Heroin and Vodka
Hey guys. Woooooh. Its been 2 months since I last updated. How time flies by! Lockdowns are still the norm here in India. I hope the situation gets better by the coming months or by end of year. Whichever comes sooner. Anyways, my studies have been piling up and it becoming difficult to stick to an update schedule. But don't worry. I'm not dropping the story anytime soon. This story has a long way to go before its over!
Anyways, it has come to my attention that you guys would prefer a recap of previous chapters just so that you can get caught up with what has been happening in the story so far. I think that's a great idea and from this chapter onwards, I will be providing a short recap of the previous chapter. Enjoy!
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.
Previously on Heroin and Vodka: Laurel's visions regarding the night Wes died begin increasing in frequency. Meanwhile, Isaac arrives at Annalise's apartment to apologize for his behaviour. Things get a bit nasty before Isaac finally manages to win her over. But at the close of the chapter, Isaac reveals that he has something important to tell Annalise. What is it? To find out, read on…
Chapter 43
"And who…is this woman exactly?" Annalise asked, with raised eyebrows as she searched for her cellphone. Locating it on the countertop, she promptly put it into her bag.
"Her name's Jessica Pearson. She is an attorney and assistant to the mayor of Chicago city." Isaac replied.
"And why exactly is she here? And how is she supposed to help?" Annalise asked with a huff.
Isaac sighed.
"Come on, Annalise. You know as well as I do that this whole incident has taken too much of a toll on you already." Isaac replied softly, "I know you don't like relinquishing control but—"
"Don't give me that. Relinquish is just a fancy word for lose." Annalise replied.
If the situation wouldn't have been so serious, Isaac would have chuckled. He had known the woman for over a year now, and yet he couldn't help but be surprised at how child-like she could be in certain situations. Child-like and not childish being the word as Annalise was far from being childish.
Isaac was about to speak up when his phone began to buff. Fishing it out of his pocket, he glanced at the screen.
"Its her." Isaac informed Annalise.
Jessica was seated at the café as she awaited their arrival. She slowly sipped her coffee, something which she relished to the utmost degree.
The bell above the door tinkled as it w=swung open. She glanced up and spotted Isaac. She raised her hand and waved slightly. Spotting her, Isaac began walking in her direction. Behind him was a woman whom she assumed was the enigmatic Annalise Keating.
Isaac walked upto her and finally arrived at her table. Jessica stood up.
"Glad you are as prompt as ever." Jessica replied, with a soft smile, which didn't go unnoticed by Annalise.
"The situation is very demanding and calls for it." Isaac replied.
Jessica glanced at the woman standing beside her who seemed to be pointedly staring at her with intent.
"And you must be Miss Keating?" Jessica asked, as she extended her hand.
Annalise looked down at the proffered hand and nodded curtly, ignoring it completely. Jessica withdrew her hand and resumed her seat, completely ignoring the awkwardness that had erupted with Annalise's little action.
"Now that you're both here, I would like to discuss the course of action which I'll be taking shortly. I have already petitioned a judge and—" but Annalise cut her off.
"You did what?" she asked in an incredulous tone.
Jessica glanced at her.
"Problem?" she asked.
"Yes, problem." Annalise asserted. "You should have used the Protection Against Abuse Act. It's ex-parte and George wouldn't have seen it coming. Also,—"
But this time, Jessica was the one who cut her off.
"That act you mentioned is only applicable under a few direct circumstances, none of which are being legally violated in this case. Besides, this act can only be used by the parent of the minor in question, who is currently in a psych ward at Edith's." she replied sharply, "So, unless you would like to continue this line of argument, and ensure that George wins custody of the baby, I suggest you follow my way or it's the highway from here."
An awkward silence fell upon the table. Isaac glanced nervously at Annalise, anticipating a retort from her. But fortunately, none came. She crossed her arms and slid back into her chair.
"As I was saying," Jessica continued, almost as if no interruption had occurred to begin with, "the first course of action is to ensure that Miss Castillo is freed from her tenure at the psych ward. And this…" she replied, glancing at Isaac, "…is where you come in."
Isaac nodded as he leaned in intently.
"You will need to perform a complete psych eval on her and state your findings in the report accurately."
"What if George cites past psych reports?" Annalise interrupted.
"That won't be an issue." Jessica replied confidently as she leaned back in her seat and raised her cup to her lips, intently sipping its contents, "Past psych reports cannot be cited under such circumstances if the report in question is unable to detect any abnormalities."
Annalise glanced at Isaac. Isaac nodded.
"Its true, Annalise. Laurel's father cannot cite past psych issue as psychiatric history cannot be construed in case of establishing patterns." Isaac replied.
Jessica nodded.
"Well, that's all. I will inform you about the hearing as soon as I'm notified of it myself." she replied, getting up. She swung her coat over her shoulder and strode out of the café.
"I don't like her." Annalise mumbled.
Isaac couldn't help but chuckle.
"Well, you are both alphas." he replied softly.
On the drive back to Isaac's place, Annalise was unusually silent. Isaac glanced at her occasionally. Finally, he couldn't bear the silence any more.
"Is…everything OK, Annalise?" Isaac asked.
Annalise remained silent, staring pointedly at the road ahead, her vision fixed on the cars ahead of their's.
"Annalise?" Isaac asked again, this time more firmly.
Annalise looked up, startled.
"What?" she asked.
"I asked if anything is bothering you. Clearly something is." Isaac replied.
Annalise sighed.
"Are we doing the right thing?" Annalise asked silently.
"What?" Isaac asked.
"This whole thing with Laurel….its just… what if we're doing the wrong thing and putting her in more danger? What if she hurts herself? Or worse? She did bring a gun to that party and—"
But Isaac cut her off.
"Of course we're doing the right thing, Annalise. We're reuniting a mother with her child. What is wrong about that? Honestly Annalise, you worry too much. Everything will be fine." he replied softly.
But as Isaac turned to face the road, his mind drifted back to the truth.
The truth that was steadily gnawing a hole in his head.
He had to come clean, sooner or later, because the fact still remained that things would only become worse if he withheld the truth anymore.
Isaac was about to find out just how right he was.
Author's note: There you go! That ought to keep you guys satisfied for the time being. I always envisioned an Annalise-Jessica meeting to go off like this. They're both alphas and don't like being micromanaged. And when two alphas meet, sparks fly.
Anyways, do read and review and let me know your thoughts.