Will groaned when his alarm clock went off. He and Diane had said up all night scheming and preparing their defense. They had decided to let the shit hit the fan. Nothing was taboo. Will was prepared to expose his tryst with Alicia, should the need arise.

He turned on the radio in his car. The reporter was referring to the fraud election. And the moment Will was afraid came. "Our Governor says all this was organized without his approval and awareness. So who do you think sweetened the votes for our newly elected governor, assuming he is being honest?" Will held his breath and waited to hear his name. "Well Tim, nothing is certain yet but it seems his campaign manager Eli Gold had his hand in this. Mr Gold also worked for Lockhart/ Gardner so it would be easy for him to slip false evidence to the lawyers and make them defend the 30.000 fraudulent votes in court."

Will nearly had an accident. What was going on? He arrived at the office in record time, to meet an equally stunned Diane.

"You heard? What do you think happened?" Diane asked him

"I have no idea. I was preparing my exit speech."

Then Will saw Kalinda walk by his office and his mind started spinning. Before he could call her though his assistant Jenny walked in

"I am sorry Mr Gardner, but Mrs Florrick and Mr Agos have arrived."

"Good for them. Why are they here?"

"Miss Stevenson's case versus Sweeney. They want to settle."

"Get me Kalinda" Will said.

"What about Mrs Florrick and Mr Agos?" Jenny asked

"What about them?"

"Well they are standing in the lobby."

"Let them stand." Diane deadpanned.

"Kalinda if they are eager to settle they must have found something incriminating. Go see what you can find out." Will said to the investigator.

Alicia saw Will and Diane walking towards them. She tried to keep her face expressionless. She hadn't really seen Will since she handed in her notice, besides some farway glances in court. Her heartrate went up, her stomach was tied in knots. Damn it. She left so that he wouldn't affect her anymore and yet the pull of attraction she felt towards him was as powerful as ever.

Will was equally breathless. He couldn't be unaffected. Everything was happening so fast. What if it was Alicia who protected him? His heart warmed at the thought. He could really use some answers.

"Hello" Diane said. "Afraid you are goin to lose Mr Sweeney?"

"Good morning, Diane. No we are just trying to save you the humiliation of losing." Cary quipped.

Cary's words proved to be exactly what Will needed. A reminder. A wake up call. This wasn't the time to be a gentleman. He smiled his feral smile. They wouldn't know what hit them.

"Thank you Cary that's nice. See you in court." Will said as he turned to leave.

"Wait. You don't sit on the table, we tell the judge you were negative on a solution outside the court." Alicia threatened.

"Good. Tell him. Our client was raped. She doesn't want money. She wants to see the man who harmed her behind bars. There is nothing you can offer us." Diane answered.

"Are you sure? Mr Sweeney is willing to make a generous offer. Wouldn't you like to discuss it with your client?"

Will thought for a minute and then he smiled.

"Still no but thanks anyway."

"Will come on it won't hurt to hear us." Alicia said upset. She and Cary had a bad feeling about this case and they wanted it off their books fast. They had pressured Sweeney into settling. They had even gotten an apology out of him.

"Hm, why should I? I have a good case. Your client, the one you stole from me, is a scumbag. You have a loser on your hands. Nothing to woo me with and you have the nerve to ambush me in my own office in order to suprise me and get me to settle. So no I am not going to hear you."

"Well you know your way out." Diane smiled coldly.

Cary and Alicia exhanged a look and got up. Then Alicia looked at Will and said

"You are right. We need to settle, you don't. But there is something fishy about this case that gives me goosebumps. Goodbye."

Will stared at her retreating back. He was trying to control his emotions. This last personal honest appeal had brought up feelings he was trying to bury. Anger,hurt, pride, love all together. He felt Diane's hand on his forearm.

He turned and saw her concerned gaze.

"She is right you know. There is something weird about this case."

"You think we should settle?"

"I think we cannot afford to settle."

They were silent for a few minutes.

"Well we don't have anything concrete so we are not going to self sabotage based on instinct. What are you going to do about Peter Florrick?"

"Absolutely nothing. If anyone asks I am bound by attorney-client privilege. For some reason he is selling Eli out, instead of me. I don't know why, but I am not going to ask. You could if you want to, but I doubt you will get an honest answer."

Will was working late again, when Kalinda knocked on his door.

"So after finding absolutely nothing on our perfect Miss Stevenson, I am done for the day. Are you still up for those drinks?"

Will smiled."Sure"

They were sitting at their favorite bar, he was nursing a scotch, Kalind had stuck with tequila.

"Was it you?" Will asked quietly.

"Yes"

"Thanks. I owe you two now." he said.

"No you don't."

"How?"

"Blackmail. I can send him back in prison in no time."

"You have evidence?"

"So do you Will, come on."

"..."

"Alicia heard me. Took her husband's side."

"Of course she did." Will was dissapointed. He was worn out. He didn't have the strength to fight for Alicia or make excuses for her anymore. He was numb.

"Will..."

"Kalinda, I can't deal with it or her anymore. I am too tired. I cannot feel or react to anything."

"OK. One more round?" Kalinda asked and ordered.

"So you and Peter?"

Kalinda froze.

"Yeah" she said cautiously. Will had never really reacted. She was afraid she would lose his respect and friendhip.

"Did he ask to?"

"What?"

"Did he imply that sleeping with him, would be a nice way to thank him?"

"No, not exactly."

"Then?"

"It was common knowledge we wouldn't deny me. If you did me a favor, I would never dream of throwing myself at you. You would kick me out on my ass and fire me. You have never once gazed at my thighs. You treat me like a buddy. I knew Peter wouldn't demand anything, but some looks speak louder than words you know? "

"Do you mind?"

"That I slept with Peter? Yes. It cost me my friendship with Alicia."

"No, I meant that I don't want to sleep with you" Will grinned

"Well my female ego is hurt." Kalinda smiles warmly. She enjoyed Will's friendly banter.

"You know what I am going to call it a night. See you tomorrow K."