Disclaimer: Of course I don't own Law and Order SVU, if I did I wouldn't be wasting my time writing fan fiction, instead I'd be making Elliot kiss Olivia. insert evil laugh here

"You're drunk. All of you," Munch muttered, but Casey noticed that he was hiding a smile, as if he was enjoying the situation. She wasn't exactly sober but still had a clear enough mind. Olivia and Elliot were giggling, which concerned Munch in a way. They had to be truly drunk in order to make such noises.

"You love, him, admit it," Elliot was saying. Casey overheard. She knew that they were all drunk, even Munch, ever so slightly. It was Olivia's birth day, so it gave them all an excuse to let loose a little. Although in some cases letting loose a little meant a lot, as was in the case of the birth day girl. But no one complained, in fact they seemed pleased with themselves for planning a party and making Olivia smile, even if she was under the influence.

"Shhh, Elliot!" Olivia shot back. Something about the two best friends, Olivia and Elliot, made them act like small children when they were drunk. No one really understood it.

Fin and Beach were talking quietly and kept one making tentative glances at Olivia and Elliot. Meanwhile Porter and Olivia's brother seemed to be the most awkward of the bunch, unsure of where their places were with the gang. Casey's place was Olivia's best female friend, but she wasn't about to get in the way of Olivia's best male friend, especially because if she did she'd probably end up just as drunk as them.

"Well, everything seems to be going well, I think I'll make my leave now," Munch said.

"It's only 10, why are you headed home so early?" Casey questioned.

"Well seeing as I still have a full day of work tomorrow I do need my beauty sleep," Munch replied. "Can't allow a beautiful face like mine to be ruined, now can we?"

Casey smirked. "Alright then, leave me all alone."

"You won't be alone, don't worry, you've got a bunch of drunken lunatics to keep you company."

"Very funny. Bye then," she replied feeling oddly defeated. She looked at Olivia and Elliot, it was official, she was going to have to join them, even if it did mean being hung over.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"Spill, Casey, is there a new man in your life?" Olivia questioned.

"Olivia, it's 2 o'clock, I should probably head home."

"Honey, you're way too drunk to be driving," Melinda said. "You're going to have to stay here with us."

"Of course, I should have seen that coming."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Munch glanced around the squadroom. No one seemed particularily happy with the work that they had to do. Of course he wasn't any different, he was just pleased that he hadn't gotten so drunk that he was hung over.

"I need some air," he muttered.

"Don't we all?" Elliot said bitterly. Munch ignored him and returned to his work. He'd left the earliest out of anyone, in fact he'd gone before Cragen and Melinda had even got there. That had to make a person feel old. He sighed and twirled his pen around his desk. The day was almost over, soon enough he could finally head home.

When the clock finally did strike the time to leave he headed out quickly, which didn't really surprise anyone. He headed to a bar in his area, eager for a drink before he went to sleep. He had to join the low-lifes of the world and drink away his bitterness.

It wasn't exactly a classy bar but it certainly wasn't run down either. He seated himself at the bar and ordered a beer. A bell rung, indicating that someone had entered the bar. He didn't turn around to see who was, but was merely surprised when they approached them.

"Feeling lonely?" it sounded somewhat seductive, whoever it was certainly couldn't be talking to him. "Depressed? Defeated? Idiotic-

"What are you doing here Casey?" he asked as soon as he recognized her joking tone.

"Drowning my sorrows, I take it it's the same reason for you?"

"Not exactly, I just like to take on the superhero role of 'drunking old man' when no one I know is around."

"Ah, of course."

"So really, Case' what are you doing here?"

"I come here every so often when I lose a case," she replied looking wistfully around.

"Mmm, I see. Well, it seems a bit out of your way, why aren't you getting drunk in some classy bar in your lawyer neighborhood."

"The only thing close to a bar in my neighborhood is the lesbian strip club, and I only go there on special occasions," she replied winking.

Munch took a sip of his beer. Casey ordered a beer herself. She didn't even have to explain to Munch that she wasn't the type who drank fruity little drinks.

"I thought you lived in a lawyer neighborhood, how come the closest thing to a bar that you have is a strip club?"

"Like you said, it's a lawyer's neighborhood. What did you expect?"

Munch chuckled. He wanted to reach out and tuck a stray strang of hair behind Casey's ear, just to touch her really. There was something about her that made him smile, something more than just her sense of humor. He should of, could of stayed at Olivia's party a little longer. He should have stayed with Casey, but he'd managed to stop himself from doing so, fearing what he might say if they got him drunk.

He got up to leave, but Casey stopped him. "Wait, where are you going? You have no excuse to leave me this time."

"Perhaps you're right," he replied and sat back down. Casey smiled at him, and unable to resist, he brushed the strand of hair away from her face. They just stared at each other for a few moments, both unsure of what to say next. "I really should go home…"

"That's…fine, I'm almost done my drink anyways."

"Bye, Casey," he said softly.

She held his gaze for a moment before replying. "Bye."

Author's note: I don't want to be a review whore, but tell me what you thought and if I should continue.