Ally stumbled into her office and closed the door. Larry was standing looking out the window. The sun was shining - maybe a good omen. "Hey," she uttered uncertainly. "Hey, yourself," Larry said gently without turning around.

"What are you doing here, Larry? Shouldn't you be preparing your client for trial tomorrow?"

When he turned to face her, Ally could tell that he'd had very little sleep. His face was drawn and his brow was furrowed the way it always was when he was having trouble expressing his feelings. She was overwhelmed by how much she loved this man.

"Ally, can we talk?"

"I don't know if that's a good idea, Larry. Wh-what do you want to talk about? The case?"

"Well, about the case - there's .. um .. not going to be one," he said.

"What do you mean?" Ally asked.

"Oh, not that Ms. Morton didn't find a signed agreement between her husband and the sperm center - she did. But," he shrugged, "they've just confirmed that he .. um .. died, actually, before he 'gave of himself' so there's no sperm to fight over. Case closed."

(Maybe since I don't have to sue them, they'll be nicer to me when I avail myself of their services, Ally thought.) She smiled sadly, "Well, there goes Richard's big retainer. And, a woman who only wanted to hold onto something of the man she loved, who left her without a choice." She added wistfully, "Most of all, there goes all those sweet babies that will never be born."

Ally was surprised by how much she'd been looking forward to seeing Larry's face in court everyday and how sad she felt because no trial meant that he would be leaving her.. again. "If the case is closed, uh, then, what .. um .. did you .. is there .. to talk about?"

"Me. You. Us. About why I left ... about ...," Larry's voice cracked and he looked at her pleadingly.

Ally looked down, fearful that he would see the tears forming in her eyes and afraid that he could see into her broken heart. She couldn't speak. Finally, she looked up into his pain, pain that her love had never been able to take away.

"I know I hurt you, Ally," Larry began, "I said I'd never leave again and I broke my promise. You have every right to hate me. But, I need you to forgive me so I can forgive myself."

"I can understand your not trusting yourself, Larry. But, what I can't accept is that you just gave up on us."

Larry looked up and proceeded cautiously, "Ally .. you broke up with me, remember? You're the one .. who told me to go."

She glared at him in amazement, "Well, what kind of a stupid reason was that for you to leave?"

Larry, bewildered, looked at her sideways, "What am I missing here?"

"Are you making fun of me again, Larry?"

Larry came up so close to her that she could feel his hot breath next to her ear. "Never," he said. "I'm just.. I just .. want to know how you feel."

"What are you trying to say, Larry?"

"That I need you in my life."

She stepped back and looked at him incredulously. "How is that, Larry? Isn't that what you said when you came back from Detroit? That you were only at the beginning of loving me .. that you were back forever? I believed you then - but it wasn't true! And, now what? You expect me to ... just trust ... that all of a sudden things are different?"

"Yes, I guess that's just what I'm asking for, blind FAITH," Larry's voice rose.

"Larry, I'd be an IDIOT to dive back into the deep end, blindfolded, with only your word that there's actually water in the pool this time!"

"Do you think you're the only one who's suffered from my stupid mistake, Ally? I've picked up the phone at least 10 times every day since I left to call you, just to hear your voice, to tell you how much I missed you."

"Well, the fact is that you didn't, and now it's too late. I want you to go." Ally said bitterly.

"I don't wanna go. Ally, you have to listen t....?"

"No, no, I don't, Larry, I don't have to listen to anything. I've moved past this," she lied, "and I'm not gonna do it again .. my faith well has run dry. Now, either you go or I will."

Larry, nodded slowly, pausing slightly before closing the door, "Okay, I'll go, but I'm not leaving."

The next morning at the firm office meeting, Ally said, "Richard, I'm sorry we drew blanks in the sperm case and you lost such a big retainer," Ally said. "But, it's a blessing in disguise, really. Larry would've only embarrassed us in court and, frankly, I'm just relieved that he wasn't able to beat me again. I've already lost enough times to that man."

"What does that mean?" Clay asked.

"Not now Clay," Richard interjected. "Ally, don't you know by now that Larry's the loser here, and obviously I'm not talking about his trial record. Anyway, John's just taken on another case, mainly because of his success with Melanie's trial. I think you should second chair."

"Who tried to kill whom this time?" she joked.

"Oh, our client didn't kill anyone - yet - but she is charged with vehicular assault. She was jilted by her lover and ran into him .. literally .. with her car .. he's been in a coma for the past eight weeks - ugly. The prosecutor's not taking the criminal case to trial for six months, but the victim's sister has brought a civil suit for damages and medical bills. I hear Coretta's on the other side.

Ally rolled her eyes to the ceiling and groaned, "Richard, have we become a law firm that only represents the jilted, lonely and desperate? Aren't there any clients out there with simple legal problems instead of those whose crimes or causes of action stem from broken hearts? Besides, why can't Nelle second chair? I'm emotionally worn out, I don't think I can do it."

Nelle was obviously offended, "How can I possibly relate to this case? Do I look like someone anyone would jilt?"

Richard nodded in agreement, "Ally, who in this office can understand the pain of rejection better than you?" (Bygones.) As Clay again started to ask what the hell was going on, Richard held up a hand to silence him.

Ally glared at Nelle and said, "Thank you Richard. You always make me feel so much better." To John, she added, "When are you meeting with the client?

"She'll be here in an hour."

"We're gonna have to plead temporary insanity. It's the only defense we've got," John said to Lorrie Carlson. "I mean, after all, you ran over the guy with your car. And, being rejected by a lover is hardly grounds for you to be granted a hunting license, using your vehicle as a weapon." (Ally thought, "Not from where I'm sitting.")

"I wasn't trying to kill him," the client whimpered. "Just hurt him."

"But the fact remains, Lorrie, that you did almost kill him. He's in a coma and may very well not pull through. Unless we can come up with jury nullification, they're going to award a judgment that will drive you, and most likely your unborn grandchildren, into perpetual bankruptcy. I'm perplexed. Whatever possessed you?" John asked her as he raked the little gravel garden he kept on his desk.

"I saw him with his ex-girlfriend," Lorrie said, "and I guess I just snapped. He'd been acting strangely for days and then seeing him so ... so ... together .. with his ex, all I could think of was that he was going to leave me. And he's the only man I've ever loved. "

John glanced at Ally with raised eyebrows and whispered to her, "Sound like anyone we know?" Ally stared at her shoes and wouldn't look at him.

"Well, Lorrie," John said, "trial starts tomorrow so my suggestion is that you wear something feminine but conservative ... and bring a big box of tissues. Be prepared to cry a lot. If nothing else, maybe we can gain the jury's sympathy."

"Have you seen Larry while he's been in town?" Renee inquired hesitantly as they were fixing dinner.

"Yeah. He stopped by the office yesterday," Ally replied as nonchalantly as she could.

"And ... ?"

"And what?!" Ally spat. "There's not going to be a trial so I don't have to see him .. um ... I'm not going to get to see him .. in ... court ... or any... oh ..." and she started to cry.

"Ally, what's going on?" Renee said.

"He told me he needs me in his life, Renee ... that he misses me."

"And this makes you cry? Ally, I know you've been hoping that Clay could fill a void, but you also know that's not happening. You love Larry, you always will. For months you've been moping around, wishing you were dead, praying he'd come back. And, now he tells you that he needs you .. misses you .. I don't understand. Clearly, he realizes .. that .. he .. is he ... do you know if he's planning on moving back to Boston?"

"How should I know!" Ally spat. "For all I know, he's already gone back to Detroit. I think he just wanted to know if I still loved him so he could worm his way back into my heart and then find an excuse to leave another one of those notes he's so crazy about! Well, I'm not playing his little game. The last time has to be the last time, Renee. I just couldn't take his leaving again - because the next time would kill me."

When Ally, John and Lorrie entered the courtroom the next morning, Ally's knees buckled. Larry was sitting with a gorgeous woman at the other table, and they looked very chummy!!

"L-L-Lorrie," Ally ventured, "w-who's that woman sitting with opposing counsel?"

"That's Kim Masters, Jeff's .. ah .. my ex's sister, she's a model," she said.

Ally's lip curled as she peeked at them from the corner of her eye. (They're looking aw-ful-ly friend-ly! she thought. Another 'Virgin' to add to his collection, no doubt!) She was furious with herself for letting it get to her. She leaned over and whispered vehemently to John, "Whatever you have to do to take Larry out of his rhythm - do it!" John nodded assent.

She walked over to the other table, nodded, and said cooly, "Mr. Paul."

"Ah, Ms. McBeal," Larry stood.

"I thought Coretta was handling this case."

"Oh, she was supposed to - but she had a calendar conflict and so I offered to help her out." He grinned boyishly, peered at Ally over his glasses, batted his eyelashes, and said in a hushed tone so only she could hear, "It's really nice being up against you again."

She gave him a dirty look and went back to her table.

The bailiff said, "All rise."

Judge Seymour Walsh entered the courtroom, sat and declared, "Absent any pretrial motions, it looks like we can begin voir dire." It took only two hours for Larry and Ally to empanel a jury and they began opening arguments which were mercifully brief.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Larry began, "we will prove that the defendant acted with malice and that her acts were premeditated, causing bodily injury to my client's brother, Jeffrey Masters, who, as we speak, lies in a coma, the state in which he has remained for eight weeks. Plaintiff is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, as well as medical expenses."

John had decided (for his own reasons) to let Ally first chair. She countered to the jury, "Contrary to opposing counsel's assertions, there are extenuating circumstances in this case and we intend to show contributory negligence on the part of Mr. Masters which will serve to mitigate damages."

"Elaine," Richard asked, "has .. uh .. anyone seen Nelle since she left again with ... Adonis .. ?"

"No, Richard. But, if I were her, I'd have him tied to a bed somewhere."

"Well, that's because you're a slut, Elaine (bygones). Let me know when she comes back, will you? This place is going to hell. We're down to seven full-time lawyers ... well six ... I guess you really can't count me. This is not good .. not good at all. We definitely need some fresh waddle in here to attract more filthy rich male clients, which equates to money, which equates to me. We have to do something fast - I'm quickly losing my sex appeal."

"Richard, I'll let you know as soon as she returns," Elaine said.

"Of course you will. You want to be paid."

In the courtroom, trial had commenced.

"Ms. Masters, can you tell us your relation to the victim?" Larry asked his client.

"He's my brother."

"Objection!" John yelled.

Larry, turned and looked at him, amused. "Oh, care to share?"

"Never mind, your Honor," John said demurely. "I apologize. I was acting prematurely - anticipating opposing counsel's normal shenanigans. Withdrawn."

Looking up at the ceiling, Larry grasped what John was doing and took several seconds before resuming. "Ms. Masters, you're also acquainted with the defendant, are you not?"

John jumped up, "Objection. Assuming facts not in evidence. Leading the witness."

Over his shoulder, Larry again gave John a look, this time one that defied description, "Your Honor. I promise to rephrase if my client can get in just one answer before counsel enters his next multiple choice objection."

"Overruled and overruled Mr. Cage. Rephrase Mr. Paul."

"Ms. Masters, are you acquainted with the defendant?"

"Yes, she's my brother's girlfriend."

"Objection," John said with such enthusiasm that he fell out of his chair onto the floor. "Poukip .. poukip .. poukip.. never mind, your Honor. Again, anticipation, I apologize ..."

Larry just stood staring into space with a vacant look on his face. "Mr. Paul? Mr. Paul?"

"Oh, is it my turn?" he asked the judge, raising his eyebrows in wonder.

"Yes, Mr. Paul. It's your turn," the judge said.

"Thank you, your Honor. Hmm ... Ms. Masters, do you have personal knowledge as to the relationship between your brother and the defendant?"

"Objection. The witness can't possibly know facts pertaining to my client's relationship with her brother," John interjected.

"Overruled. Now, SIT DOWN Mr. Cage and don't interrupt again unless you have a legitimate objection. Ms. Masters, you may answer the question."

Larry smirked triumphantly at both John and Ally.

"Yes," Ms. Masters replied, "they had been dating for approximately nine months and to the best of my knowledge my brother loved her and was considering marriage with her at some point in the future."

"Had he changed his mind in this regard?" Larry asked.

"Objection." This time it was Ally shouting. "The witness can't possibly testify as to what was in her brother's mind when he decided to leave the woman who loved him with just a NOTE!!"

Larry turned and looked at her sideways through squinted eyes. "And, my learned colleague would know he left a note?"

"Well, isn't that what you do," she hissed directly at Larry "... leave notes because you're too cowardly to say goodbye face to face when you stop loving someone?"

"Excuse me?" Larry shot back at her, "I think I expl....."

The jury seemed to be enjoying this verbal volley immensely.

"Counsel," the judge roared, "please approach the bench!"

As Larry and Ally appeared before him, Judge Walsh placed a hand over his microphone and asked angrily, "Do we have a personal matter that needs to be resolved before we continue?"

They both said in unison, "No, your Honor."

"I'm glad to hear it. Now, stop the theatrics and get on with this case. Any more outbursts like that and I'll declare a mistrial and instruct your respective clients to report each of you to the bar for disciplinary action. Is that clear?"

"Yes, your Honor," again in unison.

Walking back to their respective tables, Larry said to Ally, under his breath and through clenched teeth, "What the hell was that? I thought you said you could keep personal matters out of the courtroom."

"Don't worry about me, you .. you .. ‘note' leaver," Ally said it like it was a ‘nasty' word, "just worry about yourself."

"May I resume, your Honor?" Larry asked.

"I'd be forever grateful," the judge said, "since I'd like to conclude this trial before I reach old age."

Larry nodded apologetically to the bench, "Ms. Masters, do you have a close relationship with your brother?"

"Yes. We've shared the same house since our parents died five years ago. We have a lot of late night discussions and he's always confided to me things about his personal life .. his relationships."

"Where is your brother now?"

"He's in the hospital, he's been in a coma for eight weeks, ever since she," pointing to Lorrie Carlson, "ran into him with her car. It's still touch and go for him. He may not make it."

"OBJEC...." John started ...

"Overruled. I'm way ahead of you Mr. Cage," the judge said, "now SIT DOWN!"

Larry asked, "Did your brother ever tell you that he planned to get back with his ex-girlfriend ... and break it off with Ms. Carlson?"

"No."

"Did he ever tell you that he still loved his ex-girlfriend and not Ms. Carlson? That he'd stopped loving her?"

"No."

"Did he ever tell you that he did or said anything to Ms. Carlson that would cause her emotional distress - cause her to become distraught - anything that might cause her to go off the deep end?"

"No."

"Thank you," he smiled at his client, "that's all."

"Okay, Ms. McBeal," the judge said, "I'll probably live to regret it, but it's your turn. You may cross-examine the witness."

Ally knew that Larry had intentionally kept his direct examination limited so as not to give her any wiggle room. He'd opened no doors. (Well, she thought, two can play that game.)

"Ms. Masters, did your brother ever tell you that he didn't plan to break it off with the defendant?"

"Um .. no."

"So, for all you know, he could've told her he was breaking up with her - or could've already broken up with her, correct?"

"I suppose so."

Ally turned slightly, expecting Larry to object, but he didn't. "Did he ever actually tell you that he still loved her?"

"Well, no, but from things he'd said in the past, I had no reason to suspect otherwi...."

"But, he could've stopped loving her, could've broken her heart, without your ever knowing, correct?"

"Maybe."

"And, Ms. Masters, did your brother ever tell you that he DIDN'T say or do anything to make the defendant emotionally distraught?"

"No."

"Then ... can we conclude that he could've done something - (she turned toward Larry) like leaving her with just a note?" Larry sat passively. Turning back to the witness, Ally continued, "That he said something - without your knowing, that might've hurt her so badly she went a little nuts?" Ally was wondering why Larry hadn't objected, but he was just sitting there, head down, eyes up, watching her very intently.

"Well, anything's possible I guess, but like I said, he never led me to believe .... and when I got his belongings from the hospital, I found a recei...."

"Thank you Ms. Masters," Ally said, "that'll be all."

Larry stood slowly, "Redirect your honor?"

"Go ahead Mr. Paul."

"Thank you. ... Ms. Masters, are you acquainted with your brother's ex-girlfriend?"

"Yes, actually. Her name is Sarah Gregorson and she's one of my best friends."

"From personal knowledge, was it possible that Ms. Gregorson and your brother were getting back together?" Larry asked.

"No." she said.

"Could you tell us why?"

"Because she's very happily married to one of Jeff's, my brother's, best friends."

"Hmm. Did you find anything interesting in your brother's belongings recently?

Ally rose quickly, "Objection, introducing facts not in evidence!"

"Your honor, counsel opened the door in her cross-examination," Larry clarified for the court.

"Sorry, Ms. McBeal, but you did let the cat in," Judge Walsh acknowledged, "Ms. Masters, you're allowed to answer the question."

Ally glared at Larry and sat back down.

"Ms. Masters, let me restate the question," Larry said. "Was there anything in your brother's belongings that you discovered recently?"

"Yes."

"Would you tell us what it was?"

"A receipt for an engagement ring." Larry glanced at the defense table, where Ally, John and their client sat with their mouths open.

"Hmm. And, could you tell us the date on the receipt?"

"August 14. The day before the defendant ran over him with her car."

"Have you seen this ring?"

"Yes. I have it with me. When Jeff .. my brother .. was airlifted to the hospital they gathered up his personal belongings and gave them to me."

"Is there anything significant about the ring?" Larry asked.

"Yes. There's an inscription inside."

"Would you tell us what it says?"

"It says, Lorrie and Jeff, always and forever." Ally and John exchanged a look that said (there goes our mitigating circumstances!)

"Thank you, Ms. Masters." Larry turned and locked eyes with Ally, who sat shocked, realizing that her client had run down the man she loved on the very day that he was probably going to propose.

Over lunch with Renee, Ally recapped the morning for her. "Oh, my god, he was going to propose to her and she tried to kill him?"

"Um hm. It looks that way, Renee."

"How are you holding up against Larry?"

"Oh, you know," she shrugged, "the usual. He's making me look stupid."

"Do you think your client has a chance?" Renee asked.

"Well, if the jury doesn't buy temporary insanity, then, no, not one chance in hell!" Ally admitted.