A/N: Sorry for the wait! Here is a loooong Then chapter, an Evalise first date of sorts. More goodness to come, past and present! Hope this is okay, it was distracting to write, heh. Reviews always appreciated. Light and love to you all.

Annalise looked at herself in the mirror, tweaking her makeup and nervously checking her hair, trying to wipe the silly smile off of her face. She was meeting Eve in an hour and a half for their first date for and contemplating having a drink while she waited.

Her phone rang and she crossed the room to pick it up.

"Hello?"

"Is this Annalise?"

"Who's calling?" She responded to the strange male voice firmly.

"Oh. I'm Brendan. Eve's roommate. I'm sorry but she really needs to cancel your date tonight. She-"

Annalise sighed, kicking herself for not expecting this.

Why wouldn't she cancel? She's fucking perfect and I'm nowhere near good enough for her.

Annalise regrouped as she heard the Brendan say her name again.

"Wow. And she had you call to tell me? Classy. Tell Eve that she can go-"

"Brendan! What the fuck are you doing?!"

Annalise quieted as she heard Eve shout in the background.

"You can't go out like this, Eve."

"I am going out tonight. I'm fine. Give me that phone, godammit. I can't believe you!"

"This is for your own good. Stop! Ow! OW! Come on, Eve. You keep falling down every time you try to put pants on."

Annalise heard Eve sniping and whining in the background and grew worried.

"Hello? Hello? What's going on? Is Eve drunk? Why is she falling down? Why doesn't she have pants on?"

"Annalise?"

Eve took the phone, apparently by force, leaving her breathless.

"Are you okay? What's going on?"

"Nothing. I'm fine. That moron was my roommate, Brendan. I told you about him. He thinks I shouldn't go out because I have a cold."

"She has the flu, Annalise," Brendan shouted in the background. "Plus, she looks fucking frightening. Ow!"

Annalise laughed.

"Stop beating that boy. Eve, if you're sick, you need to rest."

"But... You're not disappointed? I am," Eve pouted.

Annalise was quiet a moment.

"I'll make you a deal. You get back in bed. Pants optional. I'll come over and keep you company. If you feel up to it."

"Really? That wouldn't be boring for you?"

Annalise rolled her eyes and smiled to herself.

"I'll see you in an hour. Need anything?"

"Just you. Oh, and some more tissues if it isn't too much trouble."

"One hour. Behave."

"Okay," Eve said shyly.

Both women hung up smiling.

Annalise rang the bell to Eve's apartment and the door was yanked open by a huge red-headed man.

"You must be the famous Annalise!"

"Pleased to meet you," she extended her hand.

Brendan shook it with glee and pulled her inside.

"Is that her?" Eve called.

"Yeah. You weren't lying. She's hot!"

Annalise blushed.

"She really is sick," he said in a low voice, "but she's also stubborn as hell. I'm sorry I called but I didn't want her to-"

"I'm very glad you called. May I?" Annalise put down some bags on the kitchen table and gestured to Eve's room

"Sure thing. I wasn't kidding though, she's pretty damn scary looking. You might wanna run while you still can."

"I heard that! Fuck off, Brendan! Annalise?"

Annalise felt a tug low in her gut, as she walked towards Eve's door and gently pushed it open.

"Hey, sicko," she teased gently.

"Annalise!" Eve brightened, "I can't believe you're here. We can still go out once Brendan leaves, he's just being overprotective."

"For such a smart girl, you sure are dumb sometimes."

"Excuse me?" Eve narrowed her eyes.

"I haven't even touched you yet and I can already tell you have a fever."

"Haven't touched me yet?" Eve waggled her eyebrows.

"Hush," Annalise grinned. "Listen to you. You're all stuffed up. We aren't going anywhere."

"But our daaate," Eve pouted.

"We can have our date here. We can watch movies or read and get you better."

Eve almost didn't trust herself to speak.

"Okay. Thanks. I'm sorry I look so gross," Eve smoothed her hair self-consciously, "I hadn't planned to wear pajamas on our first date."

Annalise laughed.

"Even in your pajamas and with the flu, you look like a fucking model. Quite unfair to the rest of us."

That got a smile out of Eve.

"You're gorgeous," she responded seriously.

Annalise blushed but was saved by Brendan.

"I'm going out! Good luck with that one, Annalise! Pleasure to meet you!" He called.

"Go away!" Eve shouted.

"Feel better, Evil. Call if you need me."

They heard the door slam shut.

"'Evil', huh?" Annalise said with a sly grin.

"Don't even start," Eve warned.

"Alright." Annalise clapped her hands. "Give me a few minutes and I'll be right back. Okay to use your kitchen?"

"First time for everything!"

Twenty minutes later, Annalise nudged the door to Eve's bedroom open wider so she could fit through with the tray she carried.

"Soup," she said in response to Eve's questioning look.

"I'm not really hungry."

"You need to eat a little bit with your medicine."

Eve folded her arms obstinately.

"I don't need medicine."

Annalise shot her a look and put the tray down on the nightstand. She leaned over Eve and kissed her forehead, prompting Eve to inhale sharply in surprise.

"Relax. I'm just taking your temperature."

"In that very scientific manner?"

"It's how my Mama always did it. And you definitely have a fever, missy. Medicine. Now."

"Fiiiine."

Eve sunk back against her pillow.

Annalise handed her two tablets and a glass of water, rolling her eyes at the face Eve made.

Once the brunette complied, Annalise placed the tray of soup and crackers on Eve's lap and sat gingerly on the bed next to her.

"This isn't how I had planned to get you into bed," Eve said mournfully.

"You've given that some thought, have you?"

Both girls laughed.

"You're funny. And so fucking sweet. Coming here. Making me soup. I don't want to get you sick."

"You know I'm not sweet. And I don't get sick," Annalise said confidently.

"Of course you don't. Only us mere mortals get sick."

Eve spoke dramatically but smiled at Annalise's bravado and took a spoonful of her soup.

"This is actually good."

Eve was rewarded with a smile from Annalise.

"Good. Eat as much as you can and tell me when you're done and I'll save the rest."

"Yes, ma'am," Eve saluted.

"Oh, please," Annalise laughed.

She watched with appreciation as Eve ate half of her soup before she insisted she couldn't have any more. Annalise cleared her tray and returned.

"So do you want to watch a movie?"

"Um. My head kind of hurts, actually."

Eve had stopped eating and Annalise took the tray from her, promising to return in a moment.

"What the hell is that?"

"You'll see," Annalise sat gingerly on top of the covers.

"Okay, as sexy as you look in that dress and, believe me, I do plan to take it off of you myself someday, go into the bottom drawer of my dresser and get something comfy to wear."

"Are you sure? I can-"

"Annalise."

"Alright, alright!"

Annalise selected a large faded blue prep school tee of Eve's and some sweatpants, going into the bathroom to change.

Upon her return, she sat shyly on the edge of the bed, only to have Eve pull back the covers and pat the spot next to her.

Annalise smiled and wordlessly slid in, pulling the duvet back up and making sure it was covering Eve.

"Okay. Lie back and close your eyes, Eve."

"Ooh. Kinky!" Eve clapped her hands and Annalise laughed.

"You wish."

"Uh, yeah I do."

"Good to know. But this is for your headache."

"Cold!" Eve protested as the ice pack was placed over her eyes and forehead.

"It will help. I'll distract you while it works."

"I like the sound of that!"

"Nice try, nympho. What are you reading right now? Other than law texts."

"Oh...nothing."

"Don't lie to me, Eve Rothlo. Cough up the book."

"Nightstand drawer," Eve sighed.

"Anna Karenina?" Annalise laughed, "I didn't peg you for a Tolstoy fan."

"I like the ending, okay?"

"You are one sick puppy, Eve. I happen to like this one as well. So just rest, let the ice pack do it's job, and I'll read to you. Okay?"

"That would be really nice, actually."

Annalise picked up where Eve's bookmark rested in chapter 24, where Anna and Vronsky were arguing.

Her voice was soft in deference to Eve's headache as she continued.

"Respect was invented to cover the empty place where love should be. But if you don't love me, it would be better and more honest to say so."

"Hey, sleepyhead."

"Sorry I fell asleep," Eve whispered shyly. "I liked hearing you read."

"I'm glad you rested. You got about two hours."

"Did I snore?"

"Only like a locomotive."

"Oh God. Really?" She covered her face with her hands in mortification.

"No," Annalise laughed.

"You are the worst!" Eve coughed as she echoed the other woman's laugh, swatting at her.

"Cough drop? I brought you cherry and honey lemon."

Eve was quiet for a long moment and when she looked up, tears clung to the lashes of her chocolate brown eyes.

"Oh, no! Hey, don't. It's okay. If you don't like cherry or honey lemon I can run out and-"

"Annalise?"

"Eve?"

"Thank you. For wanting to take care of me. Nobody has ever done that before."

"Don't be silly. I'm sure when you were little your Mama-"

"No," Eve shook her head. "I mean don't get me wrong, I wasn't neglected. I always had a nanny or nurse to take care of me. Mother was...busy."

"Busy with what?" Annalise tilted her head, seeing the other woman's pain through her nonchalance.

"Oh, well, gin mostly. And bridge. And charity events. The occasional nervous breakdown."

Eve laughed roughly.

"I didn't have any money or help orany of that," Annalise said. "But I did have a Mama who loved me. Even if she- Well, it doesn't matter now. I'm sorry about your mother."

"'Even if she' what?" Eve asked carefully.

Annalise just shook her head and the brunette let it drop.

"Anyway. I was just trying to say... I've never been taken care of by somebody who actually cared."

Eve paused, embarrassed.

"I didn't mean anything weird by that."

Annalise held up her palm towards Eve.

"Hey. I care."

"Yeah?"

"I'm here, aren't I?"

"Yes, you are."

Eve smiled and it made Annalise feel like the sun was shining directly on her face. Eve's eyes were bright, her cheeks flushed.

"Are you warm again?"

"No, I-"

"Liar. Hush."

Annalise pressed the back of her hand against Eve's forehead.

"Fever's back. Time for more medicine."

"Hey! That's not how you took my temperature before!"

Eve bit her lip as her mouth quirked up.

Annalise sighed indulgently and placed a lingering kiss on Eve's forehead.

"Yup, you're hot."

"And don't you forget it."

Annalise hid her smile as she tapped two tablets out of the bottle and into her palm, handing them to Eve with a glass of cool water.

Eve swallowed them with a grimace.

"Baby," Annalise chided with a smile.

Eve pretended to be offended and managed to be merely adorable in the process.

"You missed the end of the book."

"Did she jump this time?" Eve asked.

"She jumped," Annalise nodded.

"Sad," Eve exhaled, as if she hadn't read the book a dozen times.

"Maybe. But maybe also brave," Annalise said seriously.

Eve looked at her curiously.

"She regretted it, Annie."

Eve's voice was so knowing that it unnerved Annalise, as if her darkest thoughts were being read.

"It's late. Is Brendan coming back? Should I go?"

"Stay? If you want."

"Really?"

"Please."

Annalise simply nodded.

Eve scooched over and put her head on Annalise's shoulder, waiting for the other woman to freeze up. She relaxed as Annalise's body stayed slack, her hand stroking Eve's hair and back.

Annalise should have felt freaked out. Panicked. Suffocated. Since the year she had turned eight, being touched had made her literally want to scream. Yet right now, all she felt was comfort with Eve resting on her. Okay, that's not all she felt.

"Ms. Harkness."

Annalise knew she was in trouble now, based on Eve's playful tone.

"Yes, Ms. Rothlo?"

"You think I'm sexy. Even now, when I'm disgusting. Just admit it."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Annalise smirked.

"Oh really? Then why are your nipples so hard I can see them through my tee shirt? Which looks great on you by the way."

Eve moved her hand to Annalise's stomach, gently exposing an inch of soft skin to feel.

Annalise groaned and Eve laughed victoriously before she began to cough again.

"Okay, okay. I'll say it. But if I do, you have to take your cough medicine and be a good girl and go to sleep."

"Deal."

Annalise sighed.

"You could never be disgusting to me. Even sick, you are sexy as hell and you know it. Now, medicine and sleep. And stop torturing me."

Eve's smile was wide as she sat up slightly to take the spoonful of cough medicine Annalise proferred, sputtering just a little. Annalise handed her water to chase it down.

"Goodnight, Eve."

"'Night, Annie"

Eve carefully moved to her own side, giving Annalise space. She smiled to herself when, after a few minutes, she felt Annalise slide closer to her, placing a hand on her hip.

Eve woke up hazy. Her throat hurt and she felt groggy. She turned over and found an empty bed. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she tried not to be too disappointed and went to the bathroom before crawling back into her covers.

"How are you feeling?"

Eve looked up to see Annalise entering her room.

"You're still here! I'm fine. Good as new," she coughed.

Annalise frowned.

"Honestly, Eve."

Eve reluctantly submitted to Annalise's nursing.

"Are you hungry?"

"God, no. My throat is still sore."

"I'll be right back. Sit up," Annalise adjusted the pillows behind her and quickly returned with a bowl of Jell-O and a Gatorade.

She tempted Eve with a spoonful, scoffing when the other woman avoided it and shook her head.

"I slaved over this Jell-O all morning and you won't even taste it? Rude, Eve."

Eve rolled her eyes and opened her mouth.

"Well?"

"Pretty good," she acknowledged, taking the bowl.

"What would you like to do this morning? TV? Book?"

"A book would be good. If you don't mind. I want to take a quick shower and you can choose?" Eve gestured to her bookcase.

Annalise nodded her assent and smiled as Eve bent to kiss her shoulder while she climbed off the bed.

"When you're done, turn the water all the way to hot and sit in the bathroom for five minutes. It will help with the congestion."

Eve nodded and gave her an adoring look before padding to the bathroom.

Eve had quite a book collection. Annalise had trouble choosing.

Twenty minutes later, Eve emerged clean and soft in green silk pajamas.

"Hi," she said shyly.

"Hi. Feel better?"

"Clean, at least. The steam helped, too. Did you choose a book?"

"I did," Annalise held up the cover.

"Mrs. Dalloway? I'm sensing a theme here... Are you okay?"

"Eve. Both of those books are yours!" Annalise laughed.

"Fair point. And I do love Virginia Woolf."

"Then it's settled. Do you need anything?"

Eve batted her eyelashes.

"For you to snuggle me and read to me."

Annalise smirked.

"Get in bed, missy."

"Hey ladies?!" A booming voice interrupted the moment.

Eve rolled her eyes and opened her mouth, only to have Annalise cover it, not wanting her to strain her voice or hurt her throat.

"Brendan?"

The tall man ambled into Eve's doorway.

"Damn, Eve. I can barely get laid after putting hours in at the bar. You are all gross and sick and still scoring more than me."

"Brendan! We did not-"

"I know, relax. I checked on you when I got home. In case Annalise hadn't stayed. You two were all tangled up together. It was cute."

"Go. Away." Eve said in a deadly tone.

"I'm heading out, actually. Going to New York for the night. You gonna be okay?"

He addressed Eve but looked at Annalise.

"I will be fine. Stop with the big brother crap. I'm an adult."

Meanwhile, Annalise nodded subtly to let him know she would take care of Eve.

"Okay, then. Bye, ladies. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"I have a feeling you couldn't do the things we can, even if you wanted to," Annalise said.

"Wow," he turned to Eve, "I love her."

"Goodbye, Brendan!"

He grinned and dodged the pillow Eve threw at him, whistling happily as he headed out.

Soon enough, the girls were curled into each other on Eve's bed, Annalise reading aloud. They took a break for lunch and a nap, after which Eve pronounced herself cured and Annalise had to alternately cajole and threaten her into taking another dose of medicine. Once Eve had reluctantly complied, Annalise returned to their book, pausing at a passage that reminded her of meeting Eve.

"Beauty, the world seemed to say. And as if to prove it (scientifically) wherever he looked at the houses, at the railings, at the antelopes stretching over the palings, beauty sprang instantly. To watch a leaf quivering in the rush of air was an exquisite joy. Up in the sky swallows swooping, swerving, flinging themselves in and out, round and round, yet always with perfect control as if elastics held them; and the flies rising and falling; and the sun spotting now this leaf, now that, in mockery, dazzling it with soft gold in pure good temper; and now again some chime (it might be a motor horn) tinkling divinely on the grass stalks-all of this, calm and reasonable as it was, made out of ordinary things as it was, was the truth now; beauty, that was the truth now. Beauty was everywhere."

She decided to stop there and closed the book with a Mona Lisa smile.

Eve stared at her for a long moment.

"What?" Annalise said softly.

"It's silly," Eve shook her head.

"Out with it."

"When you read to me it feels so, I don't know. Intimate. Just...thank you. Again. For everything. I'll take care of you when you need it someday."

Annalise nodded but went silent and, after several moments, when her eyes overflowed, she didn't rush to wipe away the tears.

"What is it?" Eve whispered.

"I believe you," Annalise answered.

Eve nodded in understanding and bit her lip, holding Annalise's burning gaze, reaching out to wipe her tears for her.

"I know you're still sick but, Eve, I need to-"

"God, yes."

They moved simultaneously, crashing their lips together, both of them groaning as their tongues made contact. Annalise gripped Eve's face in her hands, frantic with need, spurred on by the small whimpering sounds Eve was making.

"Fuck!"

Annalise broke the kiss, gasping.

"Wow," Eve gasped back.

"Wow," Annalise agreed.

"More."

Eve's husky voice made Annalise wet with want.

"But you, uh, you need to rest," she stammered.

"I need you."

Sunday morning, after a reluctant and lengthy parting, Annalise headed home, feeling a bit melancholy. She tried to study until the afternoon light set in and she gave up. She had barely laid her clothes out for the next day when the doorbell was ringing.

She looked through the peephole and opened the door to a delivery man.

"Mrs. Dalloway?"

She smiled widely at the clueless boy clutching a gorgeous flower arrangement.

"That's me. Thank you."

She shut the door and pressed her back against it, shutting her eyes as she inhaled the intoxicating scent.

She placed them on her kitchen table and eagerly pulled out the card to read.

"It was an extraordinary beauty of the kind she most admired ...a sort of abandonment, as if she could say anything, do anything..." -VW

I owe you a proper date. -x Eve

God, Eve was perfect. Annalise picked up the phone to thank her for the flowers, her smile unusually dreamy and broad.