...two months later...

Ally sat in the Cage & Fish staff meeting, ignoring Richard as he 'first-upped' and 'next-upped' his way through the agenda items and fighting with John over the last chocolate-covered donut.

"I've hired a college buddy of mine, Larry Paul, to handle the case"...Richard was saying..."and Mark will second chair."

Ally's head turned abruptly back to the meeting and John grabbed the donut. "What are you hiring him for?"...she asked in an irritated tone.

"Well, not that I have to answer to you, Ms. McBeal, but our firm hasn't handled many murder cases and Larry's had lots of criminal experience."

"Larry "IS' a criminal. Why can't John be first chair? He's got the experience."

"Ally, I'm on the Lawson case with you, remember"...John cut in with chocolate all over his face.

Ally snatched the rest of the donut from him and stomped out of the room, as everyone looked at each other in confusion. "It could be worse"...she thought..."Richard could have made me second chair." Thank God she had the Lawson case. "I'll just lock my office door every time he comes into the office and instruct Elaine that I don't want to see him...that I had a bad experience with him in court."

For the first month after **it** happened, Larry had tried to call her every few days, but she refused his calls or didn't return his messages. And once she'd seen him coming towards her in the courthouse, but she ran into the ladies room and stayed in there for a half hour. Finally, she got a sweet little note, saying he wouldn't bother her any more and the phone calls stopped. But, if he was going to be coming and going in this office for the length of a murder trial, he might start to get ideas again. She had to be on her guard.

A few minutes later, Richard came into her office. "What was that all about Ally?"

"I worked with him on a case a couple of months again, and..and...well, I just don't like him. And, by the way, speaking of Larry Paul, I'll thank you not to manipulate me in the future by sticking me on a case just because some college buddy of yours wants me on it."

"Touchy, aren't we. Larry just said he was interested in working with you. Sounds like he did. Bygones!!"

"He just got on my nerves, Richard, that's all!!!"

"Ally, Larry's not only a great lawyer, but his father-in-law is one of the richest men in Boston and I want to make nice...understand...money, money, money. I'm not asking you to kiss his feet...just be civil. Do you think you can do that? I don't want you pulling any of your nasty pranks on this guy."

"Whatever"...Ally grumbled.

Just as Richard started walking out the phone rang on Ally's desk..."Brian on line 2."

"Thanks, Elaine. I'll take it. Richard is just leaving."...she said, sticking out her tongue at him.

"Hi Sweetie, I'm so glad you called. How about dinner at my place tonight. I've hardly seen you all week"...she said.

"Ally, I wish I could, but I've got a closing to work on, so I'm going to stay right here until I'm done and then call it a night. Court is at 8 am and I want to be fresh. But, tomorrow night lets go out to dinner. You pick the place and surprise me." Ally was disappointed. Brian seemed to be taking on more work than he could handle and was working far too much overtime. She was worried about him.

...two weeks later...

Ally sat as far away from Larry as she could get at the staff meeting. Since he'd started coming to Cage & Fish for meetings, he'd said a cordial 'hello' or 'how are you' here and there in passing, but he hadn't tried to have any private conversations with her at all. At first she was relieved, but now it was starting to irritate her and she wasn't sure why.

The staff meetings bothered her the most. He came to them a couple of times a week with Mark when their case was up for discussion and she found it distracting. He didn't say much, but when he did it was carefully measured and always intelligent and he seemed to avoid socializing with the others. Occasionally, he looked her way, but only very briefly. Perhaps what upset her was that she couldn't figure this man out. And, also, she hated to admit it, but after almost three months she still felt somewhat attracted to him, sometimes replaying their tryst in her mind during the meetings.

As everyone got up, she lingered a bit and looked his way, wondering if she should talk to him. But, he and Mark had gotten into a rather deep conversation, and she quickly thought better of it. "Don't go there, girl. Leave well enough alone."

At lunch time, Brian stopped by to pick her up as usual. They'd talked about his working too hard and things had really improved. In fact, Ally was almost positive he was going to propose for her birthday...he kept talking about what a romantic evening he had planned, and he'd been so attentive lately. They'd even stopped to look at rings in shop windows when they were out walking. As they parted, Brian called back. Oh Ally, I've got to work tonight...hope you don't mind. This case I'm working on is huge bucks if I get it right.

"Okay"...Ally responded, thinking hopefully..."Maybe he has a big expensive ring to pay for." Inside her office building, she hopped onto the elevator, walking with her head down as usual and smiling with thoughts of the potential ring.

"Hi Ally"...she heard from behind her.

"Hey Larry. How's the case going?"...she asked, not knowing what else to say.

"It's a tough one, but I think we can win it. I'm very impressed with Mark...his research work has been crucial."

"Yes, Mark's work is quite impressive."

"Look Ally, I've been meaning to contact you. Do you think we could talk for a few minutes tomorrow."

"I don't see what there is to talk about, Larry. I thought I was pretty clear with you."

"You were, Ally...very clear. I don't want to talk about us. It's something else and it's important."

"I suppose"...Ally said rather tentatively.

"I've got a meeting right now and then Mark and I head to court. I could call you tonight, but I'd rather speak to you in person. I'll be back here tomorrow morning though. I could come a half hour early...is 10:30 okay with you."

"If it's not I'll have Elaine set up another time."

"Fine. I'd appreciate it."...he said, walking off towards the conference room.