Cabin Fever
By: Liv-x-Lex4Ever & E. Scribbles
Chapter 1: Warmth
Liz gestured for Casey to sit opposite her, and once she had, the older woman seemed to stare at her for a long time. Casey wished she had nails left to bite. Instead, she made do with the inside of her mouth, jumping a little when the DA started to speak. "Are you busy this weekend, Ms. Novak?"
She jumped. "Why?"
"I'm having a little get together at my cabin. It's about 2 hours from here. I'd like you to come."
"Any reason why?"
"It's a group of influential people in the justice section. I advise that you do come. Strongly. I will get my aide to bring you the address on Friday."
She nodded. "Alright. I'll go. Anything else?"
"That is all. Close the door on your way out."
"Okay," she answered walking out and closing the door behind her. She wondered if Alex had gotten the same invitation. She went and knocked on her door.
"Come in." Alex pushed her glasses on as Casey walked into the room. She was sitting in her office on the edge of her desk, legs crossed. Why would you do that in your own office? Casey couldn't take her eyes off her legs.
Casey walked in. "Alex." She cleared her throat trying to take her mind off of Alex's beautifully long legs.
"That's what it says on the door, Casey, yes."
Casey rolled her eyes. "Um, I was wondering, did you get an invite from Liz about this weekend?"
Alex sighed and looked up. "Unfortunately."
"Unfortunately?"
"It usually involves a lot of women in low cut dresses flirting with old men eyeing up the woman and a bit of bed hoping. And usually about one divorce a year, sometimes two."
She sighed. "Now I really regret accepting," she half-lied. Seeing Alex in a low-cut dress would be interesting.
"You don't have a choice. She asks, but she's not really asking. One year, I was sick and she made me go, so I wore a polo neck, and she didn't speak to me the whole time we were there. Neither did anyone else, come to think of it."
"So...you recommend...what for attire? Alex, this sounds...really out of my comfort zone. I-I don't know..."
"I wear something formal, but something I feel comfortable in. It doesn't make me particularly popular, but I have a feeling this year, I should have another loser to hang out with." Alex gave her a half smile before returning to the file she was reading.
"Uh, if I turn someone down...?"
"You'll get pigs blood poured all over your bed." At Casey's expression, Alex smiled. "You'll have to go to bed alone, with earmuffs, and spend the next day and at the loner table with me. It's probably not as bad as I remember it. You'll probably love it."
Casey scoffed, blushing as red as her hair. "Uh, hey Alex?"
"Mmm?"
"Is it – God, I hate saying this, so before I do can this never leave this room?"
Alex looked at her with renewed interest and gave a nod.
"Is it – only – women with men? Women can't sleep with other women?" she asked in a low voice. "I-I'm sorry. I've said too much. I'll just-just go—"
Alex waited until the blushing woman had left the room before grinning to herself.
Casey walked back to her office and sat at her desk, wondering what to pack. Should so try comfortable, like Alex had suggested, or untouchable? Of course, she didn't want to be completely untouchable...not from her. But why would she even notice her?
Casey pulled up to the lavish cabin instantly doubting her own ability. She'd never tried to seduce another woman before. Men? Oh, they were easy. A low-cut top, tight low-riders and they would easily riot. But she was...a different matter entirely.
The cabin was huge. There were already several expensive cars parked outside, and there was a sparkling lake meters from the entrance. She could just see men dangling their feet into it, and women, already wearing high heels, doing their best to push them in.
She sighed. This...wasn't her personality, her nature. She, in general, hated being eye candy for too many men at once. She was about to pull away when someone walked over to her, though from the distance, couldn't tell who it was.
A few seconds later, she recognized Alex, dressed in loose jeans and an old t-shirt, her hair tied up in a messy ponytail and possibly the oldest pair of sneakers in existence. "Are you going to sit in there all day, counselor?"
She shook her head. "Actually, I wasn't thinking of staying. I-it just looks too fancy and I'm not really one for being the eye of many men at once only interested in getting into bed."
"Too fancy?" Alex gave a twirl. "I've even been wearing the same underwear all week to make sure there was no hint of fancy in my outfit. And now you're here, you are NOT leaving me here alone."
Casey couldn't help smiling, though pulling a face at the underwear comment. "So you...want me to stay?" she asked, opening the car door.
"I NEED you to stay. Nice dress, by the way."
Casey look down, feeling her face heat up as Alex said she needed her for something. "Oh, um, thanks. I don't wear dresses too often," she replied, stepping out and closing the door before grabbing her bag.
Alex nodded, her eyes flitting over the low cut front. "They suit you. I'll show you your room."
Casey grabbed her arm. "We're not sharing rooms...are we?" she whispered.
Alex smiled to herself and turned around with a serious face. "That's not a problem, is it? You're with Geoff, a white collar lawyer from Michigan. He's really nice..."
"Uh...n-no. O-of course not. I-its just..." she was stumbling over her words horribly. "Where are you?"
"I'm kidding, Casey. I got here early. We are in the rooms at the top of the house. There are only two up there, so hopefully we won't even be able to hear anything. Unless of course you want to be downstairs."
She shook her head. "No, God, no!" Her breathing steadied. "Ah, thank you...Alex, about the other day...I know I said too much and I apologize. Men just make me uncomfortable, especially men I don't know."
"So, you mean you weren't trying to hint anything? Oh. Disappointing."
Before Casey could respond, Alex had disappeared inside the house, and when Casey stepped in, she found it full of people.
As soon as she was in, Liz grabbed her arm, demanding someone take her luggage so she could introduce her to people.
Casey was friendly, overly-friendly even, when Liz introduced her to the 10 to 12 other couples who were staying, saying she'd known then for years.
Alex stayed by the bar. Casey kept trying to get to her, but Liz kept offering drink after drink. Finally, she half-walked, half-staggered over to Alex, coming close to collapsing. "I k-kept t-trying t-to get o-o-over here. Wh-why are you over h-here?" she asked hiccupping on almost every word.
Alex reached out a hand to steady her. "No one much wants to talk to me, unless its about work, and no one much wants to talk about work unless they've been turned down by someone and its a bit early for that. How much have you had to drink?"
She grabbed Alex's arm. "N-no, idea. Liz k-kept sho-shoving them... My h-head's b-beginning to p-pound."
Alex reached across the bar to pour her a glass of water, handing it to her and sitting her down. "Stay here. I'll be back in a minute."
Casey leaned on the bar, sucking on the water, her vision a bit blurry, but she could still see.
Alex went to talk to Liz, but stopped a few steps away as she heard her discussing Casey. "She really would be an asset to your firm. She is brilliant. Excellent hand writing as well, which is always a bonus."
As the others within the circle laughed, Alex fumed. So this is what this weekend had been about. Last time they'd had one, one of the new graduates had disappeared. She hadn't thought much of it, but it made sense now.
Liz was trying to get rid of Casey by talking her up to everyone. Showing her off.
Casey rubbed her eyes, still not seeing straight. How much had she had to drink?
Walking back to Casey, Alex made a plan in her mind, and by the time she reached her, she was smiling again. "Ok? Do you want to go and get some fresh air?"
Casey nodded. "Help me?"
Alex helped out onto the balcony, holding the glass of water as well, and sat her down on one of the large armchairs that rested out there.
Casey took a long drink, sighing and closing her eyes. "So I really won't have a choice?"
"A choice?" Alex sat on the arm of the chair
She nodded, biting her lip. "I-if someone asks me, I have to. I won't have a job if I don't, right? Not with you."
"Just leave that to me and try to sober up, ok?"
She shook her head. "I'll try, but it feels pretty hopeless. I feel light like-like someone slipped me something. But that's ridiculous, right? No one would... It's probably just the alcohol."
Alex put her face close to Casey's looking at her pupils
"Wh-what are you d-doing?" she asked in between hiccups.
"...I think it's just the alcohol. Let's just sit out here for a bit." Alex slid into the seat next to her.
"A-Alex, I kn-know how bad this might sound, but will you hold my hand?"
Alex reached out and held Casey's hand in hers, patting it reassuringly.
Casey turned on her side and stared into her eyes, her own drifting closed. "I'm sorry. I've never done anything like this before. Little scary."
"Sitting outside with a colleague?"
She shook her head. "No, in there," she gestured to the house.
"Standing in a room full of idiots? Really? I thought you'd been in court."
She nodded. "Court yeah, but I've never been drunk before or during. After yeah... And-and also I'm in the presence of a smart, beautiful, leggy, blue-eyed blonde who—Damn it! I apologize! I really did drink too much. You weren't...supposed to..."
"Supposed to know I'm irresistible? It's ok. I know. Your stuttering and blushing kind of gives it away, Miss Novak. You want some more water?"
She nodded. "Will you come back and sit with me?"
Alex gave her a smile. "Might do."
Casey smiled, relaxing a bit and closing her eyes.
Alex walked in to get her another drink, sighing as she was elbowed aside. After a few moments, she made her way outside to collect the bottle of water she'd left in her car instead.
Casey opened her eyes, gasping in awe at how the crescent moon reflected on the shiny, smooth surface of the lake. It was mesmerizing, absolutely beautiful.
"Casey Novak, right?" A man sat heavily next to her.
Her eyes shot open as she backed away a bit. "Yes and who might you be?"
"Nick. I work with Geoff."
"Oh yes. You work in Michigan. My colleague explained to me."
He nodded. "Did she ah...explain anything else to you?"
"Such as?"
"What these parties are about."
She blushed a bit, grateful it was dark. "Yes." was all she replied. She couldn't think too clearly right now.
"Good. So...interested?"
She shook her head. "No, I came to see how these go, not to be a cheap sell out with alcohol."
He gave a laugh. "What?"
"I'm not interested in you. I don't want to sleep with you!"
"Ah...I wanted to know if you wanted to go for a swim, I don't want to sleep with you, either! What the hell has your colleague been telling you?"
She shook her head. "Never mind that. I'm...waiting for her to get back. So you can be on your way."
"Fine. And lay off the drink. Weirdo." He walked back inside.
She scoffed, bringing her legs up and wrapping her arms around them. She probably should apologize, but why would Alex lie if she said she was just as uncomfortable. She closed her eyes and tried to make the pounding in her head go away.
A few moments later, the chair dipped as someone else sat down, and a hand slid into hers
She sighed, pulling her hand away. "I thought I already told you no!"
Alex pulled her hand back. "Sorry."
Her eyes snapped open again. "No, not you, Alex! Please! I'm sorry. Some guy asked me to go for a swim... Please! I'm sorry!"
"Hey, calm down. I got you some aspirin and some water. Who was it?" Alex put the aspirin in Casey's hand.
"Some guy who works with that Geoff you mentioned. Ah, Nick," she said downing the aspirin with water.
"Nick... Black hair? Asked you to go for a swim? Spotted you were new, I bet."
She nodded. "That would be him."
"He hates me. After I went swimming with his wife. Naked."
"His...w-wi-wife? A-Alex, I-I didn't know you—"
"I liked women? I don't. I like non-idiots, most of whom just happen to be women."
She sat up. "Oh, well that makes sense, but isn't that what it means?"
"As soon as I say what I am, Casey, I'm probably out of a job. You should remember that before you start sleeping in other women's' rooms."
"I-I've never told anyone...except you. I usually don't tell people. What you are? Don't you mean who? Isn't it sexist to fire you based on that?"
"They wouldn't say it was because of that. As long as you never say the G or the L word, you're ok. One of the judges has been with a woman for the past 20 years and everyone thinks its a phase. It's the words they have an issue with. I'd prefer to just...love and not label it."
Casey smiled. "That's a nice way of looking at it. So are you G or L?" she whispered next her ear. "All in confidence."
"I am falling in love with a female."
She sighed. "Lucky you. I have a crush on someone who will probably never notice me," Casey said, looking at her hands.
"Oh, I'm pretty sure she notices you."
Casey looked up at her. "Really? What makes you say that?"
"Because you're not very subtle, counselor. With your blushing, your stuttering, your tripping...
"Well, she makes it hard with all her natural beauty and finesse and everything about her."
"You possess all those things too, Casey. You just need to have more confidence in yourself. Have some more water."
Casey shook her head. "No. No more water. Alex, I need a bathroom and a bed. Which is probably the unsexiest thing I've said in front of you all night."
"As long as you pee in the bathroom and not in the bed like I did one year, that's pretty sexy. I'll show you up."
"Are they off the rooms?" she asked quietly.
"There's a small one upstairs between my room and yours."
Casey nodded, resting an arm over her shoulder as they trudged upstairs. Casey barely made it in before she was sick. "Alex, you don't have to stand here. God, I feel like I've been hit by ten trucks! Go to bed!" she pushed her hair over her shoulders. "Really."
Alex hesitated before offering, "I'll go and set up your room for you."
Casey nodded. "Please say you won't leave me here alone all night?"
Alex was gone before she spoke, and the question was left hanging in the air. Inside Casey's room, Alex unpacked her bag, resting her bed clothes on the bed and getting a glass of water to put on the table before opening the windows.
Casey held the seat as sickness overtook her again. After the bout, she leaned to the side, sitting on the floor, holding her head.
Alex walked back in a few seconds later, laying a cool cloth to her forehead.
She looked up, sniffling. "Thank you."
"Bed?"
She nodded. "Feel so horrible. Will you come check on me?"
"I promise. Come on." Alex helped her up and into the bedroom."
Casey groaned, kicking off her shoes and, struggling to get out of her dress, she fell onto the bed.
Alex pulled the covers over her and. after a moment's hesitation, she dropped as kiss to her forehead. Walking quietly, she left the room and went back downstairs.
Casey smiled, turning on her side and relishing in the coolness of the sheets as she began to drift off.
Alex spent a long time downstairs trying to undo Liz's work, for the first time engaging in conversation, accepting drinks from people as she talked Casey down.
This wasn't right or fair of her to do, but over the past few weeks, she'd really taken a liking to the redhead and would hate to see her leave.
By the time she went to bed, she'd had several drinks. Walking into Casey's room, she saw her red hair splayed over the pillow, one arm outstretched. She looked so inviting that Alex took a step further into the room.
Casey twitched in her sleep. "Alex," she called. "Why didn't you stay? I would've let you. No one else."
Alex moved closer and then sat gently on the bed. "Casey?"
She opened her eyes and, with great effort, sat up. "Huh?"
"Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."
"No, I'm actually feeling much better," she said, finding her hand in the darkness. "Is something wrong?"
"...It's cold."
"What is?"
"In here."
Casey smiled, throwing the blankets back. "Take off your shoes before getting in."
Alex slid of her shoes before sliding in, shivering a little before sighing at the warmth.
Casey turned over, snuggling into her. "Hey Alex, off the record?"
"Mmm?"
"I think I'm falling for you too," she said, kissing her cheek and wrapping her arms around her. "There. Now you'll get nice and warm really quickly."
"...You're right. I am. Very warm." Alex fanned her face.
"Too warm? I could give you a little space."
"No. Ah, I'm f-fine. God, I'm t-turning into you. Stuttering and blushing."
Casey smiled, hugging her tighter. "It's okay," she said sleepily, "I won't tell."
Alex gave a wide yawn, and before long, they were fast asleep, lips inches from each other.
Author's note: What do you think? I have no idea how long this will be, but I can promise that the other chapters are shorter.
Please read & review!
Liv-x-Lex4Ever & E. Scribbles