Title: Old Flame Author: Sofia (smegheadsofie@yahoo.com) Authors note: This is my first ever attempt at writing Ff.'s, so be mindful if some dialogue, or even the plot sounds weird. Disclaimer: This is so not mine, I could never come up with something so brilliant. (Monique, however, is mine, but you can borrow her if you ask nicely). Dedication: For my dear friend Lisa, who has waited with much anticipation for this. --------------------------------------------------- The tall, blonde stranger caught Lucy's eye before anybody else's, that morning when she swept into the office. Lucy's usual friendliness all but vanished as the woman scrutinized her outfit. "Darling, tell me. I'm at the right place aren't I?" she queried. "Depends on who your after, um, Ms...?" Lucy replied. "Oh darling, how rude of me... I'm Monique- Lorraine Secks, how do you do?" replied the woman, as she thrust out a hand at Lucy. "Now if you'd please get me Mr. Donnell....?" Lucy looked slightly perplexed, so the woman asked again, "He's here, isn't he?" "Huh? Yes, um, Mr. Donnell, here, Bobby Donnell, there...." managed Lucy as Bobby confidently entered the room, and probably would have walked right out again if the Monique hadn't yelled, "Bobby! Darling, how are you!" and rushed towards him, arms open, and planted a loud kiss on either of his cheeks. Bobby dazedly returned the hug, and wiped the crimson lipstick off. Then, as if recovering his senses, he looked her over. Monique had certainly changed since the last time Bobby has seen her. For one thing, she had grown slightly taller. She was roughly his height and slender and lithe. A mass of golden waves tumbled elegantly to her waist, which Bobby noted was considerably thinner. Her smile was confident, almost cocky, and her lipstick and nails were the same crimson tone. He was still staring with amazement when Eugene came in. He had his eyes fixed firmly on the papers in his hand as was saying, "Bobby I need you to look over this briefing on the Stratman case...." He stopped, dead in his tracks, and stared. "Um, Eugene Young, may I just introduce, Miss Monique Secks?" "Why, Bobby darlin' I'm surprised at you, what's this Miss Secks business? How d'you do Mr. Eugene, so pleased to meet you." She shook his hand firmly, giving him the chance to stare at her cleavage, if he had wanted to. Apart from the short red dress and black shawl she wore little else. Her black-stockined legs ended in sharp stiletto heels, which Bobby couldn't' t take his eyes off. Out of nowhere, Lindsay entered, slightly out of breath, only to catch everyone (including Bobby) staring at Monique, or rather her legs. Title: Old Flame Part Two Author: Sofia (smegheadsofie@yahoo.com) Authors note: Once again, remember, I'm new to this... so be kind Disclaimer: Not mine... but God bless DEK ----------------------------------------------------- Lindsay stood there, at the door until Bobbys eyes looked up and met hers, brimming with guilt. "Well, Monique Secks, meet Lindsay Dole." Lindsay shook Moniques hand firmly while scoping the situation. "Eugene, Ellenors been waiting for you at the courthouse, your late with those briefing papers." Eugene, looked down, remembering his papers and said, "Thanks Lindsay, I'll just get my..." then he turned and began to fiddle with the first desk he found behind him, which was Lucy's. By then Lucy was back in her chair, and she slapped Eugene's hand saying "No. Mine!" Monique suddenly turned and stared at the clock, "Oh Bobby, is that the time? Gotta fly, things to do, places to be!" Monique waved her hands melodramatically and kissed Bobby again. "Good-bye Bobby darling, Eugene, and Lucy", while looking at Lindsay. "Yes?" called Lucy from her desk. "No, Lucy, she means me..." sighed Lindsay. "Yes, you, dear" Monique apologised. With that she swept dramatically out of the office, and called from the door, "Lovely to meet you all!" She left a heavy atmosphere in the room. Eugene, Bobby and Lindsay stood looking at each other, and only snapped out of this surprise when Ellenor entered angrily. "Eugene, you know I'm not type to nag, but, the time?" At first Eugene stared at her, not realising. Lindsay nudged him in the ribs and he blurted, "Sorry Ellenor, lets go." They left the room, and Bobby and Lindsay found themselves staring awkwardly at each other. "She seems nice, "said Lindsay, and she went into her office, closely followed by Bobby. "Don't try that tone on me Lindsay Dole, I can see right through you." "Tone? I had a tone?" "That was the unmistakable 'I'm jealous, get away from her' tone". "I'm not jealous." "Lindsay....." Bobby was about to try that famous smile when Lindsay abruptly left the room, leaving him with a feeling of unfinished business. There was no doubt in his mind she was jealous, but of her? Monique had been a girlfriend of his at Boston University, but barely that. His fascination with her ended when she left him. Now her visit had left a bitter aftertaste in his mouth, and probably in Lindsay's too. Meanwhile at another office not so far away, Helen was pacing nervously in front of her desk. Her usual confident demeanor had vanished when Bobby had smiled at her just a few days ago. She had lost and Bobby had felt sorry for her, and showed it by smiling sympathetically. They probably would have continued having a 'moment' but Lindsay had come running up behind her. Helen knew she wasn't the school-girl, breathless type, but around Bobby lately, thats exactly what she had become. It was all so new to Helen, who was usually labeled by many as a charismatic ice-queen with an x-ray stare. Of course she knew there was chemistry between Lindsay and Bobby, she could feel it when they were around her, but she couldn't help but wonder... perhaps he might...? No, no. She composed herself and sat at her desk, fighting the urge to call him....Just to chat, of course.... Later that day, Bobby was returning from lunch. He had gone alone, and couldn't stop thinking about Lindsay's denial to the jealousy. Just as he entered his office he was thinking about writing a note, or something, just to re-assure her that he didn't care about.... On his desk, with her legs crossed sat Monique. "Hi Monique I wasn't expecting to see you, here, so soon." "Yes, well I as hoping you could escort me to the Mayors Inauguration Ball tomorrow night..." Before he could answer, standing behind him was Lindsay. "Lindsay, you remember Monique." "Oh yes, hello Monique." "Hi! So you guys work together?" "Yes, and where did the two of you meet?" "Oh, Boston University, I graduated with credit." "I went to Harvard, honours," added Lindsay, with a slight hint of venom in her voice. "So Bobby darling, are we still on for later?" Bobby felt trapped, as of saying yes would destroy her. So, despite Lindsay's presence in the room he mumbled, "Yes, I'll pick you up at...." "Eight would be lovely Bobby darling. Heres where I'm staying." Just like before she swept out of the room dramatically calling "Bye Bobby, nice to see you again Lucy." Title: Old Flame, Part Three Author: Sofia (smegheadsofie@yahoo.com) Authors note: I"m not sure about part three... I think its something of a let down, but we'll see what you think. Disclaimer: I want them, but there DEKs --------------------------------------------------- Old Flame: Part Three "Its Lindsay..." Lindsay mumbled, as Monique left the room. She regarded Bobby with undisguised doubt in her eyes. She had been holding out for Bobby to ask her to this ball, and they could have had the night she had envisioned whenever she began to stare into space....but now it was too late. Bobby saw a flicker of pain in Lindsay's eyes as Monique left. He longed to take her in his arms and say those three little words he had wanted to say for a long time now. It would have been enough just hold her and tell her Monique was in the past, something he was glad had ended. But he couldn't find the words, and this was certainly not the best time. He remembered the thousand and one times he had watched her in court, often in awe. She was so smart, so powerful at times, but still she had this occasional feeling of fragility. He knew exactly when these moments were, because he felt he knew her like he'd never know any other woman.... So why the hell did he accept?! Well, he knew he was afterall only human, but to say that infront of Lindsay.... He watched as she hovered silently near the end of his desk expectantly, but finding Bobby silence unwelcoming, she walked out quietly. Bobby stared after her unable to find the words he so longingly searched for, watching the way her hair swished ever so slightly when she walked, the wiggle in her hips, but her head hanging in obvious pain. At the same time across town, Ellenor had been called to the side-bar. Eugene watched from the second chair as Judge Closeman spoke severely to Helen, and Ellenor. As usual in cases she was passionate about, Ellenor was in top form. The jury was practically shedding tears while she had cross-examined the key witness, one Mrs. Stratman, a victim of abuse from her husband for years. Finally, sick of taking the pain, she had shot him when he attempted to rape her. Ellenor sympathized fully and practically had the case in the bag. Or so she thought. Helen had cleverly gone back to the question of consent, and was on the verge of bringing in the key witness for there defence, a lover Dr. Stratman was said to have. Whether or not she was involved, she hadn't shown up for trial and couldn't be found. This made the case look bleak for Mrs. Stratman. When Ellenor had objected, a mini yelling match had broken out. So with the threat of being severely reprimanded, Ellenor retreated. It seemed this case wasn't going to be so easy afterall. At least , and Ellenor smiled as she remembered this, Helen would probably never climb over the conference table to attack her... That night Lindsay lay tossing and turning, her legs tangled in the sheets. Moniques arrival had shifted the delicate balance there had been between her and Bobby. She remembered with a smile those fleeting moments when he would raise his head, and just stare at her while she worked. She feared that with the arrival of Monique those moments would stop. Today she had almost broken down when Bobby had accepted to take Monique to the ball. If only she had told him how she really felt. She could stand before fierce judges and stare them in the eye, but just being in the room with a certain Mr Donnel turned her breath poor and made speech almost unable.... The next morning Helen sat at her desk, warm cafe latte in one hand, Stratman papers in the other. She had seen the look on Ellenors face and not liked it, but in court they stopped stopped being roommates and became generals of different armies, fighting the same war. When she had sprung that lover idea at the unfortunate defendant, Mrs. Stratman, she could feel the womans world collapsing. Now she was determined to track this elusive woman known only as Lolly, and only identified in certain documents that only Dr. Stratman knew about. Lolly was proving hard to find, until she checked his list of patients. An unnamed woman had been making regular visits for practically 5 years. And considering Dr. Stratman was a plastic surgeon, she would either have to be rich, or paying him in some other way. She tried to focus on the papers in her hand, but she found herself remembering certain moments that were engraved in her mind. She and Bobby had sat in court opposing each other, but recently her usual admiration had deepened. She wasn't sure but this seemed like trademark 10 minute crush type thing. But whos trademark? Certainly not hers. Shaking her head she snapped out of her day dreams suddenly and re-focused on the Stratman papers. Later that day, Lindsay was helping Ellenor with the Stratman case. By then she too had tracked down this supposed lover of Dr. Stratmans. And since Ellenor and Eugene's hands were full, Lindsay went to the Morris Elton Memorial Recovery Center, where Dr. Stratmans preyed on helpless women who sold their souls to fix their bodies. Title: Old Flame Part Four Author: Sofia (sofie_m2001@yahoo.com) Authors note: Well, I'm really not sure about writing fan fics any more and thats the truth... so try this and see.. Disclaimer: I want them, I need them, but I can't have them Later that day........ Bobby arrived promptly at eight to pick Monique up at her hotel room. Upon opening the door she squealed "Bobby, darling you're here! Oh you look adorable in that cute little tux!" This cute little tux had actually cost Bobby a cute little amount of money he thought was too much. That is, till he saw Monique clad in a satin evening gown with a black feather boa draped round her bare shoulders, the light dim light deepening the glow of her golden hair. She looked like a giant Barbie, and Bobby felt like an accessory, or perhaps Ken. He thought again of Lindsay's new-found silence around him, and her sudden offer to give Ellenor a hand. Ellenor had probably sensed Lindsay wanted nothing more than for the earth to swallow her up, so she sent her off on some wild goose chase, far away from him. On the way to the ball in Moniques car they hardly exchanged a word, because Bobby felt like his guilt has eaten him up. He had to admit that the average man would give anything to spend an evening with Monique, but he wasn't the average man. Sure he was as normal as the next guy, but he was in love, and couldn't possibly find the words to tell her this... The Mayors Inauguration Ball was basically the high fliers of Boston society hob- nobbing the night away. All over the dance floor couples whirled around romantically. Among them was Helen with handsome young new DA (Hugh Eastly) who had stumbled with nervousness when asking her to this ball. His adorable naivety had persuaded her, and her wasn't a bad dancer either. Perhaps he would be the man to pull her out of the Bobby Donnel funk she was in... Though it wasn't his custom to hob-nob with a bunch of snobs Bobby was thinking, normally would have enjoyed himself, but he would have loved it all the more if Lindsay had been at his side, rather than this overgrown Barbie doll, who flirted with other men shamelessly and right under his nose. Bobby tried to give himself a little dignity, but was almost overcome with guilt. Would Lindsay ever forgive him? He closed his eyes for a moment wishing he would hear... "Bobby, can I speak to you for a minute?" Bobby released Monique from his grip and spun around to see Lindsay's shiny eyes and twinkly smile. Her hair was pinned lightly with tiny silver butterflies, and soft brown tendrils hung around her forehead. She looked so breath-takingly beautiful to him, and he thought, wow absence does make the heart fonder.... She wore a burgundy satin dress with a delicate silver strands all over it. The moment suddenly turned ugly as a withering stare appeared on Monique's face while looking at Lindsay. "Monique you remember..." "Yes," she butted in "Lucy, the one from yesterday! What a lovely dress you have dear, and have nice to see you again!" Lindsay nodded with all the courtesy she could muster and ignored the smile on Bobbys face and the way he looked in that tuxedo. Deciding her name wasn't worth fighting over, she directed herself to Bobby. "I'm sorry but this couldn't wait." Bobby completely ignored Monique and followed Lindsay to a table where she had a small folder. "Bobby, I hate to break this to you, but it seems that the lover Dr. Stratman had was..." and she opened the folder to reveal a series of before and after photos. Bobby stared as the elusive 'Lollys' identity came to life. It was Monique. She had apparently used the name Lorraine Namstar, and this was where her new figure had come from. Bobby's eyes widened as he realised the murder charge against Mrs. Stratman was entirely Moniques fault. He turned to say something to Monique, but she must have smelt a rat, because she was gone. With Monique gone and Lindsay suddenly in need of a dance partner, Bobby tried to seize his chance. He was about to turn to Lindsay to say the most profound thing he could manage, but she too had disappeared in the crowd. Title: Old Flame, Part 5 Author: Sofia (smegheadsofie@yahoo.com) Authors note: The final((???)part in this cliff hanger of a fan fic... dum dum dah... or is it?? Disclaimer: This is so not mine, I could never come up with something so brilliant. ( Dedication: If you enjoy it, its dedicated to you.... --------------------------------------------------- Old Flame: Part Five The next morning Ellenor and Helen had woken almost simultaneously, but they had both stayed in their beds for a moment more to reflect on the Stratman case. Today, a new, key witness was to be brought in for the defense. Monique Secks had proven hard to find under the alias of Lorraine 'Lolly' Namstar, but she would prove helpful to strengthen Ellenors argument. Last night Bobby had called her with information and she had found her confidence again. But the tension between her and Helen still hung in the air, especially now that Helen was suddenly very interested in everything that went on at the office. But that morning, she and Helen barely said a word during breakfast, even though she wanted to remind Helen it was her turn to cook dinner that night. But at least they agreed on one thing, the sooner this Stratman case was over, the better for everyone. Back at the office, Lindsay was reading quietly when an obviously angry Bobby entered the room. He shot her an unreadable look and politely asked if he could speak to her in his office. Wordlessly they entered and just sat there, neither one knowing what to say. "So how's Monique?" "Not sure. She kinda disappeared on me, as many people seemed to be doing last night." "She's probably at the courthouse already, getting prepared." "Yes, she wouldn't dare disappear again, not when there's so much at stake." "Well, she's seems a smart enough woman...." "Smart but not considerate. She didn't even bother calling me...." "Maybe she felt she had nothing to say...about the trial" "Well, we don't always have to talk about work...." "Well maybe she didn't call because your not her lawyer..." "Maybe. But I'm advising Ellenor..." "Maybe she wanted to steal your thunder, and say something for herself..." "Maybe I have a little something to say myself." "Maybe she wasn't comfortable discussing it right now." "Oh, maybe." Upon leaving Bobbys office, Lindsay considered calling Ellenor or Helen to see how the case was going. Anything to take her mind of Bobbys annoyed words. The Stratman case had been made there top priority as they weren't receiving too many clients lately. Jimmy and Rebecca were at a conference in Washington( and they'd be away for a week), and Eugene and Ellenor were busy at the Stratman trial. That left her and Bobby roaming the office, which gave Lucy every opportunity to raise her eyebrow, and sigh. Title: Old Flame Part 6 Author: Sofia (sofie_m2001@yahoo.com) Authors note: The real final part to this not so epic adventure... And do I really have to grovel for feedback? I hope not... Disclaimer: The usual Dedication: If you read the other parts... its dedicted to you. --------------------------------------------------- Old Flame: Part Six This continued for 3 days as the Stratman case progressed. In these three days Lindsay had paced the office nervously, and took the longest lunch breaks she had ever taken. Occasionally she'd call Helens office, just to talk, but Helen was in a cloud of some sort, her head full the Stratman case and this new man of hers, Hugh something. Lindsay has seen them together once or twice, but thinking of couples only bought her back to the mness she thought she was in... Bobby pretended to be doing something very important in his office, when he really spent most of that time watching Lindsay worry about him. It was a classic, ongoing case of neither one knowing what to say, full knowing that uttering those three elusive little words would change things... but neither of them forward enough to say it. Ellenor felt strong as the jury prepared to hand down the verdict, and she felt sure Mrs. Stratman would come through this ridiculous charge of murder unharmed. Judge Closeman straightened the papers and directed himself to the jury. "The jury has reached its verdict?" "We have, your honour." "The defendant will please rise." At this moment, when Ellenor, Eugene and Mrs. Stratman stood, Lindsay entered to watch the proceedings. The only free seat was beside Bobby, near some journalists but she was so anxious to hear the end of this matter, she sat. "What say you, madam juror? The female head-juror chose this moment to clear her throat, which heightened the tension in Lindsay's neck and shoulders. Then, almost as a reflex, she took Bobbys hand. Its affect was instant. Her tension seeped away as he turned and smiled. Her heart ached for making him worry, but she returned the smile with a loving squeeze of her hand. The moment Bobby felt Lindsay's small hand take his, Bobby felt a load fall from his shoulders. He knew what a simple touch of her hand meant, and as she squeezed his hand, they turned back to watch the outcome. "In the case of Commonwealth vrs Stratman on a count of murder, we the jury find the defendant...... not guilty." Judge Closeman sighed and lowered his head to rub his eyes before saying, "Members of the jury, we thank you. You're free to go, as is the defendant. However I understand that while Mrs. Evelyn Stratman has been cleared of the charge, the police request that Ms Monique Secks remain for questioning." Then he mumbled something which sounded like 'court adjourned'. Lindsay and Bobby left almost at that moment, and stood in the passage outside. And while Mrs. Stratman thanked Ellenor and Eugene, they stood, facing each other, staring into each others eyes with such love that no words were necessary. More people poured out of the courtroom, and Ellenor joined them, saying something about Judge Closeman. But neither Lindsay nor Bobby heard, as they were hugging too deeply to see what went on around them. Bobby released Lindsay gently, and holding her heart shaped face in her hands, he kissed her. They both knew the tension was gone, and though they both felt like saying, "I'm so sorry", followed by a heartfelt, 'I love you," words just weren't necessary at that time. It felt so right that neither spared a thought for Helen, who watched from the other end of the courtroom, feeling only happiness at there union, glad that she had finally and fully moved on. Later that day she would head to the apartment, where she planned to share a tub of ice-cream with Ellenor, and apologize for missing her turn to cook dinner, and she'd rave about Hugh too. When Bobby and Lindsay finally pulled away, she stood there in his powerful arms and attempted her first Monique impression by saying, "You know, you looked really cute in that tux Bobby darlin'...." The End Love it? Hate it? I need feedback!