After the courtroom emptied, Diane walked over to him and smiled.

"Save it, Diane. You played this one well." He told her.

"Is that any way to speak to a woman?" Diane asked, half smirking. "I was going to say we both played well today." She told him.

"Has marriage life mellowed you out because I do not remember you being this modest about your wins." Ric told her.

"Maybe since you've been gone I haven't had to work so hard..and maybe I enjoy a challenge." She said.

"Oh, so are you saying you've missed me?" Ric asked her.

"Now I wouldn't go that far, Mr. Egotistical." She smirked.

"Do you have many more cases to try today?" He asked her.

"Can you say three more?" Diane said with a sigh.

"You've been keeping busy, haven't you?" He asked.

"Well, Sonny hasn't been getting into much trouble lately and you know, I enjoy being in the courtroom. It's where I feel my strongest..like I can handle anything and everything." She told him.

"When's your next case?" He asked her.

"Not for another two hours." She told him.

"How about we head downstairs to grab some lunch? I have an hour to spare before I try my next one." He suggested.

"And I promise I won't rub in how amazing I was today." Diane smirked as they headed for the café.

Once they got down there, they grabbed a table and sat across from each other. The thing about Diane and Ric was they were fierce competitors. They were both damn good lawyers, and they both knew it. And neither of them backed down from a challenge.

"So, tell me, what brings you back to Port Charles?" Diane asked him.

"LA wasn't doing it for me. I thought it'd be easier to get into a new environment but it wasn't. And their lawyers aren't as good as you are." He smirked at her.

"Oh, please. Your charm does not work on me. Remember, I'm a married gal." She said, lifting up her hand and showing her ring.

"Oh yes, let's talk about that." He smirked.

"I can clearly remember you were against marriage, men..everything. If my memory serves me correctly, you were all about your work." Ric said.

"Maybe I was just against egotistical lawyers who thought they were gods gift to women." She said back, giving him a smirk as well.
"Touche, Ms. Miller. And for the record, maybe I was just captivated by your beauty." He said to her.

She couldn't help but smile. She couldn't remember the last time she honestly smiled. Michael..well, Michael was just Michael and they were in a loveless marriage.

"Oh wow, I got sassy and fierce Diane Miller to smile. That doesn't happen often." He said to her with a soft grin.

"And it's the last time it will happen in your presence."

He put his hand over his heart. "Oh, you wound me Diane." She smiled back at her.

"I try, I try." She said with her own soft smile.

Ric glanced down at his watch and realized the time. "I'm sorry, Diane but my next case starts in 10 minutes. I have Judge Flaherty residing and you know how he is." He said.

"Oh believe me, I know." She said.

He picked up his coat and draped it over his arm. "It was really nice catching up with you..we'll have to do it again soon."

"Sometime in the future." She said with a smile.

"Take care." He said to her before he headed back upstairs for his next case.

She sat there and finished her salad, thinking about the days' events but mainly about Ric. For someone she used to hate, she could actually tolerate him. And he was actually able to make her smile and most men couldn't. Michael had been lacking in that department lately and she dreaded the fact that her day would soon be over and she would have to sit through dinner with Michael.