Chapter Eleven
"Diane?"
Will doesn't believe his eyes seeing his ex law firm partner and friend standing in the doorway of his office. The office he would have loved to hide from her had he known she's ever going to visit, but never in his wildest dreams did he see her showing up there one day.
"May I come in?"
He realizes she's already said more than she did when they last met two days ago and he considers it a good sign.
"Of course," he jumps from his seat nervously, looking around in his rather small office. He's actually lucky he doesn't have to share it with anyone, not that they could fit another desk in there anyway, "Sit down," he motions towards the visitor chair and only sits back after Diane has done the same.
"How did you end up, here?"
"You don't want to know," he replies, knowing what she means. Even their associates had bigger offices in the past and now he has to occupy one while he is at least still a partner. Of course he is lucky to have a job, no one is really interested in hiring someone with his past and he doesn't have the money to go out on his own again, so he has to deal with this new situation.
"All right, that's not why I'm here anyway," she doesn't insist, while he wishes he could actually tell her. He needs a friend and Diane is one of the best he's ever had, but he's lost her just like he's lost Kalinda, Alicia and everyone else he once called a friend.
"I assume you are here because of Kurt."
That is the only explanation he can think of, still he finds it odd that she just showed up instead of calling him.
"Yes. I'd like you to tell him you can't take his case."
"You cannot be serious," he says even though it's obvious that she is. She is looking straight at him, there's no doubt that she means every word.
"I am. I will get a lawyer for him, from a different firm. It will be the best for all of us."
She wants him to disappear from her life, and he doesn't blame her for feeling that way. He wishes he could just say that he regrets everything he said back then, but too much time has passed, the words might sound meaningless now.
"Don't you think it's his decision?"
"I'm asking it as a favor."
Silence fills the room while he considers what to reply. He obviously doesn't owe her any favors and she is in no position to tell him whether or not he should take a client, even if the said client is her husband. He is sorry for their troubles, but he really just wants to help Kurt and appreciates the trust he's putting into him that he doesn't get from many people these days.
"As long as Kurt wants me as his lawyer I won't let him down."
"You shouldn't get involved in our family matters."
Maybe he has no right to interfere and he wouldn't have done it on purpose, simply because he knows how Diane loves to keep her private life private, but she should know that she can trust him, no matter what happened between them.
"Kurt was the one who called me."
"I know."
"Maybe you should try to convince him."
"Justice Diane Lockhart. What an honor."
The female voice from the doorway comes at the worst possible time and Will would gladly disappear under his desk than take part in the conversation that will follow.
"Patti," Diane turns to the door, so Will doesn't see the reaction on her face.
"What brings you here?" Patti steps inside and Diane stands up, while Will sinks lower in his chair, watching the two of them.
"It's a personal matter."
"For a moment I was thinking you two are planning your comeback in here," Patti Nyholm says with a slight chuckle and glances at Will who decides to stay silent.
"I like where I am," Diane states firmly, to put an end to Patti's teasing suspicion.
"I don't think Will can say the same, but I'm working on getting him a bigger office as a Christmas present."
Will doesn't find his boss's jokes funny, he never has, but he feels obligated to let out a slight chuckle.
"I'm sure he will appreciate that," Diane glances at Will who wishes for this conversation to be over and hates that he can't do anything about it.
"Anyway, I'm sorry, but I need Will in my office."
"I was about to leave anyway," Diane replies quickly.
"I'll see you in five," Patti turns to Will.
"Yes," he replies, relieved that it's finally over.
"It was nice to see you Diane, you should drop by more often," Patti smiles at Diane, even though Will is sure she doesn't mean it and Diane must be aware of it as well. Not that she is likely to be back there anytime soon.
"Likewise," Diane replies and they both watch Patti leave the office, "I should go," she turns back to him and he nods, but also waits for some reaction from her, anything to show that she still cares about him and his new situation, but she just mutters a silent goodbye and leaves.
He hates himself for not stopping her, for not apologizing and having it out. They should talk about the past and the present, realize that they belong on the same side, that long years of friendship cannot be erased just like that.
He hopes Kurt won't change his mind, that he will insist on him as his lawyer, because he intends to use this opportunity somehow to make things right between Diane and him.