Disclaimer: Still don't own them, still not making any money.
A/N: Sorry for not updating. But I'm traveling around China right now so I don't know when I find a place where is an internet connection.
Chapter 2
0o0o0o0o0o0o
"Alicia?" He was standing in the door opening of her office. His back slightly leaning against the doorpost. He had been standing there for a while but she hadn't noticed him. He was just standing there, watching her. He'd seen her put on her make-up to conceal her puffy red eyes as she was sitting in her chair. He'd seen her get up and walk around in her office while drinking her coffee. She looked tired, probably because it was quite early in the morning.
"Alicia?" He asked again. "Are you alright?" She was never in that early. Not unless there was a big case. His eyes rested on the overnight bag next to her chair. He instantly new something had happened. And what ever it was it wasn't going to be good.
"Will, I didn't see you there." She started to walk towards him. Yes, something had definitely happened. Something about her was different. He wasn't really sure what. She tried to look confident, detainment but it was as if she was forcing it. And she had that look in her eye, the same she has when she finds a great argument to win a case. She looked at him. She probably saw the concern on his face because she quickly replied his question. "I'm fine. Really. Can I do anything for you?"
"No, I just saw you sitting in your office, you're in early today." He was still focusing on the bag. What if she had left him? He had been hoping for that announcement since the day that he saw her on TV at the press conference. She was standing next to Peter, she looked devastated. All those years he had been telling him self that she was with Peter, that he took good care of her. That he loved her and she was happy. That it would be selfish to go to her and tell her she was the reason that ever since Georgetown he hadn't had any serious relationship. That he felt like cheating on her every time he took a lover. Not only would it be selfish it would also be certain death. Peter would kill him and she would never go for it. She was happily married, she wasn't the cheating kind of girl, and she would never leave him for someone else. He wouldn't have loved her if she was, it was part of her. She was the good wife. But when he saw her on TV, he new it was all a lie. He was so angry with Peter for humiliating her, that he thought about looking him up and beating the crap out of him. But she called him before that, she needed him. Of course he would help her. He would do anything for her. But she hadn't left Peter. She forgave him, stayed with him like a good wife would. One careless moment in the heat of emotions they had kissed, and it felt so good. Like it was supposed to be. Her face had felt soft under his hands, her lips touching his for the first time. A second later it was over and she was gone. It would have gone a lot further than kissing if she would have stayed. But when she didn't act after he left her the voicemail. He knew it was over. He had lost again. And so he stopped, and he moved on. This would be the end of it. But now she was here in the early morning with an overnight bag.
"Will?" Alicia was standing next to him.
"Sorry, I was just thinking" She was standing close, face to face. If he wanted he could kiss her right now. Just bend over a little, put his hand behind her head, pull her close and kiss her. Aarg…Why did his daydreams always contain suicide missions. He moved on. She didn't even have the decency to reply his voicemail. He had moved on.
"I could see that!" Alicia replied. She smiled. "The question is, what where you thinking off? Tammy? I didn't really had a chance to talk with her but she looks nice." She stared down at her feet.
He was shocked for a moment. Since when did Alicia remember the women in his life."Yes, she is, but I wasn't thinking about her." Did she look jealous? Ok, this was just his mind imagining things. "Are you going on a trip"? He asked quickly, He pointed at the overnight bag. Change the subject , always a good thing to do.
He looked down for a second and than she looked him right in the eye. "I was thinking about going a way for a few days, to visit my brother. That is.. If my boss can give me some time off" There was that big smile again. How is it that she could go from looking tired and depressed to looking confident and teasing. He loved that about her. God, he wasn't over her.
He smiled back at her, "I have to talk about it with the rest of the partners but I don't think it will be a problem. When do you want to leave and how long will you be gone ?" He was staring at her, even when she looked like this she looked great to him. He hadn't moved on. Well at least he could get some points for trying.
"This evening or tomorrow evening , just for a few days , two maybe three." She looked more relaxed now.
"Ok, I'll talk to them."He started to walk away. But than he stopped. He didn't turn around, but spoke in a soft voice. "Alicia, I don't know what is going on, but I know you're not fine. I'm your friend, and you don't have to tell me what's wrong but if you need anything, I want to help. Just promise you call if you need anything." He stood there for a few seconds, but when she didn't reply he started to walk away again .
"Will!"Her voice was strained, almost desperately pleading him to turn around. He stopped . "Will, I left him"
He looked at her. But he didn't know what to say, the only thing he could do was think "She did it. She actually left him."
"I need to talk to you, I need to know something" Still that strained voice, almost panicking.
"Wait here, I'll be back in a few minutes, I'm going to talk to the partners. They should be in by now. After that we can talk about it if you like. Shall I bring you something to eat? "
She just nodded her head. His voice had been soft and confident, exactly what she needed right now. So she did what he said and watched him leave.
0o0o0o0o0o0o
15 minutes later she was still sitting in her office. How was she going to say this. Was it even fair to ask him now? He told Wade that he was done, that he would move on. He looked happy with Tammy. A second voicemail. What did he say? That was the question that was nagging her. Did he tell her he loved her? Probably. What a mess she moaned. She wasn't even supposed to know this. Actually she was, why didn't she get that second message? She was sure there was just one.
"Alicia, there you are. You probably know what I'm doing here."
"Eli?" She looked up from her desk. He was standing in front of her. Looking perfect in his suit and tie with his confident smirk on his face. She didn't know if she really started liking Mr. Gold or if he was just growing on her but she didn't find him as annoying as she did before. "What can I do for you this time?"
"Well, I got a very upset Peter on the phone this morning saying that his wife was nowhere to be found and only left a message that she would be gone for a few days. You do not happen to know anything about that, do you?"
"Actually, I do. I need some time. I'm going to my brother's place for a few days. It's not working out for us, and I need to think about the next step."
"Alicia look, Peter is really upset. He wants to stop his campaign. He thinks you're leaving him. And of course you would have every right to do that after what happened ,but please do it after the elections." He wasn't really pleading just pretending like every campaign manager would do. "I convinced him you weren't leaving but you just needed some time, some freedom. But I can only hold him back for so long. I need your help."
"Mr. Gold. I'm going to be frank, this is none of your business. This is between Peter and me. The last years everything was about him. I'm going to be selfish for a few days. I need some time alone." She was angry now. She new he was a client, someone the couldn't afford to lose but at this point it didn't matter. He could be the president of the United States him self and she still would have reacted in the same way.
"You are right. Of course."She looked at Eli and waited for the rest of his response. She knew he was thinking of an argument. "But think of Peter, the kids. If you leave the press will be all over it."
"Stop it Eli, I will call Peter if that's what you want. But I'm going to tell him I will be home in a few day's and after I get home we're going to have to talk about what we are going to do." The look in Eli's eyes let het know that she had won this round.
"Alicia" he tried one last time
"No Mr. Gold. Please leave. If you like you can give Peter the message." She definitely had won.
"Ok, if that is what you want. I will leave. I'll give Peter the message"
"This is what I want." Alicia was now ready for a confrontation. She was never the one to be quiet and not tell her opinion when something mattered to her but this was her life her decision, nor Peter's and definitely not his.
"And Eli, do you know anything about a second voicemail message from Will the evening of the press conference?"
"I'm sorry?" If he knew anything, she couldn't read it from is face. But she knew he had one hell of a poker face.
"A voicemail message, a second one. One that I didn't get. That night you had my phone." She clarified, she spoke slowly and calm but anyone could see the fire in her eyes.
"No, I'm sorry! But if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go tell Peter your message and after that I'm going to try and save his campaign."
He left as quickly as he had arrived. Great! She rolled her eyes back. This was making her day a more complicated than it already was. Of course she knew Peter would want to talk to her, she had just hoped he would leave her alone just for a few days so she could get her thoughts straight. Maybe she should call Owen first and ask him if she could stay with him for a few days. She could go to his place and relax. Think about anything that had nothing to do with Peter, his campaign or Will.
"You never got the second message?" She looked up. Will was standing in her office, his face pale. In his eyes she could see his confusion. They where just looking at each other. He was clearly waiting for an answer. The confusion in his eyes started to change in to hope.
"I didn't"
0o0o0o0o0o0o
a/n: I still don't have a beta so sorry for any mistakes . I can't wait for the next episode to see what happens since Alicia now knows about the voicemail. Just saw it today so I changed my story a little So.. Liked it? Hated it? Hit the review button. Thanks!