Abbie Carmichael bounded up the courthouse steps nearly 30 minutes before she needed to be at work. She was so excited for this opportunity to work under D.A. Jack McCoy! Admittedly, even though Abbies hometown Dallas, TX was large, New York seemed simply massive! Dressed smartly in a black skirt-suit, purple blouse, and kitten heels, A.D.A Carmichael removed her purse from her shoulder as she passed through the metal detectors. After finding the elevator, Abbie pushed the "4" button and nearly stopped breathing as she rode up to her new place of work. Upon hearing the "ding" of the elevator as it arrived on her floor, Abbie took a deep breath and (not too) giddily, made her way to Jack McCoys office.
As she approached the outer office, Abbie's breath was taken away once more as she stood staring at the woman who had crossed the hall to meet her. Reaching out a hand, the sultry brunette smiled, "hello, I'm Claire Kincaid, senior A.D.A. You must be Miss Carmichael?" Shaking the delicate yet firm hand that had been offered to her, Abbie smiled as she nervously responded "ye-yes ma'am! That's me!" Claire Kincaid gave a knowing smirk as she inquired "yes ma'am, huh? Jack mentioned you were from the south - now I've confirmed it!" Abbie blushed furiously as she smiled and looked down, "oops, haha! I supposed that is a dead giveaway!" "It sure is!" chuckled Claire as she gestured warmly for Abbie to enter the office.
Abbie's first day was a doozy. She and Jack had argued over the use of the death penalty in a capital murder, she had won her motion to exclude in a triple homicide, and she already had to begin drafting her first appeal. However, no matter how chaotic the day became, Abbie found herself entranced by Claire. She couldn't help but notice the bemused quirk of an eyebrow as Abbie had defended the death penalty, and the proud grin spread across Claire's face when Abbie had won her motion. As Abbie sat at her new desk, exhausted, shoes long since kicked aside, she heard the tell-tale click of stilettos echoing behind her. As she turned, Claire smiled. "Hey there, great first day!" "Thanks!" replied Abbie, blushing furiously once more. Claire laid her hand on Abbie's shoulder. "Don't stay too late, be sure to get some rest." "Oh I'll be ok!" Abbie replied cheerfully, not wanting to seem uncommitted on her first day. "I mean it" said Claire in a warning tone. "It's important to take care of yourself. I won't have you here until all hours of the night!" she finished with a pointed look. Abbie gulped, eyes widening as she hastily replied "yes ma'am!" She nearly fell off her chair when Claire replied with an affectionate pat to Abbie's thigh followed by a "good girl, see you tomorrow!"
Abbie barely managed to choke out a reply as she sank even deeper into her chair. Had Claire just admonished her? And if she had, why did Abbie find this so sexy? Wait, "good girl?" Had Claire just called her a "good girl?" Abbie was floating high on cloud nine as she obediently packed her briefcase and made her way home.
The next day, Claire Kincaid was waiting by Abbie's desk. "Hi Abbie, listen, about last night..." Abbie held her breath as she looked at Claire intently waiting for her to finish her thought. "I feel that my behaviour may have been inappropriate. I shouldn't have called you "good girl," and I hope that you weren't offended." Abbie struggled to find a reply as she weighed her choices. 1.) she could laugh this off and simply say she hadn't thought anything of it. But that was a lie - it was all she could think about! Option 2.) was to tell Claire how she really felt and risk rejection. Young and bold, Abbie chose the latter.
"Oh no ma'am! Actually I was quite flattered and..." This time Claire waited with anticipation for Abbie to finish. "...maybe a little turned on?" Abbie finished, almost asking rather than stating. Claire looked at Abbie for a moment, then smiled. "Abbie, I felt the same towards you from the moment I saw your gorgeous smile. Abbie felt her face grow flush but didn't break eye contact. "If you like," continued Claire, "you could come over to my place tonight for wine and a movie." Abbie nodded vigorously not even attempting to hide her excitement, "yes please! Just say when and where!" Claire smiled as she wrote down her address and phone number, and handed it to Abbie.