Chapter 10

Author Witch0000

Fandom The Good Wife

Pairing Alicia/Kalinda

Disclaimer: The Good Wife is the property of CBS. I own nothing and make no profit from this story.

"I can't believe we're doing this, Owen! This is so not 'me'" Alicia said.

"That, my dear, is precisely why we are here in Las Vegas," Owen stated seriously. "You are desperately in need of distraction and fun, all of which are available and plentiful in Vegas. And, most importantly, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," Owen said chuckling.

The two had checked into the Mirage, taken a short nap to recover from the flight, and then headed straight for the buffet. "We need to build up our strength for all the gambling and whoring we're about to do," Owen said cheerfully, spearing a large piece of steak and putting it in his mouth all at once.

"I hate it when you do that, but it always makes me laugh," Alicia said, digging into her pasta. She had tried to order salmon and salad, but was soundly over-ruled by her brother. "You have plenty of time to eat healthy—at home. You're on vacation for crying-out-loud! You should be having dessert with every meal! None of this healthy crap, ok?"

"Fine for now, Owen, but when my organs start shutting down from all the fat and sugar I'm pounding, you may want to throw me a green bean, or something," Alicia said laughing.

"Oh, I hope you'll be doing a lot more than just over-eating, sis," Owen said. "I want this to be an over-indulging vacation the likes of which you've never seen! You need to gamble, you need to have inappropriate sex with strangers—maybe even take your top off and dance on a table or two."

Alicia was convulsed with laughter. "Owen, you're out of your mind, and I love you for it."

"All kidding aside, Alicia, you do need to relax. So I've booked a spa day for you tomorrow, after which you and I are getting gussied up and going dancing."

"Dancing? You want to go dancing with me?" Alicia said, her eyebrow arching slightly with doubt.

"No Alicia, I want to go dancing with 14 hot steamy young guys wearing nothing but g-strings, cowboy hats and boots, but I'm here with my sister, more's the pity. So I will settle for going dancing at a fabulous mixed club I've been to off the beaten path," Owen said, his eyes light with mirth.

"Oh I see…you're going to get your freak on, while I have to fend off the sensible-shoe crowd by myself," said Alicia, trying to sound upset and failing miserably.

"I will have you know that the sensible-shoe crowd will be nowhere near the club tomorrow night—it's strictly lipstick lesbians there, and other lipstick lesbians who love, or want to love them," Owen said.

"Hmmm…." Alicia said, a strange smile creeping over her face as she stared carefully at her dinner plate.

"Wait—just wait one minute, sis! What is that 'hmmm' all about," Owen said seriously. "Spill. What am I missing?"

Alicia took a deep breath and looked directly at Owen before speaking. It's now or never. It's why you came out to Las Vegas with him, so don't chicken out now.

"Actually, Owen, I'm glad we're going to a gay club tomorrow night. It seems very appropriate under the circumstances," Alicia said mysteriously.

"What on earth? Are you trying to tell me that you've decided to visit the Isle of Sappho and learn the joys of l'amour des femmes at your advance age," Owen teased.

"Actually yes."

Owen was silent for several long moments as he took in all this information.

"Ok, fine. I get it. I'm no longer going to be the only gay one in the family," Owen said. "But I need to hear the whole story, because I'm quite certain there's a story here."

"Let's just say that I'm exploring all options, Owen, and leave it at that," Alicia said, cutting off further discussion on the matter. "And remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas."

Kalinda stared at her Iphone, willing it to ring, chime—blow up—anything other than what it t was doing right now which was nothing. Not a thing. No call, no text, no…well, to be fair, Alicia had said she'd call in two weeks. And truthfully, they had talked several times over the past week. Once at the press conference, then there was the phone call about the Ellsworth case, and well, one time Kalinda called because she couldn't take it anymore, and Alicia had answered and spoken to her for a few minutes before she had to get on the plane to meet her brother. Alicia didn't tell Kalinda where they were headed, and Kalinda didn't ask. Of course, if she really wanted to know, it wouldn't take more than a few keystrokes for Kalinda to track her down. But that would be…well…

NO! Don't you dare screw this up, Kalinda Sharma! You will not rely on your super-fantastical investigative skills to track down your woman like some perp. No, you will not track her down, and whenever she wants to tell you where she is, then she will.

Kalinda sighed, and stared down at the phone again. Knowing that she was going to be useless unless she did something about this raging obsession for Alicia, she opted for a quick text—just to check in. There surely was no harm in that. 'Hey Alicia—how's it going? I hope you're enjoying your vacation with your brother. Take care'

Ok, could that get any lamer? I can't send that for crying-out-loud! This is ridiculous!

Kalinda erased the draft without sending it and tried again. 'Hey sexy…just wanted you to know I've been thinking about you allllll day. XO

Well, not as bad, but definitely cheesy. And she's so…so…well, kind of refined. Is it too much to call her sexy? Oh my god, I don't even know how to text her? How on earth am I going to try to navigate a relationship with her—if I even last until our first date!

The phone rang in the middle of her internal monologue, startling Kalinda so much that she dropped the phone. She rolled her chair backwards to reach down and pick it up where it fell, knocking her head against the wooden desk on her way up. Fully aggravated, she looked at the number that came up and didn't recognize it. Great—probably someone selling something.

"Kalinda Sharma," she said flatly.

"Hi Kalinda! It's me—Alicia. I hope I'm not interrupting you at work."

Oh my god, what is she, psychic? Did she feel me staring at the phone, willing her to call me? Ok, ok…stay cool. Stay cool. She is not interested in dating an anxious twit!

"Oh hey, Alicia. No worries. I have a few minutes. What's up? How's your vacation?" Kalinda asked, hoping she sounded a lot calmer than she felt.

"My vacation is fantastic! Owen and I are in Las Vegas, causing trouble. I've never really caused trouble before, so it's a new experience. I think I could be good at it," Alicia said excitedly.

Kalinda smiled and sighed. It just felt so good to hear Alicia's voice—to be connected to her, even if it was just over the phone. "I see. First you start hanging around me…you know that's trouble. Now you're causing trouble out of state. I'd say you're making up for lost time, my friend."

"I guess so. How are you? Is it busy at work? I feel like I left you holding the bag with the Ellsworth case," Alicia said.

"Not at all Alicia. You needed to do this. And Ellsworth is wrapping up. I think we have enough "footage" of the wife's extra-curricular activities to save the client a couple of million. Diane's happy, so of course, we're all happy," Kalinda said chuckling.

"That's good. But you didn't answer me—how are you, Kalinda?"

There it is. Here's the opening. Here's my chance to tell her that I miss her, and I'm thinking about her every moment of every day, and how I'm useless without her and that this is the longest two weeks of my life.

"Oh, you know me. I'm keeping myself busy with work," Kalinda said, lying easily.

"Well, as long as there aren't any dates with handsome, rich Indian men while I'm gone. Or women for that matter," Alicia said teasingly.

"Why? Would that bother you, Alicia?" Kalinda asked.

Kalinda's comment was met with a long, uncomfortable silence.

"Well, of course it would bother me Kalinda. I guess I mistakenly thought that you could control yourself for two weeks while I completely change everything about my life so that I can be free to date you," Alicia said, anger building in her voice.

"Whoa, whoa…hang on Alicia, hang on," Kalinda said. "I don't know where all of this is coming from. I never said that I was going on dates with anyone! I only asked you if it would bother you, and I think we know the answer to that question."

Neither woman spoke for a few moments. Unable to stand the silence, Alicia spoke first. "Kalinda, why did you ask me if it would bother me if you were dating other people right now? How can you not know that it would? I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I'm hardly cavalier with my feelings. I told you how I felt about you, and I meant every word that I said in your apartment. If you're not interested in dating me—in taking time to get to know me—all of me, I need to know right now," Alicia said, and held her breath, waiting for Kalinda to respond.

"Alicia, I'm not good at this. You know I'm not, and I've been honest about that," Kalinda said carefully. "I'm not the type of person who is very skilled at intimate relationships that go beyond one night stands. I am way out of my comfort zone with you, Alicia, and to be honest, it doesn't feel great. I've been sitting here for the better part of the past 9 days since you left my apartment, staring at my phone, hoping that you'll call or text. Does that sound like the terribly rational Kalinda Sharma that you know and usually like, although not so much right now."

Alicia giggled on the other end of the phone, and then Kalinda joined her. "Really Kalinda? Staring at the phone, waiting for me to call?"

"I'm afraid to say yes. Really. Like some crushed out teenager," Kalinda confessed ruefully.

"Actually, you sound kind of like—a girl," Alicia said surprised.

"Oh really? Isn't that rather like the pot calling the kettle black?" Kalinda said sharply. "That was quite a girly fit you threw a couple of minutes ago."

"Ok…ok…time out," Alicia said, anxious to keep the conversation from veering into a bad place again. "Let's try this again. Kalinda, I'm having a wonderful time on vacation, and I just called because I missed hearing your voice—I missed you. And I can't wait for our first official date—in fact, consider this your phone call. Kalinda, would you do me the honor of allowing me to take you to dinner on the 28th?

Kalinda smiled into the phone, grateful that Alicia was kindly putting her out of her misery and getting her an actual date to hang on to. Oh, I've got it so bad.

"That sounds lovely, Alicia. I look forward to it."

"I don't think you could possibly look forward to it more than I already am," Alicia said, her voice dropping to a lower register, sending shivers through Kalinda's spine. "And I hate to have to end this call, but my brother and I are about to go out to some club tonight—I'm supposed to meet him in the lobby now."

"That's ok Alicia—we're ok, aren't we?" Kalinda asked tentatively.

"We are more than ok, Kalinda. I..well…take care, all right? And you can call me whenever you'd like. There's no need to stare at the phone, wasting the firm's valuable time. I won't be accused of putting you off your game!" Alicia teased.

"As attractive and compelling as you are, it takes a LOT to put me off my game," Kalinda teased back. "But really…thank you Alicia. For calling. And for letting me know that it's ok for me to call you. I haven't wanted to intrude on you while you sort things out."

"You're not an intrusion, Kalinda. I'll talk with you soon—all right?"

"Yes. Have fun Alicia," Kalinda said, ending the call.

All right Sharma—you've had your call from your girlfriend. Now back to work!