A/N: Full disclosure..save a few parts of this..not a big fan of this chapter. (I am my worst critic!) Hopefully, you'll all enjoy at least some of this. As always, thank you so much for the reviews!

Lucy emerged from Zach's bedroom after he helped her program her new phone to find Alicia sitting at her dining room table in semi-darkness. She took in the thoughtful look on her face as she sat there twirling a pen in her hands with a legal notepad sitting on the table in front of her. She spotted the open bottle of wine on the kitchen island and stopped to grab it as she made her way over to where she sat.

"Penny for your thoughts?" she asked quietly, trying not to startle her.

The pen stops twirling and Alicia watches as Lucy refills her wine glass. "Thank you." She smiles as Lucy sits next to her.

"What's this about?" she asked pointing to the empty notepad.

She sighs heavily. "My attempt at getting my thoughts together so that I can plan out how I will survive Will's cross-examination tomorrow." She takes a sip from her wine. "I just..." she shrugs. "...I don't know. Everything is a jumbled mess in my head and I can't seem to navigate my way through it all."

Taking a moment to choose the right words, Lucy responds. "Look, I want to know what's going on with you guys...at least...what you're willing to tell me. But, more than anything, I want you to get through this. So," she plucks the pen from her hand and grabs the legal pad. "Lucky for you, Tess made me practice with her whenever she had a difficult case." She started writing on the pad. "In extremely difficult or sensitive cases..." she looks up at her. "I think we both can agree this one falls in that category." Alicia smiles faintly, in agreement as Lucy continued to write. "She utilized a decision tree. I'm sure you know what that is, so I don't have to explain it. Let's get started."

"Lucy..." she turns her attention to Alicia. "...it's...complicated."

Knowing she was not referring to the task at hand, Lucy nods. "You two were always complicated. That's what made me fall in love with you." She smiled and started firing questions at her.

An hour later, Lucy places the notepad on the table in front of her and looks at Alicia. "Why is he doing this?" she asks, quietly. Alicia sighs and looks away. "He's accusing you of influencing...seducing...this dead guy to get him to change his will to include you. I know that's not something you would do. So does he."

"He's angry."

"No shit." Lucy replied. "But, why?" She looks down at all she has written. "Better yet, what gives him that idea?"

Another sigh. This one heavier. "Things I've said to him. In confidence. Jokingly." She looks at her. "During..."

Lucy nods, understanding. "I see. So, you guys..." she pauses to look at her notes again. "September 23, 2011? That was during..?" She nods in response and looks towards Grace and Zach's bedrooms. Lucy follows her gaze and then looks back at her. "Ok, then. I think you're good." She stands from her seat. "Maybe you should try to sleep. Don't think about it anymore. You'll do fine. I'm sure of it." She reaches down to hug her. "Good night."

"Thank you." She says as she walks away. "Oh Lucy?" she stops and turns to face her. "We have a holiday party on Friday night."

Lucy scrunches up her nose. "Who has a what?"

"I know. I know. I'm not happy about it, either. But, if I have to go...and I assure you I do...so do you."

"Ugh. Why?" she whines.

"It's my firm throwing the party. You're now part of my firm."

"Not until Monday."

Alicia gave her a look. "Zach and Grace have to go, too. Besides, it'll be good for you to meet some clients and the people you'll be working with."

"Damn, you're torturing everybody."

"Oh hey! My mom will be there! She'll love to see you." She smiled.

Lucy groans. "Fine. But I'm not dressing up." She states as she walks away.

"As long as you look presentable!" she called after her.

Alicia shook her head and chuckled to herself. She took a sip from her wine glass and picked up the notepad, glancing at Lucy's notes. She couldn't help but smile when she saw that she had drawn hearts and scribbled the words love and soulmates and happy. Happy.

Wine glass in hand, she leaned on the railing looking out at the New York City skyline. She sipped her wine and glanced around her at all of the buildings, mentally counting the windows where lights were on and trying to figure out if they were offices or apartments.

"There you are." came a sleepy voice behind her.

She turned in her spot and smiled at the sight of Will, wrapped in a comforter, making his way toward her. "Hey, sleepyhead." She took in his hair; how messy it looked and shivered from the chills that radiated down her spine at the memory of her hands running through his hair as he pleasured her just a few hours ago.

"What are you doing out here?" he squinted at her through half-closed eyes. "And in a sheet." His eyes popped open. "Are you really out here in just a sheet?!"

She laughed at his reaction. She WAS wrapped in a sheet with her shoulders and arms left bare. "Yes. Is there something wrong with that?"

"Leesh, it's cold out here." He said stepping closer.

She shrugged. "It's not that cold." She smirked as an idea entered her mind and placed her wine glass on the railing. Leaning back onto the railing, she started to unwrap the sheet from her body, slowly.

Noticing what she was doing, Will quickly glanced around. "What are you doing? Somebody can see you!"

"Umm...that's the point." She teased. As the sheet fell, revealing her breasts, Will rushed forward to wrap the comforter around her. In doing so, he knocked her wine glass over. They both gasped and watched it fall. Laughing, Will pulled her back from the railing. "Oh my God, Will!" she exclaimed, unable to contain her own laughter. "Do you think it fell on someone?"

"I don't have a clue. I just hope they don't figure out where it came from." He pulled her closer to him, wrapping the blanket around them more. "You're freezing, you crazy woman."

She almost denied that she was and then thought better of it. "You're right. I am. What was I thinking? How ever will I warm up?" she teased, biting her lower lip.

He groaned. "You know I love when you do that." She eyed the chair behind him and started to push him backward to it. He sat when he felt it hit the back of his knees and she immediately straddled him. He looked up at her, shocked. "Really? Out here?"

"Why not?" she leaned down and placed a soft kiss on his lips that quickly took a passionate turn. He placed his hand on the back of her neck, deepening the kiss.

When she pulled away to catch her breath, he glanced around them. "This is crazy romantic."

"And apparently more appealing than me." She giggled.

He looked up at her, his hand still grasping her neck and gently caressed her cheek as he continued to stare into her eyes. "You are...truly...the most beautiful thing in my life."

She smiled and felt the heat rise to her cheeks as she looked back into his eyes. The pure, raw emotion pouring out of them directed at her. She slowly leaned down and gently kissed his lips, tracing his jawline with delicate kisses. "This is the happiest I've ever been." She whispered into his ear.

She sighed, blinking back the tears in her eyes.

"Are you sure your mom lets you drive?"

"It's my car."

"She lets him drive."

Lucy stood by Zach's car. "Well, I refuse to believe you're old enough to, so, hand them over." She put out her hand, gesturing for the keys.

Zach laughed, shaking his head. "I'm not even going to argue with you."

"Good. Because if we're any later, Mom is going to kill us." Grace informed them, as she climbed into the back seat.

After following initial directions to the firm from Zach, they were on their way.

"So, Aunt Lucy, Grace and I..." Zach looked back at his sister. "..we were talking. And...well...you know how I'm leaving for college soon?"

"Nope. Not happening. You're not even in high school yet." Lucy smirked as she glanced sideways at him. "I'm sorry. What were you saying?"

"Well...I'm leaving..."

"..and I will be soon after." Grace chimed in.

"And...well...we're worried. Especially me."

"Worried? About what, guys?"

They look at each other before Zach responds. "About Mom. You know...she's going to be alone."

"Aww, you guys." She quickly looked over at Zach and then made eye contact with Grace in the rearview mirror. "She'll be fine. Besides, she won't be alone. Your dad will be with her." She noticed that they both remained silent. "Hey. So. How is your parents' marriage these days, anyway?"

"Perfect." Grace said.

Lucy nodded, thoughtfully.

"To the public." Zach added.

"I see." She looked over at Zach again and then back to the road. "So you're concerned she'll get lonely when you leave?"

"She already is." Grace said quietly.

"Not that you'd ever know. She's gotten really good at faking it and putting all of our needs and our happiness before hers."

Lucy sighed. "You mom has always been that way Zach. Always."

"I just want to see her happy. I hate seeing her cry."

"Jesus Christ, you are adorable."

"Ugh... You sound like Mom!" he groans, causing them all to burst into laughter.

"We're just hoping you decide to stay in Chicago." Grace said when the laughter finally died down.

"I know I'd feel a lot better if I knew you were around. You, Uncle Owen, Grandma...you guys will keep her busy."

"Hey!" she tossed a sideways glance his way. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh hey, look we're here. Park there." He smirked as Grace stifled her giggles in the backseat.

"Anything else?" Alicia says into the phone.

"No."

"Well, thanks for...calling."

"You're welcome." He pauses and she wonders if he's hung up. "Happy Holidays." He says softly and the line goes dead.

She places the receiver back in its cradle.

He sneaks up behind her, startling her.

"Will!" she hissed, slapping his arm. "You scared me half to death!"

He couldn't help his laughter. "You were in your own world. I couldn't help it." She glared at him. "Here, drink this. Be merry." He handed her a glass of egg nog.

She took it from his hand and turned her attention back to the room. "Your family is nice. Very sweet."

He looks at her. "I know this isn't your thing. But, thank you for enduring this with me." His smile was contagious as she found herself smiling as well.

"Hey!" Aubrey yelled out and everyone looked in the direction she pointed; at them. "You guys are under the mistletoe! You have to kiss! You have to kiss!" She jumped up and down, excitedly.

They looked up. There it was. And there was the sound of everyone chanting for them to kiss. She could feel her cheeks redden.

"They're not going to let up." He whispered to her.

"Yeah, I didn't think so." She reached up and wrapped her free hand around his neck as he leaned and placed his lips on hers. Everyone cheered and all she could think was that he tasted like peppermint.

The ringing of the phone brought an abrupt halt to her thoughts. Was he calling back?

She quickly answered. "Florrick, Agos and Associates."

"You answer your own phone? Seriously?"

She smiled. "Tess! Finally." She breathed.

"I'll say. Haven't heard from you in forever and I just find out you've left three messages today. Everything ok?"

"Lucy's here."

"What?! Is she ok?"

"Yes. Don't worry. She's perfectly fine." She reassured her. "I just thought you'd want to know."

"Oh thank God. Thank you so much for calling me. I was worried sick." She heard her voice crack.

"Hey. She's fine. She's staying with me." She looked around at the party in progress around her. "Look, I'm sorry; I'm hosting a holiday party..."

"You?"

"Right? Anyway, I should get back to playing hostess. I'll have Lucy call, ok? I promise."

She can hear Tess sigh. "Thank you."

"I'll call again. Soon."

"You better."

As she made her way back to the party, she spotted her mother with Jackie on the other side of the room. "Oh, God." Movement behind her caught her attention. "Well, it's about time."

"See? I told you." Grace scolded.

"He's old enough to drive?"

"She wouldn't let me drive my own car, Mom."

Alicia laughed at them, shaking her head before pointing in the direction of their grandmothers. "Can you guys handle that?" She turned at the sound of her name. "Go. Go." She urged them on.

She walks over to Cary, with a questioning look on her face. "What?"

"These guys want to talk to us." He points to the "band" that they hired for the party. "Say they need our help."

She sighed as Cary moved out of her way and they joined the gentlemen, and their laptop, in the conference room.

The following week, Lucy rushed into the courtroom and looked around for Alicia. She rolled her eyes when she heard that stupid song playing. She spotted Cary and quietly made her way up to him. He turned when he heard her approach. "How many times have you been tortured with that?" he shook his head, annoyed. "Where's Alicia?" she whispered.

"She said something about changing." He shrugged. "I thought she'd be back by now."

"Alright...well she needed this." She handed him a folder and sat down behind him.

She listened as Will questioned the witness on the stand and turned when she heard the door open behind her. Alicia walked in, confidence oozing from her. She smiled at her and whispered as she passed. "Cary has the file."

"Thank you." She mouthed back.

She took note of the way Will looked at Alicia, and clearly lost his concentration, as she sat down. What ya looking at there, Mr. Gardner? She thought, smirking. Her phone vibrated in her pocket. Tess. She looked up when she heard Will pause and saw him glancing at Alicia, growing flustered. Apparently, she wasn't the only one who noticed. As much as she wanted to continue watching, she knew she should take the call from her sister. "Hold on. I have to leave the courtroom. Don't hang up." She whispered into her phone as she walked out.

"You created the show, so this scene mattered to you." He heard the door open and instantly knew it was her. He was wondering where she'd been. He half-heard the witness' answer to his question. Just as he opened his mouth to continue, he felt her. She brushed past him as she made her way to her seat at the table. His breath hitched. "And you..." Her legs. That suit. THAT suit. "I mean..." Get it together, man. Focus. "That's why you covered..." he swallowed, hard.

He follows her into the room and quietly closes the door, locking it. He slowly walks over to where she is standing, looking around nervously. "Having second thoughts?"

She quickly turned her head in his direction. "What? No." she smiled to reassure him.

That smile. It's still the most beautiful thing he's ever laid eyes on. He removes his jacket and draped it over the nearest chair. As he began to unbutton her jacket, his nerves kicked in and he started to fumble with the buttons. Suddenly her hands were on his, helping him. He looked up and into her eyes, as she leaned in to kiss him…

"Mr. Gardner?" Judge Marx pulled him back to the present. "Any more questions?"

"No." He shook his head. "No. We're good."

"We need another attack." Burl glared at him as he sat down next to him.

"I know, Tess. I'm sorry." Lucy made her way back to the courtroom. "I'm fine, I promise." She spotted Alicia ahead of her, leaning against a wall, typing on her phone. "Oh, hey, I think Alicia is waiting for me. I'll call you back later. Love you." She stopped when she saw Will approaching her.

"So you decided to change, huh?"

"Yup. Into what I wore the night you banged me the first time." Lucy's jaw dropped and her eyes widened in shock. Did she really just…? She noticed that even Will looked taken aback by that comment.

"That's pretty low of you."

"I know. I wasn't so discriminating back then."

She remained standing in the same spot, still wearing the look of shock when Will turned and spotted her. He just shook his head and looked back in the direction Alicia had just walked.

"You..." he turned back to her. "You look like you could use a drink…or five." He nodded. "Umm…let's go." She grabbed his arm and led the way, while she sent a text to Owen with her free hand.

I think you should go see your sister tonight. With wine. Wait no...tequila. Kids are with Peter. I'll be there later.

"How did you know I needed this?" she asked after her second shot.

He waved his hand, dismissing her question. "Why don't you tell me WHY you needed it?" She took a deep breath as he poured them another shot. She rested her chin on her hand. "You're pouting. That means it has to do with Will."

She furrowed her brows. "I am not pouting."

"Don't try to lie. It's unbecoming of you." He replied, deadpan, pushing the shot glass closer to her. "What happened? Talk to Oprah."

She giggled before drinking the shot. "I let him get to me. That's all." She said waving her hand. He poured another round of shots. "Should we talk about what happened between you and Lucy?"

He looked at her, a mix of surprise and annoyance on his face. "No. I'm here to make you feel better. Not talk about stupid things I've done." She looked at him, amused. "At least not this visit."

"You never answered my question."

"I believe I just did."

"No..." she rolled her eyes. "How did you know I needed this?" he shrugged. "It was Lucy, wasn't it?"

"Why can't it just be that I wanted to see you and get you drunk?" he asked as she drank her fourth shot. "Where is she anyway?"

She thought for a moment. "You know… I have no idea…" she stood from her chair. "Whoa." She steadied herself before turning to walk away. "Let me call her." Before she could make it to her purse to retrieve her phone, there was a knock at the door. "Oh. That's probably her. She forgets her key sometimes." She said, turning back.

"I'll get it." Owen said as he walked ahead of her. She leaned on the wall as he pulled the door open. "Why are you so irrespons…? Oh."

She looked up and her breath caught. What in the hell…

"She...is drunk." Will said, pointing to Lucy, who waved emphatically at them.