Apology: I'm sorry for slow updates, I'm doing my best but the combination of a fulltime job and an internship are taking their toll. I did update my other story, To Keep The Good Alive, as well, so check that out if you'd like to read more!
Author's note: This story takes place a good seven months after the season 4 finale and is about Alicia and Will. This means that Alicia is with Cary at "Florrick, Agos and Associates." Will is still at L/G. Even though the story picks up seven months after, I will definitely go back to what happened in those passed seven months with flashbacks. Everything else you need to know will be explained as the story progresses!
Summary: force ma·jeure noun \ˌfȯrs-mä-ˈzhər, -mə-\ 1: superior or irresistible force. 2: an event or effect that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled. Alicia & Will, seven months after she left L/G: I always thought I would do better in these situations, but here I am, and now I don't know what to do.
Thanks: To my beta RomanticSoutherner for amazing tips, patience and motivation.

Force Majeure

Chapter 3 – Black Out

Tell me that you'll open your eyes – Snow Patrol

Thursday, 5:26 PM

Oh, my God. I don't think I can stand sitting opposite David any longer. Just the way he eats those M&M's. How he nibbles on them, and then cracks them with his mouth half open….

But David and his eating habits are the least of my worries at this point. It's Sandra I'm worried about. She's intimidated. Not by David, but Dilaney.

"Perhaps its time for a short break?" I propose.

Dilaney's dark eyes have been shooting violent looks from across the room and they send a shiver down my spine each time.

"Tired already?" David smirks at me.

"Pacing myself," I reply and look over at Sandra who gives me a thankful smile.

"Can't we just end it right here?" Dilaney interrupts, kicking his feet against the table leg. He gestures at Sandra. "She's not even enjoying it. Backing off because you finally realize how ridiculous this is? Look what you're doing to her."

Now he's addressing me. "Huh? Forcing her to be here, to get money out of this. This isn't what she wants. It's pathetic really."

"Sir I…" I don't even get to finish my sentence because he shoots up from his chair and bends over the table.

"Lost for words now?" Then, he violently spits a fuck you in my face.

Startled I lean back in my chair. This is getting ridiculous. What else am I supposed to say? I look at David, hoping he feels some desire to control his client.

"George, let's get some fresh air." David gets the hint. Thank God. He gets up as well and they both leave the conference room.

I look back at Sandra. "How are you doing?"

She just shrugs.

"We haven't had much time together to prepare for this," I start and shift my chair so I can look at her a little better. "I'm sorry for that. You filed for divorce due to irreconcilable differences. Is there anything I need to know about that?" I decide to ask.

"I don't think so," she just answers.

I try to get to look into her eyes, but she cleverly manages to avoid that. There must be more to it. I've seen many women feeling intimidated by their ex-husband, but this is different. Dilaney is not like most ex-husbands. He creeps me out. His behavior tells me something's off.

"I get a sense that you are very scared of him, Sandra," I try. "He scared me just now."

"I'm just nervous. I told you, he can get very aggressive. That's who he is."

"Is that why you wanted a divorce?"

Again, no response.

"Is there anything you haven't told Cary or me that we should know? Because if there are signs of-"

I stop in the middle of my sentence. I realize I can't force her into saying things that maybe aren't true. I can't put words in her mouth.

"Alicia, I know you're only trying to help, but this isn't… I don't like these negotiations. I don't like George, that's why we're here… That's all there is to it."

We shouldn't continue like this, I realize. When my gut tells me something's wrong, that's usually the case.

"I'll tell David we will continue at a different moment." I state. I sort out the papers in front of me and put everything back in my bag.

"Alicia?"

I look back at her.

"Thank you. For today."

"You're welcome," I smile at her. "You should go home. We'll talk soon," I say and give her a gentle pat on the shoulder. I walk with her to the elevator, and when she's about to step in, I decide to give it another try and block the doors with my hand.

"Hypothetically," I start with a soft voice trying to get her attention. She gives me a questioning look. "If I was to represent a woman who is a victim of domestic violence, the divorce proceedings would change dramatically. There would be no negotiations. My client would be protected from her ex-husband, both in court, and at home," I emphasize. "It would be drastically different."

I look in her eyes, hoping she got the message. She just nods at me. "Ok." The doors close. Not sure if that worked.

And then, when I'm about to head upstairs to David's office, I spot him. I feel my breathing increase as Will walks down the hallway. Completely unprepared for his sudden appearance, I just stand there.

He can see me. I know, he can. For a split second, his eyes looked at me. But he doesn't acknowledge me. He keeps his head up high, walks on and looks straight ahead with a cold, blank look on his face. A look I am still getting used to, and it is about time that I do because it was the only look he had granted me for the past seven months. Except for that one time, but that doesn't count. Even then, that wasn't close to how we used to be. Nothing was how it used to be anymore. Why did we do that to ourselves?

Thursday, 5:38 PM

"Done powdering your noses?" David sneers at me as I enter his office a few minutes later.

"My client is reconsidering… aspects of this divorce. We'll have to set a new date to continue negotiations."

"Good God, Alicia," he says, scornful. "Playing the domestic violence card?"

I don't respond to that. Shit.

"Of course, I already asked David if Sandra might go down that road. Let's say he didn't like the idea too much. But do whatever you want. I'll just be here waiting for your next marvelous move."

I decide not to respond to that. "Have a nice day David."

"Oh it's a wonderful day already Alicia. Bye bye," he waves.

Thursday, 5:45 PM

I'm back in the elevator, completely pissed off by David's behavior. As I walk out into the parking garage, I get my phone out to text Cary.

While texting Cary, I walk toward where I parked my car. I don't look up from my phone until I'm there. And as I do, I'm startled by the appearance of Dilaney. What is he doing here?

Be careful, I tell myself. Stay calm. Instinctively, I look for a way out. I look back at where I came from, but there is no way I could make it back to the elevator without him catching up with me. He's in between me and my car so I won't be able to get there either. Don't panic. Maybe he just wants to talk. Don't do anything unpredictable. Just be polite.

"Mr. Dilaney?" I say.

No response. The cold, dark look in his face creeps me out. He just takes a few steps closer towards me and observes me closely.

I clench my hand around my phone. Should I try to dial 911? And then, what?

"I was waiting for you." There's a triumphant tone to his voice.

"I don't think we should be talking here," is all I manage to respond.

"Oh, I'm not here to talk." Another step closer.

Intuitively, I take a step back, but my heel touches concrete, and I realize there's a column behind me. He's closing me in.

"I just want to make myself clear."

Act quickly. Do something. This isn't right. A million thoughts flash through my mind. Kick him. Hit him.

But then both his hands grab my wrists. My whole body tenses. As he pushes me closer to the column, my phone drops out of my hand. From the corner of my eye, I see it hit the concrete with a loud bang. The battery cover snaps off.

I always thought I would do better in these situations, but here I am, and now I don't know what to do. I just freeze at the force of his hands clenched around my wrists. He breaths heavily, right in my face.

"And now you're going to listen to me." He's forcing me to look in his eyes. I try to look away, but he's so close and holds me with so much force that I don't have any other options.

"You need to leave my wife the fuck alone." His breath smells of alcohol and smoke, it makes me gasp for air.

Is this all? I hope so. I don't reply and just wait for it to pass. For him to let go of my wrists. I try to look around him, hoping that someone else is arriving in the garage. I do hear a car, but they won't see us.

"HEY!" He then shouts and pushes me even tighter against the column. He places his leg in between mine, lifting his knee up against my crotch. It's making me feel sick.

"No distractions," he breathes in my face. "Did you hear what I just said?"

I nod quickly. Now I'm really scared.

"Did you?" he hisses. "I don't want you to be around my wife. Talk her out of this divorce."

I feel infuriated. I shouldn't say anything else, I know that. I should just agree with him and hope that he'll let go after that. But I'm too proud.

"I can't do that." I say.

His eyes grow wide as the words roll over my lips. Then, he pulls me away from the column and slams me back. I lose my balance for a second, and the back of my head smashes against the column. I gasp as the pain rushes over me. My head starts buzzing.

One of his hands lets go off my wrist and presses down on my chest with enormous strength. I gasp for air. He pushes his hand up to my throat. Oh, my God, what is happening?. Make it stop. You need help, Alicia.

I try to shout for help, but his hand quickly covers my mouth. It makes me want to choke, but I can't do anything.

"Shut the fuck up," he spits at me. I'm trembling now. He pulls at the shirt I'm wearing. Two buttons snap off as he does so, uncovering my bra.

Embarrassed and exposed, I try to cover it up. But as I try to move in his strong hold, he suddenly pulls back his arm and with enormous force, his clenched fist punches my jaw. The impact of the hit smacks my head against the concrete mass again. I'm overpowered by enormous pain.

The buzzing in my head increases, a loud beep takes over and my vision disappears.

Then everything turns black.

Thank you for reading, love to hear your thoughts!

Preview for next chapter: Time for a flashback… Hang in there ;)