This is meant to occur during Casey's first season where she is a little wet behind the ears, rough around the edges and not yet accepted by the other detectives. I don't own them. And if anyone's wondering- I haven't forgotten about my other stories. :)
It was hard to hide the smug grin on my face as I laid my phone back on my desk. I knew my best friend Cassidy would be a perfect match for Jennifer. My smile didn't fade as I went back to the tedious work that was Special Victims.
I rubbed my tired eyes, it was Friday after all I really should get home to my nonexistent life. I longed for someone to be waiting for me at home but after Charlie I didn't want to travel down that path again.
The brisk air caught me off guard and my cheeks flushed as I waked home. I knew a cab was a better choice, this was New York City after all, but after being in the office all day I definitely needed to walk.
When I opened the door of my apartment I was met with darkness, I sighed, what was I expecting? I quickly turned on the light and locked the door behind me. Throwing my things on the couch I went straight to my room and fell into bed.
I was jolted out of bed at a sharp knock at my door. I looked at my phone on the nightstand and saw I had missed seven calls. What the hell?
The pounding became more insistent and I rushed to the door, "hold on I'm coming." I opened the door and found Olivia on the other side, "Olivia?"
"Hey Casey, can I come in?" She asked looking at me up and down, I glanced down and saw I was a mess. I was still in my work clothes that were wrinkled beyond recognition.
Worry must have crossed my features because she touched my shoulder directing me to the couch, "It's ok Casey, um but I have some bad news."
"What?"
"Let's sit down, ok?"
"Olivia, tell me." I said refusing to budge from my place at the door.
"There was a double homicide in your building."
"Ok do you need a warrant?" I said confused.
"Um… your friends Cassidy and Jennifer were the victims."
"Oh my god." I said my hand instinctively covering my mouth.
"I'm so sorry Casey," She murmured as she easily moved me to the couch.
"What happened?"
"We're still investigating that Casey."
"How did you know they were my friends?"
Olivia's demeanor changed and she frowned before pushing a hand through her hair, "that's what we need to talk about, we thought you might have some useful information. And as of right now you are the last person to talk to them."
"What does that mean?"
She looked away, "I don't know Casey, we just need to talk down at the station tomorrow."
"D—did they suffer?"
Olivia refused to make eye contact again and I instantly knew my answer.
"Let's go now," I said grabbing my coat and swallowing the rising bile in my throat.
"How did you know Jennifer?"
She turned in the chair in the interview room and gave me a knowing look.
"Casey, I know this is uncomfortable, but we need to ask."
"We dated a while back…" she mumbled as she looked at the two way mirror.
Interesting, I thought to myself. "When?"
"Like six months ago."
"And it ended amicably?"
"Yea, we both just needed… something and we were able to give it to each other then," she said bushing and looking toward the window again.
"How did you know Cassidy?"
She rolled her eyes and glared at me again.
I leaned over the table and whispered, "Casey, no one is judging you, we've all had our fair share of partners."
"What other questions do you have Olivia?"
"When did you meet Cassidy?"
"We've been friends since elementary school. We went to college together and moved to New York together. She's my best friend… at one time or another she's been more."
Cragen turned off the sound and looked at Elliot who had his brows raised, "let's keep this low for now."
Their eyes moved back to the window but Cragen didn't press the button to turn the sound back on. "Let's give them some time, uh, go see what you can find out on the vics."
"So you set them up together?"
"Yea, I thought they'd be a good match."
"You didn't care that they were your former lovers?" I asked curiosity getting the better of me.
"I wanted them to be happy," she said shrugging her shoulders.
"Tell me about your conversation with Cassidy today."
"We usually get lunch once a week and she told me today that she was getting back into the dating scene. She was having some "approaching thirty" crisis and wanted to know if I knew anyone."
I nodded my head, indicating for her to continue.
"I called her after lunch, after calling Jennifer to see if she was interested. I set up the date for them tonight, it was soon but they both were free so I—thought why not" she said wiping her eyes.
Her usual steadfast demeanor was gone and her cheeks were stained with mascara runs and dried tears. I wanted to hug her but knew that wasn't my place.
"It's ok Casey, we'll catch this guy," I said reaching for her hand.
She stared at our hands a moment before looking at me. I knew why she was regarding me this way, I hadn't exactly been kind to Casey since her start in Special Victims a few months ago. I knew I had more questions for Casey but I stood up, leaving her. When I walked through the door I found Elliot looking through the mirror at Casey, he raised his eyebrows and I just continued walking.
"Not often we have the ADA in the integration room," Munch sarcastically replied as he saw Elliot and I walk out.
I smacked him on the back of the head as I walked by, "what information do we have on the vics?"
Casey walked into Cragen's office without a glance at us, I saw Don stand up and gently close the door after her. None of us missed the stern look on his face.
When Casey emerged twenty minutes later, we all pretended to ignore the door opening and the very disheveled Casey appear. I looked up and made contact with Cragen, he nodded and I stood. Slowly approaching Casey I tried my best to sound casual, "Hey let me take you home," I said putting my hand on her arm.
She shrugged off my hand, "I'm fine, Detective, call me if you need anything further."
We watched her walk out of the room and into the waiting elevator. John was the first one to speak, saying what was on all our minds, "can't really blame her, we haven't been exactly welcoming."
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