A/N Thank you for the reviews, and support on this! I've done some research for the medical aspects of this, but for the story purpose there are many inaccuracies as far as how this would play out in "real life"

Long Weekend

Alicia, five months after the shooting.

Diane walked into Florrick, Agos, to meet with Cary and Alicia.

"Hey Diane"

"Hello Cary"

"Where's Alicia?"

"On the phone, she'll be right here," Cary said, as Diane took a seat across from his desk.

Alicia noticed Diane walk in, and finished up her phone conversation. "Okay doctor, thank you. I will see you in the morning." She hung up and headed to Cary's office.

Once Alicia was seated Diane began. "Everything is final! Thanks to the two of you, as of six tonight we are officially Florrick, Agos, and Lockhart. Everyone can begin moving into the offices tomorrow. Canning, Lee and Associates, have to have everything moved out of the space by midnight."

"That's great Diane!" Cary said.

"We just need to decide which offices the partners will take, but hat can be taken care of tomorrow." She stood, pulling her purse over he shoulder. "If you two don't mind, I am going to go home at a reasonable hour and spend the evening with my husband!"

"We should all go home and get some rest. It's been a hectic four weeks." Cary grabbed his briefcase, and started to follow Diane out of the office.

"I just have one thing," Alicia said moving towards the other two. "I am going to be late tomorrow. I just wanted to let you know. I won't be in until after lunch."

"Okay, everything is still alright isn't it?" Cary asked concerned.

"Yes, I just have to go into the hospital to see the neurologist in the morning."

"The neurologist? Alicia, what's going on?" Cary asked. Thoughts of leaving quickly forgotten.

"It's just my monthly checkup Cary."

Diane glanced from one to the other. "Your monthly checkup?"

A gentle smile crossed Alicia's lips. "I forget you haven't been in the loop for more than a few weeks! I go in once a month to be checked out. Recovering as quickly as I did, the doctors want to make sure everything is still good. At six months it will lessen to every three if things remain the same."

"But Alicia, you don't usually meet with the neurologist." Cary folded his arms across his chest.

"It's a different doctor every time Cary, they are all on the same team. It just happens to be the neurologist tomorrow. Don't worry, everything is fine. I will come to the new offices - well old offices - after lunch. Now, both of you get out of here! We all deserve an early evening." She glanced at her watch. "Even if it's already seven-thirty at night!" She turned, heading for her office.

"Okay, see you tomorrow!" Cary and Diane walked out together.

"Cary, is she really doing okay?" Diane asked, as they entered the elevator.

He sighed. "I don't know. I can't tell what's going on anymore. And what she said up there wasn't true. She always sees the same the doctor, and it's not the neurologist."

/

Alicia made dinner for she and Grace, then they watched their favorite show together. She wasn't paying much attention to the show. Instead she was feeling guilty for lying to Cary and Diane. The truth was this wasn't a routine check-up.

It wasn't all that late after the show ended, but she was exhausted. And lately sleeping had been her only reprieve – her saving grace – for the past month. It had been difficult without Will. But at night her dreams had turned into vivid reminders of him. She reveled, and found comfort, in the idea that he was still alive

/

"Hey Will," She stopped reading the pile of paperwork on her desk, looking up at him.

"The kids are at Peter's this weekend right?"

"Yes!" she said, raising a seductive brow. "Did you have something in mind?"

He chuckled. "Actually yes! Pack a bag, and come spend the weekend at my place!"

Now he really had her attention. "Will, I can't!"

"Alicia, don't argue with me. You need to take a break from life for a few days. And you won't do that at your apartment. We don't have any work that has to be done before Monday. Spend the weekend with me – at my place! If your home you'll come up with a million things you need to do. And won't get a break."

"But Will, I still have two hours worth of work to do."

"Alicia," He placed his hands on her desk leaning in closer to her. "I'm your boss. It's six at night on a Friday. I am telling you to go home, and finish your work on Monday. It can wait, but I can't!"

She stood. "Okay – boss!" They exchanged a knowing smile, and parted ways.

An hour later she knocked on the door to his apartment. When the door opened, she was greeted with a broad smile. As soon as the door closed he pulled her in for a kiss. "Mmmm, I like ending my work week like this!" she said, pulling back from his embrace.

"I do to!" He led her to the living room. "Put your things down, and come with me." He grabbed his phone, and car keys, and headed for the front door.

"Will, I just got here. Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise," he said, with a loving smirk. "Come on!" He opened the door.

"But"

"Alicia, remember I already told you not to argue with me!"

/

Once they reached their destination, Alicia tried to protest again. "Will, we can't eat here. We already talked about this. You and I can't go to dinner in public together!"

He shook his head and smiled again. "Alicia, for the rest of the weekend every time you try to argue with me about something, I am going kiss you. Whether we are out in public or not! So stop arguing like a lawyer, and enjoy yourself. I know we shouldn't be seen in public having a romantic dinner. But you need to trust me on this okay?"

"Okay, I trust you!" She sighed, giving in when he planted a kiss on her lips. When they got inside, she was reminded of how much she loved this restaurant. It was on the top level of a fifteen story building. The views were amazing, especially the ones that overlooked the lake.

"Good evening! What's the name for your reservation?"

"Gardner, party of four," Will said.

Alicia turned and looked at him curiously.

"Would you like to wait for your other guests, or would you like to be seated?"

"We would like to be seated please!"

The attendant walked them through most of the restaurant, and over to a secluded table next to the windows

Once the attendant had gone, Alicia looked up from the wine list in her hand. "Party of four?"

"Yes, if anyone asks, or looks at the table, they will see we were expecting two other guests. Very important clients! Now stop worrying, relax, and look at the menu! In twenty minutes I will put my phone to my ear, and kindly tell the waitress our clients are not going to be able to make it!"

She smiled, relaxing for the first time that evening. "Clever Gardner! Very clever! And this is fantastic! The view from here is amazing!"

"It sure is!" he said, holding his gaze on her.

They enjoyed a nice long meal. Talking, eating, drinking, and enjoying the view. Will paid the bill with the firm credit card.

"Will, you can't do that!" she protested, but quickly realized her mistake as he started to lean over the table. "Oh no! Will," she said sternly. "You can kiss me all you want once we get to the car, but not here!"

He sat back in his seat. "Okay, but you owe me two kisses for making me wait. And, I will take care of the charge on the card next week," he said, raising his brow.

After dinner, they decided to take a walk along the lake in the warm summer air. "This is nice!" she said, walking close enough to brush his arm every so often, but not so close people would think they were a couple.

"It is, and you're finally starting to relax!" he said, glancing at her with a gentle smile. "It's my goal for you to be completely relaxed by the end of the weekend!"

"Do that, and I may not be able to go back to work on Monday!" They stopped and turned to gaze at the calming view of the lake. "Thank you for dinner! It was wonderful!"

"You're welcome!"

"What else do you have up your sleeve for relaxing this weekend?" she asked leaning slightly closer to him.

"Let's go home, and I will show you!" he said, with a grin.

As they walked back to the car, she pondered his last words. Home, a comforting and terrifying thought all wrapped into one. She knew he didn't mean their home, only his. But for a few moments she allowed herself to ponder what it would be like if it were their home.

Once back to his place, their clothes were quickly removed. And things were fast paced, just as they were on their stolen lunch hours. After coming down from the high, she laid her head on his chest, his arms wrapped tightly around her. Sleep soon came over her. He lay awake watching her sleep for a time. Something he rarely had the opportunity to do, but something he would never get enough of. .

/

The following morning, he woke to an empty bed, and the smell of coffee. Heading for the kitchen he paused just around the corner, and watched her fumble through his cabinets in search of what she needed. A view he could get used to seeing every morning.

He walked up behind her, placing his arms around her. "Morning," he hummed in her ear pressing a kiss to her neck.

"You too!" she said, turning to face him.

"So what do you have planned for today Mr. Gardner?"

He pulled away, and grabbed two mugs from the cabinet. "Another surprise! You are at my mercy this weekend!"

She rolled her eyes, and smiled. "Okay, just let me know what I need to wear."

"Nothing for awhile. I decided we should go back to bed for awhile!" he said, leaning in for a kiss. He gently picked her up and carried her back to the bedroom.

"More relaxing?" she said, with a giggle.

"Right!"

/

A few hours later they were standing at the end of a dock at a boat arena, in front of a small yacht.

"Well, what do you think?"

"What do I think about this boat?" she questioned.

"Yes, the boat!"

"It's nice!"

"Do you know how run one?" he said, in a teasing tone.

She chuckled, rolling her eyes. "No, but I bet you're going to tell me that you do."

He laughed, taking her hand. "As a matter a fact since you brought it up, I do!" He led her onboard.

She shook her head. "You will never cease to amaze me! Just when have you had time to learn how to drive one of these things in the past sixteen years?"

"Well I do have the weekends off sometimes. Being a name partner has its perks!"

"So is this yours?" she said, as they headed out of the marina.

"No, I rented it for the day!"

"Well let's see what kind of a ships captain you make!" She leaned in and kissing him on the cheek.

About an hour later they pulled into a secluded cove. "Are you hungry?" he asked after anchoring the boat.

"A bit!"

"Good wait here!" He went below deck and came back with a picnic basket, and bottle of wine in hand.

"I am never going to be able to get back to reality if you keep this up!" She said, eyeing him up and down.

"That's the point Leesh!" He set the basket down, and began pulling out the meal he'd prepared.

After eating, they sat snuggled together, feet up, on deck, taking in the view of the lake in the early summer afternoon. "I could get used to this," she said, as she rested her head against his chest.

"Me to! You know we could just run away. Head down to Florida, buy a bigger version of this, and sail away. Never look back."

"Mmmm that would be nice. But I have children remember?"

"They could come with us!" he said, wrapping his arms more tightly around her.

"Yes, but that would ruin the romanticism. And Diane would kill you if she ever found us!"

He laughed, turning his gaze to hers. "Always the realistic, practical one aren't you?" He pressed his lips to hers before she could respond, running his hands up and her body. "Come on." He stood reaching for her hand. They went below deck to the small bedroom on board.

"I don't know if I can get any more relaxed than I am now," she whispered in his ear as he gently pressed her onto the bed.

"Oh I think you could be much more relaxed!" he whispered back, undoing the buttons on her blouse.

Awhile later she lay asleep on his chest. He loved watching her sleep. So perfect everything about her. I love you! I wish you would let me tell you. I wish you would let me have the conversation we need to have. But I will wait. I've waited sixteen years I can wait longer. But some day Leesh you are going to know just how much I really love you. Someday… He thought to himself as he drifted off to sleep.

/

When they returned to his place, they ordered pizza and watched a movie. By the end of the two hours, she had fallen asleep in his arms. He gently lifter her from the couch, and carried her to the bedroom. He climbed in next to her. She woke for a few minutes. "Today was wonderful!" she said, turning towards him.

"You need to get more sleep. A nap earlier today. And already asleep again at ten pm. I'm going to have to talk to your boss about all the late hours you're putting in. I think he's working you to hard!" he said, running a hand through her hari.

Barely awake she managed a response. "You do that! And tell him I need a vacation while your at it. I didn't realize how sleep deprived I've been!"

He nuzzled his head next to hers. "First thing Monday morning!" He leaned over, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. See you tomorrow he thought to himself, drifting off to sleep.

/

Her eyes fluttered open. She looked around the familiar space trying to orient herself. Realizing once again, it had all been a dream. Dreams of events past, and things she'd hoped could have been. Gloom came over her as got out of bed. She was scared, and worried about her appointment with the neurologist. Just stay calm. Stop over worrying this. The pain in my neck and lightheadedness is just due to stress. Everything is going to be fine.

Will, five months after the shooting

He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I'll see you tomorrow Leesh!" he said, letting go of her hand, heading out of her.

"See you tomorrow Amy," he said, as he passed the nurse in the hall.

"Will, can I talk to you for a minute?" the nurse said, hesitantly.

"Sure"

She led him back into Alicia's room. "What's up?"

"I'm not supposed to say anything, but I really think you need to know."

"Need to know what?"

"You have been coming here nearly every night for the past month."

"Yes, and you are wondering why right?"

She shook her head. "No, I can put two and two together. But that's not what I need to talk to you about. We've been monitoring Alicia for the past month."

"Monitoring Alicia? Aren't you always monitoring Alicia?"

They both glanced over to Alicia in the bed. "Yes, but the first night you came to see her I noticed a change in her vitals. You remember Claire and I came to check on her while you were in with her?"

"Yes, I remember, but wasn't that just routine?"

"Yes, and No. I noticed that when you were in here talking to her there was a dramatic increase in her vitals. More than we had seen since the day she came to the hospital."

He became intrigued by her words.

"We thought it was just a fluke. You know we had just taken her off all of the machines. And we thought we had confirmed that fluke when you left that night. Once you had gone, her vitals went right back down to the low levels they had been at."

"And?"

"I watched it for the next week. Every night when you came into this room they went right back up. As soon as you left, like clockwork, they went right back down. I told the doctor about it. Not about you, but that I notices each night that her vitals went up. So he started monitoring it. He was thrilled to think that there might actually be some hope. He monitored her every time anyone came to visit. Her kids, her husband, co-workers, friends. There was no change except for at night when you were here."

He hoped he knew where this was headed. "Look Will, I don't know for sure what kind of a relationship the two of you have, or had. But I just thought you should know that what ever it is, I think it's making a difference. The past week the neurologist has been monitoring her brain activity. It's been up some during the day. But at night the levels come close to normal. I think she's fighting." She looked away. "Fighting for you. So don't give up. Whatever that connection is between you two it's pretty powerful." She turned and headed for the door. "That's all. I just wanted you to know."

"Thank you Amy!" he said grasping her arm. She nodded, and left him in silence again.

He walked over to her bedside again. He placed her hand in his once again, a lump forming in his throat. "Come on Leesh, wake up! Please… I'm fighting for you too."