Death takes the ADA, part 3

Author's notes
Thanks a lot to every single reader and every single reviewer. And I apologize for the delay in publishing the next part.
And I promise I'll fix the layout once the story is finished :)

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Liz Donnelly's office
2 weeks ago

- "Casey, I know you and there is something you are not telling me", the judge tried for the millionth time this month.
- "Liz, it's really nothing, don't worry", the young ADA replied although she knew she was a poor liar when it came to her ex boss. She hated lying to her, but she had no other choice.

What could she say?
"One of NY finest Detective uses me as her personal whore? I love her so I let her come back night after night? I let her have what she wants; let her fuck me senseless until she leaves when she's satisfied?"

She could have chuckled at this when her ex boss' voice took her back to the present.

- "Counsellor, you have been way too distant for the last couple of months for it being nothing. And you definitively lack sleep. So I'm telling you again, as your friend", she said in a voice laced with sadness, her hand reaching over the desk to lay on her young friend's arm "if there is anything I can do, just tell me".
- "Liz really, everything is fine. Just got noisy neighbours", she lied again, chastising herself for her poor imagination.
- "If you say so", Liz went on, making it very clear she wasn't buying it. "Just remember you have friends you can talk to"
- "I know Liz, and I appreciate your concern", she replied before focusing back on their initial topic: the Lake's case.

A couple hours later, when they were done going over the active cases, they walked back together to Casey's office.
As she opened its door, she couldn't help but stare: there was a bouquet of white roses sitting on her desk. Which of course wasn't missed by her friend.
Looking sideways at her, she noticed the growing smile.

- "Well, well, well, looks like you have something more than noisy neighbours to keep you up at night Casey", she teased her.
- "The person I'm seen wouldn't send me those", she admitted in a low voice. The second the words left her lips, she bit on her lower lip, mad at herself for voicing it out loud.
- "The person you are seen? Didn't know you were dating anyone", she beamed.
- "Liz… I am not ok!? They are from my brother", she went on, clearly changing subject as she read the card attached to them. "He just want to thank me for showing the city to his older daughter last week. See, no big deal", she went on, hoping Liz wouldn't pick on her sad voice. How she wished they had been from Olivia. How she wished deep down those night stands would lead them somewhere.
- "Ok, ok I'm sorry Casey, I'm being nosey", she teased her.
- "Yes you are", she smiled back.
- "But I want what's best for you Casey. You can't go home to an empty apartment for the rest of your life. The cases you are handling far too horrible for you not to have someone to talk to when you go home. Someone caring, someone listening.", she advised her in an almost motherly way.
- "I doubt the 'person' I'm seeing could. It's just not the kind to stay all night long, or cook romantic dinner", she admitted in a sad voice.
- "Then maybe this person isn't right for you Casey. Don't settle for less than what you deserve", she went on, unaware as how close her words hit her. If only she knew.

For a split second, Casey thought to tell her everything.But as she turned to her, fighting back tears, ready to tell her, she only met an empty space where who she considered her closest friend stood only a minute ago.

- "Guess that's what I deserve", she thought bitterly "empty spaces".

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One last chapter to go... :p