Dedicated to Alison...I'm glad you're enjoying it so much xx

Chapter 3

…

Shirley looked up when Alan re-entered her sitting room. She'd filled both their glasses with more Scotch and handed it to him when he got closer.

"Thought we could use another." She said with a hint of unease in her voice.

She sat back down on the sofa as he came to sit beside her. They sat in uncomfortable silence for a few moments before Alan finally spoke.

"Why didn't you tell me about your neck?"

Shirley felt like she'd stopped breathing when he asked her the question. She sat her glass down on the table and turned to him to see the concern on his face.

"I apologise Alan, I should have told you earlier."

"I wasn't looking for an apology, he tried to strangle you….he…"

"Alan, it's all sounding a lot worse than it really was. It was over in minutes."

"It doesn't excuse it, I maybe the biggest prick on the planet but even I can see how wrong it all was."

"It's all over now alright….and you're not a prick as you say, I've seen a very different side to you today and….I like it."

"My my my, I'll have to be nicer more often."

"Would you like to stay for dinner?"

"I'd love to but I should get back, I've taken up enough of your time already today and you should go and get some rest."

"Are you sure."

"Rain check." He smiled.

"Sure."

He got up and Shirley did the same and followed him to the door. Just before he walked away, he turned and kissed her cheek gently.

"You may think what he did to you was nothing Shirley but it was and he shouldn't get away with that, you deserve better….goodnight Shirley."

She smiled and closed the door as he walked away. Once behind closed doors she turned and leaned against the door as a single tear escaped her eyes.

…

Alan walked into Crane, Poole and Schmidt the next morning as sarcastic as he ever was. He looked over at reception and saw Denise Bauer and Brad Chase in a deep conversation.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the office's hot gossip of the week." He joked.

"Excuse me, we're discussing a case." Denise defended.

"Of course you were."

"Hey, she's telling the truth."

Alan leaned in closer to the pair and spoke in a low tone.

"Oh come on you two, everyone knows about your little rucus in the broom closet on Monday night, why hide it. There are worse places than broom closets…believe me.."

"How the hell….."

"Morning everyone."

They all looked up to see Shirley walking out of her office, smiling at them. As soon as Alan saw her, he felt a sudden pang of concern for her. She walked over to them and stood beside them.

"So, how are we all this morning?" She asked.

"We're fine, aren't we Brad." Denise said.

"Yeah sure, great."

"Alan, are you okay."

"Couldn't be better….what about you." He asked, his voice more urgent.

She could tell by his tone that he was asking truthfully and not just general conversation.

"I'm very well Alan…thank you." She smiled.

"Good, I'm glad."

"Are you two okay." Denise asked, noticing the strange looks they were giving one another.

"Perfectly, I should get back to work, as you all should."

…

They all watched as Shirley returned to her office. Alan followed suit and went to his. He dumped his briefcase on the chair and removed his long coat. He turned around and suddenly saw Denny standing in his doorway.

"Denny, something wrong?" He asked.

"Wrong, yeah something's wrong…Shirley, remember her. I asked you last night to talk to her. Didn't I, I'm sure I asked you, damn this mad cow, I'm certain I…."

"Denny, relax….I spoke to Shirley yesterday alright."

"I knew I'd asked you, so out with it then."

"What?"

"What is it, what's bothering her."

"Denny, she's fine."

"I don't believe you."

"What do you mean you don't believe me."

"I know you Alan, I know your tells. You're touching your ear."

"So."

"Whenever you lie, you touch your ear…always."

"I'm not lying to you Denny."

"Aha, you did it again."

"Denny stop, look…I talked to Shirley and she's alright."

"I'm not stupid Alan, I know Shirley. I know that woman inside and out…believe me and I know something's wrong with her. I may not remember a lot of things but everything Schmidt I do."

Alan stood feeling torn between Shirley's confidence and Denny's friendship. He treasured both and he knew there was no way he wanted to hurt either of them. Whether he liked it or not, Alan Shore was a man of his word.

"I'm sorry Denny but you just have to believe me when I tell you she's going to be alright."

"Bastard." Denny stated as he walked off.

…

Alan spent the rest of the morning consulting with clients, as well as trying to make peace with Denny which seemed impossible. He decided to leave him be for a while and decided to go and grab a quick coffee. As he was walking to the break room, something stopped him in his tracks almost immediately. He did a quick turn and looked over at the reception desk to see Ivan Tiggs standing there, without a care in the world….acting as though he'd done nothing wrong. Immediately something inside Alan cracked and he found himself marching towards Ivan and grabbing him by the front of his jacket and bringing him closer to him before he pulled back his fist and threw a punch at Ivan, causing him to fall to the floor. Before he could get up, Alan was on him, punching him again and again. The sound of Laura screaming from the front desk had everyone, including Shirley on their feet and rushing out to see what the commotion was. Everyone was standing around like children in a playground watching a fight…including Denny. When Shirley got closer she realised who it was that was fighting and anger and fear invaded her.

"THAT'S ENOUGH." She screamed.

Alan and Ivan were ignoring anything she said as Ivan began punching Alan back.

"SOMEONE FOR GOD SAKE GET HIM OFF HIM…..NOW." she demanded.

Brad and Paul stepped in right away and pulling Alan off Ivan. Brad stood between the pair as Alan made a move to punch him again.

"What the hell was that all about Shore…are you bloody insane?" Ivan said, wiping blood from his nose.

"You think you can just walk in here like nothing's happened."

"I'm here to see Shirley."

"You're not to be left alone with her ever again, do you hear me. You don't deserve her. After what you did you…."

"Alan that's enough." Shirley said, coming to stand beside him.

"No Shirley, he…."

"Please, not here. Please Alan." She pleaded.

Alan nodded in understanding before he eventually took a step back, but still close enough to Shirley.

"Ivan you should go." She spoke.

"What, Shriley we need to talk."

"And we will, but not now."

"Shirley I…."

"NOT NOW IVAN, PLEASE LEAVE".

Denny watched the scene before him and saw the look of concern on Alan's face for Shirley and the fear on her own features and the quiver that had crept into her voice.

"Fine, I'll go…but this isn't over."

They watched him leave before Shirley turned back.

"The party is over…back to work, all of you…NOW."

Everyone obeyed and returned to their duties.

"My office now." Shirley demanded, as Alan followed her in.

…

To Be Continued…