A/N: This is my first ever fic and something that just planted itself in my brain and wouldn't leave until I transferred it to paper. At the insistence (nagging) of two of my girls whom I adore, I am posting it here. As the summary states, someone from Alicia and Will's past reappears. Enter my OC. AU-ish with an attempt to stick to some of what happens on the show.
Disclaimer: I do not own the show or its characters. The only ones that belong to me are Lucy and Tess Wilde. If I did, I don't think my brain would feel the need to create a universe where Will Gardner still exists. But I digress…
I don't know where this came from. But, I'm rolling with it. And I hope you all enjoy!
Alicia sat back in her chair, shocked by what Clarke had just informed her of.
Twelve million dollars? she thought to herself. Why the hell would Matthew Ashbaugh leave that to me? Of course, the mere mention of Ashbaugh sends Alicia's mind back to that time. But, before she can submerge herself into her sea of memories, the phone on her desk buzzes.
"Mrs. Florrick, your 10:30 interview is here." Her assistant, Sondra, informs her.
My what..? she thinks to herself. Then she remembers that she and Cary were reconsidering Robyn and decided to interview possible replacements. This must be one of them.
"Oh..ok. I'll be right there. Let me just grab Cary."
She took a few moments and a few deep breaths to regain her composure and clear her mind of all memories of him. She stood up from her chair, put on one of her best smiles and walked out of her office. When Cary glanced in her direction, she simply nodded her head toward the reception area and he immediately moved to join her.
"You do remember that you scheduled an interview for this morning, don't you?" she asked him.
"I..I..do. I just didn't realize it was time already. Did you have a chance to look over her resume?"
She winced at the realization that she was just about to do that when she was rudely interrupted by that ass, Damian Boyle. "Dammit."
"It's ok. Don't worry about it. I did and I have a copy for you to look over while we talk to her."
He gave her a reassuring smile, which she returned.
When they reached reception, he stepped forward and called out, "Miss Wilde? Lucy…Wilde?"
Alicia snapped to attention and looked at him. "Wilde..? Lucy..?" As she turns to look for her, she hears her.
"Alicia?"
The smile on her face instantly replaced by one of pure joy, Alicia immediately embraces the dark haired young woman in a hug. "Lucy! My little Lucy, look at you. You're all grown up."
"Alicia Cavanaugh, it's been way too long."
"It's Florrick, remember? It hasn't been that long. I was already married with children last time I saw you."
"Oh right! Florrick. I forgot you married that douchebag." Alicia couldn't help but giggle. "Wait..Florrick? As in..Florrick, Agos & Associates?" Alicia smiled and nodded. "Crap. I'm sorry. I had no idea. That's not why I applied. I swear. Ugh. This is exactly why I didn't apply to Lockhart/Gardner."
"Whoa. Ok, honey. Breathe." Alicia says calmly. "It's not a big deal." Cary clears his throat and she is reminded of his presence. "Oh! Cary..this is Lucy Wilde. Lucy..my partner, Cary Agos. I went to school with her sister." she explains to him. "Come on, let's go into the conference room."
Once seated, Cary passes the folder Sondra handed him with Lucy's resume in it to Alicia. His attention turns to the younger brunette when he hears her speak up.
"Oh no, please. Don't bother. I take back my application."
Alicia looked up at her, amused. "What? You can't just take it back, Lucy."
"Well, I don't want you to consider it."
"Is it because you know Alicia personally?" asked Cary, to which she nodded. "Well, I mean, that's understandable. But, I'm sorry." He chuckled. "I've seen your resume; we won't let you take it back. I already wanted to hire you before I met you." Alicia glanced over to him and raised an eyebrow in amusement. Ignoring her, he continued while she turned back to the resume in her hand. "So, is that why you opted not to apply to LG? You know someone there, too?"
"I do. Will Gardner." She replied, noting how quickly Cary turned to Alicia and the deep breath she took. "Um..when they were all in law school, my parents died in a boating accident." She started to explain. "We didn't have any other family and of course we inherited everything from them, my sister and I. Tess, refused to let anyone else raise me. So, she, along with Will and your partner.." she gestured to Alicia who finally raised her head and smiled at her. ".. became my pseudo parents."
Before Cary could process this information and formulate a response, Alicia spoke up. "You went back to school after you graduated. Forensic science? Crime scene examiner for the NYPD? Investigator wasn't enough?" she teased.
Lucy feigned offense. "What do you expect from me having grown up around a bunch of over achievers? I couldn't just sit back and settle on one thing. Besides, all that other stuff helps with the investigator part of my job."
"Which is why I agree with Cary. I want you to work with us, Lucy." Alicia put up her hand to stop the younger woman's protest. "I do understand your concern and am happy to learn that Cary felt this way before he even met you. If it makes you feel any better, and if my partner is in agreement…" she turns to Cary "…we could try it out for a little while. A trial run. That way, if one of us is uncomfortable or dissatisfied, there is not a binding agreement..yet." She looks to Cary for support.
"Personally, I'd prefer that you just sign on the dotted line, but taking into consideration the circumstances, I agree with Alicia. I think you're a great fit for us and I hope you'll come to think so, too."
Lucy looked from one smiling face to the other and sighed. "Trial run?" They nodded. "No strings attached. No fuss, no muss."
"I'm not interested in anyone else."
Alicia shook the memory from her head. "Is that a yes?" When she smiled and nodded yes, she fought the urge to jump up and hug her. "Great! First order of business, you must come over for dinner tonight. I'm sure Zach and Grace will be thrilled to see you."
Lucy wore a genuine smile for the second time since arriving. "I would love that. I can only imagine how much they've grown."
"Zach's graduating from high school."
"Excuse me?" she asked, shocked.
"Yup. Alright…" she stood from her chair and Cary followed. "…my place. 6:30? Is your phone number still the same?" she nodded yes. "Ok, so I'll text you the address."
"In the meantime, I'll familiarize myself a bit more with Chicago and introduce myself to as many members of law enforcement as I can." She shrugged. "Hey..never know when I'll need their help, right?"
"Right. Well, it was a pleasure to meet you, Lucy. I look forward to working with you and hope that this is the beginning of a promising future for the firm." Cary shook her hand before Alicia moved in to hug her.
"I'll see you later sweetie."
"See you later. Nice meeting you too, Cary."
As they watched her go, Cary turned an inquisitive look toward Alicia.
"Don't even think about it." She warned him.
"What...what are you talking about?" The realization of what Alicia was implying dawned on him. "Oh come on, you can't be serious."
"Cary..she's like a little sister to me. Besides that, unless things have changed since I last saw her, you don't have a chance. Also, you're now her boss." To which Cary gave her a knowing look. "Am I? Going too hard?" She shook the memory off.
"Relax, Alicia. That's not what I meant. But.." he looks in the direction she just walked. "…I don't know about you, but I feel like we just got ourselves our very own Kalinda."
She thought about that for a moment.
"Lucy, whatever you do, always remember that you don't swing at the first pitch. That's most important."
"Really, Will? A baseball metaphor? No, Lucy. The most important thing is to never lose perspective."
"Or, as mom used to tell me, always go with your gut feeling. Your first instinct is always right. But, for me? If all else fails, use your assets to your advantage."
"Oh dear God." Alicia rolls her eyes at the sight of Tess' slight shimmy of said assets. "Stellar role model, you are."
She smiled at the memory. "Well, given the influences around her as she grew up? I'd be willing to bet that she just might be better."
"About that…"
"No. Not now, Cary."
As Alicia is putting dinner in the oven, her doorbell rings.
"Who could that be?" Grace asked from the living room.
Alicia didn't answer as she went to let their guest in.
"First lady of Illinois? Seriously? You didn't think maybe that was something I should know?" Lucy asked as way of a greeting as she walked in. To which Alicia just laughed. "I'm glad you're amused at the fact that I've apparently been residing under a rock."
"No. Just in New York City. Oh, please. It's not a big deal." She replied while taking her coat. Lucy looked back at her with wide eyes. "Not to me. That shouldn't surprise you."
"You're right. You were always -.."
"Aunt Lucy?!"
Lucy spins around to see Grace rushing toward her. "Grace?! Oh my God…look at you!" Alicia smiles as they embrace and walks around them toward the kitchen. "No seriously. Look at you. Last time I saw you, you were what..9?" Grace nods. "Now you're this hot little thing. I think I might cry." Just then she sees Zach rushing out of his bedroom behind Grace, wearing a beaming smile. "Nope. This is not happening. Definitely going to cry now." She says as he wraps her in a tight hug. "Holy crap, Zach. When..? Why..?" He laughs in response as he guides her into the kitchen. "Leesh, this was never supposed to happen. I feel so..ugh..I need a drink."
Laughing, Alicia pours them each a glass of cabernet. "Leesh, if you don't stop that.. We're never going to make it back to court in time." She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath and a gulp of her wine.
"Mom, why didn't you tell us Aunt Lucy was here?" Zach asked
"And joining us for dinner.." added Grace
"And miss that reaction? No way!" she laughs "I thought it'd be a nice surprise."
"So that's why you gave us the option of staying or going to dads..instead of sticking to the schedule." Zach said, eliciting a look from Alicia. "What? I'm not upset, just thought it was weird."
"Peter doesn't live here?"
"No, he stays in Springfield. It's easier for him." Alicia answers with her generic response.
Lucy glances at her, taking her in completely for the first time today. "So, he won't be joining us for dinner?" Alicia shakes her head. "Oh thank God!" She looks at Zach and Grace apologetically. "I'm sorry, guys. But, I am not a fan of your father."
They both giggle. "We know. We remember." Grace says.
She smiles at them and turns her attention back to Alicia. "How did you end up with him anyway? I mean..you and Will were IT." Alicia stops her glass midway to her mouth and gapes at her in shock. "I was just waiting for the day you both made MY dream come true by telling me you were getting married. And then.." She waves her hands around dramatically.
Alicia looks at the three of them, struggling for words. "Mom. We're not kids anymore." Zach reminds her.
"I know, honey. But, this is a conversation that I think is better had later..when it's just us." She says, looking at Lucy.
"By the way..I saw the way you reacted when I mentioned him earlier and the way Cary looked at you. What was that all about?" Alicia gives her a look. One that makes her think that maybe she should wait until later to bring that up. But she ignored that voice in her head. "Are you guys..like..a thing again?"
"Jesus Christ, Lucy! I swear you are the female version of Owen." Alicia sighs.
"Wait..You met mom's partner?" Grace asked, trying to change the subject.
"Yes. Another thing I failed to mention. Lucy is our new investigator."
"Not officially. We're just…testing it out. Seeing if we fit well together."
"Really? That's awesome. How long have you been in Chicago?" Zach asks.
"Just a few days, actually."
"Do you have a cool apartment? I bet you do." Grace inquires.
Alicia gets up to check on dinner and refill their glasses.
"I'm actually still looking. Just can't seem to find anything I like."
Alicia stops mid-pour. "Wait. So where are you staying?"
"At the Marriott on Adams. Pretty nifty place, if I do say so myself."
"What? No. That's crazy. You're checking out of there and coming to stay here until you find your own place." She put up her hand. "No. No. I don't want to hear it. It'll be fun. Like the sleepovers we used to have when you were little."
Lucy smirks. "Oh yeah, those. Only one stands out to me right now."
Alicia turned away, unable to stop the smile forming on her lips. She could feel the color rushing to her cheeks.
"You can't sit that close to me and expect me not to react."
"Well, you don't have a choice. We're babysitting, remember?"
"I remember. Do you realize that she's not even here? She's in her room with her friend."
"William! She's a teenager, not a toddler. She's not stupid."
"I love when you use my whole name." he growls playfully as he kisses her neck.
She giggles and pulls away. "Would you stop? She could walk in at any moment."
"Oh come on, Leesh. She and her friend are probably immersed in boy talk and teenybopper magazines. Besides we'll hear her coming down the stairs." He was practically begging.
She looks at him. Looks toward the stairs. Then back at him. "Ugh. I swear. You break out those puppy dog eyes because you know I can't resist them." He laughs wickedly as she straddles him. She places a soft kiss on his lips that quickly turns passionate. His lips move to her neck where he softly caresses her with his tongue, eliciting a soft moan from her. Her hand in his hair, she brings his mouth back to hers while his hands roam under her shirt. The friction of her moving while straddled in his lap makes it hard for him to focus. All he wants is to be inside her. He squeezes her breast and moans into their kiss.
"Oh! Oh my God. Oh..um..I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Before they've completely emerged from their hormone-fueled haze, Lucy had run back upstairs to her room.
"Dammit!" Alicia muttered.
"How the hell did we not hear her come down?" Will wondered aloud. He looked at Alicia and smirked at her embarrassment. "We might as well finish."
"Will! We're supposed to babysit not give her a lesson in sex ed!" she tried to be angry, but one look at his face and they both broke out in a fit of laughter. "You stay there. I'm going to sit all the way over there."
"No no no! Wait. Fine. We won't do anything. Just..sit here with me. Let me hold you."
"Mom? Mom?" Zach tried to get her attention. "Where'd you go?"
She shook her head. "Nowhere, honey. I'm right here." She finished off her glass of wine in one gulp and refilled it. "Lucy, you know Tess would kill me if she knew I let you stay in a hotel. What is wrong with you?"
At the mention of her sister, Lucy stops protesting and looks down. "I don't think she'd give a shit, actually."
Carefully placing the bottle back down and walking back with both glasses, "Hey..what's going on?"
"Nothing. Don't worry about it."
Zach and Grace exchange a glance asking each other if they should leave them alone.
"You can't stay at a hotel though. Mom is right, Aunt Tess would freak." Grace tells her.
Lucy looks at them and smiles. Not a real one, though. Alicia knows the difference. "Does Tess know you're here, Luce?" She shakes her head. "Does she know you left New York?"
She nods and sighs. "Yes. She doesn't know I'm here, because when I left…I didn't know where I was going. She didn't want me to leave, we had a huge fight, blah, blah, blah and here I am."
"Sweetie..she must be worried sick. You have to call her. Just..at least let her know you're ok."
Lucy avoided her gaze, all of their gazes actually and took a gulp of her wine. Before she could respond, the doorbell rang. Alicia looked at her children, questioningly and they looked back at her and shrugged. She sighs. "Ugh. Who the hell?" Placing her glass on the table she looks at Lucy, who still won't make eye contact. "This conversation isn't over." She says as she walks to answer her door. When she opens it, she's filled with dread when she sees who it is. "Owen! What are you doing here?"
"What? I need a reason to come visit my big sis?" He asks, appalled.
She tilts her head to the side, smirking. "We both know that the only time you come here unannounced is when you have a problem."
"Ugh. I can't get anything past you. I screwed up." He whines.
She closes her eyes and shakes her head. "One problem at a time."
"What?"
She shakes her head and pushes him toward the dining room. "Some things never change." With Lucy and Owen together, her night was sure to get a lot more interesting.