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Author's Chapter Notes:

Slightly shorter chapter, since I feel like the next one might be kinda long. Probably wouldn't be a good idea to combine this one into it as well. 

~

“Alright, let’s take a step back. Can we talk about how the meeting went first?” asked Brian. Allison took a breath and nodded.

“So, how did she react to the whole Chevalier thing?” he said.

“Really, really well,” replied Allison. “Literally right away, she understood why I did it and said she wasn’t mad at me.” 

Brian narrowed his eyes.

“Seriously? Not even a little bit mad? Was she at least surprised?” he asked.

“She was definitely surprised, but no. Not even a little bit mad. I laid out everything that happened prior to me accepting the job, just like we practiced, and I think that really softened the blow,” Allison replied. “Isn’t that great?”


“Well, yeah, I guess I’m just surprised,” Brian said. “What exactly did she say?”

Allison smiled.

“Well, she said basically the same things that you did. She understood that I got caught in a vulnerable moment, and I eventually felt like I was too stuck to leave. Just like you, she said that it didn’t make me a bad person. Like I remembered, she is a very caring, warm, empathetic, and amazing person. And that’s why…” she said, making an exaggerated wink at the end, signalling to Brian what she wanted to say next.


“And that’s why you think we should tell her about me,” Brian sighed. Allison vigorously nodded, and Brian groaned in response.

“Alright, I don’t want this to turn into another argument, so let’s just talk about it, okay?” he asked. At that, Allison rose from her kneeling position and made her way over to the sofa, sitting down right next to Brian. She then promptly picked him up and placed him in her palm, and he soon got settled as well. Brian pondered for a moment, while Allison waited patiently.


“So… can I tell you why I don’t think we should, and then you tell me why you do?” he asked.

“Yeah, that’s fine,” Allison replied. Ever since their argument, they had been working on ways to have difficult conversations without getting heated. One rule they had decided on was to let each other speak in turns without interruptions.


“So…” Brian started, debating how to word it. “Telling people about me carries risk for both of us. I’m not supposed to be alive, and if people were to find out that I am, and why that is… it could lead to my death and your incarceration. I don’t like that outcome, as I kinda like being alive, and I really like you.”

At that, Allison slightly blushed and smiled gratefully.

“Now, I understand that you have a history with this woman, but I don’t. As you know by now, trust doesn’t come easily for me, and trusting someone with our secret is about the highest level of trust I can give. That’s my first issue with her. My second issue is that, if I remember correctly, she was a former attorney, and currently teaches undergrad law and ethics, right?” he continued.

“That’s right,” Allison replied.


“Right. So, with that in mind, I have no idea how she will respond to your breaking the law by saving me. Showing support for my case, and perhaps wishing that I didn’t die is one thing, but actually breaking the law is another. My guess is that most law professors would say that you can’t choose to break laws just because you disagree with them. So, if she does not agree with your decision, and feels like her duty to uphold the law is more important than her relationship with you, then we’re dead. That’s my second issue,” he continued. Through it all, Allison simply listened in silence, a deliberative look on her face.


“Lastly… I guess I just don’t see why it’s worth the risk. I don’t really feel a desire to make friends with anybody else, and being found out is one of my greatest fears, for both of us. There’s already one person out there who knows about me, and we’re very lucky that she’s choosing to keep it a secret. I’m still not even really sure why she is, to be honest. Secrecy is our greatest weapon, Allie, and two people knowing about me is two too many, as far as I’m concerned. So… yeah. I guess that’s it. What do you think?” he finished, reclining into Allison’s upturned fingers as he passed the discussion along to her. Allison nodded, then smiled appreciatively.


“Those were some excellent opening arguments, Brian,” she said slyly. “Are you sure you weren’t also planning on being an attorney?”

“Oh ho ho, well you would certainly know, wouldn’t you, counselor?” he responded playfully. “Unfortunately, though, I never really figured out what I wanted to study before I got wrapped up in a series of unfortunate events. Anyway, what say you?”

Allison chuckled, before adopting a more serious expression as she deliberated where to start.


“Right… well, I guess there’s kind of a paradox when it comes to gaining your trust, isn’t there?” she started. Brian raised an eyebrow.

“Well, the only way for her to gain your trust is to gain it over time by interacting with you, but she can’t do that without knowing about you, which you don’t want to let happen because you don’t trust her, right?” she continued.

“Uh… yeah,” Brian replied unsuredly.

“Alright. So, let me just ask you this: do you trust me?” she asked. Brian’s eyes turned deadly serious.

“With every cell of my body,” he replied firmly. Allison smiled appreciatively, thinking back to how hard she had worked to earn that trust over the past few weeks.


“Good. I feel the same way about you, Brian,” she replied. “I also trust Elizabeth. Now, I know that it isn’t the same as you trusting her, but let me tell you what I know about her, as somebody who trusts her completely, okay?”

Brian nodded.

“Okay. Here’s what I know about her as a person, and here’s what I know about how she feels about your case. As a person, I’ve never met anybody as caring, wise, and empathetic as her. She sees the good in everyone, Brian. When I was in college, I sometimes felt closer to her than I did my own family. And, when it comes to the law, she was never above questioning it. I firmly believe that she values justice, not the law. So, once she knows that you’re innocent, Brian, I have absolutely no doubt that she would keep it a secret. You really don’t need to worry about that, if nothing else,” she continued. Brian’s eyes softened, not fully convinced but at least persuaded by her earnestness. 


“Next, here’s how she feels about your case. So, think back to that first week or so after the death of Timmy Osment, when the media fever was at its greatest intensity, okay?” she said.

“Uh… I’d rather not,” Brian said quietly, turning his eyes downwards.

“Oh, shit. Sorry, that’s probably a good call,” Allison quickly corrected. “I just meant, when everybody was tremendously outraged, Elizabeth was still willing to openly criticize the decision to convict you. Her credibility took a big hit because of that, just because she felt like it was the right thing to do. I wish I had that kind of bravery.”

At that, Brian looked back up at her with a gentle smile.

“You were even braver when you decided to save me, Allie,” he said softly. An unexpected pang of emotion hit Allison in response, and she struggled against the urge to shower Brian in kisses.


“T-Thank you…” she stammered. “Anyway, my point is that she was never fooled for a moment, and her doubt surrounding what happened to you never faded. Today, she told me that the decision to ‘re-sentence’ you to death was a travesty. She said that when she heard the news, it made her sick. Then, when you ‘died,’ she said that she was unable to sleep afterward.”

Brian’s eyes softened, as if to say “really?”

“Really. She said that she doesn’t know if you were innocent, but the secretive and questionable way in which they handled your case is more than enough to inspire doubt. Even if there’s even a sliver of a chance, she said that it keeps her up at night. Believe me when I tell you this, Brian: there is nobody on this earth more likely to believe you than her. After me, of course,” Allison continued. She then took a pause, allowing Brian to absorb the information.


“You don’t say…” he muttered.

“Oh, she also said that when she would see you in the news, she always felt like you needed a hug,” Allison said.

Brian snapped to attention.

“She said that?!” he exclaimed. Allison was perplexed.

That’s the thing you respond strongly to?” she asked in disbelief. Brian fidgeted in response.

“Well… it’s just, uh, who doesn’t like a hug, you know? She’s absolutely right, that’s all,” he said bashfully. At that, Allison grinned and held Brian close to her chest for a moment, giving him her best approximation of a hug for a one-inch person.

“Something like that?” she asked smugly. Moving her hands back to her lap, she saw that Brian had a doubtful look on his face.


“You’re trying to work me, woman. It ain’t gonna work,” he said with narrowed eyes. Allison giggled.

“Had to try,” she said. “Anyway, where was I? Right, if anything she seems more sympathetic to your case, now that you were ‘executed.’ Honestly, the moment where she seemed almost angry at me was when she asked if you were sent to me. I lied, of course, but I genuinely don’t know how she would have reacted if I told her that I had killed you. So, I guess that about covers it. She’s our best chance at an ally, and I also think it would do her some good as well, to know that you’re alive and healthy.”


Just like that, both sides had stated their case. That didn’t mean the discussion was over, though.

“I see. Not bad yourself, counselor,” Brian said with a grin.

“Thanks. I motion to move the floor into open debate for the remainder of this meeting,” she said stiffly, as if in a courtroom.

“Motion granted,” Brian replied just as stiffly. They smiled at each other.


“So, I want to talk about the last thing you said, Brian. Why don’t you want to make any more friends? Wouldn’t it be nice to have more people on your side?” she asked. Brian fidgeted for a moment.

“Allie, if I say something really lame and mushy right now, do you promise not to laugh?” 

“No promises.”

“Ugh, fine. Allison Starr, you’re all I need, okay? I feel no desire to make more friends because I already have what I want. That’s all,” he replied resolutely, trying not to sound too embarrassed. A surge of electricity ran through Allison’s body, and her face suddenly grew quite warm.


“…Brian, those are the things you say when you want to get yourself kissed,” she said, before puckering and drawing Brian closer to her lips. His eyes widened.

“Fuck, I take it back, I take it back! I hate your guts, you’re the worst, you suck!” he desperately cried, but it was all for nought. A moment later, his whole body slammed into Allison’s wet, cushy lips, and he was subjected to a long, drawn out smooch, once again coating his whole body with a layer of saliva. Pulling him away with an exaggerated smack, Allison quickly dried his body with one of her sleeves before returning her hands to their original position. There, sitting down with a peeved expression, was her tiny boyfriend. While he looked annoyed, his blushing cheeks indicated that he had enjoyed it quite a bit. As Allison had learned over the past week, kisses were Brian’s main weakness.


“You’re the worst, Starr,” he said.

“And proud of it!” replied Allison with a wink. Just like that, the mood had reset.

“While that makes me the happiest person in the world to hear, Brian, I really think it would do you some good to have somebody else to talk to,” Allison continued. “You’ve been alone for the past three years, so your standards have undoubtedly changed. As much as it pains me to say this, since I just want to keep you all to myself, it’s really not healthy to be completely dependent on a single person. Does that make sense?”


At that, Brian flopped over on Allison’s hand, letting out an exaggerated sigh of defeat.

“Fiiiiine,” he said, “we can tell her. But if this leads to me dying, I’ll kill you.”

Allison broke out in a huge grin, having achieved victory. Before they could proceed, however, she had to make one thing clear.

“Excellent. Don’t forget, though, my dearest Brian,” she said slyly. Brian raised his head to look at her, and she suddenly moved her head so her eyes were right before her one-inch companion with a fierce expression.

“Even if I’m choosing to share you, you’re still mine, got it? Finders keepers, and you belong to me,” she said sternly. Brian felt a strange tingle, and he grinned widely.

“Just like the Ring?” he asked.

“Just like the Ring,” Allison replied. 


At that, the debate was over.

 

 

 

Chapter End Notes:

Alright, next are some introductions. See you then!

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