Chapter 4: Awakenings

Casey woke up two hours later in bed with a resting Donald Cragen in the chair next to her. She couldn't believe he had stayed with her while she slept, but she did like the fact that he did. His eyes closed and he was breathing soft snores. She wanted so much to reach her hands up and touch his face, but knew if he awoke she would have to do some unwanted explaining. Cragen's eyes popped open, " Sleep well, Novak?"

"Just fine." She answered, " I though you would have left after I fell asleep?"

"I had intended too, but I thought that I would make sure you were alright after this mornings events." He explained, " Also, cops in Brooklyn caught the kid that robbed that store this morning...He was trying to rob another convenience store." Casey let out a soft laugh, " Thank you for staying." Cragen put on his jacket and said, " I have to get back to the precinct, and I'll send Benson over in a few hour to check on you."

"I appreciate it and thanks again for you concern."

"I would hate to lose another ADA," He said, " especially one as good at pulling strings as you." She smiled at him as he walked out of her bedroom closing the door behind him. Casey rolled over on her side staring at the wall, the man she had fallen head of heals in love with had spent the better part of two hours in her room and she had been asleep the entire time. She just shook her had in disappointment and whispered, "Damn."

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Donald stepped into his office and ran his hand over his bald scalp. What the hell was the matter with him? Stay at Casey's that long, watching her sleep, and staying by her side. He was way over the line! He should not be thinking about getting involved with a co-worker, especially her, she was far to young and she was his squad's ADA for crying out load!

She would not thing of him in a romantic sense anyway, so why the hell was he so damn in love with her? Love? He did not just use that word. He didn't love her, did he? He was attracted that was all, a fine young woman like her who wouldn't be? Okay, so he knew he was in love but didn't like to admit it because that made it true, and in the end he was going hurt either way.

He had stepped the boundaries today, holding her close to him after she had been attack, then he had taken her home, and watched her sleep. He felt embarrassed when that perp said something about an old man like him "tapping that ass" and she had heard it too. All right so it wasn't like he hadn't thought about sleeping with her, but once again he didn't like to admit it cause it made it true. It was nothing graphic just a thought on dating her and since sex is apart of adult dating, well it had crossed his mind.

A knock came at the door and broke his train of thought, " Saved at last." He said to himself as he answered the door. Detective Olivia Benson was standing in the doorway.

"Hey Captain, Munch said you wanted to see me when I got back." She said with a soft smile. He had every intention of asking her to check up on Casey but every fiber of his body told him he should go.

"Sorry Olivia, but I was going to see if you would stop by Novak's on your way home but I fell its better if I go," he said, " I was with her when today's incident occurred."

"No need to explain, Captain," Olivia said with a smile, " hey if you want I can give you a ride once I'm done with paper work."

" That would be great, Liv, Thanks." He replied. An hour or so later they left for Casey's.