A/N: Just to warn you, starting with chapter 7, I will be upping the rating to M. So don't look for it in T anymore after that! We're going to have some EO and JC action!
John was directly in front of the doctor before the door had even closed completely. "How is she?" he demanded.
"She'll be fine," the doctor replied kindly. "We stitched up the laceration on her head. She has a pretty big contusion on her abdomen, but there was no internal bleeding. The biggest problem is the ribs; we can't do anything for them but give her painkillers and keep her still. Breathing hurts her more than anything else at this point."
"Can I see her?"
"Go ahead. Room 109."
"Thank you." He hurried past the doctor and through the doors, not stopping until he reached her room. He took a deep breath, stealing himself up to be strong, and he went in.
Casey was lying on her back, staring up at the ceiling. Her breathing was shallow and labored, and pain seemed permanently etched on her face. "Casey," John said gently, not wanting to startle her.
She jumped anyway, putting a hand to her ribs and wincing. "John," she said weakly, giving him a smile that did not mask her pain. Not even close. "How are you?"
He looked at her incredulously, pulling a chair up right next to her so he was above her and she did not have to strain to see him. "How am I? How many drugs are you on?"
"More than you've ever had at once, even in your hippie days, Munch."
"I resent that."
"So what's new." She smiled at him, and he smiled back. "I can't laugh," she said. "It hurts."
John nodded seriously, but his eyes were sparkling. "Fine. I'll be somber."
Casey chuckled. "Stop it."
They sat in silence for a few minutes, John taking her hand in his. His eyes roved over her, taking in the pained rise and fall of her chest and the five stitches marring her pale skin. "Can I see the other stuff?"
She shook her head. "You don't need to see it, John," she said softly.
"Yes I do. I have to know how angry I should be."
She sighed, and carefully pulled her hospital gown aside to reveal a huge purple, blue, and red bruise on her stomach. John could see the shape of a fist in the splotches. Her chest was wrapped up tightly, presumably to stabilize her ribcage. His hands clenched.
"Casey…do you know what you said to me as they were bringing you in?"
She nodded, her eyes never leaving his. "I've got to learn when to shut up," she tried to joke, but John held up his hand to stop her.
"I'm not going to let you blow this off like it's nothing."
"Please…I don't want to talk about this now."
"I told Elliot."
"And?"
He ran his thumb across her lips, unable to speak. "The statute expired."
"So you're just assuming you know what I meant?"
"Am I wrong?"
She stared at him for a moment before finally avoiding his gaze. "No."
Even though John had been pretty much certain he was right about the 'attack', hearing her confirm it was too difficult. "Casey," he whispered, tears coming to his eyes.
"Let it go. It was…it's hard to explain."
"Oh, I'm sure," he snapped sarcastically. "I'm sure there were mitigating circumstances that make being raped by your fiancé completely acceptable."
"Don't be an ass, John." She finally met his eyes again.
"I can't just ignore this!"
"You should. There's nothing you can do about it."
"I can't believe you of all people didn't report this! What's the matter with you?" He took a deep breath, looking at her. She did not flinch at his outburst. She did not even look mad.
"Kiss me, John," she said.
He stared at her. "Why?"
She rolled her eyes. "Because I love you."
The corner of his mouth twitched. Leave it to Casey to distract him from his tirade. He leaned down and brought his lips to hers. "This isn't over," he murmured.
"I'm sure," she replied briefly, opening her mouth to deepen the kiss.