Author's note: So, with over 6.000 words you're in for a treat. Longest chapter ever! So much is happening in this and I'm really curious how you guys feel about how this is going. I promise that things will get better though :)
Summary: A post 5x15 story where Will (of course) survives the shooting. This story explores the aftermath of that, where Alicia quickly realises what is most important in her life, but Will struggles with the difficult road to recovery.
Disclaimer: Not mine, not mine.

The Darkest Hour

Part V

"But how long will we fall, for how long will we fall, before we can climb?"

Luz - We'll Be Fine

Alicia had moved quickly after, what would be her last, appearance as the governor's wife. Cary was the only person she entrusted with her wish to formally divorce Peter, so she'd asked him to come over to her apartment.

"I mean, are you sure?" Cary asked, standing in her kitchen.

"I am," Alicia nodded while pouring the both of them a glass of red wine. "Cary, trust me. This has been on my mind for the past five years."

"OK, but why now? I don't… get the timing, I think."

"Well, you don't have to," she answered with a smile, handing him the glass.

"Fair enough," he grinned.

"You do have to be extremely careful with this," she tells him, no longer smiling.

"I know. I'll handle it on my own. No associate, no assistant. Not until it goes public."

"Thank you Cary."

"So, do you have any idea when it will be, public?"

"Eli asked for a month. I gave him two weeks."

"And he accepted that?"

"Reluctantly, yes."

"And Peter?"

Alicia takes a second before she answers that one. "Follows Eli," she says.

"Are you guys okay or…?"

"We're okay," Alicia answers decisively, unwilling to share much about Peter's reaction after she told him. He had yelled at her first, shouting insults about how she had never really recommitted to their marriage to begin with, that she'd only used his name for her own advantage and that she was a hypocrite to ever judge him for his decisions, since her moral compass was starting to deviate more than his own. Then, he bursted out of the apartment, only to come back half an hour later. He stood in the doorway, slouch-shouldered, defeated almost. "Okay," he had said. "I know this is over. I've known for years, too." She invited him back in, they held each other on her couch, the both of them had cried and all in all, it wasn't as bad as she had feared. But that was before Peter talked to Eli, before he took the time to think about the impact it would have on his position, and now, things were worse. The kids had no idea still, but she was hoping to tell them next weekend, preferably together with Peter. She was eager to move things forward, to get it out in the public and to ultimately, finally, start living her own life.

Alicia had seen Will a few times in the following weeks. They had passed each other in the courthouse several times and she'd been back at Lockhart Gardner for finalising the settlement with Diane. But something seemed off. She didn't know what it was exactly, but he seemed absent minded and distant, too. There was a darkness in his eyes that she'd only seen once, and that was the day when he found out she was leaving his firm and had swept everything off her desk. But the difference with back then was at the time, that darkness had been passionate, it had driven him to work harder, to fight her, to find ways to provoke her. But this darkness was different. It was empty and numb, and she felt like there was just no way to get through to him. What had happened since that afternoon in his office, she didn't know, but she had proposed twice now to go for a coffee, and he had never taken her up on that offer. Admittedly, she was hurt by the rejection, but she also told herself she was being selfish. She understood he needed time to process what had happened to him, and she also understood perfectly well that it wasn't up to her to decide whether or not they could reconnect.

It's early in the morning when she enters the courthouse, ready for a case that she wouldn't do herself, but now that two of their associates are down with the flu and she couldn't possibly ask Cary to take this one since he was already doing her a major favour by prepping her divorce on his own, she had volunteered to step in on this case. They're up against Lockhart Gardner, so she expects to see one of their associates too. She's all the more surprised when she steps into the courtroom and sees Will sitting next to their client. It's in that same moment that she realises that is the same courtroom where the shooting took place. The windows have been replaced since then, it all looks brand new and no one will be able to tell, but it is that very room and it brings goosebumps to her skin to see Will in there, as if it never happened.

"Will, hi," she says and sits down to get her paperwork out of her bag.

He looks up, clearly surprised to hear her voice. "Morning," he says, not showing much interest.

"I think I expected to see one of your associates."

"Right back at you," he replies and gives her a half smile.

"Yeah, we're being wiped out by flu season. Stepping in. You?"

"This is me trying to take it slow," he answers dryly, referring to their conversation in his office a couple of weeks ago.

"Ah," she smiles. "I see." Of course, Alicia considers to bring up the fact that they're in this courtroom, and to ask him how it's making him feel. She doesn't, firstly because she knows she doesn't have to remind him of that fact, secondly because she doesn't think it will make the situation any better and lastly, because of the weird mood he's been in lately.

So the hearing starts, and at first, everything seems to be going fine. But when it's Will's turn to address the judge, she needs to do her best to focus on what he's actually saying, because the way he's behaving is distracting her. He seems nervous and unable to find a solid rhythm in his speech. He's restlessly twitching his neck and clearing his throat between every sentence. She then notices he's holding notes in his hand - which is something she's rarely seen him do, - and just how tight his hands are holding on to the paper, clenching it almost. But he continues and his argumentation does seem solid.

So for a moment, Alicia thinks that he managed to shake it off. But then, he starts to stumble over his words again, walks back to his table to check something before he turns himself back to judge Abernathy, whose raised eyebrows give away that he, too, notices that something is off.

"Mr. Gardner, we have plenty of time this morning. If you'd like to request a recess, I'll gladly use that time for a short sciatic walk, as you know."

"No, Your Honor, thank you. I'm fine, let's continue," he says in return. But Alica can see him lick sweat off his upper lip, and it's right in that moment when she notices just how pale he's looking, and that drips of sweat are trickling down his temples.

Will keeps looking over his shoulder to the back of the courtroom, then back to the judge, back to the papers in his hand and for a split second, his eyes meet hers and there's an unmistakable panic in them that throws off her guard. Something's wrong.

Alicia shares a concerned look with Abernathy, who nods at her and then clears his throat. "Mr. Gardner, I'm sorry to say, but I have trouble following your argumentation. And I think the same goes for Ms. Florrick."

"Yes, your honor," she responds and stands up. "I'd like to request a fifteen minute recess to consult with my client."

"All right, that seems reasonable," Abernathy nods.

Will seems to out of it to really respond. For a second, she thinks he's going to pass out right there, but he, barely, regains himself. "Excuse me, I'll be right back," he mumbles, half to the judge and half to his client, who clearly also notices he's not doing well. He wipes the sweat off his forehead, puts down his papers and hurries out of the courtroom.

Abernathy sighs deeply and gestures Alicia to come to the stand. "I'm unsure if we'll be able to continue this session today, given the condition of Mr. Gardner. If he's not doing better in fifteen minutes, I suggest we'll continue this hearing at a different moment in time. You do realize that this is… the same courtroom?"

"I do," Alicia confirms. "Let me go check on him."

"Good," Abernathy nods and got up from his seat. "We'll see each other back here in fifteen."

Alicia tells her client to take a break as well and then walks out of the courtroom. As soon as she enters the hallway, she sees Will coming out of the men's bathroom, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, and walking straight to the exit. He hasn't seen her, she thinks.

Her eyes follow him until he has left the building through the main entrance. She gives him a minute, grabs a bottle of water from her bag and walks outside. She spots him immediately, sitting on the big concrete blocks outside the entrance. Even though he's sitting there bowed down, his face in his hands, she recognises him. She always does.

She hesitates for a moment but then thinks to what she just said to Abernathy. She did say she would go check on him. It's almost as if she needs a valid excuse, towards Will but mostly to herself, to walk over to him.

"Hey," she starts softly once she's within hearing distance.

He briefly looks up at the sound of her voice. "Hi," he mumbles. He still looks pale, she notices, and the sweat has formed a stain just underneath the collar of his light blue shirt. His suit jacket lays next to him.

"Are you okay?" She asks.

Will nods quietly and continues to stare to the ground, avoiding eye contact.

"What happened?"

He clears his throat. "Threw up."

"Okay," she answers softly. "Feeling better now?"

"Hm," is all she gets in return.

"Here," she hands him the bottle. "You should drink something."

He looks back up at her. "Thanks."

"No problem."

He gratefully drinks from the bottle and lets out a deep sigh. "God," he groans and rubs his eyes.

"What?"

"Nothing," he mumbles. "You want it back?" He says, holding the bottle up to her. There's a glimmer in his eyes that tells her he's joking. That's a good sign, she thinks.

"Definitely not," she replies with a smile. "Keep it."

"Thought so," he smirks and bowes his head down again.

Again, Alicia wonders if she should start digging deeper. If this is the right moment to ask him about the courtroom and if that's what's making him feel sick. But that's asking what she already knows, it's dramatising the moment and most of all, it's interfering in something that's none of her business. Not now. She doesn't ask the question.

"So Abernathy gave us fifteen minutes," she says instead.

"Me," Will answers, still avoiding further eye contact.

"What?"

"Gave me fifteen minutes. To get my shit together."

"Will…" She sits down next to him. "You're being too hard on yourself," she says, her voice softer and more loving than she might have intended. "And you know this case can easily be postponed, there's no harm in that."

"Yeah," he scoffs. "I know that. It's just embarrassing."

"No, Will, it's not," Alicia responds quickly.

"Well, I don't like it."

"I know," Alicia sighs. "I understand."

"It's as if I can't do my job anymore," Will mumbles, his voice unintentionally breaking as he says that.

"No, that's not what this is," she says softly.

"Sure feels like it." He bowes his head back down once again, supporting his forehand with his right hand. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. "Can you give me a couple minutes?"

"Of course," Alicia nods and gets up. She looks at him, how he's still sitting there. Defeated, really. She can't help to rest her hand on his shoulder. It might be in her head, but she thinks she feels the tension release in his shoulders as she does that. It makes her want to lean in, place a kiss on the top of his hair and whisper that he will get through this. But she restrains herself, just rubs his shoulder and then reluctantly lets go.

"See you back in five," she says.

Will stays put with his eyes closed while he hears Alicia's footsteps move further away from him. He can't believe he let this happen. That he can't even make it through a simple court case like this. Of course, he didn't know in advance that they would be in this particular room. He had even checked the schedule beforehand, knowing he would struggle to go back in there. And then, when he came in an hour ago, the clerk told him there had been a scheduling issue. It had made him feel sick pretty much immediately, and seeing Alicia enter the room somehow made things worse. It's as if with her around, he can't hide his emotions. It makes him feel weak and it's frustrating to him. What he doesn't realize - not now at least - is that it's a good thing. That seeing her makes him break not because he's weak, but because she's the only one he'd allow himself to break down with. And that's the frustrating part. That in the end, Alicia's the only one who will able to pull him through this. But right now, he doesn't want her to. Even though deep down, he's screaming for support.

A good five minutes later, he makes it back to the courtroom. Abernathy gives him a thumbs up with questioning eyebrows. Will nods, confirms he's all right, and they continue.

Alicia and Will don't see much of each other in the following days. Will hadn't told anyone about the episode in the courtroom and hopes both Abernathy and Alicia will be professional enough to keep it between them as well. He had actually won the case, much to surprise of his client, and had been able to continue at work as if nothing had happened. But that doesn't mean he's doing well, because he really isn't. The nightmares have returned, his anxiety is reaching new levels and with that, his drinking has too.

It's going to be a struggle this evening. He's sitting at one of the big round tables at a yearly judicial charity dinner he hoped to avoid. Diane had convinced him that it would be good fo him to show up and represent the firm. So here he is, barely listening to the NGO representative sitting next to him, who's - not very subtly - trying to lure him into considering a donation. Admittedly, he has barely listened to whatever the man keeps talking about. He's just been sipping his wine, waiting for the dinner to be over so he can order his whiskey. Meanwhile, he keeps staring at the table just across the room, where Alicia is sitting next to Cary. She looks beautiful, wearing a long dark blue evening dress with bare shoulders.

He's unable to keep his eyes off her. Somewhere, he would like to walk up to her and have a drink together, but then his mind flashes back to seeing her standing next to Peter during that speech. He knows that most people tonight will actually see her as the governor's wife, rather than the Alicia he knows, or used to know, and it's making him think again about how she would never publicly admit that she cares about him, even though he knows that she does. She never will, because it would ruin her image, it would ruin her - what, in his opinion was nothing more than a political - marriage, and so whatever happened in that ICU when he was there, whatever that hug was in his office weeks ago, it's supposed to stay hidden. That thought alone is enough to convince himself that he should continue to avoid her, especially now that he isn't feeling great. Hopefully this dinner ends quickly, so he no longer has to look at her every two minutes.

On that table across the room, Alicia has been keeping an eye on Will all evening. It's something she's always done. She'll always register him and keep track of him in a crowd. It's like a bad habit almost, one she's never been able to shake off, and tonight it's also fuelled by her concerns after seeing him basically collapse in court a week earlier. The fact that he seems to be well on his way with his third, or perhaps even fourth, glass of wine (yes, she's been keeping track) isn't making those concerns any less. And even though he always looks handsome in a suit, she can tell he's lost weight.

Now, Alicia must admit that this evening, she started drinking early herself too. She needs it to distract herself from the fact that tomorrow morning the press release announcing her divorce will go public. This weekend, she and Peter had told the kids about their divorce. Grace had cried, Zach had frowned at the news and remained painfully quiet. An hour later, he came to find her in the kitchen, hugged her, told her he loved her and just wanted her to be happy. That's when Alicia cried too.

Tomorrow, the rest of Chicago will find out. Alicia doesn't know what will happen or how it will make her feel. She tries not to think about it too much tonight, she needs to be pro-active and attract new clients. The firm is struggling financially and nights like this are pivotal in expanding their network. So she tries to avoid staring at Will, who has no idea that her life is about to change radically and that in a way, he's responsible for all of it. Instead, she turns to the woman on her right and politely answers her questions about what it's like to have a husband in politics.

Hours later, most guests have left their original table and found their way to the bar. There's only a small group left and the mood has changed. The politeness is gone, the music has been turned up and some of the guests are now hefty debates with each other about politics, the law and everything in between, alternated with bold jokes and hard laughter.

Alicia's job here is done, she thinks. She generously interacted with potential new clients, caught up with some colleagues and she even managed to network with a woman who might be of benefit to Peter. Still the governor's wife for another what, she looks at her watch, nine hours.

Most of the people she knows have left. Will's still there, apparently engaged in a hefty discussion with some men near the bar. Some of them she recognises, others she's never seen before. Just when she downs the last bit of her wine and tells herself this is a good moment to go home, Cary pops up from the crowd and hands her another glass.

"Last one," she smiles and gladly takes the glass from his hand.

"Of course," he grins. "You need it. Big day tomorrow."

"Big day..." she repeats, nodding. "What do you think? Should I've booked a hotel? Hide out?"

"Oh yeah," Cary answers. "I might have even left the country if I were you."

"That's very dramatic," she grins.

"Is it?"

She drinks a good amount from her wine. "Perhaps you're right. I should have."

"Should I drive you to the airport?" He jokes.

Alicia laughs out loud at that, but then they're one-on-one is interrupted by raised voices. They both look up to see where it's coming from. It's Will's group.

"Hey man, calm down," they hear one of the men, and Alicia quickly realises he's talking to Will.

"Don't tell me to calm down," she sees Will respond, clearly offended.

"Oh god," Alicia mutters. "He's drunk."

"Yup," Cary answers her. "Do you know what this is about?"

"No clue," She sighs.

"But Will's been acting out recently, hasn't he?"

Alicia nods, the look in her eyes changing from curious to sad. This isn't like him. He can get angry, sure, and he can lash out if he wants to, but it's usually calculated, strategic almost. But this, this seems like nothing but reckless behaviour.

"You don't know what the fuck you're talking about," they suddenly hear Will burst out, even louder now. Before Alicia fully grasps what's going on, she sees Will slam a beer glass out of the man's hand he's arguing with. Will, please cam down, she thinks to herself, but it doesn't do anything, of course it doesn't.

He keeps yelling, something about how he has no idea about what it means 'out here in the real word', then a phrase she doesn't understand but she does hear 'fucking diminished capacity' and then it hits her. This is about the shooting, this is about Jeffrey. Did he start this conversation? Did that other guy ask him about the shooting? Or did Will make it about Jeffrey?

"Okay, this is getting out of control," Cary says, no longer enjoying the view.

Cary walks over to him and she see him trying to talk some sense into Will. It's a brave attempt, but she also knows that of all people, Cary isn't the one that will be able to calm down Will Gardner.

"Leave me alone," Will hisses.

"Come on man, why don't you go outside, get some fresh air," Cary tries again and wraps his arm around his shoulder, trying to stay casual. But Will isn't having any of it and escapes from his hold. For a split second, his eyes meet hers as he does. First she sees anger, but then she notices the panic too. Then, he storms out of the room.

The room falls silent for a moment, but the different groups slowly pick up their previous conversation and within minutes, the laughs start coming back.

"This isn't doing him any good," Cary says after he walked back over to her.

"I know," Alicia answers him, saddened by what just happened. "It's unlike him."

"Yeah, I've never seen him this reckless. You think he needs help?"

Alicia swallows. "Maybe. But I don't think we're the ones who should be telling him that."

"Definitely not me," he grins. "But you… he might listen to you."

She sighs. "I don't think so."

"Well, maybe you should try harder," Cary replies and then walks back to the bar. It surprises her to hear him say that. There's always been a very clear, unspoken, red line between the two of them. Their personal lives are not something they often talk about and Will especially, has always been off limits. But Cary has seen how much the shooting has affected her and he probably also knows that the timing of her divorce isn't completely unlinked from it all. But Alicia doesn't want her head to go there again, partly because she has enough on her plate and partly because all the wine is starting to make her feel drowsy. Time to go.

Minutes later, Alicia steps outside into the cold night air. It's past midnight, much later than she anticipated. She ordered herself an Uber but the icon of the car doesn't seem to be moving. This is going to take at least ten minutes, she thinks. And it's much colder than she expected, she should have stayed inside. She wraps her coat around her, buries her face in her scarf and looks around the street, thinking of what to do. Then, her eyes falls on a silhouette leaning against a brick wall of a building just a couple feet away from her. Will.

She considers her options, thinks back to the anger she saw in his eyes and first tells herself she should let him calm down by himself, but then she's reminded of what Cary told her: Maybe you should try harder, and she heads over to him.

Will looks up at the sound of her heels. His shirt half unbuttoned, his bow-tie dangling around his neck.

"Going home?" He asks when she's within hearing distance.

"Yes," she nods. "What about you?"

He shrugs. "Probably should."

"Don't want to go back inside?"

Will clicks his tongue. "That wouldn't be appreciated."

"What happened back there?"

"Why do you wanna know?" Will asks annoyed, as if she's provoked him by asking that. She thinks about how to answer him and observes him for a second.

"Because… I care," she simply says, and it's the truth.

Will snorts at that and looks away. It's a rude response, she thinks, but she can tell by the way he stands there, the way he looks at her, that he hasn't quite sobered up.

"You've been drinking," she states matter-of-factly and looks back at her phone, the taxi icon still passively blinking a good ten minutes from where she is.

"As has every single person in that room tonight," he snaps back. "You included."

"I know," she responds calmly.

"So, what do you need?"

What do I need? Alicia doesn't know what to do with question.

"I wanted to make sure you're all right," she says, trying to look in his eyes.

"Why?"

Because you seem..." She shakes her head, trying to find the right words.

"Hm?" He frowns at her.

Alicia sighs at the way he's acting. She isn't used to seeing him like this and she doesn't know what to do with him in this state. I should have left him alone, Alicia confirms to herself. Let him deal with whatever he's dealing with.

"Honestly, I don't know what you're doing here," he continues. His drunk eyes scatter across her face, almost as if he's eager to find out if he managed to hurt her by saying that.

She gives him a long look, confused by his behaviour. It's not just tonight. For the last couple of weeks, there's been a negative tension between them and she has a hard time understanding it, because for her, things have become so much clearer and her feelings for him have become so much stronger. She knows, of course she does, that he's dealing with this unimaginable complex aftermath of barely surviving the shooting, and that there isn't a manual to it. But the way he's been behaving seems so far away from who he is... So she gathers the courage to continue her effort.

"Will, I just… I care. So much. I really do."

There's a mix of scepticism and resentment in his eyes as she says that, drunk resentment, and it's painful to her.

"Seeing you like this," she continues. "The way you lashed out in there... I can't imagine you're doing okay. "

"I'm fine."

She closes her eyes for a second. "I wish you would stop saying that."

He frowns at her. "Why?"

"Because you're not. The way you're acting... it's unlike you."

"What do you know about that?" He shoots back at her. "We've lost touch years ago Alicia. You have no idea. People change." It's hard to hear him tell her that, and frankly, she doesn't believe it.

"I thought I did," she says with a calm and clarity that hides just how hurtful his words are to her.

"Yeah, well..." Will lets out a cynical grin, and it's right in that moment that Alicia decides to cut off the conversation, because it isn't making either of them feeling better. And even though she had a few, too, she knows she's the only one who's still - somewhat - thinking clearly, and should bring this situation to an end.

"You know what, I'm not doing this," she says. "Not now."

"Of course you won't," another sneer from Will. "Go home."

His attitude is starting to make her angry. She was able to cope with it to a certain extent, telling herself that one, he's drunk and second, he's in a difficult situation, but the more he spits his dark, cynical remarks at her, drunk or not, those arguments are starting to wear off.

"Okay, fine," she shoots right back at him, losing her calm now. She's also had more wine than she should have. "I'll go. But for your own sake, stop this. Stop the drinking. Get it under control. It's not making things any better."

"Oh God, please don't," Will snaps at her. He gets up from the wall and takes a few steps away from her, back towards the entrance of the event. "Don't start telling me what to do."

"I'm not," Alica responds, no longer holding back the irritation in her voice. "I'm just trying to help."

"But I don't want you too," Will says, his voice louder now, raising his hands up in the air in frustration.

"Will..." Alicia takes a step closer towards him, but he keeps moving further away from her. She can't place where this is coming from. If it's simply him being drunk or that there's something else she has missed.

"That's your Uber," Will gestures behind her. "Take it, go home."

Alicia looks around and sees the car too. Great timing, she thinks to herself.

"Why don't you get in with me?" She tries, even though she knows better. "You can't drive like that."

"And then what, Alicia?" He continues the shouting and it's embarrassing to her. "You feel good about helping me? And then what happens? Hug me? Kiss me?" He continues loudly. "Curse and turn around? Cause we've all seen that before!"

"Oh my God," Alicia now really loses her temper, too.

"Is that what this about?" She shouts back at him, and she regrets it immediately, but it's too difficult to hold back.

"That's what it's always been about!" Will yells, almost at the top of his lungs. He moves drunkenly across the sidewalk. "And I'm so done with that, Alicia. Coming in and out of my life whenever it's convenient to you. And why now? Because what happened scared you? Because you feel bad?! Guilty?! So now you're trying to make up for everything that happened?"

Alicia's lost for words for a moment. She can't believe they're having this conversation now and quite frankly, she doesn't know how to respond. His words confuse her and it's the wine that prevents her from handling the situation with her usual calm.

The Uber driver now pulled up next to her and lowers his window. "Everything okay?" He asks her, understandably concerned by the scene the both of them are creating outside.

"Yes," she hastily responds. She thinks about stepping in the car straight away, because it seems the only way to make the situation better. But then she looks back at Will who, to her surprise, hasn't walked back inside yet. "One minute please, thank you," she tells the driver and walks over to Will, who doesn't back away.

"Alicia, just go home," Will's voice is calmer now, but the look in his eyes is still as angry as it was a minute ago. "I don't need any of this."

She studies his face, doubts whether or not she should say what she's about to say, but then does it anyway.

"I separated from Peter," she tells him, her voice flat and low.

She can tell Will didn't expect her to say that, but he isn't going to admit that to her now. "I couldn't care less at this point" he just responds scornfully. His ignorance is painful to her. Somehow, she thought that by saying that, the mood would change. But it doesn't.

"So what do you want to hear?" She asks him, with a voice that's filled with emotion and an urgency that draws Will attention.

"That I didn't sleep for days? That I cried, sitting next to you in the ICU, thinking you'd never wake up? That we'd never be able to have the conversation we both know we needed? Is that what you want me to say?"

Alicia's taken aback by her own words and she can tell Will's clearly shocked by her sudden change of tone as well. He opens his mouth but says nothing back.

"I thought you died, Will," she continues and her voice breaks at that. "I thought I lost you. And yes, it made me see things differently. And I know that's selfish and that it's wrong it took me so long. I should have changed things, I know…" There are tears in her eyes now, and Will sees them too. "But things weren't that simple, they just weren't. You know that. And now you're here and you're drunk and I want to help you, I really do. I want to…" She needs to stop to catch her breath. "I want to be there."

Will looks at her, with those drunk, hazy eyes, dazed by everything she just said. But Alicia doesn't have the patience to wait for it to dawn on him. There's the driver waiting for her, and it's her never ending inner politeness that doesn't want him to wait much longer. But there's also a fear, growing bigger by the second, that his response to this will be even more hurtful than everything he said before. She can't handle another cynical remark or another rejection that will push her even further away from him.

"But if that isn't what you want," she sighs and swallows away the tears. "I'll respect it. And I'll back off. Just… read the papers tomorrow." With that, she turns around, no longer willing to wait for him to say or do anything else.

"I'm sorry for this," she tells the driver as she steps in the car. "Thank you for waiting." He just shrugs in response and starts driving. Alicia leans back in her seat and covers her face in her hands. This is bad, she tells herself. Now what?

Will's still standing there in the middle of the street. Lost, dazed and most of all: drunk.

Thanks so much for reading! Please leave a review, curious how many of you are actually still interested and eager for more :)

Preview for part VI: Word travels fast so Diane comes by and tries to talk some sense into Will, while Alicia is dealing with the press. Will doesn't remember everything from that night, but he knows that he made a massive mistake and invites Alicia to come over so he can apologise.