Spoilers: Through S8.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my inspiration.
AN: First SVU fic. Possibly last, lol. The first four roughly span from Jan '05(S6) to Feb '07(S8). Let's just pretend there was no Dani kiss, mkay? Good deal. Thanks to the lovely Lisa for betaing.
I.
It happens like this a couple months after he and Kathy separate.
He calls, and she picks him up. She tries to call Olivia but can't get an answer. She takes him back to her place.
Then she's trying to help him to the couch. He stumbles and they fall onto the couch in a tangled heap. There's laughter, and then he looks at her with that look.
He's kissing her, and her head is screaming that it doesn't happen like this; this isn't the way it's supposed to go. But it feels so good; she lets him.
Morning comes and the world's staring them in the face. They pretend nothing happened.
It's easier this way.
II.
It happens like this nearly a year later.
The little boy's killer goes free, and the walls of Casey's empty apartment start feeling like they're closing in.
She picks up the phone and dials. He doesn't ask, just shows up with take-out.
Later they're lying in bed and she hears him mumble, and then "Kathy."
This is when she knows he'll go back.
This is when she knows she might fall for him.
III.
It happens like this a few months later.
He calls pretending to need a file she's taken home for the weekend.
She makes them TV dinners and they watch the movie channels she never uses.
It's the next morning when Casey realizes she's already fallen for him.
IV.
It ends like this almost a year later.
When he calls he asks if he can come over, and she knows.
He tries to start explaining - his kids. She looks at him and he stops.
She kisses him and he lets her. There's angry sex on her floor and he's gone when she wakes up.
The next day she calls in sick, and eats a whole pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream for lunch.
It's that she always knew it would end this way.
V.
The next winter she gets a 3 a.m. call. Without thinking she answers and is met with slurred words through tears.
"I'm sorry, so sorry Case."
She picks him up because it's what she does.
They stumble into her apartment and he tries to kiss her.
It breaks her heart, but this time she doesn't let him.
They have coffee in the morning at her kitchen table.
When he gets up to leave he squeezes her shoulder and kisses the top of her head.
This is when she realizes they've had their last call.