Ch. 1

Alex's POV

Laying on the towel in the sand, the hot sun warms the air. The only sound is the rhythmic crashing of water. It keeps me in a relaxed half sleep state.

I don't want to fall asleep, scared that my pale skin will get too comfortable in the sun, and burn. Even though I'm under the umbrella I know that somehow the sun will find a way to turn me into a lobster. My nose has already taken up the all too familiar red color, and stinging pain.

Casey and I had some time off from work, so we decided to take a few days to come down to the beach, and get some much needed relaxation. I can't imagine spending my time off any other way than with the most beautiful woman in the world on the beach. It's so nice not to have any worries about work, or bills, or-

Something is on my stomach. I feel little pricks like something is crawling on me.

I immediately shoot right up thinking it's a bee. I start screaming like a frightened child. I can't stand bugs, or things that crawl.

My hands start to swipe away at it. Nothing is on me anymore at least.

I calm down, and see Casey sitting on the end of the towel laughing uncontrollably at my over reacting.

"oh my god you should've seen your face baby." she says in between laughs.

She's holding something in her hands. I can't tell what it is.

"it's not funny."

"yes it is, but you scared Bob." she says.

"Bob?" I ask her.

"a hermit crab. I found him. He was stranded and a seagull was eyeing him so I saved him. Well until you almost killed him."

I shiver seeing the little crab. I don't like things that crawl or creep. Especially on my bare stomach.

"well then why did you put it on me? You knew I'd freak out."

"his name is Bob, and he wanted to give you a hug. I told him you give good hugs."

"to my beautiful girlfriend. Not crawly things." I shiver again at the sight of the damn thing.

I lean in and kiss her.

"that was a kiss."

"are you complaining?"

I kiss her again.

"not at all."

"you know for someone so cute you can be so mean." I joke.

"I'm sorry baby. I just like to tease you" she kisses me back and puts her hand on my thigh.

"I know." I half moan.

She giggles.

God why does she have to be so sexy and cute. She's killing me here with her bathing suit clad body and cute little giggle, and her hand on my thigh creeping dangerously close as she bites my bottom lip. I deepen the kiss and put my hands on her waist pulling her closer. She pulls her hand off my thigh. I let out a sigh.

"if we continue this any further we may get in some trouble." she says.

We lay down on the blanket. Just looking in each others eyes enjoying the peace. Her eyes are beautiful green. I can't help but get lost in them. Right now is perfect with Casey, kissing, and cuddling her. Not only that, but she's in a blue bikini that she looks absolutely sexy in. I loved the beach before, but now with Casey I love it so much more because I get a view of her beautiful body.

Okay Alex relax you've seen Casey's body a million times. It is possible you can look at her without your mind going there every ten seconds, right? And it just went there again.

Oh, but she's so beautiful, and cute, and funny, and smart, and sexy, and everything good in the world.

When my mind isn't busy wandering to dangerous places, I'm just looking at her, and day dreaming.

It's been almost three months since her cousin Jake's wedding. Ever since the wedding I've been thinking more about my future with Casey.

Ever since Casey and I have been together I've known that I'm in it well forever.

But since the wedding my dreams have consisted of Casey walking down the isles. Well the appropriate PG rated dreams anyway. She always looks so beautiful in those dreams. As if she could get any more beautiful.

We've been together almost eight months now. I'm just scared that it's too soon to propose to her. I don't want to jump the gun and ruin how special it would be to pop the question. I don't want to scare her either by taking things so quick.

I've been too nervous to ever think about the M word let alone say it to Casey. What if she is completely against marriage all together. Sometimes I get scared talking about the future.

Maybe it's because of being in witness protection you never know what the future holds. One day you're yourself on a case drinking coffee and waiting for the next episode of Scandal. The next day you're someone else with a different name in a strange town with a strange job. The uncertainty of the future has kind of stuck with me since I got out. I would be destroyed if I ever had to go back into witness protection and not know if I'll ever see Casey again, or worse come back after a few years and have her hate me.

Then there's just the thought of whether marriage would make Casey happy or not. I don't even want to think about the thought of Casey not being happy with me, or not happy enough to marry me. The only thing I fear more than icky crawly things is not being able to make Casey happy. That's all I want to do show her how much I love her and make sure she's always happy. After all the crap in the last months between, Olivia, the job, and her mother I want her to be happy she deserves it.

I try not to think about it too much though as we continue on our vacation. Casey knows when I'm deep in thought about something. She'd pick up on it in a second.

"what are you thinking about?" she asks me.

See! What did I say? She picks up on it.

We're laying in bed. It's the next morning. She has her head on my chest. Her green eyes looking sweetly into mine.

"how beautiful you are." I kiss her.

I don't want her to know I'm thinking about certain things. Words that may or may not begin with M and the future and stuff.

Quickly I flip us over so I'm on top of her.

I'll keep her distracted, so she won't ask what I'm thinking.

I don't lie to Casey ever, and I don't hide anything from her.

I keep her well distracted for the rest of our trip thankfully, but my mind still keeps going to that same daydream of our future together.