More than just a Pretty Face

By: Liv-x-Lex4Ever & E. Scribbles

Chapter 1: Date Interrupted

Olivia had been actively pursuing Casey Novak for weeks…and been actively put in her place several times, but it wasn't stopping her. She was never normally the sort of person to go after someone so aggressively, but there was just something about Casey that kept her trying any way she could think of.

She was currently sitting in a restaurant watching Casey on a date with a man she knew wouldn't suit her, and she toyed with the rose she held for her, biding her time before she went over and saved her.

She saw him get up to use the restroom and walked up behind her, placing the rose beside her drink. "Casey, I know you don't want anything to do with me, but I just..." she sighed.

She gave a sigh, looking down at the rose before looking up. "I guess it would be stupid of me to assume you were here having dinner and you just happened to spot me?"

She smiled. "Nope. I know you've put me down a hundred times, but I won't give up. There's a reason your other dates haven't worked out. Haven't you noticed? I haven't always been here, yet when I ask, you say it just didn't work out. You deserve someone who appreciates you, treats you right, special. I believe that's why no one else has stayed and why you should, at least, give me a chance. I bet no one appreciates that sparkle you get when you're really happy more than me."

Casey's eyes returned to the rose, and her fingers played with it for a moment before she went to speak, but was interrupted by her date returning.

He offered Olivia as smile as he sat down. "We've already ordered. Thanks."

She sighed. "I'm not... Well, my food should be at my table soon. Casey, you may be one person to everyone, but, to me, you're the only one." And she walked back to her table

Several minutes later, as Olivia was looking down at her steak that suddenly looked unappealing, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She expected to see Casey, but instead saw her date. He offered a smile. "Sorry. About before. She's gone to the toilet. If you like, I can leave and you can take my place?"

"Oh, but I...I just...God, I feel like an idiot. Why-why would you offer, anyway? Besides, she's turned me down like 100 times."

"Because when I asked who you were, she found it really had to tell me, and I think she wanted to follow you. And I'm a secret romantic. So go. I won't offer again."

She nodded. "What do I tell her?" she asked, grabbing her plate as she walked over to take his seat.

"Tell her…call me tomorrow."

She nodded. "I call you or she does...sorry I just wasn't expecting this."

He smiled, picking up his jacket. "She can call me or you can." he winked and dropped some money for his meal before leaving.

She smiled, but inwardly flinched at how Casey would probably react.

Casey returned a few moments later, a glare on her face. "What have you done?"

"Nothing. H-he offered. Really. Ask him. I-I didn't mean for this to happen."

Casey sighed, sitting back down. "Well, I paid for this wine, so I'm going to drink it, but this is not whatever you'd like it to be, okay?"

She nodded. "Deal. Nice dress."

She gave a nod. "Thank you."

"H-he said he asked you who I was and that you had trouble answering...that you, maybe, wanted to follow me. I didn't expect this. Wanted, yeah, but..."

"I wanted to follow you to…tell you it was inappropriate to follow me, Olivia!"

"I realize all of this, but...I just can't stop thinking about you. Don't you think I find it weird too? That I'm following you around? I've never done anything like this before, but no one's ever made me feel like you do. I can't push it away. At first I tried, but it made it worse. I know you don't think of me like this. But I can't stop feeling this way. Haven't you ever felt like that?"

Her heart hammering in her chest, Casey just shrugged, looking down at her food and cutting it furiously.

"Careful, lest you cut off that manicured finger," she commented, cutting her steak and taking a bite.

She sighed and took a large sip of wine, filling her glass again.

Olivia shook her head, continuing to eat.

They sat in silence for almost an hour before Casey finally burst out with, "What?! What encouragement have I ever given you?! It doesn't matter what you feel, what anyone feels! Feelings don't matter in this world anymore! You need to marry for money or power or position, you can't just follow people around like a lost puppy!"

"None," she said simply, "I just refuse to quit. Why don't feelings matter? Money and power... they won't make you happy...or, at least, keep you happy, for long."

"They're what you need to get on at work and what else is there?"

"You can't work forever and be happy 24/7 Casey!"

"You work 24/7…except when you're following me."

"Doesn't mean it's the life I always want. And what's closing your mind on me?"

"You want things from me I can't give. To anyone. Especially you."

"Such as?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Fine. It's fair. I won't push. So...even if I had all that, you'd still never give me a shot, huh?" she finished her stake. "Very kind, counselor," she cleared her throat, paying for her dinner. "You never know what someone's true colors are until they're out of their element, I guess," she laid the money on the table, plus more than enough for Casey, if she chose to let her. "See you, Novak."

"…Olivia."

She turned. "Yes?"

"…I have felt like that about someone. I think I still do."

"Ah well, good for you. Maybe you'll be happy after all, with power and money," she bit.

"This person doesn't have those things. I was taught, growing up, that's what I should seek. And that's all I've seen people striving for at work. So no matter what I feel…I can't."

"But it's your life. You don't always have to do what you're taught."

"Don't I?" Casey asked, sipping at her wine.

She shook her head. "No, but if...they make you happy, go for it. I believe all most parents want is for their kids to be happy, don't you?"

"It's not just my parents. It's society. How could I keep my job or advance if I was dating a female cop?"

"Well, for starters, you wouldn't have to shout it from any rooftop. You could keep it to yourself a certain amount of time. Do you think she could?"

"People find things out, Olivia. There's not even any point having this conversation."

"Yes there is. Because our lives don't have to be broadcasted. If...it's a problem, just don't label it."

"It's not me who labels things, it's everyone else. Look, forget it. It was a mistake to stay. You don't understand, just like I thought you wouldn't." She stood, pulling her jacket on.

Olivia took her wrist. "Then explain it to me because you've just opened a door you know I'll never let you close. You shouldn't care what others think. I don't. I've...only ever told Cragen and that was because it was case-specific. I just...hadn't found the right person, until you. And...if you feel like that, what's really stopping us? Fear?"

"I'M stopping it. There is NO us." She pulled her arm from Olivia and made for the door.

Olivia followed, holding the door. She walked out after her. "I've never seen you back from anything you believed in, but... if you want platonic and professional, you've got it."

"I've never seen you stop until you get anything you want, so somehow I don't believe that."

She turned from walking to her car. "I didn't think you felt that way about me, so there's a first time for everything, isn't there?"

A smile pulled at Casey's mouth and she looked at her for a moment before turning towards the taxi queue.

Olivia sighed, getting into her car and leaving.

Author's Note: What do you think?

Okay guys, I know we haven't updated Cabin Fever for quite some time. The truth is...we kinda ran out of steam. It's not over...yet, but close. We've just been working on so many others to get our creative juices flowing. I promise we'll get back to that story sometime!

Please R&R!

Liv-x-Lex4Ever & E. Scribbles