Annalise sat at the island drinking vodka with Bonnie and Frank in the room while the students stood at the doorway. Annalise looked up at Frank as she took a sip, him standing in front of her. "Where are we on finding Gabriel."

The man furrowed his brows gesturing with his hand. "The feds are hiding him in the prison system. I was thinking if I drafted a motion for disclosure-" Annalise cut Frank off, pouring herself another drink. "Leave the lawyering to the actual lawyers, Frank. Just find a way to track him down."

Frank crossed his arms looking at Annora in the doorway who shot him a sympathetic smile. "Uh..." Asher then stepped into the kitchen wearing what Annora called a 'Tacky Easter Sunday Suit'. "Professor Keating, how about if I help Frank with that?

He led them to the study as he pulled out a stack of papers which he now began to read to the group.

"Gabriel Shaw has been in perfect health for the last five years. That was until he was conveniently hospitalized in the Allentown federal prison," As he spoke he shot Frank a look of gloat. ", one day after the A.U.S.A. interviewed him about this case." He handed the stack to Annalise who took it, reading over the words.

"The diagnosis-undetermined. They're faking sick it's obvious." He walked to the middle of the room doing a half squat as he threw his hands around. Frank stared deeply at him nodding along. "They don't want the jury to hear whatever he has to say."

Asher let out a 'hah', before Annalise questioned him, "Where'd you get this from?" He leaned against the wall in a 'cool' manner sighing. "I have, uh, sources."

Frank had enough of his gloating made a sour face at Asher. "You mean your daddy?" Annora who was standing beside him pinched the back of his neck lightly as a way of telling him to 'cut it out'. Asher turned with an open mouth resembling a squirrel yet before he could speak their boss spoke.

"Whoever it was, it worked. Make room on your mantel for the trophy, Mr. Millstone." Michaela glared at him as he pulled the sides of his suit jacket. "Yeah!" He crossed his arms as Connor rolled his eyes. It seemed as if Annora and possibly Wes were the only ones who could care less about the trophy.

Paula and her husband were in Annalise's office with her and Bonnie while the others stood or sat in the study, looking over more files.

Frank came to stand by Annora who was sitting at Bonnie's desk. "Hey, you wanna sneak upstairs? Got at least ten minutes." Annora looked at him with an annoyed look. "Frank! What the hell?" Her voice was lowered to a whisper as she looked at him with wide eyes before her eyes glanced across the room to see if anyone heard.

"Relax, Sunshine. I'm only kidding." He turned his head muttering underneath his breath. "The hell I was." Annora looked at him with a small smile. "Oh good, because if my mom caught us-" Frank cut her off on her words, shock portraying on his tone and features. "Wait, so if Annalise wasn't here, you would do it?" Frank started to come up with ways to get Annalise out of her own house along with the other students.

"I was joking, Frank. Your gavel is trying to punctuate some rulings downstairs." Frank looked confused before he glanced down, he quickly started walking away, "I'm going to the bathroom."

By the time Frank had gotten back, Bonnie and Paula's husband, Kevin, had exited the room and went over to Bonnie's desk. Annora gathered her things standing up and started to walk away from the desk but a grip on her arm stopped her.

She turned to see Frank connected to said arm causing her to furrow her brows. "Where are you going?" Annora signed lightly pulling her arm back to her side. "I'm letting you guys do your work thing, besides I can't focus with you in a close proximity."

She walked over to the other students sitting on the love seat by Wes who gave her a sweet smile. Asher turned his head at Frank before leaning forward in his seat. "Okay, if Frank's not a lawyer, then what is he?" He was mostly looking at the Keating girl as she has known him for nine years of her life.

"Is he Annalise's bodyguard? Seems like yours too." Annora rolled her eyes at Asher before she spoke. "Frank is a paralegal."Connor stepped forward speaking in a gruff voice. "Whatever he is, I'm glad there's some eye candy around here." Asher furrowed his brows studying Connor as he sat on the armrest. "What about me? I'm not eye candy enough?"

Connor smirked at Michaela as he said his words, "Aiden is eye candy. You are meatloaf." Asher shifted in his seat sitting down further. "Meatloaf that's about to get your trophy." Michaela then added her sense into the conversation eyeing Connor. "My trophy. And I never believed he was a lawyer." As she spoke her last sentence her eyes switched over to Annora who had only rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"What does that mean?" Laurel questioned her as a phone rang. "Have you heard him speak? That accent?" Annora closed her file tightly stopping Michaela from speaking further. "He's from Philly, accents don't define a person's job. You have the accent of a stuck-up bitch yet I don't let that define you." She stood from her seat collecting her things, starting to regret coming over to them instead of staying put.

Before she went back over to Bonnie, she turned to face Michaela who had a look of shock and outrage mixing with her features. "For the record, the accent is pretty hot." Annora turned on her feet not seeing the smirk Frank gave her as he overheard the conversation. Wes was also proud as she wasn't as quiet as she used to be, sticking up for her friend.

The phone continued to ring causing Frank to raise his voice. "Could someone answer their damn phone?" Laurel turned to Wes who was taking notes hearing the ringing come from his items. "Wes, it's your bag." He stood closing his binder and taking his phone from the bag and going to the hall.

The coin fell back down into Wes's hand. He flipped it over onto the top of his left hand before saying aloud. "Heads." Though it wasn't heads, it was tails.

"We go back for the body." He stared at each of their faces before taking the quarter and placing it back in his pocket.

He began grabbing his stuff off of the ground looking up seeing that none of them were moving. "Let's go!"

As they started to walk off Michaela yelled out with tears streaming down her cheeks. "No!" They all stopped turning back towards her. "No. This makes no sense at all. We go back for the body, and then what? We do what with it? Haven't any of you thought about that?"

Wes leaned forward practically growling at her as he talked, "We burn it." Michaela threw her hands in the air rolling her tear-stricken eyes. "Oh, please. A body doesn't just burn. You need an incinerator."

Wes was being smart on the occasion but Michaela was only thinking of herself at the moment not thinking of the thing that will lead back to them. "But at least we'll get rid of our DNA." Connor gave a nod agreeing with him and Michaela sighed. "And the bonfire will cover the smoke. It's, it's kind of a perfect plan."

Annora hadn't brought the thickest jacket that night unlike the others as she was in her own home and stuck by shock. Wes noticed her slight shivering, taking off his first jacket layer holding it out allowing her to put her arms through.

She quietly thanked him as Laurel spoke. "The bonfire." Though Michaela spoke over her, "There's nothing perfect about this plan." Laurel was trying to gain their attention but Michaela kept crying. "You guys..." Connor turned holding his jacket close to his body glaring at Michaela. "Cry all you want. I'm now on board with the plan." Laurel had enough of being spoken over so she whisper-yelled gaining the other four's attention. "Listen to me! The bonfire, that's our alibi."

Students stood throwing many things into the bonfire, while deep in the crowd the five students were spread jumping and cheering with 'smiles'. Annora stood with Wes and Laurel who were taking pictures of them. Laurel took a picture of them just as Wes kissed her forehead seeing her saddened eyes.

Michaela stood in the crowd sad as Connor came over cheering holding up his phone though she didn't smile. She pushed his arm off of her but he brought her back in his hold as she ground her teeth together. "Say "cheese"!" He took a picture but she wasn't smiling. He hissed into her ear, "Smile or go to jail!" Michaela gave a fake smile as Connor took more pictures of them.

The students sat in the study some reading while others relaxed. Files and papers laying almost everywhere. Bonnie walked into the room slapping Asher's feet off of the table. "Clean up your messes! While we're waiting for Mr. Shaw to get transferred from prison, we're gonna be meeting with a potential new client. They'll be here any minute."

Asher turned toward her with a hopeful expression. "Please tell me it's the football player. I heard a rumor that the university wants Annalise to defend him." Bonnie sighed staring at Asher with intensity, "Don't call her "Annalise". You'll find out soon enough." She backed up going to the desk.

The client soon came along with Annalise and Frank, he sat down in the chair as he was questioned. The client was the football player, Griffin O'Reilly. "There was a party at my fraternity that Friday. Lila didn't come. She was pissed at me, and I just wanted a break. We were drinking a lot, and some of the girls wanted coke, so I called Rebecca."

Annalise who stood in the back spoke as Wes thought over his words, "She was your dealer?" "No, she was friends with Lila. I knew she dealt." "Lila was friends with a drug dealer?" Griffin chuckled at that, "She knew all types of people. Rebecca came over. We got really messed up. Next thing I know, I'm back in my room with her, our clothes are off, and we're in the middle,"

Annora who stood by the window slightly grimaced, turning her head. She didn't like hearing about or seeing others' sexual activities. To her, that was something to keep to yourself. She thought he could've easily said, 'We were in the midst of intercourse.'

"We're in the middle when Lila walked in. We never did that, Lila and Me. We'd taken a vow, promised each other we'd wait until we got married. Lila just lost it. I mean, she's screaming, scratching me." He made scratching motions across his neck.

"That's why my DNA is under her nails. She ran out, that's when I see Rebecca... smiling. I knew then she set the whole thing up. She texted Lila from my school horn when we were booking up, and she told her that I needed to see her. I looked for Lila all night. I called her friends, I went to her room. I was probably there when she was getting strangled on that roof. Rebecca did this..., not me." He looked deeply into Annalise's eyes as he spoke his last words, "I swear to god."

Late that night at the Keating home Bonnie was sitting at her desk while Frank leaned against the wall. Laurel walked over glancing at Frank before she slightly leaned closer to Bonnie. "Do you need anything else?" The blonde woman glanced up from her paper pointing at the stack of files on her desk.

"See the pile?" She asked in a tone telling her it was the most obvious thing. "Actually, can I help with that tomorrow? There's this law-review party tonight, and we're supposed to-" she was stopped from speaking further as Frank cut her off. "Where's it at?" Laurel turned around almost shocked he was talking to her. "Uh... a... bar. I think it's called McKoy's." She smiled softly at him staring into his eyes.

She looked back to Bonnie playing with her heavily wrinkled shirt. "We're not going, and if you wanted to go, you should have just said that from the start," Frank spoke glancing up from the thick file he held.

"Just cause we got no lives doesn't mean no one else can. Let her go." Laurel smirked at him before eyeing Bonnie. "You heard him." Frank turned and smirked at Annora who was sat on the love seat hearing the ordeal. Laurel turned to smirk at Frank yet found his eyes trained on the curly-haired girl on the sofa.

Frank had known Laurel annoyed Annora to no end so what better way than to let her leave the home of her own free will. When Laurel left Frank strutted over to Annora who looked entirely too bored. "You wanna go to that party thing?" She shook her head almost snorting. "Agh, come on. Need to get you out of the house more. Spend a little night with Frank, maybe you'll see your little buddy Wes there." Annora riled her eyes standing from the love seat. "Fine."

Frank led Annora into the bar after a short fifteen-minute car ride or convincing her of how fun it would be. He had taken a glass of whiskey watching Annora speak to someone from her class at the bar.

Had he known she would've been pulled away as soon as she entered he would've left them at home or better yet invited her over for dinner. Seeing her now alone at the bar he had started to make his way over until the man came back over handing her a bottle of water with a smile.

Frank seethed, downing the rest of his drink, slamming the glass on the bar, ignoring Asher as he exited the bat forgetting he was Annora's ride.

Annora was angered the next day in court. Mad at the fact Frank led her to a bar then left her there. After the guy had given her a bottle of water she had told him she was here with someone.

Even bought Frank another glass of whiskey but when she went to give it to him he was nowhere to be found. And with no ride, she had to walk home terrified that night which took her nearly three hours.

Annora hadn't told her mother as she didn't exactly want Frank to lose his job knowing her mother would do such actions. Now in the courtroom, she subtly glared at the back of Frank's head. When he came over and sat down next to her she asked if Michaela could scoot down one seat.

Michaela gladly did so, so she wouldn't be directly in front of Connor any longer. Frank glared at her in hurt and confusion as she wouldn't even look at him. But before he could speak Wes walked in waving at her as she beckoned him next to her.

He happily walked over sitting in between the two. Asher started whispering to Wes before he deeply poked him in his thigh. Annora turned around glaring at Asher before whispering in a strong almost mom-like tone, "Stop!"

The judge spoke from her seat stopping Asher from saying anything back. "Mr. Bordal, I understand you have one additional witness." The man stood from his seat facing the judge. "Yes, your honor. The prosecution calls Gabriel Shaw." Elena/Paula turned to Annalise harshly whispering. "What?! I thought he was our witness." Bonnie turned to her settling her confusion. "Once he's on the witness list, either side can call him."

One of the doors at the room entrenched opened revealing Gabriel Shaw walking into the room. He walked to stand sitting down, placing his hand on the Bible swearing the oath. "Take is back to 1994, Mr. Shaw. How would you characterize that time and, more specifically as it relates to Elena Aguilar, a.k.a. Paula Murphy?"

Gabriel glanced at her before speaking aloud, "We were fighting the good fight, doing all we could to reverse the rampant greed around us. I guess that's why I wasn't that surprised when Elena suggested that we plant that bomb." The crowd looked around at each other while the husband and wife looked taken back.

Annalise sat on her seat as she questioned Gabriel. "Mr. Shaw, didn't you tell me before the trial that it was your idea to plant the bomb, not my client's?" He smirked, "Did I?" Annalise gritted her teeth staring angrily at him. "You're lying, Mr. Shaw."

"Look, Elena is the woman I've loved my entire life even all this time in jail. So, when I saw her the other day... well, I would have said anything to protect her. But then I came to my senses and decided to tell the truth." Elena had tears leaking from her eyes, Annalise's body turned more towards Gabriel now.

"The truth. Exactly." She slowly stood from her seat staring directly at the man. "And the truth is you were not on the prosecution's original witness list. Isn't that right?" "It is." "So, it wasn't until you spoke with the defense that the u.s. attorney convinced you to swap sides?" Prosecutor Bordal stood calling objection. "The word 'convince' implies that-"

Annalise raised her voice at him putting her hand out stopping his words. "I'll rephrase it. What deal was promised to you if you agreed to testify against my client?" Bordal stood again, "Objection. Assumes facts not in evidence." Annalise turned angry to the prosecutor, "Really? So, there was no offer on the table?"

Annora lightly clapped her hands together causing Wes to place his hands over hers with a smile making her stop. Frank glanced over at their hands clenching his jaw and tightening his fists.

"He simply volunteered?" The judge turned to Gabriel who was quiet as a mouse. "Answer the question, Mr. Shaw." He turned his head connecting his eyes with Elena's. "Early release." Elena sighed throwing her head back as Annalise repeated his words softly. "Wow. So, after twenty years in prison, you get to walk free. That must feel amazing. After twenty years later in a cell, I think I'd say pretty much anything for that."

Bordal tried to butt in again but Annalise stopped him, "Nothing further." Annalise walked back to her seat as Elena was crying tears of joy.

The students stood in the hall as Annalise, Bonnie, and Frank walked out. "The judge has given up three hours. That's how long we have to rebuild our defense. Look into forensics, crime tech, the FBI lab. This moment, right now, this is when you prove your worth. "

Michaela had found something trying to tell Annalise as she was on the phone with Frank with the other students following. She hung up as she led them outside where Frank, Kevin, and Bonnie stood. Kevin walked up sounding conflicted. "We were in the cafeteria talking, I thought we were working through it when she said she needed to go to the restroom." Frank walked close looking at Annalise. "That was an hour ago."

They were back in the courtroom the judge now speaking with Annalise. "Mrs. Keating, have you located your client?" She licked her bottom lip standing from her seat. "I'm afraid her whereabouts are unknown, your honor."

"Very well. I'm issuing a bench warrant for the immediate arrest of Paula Murphy a.k.a. Elena Aguilar. Until she's detained, case H9Y2 is put on permanent hold. Court adjourned."

Michaela grimaced as she dragged the last bag of bones to the car. Connor was squatting on the ground breathing into his palms. Wes placed the bag into the truck looking at the others. "That's the last one." Connor stared at the truck bouncing as he squatted, "Everyone get in the car." He had tears falling down his pale cheeks, looking distraught.

Wes closed the trunk getting into the passenger side. This time Annora sat in the middle of the backseat. Laurel on her left and a spot for Michaela on her right.

Connor stood going to the driver's seat when Michaela groaned in horror looking at her left hand. "Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait." Connor shivered walking away from the door. "Just get in the car, Michaela." She cried looking at her ring finger. "Oh, no, m-m-m-m-my ring." Laure turned in confusion, "What?" "My engagement ring is gone!"

She cried out, whimpering. "I lost it. I- oh, god. I lost my ring." They all exited the car looking as Michaela dropped to the ground moving the dirt on the floor. "I lost my ring. I lost my ring. I lost my ring. I lost my ring." Her voice got quieter with each sentence as her face contorted into sadness.

In the classroom, Michaela sighed looking at the trophy Annalise had her hand on at her desk. "I'd like to announce the new owner of the trophy... someone who has impressed me greatly this week."

She picked the trophy up bringing it to her hands above her lap. "A student who has shown dedication, hard work," Asher closed his notepad placing it on the floor below him. ", and the audacity to speak up for the pawns in this world."

She looked around in the classroom as she gained suspense, "Mr. Gibbons, come claim your prize." She looked up at hind holding the trophy out. He looked shocked as he stood from his heat.

Annora lightly clapped for him, being the only one, and smiled. "From this point on. I'd like to bam any further discussion on the Lila Stangard murder in this classroom, as I'm representing one of the defendants, Rebecca Sutter."

Wes was now by her side and she handed him the trophy. Wes took us gratefully his eyes connecting with his one friend in the room.

- 3839 words -

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can I tell you how much I hate laurel? how many people are in this world? 7,655,957,369. that's the percentage I hate her, that can go for michaela too.

gets a little spicy next chapter? but which way?

also do you guys like that I include the court scenes or scenes that annora is in but barely or doesn't speak on at all?

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