Title: The Wall is Down

Rating: K

Summary: Alan Shore wants his secretary back. (Post-ep for "Helping Hands")

Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own him. Yup, still want that plushie doll. :)

Author's Note: Melissa was gone, and then she wasn't. The shipper sees a need for filler.

Alan always remembered to knock. One day, Shirley would come to appreciate it. At the moment, though, her largess would only go so far. He hoped it would stretch just a bit further.

"What, Alan?" Her acrid tone and narrowed eyes reminded him to be quick about it.

"May I have my secretary back?" He could see her consider the vengeful answer, savor it even. He could see her surrender. She turned away from him before she replied.

"Yes."

"The wall is down."

She nearly jumped. Poor, studious Melissa, staring intently at the screen, typing deliberately away- being interrupted flustered her greatly.

"What?" Wide eyes and parted lips looked good on her.

"The Chinese wall."

"Oh. So..?"

"So, you get to leave all the people persons behind."

"Oh. I-" Her glance flashed desperately between his face and the screen, and the words 'haven't finished' hung unspoken in the air.

"Come now Melissa, you mustn't abandon me. Not after all the trouble I went through to wear nice shoes, just for you." His paper-dry voice bridged the gap between sarcasm and seriousness like an acrobat.

"It's just, like, I think I should-"

"And to think, I even brought you a box." Indeed he had. It was still folded flat, but it was a box nonetheless. The custodian had looked at him as if he were insane when he had asked for it.

She still hesitated. He leaned forward conspiratorially.

"Besides," his voice dry and amused, his eyebrows slightly raised, he was Alan Shore at his best, "I hear you get paid more for sitting on a higher floor."

Melissa blew out a puff of breath and smiled, and he knew he had her.

"Here, I'll even put the box together for you."

Her smiled widened, and she pushed her chair back and set about gathering her possessions. She really was going to get to leave the people persons.

She had fewer things then he remembered- the box was barely half full. Even so, when she reached or it, he interposed himself, flashing one of his best 'Alan Shore, Attorney at Large' smiles.

"Oh, please, allow me."

"Why, thank you."

FIN
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