Like Strawberries
Author: Oro
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Tis all Aaron Sorkin's.
Notes: Again with the Danielle, whose appetizer is Dana/Casey.
I don't believe we've met, says Casey, his eyes one of the only sources of light in the dimly lighted room.
No, I don't believe we have, Dana replies, and she is such a social creature tonight, grin wide and cheeks flushed.
They get to talking, because at a point they know they have to, as they are both such interesting people, or maybe because it's socially accepted to do some talking before you get to the part where there is sex with a complete stranger you'll never again see. It's college and it's night and everyone is drunk, so it's allowed.
And when Dana kisses him, he is strawberries to her tongue. She doesn't know him very well yet but soon she shall; they will have this amazing sex and come morning she'll be alone in a somewhat warm bed, her skin sticky from sweat and saliva.
But it doesn't seem random because when she gets up, she sees a note from him. And it has his name written on it and his phone number. He even says he hopes to see her again. Dana thinks how considerate it must be but tells herself she can see right through his nice act and never calls him.
Then Lisa starts going out with someone new. She, apparently, is madly in love with him. Name's Casey ,and it's a year later, and Dana didn't save the note to begin with; when Lisa introduces her to him there are no signs of recognition and it's like the beginning.
Only she did save the note. And he grabs her arm when Lisa goes to the bathroom and says, 'hey, I know we had this thing last year but let's not have Lisa know it. I really like her, you know?'
Because she knows Lisa would never know. Not until.
Until it happens again. And again. And again; third time's charm and it's now been fourteen and a half years, there's a kid involved and Dana feels awful about it. She hates being hated with such passion by someone who used to be her friend, but she may deserve it for wanting to see if he still tasted like strawberries a whole eighth grader later. (Why she puts junior high students instead of year numbers is a mystery).
He is a good husband, though; there's couple's therapy and weekends in Hawaii, but in between there's their show. He makes sure not to bring her a gift when he comes back, skin tanned and yet looking older than he did before he left, and there are no hugs or a chocolate cake. Which is fine.
And Lisa says no, Casey, you have to go now. You have to go, get the hell out of this house, be with her, don't be with her, that's not at all up to me. I am not your second choice (motherfucker, she mutters through gritted teeth).
He packs up a bag and leaves, but there's nowhere to go and he finds himself back in the office; she finds him in the office. He's asleep, he's unhappy, and she would like to help. So she just sits and watches him sleep until he wakes up.
'Hi,' he says, sitting up and rubbing his red eyes.
'Hi.'
'Lisa kicked me outta the house.'
'I'm sorry.'
He reaches for her and he kisses her again, and again with the strawberries as she softly sighs into his face. But then Danny comes in and they never do pick up where they left off.
FIN