A/N Sorry for the delay my muse abandoned me

"I can't. I am sorry. I just can't. " Alicia said broken.

Will pulled away silent.

"Please understand. I am not doing this because I don't love you."

"You just don't love me enough or trust me enough." Will said bitterly. " Don't deny it." he said when Alicia opened her mouth to object." I get it. We are over. This is the end, our end. Don't expect me to treat you any different than any other opposing lawyer. And Alicia, my last favor to you is this. Keep in mind, I don't play nice."

Alicia was silent. She could barely breathe. The pain was coming in waves. Will hadn't raised his voice, he sounded...calm. Resolute. She had truly lost him. She was scared and alone. Well done Alicia. You are on your own. You have achieved your goal, severed all ties. Then why did she feel so lost?

The elevator started up again. They exited without another word. Diane was waiting for Will right outside the courtroom.

"Are you okay?" she asked

"Yes I am fine."

She gave Alicia a look and then she looked back at Will, who shook his head warningly at her. Diane nodded.

Cary showed up right then.

"Hello are you both okay?"

"Yes" Alicia and Will answered simultaneously.

"Good, so no court today I am afraid. We got a continuance."

"See you , then." Will said more than ready to take off.

"Wait. There is another matter, I wanted to discuss. Your client had financial dealings and benefits from Colin Sweeney."

"We know, which is why Will a litigator is in on this and we are holding this in civil court." Diane said

"Would you consider solving those financial matters outside court?" Cary suggested

"Only if you and Mr Sweeney, sign a paper stating very clearly that this will only save us some time in court and is not in no case considered a pay off or a compensation for the sexual assault charges." Will answered.

"Done. So when shall we meet?"

"We need to take this to our client. We will call you within the hour." Diane said.

"Mrs Stevenson has agreed to deal with the financial aspect of her relationship with Sweeney outside court." Diane said coming into Will's office.

"You do know this is a set up, right? They will try to use this negotiation to figure out our strategy in court."

"Of course it is. But we can use their trick against them. Get ready. They are coming in tomorrow at 5."

Cary walked in Alicia's office .

"Diane called. They are game. Tomorrow at 5."

"You know they have probably figured out that we are trying to make them show their hand."

"Probably."

"And yet they have agreed to do this. So this means, they plan to use this to figure out our strategy."

"Yes"

"Are you a bit worried?"

"Not really. We are losing anyway. They are not. We have to risk to win."

Alicia went home really late that night. She and Cary were preparing for tomorrow. She was exhausted, emotionally more than physically. Her confrontation with Will had been painful. She just wanted a shower and a glass of wine.

However, Peter was waiting for her.

"We need to talk."

"No we don't. I don't want to hear any explanation about the votes, or Kozko or Shanon whoever she is. Just let it be. I am tired. I am here by your side no matter what. We are renewing our vows in two months. I am in" Alicia said emphatically and squeezed Peter's arm.

"It isn't a burden." Peter said to her back.

"I am sorry?"

"You sound like a good soldier, reporting for duty." Peter said disgusted. "I thought we were doing okay, that we were past the whole Amber Madison affair."

"We are doing fine." Alicia insisted." I am just a bit stressed out. That's all."

"Then why were you screaming Will's name?"

Alicia looked at him blankly.

"Last night, during sex, you yelled Will's name." Peter said in a low voice.

"We are not sleeping together, we are barely on speaking terms. He didn't take my leaving the firm well." Alicia said panicking.

"I know that Alicia. I know you would never sleep with him, while we are married. But the fact you are not actually sleeping with him, doesn't mean you aren't cheating."

"Peter, it is over. Will and I, whatever we had we are over. You are my husband and the father of my children."

"Some other time, I might have swallowed that. But your reaction or rather the lack of any reaction to what Kalinda said and last night makes me ask. Are you in love with me? "

"Peter I do love you."

"Don't be a lawyer Alicia. I know you love me. We have been through much. I know you care. That's not what I am asking."

Alicia felt like a deer caught in the lights. She couldn't escape. The truth was she wasn't in love with Peter, anymore. She never was deeply in love with him. She loved the image she projected at his side. The good wife, the perfect mother. She had become everything she dreamed of, everything her mother wasn't. And she had been very calm and happy in her bubble. But she had changed. It wasn't Peter's fault. She had come to accept her flaws, to accept that she could not be perfect. Will understood that and accepted it, ever since Georgetown.

"No Peter I am not, I am sorry. This has nothing to do with Will. This is about me changing. I don't want to be the puppet on your side. To put your needs above mine. To be perfect, to worry about how my behavior will reflect on you. To do interviews and lie. I want to laugh, be angry, be bitter, be flawed. I liked being perfect. I just don't like it anymore."

"And Will?"

"Let's leave him out of this. He is blameless in this really. This is between you and me."

"Talking honestly for the first time ?"

Alicia smiled.

"You are right. I married you because you were pregnant and perfect for my political aspirations. I grew bored, the allure of power was all consuming and well you know the result. And then I saw what an amazing strong woman I had married. It is funny isn't it? We spend 15 together not really knowing each other. I fell in love with you too late." Peter said

"We can try Peter. I do love you and we have two children together and..." Alicia was desperate.

"Veronica was right. You are never going to leave me. No Alicia, I have seen loveless marriages. I don't want to be in one or have my children witness one. We are over. I don't like it. I don't want it. But I would rather leave you now and have happy memories, than renew our vows and wonder whether you are thinking about me or another man."

"I am sorry."

"So am I."

Alicia had water in her eyes. Peter hugged her.

"I will have to talk to Eli. See how we announce it."

"Ok. Peter , the kids..."Alicia fell silent overwhelmed.

"We talk to them together. This is a friendly and mutual decision, Alicia. We cannot be husband and wife any longer."

"I need to take a shower. I am feeling drained."

"OK, I will go call Eli. I will sleep in the guestroom tonight."

Alicia went into her bedroom and sat on her bed. She held her phone and searched for Will's number. Her finger froze on the green button...

A/N Don't hate me for the cliffhanger...I promise I will update fast. But I will update faster if you write a word in the review box.

Many thanks to G. , Trixie, guategal, LoveForAlicia, jule7434, guest and Lpb for reviewing.