TURNABOUT IS FAIRPLAY

Author: Rosie

E-mail: Rosiiii@aol.com

Summary: Holidaze Challenge using the words, ornate flask, riot and
full moon.

 
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"Damn her!" Clay Sims, criminal defense attorney par excellance, muttered, as
he pulled from the breast pocket of his Armani jacket, an ornate flask filled
with the finest tequila money could buy.

He tilted it towards his lips, and savored the sweet peppery taste swallowing
slowly. It was torture seeing Sadie in the halls, watching her socialize
with others while she avoided him like the plague. If they had to do work
together, she was professional and concise, never saying more than what was 
needed.
His eyes would watch her hungrily, when she wasn't looking, but he was careful
to not let his co-workers see the yearning as his gaze trailed after her.

Remembering her easy smiles, jokes, and passionate intensity when they were
together, made it even more painful for Clay watching her slender, yet curvy
form as she clicked through the halls of F&F, ignoring him for the most part.

"Damn Nick Fallin!" he said, his utterance preceding another gulp of liquid
gold Chinaco. If it weren't for that spoiled rich boy, and his mutual consent
forms, they wouldn't be in this mess. Fallin had successfully gained one of
the best attorneys in Pittsburgh by hiring Sadie - and then in one fell swoop,
ruined the love life of one, Clay Sims, he thought bitterly. Nice work.

Fallin probably had no compunction, Clay mused, because it was rumored Nick
didn't have much of a life himself. Between his community service and the
hours he put in at F&F, he had to easily clock 60-80 hours a week. Jesus! Clay
shuddered at the thought of working that hard and that long on a weekly basis.

The poor sap. Clay almost didn't blame him for casually decimating his
relationship. Almost.

He supposed putting in 20-25 hours at a Legal Services Clinic would make
anyone a bastard extraordinaire, so it was a wonder Nick Fallin wasn't out in 
the
streets causing riots, with the terrible hand he had been dealt. Then again,
the rich prick could be in jail, Clay snickered.

Speaking of hours, it was already after 6:30 pm. It was late fall, and
already the Pittsburgh nighttime sky, seen through his office window, was as 
clear
and black as obsidian. It held a smattering of stars. The full moon shone so
bright, he almost didn't need the warm lamplight in his office.

He unwound his long frame from the couch in his office, tucked his flask back
in his pocket, and ran his fingers through his dark hair. Walking over to
the window to let in some fresh air, he stretched, then inhaled deeply. Time to
hit the bricks.

Clay glanced in Burton's office. Yup, the old dude was still here. Nicholas
Fallin was scheduled to roll in at anytime. Nick seemed to be back and forth
between his two jobs several times a day, and usually ended up at F&F around
6:45 where he spent just an hour or so, before he to, called it a night.
Shaking his head, he had to admire the guy on some level he couldn't name. Oh 
yeah,
it was the 'working yourself into an early grave,' level.

He glanced over in the waiting area, where much to his surprise an incredibly
beautiful young woman, was curled up reading a magazine, one small pump had
fallen off a slender foot, and one hand was propping up her delicate chin.

Clay immediately put on the brakes. If his Gucci shoes had had speakers
attached, a halting screech would have been heard.

She had a very dark pixie haircut and high cheek bones - her eyes were
obscured by incredibly long smoky lashes that lay against her cheeks as she read
intently. She gently bit her full red bottom lip, in concentration, and Clay,
felt his heart pick up and beat double time. He put on his best, most charming
face and walked over to the pretty lady.

"Hello there, may I help you?" Clay inquired with a smile that would melt
butter, pouring it on.

"Oh!" Lulu looked up startled, her hand to her chest.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to spook you," Clay laughed good-naturedly.

"Oh no, that's okay - I was a bit engrossed and didn't hear you come up,"
Lulu smiled back, dimples showing.

"I'm Clay Sims, an attorney here at F&F, please to meet you," Clay held out
his hand, and Lulu placed hers in his, shaking it in greeting, "Lulu Archer,
likewise."

"You're here pretty late, I'm sure a beautiful young woman like you has much
better places to be on a Friday night," Clay remarked smoothly.

Lulu acknowledged the compliment with a warm smile, "Actually, I'm waiting
for Nicholas Fallin," she said.

Clay joked, "Damn, some guys have all the luck."

"You think so, huh?" Lulu said amused, still smiling.

"Oh yeah," Clay nodded definitively, and admiringly. "Well..uh...if you're
ever in need of a defense attorney..."

"I'll try not to be --" Lulu interrupted, laughing.

"Or if Nick Fallin's legal advice proves wanting...not that I'm going against
my employer mind you.." Clay inserted smoothly and devilishly.

"Oh, of course not," Lulu pretended to be serious, then an easy smile broke
through. "I'm actually not here on business," she added.

"Oh?" Clay inquired, preparing to probe deeper, like the brilliant attorney
he was, but then caught himself for being a snoop. Could this woman and Nick
Fallin possibly be...?

"Lulu?" Nick said several feet away, walking up with a small frown on his
face. As he had come through the office doors, he had heard the unmistakable
sound of Lulu's tinkling laughter, and was a bit taken aback when he saw Sims 
the
shark, honing in on her. A vein had immediately started to throb at his
temple.

Everything about Nick's body language, clearly had a 'what's going on here,'
vibe to it, it was apparent to both Clay and Lulu.

Nick a bit peeved, glanced at Sims as he approached the pair, and then went
quickly back to Lulu. Seeing the flash of warning in her eyes, for this bit of
anti-social behavior, he amended and corrected quickly, saying "Hi," and
pressing his lips together in a tight smile for them both.

Lulu had a vague look of loving consternation on her face. Clay
fascinatingly watched Nick Fallin look away sheepishly, then back at her, 
conceding to her
warning. The net effect was as good as a smack on the nose with a newspaper,
thought Clay humorously.

The only woman who came close to training him that well, was Sadie he thought
with heavy heart. He had loved it too.

Yep, Ol' Robitron Fallin, was good and hooked, he smirked. Will wonders never
cease? It felt good making the boy King a bit nervous, he'd have to make a
habit of it.

Clay slapped Nick on the shoulder, and winked at Lulu. "It was a pleasure
Lulu, hope to see you again sometime."

"Bye," said Lulu smiling.

Nick muttered distractedly, "Uh, yeah...goodnight."

Clay walked out, glancing back over his shoulder to see the two kiss in
greeting.

He started whistling and jangling his keys as he made his way down to street
level. You better treat that little lady right Fallin, he thought, because if
you slip, I'll be right there to scoop her up in a New York minute.

"Luluuuuu," he exhaled into the cool night air, a devilish look in his eye.

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Rosiiii :-)