1: Attraction drabble
Her grandfather had called it 'making eyes' at someone. Casey always thought that this sounded better than 'ogling' or 'staring' and less forward than 'flirting.' It seemed gentler, and easier to deal with. Almost.
And maybe she was being paranoid, but Casey could swear that sometimes she caught Liv making eyes at her.
Not that it was a one-sided activity.
But they'd developed this easy friendship. She didn't want to risk that.
It popped-up, seemingly overnight, out of nowhere really. Once Casey dropped her over-eager demeanor that sometimes bordered on belligerence; once Olivia had lost some of her resentment at a bird-dogging replacement… they stopped repelling each other like two north-seeking poles of a magnet.
So, even if Olivia was ridiculously beautiful, Casey didn't think she wanted to be caught making eyes at Liv either.
2: Denial ficlet
Episode: Contagious
Olivia was really not enjoying the fact that Dr. Rebecca Hendrix and her partner were so immediately chummy working together, or that they were taking sides against her when she was just trying to be the voice of reason.
She appealed yet again to her partner, "You'd want a doctor to do a gynecological exam on your nine year-old without asking you?"
"The longer we wait, the more evidence is lost." Elliot countered. And both he and Rebecca continued arguing with her about why they should further traumatize the victim with a procedure.
"… We can sedate her," Rebecca interrupted, trying to appease Olivia's worry about the victim's state of mind. "But this isn't life or death. The hospital will have my ass if we're not covered legally."
And of course, Elliot went running to Novak for help.
"I got it," Casey said, coming out of the elevator, already her voice leaving evidence of mild irritation. "Court order giving the authority to the hospital to do the exam on Holly, including sedation."
"The parents are in surgery," Olivia said. Casey was coming at her, of course, even though this was all Elliot. She tried not to roll her eyes. Keeping her voice soft but still coming into Casey's personal space she said,"You going to stay and explain this when they're out?"
"I can't," Casey said without backing up. "I've got an arraignment in an hour. You wanted this, you're going to have to take the heat," she finished and simply turned and walked toward the elevator.
Rebecca observed Olivia's reaction, took in their respective body language and smirked inwardly. She stepped in though, to prevent the oncoming argument. "I'll tell her parents why we couldn't wait."
Casey gave one last look at Olivia before the elevator doors closed. "Tell me if you get anything."
Olivia sighed and leaned against the half-wall that defined the waiting area as Elliot took advantage of waiting for the procedure by searching out more coffee. Rebecca stood next to her, making notes to a chart. She added her signature to one last order and handed the chart over to a nurse. Then she looked up at Olivia.
"You know, I saw your picture in a few articles over the years. You looked really good with that short hair. Better."
"Yeah, well, you looked better as a blond."
Rebecca gave a little laugh. She debated about whether or not to prod the detective about this, but Olivia had been so antagonistic last month when they worked on that case together, she thought a little payback was due.
"So," she said. And smiled, that damned little know-it-all pixie smile, "You're into redheads now?"
"You don't know what you're talking about," Olivia said, standing up straight to gain the height advantage over her old academy roommate.
"I know that the things we're attracted to don't really change. And I know that one of the first ways that someone can turn your head is by challenging you and not backing down."
"You're not as perceptive as you think you are, and it's been a long time since you knew me."
"Hey," Rebecca said, "Relax. I'm not trying to bait you. I was just going to say that your ADA is cute." She smiled. "And a little feisty."
"She's not my ADA," Olivia sighed. "But yeah, she is."
Rebecca merely smiled that same damn smile again.
"Look, if you're into her, you go for her," Olivia said, trying to keep the irritation out of her voice.
Rebecca only winked at her before heading toward the nurses' desk.
3: Support
Episode response: Ghost (for no good reason, I happen to know that Christo's Gates (the art installation referred to below) opened right about when Ghost aired)
Olivia had told her that she wasn't going to be very good company. But Casey had gently insisted she go anyway. "It's just a walk," she said, "You look like you need to get out."
Truth be told, she still felt a little rattled. Alex had appeared, tilted her horizon, and then disappeared once again. Ephemeral. And it did leave her feeling like she needed some fresh air.
So, she found herself in walking with Casey in Central Park. Along with half of New York City. "What's supposed to be the point of all this again?" Olivia asked as she looked around at the unending art installation winding its way through the park.
"Well, the artist himself says that it has no inherent meaning, so I guess it's up to everyone who walks through it."
"I can't believe how big this is," Olivia said. "I don't think I've ever been so glad that I'm not a Central Park cop." There were so many people. Winter had stripped most of the color from the trees, grass and sky. But when they came around that last right turn you could see at least 300 more sails. Billowing orange, giving evidence of the racing wind, the nylon fabric whipping about like sails in the harbor, masking the sounds of the city, gentling them.
"We could go to the The Met's rooftop sculpture area if you want. They're letting people up there for viewing."
"And fight even more tourists?"
Casey gave a short laugh and smiled. "Yeah, I see your point."
"Want to keep going?"
"As long as you want to."
Olivia looked around at the snow, and the sails. Passing under the saffron colored fabric; the diffused light reminded her of sunset and made Casey's hair seem even more red against her light blue coat, like it used to be.
"Thanks," she said. And smiled. And kept walking.
4: Acceptance
Episode: Intoxicated
They had all tried to go out for dinner once Carrie Eldridge had been taken into custody. But Casey had to leave to attend to yet another warrant after the appetizer.
Simone Brice watched Olivia watch the redhead leave.
When Olivia finally turned to face her again, Simone smiled and in the gentle voice that Olivia had long associated with Simone breaking bad news, said, "That girl's in love with you."
"She's not a girl."
"We're all girls when we have that look on our faces."
Olivia quietly sipped her beer.
"What no protests?"
Olivia shrugged. "I'm…. aware of the situation."
"Do you think you took advantage of that?"
"I thought you were happy with the results. It's what was best for Carrie."
"I am, Olivia. I was just wondering."
"I'd like to think I was able to change her mind, not manipulate her."
"I don't know if your intentions mattered. In court, I asked her why she allowed the plea agreement."
"She say I twisted her arm?"
"No, she simply looked at you, with that look on her face," Simone smiled.
Olivia sighed and pulled at the beer label with her fingertips.
"So, it's a good thing?" her old friend asked.
Olivia couldn't help smiling a little.
5: Hovering
Episode: Night/TBJ-Day
"This case is a dog, Casey," Tracey Kibre complained as she presented all the flaws in the case yet again.
"You try what you have," Casey replied.
Casey slowly made her way out of the building and over to where Olivia was standing and waiting for her. The detective had been checking in with her in person more and more lately. Not the she minded the hovering.
She sighed as her mind came back around to the case that she was not allowed to prosecute. She looked over at Olivia, "Kibre hates the case. It's not strong enough for her preference." Casey made a face and recounted the minor tirade that Homicide ADA had gone on about the lack of evidence and witnesses. "Did I whine that much when I first started?"
"I wouldn't call it whining," Olivia's lip twitched in want of a smirk.
Casey rolled her eyes. "Thanks," she said dryly as they walked down the buildings front steps.
"How's the leg today?" Olivia asked.
"It's okay. The most annoying thing is this..." Casey tapped the ankle brace that resembled a very large ski- boot. "Not only does it mean I can only wear skirts, but it gets in the way all the time and the Velcro straps keep attaching themselves to my chair, skirt, couch…"
"Sounds like it's trying to tell you to take it easy and rest."
"I've had enough rest."
Olivia placed her hand on Casey's shoulder. As she thought of something to say to convince Casey to relax and let herself heal, her hand slid down Casey's arm, gently rubbed it and then trailed it all the way down. She ended up holding a soft, fair hand in hers.
She stared their now linked hands as if they belonged to someone else. She tried to get her brain back on track, even as her body rebelled. "Is there anything I can do to make it easier?"
Casey smiled at her. "I'm sure I can think of something."
6: Something new
"When I said 'let's grab a bite to eat' I wasn't expecting to have to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for my dinner," Olivia said. "And you know we're going to have to wait in line."
"You said you wanted pizza, and this is the best pizza," Casey said, sure of herself.
"Casey," Olivia protested. "You can't get a bad pizza in New York."
"Yeah, you most certainly can. And I'm tired of all of the 'Ray's' and their copycats."
Olivia grumbled but didn't reply.
"Come on," Casey grabbed her hand and dragged her along faster. "We can take a cab back. But you at least have to admit it's got a nice view."
Olivia smiled at their linked hands. "Yes," she said.
When they finally got a table, Olivia was relieved to that the sometimes fussy lawyer did not go at the pizza with a knife and fork.
"Oh, com on," Casey winked and continued to try to cool down the slice in her hands. "I know you know me better than that."
Casey was also very pleased with herself when Olivia declared the pizza to be excellent.
"But you still owe me for dragging me all the way to Brooklyn."
"Anything you want," Casey said. And then bit her lip and blushed a little.
Olivia didn't torture her any further and didn't comment on the very charming blushing. She smiled an easy and relaxed smile. "Ice cream," she said. "Why not make the artery clogging complete for the night."
Casey just wiggled her eyebrows. "Then it's a good thing that we got a small pizza."
Olivia tossed a napkin at her.
"You backing out?"
Casey smiled. "Not a chance."
"And no walking back to Manhattan to find the best ice-cream," Olivia said.
They settled on a place nearby. They sat at a little café table off in a corner as Olivia enjoyed her sundae, and Casey busied her hands with her coffee mug.
"Are you sure you don't want any?" Olivia said. She smiled around the latest spoonful. "It's really good."
Casey could only stare at Olivia's mouth, pondering the stray wish to become a spoon.
Taking advantage of Casey's silence, Olivia brought the spoon over to the redhead's mouth and waited.
Blinking suddenly became very important. But her brain moved on, and eventually Casey opened her mouth and accepted the offered dessert.
"Casey," Olivia said as she ate another spoonful of the ice cream herself. "Are you ever going to kiss me?"
Casey swallowed hard, and tried to think of something smooth to say, but all she could come up with was, "I was, uh, working up to it."
Olivia paused a beat before very slowly smiling and making eyes at the redhead long enough for Casey to start blushing again.
"Good to know," Olivia said.