Practice Makes Perfect (LovelyxSpade & Justice)

[justice]

It wasn't until nearly a quarter past one that Devin finally got home. Located just in the grey area between the right and wrong sides of the tracks he considered himself pretty lucky when it came to his living arrangements. He had a half roommate with the building being currently turned into condos. His roommate was a young woman by the name of Mindy who had just started law school, and in payment for being a resource Devin was able to get a discounted rent from her parents who owned the building. Since he moved in he had spent close to twenty hours tutoring the young woman. She was bright and seemed to understand that the task ahead of her required complete commitment, but she still had a bit of the party girl still in her from her college days.

Noticing that her car wasn’t in the normal parking spot he walked though the garage and up to the elevator. Since he didn’t have a car or bike at this point he was still working the blue subway line. He got to his place and noticed that down the hall the construction for the new condos had already begun. Thankfully the hours the construction team worked were not going to completely interfere with his sleep. After all he was only planning on sleeping when his bosses ordered him to and that meant a possible five hours a month. He walked though his front door and tossed his bag towards a chair in his small living room.

Continuing to walk into his apartment he clicked on the blinking light on his answering machine. The box told him he had three messages and began to play them. The first was a call from Mindy telling Devin that she was going to be out and wondered if he wanted to celebrate his first day. She was being nice he thought since in the past he had politely refused to go out clubbing with her the past few times she asked. The second was a call from his new boss. His name was Mathew Algo and from what he gathered he was a tough but equal kind of man. Mathew said he was looking forward to meeting Devin and that he expected good things.

Finally the third call came and this time it was a bit of a surprise. The voice was a younger woman’s voice and sounded very excited. “Hey DEVIN! You started work today so I knew if I called your cell you wouldn’t pick up. Figured your little sister might leave you a voice message since you weren’t able to make it over for family dinner. Mom guilt tripped Amy to come since you can’t which means she thinks you owe her. I think she is just happy John is finally starting to get along with dad.” Her name was Claire and as little sisters go he only had a few complaints. The message went on for a few more minutes as the phone got passed around the whole family.

Finally after it ended Devin walked over and deleted the first two messages. He kept the last one and even played it again as he started to undress and get ready for bed. As he finished brushing his teeth and moved towards his bed the message came to the end once more. “So anyways hope today wasn’t too stressful. Best advice is that you need to get a girlfriend at least that is what I think. Dad and sis agree, but you know how mom is with us dating. Then as a whole group the family shouted good night. It made Devin smile and to his complete surprise actually got him to sleep without having to think about Annalise.

That all changed in the morning. Yesterday must have been a constant state of shock since the moment Devin woke up all he could basically think about was the fact that when he came into work she was going to be there. When he went out and got lunch for everyone she was going to be there, and without a doubt any opportunity to make any head way in trying to get the job she was going to be there. ‘Good lord she is the devil in ex form.’ He thought for a moment. He took the time the subway took to get him downtown as time spent calming himself down and getting him prepared. Reaching the massive building and walking though security with his pass he got Devin was now ready for the day.

Getting out of the elevator and walking down and into the hive, which the nickname for the space where all the first year cubicles were located, Devin saw that he wasn’t the first nor was he the last to arrive. He was somewhere in the middle. What really mattered to him; however, was that Annalise was already at her desk with a file in her hand. ‘All in Devin.’ He thought to himself.

“Good lord man I swear is it going to be like this every time I see you?” A loud voice called out. Without looking Devin knew it was Desman. Turning to face his friend he looked confused and then saw that Desman was looking at what Devin was wearing. The standard suit was nothing special which in fact made it somewhat lacking as far as Desman saw it. It also was easily one of the cheapest suits being worn in the entire building.

“Look I can over look the tie, but you really need to start understanding what a suit is meant for.” Desman said as the two walked over to their desk. Before sitting down Devin stole a second look over towards Annalise and regretted it after noticing how good she looked in the outfit she had on. “Lunch today we are going out and getting you something that fits a man of your position.

“I’m a first year associate at a firm which basically sees us as fodder for the grunt work Desman. As far as I see it I am perfectly fine with…” Devin never got to finish his statement as a man in a very nice suit and equally well built sense of self walked over to his desk. He plopped down a large folder and joined the conversation perfectly.

“You look like a rejected blues brother.” The man’s name was Mathew Algo and he looked every bit the senior partner that he was. “In three hours we have to have a complete work up of these briefs so get it done in two. If you need help I asked for the wrong first year.” He then looked over at Desman and then back at Devin. “If he comes back from lunch with another skinny tie I might just have to fire both of you.” It was a cruel joke since neither of the two first years could tell when the man was joking.

“Okay I get it no more skinny ties.” Devin said opening the folder and starting to get to work.

[LovelyxSpade]

Annalise was looking through her file when she heard more people coming in. She cut a short smile to Jill as she walked in. It was very short. She finished reading everything when she saw Desman and Devin walk in. It only made her want to work harder now that they were there. She wanted Devin to swallow his comment and show everyone how serious she was. Fixing her bang she couldn't help but hear Desman complain about Devin's attire. If she remembers correctly, back then Devin never had exceptional taste in clothes. It was something she looked over back then, but now that she is older, that won't be happening anymore.

Annalise bit back laughter as both Desman and Devin were reprimanded by their senior advisor, Mathew Algo. She has heard several things about him, so working in the same firm as him should be interesting. Standing up with her file in hand she was about to go see her senior partner, but she didn't have to look far. A pretty tall blonde girl made her way over to Annalise with a smile. "Hello, you must be the first year I am helping." She held out her hand for Annalise to shake it and she didn't hesitate to do so.

"We'll you may know already, but my name is Kelly Fields. I have been here for ten years now, so I think I can give you a pretty good tutorial on how things go here, and how we handle our cases." She seemed like a lovely girl. "Mathew please don't kill the new employees." Kelly grinned at the nicely dressed man before walking away with Annalise close behind her. She turned and caught a last glance at Devin before mentally slapping herself. No gazing. "Now Annalise I see you have your first case in your hands. I won't be helping much, just showing you how to go about getting materials and such." Kelly stopped walking and turned back around.

"Mathew, why don't we treat the we employees to lunch? Don't think about refusing my offer or you will suffer." Kelly smiled then turned back around. "Sorry I just love teasing him." Kelly explained. "I see." The two girls turned around a corner and arrived at an archive room. "A lot of your resources will come from here. Every single law on criminals and other things are found in this room." They continued walking and arrived at an office that had a view of the city.

Kelly sat behind her desk and Annalise sat down in front of it. "I can tell you are the type to be all about your work, that is why I am giving you the task of getting to know the other lawyers. I think you may find some valuable information." Kelly beamed and Annalise deadpan.

"I'm sorry but I don't have a problem with relating to people." Annalise did not want to waste time on getting to know the others. "Trust me it will all work out. That is why I asked Mathew to bring his juniors along with you and I to lunch. I think Devin and Desman can get you to relax more." Hearing these words Annalise wanted to flip out. "Okay, I will get to know the others, but when can I work on my case?" Annalise just wanted to start working to prove herself. "After we eat lunch with the others." Kelly rose again and grabbed her bag. "I'm starving so lets go." Kelly stepped out and once again Annalise was right behind her.

"Mathew come on let's go eat now. I think this will be the last time everyone will have downtime." Kelly casually leaned on the other man's shoulder with a wide smile. Annalise mentally sighed. This was not going the way she wanted it to.

[justice]

Devin could only watch in horror as his life was played with like a pawn quick to be sacrificed for the good of the king. With each breath he took to raise the point that he had just been given a task which would be nearly impossible to complete in the time allowed he was cut off by either Mathew or the woman who had entered the conversation from Annalise’s section. I am very much a pawn. Devin realized after taking a longer look at the two senior partners. While a well tailored suit was indeed draped over Mathew it was his almost 30,000 dollar watch that caught most of a person’s attention. While with Kelly it was the likely 3000 dollar each shoes she was wearing.

Not to be one to leave a friend out of a possible networking opportunity Devin leaned back in his chair and instead of attempting to cut his ties of the lunch plan he quickly changed his tactic into making this lunch something to his advantage. “Mathew what you just gave me would take a good lawyer over an hour so this lunch could be seen as a bit much.” Mathew started to say something but was cut off by Kelly. “And you are bringing this to our attention because you wish to say you are good lawyer?”

Devin smiled and shook his head. He stood up as he spoke and began to get ready to leave. “Not a good lawyer.” He then threw his jacket around and had it rest firmly on his shoulders. “A great one.” He said this last line directly to Annalise. As if a declaration of war these words were his weapons. After all, a lawyer with no skill in tongue was as useful as a blind bus driver. Thankfully Devin took great joy in knowing that not only was he well spoken and confident, but that he wasn’t the only one in the group who knew how skilled with his tongue.

The group let out a good laugh over Devin’s comment and began to follow his lead of getting ready to leave for lunch. “It seems there are plenty with fire in this batch of first years Mathew. We aren’t careful it might be use that gets burned.” Kelly said with a big smile. It was at this time that Devin decided that he very much enjoyed Kelly and her personality. She was pretty of course, but it wasn’t anything more than a professional sort of like. After all Devin had already learned the danger of falling from even a lawyer’s daughter let alone a full fledged senior partner.

"Well than I do believe that we should put these fires out for now and just enjoy a good meal. I am thinking we should enjoy the services at Antony's." Mathew said which seemed to be a completely agreeable statement from the rest of the group except for Devin who frowned only for a moment at this. After regaining his composure he began to rub his neck slightly. It was something he did when he was nervous. An old tick he had even when he was in high school.

As it turned out Devin had in fact been to that restaurant two nights ago on a date. His date had been a woman he had met while apartment shopping. She was a high end stock broker who had also been shopping around for a place to stay. What had turned into a simple sharing of notes on places they had visited turned into a rather enjoyable evening. Still Devin had no quarrel going to the restaurant again, but still felt a odd sort of nagging at the idea of going there with this group.

[LovelyxSpade]

To say Annalise was upset would be an understatement. She doesn't like social settings, so she won't like eating out with other people. She just wanted to work. She stopped the glare that was forming when Devin directed one off his comments at her. She held back her tongue and just grabbed her bag ready to leave. She waited for everyone's useless banter to finish, Kelly started rounding everyone up and was walking at the front of the group.

It seemed the restaurant was close, so they were all walking down the sidewalk. They arrived at a very classy restaurant and Annalise could tell the food was going to be expensive just by looking at the store front. It was proven now that the world was out to get her, because she ended up next to Desman who had Devin in the seat next to her. At least she wasn't sitting right next to Devin. Just his loud friend as a buffer. Kelly sat across from Annalise and watched the younger girl with an amused glance. "I think you will look better with your hair down for a change." Kelly commented before reaching over and pulling the tie out of Annalise hair, allowing the brunette locks to tumble down past her shoulders.

"I could have did it myself." Annalise mumbled combing her hair out with her fingers. "So Annalise tell me are you dating anyone." Kelly was seriously prying into her life right now. "No I am not. Are you?" Annalise was going to cut her reply short, but she remembered Kelly told her to be more social. "Me neither. Maybe we could go out to a club and find somebody." It was clear Kelly was much more outgoing then Annalise. "A club isn't really my thing." Annalise took a sip of her water. This is not. Conversation she wanted to have in front of Devin. She didn't want him to think she stopped dating because she was still in love with him. Maybe she was? No get that thought out of her head now.

"We'll don't worry my little butterfly, I will set you up with someone. Maybe Mathew is available still. I think you guys would make a good couple. Mathew is handsome no smart, and Annalise dear you are beautiful and smart as well. I can see it now, I will you guys wedding!" Kelly clasped her hands together and grinned at Mathew. "Come on Mathew you haven't had a date in a while. I think you should take Annalise out on one." Kelly nudged the man next to her smiling happily. "I don't think a senior lawyer would want to date a junior. I'm fine for now." Annalise tried her best to be polite.

"Oh my look at that Mathew. Your first rejection." Kelly laughed loudly excited about Annalise's answer.

[justice]

Since it was lunch time the restaurant was much brighter than the last time Devin had dined. Since the last time he was here he had been on a date he was respectful and gave his date most of his attention and the rest to his food. Even so he was surprised he had forgotten about all the photos of famous celebrities who had eaten here. A few glances this way and that and he started to get a better idea of just how VIP this place was. Behind every single photo on the wall there was a well paid and highly respected lawyer which was why people from their firm could get a lunch table with no reservations. A sense of mutual pride and a tinge of dread started to swirl around his mind. Things didn't get any better when the seating was made up. At least he wasn't sitting directly in front of Annalise. This way he may be sitting close, but he wasn't forced to look right back at her. Even if she was now wearing her hair down. Something he had always said he was weak against when it came to her.

His opinion of the senior partner known as Kelly was starting to change someone. Before he thought she was perhaps a bit more excitable than normal he began to see that it wasn't excitable so much as nosey. He prayed she didn't set her sights on him. Of course this was something that he should have never thought because after he fun was had between Annalise and Mathew she started to survey the other first years. In total there were five of them. Desman, Devin, Annalise, Jill, and John. All of them worked in the same few squares in the hive and all looked to be the go to first years for Kelly and Mathew. Quickly Devin diverted his attention to Mathew who was just smiling and seemingly enjoying the little game his fellow partner was playing. "I am starting to wish I was having another job interview." Desman said to Devin. This made the young man laugh slightly which instantly got picked up on by Kelly.

"Devin was it?" She asked.

"Yes. Devin Coal." he said right back.

"Have a special someone waiting at home."

Devin had been dreading that question, but nothing could prepare him for what actually took place. Just as he was about answer with a simple shake of his head he heard Desman start to answer for him. "My friend here seems to be enjoying the labors of the single life at the moment." This comment seemed to make Kelly and a few others smile in a sort of understanding way, but it only lead into another comment that made the whole situation far more uncomfortable for Devin. After the comment from Desman another first year chimed in. This time it was his school friend Jill.

"Still playing that strong and silent type Devin?" Her tone a little childish like someone teasing a friend on the playground. All heads turned towards her after this comment. While Devin's look showed a clear 'please don't continue' everyone else was looking for a further explanation of what she was talking about. Cracking a smile Jill began to explain what she had meant. "Back in Columbia Devin was a pretty popular catch in the law school and beyond. After all a few of the ladies who started to chase him were high prize from the guys side. Still with his focus on the leather books he ended up a unplucked apple. After sometime people thought he was dating the dean’s daughters. Any truth in that?” All heads swiveled right towards Devin.

“I was tutoring her Jill. Nothing more nothing less.” He said finally. He couldn’t pray enough for the waiter to come quick enough and thanked the heaves he didn’t believe in for his swift movements towards their table. Once there he broke the conversation and began to ask how everyone was doing and if they would like anything to drink. Devin simply asked for a glass of ice tea, but was vetoed by a majority of the table who seemed to already have planned on everyone drinking with each other. So instead he got a dark beer placed in front of him shortly after his order was given.

Desman couldn’t help but start to enjoy the fact that he was far more in the know than anyone else sitting at the table with Annalise and Devin. “Well Devin it turns out a broken heart seems to make you get all the puppy love.” His comment was heard by everyone, but only understood by two. It also earned him a swift kick in the shin from under the table by Devin. Thankfully this made it clear that Desman was to change the conversation which he tried to do so by asking the table about sports.

[LovelyxSpade]

Annalise continued to drink her water so she wouldn't have to talk. Kelly was really talkative, which those are the types of people that Annalise tries to avoid. Was the girl drinking before this? No. Annalise had the feeling Kelly was always like this. How would she be drunk then? She watched as her senior partner directed her attention to Devin. Finally she could pry into someone else's personal life. She was a little curious herself as well. What has he been doing since they broke up?

Annalise listened to Desman come to Devin's rescue. Whatever she doesn't care anyways. Crossing her legs she sat back in her chair more listening to the conversation everyone was having. As everyone looked at Jill so did Annalise. Did Devin play the silent type well to her? No. Back when they were dating they both were extremely talkative. Especially when around each other. Her mind started drifting off to the past until Devin responded. "Just tutoring or more?" She whispered to herself as she took another sip of her drink. Everyone else seemed to be drinking alcohol, Annalise could not handle alcohol well at all. The only time her old self would come out is when she is intoxicated.

Annalise cut a sharp look at Desman as he spoke. 'Don't tell me he knows.' She thought starting to get frustrated. Why would Devin tell him about them on the past. Jist as she was going to say something Kelly opened her mouth again only to Annalise's displeasure. "Here Annalise. I think you should have a drink to. You need to loosen up more. I think there is s fun girl somewhere inside you." Kelly slid a shot in front of Annalise. Why couldn't this woman just leave her alone. Because of her strong personality, she picked up the shot glass and drank it all in one shot. This seemed to have surprised everyone. Annalise doesn't even look like the type to drink. "Wow! I guess you can hold your liquor." Kelly clapped several times before ordering another round of shots for everyone.

Annalise sighed before drinking her second glass and she could feel like she was getting drunk already. Everyone else seemed fine, but to her the room already started spinning. "Has anyone ever given up something they really wanted to keep?" Annalise blurted out. "I have. There was the cutest little dog that I found one day and I had it for a couple months, but my father made me give it up." Well it was clear now she was beyond drunk off of two shots. She would kill herself if she knew what was going on right now. "I knew this person was in there!" Kelly started laughing before standing up. "Who wants to volunteer to take her home? Hm Devin and Desman please accompany her home."

[justice]

As the rounds of shots started to show up Devin held them up with the rest of the group, but when they all threw them back he tossed his in the plant pot that was behind him. Not being a prude, but simply not in the mood to drink he covered his tracks well. The only one who seemed to catch on was Jill who just smiled and gave him a wink. He smiled back and mouthed the words thank you after it was clear she wasn’t going to say anything. When Annalise had her short moment of declaration the table gave frowns at the news of her losing a puppy, and then a small laugh as there was a collective understanding that they were now sitting with a woman who had a weakness to hard alcohol.

A room of slightly blank, but openly warm faces looked back at Kelly as she inquired as to who would be charged with getting Annalise home. It seemed Kelly understood that this afternoon drink fest was her doing and as such it was her fault for forcing a first year beyond their tolerance level especially since they hadn’t even ordered their food yet. From the looks of things Mathew was also willing to let the work load of the day slide considering this whole thing was at the first year’s expense.

“I’ll get one of the interns to finish up the briefs I gave you earlier Devin. Why don’t you be the one to take Annalise home?” His voice was solid and seemed to always give a sort of final point to whatever it was he was saying. This also meant that no matter what he thought about saying Devin knew he couldn’t refuse his boss of less than 24 hours. Devin simply nodded at the request and started to stand up. He didn’t hear what he said, but he could tell Desman said something under his breath. Most likely a joke of some sort.

Walking over to Annalise, Devin held out a hand and helped his coworker up. Once on her feet he was sure she was as drunk as a few times in the past when they had let her drink. Though the word let in this context wasn’t completely true. From his memory Annalise was never the kind to cave in to the pressures of drinking. The only time she drank was when she wanted to or when she was nervous or stressed about something. With a high stress job just starting Devin figured that had her accepting the two shots.

About to leave Devin almost forgot to get Annalise’s purse. Grabbing that and throwing it though his arm and holding it with his shoulder by the strap he said his goodbye and let Annalise do the same. The two then excused themselves and headed outside and began walking towards the building where Devin was sure Annalise’s car was parked. “Well we seem to be off to a good start.” Devin said with a chuckle. “If you anyone had said I would be taking you home after drinks we could have shared a laugh.”

[LovelyxSpade]

Kelly looked at Desman as Annalise and Devin left and she smiled. "Do you mind telling me what is going on between those to?" She noticed Desman was close with Devin, and that there was a weird air around the duo whenever they were together. "If you tell me I will make sure Mathew will go easy on you." Being a lawyer there wasn't much one could talk about, so Kelly liked knowing what was going on with other people's lives.

Annalise kept tripping as she walked and every time she did she would laugh loudly. "You are taking me home? I think not. I don't even know you." Annalise started giggling again. "I'm taking a stranger home with me!" She yelled and several people looked at her like she was insane. "You know in the past I had someone who was so nice to me just like you are now, but you know what happened. I left them." Another eruption of laughter ensued and she fell on the ground from it. "You dropped me." She mumbled then stood up and fixed herself.

She saw her purse was on his shoulder and she snatched it away when they were close to her car. "I'm driving. I don't let strangers drive my car." She slurred pulling out her car keys and struggled to unlock the car. "Come on strange man." Annalise waved for him to walk faster. If only she was sober, she could stop her drunk self from assassinating her own character. It is rare to see her smile, so to see her laughing like crazy and stumbling was completely out of the normal for her. Luckily for Devin she got into the passengers side and buckled herself in.

"Someone took my steering wheel." She gasped groping around the dashboard trying to find the streeing wheel. If she was any more drunk then she would be in a hospital rit now. Grunted tomorrow was going to be terrible for her. "I'm going to sue whoever took my steering wheel. Devin you have to be my witness." She pointed to him. Her attention was back on the dashboard and she kept trying to put the keys into the imaginary ignition. "Someone took my ignition too." She pouted. "I want to go home."