Misplaced
By: Liv-x-Lex4Ever & E. Scribbles
Chapter 1: Happy, but Not for Long
Olivia had gone home early to try and decide what to wear. Casey had asked her out to dinner.
Finally, Casey had asked her out.
Unable to find anything in her wardrobe, Olivia went shopping, coming home with a dress that the assistant told her was perfect for the restaurant Casey had named. Now here she stood, at the bar of the restaurant, hands fiddling with her wine uncomfortably, wishing she'd just ordered a beer, looking for Casey.
Suddenly, a woman approached her, dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt. "Olivia?"
She turned. "Yes, can I help you?"
"Hi, I'm Josie. I'm one of Casey's friends. She's running late and said to look out for you in case you got here early. We're over by the wall." She motioned to where several, similarly dressed women were sat.
"Oh, uh, okay, thanks. Will you hold this for me? I'll be right back," she handed Josie her half drunk wine glass and made her way into the restroom. She leaned against the wall. "We're out with friends? I-I mean, of course we are! Why am I acting like it's any different than when we go out after work? And here I was waiting to be alone with her. Boy, I feel smart right about now..."
Someone exited the toilets, turning on the tap to wash her hands, and gave Olivia a smile. "Olivia right?"
She turned. "Yes. And you are?"
'Hailey. Casey's girlfriend."
Her mouth hung. "Uh, gi-girlfriend? Sh-she never..."
"Oh. Sorry. I thought people at work knew she was...please don't say anything..."
She shook her head, attempting a fake smile. "Don't worry. Secret's safe. So how long have you two..."
"Oh, about 2 years, off and on."
She nodded. "I'm glad she's...found someone who makes her happy." The words left the most bitter taste in her mouth as she'd had a crush on the ADA for years, but had just been too scared of being shot down to say anything.
Hailey gave a smile. "Thanks." She led the way out.
Olivia suddenly felt very over-dressed as she sat at the end of the table.
They all introduced themselves to her, smiling, before returning to their original conversation about some celebrity Olivia had never heard of.
Suddenly, she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. "You made it!"
Olivia turned, seeing Casey in an old t-shirt and ratty jeans with her hair pulled back. It may have been the most unprofessional she'd ever seen her. She smiled. "Of course I did."
"You look-" Her words were cut off by a hug from her girlfriend, but her eyes remained glued to Olivia's dress.
Olivia smiled, returning to her wine.
Finally, Casey sat down, between her girlfriend and Olivia as Josie grinned at her." You forgot to tell Olivia our dress code."
Olivia sighed. "Yeah, nice little thing to forget."
Casey bit her lip and reached out a hand to squeeze Olivia thigh. "You look really-" Once more, she was cut off, this time by a waiter.
Olivia smiled, but with a puzzled look in her eye. Casey's girlfriend was sitting on the other side of her, so why was...
Every time Hailey touched Casey, she attempted to shrug her off, remembering their blazing fight the night before, how she'd mentioned Olivia. She wondered why she'd bothered to come before realizing it was to check out Olivia. Pulling out her phone, she sent a message to the detective instead. "I've never seen you in a dress before. You look amazing."
She sighed. "Thanks. It was for you. And my being an idiot. You look great too by the way."
Casey waited a while before checking her phone and replying, trying not to be obvious about. "Thank you. I'm sorry. You can go if you like."
She shook her head. "I'll stay if you want me to, just for you."
Casey shot her a smile before turning to her. "You can have beer. I know you hate wine."
"You want it?" She flagged the bartender.
Casey took it, but seeing their exchange, Hailey spoke to the barman too. "Don't drink that, Case, it's cheap. Can I get a bottle of your best red, please?"
Olivia sighed, taking it back and downing it before sipping from her open beer, "Sorry, I'm not up to your girlfriend's standards," she text, "but I don't make the big bucks."
Casey wrote out several replies before sending, "Don't tell her, but I hate red wine. It's only good to throw at people. I guess the more expensive it is he more pleasure it gives when you throw it."
She smiled. "Where'd you meet her?"
Casey hesitated but was one more saved by the waiter who put the wine in front of her. "Is everyone ready to order?"
Maneuvering to the outside, Olivia stood. "Casey, can you order for me? I'll just...be a minute," and again, she was off to the restroom.
Casey scanned the menu quickly, ordering two of something, although she wasn't even sure what it was, and then followed Olivia. "...Liv?"
Olivia looked down at the sink. "Yes?"
"Are you ok? You look pale."
She looked up into the mirror. "Oh, I'm fine. Peachy. Why wouldn't I be? Being invited out with you...your girlfriend – which I didn't even know you had – and your friends? I'm over-dressed and I know I should go before I end up making a complete fool of myself, but you want me to stay so..."
Casey stepped forward and put a hand on her arm. "I'm sorry. I forgot to tell you about the dress thing. Everything else…she's…we're not...I wanted...I didn't realize she would be here."
"What does that mean?"
Casey took her hand away, looking at her intently. "…I wanted you to meet my friends. I wanted you to get to know me. Outside work. I didn't realize she'd be here. Last night, we had a -" She stopped as someone walked in and lowered her head.
Olivia's hand covered hers. "W-would you be insulted if I did go home now?"
Casey shook her head, trying to hide her disappointment.
Olivia brushed her cheek. She sighed. "I guess I could stay, but I'm only doing it for you. I hate seeing that look on your face."
"Maybe...if you have to go…we could...do it...again. Just the two of us?" As she raised her eyes to look into Olivia's, Hailey walked in.
Olivia nodded, walking out.
Two hours later, food and 6-pack in hand, Casey stood outside Olivia's apartment. She'd put on her best dress and high heels, and now let out a long breath before knocking.
Olivia woke, rubbing the sleep from her eyes before going to the door. "Who is it?"
"Casey. Novak."
She opened the door. "To what do I owe thi— Wow. What happened to you?"
"I brought you your dinner." Casey held it up.
"And a six-pack," she smiled, stepping aside to let her in before closing the door. "Your celebration end early?" she asked sitting on the couch.
"Something like that."
"Are you okay?" she asked, patting the spot beside her.
Casey nodded, pulling her hair forward a little more to hide the bruise already forming on her cheek. "So, would you like a beer?"
She nodded. "Of course." Then her lamp caught the discoloration as Casey leaned to pick up the pack and set it on the coffee table in front of them. "Casey..." her cold hand brushed the bruise, "what-would you like something cold for—"
Casey blushed, turning her face away so she couldn't see it. "I brought something from the diner near the precinct. The guy who worked there said it was your favorite."
Olivia rested a hand on her shoulder. "Casey, here I'll grab you an ice pack." She stood, walked from the room and returned less than a minute later, resting it on her knee. "You don't have to tell me, but this should help."
Casey placed it, wincing at the cold. "Thanks."
"Casey, turn back around. It's okay. Do you want to eat with me?"
Casey gave a small smile. "They gave me some tiny bit of steak that cost like $100. So I got two burgers."
Olivia stood, grabbing silverware from the kitchen, then returning to her spot. "You didn't have to spend that on me, really. I'm...I'm just glad you're here. I apologize if I was insensitive earlier. I was hoping...well, to be alone with you..."
Casey blushed a little. "Really?"
She nodded, resting a hand on her thigh. "I just...I didn't want to be shot down."
Casey blushed darker. "..Olivia..."
"Hmm?" she looked up from taking a long swig and placing it in front of her.
"We...I'm...I've got..." She took a deep breath.
Olivia calmly waited for her to reply, her hand grasping hers lightly.
Casey couldn't think with Olivia looking at her so intently, touching her hand. She stared at her for a moment before moving forward to kiss her, instead banging their foreheads together.
"Ow!" Olivia rubbed her head. "Are you okay?"
Casey just groaned, embarrassed.
She just smiled. "Would you like a mulligan on that?"
Casey just groaned once more, too caught up in her own embarrassment to have heard.
Olivia, somewhat awkwardly, slipped her arm around her, leaning back. "You look lovely in that dress."
"Thank you." Casey continued to blush, wanting to run from the room, feeling 15 again.
Olivia leaned closer, kissing the corner of her mouth. "And you taste like the red wine you hate," she whispered. "If it's too much, just tell me."
Casey shook her head, not daring herself to speak.
She smiled, leaning in again and capturing her lips as she waited for her to respond.
Casey kissed her back, not noticing her beer tilt and slowing tip onto Olivia's lap.
Olivia reached behind her, bringing the towel to her lap and trying to sop up the liquid and, unfortunately, breaking the kiss and pushing her back a bit. "I guess I didn't notice it."
"Oh god." Casey stood. "I should...go. Oh god."
Olivia stood and took her wrist before pulling her close. "It's okay. I just spilled my beer in my lap. Come on, please stay. I want you to stay."
"I should…I…have a girlfriend, Olivia."
She nodded. "But she hurt you. I'm...worried about what's going to happen if she knows you were here."
Casey's heart skipped a beat at the thought of Olivia being worried about her. "She...I have to go. Enjoy your food, Liv."
Olivia held her hand. "Case, you know I'm here for you, no matter what, right?"
Casey smiled at her then, unable to resist, reached forward and kissed her gently again before leaving.
Olivia sighed, placing the food and remaining beer in the fridge, praying she would be alright, hoping it didn't escalate.
Author's Note: Here's the first chapter to something that's been sitting in my computer for a while now.
Please let me know what you think of it.
Please read and review!
Liv-x-Lex4Ever & E. Scribbles