What's a Girl to Do?

by originella

Scarlett "Scar" Davies whole life has been a lie - upon graduating with a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice, she finds out that her distant mother adopted her when she was three months old. Determined to find answers, and having accepted a job in her birth place of Chicago, Scarlett goes to seek fortune, love, and the identity that people seem determined to keep from her.

4. Boundaries

Chapter Four: Boundaries

Kevin took the news of that night being my last show surprisingly well, and wished me luck in my latest venture career-wise. Lip and I celebrated that night, after my second set ended, and I was home by eleven-thirty that night, ready to have a good nights' sleep before I went into the firm the following morning. I set my alarm for seven-thirty the following morning, knowing that it would be plenty of time to get my briefcase ready, to shower, and to figure out which business suit I would be wearing.

The heels I could've done without, but as I slipped them on the following morning, I knew my feet would attempt to grow used to them, given time. I undid the button on my black suit in preparation for the drive, and crossed my fingers that my skirt wasn't too short. Putting my briefcase onto the passenger seat, I keyed in the address to the firm, which was only about a mile away from the courthouse. I cranked up their air-conditioning and sped off at around eight-fifteen, not wanting to be late for my first day on the job.

When I arrived at the firm, I went straight to the employee parking garage, where I showed my ID and was presented with a temporary parking pass; the attendant informed me that I would receive my real one at some point that week. I thanked him and looked at my assigned parking number, driving this way and that until I found my space. Pulling into it, I shut off my car and made a grab for my briefcase, heading towards the elevators with a quick dash. I was ten minutes early, but I still needed to make a good impression.

When the elevator doors dinged open, I was surprised to see Hugo Blomqvist standing there, his head in his phone, but as I stepped forward, he looked up. "Hugo," I said, putting out my hand, mentally crossing my fingers that he'd be all right with me speaking first.

"Scarlett," he said warmly, taking my hand into his strong grip and shaking it. "Welcome to Blomqvist, Sampson, and Torrance. Good to have you here."

"Good to be here, Hugo," I replied, not minding when he put a welcoming arm around my shoulders with a chuckle. "I'm excited to get a feel for the firm's office space and to get to work on whatever cases you want to put me on, sir."

"Well, we sure do love excitement around here, Scarlett," he replied. "You'll be assisting all three of us, but Allie asked for you personally to be her personal attorney assistant. You'll have an office attached to hers," he went on, as we continued down a hallway with wooden and glass doors, and a pearl-gray carpet, "and you'll have your own secretary, in addition to going through Allie's secretary." He takes me to an office door, marked with the words ALICE TORRANCE, and knocks on it with the knuckles of his free hand.

"Come on in, Hugo!" comes a voice on the other side of the door.

Hugo and I walk into the room, where Hugo beams at having brought me in himself. "Allie, look who I found on the elevator," he proclaims.

"Jesus, Hugo, don't scare the poor girl," Alice Torrance admonished, crossing the room and kissing Hugo, causing my eyes to widen. "Married fifteen years," Alice explains after she pulls away from him, "but I kept my maiden name."

"As is your right, Ms. Torrance," I reply.

"Oh, please, it's Allie," she said, putting out a finely-manicured hand. "I was hardly older than you when I took the bar, and pregnant with our first child by that point," she says with a light chuckle Hugo's way. "Through that door is your office," she explains, nodding to an ornately-paneled door on an opposite wall. "Go on in and have a look," she tells me in an encouraging manner, with a smile.

I returned the smile, stepping towards the door and taking ahold of the massive brass handle, turning it to one side and opening the door. The office was smaller than Allie's, of course, but it was still quite generous in size. It was all done up in cherry, and it had lovely floor-to-ceiling windows behind the cherry desk. There were bookshelves, one on either side of my desk, and another door, leading out into the hallway. Behind the hallway door was a coat rack, and the floor was cherry as well, pleasing me. I'd brought my laptop from home, but I needn't have bothered, as the desk was equipped with a desktop, as well as a bucket of pens and pencils. I went and sat behind the desk, testing out the chair, and pulled open a few drawers for good measure, noticing that some of them had blank file folders in place, reminding me of my own file folder with missing information.

"So, what do you think?" Allie asked, distracting me from my pity party as I immediately raised my eyes to hers.

I slammed the drawer to my desk. "It's amazing."

Allie smiled, leaning against the doorframe. "But?"

I laughed aloud, feeling awkward all of a sudden. "Well, the sun distracts me from getting work done, if I'm being honest," I replied, "and I hate blinds. Do you mind if I acquire some light-blocking curtains?"

Allie laughed at that, her raven tresses bouncing ever so slightly. "Is that all? We have the budget for something that minor, Scarlett, trust me, darling," she assured me.

I blinked. "Thank you," I said, surprised that it was being handled so quickly.

"Leave word with your assistant—you'll meet her shortly," Allie told me. "She's been told to come to you at nine-thirty, where she'll familiarize you with extensions and whatnot. You let her know what you want, and we'll get someone in here to measure for the drapes. Once they have the measurements, they'll give them to your assistant, and she'll place the order according to your color and fabric specifications, if that's all right with you."

I nodded. "That sounds great. Thank you, Allie."

"No problem," Allie said with a smile. "There are a couple of depositions for you to look through today, so other than that and meeting with your assistant, Rachel, I'd say everything is taken care of for today."

I got to my feet then, placing my briefcase on top of my desk and walked over to her, my hand extended towards her. "Thank you for this opportunity, Allie," I said, finding a smile at last. "I won't let you down."

Allie nodded, taking my hand and shaking it. "I know you won't," she replied.

. . .

I spent the next several days working on the depositions that Allie needed for a court case coming up in the next couple of weeks. I needed to be well-versed, she told me, as I would be beside her during trial proceedings and could question witnesses if I wanted to, but only she and the opposing side could question the suspect. I understood this, and told her that I was mainly looking forward to watching the court proceedings, and Allie seemed pleased at the notes I'd taken on the assignments she'd given me in preparation.

I was in the beginning stages of my second week at the firm when I received a surprising phone call from Ian. I got him to hold on, while I got Rachel to hold all my calls for a few moments, before putting the phone to my ear. "Hey, stranger. How are you?" I asked, once I managed to get back to him.

Ian chuckled on the other end of the phone. "Well, I'm fine," he replied. "How are you, Miss Skirt? How's the firm treating you?"

I scoffed back at him. "Only you could get away with saying that, you know," I grumbled back at him in a sarcastic manner.

"Term of endearment," Ian said quietly.

"Now what do you want?" I said, my voice firm with a laugh at the back of it. "I'm very busy and important."

"Well, you saw Fiona last weekend, and you've seen Lip only a time or two since you started the new job and, well..."

"Wait, are you feeling left out?" I asked, straightening in my seat. "Wow, Ian. We haven't even hung out that much. Did I make so much of an impression on you, on our one main encounter, that you want to be friends?"

"Of course I want to be friends," Ian replied. "You're dating my brother, and you're friends with Fiona already, so..."

I smiled. "Could use more friends, I guess," I said quietly.

"What's your schedule like today?" he asked.

I looked over my calendar. "Well, I have to prepare some case notes to meet with this attorney and his client with my boss to potentially negotiate a plea, but it's not until three o'clock, and I'm almost done with the notes..." I checked the time, and it was only ten-thirty. "I can meet you around noon for lunch. Is that cool?"

"Lunch? Can do," Ian replied. "There's this food truck Lip and I like. I'll text you the address—I don't think it's too far from your office."

"Hey, I'll eat pretty much anything," I said with a laugh. "You send me the address and I'll see you there at noon, okay?"

"Great! See you then," Ian replied.

True to his word, Ian sent me the address an hour later, and I was pleased that I was nearly done with the notes by that point. I finished the notes in fifteen minutes before leaving my office, telling Rachel that I was going out for lunch but would be back in plenty of time for the meeting, which she said she would inform Allie's secretary, Cindy, about. I thanked her and continued on my way, making my way towards the elevator and into the parking garage. I got into my car and keyed in the address of the food truck into the GPS system, seeing that it was only ten minutes away from the firm by car.

Make it in seven, girlfriend, my mind said.

Jesus, I don't want a ticket, I said back, rolling my eyes and pulling out of my parking space and through the parking lot. I drove along the main road of downtown, ultimately going down a side street and finding the food truck with little issue. It looked like a taco truck—and hey, who doesn't like a good taco... Wait a minute.

I got out of my car and locked it behind me, crossing the street and spotting Ian, waiting beneath a table with an umbrella. Immediately, I grinned at him, pushing my sunglasses up to get a good look at him as I approached. I smiled broadly as he got to his feet and hugged me, before telling me to get whatever I wanted, as lunch was on him.

"No, no, no," I said, shoving him playfully back into his seat. "You called me 'Miss Skirt' on the phone, so you lost lunch-buying privileges, mister."

"You figure?" he asked, obviously trying not to laugh.

"Yes," I replied. "Tell me what you want. I got it today."

Ian rattled off his order and I took it, heading up to the window and placing both our orders, handing over the correct amount of cash, plus a tip for the jar in the window. I grabbed a couple cans of soda for the two of us—as we both needed to get back to work—and brought them back to the table, handing one over to Ian. I watched as he drummed his hands on the table for a moment, obviously wanting to say something, but they called out our order just a minute or two later and he went to get it.

"What's going on with you today?" I asked when he returned to the table, taking my plate and setting it down.

"What?" Ian asked.

I shrugged. "Well, call me weird, but I sort of know what it looks like when somebody has something on their mind..."

Ian sighed. "Lip thinks you're avoiding him."

I nearly choked on my carne asada. "I'm sorry. What?"

Ian looked uncomfortable. "I told him I didn't want to be a messenger here, Scar, but he's my brother, you know."

I sighed, picking up my can of soda and sipping it. "I mean, does he not realize that I'm under a lot of pressure at work?" I asked, not wanting to unload on Ian. "I'm not some person who just walked in there and got a high-ranking position. I have to impress people and work my way up. I mean, my stepdad got me the interview in the first place..."

"You were in Chicago?" Ian asked. "For the interview?"

I shook my head. "No, they were considerate enough to give it to me over Skype," I replied. "It was during midterms and I couldn't miss any classes."

Ian nodded. "I tried to explain the whole thing about jobs and the amount of pressure you must be under," he said quietly. "I think he's just scared."

"Scared?" I asked. "Why would he be...?" Immediately, I felt myself reddening as I lowered my eyes to my lunch. "I see."

"He didn't have to tell me," Ian told me, and I looked up, locking my eyes with his. "I guess I could just kind of tell."

I made a mock grumbling noise. "I should just tattoo a 'V' somewhere on my body. What about my forehead?" I asked.

Ian laughed. "No. Don't ruin it."

"Why? You don't think it would look good?" I joked, turning this way and that.

Ian scoffed. "You'd have to get bangs and god knows that people who get bangs are just plain weird, you know?"

"Totally weird," I said, nodding at him.

"I think he's just wanting some assurance," Ian told me as I picked up my taco again. "I think he's afraid because he's never had to wait this long."

"It's been a month."

Ian looked around then. "Not a lot to do around here when we were growing up," he told me in a quiet voice. "I mean, we had shit to do—school, work, things like that—but we couldn't just go to the mall or something. We needed hobbies."

"Hobbies?" I asked.

"Well, yeah," he said. "I had ROTC and Lip had his books...and sex."

"What is it with you Gallagher's and sex?" I asked. "Why did you all have sex in your teenage years? Not judging or anything..."

"Lip had a lot of girlfriends, and Fiona had a lot of boyfriends... I was with my boss, and our sister Debbie has a daughter, our brother Carl is married..."

"Man, I think I've stepped in a whole other world... Or just stepped on a land mine and I'm in a coma or something..."

Ian laughed. "Maybe."

"But wait... Your boss?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

"When was this?"

"When I was sixteen."

"Jesus, Gallagher," I said. "Do you know how many laws are broken there?"

Ian laughed. "Forgot. You're a lawyer."

I shook my head. "Hey, I'm not one to judge, and you seem to know your own mind. I just hope for your sake that it was consensual."

"It was weird—with Kash," Ian said quietly, sipping at his soda. "We weren't really dating, if I'm being honest with you..."

"More like fucking?" I asked, and Ian's eyes flashed to mine.

"Yeah," he replied.

"What stopped it?" I wanted to know.

A shadow passed over his face then, and I was reminded of Fiona when she thought that I had bipolar disorder as well. "Mickey Milkovich," Ian replied.

. . .

I returned back to the firm in plenty of time to still have a few moments to prepare for the meeting with an opposing attorney who wanted a deal for his client. I stepped back into my office, having an hour and a half to complete my thoughts on the case notes, and immediately got to work. After about an hour of preparing, there was a knock on the door that I shared with Allie and I immediately looked towards it, wondering what was happening.

"Come on," I called.

Allie opened the door immediately and looked shaken. "Scarlett, thank god," she said, coming into my office and looking more worried with every step. "There's been a family emergency, I'm afraid..."

"An emergency?" I asked, feeling anxious as I got to my feet. "What kind of emergency? Is there anything I can do?"

Allie looked torn for a moment before she finally permitted herself to speak. "Hugo's and my daughter, Charlotte, has suffered a relapse in her leukemia treatment program," she said, trying and failing to keep her voice from shaking.

"Oh, my god," I whispered, shaking my head. "Allie, I'm so sorry."

Allie smiled sadly. "Thank you," she replied. "Our son, Nicholas, is on his way now to take over for me in the meeting today. He may have to go to court with you on the larger case we've been working on, and he'll be in Hugo's office for the time being."

I nodded. "Yes, of course."

"Meantime," Allie went on, "you'll be taking my place in the hierarchy of the firm and, please, use my office for formalities sake."

"I, uh..." I said, feeling altogether uncomfortable as I looked behind Allie, into her beautiful office, one that I imagined for myself one day. "Is that really necessary, Allie? I don't want to step on anyone's toes..."

"Please," Allie said, her voice hinging on desperation as she stepped towards me. "I wouldn't ask normally but you passed the bar and got your Master's before your twenty-fifth birthday—both feats are impressive, Scarlett, and Hugo and I are very impressed with you. Please, do this as a favor to the both of us."

I sighed, nodding. "Of course."

"Thank you," Allie replied. "Now, you will have both Rachel and my own secretary, Cindy, at your disposal for however long Hugo and I may need to be gone."

"Charlotte lives in Chicago?" I asked, making conversation as I set to work bringing my important things into Allie's office.

Allie shakes her head. "No. Charlotte lives in Los Angeles where she works at a top modeling agency—she's a shoo-in for a promotion to agent, and won't have to strut around in outfits that were made for when the aliens take over..."

Clandestinely, I position myself so that my hair escapes from behind one ear and covers half of my face—the half facing Allie—so as she will not see me smiling at her words. "Well, rest-assured that Nicholas and I will do our best to handle ourselves," I say, taking a good look at Allie's desk chair, but not wanting to sit in it in her presence. "When will Nicholas be arriving here, then? In good time for the meeting, I suppose?"

Allie nodded. "Yes, I assume so." It is then that there's a knock upon Allie's main office door and Allie turns toward the sound. "Come in," she calls.

A six-feet-four drink of water opens the door and enters the room, looking like the perfect blend of Hugo and Allie, and yet looked like one of those people that belonged in a Gucci suit ad, or a Jaguar commercial. His black hair is slicked back becomingly, and his pale skin is to die for; he had a closely-cut beard upon his face, and as he approached his mother, his dark blue eyes looked saddened, likely because of his sister, Charlotte. He took his mother's hands in his and kissed her cheek, before putting a loving arm around her shoulders.

"Mother, I'm so sorry. I got here as quickly as I could."

"Thank you, Nicholas, for hurrying," she replied, patting his cheek. "Well, I've left everything you will need for the meeting this afternoon in your father's office. Oh, and before I forget," she went on, breaking away from Nicholas and coming around to her desk, where she grabbed my hand and quickly pulled me after her, "this is Scarlett Davies."

"The transplant from Seattle?" he asked.

"I suppose one could say that, yes," I replied steadily, putting out my hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Nicholas."

"Likewise, Scarlett," he replied, giving me a cursory glance up and down before lightly shaking my hand and turning back to his mother. "I'll go to Father's office now, let him know I'm here, and then he can show me the files."

"Wonderful, darling," Allie replied, kissing Nicholas on the cheek before he left the room, without so much as a backward glance at me. "He's a really darling boy, once you get used to him," Allie said, nearly gushing now as she crossed back to her desk to gather her things. "He always wanted a briefcase instead of a backpack growing up..."

"How old is he?" I asked, wanting to ask the right questions.

"Twenty-seven," Allie tossed over her shoulder.

"But you yourself said that you and Hugo were married fifteen years," I said, not wanting to be accusatory, but also wanting an honest working relationship.

Allie's perfectly-sculpted shoulders slacked then before she turned around. "Yes, I said that," she replied, looking guilty. "I say that to new employees before I know if I can trust them. Eighteen plus fifteen is only thirty-three, so naturally people assume I'm in my thirties."

"You're not?" I ask, surprised, as she looks wonderful for her age.

"Forty," she replied. "Most people think forty-five, because of how old Nicholas is."

"Oh," I say. "He's not...?"

"No, not biologically," Allie replied. "Nicholas is my younger brother—half-brother, really. I adopted him when I was eighteen, when I married Hugo."

I felt my eyebrows knit together at that, still unsure of the story. "Then why does he resemble Hugo as well?"

"He is Hugo's cousin, but on the opposite side," Allie explained, "so Hugo and I aren't related, and since we were both so academic growing up, we hardly saw each other. It's a little strange to consider, but we fell in love."

I shook my head. "It doesn't sound strange at all to me. It's not like you married your cousin or something like that," I say with a laugh.

Allie laughed softly. "That's true." She stood there for a moment, her laptop case in one hand, her blazer draped over her arm, and her purse in the other hand. "I'll keep in touch, Scarlett, so don't worry about a thing."

I nodded. "Not worrying," I said. "And if you need anything on my end, please don't hesitate to call any of us here. We've got your back."

. . .

The rest of that day and the next were a blur, filled with lots of legal jargon and Nicholas talking a mile a minute. I was beginning to think that he thought I was incompetent, because he didn't even allow me to get a word in. I was tempted to call Allie on Nicholas's behavior, but I knew it would be rude to complain about one of their children when another could have easily been on their death bed. Ian and I got together for a drink at the end of the second day, but I made it clear that discussing Lip was off the table, and Ian seemed relieved that he was presumably off the hook from playing referee.

I arrived at the firm the following day, taking in Allie's morning text message that she likely wouldn't be back in time for court, but that Cindy was contracted to keep her informed of the goings-on, via the transcripts. I went into Allie's office and got behind the desk, crossing my fingers that Nicholas would want to spend the day holed up in Hugo's office, preparing for court, which is what I intended to do in Allie's office. To make matters more complicated, Timothy Sampson had put in for vacation time, and Hugo and Allie had made it clear to Nicholas and me respectively that he was gunning for retirement.

I pushed the thought from my mind as I continued my work on the notes that I would need for court, yet almost felt tempted not to do them, as I somehow felt that Nicholas would prevent me from talking again. Rolling my eyes at his commanding nature and presence, I continued to throw myself into my work, hopeful that we would have a sympathetic judge that would, perhaps, intervene on my behalf. I shrugged the thought off, thinking that it was impossible and, about three hours into my work, I got a phone call.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Sorry to bother you, Scarlett," Rachel said in a rush on the other end of the phone. "There's a gentleman here to see you."

"And did this gentleman give you name?" I asked, typing notes in a flurry, my phone caught between my ear and my shoulder.

"Lip?" Rachel asked, almost as if she was unsure.

Without meaning to, I let out a squeak, feeling caught in a lie as I remembered the numerous unanswered calls and text messages from Lip as I got to my feet, suddenly pulled back to my desk because of the phone's chord. "Please have him directed to Allie's office immediately, Rachel, please," I said, breathlessly.

"Yes, of course, Scarlett," Rachel replied, cutting the call.

I finished my last thought on the seventh paragraph on my court notes, before saving the document and getting to my feet. I smoothed over my white, button-down shirt, tucked expertly into my black skirt, and circled around my desk as I began to hear footsteps in the hallway beyond Allie's office door. I perched on the other end of the desk, hesitating as I waited for the knock to come, and when it did, my heart reached my throat.

"Come in," I managed to choke out.

Lip opened the door and I was relieved to see that he was out there on his own as he shut the door behind him. He hesitated there for a moment before crossing the room towards me and yanking me to him at full force, a gasp escaping my lips as his touched mine, and I felt my arms wrapping around him as our mouths became one. After only a few sweet moments, however, Lip shoved my away from him, and I felt my pained expression matching his as we just took a moment to stare at one another.

"I see that your attraction to me isn't the problem."

"Lip..." I whispered, pleaded.

"You've been dodging my phone calls, Scarlett," Lip said, his tone more pained than accusatory towards me. "I want to know why."

I crossed my arms. "And I want to know why you sent Ian to be caught in the middle of all of this shit, Lip. You had no right to do that."

Lip shrugged. "Why? Aren't you two friends?"

"Of course we're friends!" I shot back. "It doesn't mean you can send your brother, and my friend, to me whenever you have a fucking problem with me! Why didn't you just take it up with me directly, Lip, instead of getting Ian involved?!"

"Because you never answer your fucking phone!" Lip said, punching the wall of Allie's office, which caused me to jump in a moment of shock as I fully absorbed his fury. "Jesus, Scar. What am I supposed to think now? You won't talk to me, and then when I get in here, you're giving me mixed signals!"

"You're the one who kissed me!"

"You kissed me back!" Lip said, and I just stood there, knowing full well that he was right and wrong at the same time. "So, which is it?"

"What, Lip?" I asked, my voice deliberately quiet.

"Do you or do you not have feelings for me, because I seem to recall you informing me that relationships thrive on communication."

I turned towards Lip, shocked that he would even demand such a thing of me, but then felt myself take control of my reserve. "If you really feel the need to ask me that, Lip, then I don't know why you're here at all."

"Point taken," Lip replied, striding towards the door before opening it and slamming it behind him, and I felt myself tense yet again at the noise.

. . .

Our first day in court was four days later, and with Allie's assurances that she and Hugo would be back in a week, I decided to brave facing court with Nicholas. Knowing full well that any opportunities to talk would be short-lived, if permitted at all, I kept silent throughout opening arguments, and felt a breath of relief when the judge gave us an hour for lunch. I got to my feet and gathered my things, walking out of there and coming to a stop the moment I got to the steps outside, for who should be hurrying up them but Lip.

"Hi," he said, looking humbled.

"Hello," I replied.

"Look, I know I acted like an ass the other day," Lip said quietly, "and that was totally uncalled for and I apologize."

I gave him a stiff nod. "I understand."

"Can we talk?" he asked, the humble expression not going away. "Do you have some time to have lunch or something?"

I sighed, but gave him a nod. "There's a bistro just around the corner," I replied. "Follow me." I walked down the rest of the stairs, and Lip moved to follow me as we walked down the block and towards the restaurant. We got a table for two and I slid into one side of the booth, Lip taking the other side, just watching me.

"I was out of line," he said as soon as our drink orders had been taken.

"No shit," I replied, sipping at my ice water.

Lip smiles at that, and I find the corners of my mouth threatening to pull upwards at the promise of his laugh. "Look, Scar, I've never done this before..."

"Dated someone without sex?" I asked.

Lip laughed then, and I found myself pulling my lips inwards to prevent myself from laughing along with him. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."

I set down my glass of water and looked around for a moment and, when I realized that no eyes were upon us, I reached across the table and took his hands, something which caused him to stiffen at my touch. "You must know by now how much I want to fuck you, Lip Gallagher," I said, grinning at him, a grin which he returned. "But it's not that easy for me. Remember, you were quick to deduce what I was the night we met."

Lip smiled. "I know. Ian really laid into me the other day when he heard what I did. He said I had no right to talk to you that way."

I squeezed his hands before pulling back, and watched as Lip's own hands trailed after me for a moment before we sat back against the leather seats. "As well he should have." I sighed as the waitress came over, where I ordered a chicken Caesar salad for lunch, and Lip got something along the lines of a pork chop. "Look, Lip, all of this is a lot—a new job, and whatever it is we are to one another..."

"I'd like to consider myself your boyfriend," Lip said quietly.

I smiled. "Well, then I guess I'm your girlfriend," I said. "But seriously, you've got to know that it's going to happen, and soon. I just need to get this Nicholas guy off my back at work. I figure once he's gone, then it'll be the time."

Lip smiled at my compromise, and raised his glass. "I'll drink to that," he said, and we clinked our mutual glasses together.

. . .

Just as I was finally about to get an opportunity to speak in court the next day, Nicholas had to go and ruin it. I had all my paperwork together, and was just about to get to my feet as soon as the judge had left chambers, but Nicholas took my notes onto his side of the table. Immediately, I turned and looked at him in shock, but he shook his head at me.

"After that little display in my mother's office the other day, Miss Davies, I hardly think it's appropriate for you to question anyone in court just yet," he said, giving me a smirk before we rose as the judge came out, and I had to do my best to keep from screaming.

When the judge dismissed us just after five, I got into my car and drove to The Alibi, where I hadn't been since my final show. Kevin knew what a tough day on the job looked like, and he immediately poured me an apple martini. I chugged it down, looking at my phone, seeing that Lip had let me know that he was babysitting Liam again that night. I looked up and towards the other end of the bar, where my heart nearly stopped in my chest. On the other side of the bar sat the one and only Dr. Normal. He seemed to sense my eyes on him then, and when he did, he turned and looked right at me, before lifting up his gin and tonic and cheering me. Thinking I was seeing things, the martini pumping through me, I paid for it and left the bar, getting into my car and driving, wanting to get as far away from there as possible.

I arrived at the Gallagher house, parking outside and getting out of the car. Shaking slightly from the devastation that had been my day in court, I went through the gate and up the path, and knocked on the door three times with a fist full of tremors. When the door opened, and Lip was standing there, shocked, I felt myself fighting to keep it together.

"Jesus, Scar! You look awful! What's going on?" Lip demanded.

"I don't know," I whispered, standing there, trying and failing to hold it together. "I-I just... I needed to see you. I didn't know where else to go."

Lip nodded, striding out onto the porch and putting an arm around my waist, before he tilted my chin up and kissed me. "Better?" he asked.

I met his eyes in the semi-darkness. "Let's go inside," I replied.

Lip raised his eyebrows. "Are you sure?"

I scoffed then. "I'm not sure about anything anymore," I told him.

Lip nodded at that, understanding, before he leaned down and kissed me again. I shoved him backwards, into the house, doing my best not to slam the door behind us. As we staggered into the living room, I already felt my hands itching to get his clothes off. And then Lip and I got onto the couch, struggling to be free of the man's uniform, knowing that this had to be quick, because we wouldn't allow Ian to ruin the moment a second time.