Author's Note: I can't believe I didn't mention this in the first chapter! I gratefully accept any and all feedback. With that said, let's get back to this story. Thanks for reading and enjoy!

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When Olivia came out of her bedroom, she was wearing gray drawstring pants, a white long sleeve shirt and gray wool socks.

"How are you feeling?" Casey was sitting on the sofa spreading out the snack she had prepared.

"Like hammered shit, Case. I just...the emotions steamrolled me in there." She looked down as embarrassment seized her.

"It needed to come out, Liv. So Detective Benson isn't Superwoman. Your secret's safe with me." Casey patted the sofa. "Sit. Eat. Drink." She had found some bourbon and spiked the tea she remade after she'd returned from the bathroom. "I put a shot in the tea. Figured we could both use it."

"Thanks, Case." She sat on the sofa and tucked her legs under her. "How did you make this with what I had?"

"I cut up an apple and opened a jar of peanut butter. I didn't make a soufflé." Casey smiled and handed Liv a small plate.

When the scent of peanut butter hit Liv's nose, her stomach sent a message that it wanted food. "It's perfect. I wouldn't know what to do with a soufflé right now." She dipped her slice of apple in the peanut butter. "Mmmm."

"Good. Eat up." Casey sipped her tea.

"You need to go. You've got to work in the morning." Olivia knew it had to be late.

"It's already morning and they can deal without me for one day. Stop worrying about me." Casey sensed that she was deflecting the conversation.

"I guess so." Liv ate another bite of apple and a few crackers. Then she sipped her tea.

"Do you need anything else, Liv? Do you want to talk about it?" Casey's questions were quiet and even.

"I'll call Huang in the morning. I think I'm just tired for now." Olivia was chewing up the last bite of apple and scraping the peanut butter off the plate with a cracker.

"Sleep will do you good." Casey started to gather the dishes and yawned a big yawn.

"You must be beat. God, I didn't even think. Go home, Casey." Olivia scratched her head.

"Honestly, Liv. I don't think there's a chance in hell of me leaving you alone here. Not after what you've been through." Casey turned a resolved glance to Olivia. "I can sleep on your sofa if it's ok."

"Sure, my sofa is your sofa." Liv exhaled. "Thank you, Casey. So much, for everything." Exhaustion was starting to get the better of her.

"You're welcome, Liv. Really. Just tell me where I can find a pillow and a blanket." Casey smiled.

"In the hall closet." Liv gestured to the right. "Good night, Casey." She got up and waved.

"Night, Liv. Sleep well. I'll be here if you need anything." Casey found a pillow and a blanket on the top shelf. She changed in to the boxers and tank that Olivia had originally pulled out for herself.

Liv padded down the hall and switched off the light. She closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. She stared in to the dark bedroom and froze.

Casey was plumping the pillow and working herself in to a comfortable spot on the sofa when she heard footsteps. "Liv? You ok?"

Olivia stood in the archway of the hall. She tried to speak.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" Casey sat up and switched on the light.

"I...uh...it's...I can't go in to my bedroom. The dark and...the mattress..." Liv's dark brown eyes shone with unshed tears.

"Ok, ok. You want me to walk you to your room?" Casey asked.

Liv shrugged.

"Come here." She pulled back the blanket and stood up. Liv walked over to her.

"I just...I don't...God Casey...why?" Liv found herself in Casey's arms again.

"It's ok and why doesn't matter. We can just stay out here if that's what you need." She sat them both down on the sofa and pulled Liv's head to her shoulder. She stroked her hair and tried to calm her.

"Here's good." Liv relaxed in to the soft warmth of Casey's shoulder and the soothing sound of her voice. The last thing she said before sleep claimed her was, "Good."

Casey arranged them more comfortably on the sofa and pulled up the blanket. That's where they woke up at eleven o'clock the next morning.

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Casey woke with no feeling in one of her arms and a crick in her neck. The reason was pretty clear. The detective was situated on top her with her head resting on her chest and both arms squeezing her tightly around the waist. Casey's arms were around her, too. One was over Olivia with the hand she could barely feel resting on the small of her back, the other on her shoulder.

She tried to wiggle out. "Liv?" She whispered hoping not to wake her, but to stir her enough to get out from under her. It didn't work.

Olivia groaned and snuggled her way further in to the chest under her head. Liv wasn't awake, but she knew she felt warm and safe.

Casey's eyes closed at the sensation of Olivia nuzzling her upper chest. Then they popped open. "Liv, sweetie..." She rubbed her shoulder a little.

"Mmmmm, little longer, kay, hun?" This time Liv again rubbed her face against the soft warm flesh under her and kissed it still more than half asleep.

When Casey felt lips on the base of her neck, she gasped. "Wake up, Liv. C'mon." She gently shook her shoulder.

Liv became slowly aware of feeling safe and warm...and soft. Her nose was filled with the scent of honeysuckle. She couldn't remember where she was exactly, but there was a voice...a woman. She lifted her head and her eyes fluttered open. "Casey?"

"Yes." Casey snaked one arm out from under her as she lifted up. She lifted it above her head and shook it. "Sorry to wake you. My arm was going numb."

"Sorry." Liv was trying to remember how it was she came to be sleeping on top of her ADA.

"Just let me up and you can sleep more." Casey shifted but Liv's weight was still squarely on top of her.

"Right, sure. Sorry." Liv pushed herself up with her arms and let Casey up. "I...uh..."

Casey watched the muscles in her arms flex and cleared her throat. "Don't give it another thought. Go back to sleep, ok?" She stood next to the sofa and watched as Liv settled back in. She covered her with the blanket that was still warm from both of them and still held the scent of honeysuckle.

"Ok." Liv's eyes closed as she curled up on her side and snuggled in to the sofa.

Casey stood there for a minute observing her friend. 'She's really beautiful when she sleeps. She really needed some rest.'

Casey padded out to the kitchen to see if there was anything else she might fix them to eat. She found the cupboards pretty bare and decided she'd run to the store. She wrote a quick note, washed up, dressed, fixed her hair as best she could and headed out.

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Liv woke to the sound of clanging and banging in her kitchen. She sat up and yawned. 'Must be Casey. Can't believe she stayed here this whole time.' She stretched and scratched her head. She padded out to the kitchen. "Casey...what the hell did you do?"

Casey looked up from the fridge. "I went shopping. These are called groceries. Mostly they consist of food stuffs." She smirked indicating the bags. "How did you sleep?"

"So that's it? No good morning...just right to giving me shit?" Olivia smiled. "I slept great. Thank you for that. I don't really know what to say."

"Good morning, rather afternoon. You don't have to say anything. I stayed because you needed someone and I'm glad I could be there. Enough, ok?" Casey was resting her hands on the refrigerator door and tilted her head with a sigh.

"Ok, if you insist. Can I help put stuff away or anything?" Olivia looked around at the bags and food sitting on the counter.

"Yeah, sure. You want anything to drink? I got OJ, Dr. Pepper and some lemon-lime seltzer."

"OJ sounds great." Liv went to the cupboard and got a glass. "Thanks."

Casey handed her the juice. "Do you have any idea how difficult it is to shop for someone based strictly on knowledge of their take-out habits and the occasional working lunch?" Casey was placing bread, eggs and lunchmeat in the fridge.

Liv shook her head. "No clue. Bet it's no picnic though. Walk me through it." Liv dug through some bags and put away two jars of sauce and a tub of peanut butter.

"Well, I know your sandwich of choice is turkey, American, lettuce, tomato on whole wheat with cucumbers and honey mustard dressing." She held up the packages of lunchmeat. "People's Exhibit A. Turkey, American and whole wheat bread."

"I don't care what Munch says. We've got a clever ADA." She grinned. "And which of my take-out orders inspired this purchase?" She held up a box of Icy Hot liniment.

"Oh, that would be watching you eat hot wings at Mulligan's." Casey joked as she grabbed the juice and milk and placed them in the fridge.

"Ah. Killing an NYPD detective will get you the needle...DA's office or no." Liv placed a big bag of Munch-O potato chips in the cabinet. "Seriously?"

"My neck's a little sore." Casey was gathering up empty bags.

"Ah, from holding me like a toddler while I used you for a bed last night." Olivia's lips became a straight line on her face. She hated the thought that what Casey had done for her wound up causing her pain.

"I'm sure that's part of it. It's also where I carry my tension mixed with an old softball injury. I'll be just fine. I've handled it before." Casey stood in front of Liv.

Liv nodded as she listened. "So, do you want to get back to your place? I mean you've babysat me quite enough."

Casey shook her head. "I have the whole day. Are you hungry?"

Liv stared at Casey deep in thought for long moments. She took in the redhead. She was being so kind to her. She was doing more than a colleague would...more than a friend. Was it because she knew that Liv didn't have anyone else? She shuddered at the thought that she was here out of pity.

"Shall I rephrase, detective?" When she got no response she reached out and touched her arm. "Liv?"

"What?" Olivia snapped out of her thoughts.

"You ok? What were you thinking about just then?" Casey left her hand on Liv's arm.

Olivia ran a hand through her hair. "Just that I hope you're not doing all this out of pity." She pursed her lips and looked down.

"I'm not." She tried to think of how to explain. "Liv. Look at me, please?" She waited until Liv's gaze met hers. "I'm not. I swear. I'm here because I want to be. No other reason."

Olivia saw sincerity in the emerald eyes that held her gaze. She took a deep breath. The silence was broken by the blare of a cell phone.

"That's yours, Liv." Both women searched to find the bag that held Liv's phone.

Liv found it and snapped it open. "Benson." Liv leaned on the counter. "Yeah, I'm doing ok. Last night was a little rough. Tomorrow for sure, Elliot. Thanks. Tell her and the kids I'm fine. That'd be great. Nope, Casey's taking good care of me. Yeah. Tell them I'm fine. I will. You too. Bye."

"Elliot?" Casey asked as she poured herself a 50-50 mix of juice and seltzer.

"Yeah. Just checking in." Olivia smiled. "It's almost three in the afternoon. I should get dressed."

"Only if you want to. If ever a day screamed just stay in your jammies and relax, Liv, this day does." Casey sipped her drink.

"You don't mind?" Liv tilted her head.

"If you want to change, change. But don't do it on my account." Casey returned to her original question. "Are you hungry?"

"Maybe I'll just go freshen up a bit. And yes, I'm hungry...but I can get myself something. You don't have to wait on me hand and foot." Liv drummed her fingers on the counter.

"Again, Liv, I'm talking about throwing together sandwiches, not eggs benedict. Go freshen up. Are sandwiches ok?" Casey smiled gently.

"Yeah, thanks." She turned and headed towards the bathroom.

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Before Casey heard Liv come back in the kitchen, she could smell her. That distinctive scent of musk and spice that preceded Detective Benson in to any room she entered. During cooler weather, it would mix with the scent of her leather coat. It's how Casey knew Liv was in the courtroom, outside her office or in the squad room or not.

"Hey." Liv said as she stood in the kitchen doorway. "Looks good."

Casey almost said it, but didn't. 'So do you.' Olivia had changed in to navy Capri sport pants and a well-worn white NYPD t-shirt. Her hair had been brushed and she had a hint of mint on her breath. "You look like you feel better."

"I do, thanks." Olivia smiled her thousand-watt smile.

"So, sit. Eat." Liv joined her at the small table in the eat-in kitchen. "We've got turkey sandwiches with American, lettuce, cucumber, tomato and honey mustard dressing, chips and some grapes. I didn't know what you'd want to drink."

Liv grabbed a napkin and tucked it in her lap. "This is great. Thanks. It's all my favorites." 'She knows all my favorites. That's so...sweet.' She noticed that there was an assortment of drinks to choose from. "I'll take a Dr. Pepper."

The women ate and chatted casually. When Liv was finished, she popped the last grape in her mouth, wiped with her napkin and sat back in her chair. "Thanks again, Casey."

"You're welcome, again, Liv. I enjoy your company. Wish it were under different circumstances." Casey crunched the last of her chips.

"Hmph. Yeah, I know." Liv looked down and rubbed her forehead.

"Liv...talk to me about it." Casey pleaded with her eyes.

Liv shook her head. "He didn't rape me, ok? Can we leave it at that?"

"As your friend, maybe I could accept that. As the ADA who's responsible for making that rat bastard pay for what he did, I can't." She reached across and grabbed Liv's empty plate.

Olivia's hand stopped hers. "Case." She took a deep breath and looked up in to the concerned emerald eyes. "I...I just...tomorrow, ok? Can we do this tomorrow? I'll make a statement and...everything. Please."

Casey reached out and put her other hand over Liv's. "Of course. Whatever you need. I didn't mean to push. I can't get out of prosecutor-mode. Sorry." She held Olivia's gaze and saw the pain and fear in her eyes. "It's gotten to me somehow. I can't stand the thought of someone hurting you..." Casey paused and swallowed the lump in her throat. "And here's where I should stop talking." She pulled her hands back and stood up under the guise of clearing the table.

Liv sat struck dumb for a moment. Casey was really opening up and it was somehow comforting to hear her say some of the very things she was feeling. "Casey stop."

Casey kept clearing the dishes.

Liv stood and crossed behind her. "Casey? Stop for a minute."

Casey stopped at the sink but didn't turn around. She placed both hands on the sink for support, bent her head and tried to check her emotions. She was there to support Liv not break down.

"Casey, please." Liv put a tentative hand on Casey's shoulder and tugged gently. "Turn around."

Casey drew in a sharp breath and turned to face her. She worried her bottom lip. "Liv..." Her voice was on the verge of cracking and she cleared her throat.

"Just talk to me. What you said before...it's the same thing I'm feeling." Liv once again pleaded for her to give voice to the feelings she could not.

Casey buried her face in her hands to collect her thoughts. "I can handle it when one of my detectives get hurt in the line of duty. You're not meter maids. Christ, half of you have been shot...you've all been shot at, nearly blown up, beaten up. I've been beaten up. And it's all in the course of a day." She rubbed at the back of her neck.

Liv stood with her hand still on the taller woman's shoulder and gave a small squeeze. Her soft brown eyes begged her to continue.

"But this was…different. You were more than just hurt. I don't know what he did, but to see the pain and the hurt in your eyes...you of all people. You're the strongest woman I know. Your spirit was broken. If this can happen to you...it can happen to anyone." Casey took a deep breath. "It broke my spirit to watch it happen. It broke my heart. I felt... helpless." She lowered her eyes.

Olivia swallowed audibly at the counselor's words. She reached out her other arm and placed her hand on Casey's other shoulder. "Wow. No wonder they pay you for your verbal skills." She pulled the woman to her and embraced her warmly.

Casey closed her eyes and sank in to Olivia's arms. "It's a gift." She spoke the words against Olivia's shoulder. She felt Olivia laugh.

Olivia whispered in to the soft red hair. "Glad you found your calling, counselor."

Her words tickled Casey's neck as she spoke. Casey became aware that Olivia was rubbing her back in soft calming strokes. She let herself relax in to the embrace.

"Thanks for that, Casey." Liv lifted her head and looked up at Casey. "I felt helpless, too. Things like that aren't supposed to happen to me." She leaned in.

Casey pulled back. "Liv?"

Olivia let her pull back but still held her. "What, Case?" Her chocolate brown eyes practically twinkled when they spoke the familiar of her name.

"Uh, what's happening here, exactly?" Green searched brown for answers. She knew she had a girl-crush on the older woman. She was strong yet feminine, soft yet with an edge. And when she did what she did best, she wasn't sure who wouldn't find themselves falling for the dark haired beauty. But she knew that it was silly...a schoolgirl crush, no different than ones she'd had on teachers in school, a crush borne of deep respect and admiration. Now, a moment ago it appeared as though Olivia was leaning in to kiss her.

"I have no idea. But this..." Liv gestured to the two of them. "This feels right." She leaned in again.

Casey put her hand up to stop Liv's progress. "Wait. This..." She replicated Liv's gesture. "Feels a lot like taking advantage of your emotionally vulnerable state. I..." She searched her mind for the right words.

"See, counselor, you've got no clue how to properly take advantage of someone. It'd never hold up in front of a jury. Taking advantage involves being the aggressor, less clothes and a lot less talking." She leaned her head against Casey's forehead and smiled. "But you get extra points for chivalry."

"Jokes, Liv? You're making jokes now?" Casey had to smile too; the brunette's smile was indeed contagious.

"It's my defense mechanism. Not unlike your smart-ass remarks." She brushed her nose against Casey's.

"Can we just please slow down a bit?"

Olivia pulled back, placed a kiss on Casey's forehead and smirked. "Sure. You be the pace car."

"I mean...we're standing in your kitchen and having a pretty complicated conversation and it's all just a bit overwhelming." Casey pulled out of the embrace.

"Agreed." Liv exhaled heavily and shrugged. "Where's a better place to have a complicated conversation about realizing the unrequited is suddenly attainable?" Olivia was still trying for humor.

Casey wasn't feeling as light about it as Liv was. "Don't be flip, Liv." She walked out of the kitchen not exactly sure where she was going.

"I'm sorry, Case. I didn't mean it that way." Liv followed her to the living room where Casey just stood with her head in her hands. "Just tell me what you need."

"It's not about what I need. It's about what you need right now. And the timing just plain sucks, Liv." She spoke from under her own hands. "Sucks." She needed to pull herself together or get out of there.

Liv walked up behind her and placed her hand flat on Casey's back between her shoulder blades. "Why does it suck?"

Casey's body pressed back in to the hand involuntarily. "Because I'm supposed to be here for you, to be strong for you. Not be trying to..." She couldn't even say it and blushed.

"Get in to my pants?" Liv slipped her hand around to her shoulder and pulled the tall redhead sideways against her. "You feel like this is taking advantage."

Casey nodded. She didn't trust her voice.

"Ok. Tell me what you want."

"I want to be there for you. I want to be here for you. I want to help you through whatever happened. For reasons I can't explain, I want to take care of you." Casey uncovered her face and reluctantly met the warm brown eyes that had never been taken off her. She held her breath.

"Ok, wow." Olivia just stared. Someone wanted to take care of her. Wait, not just someone...Casey. "Casey?"

"Yes?" Their gazes were locked. The warm brown eyes sent a chill down Casey's spine. The hand on her shoulder was almost burning her skin.

"I want to let you...take care of me." Olivia's heart was in her throat and her mouth went dry. "Kiss me? Please?" She pleaded with her voice and her eyes but she didn't move a muscle. She became hyper aware of her breathing and her pulse.

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