Drowning

By: Liv-x-Lex4Ever & E. Scribbles

Chapter 2: Believe

Olivia didn't think it was possible for Casey to be at her old apartment she'd once shared with Charlie. Why go there? Surely, it wasn't a really happy place, but as she got out and went into the building to the correct door she swore she heard crying. "Casey?"

Inside, sure Casey had heard someone, she went quiet, shaking.

"Case, I know you're upset. Scared. That's okay. I know I should've believed you and looked out for you more. I'm sorry. Please let me try to make this better. I want to help you," Olivia pleaded.

"…Did you draw the short straw?" Casey bit. "Or did they somehow work out that I liked women so you were the obvious choice? Someone from the squad had to pretend to like me so they could play good cop and get the warrants quickly. Except I'm stupid. I didn't see through it and I fell in love with you."

"No Casey. I haven't told anyone. I came because I was worried about you. You're not stupid. You're the smartest woman I know and...I fell in love with you too. Please open up. It's just me."

"At my funeral, do you think anyone will come? My parents might…but it won't be like Alex's. No one will cry," Casey said sadly.

"No, you're wrong. I will. Why talk like this?"

"Because I'm going to die. They're going to kill me." Casey slid a note under the door that simply had the word 'goodbye' typed on it.

Olivia stood again. "Casey, if you don't open this door, I'm busting it down. I'm busting it down and taking you away with me so you'll be safe."

She was silent for a moment, then opened the door slowly.

Olivia stood there, looking nervous. "Can I come in?"

Casey looked around behind her to make sure she was alone before nodding.

Olivia walked in, leaning against the wall, waiting for Casey to close the door before asking, "Have you told anyone besides me what's going on? You need help from more than just me, but, if you want only me, I'll do whatever I can."

"..I don't need anyone. I only trusted you, and you let me down, so there's no point asking anyone else." She sat down again, hugging her knees.

Olivia sat beside her, hugging her tightly. "I didn't think it was this serious. Most of these threats...they aren't real. I'm sorry I didn't believe you. Let me make it up to you."

"I said they were real. Why doesn't anyone ever believe me? Why don't YOU ever believe me? Have I still not proved myself?"

Olivia nodded. "I'm sorry, but I believe you now."

"Because someone else got involved. Because you saw something. My word is never good enough. For anyone. If I'd been Alex though..."

Olivia grabbed her shoulders. "Casey, STOP THIS! I don't want her. I don't want you be her or be like her. I want you to be you. You're the one I love. YOU. Not her."

"That's not what Elliot said," she spoke softly.

"Elliot? What does he know? He can't even tell why I love you so much."

"..Well, I guess now it's your turn to be upset that I won't believe you until you can prove it," asey replied stubbornly.

"What can I do to prove it?"

Casey gave a shrug. "You shouldn't have come here. Were you followed?"

Olivia shook her head. "No."

"Well, you can go now." Casey stood, moving towards the bedroom.

"No. I won't leave without you."

She walked into the bedroom, shutting the door behind herself.

Olivia sighed, sitting against the door. She wished she could figure out what was going on – and with who – but she didn't know how without involving anyone else.

About an hour later, as Olivia was fighting with sleep, Casey walked quietly from the room, slipping to her knees and resting herself against Olivia's side, closing her eyes. There was still dried blood on her forehead and the bruise was now a dark, angry color.

Olivia wrapped her arms around Casey. "Come here. I didn't tell anyone where I was going, so it's just us."

Casey, blanket pulled around her shoulders, rested it a little on Olivia as she curled against her and rested her throbbing forward in the curve of Olivia's neck.

"Do you have anything cold in the freezer to put against your head?"

"It's turned off. Everything but the electricity is turned off."

Olivia nodded. "Okay. Just try to sleep for a bit. I've got you."

Casey fell asleep almost immediately and Olivia's phone began to vibrate in her pocket, making her realize she'd forgotten to speak to Cragen.

"Damn it," she cursed, pulling it out. "Yeah?" she whispered.

"Olivia? Have you found her yet?"

"Uh..." She knew how scared Casey was and their trust was already on the rocks. "Yes, but...I'm handling it. I've got her."

"Are you sure you don't want me to send anyone? I had someone sent over to her house and it looks like someone has broken in and gone through everything, her office as well, so I would suggest going somewhere not known to her. But it looks like it's just the one guy, the fingerprints match the softball, but he's not on the system."

Olivia sighed. "No, don't send anyone. She barely wants me here, but if he's been searching, he doesn't have a clue about this place. She told me it's not in her files. I think it's someone from the last case she worked."

"We're checking over her last few cases at the moment. I'll keep you posted."

"Thank you. I'll keep an eye on her."

Casey stirred a little as Olivia hung up.

"Ssshh, it's okay. It's okay. Go back to sleep."

Author's Note: What do you think?

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Liv-x-Lex4Ever & E. Scribbles