Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

A/N: For all my followers, here is the new chapter. Sorry it took so long to update. I've been diligently working on my readings for my Texas History class in preparation for the test I will be taking later today. That being said, there was a request for more Will in this chapter, and your wish has been granted. There is a little of Kalinda as well. No Eli in this one but I'm trying to make Alicia a little more carefree, and Will fit the bill as it turned out. Hopefully I'm not deviating from the character's personalities too much. Also I will award a special mention in the next chapter to anyone who catches my reference to 'Crossing Jordan'. Enjoy!

We'll See

Chapter 9

Alicia was unsure how to react to Eli's declaration through flower. He had been right. She was well versed, and knew the meaning behind various flowers sent to a woman. Red roses were passion and love, white were for purity of intent and new beginnings, the two together were for unity, and the pink roses were for admiration of grace and elegance, and of course purple hyacinths were an apology. She had to appreciate not only his taste, but his ingenuity. Knowing the meaning of flowers was becoming a lost art in the current era.

She studied the arrangement intensely, letting her mind wander over her Eli Gold. She could feel a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. He did that too her. He made her feel safer, appreciated. He knew she was intelligent, and never seemed surprised that she was more than she appeared. That night they had talked over dinner, before the divorce, she had felt comfortable enough with him to show her true self. No one saw that part of her, except her brother. And she liked that he could bring it out in her. She liked his company. She liked him.

Alicia pushed her mind away from the flowers, when Kalinda knocked on her door. She smiled up at the younger woman, a true smile for once.

"What can I do for you, Kalinda?" She asked.

"Nothing. I came to see if you needed anything for your court case today."

"No. I'm fine, thank you." Kalinda nodded but stayed in the doorway. She nodded to the flowers.

"Who…"

"Eli Gold." Alicia answered, her smile returning. Kalinda nodded again and was gone from her door. The rest of the morning passed quickly. She spent the afternoon in court. She exhibited her own style in the courtroom, using her calm, political mask, to trip up the witnesses. She was very subtle in her tactics, which often pushed her opponents into underestimating her. She wasn't flamboyant, or restless in her mannerisms, which led opposing council to think that she was silent due to incompetence. She was in truth, an excellent lawyer.

When court adjourned for the day, she packed her materials, to return to the office. She found Will sitting in the back of the room waiting for her. They stared at one another for a moment before she walked down the aisle to meet him at the doors. She waited for Will to break the silence, knowing that he had less patience than she did, and wouldn't be able to resist telling her why he was there.

"You did well in court today. I like the way they continually underestimate you. It's a good tactic, the silence and gentle expectation." He said, playing into her own expectations.

"It isn't a tactic, Will; it's the way I am. Whatever they assume, is their own fault. Did you need something in particular?"

"I wanted to talk with you. I feel like we didn't get to finish our conversation yesterday. You said the kids were doing ok, and that you were fine, but are you really?"

"Are you asking as my boss, or my friend?" She was trying to set the ground rules.

"I'm asking as your friend. We aren't in the office now."

"The kids are dealing well enough as I said before. I on the other hand will survive. I always survive."

"That's not saying much Alicia. Don't you want more than just surviving? Don't you think you deserve to happy for once?"

"I do want more than surviving. I do want to be happy. It will take time to get there though. Right now there isn't a lot to be happy about. I just finalized my divorce to a man that I've loved for many years, and who is the father of my children. I am happy about working. I enjoy my job. I am happy to have my kids in my life. I am happy to have you as a friend. But beyond that, I'm not sure yet. There is so much I missed out on by just being Peter's wife. I have to find me again. Once I do that, maybe I'll be living more than just surviving."

"Do you think that there will ever be a chance for me to be the one to give you a small portion of the happiness you're looking for?"

"Will, you are my friend. You are my boss. It has been twenty years since we were those happy young adults in law school. I will admit to thinking that maybe that's what I wanted when I first came to you for help, but I'm not the same person I was. This last year has changed me so much. I will always care for you Will, but I don't think I can ever give you what you're asking for. That feeling just isn't there." She sighed sadly. He reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her to a stop.

"I had to give it one last try." There was a sadness in his eyes that was echoed in hers. He pulled her into a brief hug, placing a friendly kiss on her forehead, before releasing her. She smiled up at him, and he felt like he'd been given a very special gift, the gift of a true smile from Alicia. It was the one that she had given him so many years before, when he first realized that he was completely in love with her. It was a little painful to see it now, at the end of any romantic feelings that had existed, but it was a good pain, a little like healing. They resumed their walk back to the office. It was chilly, but neither one of them minded. They were comfortable with each other, with the new dynamic between them.

"You haven't asked yet." She prompted after a few minutes of silence. He looked at her knowingly.

"I figured you'd tell me when you had a moment. After all, I am your best friend." He said it in a slightly girly voice.

"Yes, my bestest girlfriend." She answered with a laugh. It was almost like the old days between them. She had called him that before, when they were in law school. She had always been able to tell him anything, even then.

"Absolutely. So…" He prompted.

"The flowers are from Eli Gold."

"Smart man. I'm almost jealous I didn't think of that."

"Yes, he is a smart man, and don't be jealous, it's petty. I was surprised to say the least. He didn't strike me as the romantic type, but then he has surprised me a lot in the past month."

"What do you mean romantic? And how did he surprise you?"

"Well the flowers represent an apology, love, passion, unity, admiration of grace and elegance, and purity of intent. As for surprising me, the flowers were one. He sided with me over Peter. He was there the night everything came crashing down, just in presence. He listened when I needed someone to vent at, and reserved judgment, and never tried to use any of it against me, although he could have. He's becoming a good friend as well."

"But will he ever be your bestest girlfriend?" Will asked with a smile.

"No, that is reserved solely for you." They were silent for a few minutes before he started to laugh a little.

"What is so funny?"

"Eli Gold falling under your spell." She looked at him warily, like he was losing his mind, waiting for him to elaborate. "You don't see it, because you don't have an arrogant bone in your body, but you just have this effect on people. It's obvious on me; I've been in love with you for years. It was obvious on Peter. He was smitten the first time he saw you. I had thought that Eli Gold would be the tough nut. He wouldn't fall your charms, but even he couldn't resist. And it's not just on men. Diane respects you so much more than you realize, Derrick too, although he is a man. And Kalinda would probably do just about anything for you. And you don't see it at all."

"I really think you've lost what little there is left of your mind." She scoffed.

"Alicia, you are a force to be reckoned with on any and every level. I think that if you want to find your own happiness, you have to accept that you are an extraordinary person on every level, and that we all see you that way, whether you can see it or not."

"Thank you." She said seriously, as they reached the doors to the office building. She was quiet for the few minutes it took to reach their floor. As they exited the elevator and were about to go their separate ways, she responded, allowing the mischievous girl he'd fallen in love with so many years before, make an appearance. "And next time I need an ego boost, I know just who to call."