Casey Novak just couldn't settle. It was almost three months ago that she started working at the Manhatten court house, and she had loved every minute so far.
Most people were nice; some were especially helpful. Some were fine. Others were busy. Yet others had barely given her the time of day. One in particular drew Casey's attention, but she knew why that was. Alexandra Cabot was, without a doubt, the hottest woman Casey Novak had ever seen.
The fact that ADA Cabot, who had just been promoted to oversee SVU cases, was out of her reach, only served to intrigue Casey further.
She had a nickname, of course, among the lower echelons – which, of course, included Casey. She was known as 'The Ice Queen'. And God, she was regal. That bearing, that arrogance. Combined with a body to die for, Alex Cabot just pressed every button for Casey.
Of course, Cabot had virtually ignored Casey since her arrival. They had been introduced once, briefly, but Cabot had barely glanced at her. Casey found out later that their introduction had taken place while Alex was in the throes of a particularly harrowing case. What she didn't know is that the ADA had been surviving on three hours' sleep a night. All she knew is that Alexandra Cabot had not even acknowledged her existence.
All her life, Casey had had a 'thing' for unattainable women. ADA Cabot was a blue-blood, that much was clear. She was expensively educated, expensively dressed, expensively bejeweled with small but oh-so-tasteful items. Her watch would have cost Casey several months' salary. Casey knew she could never compete with the men – and women – who came sniffing round Cabot on a regular basis. But she couldn't help where her mind went when she dreamt, and more often than she cared to think about, Casey would awaken in the night, wet and throbbing just from another dream about Alexandra Cabot.
It didn't help when Casey first saw her in court, during her first week at work. She was taken by her immediate superior to watch the last half hour of a case. And ADA Alexandra Cabot had been prosecuting. Casey could barely contain herself until she got home that night. The climax that had ripped through her body was like nothing she had ever experienced.
Nearly three months later, she still ogled the blonde, icy ADA. Cabot, in her turn, ignored Casey. If Casey had been paying proper attention, she would have realized that she was not the only recipient of Alex's coolness. Cabot just didn't play. She was civil, and engaged where necessary, but there was never anything personal in her interactions with her colleagues.
"Can you drop this to the court-house?" Meredith asked her. "I have a meeting with Branch at 4pm. Would you mind?"
Casey knew her place; she was almost the most junior lawyer there. So she was happy to oblige. She delivered the envelope, and was just about to leave, when she saw the list of cases on the noticeboard in the office. People vs. McIntosh. Defense: T Langan. Prosecuting: A Cabot. Court 3. Casey's heart missed a beat. She knew it was wrong, but instead of walking past Court 3 on her way out, she found herself slipping in to one of the seats on the back bench.
Casey's eyes were fixed on Cabot, and she could have sworn that, for the first time, Alex had actually noticed her. But when she looked, Cabot was completely in control as always. Wishful thinking, Casey decided.
"The defense has put up a very interesting case," Alex was saying. "And I must admit, I had been looking forward to hearing it all week. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the facts are irrefutable. The victim – a 12-year-old girl, a virgin – was raped, violently. There is overwhelming evidence from the hospital to support that. And we have the photographs. I know it will be many months before I am able to forget those photographs, and – looking at your faces – I know many of you feel the same. We have the defendant's DNA all over, and inside, the victim. To cap it all, the defendant is on the security tapes, both entering and leaving the building. But I have enjoyed the testimony from the defense.
"This testimony, ladies and gentlemen, brings into question the veracity of the laboratory testing in this case. Testing that has been confirmed by the NYPD's own labs, by the FBI, and even by the defendant's independent laboratory. Defense also claims that the security video, which is unusually clear, cannot be trusted, despite the defendant's own mother identifying her son from it. Your duty is clear," Alex faced the jury. "Find the defendant guilty."
She sat down. What Casey couldn't see, through her fog of desire, was that Alex's hands were shaking. Casey was only aware of the sharp, almost painful arousal, that she felt on witnessing Alex's commanding performance in court. It was a performance that Casey knew would haunt her dreams for weeks to come.
Casey slipped out of the court amid the hubbub of everyone leaving. She let herself into the bathroom, and looked at herself in the mirror. She was ashamed by her reflection. Her eyes were large with desire, and a telltale rash was creeping up her neck. Why couldn't she blush prettily, like other girls, she wondered? She might as well have been carrying a sign, stating 'I'm unbelievably horny'. She cupped her hands, and sluiced her face with blissful, cool water.
Casey didn't hear the bathroom door open. But when she reached out for a paper towel, she heard her voice.
"Here," the voice said.
Casey looked up to see Alexandra Cabot, proffering a paper towel. Alex Cabot. ADA Cabot. Standing right next to her.
"See something you like?" Alex's voice was low and teasing.
"I …," Casey stumbled. She reached out for the paper towel, and tried to blot her face. This was so humiliating.
"Seemed to me you were enjoying the case," Alex continued, mercilessly. "Novak, right?"
Casey gulped and nodded.
"I hadn't realized how beautiful you are," Alex murmured. She reached out, sliding one hand around Casey's waist. "You really are stunning."
Casey thought she might pass out.
"Your skin... it's so soft," Alex ghosted a finger down Casey's cheek. "The jury will be back within the hour. I'm sure of it. Come to my office at 6pm. I'll be waiting for you." Alex released Casey, giving her an almost imperceptible shove.
Casey stumbled toward the door.
"Oh and Novak?" Alex was standing right by her again, invading her personal space. She pulled Casey into a passionate, almost bruising kiss, her tongue demanding entrance as she staked her claim. "Don't be late."
Alex smiled as Casey stood there, startled. She slid past the redhead, her body just barely touching Casey's as she squeezed past.