A/N: let's...not talk about how I dropped off the face of the earth, let's just enjoy this...oops

"Casey! Wow, we managed to drag both you and Alex out of the office, I call that an accomplishment!" Olivia teased, the redhead blushing as she walked into the dimly lit bar, scanning the seats and gesturing to the one next to Alex.

"This one taken?"

"Only by you." Alex smiled at the younger attorney, scooting over a bit to give her room to sit. Casey grinned back, her hair swept up and off of her face into a messy, yet somehow gorgeous bun. She was still wearing her court suit, but she'd undone the pin in the side of her skirt, the slit now exposing her pale skin, and her top was clumsily unbuttoned, and if anyone looked hard enough, they'd notice the flash of red lace. Not that Alex was looking. She's just observant, that's all.

"So, counselors, now that this case is a lock, what's the next move?" Nick took a sip from his beer as he waved at the bartender, nodding at Casey when she pointed to the bottle. Soon a bottle was in front of the redhead, and she raised it to her lips as she turned to Alex.

"Well, the trial's this Wednesday, opening statements at twelve, and Casey's been such a saint, really, she's drafted all the motions we need to lock in a conviction." Alex replied, her hand reaching out and squeezing Casey's shoulder briefly.

"That's my job." Casey laughed humbly, her cheeks tinting at Alex's hand on her body. The redhead had been trying to hide her desperate attraction to her coworker, not only because it was highly unethical, but because she knew Alex would never return those feelings. Why would she? She's Alexandra Cabot, and Casey's just...well, the office screw up. Still, she took what she could get, watching Alex sip her whiskey, the amber liquid touching her lips in a way that made Casey cross her legs uncomfortably.

The squad and Alex all were chatting up, most of them well into their fourth drinks, Alex still on her third, knowing very well that she had court tomorrow, or else she'd be on her fifth. Casey was, the awkwardness that she always felt in crowded settings sinking in, making her chug the glass of gin and tonic Olivia had insisted she try. She winced at the burning, Alex looking over with concern.

"You okay?"

"Yeah- yeah I'm good. Out of alcohol though, I'll um...I'll be right back." Casey stumbled over her words a bit, drunker than she'd meant to get. She swayed over to the bar, about to order another beer when a man approached her.

"Hey gorgeous, can I buy you a drink?"

"Oh uh, no, thanks, I'm here with-"

"Come on, just one? I'd love to…talk with you." Casey flinched as the man ran his hand down her shoulder, the same touch that had sparked such a strong reaction in her when Alex had done it now gave her the complete opposite one, her hand firmly pushing his hand off of her.

"I said no."

Alex had been watching Casey closely, the shyness of her usually outgoing coworker confirming what Alex had suspected, that Casey was still uncomfortable in the squad, that she felt out of place. Alex planned to change that. Her eyes narrowed, however when she saw the guy approach the redhead, and she even growled under her breath when he touched her. She got up, excusing herself and rushing over to where Casey was standing.

"Hey baby…I missed you. Who's this?" Alex came up behind the younger woman, wrapping her arms around Casey's waist, her chin resting on Casey's shoulder. Casey tensed at first, but quickly relaxed into the embrace, Alex practically feeling the relief in her body.

"No idea, we just met."

"Name's James." James introduced himself, Alex mentally scoffing at the way his eyes lit up at their embrace.

"Well, if you'll excuse us, my girlfriend and I need to join our friends." Alex kissed the spot behind Casey's ear, whispering for her to stay close. Casey shuddered, the tiniest gasp falling from her lips. Interesting, Alex mused, curtly nodding at James before pulling Casey away, walking behind her to the table where their friends were. Unfortunately, James followed, pulling up a chair, making Alex groan.

"Dude. Did you not get the hint? She's taken. She's not interested in you, she's mine." Alex huffed exasperatedly, the squad quickly catching on as they watched Casey shuffle closer to Alex, a look of fear but also admiration on her face.

"I don't believe you. Sexy piece of ass like that, into girls? No, that ass is made for rid-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence. You're at a table full of cops." Olivia cut in, a glare in her eyes as she stared at the man. She watched his jaw drop, and she turned back to Alex, gasping at what she saw.

Alex had grasped Casey's face, pulling her close and connecting their lips in a heavy kiss, Casey's hands sliding around Alex's neck in response. It was passionate and warm, Casey breathily moaning so quietly that only Alex heard, and she felt genuine heat shoot through her. Casey's mouth was warm and soft, her tongue tasting like alcohol, her lips perfectly connected with Alex's own. When they pulled away seconds later, Alex had to suppress her own moan of disappointment, instead turning back to James with a wicked glint in her eye as Casey touched her now kiss-swollen lips.

"Proof enough, asshole? Do us all a favor and get the hell out of here, or I'll have my detectives arrest you." Alex raised her brow, the shocked man getting up and slinking away, grumbling under his breath as he left. Alex turned back to Casey, noticing the way the redhead was blushing, her pale skin becoming blotchy with what Alex presumed was heat. She saw the way Casey licked her lips, and Alex got the sudden urge to kiss her again.

"Well that was…entertaining." Nick laughed, breaking the silence, and the conversation went back to flowing. Alex put her hand on Casey's thigh, the younger attorney jumping slightly, Alex grinning.

"I um- I'll be right back-" Casey blurted out, standing and rushing in the direction of the bathrooms. Alex frowned, her hand still tingling with the sensation of Casey's skin. Maybe she'd been wrong.

"I'll check on her- stay, Liv, it's okay." Alex softly protested as Olivia stood, the blonde getting up instead, following Casey.

"Alex- you didn't have to- I'm- fuck-"

"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, Case, I wasn't thinking-"

"No! No that's not it…opposite, actually but…we can't- this isn't- I'm so confused…" Casey muttered, her hands covering her eyes as she pressed against them. Alex reached out and pulled them away, kissing her palms.

"I'm not. I'm really, really, not." Alex whispered, stepping closer, placing Casey's arms around her so that the redhead's hands were resting on the small of her back, "I want you. You're beautiful, you're smart, you're sexy…and I really want you."

"You- you think I'm sexy?" The uncertainty in Casey's voice made Alex's heart clench, and she ran her fingers across Casey's sternum, then down her stomach, feeling her abs even through her blouse.

"God yes, Casey- you really don't know how attractive you are, do you?" Alex rested her forehead against her coworker's, sighing, "Every time you talk I have to control myself. Even your voice turns me on, Casey."

"I just never thought…I mean, no one's really ever…"

"No one has told you how beautiful you are?" Alex was genuinely taken aback, her head lifting to look into Casey's eyes, before she turned the redhead around, making her look into the mirror as she wrapped her arms around her waist again, fingers playing with the edge of her waistband, "Look at you. Really, look. You've got the most beautiful eyes, and they match perfectly with your lips. The shape of your lips, Casey, I mean, god- they're perfect. And your body…"

Casey's eyes filled with tears as Alex kept talking, fingers softly touching her body as the blonde kissed her neck, whispering in her ear.

"I haven't had the privilege of seeing…all of you…not yet, but I know that you'll be the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, because you are, even now." Alex finished, turning Casey back around to face her, wiping away the tears that had fallen. Casey flung her arms around Alex's neck, kissing her lips as hard as she could, this kiss desperate and rough, making Alex audibly moan. She tasted the alcohol, making her pull away.

"You want this, right? I need a yes."

"Alex?"

"You're drunk. I forgot…but I don't want to do anything you don't want…" Alex looked into Casey's eyes, compassion shining as she searched for any signs of discomfort. Instead, Casey leaned up and kissed her again, a smile on her face.

"I'm not that drunk, Alex. I know what I'm doing. And yes, I want this…but you…you're so sweet." Casey replied honestly, and something shined in her eyes, something that Alex couldn't name, until Casey lowered her voice, whispering under her breath, "I think I'm falling in love with you."

Alex almost didn't catch it. She had strained to hear, and her eyes widened once she did. Those words usually sent her running for the hills, the commitment scaring her, making her uncomfortable, but now it stirred something in her, made her heart flutter and her body shiver.

"I know I'm falling in love with you." Alex replied, feeling vulnerable, but Casey just stared at her, tears slipping down her cheeks before she kissed Alex once more, but this kiss was different. It was gentle and sweet, tongues dancing in sync, lips warm and soft against each other's, bodies pressed together. Casey finally pulled away, but kept their foreheads touching.

"Take me home, Alex." She whispered, Alex only nodding, taking her hand and kissing her fingertips before pulling her out of the bathroom, nodding goodbye to their friends, a knowing smirk on their faces as the two lawyers walked out, hands interlaced.