Chapter Text
Washington, DC on New York Ave NW
Brown almost golden hair with black costume and matching heels. Briefcase loaded with work and finally Starbucks in hand. That was Abby on Wednesday morning in late August.
She waited for her driver because of her appointment with a new episode as she liked to call her clients. This episode should be good for her favourite colleague Jackson. A young lawyer with passion like hers back in the days. That client was stabbed by a doctor after the procedure. And wanted to press charges and she was there to listen to all his problems and then hand the episode to Jackson.
She already had too much work in the firm. But she missed the thrill in court and all the attention she gets. The ride to Georgetown was longer than she expected and she saw her University. She attended Georgetown University years ago. With her boyfriend Jake who broke her heart. And her now lost friend Marcus. Where the hell was he? Somewhere in the world. He left town after finishing college she remembered.
Her client was after the operation of lungs but had the breath to tell her at least 6 problems in George Hospital which she wasn't happy to hear her friend Callie still worked there. After an hour she left for work at the firm.
"Here is a new episode for you Jackson I just left him. Very angry at the hospital you should move with it quickly. Court has a free place next week for a hearing." Abby winked at him with a smile.
"I was on my way to him you didn't have to go there. You have more work than all of us!" He scoffed at her stubbornness.
"And more free time too I felt useless, sorry I need my own episode but nothing seems fun." She walked into her office. "I need to sign some papers. See you later at lunch?"
"Oh, no-no. I have lunch with Nate, then I need to check on the wedding cake"
"That's fine. Good luck with the cake!"
Nearly midnight in Mt Vernon Triangle in her apartment she turns off the TV and head for bed. But not in 100 years she would have guessed what message will wait for her in the morning. ············································································································
Thursday morning the same routine. Get up take a shower let the phone rest till she gets her Starbucks and in her car. Missed call from an unknown number and a text. She almost drowns in her coffee as she read Marcus's text to call her. ‘ Call me as soon as possible I need your help. Marcus Kane’ What? How? How did he get her number and why was he texting now. After god knows how long they didn't even text. Did he get in trouble? Well, he was a playboy from a wealthy family so. With what did he need her help of all people he knows? ············································································································
Marcus wasn't in trouble. In fact, he lives the perfect life in Hawaii for 2 years now. But lately, he felt lonely and remembered that one of his outcomes is support for his only child. And that the support is more or less the only money Aurora has for his child. What an awful home they lived in? Maybe it wasn't that bad. As lazy as he is this was bugging him for a week now. So he packed a little suitcase and grab his wallet and check if his private plane was ready to go. And fly to Toulouse.
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Toulouse, France
After a week in Toulouse and the worse looking apartment he ever saw. He was determined to have his only daughter in his care. She had holes in her shoes and very few pieces of clothes. Aurora spent all his money on cigarettes and alcohol to drown her problems. And on top of that, she worked as a prostitute for any man who asked. Octavia his little daughter was scared of all men.
Not even his concern did anything to soften her hard gaze. She was only 8 years old. Her long dark hair and big green and brown eyes with an intelligent look were all it took for him to fell in love with her. He needed to take care of her now. But she was officially in care of her mother. He signed that damned papers when Aurora told him she's pregnant. He was scared he didn't want a kid at 28. But now he's 37 and less reckless.
This was a job for a good lawyer. Why he moves so much and know no one. Unless… there was an old friend Annie. Maybe Annie maybe not he didn't hear from her since college ended. Now he only needed to find her number. He immediately dialled his friend from Tondc. Miller used at least still the same number as he was a man of a routine not like Marcus lately.
"Hey man, haven't heard from you since last summer" he chuckled.
"Yeah sorry about that mate. A busy life on Hawaii what can I say. But that's not actually what I'm calling for. I need a favour from you."
"Oh boy what now. Last time it was a 3-month trip with the latest love of your life Aria"
…
"Aurora" Marcus corrected. "We are not together anymore. I need you to find the number on Annie the lawyer from college? You know that small brown-haired with Jake?"
"Abby you mean Abby Thompson? Small revolutionist, that got on your nerves?"
"Yes, that woman. I need her." He sounded desperate but he didn't care.
"Oh alright my son works for her so I can get you a number right away"
"You are a lifesaver, Miller"
"No problem Kane"
After a little bit of catching on life and chatting Marcus had Abby's number, not Annie's dammit. For some reason, he was nervous not because he asked an old friend for help and women but because this will change life him and his daughter for good. And he doesn't know how to raise a kid but Octavia can't stay in that apartment another year! So it was decided he dialled Abby's number. 8 rings and nothing. Is she that busy? Well, he leaves a message. Still, all his recklessness didn't leave him as he forgot there is some kind of time zones in this world.
‘ Call me as soon as possible I need your help. Marcus Kane’ He hoped at least she remembered him more than he did her.
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Washington, DC on New York Ave NW
More running than walking and she was soon in her office. Being the CEO was sometimes grate in term of privacy. And she was glad no big appointments were scheduled for today. Marcus's text was a cold shower for her. So she sat down sipped her coffee and take a breath. And texted back. 'What do you need my help for? Abigail Thompson' and went back to work.
All the papers and looking after her starting lawyers was encouraging for her. Clients were pleased and she could store episodes for every one of her employees she wouldn't admit it to them but she felt like a proud mother. That was her problem when someone needed to be expelled. Hate wasn't even close to what she felt when someone needs to go. Her firm grows just fine and they started to be popular. Maybe that means she could have stopped say goodbye to some lawyers. And maybe find more. From Georgetown namely. More stuff meant more space so maybe that investor she had on hold will be handy after all.
'Can I call you? M'
She nearly jumped as the message popped up
'Yes, you may. A'
And her phone went off.
"Hi"
"Hi, Kane"
"Ok so here's the thing you are lawyer still right?"
"Yes, I am. What do you need?"
"I have a daughter you see and her mother is taking awful care of her and I want her. Back? And uh I signed some papers before birth and she is with her mother in Toulouse... it's a mess"
"Hold on" she started to take notes just like with any other episode "daughter hm how old?"
"8 years"
"Uh, that's uh ok… and surname?"
"Blake... Octavia Blake"
"Octavia 8 years and her mother is…"
"Aurora Blake"
"I need to look at those papers you signed and work appointment where you can come to Washington?"
"What?? Just like that you… take it?"
"Yes it's a citizen type family thing that's my favourite and you will pay like normal client why would I refuse?"
"Yes… right you're right. Uh about Friday this week? I could leave Toulouse tomorrow"
"Ok, I'll text you a number of my secretary so you can make an appointment. Ok?"
"Yes, thanks"
"Bye"
"Bye Abby"
She stared at her phone and her notes. He has a child for 8 years. That's a lot. She needs a drink, tonight. Immediately her mind is on Callie and her love for a good talk with wine. So she set up girls night at her apartment and around 6 head home.
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Aspen apartment building is above a busy street and with a little view over Washington, it's perfect for Abby.
"So what is this about?"
"Marcus texted me and I have a case for myself"
"Marcus as the old Marcus we knew?"
"Yes, him… he has a daughter and he wants me to help him get her. Her mother is awful he said" she sipped her wine.
"So the crush Marcus? How was it Abs?" Callie eyed her curiously.
"We called… it was a shock but I'm professional so I took it."
"For the money and the reputation for your firm" Callie smiled mischievously.
"Yes!"
"You don't want to see your crush after all those years and if he is more handsome?"
"I do not. Think of those things Call! That's you... anyway, what about that Sinclair guy at the hospital?"
"We hit things off good. Date tomorrow, and maybe THE date"
"Great! I'm happy for you"
They talked for another hour and say goodbyes. Abby went straight to bed ignoring the train of thoughts labelled Marcus. She didn't want to think of her old crush and alcohol helped her fall to heavy sleep.