Life Counts
By: Liv-x-Case-Benson & dcmasters
Ch. 1: Complicated
Olivia and Nick worked their way through the deserted underground. It was as close to a sewer as the detective preferred to get. The escaped had ruthlessly and mercilessly murdered a family of five for drug money.
Through, truth be told, the detective hated being away from her wife – the ADA Casey Novak – being as the redhead was days away from giving birth. But the case had everyone shaken and running rampant. Which was the only reason why Olivia was even working it.
The deceased were connected to a judge who'd tried the father for drug smuggling. Or their death was connected to it.
Olivia didn't want to be out chasing the bad guys for once in her life. She would much rather be home at Casey's side. The redhead had already had a few close calls of premature labor brought on by stress. She didn't need to have it happening for real without the detective with her.
These were the only thoughts occupying the brain of the Manhattan Special Victims Unit's leading, veteran detective.
Meanwhile, the redheaded attorney roused herself from underneath the comfort of the fluffy down comforter. It was warm, yes, but without Olivia by her side, it seemed significantly colder. Sitting up, against the pillows, Casey wondered, vaguely, if today would be the day. But, then again, because of her premature scares, she wondered that everyday anymore. Even when she wasn't working, she worried about the beautiful brunette detective who she now had the unbelievable privilege of calling her wife.
Casey couldn't help smiling at the thought as she padded into the bathroom with bare feet. Shedding her soft and silky nightgown, she started warm water for a shower, hoping it would ease her worries as it tended to.
Neither Branch nor Cragen had been happy when the news had come to light that the two women were dating, but both women knew they couldn't be fired for it. The bosses could only frown from afar as it would violate their rights. Though Cragen, already aware of the detective's preference for years now, had taken it easier. After all, it would be imagined that the DA's office would take a harder hit from what had happened to Alex Cabot. Alex's and Olivia's relationship hadn't had anything to do with the hit, but the office had taken a hit before then.
Olivia was still searching the, seemingly, deserted underground, grumbling lowly to herself.
Nick stopped, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Liv, you shouldn't be here."
She turned around, sighing. "I know and, despite the fact that you're a great partner, I'd really rather be anywhere but here."
Nick nodded. "Then you shouldn't be here."
"But everyone's ordered on the case. I can't just lea—There he is!" she said, running as her shoes clomped and echoed. She really didn't think she'd make this much noise.
Casey sighed, letting the steaming water hit her sore neck. She could have sworn her body ached more with each passing day. She stepped forward to reach for the shampoo as she felt a pain in her stomach, the shampoo dropping to the floor of the shower as she gripped her stomach.
Cornering the suspect, Olivia twisted his arm behind his back, but dropped to the watery, dirty ground in pain. Ever since she and Casey had been together, they'd seemed to have developed an almost Empathic link. Struggling, she stood, pinning him to the wall and clutching her stomach. She turned. "This...isn't good."
"Liv, you ok?" Nick asked, joining her side almost out of puff as he took over pinning the suspect, cuffing him.
Olivia shook her head. "I've got to get home as soon as we get to the surface. I've got a feeling."
Nick gave a nod, not releasing his grip as they walked the suspect out slowly.
By now, Casey had managed to step from the shower and turn the water off, her hands gripping the counter as she hunched forward, another contraction hitting her.
As Olivia helped Nick get the suspect into the car, another pain hit her and she sat down, pulling out her phone. "You need to drop me off," she said before dialing the house phone. "Please pick up Case..."
Casey made it to the bedroom, wrapping herself in a robe before another contraction hit just as the phone rang. She reached out but knocked the handset from its cradle, giving a loud groan. Why were these ones coming on so strong?
"Casey? Are you there?!"
Casey gave another groan, louder this time, reaching for the phone as the contraction eased. "H-hello?"
"Casey, it's me. Are you ok?"
"Contractions. Every four minutes," Casey replied, wiping the layer of sweat from her forehead.
"Whoa! FOUR!? How long has it been? Maybe I should ride with the ambulance."
"Only started half an hour ago. I was in the shower."
"Okay. Try to relax. Nick, I need a favor. I need you to call the ambulance, send them to my house, then step on it so I get there before they do so I can stay on the phone with Casey."
Nick nodded, reaching for his radio.
"It wasn't... meant to... h-happen... like this..." Casey said, trying to remember her breathing through her next contraction.
"Shh. It's going to be ok. We're calling the ambulance, but I'll be there before they will. Just try to relax, honey. I'm coming. It's ok."
"RELAX? YOU WANT ME TO RELAX?!" Casey shouted, feeling panicked at the speed things were happening.
"Ok, I understand, but the tenser you are, the more the baby will feel it," the detective spoke, calmly as they blew through the intersection with the siren on. "It's going to be ok."
Casey paced the room, willing the pain in her back to go away, knocking the lamp from the bedside table as the next contraction hit, causing a crash. "Ow!"
"Casey! What happened? Did you fall?!" the detective asked.
As Casey went to answer there was a second crash, a large shard of glass severing the phone line.
"Casey! CASEY! Damn, the phone went dead!"
Nick pressed his foot down harder. "It'll be ok, Liv."
Swallowing hard, the brunette nodded. "Come on... Sorry, I don't mean to make us crash. I'm just scared. I mean, half an hour ago and already she's four minutes apart? Something's odd."
"I'm going as fast as I can, I promise."
She nodded. "I know and thank you."
They pulled up outside their place five minutes later. "Do you need me with you?"
"Can you? What about him in back? I might need you. I have no idea what's going on."
Nick quickly flagged down an oncoming patrol car, asking them to take their suspect to the precinct then caught up with Olivia.
Olivia unlocked the door, throwing it open and headed upstairs. "Casey?!"
"Bedroom!" she called, laying exhausted on the bed.
Olivia turned right, sprinting to the bed, sitting with her. "Casey!" She pulled her into her arms. "It's ok. I'm here now."
"Liv, it hurts so bad," Casey replied, laying her head against Olivia's shoulder.
Olivia held her tightly. "I know. I can feel it. Nick, how far out was the ambulance?"
"I just checked. Six minutes," he replied as Casey squeezed Olivia's hand.
"It's t-too fast."
"Casey, I need you to try to keep calm for a second and answer, ok? Do you feel the baby yet?" Olivia asked, worried the ambulance wouldn't be there fast enough.
Casey gave a small nod, a small scream escaping her mouth as beads of sweat rolled from her forehead.
Olivia looked to Nick. "We may not have six minutes," she said, wiping Casey's forehead before kissing it. "And I know nothing about delivery."
"Don't look at me!" he exclaimed.
"Neighbor... m-midwife..." Casey whispered, trying to focus on her breathing.
Olivia nodded. "It's ok. Don't worry." She grabbed the number by the bed, calling Laura.
It was only a few minutes before she arrived, Casey doing her best to stay calm, though appearing slightly hysterical, her court face failing her.
Olivia beckoned her in. "Nick, if they come, just tell them to stand-by all right? No matter what, we're going to need that ride."
He nodded, leaving to wait for them as Laura examined Casey. "Ok, what you have is called a precipitous labor. It means it's fast and painful. Liv, can you take her hand? She's going to have to push soon."
Olivia nodded. "Should I be behind her or beside her?" she asked taking her hand tightly.
"Behind me, hold me up. I'm tired."
Olivia quickly kicked off her shoes and socks, sitting behind Casey, one hand holding hers, the other gently on her belly. "I'm right here. I promise I'm not going anywhere."
Casey nodded, pushing as soon as she was instructed, her grip like a vice on Olivia's.
Olivia sat up, holding her close, whispering how much she loved her and was proud of her, rubbing and kissing her hand.
As she gave a final push, Casey rest back against Olivia, exhausted, the baby giving a soft cry.
Olivia smiled, holding Casey gently. "The bathroom's to your right if you want to clean up."
Laura nodded, placing the baby against Casey as she stood. "Boy or girl?" she asked, breathlessly as her body shook.
"A baby girl," Olivia observed. They'd opted not to know beforehand, increasing the surprise. "You did amazing. She's perfect," the detective said, untying her robe and placing the baby right against Casey's chest. "It'll help you bond," she replied as she tied it again. leaving a hole for the baby to be seen.
Casey didn't respond to Olivia's words, leaning down to kiss the top of her daughters head. She moved her shaky hand to the baby's cheek, stroking it gently. "Hi," she whispered, a smile on her face as she forgot all about the pain she'd just endured.
Olivia smiled, kissing their daughter's head. "Hi sweetie," she whispered.
The baby gave a grizzle, nuzzling against Casey, who's eyes had flickered shut.
Smiling wider, she hugged them close. "Thank you Laura. We couldn't have done it without you."
"You're welcome. All part of the service," she smiled. "Take her," Casey whispered to Olivia.
Olivia smiled, taking their little girl. "Are you ok?"
"Tired..." she mumbled, "Liv...?"
"Yes?" she asked, kissing her cheek.
"I love you... both and..." was all she managed before her body went limp as she stopped breathing.
"CASEY! GET AN EMT! NOW!" she screamed, opening the door.
What do you think will happen next?
Reviews are appreciated!
Liv-x-Case-Benson & dcmasters