Title: For All Eternity

Author: Julia Laure

Chapter 5: There's Only One Answer

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Disclaimer: see chapter 1

"I need O'Malley's case file pulled again, no I don't know the number, do that and have it to me by tomorrow. As for Adderson case, number MS-964; here are the significant notes from the case. Type them up; I'll also need those by tomorrow. Call down to the courthouse and ask for the transcript around four, no earlier." Elizabeth Wakefield told her secretary. She knew Laurent was standing behind her. When he cleared his throat Liz turned and glared at him. He grinned and raised an eyebrow.

"Here's the messages from today," her secretary told her briskly. Liz read the notes quickly. There were nine in all.

"Yes. No. No. No way in hell, you can quote me. I'll call him tomorrow. Suggest to her we settle. Yes, I can baby-sit Will, but only until 9. Tell Jess if she wants to talk then she better come to me first, and yes, I will take the case," Liz said responding to each message in order. Her secretary nodded as she wrote down the responses. Liz walked into her office. She set her briefcase down on her desk and turned as Laurent shut the door.

"You had no right to do the things you just did. First, you barge into my world, thinking we can pick up where we left off. Second, I am not your girlfriend, in fact, I never was. Third, what happened earlier today is not happening again, so don't even try it," Liz said calmly. She did not want to yell, in truth, she didn't have the energy.

"You were the one who barged into my world. You want to talk about throwing a person off-balance. I didn't even know you lived in L.A., much less you were a lawyer. What happened this morning could happen again, in fact it will happen again."

"No it won't. I can't afford to have you in my life. I worked to hard to get here."

"And me being in your life will somehow ruin it? Somehow I think you're reaching on that one."

"You being in it means that you think you have to be all macho and charge in whenever you think I need you." Liz said, "The truth is, I can take care of myself. I'm a big girl Laurent, I don't need you."

"If I wasn't there you'd be still struggling to keep that guy off of you. Whether you like it or not, I just provided you with an excuse to brush the guy off!" Laurent said raising his voice.

"I've been doing a pretty good job of brushing him off so far, I didn't need your help."

"Obviously. Do you know what the guys in your firm call you? According to my brother they call you 'Ice Queen Wakefield.'"

"God Damn You!" Liz said her blue eyes flashing with anger. She turned on her heel and opened the door. She walked out and slammed it in Laurent's face. She walked quickly out to the lobby; she needed to get away from him. Far away. He was exposing too many of her insecurities.

"ELIZABETH! Don't you dare walk away from me. Get back here. We're not finished. This is not settled." Laurent yelled as he went after her. Heads came out of offices. Curious onlookers followed him indiscreetly. With his long strides he reached her about halfway through the lobby. He caught her by the shoulder and turned her around. What he saw made him feel like the lowest animal on earth.

Tears streamed down Elizabeth's face. Hurt tears mingled with angry tears. "Get off of me you bastard. Just leave me the hell alone."

"Hush, chère, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just wanted to let you know I didn't think you needed to be taken care of. I want to take care of you though. Is that such a bad thing, ma petite- amie?" Laurent asked her softly after he drew her into his arms for comfort. He cradled her head against his chest offering as much comfort as he knew how to give.

Laurent tipped Elizabeth's chin up with his thumb. He looked into her eyes and saw not the hate he expected, but what he had hoped, love. He lowered his mouth to hers and caught her mouth in a soul-searching kiss. The kiss turned to one of raw desire and possessiveness. One that said she agreed. But Laurent needed to hear the words from his Liz.

"Are we together?" he whispered to her.

"I believe so."

"Believe?"

"No, I am sure."

"So no more walls?"

"No more walls."

"I'll pick you up at eight."

"Okay." With that whispered word their conversation ended. Laurent led Liz out of the building with his had resting in the small of her back. They neither noticed or cared about the 40 employees of Hailman and Associates standing in the lobby amazed.

"I just witnesses the melting of the Ice Queen," one lawyer said.

"Maybe she never was one," Betty replied smiling.

A/N: Look two chapters in a week. It's amazing. I give myself a pat on my back. Thank you to all who reviewed. Chapter 6 will be up soon. I'm halfway though it. I hope all of you liked it. Please review and tell me what you think. I appreciate it. Sorry so short.