Something didn't quite seem right with Casey Novak that day.

She looked a little out of it, as if she hadn't slept well that night. When asked, that's the excuse she used. According to her story, her neighbor had a very loud party the previous night. She told them she'd feel better once they were at trial.

That didn't seem to be the case. The courtroom merely gave her a ghostly complextion. However, whatever was going on, it didn't appear to hinder her lawyering abilities. She went at the case with the same zeal she always did, and the trial seemed to be going her way. However, a pained look crossed her face every time she moved. Even Judge Petrovsky and Trevor Langen were shooting her concerned looks. However, since whatever it was didn't seem to be affecting how she handled the trial, nobody made a comment.

The defendant was a young man by the name of Lawrence Soloman, and he was accused of sexually assaulting three of his classmates. The defense's argument was that the sex with the girls was consensual each time, and that the three accusers were conspiring against him. Unfortunately for Casey, the defendant was the poster-child for good behavior, and was playing his role very well. She would have bought the story, had she not talked to the three ladies. The fear in their voice and the power in their tears was enough to tell her there was no way they were making it up.

"So, you're a good looking guy," she told him, flashing him a fake smile, "I bet that a lot of girls want to be with you, right?"

"Yeah. I guess so," Lawrence responded, a cocky tone in his voice. Casey walked closer to him, and winced in pain. The defendant raised an eyebrow, but kept his composure.

"So was it your idea, or Cady Sandoval's idea to sleep together?" She continued.

"Cady's," he responded calmly. Casey nodded, and she forced the pained expression away from her face.

"Was it also Matsuri Tanaka's?" He nodded at her.

"Yes ma'am." She took another step towards the defendant, and took in a deep breath. She clenched her fists together, digging her nails into her hands.

"And Logan Harper? Did she have the hots for you too?"

"Yes ma'am," he responded again, "All three asked me to sleep with them. They're attractive, so I agreed."

"So could you please explain to the court why they're all conspiring against you to have you arrested?" She asked. Sweat was coming off her body rapidly, and she could feel her hair start to stick to her neck. She ignored it, though, and kept on going.

"I don't know," he responded innocently. "I could never hurt anyone."

In what might have been the worst timing for a defendant ever, Casey passed out right then. She hit her head on the corner of the defendant's stand, and a crack echoed throughout the courtroom. A collective gasp could be heard from the room's occupants.

Olivia and Elliot jumped up from the audience, and ran to their ADA's side. Even Langen left his post, and went to make sure his opponent was all right.

"Call a medic!" Judge Petrovsky yelled, and banged her gravel, "Court is dismissed!"

Olivia quickly put her hand on Casey's neck, checking for a pulse. She sighed in relief as it seemed normal. However, Casey was bleeding from the spot where she hit her head.

"Will she be okay?" Langen asked, hovering over the two detectives.

"Just get your client out, we'll handle it," Olivia told him. The defense attorney quickly complied with the detectives orders.

Elliot couldn't help but look up, and see the panicked expression on Lawrence's face as he was being led out.

"Today's your lucky day, pal," Elliot said to him, and turned his attention back to Casey. He placed a hand on her forehead, and found she clearly had a high fever.

The medics arrived in minutes, one of the benefits of courthouses.

"I'll ride with her," Olivia said. Elliot nodded.

"I'll call Cragen."

Casey knew it wasn't smart to ignore the stomach ache she woke up with. She also knew it wasn't smart to continue her bike ride to work when she started to feel a bit warm. She knew it really wasn't smart to not drink anything that day.

Those were just the beginning of all the unwise things she had done that day. When she realized the pain in her stomach became much sharper when she moved, that should have been her sign to go home. However, Casey was stubborn. She had dealt with pain that was much worse than a little stomach ache, and she really wanted to convict this Lawrence kid.

The last thing she remembered was she was cross examining that Lawrence. Now, she was waking up to a throbbing pain in her head. Once more, her stomach ache had gotten much worse. She realized she was in an ambulance.

"Casey," she heard Olivia's gentle voice, "Casey, how do you feel?"

As if by some sick force, the pain in her stomach got much sharper, and she gasped in pain. Her breath quickened.

Olivia gave her one of her hands, which Casey squeezed. Sweat was pouring off of her face, and she shut her eyes

"What…" her hand squeezed harder, and she let out a small grunt of agony, "...happened. What happened?"

Olivia brushed the sweat off of the girl's brow, and smiled at her.

"I wish I could tell you, sweetie."

They stayed quite, except for Casey's gasps of pain. Olivia kept her calm, as Casey tightly gripped her hand.

It was then that Casey's eyes rolled into the back of her head, and she was out again. A loud beep could be heard from the heart moniter.

"She's coding!" One of the paramedics shouted. Olivia felt her heart skip a beat as they yelled that, and she let go of her friends hand. She gave the paramedics room to do what they needed to do to keep the lawyer alive.

She felt a wave of relief as the beeps on the heart monitor went steady. Casey was still alive. For now.

It left one question in her head. What the hell was going on?

The moment they got to the hospital, Casey was taken away to see what was wrong with her, as well as get the stiches in the cut on her head. Olivia was now in the waiting room, praying that her friend would be okay.

"How is she?"

Olivia turned around, and smiled as she saw Elliot come in. Olivia nodded.

"She woke up in the ambulance," Olivia explained, "she was in a lot of pain."

Elliot nodded, and sighed. He wished he didn't ignore her "my neighbor was having a party" story she had given him that morning. He never believed it for a second, but he didn't push further. She looked bad, but she didn't look like she was about to pass out. It wouldn't have been the first time someone came to work sick.

"Her heart temporarily stopped on the way to the hospital. Luckily, the paramedics were able to bring her back."

"What's wrong with her?" Elliot asked.

"I don't know," Olivia said, feeling slightly guilty. In a matter of twenty four hours, her friend had gone from perfectly fine to nearly dying. Last time she was at the hospital with Casey, she at least had the comfort of knowing what happened to her friend. It couldn't be any more different this time.

The two spotted a a male doctor come in. He walked up to them, and asked "Are you here about Ms. Novak?"

The two detectives nodded.

"Is she going to be okay?"

The doctor smiled at them.

"The head injury she sustained when she went unconscious will be fine. She's very luck she didn't get a concussion. However, we found she had appendicitis, which is what was causing her pain. She's having an appendectomy as we speak. However," the doctor's sighed, "Your friend's failing appendix might have saved her life."

"What the hell does that mean?" Elliot interrupted.

"We did a blood test when she arrived her," he explained, "Your friend was being poisoned."