Sequel to Law School Diary

It was a usual day at work. I sat down in the conference room, grabbed a pen and focused at Richard. It was a normal day... a boring day...

"First up. Ally. I know that you're upset about that Brian moving in thing but we have work to do so..."

"Hey!" I exclaimed. "Did I say something? Do I look upset?"

"It's just the look on your face." Ling explained. "You aged since last night..."

You bitch!

Nelle laughed and John's nose whisted. I personally, almost screamed.

"It's always good to have such nice friends like you LinG! Thanks for your kind words! Aaahhh.... anyway..."

"Okay... Let's move on." Richard continued. "Davies versus Andrews. The man is suing his third grade teacher for emotionnal distress. He claims that she's responsible for his st...st sta... sta... sta... me...me... rr...rr.. stammering pro... problems..."

All crew laughed except John and I.

"This is not funny!" I declared between my teeth.

"Good reaction, Ally. You take the case! In court at eleven." Richard decided.

"Wait!" We're going right in court?" I asked with surprise.

Now! I'm not even prepared! Gosh...

"I met the client but I got so bored." Ling said, rolling her eyes. "He takes an hour to finish a sentence. I'm not interested."

"And since I'm a kind, understanding person... you choose me Richard?" I asked proudly.

"No I just thought that you can relate to him and since John is already working on an other case... You're my last stammerer. Bygones!"

Hey!

"I don't have any stammering problems!"

I'm perfectly fluent... when I'm comfortable...

Then I asked an insignificant question... that question I'm always asking to prepare myself for a case.

"Who's representing the school teacher?"

Richard searched his papers. The answer ruined my day.

"Larry Paul."

"Aaaahhhhhh!"

That scream just came out from my mouth. I brought a hand to my mouth but it was too late. It was like Richard was announcing that Hiroshima 2 was about to drop on my head.

"L...La... La... Larry... P...Paul... Larry Paul?" I stuttered.

I never fainted in my whole life but does it feel like this?

Richard nodded.

"Stammerer..." Ling mumbled.

I had never heard of Larry Paul in seven years. Of course, I was thinking about him... sometimes. To me, he seemed like a distant memory, an old law school affair. But by the mention of his name, memories flashed into my mind.

Get a crush on some guy... any decent guy... McDonald sandwich... We don't get along... We get along... Tequila... Would you mind if I kiss you right now?... I have a girlfriend... Jerk!... I'm attracted to you... Pop corn dream... Sweet kisses in the corridor... I'm having his baby... Bitch!... It was great to know you Ally... So you're going just like that?

"That Sarah McLachlan's song..." I whispered to myself.

"What?" John exclaimed.

"Do you know him?" Richard asked.

"1993..." I responded, in transe and then I shook my head nervoulsy, getting back to earth. "Huh...huh...."

"John?" Richard tried, looking for an explanation.

"Never heard of him." John replied, raising his shoulders.

They were all staring at me with insistence. I cleared my throat.

Come on, say something...

"It's... It's funny!" I giggled. "I met him in Law School... years ago..."

I rolled my eyes, trying to look like it was no big deal after all. Inside, I was trembling.

Larry Paul... Oh my gosh..

"So..." Nelle said.

"I was in that..huh... Law practice simulation group with him... Larry Paul.. Lar... Larry Paul."

Okay stop it!

"It's just that he was really good back then... a really good...huh.. lawyer..."

Lover...

I giggled again.

"Ally... If you don't want the case.. I can take it." Nelle proposed.

"Nah... nah... I'm okay with it..."

Gosh.

"If it feels uncomfortable at all..." Nelle added.

"I WANT IT!"

Ten minutes later, I was running to Renee's office.

Dear Renee... What would I do without her?

"Ally.. What are you doing here?" she asked, surprised.

"I had to talk to you a...a...about something."

"Okay... sit down... what's going on?"

I stood up. I was way too nervous to sit.

"There's this case I'm working on. I'm representing a stammerer. And... and... and..."

I gasped. Give me some air... aaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

"Ally? What is it? Calm down!" Renee said.

"Oh...huh..."

A giggle escaped from my lips. I brought my shirt to my mouth and mumbled in it:

"The...The opposite counsel is Larry Paul."

"What?"

"Larry Paul is the opposite counsel." I repeated in a breath.

Renee raised an eyebrow.

"Larry Paul? THE Larry Paul?"

"Huh...huh..."

I nodded.

"The substitute guy from Law School?" she asked. "Oh my Godness!"

"Now" I said quickly. "I'm meeting him in court in about an hour. I just had to tell you. Okay bye!"

I was already turning the door's handle when Renee came next to me. She made me turn around.

"I can almost hear you say... Go to hell Brian!"

I shook my head vigorously.

"Woah! Just because some guy I met in college shows up... I am not dumping Brian!"

"I always had a feeling about you and this guy." Renee said softly.

"What guy?"

"Larry Paul..."

"Aaahhh... Crap! Stop it Renee. It was nothing!"

Gosh...Larry Paul...

Renee raised her shoulders.

"Okay... No problem then. So you'll him meet in court. You almost dated him but nothing really happened so... you'll be just fine!"

"Oh...huh..."

I felt my cheeks burning up and saw Renee's eyes widened.

"Don't tell me..." she said, shocked. "You slept with him? Ally! You never told me! Gosh... when did it happened? Ally! Why? He was going back with his ex!"

I noded nervously.

"I had to taste him." I said weakly.

"What!?"

"I thought I wouldn't see him again.. never again... and he was there waiting for me to run to him..."

And tear his clothes off...

"So that makes it even more complicated" Renee realised. "And... interesting!"

"Are you kidding me, Renee?" I exclaimed with a tiny dose of courage. "It was years ago... He's probably bald and ugly!"

"Or maybe..."

"No!" I said, a finger pointed on her.

"Okay..." she said, calmly.

I took a deep breath.

"So I'm going to meet with my stammerer client."

Before opening the door, I turned to Renee and asked nervously:

"How do I look?"

She smiled widely. She knew me too well.

"You look... professional!"

I grimaced at her and rolled my eyes.

"Thank you... I feel so much better!"

I closed the door with a forced grin on my face. I looked down at my watch. My client was waiting for me.

Hey... Who knows? Maybe... one day... we'll meet in court..... That would be great... but I'm telling you now, I will not let you win... I always liked great competition.

Mike Davies, my client was waiting for me outside of the court building. He was about forty years old, rather good looking despite of the thick glasses that were slidding down on his nose.

"Hello Mr Davies. I'm Ally McBeal. I'll be representing you from now on."

We shook hands and he tried to talk.

"W...W......Whe...whe...where i...is M.....Miss...W...W..?"

Poor man...

"Miss Woo? Oh! She dropped the case but don't worry I'm ready to take it..."

But scared like hell to meet the opposite counsel.

I flashed a reassuring smile at my client and invited him to move forward with a sign of the hand. As we were making our way to the entrance, my mind flew elsewhere.

You make me feel...You make me feel... Like a natural woman... Let's go outside... What makes you think that I would like to kiss you right now?

I shook my head.

"Okay breathe!" I said out loud.

"A...a...are y..you ta...ta...talking to....m...me?" Mr Davies asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh.. Sorry! I was talking to... to myself."

"I'm n...n...nervous" he admitted, holding the door and letting me entering.

"Me too." I let out without thinking.

Very professionnal Ally!

"I always got that... that sort of thrill when I'm starting a case." I tried to explain."You know... adrenaline..."

Gosh I'm about to see Larry Paul...

My hand was on the door of the courtroom. I just stood there, trembling inside. I had the feeling that from the moment I would open this door my life would be a a nightmare... or sort of...

Maybe he's bald or fat... Okay... one... two...

"M...M...May...b...Maybe we...should.... en...enter." Mr Davies said with a slight touch of impatience.

"Huh... How about that? Huh... yeah!" I said, nervously.

Three...

I opened the door.

Larry!

My heart missed a beat and my legs weakened. He was there, a few meters away from me, discussing with his client. She was about sixty,seventy years old, looked stiffed. But my eyes didn't linger any longer on her.

Oh...no!

He wasn't bald, fat or ugly... He was incredibly handsome just like I was expecting him to be in his thirties.

He raised his head up and our met.

There's this chemistry between us.. and we can't deny it... we can't...

A shy smiled smile formed on the corners of his lips and I responded to it with a full blush. I don't know how my legs arrived to take a few steps towards him. It seemed to me that I was moving in slow motion. All I could perceive in this room was him... his deep brown eyes glancing at me through his glasses.

I am dying...

"Ally McBeal" he simply said, with a nod of the head.

"Larry Paul" I responded back.

His smile widened and he offered me his hand. I stared at it a moment before sliding mine into his. We shook hands quickly but I felt some electricity. For a few seconds, I remembered the last time I had a contact with those warm hands... But it was years ago... so I just couldn't remember how it felt like. I just had those images in mind.

"I knew we would meet one day." he said, breaking the silence.

"Huh...huh.. right" I stuttered still in shock.

He let my hand go slowly. Getting out of transe, I finally smiled at him and felt my cheeks becoming even hotter. He took a glimpse at his client who was staring at us with the most annoyed look.

Wait... he's the enemy!

I was about to take a professionnal tone and say: "It's nice to see you in court Mr Paul but I have a client waiting for me." when the judge entered. My Davies and I moved quickly to our sets. Once again, I took an other look at Larry from the corner of my eyes. Seven years later, he had still that touch of charm that made me melt in law school but now, I had in front of me a new version of him... more mature, manly... His face had even more character than before. There was this thing about him that made butterflies fly in my stomach.

It's official... he's my fantasy man...

"Miss McBeal..." the judge said.

"Huh?"

Where am I? Gosh I'm in court!

"You can proceed."

"Oh!"

Mentally, I implored for Billy's help. I often did that when I needed to be stronger. I raised up and trying to ignore that Larry's eyes were detailing me, I began to present my clients case.

I think I'm doing great... I hope so...

"....And both parties didn't reach any settlement off court. Mr Davies, my client wants his case to go in trial."

"Mr Paul?" the judge said when I was done.

He moved forward to the judge after taking a quick glimpse at me. I sighed.

"Miss McBeal... you may sit." the judge said with impatience.

"Oh!"

I blushed and slowly sat down.

"You honor. My client who just retired from thirty five years of teaching agrees to go in trial only to prove that she's not responsible for Mr Davies stammering troubles. We will achieve to prove that those problems aren't in any way related to her teaching or the elementary institution where she worked so many years."

He seems so confident! I... hate him!

The judge agreed to take the case in trial and settle the beginning of the hearings a few days later. Larry and I shared an other glance. I think that I saw a little twinkle in his eyes but I'm not sure.

"D...does... it looks g...g..good." My client asked.

"He looks good." I said, distracly. "Huh... It looks good... "

Larry nodded to us and followed his client outside.

Aaaaaaahhhhhh! Help! Help! Someone please help me!

"So how was it?" Renee asked as we were a having lunch together.

"It was okay..." I said, trying to look casual.

I bit into my sandwich and saw that she was staring at me with expectation.

"You just met with Larry Paul... and it was just okay?" She asked, doubtful. "I don't believe you."

I raised my shoulders.

"No big deal!" I said.

"Right..." she mumbled. "Is he bald?"

"No."

"Fat?"

"No."

"Ugly?"

"No. Gosh..."

I blushed behind my ice tea. Renee giggled with excitment.

"So it was just okay..." she said winking.

"Huh... huh..." I noded.

"How about Brian?"

Brian? Brian? Oh... I forgot about him!

"What about B... Brian?" I stuttered.

"Have you thought about moving him with him? Have you thought about Brian at all?"

"Of... Of course I thought about Brian. I think about him all the time."

Liar! He was your last preoccupation today.

"Listen to me Renee..." I continued, trying to look convinced. "Brian his my boyfriend. I am not going to dump him because some old crush of college shows up... with his cute glasses and his devastating smile. Okay?"

"Okay..."

Later... in Tracy's office... or what used to be Tracy's office...

"What... What the hell?" I exclaimed, bringing a hand to my mouth. "Larry! What are you doing here?"

I was almost having a heart attack

"This is my new office." he responded, taking things out of the boxes.

"But... But..."

I giggled nervously and continued.

"Where's Tracy... my... my..."

"Therapist?"

"Yeah..."

"She moved to Foxborro. She took all her files except yours." Larry said, pointing the file.

aaaaahhhhhhhh!

I gasped. I had never noticed how thick my file was.

"First I thought... hey what a coincidence..." Larry explained fixing his glasses. "When I saw your name on the file.. I was wondering if it really was the Ally McBeal I used to know in college. So I took a glimpse at it."

"You....you..." I stammered, pointing an accusive finger at him.

"It was quite interesting. At first, It was just a glimpse but then I read the cappucino part and..."

This is a nightmare

"It isn't in there." I answered between my teeth.

"Oh... yes it is.. Right there." he said, opening the file. "She likes to fake orgasm while drinking cappucino."

"Larry Paul! You Jerk! Aaaaahhh Give me that!"

I snatched the file from his hands and shoot a killer look at him.

"So..." he said with a smile. "I see now... It's the same Ally I've met in Law School!"

I was panting.

"You... you know everything about me... a.. again." I managed to say, weakly.

He raised an eyebrow and seemed to search into his mind.

"Sorry about Billy." he said with a compassionate tone. "Please sit down."

"No! I'm not going to sit here in your office. You... You..." I replied with anger. "So... this is why you weren't a bit surprised to see me in court this morning. You knew about me... you read my file!"

"Oh geez... sorry! Maybe I should have told you this morning. Hey Ally, long time no see... by the way, I've got your psychological evaluation in my office. How about that?"

"This is not funny!" I mumbled.

"No... This IS funny actually. A funny coincidence don't you think?"

"I bet... I bet that you had a good time reading it!" I said, my cheeks burning with anger.

"Well..." he said, raising his shoulders.

"You haven't changed a bit Larry Paul!" I said with a harsh tone.

"Neither have you Ally McBeal."

"I'm not the same girl you used to know!"

"We'll see about that!" he replied casually.

"No we won't!" I almost shouted back.

Because I'll kill you first !

I shook my head and brought my hands to my forehead. A headache again.

"I will not let you win this case Larry. I'm a good lawyer now and I'll beat you!"

"I'm glad that you grew in confidence over this past years. That's a good thing!"

"We are in war!"

"Great!" he said, sitting down behind his desk.

Then he held his chin with a hand and flashed me one of his incredible smiles that used to make me melt.

Don't you smile to me like that..

"See you in court Mr Paul."

"I can't wait Miss McBeal!"

I rushed out of his office with a growl of exasperation.

"Where is it? I know it's somewhere!" I said, searching in my wardrobe.

"Who are you talking to?" Renee asked behind my bedroom's door.

"Oh... Nothing Renee..."

I found it!

I smiled to myself and held the note book on my chest. I stared at it for a while, my heart beating faster. After a deep breath, I turned the first page. I gasped and hid the notebook behind my back when I saw Renee opening the door.

"What are you doing Ally?" Renee asked pointing all the clothes that I had thrown on the floor.

"I was just... searching for something."

"Hmm... What are you hiding?"

"No... nothing!"

"Ally!" she said with a fake severe voice. "Is this what I think it is?"

I looked at the floor, trapped.

"Huh... My Law School...Diary." I admitted, feeling already guilty.

"You need to refresh your memories... interesting!" Renee said, smiling.

"Huh... huh..."

I shook my head with despair. Renee said down on the corner of my bed, the only spot where there wasn't any clothes on.

"I just wanted to check something..."

"And you're about to tell me that... * that something* as nothing to do with Larry Paul... Oh yeah... he's not even mentioned in this diary... Ally! You're acting like a teenager!"

She bursted out laughing.

"No I am not! and I will not let you make fun of me Renee. Now get out of my room! Now!" I shouted, pushing her outside.

"Okay..."

I slammed the door and my let back lean against it. I sat down on the floor and started to search though the pages. When I finally found what I was looking for, my heart seemed to stop.

Gosh... I was really in love with him!

I promised to myself that I would be strong. I had to prove him that I wasn't the same Ally from Law School. I had just bought a new oufit which had brought Renee's commentary: "Hmmm... I'm sure that Larry will love it." Of course, I had to roll my eyes and act like she was wrong about my feelings for him.

But she wasn't...

The night before the trial, I had dinner with Brian. I was really trying to be attentive to him but I just couldn't stop thinking about Larry. When we cleaned the dishes same thing.... when he kissed me... same thing... I could just picture Larry in my mind... Larry, Larry, Larry... everywhere... an obsession.

Just forget about Larry... Brian loves you.

When I laid down on my bed, I was thinking about Larry again. Brian closed the light, like he was always doing when we were about to make love. So I just closed my eyes and felt the bed moving next to me. Brian kissed me again... A boring kiss again. My mind flew back in 1993. I remembered Larry pressing me on the door, his hands on me... The image was vague but somehow, I could remember how we were... hmm..hot together... when IT escaped from my mouth... it was a short of moan... that kind of moan you let out when you truly desire a man.

"Hmm... Larry..."

Click. The light was on and Brian had an horrified look on his face.

"What?" he gasped.

I gasped back, just understanding what I had just said.

"Huh... Huh... Brian... Huh..."

"You just called me Larry!"

"Oh... Did I?" I asked with a nervous giggle.

"I am quite shocked Ally. You just said an other man's name while we were about to make love. Does this means that...."

"Oh!" I simply said.

"Who is this Larry?" Brian asked with anger.

"He's just a... a... friend I had in law school... A friend... huh... that's all."

"And you are moaning his name! Quite a friend you had! An you just remembered him?"

I could see that he was clearly upset.

"He is... the... oh gosh... he's the opposite counsel on the Davies case." I explained, hidding my face with both hands.

The rest of the conversation could be resumed in Brian yelling at me with anger. I finally had to admit that it was unfair to him to be thinking about an other man.... even if that other man was an old Law School... friend or sort of... A minute after, I was dumping Brian, telling myself that I was just silly. Larry was probably married to that bitch with long legs... What was her name again? I could portray them: Larry and the bitch with their cute kids all wearing those cute glasses... cute picture... cute family.... Life is so unfair! Back to Brian.... well.... he was gone. I curled up in my bed and cried all night long. Maybe it was better this way...

* The stammerer case *

The next morning, I was in court opposing to Larry. When he entered the courtroom, my legs flinched and even though I was already sitted I felt like I was going to fall on the floor. I almost grabbed my client's hand for support but fortunately, I stopped my gesture before I would make a fool of myself.

"Ally." Larry said, nodding his head.

"Larry."

He sat down next to his client without an other look at me. I was there waiting for a smile... a sweet smile possibly inappropriate between the opposite counsels but fully expected from a woman who had spent the previous night thinking about her old law school flame. I just had realised that I had this sort of Patern with Larry. First, the denial: "No I don't feel anything!" And then... the revelation.... It was one or the other. My feelings for him were never in between.

So I waited for that smile... but Larry seemed to avoid eye contact.

"Mrs Andrews.. How long have you worked at St-Joseph elementary school?" Larry asked.

"35 years."

"You always worked there?"

Hmmm... he looks so good...

"Yes."

"Can we say that you were a permanent figure in this school. Basically, someone reliable..."

Okay... Let's go.

"Objection!" I shouted. "Mrs Andrews isn't in the position to tell if she is trustworthy or not."

"Sustained."

Well... well...

"Mr Davies was in your class in 1968. What you recall of him?"

"Oh! It was a long time ago. I do remember that he was a shy kid."

"Do you recall the presence of any stammering problems?"

"Not any?"

"Was he a fluent kid?"

"I can't tell because he wasn't talking very much."

"Can you recall some of the conversations you had with him?"

"Objection. You honor. I don't see how Mrs Andrews could remember a conversation that happened 32 years ago. Even her attorney couldn't because he was wearing diapers at the time."

Larry raised an eyebrow.

What was that? aaaaahhhh

"Overrruled Ms McBeal. I don't see your point here. Mr Paul, you may continue."

Shit!

My turn now...

"So Mrs Andrews. You do remember the kid that Mr Davies used to be in 1968."

"Yes."

"How come? He was this shy kid, barely talking to people. Not quite the kind of kid to be noticed. Wow! After 32 years.. you remember him? I really admire your memory!"

"Objection. Things or people don't have to be stunning to be remembered." Larry said, standing up.

Do you remember us in Law school Larry?

"Overruled."

"So you do remember him? How come?" I continued, flashing a smile at Larry.

"I don't know..."

"What have you done to him?" I asked, pointing an accusive finger at her.

"Objection. You honor... Ms McBeal is trying to accuse my client for physical or emotional abuse. Mrs Andrews already testified about her use of discipline in class. There are no reasons to doubt that she wasn't respectfull towards her students."

"Are you done?" I asked him without thinking.

"Ms McBeal..." the judge said.

"Yes I am!" Larry answered with a smile.

"Sustained."

Larry smile widened. For a moment, I could just see him. We got caught in a glance.

Oh! What was that? A kiss on your forehead. Hey it's just a kiss on your forehead. It's not like I just started to tear off your clothes...

"Ms McBeal?" The judge called. "Ms McBeal!!!!"

"Huh... Huh..."

"You may pursue..."

"Right."

I nodded but I just couldn't remember anything. I was just there staring at Larry. He was smiling proudly.

"Huh... You honor. I have no further questions."

What was I doing?

I flashed Larry a killer look and went back to my seat.

"Thanks for intruding my mind!" I said to him with anger.

"What?"

"No... nothing."

I leaned back to my client and ignored Larry.

"Mr Davies. Could you tell us what happened in 1968?" I asked my client.

"I... I... w...w...w...w...was..."

I raised a finger and ran back to my table where I got a pen and a note pad.

"You honor. Could my client write down his answers?"

"Objection." Larry shouted.

Now! What again?

"You honor. Part of a testimony is to evaluate the sincerity of a person. By writting down the *answers* like Ms McBeal says, it's difficult to read the body language of..."

"My client is a stammerer." I said, snappish. "In case you haven't noticed..."

"Ms McBeal." The judge responded. "Your client may answer to you on paper but he'll have to do it verbaly to Mr Paul."

Great a compromise... HEY! We are in war here!

"Mr Davies."Larry began. "You're saying that Mrs Andrews is responsible for your stammering problems?"

"Y...Y...Y...Y...Yes!"

"And as you told Ms McBeal a moment ago. Your stammering troubles as led you to be unhappy in life. So you're accusing your third grade teacher for being unhappy in life. Is that correct?"

"Y...Y...Y...Y..."

"How come?"

"Objection! Mr Paul is interrupting my client!"

The judge sighed.

"Sustained. Mr Davies may you respond to Mr Paul question."

My client took a deep breath and painfully tried to answer.

"Y...Y....Y...Y...Y...Y...Y...Y...Y...Y...Y.. Yes!"

Finally!

Larry hid a smile and continued.

"Mr Davies. You also said that your THIRD grade teacher is somehow responsible for you still being single at the age of forty."

"Y...Y....Y...Y...Y....Y...Y...yes!"

"And this has nothing to do with your physical appearance? I'm sure that Ms McBeal thinks that you are a good looking man but..."

"Objection!" I shouted. "The opposite counsel doesn't have a clue about what I find attractive in a man."

The judge shook his head.

"Overruled. Ms McBeal. You're off track here."

"I was saying..." Larry continued. "Maybe your stammering problems aren't the reason you are still single. Maybe it is a matter of physical appearance. How long have you been wearing those glasses?"

Mr Davies replaced his thick glasses nervously.

"Objection! Mr Paul is a lawyer not a fashion counselor." I said quickly. "Not every woman is attracted to men wearing those black frames glasses that MR PAUL seems to be very fond of... Plus... If my client wants to wear sixties old glasses that's his choice. His tastes aren't a bit related to the case!"

"You could breathe." Larry proposed just like he used to tell me in the Law simulation group.

"Overruled. Ms McBeal. I'm sure that Mr Paul knows where he's going."

Shit...

"So have you tried to work on your physical appearance?" Larry asked.

"Y...Y...Y...Y...Y...Y...Y...Y...Y...Y...Y...Y...."

"Okay I'm objecting again. Would Mr Paul consider to let my client write down his answers?"

Larry turned to me and forced his eyebrows.

"I'm reaching my point..."

"No you're not!"

"I am sorry but...."

"No! It doesn't seem like..."

"I'd like to pursue this interrogatory if you don't mind!"

"I mind! You're an insensitive jerk!"

I gasped and brought a hand to my mouth.

"Okay... that's enough!" The judge said with impatience. "You two have issues!"

I took a look at Larry from the corner of my eyes. Just like me, he was trying to catch his breath.

"Ms McBeal. Mr Paul. We are in a courtroom here. Now. You two will get out of here a moment to solve your issues. You will come back when you'll be able to act like adults!"

"Sorry." Larry said to me but looking at the floor. "Sorry." I responded with effort.

"Outside." The judge said, pointing the door.

Then we went out.

"What the hell is your problem?" Larry asked with anger.

"What the hell is YOUR problem?" I asked back with the same tone.

"Oh! That sounds familiar." Larry said, rubbing his forehead.

We stood there looking at each other. I could remember the time we had used the same question. It was a few days after our "tequila date" I was uspet that he had a girlfriend. We had just ran out of the Law simulation group after we had a fight in front of the other students.

"I feel like we're back in 1993, Larry." I said after a breath.

"I don't understand."

"I *FEEL* like in 1993." I admitted, waving my hands nervously. "I joined the law practice simulation group to... to... get a crush on you. That was Renee's plan to cure me from my Billy's obsession. It was just a little game but I got... trapped!"

"Huh..."

"I had a major crush on you Larry..." I said, with cheeks turning red.

"Oh."

"Yeah..."

I managed to smile even though I was feeling dizzy. It wasn't really a revelation.

"But... But... before you say anything let me finish and don't interrupt me because it isn't a good day. I just broke up with my boyfriend and my feet are killing me."

A half smile formed on his lips. He nodded, waiting for me to continue.

"But... What I really want to know is..."

Oh... gosh....

I shook my head nervously and asked, looking at the floor:

"That night when IT happened... were you sincere?" I asked in a murmur.

Larry leaned is head on the side, not understanding.

"IT?" he asked.

"IT... When we... huh..."

Made love...

"Oh!" he let out, replacing his glasses. "Well... Ally it was years ago."

"I...I...I know... I never asked you to put your feelings on hold... but that night was...huh... really special... You said something to me and I wanted to know if you were sincere."

Ally... I'm falling in love with you...

Larry started to clean his glasses nervously on his tie. I could recall that he was already doing that in Law School. I smiled by the thought of it.

"I was." he finally said after a moment.

He looked back at me and smiled with reserve. I started to giggle nervously.

Don't you start to imagine things Ally... you're hurting yourself.

"How about huh...Jeannie?"

"You mean Jamie?" Larry asked, looking like he was relieved. "I think she's doing okay."

"You think..."

"She's in Detroit. We split up years ago."

"Oh!"

My heart skipped a beat.

"I'm single."

And an other beat skipped.

"Gosh don't say that..." I mumbled.

"What?"

"N... Never mind! Huh... How about the baby?"

"The baby is seven years old now." Larry said with a proud smile. "His name is Sam. He's a terrific kid."

"Oh... Larry. I'm glad for you..." I said, sincerely.

We stood there, silent a moment. I felt a suddent thrill just by standing next to him. I raised my eyes and met his. How could I have forgotten how his eyes were sweet? He had been away so long but in some way, it seemed like I've known him all these years.

I have been waiting for you Larry...

He cleared his throat and pointed the courtroom.

"Maybe we should go back inside now that some things are clarified. We already lost enough of credibility with those stupid games."

I nodded.

"So you're admitting that you were playing silly games in the courtroom?" I asked, with a smile.

"In fact, I was talking about you Ally."

"It was you Larry!"

"No you!"

"Larry..."

We bursted out laughing. It was a total relief. People waiting in the corridor for their hearings must thought that we made a strange pair. Fighting a moment and the other laughing.

"You know what Ally?" Larry said smiling. "I missed it."

"What?"

"Being with you."

Oh gosh...

My cheeks turned to red again. I could feel it.

"Me too."

We laughed again but lightly.

"Hey! What if we go back inside?" Larry proposed.

"Sure."

"I'm not done with your client."

"Oh.. Please! Be kind!"

"Trust me."

I punched him gently on the shoulder.

"Guess what? I don't trust you."

"I know where I'm going."

He winked.

"I'm sure you do."

"Mr Davies." Larry continued. "From this moment, I'll be more understanding towards your stammering so we'll proceed by a serie of questions. You'll just have to answer by yes or no. It'll be easier for you."

My client noded.

"You think that Mrs Andrews is responsible for your stammering troubles?"

"Y....Y...Y...Y...Yes!"

"You do think that she's also responsible for your emotionnal problems?"

"Y...Y...Y...Y...Yes!"

"When you were in third grade, did you like Mrs Andrews as a teacher?"

"N...N...N...No!"

"Why?" Larry asked quickly.

"Because..." Mr Davies started.

"Sorry. I forgot." Larry said, shaking his head. "Yes or no questions."

By the look on Larry's face, I could see that something was up but I just couldn't tell what was going on.

"You're also saying that Mrs Andrews is responsible for you still being alone and single. Is that correct?"

I could notice that Larry was talking even faster.

"Y...Y...Y...Yes!"

"Isn't that bad?"

"Y...Y...Y...Yes!"

"Are you impotent?"

"No!"

"OBJECTION!" I shouted.

What the hell...?

"Do you have a small penis?"

"What?" My client let out with anger.

"OBJECTION! This is...."

"Mr Paul." the judge warned him.

"Did you ever had sex in your whole life?" Larry asked.

"HEY JERK!" Mr Davies shouted. "This is none of your business. I'm not here because sex is missing in my life. Damn it!"

My mouth dropped. Larry smiled widely.

"Mr Davies. Could you please repeat your last statement so the court could notice that you just cured from your stammering problems."

"Damn it!" Mr Davies exclaimed.

"This is a miracle..." Larry added, hiding a laugh.

He turned to me and winked. I banged my head on the table.

Noooooooooooo!