Last Chapter :)

Chapter 7

…

Shirley and Alan arrived at Crane, Poole & Schmidt just after 9am, as they walked along the corridor…the looks they were receiving from Colleagues didn't go unnoticed by them.

"I guess everyone knows by now then?" Shirley spoke quietly.

"Denny certainly didn't waste anytime did he?"

"Some how I don't think it was Denny who blabbed."

Alan followed Shirley's gaze and Brad and Denise scurried into Brad's office when they saw Shirley and Alan approaching.

"People just can't help themselves."

"I'll talk to them later, right now I should go and talk to Denny."

"Shirley are you sure you don't want me to talk to him?"

"You know it has to be me, wish me…."

"Could I have a word with you two please?"

They both turned to see Paul Lewiston standing in his doorway.

"Is it urgent Paul, there's something I need to do?"

"I think you and I both know it can't wait Shirley, my office…now."

They followed him inside and took a seat as Paul closed the door behind them.

"So, what's this about Paul? Are you making me Partner Paul….at long last?" Alan joked.

"Hardly, no I think you both know what this is about? I've heard some rumours and what I need from you is conformation."

"Conformation? What rumours Paul?" Shirley asked.

"Concerning you and Alan."

"Oh…I see."

"You're not denying it then?"

"I don't really see much point, do you?"

"When exactly did this happen?"

"A few days ago."

"A few days, I see. Alan, would you mind if I spoke to Shirley alone please."

"Not at all….I'll be in my office if you need me Shirley." He smiled, squeezing her hand gently.

They sat in silence as Alan got up and left the office, they remained quiet for a few moments, both waiting to see who would speak first.

"Have you lost your mind Shirley?"

"Excuse me?"

"Alan Shore…of all people?"

"Paul I…."

"You know his track record with Women, what makes you think you'll be any different from the others, I mean…."

"That's enough Paul…I mean it. You have know idea about Alan and I, the last few days he's shown me a completely different side to him. He's been there when I've needed him."

"Needed him? I don't understand Shirley."

"No you don't and right now, I'm not willing to say but I will say this…I love him, I never thought I'd ever hear my self say it but I do and he loves me and I know he means it."

"You can't be serious."

"I'm very serious Paul and nothing you or Brad or Denise or even Denny can say that will make me change my mind on this."

"Shirley…."

"Be happy for me Paul, be my Friend and be happy for me. If we mess this up then that's our problem, no-one else's?"

Paul sat watching her for a few minutes, going over everything in his mind before he eventually spoke.

"Very well Shirley, I'll keep out of it."

"Thank you Paul."

Shirley stood up and headed for the door.

"I do hope it works out for you Shirley, personally I don't think it will. I will be here to pick up the pieces, when the time comes."

…

Shirley closed the door to Paul's office and made her way to Alan's, when she walked in, he was sitting on the sofa waiting for her. He looked up when she walked in an offered her a reassuring smile.

"It didn't go well then?"

She came and sat down beside him and leaned back on the sofa, resting her head on his shoulder.

"He's convinced this won't work out, that you'll hurt me. He said when the time comes, he'll be there to pick up the pieces."

Alan didn't miss the small crack in her voice as she spoke, he leaned down and placed a small kiss to the top of her head.

"Shirley, whatever anyone else thinks. It's what you think that's important. Do you think I'll hurt you?"

Shirley sat up and faced him and smiled.

"Alan, I can't say what's likely to happen anymore than you. All we can do is hope it works out and work hard at this relationship."

"I would never intentionally hurt you Shirley, like Ivan…you know that right?"

"Of course I do, you're not Ivan Alan, not by a long shot."

"We'll work hard at making this work, no matter what."

"Deal…I suppose I should go and talk to Denny."

"You don't have to do that today, I think one confrontation's enough for one day."

"No Alan, if we keep putting it off then we'll never do it. I want us to go home tonight knowing we have nothing to worry about."

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"

"I think I need to do this one alone, I'll see you later."

…

Shirley made her way over to Denny's office to find him with his back to her, sitting in his desk chair staring out of his window…taking in the sights of Boston.

"Denny."

The moment he heard her voice he froze, turning around in his chair to face her. He happily took in the wonder of Shirley Schmidt, standing there in her black tailored pant suit, looking impeccable as she always did.

"Denny…can we talk?"

"Depends….if it's about the back stabber then no."

"Denny please, for me. Come sit with me for a minute."

Denny did as she asked and came over to join her on his sofa, he sat looking at his hands which had suddenly become very interesting. Shirley reached over and grasped his hand in hers and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Denny, I'm sorry…we're sorry."

"You don't have to apologise, Alan's the one who's betrayed me."

"No Denny, he hasn't. Look, you know I love you Denny but…not in that way. You and I all those years ago, it's in the past. We haven't been together since that night and we never will, I love him Denny."

"How can you say that, love him…after only 2 days."

"Sometimes that's all you need to know how you really feel about someone."

"But Alan?"

"He came to my rescue when I really needed someone."

"You could have come to me about Ivan you know."

"I know and I also know that you would have more than likely have tried to shoot him…I didn't want that."

"He shouldn't have hit you Shirley, everytime I think about it I just feel so…."

"I know, me too. Denny…I love and Alan and he loves me. I know it won't be easy but we're both willing to work hard at this and see how things develop. If you really care about me as much as you say, then you'll accept this."

"It's not easy Shirley, you're you."

"Alan's hurting too Denny, he feels like he's lost his best Friend…he hasn't, has he?"

"Of course he hasn't, we're flamingos."

"Talk to him Denny, please."

"I will, I promise."

"Thank you."

"I'll never stop loving you, I'll always do anything for you, always."

"I love you too Denny, as Friends." She stated, never breaking eye contact."

"Friends." He smiled.

…

Alan was on the phone with a client when there was a knock at his door and Ivan Tiggs appeared before him. The anger in Alan's face was evident but he did his best to remain calm.

"Mr Evans, I'll have to phone you back…yes absolutely, goodbye."

"Alan, can I have a word." Ivan asked, closing the door behind him.

"I don't think you and I have much to say to one another Ivan, the Police on the other hand might have a lot to ask you however."

"Ahhhh, Shirley told you what happened the other night then?"

"Not so much told me as showed me."

"Alan I…."

"What gives you the right to do that to her, you hit her Ivan…badly."

"I know I did, I'm not proud of what I did to her."

"Oh, well that's alright then." He said, sarcastically.

"Look, I don't know what you want me to say."

"I want you to personally apologise to Shirley and then go to the Police and turn yourself in."

"What."

"You heard me, if you don't do it by the end of today then I will."

"Are you serious."

"I very rarely joke about these situations Ivan. Shirley doesn't want to press charges but if you don't go to the Police and at least inform them of what you did then I'll make dammed sure she does."

Ivan stood staring at Alan for what felt like hours, wondering if he was being sincere or not.

"Alright Alan, I'll go to the Police. Can I go and speak to Shirley before I go."

"I'll be watching you very closely Ivan."

"I'm sure you will, goodbye Alan."

"Ivan."

…...

It was nearing the end of the day and Shirley was packing her things up for the evening when she was aware of a presence. She looked up to see Ivan standing before her, watching her.

"Ivan, what are you doing here?" She asked, concern in her voice.

"I've been walking around outside for what must be hours, I was here earlier and I spoke to Alan."

"You did?"

"He told me that he knew about what I'd done to you."

"I see and?"

"I'm giving myself up Shirley."

"What."

"Alan told me you weren't going to press charges against me for what I did to you."

"I told you I wouldn't Ivan."

"But I'm still telling them what I did."

"Because you want too?"

"Part of me does."

"And…the other part?"

"Alan told me that if I didn't go to the Police then he would. Either way, they'll know."

"So really, you're not doing this for me so much, that you're afraid of Alan beating you there."

"Shirley I….."

"Look, go to the Police and give yourself up and I might respect you for it someday. Truth is however, I don't think you really want to or are really doing it for me so much as you're afraid Alan will."

"Shirley…"

"Please just go, whatever you and I had…it's all gone and I want nothing more to do with you."

Ivan retreated to the door, turning one last time before he left.

"You love him don't you?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Alan."

"Why are you asking me that?"

"They way he's been since he clearly found out about what I did. It explains his anger the other day towards me and his clear love for you."

"I do love him, it's early days but yes…I love him."

"Goodbye Shirley."

"Bye."

…

Alan walked out onto the balcony just after 10pm to find Denny waiting for him, he turned around when he heard the footsteps and gave Alan a smile before handing him a glass of his best scotch.

"So….are we still Friends?" Alan asked.

"I spoke to Shirley and she sat me down and explained everything to me, not saying I'll remember most of it tomorrow but for tonight, I'm sorry Alan."

"No Denny, I'm sorry. You're my best Friend, hell probably my only Friend and you've been by my side whenever I've needed you. I didn't plan to fall in love with her Denny, I just couldn't stop it."

"I know, it's the effect that woman has on all men."

"I won't hurt her Denny, you have my word."

"I know you won't, plus if you do, I'll kill ya'."

Alan turned to Denny and raised his glass."

"Too true Friendship Denny."

"True Friendship."

The pair smiled at one another as they drank their scotch, shareing a quiet moment as they smoked Denny's Cuban cigars.

…

-Fin