When E.F. Hutton Talks

Title: When E.F. Hutton Talks.

Fandom: The Practice

Series: Wonderland

Author: Carla

Rating: G

Pairing: EF/HG

Disclaimers: The usual. I own nothing. Certainly I do not own The Practice. That singular honor belongs to David E Kelley and a bunch of suits in Hollywood I think. No profit made. No insult intended.

Archiving: All my stuff can be found at http://www.realmoftheshadow.com/carla.htm. All others please ask.

Feedback: It's the stuff that makes the Fic World go 'round folks. So if you want to give it you can send it to me at cmfloresfd@yahoo.com

Author's Note: This is set primarily after the events of Wooing the Goddess with the very end set the day after Lawyers in Love. I can't remember who exactly gave me the idea but "Thank You". This ficlet has not been beta-ed so any and all errors are mine. All mine I tell you.

Years later when asked to describe how she found out about Eleanor and Helen Lucy would call it an "E.F. Hutton moment". She'd walked into the bar behind her cousin Gina and her girlfriend Cam, the two taller women effectively preventing her from seeing into the bar area while they stood in the doorway scanning the terrain for a table. Spotting a table across the room Gina motioned for Lucy to follow. She'd taken two maybe three steps when the noise level in the room seemed to drop to almost nothing and the crowd before her appeared to part like the Red Sea before Moses leaving her an unobstructed view of Eleanor who was leaning against the far wall. Their eyes locked and Lucy felt compelled to cross the room and speak to her.

"Hi."

"Hey Lucy."

"What are you doing here?"

"Having a drink, waiting for a friend. You?"

"My cousin Gina and her girlfriend, Cam, it's their anniversary we came to celebrate."

"How long?"

"One year."

"That's sweet. Actually I'm here celebrating an anniversary too. Or I will be as soon as they get here."

"Oh...who...the one who keeps sending you stuff at the office?" Eleanor nodded a huge smile spreading across her face as she did so. "So will I get an intro?"

"Maybe"

"No 'Maybes' about it." Eleanor started laughing at the look on the office manager's face, clearly Lucy recognized the voice as belong to Helen Gamble.

"Guess not" the heavyset attorney, said wryly. She kissed her lover briefly in greeting before turning her attention once again to Lucy. "You okay there, Lucy?"

She started laughing then stammered out, "Just like two weeks ago.in the office we were trying to figure out who it was. We kept asking Lindsay but she said." Lucy laughed again gasping to catch her breath before continuing. "Lindsay said that if Helen knew anything at all about who it was she would have told her already. That you being involved with someone would have been to big a piece of gossip to pass up on."

"She did, did she?" Helen groused. "She should talk."

"So you two.how long?" she looked them up and down noting the way Helen seemed to lean into Eleanor and the couple's clasped hands. Eleanor's thumb gently rubbing soothing circles on the back of her lover's hand. "Eleanor said something about today being some sort of anniversary. I can't believe this wait till everyone finds out. I mean you've been sending stuff and messages for a while now...nice touch by the way. So it's been what like three...four months?"

"Two" Helen supplied.

"Or three and a half depending on how you look at things." Eleanor gazed fondly at Helen.

"Really you think? I mean why not say five then. You know the first night on the couch." Helen referred to the night they first revealed their feelings to each other.

"Because talking about it and doing something about it are two entirely different things."

"True." Reaching out to play with the rings that adorned Eleanor's right ear Helen grinned. "Three and a half months it is then, my love."

Lucy observed the exchange between the women with a smile. If you asked her they'd really been a couple since the day Eleanor had gone to the hospital because of complications with her pregnancy. When she'd been discharged home with orders of strict bed rest it had been Helen who'd taken time off of work to care for Eleanor not Doris, Eleanor's mother. Helen, who had been her labor coach, Jimmy simply the back-up plan. And Helen who led everyone to the viewing window at the hospital maternity ward to show off the newly arrived Zoë as any proud parent would.

The couple turned their attention back to Lucy.

"What are you smiling at?"

"You two. You already sound like an old married couple. You ask me you've been together since before Zoë was born you just didn't know it. Anyhow I really should get back to my cousin I'm afraid I'm being rude."

"Okay see you around. I'm headed to the bar you want anything sweetheart...orange juice, 7-Up water?"

"Ginger ale with a cherry please." Eleanor's eyes tracked the district attorney's path towards the bar while she continued talking to Lucy. "Lucy about the office."

"I know I know. 'Keep it to myself', you know it's not like they don't know you're seeing someone."

"I've gathered that but for now I'd appreciate your shall we say 'Discretion'."

"Sure thing."

"I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Tomorrow," with that the petite brunette began to walk away. She'd taken two maybe three steps when she turned to face Eleanor once again. "I just wanted to say that I'm happy for you both. That you found each other you know. I don't think I've ever seen you so relaxed and comfortable, either one of you really. So uhm yeah...anyway...I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thank you."

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / /

In the weeks that followed as Eleanor continued to receive flowers, gifts and other messengers at the office Lucy found it harder and harder to keep the other woman's secret. Only the knowledge of just how well Eleanor could hold a grudge made Lucy stay quiet until a month or so later when another floral arrangement was being delivered just as Lindsay and Eleanor were returning from lunch.

"Eleanor your weekly delivery is here."

"Thanks Lucy." Eleanor said off handedly as she walked with Lindsay towards their desks.

"Lindsay?"

"Yes."

"Thanks for lunch and for the other you know?"

"Sure. So all this time it's been Helen sending you the flowers and baskets?"

"Yeah."

"She's never done that for anyone else you know. Said she always hated that sort of thing...too lovey dovey for her tastes she said."

Lucy, having overheard the exchange between the two attorneys, cried out. "Hey she knows. Does this mean I can tell the others now too."

"Tell the others what Lucy?" Rebecca Washington asked as she, Eugene Young and Jimmy Berlutti joined them in the common area in front of Eleanor's desk where Lucy had placed the vase of flowers.

"Who Eleanor's secret admirer is."

"Who?"

"Eleanor?"

"Go ahead" the beleaguered attorney sighed.

"Helen" Lucy crowed with glee God she loved having the inside track.