Heroin and Vodka

Author's note: Hey guys. Finally, I managed to squeeze out some time and post another update. This week was hectic as usual. Despite getting university over with, I still have a lot on my plate. Actually finished my mock earlier this week which resulted in me managing the time to write this. Anyways, enough about me. Time to get this chapter started.

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 35

Connor was chatting away in the background. But Annalise had successfully tuned him out. It was a gift she had acquired after being a professor for years on end at Middleton. Tuning out people was second nature to him.

Annalise sighed.

Today was the big day.

Well. Not the big day to be precise. The big day would be when her case would be heard at the Supreme Court. Today was not hat day.

But today was still going to be critical to her in the long run.

Her phone began to buzz. Already knowing who it was going to be, Annalise glanced down, confirming her suspicion.

It was Isaac.

He had been calling her earlier around five days or so ago. Annalise had been highly tempted to pick up the call. He had missed hearing his voice—his calming, gentle baritone. She remembered how her fingers had hovered over the receive button. But she had ultimately denied herself the temptation. She had cut things off with him for a reason. That reason still hadn't changed.

She had followed up on her decision by deleting the voicemails he had left. But it still didn't answer one nagging question which remained at the back of her mind.

Why was he calling?

He hadn't called her even once. Ever since the day she had left him that letter, he had not attempted to contact him. So, why now?

The elevator doors slid open and Annalise was drawn out of her thoughts. She stepped out of the elevator followed shortly by Connor.

"…Oh. By the way, I'm sorry I missed your call last night." Connor replied.

"Its Ok. " Annalise reassured him.

"I would have answered but I…uh…Oliver had this whole screen-free night and I had to be a good boyfriend. Is that TMI? Its probably TMI. I just don't want you to think that I'm not taking this case seriously…."

Annalise once again tuned him out and began to mentally go over her opening. She turned a corner and glanced forward.

Only to be met with the sight of the very person who had been preoccupying her mind for the last few days.

Isaac.

He was walking in her direction, having spotted her.

He…hadn't changed. Not one bit. He appeared to have regained his calm demeanor. He certainly looked to be in a far better condition than the last time she had seen him. Which had been at the hospital. Five months ago.

"Go inside." Annalise muttered.

"What?" Connor asked, glancing in the direction which Annalise was facing and spotting Isaac.

"Hey, doc!" Connor called out cheerfully. Annalise watched, puzzled. She had never seen Connor of all people act this way towards anyone. Especially someone he had barely met a few times before.

Isaac came up to him. He smiled warmly as he observed Connor. His face was starkly different from how it had been the time he had come to see him. It seemed he had finally found a purpose.

"Connor." Isaac nodded to him.

"What are you doing here?" Connor asked.

Isaac covertly glanced at Annalise's direction. He was amused to see her brows furrowed in puzzlement. Clearly, Connor had failed to mention their meeting to Annalise.

"Ummm…yeah…about that. Could I have a word with Annalise?" he asked, "In private?" he added, hoping that Connor would take the hint.

Connor nodded in understanding.

"Sure. I'll just leave the two of you here." He turned to enter the courtroom. He pushed the door open and before entering, he turned back to face Annalise.

"Oh. Annalise? Court begins in ten minutes."

Annalise nodded to him. Connor nodded before walking into the courtroom, the door swinging shut behind him.

The entire hallway was empty. It was just the two of them.

Isaac walked up to her. Annalise was resolutely staring away. If the situation hadn't been serious, he would have laughed.

"You haven't been answering my calls." Isaac started.

Annalise finally turned to face him.

"Look. It isn't my responsibility to make you feel better about this decision." She replied, defiantly.

Isaac frowned, puzzled. Then, he realized what Annalise was referring to.

She obviously thought he had been calling him regarding the letter and how they had…left things between them.

Isaac sighed.

If only it were as simple as that.

"That's not why I called, Annalise." Isaac replied.

Annalise looked up at him, her brows raised.

"The Attorney General subpoenaed me."

Annalise's eyes widened in response. Of all the reasons she had been expecting, that was the farthest from her thoughts.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?" the guard asked.

"I do." Isaac replied, solemnly.

"What's he doing up there?" Connor asked, confused. "Did you know about this?" he asked, turning to Annalise.

Annalise shook her head.

She watched as Isaac took his seat at the stand. She felt as if she was reliving her past. This felt like a déjà vu situation. She could vividly recall the last time he had been up on the stand. He had attempted to defend her. But Denver's cross had left the man broken.

Despite being a firm atheist, Annalise muttered a prayer up to whichever god was listening in, praying that the scenario did not play out the same as last time. She shook her head to clear her mind.

The Attorney General began by asking the preliminary questions regarding Isaac's profession, to which Isaac replied accordingly.

"And how long have you known Miss Keating?" he asked.

"She was referred to me through the Bar Association's Disciplinary Board." Isaac replied, calmly.

"Because Miss Keating—" he turned to face Annalise, "—is an alcoholic."

"Objection." Annalise cut across sharply. "Mr. Chase is framing my illness as defamatory."

"Sustained." the judge replied.

The attorney General turned to face Isaac once again.

"Considering the seriousness of the disease that is alcoholism, is it your professional opinion that Miss Keating is competent to represent a case that will determine the fate of thousands of people?"

"I would say that Miss Keating has continually expressed importance of her work and a desire to see this, or for that matter, any case through." Isaac replied, without batting an eyelid.

"This hearing is not about Miss Keating's desire. Its about her mental fitness."

"Objection. Improper attack on counsel." Annalise called out.

"Sustained." The judge replied.

"Dr. Roa?" the Attorney General continued, "Isn't it true that stress is a risk factor in alcoholic relapse?"

"Yes. Stress often is a factor." Isaac replied, "But not always." he added sharply. He was determined to keep his statements short and precise, thus not allowing the man to gain any leverage whatsoever.

"Do you believe this case has stressed Miss Keating to the point that she has begun consuming alcohol ever since you began treating her?"

Isaac glanced at Annalise's direction. She did not meet his gaze.

He had seen Annalise on TV last night, at the bar. After having returned home, he had cancelled all appointments for the evening. Instead, he had opened up his laptop and searched her name on Altafena. He had been surprised to learn that she had apparently taken up a high-profile case—a class action, to be precise. It was concerned with going up against the State itself in a fight for the rights of inmates, who had been denied proper counsel. He had spent a solid three hours studying her progress. He couldn't help but admire her tenacity and zeal. She had been reduced to ashes when her house had burnt down. Her career had dissolved into nothing and she had been boycotted ever since.

But she had risen, like a phoenix from the ashes.

And here she was—back at court, and fighting for the right cause.

Isaac turned to face the attorney General.

"She has not taken a drink to my knowledge. No."

Annalise's eyes widened. Isaac had just lied on the stand. While it was true that she truly hadn't touched a drink in months, there was no way Isaac could have known of it.

"How many times have you requested some kind of drug or alcohol test be administered to Miss Keating?" the Attorney General asked.

"Three." Isaac replied promptly.

"Is it because you feared that Miss Keating had broken the terms of her probation by drinking?" he followed up.

Isaac smiled wryly. He knew that this statement would be construed in this manner. But before he could defend himself, Annalise's voice cut across.

"Objection. Cause for speculation."

"I'm simply asking for Dr. Roa's expert opinion." The Attorney General defended.

"I will allow it." the judge replied.

Isaac grinned.

"Since it is my expert opinion that you asked for, here it is—a substance abuse specialist is asked to administer these tests to each and every patient, regardless of their status or profession. So, no. I did not order the tests due to the reason you have just mentioned"

The Attorney General's eyes widened. Isaac chuckled inwardly. Clearly his statement had thrown a wrench in his plans.

"Let me rephrase." the Attorney General replied, "in your opinion does taking on a case of this magnitude, so early on in her sobriety, increase the likelihood that Miss Keating might relapse?"

Annalise took a sharp breath. This was it. The moment of truth.

"Miss Keating has demonstrated nothing but a complete commitment to her sobriety. And I have total confidence in her." Isaac finished.

Annalise's eyes widened at the response. She was so taken aback that she did not even notice as Isaac walked off the stand. Court was adjourned for the day.

Isaac was back home. He had just taken off his coat when a sharp rapping sounded on his front door. Already knowing who it would be, Isaac walked up to the door and pulled it open.

Annalise stood outside. She was standing, arms crossed against her chest.

"Come in." Isaac assed, rather cheerfully.

Annalise's brows raised in puzzlement at his tone. She followed him inside and he shut the door behind her.

"So, what brings you to my humble abode after so long?" he asked, turning to face her.

"Oh, cut the crap." Annalise replied sharply. "You perjured yourself on that stand."

"No." Isaac replied immediately, with a shake of his head.

"Of course, you did." Annalise replied angrily. "I run the risk of relapse and you of all people know that. But you lied. Why?" she asked, exasperated.

"Let me stop you right there, Annalise." Isaac cut across. "You think I lied on that stand today, don't you? You're probably thinking 'How could he even possibly know whether I had taken a drink in these last few months?" You're right. I don't."

Annalise raised her eyebrows skeptically.

"The first time I saw you after so many months was yesterday. On TV. And I saw you as you stood confidently in front of all those reporters. You stood your ground. You stood tall and proud—the Annalise I had seen walk across my threshold for the first time. You had moved on." he replied. "Besides," he added, softly, "You've repeatedly stated how your work is integral to your life. I weighed the factors and determined that losing this hearing would endanger your sobriety more than anything else."

Annalise still had a skeptical look on her face, but her expression had softened considerably.

"You did ask for my expert medical opinion, didn't you?" Isaac asked, his eyes shining with amusement.

Annalise caught on. She couldn't help but smile softly.

"So…" Annalise trailed off, "…How have you been?" she asked, awkwardly.

She stared into space, afraid to meet his eyes. Afraid to meet those gentle, brown eyes which stared back at her.

"I've been fine. Waking up every day. Going to the park after breakfast for some fresh air and sunshine. Coming back home and seeing my patients. The usual." Isaac listed off, shrugging. "Oh. And you'll also be pleased to know that I haven't been using."

Annalise looked up, finally meeting his eyes.

"Oh? For how long" she asked.

"Ever since you left." he replied, cheerfully.

Annalise frowned. His tone might have been cheerful, but Annalise caught something unusual about it. It was rather forced.

"Ok." She replied, hesitantly. "I'm glad to see you're doing ok." she added.

"Yes. Fine as a peach." he replied, with a smile. But the smile didn't reach his eyes.

She rolled her eyes, annoyed at his behavior.

"Ok. Isaac? Are you really alright?" she asked, her annoyance getting the better of her.

"What do you think?" Isaac shot back, his tone changing immediately to a more intimidating one.

Annalise froze, as memories flooded her brain.

"You really think I would be in this position if it weren't for you?"

…

"See? Here you are again, yelling at me like you're some victim." He looked straight into her eyes. "That's your narcissism talking. I diagnosed that after our first session. I can show you the notes. And somehow I doubted my own instincts. I saw all those warning signs and I knew better. And here I am now. I'm just sucked into your life!"

…

Annalise was silent.

Isaac was silent as well. The only sound in the room was that of the clock ticking away.

"Are you afraid?" Isaac asked, softly.

Annalise looked up at him. His tone had changed once again. And yet, Annalise knew that this time it was real. It didn't feel like a heroine-induced mood swing. His eyes shone with genuine concern.

Isaac sighed.

He should not have reacted like that. That had been completely unlike him. He was about to apologise for his outburst when Annalise spoke.

"You can yell at me if you want."

Isaac's eyes widened.

"Annalise, why would I—" but he was cut off.

"After all, there's nothing that I haven't done that doesn't warrant it. I mean, that's what I do, isn't it?" she asked, as she looked up at him. "I-I keep hurting those who are close to me." Her voice broke, as tears began to stream down her face.

Isaac's heart twisted in pain. This was not how he had envisioned this meeting going. He walked up to her. Reaching out, he gently brushed the tears away from her face.

"Annalise?" he asked softly, "Look at me."

Annalise hesitantly looked up at the man.

"I will never yell at you. You hear me. Never." The man sighed. He recalled the one time he had blown up at her. Said the wrong things. Things which he, to this day, regretted ever saying to her. Things which she didn't deserve. Things which he could never take back.

"I've hurt you before. Hurt you when you were already down. Hurt you when you were vulnerable. I will never repeat that mistake again." Isaac replied firmly.

Annalise shook her head softly. This man was once again selflessly taking the blame upon himself.

"I don't deserve someone like you. I'm bad for you, Isaac. You were right. Y-you were sucked into my life. I never deserved you. And I still don't. You deserve someone who will always make you happy, not trigger you consistently and make your life miserable and—"

"Stop!" Isaac replied sternly. Annalise paused mid-sentence., her mouth still open. Were it not serious, Isaac would have laughed at just how comical she looked.

"Annalise, you are not to blame for anything that happened to me." Isaac replied sternly. "Not my relapsing. And certainly not my overdosing. You didn't do that to me, Annalise. I…" he trailed off, "…had failed to come to terms with Stella's death. I know I should have. Long ago. Then you came along. You were this reckless, stubborn woman that I knew would require much attention." He chuckled. "I didn't know when…I didn't know how…but you changed me Annalise. You made me want to become a better version of myself. You became my strength. You want to know how I have survived these past few months without using? That's how. I recalled the pain I had caused you when I had done so. I refused to cause you, or for that matter, anyone that pain ever again."

Isaac fell silent. He gently pulled Annalise closer and wrapped his arms around her. Annalise leaned into the man's embrace. It felt the same as it had always felt before.

As for Isaac, he had never envisioned ever hugging the woman again. Feeling her in his arms, Isaac finally felt…complete. He smiled softly.

Annalise looked up.

"I know this probably doesn't make up for everything but…" she trailed off, leaning in closer, as her lips touched Isaac's. Isaac leaned into the kiss. She responded immediately, surprising him. Her mouth was so warm, the caress of her lips softer than he could have imagined. He broke off before looking down at her. She was looking up at him expectantly.

Isaac's heart began to beat faster as Annalise stepped away from him. Slowly, standing at the foot of the long couch, the woman began taking off her clothes. First, she undid her tight jacket, button by button, taking her time. Underneath she had on a skimpy black bra.

The last thing Isaac could recall was as she walked up to him and began to undress him, opening each button carefully, while kissing his neck. Isaac gently raised her face and kissed her softly. As she melted into her arms, Isaac smiled softly.

Author's note: There you go. They finally did it! I'm so happy that it happened. I know it never did in canon. Heck, they didn't even kiss properly in canon. I was so angry at the writers for preventing such an incredible pairing. Anyways, enough of my ranting. I hope you guys enjoyed it. Also, I'm not good at writing sex scenes so I'm leaving it your imagination. I'm sure you guys will be able to think up something spicy! This will probably be my last update in July. Next chapter will be out by early-mid August. Stay tuned for the mid-finale. Until then, read and review.