Late Night at the Office (Eponine)

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

"Did he, now." Carter cradled the phone between his ear and shoulder as his little sister, Jenny, yammered on about everything under the sun. Jenny had an innate ability to flow from one stream of consciousness to another without so much as skipping a beat. One moment she could be discussing the falls at Niagra and the next she could be talking about the beautiful sequined dress she saw in Sacs Fifth Avenue, and she would have made a clear connection between the two. It was impressive, and though Carter was rarely interested in what she had to say, his interest was usually kept out of sheer awe at this form of conversation.

He was typing diligently as she rambled on and on, talking about her new boyfriend and how her old still seemed to be hanging around Carter's ex, who wasn't so much his ex girlfriend as his ex lover. Hillary.. she brought up such strange feelings. Carter sighed, not wanting to be reminded of her. He was happily married, wasn't he? Sometimes he wondered. He missed Hillary at times. Not because he missed the actual girl, but what she represented in his life; lack of responsibility. Carter often missed the time in his life when he could up and go and do as he pleased without having to worry about calling his wife or making sure the nanny could stay late. He had few friends there on the west, and the lack of drama was both boring and inviting.

His relationship with Cassidy had begun rocky with the amount of drama they experienced. It was enough to last a lifetime but Carter often found he craved it a little, especially hearing Jenny talk about it so easily. Did he really want that sort of life back?

"Yes, she's doing well. The store has really taken off." He said into the receiver as his sister inquired about his wife, a sigh escaping as he typed up what he needed to finish so he could get home. Working late was not something he enjoyed doing, and if Cheyenne didn't give him such an attitude he would have asked her to do it, but he was growing tired of her attitudes. "Not quite walking on her own, but Cassidy said she's cruising, whatever that means." Jenny started a whole new tirade about babies and how she missed his, when a light from the hall caught his attention. It took a minute to recall the woman who shared the office in which he worked, only worked evenings and was probably inside.

"She's home with Lilly now. Why don't you ca... alright. I will. You too." He put the phone down with a gentle click and sighed, his fingers flying over the keyboard. His eyes were getting blurry from staring at the screen so long and he decided he needed a break. Maybe a glass of water...or scotch. He got up and went to the mini fridge in his office and grabbed a water before heading into the hallway and moving to the office that had the light flooding from it. He only ever saw Eponine in the evenings. He assumed she worked from home or another office during the day which was why he only came around there at night. He never pressed, though. Her business was her own, as was his.

He rapped lightly on her partially open door and peeked a head in. "Good evening." He greeted casually. "Just wanted to let you know you weren't alone in the office tonight." He offered a ghost of a smile and sipped his water. "In case you planned on singing or streaking or whatever it is you do here at night." His smile was more genuine and mildly playful as he poked fun at the night owl.

[EPONINE GASCOIGNE]

Eponine felt ready to tackle the requests she had on her desk and the two cases she had going at the moment. One of them involved defending another Gargoyle from accusations the Council made. Those were always her most difficult cases. She couldn't just come out and tell them she knew they set the woman up so they could pin it on somebody. Honestly, dealing with the Council was like dealing with the mafia, except the Council wasn't as skilled at covering up their tracks. That's where Eponine came in. Her first priority was to examine the evidence and find holes in whatever tale the Council had spun this time.

The office was normally quiet when she arrived. Since she worked late, she didn't really need to dress nicely to the office, but she did anyway. Eponine liked wearing nice things and always looking sleek and elegant. Her hair was always in place, her make-up always perfect and natural. She owned one pair of jeans that looked brand new because she hardly wore them. The only time she wore sweats was when she got sick, which was rarer than rain in the desert. She never knew who she would meet and who would be around. Like now, for instance.

Normally the office was empty when she arrived, except perhaps the occasional legal assistant. They didn't normally bother her, though. She hardly utilized the assistants in the office, preferring to do all of her own work to ensure perfection. Eponine trusted her own ability far more than anyone else's. Now, though, she heard a familiar voice occasionally saying a few words, and she assumed he was on the phone. Carter was a nice enough guy, though she didn't see him often. That came with being a lawyer that only really lived at night, though.

She placed her briefcase on the floor by her desk, sighing as she sat down in her chair and smoothed her skirt as she went. Her fingers worked quickly to log into her computer so she could get right to work. Maybe she would go over and greet Carter before he left for the day. As she pondered this, crossing her long legs beneath her desk, a soft knock came at her door. Her large, heavily-lidded eyes turned to see Carter's handsome face poking past her door, making her smile.

"Good evening. Just wanted to let you know you weren't alone in the office tonight." Her smile grew a little. "Well, thank you. And good evening to you," she said politely. "In case you planned on singing or streaking or whatever it is you do here at night."

Eponine gave a soft laugh. "Looks like I'll have to cancel the stripper then. I was going to have all my friends come over for an office party, but now you've ruined my plans!" she said with a playfully disappointed voice. In truth, Eponine didn't have many friends. Not that she minded. Friends were often more work than they were worth. She made her work as a lawyer and a gargoyle politician more important than the relationships in her life. Relationships just got in the way of her ambitions, usually. And she couldn't figure out why men had such a complex about powerful women.

"So what are you doing here so late? Wouldn't you rather be eating a home-cooked meal and playing with the baby?" she said in a good-natured tone. She knew enough about Carter to know he had a wife and a baby at home. Personally, Eponine wasn't fond of children. They were so messy. If there was any child she would like, it would be her own. But it was polite to inquire about the well-being of a co-worker's family, and she wasn't wholly uninterested. Carter seemed like a nice guy, after all. At least, he hadn't done anything to piss her off, yet.

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

"Looks like I'll have to cancel the stripper then. I was going to have all my friends come over for an office party, but now you've ruined my plans!"

His smile was gentle and he gave a light chuckle. He appreciated her humor given the time of evening. He wanted to go home, but he was stuck there until he finished his work. Though even he had to admit it was nice knowing he wasn't alone in the office. It made the work more bearable. "Damn." He teased, amusement on his face.

"So what are you doing here so late? Wouldn't you rather be eating a home-cooked meal and playing with the baby?" Would he? He thought about it for a moment and the answer was embarrassingly simple. No. He'd rather be at home, but not necessarily with dinner and Lilly. Cassidy, perhaps... It was such a complex relationship with Lilly. He loved her. He would even go so far as to say he actually adored her, especially now that she was sort of walking and beginning to speak. It was amazing watching her grow, and seeing how she looked a little more like him everyday. She truly was a miracle, but the responsibilities of raising a child, other than financially, just didn't appeal to him. He didn't like changing diapers. He didn't enjoy sitting and playing with her. He liked holding her when she was sleepy, letting her relax into his arms quietly, snuggling into him. That was when he truly adored being a father; when she wasn't chaotic.

"I have court in the morning. Just getting some last minute stuff together that my assistant wasn't able to complete. It's easier to just let her go on time, both on my wallet and my patience." She would have thrown a fit and stormed around if he made her work late again this week. He loved how efficient she was, but Cheyenne was a real pain in the ass. "And Cheyenne was kind enough to get me supper before she left for the evening." Actually, she hadn't been kind about it at all.

"Lilly will be there tomorrow night." He shrugged. He didn't want to come off cold. "I think it's easier on Cassidy when I'm not there. She get's less angry that I'm not pulling my weight if I'm not there to do so." He grinned. "Raising a child isn't exactly my forte."

Carter looked at his bottle, wishing he'd opted for the liquor instead. It wasn't too late. "You know, you don't need to cancel that stripper on account of me." The boyish grin was back. "I'm going to have a drink. Would you like one?"

[EPONINE GASCOIGNE]

"I have court in the morning. Just getting some last minute stuff together that my assistant wasn't able to complete. It's easier to just let her go on time, both on my wallet and my patience." Eponine grinned. Assistants could be more trouble than they were worth. Eponine only used them in extreme cases, preferring not to deal with their mistakes or their bitching. "And Cheyenne was kind enough to get me supper before she left for the evening." "Well that was nice of her," Eponine said politely. That was the one thing assistants could be useful for. Getting you food when you wanted it. Not that Eponine ate much. She run off a little bit of food for a long time, and often hardly noticed when she was hungry. Still, there was something to be said for home-cooked meals. Eponine was always rushing, so she hardly got a chance to cook or eat home cooking.

"Lilly will be there tomorrow night. I think it's easier on Cassidy when I'm not there. She gets less angry that I'm not pulling my weight if I'm not there to do so. Raising a child isn't exactly my forte." Eponine gave a smile and a little laugh. "It's not mine either, so I won't judge you," she said in reply. So he had a daughter. Eponine had thought about having kids, but she never had a stable relationship for long. All of the men in her life became annoyed that her work was so important to her, so she eventually had to drop them. If she had found someone who didn't mind how much of herself she put into her work, someone who wasn't intimidated by her, she might have wanted a child. If she had a child, she hoped it would be a son. Life was so much easier for men, she felt.

"You know, you don't need to cancel that stripper on account of me." Eponine actually laughed at the grin that crossed his face. It was a joke, but an odd one for a happily married man to make. Eponine couldn't help wondering how happy he was in his marriage to this Cassidy. "I'm going to have a drink. Would you like one?" Eponine gave a smile and nodded. "Actually, yes. A drink would be nice," she replied. It didn't matter to Eponine. She didn't get drunk easily by far, and a couple drinks might relax her enough to help her really focus on what she was working on.

She followed him to his office, making herself comfortable in a chair at his desk. Her legs crossed politely as she settled in. Her eyes wandered around the room, taking in her surroundings. She found a picture of him and his wife, Cassidy, and beside it a picture of his daughter. They were a beautiful looking family. Their daughter was actually cute. Eponine didn't mind seeing pictures of babies. Being around them was another thing. She would only suffer their presence out of love, and considering she hardly loved anyone, there wasn't a baby on the planet she would suffer to be around. Her heavy eyes fell back on Carter with a soft smile. "So what are we drinking?" she inquired in her smooth voice.

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

"Actually, yes. A drink would be nice,"

It was a short walk to his office, but he was glad she followed. He didn't mind her making herself comfortable, and was almost glad that Lilly would be in bed now. It meant Cassidy wouldn't barge into his office and accuse him like she often did when Cheyenne was in there. Then again Cheyenne had a nasty habit of lounging on his desk, or making inappropriate comments. He liked the attention so he didn't tell her to stop, but he would never do anything with her. The young blond was beautiful and sexy, but not his type. He had the feeling he wasn't exactly her type, either.

Carter went to the little bar he had and pulled open a bottle of well aged scotch and poured the deep amber liquid into two crystal glasses.

"So what are we drinking?" She asked as he passed her a glass and leaned against the desk directly across from her. "Glenlivet Scotch Vintage 1983." He told his in his typical smooth, husky voice. He sipped it slowly and watched the woman before him. He was the type of woman he always expected he would end up with as a boy. Beautiful, classy, intelligent, obviously from money... What he had ended up with was Cassidy, who was indeed beautiful, and certainly intelligent, but class was something he found she had learned with him, and wealth was definitely new to the girl. He loved her, though. There was certainly no denying that. She kept him on his toes.

His eyes moved to her hands, noticing her ring finger was bear. He had spoken to her a few times but their conversations rarely ventured outside of business. "No ring." He noted openly, his eyes catching hers. "Do men find you intimidating or is that a personal choice?"

[EPONINE GASCOIGNE]

"Glenlivet Scotch Vintage 1983."

Eponine gave an appreciative nod, though the words rang strangely in her ears. The words vintage and 1983 did not go together in her mind. Considering she was born in 1919, 1983 was anything but vintage. Still, as scotch went, 1983 was vintage these days. She took a sip and enjoyed the burn in her throat, the taste sharp and powerful. It felt good. The man had good taste in alcohol. Looking at him across from her, she thought it was a shame he was married. He was quite handsome with an almost edgy look to him. When she envisioned a lawyer when she was younger, he might have been what she pictured. The thought made her smile, but she wasn't sure what to talk about with him. Business would be expected and boring. They dealt with cases all day; it was the last thing either of them wanted to talk about, she was sure.

"No ring. Do men find you intimidating or is that a personal choice?"

Eponine caught his gaze and a smile played at her lips as she raised her glass again. She supposed it was only fair that he bring up her single status as she had brought up his married status. "I suppose it's a little of both," she replied. "I've found that men rarely know what they want. Some of the men I've dated say they don't mind a powerful woman, but discover that when a woman has as much power as I do, their own manhood is threatened. Others have said they want a powerful woman, but that's only because they want an excuse not to make any decisions for themselves to relieve stress from their life. I haven't been able to find a man who wants a powerful woman and can also exert his own power. Until I do, I refuse to settle."

She took another sip of the scotch, watching him for his reaction. Her tone had been matter-of-fact, simple, and she wouldn't apologize for what she said. Perhaps that was why men found her intimidating. She rarely apologized for anything. Apologies made a person weak. She would embrace her actions and her words, regardless of what others thought, and she refused to say she was sorry for that. Only in extreme circumstances, when she knew she was wrong, would she humble herself. A smile played at her lips again, a little sardonic in its appearance. "I feel I'm looking for the impossible, though," she said softly. "It's unfortunate powerful women have such difficulties with relationships, but I enjoy having power over having love." She sighed a little, clearing her thoughts. It wasn't like her to be so talkative about this topic. But her face bordered on flirtatious as she changed the focus from her again. "Your wife was lucky to snag you, though. If she hadn't, no doubt some other lovely lady would have." She chuckled a little, resting her glass on her knee. "I'm sure your family was happy you married such a beautiful woman."

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

It was true that men, and most women he knew, had no idea what they wanted. For a long time he had wanted something other than Cassidy, but it was she who he had fallen in love with. Carter often wondered had circumstances been different would they still be together? Had she not come to his house after her father hit her, would they have continued their relationship? Would they have made the journey down south that would change their lives forever?

Carter didn't know. If Cassidy had never let the hitch hiker into their car, they would probably have ended up going different ways at some point. They would probably both be in New York still, and he would still be playing women as he used to.

"No affluent man likes his pride threatened by an equally powerful woman." He chuckled. Cassidy was powerful in her own way. She could be intimidating but not quite in the same way Eponine was. With Cassidy you had to worry about getting a solid kick in the jewels. Carter had a feeling Eponine wasn't quite so viscous. At least not physically.

"Settling isn't all it's cracked up to be." He said sipping his drink, and felt a pang of guilt for saying it. In his own way he was more than happy, if not a little bored of the same old. There was safety in settling down. He had been more than happy at first. It was what he never knew he always wanted, but as time passed he just wanted it less and less. It was becoming less about convenient sex and more about bills, diapers and chores. It didn't help that Cassidy refused the amount of hired help he was used to.

"It's unfortunate powerful women have such difficulties with relationships, but I enjoy having power over having love. Your wife was lucky to snag you, though. If she hadn't, no doubt some other lovely lady would have." His smirk was a pompous one. He enjoyed his ego being stroked by Eponine. Cheyenne stroked everyone's ego, and Cassidy, well, she was his wife. He expected her to make comments now and then, but somehow, coming from Eponine, it was nice and he gave a low chuckle.

"I'm sure your family was happy you married such a beautiful woman." Ah, now that's where she was all wrong.

"Quite the contrary." He began, tipping his glass back and draining it. He reached for the bottle and poured himself some more, then leaned forward and tipped the lip of the bottle to the lady's glass. "My family expected me to marry into a family we associated with. High society, blue blood bullshit. I met Cassidy and due to some...odd, strange events we ended up falling in love. It's a long complicated story, but needless to say my father didn't approve. My father approves of very little I do, though he was happy I followed in his footsteps." His eyes moved to the pictures on his desk. He felt almost like he was betraying Cassidy by discussing this all, but at the same time it felt good to be living a little dangerously. What she didn't know wouldn't hurt her.

"So you're looking for a man who can, and will, hold his own?" Carter asked, raising a brow. "While still allowing you to exert your power. Sounds kinky." He joked, sipping his glass.

[EPONINE GASCOIGNE]

Eponine listened politely as Carter told her about his wife and how he came to fall in love with her. It was against his family's wishes for him to marry somehow without a place in society. The same kind of story you found in fairytales. Cinderella, for instance. How ordinary. Sure, it must have been an exciting story for him and his wife, and it would surely be one their daughter repeated to her daughters to convince them that fairytales do come true. But it wasn't the first time Eponine had heard the basic plot, and she knew how it ended. Happily ever after. Or did it? These days, did it always end happily ever after? The way Carter talked about it, it didn't end happily ever after. It ended with responsibilities and compromise, and dying in a sleepy town far from home. Was that a happy ending? Occasionally Eponine regretted her decision to remain single, married to her work, feeling perhaps she was just too picky in searching for the ideal mate. Right now, she didn't feel that way at all.

"So you're looking for a man who can, and will, hold his own? While still allowing you to exert your power? Sounds kinky."

Eponine had to laugh, picking up her glass again. "Does it?" she asked in an amused tone before taking a sip from her glass. "Well, I only take the whips and chains out occasionally. You know, when he needs to be put in line." It was a joke, and she let it glitter in her eyes as she looked at Carter sitting behind his desk. She never knew he had such a sense of humor. Really, she had always assumed he was a relatively boring person. She knew he lived comfortably with a wife and baby, possibly in a house with a white picket fence and a dog. Typical lawyer. In her mind, he was as dry as the cookie-cutter life he lived. Now, though, her image of him was changing. He was more interesting than she thought.

She finished her glass and placed her perfectly French-manicured hands in her lap. Her head tilted to the side a bit as she considered the man sitting across from her. With a bit of a smirk, she rested her cheek delicately on her hand as her elbow was supported by the arm of the chair she was in. "Perhaps I would have dated you, if you were single," she said in her smooth voice. "It wouldn't have worked out of course since, 'no affluent man likes his pride threatened by an equally powerful woman.' But still, I think I would have." She mimicked him when she quoted him, but when she finished speaking her smile was wide, almost flirtatious. He seemed like he was her type. What a power couple they would have made. The thought was mostly amusing to Eponine, considering she was probably more than twice his age. She generally made it a point to only date gargoyles for that reason specifically. Still, it was a provocative thought.

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

"Does it? Well, I only take the whips and chains out occasionally. You know, when he needs to be put in line." His grin was broad and amused. It felt so taboo to have a conversation like this with someone. A very beautiful someone. Carter felt that nagging feeling pulling at his heart, telling him he needed to stop. But his mind was ablaze; he was doing nothing wrong! He wasn't being unfaithful, not really. Maybe a little, but not in the sense he was cheating on her or putting his marriage on the line. He was simply having a conversation over drinks. About whips and chains. With an extremely sexy, female colleague.

He watched her cradle her face in her hand, noting how well taken care of her hands were. Carter had always noticed when a woman took care of herself. Cassidy often did, but not always. She liked to look put together, though, and her outfits were often beautiful. Not what Carter had grown up adoring on women, but she dressed better these days. Hell, she was a designer! She drew mostly children's clothing now, but the clothing she made and designed were sexy and classy in their own right.

"Perhaps I would have dated you, if you were single," He cocked a brow, not expecting that sort of comment to leave her pink lips. "It wouldn't have worked out of course since, 'no affluent man likes his pride threatened by an equally powerful woman.' But still, I think I would have." She was mimicking him and his smile broadened as he chuckled. Was she flirting? Innocently, of course.

"Would you, now?" It was a rhetoric question, but he raised a brow, feeling a squirm in his stomach recalling the playful comment earlier about whips and chains.

"Yes, I agree it probably would have ended badly, seeing as we'd both vie for the power. " There was something devilish in his smirk, thought. "But I imagine the sex would have been phenomenal." It was teasing, but in a way he knew it was probably true.

This time he did feel that guilt rumble in his stomach. He shouldn't be saying things like that. The sex with Cassidy was phenomenal. They didn't go at it nearly as often as they once had, but when they did it was always excellent. He looked at the picture of Cassidy, feeling he was betraying her, and for good reason. In a way he was.

"I'm sorry, that was inappropriate." He correctly his tone more sour now, almost rehearsed. It had been inappropriate, not only just because he was married, but also because she was a colleague.

[EPONINE GASCOIGNE]

"Would you now?"

Eponine gave a chuckle. She knew she shouldn't be flirting with Carter. He was married, much younger than her, and a colleague. And yet, she was flirting with him. Innocently, of course, and she didn't see flirting as infidelity, but it felt taboo. But if he didn't like it, why was he flirting back? It was almost empowering to feel herself making trouble in paradise. But it was a guilty pleasure she took from it. One that she knew she shouldn't like.

"Yes, I agree it probably would have ended badly, seeing as we'd both vie for the power. But I imagine the sex would have been phenomenal."

Now it was Eponine's turn to raise her brow as she tried to hide the wicked smirk that came across her face. Yes, the sex probably would be phenomenal. She could see it now, a constant battle for who would be on top, sweaty and hot and thrilling. Eponine wasn't known for being gentle during sex, either. She had a tendency to claw at her partner as she got swept away by lust. Marking up Carter seemed like it could be fun. Dangerous, but fun.

But almost as soon as he had said it, Eponine could see the change in Carter's appearance. His devilish smirk disappeared and his guilty eyes wandered to the picture of his wife. That brought Eponine back to reality. She didn't feel guilty. There was no reason she should. She was just a single woman looking to get what she needed. But his eyes moving back to the picture reminded her that this one wasn't prey. He had already been claimed, and there was no need for Eponine to pursue it. She had a feeling Carter would be much more trouble than he was worth.

"I'm sorry, that was inappropriate."

He looked like a dog on a leash, sorry when their master yelled at them for pulling too hard. Eponine had to smile as she shook her head and waved her hand. "No need for apologies. I instigated it. Trust me, I'm not setting you up for a sexual harassment suit or to get you in trouble with your wife." Her demeanor was calm and relaxed, hoping it would rub off onto him. "Would you prefer I leave and let you get back to work?" she asked matter-of-factly.

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

"No need for apologies. I instigated it. Trust me, I'm not setting you up for a sexual harassment suit or to get you in trouble with your wife."

Carter's eyes were back on Eponine, her words almost a slap in the face. Get him in trouble with his wife? He hated that. It tore at him. He was now that guy. The guy who had to worry about what the wifey thought. To get permission to go out, to call and check in when he was going to be late, to consider her when making any decision. Wasn't that what marriage was all about? He knew those things when he married her and he accepted it all so willingly. He expected those same things from her. He'd be furious if she didn't let him know when she would be late. He just hated that it went the other way. He hated being chained like he was, even if he loved the woman who chained him.

"Would you prefer I leave and let you get back to work?" She asked and Carter realized he has spaced out as his mind wandered with her words.

He did need to get his work done and she was quite the distraction. Wouldn't want to keep Cassidy waiting the devil on his shoulder chided snidely in his ear, making the hair on the nape of his neck stand on edge. Had he really given up his brutish ways when he met Cassidy? He recalled the guilt he felt during the whole Hilary debacle. He'd been permitted to kiss her, only to end up hurting her but God how it felt good to be able to do that. Cassidy had given him permission to do practically everything but sleep with her. It had been sort of nice being allowed two women at once. He was still so young..

"And let my mysterious colleague who I rarely see, and who would have dated me had I been single, get away without another glass?" He raised his brow and grabbed the bottle, a devilish look in his eye once more as he tipped the bottle to her glass, filling it with an inch of amber liquor before doing the same with his own. "I'm not afraid of your petty sexual harassment lawsuit. I think a powerful man like me could handle that just fine." He taunted and sipped from his glass. "But it's nice to know I don't need to embarrass such a strong woman by being merciless in front of a judge."

[EPONINE GASCOIGNE]

"And let my mysterious colleague who I rarely see, and who would have dated me had I been single, get away without another glass?"

Eponine had to applaud her way of hooking men. Even married men, it seemed. Carter was a handsome young devil, and if he wanted to threaten his marriage vows with her, that was his business. Would she play along, though? She couldn't deny part of her was curious. It wasn't guilt that made her hesitant, though, but the threat of being confronted by an angry woman and ending up having to put the woman in her place. Was Carter worth that trouble? It wouldn't hurt to stay for another drink and figure it out. She gave him a grin as he refilled her glass, watching him watch her, finding his brazen stare amusing. There were probably so many things she could teach this boy.

"I'm not afraid of your petty sexual harassment lawsuit. I think a powerful man like me could handle that just fine. But it's nice to know I don't need to embarrass such a strong woman by being merciless in front of a judge."

Eponine raised her eyebrows, laughing. She took a sip of her scotch before replying. "Oh, really? I see that as a challenge," she said with a wicked smirk on her face. "I'm pretty sure I could win that case. I could make an excellent case for entrapment. You lured me into your office making small talk and then offered me glass after glass of scotch. And then, when I was just too drunk to be responsible for my actions, you took advantage of me." With a small shrug, she finished her glass, entirely unaffected by it, then brought her sultry brown eyes back to his. "Well that's how my version would end."

She reached for the bottle of scotch herself, this time, leaning closer to him in the process. She tipped the bottle to the lip of her glass and poured another inch before carefully setting it back down. "I guess I'll have to make my story convincing," she teased before taking another sip of scotch and sitting back in her chair once more. Her legs uncrossed and crossed again, the movement fluid. Eponine was a master at making her every movement a subtle seduction. She was the queen of subtly and knew just when to utilize it and when not to. She rested her hands in her lap, her right palm cupping the glass in her left hand. "Then again, the way I'm talking, you could probably make a case of entrapment as well," she mused. It was rare she talked shop and sex at the same time. Really, it was kind of exciting.

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

Her declaration both terrified and excited him. A lawsuit a challenge? Cassidy would tear his manhood clear off if she suspected the suit was true. She would do worse if he actually cheated on her.

"I could make an excellent case for entrapment. You lured me into your office making small talk and then offered me glass after glass of scotch. And then, when I was just too drunk to be responsible for my actions, you took advantage of me."

Should he fear her words? He smirked, knowing she was toying, but still the word challenge rang in his ears. Would she see this as a challenge? "Well that's how my version would end." He raised a brow, seeing the sultry look in her eyes and he couldn't help the stirring in his pants. This conversation was gaining more of a risque undertone than it should be and he gulped, his hazel eyes scorching as they looked across at her.

"I think you would have a difficult time making that story convincing." He offered, his voice cool and collected, the opposite of how he was feeling. "You see, if you're as good a lawyer as you claim, no judge would believe I, or any man, could simply lure you into doing anything you didn't want to. A strong woman such as yourself would be doing the entrapping." His voice was gruff, but his voice was normally gruff. He sipped his drink.

"And I certainly couldn't claim entrapment. I'm certain that wouldn't fly very well at home. No. If you want my legal opinion," he started, the very ghost of a smirk hinting at his lips, "I would use the accusation of blackmail. In fact, that's what I'll use as a counter suit." Carter sipped his drink and then leaned back in his chair. "I'm sure I could find some minor, mundane reason you would blackmail me. Then claim your entrapment suit was one of the things you black mailed me with. You set it up; coming into my office, getting your prints everywhere, including the liquor bottle." He tsked softly and shook his head.

"I think you underestimate me, Eponine. An easy mistake to make when you're not in the office enough to witness my judicial victories." There was something sexy about their conversation that was turning him on. Maybe it was the legal talk. Maybe it was because Eponine was reminding ever so slightly of the beginning of his relationship with Cassidy, when things were fresh, new and exciting. Before the world grew complicated. "I'm quite convincing."

[EPONINE GASCOIGNE]

"I think you would have a difficult time making that story convincing. You see, if you're as good a lawyer as you claim, no judge would believe I, or any man, could simply lure you into anything you didn't want to. A strong woman such as yourself would be doing the entrapping."

Eponine smirked, taking another sip of scotch before resting her glass in the palm of her hand once again calmly. He then went on to tell her how his counter suit would be blackmail and she laughed. "You set it up; coming into my office, getting your prints everywhere, including the liquor bottle." She nodded appreciatively. "Ah, that's a good point. But if I'm already drunk, then I would lose all inhibition. I would naturally want more. And in my drunken state, of course I would lose any reservations I had against sleeping with you. I only came in here to have a polite, professional conversation with you, but you had other plans. You offered the drink, Carter, therefore, a good case for entrapment. Not easy, but manageable," she replied, finishing her glass. Perhaps now she felt a little warm, but that was the extent of the effect the alcohol had on her. The whole bottle of Scotch would only serve to make her tipsy, but why would she drink a whole bottle of scotch? She wasn't a frat boy. Still, she placed her glass on the desk, not wanting to alarm him with the amount of alcohol she could drink. That would be unladylike.

"I think you underestimate me, Eponine. An easy mistake to make when you're not in the office enough to witness my judicial victories. I'm quite convincing."

Eponine gave an exaggerated sigh, leaning her cheek onto her hand again. "Yes, perhaps if I were here more often, I would be a witness to your victories. Unfortunately, I just handle too many cases at one time and I'm always busy winning them," she gloated off-handedly, as if it she weren't implying he was too busy in the office not handling cases. It was all in jest, however. She knew Carter was a talented lawyer; but her experience in the field was far more advanced than he realized or she would ever allow him to realize. She had over fifty years of experience, and she was damn good at her job. It was beneath her to haggle for dominance, though, when she was clearly the winner.

"And I can be quite convincing myself, Carter. It helps to show a little leg," she teased, uncrossing and crossing her legs again with a soft laugh. "Perhaps you should try it some time. I'm sure it would work in your favor." The way she said it was sarcastic, and she gave a very genuine laugh at the idea. "Though I'm sure you're already popular with the female judges," she said with a flirtatious smile. She had a feeling it wasn't just the alcohol making her warm. How far was Carter going to take this? How far would she let him take it? That depended on him entirely. Right now, she had a feeling she would do whatever Carter allowed her to do and let it be what it was: a one time, get your frustrations out, kind of arrangement. It never even need to be spoken of again. She imagined it happened right there on the desk, and the thought made a devilish grin cross her face, as she looked at him. Oh, the things she would do to him.

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

"Yes, perhaps if I were here more often, I would be a witness to your victories. Unfortunately, I just handle too many cases at one time and I'm always busy winning them," Even he couldn't hide the broad grin that spread over his lips. It was something he might say, but it was amusing, and sexy coming from her.

"And I can be quite convincing myself, Carter. It helps to show a little leg," she teased, uncrossing and crossing her legs, making Carter look despite himself. "Perhaps you should try it some time. I'm sure it would work in your favor." "Oh, I doubt it would have the same effect." He said softly, trying his damnedest not to stare at her narrow, muscular legs. "Though I'm sure you're already popular with the female judges,"

Carter grinned and chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm afraid my luck with women judges isn't much different than yours." He admitted. "No woman in power is willing to let a man, even one as handsome as I, sway her judgement." He rolled his shoulders. "It doesn't bother me though. It makes my victories that much more delicious." Again he was being pompous, but it was the tone of their evening so far, being more arrogant than the other.

"I can see why your legs are such a powerful asset, though." He allowed his eyes to linger longer than necessary before sipping his drink and forcing them away. It wasn't that his wife wasn't stunning, but Eponine wasn't Cassidy. It was like having the most delicious prime rib every night of your life. It never stopped being delicious, but every now and then you craved the lobster tail.

"So how late do yo expect to be this evening?" He asked, changing the subject only slightly. "I'm not keeping you, am I? I would hate to be the reason you lost a good nights sleep. Might put you off your game a bit. Especially after the drinks." He taunted.