Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

A/N: I don't really have one this time. But I plan on bringing up Will vs. Eli, and the deleted message within the next chapter or 2.

We'll See

Chapter 6

Alicia returned to the living room. She surveyed the room, taking in the damage. She was sure that Zach wouldn't be speaking to her for a while. Grace was torn between her parents. Jacqui had stayed remarkably quite after Alicia's outburst, and Peter had gone back to contemplating things inside his head, while staring at something only he could see. She decided then and there that she would find a place to stay for the night, and worry about living arrangements later. She went into her bedroom and packed a garment bag with a few blouses and suits she would need for work. Grace came in a layed on her bed.

"Dad and Grandma are going to her house. Dad said that he didn't want to uproot anyone and that it would be easiest for him to leave and stay with her. Zach wanted to go with them, but Dad made him stay. He's not happy. I know he's angry but I don't understand why he's mad at you. Its Dad's fault." Grace trailed off, suddenly guilt for blaming her father. Alicia stopped her packing and shoved everything over so she could lie next to her daughter.

"Zach is angry because he thinks it's my fault because I didn't try harder to keep your father. He thinks I pushed him away, and in a way I did because your father hurt me. When we got married he promised to love me and forsake all others. He broke that promise. It's a big one to break. Its ok if your brother is mad at me. He needs to blame someone and its ok if it's me. I blame myself too."

"I don't blame you. I don't want to blame Dad either, but it feels like we're being ripped apart."

"I know sweetie." Grace was quiet for a few minutes like she was mulling things over. She sat up suddenly and looked at her mother, as if something had just occurred to her, a great revelation. "What is it, honey?"

"You said that you would always love Dad because he gave you the two of us. You said that you can love someone but want to be with someone else. You love him, but you're not in love with him anymore, are you?" Grace was so insightful, even at her young age.

"No, I'm not in love with him any more. I don't think I have been for a long time, even before everything went crazy the first time."

"Is Dad still in love with you?" Zach asked from the doorway. He had been listening to the conversation from there, waiting for a moment to apologize for being a jerk.

"I don't know, Zach, but I don't think so. We haven't been happy for a while now."

"Then why did you stay? Why didn't you guys divorce before everything went wrong?"

"I stayed for you. I've always stayed for you and Grace. I didn't want to disrupt yours lives anymore than everything already had."

"You were protecting us." Grace interjected.

"I was trying to protect you. I don't think I did a very good job of it though."

"You did fine Mom, but we were going to have to deal with all of this at some point." Zach came in and sat next to the two of them. Alicia hugged her children and hoped that things wouldn't be as terrible in the morning as they felt that night.

Peter had shown up at Eli's office first thing the next morning. He had decided to drop the campaign in light of his indiscretion being aired to the public yet again. He also decided that in light of the divorce that would soon be looming over his head, it was best to cut his losses before things became worse than they already were. Eli had nodded at all the right moments and assured him that he would wrap everything up. Peter had thanked him, but had stayed, looking at him in quiet study for a moment.

"You don't like me do you?" Peter asked. Eli hesitated before answering, wondering if he should tell the truth or lie. He decided that he was tired of lying for the moment and would tell the man the truth.

"I don't, not really." He answered.

"Because I cheated on my wife?"

"Because Alicia deserves better." Peter looked at him suspiciously before he gave a short bark of laughter.

"I once thought that she was lucky to have me. I was so arrogant. I was the lucky one. I don't think I really realized that until she started at Lockhart & Gardner, working Will. That first moment I realized that he could steal her away from me, I was so jealous, but she hasn't said anything about Will in months. It wasn't him I had to worry about was it? She doesn't care about Will as more than an employer or a friend does she? Its you, you're the one who will steal her away, aren't you? I didn't see that coming."

"We're all lucky for knowing her. Your wife is a remarkable woman, and extraordinary woman. I can see what drew you in, what drew in Will Gardner. There's just something about her that holds your attention. And no, she doesn't care about Will. She a moment where she needed to vent, and I was handy to listen, and she told me. You know she had an idea, about you and the escorts, before everything came to light? She told me that too. But as to stealing her away, I can't steal something that's already gone."

"If things hadn't turned out the way they did. If we could continue on with things they were, say a week ago, who would you have been loyal to in the end, me or her?"

"Her." It was said simply and without reservation.

"As I thought. Good luck Eli. Watch out for her brother though, he's a little nuts." With that Peter walked out the door, and out of Eli Gold's life. He sighed in relief, and wondered if that hadn't been Peter's way of giving him permission. He shook his head and got down to the business of closing out Peter's campaign.

It was more than a month later that the divorce was finalized. Alicia hadn't seen him in all that time. She had waited until everything was settled before giving in and going to see Eli. He greeted her at his door with a soft smile, one that she returned.

"Eli."

"Alicia."

"I…" She started but wasn't sure how to continue without seeming like an idiot. It was unusual for her to be at a loss for words, but she was. Eli had an idea of what she had come to see him about.

"If you're wondering about if I will keep my business with Lockhart & Gardner, I will. So long as you're there, I will. If you decide that you would like to take your skills elsewhere, I will follow. You are an excellent lawyer." She blushed a little at the compliment.

"Thank you. I was wondering. I appreciate the vote of confidence. I can use all of them I can get right now." She was a little subdued, but then the media had crucified her and Peter both. Peter had of course borne the brunt of it, but she was still harassed by the hounds for being his ex-wife, for leaving him. Eli nodded in understanding. "Peter told me something when we were in proceedings. I thought he was insane for a moment. He said, and I quote 'Everyone is loyal to you Alicia, everyone but me. I'm sorry and it puts me to shame.' I asked him what he meant. He told me that even you had chosen to side with me over him. Is that true?"

Eli hadn't thought Peter would voice those thoughts to Alicia. He had hoped that he would keep things to himself, but had. He shrugged in a non-committal way, not sure of how to answer her question and turned away to study the cityscape layed out before his window. Alicia came up behind him and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder turning him to face her. He gathered his courage and looked her in the eyes. She must have seen his answer in his eyes, because she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you for everything, Eli." He shrugged again still unsure of what to say. She studied him for a moment, before leaning her head against his shoulder. She felt him jump slight at her over familiar touch. However he didn't push her away or pull himself back. He stood very still as though unsure what to do with her. Right then she just wanted a little comfort from the man who had become a friend. She shuffled a little closer to him and wrapped an arm around his waist. He wrapped his own arms around her shoulders, giving in and pulling her into a full embrace. She let herself relax into his arms, allowing his warmth to surround and comfort her. She wasn't sure when it had happened, or what made her decided, subconsciously that he was the one to trust, but there she was in the arms of Eli Gold, and she finally felt safe.