Suit

1
^*^*^*^*^

"Hello?"
   
<"Em? I've got some uh… bad news.">

"Bad news? What, Paul? Who's suing me now?"

<"PAVOL.">

"WHAT?!" I was *kidding*! "For what?! Who are they?!"

<"A new activist group. Parents Against Violent and Offensive Lyrics.">

"What the fuck?!" I can't believe this. I was finally CLEAR of all my legal shit.

<"It gets worse.">

"Tell me," I say, but I really don't *want* to know.

<"They've paired up with GLAAD.">

"The gay and lesbian rights thing?"

<"Yup.">

"Well, what next?" I can't believe this is happening! Things were going so well. That shoulda been my first clue! Whenever things are going *good*- something fucks it up!

<"I've set up a meeting with their attorney. Do you wanna go?">

"Why would I?"

<"Because it shows you're taking this seriously. Might get them to settle.">

"We're not settling for ANYTHING. I'm not gonna give them money!"

<"We don't even know what they want. Could just be for national exposure.">

"Whatever. Sure. Why not, right?"

<"Tomorrow at two. I'll make the arrangements and get back to you.">

"Kay. Bye."

~*~*~*~*~

"Dave, did you find it?"

"No."

"Well, where is it?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know?! How can you not know? I just found it- took me two hours!"

"Rae, relax. Everything will be fine."

I take a deep breath and look down at the table. It's covered- an absolute mess. Recent case file, quotes, witness testimony… this is the case of my career.

To be quite honest, I hadn't even *really* wanted to take it- but Rob insisted this be my first *major*, high-profile case. If I win this- I'm going to be made a full partner and I *want* to be a partner. It's been my dream since I can remember.

"Okay. I'm meeting with his lawyer *tomorrow*, Dave. *Tomorrow*. I need that file. Did you *see* it?"

"Yes. I saw it. It's probably just under all this shit."

"Right. Okay."

<"Ms. Warner?">

"Yes, Stacie?" God- I hope she's not paging me to tell me Rob wants to meet with me. The LAST thing I need to meet with Rob so he can once again tell me how big this case is and that if I win, I'll be a partner.

<"Paul Rosenberg on line 2.">

"Great. Okay. Thanks." Fuck. I'm not ready for this. I'm not ready for this. I pick the phone up and sit down. "Hello, Mr. Rosenberg. How are you?"

<"I'd be better if you weren't leading the brigade against my client.">

"And we'd all be better if your *client* would write different. Wouldn't we?"

<"I guess we'll never know.">

"I guess not. Can I help you?"

<"Yes. You wanted a meeting. You got it.">

"Tomorrow, as we discussed?"

<"Yes. Two o'clock.">

"Excellent. Will your client be attending?"

<"Yes. He's flying in.">

"Well, I look forward to meeting you both."

<"I'm sorry to say that I can't say the same thing.">

"Yes, well… tomorrow it is."

<"Until tomorrow.">

I hang up the phone and screamed. I just can't handle this now.

"Relax, Rae. You're gonna do great! I got a feeling about it."

"Thanks, Dave. Now- let's go over those examples once more."

2
-------------
^*^*^*^*^

Fuck. I hate this. At least I'm not facing jail this time, though. That's good, right?

I just wish people would stop fuckin' suing me.

*I* don't think it's too much to ask.

At least I got Hai with me. I look down at her and she's coloring. "What's that, Baby?"

"A plane. Duh?! See? That's you an' me on the plane."

"Oh. Okay- I was lookin' at it wrong. Here- lemme put somethin' on it."

"Like what? 'Cause, Daddy- you can't draw," she says, handing me the pencil.

"Ha, ha. Hailie. You shouldn't be so rude to your father."

She just stares blankly at me for a minute before saying, "I *could* have said your drawings look like Pokemon on crack. But I didn't."

"OH MY GOD!" I grab her and yank her onto my lap. "I can't believe you just said that!"

"Daddy, stop!"

"No way-" I know *exactly* where her tickle spots are. One's right… here.

"EEEE! STOP IT!" Oh yeah. Armpit tickles are *way* better than belly tickles. But people are starting to be annoyed. And I don't wanna disturb the other people on the plane.

"Okay… shh. Quiet down, Baby."

"You started it!" She scolds as she climbs back into her seat. "Look- you messed up my hair."

"Here- c'mere and I'll fix it." I take the scrunchies out of her hair and pull her hair back again before putting it back in. "There. Okay?"

"I *suppose*," she says, relaxing her head on my arm. "How much longer?"

"Half hour. Uncle Paul's gonna pick us up at the airport."

"And then what?"

"Then I gotta go to that meeting."

"Can I come?"

"Yeah- but you can't come in. You'll stay in the lobby. We'll bring your dolls."

"Kay. Daddy?" I look down at her and shit- those eyes. Kids are just amazing, mine in particularly.

"What, Hai-Hai?"

"Will you rhyme for me?"

"Sure, Baby. 'Bout what?"

"A princess. Named Hailie."

"Okay- yo, yo, there's this girl named Hailie but I've never met her. 'Cause every time I get close the guards  come get her. She's a princess and she lives in a castle. And the girls so shy, she's actually quite bashful. So one day she wanted to go to a town- where she never been but heard it's down wit' it. So-"

-------------
~*~*~*~*~

Okay. I'm calm. I am calm. I. Am. Calm.

I glance at myself in the mirror. Do I *look* calm? Yes. Okay.

I walk out of the bathroom toward the conference room. The phone's ringing. Stacie is on lunch. Fuck.

I sit at her desk and pick the phone up as the elevator doors open. Shit. It's him.

^*^*^*^*^

"So what's her name?"

"Raven Q. Warner. And *be* *nice*."

"Nice? I'm *always* nice," I say and cover Hailie's ears. "No matter if she's a les or not."

"What makes you say that?"

"Oh- come on! Representing GLAAD and some dumb parent organization?"

"That doesn't mean anything."

"Ya know, Daddy, I can still *hear* *YOU*!" Hailie says obnoxiously. Sometimes I wonder why we ever taught her how to speak!

"Fine. Fine. You're a big girl and everything." I glance back at Paul. "My *point* is that she's probably some big witch with twenty kids at home *or* she's an 'Ellen'."

"Go in with that attitude and you'll be paying then ten mil with interest."

The elevator opens and we walk in. Hailie runs to the fountain they've got in the lobby. I glance at the front desk.

"Casey, Smith and Donovan. How may I direct your call?… Yes, Sir. Just one second. I'll see if Mr. Donovan is available."

Now *she's* not bad. Black, straight hair that falls mid-back, beautiful green eyes, nice tits… I glance under the desk… nice legs… very nice.

She hangs the phone up glances at Hailie. "Well, hello there."

"Hi!" Hailie greets her. "You got a fountain! That's *so* *cool*." She walks over to the woman and offers her hand. "I'm Hailie!"

"Well hello, Hailie. I'm-"

"Very busy, I'm sure," I interrupt. I don't want Hailie gettin' the woman fired or nuthin'. "She's just so friendly."

~*~*~*~*~

She's really cute. So is *he*. Holy shit. Cameras don't do him justice. He's got a nice suit on too. But I can't think about that.

"Oh, that's okay. I just *love* that dress," I tell her, coming out from behind the desk. "I bet your daddy buys you *lots* of pretty dresses."

"Actully- not so much. Daddy doesn't have very good taste with such things."

I can't help but laugh! She's such a know-it-all. I can already tell.

"Hailie! I'm right here!" He says before grabbing her and hoisting her over his shoulders.

^*^*^*^*^

Damn. She's *hot* and there goes Hailie- insulting me! No wonder why I don't got no girl!

Fuck she's hot. And I'd like to think that I'm relatively cute. So why ain't she checkin' me out? It's probably the nose. OH well.

Paul steps forward and says, "Hi. I'm Paul Rosenberg and we're here for a meeting with-"

"Ah- Raven! I see you've met Mr. Rosenberg. Good. Shall we proceed into the conference room?"

Uh… WHAT?! *She's* the- OH! THAT EXPLAINS IT!

Just then, the elevator opens and another woman comes along and sits a the desk. *She's* the secretary. "Hi!" She says to Hailie. "You gonna keep me company for a bit while your daddy talks to Raven?"

"Uh huh!" Hailie agrees and blows me a kiss. She don't know why I'm here. She just thinks it's about my records, which it is. That's all she needs to know.

We follow the other woman down the hallway and I whisper to Paul, "See? Told you she was les."

3
~*~*~*~*~

They follow us into the conference room and I guess I should introduce myself for real. "We weren't officially introduced. I'm Raven Warner," I say, offering my hand.

"Paul Rosenberg," his attorney says and we shake hands.

Then, he offers *his* hand, "Marshall Mathers. I'd say I'm pleased to meet you, but-" His attorney pokes his arm lightly- "But I'm really delighted."

I glance at Rob. Is he gonna stay?

"Please, gentleman. Sit down." I guess so. I take a seat across from him and look at Rob. "Thank you for coming. I realize it's short notice. But our clients would like to move this along."

"What *exactly* do they want with me?" He asks, annoyed. I stare at him. I don't know if Rob is gonna answer or not.

^*^*^*^*^

She looks like such a bitch. A pretty bitch- but a les bitch. Not that I care- but… she could be nicer. After all, *she's* leading the suit against *me*. Think she'd be pleasant, what with the possibility of getting extremely rich from me.

She's just staring at me. "What?!" I ask, but on second thought, I think I snapped that, not asked, because Paul just poked me again. "Quit it," I whisper to him.

"Be nice," he says quietly to me.

"Well, Mr. Mathers. Our clients are suing you for-"

"I didn't do nothing to them!" I say and he fuckin' pokes me again.

~*~*~*~*~

Guess they're right about him. He's just… *angry*… an angry person. God- how fuckin' rude!

I'm gonna toast his ass and then I'll be partner!

"Well, actually," Rob says. "Our clients are suing you on behalf of about thirty various people."

"What? For what?" His lawyer asks.

Damn. I wish, since Rob decided that I should take this case, that he would let me *talk*. Let *me* run *my* case.

Still- I don't like that look he's giving me. Marshall Mathers. 'Eminem'. He looks… just pissed. I mean- shit. His eyes look so… cold… disinterested in anything. And they let this man raise a child?!

Sure. He's cute. When he *likes* you. And he *obviously* doesn't like many people.

Rob rambles on about the case and what? Why did he want me on the case if he isn't planning on letting me run it?

^*^*^*^*^

Shit. The looks she's givin' her boss are… hateful. Dyke probably hates him- all 'male-dominant' and all, right? Feminine rights in the workplace, blah blah blah. I'm all for equal rights- but some people take it too far. She probably throws darts at pictures of men at home.

Bitch.

Whatever. AND they're fuckin' suing me because of what? Because three kids pistol-whipped their girlfriend's new boyfriends, ten kids got teased and threatened with my lyrics at school for bein' gay, one girl was threatened and nearly beaten to death because of me- fuck. What the hell do *I* have to do with any of these people?! The parents of a girl who overdosed on X and beer are blaming me for 'provoking' it.

Fuck that.

"Look," I say. "This is all very entertaining, but if they're lookin' for money- they ain't gonna get it from me. I'm not gonna be blamed for *them* not payin' attention to *their* kid. She ain't *my* responsibility."

"But, Mr. *Mathers*," the girl says. Oh- she's gonna talk to *me* now? "Don't you think that a person with your influence over the children of the country should try to *improve* the lives of the kids, rather than teach them how to destroy it?"

"Yo, I ain't the one who *made* the world this way. My clean shit was *never* bought. So I-"

~*~*~*~*~

The nerve! "Okay. Sure- but now that you're *famous*, don't you think you should try to change things for the better? I mean- you talk about how parents aren't parents raising they're kids. Why don't you use your popularity for a purpose rather than preaching the status quo."

"Have you ever *listened* to my shit? Don't tell me nuthin' about the status quo. *You're* the one that's preachin' the status quo."

"As if!" I practically shout. "How am I-"

"How are you?!" He says angrily. "That's rich! It's people like *you* keep talkin' 'equal rights', 'equal opportunity' and are the same ones letting people sue me and take away *my* right to speak my mind!"

^*^*^*^*^

"People like me?" She asks, *very* insulted. Oh shit. Paul just pinched me. "Tell me, *Eminem*- what 'people' is that?"

"I believe we've said all we need to say for now," Paul says. "It's Mr. Mathers choice not to settle."

"What if we don't *want* to settle," she says under her breath.

"What?!" Her boss asks, shocked.

She looks right at me, ignoring her boss, and says-

~*~*~*~*~

Rob is *so* gonna kill me!

But I say, "What if we actually want to *change* the world, instead of bitching about it?"

"Excuse me?" He says.

"The organizations that we represent want to *change* the thoughts of the populace about gays and lesbians. They want to *help* their children deal with the world. Is that not what you claim to want as well? Do you not want parents to be like yours weren't?"

"What the hell do *you* know about *my* parents?!"

"GOD!" I can't believe the freakin' nerve of him! "You freakin' tell your life story in your lyrics and then get mad at *me* because I *dare* say something about what *you* said?! Where do you get off?!"

"RAVEN WARNER!" Fuck. I look at Rob and he looks *pissed*. "May I see you in the other room, please? *Now*."

Fuck.

^*^*^*^*^

I watch her walk out and smile. Until I look at Paul and see how furious *he* is.

Okay. That didn't go well.

4
~*~*~*~*~

"What the HELL was THAT, Rae?!" He practically yells. I swear- it's like his head is gonna explode. "What were you THINKING?! Or were you even thinking at ALL?! OF COURSE we want to settle! WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OF A CASE TO TAKE THIS TRIAL!"

Fuck. "Rob-"

"NO! Sit down." I sit down and he's pacing. "I can't believe this. Your first case and you're gonna blow it before you even *have* it."

"It's not like you actually *gave* it to me, anyway," I say. "God- you were *totally* in charge of that meeting. Why was I even there?"

"Excuse me for wanting you to become a partner. Shit- Rae, you *know* how much I'd love to see you make partner," he says calmer.

"I know. I *know*. But- god. Can you believe his nerve? What the hell does he think? He's untouchable?"

"Raven- we *don't* need him pissed. We need him to *want* to settle. There's no way we can win in a court with this case. GLAAD and PAVOL *know* that. They just want some exposure and a good-sized forced donation from him."

"And the parents? The kids? What about them? What do they get? A few hundred thousand? Why? He's right. He did nothing to them."

"If you don't *believe* in this case, Rae, perhaps it's the wrong case for you."

"Hey, I believe," I tell him seriously. "I do. But I don't think he should fork up five million or whatever and not accomplish anything with it."

"Well, what would *you* suggest?"

^*^*^*^*^

"What the fuck?!" He says to me when they're gone. "What the hell?! Are you completely stupid? Do you *realize* they're what's standing between *you* and a *lawsuit*?!"

"In case you hadn't noticed- WE'RE ALREADY BEING SUED!!!!" I scream as I stand up. I can't fuckin' stay sitting. Shit. "And can you believe her? What the fuck does *she* get off- 'sides with her fuckin' *girlfriend*!"

"Stop it. NOW."

"Oh come on- did you *see* how she was lookin' at all of us? Fuck-"

"I know it's not fair. But this is what we have to deal with, Marshall. If we can work something out with them… *she* at least makes it sound like we might be able to do this without some huge public thing."

"I guess," I say. "I ain't givin' them a PENNY! I'm not gonna *settle* and admit that my lyrics *do* the stuff I say they don't. Because they DON'T. It ain't my fault."

"I know and *you* know that, Em. But it doesn't matter what we *know*- it matters what a judge *thinks*. And *that's* why we'll lose. You should hear her out."

And as if on cue! "Gentleman," she walks back in, without the other lawyer. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I apologize for my rudeness earlier, Mr. Mathers. I was out of line."

What the hell? Paul pokes me. I guess I should say- "I'm sorry too. I just feel very passionately about this. I'm not going to settle this out of court. I won't. I don't think my lyrics are responsible for all those things on your list."

~*~*~*~*~

"And *I* feel very passionately about *doing* something about it."

"What is it exactly that you want, Ms. Warner?" Mr. Rosenberg asks.

I sit down and they follow suit. "I want to *do* something- to fix it."

"Which means *what* exactly?" Eminem asks.

"What if… I were to get our clients to agree to a sort of… educational program or something? Lend your name and endorsement to equal rights education or programs designed to educate kids on the reality of media."

"I don't *do* endorsements," he says quickly.

"At least come with me," I say.

"What? Where?"

"Come with me to Miami. Come with me to *talk* to the girl who overdosed. Come with me to talk to the boy who practically *killed* his girlfriend due to your lyrics. Come with me, talk with *them* and then tell me you don't want to try to *change* it."

He looks as if he's about to say something crass but before he can get it out of his mouth, Mr. Rosenberg pokes his arm *again* and interrupts, "Would your clients agree to something like that? As you proposed?"

"I don't know," she says. "But-" Okay. Here's where all that money for law school pays off. I *hope*. "I think everyone in this *room* knows who has the upper hand here," I say as I stand up. "Especially after September eleventh- the world is crying out for something to be *done*. Movie opening or not- the world is pondering the mainstream acceptance of *Eminem* into their lives. Misogyny, homophobia, violence, drugs… these words *haunt* you like the *plague*," I say, looking directly in his blue eyes. "And don't think I won't quote anything and everything you've ever *said*- in jest, in sarcasm, on stage, in front of a camera- it won't matter."

^*^*^*^*^

Her eyes… are *so* *knowing*. "I'll quote your lyrics and show the videos until everyone in the court room knows them by heart. I'll put child after child up on the stand to testify to the fact that they did stuff after they heard *you* did it. I'll bring every psychiatrist that's ever hypothesized that violence in the media breeds violence in our youth. I'll be the country's *hero*- taking on lyrics, at last! I'll spread your name like venom throughout the *entire* country until every newspaper is either begging for statements from me or begging for inside seats in court."

Fuck.

"Just the whisper of your name, *Marshall*, will cause parents to shake in fear and no amount of 'acceptance' or protest will *stop* me."

Oh my god. The *viciousness* in her eyes… "Doesn't matter if any of it is true," she says. "You, yourself, know that people are sheep. They believe what they're told," she smirks then. "I guess that's pretty much what this case boils down to. Isn't it?"

And then she turns and starts to head to the door after saying, "I'll be waiting to hear from you."

~*~*~*~*~

Oh. MY. GOD. I DID IT! Oh my god! If only Rob had been there!

I'm almost out the door when I hear a meek voice say, "I'll do it."

OHMYGOD! I turn and look at him. He slowly looks up and meets my eyes. "I'll go with you," he says before standing. "But *you* talk to your clients about this 'program' you're thinking of."

He walks past me out the door and his lawyer stops to say, "I'll contact you later and we'll work out the details?"

"Yes. Yes." Oh my god. I can't really talk.

I follow them out and-

^*^*^*^*^

"DADDY!" Hailie screams excitedly as she runs toward me. She leaps into my arms and there ain't *nothing* a hug from your child *can't* do!

"Hey, Baby!" I kiss her. Over and over. Shit. I'll do anything for this kid. Even if it means working with GLAAD or whoever- endorsements… I don't care. I'm not gonna subject Hailie to all that venom. I don't want her to be ashamed to go to school. I don't want her to spend her childhood defending me. "I love you, Baby," I say, kissing her again.

"Daaaddy! Stop it! You're embarrassing me!" I put her down and she smiles. "Do we get to go now, Daddy? Because this place is *way* cool!"

~*~*~*~*~

Shit. I just can't figure him out.

I guess he says it's all for his daughter, right? Can't risk a suit and losing all your money when you got a million dollar home (at least) and a kid to send to college. Whatever. Materialistic… And can't do charity because that would ruin the 'rep'.

He glances back at me and then at Stacie. "Thanks for keeping her safe," he tells her.

"She's a great kid," Stacie says and then they leave on the elevator.

Once they're gone I can't keep it in anymore. "OH MY GOD!!" I go running back to Rob's office. "OH MY GOD! YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE!" I yell but he's smiling.

"I KNOW! I heard on the intercom, Baby. You were AWESOME!"

I jump into his arms and he kisses me. Oh god. He kisses me… yum. I pull away and say, "so… you comin' over tonight to celebrate?"

"Sure am, Baby. But you better get outta here before Jeff and John see us together."

"I know, I know. No boss-employee relationships. Fine. Fine. Bye." I kiss him once more and can't help but hum on my way back to my desk.

^*^*^*^*^

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Paul asks me.

"No. Not in front of-" I glance at Hailie and she's oblivious. And that's how I want to keep it. Shit. "That *woman*… she-"

"She's good. *Too* good. Too bad she ain't for hire. I'd say you should get her on *your* side."

"Why?"

"'Cause it'd be good to have a viper like that on *your* team of pit bulls."

"*Ruthless* viper," I correct him. "She knows what she wants."

"Then why not force us to settle? She *knows* she's got a case, perhaps not on merits, but all the judge needs is enough public pressure and she'd probably get a twenty million dollar settlement."

"I don't know…" I hadn't thought about that. Why *didn't* she force a settlement? What the hell's her deal?

5
-------------
~*~*~*~*~

"Are you *sure* you wanna do this?"

"Do you wanna talk about this *now*?" I ask him before moving my hips again. Shit… he always manages to feel really good. "I mean… *now*?"

"Rae-"

I jump up off him. "Don't 'Rae' me! We're in the middle of fucking and you bring this up?"

"Rae- come on."

"I was TRYING! And you fuckin' wanna start with me?"

"I'm sorry. I'm *sorry*. Okay? Bad timing."

"Ya think?!" I ask and grab my robe.

"No… please- come back to bed," Robbie says and pulls my arm toward him. "I'm stupid. I just- got thinking about work and-"

"Am I *that* boring?" I ask. 'Cause jeez!

"No. I just- I don't know. I was just thinking how I didn't want you going with him- I'll miss you."

"Oh… okay, well-" I lean down and kiss him again. This is what I need. Just a couple hours of not thinking before having to le- shit. "Rob…"

-------------
^*^*^*^*^

"Daddy, look?!"

"HAILIE! BE CAREFUL!" I shout. Shit. I hate when she does that!

"But, *Daaaddy*- I can do it. Sheesh!" She takes another dive under the water. God- I just can't get used to her going under water without me being *right* there.

I swim over to her as she resurfaces. "STOP!" She whines as I slip my arm around her. "Dad! I can do it by myself!"

"And what if you drown?"

"You wouldn't let that happen!"

"No- but what if I'm not here and you need me?"

She spins around and looks at me. "I know that would never happen, Daddy. Don't be facetious."

"WHAT? Where the hell did you get 'facetious' from?!"

"I *told* you- I'm *very* smart," she says before pushing off from my stomach and diving under again.

Oh no- she's not gonna get away that easy. She's right- but still. She's wicked smart, which is nice. I was worried about that. I know *I* killed off a few brain cells, but I was hoping her's hadn't been affected.

I swim around her and beat her to the other side. "HA!" I say as she reaches out for me.

"Maybe I *wanted* you to catch me! Ha!"

"Come on, Baby. Where'd you learn that word?"

"In the books- at school," she states as she flips her hair back into the water. "I told you- it's a good school, Daddy."

Well- I guess it is. Note to self: give them a grant for books or something. Shit- A million bucks should show my appreciation, right?

"Okay- we got another fifteen minutes and then we gotta get you washed and dried."

"Aawww- why?"

"Because you'll be a prune otherwise! My little raisin! What will I tell Mommy when you're wrinklier than when we left?"

"Oh PUH-lease! I'l be back to me by then!"

"Well- remember what I said? Uncle Paul's gonna take you back home?"

"Why, Daddy?" She latches onto me and I swim us toward the shallow end. "I wanna stay with *you*." Fuck- *that* is music to my ears. It does a father's heart so good when his little girl begs to stay with him.

"I know- but you just can't right now. I promise- after I get back from this trip I'm all yours for a whole month. Okay?"

I realize that the fame and trips is what got me the money to take care of her. But it's a double-edged sword because I've gotta keep *making* the money and that means I have to leave her. Of course, without *this* interruption, I could be home with her but I'd rather not be sued either, if I can help it.

"Okay?" I ask, tickling her a bit.

"STOP! Do you wanna *drown* me, Daddy? Want me to freak out?!"

"Freak out?!" I ask and make a face at her, "Yeah, let's see you freak out!"

She leaps off of me and swims for the edge of the pool. "Don't run around the edge, Hai!" I say. Last thing this hotel wants, I'm sure, is a kid with a broken leg or worse and it's the last thing I want either. Shit- no matter how hard you try to keep kids safe… but I'm doin' the best I can.

"Daddy, I'm cold," she says.

"Okay. Warm shower?"

"*Yes*. Definitely!"

-------------
~*~*~*~*~

"Shit- Baby… fuck. Deeper," I groan. "Rob!"

Sometimes he's got it- sometimes he doesn't. Shit- I'm leaving for *him*. So I get the promotion and so we can be together. So I'm "fuck, Baby… yes, yes- oh my god…" going on a trip with *Eminem* with those blue eyes… "FUCKROB!"

-------------
^*^*^*^*^

"Okay, c'mere!"

"No! Do I gotta?"

"*Yes*. Don't want you goin' out and gettin' frizz head, do you? Miss. Curly-Hair."

"Fine. Fine." I finish drying her hair and she goes over to the mirror. I kneel behind her and stare at her in the mirror. "Daddy?"

"What, Baby?"

"Do you love me?"

"Of course I do, you know I do, Hailie. More than life itself!"

"Forever and ever?"

"Until the end of the world, Baby. Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering," she sighs.

"What is it, Hon? Somethin's on your mind." I kiss her temple. "You know you can ask me or tell me anything."

She walks away and throws herself onto the hotel bed. I sigh and follow her, crawling up behind her. Sometimes, she's just like her mother. "Come on, tell me, Hailie," I whisper, pulling her back to me.

"It's just that… I heard that lady… on the phone."

"So? That's it?"

"She said your name… that you were there about the lawsuit."

Shit. "Is that all?"

She sits up and turns to face me. "Daddy, I *know* what a lawsuit it."

"Oh yeah? What is it?"

"What they…" she's practically near tears. "What they do to *bad* people, Daddy. The police-" And she just breaks down.

"Oh, Hailie, Baby-" I pull her into my arms as she cries. Fuck. This is exactly why I didn't tell her about the other shit.

"They're gonna take you away," she sobs.

"NO, Hailie. NO. Look at me, Hai. Look at me-" she tentatively looks up and shit her eyes could break my heart if it wasn't already breaking for her. "Hailie- *no* one is gonna take me away. Baby- there are two kinds of lawsuits. Okay? One is called a criminal suit and one is a civil one. The police do the criminal one and you could go to jail. But *this* lawsuit" and just the fact that I have to emphasize *this* in that sentence proves that I get sued *way* too much for one person "this lawsuit, Baby, is a civil one."

"Huh?" She asks, wiping her eyes.

"Shh- don't cry, Baby. You know I can't stand it when you cry. Listen to me- the people that are suing me just want some money."

"Why don't they just ask?"

"Well- they think that some of the things I say on my records aren't very nice. They think I shouldn't be able to say what I feel and they're suing me for it."

"You didn't say it about *them* did you, Daddy?"

"It's complicated. They *think* that I was talking about them, when I wasn't. Basically, they just wanna trick me into giving them money. And that's why I'm going on the this trip- so I can talk with them and explain that I wasn't talking about them."

"But you promise? You're not leaving me?"

"I would *never* leave you, Baby. *Know* *that* in your heart. Okay?"

"Okay," she nods and I grab her and pull her into a hug again. Shit- I can't get enough of this kid.

-------------
~*~*~*~*~

Shit. He falls to my side panting. I am too. Shit.

"That was- quick," he says, nuzzling my neck. "What were you thinking?"

About another man. But I better not tell *him* that. Fuck- either one of them!

"Did I do something new?" He asks before I have time to answer the other question. Damn.

"No- I don't… guess I was keyed up. Ya know? It's been a while."

"Yeah," he whispers before sliding his hand down to my-

"Rob- Baby… I gotta be on a plane in an hour and a half and I'm not showing up with bed hair." I stand up and stretch a little before heading to the bathroom for a shower.

Now… let's think about this (as I wash another man's cum from my thighs)- shit. Okay. He *has* amazingly blue eyes. Okay? I admit it. But- he's a total jerk! I mean… utterly and completely. Come on- double standard all the way! And I threaten to ruin his rep and all of a sudden he's ready to talk? Please! I hope this *does* go to trial so I can toast his ass. I'd take a picture of me, sitting with his twenty million dollar check made out to the firm and *send* it to-

God, what's happening to me? I need a vacation!

Well- might not be a vacation- but at least I won't be in the office.

Miami- here I come!

6
-------------
^*^*^*^*^

"Okay- Kim should be at the house when you get there. She's expecting you in a few hours. If she's not- gimme a call and I'll track her down. And-"

"Marshall," Paul says. "Relax. I'm more than capable of finding her *and* taking care of Hailie for a plane ride. Okay? Don't worry."

"Alright- Baby, gimme kiss kiss." Hailie gives me a big kiss on the cheek and a hug. "Okay- I'ma miss you, Baby. Mommy'll be waiting for you."

"And you're coming home?"

"Yes," I answer her.

"*When*?"

"Two weeks. Okay? Two weeks and then we'll have a month at least. I promise."

"Love forever, leaving never?" She asks and I smile. That was the last two lines of a rhyme I made up for her like two years ago and she still remembers those lines.

"Love forever, leaving never. Until the end of time- my baby Hailie is mine."

"Okay. Bye, Daddy! Call me?"

"Yup. Every night. Okay?"

She grabs her bag of stuff to do on the plane and Paul looks at me. "And *be* *nice*. Don't piss off the very good attorney."

"*Or* the very angry d-"

He shoves me lightly before saying, "*Go*. Don't be late and *be* *nice*."

"Ey, yo. I'm the nicest fuckin' person she'll ever spend two weeks with," I say softly once I see that Hailie's out of hearing range. "She'll be *wishing* she was into men by the end."

"*Be* *nice*," he says sternly before taking Hailie's hand and they walk toward their terminal and I go to mine.

-------------
~*~*~*~*~

His people were *very* meticulous in specifications for traveling with him. We can't be seen together in high traffic areas because they don't want reporters getting pictures of him with another woman. WHY? Whatever.

So- I board the plane and he *should* be here- or coming soon. We've got seats next to each other. Won't that be fun? I've got a CD player and my laptop. I should be fine for the six hour flight. It's not like this is a romantic getaway. I wanna talk with- no. Let me correct that. I *don't* want to talk with Marshall Mathers as much as possible.

Great. He's there already. I smile, fakely though, but I'm being nice. Right? I put my briefcase on the chair and he goes back to staring out the window. Good. Right. Glad it's not awkward.

He's wearing a red- what's the right word? Adidas sports suit? Jump suit? Jogging outfit? 'Hip-hop attire'? Whatever. And why do I care what he's wearing? White du-rag, red cap… glasses… and why do I care again? I don't.

I stop staring, if I even *was*, and try to lift my damn carry-on up to the racks above the seats. Fuck… it's heavy.

^*^*^*^*^

Damn she's cheerful in the morning. Ain't she?

Not even a hello? Right- 'cause I'm the *evil* man.

I look over at her struggling to put the bag up. "Need help?" I sigh. I mean- just ask.

"No. I got it," she answers before hoisting the thing one more time and *missing*. She falls forward, the bag falls backward and- she practically goes head first into my lap.

"Sure?" I ask as she slowly gets up.

"Um… maybe?"

I stand up and throw the thing up into the compartment and close the door.

"Thanks," she says quietly. I sit back down and she puts the briefcase on the floor and sits quietly.

I glance at her out of the corner of my eye. She's got a pair of black slacks and a dark purple wool sweater. Not *my* choice of clothes… but I guess it's not a 'lawyer suit'. So at least I won't have to *look* at the instrument of my demise for too long.

<Ring. Ring>

"Yo, talk."

~*~*~*~*~

God- *that* was embarrassing!

And 'yo, talk'? What kind of answer to a phone is *that*? What a rude jerk! Whatever.

^*^*^*^*^

<"Daaaddeeee!">

"Hey, Baby! You bein' good on the plane for Uncle Paul?"

<"Yuppers! But they're not gonna play a good movie.">

"I'm sorry, Baby. Sometimes you get lucky- sometimes you don't. They gonna give you a good snack?"

~*~*~*~*~

I just don't get it. How can someone be so nice to a kid and so full of venom and hate elsewhere? I don't understand.

I put my head back and sit, waiting for take off. No sense in getting my computer out until we're in the air because they'll just tell me to put it away for take off. Instead, I get my CD player out and hit play.

"Okay, Baby. They're tellin' me I gotta turn my phone off. Okay? I'll call you when you're at home. I love you-"

See? How can that be? Whatever. I knew I shouldn't have gotten the damn CD player out. The second I turn it on, they tell us we're gonna take off.

"Finally," I sigh.

^*^*^*^*^

Finally! The sooner we leave, the sooner we'll land and get this shit over with.

Of course, now I'm stuck on a fuckin' plane with the les-bitch from Hell!

I'll at least try to sleep a bit since Hailie kept me up late last night. At least Paul will have a quiet flight. Fun six hours this'll be I'm sure.

7
-------------
~*~*~*~*~

I'm *really* glad he closed his eyes. Let's not pretend. I don't wanna be here. He *sure* as hell don't wanna be here! Good.

I pull my laptop out and turn it on. I'll get some work done. I've got five hours and forty minutes here, next to *him*.

"Can I get you a drink, Ma'am?"

"Oh- yeah. Please. Um… rum and coke?" What the hell?! *Technically* I'm not at work. Right?

"Sure thing. Do you think your companion would-"

"He's *not* my companion."

^*^*^*^*^

I can't help but smile and sit up.

"Oh- something for you, Sir?"

"Yeah- Mountain Dew?"

"Right away. I'll be right back with your drinks."

She's sitting typing, reading… doing something on the computer. "So- you writin' more papers to file against me now, or what?"

"For your information, I'm working on another case."

"'Bout what?"

She closes the laptop quickly and turns to me. "What, we're friends now?"

"Hell no! Did I say that?" I ask. Fuck- I'm not gonna be friends with someone that's *suing* me. "But… we're stuck together for two weeks. And it was *your* idea, in case you forgot. This ain't no vacation for me, neither."

"Well- you didn't have to agree," she says before opening the computer again.

"Oh and let you drag my name through the mud?"

"Not like I has far to go."

"Why you gotta be such a bitch?!" Shit. I shouldn't have said that.

"*ME*?! You're the ass who refuses to do something *good*!" Damn it- she's hot when she's mad. Fuck- even that speech about slaughtering me on the stand got me hot. Dammit.

"GOOD?! Why do *I* gotta be the one in charge of changing the damn world. I'm *raising* my kid- why won't anyone else do the same?!"

"So you take care of your OWN kid but don't give a damn about all the kids that have made you fabulously wealthy?"

"I *do* help those kids- I give 'em the truth."

~*~*~*~*~

"TRUTH?!" I practically scream. "The truth?! Is *that* what you delude yourself into thinking at night?" Shit. Calm. Down. I'm not gonna do this on the plane.

"Tell me, *Marshall*, why the hell did you *come* on this trip if you don't give a damn about the kids? Huh? Fuck- if I'm just *bringing* the object of their downfall- just go home."

"Wanna know why I'm here?" He asks, looking me right in the eye. "Because I have a little girl who I love more than my own life and *she* will *not* be subjected to hearing her own father's name dragged through the mud. Not by *anyone*. *Especially*" he says, his eyes angry and cold, "Not by a *pompous* *bitch* who thinks her degree gives her an advantage over anyone else. Fuck- it's people like *you* who *make* me write the shit I do… who made me *see* the world the way I do- so don't go fuckin' wit' me because you may have public advantage, but *I'm* the one who's right here."

What?! He takes his drink from the attendant and sits back in his chair.

I take my rum and coke and gulp the thing down. Fuck. Can't imagine *WHY* his ex-wife divorced him! What a stumper that is!

I take a deep breath and say, "Look-" I look at him and he at least looks at me, which is good. "Okay- I didn't *want* to sue you. It wasn't my choice. My boss gave the case to me to prove myself. I'm up for partner and this is sort of the determining factor."

"Then start lookin' for another job. 'Cause you won't see a *dime* from me."

"Like you can't spare it."

"What about *you*, *Raven*? You give half your money to charity?"

^*^*^*^*^

She goes silent. "Yeah- I thought not."

"I've got bills… loans to pay off. You're *rolling* in money."

"Do you *see* me rolling? 'Cause I don't."

"Yeah- it must be terrible making like a gazillion dollars a month in record sales. Must be really painful and horrible."

"If you *must* know- I own a company. I gotta put money into that. I support some of my relatives and I'm saving money for Hailie."

"What? So she can buy *good* drugs?!"

"NO! So she can go to college and not be a drop-out like me! So she can live a better life than I did. Fuck! Do you *see* me shakin' from withdrawl here?"

FUCK. I can't stand that- I'm not a fucking DRUG ADDICT!

I was a *recreational* user. RECREATIONAL!

"Maybe we just shouldn't talk," I say and turn my back to her.

"Yeah. Maybe," she agrees angrily.

Angry bitch. I sit and stare out the window for a bit. Shit. I'd write- but I wouldn't wanna 'offend' her or shit. Besides, I'm too mad. I'd end up writing about killing her and she'd sue me personally.

I can't take it. I turn to her and say, "Did it ever occur to you that before *me*- people didn't *give* a shit about rap lyrics? Now we've got an organization protesting them? Maybe I wrote the shit *to* make people wanna change it. Did *that* thought ever cross your mind?!"

~*~*~*~*~

"I- I mean… huh?" I really don't wanna think about this right now.

"Did it ever occur to you, Miss. *Warner*, that had I not rocked the boat- people that formed PAVOL wouldn't have had motive? Why don't they spend their time *changing* it instead of goin' after *me* for shit that's already out. What do they want? To recall 7 million records and give kids a *clean* copy? Why don't they *listen* to the CD with their kids and talk to their kids about what's true and what's a joke?"

I just stare at him for a few minutes. Shit he's sexy as hell.

I mean… no. He's not. Definitely *not* sexy. Or hot. No. I'm just tired. (And horny.) NO. Stop it. I just have to-

^*^*^*^*^

"What?" Do I got somethin' on my nose or somethin'? "What?!" I *hate* when people just *look* at me like that.

"Ya know- that's probably the first thing you've said that I agree with," she states.

Huh? Come again? "Huh?"

"Why wouldn't you endorse *that*?" She asks me.

"Why should I spell these things out for people? Fuck- it's a full-time job doing what I do. It's a full-time job being a father to my daughter- where would I find the time to be a full-time parent to everyone else's kids?"

"It's not fair," she says. Fuck- is she *agreeing* with me? Isn't that *bad* for her to *agree* with *me*? "But- unfortunately, it's how the world works. The responsibility falls on those who step up to the plate. Why not step up and show them that you're *not* a 'pistol-packing drug addict who bags on his mama'."

And then, she turns back to the computer and starts working.

~*~*~*~*~

"So- what case is it?"

"You care?" I ask while rereading that last paragraph.

"Look- if we're gonna be together for two weeks- let's just *try* to not yell at each other. Okay? Truce?"

I look at him and he looks sincere enough. "Truce," I say. "Okay- this case is about a little girl. Her doctor misdiagnosed her illness for three years and she died. Her parents are suing the doctor."

"Oh my god- fuck. If *anything* happened to Hailie… I don't know *what* I'd do without her."

I look at his eyes and I guess I never really saw how much he loves his daughter. Hmm… perhaps I didn't really believe it.

Maybe there's hope for him yet.

8
-------------
^*^*^*^*^

Shit. I'm hungry. "When they gonna serve dinner?" I ask her, if she's even paying attention at all. She's pretty engrossed in what she's doing. "Yo-"

"Yo?" She asks and turns toward me.

"Sorry," I snap. Bitch thinks she's above-

"I just wanna know- what the hell is that *for*? What does it mean? I curious about where some of this slang came from."

Oh. She wasn't- gonna threaten me if I don't speak more 'eloquently'? "Dunno," I shrug.

"I mean- I've got a teenage sister and I don't understand half of what comes outta her mouth."

"I know what you mean- my younger brother… he's always got a new phrase or something they started at school. I'd *like* to think I'm fairly hip to the kids- ya know, being that they all seem pretty into me- but I don't get some of the shit they comes up with."

"I've had about enough of this for today," she says and shuts her computer off and packs it away in the case.

"Still that case?"

"Yeah- sometimes I just get sick of the depressing shit. There's only just so many malpractice stuff you can take before you consider being a defense lawyer."

~*~*~*~*~

"They make a lot 'a money," he states.

"Yeah- I guess. If you're good. But then you're defending drug dealers and murderers, no thanks."

"Be a DA."

"Yeah right!" I say. Oh my god- am I actually having an *intelligent* conversation with him? I curl up my legs under me and turn toward him to I can look at him. Shit. He's cute. I mean… a client. He's a client. Right. Client. Well- not even a client.

I mean- it's bad if you get involved with a client. It's worse if you get involved with the person you're suing. I mean- not that we'd ever get 'involved' because hello- he's got an ex-wife, girlfriend. Whatever.

Oh- and Rob. Sheesh. How soon I forget, huh?

"I couldn't watch rapists go free. No, criminal law isn't for me. Thought of corporate law once but that's so *boring*."

"So you go around suin' people for money?"

"I guess. Someone's gotta do it, right?" I shrug.

"You're obviously good at your job if they wanna make you partner. Huh?"

"I'd like to think so- but-" No. Stupid. "Never mind."

"No- what?"

Shit. "It's more out of... necessity. One of the founding partners is retiring and they want another lawyer to pick up the slack." Okay- so I lied. Like I can tell him- yeah- my boss sort of wants me to be a partner so it's *okay* if we fuck… or *continue* fucking.

^*^*^*^*^

She is *totally* lying. I know when someone is lying and *she* is lying. Probably something like- she wants to be partner before they find out she's gay. OR they *need* to be an equal opportunity firm so they gonna *hire* her to even out the homo-hetero ratio.

"So uh- what *exactly* do you hope to accomplish with this trip?" I ask. Because I gotta say- I'm curious.

She looks nervous or hesitant- or both. "I uh… well-" what's she hiding? "Make you see what you're doing to your fans. Then I'll collect our check."

"You ain't gonna get no money from me."

"Maybe not legally," she says and then motions to the attendant.

"What's *that* mean?"

"You'll give us money because you *want* to," she says before ordering another drink and inquiring about dinner.

"I don't *want* to give you money for threatening me."

"Can we just not talk about this?" She asks frustrated. "We're obviously *not* going agree and it's gonna be a long two weeks if we're *always* talking about it."

"Well, excuse me. But *you're* the one who sued *me*."

"No. I didn't. GLAAD and PAVOL did. So complain to *them*. I'm just doing my job."

~*~*~*~*~

*More* than my job.

I can't take this. Another hour before dinner. I take my CD player out and hit play. He gets the point. I'm not gonna talk.

Shit- this music is infectious. I can't help but tap my foot to the beat.

Yeah- I'm doing *more* than my job, which Rob was the *first* to point out. Whatever. Maybe I just need a little time… away… from him… from whatever is *us*.

I sigh. Honestly- I don't know *what* the hell it is.

It's like… when I started working there, there was a definite spark. He would always offer to second-chair my cases and meet with me about them… it was nice. And so we were sort of… dating. Under the table, of course. Under it… over it… occasionally *on* it… but it's like… it stopped. At that initial attraction.

Not that it's not *great*. Shit- we've been together for like… a year or better now. But… is this it? Is this what my life will be?

I sigh again and hit pause. I gotta pee.

"I'll be back," I say before heading to the bathroom.

^*^*^*^*^

I watch as she closes the bathroom door and pick up her headphones. I *gotta* know what stuffy les lawyers listen to… I hit play.

//I invented violence, you vile venomous volatile vicious
Vain Vicadin, vrinnn Vrinnn, VRINNN!
Texas Chainsaw, left his brains all
Danglin' from his neck, while his head barely hangs on
Blood, guts, guns, cuts
Knives, lives, wives, nuns, sluts
Bitch, I'ma kill you!//

OH MY GOD! SHE FUCKIN'… IS LISTENING TO MY SHIT?!

That is fuckin'… HOW THE FUCK CAN SHE BE YELLIN' AT ME WHEN SHE…

FUCK. The bathroom door opens and I hit pause. I guess… if she notices it's in a different place, then she has listened enough that she knows the words- and if she knows the words… she's a *fan*. And if she's a fan… WHAT THE HELL IS SHE SUING ME FOR?!

9
~*~*~*~*~

Okay. So thus far? This day pretty much sucks. It *is* almost over, at least.

I pull my hair tie out and brush it. I'll leave it down now- I'm off the clock. Right?

I walk out and take my seat before putting my headphones on again and hit play.

//You don't wanna fuck with me
Girls neither- you ain't nuttin' but a slut to me
Bitch, I'ma kill you! You ain't got the galls to beef//

Huh? I missed my favorite… part…

I slowly turn my head to the left and he's staring at me with a *huge* devilish grin.

I turn my head back to face forward and the turn the volume up.

//We ain't gon' never stop beefin' I don't squash the beef
You better kill me! I'ma be another rapper dead
For poppin' off at the mouth with shit I shouldn'ta said//

I feel a tap on my shoulder. He's tapping me on the shoulder.

Busted.

I shut the thing off and take off the headphones before turning to look at him. "Yes?"

^*^*^*^*^

"Busted," I state, for the record.

"What?"

"You *totally* have my CD on."

"No I don't," she says quickly.

"Yes you do. I listened."

"You must have been mistaken."

"You're a *lawyer* right? You graduated from *law* school?"

"Yes."

"You'd think you'd be a better liar."

"I'm not lying."

"Good thing you're not a *criminal* lawyer because damn- you'd never win."

"I'm not lying," she repeats with this cute fake innocent look on her face.

"Prove it."

"Huh?"

"Take the CD out and show me how much it's not me."

"Okay," she sighs. "I'm lying."

"Just… ya know… out of morbid curiosity- how many of my CDs do you own?"

"It's called *research*."

"Research?"

"Research. Ya know- know thyne enemy… be familiar with it."

"Research," I nod and turn toward the window and start laughing.

~*~*~*~*~

He's really cute when he laughs. I mean… um…

"Whatever. What I listen to is my business," I state, for the record.

"Not when you're suin' me!" He counters.

"Look- I'm an adult. I know the difference between fantasy and reality. Thirteen years old don't."

"That's why it says 'Parental Advisory'- so parents know they shouldn't put it under the tree at Christmas."

"Oh come on! You know damn well that without all those kids buying it without their parent's permission- you would *not* be as popular or rich as you are."

"Again- not my fault. If the stores are selling to kids without checkin' ID- not my fault. What- should I work in every music store in the country to prevent kids from gettin' my shit? Furthermore, why am I the *only* one gettin' sued? Why ain't they comin' down on anyone else?"

"They- I… I'm just doing my job."

"So you don't actually *believe* in the case, then."

Fuck. Rob warned me about this. 'Keep it professional, Rae.' 'Don't say anything to him besides 'Good Morning' and 'Good Night', Rae.' 'Don't discuss the case with him, Rae.' 'And *don't* take your CDs, Rae.'

I was just never good at following authority. Was I?

"Of course I *believe* in the case," I say.

"Yeah, right. Say it again and make me believe it," he challenges, putting a hand to his ear and leaning toward me.

"That's IT!" I shove him away and am about to say somethin' when my phone rings.

"Hello?" I ask, still laughing a bit.

^*^*^*^*^

Wow. She might actually have a sense of humor.

Paul's right. Too bad we didn't get her first. But if she's a fan *and* gay- how can she be suing me on behalf of GLAAD? I just don't get it.

"Come on- don't you trust me?" She asks the person on the phone.

Wonder if it's her girlfriend.

"Oh stop it- you know damn well I'd much rather take two weeks to stay with you, but I can't… because it's my *job*. God dammit- Jen… stop bein' such a baby. God- were you always like this?"

Her hair is *really* nice. Long… full… I always liked women with long hair. Kim *never* grew it really long. She said it was too hard to take care of.

"Fine. Whatever… No, you cannot have my pussy-"

HUH? I turn to her and she giggles a bit. Damn. Lesbians are so *hot*.

"You can visit her though. Okay? I promise- when I come back, you can stay for a week and we'll have fun… yes. I promise. Okay, then… I love you too, Honey. Bye."

She hangs up and smiles a bit.

"Girl troubles?" I ask.

"What? Sort of- what *else* is new, right?"

Damn. The next girl I'm with is gonna be a lesbian.

Of course… I guess the flaw is that a lesbian would never date me.

Hmm. I'll have to work on that.

10
-------------
~*~*~*~*~

<"Attention, Ladies and Gentleman. We'll be landing in Miami within fifteen minutes. The weather is a balmy 89 degrees with 95% humidity. The time is 6:30 pm. Thank you for flying American Airlines.">

"A *balmy* 89 degrees? With 95% humidity? Did I *miss* something?" I ask him. It's been more or less pleasant… sort of. Once we hammered out the issue that I like his stuff. I wasn't so bold as to ask for an autograph.

"Not exactly my kinda weather neither," he says.

"I know. Jesus- I thought I'd die that first year in L.A.- I've gotten used to it- but it's not as humid there. Damn- I don't get how people live like that. Gimme frigid, freezing over scalding any day, thank you."

"Where are you from? Originally, I mean."

"Originally? Boston- well… outside Boston. Spent five years there and then my parents split up and my mom and I moved to New York. She's got a thing for big cities."

"So where in New York? The city?"

"Long Island," I answer.

"Like it or L.A. better?"

"L.A. is too Hollywood for my taste."

"So why are you there?"

That's an excellent question too. I don't *want* to be there anymore.

^*^*^*^*^

"Then why become a partner?" I ask- I mean *damn*. I wouldn't get a job in Austin if I didn't love Texas.

"Huh? I… uh… said that out loud?"

"Uh- *yes*."

"Oh. I would just… prefer cooler climate- like Seattle, Detroit, Chicago, Boston, Milwaukee- something less… *hot*."

"Detroit's fun," I say. Come on- gonna sell my own city, ain't I?

"You'd say that, wouldn't you?"

"What's not to love? Every city's got poor people-"

"I guess I'm more of a Eastern gal. I'd prefer to be over more," she shrugs and pulls her hair to the side, exposing her neck. Long, slender… I'd love to see her in something *not* professional. Jeans and a t-shirt, ya know? Or in nothing- nothing would work too.

"Wanna go to dinner?" I ask before I know what's slipped out of my mouth.

~*~*~*~*~

I look over at him quickly, "What? You… asking me *out*?" I ask- because that would be a whole WORLD of wrong.

"What? Hell no! Like I… I mean- you wouldn't even be interested, would you? But- I'm starved. You can fill me in a bit with what we're gonna be doing here."

Why would he think I'm not interested?

I mean… um… other than the fact that I'm *not*.

Definitely *not* interested.

And even if I was… HELLO- I have a… Rob. And he… would *never* look at me like that. I mean… I'm *suing* him and insulting him on an hourly basis!

I mean… I'll admit it- he's *cute*. Okay? He's… *really* cute and like- what girl in this country *isn't* mildly attracted to him? He's got that whole bad boy thing going for him- and that cute little cleft in his chin and those gorgeous blue eyes and sexy lips. Plus, he's nicely shaped and knows who he is and- I glance down at his lap *really* *really* *super* quick… I'm sure he has a big-

^*^*^*^*^

What the… is it my imagination or did she just… check me out?

Color me confused.

I see, out of the corner of my eye, that she looks down again so I stretch my legs out and sink down into chair a little bit. Her eyes dart away and she *was* checking me out.

Wait- what? She was checking me out?!

I thought she… I guess she *could* be curious… but-

Paul would *kill* me if I slept with their attorney. Not that I *would*-

Or wouldn't.

Shit- I look at her while she is looking across the aisle. I bet she'd be really hot in a bikini… she's not too too thin, which is nice. I don't go for a toothpick woman. She needs to have some curves and *she* *has* some curves. In all the right places too. And that hair- very sexy, full lips- bet they'd feel good on my-

Um. Hm. And those legs- she's got the pants on today- but I remember them from the other day… tan, long… I love legs that go on forever. Bet they'd feel good wrapped around me as I-

I better stop this.

"So- do you wanna?"

"Huh?" She asks, panicking as she looks at me. "Do I wanna what? Exactly?"

"Go to dinner wit' me, when we get off."

"Get off?" She looks nervous. Maybe she's… bi? I don't know. I'm confused. Or she was thinkin' about her girlfriend?

"Yeah- the plane? When we get off the plane? Go to dinner before heading to the hotel?"

"Oh. Yeah. Okay. Sure."

-------------
~*~*~*~*~

After getting off the plane and going our separate ways, I climb into the limo and he's already seated, with the television on.

"Any reporters?" I ask, taking a seat opposite him.

"Nope. Just a few tourists with cameras and why the fuck do people wanna come *here*? I'm sweltering." Oh my god- he's taking off his shirt! I mean… his jacket, but… damn, he's built. He's got a wife beater underneath and Rob will *never* wear one. (Not that he's as built as Marshall.)

And since *when* did I start calling him *Marshall*?

^*^*^*^*^

"I know- I'm hot too," she says.

Yes, Babe, you *are*. If only you'd… oh shit. She's taking off her sweater. SHE'S TAKING OFF HER SWEATER! She's got a tight tank top on underneath and FUCK… it's *white*. I can see her bra!

Okay… calm down, Marshall.

She's got a nice rack, though. Full. Supple.

"So where we gonna eat?" She asks. "Any ideas?"

"Never really been here- not to eat out anyway."

She opens the window to the driver. "Any suggestions on someplace classy and private for dinner?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Then take us there and quick- I'm *starving*." She glances over at the television as she puts the window up again. "Anything good?" She asks, relaxing with her head back. "God I hate flying."

"Nuthin' much- just Direct Effect. Why'd you suggest a trip then?"

She looks up at me and says, "Because I believe in what I'm doing. Even if my *boss* doesn't think so."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

~*~*~*~*~

His eyes perk up as he sits up and looks at me. Shit.

I shouldn'ta said anything. "Nothing. Ignore me. I'm too tired to think."

"NO," he says. "What do you WANT?"

"Don't fucking YELL at me!" I tell him.

"Well what the hell do you WANT from me? Not money, so WHAT DO YOU WANT? Jesus- just fuckin' TELL me what I'm doin' here!"

"FINE!" I scream. "You wanna know?" I ask, leaning forward toward him. "I wanna do something constructive! OKAY?! I'm *sick* of doing what I do! I'M SICK OF ALL THESE PITY CASES!"

"So what the HELL does THAT have to do with ME?" He says, leaning toward me and he's just… *right* *there*.

Fuck. So… close…

^*^*^*^*^

FUCK. Before I know it- I've grabbed her arms and yanked her to toward me and my lips are on hers and she's grabbing *my* arms. She pulls me toward her and I kneel in front of her in the limo and she's just kissing me and I'm kissing her. Shit- her tongue feels *good* against mine- she's got her hands behind me, pulling my shirt up, her hands on my back.

~*~*~*~*~

What the HELL am I doing?

Shit. I'm getting wet. So soon?

He's kneeling between my legs and his hands are… oh my- under my shirt, massaging and grabbing my breasts. His hands feel so… greedy. His tongue is too. Shit, he's a good kisser- perfect amount of tongue, sucking on my lip every now and then.

Oh my god. I arch against him, into him and what am I *doing*?!

Fuck- I have a… "Rob!"

^*^*^*^*^

I pull away from her *really* quick. Never the biggest turn on to have a girl shout someone *else's* name. But I guess I got my answer- she's definitely *not* a lesbian. And that's just fine with me.

What the hell were we thinking?

I lean back on my heels and look at her.

"Rob?"

"Shit- what are we… this can *not* happen. We're just… hot. And tired."

I wipe my mouth a little but don't move otherwise. "Rob?"

"Huh?"

"Often call your bosses name out when you're makin' it with someone else?"

"Huh? Shit- it's complicated." She pushes me back and I sit on 'my side' of the limo. She straightens her top out and wipes her eyes. "Oh my god."

"Hey!" Oh- I get it! "Yo- you're involved with him, ain'cha?"

"Huh? Who?"

"That Rob guy- that's why he's pushing you for this case- so you can get the promotion and date him, right?" Yeah- that's it, by the look on her face- I know I'm *right*. "So… if someone were to… *expose* that- you'd get thrown off the case and-"

"Please, *please*- don't…"

"Okay," I grin. "My lips are sealed… on one condition-"

"What?" She asks, hopeful.

"That *you* seal them," I whisper before diving for her. Shit… she's addictive. I don't know if it's the danger thing or just the fact that she's fuckin' hotter than Hell when she's pissed. But- she don't fight me.

Instead- she fuckin' pulls me on top of her and we tumble back onto the seat and she's pullin' my shirt again and I'm kissing down her neck to her collarbone. "Shit," she moans when I start sucking on her pulse point.

~*~*~*~*~

Fuck. Rob never *ever* made me feel like… *this*- like… I consume him.

I run my fingers through his hair and pull his mouth back to mine and attack him before wrapping one of my legs around him and grinding against him.

This is *so* wrong. *So* wrong. Shit. *So* wrong.

Fuck it feels *so* right though.

I can feel him hard between my thighs. Shit- I want him inside me.

^*^*^*^*^

Shit- she's pushin' my pants down and shit. Are we actually gonna *do* th-

The car stops suddenly and we're thrown onto the floor. "Sorry," the limo driver says through the intercom. "But we're here."

"What?" Oh. "The restaurant."

Fuck. She climbs off me after grinding against me once more. Shit- I am *so* hard.

"Time to eat?" She asks before grabbing her purse and opening the door.

"I guess it is," I say.

11
-------------
~*~*~*~*~

"Thank you," I tell the waiter.

"Something to drink?"

"Yeah- rum and coke? And water."

"And for you, Sir?"

"Beer, please."

"Right away."

The waiter leaves and I can't look at him. Shit- I can't believe we would have- I mean… *would* we have? Fuck- this is a disaster.

^*^*^*^*^

"So… um… what do you think is good?" I ask, looking at the menu. I am so hungry. And horny. But we won't talk about that right now because she's sweating a little and her skin is perfectly tanned and now has this glow and I wanna kiss her again. Fuck.

"I could eat a horse, right now. Plane food sucks."

"I agree. I think I'm gonna get the steak."

"Sounds good. Let's just get it ordered. Fuck- I'd rip it off the cow at this point."

"Raven so hungry. Miami so hot. Rip the meat off a cow and cook it wit' no pot. Truth is *I'm* hungry, girl's so hot- suin' me and kissin' me, an' fuckin' me not."

She looks up at me and then back at the menu before saying, "That can't happen again."

"Why? Because of *Rob*? Doesn't sound like you're too crazy about him."

"What? You don't know shit about me."

"Then look at me and tell me you love him."

She looks at me and says, "I don't love you. Love doesn't precede attraction, obviously. Neither does *logic*. We're involved in a *case* and that can't happen again."

"Good. 'Cause I don't *want* it to happen again."

Liar. I'm a liar.

~*~*~*~*~

I am such a liar.

Shit- that was… amazing. I just don't think I've ever been with someone who made me feel so… wanted. His kisses just *consumed* me and his tongue and his hands- Fuck.

Stop *thinking* about it.

"Good," I agree. "As long as that's settled," I state and then look back down at the menu because if I look into his eyes again I might do something I regret.

"So… how long have you been with him?"

"With Rob?" Shit- I mean… he already knows. Right? "I started working there about two years ago. We were… there was an attraction."

"So are you in love with him?"

I look up at him. Okay. Lust, in check. "Honestly? No. There was a time when I thought we *could* be in love- fall in love-"

"But now?"

"It's just attraction- physical. Not that it's anything it's not- but- I think he might have stronger feelings for *me* than I do for *him*."

^*^*^*^*^

So technically, she's attached, but not *attached*.

"Why don't you break it off?"

"And risk getting fired?"

"You think he would fire you for breakin' up wit' him?"

"Yeah. I think, maybe."

"But if you don't wanna do what you do anymore…"

"What the *hell* am I gonna do? And why am I telling you this?"

"I'm a good listener," I say. I mean- it's true. Ain't it?

"I guess. Fuck- do people usually just confess to you?"

"Ironic, ain't it?"

"I suppose. What about you?" She asks. "What about your wife?"

"My *ex*-wife?"

"Yeah- the rumors true? That you're back with her?"

And I am SO happy when the waiter comes back and takes our orders.

-------------
~*~*~*~*~

I notice the *lack* of response he gave me to that. "Well- are you?"

^*^*^*^*^

Think fast, Marshall. Ask her something- get her off the subject. QUICK.

"Just for the record, you're not gay or anything, are you?"

Good thinking.

Although by the look in her eyes- I may have just subjected myself to yet *another* lawsuit.

"WHAT?!" She asks, angrily.

"Well- I mean… I kinda thought you *were*… ya know- representing GLAAD *plus* you didn't even so much as check me out when we met- so I thought…"

"OH. And I suppose that any girl who *wouldn't* check you out *must* be a *lesbian*?!"

"Well- I mean… my *fans* tend to-"

"PLEASE! Don't flatter yourself, *Marshall*, I'm *no* fan of *YOURS*!" She says before standing up.

"Where are you going?" I demand.

"To meet my *girlfriend*," she says, taking a step toward the door (and me). "and have *hot*, *sweaty*, *sticky*" every word brings her a step closer to me "sex with her *all* *night* *long*."

~*~*~*~*~

Am I'm surprised when he's yanked me into his lap and he's kissing me again?

I feel his hand on my thigh, slipping toward my sex. Shit. I spread my legs just a bit to give him access and his cock is below my ass and I rub against it just to drive him crazy.

I pull his mouth to mine and hungrily devour his tongue. He's rubbing me through my pants and *why* didn't I wear a skirt?! Shit.

^*^*^*^*^

Oh my god- her mouth is just… and she's grinding against my-

<RING. RING.>

Shit.

She jumps up startled and disappears toward the back, bathroom I'm sure.

"Yo- talk to me."

<"DADDY!">

"Hey, Hailie! What's goin' on, Baby? You home yet?"

<"Mommy and I just got in. Whit's being a *whiny* *baby*, Daddy.">

"Oh yeah? Well- she's just a baby. You had your days when you were small."

<"I *suppose*. I miss you, Daddy. How much longer?">

Oh my god- every time I leave her, it gets harder and harder. One day- I'm just not gonna be able to do it. "Two weeks, Baby. It hasn't been any time at all, yet. It'll fly by."

<"Fly by? No… it's gonna be *so* *boring* and that *Jake* *Smith* better not mess wit' me tomorrow- 'cause I swear, I'll-">

"HEY! What did we talk about? No beating up the boys."

<"Wimps, Daddy. The boys in my class are *wimps*.">

~*~*~*~*~

Okay. I take a few minutes to calm myself down. Jesus- I'm so wet. No one *ever*… I mean- without even skin-on-skin contact… but that's beside the point.

It *can* *not* happen again.

It *won't*.

Fine. Ready- cool, calm, collected.

I walk back out and he's still on the phone when I sit down.

"Does she wanna talk to me, Hai? If she does- well, tell her to come to the *phone*, Baby. Okay- I love you too, Hai- yes. I'll call tomorrow- I promise. When you're home from school… yes… cross my heart and hope to fly… Hailie- is she there?… Okay, Honey. Love forever, leaving never… until the end of time, my Baby Hailie is mine… no, *you're* silly… yeah? Well- I can't wait either… two weeks, Hai. That's fourteen days… Oh, okay, put her on."

I watch his face as he talks with her and it's *so* obvious he adores her. It's *also* obvious he misses her. And *I* took him away from her.

"WHAT? NO. Shit- stop it. Just- I *told* you- it's not my *choice*, Kim… yo, that's not true and you *know* it. Just… *no*. Fine… yeah, fine… whatever… Don't do that… if you do, I swear to god, Kim…"

Hmm… if they're together, they shouldn't be. Doesn't sound like he's completely *happy* with their arrangement, whatever it is.

"Just be patient. Okay? We'll figure it out when I get back… yes. Two weeks- okay? I'ma call tomorrow when Hai gets home from school so make sure you're home… Have I ever *not* called?"

^*^*^*^*^

Shit- she annoys me sometimes.

<"Yes- you have. You get her hopes up and then you-">

"I couldn't control what happened that *one* *time*, Kim. And of all the times I promised- there was *once* when I-"

<"Fine. Okay? I'm sorry… I'm just stressed.">

"What's wrong?"

<"Took Whitney to the doctor's today and she had a shot and now she's just really whiny- she hasn't stopped crying.">

"Oh- sorry. Maybe you should try just sittin' with some music on or something."

<"Look- I'm sorry about this- I'm just- on my last fuse. Ya know?">

"It's okay. No sweat- just give Hai a kiss for me and try to get some sleep. Okay?"

<"I promise I'll try. And Marshall?">

"Yeah?" I ask, glancing at Raven. She's looking at the menu.

<"Love you," she says before hanging up.>

She hangs up and… what the hell did she just say?!

12
~*~*~*~*~

He looks… confused.

"Something wrong?"

"Huh? Um- no. Nuthin'."

"You just look upset," I say before the waiter comes over and takes our orders.

"So what will be doin' tomorrow?"

"You're not gettin' off that easy, Mister," I say and he just grins at me and cocks an eyebrow. "That's not what I meant and you *know* it. You look upset. I assume that was-"

"My Baby, Hailie. And her mother."

"Kim. I'm familiar."

"Yeah- 'cause you *like* me," he says with a snotty grin.

"No I don't," I state.

"She's just havin' a bad day and takin' it out on me, what a shock!"

^*^*^*^*^

Okay- I can't have this conversation when she said… I mean, she *did*, didn't she?

I didn't imagine that. She said she loves me.

On the *phone* nonetheless. What the fuck was she thinking? I don't fuckin' understand. How dare she!

Granted, she's livin' with me now- but it's not like we're *together* or nuthin'. 'Cause we're *not*. Most definitely *not* *together*.

Well- there was that *one* time… but that Vodka had a *lot* to do with *that* disaster.

Not that fuckin' Kim is a disaster, but- the aftermath is too much. We just can't be that way. When we are, we drive each other to drink… or attempt suicide… or drug… and that's not good. For us *or* for Hailie.

"So- are you together again? You and Kim?"

"Not technically."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Damn. Can't pull a fast one on her. She's a lawyer. She's probably better with words than *I* am, unfortunately for me.

"She's livin' with me but we're not together like the tabloids are sayin'. We're just- that guy was threatenin' her and I didn't like him hangin' around Hailie, so she moved in. We sleep separately" *most* nights.

~*~*~*~*~

He's lying. I can tell.

But it's not like we're together or ever *going* to be. SO what does it matter?

It doesn't.

And luckily, the waiter brings us our food and I am *so* hungry so we eat and discuss *anything* but the case or our respective lovers. He talks about his daughter a lot and I tell him about my cat, Yimco.

I am *so* relieved that we didn't get back to talking about Kim or Rob. That's nothing for us to be concerned with anyway.

The ride to the hotel is quiet and it isn't until we're in the elevator up to our rooms that he turns to me, stops the elevator and says, "So you're not really a les?"

"God- are you DENSE?! I thought I already answered that!"

"Well- you were talkin' on the phone 'bout your pussy… I thought it was your girlfriend."

"It was my *sister* you dumb ass- I have a cat and she watches him every now and then."

"Oh. I just thought…"

"Yeah- you got a dirty mind, Boy. Is it *always* that dirty?"

^*^*^*^*^

"No," I answer. "Sometimes, it's dirtier." I cock an eyebrow and she turns away.

"Stop it. You're with someone and *I'm* with someone… and besides that- it's *so* wrong and-"

"But it *felt* pretty good, huh?" Because *damn* it did. Fuck- it *still* feels pretty good, if she'd *do* somethin' about it.

"Well- you'll have to take a cold shower then. Won't you?"

"You could wash me?" I suggest. Okay- fine. It's a bit… over the top. But- she's *hot* and I'm *hard* and "You started it!"

"I *so* did not!"

"Yeah you DID! Don't deny it- you *want* me!"

"Oh- as if! You *wish*!"

~*~*~*~*~

"Hell no!" He says, "But that don't change the fact that *you* started it!"

"Oh, LIAR! Is that what you go around doing? Trying to *sell* people on your version of the TRUTH?! *YOU* were the one that kissed *ME*! All *three* times."

"Yeah- and you started the grindin' and shit- you *pulled* me on top of you-"

"You're a very good kisser! What girl WOULDN'T want you on top of her?!" I shout, pushing the stop button again and it continues on it's way up before he pushes it two seconds later. Again.

I go to push it again and he steps in front of me. GOD DAMMIT. Why won't he just let this GO?! I wanna get off this thing. "I wouldn't *be* this hard, had you not started pushin' my pants down-"

"OH RIGHT! Put it on the girl! It's always *her* fault- just another ho, huh?"

"I've *never* said that about you- bitch, maybe, but-"

I shove him out of the way and push the stop button again and we go two seconds before he grabs my waist, pulls me back against him and hits the stop button *again*.

"DO you wanna BREAK it? You dumb ass?! Lemme go!" I say, pushing his hands away from me. I turn and- fuck.

^*^*^*^*^

Before I know it- she's got me slammed against the back of the elevator and her lips are attacking mine. Shit- I wrap my arms around her and pull her against me before slippin' a hand down the back of her pants.

Oh damn- lace panties? That's just… NICE.

Fuck- her lips are just *attacking* me and it's nice. Don't think I've felt so… I place my hand on the bottom of her ass and pull her against me. She whimpers.

Fuck- I slowly (as in quickly) slip a finger under her panties and-

"NO."

~*~*~*~*~

I pull away from him and shit- what was I *doing*?

"See, now? *That* one, *you* started," he says with a knowing smirk. Shit- if I didn't wanna kiss him so bad, I'd smack him.

I push the stop button again and it takes a couple seconds before it starts moving.

Oh god- I turn, my back to him. I can't look at him when he's… *that* turned on. His eyes… filled with lust and *want* for *me*… Fuck me.

^*^*^*^*^

I am *so* close to gettin' laid here it's ain't even funny.

So- I step up behind her and gently move her hair off her back before blowing gently between her shoulder blades. I lower my lips to her golden skin and run my tongue gently over her flesh.

"Stop it," she moans softly. I slip my hand around her waist, under her shirt so I can graze my fingers lightly over her belly.

"Sure?" I whisper before nibbling on her ear.

"Yessssssss," she hisses as she wraps her arm around my neck and pulls my mouth to hers.

~*~*~*~*~

Fuck- as if it wasn't hot enough… and then he's here- his lips on mine in my favorite kiss- my back to his front so he can slide his hands up to cup my… oh yes. Shit.

I reach out and push the stop button.

I turn around in his arms and just enjoy *kissing* him- languidly so I can really *feel* his tongue sliding against mine, caressing my mouth.

Shit. I whimper into the kiss and pull away, teasingly licking his lips as I do.

"We can't," I say softly. "Even if we *wanted* to."

"So you admit it? You want me?"

"GOD! You're a jerk!" I say. What an ass! is that all he can think about? "That all you care about?! Making women weak at the knees?!"

"I make you weak at the knees?! What about *other* places?"

"Fuck you!" I say viscously. What a complete and utter *jerk*!

"Okay!"

I turn my back to him and slam my fist into the stop button. Fuck- the sooner we get *out* of here, the better. Note to self: no more confined places.

^*^*^*^*^

"FUCK!" She screams and slams her hand against the door.

"What?"

"WE'RE FUCKING *STUCK*!"

13
~*~*~*~*~

"What?!" He demands.

"You broke the fuckin' button! Now we're stuck!"

"*I* broke the button?! *YOU* broke the button- punchin' it like a fuckin' punching bag! Don't put this on *me*!"

"Well," I say calmly, "Had you not *pushed* it in the *first* place- we wouldn't have gotten *stuck*!"

"You're the one that kept pushin' it!"

"Yeah- to get us OFF," shit. Rethink. "UP. I mean- to get us up to our floor- up."

"Well- I *am* *up*- if you hadn't noticed," he says, adjusting his dick in his pants.

"God- have you *always* been this horny, or is it a learned talent? No *wonder* why parents don't like ya- probably fuck all their teens bare if you could."

^*^*^*^*^

"You *are* a *bitch*," I say, before turnin' away. "A *fucking* *bitch*," I mutter as I pick up the emergency phone.

<"Hello?">

"Yeah- I'm stuck in the elevator- damn button broke and it won't move."

<"Yes, Sir. We're working on it. Should be a few hours.">

"A FEW HOURS?! Why?!"

<"Well- it's 7:30 at night, Sir, and we've gotta call our electrician back.">

"You're a BIG hotel- don't you have more than *one* electrician?"

<"Yes. But the other's out sick.">

FUCK. "Fine. Hurry."

I slam the phone onto the receiver and sit down on the floor with a thud. I don't look up at her, but say, "Might as well make yourself comfy- we're gonna be here for a while."

~*~*~*~*~

Guess I hit a nerve. *Whatever*.

I slump to the floor and grab my purse. I take out a piece of gum and start chewing it. "Want one?"

"No," he answers angrily.

"Fine," I say. "Whatever- but you were the one who-"

"Just shut the fuck up," he says cruelly. "You're right, okay? We can't- wouldn't *want* to with such a cold-hearted *bitch*."

"HEY!" I yell. "Am I so fucking cold-hearted? Seems to me I could be in court, *suing* you right now- but instead, I'm going out on a *limb* for you trying to save whatever dignity you *think* you have *left*."

"Look- don't do me any fuckin' favors, okay?"

"FINE. I *won't*. This trip is officially *OVER*." I stand up and pace a bit before looking up. An air vent. I'll climb out, climb the ladder and get off at the next floor.

^*^*^*^*^

What the hell is she- "What the hell are you doing?"

"Don't do me any favors," she spits at me before jumping up against to hit the vent.

"Would you stop it? You're gonna get hurt- sprained ankle or whatever. And I am *not* carrying you to your room."

"Did I *ask* you to carry me? NO. I don't believe I did. I'm perfectly capable of-"

I stand up and stand right below the vent.

"Move," she says.

"Make me. What the hell do you think? This ain't Alias- you're not gonna climb out of the there and get to safety."

"Well- *anything* is *better* than being stuck in here with YOU."

"Well then, HEY- don't let me STOP you. By all means- get the OUTTA here so I don't have to LOOK at you."

"FINE! HELP ME UP!"

I grab her by the waist and hoist her up to the ceiling where she pushes the air vent out. She starts to pull herself out the hole but shit- I lose my balance and fall. Dammit.

~*~*~*~*~

"OW!" I say as I land on top of him on the floor. Fuck.

"You okay?" He asks as I lift my head from the crook of his neck.

"Yeah- I just… hit my head… on the way down."

"Lemme see, is it bleeding?"

I touch the back of my head but it's not wet. "No- just a bump. I'm fine. Put me up again?"

"You're not goin' nowhere," he says, grabbing my waist when I try to get up. "Told you, you was gonna get hurt. Just sit. We'll be outta here in a couple hours."

I push myself up so I'm hovering over him. "I almost had it," I inform him as I sit back on my knees and he sits up.

I crawl away from him and sit in the corner of the elevator. "God- I hate small spaces."

"Get locked in a closet?" He says with a chuckle.

"Yes."

^*^*^*^*^

Ohshit. "What? Really?"

"'Swhy my parents split up."

"Oh- god- I'm sorry- that was… really stupid- a stupid thing to say."

"No sweat- I just… *hate* confined spaces is all. A ton of people have claustrophobia."

"Yeah, well, they ain't stuck in  an elevator wit' me. Are they?"

"Let's just not talk about it," she says and grabs her purse and pops another piece of gum before looking at me. "Sorry- about what I said earlier. I wasn't… serious." I shrug. "No- I'm serious. I was just… angry… and scared. I shouldn't have said that…"

"I'm sorry too," I tell her. "Didn't mean to call you a cold-hearted bitch. A bitch, maybe, but not a cold-hearted one."

~*~*~*~*~

"Ha, ha. Very funny."

"Look- I may go on the occasional date with a fan- but only ones within my *age* bracket. I haven't dated a teen since- well, since Kim and I were dating and she was 19. But I was young then. I just… hate when people take shit I say literally. I'm not *like* that in real life."

"I wasn't. I was just angry. Maybe… I'm just not used to sexually aggressive men." Of course, that's dumb since they are the one's I end up dating… "Or maybe I was just hoping you were different."

"I am- I just thought we were playin'."

I smile and then jump when my phone rings.

"What?"

<"Hey there, Sexy.">

"Oh, hey, Rob, what's up?"

<"You okay?">

"Yeah. Fine- just… stuck in an elevator."

<"What?! Does someone know?">

^*^*^*^*^

"Yeah- it'll just take a while to- no. I'm okay… a little… yeah, you could say that. But I'll be okay- I've got gum. No. I'm just wigged- yeah… I'll be *fine*. Okay? Talk to you later… okay. Bye."

She hangs up the phone and takes out another piece of gum. "Want one?"

"No thanks."

We sit in silence for a few minutes and I watch her- her fingers are drumming and she's shaking a bit. "Ya know- we could one of those games… ya know- I'm going on a picnic?"

She smiles and says, "Okay. I'm goin' on a picnic and I'm taking apples."

"Goin' on a picnic and I'm taking apples and… Bacardi."

~*~*~*~*~

I slid over to sit next to him- it makes me feel better.

"I'm goin' on a picnic and I'm takin' apples, Bacardi and… crack."

He laughs a bit before saying, "I'm goin' on a picnic and I'm taking apples, Bacardi, crack and… dope."

"Okay- fun picnic. I'm going on a picnic and I'm taking… apples, Bacardi, crack, dope and…" I look at him and say, "And… Eminem."

The next thing I know- he's placed his hands on my face gently and has pulled my lips to his in a tender kiss. I slide my hands up his chest and around his neck as he lifts me into his lap and we're just… kissing.

And it's amazing.

14
-------------
^*^*^*^*^

Shit this feels *really* nice. Wet, sensuous kisses, leading nowhere and everywhere at once… she's rubbing my back and I'm rubbing hers and we've just been kissing.

For how long? Ten minutes? Twenty minutes? A lifetime? Who knows?!

What the- the elevator jerks and she latches onto my arms and the kissing stops and my mouth feels lonely now… "Relax," I say. "It's okay. They just got it goin'- probably overrode the emergency code or something. It's okay."

We slowly stand up and she grabs her purse and luggage. I grab mine too and we wait for the door to open.

"Are you okay?" A guy asks when the doors open. He must be the manager or something. "I don't *know* what happened- but I assure you it-"

"Relax. It's… we're fine. Is this our floor?"

"Yes, Madame, right this way."

~*~*~*~*~

"Here you are, number 802 and 803. Please enjoy your stay and do let us know if there is anything we can do." He walks away after having opened the doors and handed us each our keys.

I glance at Marshall and say, "Well… um- I guess this is… goodnight, then."

"Yeah. Guess so. What time we gotta be up in the mornin'?"

"We're due at the house at noon- so ten? We'll have breakfast and then go?"

"Okay. Ten it is then."

"Okay," I say softly before going in my room and closing the door behind me.

^*^*^*^*^

Yeah. Okay then.

So now what?

I throw my bags down onto the bed and flip on the television. Let's see if I can find out how fuckin' hot it's gonna be tomorrow.

And shit- I wonder if she's still given up on the suit, because that would be bad.

<Ring. Ring.>

"'Lo?"

<"Hey, Em- how's it going?">

"Uh- hey Paul… things are… going."

<"What happened?">

"What makes you think somethin' happened?"

<"I *know* you, Marshall. What happened?">

"Nuthin'- we just… been arguin' like crazy and she said she didn't care anymore about the trip-"

<"MARSHALL! What the HELL did you do?!">

"Don't fuckin' put this on me! She just… we don't get along. Okay, Man? I told you that from the start! It ain't *my* fault."

<"Just don't fuck it up anymore, Em. You can't afford to have her pissed off.">

"I'm tryin'. Ya think I *want* this to go to court? You think I *want* Hailie to hear that shit about me? It's just… she's *so* irritating."

<"Well, keep your fuckin' cool, okay? Just… do it for Hailie.">

"Okay, Man. I'll try."

<"Do better than try, Marshall. DO it.">

"Okay. Okay- I promise."

<"And Marshall?">

"Yeah?"

<"Keep your dick in your pants.">

SO far SO good, Paul. "Kay. Bye."

I think I'll take a shower and *not* think about that kiss.

-------------
~*~*~*~*~

Shit. I rinse the last of the conditioner out of my hair and yet another second passes that I *don't* think of him.

Dammit. I just ruined it.

Fuck.

I should just *go* to him. *Tell* him that it's not gonna go anywhere and that I think this trip is now a bad idea. *Tell* him that I'm going to withdraw as council for this case and his lawyers can hash it out with Rob.

I will. I'll do that. I can't be on this case- not if we're… and what about Rob, anyway? Shit.

This is a *bad* idea, especially since we have such…

^*^*^*^*^

Chemistry.

That's what it is. Physical attraction is all. It'll pass.

We just gotta… be strong. We gotta… *I* gotta remember Hailie. Paul's right- I gotta keep it together. I cannot afford to let this trip go to waste. She brought me here for… something… to maybe work something out and at this point in time- I don't care. I'll put my name on a video for education- if it means sparing Hailie any embarrassment or pain… I'd do anything.

I'll tell her that. I'll go to her and tell her that this can't go anywhere. It can't *be* anything.

I wrap a towel around my waist. She'll understand.

Even though that was… amazing. We just… kissed… for a long time. I never did that before- not without gettin' horizontal and shit.

But- Paul's right. I gotta keep my dick in my pants on this one.

I'll tell her. She's right. This can't be anything.

~*~*~*~*~

I head for the door. I'm gonna go and tell him.

I will.

I open the door and shut it quickly.

Dammit.

I glance at myself in the mirror and I probably shouldn't head over there naked. Huh? No. Definitely not. What was I thinking?! I should call him- that way we won't *argue*.

Yeah. I'll call.

-------------
^*^*^*^*^

I got dressed. Boxers, baggy sweats. And yes… I *am* going across the hall to- to what? Break up with someone who was never my girlfriend?

Whatever.

Okay, Marshall. Just open the door.

Good- I did that. Now I'll go across the hall and say, 'I'm sorry we can't be together. I'm… you're… we're *involved* with other people, who aren't *us*… so…'

Then I'll turn around and come back to this room (alone) and sleep (alone). I'll deal with the legal shit tomorrow morning when I wake up (alone).

~*~*~*~*~

This is fine though. Jesus- couldn't go over there *naked*. So I put on a towel.

I'll just go over there, knock on the door and say, 'Sorry- it's not gonna work even though you are the *best* kisser I've ever kissed and even though I clearly want you and you clearly want me- but it's not going to work.'

Yes. That's exactly what I'll say. I'll-

I opened the door.

And he's there.

^*^*^*^*^

Fuckme she's there… in a towel.

"Hey," I say.

"Hi," she says.

15
~*~*~*~*~

This is *so* wrong on *so* many levels but it doesn't matter as I pull him into my room and he kicks the door shut behind him.

It doesn't matter how wrong it is as we stumble back toward my bed and his lips are on mine and I'm pushing his pants down over his gorgeous ass.

And it *sure* as fuck don't matter when he tugs on the towel and it drops to the floor and I'm left stark naked and quivering. Shit. "We can't-" I moan.

"No," he says, kissing me again. "We… shouldn't…"

Shit- my nipples rub against him and his hands devour my body and this is nothing like I've ever felt before and it's wonderful and crazy and- "Wrong. It's wrong," I whisper before attacking his lips again.

^*^*^*^*^

"You're right," I inform her before diving for her tits and kissing them. Shit. She's beautiful. "So wrong- you're with… and I'm…" I can't stop kissing her and she's fumbling to get my pants completely off and I certainly don't wanna be called rude. So I help her.

She yanks me down onto her once they're off and we're kissing and touching and rolling around on the bed and it's really, literally, amazing.

I don't think Kim *ever* touched me like this… it's like… her fingers are on *fire*, burning my skin. And when did *I* become all… romance novel?

"So many reasons," she explains while stroking my dick… petting, really. She's petting it as she moves above me rubs it against her pussy. She's wet. And hot. And I wanna be inside her so bad.

"Uh huh," I groan and arch into her touch and since when do I 'arch' *anywhere*?

She stills completely and I look into her eyes. I swear- if she fuckin' *stops*…

"This is completely stupid," she states.

"Yes."

"And bad- for both of our careers."

"I don't dispute that," I reply. 'Cause- shit… I really don't.

"And if this even got out… my case will be jeopardized and this deal could be forgotten and we'd both be fucked."

"I'm not arguing."

"And you've got a daughter and I've got a… Rob… and you should *leave*. *Now*."

"I agree completely," I say.

~*~*~*~*~

"Good. As long as we got that out there," I say before pressing him to my opening and sinking down on his- "SHIIIIIIT…" I groan as he fills me.

And I take him inside *completely* and he's buried inside me, deeper than Rob ever goes (that's for sure), and it's… incredible. I can feel myself stretching to accommodate him and… "Fuck… feels sooo good."

^*^*^*^*^

When she's right, she's right and it feels fuckin' amazing.

"Fuck!" I shout when she gyrates her hips just a little. "Shit…" she takes my hands and leads them to her hips so I can feel her movements. "Fuck- you feel- hot… tight… juicy…"

She smiles and starts panting a little- her breathing hitches every once in a while as she moves, slowly. "We should stop this," she says and we both just laugh. "You're a jerk…"

"And you're a bitch…"

"But not a lesbian!"

I gotta laugh at that one before I throw my hips up and she screams my name. "Guess not," I shrug before grabbing her and flipping us over. I pull one of her legs up over my shoulder and fuck that's good.

"Shit, Marshalllll…"

~*~*~*~*~

How does he just… *know*? Fuck- long, deep strokes and he just keeps filling me over and over and kissing me… he's kissing me and touching me and I'm touching him.

I slip my hand down to where we join and caress his cock as it comes in and out of me… and he's kissing me again with that incredible mouth…

"Where are you…" he slips from my body and I feel so empty.

"Shh- I got you," is his response before he slides three fingers inside me.

"FUCK… come on-"

"I'm trying," he says.

"Not hard enough," I grin before groaning. "Wh- fuck. DO that again."

^*^*^*^*^

Oh yeah- and who's the king now?! I crook my finger again and rub her in that same little spot inside her… "FUCK!" She shrieks and her hips fly off the bed as I really add some pressure on her spot and I feel her flooding my fingers.

"That's it, Baby… just ride it out, let it go…" She's rocking on my fingers and whimpering when she finally stops coming.

I crawl up her body, "Flip over, Babe," I whisper into her ear and she does, helplessly.

~*~*~*~*~

He slams into me from behind and kisses my neck as he does and FUCK he's an amazing fuck and he *knows* it.

"Shit… please… fuck…" I beg and I don't beg. I grab the sheets and lift my hips up a little, which allows him deeper still. "Shit… ohmygod… yessss…"

"I'll say," he groans. "Squeeze me, Rae… hold me tight-"

And I do. I contract my muscles around him and pull his lips to mine as he practically growls. Yes, I work out and *yes* I work out *every* muscle.

He's moving quicker now- slamming into me over and over and I rock back against him and take him in, squeezing as I do. "Please…" I whimper when I feel his fingers rubbing my clit. Fuck…

^*^*^*^*^

I can't fuckin' breathe and I don't care right now. All I know is that I *need* this…

I pinch her clit and she wails and screams and shakes and I don't really know what else because I'm exploding inside her and screaming her name and I think the bed is shaking…

We collapse in a sweaty heap on the bed. And I can't move right now so if she's squished- I really don't care. I may not be able to move for a few hours.

"Well… it's *still* wrong," she says. "But I feel a lot better about it."

I laugh and kiss her neck. "I got no complaints."

Fuck- I don't because… DAMN!

"I'm tired," she says softly.

"Me too. I should-" I attempt to move, to get up, but she grabs a hold of my arm and holds me down on top of her.

"Stay with me," she whispers as she drifts off to sleep. And I do.

-------------
~*~*~*~*~

It's too early… I don't wanna open my eyes… ohshit- body next to me… I smile as the memories of last night flood my mind. Em… me… bed… passion… mmm… sticky, sweaty sex…

I turn my head and see that he's still sleeping and I'm still pretty sleepy myself. But I gotta pee.

I stumble toward the bathroom and manage to, without turning on a light, pee and wash my thighs a bit. I glance at the clock nine am and *too* early. Luckily, I pulled the curtains last night so it's still quasi-dark in here.

I crawl back into bed, curl up against him and close my eyes again. Mmm… this is… nice.

Rob and I never cuddle… fuck, he doesn't even stay the night.

Wow… I don't know what will happen today- between *us*, but I *do* know that I-

Was that the door?

I lift my head up and- OHGOD.

"Morning, Rae-Rae! Surprise!"

"Ohgod, Rob…"

^*^*^*^*^

Damn… last night was… she just say something?

I open my eyes and look at her- she looks worried. She sits up and I lift my head to look in the direction that she is and-

"What the-"

Shit.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS *THIS*, RAVEN?!"

16
~*~*~*~*~

"Rob-" Shit. What the hell do I *say*? What's appropriate for this situation? And "Why are you here?"

"For *nothing*, *obviously*," he says harshly.

"I… uh- better go…" Em says, reaching for his sweats.

"Yeah- ya think?" Rob says angrily.

"Hey!" I say. "Cut it out. *You're* the one who barged in on me without even *knocking*!"

"Oh! I'm sorry! Wasn't expecting to find you *sleeping* with the *enemy*!" He barks at me.

Marshall pulls his sweats on, grabs his boxers before throwing a robe at me. "Just… lemme know… what we're gonna do- today- about-"

"I will, sorry this-"

"No problem."

He slips out and I'm *really* surprised when he just leaves without a major thing- he could've said something to Rob or been a jerk…

"What the fuck, Raven?! You gonna explain yourself?"

"Explain *myself*?!"

^*^*^*^*^

I don't even *know* what I'm gonna tell Paul about this. He's gonna be *pissed*. *I'm* pissed.

Fuck- what were we thinkin' and what is he doin' here? I thought this was *her* deal…

<Ring. Ring.>

"Hello?"

<"Where have you been? I've been trying you for an hour now.">

"Kim- what's- is Hailie okay?"

<"She's fine. She just left for school.">

"Then what do you want? Now ain't the best time."

<"I thought I should… *we* should *talk* about what happened- what I said.">

"Oh." Right- I practically forgot about it. Or *wanted* to.

<"Marshall- I don't know why I said that.">

"Did you mean it?" I ask, sitting on the edge of the bed.

<"I- I'm not sure… exactly. Is that okay?">

"Well- why don't we just… deal with that once I get back? Ya know- just… I can't deal with it right now. Ya know?"

<"Yeah… fine."> I *hate* when women pull that- agreeing in word but not in tone. She's pissed off about something now.

"What's wrong?"

<"It's just… you never *can* deal with it-">

"Look- this… suit- it doesn't look like it's gonna go well. I'll probably be dragged into court and the press is gonna have a *field* day with it and I'm just- I can't deal with this over the phone with you, Kim."

<"God, you're right. I understand. I'm sorry- you're right. Focus on the suit right now and we'll… talk when you get back.">

"I'm sorry-"

<"No. It's okay. I really do understand. Right now- get this taken care of and we'll talk when you get back."> Well- at least *that's* gonna go alright.

"How's Hailie?"

<"Good. Went to bed later last night than I wanted, but she wanted to talk about lawsuits.">

"Yeah- I explained the difference between criminal and civil cases. She was afraid I was gonna go to jail when she heard about the lawsuit."

<"Yeah- she said as much. And of course, she had to tell me all about the pool.">

"Yeah- okay. I'ma shower and get ready to go. I'll call later? When she gets home?"

<"Okay. We'll talk later then. Try and have a good day?">

"I'll try- but it's not starting off well."

<"Bye.">

"Bye."

~*~*~*~*~

What the hell does he mean 'explain myself'?

"Yes. *Explain* yourself."

I pull the robe on before standing up. "Why don't *you* explain *yourself*, Rob. What are you doing here? What- coming to check up on me? Don't trust me?!" I can't believe the nerve of him!

"No. I came here to make sure you were okay, Raven. You were… *stuck*… in an *elevator*. I wanted to see for myself if you were okay- last night on the phone- you seemed really upset."

"Oh." Shit. He was being… *sweet*.

"What the hell were you thinking? Fucking him! GOD, Raven- what the fuck *were* you thinking? You just open your legs for anyone you think can help you?"

I slap his face. "How *dare* you?! Where do *you* get off, Rob?"

"Same place Eminem does, apparently."

"I think you need to *leave*. *Now*." God- this is a nightmare. He's hurt and angry and he's my boss, which is very bad. I cheated on my boss with a defendant. And I can't even blame it on alcohol or ruffies.

"No. I think I'll stay, thank you."

"Rob- I'm sorry, okay? I am. It was a mistake- I *know* that. A *bad* mistake. Things just got out of control and-"

"What? His *dick* fell in?! You gonna tell me you accidentally *fucked* him?"

"No. Okay? Yes. I had sex with him. But-" I clench my fists. Shit- I hate this. "It's not like we're exactly an *item*, Rob-"

"WHAT?!" He yells and he's *pissed*. "*NOT* an *ITEM*?! We've been together for *two* *years*. Two fucking *years*! That's not being an item?! What the fuck IS an item to you, Raven? God- have you been fucking anyone else these past two years? Been whoring yourself to who-"

"THAT'S IT, ROB! I am *not* a *whore*- okay? Yes. We've been having sex for two years- but that's it. We don't date. We don't order in and watch movies- FUCK, Rob- we don't even wake *up* next to each other."

"You never asked me to, Rae. You never said 'stay'."

Shit. I turn away from him and say, "Maybe I just never wanted you to." Fuck- we never *talked* about what was going on between us. Maybe I just… always kept thinking that once we *could* date, that we *would*. But maybe that was something in ever really wanted.

"Rae- what you are *saying*? Has it…" he sounds so hurt. I mean… he should. I *hurt* him. Not intentionally, but I did. "Has it meant nothing?"

"God- Rob, no," I turn around and look at him. He's less angry- more hurt. "Rob, no… it's… I mean- in the beginning and now… I really care about you. I mean- I have feelings for you, but-"

"You don't love me."

"Not the way you want me to. But you never said- you never asked to stay…"

"I thought you didn't want that- it was too dangerous… I don't know."

"Yeah," I say, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Me neither."

"So- now what? Do you *love* him?" He asks quietly.

"God no. It was just… I don't know. A moment of weakness? I don't know- something stupid. Just… chemical."

"Rae- tell me, honestly-" he falls to his knees in front of me. "Is there… *anything* here? Any *hope* of a future with us?"

I touch his face and look into his big brown eyes… god. "There used to be a time when I thought I could fall in love with these eyes, Rob. There was a time when I thought it could happen and maybe I was just fooling myself when I thought that I'd feel that way again."

"So there's… I mean- no hope?"

"I'm sorry," I say with a tear in my eye. It falls as his forehead falls into my lap and I just hold him.

17
-------------
^*^*^*^*^

I'm sitting here and I'm *starving*- but I thought I'd wait for- shit. There they are.

"Morning," I mutter when they both sit down at the table.

"Rob- did you eat on the plane?"

"Sort of- but let's order before we-"

~*~*~*~*~

To say this is awkward is to understate the blatantly obvious.

We order breakfast and sit in silence before Rob says, "Regardless of whatever… *personal* things are going on here- I think it's safe to assume, Raven, that you're off this case."

"Wh-" I start to protest, but really, why bother?

"Look, Raven. Jeff and John are bound to hear about this little… *fling*. Best to excuse yourself and not drag the firm through the mud *with* you."

"Hey- show her a little respect," Em says.

"Respect? Like *you* showed when you-"

"Please- stop. God…" I wipe my eyes. "Look- I'm sorry. This is my fault. I'll send my letter of resignation this morning, Rob. Don't worry."

"Resignation? Why?"

"Because- it's… forbidden to get involved with a case- personally. And obviously, I've-"

"I'm sure they would understand if you tell them-"

"No," I say. "No. It's… Rob, I've been- I mean- you *know* I've been unhappy lately- about the cases… about the work… and it wasn't just stress from you and me. I just… don't think it's the right thing for me."

"Raven… you're an excellent attorney- you shouldn't-"

"Rob- I have to find something that… sparks my interest… catches my attention- something I can be passionate about- like you are with *this*…"

^*^*^*^*^

He don't seem that angry at her any more. Wonder what was said…

But shit- if she's gone… and he blames *me*- then I'm *fucked*.

<Ring. Ring.> Oh- it's *his* phone. He excuses himself and heads toward the lobby.

"Are you okay?" I ask her as soon as he's gone.

"Oh- yeah. I'm… I mean- he was angry- obviously. But… we sorta worked it out- ya know- said what I should have a year ago. Look- I'm sorry- about the case. I don't…"

"What were you gonna do with it?"

"I thought if you could *see* and *talk* with kids who are misunderstanding your message, then perhaps you'd change your mind about endorsements. I thought maybe if you could *see* what's happening… Basically, I had an off-the-record conversation with Greg Jones, the president of PAVOL and he said perhaps the families were looking to get rich- but all he wanted was some recognition. I mean, it's not the families that are suing- it's PAVOL and GLAAD. The families are witnesses… for instances, if you will."

"What type of deal do you think you could make? I mean- I'm not gonna fuckin'… fix my lyrics or nuthin' for them. Ya know?"

"If *I* were in charge of this… I would get you and them in a room and facilitate a deal. Perhaps a few interviews… appearances… I'd get you to write a rap for commercials, for an anti-hate campaign."

Shit- I don't wanna *do* that. I don't wanna *justify* myself. "It's just… entertainment."

"I get it, Marshall. I do. But… Rob is *good* and only cares about the money pay-off. And I'm sure they'd take money- but what are they gonna do with money? Make programs to educate- isn't that what you want anyway?"

~*~*~*~*~

I move my chair closer to his and say, "Now's the time, Marshall. Your movie was a huge success, the soundtrack is huge, your album was bigger- you're at an all time high and people are wondering: what's next? People are wondering why *you* are mainstream now, they're wondering why they should trust you as a public figure… Why not show them you're not all bad? God… why not invest a bit into your fans' futures? No one's gonna buy your shit if they're killing each other."

"If I say I was wrong- then I'm a hypocrite. Don't you get that? I'm not gonna *lie* and say I was wrong and I'm sorry when I'm *not*."

"Then I would work that into the settlement- that it's not an admission of guilt or innocence, just someone wanting to help a good cause. *OR* you settle for fifteen or twenty million and be done with it. Either way- you have to decide what is most important to you."

"My *daughter* is most important."

"Well- then you have to think… what world do you want her growing up in and how can you make it that way, for *her* sake?" I stand up and say, "I'm gonna put our appointments on hold for today. Why don't you take today to think and I'll see if I can stall Rob or work something out… okay?"

^*^*^*^*^

I grab her hand before she leaves. "Why do you *care*?" I ask her.

She shrugs and says, "I guess… 'cause despite what an *ass* you are, I think you're a pretty decent guy deep down."

"So… um… last night-"

"Last night was beautiful," she says and pulls her hand away from me before saying, "And it will never happen again."

And then she walks away and for some reason… I believe her.

18
-------------
~*~*~*~*~

<"So… what exactly is going on?">

"Well, Mr. Jones, I just-" Shit. I *know* this is wrong. I shouldn't be talking to him now. But- "Quite frankly- I think you and I both want to see the same thing from this case."

<"And what is that, Ms. Warner?">

"I think you want to *do* something about the situation instead of just getting rich from it. Mr. Mathers and I came to Miami to meet with a couple of the families that have been affected by his lyrics. Unfortunately, some personal circumstances are going to cut our trip extremely short, but in the course of the flight- we spoke, in great depth about the impact of lyrics on kids. I think I may be able to get him to agree to do some endorsements of your organization and your message."

<"And what makes you think I'd want that, Ms. Warner?">

Okay- here I go again. "Because, Sir, with all due respect- yes. You have a case here. Kids certainly have been affected by his lyrics, but you hired our firm because we're pit bulls in these cases. Correct? Well, Mr. Jones, if I were *his* pit bull- I'd put up every expert on sociology that I could find. I'd call anyone who could say that what's doing this to our kids is lack of parental attention and changing societal values. And then- I'd put Mr. Mathers up on the stand to talk about how horrible his upbringing was and what a good father he is to his own kid."

I pause a second, for affect, and then add, "And you know what, Mr. Jones? For never having graduated, the man is *intelligent* and *articulate* about why *exactly* his lyrics are not the cause of this problem and I have to say, I agree with him. And if *I* do, your own attorney, chances are a judge will. And that's not even pausing to *consider* the freedom of speech that we enjoy in this country."

Another pause and then, "I'll give you a few minutes to think it over." I hang the phone up and "YEAH!" I DID it. I *am* good.

-------------
^*^*^*^*^

<"WHAT?! ARE YOU FUCKIN' CRAZY, MARSHALL?!">

I knew he would take it bad. "Calm down, Paul."

<"CALM DOWN?! WHAT THE FUCK- I *TOLD* YOU… GOD- How the *hell* am I supposed to make this better if you keeping makin' it WORSE?!">

"She still thinks she may be able to work out a deal of some kind…"

<"A DEAL?! What would that be? You… you fucked their attorney. I doubt they'll be really into a deal with you when you just *proved* what they thought about you to begin with!">

"Just… try to relax until I hear from her."

<"Well- are you gonna be together now? What's goin' on there? I thought things were improving with Kim…">

"They were- they are. It's… complicated…"

<"Em- everything *about* you is complicated.">

"Just try and think positive until you hear from me. Okay?"

<"Yeah. Okay.">

I hang the phone up and sit back in the bed. God- how come things are so *fucked* right now? 'Cause I couldn't keep my dick in my pants.

-------------
~*~*~*~*~

"Okay, Mr. Jones… just so we're clear- our firm has your authorization to go to his attorney and negotiate a deal based on what we've discussed. Correct?" Even though, ethically- I have no right to do this… I'm technically off this case and I certainly have no right to authorize any type of deal… plus I'm really persuading my client into a deal they didn't really want by threatening them… But isn't this better, in the long run?

<"Yes. You do, Ms. Warner and I… I'm feeling really good about this.">

"You are?" I ask, not really meaning to sound so… surprised. "After I twisted your arm into it?"

<"Well- the ideas you have, regarding the actual program… you're a very intelligent young woman. I'd love to ha