Heroin and Vodka
Author's note: I am so happy that this story has already reached 19 reviews—and that's a lot considering that this is fanfiction on HTGAWM. I would like to thank all those of you who have taken the time out of your busy lives to leave a review. Thank you so much!
Anyways, things between Annalise and Isaac will resolve itself in this chapter and there is more to come. The season mid-finale is just around the corner and will take place in a few chapters itself.
Also, Season 5 is about to come out in a few weeks. Really annoyed that the TGIT promo isn't out yet.
Anyways, enough of my rambling. Let's get on with the story.
Disclaimer: I do not own how To Get Away With Murder. Its plot and characters are the sole property of Pete Nowalk and Shonda Rhimes.
Chapter 18
The bright morning sun peaked through the blinders, raising Annalise out of her drunken slumber. She reached for her bedside table and grabbed her phone, switching it on. It read 8:45 AM.
She sighed.
She had a massive hangover from last night's overindulgence. She felt a pang o guilt when she recalled how she had fished out the bottles of vodka from the trash and taken a swig which had turned into multiple swigs thereafter.
She wouldn't ever be able to look Isaac in the eye again. She felt a lump arise in her throat as she recalled Isaac's words.
I'm so proud of you, Annalise.
She began to walk downstairs and reached the landing. It was still too early for Bonnie to show up. She decided to get a head start on the day and the first course of action was to resolve this damn hangover!
She was just crossing the den and into the kitchen, when she spotted a figure lying on the couch, fast asleep. Startled, her eyes zoned in on the figure and she gave a start of surprise.
It was Isaac.
Her eyes widened as memories from the previous night flashed into her head.
"Heeeeyyyy!" she called out. " Isaac. Come in. Come in." she said, welcoming him in. "You came back. Finally. Come dance with me."
"Annalise! What did you do to yourself?
"That's enough, Annalise!" he replied sternly, grabbing the bottle before she could start chugging from it directly.
Annalise rounded on him with a fierce glare.
"You have no right telling me what's 'enough'!" she shouted back. "Didn't seem to care all those days back when I left those messages? Where were you then huh?!"
"Who do you think you are? Coming into my house and taking my drink? Just who the hell do you think you are?"
The sudden rush of memories sent Annalise into a dizzy fit and coupled with the hangover and the emotional stress, was too much for Annalise to handle. She attempted to steady herself, failed miserably and collapsed onto the floor, knocking over the coat rack. The coat rack landed on the floor with a loud thud.
Isaac's eyes snapped open from the sudden shock. Startled, he got up and spotted Annalise sprawled on the floor.
"Annalise!" Isaac shouted, rushing to her aid. He ran upto her, bent down and steadily helped her up. It was difficult given Annalise's hangover but Isaac managed to raise her onto a standing position and helped her to the couch. He set her down gently.
Annalise, meanwhile was looking away pointedly from him.
"Annalise, what were you thinking?" Isaac asked sternly, "Don't you remember how much you had to drink last night? You should have been more careful while coming downstairs—"
"I didn't fall down the stairs, if that's what you're implying." she cut across, "Besides…" she replied, turning to look him in the eye "…what are you doing here?"
Isaac shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"You called me. Remember?" he replied.
Annalise quirked an eyebrow.
"Oh, I remember that. What I don't understand is what you're doing here?" she asked, skeptically.
"What do you mean?" Isaac asked, his eyebrows knitting together in confusion. " You called me and—"
"What I meant—" Annalise replied, cutting him off once more, "—was that you didn't seem to care when I left those messages for you all those days back. Why are you here now?" she asked, harshly.
Annalise's tone caught Isaac off guard. He shifted in his seat. This time he was the one who wouldn't meet her gaze.
Both of them were silent for a few minutes. Annalise began to tap her foot impatiently, awaiting a response. Finally, she had had just about enough of the silence.
"Well, if you're not going to tell me, then I—"
"I'm sorry, Annalise." Isaac blurted out. "I'm so sorry." he replied. When Annalise looked up at him, he caught a look in his eyes.
It was a look of deep regret and guilt.
Isaac sighed.
"I know I'm to blame for your relapse, Annalise. If I had never ignored your messages, then you—"
"Why did you ignore my messages?" she asked, cutting across. Tears began to slide down her face as she began to sob. "Why did you ignore me, Isaac?"
Isaac's eyes widened. He reached out and gently began to stroke her hair. She leant into his touch unconsciously. Isaac wrapped his arms around her comfortingly.
"Annalise, I—" Isaac was struggling to find words to convey the feelings which were trembling inside of him. He couldn't find the words necessary to express his inner turmoils. Try as he might, he couldn't think of any excuse which would suffice in this situation.
Annalise had become more than a patient to him. He didn't know when it happened. When the two had crossed that fine line between patient and—what was she to him now? A friend. Yes. That's right. She had become his friend. She was a strong and talented woman who had so much potential in her.
As he thought this, an image of Annalise pressing her lips against his flashed though his mind. He shook his head to clear his thoughts.
"Annalise." he replied, softly, "I-I'm not angry at you."
Annalise looked up.
"I let you down." she replied, softly. "I should have been stronger." She looked away in guilt.
Isaac gently turned her head back to face him.
"You are strong, Annalise" he asserted. "Don't you dare doubt that! You are more than my patient. You….you are my friend." A pained look crossed his face. "And I failed you. As your therapist. As your friend."
Annalise gazed up at him.
"You think I'm your friend?" Annalise asked, softly.
Isaac looked her in the eye.
"Yes, Annalise. You are my friend. And I should have been there for you when you needed me the most."
Annalise looked away.
"Will I ever get better, Isaac?" she asked in a morose tone.
Isaac took her hand in his and clenched it softly.
"You will, Annalise. You have so much potential in you. You are strong and courageous woman. I have complete faith that you will recover your sobriety, Annalise" he replied, softly.
Annalise simply buried her head deeper into his chest.
It would all be fine then. It wasn't over after all. She just needed the man by her side. The man who had stood by her at all times. Who believed in her. Who had helped her overcome her worst memories.
Who had acknowledged her as a friend.
Yes. It would all be fine.
Author's note: Phew! Believe it or not, writing out these emotional scenes are quite a tough job. Believe me! Just to clarify, Annalise doesn't remember the kiss. Their true first kiss will come later on in Season 3. I've got it planned for a special moment. I didn't have Isaac grill Annalise about her past because that would have been really cruel actually. Besides, the time hasn't arrived yet for Isaac to learn of all of Annalise's misdeeds. Also, another shoutout to nastygustin for helping me out with this chapter. You rock!
Anyways, the next chapter will be out by late September. Till the, have a good time. Oh, and read and review.