Chapter Fourteen: A Turn of Events
Cary ordered himself a Jameson and dry, feeling as if he had a long night ahead of him. He had just said hello to Peter Florrick and Will Gardner at the same time.
He saw Will first, walking up and putting his hand out for his old boss to shake. Will took it and greeted him amiably, introducing Cary to his girlfriend Marnie. Cary wondered if Alicia knew about her; although his work partner was very open about her feelings for Peter, Cary couldn't get anything out of her that concerned Will. As far as he knew, Alicia wasn't friends with their old boss anymore; but that didn't mean she didn't have feelings for him.
Then Peter had walked out of the crowd, shook Cary's hand, shook Will's hand and introduced them to Marilyn. As if Cary hadn't met her before, when the former Governor was still married. Even stranger though was that Peter and Will had a long conversation without so much as making a threat; and their blonde girlfriends chatted to each other like old friends. So Cary had gone to order himself a strong drink, feeling like an awkward fifth wheel.
Alicia sidled into the conference room, searching for that familiar blonde head. Everyone was already sitting down around their designated tables; Alicia saw the speaker walking over to the stage. It was cocktail dress for a sit down dinner, something that wasn't conventional, although Alicia didn't mind. She was tired of buying formal gowns, only to wear them once. She wore a fitted red dress, her favourite colour, and high black shoes. Boring for her, but it always suited well. She walked quickly over to Cary, taking the empty seat beside him.
"I ordered you a drink" Cary whispered, pushing a glass of white wine towards her.
"You're the best" she whispered back.
Will saw her in his peripheral vision, walking into the conference room. He had been waiting for her to appear all night, now here she was. He loved her in red; the colour suited her so well. Everything about her was at its usual, the way she did her hair and makeup, the way she walked. And he loved it. Watching her move across the room, he almost felt jealous that she took a seat next to Cary. He saw her take the glass of wine offered, feeling ticked that Cary knew what she liked to drink without asking.
The speaker began speaking and Will felt pressure on his hand as Marnie squeezed it. He turned, offering her a smile, and catching the sight of Peter Florrick behind her. The ex-governor had been surprisingly nice to Will, offering him polite conversation and introducing him to Marilyn. Will felt awkward around her for Alicia's sake, but luckily Marnie had been there to make nice conversation. Peter was now watching Alicia, his hand draped protectively over Marilyn's shoulders. The blonde ethical advisor also watched her boyfriend's ex-wife, who wasn't paying attention to any of them. Alicia whispered happily with Cary, sipping her wine and genuinely seeming to enjoy herself. Peter was an idiot for letting her go; Alicia was a master of societal events, and Will had no doubt that Peter was trying to get himself back into the political scene.
Will turned his head back towards Alicia, wishing that he were the one making her smile. He unconsciously let go of Marnie's hand to sip his drink, but never reached for it to hold again.
Things had been tense between them lately; he could feel the relationship ending. And, as always happened when Will began to lose his feelings for a girl, his mind became swamped with Alicia again. He had survived the years by moving from woman to woman, and he always knew they would break up when Will began thinking of Alicia more than he thought of his girlfriend. He had been happy in many of his relationships over the years, but none of them matched up to the one he had at Georgetown with his dark haired college sweetheart. Marnie was no exception.
"So I know that you and I have never seen eye to eye" David began, swirling the scotch around his glass.
"That's putting it lightly" Eli scoffed, eyeing Peter evilly from across the crowded conference room, set up like an amateur ballroom. He could throw a better gala with his eyes shut.
"But now that Mr Florrick is in the clear, I know you'll be wanting back in on the revenge path" David went on, sipping his scotch. "Will doesn't want to hurt Alicia anymore, so he's useless."
"I don't want to hurt Alicia either" Eli admitted, taking pleasure in the annoyance plastered on David's face.
"Well someone needs to suffer" he hissed, downing the rest of his drink.
"Will Peter suffice?" Eli asked. "Because I'm not done with him."
"No" David shook his head, rather casually. "But he might fill in the time between now and taking down Florrick/Agos, I suppose. Do you have any ideas?"
"I have one" Eli admitted, "although it involves Will, so we couldn't tell him."
"I like it already" David grinned like the Grinch on Christmas Eve.
When the speeches were done and Alicia was on to her third glass of wine, accompanied by some sort of chicken main course, she was in good spirits. She knew that Peter and Marilyn were around here somewhere, but Alicia hadn't seen them yet, so she was determined to remain happy until she did.
"Come on, let's dance" Cary said, dragging Alicia out onto the dance floor. Only the wine kept her from snatching back her hand, but she felt as if she were actually having fun for once. Owen would be proud.
Cary twirled a giggling Alicia around the dance floor, with plenty of onlookers staring openly. She ignored them, putting her hand to Cary's shoulder for support as the wine rushed around in her head.
"Is Kalinda here?" she asked suggestively, raising her eyebrows.
"I haven't seen her" Cary smirked, understanding Alicia perfectly.
"Maybe we should go search for her?"
"Oh, I don't think so" Cary shook his head.
"Why not? I like the idea of you two together."
"Really? 'Cause I can't imagine Kalinda with anyone."
"Well" Alicia cocked her head to the said, considering that what Cary said was true. "She is very independent" she conceded, "but I think she'd make an exception for you."
"Why would I be the exception?"
"Because you're exceptional" Alicia laughed, and Cary groaned at her awful pun. Then he looked up and his eyes cleared, his face sobering.
Alicia turned around and saw Kalinda, in her usual smoky eye make-up and boots. All that was missing was her leather jacket, but Alicia liked her black fitted dress.
"Excuse me" Cary smiled, letting go of Alicia.
"Take your time" she laughed, heading back for their table. On her way, she was ambushed.
"Alicia" Marilyn called, turning and smiling.
Donning her best fake smile, the one that she had been practicing in the early evening, Alicia walked over to her ex-husband's girlfriend.
"Marilyn, hello" she said politely, clasping her hands in front of her. "How are you?"
"I'm really great, do you know Marnie?" she replied, gesturing to the blonde woman beside her.
Alicia offered her a genuine smile, and said "Yes, I believe we met a few weeks ago, at Cellini's restaurant?"
"Yes, we did" Marnie nodded enthusiastically. "You're a friend of Will's."
Alicia nodded, ignoring the use of 'friend' and asking, "Are you having a good evening?"
"Oh yes, this venue is lovely" Marnie said, turning to smile as Peter joined their group.
"Hello Alicia" he said, handing a glass of champagne to Marilyn. "How are you?"
"Well thank you" Alicia replied, wishing that she had a glass of wine to sip. She couldn't help raising her eyebrows and pursing her lips as she felt her good spirits declining. All this situation needed now was –
"Will, there you are" Marnie chimed, reaching out and holding him by the forearm. "We just ran into Alicia."
Will smiled his beautiful boyish smile, nodding at Alicia in greeting. "Yeah I saw, so I thought I'd bring you both a drink" he said, handing Marnie a glass of champagne and Alicia a glass of wine.
"Thank you" Alicia almost whispered, in awe of this kind gesture. She felt her heart beating harder in her chest and she couldn't help smiling at Will. Then Marnie linked her arm into his, making it clear that Will belonged with her. Marilyn slipped her hand into Peter's and Alicia felt so awkwardly alone. Unable to stand it any longer, she muttered something about going to find Cary, and exited out through the French doors, onto the patio.
Will disentangled his arm from Marnie's as soon as Alicia walked away, with every intention of going after her.
"Hey" Marnie sneered, catching his hand. "Where are you going?"
"Outside" Will shrugged, not wanting to make a scene in front of Peter and Marilyn.
"Let's use the front entrance" Marnie smiled with gritted teeth.
"Fine" Will nodded, knowing that it was time to end this.
Eli watched Will and Marnie storm outside, their faces stony and hard.
"Look at that" he looked at David, gesturing towards Will before he exited with a sulky girlfriend in tow.
"Even better" David said, raising his eyebrows. "Your plan will be easier if they break up."
"Maybe we could do it tonight?" Eli asked.
"Maybe we could" David agreed. "Go see what's happening."
"Yeah" Eli said, going after Will and Marnie.
He found them just outside, where cars came to pick-up and drop-off guests.
"Why are you doing this?" Marnie wailed. Eli slunk back against the wall, inconspicuous to the arguing couple.
"Oh come on Marnie, this hasn't been working for a while now" Will remarked, his voice firm. "We're not happy together."
"We were" she bellowed, "until you introduced me to that woman four weeks ago. That's when you changed."
"Don't be ridiculous".
"I'm not, I saw the way you were looking at her, and how you wanted to go after her."
They argued for a long time, Marnie begging him to stay with her, but Will ended it. Eli smiled and evil sort of smile.
Will put his hand up, hailing a waiting taxi. It drove forward and Will opened the door for Marnie who, after a few more tearful words, got inside.
Eli turned on his heel and walked back into the building before Will could see him. It was time to find Alicia.
Looking out over the balcony, Alicia saw two figures emerge below her. They walked forward into the light and she recognised Cary and Kalinda, standing very close to each other. Alicia couldn't hear what they were saying, but she smiled to herself, feeling better about the awkwardness inside. At least Cary might end the night on a high note.
"Alicia".
She turned around to see Eli standing behind her, his hands jammed in the pockets of his suit pants, his head bowed; almost as if he were ashamed.
"I need to tell you something" he said.
Author's Note:
Sorry about the wait! I know a lot just happened in this chapter, so I hope it all makes sense. As always I'd love to hear your thoughts, and thank you so much for the beautiful reviews!
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fan fiction using characters from The Good Wife television show, which is trademarked by Robert and Michelle King and CBS. Alicia Florrick, Will Gardner, Diane Lockhart, Cary Agos, Kalinda Sharma, Kurt McVeigh, Laura Hellinger and Peter Florrick are all characters created and owned by Robert and Michelle King and CBS. I do not claim any ownership over them or the world of The Good Wife. The story I tell here about The Good Wife characters is of my own invention, and it is not purported or believed to be part of the King's story canon. This story is for entertainment only and is not part of the official story line. I am not profiting financially from the creation and publication of this story. I am grateful to Robert and Michelle King, and all the other writers for The Good Wife, for their wonderful show, as without it, my story would not exist.