Chapter 11

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.

"Diane, we need to talk," Kalinda said as she unceremoniously opened the conference room door, interrupting whatever she and Will were discussing.

"Certainly, Kalinda," Diane said. "Give me five?"

"Actually, Diane this won't wait. It's about the latest case you asked me to investigate. There's been a development that requires your immediate attention," Kalinda explained, her expression giving away nothing.

"Would you excuse us Will?" Diane asked her partner. "I'll come find you as soon as I'm finished here."

"Of course. I'll just try to perfect my skill for multiplying loaves and fishes so that we can make payroll next week," Will said half-jokingly as he rose from his chair and made his way back to his office.

"What is it Kalinda? Did you find out what Peter Florrick has up his sleeve?" Diane asked.

"If you call uncovering Glen Chiles' plot to frame him for crimes he didn't commit 'something up his sleeve' then yes," Kalinda said. "Peter and his attorney have been working behind the scenes with the head of the County's special task force on corruption. Chiles has been a very bad boy, and he's done a miserable job of covering his tracks. That, and the job has gone completely to his head. He's made this a personal vendetta against Peter, and it's working against him—there is actually some sympathy being generated for Peter."

"That's not great for us, but at least we know what we're dealing with," Diane said ruefully. "Do you have any idea as to the timing of this big revelation?"

"It could be happening as soon as tomorrow. The details are still being worked out," Kalinda said.

"And do we have any idea where Alicia stands on this?" Diane asked expectantly.

"What? I mean, you didn't ask me to look into anything with regard to Alicia," Kalinda said carefully. "I assumed that if you needed to know something from Alicia's perspective, you would ask her directly—so she wouldn't think that you or the firm was going behind her back."

"You assumption is incorrect, Kalinda," Diane explained. "Alicia can know nothing of our 'research' into her personal situation, even though I believe she would quite understand, given the volatility of her husband and his political power. I need to know where Alicia stands—is she serious about filing for divorce, or was that press conference some sort of ploy? Where's Peter living? Is she seeing anyone else? I need to know if Alicia is playing this situation up to cover up her own dalliances, or if she is truly the wounded party, and she's simply trying to cut her losses, divorce her cad of a husband and rebuild her life."

"Diane, I'm afraid I can't answer your questions," Kalinda said uncomfortably.

"Well why on earth not?" Diane asked.

"For the same reason I refused to investigate you, Will, and all the other Partners when Derrick Bond ordered me to. I cannot work for all of you—closely—and earn your trust while at the same time digging behind your back covertly," Kalinda explained patiently. "Just because I'm very good at getting whatever information I need does not mean that I don't have a moral code that I follow. And my moral code may be quite a bit different than yours, but nonetheless, I stand by it."

"Touché, Kalinda," Diane said smiling. "I'm actually impressed by your argument, and you're right—I should have a conversation with Alicia directly. If in fact, any of this is our business. And the more I'm thinking about this, the more I'm thinking it's time to pull back on any more 'research'. We'll just let nature take its course, and if Peter Florrick finds his way back to the State's Attorney's office, then we'll deal with that when it happens. Thank you Kalinda—good work," Diane said as she opened the door to the conference room and made her way to find Will.

Well, that was awkward, Kalinda thought. Moral code—really? She fell for the moral code line? Kalinda was relieved that Diane dropped her line of investigation. Although she knew what Alicia's plan's were, that fell under the veil of privileged information—from one friend to another. And for whatever reason, protecting Alicia had become Kalinda's number one priority.

"Owen, please…could you stop pouring your orange juice so loudly?" Alicia begged, elbows anchoring herself to the breakfast table as she cradled her head in her hands. "I'm thinking there's a reason why I stopped indulging in test tube shooters…now I remember why. I think if I had a machete, I would lob my own head off my shoulders just to stop the pain."

"Here you go darling…hair of the dog," Owen said, sliding a mimosa underneath Alicia's chin. "Drink up and you'll be right as rain in no time—ready to get back on the bar and dance like nobody's watching…or is that a country song? Oh well, no matter. I would say 'operation Make Alicia have Fun and Cause Trouble' is a rousing success."

"Owen, seriously…Stop. Talking. So. Loudly," Alicia said, taking a small sip of her drink, hoping the old wives' tale worked this time. Squinting up at her brother, she asked, "did I do anything stupid and embarrassing? Never mind. Don't answer that. I truly do not want to know."

"Oh my dear Alicia, let me scoot closer to you and I can show you the pictorial essay of our night on the town that I've preserved on my cell phone. Here's Alicia sandwiched between two sweaty, oiled go-go dancers. Now here she is downing her third test tube shooter, her arm draped lazily around this very large breasted, bronze-skinned beauty with dark hair. And look—here's Alicia dancing on top of the bar—actually, dancing would be considered a compliment, and fairly far afield from what you were actually doing. What were you trying to do, Alicia?"

"Well, I have a very sketchy outline of what transpired last night, so I can't hazard a guess, except perhaps I was trying to impress you, or perhaps one of those cute girls in the corner with the poll cues and leather jackets. I'm guessing they got a good laugh out of my antics..I didn't see any telephone numbers written on my hand, or saved to my phone when I woke up. Damn you, Owen—you're supposed to take care of me! You're my brother!" Alicia said, smiling through her supposed tirade.

"And I did, Alicia! I got all those phone numbers you wanted right here for you—they're in my phone, silly! Look, here's Destiny's number, Kate's, and how could you ever forget Ophelia?" Owen teased.

"As unlikely as it is, I have indeed forgotten the lovely Ophelia, as well as Destiny and Kate—if they existed at all, if only in your fired up imagination. Ever since I mentioned that I might be interested in girls, you've been far too excited about the prospect," Alicia said.

"Well, can you blame me? I'm tired of being the only homo in the family. Hell, I'm the only homo for three generations as far as I can tell. It's time to share the burden—or the blessing, if you prefer. I've worn the crown long enough. Just don't embarrass me and bring home a decidedly not-hot-enough-for-you chick, ok? Is that too much to ask?" Owen said, playing the long suffering brother role to the hilt.

"Here, Alicia. Drink up, put these dark sunglasses on, and let's get going. We're going shopping today! You need hot new clothes to go with the new you! And I'm not letting you dress yourself—it's fine for a State's Attorney's house-wife, but not for an up-and-coming bad-ass lawyer with a hankering for justice, and l'amour des femmes…so saddle up, pardner! We got some Jimmy Choo's to find!"

"Fine. But you're buying. I'm still trying to find my wallet after last night," Alicia quipped, slipping the dark sunglasses over her aching eyes.