A/N: Glad you like the update… here's another little one. It follows on from the last. Sorry it took so long to update, but well… COVID-19.

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Chicago, Fall 2009

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Forcing a nervous smile, Will took two steps and shook Peter's hand. "How are you, Mr State's Attorney?"

"I'm good, thanks Will," he replied, placing his left hand in his pants' pocket, "Conviction rates are up, the ASAs are working well, I'm a happy man."

"Great," Will nodded. "I met one of your ASAs in court today, seems a nice guy."

"Oh, you're in with Leesh on the Sweeney case, so you met Cary. He's good. New. But I think he has potential, if I can harden his edge a bit and rub off some of the Innocent Project mentality," he chuckled.

"Ohh, I worked with an intern back in D.C. who was involved with that. Good project," he responded, nodding.

"Yeah," Peter replied, a little distracted, "So, how'd it go this morning?" he enquired.

Will was unsure whether Peter's interest was purely professional or personal. Although he and Alicia had been happily divorced for several years, they were still good friends and Will couldn't believe that Peter's heart didn't still ache for Alicia; he knew his did. "It was a good beginning. Opening arguments went well," he responded. "Don't forget I'm new to the case and second chair," he added.

Peter nodded, "True. Plus, you don't want to be giving away your defence to the opposing counsel."

Will smiled and nodded, "Very true."

"Well, good luck," Peter responded, "I'll catch up with you later – have a beer," as he turned and headed back into the courthouse. Will watched as he walked away, the swagger of the SA cutting at Will as he heard Peter greet members of his staff. To Will, Peter once had everything: success, power and Alicia and although he still possessed the first two, the most important one was lost. Even though Will had been content in his marriage and wouldn't change his kids for the world, there was always a piece of his heart that longed for his current co-counsel. As is often said, every young man meets a girl he does not marry, but whom he cannot quite get out of his system. Romance is followed by a life-long affection, together with nagging thoughts of what might have been. Thoughts of Alicia have been nagging at Will since he saw her again at his interview and while he has not acted on them, they were becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, especially in his dreams. Wow, he was aware that the thoughts running through his head at that moment were causing his palms to sweat, for the second time that morning he felt hot, and needed escape. He took a deep breath, ran his palms down his pant legs and turned again to the coffee shop across the street. Alicia was waiting for him.

Crossing the road gave him a few precious seconds to compose himself further and by the time he opened the door he felt more his normal temperature. Alicia waved him over and he squeezed past the lunchtime diners to her table. "I just spoke to Peter," he said as he placed his briefcase on the floor.

"Oh," Alicia replied, "I told him you had moved here. Did he have much to say?"

"No," Will responded, "just being friendly. Want a coffee?"

"I ordered coffee and took the liberty of ordering us sandwiches," she paused before adding, "hope I remembered what you like," she smiled up at him.

Will chuckled and sat down, "Aren't you just practically perfect in every way?" he joked.

Alicia could feel herself get flushed at Will's comment and took a drink of her water. He made her feel like a sophomore again, and despite her head telling her not to, her heart got excited.

…

Later that evening, Will opened the door to his apartment, put his briefcase on the floor and turning, closed the door as quietly as he could. It was late, he was late, and he was concerned he would wake the kids or cause a row with his wife. He took off his shoes and as he placed them by the door, felt his cell phone vibrate in his pants' pocket. Pulling it out he flipped it over and read the message:

A great first day Mr Gardner. Absolutely ssupercalifragilisticexpialidocious in court.

Will felt a broad smile cross his face as he tapped out a response,

Why thank you Mary Poppins. You are practically perfect. Goodnight.

and he slid his cell into his pocket as he walked towards his bedroom. To him she was rapidly becoming perfect, no practically about it. The thought in his head, 'I feel what's to happen all happened before' unsettled him a bit as he slid into bed.

A/N: Another short one, will try to update soon... what do you think should happen now?