A/N: I am going to say this one time and one time only and after that, all of us are going to leave it alone. Deal? Deal.
Nothing, I repeat, NOTHING, gives someone the absolute right to bash someone else over the internet for no apparent reason at all. Yes I understand we all have different views but instead of being degrading and rude, simply don't read the project. Plain and simple. That's it. What I will not tolerate on my stories is rude comments that do not need to be made at all. It's embarrassing, sickening, and even a little heartbreaking that one of you would actually do that. I know how it feels, I've been there. So what if it was me? I have not always been the greatest of author's ever and guess what? I'm still not. Everyone has their own writing style and if you don't like that then just take your readings elsewhere. There is plenty of other stuff to read on this sight written by myself as well as other fabulous authors that make up this community. But I will not tolerate ship bashing. Hell yes, I am an avid A/O shipper as well as A/C and you do not see me going around bashing A/O authors because of my A/C views and you don't see me going around bashing other A/C authors. Whether it be myself, Death Makes An Artist, Historygeek1399, TKR.87, livsgirl, DustyMonkey, DaniiButNotBeck, Little Miss Nicap, or ANY other author on here, there is NO excuse to post rude and demeaning comments like that because that shit is actually hurtful . I'm sure that myself and as well as any of those author's up there do not want anyone bashing our own work as well as openly bashing someone else. You don't bash ships and you don't bash other authors because I have very little time for that kind of foolishness and childishness. I don't care if you absolutely hate the fact that I write Alex and Casey together and I don't care if you despise my writing. I don't care if you love it and disagree with anyone else's but I do care about it being harmful to another author. That's what I care about, because I know what it's like. Writing and uploading a fanficiton is not as easy as it may seem to some of you. It takes time, effort and dedication. For some people it might be some random pass time but for others, like myself, it might be a hobby that you need to just escape from it all. We are not just here slapping down words on a page because we feel like it. No. Everyone here has a reason and when you don't know that reason, it does not give you an excuse to be rude. It doesn't give you the excuse, or the right. Think if it this way, I am not going to post chapter after chapter and author's note after author's note about how I dislike such and such or how so and so's stories probably aren't as good as mine because at least have some kind of sense of modesty to know what the hell is appropriate to say. If you've got a problem with something, you don't have to rudely stake your claim. Just simply leave quietly and move on with it. It's as simple as that. This story started out as a collaboration and it will STAY a collaboration and if anyone here feels like they have a problem with that, then neither of us need you here. I hope I have made myself clear and this is the first and the LAST time I am going to address this.
Now that that's out of the way...
I hope you all enjoy this chapter!
Storming out of the interview room Casey couldn't believe the arrogance of the blonde; who did she think she was? As if Casey would be interested in an arrogant, reckless pain in the ass like Officer Cabot. Shaking her head to try and rid herself of the irritation she felt, she went in search of Olivia and the Sergeant to arrange a time to prep the blonde.
As she walked through the corridors of the station Casey heard the whispers and felt the stares but with practiced disinterest she managed to ignore them. She knew what people thought of her the 'Aloof ADA who never seemed to smile, give praise. Who was only in the office because of her family name. None of them bothered to acknowledge the fact that she graduated top of her class at law school. She never let her guard down or relaxed.' That just wasn't Casey. She had ambitions; she wanted to be the District attorney one day, wanted to prove she wasn't just living off the 'Novak name' that she was the best because of her own conviction rate and skill in the court room.
After talking with the Sergeant Casey and Olivia began walking back to Olivia's car. Turning to study the lawyer, Liv could tell she was still in a 'mood' and if anything it had got worse since she spoke to the officer. "You want to tell me what's got up your butt?"
"It makes me mad that I'm am now going to have to spend hours prepping an inexperienced, arrogant and frankly irritating Officer who did a job my Detectives should have been there to take care of which would have allowed me more time to prepare for the trial."
Taking a breath, Liv was starting to lose patience with Casey and her mood, "You know we're only human right? That means we can only be in one place at a time and only follow the evidence when it's left behind. We did everything we could to find him, I'm sorry if that's not good enough for you Counselor. Does it really matter who caught him as long as he is off the streets and unable to hurt anyone else?" Her voice coming out harsher than she had intended causing several people to look in their direction.
Casey was slightly startled by the harshness in Liv's voice and realized she might have been overly critical. After all, she was only as good as her Detectives and a strong relationship between them and her benefitted the victims. "Detective-Liv. I'm sorry. I want this guy to pay and I'm worried her reckless behavior might jeopardize the case. You know juries are never sure thing and his broken leg could gain him sympathy."
"Casey, she did what she had to do. What any of us would have done. Hell, if Elliott had been the one who caught him, a broken leg would be the least of his worries. We have plenty of evidence and you are an amazing lawyer. Once you've prepped her she will be fine. Don't be too hard on her, she's young and just made the biggest collar of her career so she's bound to be pleased with herself."
"Fine, I'll play nice but the first sign of her attitude causing trouble and I'll have her busted down to meter maid." Replied Casey as they parted ways.
As she was heading back to her office Casey let her mind replay the conversation she had shared with the young officer. Maybe, just maybe she had been overly harsh in her treatment of the blonde, after all she did catch a killer single handedly even if it was just a quirk of fate she was in the right place at the right time; that's luck not skill.
Although she has to admit the blonde looked good in uniform.
After her less than successful meeting with Assistant District Attorney Casey Novak, Alex had been called into her sergeant office and was told to play nice. After she finished her shift and decided to head to Dexter's, the cop bar near the precinct for a drink or two, in an attempt to prepare herself for her meeting with the snooty ADA tomorrow. Walking in she was greeted by cheers from the bar's other patrons who had heard about her capture earlier in the day. Giving a wave of her hand she accepted the handshakes and pats on the back as she made her way to the bar and ordered a beer.
Walking into the bar Olivia spotted the blonde she was looking for and headed over. "Officer Cabot? I'm Detective Benson, you have a minute?"
"That's me." Replied Alex, studying the woman in front of her. Of course she knew who the Detective was, she was something of a legend around the precinct. Hoping she wasn't in for another lecture, Alex asked. "What can I do for tell Detective?"
"Actually I was hoping you would let me buy you a drink?" Replied Liv with a warm smile.
Studying the shorter woman Alex shrugged. "Sure why not? I'll have a beer." Replied Alex as she waited for Liv to place their order. She was secretly excited about having a chance to talk to the veteran detective. Maybe pick up some tips on succeeding in the NYPD since she didn't want to be a traffic cop her entire career.
Handing the young blonde her drink, Liv indicated a vacant table and the two made their way across. Once they were seated Liv asked, "How's the arm?"
Talking a swig of her drink, Alex replied, "It's okay. I'm sure it will hurt more once the adrenaline has worn off. How's the scumbags leg?"
"Broken in two places, poor thing." Grinned Liv before raising and eyebrow. "So you met Casey? How'd that go?"
"Is she always that...friendly? My trainers in the academy were more encouraging than her. Honestly, anyone would think I broke her leg." Grumbled Alex.
"Yeah that's Casey. She might not be the warmest person but she is an amazing prosecutor; I've never seen anyone as driven or dedicated."
"Is she single?" Asked Alex remembering how good the crimson haired woman had looked in her business suit.
Studying the young woman opposite her Liv considered her answer before she gave it. "I think so. Casey's not one for talking about her personal life."
Giving a smug grin, Alex leaned her chair back on two legs and replied, "I have an appointment with her tomorrow, maybe I'll ask her myself."
The two spent half an hour discussing mutual acquaintances and the difficulties they faced as women in the police force. Standing to leave, Liv put her business card on the table between her and the younger woman. "Be careful out there. Remember if you need anything or just want someone to vent to, you can always call me."
"Thanks Detective Benson." Replied Alex having enjoyed the older woman's company.
"Liv, you can call me Liv or Benson if you feel the need." Replied Liv with a smile as she turned to leave.
Finishing her beer, Alex spent an hour chatting with other cops that were in the bar before heading home.
Arriving at her office the following morning, Casey looked over her calendar for the day, sighing when she remembered that her morning would be dedicated to prepping Officer Cabot. Dragging her hands through her hair she pulled the file toward her and began familiarizing herself with the Officer's jacket. By the time she had finished reading she had a begrudging respect for the officer who had graduated with honours from Yale, top of her class in the academy and had several commendations for bravery and valor, having only been in the force two years. Although, she was a little confused that there was very little information on Cabot before college. Hearing a knock in the door, she stood and straightened her jacket before striding over and opening it.
"Officer Cabot, come in. How's the arm today?" Asked Casey with a smile as she pulled a chair out for the blonde, attempting to start on a friendly foot, with Liv's words from the day before running through her mind.
Alex was slightly taken aback by the warmth in the lawyer's tone. She wasn't sure what to expect, but friendliness wasn't it. "Thank you Miss Novak. My arm's a little sore, nothing major."
"Good. Shall we get started?" Asked Casey pulling the folder towards her as the blonde nodded. "What made you stop Mr. Maynards car?"
"He was speeding." Replied Alex.
"Okay. When I ask you that in court you need to be more specific. How fast he was going and the stretch of road, things like that." Explained Casey.
Leaning back and crossing her legs Alex gave Casey a grin, "You know I'm kinda nervous about testifying. So I was thinking about the trick where you have to imagine everyone in their underwear; you know the one? So to help me, I was thinking you could tell me what you're rocking under that suit? You know to get me started?"
"Not a chance. That's highly inappropriate Officer." Replied Casey all traces of warmth gone from her voice.
Grinning at the blush that colored Casey's cheeks, Alex went on. "Oh come on. I'm guessing matching lacy black thong and bra?" Asked Alex with a raised eyebrow and her ever present smirk.
"Let's get back to the matter at hand." Replied Casey with an icy glare at the smirking woman opposite of her. "Now, let's try that again. Officer Cabot did you have cause to stop Mr. Maynards car?"
"I'll answer your question if you answer mine?" Smirked Alex.
"That's not going to happen Officer. Now answer the question or I will report you to your Sergeant. Do you understand?" Replied Casey.
Grinning at the flustered expression on the lawyer's face, Alex shrugged her shoulders, "I understand perfectly and I will find out."
"No you won't. I don't play games with immature, arrogant and petty minded officers who put not only their life but the case and civilians in harm's way because they are trying to make a name for themselves. You might have an impressive jacket but that doesn't give you the right to act like you deserve special treatment." Replied Casey with anger in her tone.
"You think I'm impressive?" Smirked Alex.
"No I said you had an impressive jacket." Replied Casey.
Deciding she had flustered the redhead enough and didn't want to push her too far in case she went through with her threat to call her Sergeant, Alex answered all her questions and asked the appropriate ones. This was her first high profile trial and if she did this right then it was another step towards promotion. After almost two hours of questions Alex could see what Olivia had meant when she said Casey was driven considering she had asked each question several times to make sure Alex was prepared for cross examination.
"Any other questions for me, Miss Novak? My phone number perhaps? Or my favourite place to eat?" Asked Alex her smirk back in place.
"How about you stop flirting with me?" Asked Casey with a raised eyebrow.
Watching as Alex gave her a grin and a wink before pushing her mirrored sun glasses back into place as she swaggered out of her office leaving the scent of her perfume behind. Looking at the door Alex had just left through Casey leaned back in her chair and threw her pen down on the desk.
"Guess that was a no."
Hehehe, Casey seemed to get a little hot a bothered here, didn't she? We hope you like what's going through so far. Leave your thoughts!
