ONLY YOU - PART ONE

A whole new ballgame

-- "You can take me home but I will never be your girl" - Liz Phair

Matthew Eagan was a man with problems, and not the least of them was the fact that he was falling in love with his lawyer. Of course, this was nothing unusual for him, for he was forever falling in and out of love with the many women who had drifted in and out of his life. Being devestatingly handsome and even more devestatingly rich, and famous besides, he had a long and not unpleasant string of flings with adoring and adorable ladies. It was a pretty ordinary state of affairs, and since he was used to getting whatever he wanted, he had fully expected to win this one over. Unfortunately, there was nothing ordinary about this woman, or the situation that had brought her into his life.

He sat ramrod straight on the bunk in his jail cell, staring at the floor. It wouldn't be long now, they would be coming for him soon. Today was trial day, the day he had anticipated and dreaded. Today was the day they would begin to tear him apart, in full public view, and hang out all of the dirty laundry he'd been collecting over the years. He was young, but he had been a busy guy. They say what goes around comes around, but he had never dreamed that it would come around this soon, or this hard. Today was the day that it would begin, the process of freeing him from his former life, or trapping him in the ashes of it forever.

"Hey, Eagan, your lawyer's in to see you. She's escorting you out, you lucky dog. You'd better hurry up if you want to make it to court on time." The guard drummed the keys against the bars of his cell obnoxiously as he waited for the inmate to spring into action. He took his time. He had plenty of time, possibly all the time in the world.

Matthew had no intention of staying in Llanview past that weekend, so long ago, but unfortunately, some people had other ideas. For example, some people had decided that it would be best if he did not return to LA after all. Certain people, powerful people, wouldn't mind not seeing him again for a rather long period of time, hopefully forever if that could be arranged. Most distressingly, some other people, meaning the Llanview police, had decided that it would be a good idea to detain him in this small Pennslyvania city indefinately, because they had also decided that he was responsible for the appearance of the body that had been found in his hotel room.

All of these decisions had gone by in a flash of lightning that left him dazed and bewildered in a dark jail cell. He had only meant to hide out incognito in a quiet town for a little while, a few days, nothing more. Now it was beginning to look more permanant. From the moment the cops had picked him up in that diner, he knew he was screwed. Those next few weeks had been perfect hell for him, as he tried to figure out exactly what had happened to bring him to this predicament, but he soon did not care. He may not know the "how," but he certainly knew the "who" and the "why," not that this would do him much good. He had known that he was pissing off the wrong people, but as usual, he thought he could get away with it. He had always had a talent for getting away with things. And for toeing the line. Unfortunately, he had tripped himself way over the line this time, and now he would not be getting away with it, or anything else, for some time.

Matthew was a writer, a rather famous writer, a best-seller. He had moved to LA after his first book hit the stands and the critics columns. That it had been equally adored and deplored by critics made no difference, as long as they were making noise it could be considered a success. The book was good; the next, he knew, would be even better, and he was going to be famous. And, soon enough, he was. His next book was touted as the novel of the year, copies displayed in every store window and poured over by every psuedo-intellectual and trend-chaser, his surreal style suddenly imitated all over the paperback racks and praised by the critics, at least all the ones who mattered. He was a literary genius at 25. Perhaps it was too soon, for that was when things started to go bad. Sure it was great at first, the parties, the hob-nobbing with the rich and spoiled, the endless interviews and movie premeres and book signings, but Matthew was soon bored with jaded Hollywood and was dabbling in the darker layers underneath. He had been fairly certain that it would be benificial to befriend the more dangerous types around town, to keep them on his string, for potential usefulness. They did make terrific allies, powerful, connected, and they were certainly much more fun. Those types knew how to show you a good time, and keep you in the high life. But only as long as you didn't piss them off.

He tried not to think about it too much, but the longer he was trapped within these four walls, the more he continued to lose his hope. That he had any hope at all was due to his energetic new lawyer. When everyone else had abandoned him to the wolves, and told him he didn't have a prayer, she took his case, and ran with it. She seemed to think they had a chance. Great, at least one of them did.

"Alright, Mr. Eagan, are you ready to get out of here?" She strode into the jail, a bright streak of honey-yellow in the grey of their surroundings, tauntingly sexy but cooly professional in her crisp business suit, and leaned against the bars while his guards unlocked the door.

He smiled at her, that boyish grin that had graced so many magazine covers and broken so many hearts. "I think the real question is: are YOU ready? I just have to sit there and look innocent. You do all the work."

She smiled back, looking like the cat that was about to eat the canary. "I'm always ready, Matt."

He stepped out of the cell and managed to look calm, bored even, as the handcuffs were slapped on him, and walked over to his lawyer once they were done. "I'll bet you are."

His first impression of Tea Delgado was not a positive one, partly because it had been a hard day, because his lawyer had called only the day before from LA to tell him to find someone else, because she made his third lawyer this week, after his last lawyer had rejected his case as a lost cause, and because she was not exactly what he had in mind for the task at hand. That being saving his life. He was dealing with some very dangerous people, and he was going to need the very best to defend him, the toughest and fiercest out there. He needed someone who breathed fire. Not some hotshot know-it-all still fresh from law school. And a woman at that. Dammit. This would not do at all.

It didn't take very long for him to revise his opinion.

After one session with him, she had already begun to form her defense, and what a defense it was.. He was immediately convinced that she was either crazy or brilliant, and probably both. Somewhere inside him a sensible yet worried voice was informing him that there was no possible way that he was going to get out of this, not this time, but whenever he listened to his (beautiful) new lawyer, he found himself ignoring that voice. She absolutely sparkled with confidence and nerve. It was enough to make him think that she could do it. But then this lady could probably do just about anything.

Matt had tried to make some inroads, get to know the woman, but there was something closed-off about her despite her easy, friendly manner. There was a growing affection between them, like two old friends. She was easy to be around, funny, smart, disarming. He was fascinated by her, the way she could use her charm to get to anyone, persuade them to do anything.. But noone could get to her. He was strongly attracted to her, but she had given no indication of feeling anything in return; something about the way she carried herself told him without question, you can't have me. It drove him crazy, because he was used to getting whatever and whoever he wanted. A challenge, that's what he saw. He was determined to, at least, persuade her to give him a chance. That is, if he was ever to leave this prison again, without the handcuffs.

She took his arm now, and he could see the excitement building in her eyes as they walked out of the police station to the waiting car. She was looking forward to this! "Don't enjoy this too much," he joked. "It's all fun and games until somebody gets a life sentance, right?"

"I haven't lost one yet," she promised him, "and I don't plan to start now." They got in the car, the police escort surrounding them, and they were off.

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Sam Rappaport was waiting at the courthouse. He was antsy and jumpy, glancing at his watch, waiting for Tea to appear with her client. And this wasn't even his case! He wanted to make sure to get a word with her before she charged into court. He chuckled at the image, the diminuative Ms. Delgado tramping through the reporters to burst into court like a soldier into battle. I used to be that headstrong and excited, he mused. A long time ago. Now I can be cautious, and sensible, and pragmatic. A realist. Heh, I suppose it's just as well that she got this case and not me. He's going to need someone with guts for this one.

When the case came up, and the story hit the papers about Matthew Eagan's shocking night of debauchery and murder, he had fully expected that the case would fall to himself or one of his partners. What great publicity for his firm! But Tea had beaten him to it, jumped right in and offered her services. Despite the fact that she had been assistant DA for months now, she missed being on the defense. And she saw the spotlight hovering over Eagan, and figured it was waiting for someone like her to grab it. She didn't ask for Sam's help this time, she put together her own team, with alliances she'd formed in the DA's office and from his own firm. Sam didn't grudge her the case, in fact, he had offered his services as an advisor. A mentor, to give an experienced view for her team, but to keep to the background and still let her handle the case herself. He had his own cases to think of besides, and he knew that she wanted this one for herself, and wasn't planning to share. He just wasn't sure if she was ready for it yet. This thing was huge, and it could eat her alive if she wasn't careful. That's what he was here for.

This could be good for her career, but he was more than a little worried by the way she had jumped in and completely emmersed herself in work since the dissolution of her marriage. Not that he had any indications that he should worry; it appeared that she had bounced right back, and was her former fiery take-no-prisoners self again. She was building a terrific reputation as a lawyer, and was becoming one of Llanview's most prominent citizens, with her charity donations and connections throughout the town.. But as far as her personal life went, Sam had no idea how she was holding up. He could recognize in her his own behavior as his life was falling apart years ago in Chicago, and it was difficult to watch. He could imagine what was going on behind this front. Using your job, concentrating on other people's problems so you wouldn't have to think about your own, was no way to cope. He knew that from experience.

He spotted her talking heatedly with her team of lawyers, and marched over. "Can I borrow her for just a second," he said, dragging her aside. "How are you doing, are you ready for this?" he asked her.

"As ready as I'm going to be." She sparkled with excitement, a smile sneaking across her face. "I really think we can nail this one, Sam. We've really got a case, and I think my team can handle this." She put special emphasis on those words. She'd never headed a team before, and was rather proud of her group. Indeed with some justification, Sam knew, as he had seen and worked with nearly all of them before. First-class lawyers, all of them. Tea especially, if she didn't let herself get carried away. She was young yet, and not nearly as experienced and knowledgeble as she'd like to think. Sam tried to talk her down a bit, to get her ready for trial, but quickly realized that it wasn't going to do much good.

Sam stopped his flow of advise and grinned at her. He had to admit he got a real kick out of working with her. It was infectious, her determination and excitement. He really thought she would do just fine. Or as well as anyone could do with a case like this one. "Well, that's enough from the old guy. Good luck, Tea, I'm sure you'll be great."

She gave him a broad smile in return. "Thank you, Sam," she said, and returned to her crowd of lawyers, extracting her client. "We'd better get up there," she announced, and they all filed into the elevator, leaving Sam behind. He'd join them in the courtroom later. It had been awhile since he'd been in the galleries for a trial. Should be a nice change of view.

The crowded elevator ascended to the third floor, and they prepared for the onslaught of reporters that would be surrounding the courtroom. The media circus had been picking up speed over the last few days, and all the papers were hot for the scoop on America's Most Cutting Edge Novelist- turned-murderer. Tea glanced over at Matt. He looked like he was taking it well. She knew she'd be dealing with a professional in this department. He already knew how to play the celebrity game, he just had to adjust the rules a bit. Now he was a suspected, and assumed, murderer. He had taken her advise to heart all along, and she knew she could count on him to keep up his end. As for herself.. That was another story. The blood was pounding in her ears, but it was a positive rush and not one of fear. Going to court. Going to trial, and you're really flying by the seat this time, girl. I don't know how far I can take this case, but I'm still working through it, and we've actually got a shot. That's more than anyone thought we'd have. That I'd have. And this is the big time. This is my time. She took some deep breaths and straightened her jacket, grinning with the rush. This was going to be huge. This was the kind of moment she lived for. The elevator doors opened, and the flashbulbs began. The game was on.

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At the Sun earlier that morning, a mysterious envelope had arrived with little fanfare and made its way onto the editor's desk. Kelly Cramer hadn't gotten around to it, as she worked with the day's headlines in Blair's office (she hadn't shown up that morning for work), but as Max Holden entered he spotted it right away and picked it up. "Hello, what's this?" he inquired.

"Oh, some memo or something," Kelly shrugged as she typed furiously on the computer. "I'll get to it later, I've just got to get this in on time. SOMEBODY decided not to come in for work this morning, so of course it leaves me to do all the dirty work."

"Whine, whine, whine. After the way you've been complaining about not getting a share of the work, I'd think you'd be glad when Blair didn't make it." He picked up the envelope, and smiled. "The last time I got one of these, I inherited part of a newspaper. A rather smaller part than I'd wanted, but still, a nice surprise." He shook it, nosily, and inspected it. No name. No address. Just sitting here. Well, it's not exactly breaking any rules to open it if there's no name on it, right? Of course not, he reasoned as he ripped the thick envelope open. Inside was a simple note, and this is what it said:

"You may hold the deed, but this will always be my paper. Give your contracts a little read-through if you don't believe me."

No signature. Max chuckled and read it aloud to Kelly, who rushed around the desk and grabbed it from his hands. "Don't tell me HE'S back in town now?"

"Who knows? He could have just sent it here. Screwing with our heads. A fun pastime, you know. When it's not me that's being screwed with." Max looked vaguely amused, slightly annoyed but not too bothered.

"What is THAT supposed to mean?! About our contracts... Does he mean the deed? What is he talking about?"

"Who knows. The guy's a nutball." Kelly rushed out of the room, and Max was left holding the note, laughing to himself.

Well, well, well. Todd's coming after the Sun? This ought to liven things up a bit. It was getting a little boring around here. What we need here is a little chaos to make things interesting.. And nobody's better at spreading chaos and disorder than Todd Manning. Unless it's me.

End Part One

next: Unwelcome