A/N 1: I've decided not to write out Alicia's interview this time, because it's already clear what she is gonna tell the reporter anyway. Plus, I already put an interview in this story, and I didn't feel like writing more of the same :) That said, there's plenty of good stuff in this chapter, so I don't think you'll miss the interview ;)

Enjoy, and let me know what you think!

Alicia gave Trent Davenport the warm smile she'd perfected during her campaign, but it felt more genuine now than it had then. After all these years of reporters acting like vultures around her, his easygoing style of interviewing had been a refreshing change of pace. That was not to say that he hadn't asked any critical questions, but she had gotten the sense that he wasn't out to get her. He'd merely been dotting all his i's.

"Thank you for the interview, Mrs. Florrick," he said, returning her smile.

"It was my pleasure. When will the story be published?"

"My editor called me when I was on my way here—he cleared out the front page of the Sunday edition for this—well, the front page of the Metro section, that is."

"Of course." Alicia felt her smile fade a little. Sunday was two days away.

The reporter left and Josh, who had stepped out to answer a phone call a few minutes earlier, came back in. "That went very well," he said.

"Thanks. I just wish they'd print it sooner."

"Why? When are they printing it?"

"Sunday. That gives Peter two whole days to catch wind of it. And if he does…" Alicia sighed. Peter was smart, and he knew how much she hated doing interviews. As soon as he found out about the interview he'd know something was up, and he wouldn't hesitate to leak the e-mails.

"Can you avoid him till Sunday?" Josh asked.

"No, she can't." They both turned to Marissa, who had been quietly sitting on the couch with her iPad all this time. She looked at Alicia with an apologetic smile. "You and Peter have that Rhodes thing tomorrow night."

Alicia closed her eyes and groaned. The fundraising gala for the Rhodes Foundation had completely slipped her mind. She'd already told Peter, weeks ago, that she would go with him. Sitting down in her desk chair, she considered canceling on him. Maybe she could tell him she wasn't feeling well. But that might not be a smart move, under their current circumstances.

"I'll call the paper, check if they can print the story tomorrow," Josh offered.

"No, don't. I don't want Davenport to think there's ore to it than just a puff piece about the new sa." Alicia sighed and resigned herself to the notion that she would just have to do what she'd done so many times over the past six years. Show up, smile and play the part of the good wife to the mighty politician.

§§§

John had spent the morning of his first day on the job handling the fall-out of an ex-Rhodes Foundation teen robbing a liquor store the night before, and preparing a welcoming speech for Rhodes to give at the upcoming fundraising gala.

Walking into the restaurant where he would meet Rhodes and his wife for lunch, he checked his watch. He'd been so engrossed his work on the speech, that he'd had to run to make it here on time—but he had. With a minute to spare, even.

"Ah, there he is! Johnny! Over here!" John looked up in the direction of Rhodes' voice to find the billionaire and his wife sitting at a table, across a stunningly beautiful blond woman. "Johnny, I'd like you to meet my granddaughter, Ashley," Rhodes said as soon as John reached the table. "She runs our local office in New York. Ashley, this is Johnny Elfman, the new PR manager I told you about. He and Eric went to college together."

"Nice to meet you," John said, shaking hands with her and Mrs. Rhodes before they all sat down. "How is Eric? I haven't seen him in years."

"He's doing great, actually," Ashley smiled. "He's very happy to become a daddy in a few months."

"Oh—congratulations," John said.

"Thanks," she said. Her eyes twinkled in amusement. "Don't you think I look great for a woman who's five months along?"

"Uh, I guess…" Five months? John tried not to stare, but it was hard. Ashley was wearing a form fitting purple dress, and not a hint of baby bump was showing. Had they used a surrogate or something?

"Ashley, don't tease the man," Mrs. Rhodes admonished, but with the same twinkle in her eyes. "Don't mind her, Mr. Elfman. It's her sister Samantha who is married to Eric—and expecting my first great-grandchild." She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial stage whisper. "Ashley is single, in fact."

"Grandma!" Ashley rolled her eyes and blushed.

Mrs. Rhodes ignored her, beaming a smile at John. "How about you, Mr. Elfman? Anyone special in your life?"

"Um—no, not at the moment. And please call me Johnny, ma'am."

"Well, Johnny, then that's settled. You'll be Ashley's date for the gala tomorrow!" She clapped her hands, looking like she'd just solved a challenging puzzle. "And you can call me Alice, of course."

"Alice, honey…" Trevor Rhodes gave John an apologetic look. "Stop playing the matchmaker, please. You're making my new PR manager feel uncomfortable."

John surprised himself by shaking his head. "No, that's alright, Mr. Rhodes. I'll be honored to accompany Ashley to the gala. That is, if she wants me to," he said, smiling at Ashley who was looking really uncomfortable now.

"Uh—Sure, yes, I'd like that," she said. The twinkle was gone from her eyes, and her smile was now polite rather than warm. All in all, John didn't get the impression she was really enthusiastic about the idea of being his date.

§§§

"Well, well, well…" David Lee leaned back in his desk chair, giving Alicia a mocking glance. "If it isn't the new state's attorney. Have you come to indict me?"

"No." Alicia hinted an obligatory smile, inwardly rolling her eyes. "I was wondering if you still have the files from the Cull divorce somewhere?" She closed the door as she stepped into his office and sat down in the chair across from him."

"Sure, have a seat, why don't you. Now, why would the sa be interested in one of my old clients?"

Alicia managed to keep her expression polite, but couldn't stop a sigh from escaping. "I'm not asking as the sa." He gave her a blank look. "Oh, come on, David. The Cull divorce?" She put more emphasis on the old codename this time, and watched his eyes widen just a fraction as it dawned on him.

"Oh, that Cull divorce…" David leaned forward. "For real this time?"

Alicia nodded.

"Well—that sounds like fun! Count me in." He winked at her. "It'll be just like old times, huh?"

She sighed. "Look, David—can we just drop the sarcasm for the time being? I'm asking you for help here."

"I know." He let out a gleeful chuckle. "That must be painful."

This time, Alicia didn't bother hiding her eye roll. "This was obviously a bad idea. Forget I ever asked." She got up and turned to walk out.

"Relax, Alicia. I'll look up the files. Come back Monday and we'll talk," David called out after her.

§§§

John pressed the button on his key fob to unlock his car. The rest of his lunch with the Rhodes had been pleasant but he still didn't know what to make of Ashley. She was beautiful and seemed outgoing and friendly enough on the surface, but there was also something… secretive about her.

"Sorry about that. Grandma gets carried away sometimes." John turned to find Ashley standing a few feet away. Her smile looked uncertain.

"Oh, no, that's fine, really," he said, giving her a reassuring smile.

"I understand if you want out, you know," she said with a shrug. "Of the date, I mean." She looked at the ground in front of her.

"No, it's okay. Really."

"Okay then. But just so you know…" She sighed and looked up at him again, and he was taken aback by the defiant look in her eyes. "She was wrong, you know."

"About what?"

"Me. Being single. I've been in a relationship for the past three years."

"Really? But then…"

"Why haven't I told her?" Ashley chuckled, but there was no joy in her voice. "That's… Complicated."

"Okay…" John really didn't know what else to say. He could see the sadness in her eyes, but didn't know her well enough to offer comfort.

"Look. It's actually none of your business, okay? I just told you so you wouldn't, you know… Expect anything from me. I'll go to the gala with you—but that's it." She crossed her arms and raised her chin, as if daring him to try and change her mind.

"Ashley, you don't have to…"

"Just meet me there at seven, you don't have to pick me up or anything." With that, she turned around and walked away.

John slowly shook his head as he watched her go. He really didn't know her well enough to feel comfortable prying into her private business, but he realized he might not have a choice. From a professional standpoint he needed to find out who she was dating. The guy had to somehow be bad news for the Rhodes name if she'd kept him hidden for three years.

A/N 2: When you review, please tell me how you feel about reading M-rated stuff. I'm thinking of putting some of that in future chapters, unless it makes a lot of you quit reading. If I do put it in, I will mark it clearly so you can skip it if it's not your thing.