The More Things Change (Law & Order: UK)
Title: The More Things Change
Author: Persiflage_1
Characters/Pairings: Alesha/James, George
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: 4.06 Skeletons
Summary: James finds himself on trial.
Disclaimer: ITV owns Law & Order: UK
Author Notes: Cosdarnit, I wanted that kiss!
~~~~~~
When George tells James that the missing witness statement definitely came into the CPS offices he's excited: now he has a chance to work out who was here then, and which receptionist received the package. He ignores George's attempts to tell him that it's too late, and hurries out into the corridor, intending to talk to the receptionists. Seeing Matt and Ronnie waiting, however, his steps slow and his brain falters as he recognises their stances and the expressions on their faces. He listens in disbelief as Matt recites his rights, and he looks imploringly at Ronnie, who looks sorrowful but determined.
Being 'banged up' is no fun, even if it is only a temporary situation until he can get bail; he's relieved to see Alesha in court for the bail hearing, and even more relieved that Judge Richards isn't relishing the situation. Cain, however, is, and James wonders what he ever did to the younger man for him to take such delight in this.
As he works to get all the information he needs to build his case, James misses Alesha badly, though he tries not to think of her too much; she's such a little terrier when it comes to digging out information and he could do with such help now. Eventually he realises that he will have to enlist her help since he cannot get back into the office to get the list of receptionists and he badly needs that information.
He sees her standing by the phone boxes where he'd arranged to meet her, looking windswept and harassed, and the sight of her is like a shot of whiskey to his system: refreshing him, and putting a fire in his belly. He takes the list of dates from his trouser pocket and, ignoring her questions about how he's doing, explains quickly and furtively what he needs.
"James, I'm not allowed near our office," Alesha protests, holding up her hands in an attempt to hold him off. "I'm not sure that I can."
He feels a surge of desperate anger - not at Alesha, but at Cain, because James knows he's the reason why Alesha's been kicked out of their office.
"Please, this is really important," he pleads quietly. "I need to find out who was in the office when that evidence came in."
"James, I - " she begins again.
He takes her left wrist in his hand as he puts the list of dates into her hand. "It's my only hope. I wouldn't ask you otherwise," he tells her, folding his hands over hers, then tears himself away before he can do or say anything else: he has to remain focused on dealing with this charge, much as he longs to spend time with Alesha.
He strides off, well aware of the enormity of what he's just asked her to do: if Cain were to find out she'd probably be charged too, and she'd almost certainly be suspended or fired, but she's the only person who can help him with this. He knows she cares deeply about him, just as he cares deeply about her - they've been through so much together in the last couple of years, and their loyalty to each other is absolute.
[Wed 4 May]
On the third day of the trial, when Alesha takes the witness stand for Cain to question her, James feels proud of the determination he sees in her body language and expression: he knows Cain will do his best to rattle her, to undermine him in her eyes, but he feels confident that she won't let him succeed. When Cain asks her if he's ever asked her to do anything dishonest or make her feel compromised in the eyes of the law, he can't help holding his breath, but Alesha gives him a long look before saying 'No' in a very firm voice, and James silently breathes a sigh of relief.
When Claudia Martin takes the stand, James listens attentively, wondering just how much Cain knows about her. He watches her for a long moment after Cain's finished asking his questions, then decides that he's going to have to be as ruthless to himself as he is to everyone else he's ever cross-examined. He's painfully aware of Alesha, sitting on the benches behind him, and he's sure that she's not going to be impressed by what she's about to hear, but he has to do this in order to prove his case, to show that he would never pervert the course of justice.
"Is it true you were having an affair with the defendant during that time?"
He hears Cain's shocked query of when this happened, and feels slightly smug that it's as much news to Cain as it is to Alesha; he doesn't dare to look around to gauge her level of surprise: he can explain later, all that matters now is to put Martin on the back foot and keep her there. He peppers her with questions, determined to make the jury realise that her evidence isn't reliable, but even as he does it he can feel Alesha's eyes boring into him, and he knows that she will be unhappy about what he's doing. When Martin mentions that he was cheating on his wife by having the affair with her James feels the old familiar stab of guilt, but he thrusts it to the back of his mind, knowing he must stay focused.
After Judge Richards ends the day's session, James heads outside to the spot where he's arranged to meet Alesha; he's hoping she's got all the information he needs about the receptionists who were at the CPS six years ago. He stands and stares across the road, watching the city he's sworn to keep safe, until he hears Alesha's footsteps approaching.
"Did you get it?" he asks anxiously.
She doesn't answer, just lifts the flap on her familiar red leather bag and delves inside, and he practically snatches the envelope she holds out to him.
"Thank you." He begins flicking through the files inside, looking at the names. "Is this everything? All the receptionists?"
Alesha doesn't answer and he looks up to see her staring at him, arms folded and a stern expression on her face.
"What?" he asks, even though he knows why she's giving him that look.
"You really will do anything to win, won't you?" she asks, frowning.
He frowns in his turn, then sighs. "I had to discredit her evidence against me," he explains. Alesha knows this, and he knows that she knows, but he also knows why she's asking.
"So, she was just collateral damage?"
He hardens his tone and expression, though he really wants to take Alesha by the hand and talk to her at length. "Yeah," he says harshly. She gives a little nod and he holds up the envelope. "Thank you." He stalks away before he can change his mind; he hates this case - it's threatening to tear apart their friendship and working relationship in ways that are far worse than what Merrick did to them, but he can't afford to take the time to talk to Alesha at length - he needs to go through this list and track down the receptionists as quickly as possible since he's doing all his own legwork.
[Wed 11 May]
On the eighth day of the trial James has to take the witness stand and Cain starts by asking him what his success rate is, as if anyone keeps score. As he begins to explain what drives him, James is aware that Alesha is sitting at the back of the court again, listening intently to his words, and he hopes she'll take his words to heart. When Cain brings up the Merrick case, however, he abruptly wishes she wasn't there and he's coldly furious with Cain for mentioning it, especially since he knows that Cain must know that Alesha was the one who brought the case. He has to struggle to control his anger and to answer calmly; it's not easy, but losing his temper will not help his case.
Later, when Cain tells him that his walls came tumbling down, he feels a tear slide down his cheek and he hangs his head, fighting to keep control; it's not guilt, because he knows that he didn't bury that evidence, that he never saw the Hunter statement in the first place, but he's beginning to feel desperate because he still can't prove that: he's only been able to get in touch with half of the receptionists on his list and he's aware that he's rapidly running out of time to talk to the others.
Two days later, however, he's ready to call Sally Anne Hope to the witness stand, and his confidence is back in full. He's amused to see Cain is confused as to Sally Anne's identity, and smirks as the prosecutor goes into a whispered consultation with his colleagues: he knows he hasn't won yet, although her evidence is compelling, but he can't stop himself from feeling a bit gleeful at having wrong-footed Cain again.
* * * * * *
The verdict's in and James is a free man, but as he stands in George's office, looking out of the window at the dark London skyline, he knows that some things have changed irrevocably.
"Can't blame yourself, James. We can only do what we believe is right," the older man says as he moves to join James at the window.
"I should have known," he answers, because he should have realised that Martin would literally have done anything for him, including deleting evidence. He knew, six years ago, that she was obsessed with him, so he should have known she was capable of doing such a thing.
"Where's Alesha?" He had exchanged a relieved look with her and George after the jury had given their verdict, but she wasn't waiting for him outside the courtroom when he and George left, and he hasn't seen her since they got back to the office. He strongly suspects that she's still angry with him.
"Down in the Paralegals' office, unless she's gone home for the night." George picks up his phone and after a moment he speaks. "Is Alesha still with you Pam, or has she already gone home?" There's a pause while Pam answers. "Could you ask her to come up to my office, please?" He replaces the receiver.
The two men remain standing at the window, each silently busy with their thoughts. James wonders if George can guess what's coming - he suspects that he might since George knows him well.
They both turn when they hear Alesha's footsteps pause at the door.
"Come in," George invites her, gesturing to his leather sofas, where they've sat and consulted so often.
Alesha sits down, a rather wary expression on her face, and James joins her, leaving a space between them although he'd rather not; he wants to take comfort from her closeness, but it's not something he can do right now.
"I'm going to resign," he tells them, and notes that George doesn't look surprised.
"Why?" asks Alesha, who is obviously very surprised. "You were acquitted."
"Yes I was, but I have had my judgement called into question, my reputation dragged through the mud, and I've been made to look like an idiot who trusts his colleagues too much." He hears Alesha's sharp intake of breath and he turns to her. "There are some very uncharitable people around who, knowing how closely we work together, will wonder about your trustworthiness as much as they'll wonder about mine, and I'm not going to have your career ruined by association with me."
"But - " Alesha begins, obviously hoping to talk him out of it.
"Alesha." He says her name softly and she stops talking, looking at him with a pleading expression. "I've made up my mind."
She swallows, then nods, and he can see that she's hurt, but he can't think of anything to say that will make it better. He looks across at George. "Can you arrange a press conference, please?"
"Of course," he answers. "If that's what you want." James nods and George turns to Alesha. "Cain's gone, so you can move back into your office whenever you're ready."
She looks from George to James, then gets to her feet and moves past James. The fingertips of her right hand brush lightly over his knee as she passes, and he swallows down the impulse to call her back, to tell them both that he's changed his mind. Instead he reminds himself that three children are dead because he prosecuted the wrong man.
"Look after her," James says to George as they get to their feet in turn. "She's going to be stellar." The older man smiles. "Find her a good lead, someone who won't be afraid to nurture her talents."
"I'll do my best," George says. "What will you do now?"
James shrugs. "Don't know, yet. Enjoy some time off."
"You should go and see Ethan," George suggests.
"I should."
"I'll let you know when the press conference is arranged." James nods and they shake hands before he leaves.
* * * * * *
After the press conference is over, James turns to Alesha. "Can we meet somewhere? There are things we need to talk about."
"This evening, after I finish work?" she suggests, and when he nods, she adds, "Queen's Walk, as usual."
He can't help smiling a little at that. "Yes." They've walked that route so many times during the time they worked together, thrashing out details of their cases, or simply stretching their legs and getting some fresher air.
"I'll see you there about six," she says.
He agrees, thinking that it's going to be a long day, yet aware that no matter how long he has to prepare, it's still not going to be long enough for what he suspects will be a difficult conversation.
* * * * * *
At 5.55pm James is waiting on Queen's Walk, looking directly across at the London Eye, when he hears footsteps, and half turning, sees Alesha coming towards him.
"Hello," he says softly.
"Hi." She comes to stand beside him and rests her hands on the stone balustrade on which James is leaning.
"Thanks for agreeing to meet me," he says. "I know you want to get off home, so I won't keep you long." He turns to face her properly, and sees curiosity in her eyes, but no condemnation as yet. "I'm not proud of the fact that I had an affair with Claudia Martin," he says.
"You don't have to apologise to me," Alesha says quickly.
"No, but I do feel that I owe you an explanation." He rubs a hand over his face. "I was flattered by her attention, and of course we were working very long hours, so I wasn't seeing much of my family. Ethan was always asleep by the time I got home, and often he wasn't up yet by the time I left for work."
"Claudia said you were working eighteen hour days," she observes.
He nods. "We were, and we'd often go into the office on a Saturday too." He glances at her, then looks back out over the river. "That's when it started. We were there one Saturday, soon after I took on the case, and there was almost no one else in, and once the last person went home - " He breaks off to shrug helplessly. "I was like putty in her hands." His tone is rueful.
"She seduced you?"
James sighs. "I let her. Like I said, I was flattered since she was young and pretty. She was also very much a rising star, like you."
"I would never - " Alesha begins.
"I know," he says, interrupting quickly. "I'm not saying you would. But Claudia saw nothing wrong in using me to help further her career."
"Was she very ambitious?"
He nods. "She wanted my job in due course, and she was hoping to take silk very quickly as well."
Alesha's eyebrows rise in surprise. "That is ambitious," she says.
"I know. I believe she hoped that having an affair with me would further her ambitions, and that was the real reason she felt betrayed when I ended it. It wasn't because she'd told me that she loved me and I ended it anyway, it's because doing so thwarted her ambitions."
Alesha shakes her head. "Never rely on a man to further your ambitions, you'll never succeed." James winces but finds he can't argue with her point of view. She looks up at him, and grimaces slightly. "Sorry."
"Don't apologise," he says. "You make a valid point. I'm sorry my half of the race is unreliable."
She laughs slightly. "I'll forgive you."
"Will you?"
She looks up at him as he watches her apprehensively. "I can forgive you for the way you treated Claudia on the witness stand," she says. "What you and she did six years ago is no business of mine because I never knew you then."
He gives her a half smile. "Thank you."
"Shall we walk?" she suggests.
He nods and they set off along the Walk. He longs to hold her hand, or even to hold her and pull her into a kiss, but at the moment he doesn't quite have the nerve.
"What will you do now?" asks Alesha as they stroll beneath the blue lights.
James shrugs. "I don't know. I can't go back to defending people. I did consider the police force." He's interrupted by her giggles. "What?" he asks defensively.
"Can you imagine Matt's face?" she chokes out.
James smirks. "Actually, I can." They walk a little further, both laughing now.
"It's weird, coming to work and you're not there," she says.
They come to a stop. "You'll get used to it," he says as lightly as he can, smiling. "Bet you'll have forgotten I was even there in a few weeks." I'll never be able to forget you, though, he thinks.
"Don't be silly," she tells him. "It'll be a few days, once I've cleared your desk out." She laughs, but it sounds forced now, and his own chuckle is insincere.
They stand looking at each other, and he decides it's now or never. "Alesha." He wonders if she can hear the wealth of longing in his voice as he says her name and she looks up at him expectantly. He remembers the old adage about actions and words, and dips his head to kiss her gently on the mouth. To his relief she responds, her lips parting slightly, and he brings up a hand to cup the back of her head as he deepens the kiss until they're both breathless.
"James." He knows he's not imagining the desire in her voice. Then her mobile phone rings, and she frowns at the screen. "It's Matt," she says. "Give me a minute?" He nods and she walks a few paces away, her tone low; he wills himself to relax and breathe calmly although the intensity of their first kiss has left him aching for more.
After a few moments, Alesha walks back to join him, slipping her phone back into her pocket.
"Okay?" he asks, trying to sound casual, and hoping it's not a call to return to work.
She nods, her eyes fixed on his and he feels crestfallen. "So, you have to go then?" He wonders if he sounds as disappointed as he feels.
Alesha laughs. "No, silly. He was asking me to go for a drink with him." She sobers. "I think he's finally decided to try his luck now that you're out of the picture, as he believes."
"What did you say?" asks James curiously.
"I told him that I already had a hot date for tonight," she answers, giving him a very seductive smile before stretching up on tiptoes to kiss him again.
When she releases him, James feels quite dazed. "I - I think we'd better go somewhere less public," he manages, wondering if he's going to make it back to either his flat or hers without combusting first.
Alesha gives him a very knowing look, and smirks. "My place?" she suggests. "It's a bit nearer after all."
"Yes." He feels another surge of desire when she slips her hand into his and squeezes his fingers.
"I'm glad you wanted to talk," she says as they make their way down to the Underground platform. "I was a bit worried that you'd take the whole 'I must be noble and fall on my sword' thing too far."
He gives her a surprised look. "Is that how you see it?" he asks. "That I resigned from a sense of nobility?"
She shakes her head. "When I thought about it, I wasn't surprised that you'd decided to resign. But it would have been too noble of you to decide to disappear from my life altogether."
"I couldn't," he says honestly. "I've wanted to be with you for so long. And at least now, there's no conflict of interest."
"Oh, so that's the real reason for your resignation, is it?" she teases, wrapping her arms around him and looking up into his face. "So you can finally shag me?"
Their shared laughter echoes around the platform, and James realises that despite everything, he's happier now than he's been in a long time.
Author: Persiflage_1
Characters/Pairings: Alesha/James, George
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: 4.06 Skeletons
Summary: James finds himself on trial.
Disclaimer: ITV owns Law & Order: UK
Author Notes: Cosdarnit, I wanted that kiss!
~~~~~~
When George tells James that the missing witness statement definitely came into the CPS offices he's excited: now he has a chance to work out who was here then, and which receptionist received the package. He ignores George's attempts to tell him that it's too late, and hurries out into the corridor, intending to talk to the receptionists. Seeing Matt and Ronnie waiting, however, his steps slow and his brain falters as he recognises their stances and the expressions on their faces. He listens in disbelief as Matt recites his rights, and he looks imploringly at Ronnie, who looks sorrowful but determined.
Being 'banged up' is no fun, even if it is only a temporary situation until he can get bail; he's relieved to see Alesha in court for the bail hearing, and even more relieved that Judge Richards isn't relishing the situation. Cain, however, is, and James wonders what he ever did to the younger man for him to take such delight in this.
As he works to get all the information he needs to build his case, James misses Alesha badly, though he tries not to think of her too much; she's such a little terrier when it comes to digging out information and he could do with such help now. Eventually he realises that he will have to enlist her help since he cannot get back into the office to get the list of receptionists and he badly needs that information.
He sees her standing by the phone boxes where he'd arranged to meet her, looking windswept and harassed, and the sight of her is like a shot of whiskey to his system: refreshing him, and putting a fire in his belly. He takes the list of dates from his trouser pocket and, ignoring her questions about how he's doing, explains quickly and furtively what he needs.
"James, I'm not allowed near our office," Alesha protests, holding up her hands in an attempt to hold him off. "I'm not sure that I can."
He feels a surge of desperate anger - not at Alesha, but at Cain, because James knows he's the reason why Alesha's been kicked out of their office.
"Please, this is really important," he pleads quietly. "I need to find out who was in the office when that evidence came in."
"James, I - " she begins again.
He takes her left wrist in his hand as he puts the list of dates into her hand. "It's my only hope. I wouldn't ask you otherwise," he tells her, folding his hands over hers, then tears himself away before he can do or say anything else: he has to remain focused on dealing with this charge, much as he longs to spend time with Alesha.
He strides off, well aware of the enormity of what he's just asked her to do: if Cain were to find out she'd probably be charged too, and she'd almost certainly be suspended or fired, but she's the only person who can help him with this. He knows she cares deeply about him, just as he cares deeply about her - they've been through so much together in the last couple of years, and their loyalty to each other is absolute.
[Wed 4 May]
On the third day of the trial, when Alesha takes the witness stand for Cain to question her, James feels proud of the determination he sees in her body language and expression: he knows Cain will do his best to rattle her, to undermine him in her eyes, but he feels confident that she won't let him succeed. When Cain asks her if he's ever asked her to do anything dishonest or make her feel compromised in the eyes of the law, he can't help holding his breath, but Alesha gives him a long look before saying 'No' in a very firm voice, and James silently breathes a sigh of relief.
When Claudia Martin takes the stand, James listens attentively, wondering just how much Cain knows about her. He watches her for a long moment after Cain's finished asking his questions, then decides that he's going to have to be as ruthless to himself as he is to everyone else he's ever cross-examined. He's painfully aware of Alesha, sitting on the benches behind him, and he's sure that she's not going to be impressed by what she's about to hear, but he has to do this in order to prove his case, to show that he would never pervert the course of justice.
"Is it true you were having an affair with the defendant during that time?"
He hears Cain's shocked query of when this happened, and feels slightly smug that it's as much news to Cain as it is to Alesha; he doesn't dare to look around to gauge her level of surprise: he can explain later, all that matters now is to put Martin on the back foot and keep her there. He peppers her with questions, determined to make the jury realise that her evidence isn't reliable, but even as he does it he can feel Alesha's eyes boring into him, and he knows that she will be unhappy about what he's doing. When Martin mentions that he was cheating on his wife by having the affair with her James feels the old familiar stab of guilt, but he thrusts it to the back of his mind, knowing he must stay focused.
After Judge Richards ends the day's session, James heads outside to the spot where he's arranged to meet Alesha; he's hoping she's got all the information he needs about the receptionists who were at the CPS six years ago. He stands and stares across the road, watching the city he's sworn to keep safe, until he hears Alesha's footsteps approaching.
"Did you get it?" he asks anxiously.
She doesn't answer, just lifts the flap on her familiar red leather bag and delves inside, and he practically snatches the envelope she holds out to him.
"Thank you." He begins flicking through the files inside, looking at the names. "Is this everything? All the receptionists?"
Alesha doesn't answer and he looks up to see her staring at him, arms folded and a stern expression on her face.
"What?" he asks, even though he knows why she's giving him that look.
"You really will do anything to win, won't you?" she asks, frowning.
He frowns in his turn, then sighs. "I had to discredit her evidence against me," he explains. Alesha knows this, and he knows that she knows, but he also knows why she's asking.
"So, she was just collateral damage?"
He hardens his tone and expression, though he really wants to take Alesha by the hand and talk to her at length. "Yeah," he says harshly. She gives a little nod and he holds up the envelope. "Thank you." He stalks away before he can change his mind; he hates this case - it's threatening to tear apart their friendship and working relationship in ways that are far worse than what Merrick did to them, but he can't afford to take the time to talk to Alesha at length - he needs to go through this list and track down the receptionists as quickly as possible since he's doing all his own legwork.
[Wed 11 May]
On the eighth day of the trial James has to take the witness stand and Cain starts by asking him what his success rate is, as if anyone keeps score. As he begins to explain what drives him, James is aware that Alesha is sitting at the back of the court again, listening intently to his words, and he hopes she'll take his words to heart. When Cain brings up the Merrick case, however, he abruptly wishes she wasn't there and he's coldly furious with Cain for mentioning it, especially since he knows that Cain must know that Alesha was the one who brought the case. He has to struggle to control his anger and to answer calmly; it's not easy, but losing his temper will not help his case.
Later, when Cain tells him that his walls came tumbling down, he feels a tear slide down his cheek and he hangs his head, fighting to keep control; it's not guilt, because he knows that he didn't bury that evidence, that he never saw the Hunter statement in the first place, but he's beginning to feel desperate because he still can't prove that: he's only been able to get in touch with half of the receptionists on his list and he's aware that he's rapidly running out of time to talk to the others.
Two days later, however, he's ready to call Sally Anne Hope to the witness stand, and his confidence is back in full. He's amused to see Cain is confused as to Sally Anne's identity, and smirks as the prosecutor goes into a whispered consultation with his colleagues: he knows he hasn't won yet, although her evidence is compelling, but he can't stop himself from feeling a bit gleeful at having wrong-footed Cain again.
* * * * * *
The verdict's in and James is a free man, but as he stands in George's office, looking out of the window at the dark London skyline, he knows that some things have changed irrevocably.
"Can't blame yourself, James. We can only do what we believe is right," the older man says as he moves to join James at the window.
"I should have known," he answers, because he should have realised that Martin would literally have done anything for him, including deleting evidence. He knew, six years ago, that she was obsessed with him, so he should have known she was capable of doing such a thing.
"Where's Alesha?" He had exchanged a relieved look with her and George after the jury had given their verdict, but she wasn't waiting for him outside the courtroom when he and George left, and he hasn't seen her since they got back to the office. He strongly suspects that she's still angry with him.
"Down in the Paralegals' office, unless she's gone home for the night." George picks up his phone and after a moment he speaks. "Is Alesha still with you Pam, or has she already gone home?" There's a pause while Pam answers. "Could you ask her to come up to my office, please?" He replaces the receiver.
The two men remain standing at the window, each silently busy with their thoughts. James wonders if George can guess what's coming - he suspects that he might since George knows him well.
They both turn when they hear Alesha's footsteps pause at the door.
"Come in," George invites her, gesturing to his leather sofas, where they've sat and consulted so often.
Alesha sits down, a rather wary expression on her face, and James joins her, leaving a space between them although he'd rather not; he wants to take comfort from her closeness, but it's not something he can do right now.
"I'm going to resign," he tells them, and notes that George doesn't look surprised.
"Why?" asks Alesha, who is obviously very surprised. "You were acquitted."
"Yes I was, but I have had my judgement called into question, my reputation dragged through the mud, and I've been made to look like an idiot who trusts his colleagues too much." He hears Alesha's sharp intake of breath and he turns to her. "There are some very uncharitable people around who, knowing how closely we work together, will wonder about your trustworthiness as much as they'll wonder about mine, and I'm not going to have your career ruined by association with me."
"But - " Alesha begins, obviously hoping to talk him out of it.
"Alesha." He says her name softly and she stops talking, looking at him with a pleading expression. "I've made up my mind."
She swallows, then nods, and he can see that she's hurt, but he can't think of anything to say that will make it better. He looks across at George. "Can you arrange a press conference, please?"
"Of course," he answers. "If that's what you want." James nods and George turns to Alesha. "Cain's gone, so you can move back into your office whenever you're ready."
She looks from George to James, then gets to her feet and moves past James. The fingertips of her right hand brush lightly over his knee as she passes, and he swallows down the impulse to call her back, to tell them both that he's changed his mind. Instead he reminds himself that three children are dead because he prosecuted the wrong man.
"Look after her," James says to George as they get to their feet in turn. "She's going to be stellar." The older man smiles. "Find her a good lead, someone who won't be afraid to nurture her talents."
"I'll do my best," George says. "What will you do now?"
James shrugs. "Don't know, yet. Enjoy some time off."
"You should go and see Ethan," George suggests.
"I should."
"I'll let you know when the press conference is arranged." James nods and they shake hands before he leaves.
* * * * * *
After the press conference is over, James turns to Alesha. "Can we meet somewhere? There are things we need to talk about."
"This evening, after I finish work?" she suggests, and when he nods, she adds, "Queen's Walk, as usual."
He can't help smiling a little at that. "Yes." They've walked that route so many times during the time they worked together, thrashing out details of their cases, or simply stretching their legs and getting some fresher air.
"I'll see you there about six," she says.
He agrees, thinking that it's going to be a long day, yet aware that no matter how long he has to prepare, it's still not going to be long enough for what he suspects will be a difficult conversation.
* * * * * *
At 5.55pm James is waiting on Queen's Walk, looking directly across at the London Eye, when he hears footsteps, and half turning, sees Alesha coming towards him.
"Hello," he says softly.
"Hi." She comes to stand beside him and rests her hands on the stone balustrade on which James is leaning.
"Thanks for agreeing to meet me," he says. "I know you want to get off home, so I won't keep you long." He turns to face her properly, and sees curiosity in her eyes, but no condemnation as yet. "I'm not proud of the fact that I had an affair with Claudia Martin," he says.
"You don't have to apologise to me," Alesha says quickly.
"No, but I do feel that I owe you an explanation." He rubs a hand over his face. "I was flattered by her attention, and of course we were working very long hours, so I wasn't seeing much of my family. Ethan was always asleep by the time I got home, and often he wasn't up yet by the time I left for work."
"Claudia said you were working eighteen hour days," she observes.
He nods. "We were, and we'd often go into the office on a Saturday too." He glances at her, then looks back out over the river. "That's when it started. We were there one Saturday, soon after I took on the case, and there was almost no one else in, and once the last person went home - " He breaks off to shrug helplessly. "I was like putty in her hands." His tone is rueful.
"She seduced you?"
James sighs. "I let her. Like I said, I was flattered since she was young and pretty. She was also very much a rising star, like you."
"I would never - " Alesha begins.
"I know," he says, interrupting quickly. "I'm not saying you would. But Claudia saw nothing wrong in using me to help further her career."
"Was she very ambitious?"
He nods. "She wanted my job in due course, and she was hoping to take silk very quickly as well."
Alesha's eyebrows rise in surprise. "That is ambitious," she says.
"I know. I believe she hoped that having an affair with me would further her ambitions, and that was the real reason she felt betrayed when I ended it. It wasn't because she'd told me that she loved me and I ended it anyway, it's because doing so thwarted her ambitions."
Alesha shakes her head. "Never rely on a man to further your ambitions, you'll never succeed." James winces but finds he can't argue with her point of view. She looks up at him, and grimaces slightly. "Sorry."
"Don't apologise," he says. "You make a valid point. I'm sorry my half of the race is unreliable."
She laughs slightly. "I'll forgive you."
"Will you?"
She looks up at him as he watches her apprehensively. "I can forgive you for the way you treated Claudia on the witness stand," she says. "What you and she did six years ago is no business of mine because I never knew you then."
He gives her a half smile. "Thank you."
"Shall we walk?" she suggests.
He nods and they set off along the Walk. He longs to hold her hand, or even to hold her and pull her into a kiss, but at the moment he doesn't quite have the nerve.
"What will you do now?" asks Alesha as they stroll beneath the blue lights.
James shrugs. "I don't know. I can't go back to defending people. I did consider the police force." He's interrupted by her giggles. "What?" he asks defensively.
"Can you imagine Matt's face?" she chokes out.
James smirks. "Actually, I can." They walk a little further, both laughing now.
"It's weird, coming to work and you're not there," she says.
They come to a stop. "You'll get used to it," he says as lightly as he can, smiling. "Bet you'll have forgotten I was even there in a few weeks." I'll never be able to forget you, though, he thinks.
"Don't be silly," she tells him. "It'll be a few days, once I've cleared your desk out." She laughs, but it sounds forced now, and his own chuckle is insincere.
They stand looking at each other, and he decides it's now or never. "Alesha." He wonders if she can hear the wealth of longing in his voice as he says her name and she looks up at him expectantly. He remembers the old adage about actions and words, and dips his head to kiss her gently on the mouth. To his relief she responds, her lips parting slightly, and he brings up a hand to cup the back of her head as he deepens the kiss until they're both breathless.
"James." He knows he's not imagining the desire in her voice. Then her mobile phone rings, and she frowns at the screen. "It's Matt," she says. "Give me a minute?" He nods and she walks a few paces away, her tone low; he wills himself to relax and breathe calmly although the intensity of their first kiss has left him aching for more.
After a few moments, Alesha walks back to join him, slipping her phone back into her pocket.
"Okay?" he asks, trying to sound casual, and hoping it's not a call to return to work.
She nods, her eyes fixed on his and he feels crestfallen. "So, you have to go then?" He wonders if he sounds as disappointed as he feels.
Alesha laughs. "No, silly. He was asking me to go for a drink with him." She sobers. "I think he's finally decided to try his luck now that you're out of the picture, as he believes."
"What did you say?" asks James curiously.
"I told him that I already had a hot date for tonight," she answers, giving him a very seductive smile before stretching up on tiptoes to kiss him again.
When she releases him, James feels quite dazed. "I - I think we'd better go somewhere less public," he manages, wondering if he's going to make it back to either his flat or hers without combusting first.
Alesha gives him a very knowing look, and smirks. "My place?" she suggests. "It's a bit nearer after all."
"Yes." He feels another surge of desire when she slips her hand into his and squeezes his fingers.
"I'm glad you wanted to talk," she says as they make their way down to the Underground platform. "I was a bit worried that you'd take the whole 'I must be noble and fall on my sword' thing too far."
He gives her a surprised look. "Is that how you see it?" he asks. "That I resigned from a sense of nobility?"
She shakes her head. "When I thought about it, I wasn't surprised that you'd decided to resign. But it would have been too noble of you to decide to disappear from my life altogether."
"I couldn't," he says honestly. "I've wanted to be with you for so long. And at least now, there's no conflict of interest."
"Oh, so that's the real reason for your resignation, is it?" she teases, wrapping her arms around him and looking up into his face. "So you can finally shag me?"
Their shared laughter echoes around the platform, and James realises that despite everything, he's happier now than he's been in a long time.