Chapter 9

The rest of the week was relatively drama-free. Will and Karen had lunch together everyday and after, Will would walk her home right to her doorstep and they would share a magical kiss in the elevator up before they got to her front door and would have to act like lawyer and client again. Somehow the secrecy of it all made it even more exciting and although there were one or two close calls, their relationship remained quite hidden. Of course, if it had been up to either Will or Karen, they would spend every minute they had spare together, but lunch times were the only time they could legitimately go out without anyone asking questions. However, a few days before Stan was to return, Jack started asking questions.

"Where are you nowadays, Kare?" he had asked her on one of his frequent trips to Grace's office.

"What do you mean, honey?"

"Well, everyday this week I've wanted to go for lunch and you're never around." He pouted at her while Karen giggled nervously.

"Oh, well, I've just been doing some shopping, that's all."

"Oh, I get it. Is it because Stan's coming back on Thursday?"

"Yeah, that's it. I've just been buying some new clothes to look nice for him, that sort of thing."

"Oh…ok." Jack dropped the subject but didn't seem entirely satisfied. Karen didn't notice however, she was just pleased that she'd got away with it and went back to her 'work' for Grace, which mainly consisted of painting her nails and making sure her martini glass was always full.

As well as seeing each other every lunch, Will would ring Karen every night when he knew she would either be in the tub or having a 'nap' in the library. The night before Stan was due to come home, however, Karen rung Will.

"Hey honey, it's me."

"Oh hey! I was just about to ring you."

There was silence. Will immediately knew something was wrong. "You ok?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm…I'm fine." He heard her sniff and knew she was crying.

"I'm coming over."

"What? No, no, don't, honey. I'm fine. Everything's fine. It's just, well, you know, Stan's coming home and..." she sighed.

"I'm coming over, Karen."

"Will! No!" she protested, but her voice was clearly breaking with emotion. "What will you tell Grace?"

"That I've got a last minute meeting or something. Anyway, she's out on a date. She won't know I've been home yet, I'll ring from the cab and pretend I'm stuck in a meeting."

"Ok. Thanks, honey."

"I'll be there in 10 minutes."

He put the phone down and grabbed his keys but just as he was about to open the door, it swung open and Grace stood there looking utterly depressed.

"Grace!"

"Oh, Will. I'm so glad you're home! I've just had the worst date EVER! Urgh! Men suck. Let's stick on a movie and eat wheat. I'm in the mood for First Wives Club or something equally male bashing!"

He hesitated. "I…uhh…"

"What? What's wrong? Where are you going?"

"I was just going to meet a client."

She looked at her watch. "What, now? It's 9 o' clock at night! Who has a meeting at this time?"

"Well, it's just drinks really…he's a new client and wanted to have some drinks with me…get to know me…that sort of thing…it'd look bad if I cancelled on him now…" Will slowly edged towards the door. He felt awful but Karen needed him.

"Oh…ok, then. I guess I'll see you when you come back." She looked upset and turned her back on him as she walked towards her bedroom.

"I'm really sorry, Gracie." he called. "I'll be back by 11. We can talk then." but she didn't answer. Damn it, he thought, now Grace is upset. But he had promised Karen so he picked up his coat and made his way downstairs.

"It's our last night together." Karen announced suddenly, sitting bolt upright. Will had come round an hour ago and they had lay together in their favourite spot by the big open fire in the library just enjoying each other's company. Will opened his eyes with a start at Karen's sudden announcement.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we're not going to be able to do this when Stan gets back, are we, honey? This is our last night together before we have to…y'know…go into hiding." She said the last part very dramatically with air quotations, making it impossible for Will not to laugh.

"It's not funny!" she insisted, although she was starting to giggle too.

"Well, what do you suggest we do then?" Will asked, rather suggestively, moving his upper body even closer to where Karen sat on his knees.

"Not that!" Karen laughed, hitting him on the arm. "No, I meant we should do something…oh, I don't know, something romantic! We should go somewhere, make the most of tonight."

"Like what?"

"Well, I can't think of everything, can I, honey? You're the guy, you think of something! Impress me! Dazzle me!"

Will thought for a moment. "I have the perfect idea! Grab a warm coat and meet me downstairs in half an hour. I'll be right back!"

"Half an hour? Honey, what the hell…?" but Will had gone.

Ok, I've just realised I've given you absolutely no timescale for this whatsoever! I'm a dumbass! Basically it's AU cos I tried to fit it in with the program but it didn't work. I kind of pick bits from every season and put it in there (which you'll see in the next chapter) so don't worry that I've got my seasons confused or anything. It's AU but I nick stuff basically! I think that's all there is. Ask me if I screw up or you don't get something:)