An Honest Choice

Title: An Honest Choice
Author: Rosie Cruz
Pairing: Casey/Olivia
Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction. The characters belong to Dick Wolf and NBC. I just like to play with them. The story however is purely a creation of my imagination.

2007 © ROBC. The characters of Olivia Benson, Casey Novak, Elliot Stabler, John Munch, Fin, Cragen and Kathy Stabler belong to Dick Wolf and NBC. The story however is mine. All rights reserved. Copies of this may be printed for personal use only. No part of this story may be reproduced or reused for any other purpose without prior written permission.

Author's Note: This was my very first piece of fanfiction written ages ago at a time when I was quite enamored by the possibility of Casey and Olivia. While I'm a huge fan of Alex and Olivia as well, these two always intrigued me a little more. I am not particularly mean to Alex in this, but since it is a Casey/Olivia piece, if you are more of an Alex fan, you might want to stay away.

Chapter 1

Thursday Night – New York

Casey was barely conscious of the newsman. She didn't know if the newscast had finally turned to the weather report or if they still had on their serious faces. Her head was resting on Olivia's lap, Olivia's fingers running gently through her hair. It was creating all sorts of interesting sensations throughout her body; sensations that were causing her brain to conjure some pretty naughty thoughts. She sighed, content to enjoy the closeness despite her lascivious thoughts and then chuckled, silently mocking herself for having such thoughts. After all, Olivia was only innocently stroking Casey's head and would probably be surprised at where Casey's over-active imagination was leading her. Casey smiled, not that Olivia would exactly be opposed to such thoughts. Suddenly the pillow, or rather Olivia's legs were moving. Casey lifted her head and sat up a little sluggishly, saddened at the loss of her comfortable spot. Her eyes were slow to open. Her whole being wanted to languish in the haziness of her previous thoughts.

"What's going on?" she said finally opening her eyes to see Olivia squatting in front of her and smiling that lop-sided smile Casey loved.

"What were you just thinking? You had the most wonderful smile on your face."

Casey could not help the blush that stained her face momentarily as she brought her arms to rest on Olivia's shoulders.

"Well, I was thinking that if you continued the lovely petting, you would have to carry me to bed."

"And you think I could do that?" answered Olivia, her hands now on Casey's hips.

Casey brought her long legs up from the small cocoon created by Olivia's knees and expertly wrapped them around Olivia's waist pulling herself closer.

"Casey honey, despite this tough butch exterior, I'm not sure I could carry you into that bedroom." She shrugged. "I'm just not that strong," she added nonchalantly as she maneuvered herself back onto the couch taking Casey with her. She helped Casey readjust herself onto her lap without a hint of irony.

Casey shook her head at the small display of strength. Olivia probably hadn't even realized just how coordinated and strong you have to be to pull off that little move. Casey was not a small woman standing at 5'11 in flats. Olivia was no slouch herself, but it was still impressive. Even more impressive because Olivia had not done it to show how strong she was. She did it because she could and never gave it another thought. Casey felt Olivia's hands working their way up her shirt and switched gears.

"I seem to recall, a time or two, Detective, when you did just that. In fact if I recall correctly, we were in just this position the last time that happened."

Casey's mouth was now just inches from Olivia's.

"Is that so, Counselor?"

Casey just nodded and bit her lip. "Uh huh."

"If I remember right, I was also not carrying a sleepy ADA to bed those times."

"You need more incentive Detective?" said Casey her mouth so close to Olivia's that Olivia felt the words more than she heard them.

"Maybe," she managed to get out before Casey's lips swallowed up the teeny tiny distance left between them.

Maybe there is something to this incentive stuff, was the last thought Olivia had before her body surged upwards carrying an attached Casey with her. It was hard to navigate to the bedroom especially with Casey's mouth all over her. Concentrate Benson and, try to clear the coffee table. She finally made it to the darkened doorway that led to their bedroom when she heard a strange sound.

"Is that your doorbell? It's like 11 o'clock at night" she heard Casey ask between ragged breaths.

"Yeah, it is" she said, just as confused as Casey.

She let Casey down gently and picked up her gun from the small table that also held her badge and keys as she made her way to the front door.

She yelled out, "Who is it?" while wracking her brain for possible suspects.

Who the hell could it be at this time of night? Elliot? No, he would have called. Maybe something's wrong. Picking up her pace, she looked through the peep hole. "What the…?" She pulled back, as if blinded by whatever she saw on the other side of the door. She turned around briefly to check on Casey, still standing near the couch waiting for some signal from Olivia. Olivia turned her eyes back to the door and opened it slowly.

The Federal Marshal's badge that she had seen through the peep hole disappeared and in its place stood a man in an immaculate black suit. He greeted her with a friendly air of familiarity.

"Hello Olivia. I have someone who wants to see you…very much. So much," he smiled "that she dragged my ass on a plane to NY at this ungodly hour."

Olivia was still confused. Casey had now walked up behind her, but unlike Olivia, she knew immediately what his presence meant. She let out an involuntary gasp.

The federal marshal barely took notice of her. He seemed genuinely pleased at the whole situation as he stepped aside to reveal the woman standing behind him.

"Hi Liv"

Casey's stomach dropped. Oh God, she thought, this can't be happening.

"Alex," said Olivia in a tone that said it all.

It was spoken like a gentle caress. Olivia stepped back, shock and surprise clearly evident on her face. But there was something else in her expression, easily missed if one was not looking for it. Casey was looking for it and she saw it. Her heart sank at the relief and happiness in Olivia's voice. She stepped back into the shadows that led into their bedroom, correction - Olivia's bedroom, a place she had come to think of as theirs. Alex had walked into the apartment now, eyes shining and expectant. Suddenly Casey was very aware of her state of dress - one of Olivia's old NYPD T-shirts and boxers - but she was rooted to the spot. I should leave, she thought. But in the end, she just stood there, unable to move. She needed to hear Olivia ask her to leave. Then it would all end just as she had always suspected it would.