Five Ways Casey Novak Never Left New York
Summary: Five ways Casey Novak never left New York
Categories/warnings: friendship, romance (both Casey/OC, Casey/Olivia), angst, barest hint of a crossover, implied character death
Disclaimer: Law and Order: Special Victims Unit is the property of Dick Wolf and NBC.
Author's Notes: Inspiration was from R.E.M.'s 'Leaving New York' and the source for the chapter titles.
1. It's easier to leave than to be left behind
Olivia finds Casey sitting on the court house steps. It's started to snow softly, but Casey doesn't seem to notice. She doesn't even look up when Olivia comes to a stop next to her.
"I hear it didn't go well in there," Olivia says, carefully lowering herself next to Casey.
Casey's answering laugh is hollow. "And isn't that the understatement of the century," she said, sighing deeply.
Olivia rests one hand on Casey's shoulder. "Better luck next time, huh?"
Casey glances across at Olivia and there are tears threatening to fall. Slowly, she shakes her head.
"I can't do this anymore, Olivia." Her voice is barely above a whisper and Olivia isn't sure she heard her correctly. "I can't keep seeing these creeps get away with abusing these women and these children because I'm not good enough."
"You are good enough," Olivia replies. "Casey, it's not your fault these pervs get acquitted. All it takes is one sympathetic juror. You know that."
"It's still my fault that I can't convince that one juror," Casey says. She shakes her head slowly. "I'm finished, Olivia. I can't keep doing this."
"Casey," pleads Olivia.
Casey merely shrugs off Olivia's hand and turns to look at her for a moment. Olivia just looks back quizzically, not saying anything.
Leaning forward, she brushes a ghost of a kiss across Olivia's lips. Casey smiles sadly and pushes herself up off the steps, noticing for the first time the snow that was slowly accumulating around them.
"Goodbye, Olivia."
Olivia sits on the steps of the court house, snow falling around her, and watches Casey leave.
