Thanks again for reading. Special thanks to those who review. I run on reviews. I swear. Extra special thanks to "Babes." You keep me going. wink
Have you ever heard a song that seems to crazy glue itself to your brain? And the most unlikely of songs at that? I mean, one that you never really enjoyed before, but now you can't function properly until you've heard the song and that's that? That happened to me today. I was driving and heard the tail end of "Sister Golden Hair" by America and let me tell you, that song would not leave my head for the rest of the day! The thing is that I never really liked that song, but it just stuck to my brain and I couldn't get it out of my head...so I downloaded it for 99 cents and now I'm the owner of a song I probably won't listen to more than once.
Like Munch...I detect a conspiracy.
Disclaimer: I own nothing affiliated with any "Law and Order" show.
Chapter 7
6:45 p.m.
Elliot Stabler looked at his wristwatch and then back at his partner, who was reading and rereading witness statements, forensic evidence findings, and interview notes taken on Anna Levis. He coughed and she looked up. "You're late."
"Hmmm?" Olivia questioned, clearly confused.
"Fifteen minutes late..." Elliot continued, and suddenly his partner understood.
"Shit!" She hissed, slamming the file shut and jumping up. "You still okay with taking a double?" She asked hurriedly while grabbing her jacket from the back of her chair.
Elliot laughed and sat back in his chair, folding his hands behind his head. "Of course I am. Have fun."
Olivia smiled as she jogged out of the precinct, picking up pace as she reached the hallway, hoping Casey hadn't given up hope yet.
Fin watched Olivia run out and turned to Elliot, handing him a cup of coffee. "Where's she off to?"
"She's late." Elliot answered simply.
Fin nodded, though he wasn't exactly sure why.
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"You've reached the office of Assistant District Attorney Casey Novak. I am unable to take your call at this time, but if you leave your name, number, and a brief message, I will get back to you shortly. Thank you."
Beep.
"Casey, its Olivia. Pant Please don't tell me you've left because I'm running...breathless pant I'm running to your office from my car...pant which I had to park five blocks away...gasp, pant because there was no parking...pant...I know I'm late. pant I'm sorry. I'll be there soon...pant I'm sorry."
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6:59 p.m.
Olivia took the stairs two at a time to reach Casey's office floor, throwing open the stairwell door like a lunatic. Luckily, the floor wasn't too crowded. Olivia jogged quickly toward Casey's door, her heart dropping when she saw it was closed.
Damn...Fuck...Shit. "Shit." She echoed her own thought, struggling to regulate her breathing. Once she had calmed down enough, she smoothed out her clothing and tried her best to fix her hair. Despite knowing the A.D.A. wouldn't had minded her appearance, Olivia at least wanted to look presentable for their date...if there still was one. Hesitantly, she placed a hand on the doorknob, closing her eyes for a moment to wish. Please be in there. With one swift twist of the knob, Olivia opened the door and entered, ready to spew a stream of apologies.
She was greeted by an empty office.
"Fuck." She expelled breathlessly. You blew it. Disheartened and angry with herself, Olivia stepped out, nearly slamming the door behind her, and instantly connected with another body, sending her sideways into the doorframe. There was a moment of blurred chaos before Olivia recognized a swirl of light red hair...and her heart soared. "HE--Hey."
Casey regained steady footing, nearly dropping the folder full of papers she had in her hand. "Jesus Liv, I'm sorry." She looked at her watch. "I had an unscheduled emergency meeting with the D.A. How long have you been waiting?"
Olivia smiled brightly. "Not long at all. Is everything okay?"
Casey waved Olivia's concern away. "Yeah, there was just some missing paperwork on the Jackson case that the clerk misplaced. We found it though."
"Oh...Are you ready to go?"
Casey nodded, smiling. "Yes. Just let me put these papers in there and lock up. Okay?"
"Absolutely." Olivia opened the door and stepped aside, allowing Casey to enter before her.
"Thanks." Casey whispered, winking as she passed the brunette by.
Suddenly the nerves Olivia hadn't been aware of made themselves known. What if I make a fool of myself? What if Casey doesn't want to go out with me again? What if things become weird? Olivia had known Casey for years now, but only as a co-worker and friend, not as a romantic possibility. What if Casey didn't like her outside of the office? What if she found her boring? Olivia wasn't sure what she would do if Casey realized going out was a big mistake, especially now that Olivia herself was so excited about it
Casey straightened up her desk and was about to turn to her date when she noticed that she had a message. She picked up the phone, her back still turned to Olivia and listened to the breathless desperate message that was left on her machine, smiling. At least now, I'm sure that she wants this as much as I do. She turned to the Detective, about to comment on the message, when she saw that Olivia's eyes were closed.
Olivia had decided to close her eyes and take a few deep breaths while Casey was distracted, hoping to calm herself before the other woman took notice. Okay, calm down Benson. Take it one step at a time, okay? One step at a time. She opened her eyes to find Casey standing in front of her, jacket in hand, looking amused. Busted.
"You okay?" The red-head asked, her tone a mixture of concerned mocking.
"Fine. Just a little-"
"Nervous." Casey finished for Olivia.
Yes, nervous! Hesitant...anxious even...and yet...also exited and completely willing. "Yeah, a little."
Casey nodded. "Honestly, me too. But let's just take it one step at a time, okay?"
Olivia smiled. You read my mind. "Okay."
Satisfied, Casey looped an arm around Olivia's. "So, Detective, where are you taking me this evening? I'm sure you've heard that I'm not a cheap date."
Olivia thought for a moment before answering. "How do you feel about the McDonald's up on Broadway? I hear their bathrooms are really clean--" Olivia was cut off by a playful swat to her arm, and laughed.
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Their "official" date began in a quaint, romantic Italian restaurant in the village called "Bella Amore." It was small inside, and dark; the only forms of lighting were dimmed ceiling fixtures and candles. The walls were a dark wood, with a few tasteful pictures hung strategically on the walls. The tables were covered by deep maroon tablecloths and the chairs seemed to be made of the same dark wood as the walls. The atmosphere was elegant, quiet, and intimate.
The host, a small, middle-aged Italian man with a polite disposition showed the women to their table in the corner of the restaurant, away from other diners, and Olivia ordered a nice red wine to start.
Casey was surprised to say the least. "How did you find this place?"
Olivia inhaled a deep breath of air, looking down. "Years ago, when I was just starting out, I used to come here all the time. I'd sit at the bar in the front and have a few drinks and...fantasize about the person I'd bring here." She looked up at Casey, smiling softly. "It couldn't be just anybody though...it had to be someone special." She reached across the table and took hold of Casey's hand, squeezing it softly, hoping Casey understood.
Casey felt herself blush. Olivia was never one for romantics, so it warmed Casey's heart that Olivia had gone to such lengths. And for once in all the time Olivia had known her, Casey Novak was speechless.
An old waiter appeared with the bottle of wine, smiling broadly as he poured two glasses. "Would you like to hear tonight's specials?"
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As they ate, their conversation was casual, flirty, and light, and each woman had not felt as comfortable as they had in a while. Olivia found herself truly enjoying the date, the nerves of before forgotten. The surprisingly pleased detective found something alluring about Casey Novak. There was something about the red-head that made Olivia want to tell her everything. It happened once, years ago, when she blurted out to Casey about her mother's drinking problems. Granted, the conversation came up because of a case that startlingly paralleled her past, but Olivia had never spoken to anyone else about her mother in that way. That night in the bar, after that conversation, Olivia knew she and Casey were meant to be something more than co-workers, but she didn't know exactly what that "something more" was...until tonight.
Casey, meanwhile, enjoyed getting to know Olivia outside of the job. And it was nice. There were things that crossed over, of course, like the fact that Olivia was kind, caring, attentive, and decidedly soft-spoken despite her tough exterior. But there were things that Casey had never known, like the fact that Olivia spoke three other languages: Hungarian, French and Italian. Or that she was a music lover. And even though she was learning a lot more than she had bargained for, Casey was sure it was only the tip of the iceberg.
Their dinner plates were cleared and they were waiting for dessert, both women on their third glass of wine, when Casey spoke up. "So, what's your story? I mean, are you fully gay, bi? What?"
Olivia took a moment to put her situation into words. "I guess...for all intensive purposes...you could say that I'm bisexual." Casey nodded, but Olivia wasn't finished. "But I prefer women. I've been with men before, and believe it or not, have had relationships. But they've never lasted as long as my relationships with women...and they were never as emotionally connected either. What about you?"
Casey sat back. "Uh...bisexual. I don't really have a preference though. I care more about the person, not the gender." She met Olivia's gaze, her emerald eyes flickering in the candlelight.
"Hmm...good to know." Olivia smiled flirtaceously.
Soon, their dinner was over, and Olivia decided to foot the bill. Casey had wanted to split it, but Olivia wouldn't hear it. "You can pay next time."
Casey raised her eyebrows teasingly. "There's going to be a next time?"
"I should hope so." Olivia answered, offering her hand to Casey as she stood.
Casey took it, feeling heat rush from their connected limbs throughout her entire body. Wow. She could feel her pulse quicken; could hear her heartbeat in her ears...could feel the excited thumping as it beat against her chest.
Olivia held on to Casey's hand all the way to the car, which was a five minute walk from the restaurant. Earlier, Casey cursed the lack of closer parking. Now she wished they had parked a mile away, if it meant Olivia's hand staying intertwined with her own.
"So...tell me something you've always wanted to do, but have never done."
"What do you mean?" Olivia asked, looking at Casey in bemusment.
"I mean...I've never been to the top of the Statue of Liberty, but I've always wanted to go, just never had the time."
"I'm sure you're not alone there. I don't think most New Yorkers have ever been to the Statue of Liberty."
"Does that mean you've never been there either?"
Olivia shook her head. "No, I have. Tenth grade field trip...all the way to the top. Hundreds of stairs."
Casey laughed. "Okay. What haven't you done then?"
Olivia was silent for a few moments, wondering. "Hmm...I've never been to Coney Island."
"What?!" Casey exclaimed, surprised. "Never?"
"Why is it so surprising that I've never been to Coney Island? You've never been to the Statue of Liberty."
"Oh those are two totally different things. I mean, you have to take a boat to get to the Statue of Liberty and it's not so much fun as it is educational, but Coney Island...that's fun...and only a train ride away."
Olivia started to protest, but the look in Casey's eye made her pause. "What?"
"I think I just figured out what our second date is going to be." The A.D.A. smiled, seemingly proud of herself.
"That's nice. I take you to a fine Italian restaurant for dinner and you're going to take me to an amusement park."
"Not just any amusement park, Liv, a historical landmark."
"And the Statue of Liberty is what?"
"A statue...not an amusement park. I mean, you haven't really lived until you've ridden the Cyclone. And Coney Island is closing Liv, so you absolutely have to go." Casey's eyes twinkled with delight. "Come on Liv. I'll buy you a Nathan's Hot Dog. That alone should seal the deal."
"Well now that I know I'm getting dinner out of it--" Olivia deadpanned, making Casey laugh. "Fine. Next date: Coney Island."
"Excellent."
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Olivia parked the car in front of Casey's apartment building, jumping out and running around the car to let Casey out, treating her like a lady. "Why thank you Detective." Casey said, holding Olivia's hand as she exited the car, but not breaking the hold as they walked to the building doors. "I had a really nice time tonight."
Olivia nodded. "Me too. Let's not wait too long to do it again."
"How does Saturday sound?"
It being Wednesday evening, Saturday sounded too far away, but Olivia agreed. "Saturday sounds great." She squeezed Casey's hand, swinging it ever slightly, biting her lip.
"Well...good night." Casey started, her eyes boring heavily into Olivia's.
Olivia nodded that ever-so-slight nod she was so good at, and leaned forward, slightly brushing her lips against Casey's. She was about to pull back when Casey wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her in, connecting their lips once again in a fiery and intense passionate kiss that lasted several seconds. At the contact, Olivia felt the warmth spread from her mouth throughout her body, reaching to her very core, igniting it. Casey felt her breath hitch and her heart skip. Surroundings melted away, the infamous sounds of the city were silent. All Casey heard was her rapid heartbeat, all she felt was the heat radiating from the detective's mouth, mixing with her own.
They finally broke when oxygen was spent, leaving them breathless but content. And even though their lips had parted, Casey kept her hold firmly around Olivia's waist, keeping her close. Olivia moved a strand of hair behind Casey's ear, tracing her jaw line with her finger. "Invite me upstairs." She whispered, her voice hoarse with unspoken desire.
Casey shook her head, a devilish smile gracing her features. "I'd love to, but I won't." She whispered back, finally releasing her grip and backing toward her door. "I never put out on the first date."
Casey tried to leave, but Olivia still held her hand and soon they were standing feet apart, their arms outstretched as if desperate to keep the connection. "Even if the date went well?" Olivia asked, the underlying intent marring the levity of the question.
Reluctantly, Casey let go of Olivia's hand, watching as it smacked against the brunette's thigh in disappointment. "Especially if the date went well." Then, she turned and walked into her building. "See you tomorrow."
Olivia stood there allowing a smile to grace her features. "Night Case."
She waited until she saw Casey enter the elevator to leave, her smile staying with her for the rest of the night.
To be continued...
