After the first day, Casey doesn't have much time to think about Laura. She is busy juggling the new rocket plans with her dad, helping Nate with his piece for the robotics competition, and tracking the remaining recruiters as they continue their search.
They see Laura possibly three or four times but it's enough to make a dent. Casey learns two things in these moments. One, it is obvious that Laura is interested in Frank. Two, Laura is a doctor and her place is at the research facilities near the hospital, on the other side of the city. The less she sees of her, the better and the more she stays away from Frank, the better. In fact, besides those visits, it isn't until almost the beginning of December when they see each other again.
She is at the diner with her dad and Nate for their weekly dinner. Tonight, they're celebrating Nate's win at his competition and finally reaching a plan for their prototype. Frank is missing, citing meetings as his excuse. Casey doesn't mind - it's nice to spend time with her dad and brother. Plus, she and Frank do not have to be glued to each others' sides 24/7.
What she does mind is when she happens to look up and sees Frank not even five tables away with Laura - and no one else. Her fork clangs against the plate, which catches Eddie's attention.
"What?" He twists slightly trying to see what she is staring at. When he spots them, he hesitates briefly, then turns back to his daughter. "Case, don't,"
"I wasn't going to do anything." She mutters, picking up her fork again. She violently stabs her chicken as she continues in a calm voice, "I know I have nothing to worry about. I completely trust him."
"Good, because you need to give him some credit."
"Why are you defending him?"
"I wasn't aware he needed defending since apparently you totally trust him but if you decide to go through with shooting lasers out of your eyes, you should know something."
"What's that?"
"He looks like a grinning sixteen year old idiot when you walk into the room. I've never seen him look at anyone else like that otherwise I would have broken his legs by now."
Her gaze softens briefly until she hears Laura laugh loudly and she scowls again. She tells herself he isn't enjoying this but he is smiling down at the table, nodding slightly. Frank seems to pick up on her presence - or someone staring him down at the very least- and looks up from his coffee. He looks caught as their eyes meet and his smile fades as he seems to know he is in a shitload of trouble.
"See, he even looks guilty! Because he lied and he knows I can't stand her."
"Or maybe it's because you're terrifying him. Seriously, I've never seen you look at someone like that before. You're scaring me." Eddie takes a drink out of his glass and shifts in his seat. "And how do you know you don't like her? She hasn't even been here six weeks."
"I know I don't like her because every time we are around each other, she acts like I'm some dim witted child and tries to undermine me in front of my own husband."
Eddie grimaces at the term husband and typically Casey would make some kind of retort but she is too busy staring at the other table.
"I bet she doesn't even know who she's talking to. I mean, I essentially saved her life and she probably doesn't realize it. She probably thinks Frank did all the work. Bet she doesn't know I scored a 73 on my aptitude test and he only got a 41."
"It was a team effort."
"It took him decades and my suggestion to realize the monitor could affect people. Really, all he did was carry Athena to her death."
"I'm loving this skewed version of history. Are you more annoyed that he has a friend or people are giving him credit and praising his abilities? Because from where I'm sitting, you're pouting because no one is giving you attention."
"She is not a friend. She is a-a-a viper ready to pounce on him her first chance. She thinks that I'm some kind of joke or - or a placeholder until the real thing comes along." Casey's sharp tone fades off and her expression flickers to something else - some kind of mix of worry and sadness. She dips her head down and stares morosely at her food, pushing the peas around the plate. Eddie notices this and squeezes her slumped shoulder gently.
"Case,"
"I'm fine. Really." she tries to look up with a smile but only manages a half hearted grin. Her gaze is once again on the other table and she feels something ignite within her when Laura's hand settles on Frank's wrist. She looks away and throws her napkin on the table, missing Frank's uncomfortable expression and how he moves his arm away from the woman.
"You know, I don't have to put up with this." she waits about three seconds before standing up and striding towards the other table. "Hey,"
He barely has a chance to muster a reply before she leans in and plants a firm kiss square on his mouth. She means for it to be a simple kiss but her body apparently has different ideas. She holds onto him tightly - one hand on his jaw, the other squeezing into his shoulder. This isn't typical for them. Generally, when they're in public they try not to be so affectionate so she isn't surprised that she caught him off guard. She doesn't care though. She has to stake her claim. She can feel Laura glaring a hole in her back and it only makes Casey deepen the kiss.
"Hi," he looks slightly dazed when they separate and she chuckles quietly, running her hand down his chest.
"I thought you had a meeting."
"I did- for the new housing project."
"You could have joined us." she points to where their family is and Frank feels a momentary flicker of fear as he locks eyes with his father-in-law until he realizes Eddie seems to be on his side in this odd turn of events.
"Honestly, I didn't even see you guys over there."
"Must've been preoccupied when you came in."
He tilts his head slightly in confusion but doesn't have a chance to question her.
"Hi Casey," Laura interrupts and she turns slightly to look at the woman.
"Oh hi Laura. I didn't realize you were here." she smiles as she settles against Frank's side, arm wrapped over his shoulder. He glances to her hand, where her fingers are digging painfully into his bone, then back at the strained politeness between the women.
"Must've been preoccupied."
The obvious retort makes Casey narrow her eyes ever so slightly.
"Not that I blame you of course. I would be too if I saw Frank." Laura laughs lightly as if she's joking and Casey's hand is turning white from her grip as Frank tries not to make a pained noise.
"Honey, I'm going to need my arm back." he hisses, refraining from throwing her hand off. She glances over and eases her tension but keeps her arm around him.
"I didn't know you had plans with someone tonight." she says, directing the comment at him.
"I didn't. Last minute decision after the meeting."
"Just a follow up to the other night." Laura adds and Casey frowns, unaware that there has been more than one of these meetings. "Oh, didn't Frank tell you? He's helping me start a project."
"It's really nothing. Early stuff, brainstorming, you know how it is." He shrugs like it isn't a big deal. He feels Casey go tense as she digests this information and he runs a hand up along her spine, hoping to ease her.
"Right. Anyway, I should get back over there." She cups the side of his face and kisses him quickly - this time barely a brush, as though she can't be bothered to put out any effort. "I'll see you at home."
"Do you want to stay?"
"No, I have an errand to run. Have... fun."
"Okay." he frowns briefly as he eyes her. "I have to run by the lab to finish up something for Garrett but I'll be back around nine."
"I'll see you then."
She returns to her own table, bids her dad goodbye before he can protest, and leaves the restaurant to head for the shopping district. She has no idea what she is doing there as she wanders from store to store.
Actually, she does, and it is what has kept her anger simmering at a slow boil since Laura showed up. It's hard to forget the look on Frank's face as he watched the other woman. It wasn't just him, the rational side of her comments. She isn't like most of the women in Tomorrowland and she certainly isn't like Casey. Her red hair is as vibrant as the red lipstick and nail polish she wears, makeup always perfectly done and not a curl out of place. She supposes the clothes she wore were supposed to be business casual but every outfit she had seen her in always seemed to accentuate her figure and draw attention to the woman.
Casey stares blankly into the rack of clothing and wonders again what the hell she is doing. There were two sections of the current store - apparel that looks like it belongs in a sci-fi novel and clothes more suited to their styles back home. She glances down at her current outfit - torn jeans and a NASA hoodie - and suppresses a grimace. What does he even see in you?
She shoves the thought aside and grabs the trashiest dress she can find off the rack, then a few low cut tops, a skirt, and another pair of jeans that are tighter than her normal pairs. She's grateful that the store is run by animatronics because she's not sure she can look anyone in the eye right now. She is rung up without issue and wanders into the next store. This one is similar to the department stores back home and has several different sections. She wanders by the make-up counter once, then twice, then a third time before she finally stops.
She doesn't know anything about this. She was never the 'girly girl' and her mom had died when she was eight. There was no female influence in the house growing up and that had suited her just fine for years until now. The girl at this counter is human and maybe a year or two older than she is. She doesn't mock or laugh but is actually quite helpful and gives Casey a few pointers. In the end, she leaves armed with mascara, eyeshadows, blush and a number of other things that look like torture devices.
She is almost at the exit when she spies the lingerie section. It is ridiculous but she blushes as she examines the different garments. She thinks of what she owns and imagines Laura must have an army of bras and panties to coordinate with her outfits. The holographic model pouts in front of her, the style and color of the lingerie changing periodically. She moves quickly before she changes her mind and decides this is the stupidest idea she has had in a while.
"Case? Honey, are you home?" Frank's voice is accompanied by the sound of the door closing. She doesn't respond as she listens to him walk through the apartment.
She spares a glance in the mirror and contemplates locking the bedroom and never coming out again. She supposes that she doesn't look too bad. She had showered once she got home, took the time to actually blow dry and style her hair for a change, and after poking herself in the eye a few times with the mascara wand, managed to follow the saleswoman's advice. The dress isn't as bad as she expected. It ends just above her knees and suits her nicely enough she guesses, even if it isn't anything like her typical wardrobe.
She finally opens the door to the bedroom and glances out to see Frank in the kitchen with his back to her.
"Hey,"
"Hey. I didn't think you were here. Where've you been? I'm sorry about the diner. I seriously planned on grabbing takeout and going back to the lab. She just followed me and kind of just latched on. I left you a couple of ... voice ... mails." His words slowly stutter to a stop as he turns and stares at her. She fidgets awkwardly under his gaze. At first, he looks confused but that is only for a brief moment before he runs a hand through his hair and exhales a low breath. His voice is a little rougher when he speaks again. "Hey."
"Hey." She mimics, biting down on her thumb nail.
"Uh, not that I don't think you look uh, good, cause I do, I mean, you uh, what's going on?"
"I... I thought a change might be good." she replies quietly, taking a few steps towards him. "What do you think?"
"You... you look great. I," he pauses, shifting his weight and his tongue darts out over his lips. "Hell, Case, what am I supposed to say?"
"I was hoping for more than great."
"It is more than great, I'm just... surprised that's all. It's a good kind of speechless."
She still feels a little unsure as she leans against him, hands trailing down his chest. His hands immediately grip her hips as they meet in a slow kiss. After a minute or so, he turns them and sets her on the countertop. She hooks her ankles behind his back, then arches her chest with a quiet groan as he trails his mouth over the exposed cleavage created by the push-up bra. He marks a line up the side of her neck before he kisses her mouth again.
"What did you do to your eye?" He frowns briefly as he traces a thumb around the edge of her left eye. It's red and slightly puffy and the eyeliner only seems to enhance the problem.
"I poked myself with the stupid mascara thing." She looks a little embarrassed and he blinks, then lets out a snort. Her face falls and he looks remorseful but shakes with silent laughter. She surprises him next by bursting into tears. "It's not funny!"
"I, baby, I'm sorry. I'm not laughing at you." He kisses her forehead gently, hoping to give her some kind of comfort. "I'm just picturing you - and - anyway, what's going on? You look uncomfortable as hell."
"I- I - I thought this was what you wanted."
"What? Where the hell did you get that idea from?"
"I - I saw how you were looking at Laura and she's all pretty and put together and I look like I'm 12 still. You - you deserve better than what I do."
"Honey, no." He snorts again and looks pityingly at her. "I don't care whether you wear jeans or a ball gown. You do look amazing but I'd rather you be you and you know, keep both eyes in your head safe and uninjured."
He cracks a smile and she huffs a short laugh as she lowers her gaze. She sighs quietly and leans her forehead against his shoulder. He presses his mouth against the top of her head, then maneuvers a hand under her chin to get her to look at him.
"Case, I love you for a lot of reasons but your looks aren't high on the list of important things. I mean, you are beautiful but it isn't a deal breaker and I prefer you a lot more with your natural look instead of all this junk."
"Really?" Her voice is meek as she looks at him with wide blue eyes. He nods and she smiles bashfully.
"Really. Was this the errand you had to run?"
"Maybe." she mumbles sheepishly.
"Okay, I guess. I mean, if you want to dress like this, feel free but the simple, no frills kind of girl was the one I fell in love with. It was more about your intelligence and spirit and how you don't hesitate to put me in my place. You didn't have to do this."
"I just - I feel like I should put out more effort. You were ogling her and she was touching you."
"Who- Laura? I wasn't ogling her."
"You were and for the first time, I thought maybe we weren't working- that you wanted something... someone else."
"If I was looking at her it's because I thought she was a train wreck. Didn't you hear me when I said I didn't plan on her showing up?"
"Why didn't you tell me you've been seeing her?"
"Because I didn't meet up with her. She showed up at the lab two nights ago, when you were with Nate. She wanted help on some new equipment for the hospital. I don't think she was there even five minutes." It slowly starts to come to him and a smirk grows on his face. "Did you do all this because you're jealous?"
"No! I did it because I don't want to lose you."
"Casey," the smirk rapidly fades and his eyes soften as he strokes the side of her cheek.
"I get it if you want an older woman."
"You know, usually women are concerned their husbands are going after younger women."
"Good thing you can't get much younger than me." she retorts with a miserable look. He laughs and kisses her.
"I don't care about your age or what you wear."
"And what if this - we only happened because we isolated ourselves?"
"It's not. I promise you it's not."
"I understand if someone comes along and you feel something for them. I'm not just talking about Laura. She's just... the catalyst. I'm saying this about anyone. I - I'm sure there are people who will come along and-"
"I won't."
"You don't know if you haven't met them."
"I don't have to. You'd seriously give up without a fight? That doesn't sound like you."
"I would want you to be happy and if that's with someone else then I wouldn't want to make you miserable. I'd just want you to be honest before you did anything."
"I guess that's where we differ then. If you found some young stud, I wouldn't give up so easily. And happy? I am happy."
"Happier then."
"Not possible. Jesus, Casey, you have no idea how happy you make me. I don't know what the hell I did to deserve you." She blushes at his comment and he takes her face in his hands again and gazes lovingly at her. "I was a terrible human being before you tricked your way into my house. I was angry and miserable and bitter and you changed that. You put all the pieces back together. Just you. No one else. I'm not able to stop loving you. I know because I tried. Before we were together, I looked around and tried to find anyone who could replace you and there is no one. I'm afraid you're stuck with me. Please believe me when I tell you I love you because I don't know how else to put and definitely don't doubt yourself or how you make me feel. I don't want or need anyone else, especially not Laura."
"Women want you Frank - and she definitely is one of them. I don't think she cares if you're not interested."
"Yeah I'm aware of the Frank Walker Fan Club. Doesn't mean I want to join them. Now Miss Newton, have I satisfied all questions, comments, and concerns?"
"Yeah, except it's Walker." She grins, toying with the collar of his shirt. He blinks, then chuckles, tipping his forehead against hers.
"That's my girl. Well, Mrs. Walker how about I get this off you?"
"Yes please." she shivers with anticipation as his fingers trail over her back and pull the zipper down. She lifts her butt off the counter, letting the dress fall off her legs and onto the floor. He leans back for a moment, admiring the black lace barely covering her and she watches as his eyes darken with lust.
"Maybe uh, maybe keep these." he mumbled, hands grazing over her. He lowers his head to her chest, placing soft kisses anywhere he can reach. She winds a hand into his hair to keep him in place, lets out a few quiet noises of pleasure that encourage him to go further.
"Oh God," she groans softly and tips her head back, narrowly missing the overhead cabinet. "Mm, changed my mind."
"About what?"
"Letting you go so easily. I wouldn't care if you were unhappy. I need you for my own selfish wants and needs."
His laugh vibrates through her as he kisses just below her belly button.
"Believe me, I'd gladly oblige your selfish wants and needs."
"Good answer."
